Category: English

My daughter was found in the gymnasium storage room. She wasn’t breathing. Her school uniform was gone. Semen was found on her lower body. The school blamed it on a homeless man with mental health issues. Three months after my daughter died, I received an anonymous text message. 【How do you like my masterpiece? Your daughter was crying for her mommy right before she died! It was so much fun hahaha…】 Masterpiece? My hand tightened around the phone. I was going to make the real killer truly “enjoy” my masterpiece! 1 I had just finished a surgery when I got the call from the homeroom teacher. The surgery had gone exceptionally well; the patient was stable. But before I could even take a breath, the teacher’s voice on the phone was frantic. “Chloe’s mom! You need to come to the school right away! Something’s happened to Chloe!” When I arrived at Maple Creek Middle School, the area was already cordoned off with police tape. I saw a group of officers struggling to restrain a man who was fighting wildly. He was dressed in rags, his hair a tangled, dirty mess, and he was screaming for them to let him go. Ms. Peterson, Chloe’s homeroom teacher, led me to the gym storage room. That’s where I saw my daughter. My Chloe lay naked and still on one of the green gym mats, her legs spread apart. A dark purple bruise circled her neck like fingerprints. Her wide eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, her face pale with the unmistakable look of death. Just yesterday, she’d been bouncing around, full of life. The world spun around me. I stumbled and fell to my knees beside her body. The moment I saw two officers carefully lift her into a body bag, I lost all control. A raw, heartbroken sob tore through me. After my husband passed away, it was just Chloe and me. She was my entire world, my reason for living! Who killed my daughter?! I stopped working, put everything on hold. Two weeks later, the police finally gave me their findings. They had interviewed students, Ms. Peterson, and people in the neighborhood. Piecing it all together, they arrived at a logical conclusion. The man who killed my daughter was the same one I’d seen the police struggling with that day. He was a homeless man, known to have psychiatric problems. He often wandered near the school, so the security guard hadn’t paid much attention. On the day Chloe died, the security guard had accidentally fallen asleep on duty. The man had slipped into the school and killed my daughter. I couldn’t accept it. My daughter… my Chloe… just starting seventh grade… Her life, barely begun, snuffed out by a mentally ill man! And violated even after death! What made it even worse was knowing that because of his diagnosis, the man wouldn’t face the death penalty – he’d just be sent to a psychiatric hospital. But the police report showed the semen recovered from my daughter was a definitive match to the homeless man. The hard evidence was laid out in front of me. Not just the police, but Ms. Peterson and the school administration urged me to accept the outcome quickly. “Sarah,” Ms. Peterson said gently, her voice full of strained sympathy, “I know this is incredibly hard to accept right now. But dragging this out won’t do anyone any good.” Filled with a turmoil of doubt, grief, anger, and confusion, I finally signed the paper closing the case. For the next three months, I felt hollowed out, stripped of all energy and spirit. I spent my days sitting numbly in the empty house, from dawn till dusk, replaying memories of Chloe. The hospital sent me a termination letter due to my unexplained absences. I had no heart left for being a doctor, for saving lives. Every time I thought of the patients I’d healed, a bitter unfairness washed over me. Why them and not my Chloe? Don’t they say good things happen to good people? Then why did my daughter die so horribly? One morning, I was sorting through Chloe’s things, tears streaming down my face, soaking the floor. “Chloe, you always complained I didn’t have time to play with you. Mommy was wrong. Please come back, okay?” I spoke to the empty air. Of course, the silent room offered no reply. Clutching the little pony stuffed animal she loved so much, a sudden urge hit me. I wanted to see the man who supposedly killed her. He was confined to the state psychiatric hospital now. No phones, no internet. Just patients with vacant stares. Through the thick observation window, I watched the man sitting on his bed. My hand slipped into my pocket… I had brought a knife. Just as I was about to rush in, to end him, my phone vibrated. An anonymous text message popped up. 【How do you like my masterpiece?】 【Your daughter was so stupid, so easy to trick. Oh, forgot to tell you, she was crying for her mommy right before she died!】 【Hahahaha so funny, so much fun…】

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My wife brought her young lover home while I was away on a business trip. To keep our six-year-old daughter from interrupting their fun, in fourteen-degree weather, my wife’s lover locked her out on the balcony all night. By the time I got home, my daughter was barely breathing. The prolonged exposure to the cold had caused multiple organ failure. Sobbing, I begged my wife to come to the hospital to see our daughter one last time. She couldn’t care less, even angrily slapping me across the face. “Ethan, do you ever do anything besides making excuses to get my attention? This just makes me sick of you!” I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, a desolate smile spreading across my face. “Fine. I won’t bother you again.” This marriage was about to end soon anyway. … My business trip was supposed to continue, but a sudden blizzard grounded all flights. Around midnight, I dragged my suitcase home. Afraid of waking my sleeping wife and child, I let myself in quietly. As I approached the bedroom, I heard faint, intimate moans coming from inside. I froze. Through the slightly ajar door and in the dim light, I glimpsed my wife, Chloe, half-reclined on the bed, a half-naked man leaning over her, doing things I couldn’t bear to describe. I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. The embarrassing, lustful sounds kept spilling out from the room. “Chloe, is your husband as good as me? Who makes you happier, him or me?” “You, of course!” Chloe gasped. “My husband’s useless, getting old, body’s breaking down. How could he compare to a young, energetic guy like you!” I stood there, stunned into disbelief, a thunderclap exploding in my head, my whole body trembling uncontrollably. The intimate sounds continued. “Nate… it was never satisfying enough back at the office. Tonight… you better please me properly!” “Chloe, this is the third time tonight, still not satisfied?” “Three times isn’t nearly enough… five times, at least!” … I listened blankly to their conversation, my mind a void, my chest pricked by a thousand needles, the pain so sharp it almost stole my breath. I couldn’t believe the woman I’d been married to for seven years had betrayed our marriage long ago. In an instant, immense rage consumed my reason. Burning with fury, I kicked the bedroom door wide open. With a loud bang, the two people inside jumped, startled, scrambling off the bed. Chloe hastily threw on a coat, looking at me in shock. “Ethan, weren’t you on a business trip? Why are you back so suddenly?” Chloe’s face was flushed, and several glaring red marks on her neck stung my eyes. My heart aching beyond measure, I strode towards her. “If I hadn’t come back, how could I have caught you in the act?” “What nonsense are you talking!” Chloe’s face flashed with annoyance as she tried to defend herself. “Nate is just someone I hired for an in-home massage. We were just doing a simple massage. Can’t your mind be less filthy!” “Massage?” I couldn’t help but sneer. “Massaging you with his mouth? And does a massage require taking off all your clothes?” Chloe flew into a rage, yelling at me furiously, “Are you blind! Can’t you see I’m still wearing underwear? Where am I naked!” My gaze dropped to the lace bra and thong visible under her coat. The absurdity was overwhelming. In seven years of marriage, she had never dressed this seductively for me. My voice was ice. “Are you sure what you’re wearing isn’t lingerie?” “Ethan!” Chloe’s eyes widened in fury, glaring at me. “Can you stop twisting things! I work hard enough all day, and then I have to come home to your attitude! I just paid for a massage, do you really need to make such a big deal out of it?” She showed no guilt, only righteous indignation. I stared at the Chloe before me, feeling nothing but a chilling sorrow in my heart. She was always like this, twisting logic, turning the tables, making wrongs seem right. Suddenly, I felt incredibly tired. Chloe ignored me, went to the closet, grabbed some clothes, got dressed, and then headed for the door with the massage guy. “Good thing you’re back. You can take care of Lily. I have to go back to the office for overtime. I’m leaving now.” With that, she left with the massage guy without a backward glance. 2 Only then did I remember my daughter. Lily was six now, old enough to understand some things. How much psychological damage would Chloe brazenly bringing a man home for an affair cause her? I couldn’t bear to think about it. I immediately went to my daughter’s room, only to find it empty. Living room, study, playroom… Lily was nowhere to be found. Panic surged through me, my brow starting to twitch uncontrollably. Just as I was about to call Chloe, I caught a glimpse of a small figure almost buried in snow on the dimly lit balcony. I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. I rushed over, unlocked the sliding balcony door, and with trembling hands, lifted my daughter from the freezing snow. Lily was barely conscious, curled into a tight ball, her breath shallow, her body bone-chillingly cold. The glass door was covered in scratches, mark after mark made by her small hands, shocking and heartbreaking to see. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Pushing aside my grief, I hurried my daughter to the hospital. Outside the emergency room, I furiously dialed Chloe’s number. But her phone remained off. Hours later, a nurse wheeled Lily out of the ER. The doctor shook his head regretfully. “You brought her in too late. The child suffered from hypothermia for too long, leading to multiple organ failure. She doesn’t have much time left… You should prepare for the worst.” I stared at the doctor in disbelief, my heart feeling like it was being shredded by a thousand knives, the pain nearly suffocating me. I couldn’t accept that my daughter, so full of life just yesterday, was now about to be separated from me forever. Lily was in a deep coma, yet she kept murmuring, “Mommy… Mommy.” My heart twisted in agony. The doctor sighed. “The child probably wants to see her mother one last time. You should call her mother quickly; there isn’t much time.” Clutching my aching chest, I nodded, grief-stricken. No matter how deep our conflict ran, I couldn’t let my daughter die with regret. Chloe’s phone was still unreachable. I drove straight to her company, running three red lights in my desperate haste. But as I reached her office door, I heard a familiar male voice from inside. “Chloe, last night at your place was unfinished business. Your bratty daughter kept interrupting us. We finally locked her out on the balcony, and then your useless husband came back. Such a buzzkill! How about now… we continue where we left off?” My fists clenched tightly, knuckles white. Chloe’s soft, seductive voice seeped through the door crack. “Okay, while no one’s bothering us, let’s have some real fun～” I couldn’t hold back any longer. I furiously kicked the office door open. The two, who were undressing, jumped in fright. Chloe quickly pulled her clothes back on. Seeing it was me, her face turned livid, and she scolded sharply, “Ethan, why didn’t you knock!” Consumed by rage, I strode towards the massage guy and punched him hard in the face. Before he could react, I kicked him twice more, sending him staggering backward. I grabbed his collar, raising my fist again. Chloe rushed over, enraged, and slapped me hard. “Ethan, are you crazy! Why are you hitting people for no reason?” My blood boiled, and I stared daggers at Chloe. “Chloe, to screw around with this shameless gigolo, you locked your own daughter out on the balcony in the freezing cold? Do you have any idea how cold it was last night? Fourteen degrees Fahrenheit!” But Chloe wasn’t concerned about Lily; her only focus was defending her lover. “I’m warning you, watch your mouth! Nate is my assistant now, not some gigolo! Don’t you dare slander his reputation!” My heart felt like it was being torn apart. I forced back the pain. “Chloe, do you know Lily was freezing last night, she got hypothermia, she’s dying…” “Stop talking nonsense all day long!” Chloe refused to believe me, shouting, “That girl is tough as nails, eats like a horse, hasn’t caught a cold in years. How could she be dying from being outside for a little while? I think you’re just trying to manipulate me!” Thinking of my daughter in the hospital, tears flowed uncontrollably. “Fourteen degrees, all night long, Lily was only wearing thin pajamas. Even an adult couldn’t stand that, let alone a six-year-old child…” “Enough, Ethan!” Chloe cut me off impatiently. “All I did was have Nate come over for a massage, and you’re making such a jealous scene! If you want to be jealous, don’t use our child to lie to me!” Utterly exhausted, I didn’t want to argue anymore. I just hoped she would go see Lily. My voice hoarse, I pleaded sorrowfully, “I’m not lying. Lily is really dying. She wants to see you. Please come to the hospital with me, see her one last time…” But Chloe remained unconvinced, raising her hand and slapping me again. “Ethan, do you ever do anything besides making excuses to get my attention? You’re over thirty, accomplished nothing, and all you do is get jealous! This just makes me sick of you!” I stared blankly at Chloe, feeling chilled to the bone. Seven years of marriage. I poured my heart and soul into this family, gave her my salary, did all the chores, gave her everything. When Chloe wanted to start her business, I even gave her my parents’ retirement savings to support her. And this was how it ended. I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth, a desolate smile spreading across my face. “Fine. I won’t bother you again.” This marriage had no reason to continue. 3 I returned to the hospital, heartbroken. Sitting by Lily’s bedside, watching her pale face and weak breathing, my tears fell like broken strings of pearls. My daughter used to be lively, cheerful, innocent, and naive, a little sunbeam constantly brightening my life. Now, she lay weakly on the hospital bed, hanging on by a thread. In the end, all I could do was watch helplessly as the heartbeat on the monitor slowly flatlined. My daughter was gone forever. I held her small body, crying hysterically. I handled Lily’s funeral arrangements alone. After her cremation, I carried her urn back home. It was late at night when I arrived. Chloe had once again brought the massage guy home. They were flirting openly on the living room sofa. I was numb, walking past them as if they weren’t there. “Ethan,” Chloe called out nonchalantly, “Nate is visiting today. He’s hungry. Go make him a bowl of noodles.” I ignored her, walking straight into Lily’s room. I took out a duffel bag and started packing Lily’s favorite clothes and toys, intending to burn them and bury the ashes with hers. Halfway through packing, Chloe stormed in angrily. “Ethan, I’m talking to you, didn’t you hear me!” I didn’t acknowledge her. Chloe, furious, snatched a toy from my hand, cursing, “What’s your problem? I haven’t even blamed you for hitting Nate today, and you’re giving me the silent treatment!” She glanced at the duffel bag in my hand. “Why are you packing Lily’s things for no reason? Don’t tell me you’re planning to run away with her? Ethan, you’re over thirty, can you stop being so childish? Is playing these games all day fun?” Seeing my continued silence, she went on, “How many times do I have to tell you, Nate is just my new assistant. Those times you caught us, he was just giving me a massage, nothing else! Can you stop being so jealous? You’re really exhausting me!” I didn’t even look at her, continuing to pack my daughter’s belongings. Once everything was packed, I turned to face her and calmly said, “Chloe, let’s get a divorce.” “What did you say?” Chloe paused, disbelief washing over her face. “Are you crazy? You want to divorce me?” “Yes, divorce,” I murmured softly. “Ethan, how long are you going to keep throwing this tantrum!” “I’m not throwing a tantrum. I’m serious.” My voice was devoid of emotion. Chloe, however, was agitated, her neck flushed red with anger, her eyes filled with resentment. “On what grounds do you want a divorce? I’ve been with you for so many years, sacrificed so much for this family, even had a C-section, cut through seven layers to give you a daughter, and this is how you repay me?” Hearing the word “daughter,” an unavoidable stab of pain shot through my heart. My voice hoarse, I retorted coldly, “Chloe, you’re unworthy of being a mother. What right do you have to mention our daughter in front of me?” “Ethan!” Chloe completely lost it, her eyes blazing, her face contorted with rage. Suddenly, she snatched the duffel bag from my hand and threw it violently onto the floor. Instantly, Lily’s belongings scattered everywhere. “Ethan, don’t push your luck! I’m telling you, my patience has limits!” Looking at the mess on the floor, my heart ached. I immediately bent down to pick up Lily’s things. But Chloe’s gaze shifted to the urn on the table. “What piece of junk is this? Carrying it around like a treasure since you walked in. Did some slut give it to you? I’m smashing it today!” My pupils contracted. I quickly stood up to stop her. “Chloe, don’t!” But Chloe was blinded by rage, completely ignoring my plea. With a sweep of her hand, she knocked the urn violently to the floor. With a loud crash, the urn shattered into pieces. My daughter’s ashes scattered across the floor, drifting in the air, a scene of desolate sorrow. My composure shattered, I nearly fainted. “Chloe, do you know what this is—” “Chloe, what are you guys doing?” The massage guy, hearing the commotion outside, walked in, wrinkling his nose in disgust. “Why is it so dusty in here? What kind of dirty stuff did you spill?” Hearing this, my blood boiled, the rage inside me about to explode. What right did he have to call my daughter dirty! Fury consumed my reason. I ran into the kitchen, grabbed a kitchen knife, and charged towards the massage guy, overcome with rage. Chloe’s face paled. She immediately ran over to block me. “Ethan, what are you doing? Are you insane!” My eyes were bloodshot, my body trembling with anger. “I’m going to kill this adulterer!” Chloe thrust out her chin, her gaze sharpening, almost grinding her teeth. “Ethan, what’s gotten into you! If you have the guts, kill me first! You coward, do you dare?” I stared deadly at Chloe, the hand holding the knife trembling slightly. For a fleeting moment, I truly wanted to raise the knife and slash her neck. But just then, my phone rang, breaking the tense standoff. My sanity gradually returned. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. Lily wasn’t buried yet. I couldn’t do anything foolish. I took out my phone and answered the call. The cemetery staff’s loud voice came through the receiver immediately. “Mr. Hayes, the paperwork for the burial plot you purchased is complete. You can proceed with the burial now…” Chloe froze, her face filled with astonishment. “Buy a plot? What plot? Who died?”

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A severe blizzard warning, and suddenly, the apartment complex went into lockdown. Got home to the surprise of seeing my soon-to-be ex-wife and her ex-boyfriend, also trapped inside my place. And just like that, the “cohabitation” of two guys and one girl officially began. 1 “Emergency Alert: Severe Blizzard Warning. All residents are advised to minimize travel.” This year’s snowstorm caught me completely off guard. The shops near the complex were closing one after another. Looking at the two huge bags of groceries I’d just dropped a ton of cash on, I hurried my steps home. At my doorstep, I stamped the snow off my boots. Just as I was reaching into my pocket for my keys, I noticed the door was actually unlocked. Sarah’s voice came from inside, “You don’t have to, I can unpack myself.” I pushed the door open and instantly found myself face-to-face with Sarah and the man standing beside her. The guy seemed a bit awkward. After glancing at Sarah, he turned his back and went back to unpacking the luggage he’d brought. It suddenly clicked – this must be Sarah’s ex-boyfriend, the one who just got back from overseas, the one she was supposedly head-over-heels for, right? Sarah pulled the man over to me, saying calmly, “This is Leo…” “Oh… oh, hi, Leo. I’m Alex.” For a moment, we all seemed a bit awkward. After a few seconds of silence, Leo stepped forward, offering to shake my hand. But my hands were full of the groceries I’d just bought. Sarah frowned at me, then walked over and took the bags from my hands. “Why’d you buy so much stuff? Celebrating our divorce?” Her tone was laced with annoyance. Remembering why I bought the groceries, I quickly said, “There’s a massive blizzard coming. They’re about to close the roads in and out of the complex.” “Locked down?” Sarah’s frown deepened. She glanced sideways at Leo, who was still dealing with his suitcase, a hint of worry in her clear, bright eyes. At this point, Leo looked concerned too. He looked worriedly at Sarah and asked quietly. “Sarah, what am I going to do then? I still have to…” “Alright, what can we do? You’ll just have to stay here for now. We’ll figure it out after this blizzard passes,” Sarah interrupted him. It finally dawned on me. With the complex suddenly locked down, didn’t that mean Sarah and her ex-boyfriend would have to stay here… with me? The three of us living together. I wondered if her ex would feel awkward. 2 The reason Sarah and I got married didn’t involve much love. It was more a marriage of convenience. My family owns one of the biggest companies in the city. My father was dead set on me taking over the family business, but I desperately wanted to break free from my family’s control and make my own way. When I told my father my plans, he called me useless and lazy, kicked me out in a fit of anger, and cut off all my credit cards. The sudden, drastic change caught me completely off guard. So, I went to a buddy’s bar, hoping he could help me figure something out. But he just shot that idea down, telling me to hurry home and apologize to my father. Guess we were just on different paths. Just as I was about to leave the bar, I suddenly saw Sarah in a corner. Sarah was a regular at this bar. Since I came here often too, we’d become friends over time. Seeing her drinking alone and looking down today, I walked over to say hi. From her, I learned that her family was pressuring her into an arranged marriage, and she’d run off to hide from it. Misery loves company, huh? After I told her my story, Sarah’s eyes lit up. “Why don’t you move in with me? I’ll support you!” I almost choked on my drink. She winked and said, “We can have a fake marriage. You help me deal with my parents.” “I won’t let you help for free. I’ll give you eight hundred bucks a month.” Me, Alex Miller, heir to the Miller Corp fortune, living off a woman like some kind of kept man? After a moment’s hesitation, I said, “Deal.” 3 About a month ago, I found out Sarah’s ex-boyfriend was coming back. I didn’t want things to get messy, so I suggested we get divorced. We were just waiting for her to get back from her business trip to finalize things. But I never expected we’d get snowed in by a blizzard before we could sort out the divorce. Knowing Sarah’s ex was staying, I knew when to make myself scarce. I moved all my stuff out of the master bedroom, graciously letting her and her… future husband?… have it. I moved into the guest room next door. What a shame! After living with Sarah for so long, I’d never even held her hand, and now this guy just waltzes in. From then on, the three of us officially began our long “cohabitation.” After a few days, I realized why Sarah liked Leo and had waited so long for him. Leo not only did chores but was also an amazing cook. Whatever Sarah needed doing, Leo would jump in and do it. “Leo, you’re incredible! Sarah must be the luckiest woman in the world to be with you!” I couldn’t help but praise Leo. After all, I was just contributing grocery money; Leo was doing all the cooking and cleaning. Gotta lay on the compliments thick. Leo got a little embarrassed by the praise. He scratched his head and smiled, saying, “I was living abroad alone, and the food there didn’t really agree with me. So I started trying to cook for myself, and gradually got the hang of it.” He then turned and looked affectionately at Sarah, but she just ate slowly, without giving him much of a reaction. Why was Sarah acting like this? Or… was my presence as the ex-husband making her uncomfortable? Thinking this, I decided to stop being the third wheel and head downstairs to play video games at my buddy Henderson’s place. But then I saw Leo walk into the kitchen looking dejected, probably hurt by Sarah’s reaction just now. I tapped Sarah’s hand and whispered, “Leo’s such a great guy, why are you treating him like that? You need to change your attitude.” Sarah paused mid-bite, glanced at me coolly, “None of your business. Can’t all that food shut you up?” “…” Harsh. She’s got a sharp tongue. I was used to it. I decided to ignore this annoying woman. After Leo came back from the kitchen, I teased, “Leo, your future wife here has had a long face these past few days. Is it because she thinks I’m extra baggage, interrupting your quality time?” Leo looked uncomfortable. Sarah scowled. See? I knew it! “Alex.” Suddenly, Sarah yelled my name… 4 I jumped instinctively. She hadn’t yelled at me like that since our fake marriage began. I quickly walked to the door, grabbed a jacket off the hook, and while putting it on, said to Sarah, “I’m going over to Henderson’s to play games!” With that, I made a quick exit. Just because they wanted some alone time, they didn’t have to treat me like the enemy! When I got to Henderson’s, I took off my jacket and pulled out my phone. There was a notification – a message from Sarah. I opened it, but the message had already been deleted. I hate it when people do that! My current situation with Sarah was too awkward, and with her boyfriend right there, I couldn’t exactly ask her about it. So, I had to take my curiosity with me to Henderson’s. Henderson was my only friend in this complex, sharing my love for video games. He handed me a glass of water and teased, “Mr. Miller, eating well lately, huh? Looks like Sarah’s been feeding you up.” I chuckled, about to say it was because we had another guy in the house who could cook. But Henderson asked first, “By the way, where’s your wife and her cousin?” Cousin? What cousin? It hit me instantly – the “cousin” Henderson mentioned must be Sarah’s ex-boyfriend, Leo. I’d agreed to the fake marriage partly out of necessity, and partly because Sarah was definitely my type, really attractive. Even though our marriage was fake, people on the outside couldn’t tell. So, I figured Sarah must have invented the “cousin” identity for Leo to avoid gossip about him. I gave Henderson some vague answers and went back to gaming with him. It was already dark. I said goodbye to Henderson. I wanted to give Sarah and Leo more time alone, but it was getting late, so I had to bite the bullet and head home. On the way back, I just hoped I wouldn’t walk in on the scene playing out in my head. Partly because I still had some lingering feelings for Sarah, and partly because walking in on something like that would be awkward for everyone… I stared thoughtfully at the closed door. Should I ring the bell to be polite? Or just walk in like normal, since I was technically still the man of the house? I decided on the latter and used my key to open the door.

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My son, Ethan, is brilliant, sharp as a tack. Everyone says he’s gifted, a boy genius. My daughter, Penny… well, she’s the slow one, can barely string a sentence together. She makes me look like a fool in public. Sometimes, I’ve even thought… it would be better if she were just… gone. But then, Penny really did die. And all I do now is cry, wishing she’d come back. 1. I was right in the middle of Ethan’s parent-teacher conference when Penny’s homeroom teacher called. “Hello, is this Penny Miller’s mother?” The teacher on the other end confirmed who I was, then continued, “You weren’t able to make it to the conference today, and I wanted to chat about Penny’s latest grades. Would you happen to have some time? I could stop by for a home visit…” “Oh, I’m so sorry, Ms. Evans,” I said, scanning the classroom for Ethan’s desk. “Her dad and I have just been swamped with work lately, couldn’t get away.” I found Ethan’s spot and sat down, distracted. “Could you just text me her report card? I’m actually in the middle of something right now. I’ll call you back later.” I mumbled some excuse, eager to get off the phone, and hung up without a second thought. The mom next to me glanced over. “Ethan’s mom, I didn’t know you had a daughter too!” she asked, curious. “Your son is so amazing, your daughter must be doing great in school too, right? What grade is she in? Where does she go?” My face stiffened. I forced a tight smile, trying to hide how awkward I felt, terrified someone would sense something was wrong. Nobody would believe it if I told them. My son brought home trophies from Mathletes, writing contests, piano competitions like they were giving them away. My daughter? She was practically non-verbal, a little simpleton. I was embarrassed to even admit they were siblings when we were out. But secrets have a way of getting out. Since I wasn’t saying anything, the parent in front of me suddenly chimed in, “Ethan’s mom, is Penny Miller in 8th grade your daughter? My oldest son is in her class.” “Yes… She grew up mostly with her grandmother, you know, out of state. The schools weren’t great there. She only transferred here for middle school.” My face flushed crimson. That was the best I could manage, a flimsy excuse to cover my embarrassment. “Oh, that explains it! I was wondering why they were so different. My son mentioned it, but I didn’t really believe him.” The parent in front chuckled, covering her mouth. “Well, it doesn’t really matter,” she said, her tone dripping with insinuation. “As long as the girl’s pretty. Just needs to work on her speaking, maybe she could be an influencer or something later. You don’t need much education for that nowadays.” I felt the sting of her mockery, my cheeks burning. I wished the floor would swallow me whole. It was all Penny’s fault. Failing every subject, always at the bottom of the class, making me, her mother, look bad too. And her teacher, making such a big deal out of everything. So what if I missed the conference? Did she really have to call and rub it in? Wasn’t I humiliated enough? Just as I was sinking into my seat, wanting to disappear, Ethan walked over quietly, report card in hand. “Mom, here are my grades.” I took it automatically. One look, and my mood instantly lifted. All the irritation vanished. Just as I expected, Ethan was number one in his grade again. Perfect scores in Physics and Math, even. I glanced at the faces of the other parents clutching their kids’ report cards; you could tell from their expressions their kids hadn’t done nearly as well. “Ethan’s first again! You really know how to raise them, Mrs. Miller.” “Look at you! Why can’t you be more like Ethan Miller? Look at these grades! Are you even trying?” “Mom, Ethan’s naturally gifted! How am I supposed to compete with that…” Listening to the praise for Ethan and the complaints other parents had about their own kids, a small smile touched my lips. See? It wasn’t that I favored my son. It was just that compared to my daughter’s utter lack of potential, my son was simply… outstanding. Smart, talented, exceptional. That was what my child was supposed to be. 2. Basking in the envious looks from the other parents, I happily examined Ethan’s report card, turning it over and over. Ethan stood beside me silently the whole time. It wasn’t until a few tall boys in school jackets walked past the back door, winking and nudging him, that he reacted. “Yo, Ethan! Let’s go shoot some hoops!” “Are those your friends?” I paused, surprised, looking skeptically at my slight son. Ethan opened his mouth, but before he could speak, the leader of the group politely bowed towards me. “Hi, Mrs. Miller. Nice to meet you. We’re Ethan’s friends.” He turned back to Ethan with a grin. “Ethan, didn’t we say we had that game today?” Ethan mumbled a soft “Yeah,” then looked at me for permission. “Mom, can I go hang out with my friends for a bit?” “Of course! Young people should be active. You shouldn’t just sit home studying all the time. Go get some exercise.” I agreed cheerfully. Even though I prioritized his studies, I wasn’t that kind of rigid parent. Kids needed to be well-rounded – academics, arts, sports – to grow up healthy. But Ethan didn’t move. He fiddled with the hem of his shirt, lowering his head. “Mom,” he whispered, “can I have some money? We were thinking of grabbing dinner together later…” I was already thrilled about his grades, so I didn’t think anything of it. I readily pulled a hundred-dollar bill from my wallet and handed it to him. Ethan visibly relaxed, took the money happily, and left with his friends. The parent-teacher conference didn’t last too long, but afterwards, a few other parents invited me out to eat, wanting tips on raising a successful son. By the time dinner was over, it was already dark. I took a cab home. Seeing the house completely dark reminded me that my husband was out of town on business, and Ethan was out with friends. No wonder it felt so empty and cold tonight. I didn’t dwell on it and flipped on the lights. The sight that greeted me almost gave me a heart attack. Penny was curled up on the sofa in her dirty school uniform, staring at me. Her dark eyes were completely still, unblinking. She looked vacant, almost creepy in the dim light. My heart stopped, then a wave of inexplicable rage washed over me. “Penny Miller, what the hell is wrong with you! Are you trying to scare me to death, lurking here like a cat?” I stormed over, yanked her off the sofa, and started yelling, pointing right in her face. “Do you have any idea your teacher called me again today? All about your terrible grades! You are embarrassing me to death!” “Why can’t you be more like your brother? I’m not asking you to be number one! I’d be grateful if you just weren’t dead last for once!” “I don’t know what I did to deserve this, how I could have produced such a stupid kid.” I was furious, my blood boiling. But Penny just stood there like a wooden doll, staring at me wide-eyed. Only after I finished yelling did she finally utter a sound. “Mommy… I’m hungry…” “Hungry? What right do you have to be hungry! Look at your grades! Do you even deserve to eat?!” I shot her a hateful glare and slammed my bedroom door shut. I truly couldn’t understand it. My husband and I were both college professors. Intellectually, genetically, there shouldn’t be any issues. How could we have a daughter like Penny, a simpleton who couldn’t even follow a conversation? Because of her, I had to endure those parents’ mockery today. If I had known she’d turn out like this, I never would have had her. 3. The next morning, Penny left early for school, backpack already on. She was in 8th grade, with standardized tests coming up, so she had to go in early for study hall every morning. My husband and I were too busy with work to make her breakfast. We just loaded up her school lunch account and let her eat all three meals there. Ethan, on the other hand, had a more flexible schedule. I’d take him out for breakfast on my way to work, then drop him off at his school. It fit perfectly into my routine. But maybe because I went to bed so late last night, I woke up late this morning. I slapped the alarm off on my phone, forcing myself to sit up. My head was pounding. I looked into the living room; Ethan was already dressed and sitting there, reviewing his notes. “Honey, Mommy’s not feeling too well today. Here’s some money, can you take a cab to school and grab breakfast on the way?” “Did you have fun with your friends yesterday? You got back really late. Try to be home earlier next time, okay? Don’t make Mommy worry.” Seeing Ethan nod obediently, I quickly grabbed his backpack for him. Then I reached for my purse by the door, fumbling inside for some cash. As my fingers touched the inner pocket where I kept small bills, I froze. It was empty. Completely empty. I refused to believe it. I pulled the purse off the hook, turning it inside out, searching frantically. “That can’t be right,” I muttered. “I know I put the change from grocery shopping in here…” “Ethan, did you touch Mommy’s purse?” “N-no. No, I didn’t.” His eyes flickered for a second, but I didn’t pay much attention. Then he added, “I saw Penny looking through stuff yesterday when I got home. Mom, maybe… maybe she took it?” My movements stopped abruptly. My brow furrowed, a seed of suspicion taking root. My husband was out of town. It was just me, Ethan, and Penny in the house. I knew Ethan; he would never take money without asking. That left only one possibility. I thought Penny was just slow, maybe a bit simple. I never imagined she’d start stealing from us. Stealing pennies today, gold bars tomorrow. This wasn’t about intelligence anymore; this was about character. Utterly rotten. What would she become? My expression turned icy. But Ethan was going to be late, so I pushed it aside for the moment. I pulled a fresh hundred-dollar bill from my wallet, pressed it into his hand, and put him in a cab. All day long, I rehearsed what I would say, how I would handle this. How could I teach Penny a lesson, make her understand the gravity of her mistake? My daughter being slow was embarrassing enough. I absolutely would not allow her to become a degenerate, a leech on society. When Penny got home from school, I told Ethan to go to his room and study. I sat on the sofa, waiting for her, forcing myself to stay calm. She came in wearing the same dirty school uniform as yesterday. I frowned, annoyed. “Where have you been playing? You’re covered in mud again.” “N-nowhere. We… we had P.E. today.” She took off her jacket, stammering out an explanation. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my anger in check. I pointed to the sofa. “Come here. Mom needs to ask you something.” Penny looked confused but sat down beside me obediently. Her pretty face stared blankly at me. I kept my voice gentle. “Tell Mommy the truth. Did you take the money from my purse?” Penny immediately shook her head like crazy, waving her hands frantically. “No! I… I didn’t take it!” I knew she’d deny it. “But Ethan saw you going through my purse yesterday,” I said patiently. “Mommy isn’t going to punish you. If you can admit your mistake, that means you’re an honest girl, and Mommy will forgive you.” “I didn’t… didn’t take your money!” Suddenly, she bristled like a cornered hedgehog. “Wh-what proof do you have? I just didn’t!” She abruptly turned and started shouting towards Ethan’s room, looking like she wanted to charge in there and attack him. “When? When did you see me take money!” Ethan, who had just peeked his head out, jumped back startled by her outburst, retreating like a quail. “What are you yelling about? Do you want the neighbors to come over and see what a spectacle you’re making?” “What did your brother say that was wrong? I’ll find out soon enough if you stole it or not!” Seeing Penny still defiant, my dislike for her intensified, boiling over until I finally lost all patience. I snatched her backpack and dumped everything out onto the floor. A few crumpled dollar bills fluttered down, silently confirming my suspicions. I laughed coldly. “You didn’t take it? Then where did this money come from?” “I thought maybe you just made a mistake, went down the wrong path for a moment. I wanted to give you a chance to confess. But you just keep lying!” “This isn’t about being slow anymore! This is about your morals! You’re morally bankrupt! You’re a shameless little thief! You’re going to end up as trash, a burden on society!” Penny stood frozen, tears streaming down her face. “You dare to cry? You steal from your own family, and now you have the nerve to cry?” I couldn’t stand seeing her like this. Her stutter already made communication difficult, and now tears made it impossible. Rage surged through me. I grabbed her arm hard, shaking her. “What is there to cry about? I should never have given birth to you! Why don’t you just drop dead!” 4. That evening, Penny didn’t eat dinner. She just stayed huddled in her room, refusing to come out. My husband got back from his trip and sensed the strange atmosphere in the house. “What’s wrong?” he asked me quietly. “Did Penny bomb another test?” “Hmph! If only it were just bad grades!” I slammed the lesson plans I was holding onto the table, furious. “Your daughter! Your precious daughter, Penny! She’s started stealing money now!” “Stealing money?” My husband looked startled, surprised. “What happened?” “The cash I keep in my purse for groceries went missing. I thought maybe I’d misplaced it, but Ethan saw Penny rummaging through my bag that night. Today, I checked her backpack, and sure enough, there was money inside.” “Ethan saw her?” My husband glanced towards the living room where Ethan was watching TV. He sighed. “That doesn’t necessarily mean Penny took it, does it? Did you check serial numbers? Mark the bills?” Unlike me, my husband always felt that Penny, being naturally slower and having a stutter, needed more care and attention than our bright son. He tended to favor her more. I knew his leanings. I shot him a glare, indignant. “Don’t try to twist things! Who else could it have been? Ethan never lies! She’s just trouble!” “The cash you mentioned…” My husband paused, then suddenly seemed to remember something. He slapped his forehead. “Was it in that black purse? The one you usually take grocery shopping?” I nodded, confused. “Yeah, why?” “Then you’ve misunderstood Penny. I took that cash.” He sighed, looking resigned. “I was rushing to the airport that day, and my phone was dead. I grabbed the small bills from your purse for cab fare.” “Are you serious?” I eyed him suspiciously. “Then why didn’t you say so earlier?” “I just didn’t think of it until now. But you really did accuse Penny wrongly this time. Think about it – finding money in her bag doesn’t prove anything. What if it was her own allowance she’d saved up?” My husband nudged me gently with his elbow, reminding me. “You need to apologize to Penny, properly. You really hurt her feelings, yelling like that when she was innocent. The poor kid must be heartbroken.” “Penny might not be as sharp as Ethan, but she’s a good kid. Didn’t you used to say daughters are the sweet ones, the little comforts?” He continued gently, trying to soothe me. “You forgot, didn’t you? Tomorrow’s your birthday – your actual birthday, not the lunar one. Remember last year? Because you said winter winds were harsh, Penny saved her allowance all year to buy you that scarf. Maybe this money was for your birthday too.” His words jolted my memory. It was true. I always focused on my lunar birthday, often forgetting the Gregorian one. But Penny… she always quietly prepared a gift for me every year. Most of my energy went into Ethan. I knew exactly how much he ate for every meal. But Penny? I paid so little attention to her, I’d completely forgotten these small, important details. “She’s probably asleep now. Tomorrow. I’ll talk to her tomorrow.” I turned away awkwardly. The image of Penny’s tear-streaked face flashed in my mind, and a pang of guilt surfaced. I was good at lecturing kids, but apologizing? This was new territory. I didn’t even know how to start. I silently decided I’d make her favorite meal tomorrow, try to make up for wrongly accusing her. With that plan, I went to the market the next day and picked out the freshest seafood and meat. I spent the afternoon cooking Penny’s favorites: shrimp scampi and sweet and sour pork ribs. My husband, hoping to mend the rift between us and celebrate my birthday, had already ordered a cake. We sat at home, full of anticipation, waiting for Penny and Ethan to come home. But time passed, and neither of them appeared. “What’s going on? School should have been out ages ago.” I checked the clock, just about to call the school, when the sound of the front door unlocking startled us. Ethan walked in alone, backpack slung over one shoulder. His face was pale, like he was scared of something. “Ethan, where’s your sister?” My husband looked past him towards the empty doorway, his face hardening. “Didn’t I tell you to walk home with your sister today?” he asked sharply. Ethan’s eyes darted away for a second. “I… I didn’t see her,” he stammered. “So I just came home.” “Maybe she went off with friends. You know how girls like to browse stationery shops after school. Don’t take it out on Ethan.” I bristled at my husband’s tone, about to defend Ethan further, when my cell phone suddenly rang with an unfamiliar number. “Hello, yes, am I speaking to Penny Miller’s parent?” “Yes, this is she. What is it?” There was a slight pause on the other end. Then, the voice said softly, “This is the City Police Department. We found Penny Miller’s body in the alley near Westwood Middle School earlier this afternoon. We need you to come down to the station.”

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The elevator was over capacity, but the number of people just didn’t add up. And I kept catching this faint, metallic whiff… like blood. Unless… unless there was someone else in here. Someone I couldn’t see. 01 My name is Alex. I pulled a late one at work today, didn’t head home until 8:30 PM. Normally, the elevators are pretty dead around this time. But tonight, it was packed. The doors hadn’t even closed yet when the ding-ding-ding started up from the ceiling panel. I knew that sound – the overweight alarm. Instantly, we all just kind of looked at each other. Nobody wanted to be the one to step off. I glanced around at the other eight people. Everyone looked average size. Except for this one young woman clutching a leash, tucked in the corner, practically hugging her big dog close to her side. If I remembered right, she was the last one on. Ding-ding-ding— The noise wouldn’t stop. The vibe in the elevator got tense. Nobody actually said anything, but all eyes drifted towards the woman with the dog. I was just about to squeeze past the older guy in front of me to get off when I saw her step out, pulling her dog with her. Her hair was super dark and long, almost like it was dyed black. When she looked down, it hid most of her face. The second she was off, the dinging stopped. The elevator started going up again. It reached my floor pretty quick, and I hurried out. Fumbling for my keys, ready to unlock my door. Suddenly, something hit me. That elevator’s weight limit is for 11 people. Back then, counting me, there were only nine of us. Even throwing in the large dog, we should have been well under the limit. Unless… unless there was another “passenger” we couldn’t see. Couldn’t see… who would that be? The hairs on my neck stood up. I whipped my head around, glancing back towards the elevator lobby. It was quiet. Too quiet. Two thoughts started battling it out in my head. Go back or don’t go back? The hand holding my keys was trembling slightly. I thought about it. Might as well. Better safe than sorry, right? Maybe it was like in the movies. Maybe there was someone invisible in there. Or maybe… a body. I walked back to the elevators and waited for one to come down. A few minutes later, the doors slid open slowly. Maybe it was just my imagination, but I swear I smelled that weird, coppery scent again. Blood. Seriously? Could there actually be a body in here?! I stepped inside, looking all around. It looked totally normal. The only place someone could hide… would be on top of the elevator car itself. But how would anyone even get up there? That bloody smell seemed to come from everywhere at once. I couldn’t pinpoint where a body might be hidden. I thought about calling the cops, but then figured, why borrow trouble? Best not to get involved. I quickly stepped out of the elevator and headed home. Weirdly, I thought I heard a faint whisper behind me. Sounded like a woman’s voice. Couldn’t make out the words, but a chill ran straight down my spine. After that night, every time I got in an elevator, I couldn’t help but scan the whole thing. But the next day, the bloody smell in that specific elevator was gone. So, to this day, I don’t know if it was all in my head, or if the body had been moved. Until a week later, when two cops knocked on my door. My stomach clenched. I opened the door and asked what was up. One of them asked, “October 27th, between 5:00 PM and 8:30 PM, were you home?” I thought back. That was the day I’d called in sick and slept literally all day. The next day was when I worked late and had that weird elevator thing happen. The memory of that night in the elevator flashed back. I couldn’t help asking, “Did… did someone die?” The two cops exchanged a look, their faces getting even more serious. 02 I told the police everything that happened that night, exactly as I remembered it, and took them to the elevator in question. It looked the same as it always did. I hadn’t smelled that weird bloody scent again since that one time. The officers checked the elevator thoroughly. I wanted to help look around, maybe find some clue. But one of the cops shot me a look. “Mr. Evans, could you step out here with me for a moment, please?” I followed him out. He started jotting things down in a small notebook while asking, “You said you were working late at the office. Can anyone verify that?” “Yeah, definitely,” I said. “The security guard downstairs, old Mr. Henderson, he always leaves last. I said goodnight to him when I left.” Besides, even if he wasn’t there, there are security cameras by my workstation. The cop seemed suspicious of me. That made me even more curious because, judging by their reactions, it seemed like they had no idea there might have been a body in the elevator. And when I asked if someone died, they just gave me that look – they didn’t deny it. So, who died? And why were the police talking to me? I rent this place. Theoretically, nobody in this whole building, maybe even the whole complex, should know me. I keep to myself, don’t really hang out with anyone here. Were the cops really just doing routine questioning? “Okay, Mr. Evans. We’ll verify what you’ve told us. And we’ll look into the information you provided today as soon as possible. Have a good day.” I nodded, watching the elevator doors slide shut. A few hours after the police left, I found out why they’d come. Someone really had died. And technically speaking, the victim was connected to me, sort of. His name was Mark Zhou. He worked at the same company, but in a different department, so we rarely saw each other. But that night, the night of the elevator incident, Mark had disappeared. His phone’s last signal pinged at the company building. At that time, my apartment was the closest known location tied to anyone from the company, which is why the police suspected me. I had absolutely no idea Mark lived in the same apartment complex as me, with his parents. Just hours after the cops talked to me, Mark’s parents were downstairs asking around for Alex Evans. I happened to be taking out the trash. When they asked me, I forced myself to stay calm and said I didn’t know who that was. Because I saw Mark’s dad was holding a kitchen knife, his eyes bloodshot red. I was terrified if I admitted who I was, he’d come at me right then and there. After dumping the trash, I stayed outside the complex for a long time before coming back. By then, the police had arrived and were taking Mark’s parents away. Mark’s dad was really losing it, just like I thought. It took several cops to wrestle the knife away from him. I stood watching from a distance with other residents. That’s when I overheard some people whispering. “Can’t blame ’em. If my son died like that, so brutally, I’d hunt down the killer myself, consequences be damned.” “Tell me about it. Killing him and then leaving him in a place like that… how’d they even manage it?” I sidled closer and asked quietly, “How do you guys know all this?” The person who spoke looked surprised, maybe pleased to have drawn attention. The guy next to him chimed in, “Hey, you don’t live in Building 2? You didn’t see all the cops earlier?” I live in Building 2. I patted my chest, trying to act casual. “Oh, yeah, no, I was out when they showed up. Just got back.” As soon as those people left, my phone rang. It was one of the cops who’d been to my apartment earlier. The number looked familiar – I’d just called it back not long ago for something work-related, ironically. The officer on the line asked me to come down to the station. I knew this was coming. Because when the police questioned me earlier, I hadn’t told them the whole truth. I didn’t just know Mark Zhou. We used to be pretty good friends. Not long ago, I’d borrowed a large sum of money from him. And after he disappeared, I was the first one to really notice something was wrong. That’s why I’d been so paranoid lately. Because I suspected he hadn’t just disappeared. I suspected he’d been murdered. And his body was hidden somewhere in this building. I’d seen it all in my dreams. 03 When a colleague you were once close to suddenly vanishes, normally, you’d be worried, right? But the moment I heard Mark was missing, I felt this huge weight lift off my shoulders. Mark Zhou was gone. Which meant that huge chunk of money… I didn’t have to pay it back. Obviously, that was something to be happy about. But the relief didn’t last long. That thing happened. Not the elevator thing. The night before that. I had a dream. In the dream, I saw Mark, covered in blood, running towards me like a madman. He kept screaming for me to save him, but I was terrified. I turned and ran, scared he’d catch me. When I finally looked back, Mark was gone. A thick fog rolled in, swallowing everything. I got lost in it. But the dream wasn’t over. In the fog, I heard Mark screaming in pain. Over and over, I saw him burst out of the mist. But every single time, he never truly escaped. Because right behind him, always, there was a dark shadow. From far away, the shadow looked like a woman with long hair, dressed all in black. The dream ended with a terrifying series of dog barks, and then I jolted awake. Snapping back to the present, I repeated, “Yeah. In my dream, I saw the entire process of Mark being murdered.” Could something like that actually happen? At first, I didn’t believe it. But ever since that dream, weird things started happening around me constantly. Like the elevator incident. And like that woman with the long black hair, walking her dog. It felt like everything was trying to tell me something, but I couldn’t figure out what. The two officers sitting across from me exchanged glances. They clearly didn’t buy my story. They got up and left, leaving me alone in the small, dimly lit room. A few minutes later, Mark’s parents burst in. Before I could even register what was happening, a fist slammed into my face, knocking me to the floor. A dull ache exploded in my nose, and something warm and wet started pouring out. I clapped a hand to my face, looked down, and saw it was covered in blood. Then the cops rushed back in, pulling Mark’s furious father off me and helping me up. Mark’s dad screamed at me, “You heartless piece of trash! You’ll get what’s coming to you!” Before he could finish, the cops dragged him out the door. Maybe it was the sight of my own blood, but something snapped. I actually chased after them, yelling at Mark’s dad through the doorway: “Are you crazy?! What does your son’s death have to do with me?! Why are you doing this to me?!” Yes! I borrowed a lot of money I couldn’t pay back, but I would never kill someone over it! Never! “You!” Mark’s dad seemed choked with rage at my defiance. He paused, then roared, “Are you telling me you didn’t see him that day?!” That day? Which day? One of the officers clarified, “The day before Mark Zhou disappeared.” Ah, right. The day I had the dream. I shook my head. “No, I didn’t see him.” The officer continued, “We’ve already been to your company. You called in sick that day, but you didn’t go home. You were seen near the entrance to Shadow Creek Mountain wearing hiking gear.” “Around the same time, Mark Zhou received a call from an unknown number, then quickly requested leave and left the office.” “During that time, his father called him. Mark said he had urgent business. We tracked his phone until he entered the same surveillance blind spot near the base of Shadow Creek Mountain.” What the cop was saying felt… familiar. No, more than familiar. It felt like I’d lived it. Like I really had gone up the mountain, called Mark from a burner phone, lured him there. And then killed him. Cut him up. Carried the pieces away, and finally, dumped them on top of the elevator in my building. Just like the dream felt. Real. The officer’s voice pulled me back sharply. “He went there to meet you, didn’t he?” His voice was quiet, but I heard every word. “Because you were his only friend.”

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One second, I was floating on air, dreaming about inheriting millions and becoming a big shot CEO. The next second, my mother-in-law slapped a divorce agreement down in front of me. Great. Career taking off, huge inheritance… no husband! 01 Just a little while ago, a lawyer in a sharp suit showed up. He told me I was the granddaughter of some tycoon. The old man, on his deathbed, had made a will. All his shares in “Sterling Corp” were to go to his granddaughter. That’s me. On top of that, the old man left me ten million dollars! Ten. Million. Dollars!!! Bursting with joy, I headed home. The moment I opened the door, my mother-in-law, Carol, stormed over, her face like stone. Her voice dripped acid, “You don’t even have a job, what took you so long? God knows what you were messing around doing out there.” Before I could even snap back, she shoved a piece of paper at me. “Just sign it already. I’ve had enough of you.” ??? I took the paper. It was a divorce agreement. I skimmed it quickly. It demanded I leave with absolutely nothing! Not a penny! My heart plummeted, but rage started bubbling up fast. “Mom, what the hell is this?” Carol snorted. “It’s written right there in big letters, can’t you read? Mike wants a divorce.” I put the papers down. “Mom, is this your idea, or Mike’s? And why should I leave with nothing?” Her voice shot up. “Sarah, use your brain! You and Mike have been married for seven whole years, and still no kids! He’s our only son, the last one to carry the name. I’m his mother, I’ve waited seven years. I’ve been more than patient with you.” Seriously? It’s the 21st century, and she’s pulling this crap?! I wasn’t having it. “But I get checked every year! The doctor says I’m perfectly healthy. Mom, has it ever occurred to you that maybe… maybe Mike’s the one with the problem?” I’d actually tried suggesting Mike get checked before. Back then, Carol threw a fit, threatened to jump off the balcony, screamed I was slandering her precious son. Just like now, her eyes bulged like saucers, and she jabbed her finger towards my head, spitting venom. “Sarah Miller, there’s nothing wrong with my son! The problem is you, you orphan! You’re the useless one who can’t even give him a child!” “For seven years, you’ve been a parasite! Eating my son’s food, spending my son’s money! And now you want to split assets in a divorce? Have you no shame!” I almost laughed out loud, it was so ridiculous. When Mike and I first got married, my salary was only slightly less than his, maybe two grand difference. He was the one who said he didn’t like his wife ‘out working,’ wanted a home-cooked meal waiting for him. Plus, his dad was sick back then and needed care. He begged me to quit my job and be a stay-at-home wife. Ever since I became a homemaker, I lost my financial independence and had to swallow insults constantly, just to keep the peace. And now Carol throws this in my face, calling me a parasite?! I tried to argue more, but she grabbed a broom and literally swept me out the front door. I fumbled for my keys, tried to open the door, but she’d locked the deadbolt from inside! I could hear her shouting through the wood: “Bad luck!” “Jinx!” “Useless thing that can’t even have kids!” I wanted to pound on the door, scream my lungs out. But then I thought about the ten million dollars. I thought about Sterling Corp. I took a deep breath, forced down the anger, and walked downstairs to a coffee shop to cool off. Thinking about all these years… God, it felt so unfair! This house we lived in? I paid for a third of the down payment. But Carol insisted that since Mike paid the bigger chunk and handled the mortgage, the deed should only be in his name. Back then, I was so caught up in Mike’s supposed ‘sweetness’ that I actually agreed. After we got married, my father-in-law passed away pretty quickly. Carol’s temper got even worse. She knew I had no family to back me up, and my belly stayed flat year after year. She was always tearing me down, saying I was useless, just a freeloader eating their food. The worst part? After the wedding, Mike changed completely. He never stood up for me. Whatever his mom dished out, he just looked the other way. But if I ever dared to talk back, he’d immediately chew me out. “Mom’s old, can’t you just cut her some slack? What’s wrong with you? Always fighting with an old woman.” “My mom doesn’t mean any harm, she just has a sharp tongue. Let it go.” Every time I heard Mike’s ‘mama’s boy’ routine, it made my skin crawl. I felt completely numb. But still, I believed divorce wasn’t something to jump into lightly. I endured it. Because I was an orphan. I desperately craved a family. If swallowing my pride could keep the peace, then fine. But I never imagined that my constant giving-in would make them think they could walk all over me, treat me like an idiot, and try to screw me over completely. 2: Divorce Settlement I waited until the coffee shop was about to close. Finally, I saw Mike walking past the window. I quickly paid and hurried outside, calling his name. He didn’t even turn around. I had to jog to catch up, finally grabbing his arm as he waited for the elevator. He glanced over, saw it was me, and yanked his arm away like I was contagious. “What the hell are you doing?” he snapped, disgust all over his face. We’re married, and I can’t even hold his arm anymore? Silently, I followed him into the apartment. Before I could say a word, he beat me to it. “Did you sign the divorce papers Mom gave you?” His tone was casual, like asking if I’d eaten dinner. I just stood there, stunned. It took me a moment to find my voice. “Do you… do you even know what today is? Are you really doing this? Divorcing me?” “What day is it? Does divorce need a special occasion?” “Mike, don’t be such an asshole!” Today was our seventh wedding anniversary. And he wants a divorce?! “An asshole? Sarah, are you crazy? You can’t even have a kid, and you’re still leeching off us? Have some self-respect. I don’t want to repeat myself. Sign the damn papers now, or I’ll throw you out on the street immediately!” Mike yelled, his face tight with impatience. I felt heartbroken, but mostly just furious. “Mike, that’s not what you said when you married me! Why are you doing this now?” He looked completely fed up. “Why? Does there have to be a reason? I’m sick of you, okay? And I’m cheating on you. Happy now?” he spat out. “The other woman is gorgeous, stunning. And more importantly, she’s the General Manager at my company. I get in good with her, my future’s set!” “She’s nothing like a frumpy housewife like you. You can’t help my career at all, you just sit at home all day, looking sloppy. I must have been blind to ever marry someone like you!” He got angrier as he spoke, looking like he wanted to slap me. Seeing the disgust in his eyes felt like a knife twisting in my gut, over and over. Mike always was a calculating person, always looking out for number one. I finally got it. It was crystal clear now. He married me because he needed someone to take care of his sick father. How pathetic. And I actually held onto a sliver of hope. Hope that he loved me, that he wanted to give me a home! In that instant, everything clicked into place. Fine. Divorce! I’m about to be rich and powerful. Who needs a husband like him? Not bad at all. Taking a deep breath, I made up my mind. “Okay, divorce. Fine. But let’s settle the assets properly. We do this by the book.” Suddenly, Carol burst out from somewhere, standing right in front of me like a raging lioness, tearing into me. “You! You goddamn orphan! You shameless piece of trash!” “What right do you have to my son’s property? Pack your rags and get the hell out!” And then, she actually stormed into our bedroom, grabbed all my clothes, and threw them out into the hallway. She even spat on them and stomped on them for good measure. I just shook my head, refusing to engage with this unhinged, classless woman. I looked straight at Mike. “And you? What do you say? Same as your mother, want me to just get lost?!” Mike didn’t say anything. He just glanced at his mom. Ha. Typical Mike. As soon as his mommy speaks, he clams up. How did I put up with this spineless mama’s boy for seven years?! “Mike, I’m divorcing you. Say something!” I yelled, startling him. He shot me a nasty look. “My mom’s wishes are my wishes. Didn’t you hear her? Sarah Miller leaves with nothing. You came with nothing, you leave with nothing.” “Ever since we got married, you’ve just been lounging around, eating and drinking well. I should be asking you to pay me back for all your expenses over the years. I’m being generous here.” Mike even went into the bedroom and came back with a notebook. Inside, meticulously written down, was every single cent he claimed I’d spent of ‘his’ money. I was speechless. Literally speechless. What kind of freak show was this? Keeping a running tab on money spent on his own wife??? What about all the money I spent on them? All the time, the effort? “Are you sure you want me to leave with nothing? I’m asking you one last time,” I said, taking a deep breath to calm myself. Mike just cursed at me, told me I was nuts. “You better remember what you said today. Don’t regret it. Don’t come crawling back, begging me to let you off the hook.” With that, I gathered my things and walked out of that house. I gave him a chance. He didn’t take it. Standing on the street, holding the evidence I’d gathered of his affair, I clenched my fists.

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My mom passed away from a sudden cancer diagnosis in the spring semester of my senior year. Before I could even really process how I was going to manage on my own, Mom told me something shocking on her deathbed: I had a father, and he was supposedly one of the richest men in the country. Following the scraps of information Mom gave me, I tracked him down. Turns out, I didn’t just have a billionaire dad; I had an A-list pop star older brother, a genius scientist second brother, the most popular guy in school for a third brother, and the resident tough guy as my fourth… 01 “After I’m gone, honey, you need to go find your father.” Mom’s last words echoed in my head as I nervously gripped the handle of my worn suitcase, taking in the overwhelming sights and sounds of the unfamiliar city. My mom died three days ago from cancer. She’d brought me to this city all by herself years ago, and now, with her gone, I had no other family here. My only option was to find the father and brothers I’d never met. Problem was, Mom hadn’t left me any contact info for my brothers! Desperate, I looked up the company associated with my oldest brother, the famous one, online. The second I dragged my luggage through the sleek glass doors of the entertainment company building, heads turned. All eyes were on me, dripping with curiosity or suspicion. The receptionist gave me a kind, pitying smile. “Are you lost, sweetie?” Swallowing hard, I mumbled, “No, I’m in the right place… Can you give me his contact information?” I pointed at a massive, impossibly cool poster of my brother plastered on the wall. The look the receptionist gave me screamed, “Are you serious?” “Please…” I started to plead again, bracing myself for rejection, when a sharp, condescending voice cut through the lobby from behind me. “Who does this little nobody think she is, asking for Alex Vance’s contact info right off the bat?” I turned around to face a woman dripping in flashy clothes, staring daggers at me with pure disdain. I glanced her over, thinking, Who crawled out from under a rock to butt in? “Please, I really need to talk to him. It’s urgent…” The woman actually shoved me. “Didn’t you hear me, you little hick? Get out of our company building, now!” The push ignited a spark of anger. Why was she resorting to insults? “Are you crazy?” She scoffed, flicking her overly styled hair. “I happen to play a fan-favorite character in that hit streaming show. Calling you a hick is probably a compliment.” Her words clicked. That show? Wasn’t her “fan-favorite” character like, the sixth female lead in some low-budget web series? My face must have shown my disdain. Her expression turned instantly vicious. “I suggest you know your place, or I’ll have security drag you out of here!” If I hadn’t already confirmed online that my pop star brother was a major shareholder in this company, her ‘queen of the castle’ act might have actually intimidated me. I decided to ignore this Z-list wannabe and tried talking to the receptionist again. The woman practically exploded. “What kind of attitude is that? Do you even know who my father is?” I rolled my eyes. “Why the hell should I care who your dad is? I’m not your mom.” She looked ready to spontaneously combust. She whipped out her phone and furiously dialed someone. The receptionist still wouldn’t give me the info, so I just stood there, trying to figure out my next move. It didn’t take long for the woman’s backup to arrive. I looked up to see a tall, unfamiliar man approaching. The woman instantly latched onto his arm like a snake. “Rick, darling! This girl was being so rude to me!” “I’ll take care of her right now,” Rick said, patting her hand soothingly. She shot me a triumphant smirk. But then, Rick got a clear look at my face. His eyes widened, and he rushed over, grabbing my arm gently. “Miss Harrison! What are you doing here?” 02 The lobby fell silent. I asked, confused, “Do I know you?” The flashy woman sounded like she was in a daze. “Rick… you know this… this hick?” Rick looked practically giddy. “Oh, you probably don’t recognize me! Let me introduce myself – I’m Rick Johnson, Alex Vance’s manager. You must be here to see your brother, right?” His manager? The woman shrieked like her tail had been stepped on. “Rick, what are you saying? Alex Vance is this little country bumpkin’s brother?” Rick finally turned his attention back to her, his expression suddenly icy. “Watch your mouth. Who are you calling a country bumpkin?” Her face flushed bright red, and she clammed up. Rick delivered the final blow. “You don’t need to stick around me anymore. Pack your things, go to HR, and collect your final paycheck. This company has no place for someone who insults the boss’s sister.” Rick drove me to a stunning, sprawling mansion. These mansions in the city definitely dwarfed the houses back in my small town. A housekeeper led me inside. As soon as I stepped into the grand foyer, a ridiculously good-looking guy jumped up from the couch. He rushed over, his eyes bright. “Are you Hannah?” Hannah Harrison. That’s my name. I nodded, and he pulled me into a hug. “Hannah, I’m so sorry. Dad and I… we couldn’t find you and Mom all these years. We’re so sorry.” Thinking about Mom’s passing brought tears to my eyes again. He noticed my red eyes and gently wiped a tear from my cheek, his voice soft. “Don’t cry. Your big brother’s here now. I’ll take good care of you, I promise.” He comforted me for a little longer, then led me upstairs to show me my bedroom. It was like something out of a fairy tale – a lavish princess suite, even more beautiful than the ones you see in movies about rich heiresses. Alex explained, “Dad’s still away on a business trip. And I haven’t told your other brothers—Ethan, Mason, and Noah—yet. Didn’t want to overwhelm you. You’ll meet them all in a few days.” 03 Alex handled my school transfer, enrolling me in a prestigious private high school nearby. Climbing out of the Rolls-Royce felt surreal. Alex tried to reassure me, “I heard you always had the top grades back home. That’s my sister! I bet you’ll ace it here too, even in a new environment.” Honestly, I wasn’t too nervous. Academics were the one thing I’d never felt insecure about. I waved goodbye to Alex and headed into the school. The campus was impressive, all manicured lawns and stately brick buildings. It took me a while to find my homeroom. Just as I was about to walk in, a sharp, familiar voice sneered, “Hannah Harrison? What are you doing here?” I turned, frowning as I recognized the speaker. It was Leo Maxwell, a guy who used to relentlessly hit on me back home. After I turned him down flat, he turned nasty, spreading rumors and making my life miserable. Eventually, he couldn’t stand failing to get under my skin and transferred schools. I never imagined he’d end up here. He looked me up and down, his expression dripping with superiority. “Last I checked, your family was broke. How did you manage to sneak into an elite school like this?” Suddenly, a basketball whizzed past his ear, slamming against the wall behind him. Leo jumped back, startled. I looked over my shoulder and saw a guy leaning against the doorframe. He wore his uniform with a rebellious slouch, but even that couldn’t hide how strikingly handsome he was. The newcomer fixed Leo with a cold stare. “If you don’t need your mouth, maybe donate it.” Leo puffed up his chest. “Noah Harrison! This is none of your business!” Noah Harrison? My brain stuttered. Wasn’t that the name of my fourth brother, the one I hadn’t met yet? “From now on, anything involving her is my business!” Noah pushed off the wall and stepped right up to Leo. “What, you wanna argue the point with my fist?” Fear flickered across Leo’s face. He shot me one last hateful glare and scrambled away. I tentatively called out, “Noah… Fourth brother?” His tough expression instantly melted into a huge grin, bright as a sunflower. “Yeah! Alex just called me,” he said, ruffling my hair. “Turns out we’re in the same homeroom. C’mon, I’ll take you in.” Judging by Leo’s terrified reaction, my guess that Noah was the school’s resident tough guy was spot on. Walking into the classroom confirmed it. “There’s only one guy in this whole school who might be able to take me in a fight,” Noah bragged, flexing playfully. “So don’t you worry about causing trouble. Your big bro’s got your back.” Curiosity piqued, I asked, “Who’s the one guy?” Noah’s expression turned slightly disgruntled. “Your third brother, Mason. He’s in a different class.” Having brothers seemed pretty great! I just hadn’t anticipated that my newly found tough-guy brother would bring his own brand of trouble my way. 04 After school, I got cornered by a group of girls outside the restroom. Thinking about Noah’s ridiculously good looks, I sighed. Handsome guys really are trouble. The girls glared at me. “Hey. We hear you’re Noah Harrison’s new deskmate?” It was forced on me. The moment I walked into class, Noah grabbed an empty desk, plunked it down next to his, and told me to sit there. He’d always refused to have a deskmate before, so him insisting I sit next to him basically put a giant spotlight on me. Keeping a low profile was officially impossible. Great, just what I needed, I thought, asking aloud, “Yeah? So what?” “So Leo was right. You do have that look about you,” one of the girls sneered. The word she was probably thinking, but didn’t say, hung in the air. Leo? That jerk. He was already stirring up trouble for me again. Before I could mentally curse Leo out, the girls started closing in. “Who do you think you are, some nobody from the sticks, trying to latch onto Noah Harrison?” My first thought was, Seriously? I get called a hick again? Then I asked, “What do you want?” The lead girl smirked. “Nothing much. Just gonna teach you a lesson. Help you remember not to touch things that aren’t yours.” Just as they looked ready to jump me, a cold male voice cut through the air. “Stop it!” I turned. It was Noah… but different. His uniform was perfectly neat, none of the usual rebellious slouch. I realized – this must be the “model student” twin, my third brother, Mason Harrison. As the thought hit me, the girls around me gasped nervously. “Mason! What are you doing here?” Yep, definitely my third brother. Alex had mentioned Mason and Noah were twins. Mason’s expression was ice cold. “If I weren’t here, how would I see you bullying someone?” The girls visibly flinched, but the leader stubbornly glared at me. “We’re not bullying her! We’re just teaching this little gold-digger a lesson!” The next second, Mason kicked a nearby trash can. It slammed against the wall next to the girls with a deafening clang, making them all jump and turn pale. Mason stalked towards the leader. “I don’t hit girls… but if you say one more disrespectful word about her, don’t blame me for making an exception.” They immediately backed down. Total cowards. “Now. Apologize to her. Right now.” Under Mason’s intense stare, the girls mumbled apologies and then practically tripped over themselves running away. I glanced at the dented trash can on the floor. Noah wasn’t kidding about Mason. Once the girls were gone, Mason’s icy demeanor vanished. He came over, grinning, and gently pinched my cheek. “You okay? Scared?” “No, no,” I quickly reassured him, playing it sweet. “How could I be scared of my own brother?” Mason clearly liked that answer. “See? That idiot Noah is useless. Tells you he’ll walk you home, and you still end up in trouble.” Noah had offered to walk me home, but I told him I needed to use the restroom first. Didn’t expect an ambush. “Don’t worry,” Mason said, his smile turning a little predatory. “As Student Body President, I have ways of dealing with things. Let’s just say if those girls manage to keep a clean disciplinary record for the next three months, it’ll be because I wasn’t doing my job.”

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All because she heard that grinding down finger bones made a great beauty treatment, my husband, Brad, chopped off my finger and gave it to his childhood sweetheart, Ashley. I died from the infection in the rundown shack across the street from our house. Before I died, my daughter, Lily, begged him to take me to the hospital. But Brad just didn’t care, and he threw her out of the house. In front of all the staff he said, “She’s really going to extreme lengths to get my attention.” Later, my hands and feet were shaking and I was coughing up blood. Lily swallowed her pride and went to him again. Brad just laughed, “It’s just one finger. It didn’t kill her. Why is she still going on about this?” Later, Lily knelt in front of him, banging her head on the ground. Blood was everywhere. He finally lost it and slapped her across the face. “You’re a useless little twit. What if she does die? If you bother me again, I swear I’ll sell you to some hillbillies in the mountains.” At her wit’s end, Lily stole my cell phone, which he’d confiscated, and called 911. But his sweetie Ashley caught her. She snatched the phone and stomped on it, looking totally unconcerned. “The company just got started. Calling the cops will ruin our reputation. As for your mom dying…who cares?” 1 Lily knew that her dad didn’t care about me. He was obsessed with his precious Ashley. To save my life, Lily knelt in front of Ashley and begged her to help me. Once, Lily had pointed her finger at Ashley and called her a shameless woman. Now, she was giving up everything to grovel at Ashley’s feet. “Ms. Ashley, please help my mom. She’s really going to die…” Lily was sobbing and banging her head on the floor. She didn’t know what price she could pay. She was just hoping her actions would work. Ashley looked down, watching coldly without saying a word. Lily kept banging her head on the ground, over and over. Blood started oozing out, staining the floor red. Finally, Ashley slowly smiled, her words dripping with sarcasm: “You’re just like your trashy mother. Pathetic, crawling on the ground.” Lily looked humiliated, her face burning red, but she grit her teeth and said, “You can say whatever you want. Just please save my mom.” Ashley just smirked, not agreeing or refusing. Instead, she lifted Lily’s chin with her foot. “If you like crawling around like a dog so much, then lick my shoes clean. Show me how sincere you really are.” Lily flinched. She hesitated for a few seconds, then lowered her head and stuck out her tongue, licking lightly. The maids all started laughing, taking pictures with their phones. “Wow, she’s a natural at being a dog, even at her age.” “We don’t need to keep a dog. We can just chain her up outside…” “Quiet, she’s still the master’s daughter. He wouldn’t like it if he heard you.” “Who cares? Everyone knows he hates that kid. He wouldn’t lose a second of sleep if she died out there…” Hearing the maids’ taunts, Ashley looked even more pleased. She kicked Lily. “Filthy thing! I wouldn’t even want your spit on my shoes!” Lily didn’t care. She just looked at Ashley with pleading eyes. But all she got was a cold smile. “We’ll see,” Ashley said. She sashayed away, leaving Lily standing there in despair, tears streaming down her face. I saw it all. I squeezed my eyes shut and whimpered, “Lily, come back…” A sharp pain shot through me, like my whole body was burning. I couldn’t stop shaking. I was trying to grab something for support but I knocked over a glass. Crash! The sound made the door fly open. “Mom, what’s wrong!” Lily ran to me, trying to stop me from shaking. Her tears were flowing again. “Mom, I’m so sorry. You’re suffering because of me…” Everything started to blur. My head was pounding. I slowly lifted my blue hand and touched my daughter’s head. I wasn’t going to make it. My only worry was Lily. She was too young to take care of herself. I forced a smile. “I’m okay, sweetie. Don’t worry.” Lily cried harder. “You’re lying! You were coughing up blood last night. You thought I didn’t see you!” I tried to explain, but I just coughed. My face was bloated, my body was blue. Brad wouldn’t even look at me. Why would anyone come see me? I was leaving. I didn’t want Lily to see me at my worst. “I want some candy. Can you go get me some?” I tried to smile, trying to seem calm. Lily started to nod, then stopped, shaking her head. “No! Mom, I don’t want to leave you!” Lily was smart. She knew what I was planning. But she had to go. I pulled out the last of my money and smiled, handing it to her. “Don’t you think I look a little better? ” Lily paused and looked at me closely. She nodded excitedly. “Mommy’s face… it’s got color again!” “See? Go now. Get a bunch of different kinds. I want to try them all…” “I promise, I’ll be here when you get back.” Lily nodded over and over. She wasn’t worried anymore. She ran out. I kept smiling until she was gone. I laughed softly, coughing up blood. I fell back on the bed. My moment of clarity didn’t last long enough. I wouldn’t get to taste that candy. “I’m sorry for breaking this promise…” 2 Maybe because I had unfinished business, my soul was floating above my body. I was surprised, and then I looked in the direction Lily had gone. I drifted that way. “Excuse me, do you know where I can buy some candy?” She left the house and then realized she didn’t know where to go. She was in a hurry. She didn’t have time to turn back. So she asked a stranger. “Get away from me! You’re filthy! You disgust me!” A woman looked disgusted and waved her purse at Lily, running away like she was escaping a disease. Lily couldn’t get out of the way. The purse hit her head and she fell. She stared at the woman as she left. “I just…wanted to know where to buy it.” My heart hurt. I ran to her and tried to help her up. But I floated right through her. I forgot. I was dead. Lily took a deep breath, clutching the money. She got up and ran to another person. “Sir, can you tell me where I can buy some candy?” This time, Lily was more careful, keeping a distance from the man. The man looked her up and down, looking disgusted. Her hair was a mess, her clothes were dirty, and her face was grimy. Only her bright eyes stood out. “You want to buy candy, beggar?” Lily nodded, looking eager. She held up the money. “I can pay!” The man’s eyes narrowed. He smiled slyly. “I have some right here. Come on in.” A few minutes later, Lily was kicked out. She landed hard on the ground. She was crying. She glared at the man. “Why did you steal my money!?” The man smirked, “You were stealing my money. I should be the one yelling at you. Get out of here before I call the cops!” Lily was furious. Her face was red. She pointed at the man, but she couldn’t think of anything to say. “I’m… I’m Brad’s daughter! Brad from the Brad Corporation!” The man laughed. So did the people watching. “The Brad Corporation? Take a look in the mirror. You’re not good enough.” The man picked up a chair. He laughed, holding it up. “If you can get the CEO of the Brad Corporation, I’ll leave you alone. Otherwise, I’m going to beat you with this chair, and you’re going to meet your maker!” Lily looked scared. She scrambled away, ignoring the pain. She ran around a corner and couldn’t hold it in anymore. She started sobbing. A soft voice spoke behind her. “Little girl, I have some candy. Do you want some?” Lily flinched. She turned around, looking terrified. “Sorry, I didn’t know I wasn’t allowed to be here. I’ll leave…” She tried to leave, but the man stopped her. “Don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you.” The man smiled and pulled out a bag of candy. “You want candy, right? Here, take it.” Lily looked stunned. She looked at the man for a long time and then got excited, thanking him over and over. The man waved his hand. He thought for a moment. “You haven’t eaten, have you?” “Brad from the Brad Corporation is throwing a big party to welcome back a woman. It’s at a restaurant not far from here. He’s invited the whole town to eat…” He smiled. “That woman is his childhood sweetheart. No one would look down on you at a party like that.” Lily trembled. She looked down. She remembered a lot when she heard Brad’s name. She remembered his cold face. She remembered her mom kneeling, getting whipped until she passed out. Her own father was the one throwing that party. “I understand…” I stood behind Lily, heartbroken. I knew how she felt. I used to be the most important person to Brad. I had everything I could want. Brad would always look at me with love. He was so caring. But then Ashley came along. Everything changed. She was Brad’s childhood sweetheart, the woman he could never have. Now she was here, and Brad was crazy about her. They were like a couple in love. Just because Ashley said something, Brad dragged me to the hospital and cut off my finger. She didn’t want to share Brad’s love. She just wanted me to die. Because of who Brad was, he wouldn’t let me get away, even if I ran. The man watched Lily. He pinched her cheek. “You’re so cute. Your parents must be beautiful.” “Parents?” Her eyes dimmed. She looked down, twisting her fingers together. “I don’t have a dad.” “My mom… is dying.” 3 Lily ran back with the candy. She was imagining how happy I would be. She turned a corner and saw Ashley talking on the phone. Lily slowed down, trying not to bother her. Since Ashley had moved in, Lily was always getting punished for something. Sometimes she had to stand in the corner. Other times she got punched and kicked. Ashley paused and glanced at Lily. Her voice was playful. “Honey, I’ll talk to you later. There’s a stray dog in the house.” She put the phone on speaker. The phone blasted Brad’s worried voice, “Stray dogs are filthy. Don’t let it bite you. Have the maid throw it out. I don’t want you seeing that…” Lily bit her lip, looking sad. Lily and I were no different than stray dogs. We lived in a rundown shack. We wore Ashley’s old clothes. We could only eat if Ashley was okay with it. Ashley was like the lady of the house. Lily and I were like outsiders, living in humiliation. Ashley hung up and walked over to Lily. “Come here.” “Ms. Ashley…” Lily backed away. “I said, come here!” Ashley glared, her eyes cold. Lily was defiant for once. “My mom needs me. I have to go back.” Ashley’s face darkened. She slapped Lily across the face. Lily screamed and stumbled, almost falling. But Ashley wasn’t going to let her go. She grabbed Lily’s chin. “All you ever talk about is your mother. Why doesn’t she come save you?” Lily tried to break free. She dropped the candy. It scattered on the ground. “Trash,” Ashley sneered, kicking the candy away. “No!” Lily’s eyes turned red. She bit Ashley’s hand. Then she scrambled to pick up the candy. “You little brat! I’ll kill you!” Ashley’s eyes teared up. She kicked Lily in the stomach. She laughed, stomping on the candy. “You want it, right?” “You’re not going to get it!” She grabbed Lily’s hair and dragged her into the corner, kicking her in the face. “I’ll teach you to bite! I’ll teach you!” The more Lily screamed, the more excited Ashley became. “It makes me sick to see you with your mother’s face. I’ll destroy it…” I was filled with hate. I wanted to fight Ashley to the death. The phone rang again. “Are you home? I forgot a file.” Lily was crying. She said, “Dad.” Lily was covered in blood. Her mouth was torn. Her voice was barely audible. But Brad heard her, sounding confused. “Who’s crying? Is that my daughter?” Ashley stepped on Lily’s face, grinding it into the floor. Blood poured out. “It’s nothing. You heard wrong…” I was frantic. I wanted to be the one under Ashley’s foot. But a few seconds later, Brad’s cold voice spoke behind us. “What are you doing here?”

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My fiancé ditched me at our engagement party because he’d fallen for the sweet, innocent new girl at his company. He took her on a reckless yacht trip trying to be romantic, which ended with him critically injured and unconscious. The new girl vanished. For the sake of our families’ intertwined businesses and reputations, I nursed him back to health. But the first thing he did when he woke up? He destroyed my family, made us bankrupt, all to supposedly avenge his lost love. I died on what would have been my third wedding anniversary with Ethan Hayes. Swallowing the nausea churning in my gut, I tried to keep my face neutral as I handed him the divorce papers. The Vance and Hayes families went way back, practically dynasties in this town. My parents had treated Ethan like their own son. After we got married, my family’s company, Vance Corp, trusted him completely, gave him access to everything. He used that trust to collude with our rivals, shorted our stock, and drove us into the ground. Our company collapsed. Grandpa had a massive heart attack. Dad was pushed to desperation and jumped from his office building. Mom withered away, lost in grief. I didn’t want to fight him anymore. All I wanted was for him to sign the papers and let me go. He took the agreement but didn’t sign. “Let’s have one last meal together,” he suggested. Seeing the refusal forming on my lips, he added, “I’ll sign after we eat.” So I sat down. The food tasted like ash in my mouth. I managed a few bites, put down my fork, and waited quietly. He took his time, raising his wine glass to me. “A toast, to thank you for taking care of me all these years.” I just wanted this to be over so I could go home and check on Mom. I picked up my glass and downed it in one gulp. The bitter aftertaste lingered. “Can you sign now?” I asked, looking up at him. That’s when I saw the smile playing on his lips. “Looks like signing won’t be necessary after all. You wanted freedom, didn’t you? Well, you’ve got it. Eternal freedom.” His voice, usually smooth and cultured like a cello, now held a demonic whisper. “What are you talking about?” I scrambled to my feet, but a wave of dizziness hit me. Was I drunk already? But seeing that smirk, I knew. This wasn’t just the wine. He’d drugged me. “Why?” I couldn’t understand. Our families had been close for decades. My parents adored him. I knew I couldn’t win against him; I just wanted to take Mom and disappear somewhere quiet, live out our lives in peace. “Why would you do this to me? To my family!” I screamed at him, my voice raw. I couldn’t think of a single thing I’d done to deserve this. He, on the other hand, had repaid every kindness with betrayal. He watched my staggering form, his expression dark and stormy. “This is what you owe me. What you owe Lily!” Lily? He must have seen the confusion on my face because he sneered. “What, forgotten already? If your family hadn’t insisted on that damned engagement, I wouldn’t have had to take Lily away. She wouldn’t have been lost at sea, her body never even found.” As he spoke, his eyes actually reddened. He glared at me, like I was some kind of monster responsible for it all. It was laughable. Utterly insane. He was blaming the Vances for that accident? I had to laugh, a broken, hollow sound. Six years. Three years tending to him while he lay in bed, recovering. Three years married after he got better. And he’d never forgotten her. It was pathetic. We’d known each other practically our whole lives, but it meant nothing compared to the few months he’d known her. Was he devoted? Or just cruel? “Vance Corporation has paid its price. Now, it’s your turn, Eleanor Vance.” “So, Mr. Hayes,” I spat, anger bubbling up through the haze, “what ending have you planned for me?” “Don’t worry,” he said, a chilling calm in his voice. “Considering you took care of me for a while, I won’t make it painful. Just go to sleep, and you’ll be free. Consider your shares in the company my compensation.” “I’ll arrange a beautiful funeral. ‘Mrs. Hayes, overcome with grief, succumbs to depression.’ ‘Mr. Hayes, heartbroken, mourns his beloved wife.’ How does that headline sound?” Looking at his familiar face, I felt nothing but disgust. My vision blurred. The world tilted. Finally, everything went black. 02 “Ellie, what’s wrong? You look so pale.” The first thing I heard when I came to was Mom’s worried voice. Across the room, Dad and Grandpa were talking to some guests, but their eyes kept flicking towards me. “Mom!” I threw my arms around her, clinging tight. She gently patted my back, comforting me just like she always did when I was upset. Nestled in her warm embrace, listening to her soft murmurs, I wished time could just stop right there. I was back. Somehow, unbelievably, I was back. “What’s this? Ethan’s a no-show, so now you’re throwing your usual princess tantrum?” A sharp, mocking voice cut through the moment. “Honestly, Eleanor. You come from such a good family, why do you have to chase after Ethan Hayes like a lovesick puppy?” I turned around. Standing there was Chloe Sterling, a petite girl with a sour expression. I managed a small smile. Ignoring her usual protests, I linked my arm through hers. “You know what? You’re absolutely right. I’m done with him. I’m taking your advice.” Chloe and I had always been rivals, constantly sniping at each other. But in my past life, after my family went bankrupt, all the fake friends who used to flatter me vanished instantly. Chloe, my supposed nemesis, was the one who actually started checking in on me. As for why Ethan wasn’t here yet… I knew exactly why. This was the year. The year Ethan had that accident – paragliding, I think it was. He was in a coma for days. When he woke up, Lily White was there by his bedside. She had bandages on, scratches on her pretty face. He was incredibly moved. Finding out Lily didn’t have a job, he ignored his family’s objections and hired her as his personal assistant. The very next day, they were splashed all over social media, riding a carousel at an amusement park. It even trended online. Mom heard the whispers around us and squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Ellie, don’t listen to them. You and Ethan grew up together. We all know he cares about you deep down.” I squeezed her hand back, seeing the worry in her eyes. “Mom, I’m fine. Really. I haven’t liked Ethan that way for a long time.” From the look on her face, she clearly didn’t believe me. And why would she? I used to follow Ethan around like a shadow. Saying I was suddenly over him? No one would buy it. “Ellie,” Mom’s grip tightened, her eyes lighting up, “Look, Ethan’s here!” 03 I followed her gaze. Ethan was just getting out of his car, head slightly bowed. The murmurs in the room died down the moment he appeared. We’d grown up together. It was an unspoken understanding between our families that we’d eventually merge the Vance and Hayes legacies through marriage. But Ethan didn’t walk towards us. Instead, he went around to the passenger side and opened the door. He reached in and helped out a girl dressed in a flowing white dress. The whispering started again, louder this time. “The heiress versus the ingenue…” “Looks like the newcomer won this round.” Ethan held Lily White’s delicate wrist and strode towards the main gathering area. Lily clung to his side like a frightened bird. When she saw me, she flinched and ducked slightly behind him. Ethan noticed her movement, followed her gaze to where I stood, and his expression soured. 04 I almost laughed out loud. I really was blind in my past life. I hadn’t noticed any of this back then. The moment Ethan arrived, my stupid, love-struck brain took over, and I rushed towards him. When I saw Lily, I lost it completely, calling her a homewrecker right there in front of everyone. It wasn’t my fault, not really, but my emotional outburst embarrassed the Hayes family terribly. And who got all the sympathy? Lily, the fragile flower. Thinking back, I forced my expression back to neutral. “Hi, Eleanor!” Lily peeked out from behind Ethan, offered a quick greeting, and immediately ducked back again. “Don’t you dare call her that, like you’re family! Who do you think you are?” Before I could even react, Chloe jumped in, fiercely protective. Ethan’s brow furrowed deeply. “Eleanor Vance, is this how you treat the person who saved my life?” Seriously? I hadn’t even said a word, and it was still my fault? How had I never noticed how messed up Ethan was before? “Ethan, it’s okay. I don’t mind,” Lily murmured, pulling at his sleeve. Her voice trembled, a single tear clinging precariously to her lashes. “I grew up poor, in the countryside. It’s only natural that people look down on me.” Look at that performance! So pitiful, so fragile. Any idiot would fall for that, right? I almost wanted to applaud her skill. Predictably, Ethan’s face darkened further. He gently wiped the tear from Lily’s cheek, murmuring soft reassurances. Then he turned back to me, glaring daggers. “Eleanor, you have absolutely no class!” 05 The composure I’d been fighting to maintain finally snapped, and I let out a laugh. Beside me, Mom and Chloe both looked worried. I waved a hand dismissively. “I’m fine.” Lily White was a truly gifted actress. Much more dedicated than Ethan, who couldn’t even be bothered to pretend in front of my own mother. It was pathetic how lovesick and blind I’d been in my past life, completely missing her true colors. I’d almost bought her whole innocent damsel act. Her schemes, her ambition – she hid it all so well behind that sweet facade. She fooled everyone. 06 I remember back then, weak and recovering from the shock of my family’s ruin, I’d asked Ethan why he fell for Lily. “Everyone around me is nice to me because I’m the Hayes heir,” he’d said. “Even your family, even you, Eleanor. Isn’t that why you stuck around?” At the time, his words completely threw me off. I just stayed silent, unable to respond. To him, my silence was proof of his accusation. “That’s why you’ll never compare to Lily,” he continued. “Her love for me is pure. Unconditional.” Looking back now, that whole speech was a massive red flag signaling just how warped his thinking was. So, being the heir to the Hayes fortune was some kind of burden for him? Fine, then give it up! He enjoyed all the perks and privileges that came with his family name but didn’t want any of the responsibility. What a joke. Lily takes care of him for a few months, and he remembers it forever. I took care of him for years, and he forgot in an instant. The watch he wore paragliding, the clothes – all high-end luxury brands. Was it really that hard to figure out he was wealthy? Lily obviously recognized the signs and decided to stick close to him, playing the long game. 07 “Ethan,” Lily whispered, tears welling up again, “Is… is Eleanor laughing at me?” “Maybe… maybe you should just ignore me. I’m not good enough for you anyway.” “Eleanor,” she turned her tear-streaked face towards me, “it’s all my fault. Please don’t misunderstand Ethan. I just mentioned I’d never been to a fancy party like this, and he kindly brought me along.” “Well, look at you, knowing exactly where you stand. That’s something, I guess. Not many people have that kind of self-awareness these days.” Chloe rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. “Enough!” Ethan roared, his voice cutting through the party chatter, silencing the entire hall. Lily jumped, feigning fright, her hand trembling as she clutched his suit jacket. Ethan captured her hand, holding it tightly in his own. I, meanwhile, casually picked up a glass of red wine, sipping it slowly as I enjoyed the melodrama unfolding. “Eleanor, can you forgive me?” Lily pleaded, looking at me with those big, tearful eyes. I took another sip of wine, saying nothing. After all, Chloe was the one laying into her. I just wanted to slap her. Suddenly, Ethan lunged forward and smacked the wine glass out of my hand. Red wine splashed onto the polished floor and my dress. “Eleanor Vance, don’t push it!” 08 “What did I even do? Just watch the pity party?” I didn’t react aggressively, just calmly dabbed at the wine staining my hand. Dealing with Ethan’s tantrums for years had unexpectedly turned me into a master of emotional control. “Is this how you treat guests? Is this the kind of manners the Hayes family taught you?” He turned back to Lily, dabbing at her crocodile tears again, before whirling back to me, his voice sharp: “Apologize to Lily! Now!” I couldn’t help it; I laughed again. “Guest? Since when is she a guest?” This time, I deliberately dropped the empty glass I was holding onto the floor. The shattering sound echoed in the now dead-silent room. “You brought a complete stranger into my family’s home uninvited. I should have had security escort her out. Now you’re causing a scene at my birthday party? Really, Ethan, where are your manners?” Last time around, Lily played the victim, Ethan was willfully blind, and I was the fool. The three of us created a trashy high-society drama that everyone gossiped about for weeks. I suddenly remembered something from my past life: I’d seen Lily acting suspiciously at the engagement party, talking furtively to someone bundled up, maybe even handing something over. Not long after that, a major Hayes project fell through spectacularly. It should have been a sure thing, but some small, insignificant company snatched it right out from under them. My gut told me the two incidents were connected. I called Ethan immediately, warned him to be careful around Lily. He blew up at me, accused me of trying to sabotage Lily just so I could force the engagement. It wasn’t until the night he killed me that he finally admitted it. He said it was because of my warning call that he confronted Lily out on the yacht. She got angry and jumped overboard. So, according to his twisted logic, I was the one who killed Lily White. Seriously, what kind of messed-up reasoning is that? He managed to be both the fool and the blind man in that scenario. 09 The upper crust of this city is a small world. Most people at the party were familiar faces, regulars at these events. Even bringing a date usually involves adding them to the guest list beforehand. Now, curious and judgmental eyes were all focused on Lily. Unable to stand the whispers, Lily shrank further behind Ethan. “Eleanor, why are you deliberately making things hard for Lily? Apologize!” Ethan’s inner knight-in-shining-armor complex flared up as he shielded her. His yelling was giving me a headache. I took a couple of steps back, forcing a tight smile. “You know, Ethan, you kind of remind me of a soap opera actor.” He clearly didn’t get the sarcastic reference, probably thinking I was complimenting his looks. “You think flattering me will work? No chance! Apologize!” “Hahahaha! A soap actor! That’s perfect! Hahaha, and he thinks she means he’s handsome!” Chloe doubled over laughing behind me. I couldn’t help the corners of my eyes crinkling in amusement. I really must have been blind. How did I ever think this guy was smart and sophisticated? “You’re mocking me!” His face flushed with anger. “Mom, are Grandpa and Mr. Hayes still in the study?” I ignored Ethan’s outburst and turned to my mother. Mom nodded, looking a bit dazed. I lifted the hem of my dress and headed towards the study. Seeing me make a move towards his grandfather, Ethan hurried after me. “What now? Going to run crying to Grandpa again?” “That’s all you ever do. Same old trick every time.” “Hey! Wait up!” I ignored his shouting and walked straight to the study door. Sometimes, calling in the grown-ups isn’t just for kids; it’s necessary for dealing with adult idiots you can’t reason with. My grandfather and Ethan’s grandfather, old Mr. Hayes, had been best friends since childhood. After Ethan’s parents died tragically, Mr. Hayes, already semi-retired, had to step back in to stabilize the family company. Worried someone might try to harm Ethan during the transition, Mr. Hayes asked my family to look out for him. My parents basically raised him alongside me. And now, Ethan was stubbornly insisting on choosing Lily. Old Mr. Hayes felt deeply indebted to my family because of this whole situation, which meant he usually indulged my requests. “Eleanor, don’t you dare use your birthday to make some unreasonable demand! I’m telling you, I am not marrying you!” So, he’d heard the rumors that Mr. Hayes planned to announce our engagement tonight. I glanced back at him. He really had been sheltered his whole life, completely clueless about the strategic importance of a Vance-Hayes merger. Perfect timing. Hearing the commotion, my grandfather opened the study door. “Ellie, what brings you here? Did you hear your wish is about to come true and came to thank your Grandpa Hayes early?” Ever since I turned eighteen, my birthday wish every year had been to marry Ethan Hayes. “Grandpa,” I said, taking his arm, “I don’t like Ethan anymore. I don’t want to marry him.” At first, Grandpa probably thought I was just throwing another fit. But when he saw the dead seriousness in my eyes, his expression changed, breaking into a wide grin. “Alright then! If you don’t want to marry him, you don’t have to. My dear Ellie deserves much better.” I knew Grandpa hadn’t been happy with Ethan for a while. He only tolerated the idea because he knew how much I supposedly loved him. The engagement announcement was quietly shelved. Later, when the birthday cake arrived, I closed my eyes and made a wish. “I only wish for my family to be safe, happy, and prosperous.”

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The first time my real parents, the Sterlings, the richest couple in the state, came to get me, their long-lost daughter, Tiffany – the girl who’d been living my life – set out to destroy me. She was a master manipulator, sweet as pie to your face but pure venom behind your back. She twisted everything, convincing Mom and Dad I was some kind of jealous, vindictive monster. She spread rumors at school until nobody would talk to me. Then, for her own sick gain, she set me up, drugged me, and handed me over to some predator, making sure the whole world knew. My life hit rock bottom. I didn’t survive it. But she did. She basked in Mom and Dad’s love, got into a top college, had the perfect future laid out for her. Then I opened my eyes. I was back. Back to the day Mom and Dad pulled up to that rundown shack to take me home. And there she was, Tiffany, waiting on the porch of the Sterling mansion with a practiced, welcoming smile. This time, I smiled back. Oh yeah, this life? I was going to play her game. I was going to beat her at it so badly, she wouldn’t know what hit her. 1 “Move it! Get this floor clean, or no dinner for you tonight!” My foster mother – the woman who’d raised me, if you could call it that – cracked the switch against my back. I gripped the rag tighter, scrubbing the filthy floor, my whole body shaking so hard I could barely stay upright. I bit down on my lip, trying not to cry out. That only made her hit harder. The switch whistled through the air, each strike sending jolts of pain deep inside me. “Get away from her! Don’t you touch my daughter!” Suddenly, a man burst in, shoving my foster mother aside. It was him – my real father. He knelt, pulling me up gently, his eyes full of pity. “Chloe? Are you okay?” My face was streaked with dirt and tears. I looked up at him, letting my voice tremble. “Am I dreaming? Are you… are you really my mom and dad?” That did it. My father’s face crumpled, and he pulled me into a hug, sobbing. My real mother, who’d been hovering near the door, finally came closer, her eyes brimming with tears. My foster mother shrieked in anger, raising the switch again. A police officer who had come with my parents quickly stepped in, blocking her. “Ma’am, that’s enough. Let’s go.” I followed my real parents out of that hellhole and back to my real home – the Sterling estate, a sprawling house in the city’s most exclusive neighborhood. And there she was, waiting by the massive front door. Tiffany. The architect of my previous demise. She wasn’t even their real daughter. She belonged to the trash who’d raised me, the ones who’d abused me for years. But some twisted scheme had put her here and me there. My fists clenched. As soon as Tiffany saw Mom, she rushed over, grabbing her hand. “Mom! You must be exhausted! That awful place… the roads are probably terrible, and those people looked so rough. You poor thing, you must have been terrified.” Mom shook her head, clearly touched. “I’m okay, sweetie. Don’t you worry.” Tiffany threw her arms around Mom, tears welling up. “Mom, I missed you so much while you were gone!” “I missed you too, baby.” They hugged like nothing else mattered, like I wasn’t even standing there. I cleared my throat softly. “The roads are pretty bad out there,” I said, my voice quiet and hoarse. “Full of potholes. I used to fall down all the time walking them. Sometimes… sometimes people would throw rocks at me. They called me… called me trash they found on the side of the road. I walked roads like that for ten years.” Mom let go of Tiffany, turning to me. Her eyes were filled with guilt and a fresh wave of pain. They’d spent one afternoon there and couldn’t stand it. I’d lived it. Dad choked up. “Chloe… honey, Dad will buy you a Rolls-Royce. Brand new. Wherever you want to go, a driver will take you.” Tiffany’s face paled instantly. “Dad! You said that car was going to be mine!” Dad frowned. “You already have a perfectly good car, Tiffany. Don’t be selfish.” She bit her lip, looking genuinely hurt. Okay, her current car wasn’t a Rolls, but still. She forced a smile. “Dad’s right. Sorry, Chloe. Let’s go inside.” She reached for my hand. I instinctively pulled back, looking down at the floor, saying nothing. She froze, her eyes widening slightly before instantly filling with tears. She looked so wounded, so rejected. Classic Tiffany. I knew she was secretly thrilled. Another chance to make me look bad. Sure enough, she started sniffling. “Do… do you hate me, Chloe? Do you think I stole your place? I’m so, so sorry. Maybe… maybe I should just leave. I’ll pack my bags…” She sniffled dramatically, making a show of turning to leave, clearly expecting someone to stop her. No one moved. I slowly held up my hand, showing the raw, slightly bloody scrape on my palm from scrubbing the floor earlier. “My hand’s bleeding,” I whispered, looking up at her with wide, innocent eyes. “I didn’t want to get blood on your pretty dress, Tiffany. Did… did I do something wrong?” I lowered my head again, shoulders slumping, the picture of shame and misery. My clothes were torn and filthy, practically falling apart, a stark contrast to her expensive-looking designer dress. Dad’s face turned thunderous when he saw my hand and heard my explanation. “Tiffany! Chloe is clearly injured, and you tried to grab her hand like that? Are you really welcoming her home? Apologize to your sister! Now!” Tiffany flinched, her body trembling slightly. Her eyes flashed with resentment, but she choked out a barely audible, “Sorry.” Heh. Last time, she’d pulled a similar stunt right at the door, making Mom and Dad feel sorry for her, promising they’d never neglect her. I was left standing there, alone and awkward, the outsider, the joke. This time? The tables had turned. 2 Tiffany mumbled her apology. As we walked inside, I shot her a tiny, knowing smile that only she could see. I saw the vein throbbing in her temple. While I was showering and changing into some clean, albeit borrowed, clothes, she cornered me. “Listen here, Chloe,” she hissed, dropping the sweet act entirely. “You lowlife piece of trash belong back in that dump. Don’t think for one second you can come back here and take my place!” She leaned in close, her voice dripping with menace. “Mark my words, I’ll have you thrown out of here within three months. You’ll never set foot in this house again!” I just smiled sweetly. “Don’t worry, Tiffany. The only one leaving will be you. I hear your real parents miss you terribly.” Her face went chalk-white. She knew exactly what her biological parents – the Grimeses – were like. Being their unwanted daughter from birth meant she knew the kind of monsters they were. “Oh, by the way,” I added casually, reaching for the cheap burner phone I still had. “I think I have your mom’s number here somewhere. Should I give her a call right now? Arrange a little mother-daughter reunion?” I started scrolling through contacts. Tiffany let out a strangled gasp and practically tripped over herself running out of the room. All bark, no bite. Pathetic. Once I was settled in my new room – which was bigger than the entire shack I grew up in – I sent an email to my twin brother, Ethan. Get home. Now. Last time, Ethan was the only one who was ever truly on my side after I came back. He’s brutally honest, says whatever he thinks, which made him easy pickings for Tiffany’s games. She’d framed him for things, complained constantly until Mom and Dad thought he needed discipline and shipped him off to boarding school. With him gone, Tiffany had free rein, and my life became even more isolated and miserable. I was too scared, too beaten down, always trying to keep the peace, not wanting to upset Mom and Dad further. And she exploited that weakness until she destroyed me. Not this time. Ethan showed up the next day. The second he saw me, his face lit up, and he swept me into a huge hug. “There she is! My real sister! Look how much you look like me! Way better than that imposter.” I hugged him back tightly. It was so good to see him. Last time, things went downhill so fast, I never got a proper chance to connect. I didn’t waste any time. I laid out my plan – how Tiffany operated, how she’d tried to ruin me, and how this time, we were fighting back together. He grinned, nodding enthusiastically. “About time someone saw through her act! Seriously, Chloe, I was worried you’d fall for her Miss Innocent routine just like Mom and Dad.” Trust me, I knew better. Last time, I had fallen for it initially. “Ethan, we gotta wise up,” I said firmly. “We play her game, use her tactics against her. We gotta be the ‘green tea,’ so the real ‘green tea’ has nowhere to go.” Ethan pumped his fist. “I’m so in! All those years at boarding school? I basically majored in spotting manipulative BS. I’ve been waiting for payback!” Mom and Dad weren’t thrilled Ethan had just shown up without permission and wanted to send him right back. I immediately put on my best pleading face, explaining how I’d just met my brother and desperately wanted time to get to know him. It worked. Ethan got switched to attending his school as a day student. The house felt a little more alive now. Showtime. 3 Dinner time. Tiffany was glued to Mom’s side on the sofa, whispering something that made them both laugh. Mom reached out and affectionately patted Tiffany’s head. It was a picture of pure maternal bliss. My brother came clattering down the stairs, took one look at the scene, and immediately threw an arm around my shoulders as I sat watching TV nearby. “Oh, my poor, dear sister!” Ethan declared loudly, his voice dripping with mock sympathy. “Seeing your own mother looking so happy with the fake daughter… it must break your heart! After all those years separated, you finally come home, only to sit here all alone! How lonely you must be!” I took my cue, letting out a choked sob. Big, fat tears started rolling down my cheeks. I looked small, fragile, utterly helpless. Mom’s smile vanished, replaced by guilt. She quickly beckoned me over. “Chloe, honey, I’m so sorry. Mommy wasn’t paying attention. Come, sit here with me.” Tiffany’s face tightened, but she reluctantly started to shift over. Ethan wasn’t having it. He physically pulled Tiffany out of her spot next to Mom. She whined, instantly playing the victim. “Ethan, what are you doing? I just wanted to sit with Mom!” “Who are you calling Ethan like you know me? Don’t call me your brother,” he scoffed. “Look at your face, look at mine. We don’t look alike from head to toe. My real sister is standing right here!” He pulled me forward. “And let me tell you, sis,” he continued, his voice rising with indignation, “while you were suffering, getting beaten, probably coughing up blood at her parents’ place, she was here living like a princess! Eating the best food, wearing designer clothes! And now she can’t even stand you sitting next to our own mother? Where’s the justice in this world?!” I covered my face, my thin shoulders shaking with silent sobs. His words hit Mom and Dad like a physical blow. Mom immediately pulled me into her arms, murmuring apologies. Dad’s eyes were red-rimmed. “Chloe,” he said, his voice thick with emotion, “you’re our daughter. We’ll make up for all the suffering you endured. We promise. No one will ever hurt you again.” Tiffany watched us – the real Sterling family, finally together – her expression twisting into an ugly mask of jealousy. It was practically radiating off her. But she quickly smoothed her features, forcing a smile. “Mom, Dad, let’s just eat, okay?” We moved to the dining table. Tiffany was all smiles again, sweetly serving Dad and Mom food. Meanwhile, Ethan piled my plate high with all of Tiffany’s favorites – shrimp scampi, the best cut of steak, lobster mac and cheese. Tiffany didn’t take long to snap. “Ethan! I haven’t even had a bite yet!” Ethan sighed dramatically. “You’ve been impersonating my sister for ten years, Tiffany. You’ve eaten more fancy food in this house than most people see in a lifetime. My real sister,” he gestured to me, “barely had enough to eat out in that shack. It breaks my heart!” Tiffany’s complaint died in her throat. Her lower lip trembled. Here it comes, I thought. The waterworks. “Waaaah!” But the sobbing wasn’t coming from her. It was me. I suddenly burst into loud, gut-wrenching sobs, tears streaming down my face. Tiffany stared, completely thrown off. The tears she’d been summoning vanished from her eyes. I took a bite of steak, still sobbing. “It’s… it’s so good,” I choked out between cries. “I haven’t eaten food this good in ten years! Back at the… the Grimeses’ place… I only got scraps, maybe some thin soup. Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad.” Ethan jumped right back in. “Waaah! My poor sister! So thin, just skin and bones! The real Sterling heiress, suffering like this! And now, finally home, trying to enjoy a decent meal, she gets attitude from the imposter! Oh, why is my sister’s life so tragic!” Mom and Dad looked deeply troubled. They glanced from Tiffany’s healthy, well-fed figure to my gaunt frame. Anyone could see the difference. Their guilt was hitting critical mass. Tiffany panicked, dropping the fake tears act. “I have nothing to do with the Grimeses!” she blurted out. “You are my parents! This is my home!” 4 She looked terrified of being abandoned, and that vulnerability tugged at Mom’s heartstrings. “Tiffany has been with us since she was a baby,” Mom said softly, defending her. “She’s not like those people.” Dad didn’t immediately agree. He looked at me. I was eating slowly, carefully, savoring each bite like it was precious gold. My oversized sleeves made my wrists look impossibly thin. When I felt his gaze, I looked up, a flicker of nervousness in my eyes. “Dad? Tiffany… she’s probably just not used to me being here yet. If she’s upset with me, I understand. It’s okay. As long as our family can just get along…” Dad’s expression softened into deep affection. He looked at me with pride. “Now that sounds like a Sterling,” he declared. “I’ve made a decision. Chloe, I’m transferring 20% of the Sterling Industries stock into your name. And I’m giving you two penthouse apartments downtown, plus a fifty-million-dollar trust fund. Do whatever you want with it – start a business, travel, anything.” The sheer scale of his generosity stunned Tiffany. Her mask of composure finally cracked. Her eyes were wide with disbelief and naked envy. After ten years of being the Sterling princess, her accumulated assets didn’t come close to this. I put on my best shocked-and-overwhelmed face. “Th-thank you… Thank you, Dad. Mom.” Tiffany’s face was practically green. The bitterness in her eyes was impossible to hide. I turned to her, a hint of a smile playing on my lips. “Is something wrong, Tiffany? You’re staring.” She forced her lips into a tight smile. “Nothing. Congratulations… sister.” Across the table, Ethan gave me a subtle thumbs-up. That dinner made one thing crystal clear: while Mom was still blinded by her affection for Tiffany, Dad was more rational, more inclined towards fairness. Thinking back, even last time, Dad had occasionally questioned Tiffany’s behavior when Mom was completely snowed. Deep down, I, his biological daughter, held a different place in his heart. It was only after Tiffany orchestrated event after event to discredit me that he finally lost hope. Tiffany wasn’t the type to take this defeat lying down. Her kind of personality wouldn’t let it go. Sure enough, a few days later, when everyone else was out, leaving just the two of us in the huge house, she made her move. She came sashaying towards me in a floaty white dress, holding a cup of coffee. “Chloe,” she said, her voice sickeningly sweet, “I have this amazing project idea, but I need about fifty million in seed money. Since Dad just gave you all that cash, could you lend it to me?” The nerve! I ignored her, pretending to read a magazine. “I knew it!” she snapped, her voice turning sharp. “All that talk about wanting the family to get along – it was all lies! You’re just a pathetic liar!” I finally looked up, giving her a cool glance. “The family I want to get along with doesn’t include you, Tiffany. Don’t forget, your real name is Grimes.” Her face contorted with rage. I’d hit a nerve. “You’re just like them!” she spat, her voice low and vicious. “Just as low-class, just as dirty! I bet those disgusting Grimeses pimped you out to half the town already, didn’t they? And you still try to act all innocent and pure around here?” My blood ran cold. Without a second thought, I swung my hand and slapped her, hard, across the face. She stood there, stunned for a moment, then her face flushed with fury. She shrieked and threw the hot coffee at me. I dodged it, then calmly picked up my glass of ice water and splashed it right in her face. No more turning the other cheek. Not this lifetime. “You bitch!” she screamed, completely losing it. “I’m going to kill you!” She lunged, claws out, aiming for my neck. Did she really think I was scared of her? I met her attack head-on. Years of hard labor on the Grimeses’ property meant that even though I was thin, I was strong. Way stronger than this pampered princess who’d never done a day of real work in her life. I grabbed a handful of her perfect hair and didn’t hold back. She didn’t stand a chance. I yanked out several clumps, and she started howling like a stuck pig. “Help! Somebody help me!” She scrambled backward, pure terror in her eyes. Just then, we heard the sound of the front door opening. Her face lit up with manic glee, and she started scrambling towards the entrance. I wasn’t letting her get away with framing me. I tackled her, landing on top of her. Instinctively, she grabbed my legs and flung me sideways with surprising strength. Thump! I hit the polished marble floor, hard. And right at that moment, the door swung open. Mom, Dad, and Ethan were home.

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