Category: English

Anthony Johnson’s prized songbird bore twins—a secret he guarded fiercely. Until I stole them away. In retaliation, he strung up our son Leo by his ankles from the penthouse balcony, leaving him to roast in the midday sun. When I arrived, Leo’s face was scarlet, lips split and bleeding. His weak whimpers tore at my soul. “Isn’t Leo your son too?” I screamed. “And aren’t Cathy’s children mine?” Anthony snarled, pressing a stun gun to Leo’s ribs. “Tell me where they are, or I’ll make him beg for death.” Leo’s shrieks pierced the air as volts racked his small frame. Broken, I gasped the location: “The villa… outside the city.” Anthony fled—but returned too late. Our son had baked to death in the sun. 1 I clutched Leo’s limp body to my chest and raced to the hospital, a storm of denial and despair raging within me. Outside the emergency room, the doctor delivered the verdict with a heavy sigh. “You were too late. The boy was already running a high fever. Being exposed to that sun for so long… the dehydration caused total organ failure. Not even a miracle could have saved him.” I couldn’t accept it. A gut-wrenching sob tore from my throat, raw and animalistic. Just yesterday, he was a vibrant, laughing whirlwind of a boy. How could he be gone, ripped away from me in a single, cruel day? I had only meant to use those twins as leverage against Anthony. I never, ever imagined it would cost me my Leo. In that moment, a tidal wave of regret, so vast and powerful, consumed me whole. After making the final arrangements for my son, I was a ghost. Grief had hollowed me out, stealing my appetite, my strength, my will to move. I lay in bed, day after day, adrift in a sea of sorrow. It was three days before Anthony came home. He found me in bed and marched to my side, his expression a cold, hard slab of stone. “Because of what you did, my twins were traumatized. They’ve had a fever for three straight days, waking up from nightmares every night! They’re only three, Elara. How could you subject them to such terror?” Three? My Leo was only five. What about the terror he endured? A bitter fury rose in my throat, but my voice was a shredded ruin. I could only glare at him, my silence a testament to my hate. “Fortunately, Cathy is a forgiving woman. She’s willing to let this go. But you can’t be so reckless and jealous next time,” he said, his tone softening slightly as he placed a gift-wrapped box on the nightstand. “Leo’s at school, I assume? Tying him up like that… it was a last resort. I was just trying to scare you, not hurt him. He’s a tough little guy; he can handle it.” He paused. “This is a present for him. Give it to him when he gets home from kindergarten. I have to get back to Cathy and the kids, so I can’t stay.” And with that, he turned and walked out. I stared at the brightly colored box, a sharp, physical pain blooming in my chest, stealing my breath. He didn’t know. He didn’t know that my Leo was never coming home again. With a surge of venomous energy, I pushed myself up. A guttural scream escaped my lips as I swiped the gift off the table, sending it crashing to the floor, a meaningless, hollow offering. 2 A week passed before I could claw my way out of the suffocating fog of grief. I started eating a little, walking around the house like a specter in my own home. I made my way downstairs, only to be met with a sight that stopped my heart. Anthony, who hadn’t been home all week, was walking through the front door with Cathy and her twins in tow. He met my furious gaze without flinching and cut straight to the point. “Well, the secret’s out, so there’s no point in hiding them anymore. To make things easier, I’ve decided to move Cathy and the children in with us. I expect you and Leo to coexist peacefully with them. It’s time I enjoyed the pleasures of having all my children under one roof.” His shamelessness was so profound it was almost comical. My son was dead, his body barely cold, and this man was talking about domestic bliss with his mistress and her illegitimate children. A wave of white-hot anger washed over me, extinguishing the last embers of my love, leaving only the cold ash of disappointment. “Anthony,” I said, my voice raspy. “Let’s get a divorce.” His face darkened instantly. “Elara, what is this now? Another one of your tantrums?” A tantrum? He had the nerve. It was true, when I first found out about his other family, I had lost my mind. I’d screamed, I’d cried, I’d thrown things. I couldn’t stomach the fact that the man who had sworn his undying love for me had betrayed me within two years of our wedding. I had been hysterical, demanding he cut ties with Cathy, demanding he send her and her bastard children away. I had even hidden the twins. And for that, my own son had paid the ultimate price. Never again. I would never cause a scene again. I cleared my ravaged throat and spoke, my heart a dead weight in my chest. “Anthony, you and Cathy have a family now. I’ll step aside. I’ll make it easy for you.” “Elara!” he thundered, a storm cloud gathering in his eyes. “Every man I know with my kind of money has a second family. I’m only providing for two households. Is it really necessary to make such a scene?” He took a step closer, his voice dropping to a low, menacing growl. “And even with Cathy here, nothing changes for you and Leo. You will always be my wife. Leo will always be my firstborn son, the heir to the Johnson fortune. No one can ever touch your position. You should be grateful.” Grateful? A bitter, hysterical laugh escaped my lips, followed by a stream of hot tears. My mind flashed back to the beginning. We’d met in college. He’d pursued me relentlessly for three years, wearing down my defenses with grand gestures and promises whispered like prayers. On the day he proposed, he had sworn on his life that he would love only me, that he would never betray me. Now, here we were. His vows were dust, our love a forgotten memory. He had even orchestrated the death of our child. And he wanted me to be grateful? Cathy, seeing her opening, put on a show of magnanimity. “Anthony, darling, if Elara can’t accept me and the children, perhaps it’s best if we leave. I don’t want to be a source of pain for her…” “Don’t be ridiculous, Cathy,” Anthony said, pulling her into a gentle embrace. “You and the children are staying. I own this house. No one is kicking you out without my permission.” He shot a pointed look in my direction. I turned away, my stomach churning. As I did, my eyes fell on the twins. They were reaching for a set of three custom-made porcelain figures on a display cabinet. A jolt of panic shot through me. “Don’t touch those!” I shrieked. Startled, the twins dropped one of the figures. It hit the marble floor with a sickening crack, shattering into a dozen pieces. “Waaah!” Both children burst into tears. Cathy’s eyes immediately welled up. “Elara,” she choked out, her voice thick with accusation, “if you have a problem with me, I can leave. But why would you scream at the children? What have they ever done to you that you must torment them like this?” Anthony’s face was a mask of fury. He strode over and slapped me, the sound echoing in the cavernous hall. “Elara, can’t you find it in your heart to be a bigger person? They’re just children! They were born premature. You’ve already terrified them once. If your hysterics make them sick, will you be able to live with yourself?” 3 His words were just noise. I couldn’t hear them. My eyes were fixed on the shattered porcelain on the floor. I scrambled over like a madwoman, gathering the sharp fragments, not even feeling the slices as they opened up my fingers, drawing blood. Those three figures were Leo’s favorite things in the world. Anthony and I had made them for him on his third birthday. He’d said they represented us—a family of three, happy forever. Now, my son was gone. The figurine was broken. My family was shattered. The dam of my grief, the pain I had held back for days, finally burst. Cradling the broken pieces to my chest, I began to sob, a deep, hysterical wailing that came from the very core of my soul. Anthony stared at me, baffled. “What is wrong with you today, Elara? Are you possessed?” Cathy stepped forward, her voice dripping with false concern. “Oh, dear. Did something happen to upset you?” “Just leave her,” Anthony said, wrapping an arm around Cathy’s shoulders, his eyes cold and distant. “If she wants to cry, let her cry it out.” He then led his new family upstairs, leaving me alone on the floor. I stared at the bloody shards in my hands, the pain in my heart a monstrous wave pulling me under. After a long, silent moment, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. “Hello… I need to report a crime.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “393103”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My fiancé adopted a little girl, claiming she was the orphaned daughter of his older brother, and begged me to treat her as my own after we were married. I was about to nod in agreement when a line of text materialized in the air before me. [Genius baby online! A big thank you to the supporting female lead for her wholehearted devotion to raising Yoyo. Even though Yoyo is the daughter of the male lead and his one true love (his sister-in-law), we’re still grateful to the SFL for being such a great adoptive mom.] [The SFL is actually a great person. She saves the male lead from bankruptcy and leaves her entire family fortune to Yoyo before she dies.] [Yep, that’s why after the SFL dies, Yoyo brings her real mom home for a happy family reunion!] [As soon as the male lead’s brother kicks the bucket in three days, and the SFL marries the male lead, the plot can officially begin!] Me: “…” Hold on, big brother, don’t you die on me. I’m coming to save you! 1 Before I could even process what I’d just read, George walked over, a little girl in his arms. “Anna, I want to adopt Yoyo.” “She’s my brother’s only daughter. You know the doctors have already told him he doesn’t have long. Yoyo can’t be without a father. Can we raise her as our own after we’re married?” I had thought the floating words were a fluke, but George’s actions mirrored them exactly. George was the male lead, which meant I was the so-called supporting female lead? Yoyo was the daughter of George and his sister-in-law. And I was destined to die? My mind went blank. Seeing my silence, George pushed the child into my arms. “Get to know her. I don’t want people saying her stepmother is abusing her.” [Haha, don’t worry, the SFL is super good to the female lead’s daughter. She pours all of the Kim family resources into raising her. That’s why I don’t hate the SFL! She does a really great job.] [Seriously, the SFL is the living embodiment of ‘love me, love my dog.’] A shiver went down my spine. This was all feeling chillingly real. George looked down at me, his patience wearing thin. “What’s with the silence? Either you accept Yoyo, or we call off the wedding. There’s no room for negotiation.” I forced down the fear rising in my throat and asked tentatively, “What about your sister-in-law? Can she bear to be separated from Yoyo?” It was an innocent enough question, but George’s reaction was explosive. “You want a woman to raise a child all by herself? How can you even say something like that? From now on, you’ll be raising Yoyo.” “And another thing,” he added, his voice cold, “I don’t plan on having any more children after we’re married. Yoyo is enough.” I stared at him, dumbfounded, at a loss for words. [Wow, the male lead is so deeply in love with his one true love, the female lead. He only wants one child his entire life.] [I kind of feel bad for the SFL. She’s such a simp. Because of their childhood engagement, she’s dedicated her entire life to the male lead.] [Yeah, and with the male lead’s brother about to die, the Parker family is facing a crisis. If the SFL hadn’t proposed marriage, their company would have gone under.] [The brother’s cause of death is actually pretty lame. The doctor misdiagnosed him. They missed that a blood vessel in his heart was blocked. All they had to do was clear it, no heart transplant needed.] [And the transplant surgery had complications, leading to his early death. The whole Parker family empire was just handed over to the male lead.] I frowned, a thousand questions racing through my mind. So, the tragic, early death of Liam Parker, a man known for his brilliance, was just as much a contrived plot point as my own? A strange urge to laugh bubbled up inside me. Well, if that’s the case… Hold on, big brother. Don’t you die yet. I’m on my way. 2 I pushed Yoyo back into George’s arms. “This is a huge decision. I need to think about it. I have to go.” Liam Parker was on his deathbed. Time was of the essence. I turned to leave, but as I opened the door, I collided with Maya. She had already regained her balance, but when she saw George in the living room, she let out a dramatic “Oh!” and stumbled backward into the wall. George heard the commotion and immediately put the child down, rushing over. “Maya!” I had just steadied myself when George grabbed my arm, his grip like iron. “If you have a problem with me, take it out on me! Don’t you dare touch Maya! She injured her back during childbirth, she can’t take any kind of impact!” George’s eyes were cold, his jaw clenched so tight I thought he might shatter his teeth. He looked like he wanted to tear me apart. I winced, trying to pull away. “George, let go!” He scoffed, letting go of me only to stride over to Maya. As he did, he gave my arm a sharp, warning tug backward. I was in high heels. I lost my balance and stumbled, landing hard on the floor. My wrist took the brunt of the fall, and a sharp pain shot up my arm. When I looked up, George was carefully helping Maya to her feet. “Are you okay? Is your back alright?” Maya frowned, putting on a brave face. “Anna probably didn’t mean it, George, don’t…” For once, George cut her off. “You’re too kind, always defending her. This isn’t the first time Anna has used her family’s status to do whatever she wants.” He wrapped an arm around Maya’s waist. With Liam on death’s door, it seemed they had thrown all caution to the wind. “Anna, apologize!” he commanded. I pushed myself up, using the wall for support, my teeth gritted. “I didn’t push her. Neither of you has the right to demand an apology from me.” “If you had a brain in your head, you’d check the security cameras. I’ll be waiting for your apology.” With that, I turned and walked away. I didn’t have time for their drama. To save Liam Parker, every second counted. 3 “Take me to the hospital where Liam Parker is staying.” My driver, Mr. Davies, glanced at my swollen wrist and sighed, looking like he wanted to say something but was holding back. “Miss, were you bothering young Mr. Parker again? You’re injured. We should get that looked at.” He then handed me a contract. “This is the partnership agreement between the Parker Group and our subsidiary. It needs your signature.” I let out a bitter laugh and held up my red, swollen wrist for him to see. “Mr. Davies, George injured me, and you want me to sign a contract with him? Have you ever seen such a spineless business partner?” Mr. Davies said nothing, just gave me a look in the rearview mirror. [LMAO, the driver is totally rolling his eyes. His internal monologue must be: ‘My dear young miss, you have the nerve to say that?!’] [Anna has been George’s biggest simp since they were kids. The driver is used to it.] I was furious. I threw the contract back onto the passenger seat. [Oh? Is the SFL upset?] [She’ll get over it. Remember that time the male lead ditched her in the middle of nowhere to go pick up the female lead? The SFL cried for two hours, then wiped her tears and went to bring him dinner.] Reading that, I froze. A flood of humiliating memories washed over me. Because of our childhood engagement, I had shamelessly chased after George my whole life. In elementary school, I was his loyal servant. In middle school, his most reliable wingman. By high school and college, I had become a laughingstock, the girl who would do anything for him. And now, with the Parker family in crisis, I had stepped up, offering a huge portion of my own shares to bail them out. Our wedding had been fast-tracked, but George and Maya’s affair had only become more blatant. Every time I confronted him, he would look at me with disgust, as if I had committed some terrible crime. “She’s my sister-in-law. Don’t be so filthy-minded.” I could only tell myself, over and over, that she was his sister-in-law, that it was his duty to take care of her. My entire life felt like a cycle of heartbreak and self-delusion. But this time… I looked at the floating text, then at my injured wrist. Suddenly, everything became clear. I loved George, but I loved my own life more. “Cancel all of our company’s partnerships with the Parker Group. Phase them out, starting now.” Mr. Davies slammed on the brakes, pulling over to the side of the road. He turned around, his eyes wide with shock. “Miss, if you do that, young Mr. Parker will be furious. What if you regret it later?” “I won’t regret it. Cancel them now. Any contracts that aren’t signed, scrap them. Any that are, we will not renew them upon completion.” When Mr. Davies turned back around, he actually wiped a tear from his eye. According to the text, Liam Parker and I were two of a kind. I used my money and influence to summon the top cardiac specialists from all over the country. The reason the Parker Group was on the verge of collapse was that everyone knew Liam, the brilliant elder son, was dying, and George, the younger son, was a worthless playboy. If Liam didn’t die, George would never have his chance. 4 Soon, doctors from all over were arriving by private jet. In the hospital room, Liam Parker was a shadow of his former self, gaunt and frail, kept alive only by the rhythmic hiss of a ventilator. [Aah, the big brother is so handsome. Can’t he not die?] [No can do. He’s too brilliant. If he doesn’t die, the male lead can’t have his character development.] [Sob, it’s just one tiny blocked blood vessel. It’s just really hard to find. But what is the SFL doing here? And with all these doctors?] [See? I told you she’d get over it! She must regret how she acted earlier and is trying to win points with the male lead by saving his brother.] [Nooo, don’t do it! Doesn’t the SFL see that the male lead is terrified of his brother? Big brother dying is a good thing for him! Don’t be stupid, SFL!] [It’s fine. They won’t be able to find the real cause of his illness anyway.] A faint smile touched my lips. I called over Liam’s attending physician. “These are some of the most renowned cardiac specialists in the country. They’re here to examine Mr. Parker.” The attending physician hesitated. “But… Mr. Parker’s wife said… she wants him to pass with dignity, without any more medical intervention.” I shot him a sharp look. If it weren’t for the floating text, I would have suspected that Liam was the victim of a plot by that despicable pair. “Dr. Chen, I believe my family, the Kim family, recently acquired this hospital, did we not? That makes me the majority shareholder.” That was all it took. The hospital administration immediately scrambled to assist the specialists with another round of examinations. They were thorough, but the diagnosis remained the same: he needed a heart transplant. [SFL, don’t waste your energy. This is how the book is written.] [Even if the Grim Reaper himself showed up, he wouldn’t be able to find the real cause of Liam Parker’s illness.] “Ms. Kim, it would be best to start preparing for the inevitable,” one of the specialists said, rising to leave. I stopped him. “Is it possible that he doesn’t need a transplant? That it’s just a single blocked blood vessel in his heart, one that’s been overlooked?” The specialists stared at me, stunned. Finally, an elderly professor with a shock of white hair put on his glasses and ordered a new series of advanced CT scans and ultrasounds. When he emerged from the imaging room, his face was flushed with excitement. “Ms. Kim, you were right! Mr. Parker can be saved! Prep the OR, now!” I let out a long breath, my entire body relaxing. At the same time, the floating text went wild. [Wait, why has the plot deviated? This isn’t how it’s written in the book!] [If big brother doesn’t die, then even if the SFL dies from overwork and a stress-induced heart attack, the female lead can’t come back to the family! What is going on? How did the SFL save him?] I gritted my teeth, a vein throbbing in my temple. So they really were just going to use me as cannon fodder. Die from overwork and a stress-induced heart attack? In their dreams! 5 Liam Parker’s surgery took four hours, but it was a success. I had just checked my social media and learned that George had taken Maya and their daughter on a little getaway. His caption was particularly nauseating: An older brother is like a father. With my brother gone, I will shoulder the responsibility of taking care of this family. He had also sent me two messages. I’m taking the kid out for a while. You should do some self-reflection. If you don’t want to accept Yoyo, there are plenty of women who would love to be her stepmother. I felt a strange sense of calm, almost nostalgia. To think that a love I had harbored for so many years could be extinguished in just a few moments. I replied with a single word. Okay. It took him four hours to send me a voice message. Even through the phone, I could imagine his sneering face. “Here we go again. Anna, you’d better have some backbone this time.” Oh, I will. To make sure there were no complications, I stayed at the hospital with Liam for two days and a night. When I saw his eyes flutter open, my exhaustion vanished. I grabbed his hand excitedly. “You’re awake!” [Oh no, the plot has really gone off the rails.] [What’s so bad about that? It’s more fun to read when you don’t know what’s going to happen.] The confusion in Liam’s eyes slowly faded. After the doctors had examined him, they were overjoyed. “Mr. Parker, your recovery is nothing short of a miracle! It’s all thanks to Ms. Kim!” Liam’s gaze shifted to me, his eyes filled with a flicker of uncertainty. For as long as they had been on their little trip, I had been by Liam’s side. A week later, some color finally returned to his face. I had always been a little afraid of Liam. He was three years older than me, and even when we were kids, he never smiled. But now, as I scrolled through George and Maya’s cutesy posts, and thought about the metaphorical horns he and I now shared, I felt a sense of camaraderie. I helped him sit up and brought the medicine to his lips. “Here, time for your pills.” He didn’t take them, just looked at me. “Not chasing after George anymore? A rare sight to see you here with me.” “George’s busy,” I said casually. “Doesn’t need me around. Open up.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “393142”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Here is the translated and localized version of your story: My identity was stolen, and I gave the thief my inheritance willingly. The nanny had swapped me with her own granddaughter at birth. She raised me in a cold garage, where I ate and slept with the guard dog. Meanwhile, my grandparents showered all their affection on her granddaughter, Poppy, who lived the life of a pampered princess. The nanny, Martha, and her cuckoo-in-the-nest granddaughter lorded their positions over me, their days filled with torment and ridicule. “Even a dog knows to bark at strangers. What good is a mute like you?” “Miss Poppy, stay away from our little low-born mute. You don’t want her bad luck rubbing off on you.” But they didn’t know. I knew who I was. And I wasn’t really mute. I endured it for twelve years. Then, my grandparents were paralyzed by a poison secretly administered by the nanny. The day Poppy inherited the family business, she threw the two crippled, bed-sore-ridden old people at my feet. “The company is mine now. You can have these two old parasites back.” I smiled and accepted them without protest. “Fine. The fortune is yours. The family is mine.” … My grandmother, Martha, kicked over the double-sided dog bowl at my feet. Scraps and water spilled across the concrete floor. “I told you, didn’t I? The dog eats first. Then you.” She turned, her face instantly transforming into a fawning smile for Poppy. “Miss Poppy, get in the car over here. Stay away from our little mute. She stinks of dog and bad luck. You don’t want to catch it.” Poppy tilted her chin up, sneering at me. “Even a dog knows its job is to guard the house and bark at strangers. What good is a mute who can’t even make a sound?” I groveled on the ground, bowing my head in a show of terrified submission. Just then, an exquisitely dressed elderly couple walked into the garage. “Poppy, darling, time to go to the mall. Grandma has her eye on several grand pianos, each worth a fortune. You can pick whichever one you like.” In front of the Sterlings, twelve-year-old Poppy, already a master of deception, beamed. “Coming!” Before leaving, Mrs. Sterling shot a disgusted glance in my direction. Mr. Sterling immediately took the hint and addressed Martha. “She’s just a child. Raising her in a garage with a dog… it’s not right. There are plenty of rooms in the mansion. Find one for her.” “Of course, sir. I was only worried her presence would be an eyesore for you and the madam,” Martha said with a sycophantic smile. The moment the Sterlings’ car was out of sight, Martha’s face turned to stone. A storm of fists and feet rained down on my small body. “Don’t you get any ideas, you little bitch,” she spat. “The master and madam will never give a damn about a little animal like you. They only told me to find you a room because they’re afraid of being embarrassed if someone sees you!” As her vile words washed over me, I silently wrapped my arms around my head, protecting the spot where she’d fractured my skull once before. I felt nothing. Because I already knew the truth. I was the real Sterling heiress. And Poppy was Martha’s granddaughter. When I was six, my parents died in a car crash. I was sent to an orphanage. Six months later, the Sterlings came looking for their granddaughter. Martha passed off her own flesh and blood, whom she’d kept hidden in the countryside, as me. That day at the orphanage, she had hugged me, crying dramatically, snot and tears smearing her face. “My poor, mute little girl, I’m your real grandmother!” But my eyes were fixed on Poppy, watching as she was swept up by the Sterlings, her face a mask of shocked delight, and ushered into a gleaming Bentley. I knew everything. And I wasn’t really mute. But I let Martha take me “home,” claiming me as her own granddaughter, and lock me away in the freezing garage with the guard dog. And so, Poppy lived my life, a princess drowning in the lavish affection of my grandparents. Forced by my grandfather’s command, Martha moved me from the garage to the laundry room. Her rage still simmering, she shoved my head into the washing machine drum. The world spun, and the suffocating, near-death panic clawed at me. I was so terrified I wet myself. Only then did she mercifully release me. “You worthless mute,” she hissed. “Don’t you know your place? If you ever try to play the victim in front of the master and madam again, if you ever even think about wanting what’s Miss Poppy’s, I will kill you.” The grand mansion was my home, yet I lived in that cramped, two-square-meter utility space until I was seventeen. One night, I woke from a nightmare and tiptoed upstairs for a glass of water. I saw Martha, darting glances around, furtively adding a white powder to the tins of milk powder my grandparents drank every day. “Just a little longer, you old fossils,” she muttered. “Our Poppy is almost eighteen. She’ll be able to inherit everything soon.” After a moment of feigned shock, I turned and went back to the laundry room without a sound. I pulled up the covers, turned off the light, and went to sleep. After Martha started poisoning their milk, my grandparents’ health declined rapidly. First, it was fatigue and lethargy. Then came sudden blackouts and coughing up blood. They had full physicals at the hospital, but the doctors found nothing, attributing it to the flu or old age. Poppy would coo sympathetically at them, then shoot me a cold, hard look. “It must be some bad omen in the house that’s affecting you. She was a curse on her own parents at six. Now she’s been living in our laundry room for six years, trying to curse you.” “Grandma, Grandpa, you can’t be too kind to certain kinds of filth.” Ever since Poppy learned her true identity six years ago, she had made tormenting me her favorite pastime. Now, as the plan to poison my grandparents and seize their fortune reached its critical stage, she was even more determined to get rid of the real heiress. Her words found fertile ground. My grandmother, her health failing and desperate for a scapegoat, looked at me. “You’re eighteen now, girl. It’s time for you to leave our house.” A flicker of pity crossed my grandfather’s eyes. “If you truly have nowhere to go, you can stay in the garage.” The cuckoo had taken over the nest, and my blinded grandparents were casting me out. I simply nodded obediently, gathered the few belongings that fit in my single backpack, and moved back to the garage. The old dog had died years ago. The kennel was now all mine—and bigger than the laundry room. With me out of the main house, Martha and Poppy grew bolder with the poison. Soon, my grandparents were too weak to leave their rooms. On the rare occasions they were brought out for some sun, it was Martha who pushed their wheelchairs. One afternoon, my grandmother saw me in the garden. Her face, usually slack and vacant, twisted into a strange, desperate expression. A hoarse, guttural sound, “Hhhh… hhhh…” rattled in her throat. She was trying to call for help. When Martha left for the grocery store, I walked over to her. She immediately reached out a trembling hand, the veins on its back bulging and blue. I saw it at once. Her hands were covered in purple and blue lumps. Looking closer, I could see the tell-tale, haphazard marks of needle punctures. No wonder her condition had worsened so dramatically. Martha was no longer waiting for the poison in their food to work. She was injecting it directly. My heart pounded. I slipped into the mansion. My grandfather, who had a stronger constitution, was already being held captive. A dog chain, as thick as my wrist, was looped around his neck, tethering him to the garbage can in the kitchen. The moment he saw me, tears welled in his old eyes. “That animal Martha… she tricked us! Poppy is her granddaughter! I always wondered why she was so cruel to you… it’s because you’re not hers! She brought you here from somewhere else!” “My dear girl,” he pleaded, his voice a ragged whisper. “We’ve let you live here for years, and we’ve never been cruel to you. You’re a good, kind child. You won’t side with them, will you?” Before I could respond, Martha’s angry voice echoed from the front door. “Where did that damn mute get to?!” I ducked under the dining table just as she came in. She searched the house suspiciously. Not finding me, she returned to the kitchen, muttering. “Good. The little bitch didn’t see anything she wasn’t supposed to. One less problem to deal with.” My grandfather’s eyes darted nervously to my hiding place. When Martha wasn’t looking, he put a finger to his lips, signaling for me to stay silent. He still didn’t know I was his real granddaughter, but he knew I was another of Martha’s victims. In his mind, that made me an ally. That made me one of his own. Soon, it was time for Poppy to come home from school, and Martha began to prepare dinner. She chopped off the muddy, unwashed ends of vegetables and fatty gristle from the meat and tossed them on the floor for my grandfather, as if feeding a dog. He had been a man of status his entire life. His eyes, filled with a complex shame, met mine for a second. He pressed his lips together, his jaw tight. Perhaps he was starved. Perhaps he was afraid that if he didn’t eat, he would expose my presence. Finally, he bent his proud back, picked up the filthy scraps and raw meat from the floor with his hands, and stuffed them into his mouth, chewing with tears streaming down his face. I looked away, and when Martha’s back was turned, I slipped out of the house as silently as I’d come in. My grandparents waited for me to call the police. They waited for my kindness, my pity, to save them from their torment. But I stayed in my kennel, closed the door, and lived my own life, blind to their suffering. Their world didn’t intrude on mine again until my grandfather’s nephew, Robert, grew concerned after not hearing from him for so long and decided to pay a visit. By then, my grandmother was completely paralyzed, only her eyes able to move. My grandfather, still able to speak, was forced by Martha to act as if nothing was wrong and send his nephew away. As Robert stood up to leave, yawning, my grandfather secretly pressed a folded piece of paper into my palm. “Dear girl,” he whispered, tears streaming down his face. “Get this note to my nephew. Please.” “Once we’re saved, we’ll give you everything. We’d rather give the entire Sterling fortune to you than let those two animals get their hands on it.” I clutched the note, my gaze locking with his. Then, under his hopeful, desperate stare, I turned and walked after the departing group. Martha, terrified my grandfather would try something, rushed back to the kitchen with Poppy to chain him up again. Robert was already in his car, the engine starting. If I hesitated for even two seconds, the chance to save my grandparents would be lost forever. He rolled down his window, the ember of his cigarette glowing in the twilight. “Little girl, you keep staring at me. Is there something you want to say?” I took two steps back and shook my head forcefully. Then I turned my back to him and, with quick, deliberate motions, tore the note into tiny, unrecognizable pieces. My eighteenth birthday arrived. Martha and Poppy held a coming-of-age party and birthday celebration at the Sterling mansion. The only guests invited were me and my grandparents. The nanny and her granddaughter sat at the head of the table, enjoying an expensive meal with fine wine, acting as if they were the masters of the house. My grandparents sat on the cold floor, waiting for the occasional bone or scrap to be thrown their way. I glanced at the lavish spread on the table for just a second too long. A cold smile touched Martha’s lips. “Want some?” I just swallowed hard. She raised her wine glass and smashed it against my head. A searing pain exploded across my scalp. Shards of glass and my own blood went flying. Just then, the doorbell rang. It was the lawyer. With my grandparents poisoned into a paralyzed, speechless state, Poppy didn’t even bother to hide her actions from us three “mutes.” She put on a tearful performance for the lawyer, twisting the truth. “I’m only eighteen, just a child myself. But my grandparents fell ill so suddenly. If I don’t take over Sterling Enterprises, the whole company will collapse.” The lawyer looked at her, his eyes a mixture of sympathy and envy. “Miss Sterling, you are officially an adult as of today. Once you sign this share transfer agreement, the Sterling Group will be yours.” As Poppy picked up the pen, Martha trembled with excitement. “The ancestors must be smiling down on us! Our family has finally made it! May they see that this is all my doing!” The lawyer’s eyes narrowed. He sharply blocked Poppy’s pen with his hand. “Aren’t you the nanny? What do you mean by that?” Martha froze, her face turning a sickly white, realizing her slip. Poppy quickly stammered an excuse. “She raised me from when I was a baby. So, my inheritance is her victory too.” “Is that so?” The lawyer looked suspiciously at my grandparents, but they could only blink their eyes. He had no choice but to turn to me. “Little girl, is that true?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “393215”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My parents, who I hadn’t seen in sixteen years, came back. They brought my sister with them, who looked exactly like me. I thought maybe they’d feel guilty about ignoring me all these years, but the first thing out of their mouths was criticism. “Can’t you even call us Mom and Dad?” “Big sisters have to give way to little sisters.” That was the line I heard most often during my time with them. 1. My mom and dad were finally back, and they brought my sister, who was my spitting image. Well, maybe not exactly identical. She wore a delicate little dress, a fluffy pink skirt that made her look adorable and sweet. Her skin was smooth and pale, cheeks rosy – you could tell she’d been pampered her whole life. I looked down at myself. Year-round, I wore the same school uniform, washed so many times it was faded. On my feet were the cheapest sneakers from a discount store, so stiff they hurt. Dark circles hung under my eyes, taking up half my face. My skin was rough, kind of sallow, and I was a good half-head shorter than her. Nobody looking at us would easily guess we were twins. I stood there for a long time, unable to force out the words “Mom” or “Dad.” I don’t know how to describe my parents. When my sister and I were born, I was the stronger twin. My sister was malnourished and had to be kept in an incubator at first. We had just turned one month old when my parents got a business opportunity. They had to go down South to start a company. They couldn’t manage two babies, so they decided to take only my sister and leave me with my grandma in the countryside. People in the village said my parents were heartless. I was too young to understand any of it. All I knew was that when I was hungry, I cried for milk. Grandma would take me around to women in the village who had just given birth, asking if they could spare some milk. The villagers pitied me; they all helped Grandma and me out in small ways. That’s how I grew up. When I learned to crawl, I crawled all over the yard. Grandma would sweep it clean first and put up wooden fences to keep the free-ranging chickens and ducks out. When I learned to walk, I’d follow Grandma to the fields. She’d work, and I’d play with the weeds by the edge of the field all day. When I learned to talk, Grandma taught me nursery rhymes. She didn’t know anything about fancy early education, so she sang me old folk songs and local ditties. During all that time, my world consisted only of Grandma. 2 When I got a little older and started playing with the other village kids, they were always saying, “My daddy said this,” or “My mommy said that.” I ran to the fields and asked Grandma, “What’s a mommy and daddy?” Hearing my question, Grandma turned away, secretly wiping tears. I stood there frozen, feeling like I’d done something wrong. There were some other women, aunts from the village, working nearby. The soft-hearted ones couldn’t help but get red-eyed too. Mrs. Gable was closest to me. She knelt and wiped the dirt off my face with her handkerchief. “Ava, honey, you don’t need a mommy and daddy. You have Grandma, and you have all of us aunts and uncles.” Mrs. Gable had lots of fruit trees in her yard. Whenever they bore fruit, she’d bring a bunch over to our house. I liked her, so I listened to her. After that, it was like the village kids made a pact. No one ever mentioned “mommy” or “daddy” in front of me again. It wasn’t until I started elementary school in town that a teacher asked us to share stories about our parents. When it was my turn, I stood up bold as brass and said, “I don’t have a mom and dad.” The teacher froze, her eyes filled with a new kind of pity. Finally, she bent down and whispered gently that she wanted to walk home with me after school. I led the teacher back to my house. She and Grandma talked for a long time about things I didn’t understand. The conversation ended with the teacher’s silence and Grandma’s tears. I gathered one thing from it all. It turned out I did have a mom and dad. And a sister who looked just like me. They were just doing business far, far away, and it was hard for them to come back. I asked Grandma how far away. Farther than going to my aunt’s house in the next county? Grandma said it was much, much, much, much farther than that. Okay, I understood then. Even going to my aunt’s house by car made me feel sick sometimes. Mom, Dad, and my sister were even farther away, so coming back must be really tough. Grandma showed me pictures of them. She told me my dad’s name was John Miller, my mom was Helen Miller, and my sister was Mia Miller. 3 After that day, I started getting phone calls from my parents two or three times a week. At first, they asked about every little detail of my life and school. I was happy to share my daily routines with them. They said they hadn’t contacted me before because they were worried I’d make a fuss if I knew they existed. As time went on, I noticed my parents on the other end of the line became colder. They started giving vague, noncommittal answers to things I shared. The calls got shorter and less frequent. From two or three times a week, to once a week, then once a month. Even that one monthly call might get cut short right after I answered, with them saying they were busy with work and would talk next time. I stopped looking forward to those calls. I figured the time was better spent helping Grandma with chores. When I started middle school, I hit that sensitive teenage phase and began to resent those parents. Back then, I often wondered what the difference was between me and an orphan. Oh, right, there was a difference. I still had a grandma who loved me, and kind, warm-hearted neighbors. My parents did come back once. The government was acquiring land, and it happened to include the fields behind our house on the hill. They came back to handle the paperwork, not planning to stay long, so they didn’t bring Mia. I was boarding at the middle school then. A friend who commuted told me my parents were back. I got permission to leave and rushed home. I was too late. As I ran back into the village, I saw them from afar, arguing with Grandma about something. I could occasionally hear my name and Mia’s name mixed in. For some reason, I didn’t dare go closer. I just watched my well-dressed parents get into their car and drive away. I saw Grandma’s lonely figure from behind. I realized her hair had gotten so white, her back so bent, her legs so stiff. Later, the villagers quietly told me Grandma had wanted my parents to take me South with them. The education was better there. But they thought I’d be too much trouble. 4 From that moment on, I stopped fooling around all day and threw myself into studying. My teachers said that getting a good education was the way out, that it would give me more choices later to do what I wanted. Back then, I didn’t have any grand ambitions. I just wanted Grandma to have a comfortable life in her old age. I got into the best high school in the city, one known for its high college acceptance rate. Grandma was overjoyed. She said the village was finally going to have a college student, that I would definitely have a bright future. But Grandma didn’t wait for me. She passed away quietly one night. The doctor said it was cerebral edema caused by a stroke. It happened so suddenly, catching everyone off guard. I knew Grandma wasn’t well, that she took medicine often, but I never thought it was that serious. My parents only found out she was sick after she had already passed away. With Grandma gone, I truly felt like an orphan. So, when my parents finally stood in front of me, I couldn’t bring myself to call them Mom and Dad. My mom frowned, her tone blaming. “Ava, why aren’t you greeting us? Can’t you even say Mom and Dad?” Before I could speak, Mrs. Gable, who was standing nearby, started scoffing. “Who are these people? Our girl Ava here has never known any mom or dad. I’ve lived in this village most of my life, Ava’s sixteen now, and I’ve never seen her have any parents.” They’d let me grow up wild in the countryside, and now they were blaming me for having no manners. My mom’s face flushed red and pale. She looked like she wanted to say more, but my dad stopped her. My sister stepped out from behind them, timidly calling me “Sister.” It was the first time I’d ever seen her. But at that moment, I wasn’t in the mood for pleasantries. I was just sad – sad for Grandma, and sad for myself. They had bought a house in the city and were planning to move back. Because we were nearing our college entrance exams (like the SATs/ACTs), and Mia’s residency was still registered here, she had to come back to take the tests locally. Sixteen years without living together wasn’t something you could smooth over quickly. In their beautifully decorated house, I felt timid and cautious, always like I was intruding, walking on eggshells. Sometimes they’d laugh and talk about things that happened down South, but their smiles would stiffen when they saw me. I wasn’t part of their memories. Because of this, I interacted with them carefully, preferring to be invisible at home.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392471”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

The day I was diagnosed with stomach cancer, Ethan ditched me to party all night with Jessica, the girl he’d always idealized. While I was in bed, dying in pain, he, conveniently using his amnesia as an excuse, showered Jessica with endless attention. He once swore that no matter what happened to him, he’d always remember his love for me. Even if he forgot everything else, my name would be etched on his heart. But… everything had changed. Heartbroken and disillusioned, I asked for a divorce, no longer hoping he’d regain his memory and remember the love we shared. I never expected that after the divorce, Ethan would come running to me like a madman: “Sarah, I remember everything now! You’re the one I’ve loved from the very beginning. Can you give me another chance?” I pulled my hand away, a cool breeze teasing my hair. Looking at his pathetic state, I chuckled. “But Ethan, I don’t love you anymore.” 1. Clutching the report, my hand trembled as I called Ethan. The phone rang until it was about to go to voicemail before it was picked up. Jessica’s voice came through first. “Hello, Sarah. Is there something you need?” I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye, fighting back a sob. “Please put Ethan on the phone.” Jessica chuckled smugly. “But he’s busy cooking for me right now. Why don’t you tell me, Sarah? I’ll pass it on when he’s free.” I clutched the report in my hand, nearly crumpling the paper. Then I heard Ethan’s voice from her end. “Jess, do you want the ribs steamed or braised?” “Either way is fine. As long as you’re making it, I’ll love it.” Jessica’s sweet laughter felt like a dull knife twisting in my heart. I balled up the report in my hand, finally losing control and screaming, “Put Ethan on the phone!” The moment I said it, the call ended with a sharp click. I squatted on the floor, helpless, shiny tears welling in my eyes and splashing onto the ground. I cried until I was almost out of breath. Then, my phone, still in my purse, started vibrating. I picked it up and saw Ethan’s name on the screen. Quickly, I wiped my tears, cleared my throat to make my voice sound normal. I didn’t want him to worry about me. The second I answered, Ethan’s angry shout filled my ear, “Sarah, what the hell is wrong with you?” His yelling stunned me. Jessica’s tearful voice followed. “It’s okay, Eth. Sarah has every right to be angry and yell at me.” “After all, I’m all alone and always troubling you. Please don’t fight with Sarah because of me.” “Sarah, if you’re angry, take it out on me. Yell at me, hit me, whatever you want. It’s all my fault. Eth and I are just close friends. If I’ve caused any misunderstanding, I apologize.” I smiled through the pain in my body and heart. When you love someone, you stand by them, no questions asked. As soon as Jessica finished speaking, Ethan, without even asking me a single question, rushed to comfort her tenderly, “You don’t need to apologize. You did nothing wrong.” “Sarah, you know Jessica isn’t well! You’ve made her cry! Apologize to her right now!” Ethan barked. Suppressing my emotions, I retorted, “Why should I apologize to her? I didn’t do anything!” 2 Hearing my rebuttal, Ethan got even angrier. “You mess up and won’t even admit it. I never knew you were such a deceitful and malicious woman!” Deceitful? Malicious? He wouldn’t even listen to a word of my explanation, unconditionally believing Jessica’s side of the story. My emotions were on the verge of collapse. Gripping my phone, I asked him, “Ethan, whose husband are you, anyway?” Forcing back the churning sickness in my heart, I let out a cold laugh, but the tears wouldn’t stop falling. “Anyone who didn’t know better would think you were Jessica’s husband.” “What nonsense are you spouting! How can your mind be so filthy and disgusting?” Ethan snapped, and Jessica immediately chimed in, “I’m sorry, Sarah. There’s really nothing between Eth and me. If you mind, I’ll…” Ethan cut her off, his voice full of concern, “Stop crying. This isn’t your fault at all.” “Sarah, it’s bad enough you’re slandering me, but now you’re dragging Jessica through the mud too. You need to apologize to her immediately!” Clutching my abdomen, where the throbbing pain made it hard to breathe, I forced out the words, “I won’t apologize, Ethan.” The next second, I finally couldn’t hold on anymore and slumped to the ground, completely drained. The doctor said that in my condition, chemotherapy was my best chance for survival. But I knew that chemotherapy meant spending my remaining time in the hospital. I didn’t want to spend my days in a hospital room reeking of antiseptic, every moment feeling like a death sentence being read out. It was the next day when I got home. The house was just as I’d left it. Ethan hadn’t come back. This wasn’t the first time he’d stayed over at Jessica’s. I let out a bitter, small laugh. Laughing at myself for being such a fool, for always fantasizing that this relationship could go back to how it used to be. Ethan didn’t come back until evening, carrying a takeout container. “Why are you asleep so early?” He threw back the covers and roughly pulled me up. “I brought you some food.” Clutching my faintly aching stomach, I was dragged to the dining table. He casually tore open the packaging. “Jessica cooked this for you specially. She knows you have a sensitive stomach, so she made you some nourishing chicken soup.” Ethan thrust a spoon into my hand. The moment he opened the lid, the greasy smell hit me, and I felt an overwhelming urge to vomit. “What are you waiting for? Eat up.” The doctor had told me to eat light, bland food for now, nothing greasy or spicy. I put the spoon down. “I don’t want to eat.” Ethan’s face changed instantly. “What’s with the attitude? Jessica put aside your earlier fight and was kind enough to make you soup. Don’t be ungrateful.” He knew my stomach was sensitive, that I never ate greasy food, yet he stubbornly pushed the bowl into my hands. “Eat it! Jessica spent over two hours simmering this!” I looked at the man before me, the man I had loved for nearly seven years. From eighteen to twenty-five, scenes from our past flashed through my mind. The year we graduated, at the bustling ceremony, he knelt on one knee with a bouquet of flowers. “Sarah, marry me, will you?” In that instant, everything else faded away; my world was only him. But in the second year of our marriage, he had a car accident. The car plunged off a cliff, his life hanging in the balance. I begged God, I’d do anything, just to keep him alive. Perhaps the heavens took pity; he woke up after being in a coma for two months. But his memory had regressed to the year he graduated high school. He’d forgotten all the hard years I’d spent by his side, but he remembered Jessica, the girl he’d loved from afar in high school but couldn’t have. I quit my job and took care of Ethan for three months. Then, Jessica came back. 3 The moment Jessica appeared, his dull eyes lit up with a brilliant spark. My heart ached with a crushing pain, yet I refused to give up, comforting myself that one day he would fall in love with me again. But it’s been almost three years, and Jessica is still his unwavering favorite. Since she reappeared, I was no longer his special exception. Ethan’s phone vibrated. The ringtone was the special one he’d set for Jessica. He immediately put down what he was doing, picked up his phone, and replied to her message with intense focus. Whenever, wherever, if Jessica texted, he replied instantly. For me, he never did. Suddenly, I started to laugh, laughing until tears welled up in my eyes. Ethan frowned. “Sarah, hurry up and eat the chick—” Before he could finish, I cut him off. Looking up into his eyes, I said, word by word, “Ethan, let’s get a divorce.” His expression froze, as if he hadn’t processed what I’d said. “What did you say?” I pushed my chair back and repeated, “Let’s get a divorce.” The phone vibrated again, but this time he didn’t rush to answer. He turned and grabbed my hand. “Are you kidding me? You want to divorce me? Did you hit your head or something?” I shook him off and walked towards the bedroom, step by step. “I’ll have my lawyer draw up the divorce papers tomorrow.” Ethan dropped his phone, ran over, grabbed me by the shoulders, and pinned me against the wall. “Why are you being so unreasonable?” “Have you forgotten? You were the one who shamelessly told me how much we loved each other, begging me not to divorce you back then.” After a moment, as if he’d come to his senses, he let go of me and chuckled. “Or is this some kind of tactic? Playing hard to get? Trying to threaten me with divorce?” “Sarah, are you three years old? Still playing these childish games? How immature can you be?” I ignored him. The pain made every word feel like it drained all my energy. I pushed open the bedroom door and went in. Ethan followed me in and stood by my bed, staring at me with a complicated expression. He reached out to adjust my blanket. “I’ve explained it to you countless times. There’s nothing going on between me and Jessica.” I turned my back to him, not wanting to engage. His simple “nothing going on.” In reality, he’d left me when I was about to pass out from a high fever to go fix Jessica’s plumbing; ignored me when I was doubled over in bed with period cramps to go with Jessica to a hot spring… Incident after incident, I could talk for half an hour and not cover them all. Every time I thought about it, it felt like a thousand needles pricking my heart. 4 “I’ve just been too busy lately. I’ll take some time off soon and stay home with you.” Ethan left. I lay in bed, wiping away tears, one after another. He was busy, yes, but when it came to Jessica’s affairs, he could always find time. For me, however, everything was always postponed. The next day. An enticing aroma of food filled the room. But things were different now. My body wasn’t what it used to be. The pain in my lower abdomen was a constant, stark reminder of the time I had left. No food, no matter how tempting, held any appeal. After washing up, I headed out. Just as I pushed open the door, I heard a familiar female voice. “Wow! That smells amazing! Is that my favorite, sweet and sour ribs?” “Not quite done, but you can taste the sauce.” Ethan dipped his finger in some sauce and held it to Jessica’s lips. Jessica smiled and expertly licked the sauce off his finger. “So good! Eth, your cooking is still the best!” Jessica praised him, hugging his arm. The water in the pot suddenly boiled over, and Ethan spun around, pulling Jessica into his arms. He anxiously checked her arm, while Jessica nestled in his embrace, playfully tapping his chest. “You scared me to death~” “Go wait on the sofa. There’s ice cream you like in the fridge.” “Thanks, Eth!” Jessica stood on her tiptoes and happily kissed Ethan’s cheek. As she turned, her eyes met mine. I was leaning against the doorframe, watching their intimate interaction. Jessica’s expression immediately turned flustered. “Oh, Sarah! I was just so happy, I didn’t mean anything by it…” “Sarah, don’t misunderstand. Kissing on the cheek is just a friendly gesture in other countries.” Ethan’s expression shifted instantly. He asked her meaningfully, “You’ve kissed other people’s cheeks?” There was a hint of jealousy in his tone; I heard it. Jessica quickly turned back to him to explain, “No, only you in this country, okay? You little jealous thing.” Ethan chuckled softly and walked over with a dish. “Jessica was worried you’d misunderstand our relationship, so she came over specially to explain.” Jessica smiled and walked over, picking up a gift box from the side. “Sarah, Eth told me you like this brand of dress, so I picked out the prettiest one for you.” Ethan nudged me with his elbow, signaling me to take the dress Jessica was offering. I glanced down at the dress in her hands. It looked very familiar. Jessica held the dress up against me. “I spent ages picking it out from my closet. This one will definitely look good on you.” Her words, as if a deliberate reminder, made me remember instantly. Jessica had posted on her social media feed before, asking if anyone knew where to sell used clothes, as she wanted to get rid of some old things. And what a coincidence, this very dress was among the ones she was trying to sell. Giving me her cast-off clothes as a gift. She really went to a lot of trouble, didn’t she? I pushed her away. “I don’t want secondhand things.” 5 “Sarah, you’re being completely unreasonable.” “Jessica specifically asked me about brands you like and picked this out for you.” Ethan shoved me, and I stumbled, my lower back hitting the corner of a table. I sucked in a sharp breath from the pain. I fought back the stinging in my eyes. “She gives me her old, unwanted clothes as a gift, and I’m supposed to be grateful?” Ethan paused, then turned to look at Jessica. Jessica’s mouth drooped, tears welling in her eyes. “I only wore this dress twice. I really like it, that’s why I wanted to give it to you. I thought you’d like it too, Sarah. I didn’t expect…” Jessica dabbed at her tears and walked towards me. “I’m so sorry, Sarah. I didn’t know you’d mind so much…” Ethan quickly pulled her back, acting as if she had suffered a great injustice, and defended her, “Even if it’s used, it’s still a gift Jessica carefully chose for you. You’re just biting the hand that feeds you, completely ungrateful.” I nodded despairingly, a bitter smile on my face. “In your eyes, she can do no wrong, and I’m just being unreasonable and petty.” The long-suppressed grievances pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. I clutched my aching abdomen, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. “Let’s get divorced. Let yourself off the hook, and let me off too.” Ethan looked impatient. “Do you really have to be so…” He was halfway through his sentence when Jessica pulled at his arm. She ran over to me. “Sarah, it’s all my fault, I apologize. Please don’t let this hurt your relationship because of me. If you’re angry, you can hit me, yell at me, it’s okay.” As she spoke, she grabbed my hand, pretending to hit herself with it. I didn’t want to get entangled with her and was about to pull my hand back when Jessica suddenly fell backward, collapsing to the floor. “Ah! It hurts!” I hadn’t even pushed her. Ethan rushed over, shoved me aside violently. I couldn’t dodge in time, and my back slammed against the wall, a sharp pain shooting through my shoulder blade. “Sarah! You’ve gone too far!” Ethan glared at me, completely oblivious to the sweat beading on my face from the pain, and picked Jessica up, carrying her towards the bedroom. Jessica, with her arms around his neck, shot me a provocative smile. Facing Ethan, she feigned a Exhort, “Eth, don’t blame Sarah. I’m willing to be her punching bag. As long as you two can make up, I’d even let her beat me to death.” Hearing her slanderous words, I clenched my fists and walked in. When Ethan saw me, he looked at me as if I were his mortal enemy, blocking the doorway angrily. “What, you don’t think Jessica’s hurt enough?” Jessica, feigning pain, gently tugged at Ethan’s clothes. “It’s okay, just a few scratches. If Sarah is still angry, she can hit me. I absolutely won’t complain.” “I didn’t even—” “Shut up!” I clutched my cheek, which he had just slapped, and looked at Ethan in disbelief. He seemed to realize what he’d done, looked at his hand, then hesitantly reached out as if to comfort me. “I didn’t mean to hit you. I just wanted you to calm down, Sarah…” I slapped his hand away and went into the room to grab my suitcase. “I’ll have the lawyer send you the divorce papers.” I didn’t have many things. It took less than twenty minutes to pack. As I carried my suitcase downstairs, Ethan stood at the door, blocking my way. “Are you serious?” “Sarah, if you walk out that door today, we’re really over.” I smiled, looking at the most familiar stranger in front of me. “Yeah, we should have been over a long time ago…”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392491”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

1 When I was fifteen, I got lost exploring the wilderness and almost met a terrible end, only to be saved by three rough-looking men. Their faces, strikingly similar to the one that haunted my dreams – a seven-tenths resemblance to my moonlit memory – captivated me instantly. My father, at my insistence, brought them back to the Thorne estate as my personal kept men. But over the years, their arrogance grew with my indulgence. They even secretly pledged their lives to Brittany Miller, our housekeeper’s daughter, right under my nose. “Hold on, Brit, just you wait. Once that old man kicks the bucket, the entire Thorne Corporation will be ours. Scarlett Thorne is crazy about me, we’ll just sell her off to some shady establishment where she’d make a good sum, if she didn’t mind the clientele.” Later, at the auction gala, one of them, Ryder, asked me what the mysterious item for today’s auction was. I didn’t answer. The three of them were about to scold me when suddenly, they were leashed, thrown into a dog kennel, and locked up. I smiled. “The auction item? Isn’t it right here?” 2 Watching the two of them exchange affectionate glances, I scoffed and turned away. I went upstairs and found my father. “Dad, I’m tired of these three.” The old man, hunched over his desk, poring over documents, paused and looked up, puzzled. “Tired of them? I thought you were quite fond of Ryder? Why the sudden change of heart?” I curved my lips. “What do you do, Dad, when a pet bites its owner?” My father understood. He waved a dismissive hand. “Get rid of them.” Ryder was the name my father gave him, though he never liked it, insisting on calling himself Ryder. Because of his face, so similar to the one in my memories, I never forced him. As I descended the stairs, I saw Ryder, who had just parted ways with Brittany Miller, the housekeeper’s daughter. “Ryder, what were you just doing?” Ryder, who was about to brush past me, froze, then frowned, a mix of unease and irritation on his face. After all, I always used to call him ‘Ryder, my love.’ “What’s it to you?” I didn’t care about his attitude; after all, I was the one who encouraged him to mimic his cold, detached tone. A cheap imitation, truly. “I saw Brittany Miller with you, just now.” Ryder stiffened, then his face hardened. “Scarlett Thorne, are you having me followed?” The commotion attracted Zane and Knox. Seeing that I had mentioned their little innocent flower, they immediately glared at me with ill intent. “Scarlett Thorne, who we spend our time with is our business. What right do you have to question it?” “Besides, we saved your life back then. You owe us, big time.” The three of them shielded Brittany, who had appeared at the sound of the argument, behind them. They made me feel like some kind of monster from a horror movie. Watching their actions, I was utterly bewildered. “I never said you had to stay by my side. If you liked her, all you had to do was tell me. Did you really think I’d tear you apart?” I kept them around originally because I couldn’t bear to part with Ryder’s face, so similar to my memory. But I never forced anyone; I wouldn’t tie them down to me. Yet these three, while greedily enjoying the wealth and status being by my side afforded them, were carrying on a secret affair with another woman right under my nose. Zane suddenly sneered, mocking, “Who doesn’t know how ruthless Scarlett Thorne is? If we’d told you, there’s no telling if you wouldn’t have had us ‘taken care of’ without a second thought.” I paused, then curved my lips. “That’s a good idea.” The three of them visibly flinched, exchanging uneasy glances. Ryder looked at Brittany behind him, startled and demure. He looked at my sudden change in demeanor, and a knot of irritation seemed to tighten in his chest, refusing to dissipate. Yet he still spoke stubbornly: “Alright, Scarlett, I know you love me. I promise, I won’t leave you, okay? Don’t say such things to upset me. This time, it’s my fault. Don’t make things difficult for anyone else.” The other two looked at him with admiration. Watching the barely concealed smugness on Ryder’s face, I felt sick. How could I have ever compared such a common, low-class man to him? But before I could say anything, I glanced down and noticed Brittany and Ryder’s hands secretly clasped together. A cold glint flashed in my eyes. I could have let them go anytime, but that didn’t mean they could betray me right under my nose. I turned to walk towards Brittany. To my surprise, as soon as I lifted my foot, the three men uniformly blocked my path. They watched me intently, then turned to the petite woman behind them. Ryder frowned. “Scarlett Thorne, that’s enough. I told you I wouldn’t leave you. Why do you have to be so hard on Brittany? She’s just a young girl.” I snapped back to reality, looking at the three men’s wary expressions, finding it both amusing and heartbreaking. Had I not been good enough to them all these years? Clearly, pets are pets. They only learn through discipline. 3 When I was sixteen, Ryder, who had been with me for a year, still hadn’t quite grasped my temper. But he knew that whenever I was angry, if he just took my hand and pressed it to his face, my anger would subside. Later, he took it upon himself to fire our housekeeper of ten years and personally hired a new one, Mrs. Miller. And Brittany Miller, the daughter, moved in with her. He told me, “Scarlett, I think they’re quite pitiful. Why don’t we let her stay too? The Thorne estate is so big, it won’t hurt to have one extra room.” At that time, I was utterly infatuated with that face. I never refused any request Ryder made. Later, during an evening gala, I noticed Brittany didn’t even have a decent dress. I casually took a new one from my wardrobe and gave it to her. It was C-Class haute couture, worth hundreds of thousands. Brittany looked at me with immense gratitude, bowing repeatedly and thanking me. However, that evening, Ryder saw Brittany dressed elegantly and seemed to lose himself, just staring at her next to me. A timid girl always seemed to ignite a man’s protective instincts. Suddenly, the shoulder strap of Brittany’s evening gown, as she stood front and center, unexpectedly snapped. Her slight figure was instantly exposed. Brittany, humiliated, cried and left. After the gala, I intended to go comfort her. After all, it was my dress I had given her. But the three men suddenly blocked my path, their expressions impatient. Ryder furiously demanded to know: “Scarlett Thorne, you’re going too far! How could you deliberately give Brittany a faulty gown?” I was stunned, looking at Brittany, who was bowing her head behind them. I wanted her to explain that I had given her the dress brand new, the packaging box still unopened. But to my surprise, Brittany suddenly tugged on Ryder’s sleeve, tears welling up and spilling down. “It’s okay, Mr. Ryder, I believe Miss Scarlett didn’t mean it. Perhaps it’s because I’ve been spending too much time with you lately, making Miss Scarlett unhappy.” As if that wasn’t enough drama, she pushed past the three men and walked towards me. She slapped herself across the face, her delicate, pale cheek immediately turning red and swollen. Zane, seeing this, pulled Brittany back behind him. “Scarlett, don’t be so excessive! Even if we are just your hired help, it doesn’t mean you can trample on a young girl’s dignity like this!” “Why are you so wicked?” Brittany, seeing this, tugged on Zane’s sleeve. “It’s okay, Mr. Zane, I’m fine.” Seeing the beauty’s distress, Ryder could no longer control himself. He looked at me and commanded in a low voice. “Scarlett, apologize to Brittany!” And at that time, I was naive and almost completely obedient to Ryder. Because I couldn’t bear to see any expression of unhappiness on that face, I actually apologized to Brittany. In the years that followed, I apologized to Brittany, this woman living under my roof, at least ten times. Thinking back now, it’s truly laughable. 4 Looking at Ryder’s hostile expression, my patience had reached its limit. “Don’t flatter yourself. As for Brittany Miller, do what you want with her.” Hearing my suddenly cold tone, Ryder seemed startled and annoyed. Zane, on the other hand, asked Knox uncertainly, “Could she have found out we gave her ‘The Seraphina’?” Even though Zane had lowered his voice, I could read lips. “The Seraphina? You gave The Seraphina to Brittany Miller without my permission?” The Seraphina was the last design manuscript my late mother, a designer, created. This year marked the tenth anniversary of her passing, and I had commissioned the world’s top artisans to painstakingly craft it. It was meant to be a tribute to her on the anniversary of her death. That’s why I had specifically given this task to Ryder six months ago, entrusting him to oversee it and ensure no issues arose. But I never imagined it would now be worn by Brittany Miller! Zane and Knox’s faces froze, looking somewhat flustered. Ryder stepped forward, speaking bluntly. “Yes, I decided to give The Seraphina to Brittany. She had a school gala, and I wanted her to make a grand entrance.” “You, Miss Scarlett, want for nothing. It’s just a dress. Why are you being so petty?” Looking at his self-righteous demeanor, I found it revolting. A strange wave of disgust washed over me. How could this substitute wear that face and make such a repulsive expression? Seeing me staring at him, Ryder’s eyes flickered, a hint of guilt there. But thinking of Brittany behind him, he straightened his back. “Brittany has lived in poverty her whole life. This school gala is very important to her. Do you have no sympathy at all? Do you really want her to be humiliated before you’re satisfied?” My lip twitched, finding it absurd. But Ryder, seeing me not speak, thought he had made his point and became even more smug. “Alright, I told you to stop always targeting her. I will marry you, you know.” The expression on his face, as if I should be eternally grateful, made me think this was his house, not mine. As if I were the pet, not them. Brittany, hearing this, looked at him with tears welling in her eyes. “Mr. Ryder, don’t force yourself to marry Miss Scarlett just to help me. I know you don’t love her. It’s all my fault, please don’t compromise yourself.” I sighed, exasperated. “Ryder, when did I ever say I was going to marry you?” Ryder looked at me, confused. After all, these past few years, I had never interfered with their shenanigans. Especially with Ryder, I had been almost completely compliant. This had given them the false impression that I was deeply, madly in love with him. Then I rolled my eyes and turned to leave. Suddenly, Brittany rushed to my feet, and just like years ago, she started crying and slapping herself. “Miss Scarlett, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have worn your gown without permission, but Ryder is innocent. He just wanted to help me.” “After all these years, you’ve ordered him around like a servant. Ryder is human too, he gets upset, so please don’t blame him, I beg you.” As she spoke, she used both hands, the sound of her slaps echoing through the villa. This Brittany Miller really was ruthless. In barely ten slaps, she managed to draw blood from her own face. Ryder, seeing this, finally reacted and quickly stopped her. He looked at her swollen, red face with pained sympathy, then turned to me, his gaze full of revulsion. “Scarlett Thorne! You’re going too far! It’s just a dress!” “I said I would marry you, and I will. How long are you going to keep throwing these childish tantrums?” Watching their synchronized act, I laughed, infuriated. “Are you deaf? I never said I was going to marry you!” But Ryder just sighed, looking at me as if I were a spoiled doll. “I know you can’t live without me, that you love me to death, but you can’t turn into a jealous woman.” “Alright, as long as you don’t bother Brittany, I’ll forgive you.” I looked at him coldly, wanting nothing more than to rip that skin off his face. He didn’t deserve to wear that face while doing such disgusting things. But I smiled. Letting them go now would be far too easy. The thought of the grand event three days later filled me with excitement. 5 Three days later, at A-City’s most mysterious auction house. Outside, it gleamed with gold, and inside, even the ordinary tables and chairs were made of solid gold. The four people with me looked around, utterly astonished by the sight. Brittany’s eyes swept over the men in the hall, full of raw greed. Ryder’s initial shock had turned into humiliation. After all, no man could stand looking foolish in front of the woman he loved. He could only turn to me, annoyed. “Why didn’t you bring us to such a great place sooner?” I gave him a knowing look, curving my lips without a word. Brittany suddenly linked her arm with mine. “Miss Scarlett, I knew you wouldn’t care about a mere dress. Otherwise, why would you invite me along?” At that moment, many people in the hall noticed my presence. They knew how much I had doted on Ryder over the years. They all, as before, complimented Ryder. “Mr. Ryder is as dashing as ever, handsome and capable. Truly a great asset to the Thorne family.” “Indeed, he and Miss Thorne make such a perfect pair.” I glanced sarcastically at Ryder, who was already lost in the shallow praises. I understood then. No wonder he had become so arrogant so quickly. He had been living this ‘top of the food chain’ lifestyle outside, using my name. When people live that way for too long, they forget they’re just my pets. The manager led me to the center seat. Ryder sat beside me, and the other three sat in the row behind. The auction began. An elegant auctioneer walked onto the stage. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight’s auction items are all sponsored by Miss Scarlett Thorne. And finally, there will be one mysterious item.” With that, priceless, rare treasures were brought out one by one. “Oh my God, isn’t that the ‘Eden Rose’ pink diamond! I remember it was worth over a hundred million! Truly Miss Thorne, her generosity knows no bounds.” “Yes, and these earrings are called ‘Oriental Sunrise.’ Three years ago, they were already being hyped at an exorbitant price and bought by a mysterious buyer. I can’t believe it was Miss Thorne!” Listening to the people around us, Brittany’s eyes blazed with ravenous greed. “Scarlett Thorne, how can you be so lucky! Everything you own will someday be mine!” Beside me, Ryder gasped. Then he looked at me disapprovingly, reprimanding me. “Scarlett, you are far too extravagant. These things aren’t worth this price. Why are you spending so recklessly?” I scoffed. This man probably thought the Thorne family fortune was already his. He had given himself the name Ryder, forgetting he was nothing more than a dog beside Scarlett Thorne. “What’s ‘worth it’ is for me, Scarlett Thorne, to decide. By what right are you questioning me?” Ryder paused, looking at me as if I were a spoiled girlfriend throwing a tantrum. “I know, I will marry you. You don’t need to keep reminding me of our relationship over and over again.” “In the future, when you plan to spend such large sums, you need to tell me beforehand. You can only use the money if I approve.” Then he turned his head away, no longer looking at me. Hearing this, I burst out laughing, unable to control my amusement. Lunatic. The auction proceeded smoothly. Ryder basked in the envious glances from those around him, his head held higher and higher. “Now, we come to our most exciting moment! The final mysterious item, to be unveiled by Miss Scarlett Thorne!” With that, she gestured, and black-suited men carried onto the stage a two-meter diameter object covered by a red cloth. Ryder leaned towards me. “What’s the mysterious item?” I stood up, ignoring him. I smiled at the crowd, then walked forward, gripped the red cloth with one hand, and pulled it down firmly. An empty iron cage was revealed before everyone’s eyes. The crowd looked at me, confused. I nodded to my discreet bodyguards.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392511”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After my breakup, my friend introduced me to a cycling club. But I never imagined that these glamorous cycling nights held such unspeakable secrets. I even saw my friend with a male member… My eyes widened, my heart pounded, and a strange desire to try it myself flickered within me. Because… I had been longing for a moment like this for a very long time. … Ever since Jake and I broke up, I’d been in a rut. It wasn’t that I was madly in love with him, but our time together had simply been too exhilarating. He was handsome, strong, wildly charismatic yet secretly intense—every woman’s dream guy. His body was sculpted, from his perfectly defined abs to his mind-blowing stamina, and something else unforgettable that left me breathless every time we were together. Jake was a master of seduction. He introduced me to different ways of exploring intimacy, and it was during one of our role-play sessions that I first discovered the thrill it brought. I quickly became obsessed. Nurse and patient, delivery driver and customer, police officer and convict, duke and maid… We constantly tried different roles, different environments. It turned out role-play could unleash an unstoppable desire within me; once I experienced that peak, I couldn’t get enough. My hidden desires had just never been unlocked until I met someone as exceptional as Jake. Eventually, things spun out of control. He couldn’t handle my constant desire for elaborate, all-night role-play, and finally, he chose to leave me. After Jake and I split, I dated other guys, but none of them could give me the kind of incredible experiences he did. Seeing me in such a prolonged slump, my best friend, Chloe, suggested I find something else to distract myself. “Why don’t you come to a cycling party with me? I just joined a cycling club, and it’s pretty wild. It’s like a true hedonist’s paradise. After seeing it, you’ll forget all about him.” As she said this, her eyes shimmered with a knowing glow, and a significant smile played on her lips. But at the time, I didn’t notice. I just thought she simply wanted me to get out and about, to shake off my post-breakup blues. Realizing that staying miserable wasn’t an option, I agreed to her suggestion and quickly joined the cycling club’s group chat with her. The moment I joined, a few eager members started demanding new recruits post photos. I wasn’t keen on exposing my privacy like that to strangers, so I ignored them. But Chloe, without asking, just sent my photo right into the chat. “This is my girl, Ashley. Pretty, right? She’s super smart, and she was even our campus sweetheart back in college!” “Wow! An absolute stunner! My eyes have been opened!” “Chloe, why didn’t you introduce your friend to the group sooner? If I’d known we could meet such gorgeous women, I never would’ve gotten a girlfriend!” “Leave it to Chloe! She always thinks of us single guys first…” Someone directly @-mentioned me: “Hey, beautiful, free this weekend? Come cycling with us.” The group chat exploded with messages. I went to the bathroom, and by the time I came back, there were 99+ notifications. Seeing so many people tagging me, I scrolled up in confusion. When I saw the photo Chloe had sent, I nearly fainted. That girl! Of all the photos, she had to send our swimsuit photoshoot picture. In the photo, I was wearing nothing but a bikini, posed alluringly by the pool, looking up at the camera. My wet hair clung to my exposed skin, creating an alluring, “come hither” wet look that was incredibly sexy. I quickly messaged her, telling her to take it down, but Chloe seemed oblivious to my messages, chatting animatedly with the men in the group. After a long while, she finally sent me a mischievous emoji. “What are you being shy for? There are so many fit guys here. Isn’t there anyone better than Jake?” “I’m doing this for your own good, sis! I want you to find your second spring. Don’t worry, I’ve vetted them for you. You’ll definitely be satisfied.” Seeing that the recall period had passed, there was nothing I could do. I gave up on the idea. But the thought of so many strangers seeing my private photo sent a strange thrill stirring within me. Combined with Chloe’s words, I found myself, almost instinctively, agreeing to their weekend cycling invitation in the group chat. 2 Soon, Chloe helped me buy a complete set of cycling gear for our weekend getaway. I’m not sure if she ordered incorrectly, but the cycling outfit I received was a schoolgirl-style outfit. However, I was truly surprised when I saw Chloe’s cycling gear; she specifically sent me photos. It looked fully armored, but was actually a revealing, ‘playful’ outfit underneath! I gaped, sending her three question marks. Chloe replied mysteriously, “You don’t understand, Ashley. This is the real joy of cycling.” “Just imagine, how many little pebbles on the road, how the bumpy mountain paths feel… It can really make you feel like you’re floating.” “This is a custom-made outfit. Yours is a bit more conservative than mine, but it’s still great. I was worried you couldn’t handle my level.” I was both intimidated and fascinated by her outrageous idea. But her description was so vivid, I couldn’t help but feel a flush of heat, and I started to look forward to tomorrow’s trip. The next morning, Chloe knocked on my door. She’d driven over, and our bicycles were folded in her trunk. “We have a specific starting point, and it’s a bit far. You can sleep for a while; I’ll wake you when we get there.” Last night, thinking about what she’d said, I hadn’t slept much, so I was indeed a bit tired. I listened to her and caught up on sleep. I don’t know how long I slept, but Chloe woke me up. Groggily, I glanced out the car window and realized we were in a very secluded place. “We’re here! This entire mountain has been booked out by the club founder. The downside is it’s a bit far, but the upside is there’s no one around, so we can do whatever we want.” Chloe excitedly patted my shoulder. “The mountain roads here are quite narrow; cars can’t go up. We’ll have to cycle ourselves.” Saying this, she got out of the car and took our two bikes from the trunk. Before we started cycling, she scanned my schoolgirl-style skirt with a mischievous look. “The mountain wind is strong, and the path isn’t smooth. Just enjoy the unique sensation.” With Chloe’s gleeful laugh, I began my first cycling adventure. Soon, I understood what she meant by “unique.” Chloe was right; the bumpy mountain paths added quite a challenge to our ride. But it was precisely because of this that our two specially customized cycling outfits came into play. With each jolt of the mountain path, the thin fabric of my underwear would press against the bike seat, creating an unusual sensation. As I pedaled hard, I found myself grappling with a strange mix of discomfort and a forbidden thrill emanating from below. For a moment, I couldn’t tell if it was pleasure or pain. Chloe seemed accustomed to this kind of cycling. Though her face was clearly flushed, she was thoroughly enjoying herself. I even saw a large damp patch on her bike seat. There was no need to wonder what it was. I never would have imagined my usually quiet best friend was so adventurous. If I hadn’t shared so many private conversations with her after my breakup, I doubt she would have ever revealed this side to me. Soon, we arrived at the club’s gathering point she’d told me about. It was a large clearing with two big tents set up. Surprisingly, there was even a small wilderness hot spring built nearby. Hearing our approach, four men immediately emerged to greet us. Chloe introduced them one by one, especially the club founder. She called him Marcus. “Marcus, this is my friend, Ashley. It’s her first time at our event, so you really have to take good care of her, okay?” Chloe bit her lip and winked at Marcus, her eyes conveying some unspoken message. I just stood there shyly, greeting them. The men’s gazes swept over Chloe and me. Soon, someone noticed the subtle implications of Chloe’s outfit. “Chloe, what you’re wearing today looks even better than last time…” As he spoke, two men standing beside her hooked an arm around her waist, one on each side. I even saw one of them squeeze her rear! 3 Sandwiched between the two men, Chloe didn’t resist; instead, she seemed to revel in it. She playfully swatted one of the men’s chests. “Ashley’s still here, guys. We can play later, the three of us.” I stared, wide-eyed, watching her joke with the two men, and a strange thought stirred in my mind. The “play” she mentioned… surely it wasn’t what I was thinking? Before I could ponder it further, Marcus, the club founder, approached, attempting to wrap an arm around my waist. He wore a tight black athletic suit, his abdominal muscles faintly visible, making him look incredibly strong. However, the possessive stickiness in his gaze made me uneasy. His eyes, especially, were intensely invasive, lingering boldly on my chest, making my heart race. I moved away, excusing myself by saying I was tired from the ride and wanted to rest in a tent. Chloe gave me a knowing smile. “Well, you’ll need to pick a tent, then. We only have three tents here, and we draw numbers to pick tent assignments.” What? If I didn’t draw the same number as Chloe, wouldn’t I have to share a tent with a stranger? A man and a woman sleeping in the same tent… What would happen was obvious. My face instantly flushed like an apple, and I stammered, “That… that’s not right, I…” Chloe burst out laughing. “Just teasing you! You’ll sleep with me tonight.” Hearing that, I relaxed. It wasn’t that I was a conservative woman, but it was our first time meeting, and I instinctively wanted to maintain a sense of proper decorum. Driving to the campsite had taken up a lot of time. Like seasoned pros, they organized a picnic lunch, then began discussing the afternoon’s entertainment. Chloe suggested a race. They would mark out a route in the mountains, and then four men would take one woman each on their bikes to see who could reach the finish line first. Saying this, she looked at me, a sly grin on her face. “The top two finishers get to join two ladies for a hot spring dip under the stars tonight.” She leaned in conspiratorially. “And it’s a naked dip, by the way…” Her bold suggestion startled me, my heart pounding. I wanted to refuse, but I was outnumbered, with everyone else eagerly agreeing. In the end, I could only silently nod. A little voice in my head scoffed: You’re totally into this, aren’t you? Yet you still put on this act. The first man to take me was a heavyset man. The mountain path they’d chosen was winding and steep. He quickly gave up, waving his hand and saying he needed to rest. Left with no choice, Marcus, who was originally supposed to be with Chloe, became my partner. He looked much stronger than the others, and had the best chance of winning. As the second round began, Marcus immediately scooped me up, positioning me in front of him, and sped ahead. I was perched on the special crossbar of his bike, feeling his rock-hard chest pressed against my back. He was incredibly robust; I silently counted his abs—all eight of them. Whether accidental or intentional, he kept riding straight over bumps and rocks he could easily have avoided, sending me bouncing up and down on the bike. Before long, I felt an unfamiliar sensation stirring within me. Especially when I felt a certain rigid firmness pressing against my back, I knew my underwear was completely damp. I kept my head down, not daring to speak, afraid he’d notice my body’s reaction. Thankfully, his stamina was immense. The fat man had only ridden half the distance, but Marcus reached the finish line effortlessly. In the second round, we were the first team to arrive at the end.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392531”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Mr. Harrison Sr. owed the Miller family a life-altering debt. Mrs. Collins used that debt to force Grandpa Harrison to make Jake marry me. For ten years, he’d hated me. He’d even paraded countless women into his bed just to spite me, to drive me away. I became the joke of our elite circle, yet Jake would just coldly tell me, “What right do you have to feel wronged? You brought this on yourself.” Everyone believed I’d cling to Jake forever. He thought so too. Until the person I trusted most, betrayed me. My resolve shattered. The moment I handed him the divorce papers, a wave of relief washed over me. I smiled, a genuine, unburdened smile. “Finally,” I whispered, “this charade of a marriage can end.” 1 I stepped onto the yacht, the party’s wild energy already hitting its peak. In the center of the crowd, Jake Harrison lounged on a sofa, his posture effortlessly casual. That familiar back, a sight that still made my heart ache. She was perched on Jake’s lap, looking alluring, her fingers playfully tracing his neck. Men and women raised their champagne glasses, shouts of “Kiss! Kiss!” echoing around. Brittany Collins’ cheeks were flushed, her eyes gleaming with a reckless desire. Jake’s eyes narrowed slightly, sweeping over the crowd. A slow smirk curved his lips. Without a flicker of hesitation, he pointed me out. “Look over there,” he drawled, “your best friend is watching us.” A collective turn, and then silence. Their eyes, filled with open mockery, landed on me. Someone, I couldn’t tell who, broke the silence with a snide “Hey, Mrs. Harrison!” Others quickly followed suit. Brittany, still on Jake’s lap, glanced at me, showing no intention of moving. I clenched my fists, my gaze locked on her. My heart was bleeding, gushing tears of blood I couldn’t shed. I never imagined Brittany would betray me. She was family, chosen by me, the person I relied on and trusted above all else! I wanted to scream, to demand why, but not now. Not like this. Brittany let out a sickly sweet laugh. “Isn’t this exactly what you wanted to see?” she purred. “I betrayed her, I chose you. Can you love me now?” The atmosphere crackled with anticipation. Everyone waited, unspoken, for the drama to unfold. My marriage to Jake was a sham, a hollow shell. He flaunted his affairs openly, women cycling in and out of his life like a revolving door. But this time, the woman at his side was my most trusted friend. I ignored Brittany, my gaze fixed on Jake. My face was blank, my voice flat. “The media are swarming the dock, waiting for your yacht to pull in.” “Jake, come with me.” He tilted his head, drawing out a lazy “Hmm…” then a definite “No.” Seeing his refusal, Brittany brazenly burrowed deeper into his embrace, flashing me a triumphant smirk. As the yacht neared the dock, an array of high-powered cameras were already zeroed in, shutters clicking furiously. Flashbulbs erupted like a relentless storm. I curled my fingers, my palm stinging. They got the shot. The Harrison family wouldn’t let this go easily; I knew that much. Suddenly, Jake’s teasing voice reached my ear. “Like it, Mrs. Harrison?” he drawled. “Those old fogies probably won’t let you off the hook easily, will they?” “How about you divorce me? I could help you out.” I bit my lip, forcing the words past a choked throat. “Jake, do you… do you really want a divorce?” In ten years, this was the first time I’d even hinted at it. Jake’s playful smirk instantly vanished, his deep eyes suddenly filled with a complex, unreadable emotion. Before he could react, I stated plainly, “Then let’s get one.” It felt like a sentence I’d been waiting a decade to say. The moment the words left my lips, I felt an incredible lightness. What wasn’t mine, was never truly mine to begin with. The heavy emotions I’d suppressed for so long finally found an outlet, beginning to dissipate, thread by thread. “Chloe, are you serious?” Brittany’s voice was an uncontrollable burst of delight. However, the hand Jake had around her waist tightened, a painful squeeze. Brittany winced, a sharp gasp escaping her. “Ow!” she pouted, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. “Jake, you’re hurting me.” Jake ignored her completely, his gaze fixed solely on me. In an unprecedented move, he released Brittany, walking directly to my side. “Let’s go. Home.” He added, his voice smooth and possessive, “Mrs. Harrison.” I clearly saw the cruel amusement dancing in his eyes. He was doing this on purpose. He knew how much Brittany meant to me. And he knew that if paparazzi captured these photos, if a scandal erupted, I’d be the one punished. Jake had gone to great lengths to make me say the word “divorce.” 2 I put on a blank face and casually linked my arm through his. “Let’s go.” Jake immediately let out a harsh, sarcastic laugh. I was used to it, I just tuned him out. As Mrs. Harrison, I had to be perfectly composed in public. Soon, I wouldn’t have to endure days like this anymore. The moment we stepped ashore, I released his hand. He quickly clasped mine, fingers intertwining, his tone mocking. “Better act the part, Mrs. Harrison. Don’t go half-hearted.” “The paparazzi are still snapping away.” I frowned slightly, turning my head to look out the window. Whatever. Let him. The ride home was silent, a heavy quiet that lingered until we reached the front door. The instant we walked in, he pushed me against the wall. In the dim, hazy light, I caught a glimpse of the dangerous amusement in his eyes. I was utterly drained, my voice a soft murmur. “Jake, I don’t want to.” I tried to push him away. Jake’s grip tightened, and he bit my collarbone, a subtle punishment. He scoffed. “Mrs. Harrison, those old fogies are still waiting for you to get pregnant.” My body stiffened. Every time he said “Mrs. Harrison,” it was a cold reminder to remember my place, my identity. Once, I willingly wore these shackles, without the right to call for a stop, simply accepting my fate. Now, I could. My only reason for compromise had betrayed me. I no longer had anything holding me back. For the first time, I bravely pushed Jake Harrison away. “Jake, I don’t have to be Mrs. Harrison anymore.” He froze for a moment, his gaze holding mine, intensely. “Chloe Miller, are you serious?” My heart plummeted. “I’m willing to give you what you want. Isn’t that good?” “I’ve clung to you for ten years, and you’re tired. I’m tired too. Let’s just release each other.” Before the words fully faded, Jake’s hand gripped mine, a vice-like hold. His body pressed against mine, as if he wanted to meld me into the wall. After a tense standoff, he spoke, his voice thick with suppressed rage. “Chloe Miller, your tactics are transparent. I won’t let you get what you want!” With that, he turned, furious, and stormed out without a backward glance. I was bewildered. Staring at his retreating back, I fell into thought. This was what he’d always wanted, and I’d given it to him. Why was he angry? A sharp slam echoed through the house, pulling me back. No matter what, my decision was made. But the thought of Brittany still brought a dull ache to my chest. My phone vibrated again. I pulled it from my pocket, my finger tracing the screen, hovering over Brittany’s constantly popping up messages. Finally, I tapped open the chat. “Chloe Miller, you know everything now.” “Since that’s the case, give Jake to me.” “You two have been together for ten years, and he still doesn’t love you. Why don’t you let me try?” “Maybe he’ll fall in love with me?” “I know it’s wrong to steal my best friend’s man, but I really can’t control myself.” “The moment you introduced us, I was deeply drawn to him.” “I tried, I avoided seeing him, but you kept bringing him around. I didn’t mean to.” “You forced me!” … The more I read, the more my heart bled. This was the person I once trusted the most. I laughed, a bitter, self-deprecating sound. “Brittany Collins, I truly misjudged you.” “Since you want him, I’ll grant you your wish!” I typed these two sentences quickly and sent them. After that, our friendship was completely shattered. For a man, she betrayed me. It was me who misjudged her, in the end. That night, I couldn’t sleep a wink. When I woke, my eyes were red and swollen. It took a long time with ice packs to make them look remotely normal. 3 My mind drifted for a few minutes. Then I remembered the tough battle ahead today and quickly grabbed my phone. I opened the trending news feed and, sure enough, saw last night’s story plastered at the top. The photo showed Brittany sitting on Jake’s lap, with me standing opposite them. The comments were a chaotic mix: “Mrs. Harrison is just too generous, practically serving up her best friend to the heir.” “The heir plays dirty! Hooking up with his wife’s best friend and making his wife stand guard, savage!!” “The heir is so hot! If I were Chloe, I’d line up all his conquests for him!” “Don’t you guys feel bad for Chloe? She’s being betrayed by two of the people closest to her at the same time. My heart aches for her.” “LOL, she deserves it! The heir never wanted to marry her. If she hadn’t used that debt to threaten Grandpa Harrison, how would he have ever married her?!” “Exactly! And she keeps clinging to him, no self-respect! This is happening, and she still won’t divorce him, so pathetic!” “Wait, seriously? The heir is clearly a jerk, and you’re all roasting Chloe? Why aren’t you yelling at the heir and that disgusting best friend? What kind of people are you?!” “Let me be fair. It’s a classic case of ‘one party willing to suffer, the other willing to inflict pain.’ We, the online peanut gallery, don’t know the full story, so let’s just enjoy the drama.” The gossip forums were a mess of arguments. In the blink of an eye, the trending topic vanished. The Harrison family’s PR team had stepped in. A sound came from the entryway. Jake was back. He gave me a curt glance. “Be at the family estate in thirty minutes.” I nodded. What was coming would come. It was a Harrison family tradition that everyone had to return to the family estate every weekend. Any deviation would face family consequences. Even the notoriously free-spirited Jake had never broken this rule. “Chloe Miller, good luck with that!” He smirked faintly, his tone brimming with schadenfreude. At the entrance to the Harrison family estate. Jake didn’t even bother with pretenses. He strode ahead, leaving me to walk into the main hall alone. When I entered, he was already charming Grandma Harrison, making her chuckle with delight. “Grandma,” I greeted, performing the proper etiquette. “Mm,” Grandma Harrison responded, neither warm nor cold. “Your parents are waiting for you in the study.” I nodded slightly. “Understood.” I knew exactly what was coming. Meanwhile, Jake, the instigator, wore a slight smirk, not even bothering to lift an eyelid. The moment I stepped into the study, Mrs. Harrison’s hand cracked across my face. My head snapped to the side, my mouth filling with the faint taste of blood. She blew lightly on her hand, then returned to her poised, elegant demeanor. Mrs. Harrison looked at me coldly, every word laced with disdain: “Chloe, you’ve disappointed me greatly.” “A woman who can’t even hold onto her husband’s heart, how can you be Mrs. Harrison?!” “If I had known, I never would have agreed to Grandpa making Jake marry you!” “What a mess!” I kept my head bowed, my hands unconsciously clenching. “Chloe, if you still can’t make Jake love you, then you two should get a divorce as soon as possible!” I snapped my head up, my eyes filled with an undeniable resolve. “Fine. I’ll divorce him!” Mrs. Harrison’s eyes widened in disbelief. Mr. Harrison also frowned slightly, asking uncertainly, “Are you serious?” “Absolutely!” My voice was firm. Mr. Harrison waved a hand, signaling me to leave. I stood outside the study door, faintly hearing the conversation inside. “You, what are you doing blaming her for your son’s foolishness?!” Mr. Harrison sighed. “Who else should I blame?!” “Before Jake married her, he never did anything so outrageous!” Mrs. Harrison couldn’t help but complain: “If you two hadn’t forced Jake to marry a woman he didn’t love, would he have turned out this way?” “You don’t know how much pain he’s in!” Mr. Harrison looked at her, helpless. “Don’t you know what kind of person your son is?” “If he really didn’t like it, who could force him?!” “Now Chloe wants a divorce, just watch, it’s going to be a huge mess…” Mrs. Harrison froze. “That’s impossible, right? If Jake really loved Chloe, how could he act like that…?” “He can keep playing his games, until he finally pushes his wife away…” 4 Yes, how could Jake Harrison ever love me? I turned and left. Walking down the long corridor, I saw Jake waiting for me at the end. He stood with his arms crossed, a half-smoked cigarette between his fingers. I silently tried to walk past him. But he grabbed my wrist, his hand gently touching the side of my face that had been slapped. He scoffed lightly: “Tsk~ That’s it?” “Was the punishment a little too light?” His deep voice was laced with a lazy laugh, giving no hint of his true emotions. My eyes were clear, unruffled. “Yeah, I told Mom and Dad about the divorce.” He paused, taking a sharp drag from his cigarette. “What did they say?” I shook my head. “They didn’t say anything.” Grandpa Harrison was still in charge; Mr. and Mrs. Harrison couldn’t make the final decision. And if I wanted a divorce, I’d have to wait for Grandpa Harrison to return. “Right, what right do they have to say no!” His voice was faint, but a harsh edge seeped in. “Damn it, you brought this on yourself, you deserve it.” Jake left abruptly. Leaving me to suffer, once again, the Harrison family’s veiled insults, disguised as lessons in marital duties. I accepted it all, without a trace of humility or defiance. I waited. After leaving the Harrison estate, I had the driver take me to the nursing home as usual. Halfway there, I received a call from the nursing home: “Mrs. Harrison, it’s not good.” “Mrs. Collins’s condition has worsened. Please come as soon as possible.” My heart plummeted. I frantically pulled out my phone and called Brittany. I kept calling all the way to the nursing home, but no one picked up. Finally, at the door of the hospital room, the call connected. “Brittany, get to the nursing home right now! Mrs. Collins is in trouble!” Brittany sneered: “Chloe Miller, you were so generous letting Jake fill his life with other women, so why is it a problem when it’s me? And now you’re cursing my mom?” “Don’t I know how my mom is feeling?!” “Even if something was really wrong, she has you, after all, she always treated you better than me!” “I don’t even know who her real daughter is, for her to make you marry Jake Harrison!” Before I could reply, she hung up. I tightly clutched my phone. Pushing open the door, I saw the emaciated woman in the bed. My eyes instantly blurred with tears. “What happened?” Mrs. Collins had been much better when I visited her two days ago. The nurse dared not look at me. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Harrison, I couldn’t stop her, Mrs. Collins saw the online news…” I froze. “Chloe,” she whispered, struggling to speak. I rushed to the bedside, grasping her hand. “Mrs. Collins.” She patted my hand reassuringly, her cloudy eyes welling up with tears. “Chloe, Mrs. Collins apologizes for Brittany. It’s all my fault… I didn’t raise her well…” “If it weren’t for her heart attack back then, you… wouldn’t have resolutely married Jake Harrison…” “It’s all Mrs. Collins who ruined you…” The more she spoke, the heavier her breathing became. I wiped her tears, my voice soft. “Mrs. Collins, everything I did was my own choice. It has nothing to do with you; don’t blame yourself.” “And when I was little, if you hadn’t taken me in, I probably would have died already.” Her tears flowed even more. “It was our Miller family who dragged you down… Now Brittany treats you like this… I… I’m so sorry, Chloe!” “You… don’t worry, I told Grandpa Harrison to let you divorce Jake Harrison. After this… Chloe must be happy… you won’t have to suffer so much anymore…” Tears blurred my vision, but I managed a faint smile. “It’s not hard at all. Being Mrs. Harrison in the Harrison family is very comfortable. Famous, rich, what’s not to like?” She looked at me for a long time, then turned her head away with a pained expression. After a long moment, Mrs. Collins cautiously asked, “Chloe, can you ask that ungrateful daughter to come see me?” I nodded repeatedly. “Okay.” But the call I made went unanswered again. I tried Jake, but his phone also got no reply. Finally, I called Jake Harrison’s assistant. The assistant told me Brittany and Jake had gone to the Arctic to see the Northern Lights together. Tears I couldn’t hold back streamed down my face. Mrs. Collins saw my tears, as if she understood everything. She chuckled softly. “Forget it, Chloe. Don’t torment yourself anymore. You don’t owe our Miller family anything…” With that, she closed her eyes, a look of peace on her face. I cried hysterically. After Mrs. Collins’s funeral, the two of them were brought back by Grandpa Harrison. At the Harrison family estate. I stood to the side. Jake was kneeling on the ground. Brittany had been sent to Mrs. Collins’s grave site. Grandpa Harrison’s cane struck Jake’s back again and again. In the past, whenever Grandpa hit him, I’d step in front of him, my heart aching. Each time, I’d take a blow or two myself. Now, I stood unmoving to the side. Grandpa Harrison saw my unyielding resolve, knowing my heart had truly been broken. He beat Jake almost to death, then said in a deep voice, “Tomorrow, you two will get a divorce.” Jake, sprawled on the ground, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Then, he gritted his teeth. “I don’t agree! Why should she get to marry when she wants and divorce when she wants?!” Grandpa Harrison struck his back again. “You don’t have a choice! You’ve completely broken Chloe’s heart; do you really think she’ll ever come back?!” I bowed to Grandpa Harrison. “Thank you, Grandpa.” He sighed. “Jake wronged you. You may go.” Dragging the luggage I’d already packed, I left the Harrison family estate.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392548”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

The Hospital Director’s wife had taken a particular liking to the new male intern. She even had him, completely unqualified, assist me in an emergency surgery. Midway through the heart surgery, I suddenly realized he’d pocketed a scalpel. Faced with my questioning, the intern just smirked contemptuously. “They say Dr. Stone is a titan in the medical field. I just wanted to learn a thing or two. Surely you can’t operate if you’re short one scalpel?” Suppressing my fury, I called my wife. “How could you stick this hack in here? If something happens to the patient, how will we handle it!” She, however, defended him: “Can’t manage with one less scalpel? Why give him such a hard time! What’s wrong with a young man eager to learn!” The surgery ultimately failed. A vibrant life was extinguished before my eyes. But the Director was out shopping lavishly with the male intern, even threatening to kick me out of the hospital. “Causing a fatal incident and you still have the nerve to hang around the hospital!” Little did she know, the patient who died on the operating table was her own father, who’d suffered a sudden heart attack. 1 Crouched in the hallway, I chain-smoked an entire pack, but the inferno in my chest still raged. Pulling out my phone, I dialed Emily Young’s number. “Fire that intern immediately. I’m only saying this once.” The other end of the line was noisy and chaotic. After a long pause, her lazy voice came through: “Enough, David Stone! Don’t try to shift the blame. The lead surgeon’s failure has nothing to do with Leo Vance!” “Instead of this, you should be figuring out how to console the family. If there’s a complaint, you’ll handle it yourself!” My hand, still holding the phone, trembled from sixteen straight hours of wielding a scalpel, all to compensate for Leo Vance’s transgression of hiding equipment. And now I was supposed to take all the blame? “If he hadn’t hidden the scalpel, how could it have failed!” My roar echoed through the hallway. “This was a life-saving surgery! What was his motive for hiding the scalpel? Emily Young, how can you be so clueless, bringing this kind of disaster into the hospital? Are you trying to ruin the hospital’s reputation!” “Besides, do you even know who was on that table—” “Dr. Stone,” Leo suddenly cut in on the call. His voice dripped with feigned grievance: “It’s all my fault, I’m just an intern. I shouldn’t have let my admiration for you, the master cardiac surgeon, cause you to slip up. Scold me, hit me, I’ll take whatever you dish out!” Even a fool could hear the thinly veiled sarcasm. This exceptionally hired Leo certainly had a way about him. With just his pretty boy face, he had the usually elusive Director Emily practically living at the hospital. It wasn’t that I hadn’t been suspicious, but Emily always had an excuse: “I just see him as a younger brother. Who doesn’t like handsome young men? We’ve been married for five years, don’t you have that much trust in me?” Plus, the hospital was genuinely short-staffed. Even if I was unhappy, I had to bear it, hoping he could at least pull some weight. I never expected him to be such a menace. My anger flared hotter. I decided to reveal the truth: “Do you realize you personally sent your own father to his grave!” My free hand clenched the hem of my shirt, knuckles white. It had happened so suddenly. I only realized when I entered the OR that this critical patient, suffering a massive heart attack, was my father-in-law. With every second counting, I had planned to tell her after the surgery. Who knew… I could have saved his life. The line went silent for a long moment, then Emily snatched the phone back and cursed venomously: “Have you lost your mind, David Stone! Just because you couldn’t save him, you’re cursing my dad? He’s perfectly healthy back in the countryside. Some son-in-law you are!” “You are fully responsible for this incident. Effective immediately, you are banned from the operating room. Reinstatement pending review.” “Additionally, six months’ salary will be docked, and a hospital-wide critique will be issued. You will be required to make a public apology!” Beside her, Leo feigned conciliation: “Dr. Stone, don’t take your anger out on me. I was just following orders. If I’ve offended you, I hope you can forgive me.” I almost vomited blood. Did this foolish woman even remember that the hospital’s current renown was entirely due to my unparalleled skills in the medical field? “Alright, David. I’m going with Leo to pick out a watch. Instead of this pointless chatter, you should be working on your apology letter.” With that, the call abruptly ended. The rage in my heart blazed. I violently pushed open a door, right into the bewildered Head Nurse. “Dr. Stone,” She looked troubled. “The patient’s family… we can’t reach them.” 2 My brow furrowed deeply, momentarily at a loss. Emily lost her mother young and was raised solely by her father. After our marriage, my father-in-law lived alone in the countryside, cutting off ties with relatives. Only I knew of his death. “Follow standard procedure for now. I’ll handle the rest.” Tossing off my surgical cap, I slumped into a chair. The cool air hit my face, slightly quelling the burning anger in my heart. I opened my phone. Emily had actually updated her social media feed: “Feeling young again, it’s wonderful.” The accompanying picture showed Leo, beaming, surrounded by piles of luxury gift boxes. I stared at the screen, a cold laugh escaping my throat. She really doesn’t see me as her husband anymore, does she? Although Emily and I met through a setup, genuine feelings had developed, which led us to the altar. Emily moved here for me, founded the hospital. And to support her, I turned down high-paying offers from other hospitals to become a doctor under her name, making this hospital increasingly famous in the city. I once thought it was a mutual effort. But now, because of Leo, things had diverged. And now, this divergence was becoming a real eyesore. The next day, I put on my white coat and went to the clinic, looking at patient charts while waiting. But after a long wait, not a single patient came in. This wasn’t right. Usually, my clinic appointments were snatched up. By noon, still no patients. As I prepared to leave, the door was suddenly knocked on several times, hard. I opened it to an angry face. “Dr. Stone, you’re at the hospital! Why did you cancel our appointment after I booked it?! I waited a month for this slot, and you just decide not to see patients?!” I frowned, trying to calm him down first. “Tell me what happened. I didn’t receive any notification about not seeing patients.” The patient angrily pushed me aside. “Stop pretending! If you didn’t want to see patients, don’t offer appointments. Do you get a kick out of messing with ordinary people like us?! I bet other hospitals can treat this!” With that, he spat viciously in my direction and stormed off. Realizing something was wrong, I quickly called the nurse in charge. She sounded surprised. “Wasn’t it you who notified us? That today’s appointments, no, actually, all appointments for the next week, were canceled. I thought you weren’t feeling well…” My pent-up anger surged. I demanded loudly, “Who notified you!” “It was Leo… He said it was your instruction…” Him again! The fire completely uncontrollable, I stormed into the intern’s lounge where Leo was, only to find Emily there too. “Leo!” I grabbed the nearest book and hurled it at him. “Who told you to cancel my patients without authorization? Don’t you know how hard it is for some people to get an appointment! What are you trying to do, let them die!” The man, caught off guard by my attack, immediately covered his head and squatted down. Seeing this, Emily became protective. “Leo was acting on my orders. Hitting him is like slapping my face, you know that!” My heart sank. I could hardly believe it. “Why, Emily, why would you do this? These patients have been waiting desperately for me to see them.” But the woman just rolled her eyes impatiently. “You had a major medical incident, and you still want to see patients in the clinic? If anything else goes wrong, the hospital can’t take responsibility.” “I’ll reassign your patients to other doctors. We have more than just you here, and Leo will help out too. For now, just stay away from the hospital.” My hands clenched into fists, veins popping on the back of them. This was like throwing me under the bus after I’d done all the work. The cardiology department, built on my reputation, yet I was being made to bear this undeserved disaster because of Leo’s mistake. I really was too good-natured, too patient. “In that case, I resign.” 3 Hearing this, Emily finally showed a flicker of nervousness. “What did you say?” Her eyes widened in disbelief, all her accusations caught in her throat. Seeing my calm expression, she visibly panicked. “No, David, please don’t get agitated, okay?” “This was indeed my oversight. I shouldn’t have canceled your patients without discussing it with you. How about this, starting tomorrow, everything goes back to normal, you can see your patients as usual.” “I’ll transfer Leo to another department. I promise you two will have no contact. Are you satisfied with that? Please don’t talk about resigning anymore, okay?” I took a deep breath and, after a long pause, nodded. “No need to transfer him to another department.” Emily brightened, about to say something. “Fire him outright.” Her smile froze on her lips. She blurted out, “No way!” I let out a cold laugh, leaning my hands on the table, staring at her. “Emily, I’m not discussing this with you.” The woman stared hard at me, finally relenting. “Fine, I’ll fire him…” Just then, Leo suddenly spoke, his eyes full of resentful. “Dr. Stone, I apologize. The previous surgery was my fault. But I really want to learn at the hospital. Please don’t kick me out, even if it means I have to be a janitor!” “Please, as long as I can stay at the hospital, I’ll do anything!” As he spoke, he actually knelt on the ground and kowtowed to me. He looked for all the world like I was some unforgivable villain. Startled, I was about to stop him when Emily quickly helped him up, her gaze towards me now tinged with resentment. “Alright, David Stone, I’ve made a concession too. Let Leo stay at the hospital. If it’s really an issue, I’ll transfer him to the morgue, how about that.” My heart clenched. I was about to speak when Leo kowtowed several more times. “Thank you, Director Young! I’m willing to work in the morgue. As long as I can stay at the hospital, I’ll do anything!” Emily’s eyes were full of pity as she pulled him to a seat. “It’s okay. As long as I’m here, no one in this hospital can kick you out.” After saying that, she shot me a fierce glare. I clenched my fists, thinking that as long as he was far away from me, it would be fine, so I said nothing more. Just then, the Head Nurse suddenly sent me a text message. “Dr. Stone, I can’t find you. The deceased’s family still isn’t answering their phone. I had no choice but to place him in the hospital morgue, but he can’t stay there indefinitely, can he?” I pinched the bridge of my nose and said gravely, “It’s okay, I’ll talk to the family.” Hanging up, I walked over to Emily and said in a low voice, “The Head Nurse has probably called you many times these past two days. It’s not right for Father-in-law’s body to remain in the morgue. Although it’s hard to accept, I’ll be with you through this difficult time.” Emily’s eyes widened suddenly, and after a moment, a deeply sarcastic smile formed on her lips. “Are you serious, David Stone? I’ve already compromised, what more do you want? Cursing my dad over and over, what are you playing at!” “I’m warning you, this hospital can function without you! If you dare do this again, watch out, I’ll tell my dad!” I almost laughed out of sheer anger. Even now, she refused to believe me, thinking I was just jealous of Leo. “Emily Young, do you have a brain? If he hadn’t secretly hidden that scalpel, how would your father have died!” A sharp “smack” sound. My head was knocked to the side, and a metallic taste of blood instantly filled my mouth. “David Stone, haven’t you had enough! If you dare say that again, believe it or not, I’ll divorce you!” A fleeting, imperceptible glint of triumph flashed in Leo’s eyes, then he adopted a different tone, looking at me. “Dr. Stone, even if you hate me that much, you shouldn’t use Director Young’s father’s death to deceive her. This is a human life, it’s no joking matter.” I covered my face, taking a long moment to recover, then said angrily, “Fine, you don’t believe me, right? Then call your dad right now and see if he picks up!” “I’ll call him!” Emily shot me a fierce glare and immediately pulled out her phone. It rang for a few seconds, then the call connected. 4 “Hello, is this the family of Samuel Young? This is the hospital. Your father’s heart surgery was unsuccessful…” The words Emily was about to say froze on her lips. She looked at the phone number in disbelief; it was indeed her father’s. “Who are you?” Unconsciously, her voice had begun to tremble. It was on speakerphone, loud enough for me to recognize the voice too. “I’m the Head Nurse of Cardiology at Union General Hospital…” Emily’s face changed drastically. She immediately hung up and ran out. I followed her, watching her run to the nurses’ station. The Head Nurse was still holding her phone and was about to speak when Emily reached her. “You’ve got some nerve, colluding with David Stone to deceive me! How dare you curse my father to death!” A sudden slap caught the Head Nurse completely off guard. She covered her face, explaining softly, “No… I wasn’t lying, Director. That really was the deceased’s phone—” “Still talking? Do you have a death wish or something!” Emily delivered several more slaps, her face flushed red. “You always listen only to David Stone and disregard me, the Director. Now you’re completely lawless, aren’t you!” “I’m announcing it now, you’re fired.” Tears welled up in the Head Nurse’s eyes. She looked at me pleadingly. “Dr. Stone, please help me explain, I wasn’t lying!” Suppressing my anger, I pulled Emily away. “Have you made enough of a scene! Are you under Leo’s spell or something!” She struggled hard, glaring at me with a face full of resentment. “I should be asking you, what exactly are your intentions! If you don’t want to take responsibility, just say so. Why drag others into your lies!” “Let me tell you, this hospital doesn’t revolve around you. Even if you leave, it won’t collapse!” Seeing the hatred welling up in her eyes, I suddenly felt that the person before me was a complete stranger. When had she stopped believing even a word I said? “Fine…” I regained my composure. “Then I’ll resign.” This time, Emily didn’t hesitate, her face flashing with impatience. “Same threat, I won’t fall for it twice. If you want to go, then go!” Then she took Leo’s hand. “Let’s go! It seems the cardiology department needs a good shake-up too.” And Leo, being pulled by her, cast a sarcastic smile in my direction. He was saying, he had won. Unfortunately, I no longer wanted to participate in this game. Walking out of the hospital, I looked at this institution I had poured my heart and soul into, feeling utterly exhausted for the first time. Standing there for a long time, I took out my phone and dialed an unfamiliar number. “Director Hughes, about your previous offer to invite me to your hospital, is it still valid?” The person on the other end was delighted. “That’s great! As long as you want to come, I’ll have an offer sent to you immediately!” “No rush…” I looked into the distance, my voice heavy. “Wait until I’ve dealt with everything.” My father-in-law’s body, the resignation procedures, and… My marriage to Emily. When I got home, Emily didn’t even spare me a glance. I knew this was her usual cold shoulder tactic. In the past, I was always the one to compromise first; after all, in her eyes, any mistake should be my responsibility. But since that surgery, it felt like I could see everything clearly. “David Stone, I truly misjudged you.” Seeing my silence, she looked at me with deep disappointment. “Even if you’re jealous, even if you’re trying to make excuses for yourself, you can’t keep joking about my dad!” “You must apologize to Leo, or I will never forgive you!” I scoffed, pointing to my phone. “No need to forgive me. I’ve already submitted my resignation. You just need to approve it.” Unexpectedly, since I didn’t back down at all, Emily gritted her teeth and nodded. “Fine, as you wish!” Seeing the “resigned” status, a wave of relief washed over me. Thank goodness, it would soon be over. The next morning, I went to the hospital morgue early, planning to take his body to the funeral home. At the very least, I should give him a dignified farewell. Who knew that as soon as I opened the door, Leo blocked my way. “Dr. Stone, what are you doing? Trying to destroy the evidence to deny your mistake?!” I was almost amused by his nonsensical accusations. “Get lost. Don’t make me curse you out.” As I said this and tried to enter, Emily also walked over. Seeing me, her face instantly darkened. “You’ve been fired, what right do you have to still be here!” I couldn’t be bothered with her; the people from the funeral home were about to arrive anyway. Just as I was preparing to wheel the body out, Leo stubbornly blocked me. “What are you doing!” In the struggle, the white sheet covering the body suddenly fell off. Emily’s face instantly turned completely white.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392566”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My wife, Sarah, was laying it on thick last night. I thought our marriage was about to turn a corner. Then I overheard her girlfriends teasing her. “So, how’s it going? When are you gonna get with the new college intern from the office?” Sarah burst out laughing. “I’ve been practicing hard, I’m in top form. Getting with a younger guy will be a piece of cake.” In the video call, everyone was howling, egging her on to film it. Right after that, Sarah, an architect, suddenly bailed on our Memorial Day weekend plans, saying she had to go out of town to oversee a project and couldn’t travel with me. But that same afternoon, I saw a video her intern, Kevin, posted on his social media feed. Sarah, who usually wouldn’t know which end of a hammer to hold, was there, covered in dust, mixing cement and laying bricks. The caption read: “Having an architect girlfriend is awesome. Don’t even need to hire workers to build a house!” I let out a cold laugh, liked it, and commented: “Professional job.” The company group chat blew up instantly. Colleagues were screenshotting and forwarding it, speculating when I’d lose it. When Sarah called, her voice was ice cold. “What the hell did you mean by that comment? How is Kevin supposed to show his face at work now?” “His family’s garden wall collapsed back home. So I helped him fix it, what’s the big deal? You, spoiled rotten by your parents, you wouldn’t understand real hardship.” “Delete that comment right now, and I promise I’ll make it up to you next holiday.” Next time? I scoffed and hung up. After Memorial Day weekend, the waiting period for the divorce would be over. … That was the first time I’d ever hung up on Sarah Hayes. I didn’t need to guess; she’d be furious. Sure enough, my phone started buzzing immediately. I declined the call and blocked her. Finally, some peace. “Mr. Miller, your table for two is ready, and the kitchen has started on your order. Will you be waiting, or…?” I glanced at the empty seat across from me. “She’s not coming. You can bring the food.” Ignoring the waiter’s pitying look, I looked down at my phone. A new message popped up in the work group chat. The intern, Kevin Chen, tagged everyone: “My post today was a bit inappropriate, sorry if it caused any misunderstanding.” That wasn’t an apology; it was a brag. I sneered. In the chat, Sarah quickly followed up: “You were just joking around. No need to apologize. Only someone petty would misunderstand.” With the lead designer setting the tone, colleagues came out of the woodwork to agree: “Yeah, yeah, we all knew you were kidding. No need to apologize.” “Thanks to Kevin, we got to see Sarah’s skills in action!” “Haha, there’s probably only one petty person in this chat, we all know who!” My colleagues were all sharp. They saw who the boss favored and sided accordingly, all defending Kevin. And me, the pitiful husband, was not only ignored but became the target of their ridicule. Even the protégé I’d personally mentored was sucking up to Kevin along with the others. After all, Sarah Hayes was the head of the company, and Kevin Chen was her new favorite. And I, the guy who’d invested his entire fortune to co-found the company, was just a freeloader in their eyes, a kept husband. I turned off my phone screen, set it aside. Out of sight, out of mind. I was determined to enjoy my holiday. But I’d barely taken a few bites when Mike, my assistant, sent a voice message, his tone aggressive: “Ethan, where are those blueprints I asked you to draw a few days ago? Why haven’t you submitted them?” “Which project?” I frowned slightly. To make time for the trip with Sarah, I’d pulled two all-nighters before the holiday, finishing all my assigned drawings. There couldn’t be any left. Mike said impatiently, “The Kingston project.” My frown deepened. “Didn’t Kevin take that one?” “Yeah, but he got sick and went back to his hometown. Sarah said you’d do the drawings. Ethan, can you hurry it up? The client’s breathing down our necks.” I almost laughed out loud. This was a major project, way out of an intern’s league. But Kevin, greedy for the big payout from a major project, had asked for it. And Sarah, completely smitten with him, actually gave it to him. What could Kevin, an intern with less than a year at the company and no real experience, possibly draw? No wonder he suddenly went “back home” – he cracked under the pressure and bailed. “When did Sarah say I was doing it? Besides, I’m out right now, I don’t have my computer. If the client’s pushing, tell them to talk to the boss.” With that, I hung up before he could reply and turned off my phone. Ridiculous. She was off in the countryside fooling around with her lover, while I was supposed to be here slaving over drawings? I expressionlessly cut my steak into small pieces and stuffed them into my mouth. Unexpectedly, five minutes later, the waiter hurried over with a landline phone: “Mr. Miller, your wife is on the line.” She just wouldn’t quit… I took a deep breath, took the phone. Sarah’s voice was like ice: “Ethan Miller, have I been spoiling you too much?” “What’s this, Ms. Hayes? Calling just to yell at me?” I speared a piece of steak with my fork, my tone cool. “I admit bailing on you was my fault, but that doesn’t mean you can push your luck.” “You have until I count to three to unblock my number. Otherwise, this marriage is over.” My hand slowly clenched into a fist. How had I never noticed before how sharp and cruel Sarah’s words could be? Just as I was about to say something, I faintly heard Kevin’s voice in the background, sounding like he was calling Sarah in for dinner. I laughed. “What, you went home to meet his parents and still find time to call me? Aren’t you afraid people will misunderstand?” “Oh, right. In the whole company, only I, the petty one, would misunderstand.” Sarah snapped, “Kevin’s family isn’t well off, he’s had a tough life. As his mentor, what’s wrong with me helping him out a bit? Why are you throwing a tantrum?” Footsteps approached on her end, and Kevin’s voice became clearer: “Sarah, Mom’s got dinner ready. Come on in and eat.” I heard Sarah’s voice soften as she moved away from the phone: “I just need to discuss some work. You go ahead and eat, I’ll be right there.” The next second, she was close to the mouthpiece again, her voice chilling: “I want those drawings by the end of Memorial Day. That’s the client’s hard deadline. If you can’t deliver by the fifth, pack your things and get out.” The line went dead. I realized I had been terribly wrong. Wrong to think a trip could mend our already broken marriage. The moment Sarah had thrown those signed divorce papers in my face, I should have faced reality. I stood up, grabbed my jacket, paid the bill, and left. Back at my hotel, I turned my phone on. Messages flooded in, all work-related. Countless people had tagged me, sending a barrage of files, demanding I give them initial designs and specs ASAP. It seemed genuinely urgent. But the divorce would be final in three days. Why should I care anymore? I didn’t even look at them. I left the group chat, typed up my resignation, found HR’s contact, and sent her the file. HR was surprised, said she couldn’t approve it without checking with Sarah. I braced myself for a confrontation with Sarah, but less than half a minute later, HR replied. “Sarah said okay.” Sarah was even more ruthless than I’d thought. But it was a good thing. I let out a genuine sigh of relief. Without all that company crap, I felt instantly lighter. After three days of thoroughly enjoying myself, I flew home. As I expected, Sarah wasn’t there. The large living room was eerily quiet, looking just as it did when it was first decorated, devoid of any warmth. It’s funny, this apartment felt more like a hotel than the one I’d stayed in the night before. This wasn’t the house we bought when we got married. The marital home I’d bought outright with my own money was sold long ago to fund Sarah’s company. This current place was acquired two years ago when a client, who’d stiffed us on a design fee, offered it as payment instead. It was in my name. I often worked late, so I wasn’t home much. Sarah was home even less, jetting around the country with Kevin, supposedly on business trips. But judging from the intern’s social media posts over the past year, they were clearly just wining and dining everywhere. Pushing aside annoying thoughts, I contacted a realtor and listed the apartment online. The market in this neighborhood was hot recently; the realtor said it would sell within a week, and for a good price. The price didn’t matter. I just didn’t want to keep anything connected to Sarah. The next morning, I went to the office to pack my things. Colleagues were subtly watching me, huddling together and whispering. News of my resignation had clearly spread. I ignored them, went through the exit procedures, and headed to my workstation to pack. I picked up a framed photo from my desk – a picture of me and Sarah, taken when we first started the company. Both of us had bright smiles, but the dark circles under our eyes were so prominent we looked like we were cosplaying pandas. It couldn’t be helped; the company was just starting out, and only she and I could do the drafting. We were like spinning tops back then, barely daring to close our eyes, just drawing day and night. Terrified of missing a deadline. We got through those tough times… My thoughts returned to the present. I casually tossed the photo into the trash can. Just as I was about to leave, Kevin’s voice came from behind: “Ethan, are the drawings for the Kingston project done yet?” I turned around. His young, innocent-looking face came into view. Seeing the box in my arms, he feigned surprise: “Oh… Ethan, are you resigning?” Why ask when you already know? I replied coolly, “Yeah, I am. Are you blind?” The smile froze on Kevin’s face. He changed the subject, asking for the drawings again. I found it strange. I’d already resigned, what drawings did I owe him? He could draw them himself. “But Sarah told you to submit them by the fifth…” “Then go ask her for them. I don’t have them.” I turned to leave with my box, but Kevin rushed to block my path. I sidestepped him to leave, but he suddenly collapsed as if having a seizure. “Aah—” “Kevin! Are you okay?!” Seeing this, Sarah rushed over, anxiously helped Kevin up, and after checking him for injuries, breathed a sigh of relief. She glared at me furiously. “Can’t you just talk things out? Why did you have to push him? Apologize to Kevin right now!” Kevin, pale-faced, tried to soothe her, “Sarah, don’t be angry. I was just too anxious about the Kingston project. It’s not Ethan’s fault, he just accidentally…” He mentioned the project, and Sarah instantly remembered today was the sixth. Her brow furrowed. “If you hadn’t reminded me, I would have forgotten. Ethan Miller, where are those drawings you were supposed to do? Why haven’t you submitted them yet?” “I’ve resigned. What drawings?” I retorted. “Resigned? Ethan, what kind of tantrum are you throwing now? You can’t produce the drawings, so you’re threatening me with resignation, is that it?” That was a strange thing to say. She herself had approved my resignation, and now she was accusing me of threatening her? Before I could speak, she strode over and slapped the box out of my arms. My belongings scattered across the floor. “Company documents are confidential. Who gave you permission to take them out?” Her voice was icy, her eyes blazing as if looking at an enemy. “If you want to leave, you can leave now. But these things need to be inspected first.” Nearby, colleagues craned their necks, watching the drama unfold. My face burned, my fists clenched tightly. Right now, I really, really wanted to land a punch squarely on that face I once loved to death. I closed my eyes, took a few deep breaths, and managed to calm down. “I don’t want the stuff anymore. You can throw it all away. Goodbye.” I threw out the words and turned to leave. As I neared the exit, someone snickered: “Haha, overplayed his hand. Thought he was so important to the company, huh? Bet he’s stunned now that Ms. Hayes kicked him out.” It was that male colleague who was always gossiping about me. I spun on my heel, strode over to him, grabbed the slice of cake he’d scrounged off someone from their desk, and unceremoniously smashed it right in his face. “Didn’t you brush your teeth this morning? Your breath stinks.” Seeing him standing there, dumbfounded, with cake all over his face, my mood lifted considerably. I turned and walked out of the company. Sarah’s car was parked downstairs. I’d given it to her when we got married. Lately, Kevin had been driving it. Just yesterday, I saw Kevin post on social media that Sarah was planning to transfer the car’s ownership to him, any day now. Logically, what someone does with a gift is none of my business. But it just made me sick. I grabbed a loose brick from the roadside and did a number on the car, wrecking it pretty thoroughly, until a security guard heard the commotion and came running, shouting. Only then did I drop the “weapon” and bolt. I didn’t care if I was caught on camera. The satisfaction was worth it. Leaving the office, I drove to the county clerk’s office and, before dark, successfully obtained the divorce certificate I’d longed for. Finally, free from this miserable marriage. I got to my front door, happily about to open it, when I suddenly heard voices from inside. Sarah’s parents had arrived. “That Ethan Miller is a real piece of work!” Sarah’s father was railing against me in the living room. “Your mother and I came all this way, and he didn’t even bother to pick us up. Kevin’s more thoughtful.” Sarah’s mother chimed in, “Didn’t you say he also threw a fit and smashed your car? Oh dear, I hope he doesn’t have a violent streak… You can’t keep a man like that. Divorce him sooner rather than later.” “Besides, that Kevin boy is so charming and sensible, and young too. He’s definitely in better shape than Ethan. We might finally get those grandkids we’ve been hoping for, right?” My hand rested on the doorknob, hesitating to push it open. When we first got married, her parents’ attitude towards me wasn’t like this. Later, as the company grew successful, they began to look down on me more and more. “I’m busy with work lately, not in a hurry to have kids.” Sarah’s voice drifted through the door. She wasn’t rejecting her parents’ suggestion, just commenting on the timing of having children. “Even if you’re not in a hurry, wouldn’t it be better to have someone who’s considerate to you and knows how to respect his elders?” “He hasn’t spoken to his own family in years, just mooches off his wife’s company all day. That’s not what I call a responsible man.” Sarah’s mother spoke of me with utter disdain, then said to Sarah, as if exasperated, “At least Kevin seems much better than that Miller guy. Sweetheart, shouldn’t you pick a man who’s good to you? Look at him, busy in the kitchen right now, he clearly knows how to take care of someone.” “And this jade bracelet I’m wearing? He bought it for me. And when he heard your dad’s leg was bothering him, he even bought a special therapeutic device for him…” I chuckled. Over the years, I’d given my in-laws plenty of gifts, any one of which was more expensive than those two items. And what was the result? They didn’t remember any of my kindness, and still thought I just sponged off their daughter’s money. No need to hear any more. I pushed the door open and walked in. Seeing me suddenly appear, the three of them froze. I ignored them and started walking towards the bedroom, but Sarah stopped me. “Ethan Miller, stop right there. You see my parents and don’t even greet them?” Sarah’s father snorted heavily. “Almost thirty, and still doesn’t have the social graces of a fresh college graduate. He’s really regressing.” Sarah’s mother crossed her legs, shot me a venomous glare, and sneered, “No sense of responsibility, just knows how to live off his wife all day. Truly shameless.” I paused, turned my head, and asked Sarah calmly, “My resignation, didn’t you tell your parents about it?” Sarah frowned. “I’ll contact the client about the Kingston project later and try to get you a few more days, okay? Constantly threatening me with resignation is really childish.” I found her ridiculous. “My resignation paperwork is all finalized. You think I’m threatening you?” Her mother’s eyes darted around, then she snapped, “What’s this? You plan to dump the whole company on my daughter while you loll around at home leeching off her? You’re truly shameless!” Sarah’s expression changed slightly. “I never approved it. How did you process the paperwork?” Still putting on an act at this point? I was speechless. This family of weirdos was truly difficult to communicate with. “Ethan, you’re back! Sorry, hope you don’t mind me using your kitchen. I made a bunch of my specialties today. Come sit down and try some.” Just then, Kevin emerged from the kitchen carrying a dish. Seeing me, he eagerly played the host. He looked as if he were the man of the house. I gave him a dismissive glance, not bothering to acknowledge him. I had no time for this male green tea bitch. Sarah’s father immediately bristled. “Sarah, look at that! Kevin kindly invites him to eat, and he doesn’t even have basic manners. He’s unbelievably arrogant.” Kevin looked overwhelmed by the attention, waving his hands frantically to explain, “No, no, Ethan’s always like this with me. It’s just that I’m not good enough…” Sarah’s mother couldn’t stand it anymore, slapped her thigh, and stood up. “Alright, I’ll say it! Ethan Miller, you know the situation between our families now. If you have any shame left, you’ll divorce our Sarah immediately.” “Mom.” Sarah frowned slightly, then turned to scrutinize me up and down. “It doesn’t necessarily have to be a divorce… You’ve been acting very strangely lately. You refused to do the drawings I asked, you attacked Kevin, and you threw a tantrum and smashed the car.” “Ethan Miller, are you having some kind of mental breakdown?” She cheated on me, and now she thought I was mentally ill? I sneered. “I think you’re the one who’s lost her mind.” As they all stared, stunned, I slapped the divorce certificate down on the table. “Here’s the divorce you wanted. Can you all shut up now?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392585”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel