Category: English

My husband, Arthur, was in a car crash. He was severely injured and on the brink of death. The doctors told me resuscitation efforts would be largely futile and to prepare for the worst. Oh, I was very well prepared. I waved my hand dismissively: “Let’s not trouble the hospital any further. Discontinue treatment.” They issued the death certificate, canceled his ID, and hauled him off to the crematorium. Six hours later, he was nothing but a pile of ash. I patted the urn. “Arthur, oh Arthur, you truly are a good man!” Filthy rich, dying young, and passing without a will. By law, I get two-thirds of the entire estate. Could there be anyone more considerate than Arthur? 1. My husband, Arthur, died in a car accident, leaving me a massive fortune. Is there anyone more considerate than Arthur? Thinking about how considerate he was, I naturally had to return the favor. So, I called the high-end nursing home where Arthur’s parents were vacationing and instructed the attending physician to run every single top-tier test and administer the most expensive nutritional supplements available. Losing a son is a huge blow. What if the two elderly folks couldn’t handle it? I needed to help them fortify their health in advance. And then there was his little mistress. While Arthur was alive, I turned a blind eye. Now that he’s dead, it’s time to settle scores and collect debts. I took a moving company straight to her place, waved my hand, and ordered: “Move it all!” The mistress wasn’t home, which made things perfectly convenient for me. Everything was sealed up, packed wholesale, and hauled away. By the time we retreated, the only thing left in the apartment besides her personal hygiene items was a bed. I didn’t want that; it disgusted me. The haul was truly substantial. I spent an entire night sorting through it, picking out what I wanted and selling the rest for scrap. The old man from the scrap yard had just hauled the junk away when the police showed up at my door. “Chloe Vance? Someone reported you for burglary!” “Officers, I’m innocent! I am a law-abiding citizen!” “We’ll see about that. Come with us to the station to answer a few questions.” Of course I went. I didn’t steal anything, so what was there to be afraid of? When I arrived, the first person I saw was Mia. The moment she saw me, she jumped up and started screaming: “Chloe, you thief! How dare you steal my things!” Watching her jump around so violently while seven months pregnant made me frown. Out of the goodness of my heart, I warned her, “Careful with your movements. If you jump so hard you lose the baby, don’t try to pin it on me!” “How dare you curse my baby!” Mia simply wouldn’t listen to reason. When I told her to calm down, she actually got more aggressive and even tried to hit me. What could I do? Naturally, I sought help from the police! I quickly ducked behind an officer. “Officer, help! She’s trying to use her baby to frame me! You have to be my witnesses! Protect me!” The officers on duty managed to pull Mia away, looking at me with incredibly complicated expressions. I asked, “Are you guys amazed by my exceptional legal awareness? Were you just about to praise me for avoiding being framed? No need for thanks; learning the law is every citizen’s duty!” Their expressions grew even more complicated. They said, “Everyone sit down. Let’s clarify this theft accusation first.” I was led into a small interrogation room. The officer looked stern: “Last night at 8:00 PM, what were you doing at the Grand Horizon Apartments?” “Moving.” “Moving? Was it your property to move?!” He slammed the table and threw down a stack of photos. “The homeowner has pressed charges against you! You have some nerve, bringing a moving company with you. Did you think you were filming a movie?!” I guess they had never seen anyone as arrogant as me; they were almost laughing out of sheer frustration. “But the apartment is mine.” I started pulling documents out of my bag: “Deed, land use permit, bank transfer receipts, my ID… Take a look, is anything missing?” Now it was the interrogator’s turn to be dumbfounded. He checked the documents word by word until he finally confirmed that yes, I was indeed the homeowner. They brought Mia in, along with the property manager, and asked, “What exactly is going on here?” The property manager said, “Ms. Mia is a resident there. I’m certain; I see her all the time.” Mia shrieked, “Chloe went to my house and stole my things!” 2. I curled my lip and sneered. “Mia, you really have some nerve. You were homeless, and Arthur and I took pity on you and let you stay in our apartment. What, does borrowing it make it yours? Check your conscience. You’ve lived there for years; have you ever paid a single cent in rent?” Mia turned pale and quickly argued, “The apartment isn’t mine, but the things inside are! Officer, Chloe stole my things!” “You have the audacity to say that?” Smack. I slapped another stack of receipts onto the table. “Officer, here is the renovation invoice, the furniture purchase orders, and the payment records. You can cross-reference them with the items.” After speaking politely to the officers, I turned to Mia: “Before moving, I already threw out all your dirty clothes and smelly socks. Out of all the furniture, appliances, and cabinets I moved, which one has your name on it?” The officer glared at Mia. “You claim she stole your belongings. Make a list of exactly what you lost.” Mia grabbed a pen, gritting her teeth, preparing to write. I sneered from the sidelines, “Mia, you haven’t worked in four or five years. I’m genuinely curious: as a broke, unemployed woman, what exactly could you have lost of any value?” Mia’s face instantly went stark white. She held the pen, but couldn’t manage to write a single word. I sat there, perfectly relaxed. Of course I knew what was in that apartment. Six months ago, Arthur had started preparing to divorce me, transferring assets like a rat hoarding food. He funneled a massive amount of cash through several shell accounts, converted it all into gold bars, and locked them in a safe in that apartment. The safe was hidden inside a built-in storage cabinet. I had already found it last night and moved it to a very secure location. I wasn’t afraid of Mia writing it down; the problem was, even if she did, who would believe her? A woman who had to beg for a place to live, suddenly possessing a hoard of gold bars? Who did she think she was fooling? In the end, Mia slinked away, claiming she was too flustered seeing the messy room and hadn’t realized her personal belongings had already been taken out by me. The police gave Mia a stern lecture. She gritted her teeth, swallowing her anger, unable to say a word. I was also reprimanded for not notifying the resident before moving, causing a misunderstanding and wasting police resources. I immediately apologized profusely and promised it would never happen again. Mia and I walked out of the police station together. I officially gave her notice: “I’m selling that apartment. I’m giving you three days to pack up and get out. Otherwise, start paying rent: $5,000 a month.” “Are you trying to rob me?!” Mia exploded in anger. I gave her a side-eye. “The Grand Horizon Apartments. A massive penthouse in a prime location. You think rent there is less than $5,000? Why don’t you look it up online?” Mia, of course, knew I was telling the truth. She ground her teeth and hissed, “Chloe, don’t get cocky. I’m going to tell Arthur exactly what you did. Just wait until he comes looking for you!” “Oh, really?” I smiled. “You’ve probably already called him, haven’t you? Did he answer?” Mia’s expression shifted, her grip tightening on her phone. My smile grew wider. Out of the goodness of my heart, I told her, “No need to keep trying. He won’t answer. Right now, he’s just a pile of ash.” Mia let out a piercing scream. “Chloe, how can you be so vicious?! You’re cursing him to die! You two loved each other for so many years; he’s your husband!” I covered my ears, frowning deeply. I waited until she finished screaming before speaking: “Oh, so you do know he’s my husband. Then why are you getting so worked up? Don’t you believe me? Go check the news; there should be reports about the car crash yesterday morning at 10 AM. Also, here’s a copy of his cremation receipt. You can go ask the crematorium yourself.” 3. I shoved the paper into Mia’s hand, decisively got into my car, and drove away. Behind me, I heard Mia’s shrill screams, and in the rearview mirror, I saw her clutch her stomach and collapse. I pulled out my phone, intending to dial 911, but then decided against it. We were right outside a police station; someone there would call for her. Who knows, maybe a squad car would take her directly. That would save the cost of an ambulance. I felt incredibly kind, saving precious medical resources. Returning home, I turned off my phone, took a shower, had a wonderful meal, and went to sleep. I was woken up by a call from the complex security guard. “Ms. Vance, there’s a couple outside claiming to be your parents-in-law. They want to see you.” Through the intercom, I could hear my mother-in-law’s furious screaming: “Chloe, you heartless bitch! Arthur had barely died, and you had him cremated! Why wouldn’t you let us see him one last time?! You venomous snake, get out here!” I dug at my ear with a finger and said, “Not seeing them.” The house I was living in wasn’t the one I shared with Arthur; I bought this one myself. The security guards had no idea who Arthur’s parents were. I turned off the intercom and checked my phone. Sure enough, there were hundreds of missed calls and texts. I deleted them all with one click and turned the phone off again. The next morning, the police were at my door again. “Someone has accused you of murder. Please come with us.” “I’m innocent! I am a law-abiding citizen!” I immediately cried foul again. The officer’s eye twitched. “Just come with us to answer some questions first.” I obediently went along. I hadn’t murdered anyone, so why should I be afraid of answering some questions? When I arrived, the first person I saw was Mia again, sitting with my parents-in-law—Arthur’s parents. The moment his mother saw me, she lunged at me: “Chloe, you venomous snake! You wouldn’t even let me see my son one last time! You’ll die a horrible death!” Seeing her jumping around so energetically, I felt incredibly gratified. All those expensive nutritional IVs at the nursing home really paid off. Out of the goodness of my heart, I showed my concern: “Mom, jump a little lighter. If your old bones fall apart, don’t try to blame it on me.” “You killed my son, and now you dare curse me!” Arthur’s mother and Mia really were cut from the same cloth. Completely deaf to reason, wailing like banshees as she tried to tackle me. What could I do? Naturally, I sought help from the police! “Officers, help!” I quickly ducked behind a policeman. “She’s using her status as my mother-in-law to attack me! This is domestic violence! Domestic violence is illegal! Protect me quickly!” The officers managed to pull Arthur’s mother away, giving me that incredibly complicated look again. I asked, “Are you guys impressed by my extensive legal knowledge? I even know about domestic violence! No need for thanks; spreading legal awareness is my civic duty!” Their expressions grew even more complicated. They said, “Everyone sit down. They’ve accused you of being involved in a murder. Let’s clarify the murder allegations first.” I was led into the small interrogation room. The interrogator looked stern and tossed a piece of paper onto the table: “Your in-laws provided the accident report for your husband, Arthur. It states the cause of the crash was brake failure. They are accusing you of tampering with the brakes. What do you have to say about this?” “Yes, they’re spouting nonsense!” I immediately defended myself, feeling a deep sympathy for the officers: “Officers, my in-laws are elderly and don’t understand the law. Did they just come in here causing a scene without a shred of evidence, demanding you lock me up?” The interrogator’s expression froze. My sympathy deepened. 4. They glared at me fiercely and continued, “Your mother-in-law claims you were responsible for the maintenance of Arthur’s car, taking it in once a month. The last scheduled maintenance date was exactly three days before the crash. Are you saying you didn’t notice anything wrong with the brakes?” I looked at them earnestly. “I didn’t take it in for maintenance this month. Something came up and delayed me.” The interrogator pressed on: “What delayed you? Think carefully before you answer. If you have nothing to hide, why did you have Arthur cremated so quickly? According to our investigation, less than six hours passed between his time of death and cremation!” He stared at me sharply. I had to admit, this was indeed the most suspicious point. If there was no foul play, why did I turn Arthur into a pile of ash so quickly? I looked back at him just as earnestly and asked, “Officer, do you need to pick an auspicious date for a cremation?” A heavy silence filled the air. Only my face radiated pure sincerity. “Answer the question!” one officer played bad cop. “Just answer what’s asked. Don’t answer a question with a question!” The other officer played good cop: “If you don’t explain this clearly, it’s going to look very bad for you. It’s best if you cooperate and help us clear things up. Didn’t you say you’re a law-abiding citizen?” I could ignore the other comments, but could I ignore an appeal to my “law-abiding citizen” status? I had to tell the truth. “Because I was sick of him! I supported him when he started with nothing, and now that he’s successful, that bastard actually wanted to divorce me! Three days ago, I was about to drive his car to the shop for maintenance, but that bastard came home and picked a massive fight with me, so I didn’t go. Now that he’s dead, what am I supposed to do, keep his corpse around for the holidays?! If the law allowed it, I’d use his ashes as fertilizer to grow weeds!” The officers scrutinized my face carefully and finally determined I wasn’t lying. They had been waiting for me to make excuses; they hadn’t expected me to be so blunt. I even offered proof: “Officers, if you don’t believe me, go ask our property management. Our complex has security cameras. I even beat Arthur out the door; they all know about it.” They brought in my in-laws and Mia. As soon as Mia walked in, she demanded, “Officers, did you find the proof? Chloe murdered Arthur, didn’t she?!” An officer glared at her. “What does this have to do with you? What is your relationship to Arthur?” Mia choked, her face flushing bright red. She looked pitifully at Arthur’s mother: “Auntie…” “This… this is my goddaughter! Arthur’s godsister!” Arthur’s mother stubbornly declared. “The law doesn’t recognize ‘god-relatives.’ You have no legal relation to Arthur. Stop trying to insert yourself into every situation.” Mia’s face turned livid, unable to speak a single word. The police had called the property management to confirm and pulled the security footage. On the day the car was due for maintenance, Arthur had indeed come home and fought with me. Dozens of people saw me throwing things at him to chase him out. “The fact that the car wasn’t maintained was caused by your son’s own actions. While the cremation was swift, all procedures were entirely legal. Reporting to the police is your right, but filing false accusations without any evidence is a crime, and the law will hold you accountable. Understood?” Arthur’s mother didn’t care what the police said. Hearing that I wasn’t responsible, she tried to lunge at me again. “Chloe, you monster! You wouldn’t even let me see my son one last time!” Practice makes perfect; I swiftly ducked behind an officer again. “Mom, let’s get things straight. It’s not that I wouldn’t let you see him. Arthur fell from a cliff over a hundred feet high. He was smashed to a bloody pulp. I almost threw up looking at it. Could I let you see that? What if you had a heart attack from the shock? Then our family would have to plan two funerals! I was doing it for your own good!” “You dare curse me to die!” Arthur’s mother and Mia really must be biological mother and daughter; they even used the exact same phrases. While blocking Arthur’s mother, the officer on duty glared at me. “Can you stop talking?” Absolutely! I clamped my mouth shut, demonstrating my unwavering cooperation with law enforcement. 5. Arthur’s mother kept causing a scene until the police finally threatened to arrest her for disturbing the peace. Only then did she stop. When we walked out of the station, she was still glaring at me. I ignored her and turned to Mia: “Did you move out yet? I’m putting the house on the market.” “Chloe, you’re too cruel!” Mia immediately turned to Arthur’s mother to cry. Arthur’s mother didn’t know what was going on. After listening to Mia’s tearful explanation, she put her hands on her hips and screamed at me, “What right do you have to kick Mia out?! That’s my son’s house, and I say she can live there!” “That’s your son’s and my house. Now that your son is dead, it’s considered his estate. I own two-thirds, and you and Dad combined only own one-third. How about I section off the bathroom and the balcony for her to live in?” I enthusiastically explained, “Mia, you know that house. The balcony is a 270-degree wrap-around panoramic style. It’s definitely big enough to account for one-third of the square footage. I’ll even throw in the bathroom for free.” Arthur’s mother looked like she was about to pass out from anger, pointing a bony, trembling finger at me for a long time without speaking. I couldn’t be bothered being polite to this old hag. I bypassed her and issued my final ultimatum to Mia: “Tomorrow is the last day. If you don’t move out, I’m changing the locks. If you can’t get your stuff out then, that’s your problem!” “Auntie, what am I going to do?! I’m heavily pregnant…” Mia cried, looking truly pathetic. Arthur’s mother’s face turned purple with rage. She grabbed Mia’s hand to comfort her: “Don’t worry! With your condition, it’s not suitable for you to live just anywhere. Come live with me at the nursing home! There will be people to take care of you there!” Like a show of force, she grabbed Mia’s hand and strutted past me arrogantly. Mia even looked back to shoot me a smug look. I hopped into my car, a massive grin spreading across my face. Perfect! Brilliant! That nursing home was far from cheap. I genuinely hoped they’d stay there forever. I called the attending physician at the nursing home: “My in-laws brought someone new, a pregnant woman. She’s very precious. You must take excellent care of her. Run whatever tests you want, and give her the absolute best food and amenities!” Back home, I hired an at-home beautician for a luxurious spa treatment, drank some wine, ate a steak, and got my beauty sleep. In passing, I also mailed them the legal breakdown of the estate division. Early the next morning, I was woken up by a letter from a lawyer: “Ms. Chloe Vance, regarding the legal division of Mr. Arthur Sterling’s estate, Ms. Mia asserts that the child in her womb is also entitled to a share. Ms. Mia has filed a lawsuit with the court. Please appear in court on time.” Hey, court appearances! I survived a murder accusation; am I supposed to be scared of splitting some cash? I arrived at court perfectly on time. Mia, showing off her pregnant belly, proclaimed: “The baby in my stomach is Arthur’s flesh and blood. He deserves a share of the estate.” Me: “Really? I don’t believe it.” “Why wouldn’t you believe it?! This is Arthur’s child in my stomach!” “Show the proof,” I smiled brightly. “Ever heard of a paternity test? Produce one, and I guarantee you won’t be shorted a single cent.” Mia’s face instantly turned livid, her voice cracking: “How dare you say that! You burned Arthur into a pile of ash! Where am I supposed to get a paternity test now?!” I dragged out my response, “Oh… so you don’t have one.” I turned to the judge, looking utterly sincere: “Your Honor, she doesn’t have a paternity test. On what grounds is she filing this lawsuit?” The judge frowned deeply. “Are you just making a mockery of this court?” Mia quickly said, “I have other proof! Arthur’s parents can testify!” Arthur’s mother immediately chimed in: “My son Arthur and Mia were together! I know this child is my eldest grandson!” I sighed helplessly. “Mom, please learn some basic legal facts. Without a paternity test, no one can prove a son is his father’s son. Except for Arthur himself, no one else’s testimony matters.” 6. Arthur’s mother was completely lost by my “father and son” talk, unable to process it immediately. Then, Arthur’s father spoke up. “You just want a paternity test, right? We have one!” Saying that, he submitted a document. As the judge reviewed the report, Arthur’s father proudly stated: “This is the genetic testing between myself and the child in Mia’s womb. It proves we are biologically related. I only have one son, Arthur. The child in Mia’s womb must be my son’s flesh and blood.” The judge, who had been reading, put the report down upon hearing this. “Evidence is invalid.” Arthur’s father’s temper flared, and he started yelling: “Why isn’t it valid?! We did the paternity test! It clearly states the child and I share a bloodline…” “Dad, please calm down~” I helped the judge maintain order: “As I just said, it’s a paternity test. Do you know what paternity means? It means father and son. Unless it’s Arthur’s own test, no one else’s is valid. Furthermore…” I smiled. “Are you absolutely certain Arthur is your only son?” Arthur’s father was stunned by my question. I directly slapped a massive stack of documents in front of the judge. While the judge reviewed them, I explained with a distressed expression. “You shouldn’t air dirty laundry in public, and originally, I didn’t want to say anything. But my father-in-law forced my hand. My in-laws actually had a decent relationship, but that was before their son got rich. Once my father-in-law started getting money from Arthur, he got involved in quite a few scandals. He was rumored to be involved with the older ladies from the plaza dancing group, and our whole family once caught him in the act in an apartment. I even had to bail him out of the police station once. The charge was solicitation, you know what I mean… If you look closely, the bail receipt is in that pile…” Arthur’s father’s face had long since turned purple, swelling up like a bruised liver. I asked him with utmost sincerity, “Dad, are you really sure you didn’t leave Arthur a half-brother running around somewhere…” “You’re talking nonsense! I was always very careful!” “Oh…” I nodded understandingly, completely unfazed. But my mother-in-law lost her mind. “You shameless old goat!” She lunged at my father-in-law and started beating him. “When did you get arrested?! I didn’t even know! You actually did something so shameless!” The experienced judge, thoroughly annoyed by the chaos in the courtroom, had to call the bailiffs to get the situation under control. Arthur’s father, humiliated and furious but forced to suppress his anger, reasoned with Arthur’s mother: “We can talk about this when we get home! Aren’t we trying to fight for our grandson’s inheritance right now?!” Arthur’s mother snapped back to reality, realizing she had almost ruined their case. The judge sternly gave them a legal lecture—explaining the burden of proof, the evidentiary value of documents, etc., etc. It all boiled down to one sentence: without Arthur’s paternity test, no matter how much they talked, they couldn’t prove the child in Mia’s stomach was Arthur’s. Arthur’s mother’s face turned ashen. Then, Mia suddenly ran over, aggressively rubbed her eyes to simulate crying, and wailed at me: “Chloe, I know Arthur and I wronged you. But he’s passed away. The child in my stomach is his final bloodline. After being married for so long, do you really have the heart to leave nothing for his only flesh and blood?” Mia was still somewhat clever. She knew that as long as I admitted it, the judge wouldn’t interfere. I said, “Oh, how pitiful~” Her eyes, along with those of Arthur’s parents, instantly lit up as they stared at me collectively. I said, “I don’t believe it.” Leaving the courthouse that day was a bit dicey; all three of them tried to attack me. But courthouses have bailiffs, don’t they? A place of law and order—why would I be scared? Back home, I continued eating and drinking well, and even found time to go on a vacation. As soon as I got back, the court came knocking again. “Are you Chloe Vance? Your parents-in-law are suing you for concealing your husband’s estate. They have submitted a complaint to the court. Please appear in court on time.” Hey, court appearances! I’d already done it once. First time strangers, second time friends. What was there to fear? When the day arrived, I showed up perfectly on time. My in-laws had wised up this time and hired a lawyer. What a coincidence, so did I. We’re dividing assets; how could I not hire a lawyer? Even if I scored a perfect 100% on my SAT math, I couldn’t calculate that much money!

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My car crashed, and I was rushed to the hospital. Patrick Reed came, signed a paper, and left. He said there was a sudden family emergency, leaving me, with a broken leg, alone at the hospital. Coming out of surgery, I saw his stepsister post on social media: “Just a sprained ankle, apparently family gets so worried they overreact.” The picture showed Patrick’s back as he made her pig’s trotters soup, geotagged in the next city. She even directly forwarded it to our family and friends group chat, wanting to embarrass me, his official girlfriend. I smiled, and replied magnanimously: “Marry the man who makes you soup; making him family is true kinship!” 1. I have no family. I accompanied Patrick for seven years in the big city, just the two of us. When he rushed to sign the surgery consent form, a warmth welled up in my chest. I felt like I finally had family protection too. The next second, he mumbled, “Something came up at home,” and hurried away. He didn’t even glance at me, let alone ask about my injuries. Before I could say anything, his figure had already vanished into the bustling hospital corridor. Coming out of surgery, I was about to text him to say I was alright. The first thing I saw was Eleanor’s post, forwarded to the family and friends group chat. Patrick, wearing an apron, a doting expression on his face, was making pig’s trotters soup. And her caption: “Just a sprained ankle, apparently family gets so worried they overreact.” I instinctively shifted my right leg, which was fractured and in a cast. The anesthesia was just wearing off, and it hurt terribly. I called Patrick, crying, and we started arguing. He was extremely impatient, scolding me just like in all our previous arguments. “Eleanor is my stepsister. Can’t you stop being so dramatic?!” “Why didn’t I notice you were so delicate before? It’s just a minor car accident, isn’t it?” Eleanor’s playful laugh came through the phone. “Patrick, we’re having a family meal. Don’t pick up calls from outsiders!” My retort, “She’s not even related to you by blood,” never made it out before Patrick coldly hung up. I cried until my chest ached and felt heavy. I immediately blocked Patrick’s number. I didn’t want to bother my friends, so I hired a caregiver myself, enduring the curious whispers of other patients in the ward, and awkwardly stayed for over half a month. The day before my discharge, Patrick asked a friend to message me. “Darling, I’ll pick you up tomorrow.” It was a sign of reconciliation. Patrick and I had been together for ten years, and he was always like this. During arguments, he would hurt me recklessly, then act as if nothing had happened and treat me well again. And I never held it against him, never brought up old scores. So he never cared if I was hurt by his repeated actions. After all, I would always smile, forgive him, and tolerate him. But this time, I was completely disappointed in him. I thought he would become my family, desperately seeking a moment of warmth from him. But from beginning to end, I was just an outsider to him. I unblocked Patrick, and simply replied with my discharge time and room number. Patrick, uncharacteristically, replied instantly. “I’ll be there on time tomorrow to pick you up, darling.” “Darling, I’ll bring you pig’s trotters soup that I made myself, okay?” If it were before, I would have been touched by his quick reply, eager to playfully demand things from him. But this time, I wasn’t interested in replying. I just turned off my phone and went to sleep. 2. My discharge was scheduled for ten o’clock. I sat on the hospital bed, waiting until past noon, but Patrick was nowhere to be seen. The nurse doing rounds looked surprised to find me still in the room. “Ms. Davies, aren’t you being discharged today?” I forced a smile. “Waiting for a friend to pick me up.” Unable to bear the gossiping looks of the other patients, I called Patrick. No one answered. I waited until past three in the afternoon, but Patrick still didn’t show up. He hadn’t sent any messages, and his phone was still unreachable. A nurse walked over, looking somewhat embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Ms. Davies, a new patient is moving in.” I gave a wry smile. “No worries, I’ll leave now.” Just as I limped to the hospital entrance on crutches, Patrick rushed in. “I’m so sorry, darling, I just dropped Eleanor off at the company this morning, and rushed over from the next city…” I cut him off with a light laugh. “It’s fine.” Patrick paused, then frowned, looking slightly annoyed. “You’re angry. Are you mad that I’m late? Or mad at Eleanor…” “I’m not angry.” I handed him the luggage bag I was carrying. “Please take me home. I’m a bit tired.” “Claire.” He didn’t take the bag. Instead, he stared at me unhappily. “Where did you learn to be so sarcastic?” “You never used to be like this.” The luggage bag was heavy, and my arm trembled with exhaustion, so I placed it on the ground. “How am I?” I stared at him with a smile in my eyes, stating frankly, “Am I wrong to understand you?” “I…” Patrick looked a bit embarrassed. He bent down to pick up the luggage bag. “Never mind. Let’s just go home.” I slowly got into the back seat on my crutches. Patrick turned to glare at me, looking displeased, but I quickly said, “The back is more spacious.” He pursed his lips and said nothing more. Perhaps tired from waiting for him so long, I vaguely leaned against the window and drifted off to sleep. Until Patrick’s phone rang. 3. “Patrick Reed! Where have you been again!” Patrick was driving, and he’d put the call on speaker. Eleanor’s petulant voice came through. He guiltily fumbled with the volume, quickly lowering it. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye, and seeing that I was still closing mine, he let out a sigh of relief. “I came to pick Claire up from the hospital.” “Guess where I am!” Eleanor laughed, the whooshing sound of wind through the phone growing harsher. Patrick’s face instantly changed. He slammed on the brakes, making me nearly fall off the seat. He didn’t spare me a glance, loudly demanding, “Eleanor! Are you racing again?!” “Have you forgotten you just sprained your ankle? Are you trying to get yourself killed?!” “Where are you now?!” “You know where I am.” Eleanor airily dropped the phrase, then hung up with a laugh. Patrick was about to turn the car around, but then his eyes met mine in the rearview mirror. He suddenly remembered I was still sitting in the back. “Darling…” Patrick looked troubled. I knew what he wanted to say. It was, of course, that Eleanor’s racing was more dangerous. Compared to me, who had already been discharged, she needed Patrick more. Before he could even string together his words, I, understanding his unspoken request, tapped the car door. “Just let me out here.” “I’ll just take a taxi home.” Patrick stared at me, trying to find a trace of jealousy in my eyes, but his fingers honestly clicked open the door lock. I smiled. The soft ding-dong of the lock opening sounded like a farewell bell tolling in my heart. I dragged my casted right leg out of the car. I watched the car, not hesitating for a second, turn around and speed off in the direction of the next city. He didn’t even notice that where he dropped me off was a small road where taxis rarely passed. I stood by the roadside, leaning on my crutches, waiting for a car. Mary’s older sister, my university senior and the orchestra conductor, called. “The orchestra is looking for a violinist to study in Sydney. I recommended you.” Over the past two years, whenever the orchestra chose someone to study abroad, she always thought of me first. But I couldn’t let go of Patrick, always making excuses about being used to the easy life at home. Before I could speak, she cut in, “Don’t tell me you can’t bear to leave your boyfriend! This chance to go to Sydney is one of a kind!” “It’s not like you’re going to outer space and will never see him again. If a year of long-distance can’t be sustained, then you don’t need a man like that!—I’ll introduce you to someone reliable!” I chuckled softly. Patrick and I were high school classmates; we started dating in our freshman year. Three years of high school, four years of university, and three years after graduation. Ten years. I had almost never been away from him. On the day we graduated from university, Patrick accompanied me to sweep my parents’ grave and light incense. I murmured a prayer, “I want to be with Patrick forever. I want a home.” At that time, Patrick tightly clasped my hand, promising earnestly: “Darling, I am your family.” Until Patrick’s mother remarried, and his stepsister Eleanor appeared in our lives. I loved him for ten years. Yet at my most vulnerable, he abandoned me at the hospital, abandoned me on an deserted street. My efforts and expectations truly weren’t worth it. I picked up where she left off. “When do I leave?” Mary’s older sister was overjoyed. “My dear, you’ve finally come to your senses! Grab this opportunity, and your worth will skyrocket!” “Send me a video of you playing right now; I’ll send it to the Sydney Orchestra!” I looked up at the darkening sky. There was still no sign of a taxi on the road. I laughed dryly. “Mary’s older sister, could you please come pick me up first? My leg isn’t very mobile.” 4. Mary’s older sister drove me home, cursing Patrick the entire way. As she left, she solemnly asked me, “Claire, don’t love him anymore. He’s not worth it.” I smiled and nodded. “I know.” From the moment his heart so openly leaned towards Eleanor, I knew he wasn’t worth it. But thinking of leaving him, I still found it hard to suppress the sourness rising in my throat. This trip to Sydney was probably fate’s way of giving me an opportunity. An opportunity to finally leave Patrick for good. I practiced the violin for a while, then sat on the floor, packing my luggage. Before long, I started to doze off, unconsciously falling asleep among the piles of clothes. In my dream, someone seemed to sigh, picking me up and placing me on the bed. I squinted, seeing Patrick. His once neatly ironed shirt was now wrinkled, and he reeked of strong cigarette smoke. I couldn’t help but cough, raising a hand to push him away. “You smell awful,” I mumbled. I was very sensitive to smoke. When Patrick first started working, he was under a lot of stress, but even if he smoked at the office, he would immediately shower after coming home before getting close to me. He had actually quit smoking last year because Eleanor said she didn’t like it. I didn’t know why he had started again today. Patrick seemed displeased by my rejection. He forcefully leaned over, pinning me to the bed. “Darling, don’t be angry,” he nuzzled his lips against my neck, the foul smoke continually invading my nostrils. “I was worried something would happen to Eleanor, and my mom would blame me again.” I frowned, struggling to push him away. My accidentally injured right leg hit the foot of the bed, and the pain made me gasp. “Stop it, Patrick.” I didn’t want to hear him talk about Eleanor. Every time I heard her name, I felt a sharp, stabbing pain in my chest. “I’m sorry, darling, does your leg still hurt?” Patrick was momentarily flustered. He stood up like a child who had made a mistake, helplessly watching me gently rub my right leg. I shook my head. “I’m not angry, I just don’t like the smell of smoke.” “Then I’ll go take a shower. I’m sorry, darling.” Patrick observed my expression. Seeing that I didn’t seem truly angry, he let out a sigh of relief and walked towards the bathroom. Passing the clothes piled on the floor, he asked curiously, “Why are you suddenly packing clothes?” “Going for a performance out of town?” I said, “No, I’m moving out.” Patrick stopped short. “What do you mean?” “We need to cool down and think things through.” Patrick irritably turned to glare at me. “Stop being dramatic, Claire. I haven’t slept all night, and I’m exhausted!” “Didn’t you say you weren’t angry?” I tried my best to speak calmly. “Did I make you go all night without sleep?” “I’m not being dramatic, and I’m not angry. Patrick, I’m serious.” Patrick was speechless. He stared at me blankly, as if I was a stranger to him. After a long pause, he laughed, exasperated. “Fine, fine, fine.” Then he slammed the door and left. 5. I knew what he was angry about. He probably never imagined that one day, I would be the one to proactively suggest a break, or leaving. He knew full well how much emotion I had invested in him. This was his capital for carelessly hurting me in this relationship. But I no longer cared what he thought. This day was bound to come eventually, I silently hypnotized myself, rubbing my aching eyes. Outside the window, a faint sunlight began to rise. I was still a little sleepy, so I simply curled up in my blanket and drifted back to sleep. I woke up again in the afternoon. I pushed open the bedroom door on my crutches and found Patrick and Eleanor sitting in the living room. “Sister Claire, you’re awake.” Eleanor stood up, her eyes red, instantly welling with tears. “I’m so sorry, Sister Claire, I specifically came to apologize to you.” “It’s all my fault for being so impulsive and insisting on racing, making Patrick worry and having to leave you by the roadside…” “Patrick and I are really just family…” I paid no attention, just limped past her to the refrigerator for water. “Claire! Eleanor specifically came to apologize to you…” Patrick said, his face cold. “If she apologizes, do I have to accept it?” I turned my head to look at Patrick, my gaze cool and detached. Even though I had done a lot of mental preparation, Patrick’s blatant favoritism still made me sad. “Did I ask her to apologize?” “Or did I say she did anything wrong to me?” I tried my best to remain calm, not letting my bitterness show. Eleanor was already in tears, sobbing. “I’m sorry, Sister Claire, I’m sorry… it’s all my fault…” “I swear, I’ll never contact Patrick again on my own…” How ridiculous. Her voice sounded so wronged, yet the triumph in her eyes was unmistakable. I cut her off. “Eleanor, I have never said a bad word about you, nor blamed you.” “You don’t need to use these little tricks on me.” Eleanor’s face went white, and she stammered, unable to speak. Patrick stepped forward, blocking Eleanor, “Claire, you’re going too far!” His tone was clearly tinged with panic. This was the first time I had been so unceremonious in confronting Eleanor in front of him. My change had clearly gone beyond his control. “Too far? Is it more ‘too far’ than you abandoning your girlfriend, who just got into a car accident, at the hospital?” Honestly, I was a bit tired. “Patrick, I think you’ve made your choice.” “Let’s break up.”

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At our engagement party, Declan Kane learned that his childhood sweetheart was being forced to marry his blind, bitter rival. He didn’t hesitate. He ditched me, rushed off to get a marriage license with her, and by that afternoon, they were on a flight to Iceland for their honeymoon. Their epic, “childhood sweethearts” love story went viral. And I became the villain. The shameful other woman who’d tried to stand in their way, so viciously attacked online that I couldn’t even leave my own home. But then, his blind rival showed up at my door. “I’m a man who believes in an eye for an eye,” he said, his voice a low rumble. “Declan Kane stole my fiancée. So, I’m going to poach what’s his.” He tilted his head in my direction. “It’s only fair trade, Ms. Sutton. Are you interested in getting a license of your own?” I glanced at my phone, at the trending photo of Declan and his new bride sharing a romantic kiss under the Northern Lights. Without a second thought, I grabbed my documents and handed them to the man before me. 1 Even with the marriage certificate in my hand, I couldn’t quite believe I had just gotten married on a whim. And my new husband wasn’t Declan, my boyfriend of eight years. It was Kian Croft, a man I’d only met a handful of times, always as an adversary. “Once it’s signed, there’s no turning back,” he said. “So, when are you moving in?” The meaning behind his words finally hit me, and a hot blush crept up my neck. Thank God he couldn’t see it. “Maybe in a couple of weeks. I have some things to pack up.” Kian nodded. “Alright. Two weeks is enough time to plan our wedding.” He pressed a black card into my hand. “Buy whatever you like.” The tips of his ears, bright red, betrayed his quiet excitement. A small smile touched my lips. This was a good start. After a ten-day honeymoon, Declan finally remembered to call me. “My flight lands at 3 PM. Come get me.” His tone was casual, as if nothing had happened. For the past ten days, the internet had been buzzing with real-time updates of his romantic getaway with Jessica Grant. Every sweet moment was documented and shared. I’d seen them cuddling in the Blue Lagoon, kissing passionately under the aurora, and making promises of eternal love on a black sand beach. It was a list of all the honeymoon spots I’d ever dreamed of visiting. He’d just experienced them with someone else. “I’m busy,” I said coolly. “Get a cab.” It used to be that a single word from him was enough to make me drop everything and run to his side. “Tch. Buzzkill.” Declan went silent for a moment, then hung up with a dismissive grunt. I figured that was it—the unspoken breakup signal between two adults. But when I got home that evening, I found him sitting on my sofa, wearing a bathrobe. He glanced up as I walked in, his expression nonchalant. “You’ve kept the place clean while I was away.” I had spent the past few days throwing out everything that reminded me of him. The couple’s portrait we once had hanging in the living room was gone, but he hadn’t even noticed. He pointed to a paper bag on the table. “A gift for you. Take a look.” I glanced inside. It was a collection of broken seashells, some still caked with mud. Just an hour ago, Jessica had been bragging on social media about the “Star of the Ocean” diamond Declan had given her. Thanks to the exhaustive efforts of internet sleuths, I now knew that all the “thoughtful” gifts I’d received over the years were just someone else’s trash. For Valentine’s Day, he gave Jessica a limited-edition handbag and me a heart folded from the wrapping paper. For my birthday, he set off a city-wide firework display for her, then took me to a cheap street vendor for skewers. On holidays, he’d claim he was too busy with work to meet my parents, when in reality he was with Jessica and her family. “You’re a married man, Mr. Kane. It’s not appropriate for you to be here in the middle of the night.” A flash of guilt crossed his face. “Ava, I was just trying to help Jessica.” “Kian Croft is a cold, ruthless man, and he’s blind. I couldn’t just stand by and watch her walk into a disaster, could I?” “Marrying her was just a temporary solution. I’ll divorce her after a while.” He had his excuses all lined up. “I have no interest in being your mistress, Declan. Please leave.” The moment he abandoned me at our engagement party, we were over. His face darkened. “Ava, can you stop being so selfish for once?” “Jessica was worried you’d be upset, so she insisted I come back to be with you, and this is how you act?” “If you know what’s good for you, I can come see you on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Jessica is my wife, after all. She deserves more of my time.” A bitter taste filled my mouth. After eight years together, I was being demoted to a dirty little secret. “Declan, we’re breaking up.” 2 Declan’s face turned to stone, his anger barely contained. “Don’t push your luck, Ava.” “It’s just a piece of paper. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?” “You let me sleep with you for eight years without that piece of paper. Why are you acting so high and mighty now?” “If you hadn’t been on your knees in my bed, begging me that you couldn’t live without me, do you really think I would have kept you around?” “You’re not a kid anymore. Don’t you feel pathetic playing these hard-to-get games?” I trembled with rage. He was the one who relentlessly pursued me. He was the one who, drunk and crying, had begged me to ease his pain. Now, after he’d married another woman and made me a public laughingstock, he had the audacity to call me selfish? “It’s over, Declan. From now on, we go our separate ways.” His anger exploded. He grabbed the bag of broken shells and smashed it on the floor, sending fragments skittering across the tiles. “You think you can just marry someone else, Ava?” he snarled. “Everyone in our circle knows you’ve been my woman for eight years. Who’s going to want you now?” Just then, the bathroom door opened. Jessica emerged, wrapped in a towel, her feet bare. The air left my lungs. He had left our engagement party after a single phone call, and I’d spent the last ten days watching their love story unfold online. Now, standing here, I couldn’t tell if what I felt was pain, resentment, or pure, unadulterated fury. This apartment was supposed to be our home, a place we’d bought together, half and half, when we were deeply in love. He’d called it our love nest, a place to fill with happy memories. “Ava,” Jessica said, her voice soft and placating. “Please don’t blame Declan. He was just trying to help me.” “If you have to blame someone, blame me. I’m the one who doesn’t belong…” She reached for my hand. I flinched back instinctively. I didn’t even touch her, but she let out a cry and crumpled to the floor. Before I could process what had happened, a sharp sting exploded across my cheek. Declan had slapped me so hard I stumbled and fell. A searing pain shot through my hand. A shard from the broken shells had pierced my palm, and blood dripped steadily onto the floor. “Jessica, are you okay?” he asked, his voice full of concern. He shot me a look of pure disgust. “If anything happens to her, I’ll make you regret it.” He scooped Jessica into his arms and rushed out of the apartment, presumably heading for the hospital. I struggled to my feet and looked around the home I had lived in for eight years. It felt utterly alien. My bed was a mess of wrinkled sheets. A torn black stocking was draped over the side, and used tissues littered the floor. The air was thick with a cloying, nauseating scent. I fled, tears streaming down my face. It was all tainted. The whole apartment felt dirty. My palm was bleeding too much to ignore, so I hailed a cab to the hospital. I deliberately chose one far from my apartment, but as fate would have it, I ran into them anyway. Jessica was holding up a hand that didn’t even have a scratch on it, whining about the pain. Declan had her sitting on his lap, patiently asking the doctor for care instructions. He used to be that attentive with me. I remembered a time I’d had a fever in the middle of the night. He’d panicked and run out without even putting on shoes. It was only after the doctor confirmed I was fine that he realized his own foot was bleeding from a piece of broken glass. “Ava, you’re the most precious thing in the world to me,” he had said. “I can’t bear to see you hurt.” As I walked in, they were just leaving. “Ava,” Jessica said, her voice dripping with false concern. “Declan was just here with me. Were you so worried that you had to follow us?” Declan gave me a disdainful look. “Weren’t you the one who was so high and mighty about us going our separate ways? What are you doing here?” “Ava, you can’t have it both ways. It’s pathetic. If you dare lay a finger on Jessica again, I won’t be so lenient.” I held up my blood-soaked hand. “I’m here to see a doctor. Excuse me.” Declan froze, a flicker of guilt in his eyes. “Ava, is it serious?” He started to follow me, but Jessica let out a sharp cry. “Declan, my hand hurts so much…” He didn’t hesitate. He turned, scooped her up, and walked away. The next morning, I woke up to a text from Kian, reminding me to go for a fitting for our custom-made wedding rings. When I came out of the bathroom, Declan was there, unusually, with breakfast. “You must be starving. Come and eat.” It was a box of crab cakes and a bowl of butternut squash soup. I was allergic to shellfish, and I hated squash. “It’s my day off,” he said. “The season’s changing. Let’s go shopping for some new clothes.” It was his classic move: a slap followed by a small piece of candy. When we got to the car, he climbed into the back seat. “You can drive today. I didn’t get much sleep last night.” 3 I glanced at my bandaged hand and laughed bitterly at my own foolishness. In the rearview mirror, I could see him staring at his phone, a faint smile on his lips. It wasn’t until I pulled up in front of a high-end jewelry store that he finally looked up. His expression immediately soured. He got out and blocked my way, his face a mask of annoyance. “Ava, I told you, we’ll talk about this later. Why are you pushing me like this?” “Jessica and I only have the license; we’re not having a wedding. No one even knows. Once things calm down, we’ll get a quiet divorce.” He was cut off by a cheerful voice. “Declan, honey, look! Isn’t this diamond ring beautiful?” Jessica stood there, wearing a one-carat diamond ring, holding her hand up for him to admire. Declan’s scowl vanished, replaced by a warm smile. “Anything you like is beautiful, Jessica.” “Our wedding is in five days. Can I buy this for my wedding ring?” My feet stopped moving. I saw Declan look away, a flicker of discomfort on his face. He was a liar, through and through. But it didn’t matter. My own wedding was also in five days. It seemed we really were going our separate ways. A salesperson brought over the rings Kian had ordered. They were presented on a velvet tray—a breathtaking, one-of-a-kind pink diamond that glittered under the lights. Jessica’s eyes locked onto the ring on my finger, her expression turning greedy. “Ava, I love that ring. Can I try it on?” The salesperson interjected apologetically. “I’m sorry, miss, but that ring has already been reserved. Perhaps you’d like to see something else.” Jessica’s eyes instantly filled with tears. “Ava, did you know our wedding was in five days? Are you doing this on purpose, conspiring with the staff to make things difficult for me?” “I love this ring so much. I just want to feel like a bride. Can’t you just let me have this one thing?” “No. My wedding is also in five days.” Declan’s face was a thundercloud. “Ava, what the hell is wrong with you? When did I ever say I was going to marry you?” I frowned. “Don’t be so dramatic, Declan. The man I’m marrying isn’t you.” He let out a cold, harsh laugh. “After I’ve had you for eight years? Who else would want you?” “Know your place, Ava. Don’t delude yourself into thinking you’re something special.” He lunged forward and roughly yanked the ring from my hand, scraping the skin from my knuckle. He then tried to slide it onto Jessica’s finger, but it was too small. “We’ll take this one,” he said to the salesperson. “Can you resize it? How much is it?” The salesperson quietly quoted the price. Both Declan and Jessica blanched. “Ava,” Jessica sniffled, “even if you don’t want Declan and me to get married, you don’t have to be so cruel as to trick us into buying something so expensive.” Declan shook his head at me, his eyes full of disappointment. “Ava, I never knew you could be so vicious.” So, they try to steal my ring, can’t afford it, and now it’s my fault? They stormed out. A moment later, my phone rang. It was Kian. “Do you like the ring? Don’t forget, you have a fitting for your wedding dress in a bit.” “Yes,” I said, my voice soft. “I love it.” I drove to the bridal boutique Kian had recommended. As I walked in, I saw Jessica stroking an off-the-shoulder gown. “Excuse me, miss,” a consultant said politely, “but this gown has been reserved.” “I want this one,” Jessica insisted. “Call the person who reserved it. I’m willing to pay ten percent more.” When the consultant saw me, her face lit up. “Ah, the lady herself has arrived. Perhaps you’d like to discuss it with her directly?” Jessica’s eyes flashed with anger and resentment when she saw me. “Ava, why do you keep following me, trying to ruin everything? First the ring, now my dress…” Declan, standing beside her, scowled. “Ava, you say you’re done with me, but then you show up with a ring and a dress, trying to force my hand. You’re unbelievable. So two-faced.” “Even if you crash my wedding, I won’t give you a second look. Give the dress and the ring to Jessica!” I let out a small laugh. “Who said I was marrying you? You’re not the only man in the world.” “What, you can’t afford a ring and a dress, so you want me to just hand them over?” Declan’s face turned a mottled shade of red and white. Jessica covered her face and ran out. “Declan, if you’ve already bought her a ring and a dress, then I’m the one who’s not wanted. I’ll just go…” “Ava!” Declan roared, his face contorted with rage. He grabbed a pair of scissors from a nearby table and charged at the dress. “You want to force me into marriage? You want to make Jessica cry?” “You want a wedding? Let’s see what you wear now!” This dress was a custom creation. Kian had commissioned a top designer from Milan to work overtime to finish it. I tried to stop him, but he shoved me to the ground. The sharp point of the scissors grazed my other hand, drawing blood. He was like a man possessed, shredding the beautiful gown into a pile of ruined silk. Still not satisfied, he stomped on the remains. “You want to marry me, Ava? In your dreams!” “If you dare show up and ruin my wedding in five days, you’ll end up just like this dress!” With that, he stormed out, chasing after Jessica without a second glance at me. The consultant stood by, her face pale, frantically making a phone call. In my daze, my phone rang again. It was Kian. “Are you hurt? Don’t worry about the dress. I’ll have my legal team handle it.” “I’m so sorry…” 4 I was overwhelmed with shame and misery. “Ava, it’s just a dress. It’s okay.” “I’m out of the country right now, but I’ve sent you a little something. I hope it cheers you up.” I had just gotten home when a butler in a sharp suit knocked on my door. He solemnly presented me with a box. Inside was a complete set of emerald jewelry. “This is a Croft family heirloom,” the butler explained. “It’s passed down to the matriarch of each generation. Please accept it, Ms. Sutton.” I took the box with trembling hands, a warmth spreading through my chest. Kian was truly treating me with the respect due to a wife. For the first time, I felt a flicker of hope for our future together. A colleague called about a work handover, needing to discuss some details in person. When I returned home, the emerald heirloom was gone. I searched the entire apartment, but there was no sign of it. The doors and windows were locked, with no signs of a break-in. Just as I was about to call the police, I saw a new post from Jessica. “I couldn’t find the perfect wedding ring, but then he surprised me with this traditional set of jewelry. I guess this is what it feels like to marry for love.” The photo showed Jessica wearing a pair of emerald earrings, a matching necklace, and a jade bracelet. It was the Croft family heirloom Kian had given me. I checked my security camera footage. After I had left, Declan and Jessica had come over. “Declan, honey, is this a surprise for me? It’s beautiful!” Jessica had exclaimed, her eyes immediately drawn to the emerald set I’d left on my bedside table. Declan had hesitated for a moment before stammering, “Uh… yeah. I’m glad you like it.” My mind was in turmoil. Without a second thought, I rushed to the Kane family home. When I arrived, Jessica was showing off the jewelry to Declan’s relatives. “This is a family heirloom Declan gave me. He said it proves he sees me as the future Mrs. Kane.” “Look at the quality of that jade! It must be worth a fortune. Declan treats you so well!” My blood boiled. I stormed over to them. “Thief! Who gave you permission to steal my emeralds? Give them back!” Jessica just laughed mockingly. “Ava, have you no shame? This is a Kane family heirloom. When did it become yours?” “First you try to steal my ring and my dress, and now you’re after the Kane family heirloom? You’re pathetic.” I turned to Declan, who was standing beside her, looking guilty. “Are you sure this is a Kane family heirloom? Should I call the police and have them verify it?” Humiliated, Declan’s face flushed with anger. “That’s enough! So what if it’s not a Kane heirloom? You ruined Jessica’s ring and dress. You should be offering her a gift as an apology!” “When she’s tired of wearing it, maybe I’ll let you borrow it for a few days!” I was shaking with rage. I had never encountered such shameless, despicable people. I wasn’t going to waste another breath on them. I pulled out my phone to call the police. Jessica’s eyes darted back and forth. Suddenly, she tore the jewelry off. “Ava, please, stop making things so difficult for us. If you want it, just take it…” “Just let us go. Declan doesn’t love you. Stop harassing him.” She looked like a martyr, as if I were the shameless one, desperately clinging to her man. She held the jewelry out to me, and then, her fingers loosened. The entire emerald set crashed to the floor, shattering into a dozen pieces. My head spun. It felt like the blood in my veins had frozen solid. Jessica smiled. “Oh, dear, Ava. You didn’t catch it. What a shame. Such beautiful emeralds…” Declan looked down at me with contempt. “Stop embarrassing yourself, Ava. Take your broken junk and get out of my house!” I stared at the shattered pieces on the floor, my heart aching. “Declan Kane,” I said, my voice shaking, “I will never forgive you for this.” He sneered. “So what? In a couple of days, you’ll be on your knees, begging me to take you back.” “I’m warning you, don’t you dare cause trouble at my wedding.” “If you behave, maybe I’ll be in a good mood and come visit you every now and then.” “Don’t bother. It’s best if you never see me again.” Without another word, I turned and left. The first thing I did was list the apartment for sale. I was consumed with guilt over the broken heirloom. Kian was endlessly patient on the phone. “It’s just a material thing, Ava. I gave it to you, so it was yours to do with as you please.” “Are you ready? I don’t want my bride to have red, puffy eyes at our wedding.” The wedding day arrived in a blur. I was surprisingly nervous. I had just finished my makeup and went to the restroom. And there, of all people, was Declan, dressed in a tuxedo. “You’ve got some nerve, Ava,” he snarled. “I told you not to come here and cause a scene. Are you deaf?” “It seems I have to teach you a lesson before you’ll take me seriously. Men, take her away and lock her up!” I struggled against the guards who grabbed my arms. “Declan, let me go! I’m not here to ruin your wedding!” He laughed coldly. “Don’t lie to me, Ava. If you’re not here to crash the wedding, why are you dressed like that?” “Let go of me! I told you, my wedding has nothing to do with you. The man I’m marrying isn’t you!” He gripped my chin, his eyes full of scorn. “Besides me, who would ever want you?” “There’s a limit to how much drama one person can cause, Ava. You’re starting to get annoying.” Just as he ordered them to drag me away, a deep voice cut through the air from behind us. “Mr. Kane. Where, exactly, do you think you’re taking my bride?”

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My boyfriend, who had always hated cats, brought one home. I thought he did it to make me happy and was touched for a long time. Until six months later. Julian’s college upperclassman returned from abroad. The first thing she did was open her arms to Julian. “Julian, I’m back.” The second thing she did was call out to the cat in my arms: “Sweetie, come here, Mommy’s back…” 1 Upon hearing her voice, Sweetie immediately jumped out of my arms. And in the blink of an eye, she was in Mia’s embrace. I stood there, stunned. Watching as the cat, who usually wouldn’t even let me touch her, gently licked Mia’s hand. Julian stood beside her, suppressing a smile. Mia stroked Sweetie’s head, her eyes full of adoration, “My sweet little thing~ Mommy missed you so much. Tell Mommy, did ‘Daddy’ treat you well these past six months?” Hearing the word “Daddy,” Julian didn’t react. He just said casually, “You’re wronging me, Mia. I treat Sweetie better than I would my own son.” Mia held the cat up to his face, blinking, “You’re not lying? Haven’t you always hated cats? I was so worried you’d be annoyed.” Julian subconsciously stepped back, “Well, that depends on whose cat it is, doesn’t it?” Confirmed that he wasn’t lying, Mia smiled in satisfaction. Listening to their conversation, my heart sank violently. Julian was famously a cat hater. I knew this very early on. So, I forcefully swallowed my dream of a life with two people and a cat. Until six months ago. He proactively brought home a dirty little cat. I was surprised and a little delighted. “Julian, don’t you hate cats? Why did you suddenly bring one home?” I asked very carefully, afraid he’d get annoyed and throw the hard-won cat out. Unexpectedly, Julian wasn’t annoyed at all. He even surprisingly prepared cat food and toys for the little thing. “Because you like them,” he said, sounding very impatient. I thought his impatience was just his natural reaction to seeing the cat. I didn’t care why he was acting that way. Thinking back on it now, that day was probably the day Mia went abroad. … Actually, Sweetie was not an easy cat to take care of. She was delicate and had a bad temper. Every time I tried to hold her, she would irritably swat me away with her tail or scratch my arm. Whenever that happened, Julian would mock me: “Chloe, you really have terrible luck with cats…” “If it really doesn’t work out, I’ll just leave her at a pet shop.” I panicked, afraid Sweetie would be sent away. I often whined and promised that I would raise Sweetie to be plump and healthy. Only then would he generously say: “Fine… since you’re begging me so much, I’ll reluctantly let you keep her for a few days.” I happily jumped on Julian and kissed his face: “You’re the best, honey.” In my heart, I was determined to make Sweetie completely dependent on me. To make Julian look at me with new respect. It wasn’t until today that I realized how stupid I was. It turned out that Sweetie was a cat who always had only one owner. 2 But I couldn’t figure it out. Why didn’t Julian just tell me clearly? Why did he lie to me? I stepped forward and grabbed his cuff: “Julian, didn’t you say Sweetie was a gift for me?” Both of them were startled by my sudden action. Julian reacted, frowning: “Chloe, let go first.” I shook my head. Was it really just because I liked cats? And Sweetie just happened to need someone to take care of her? Just as Julian was about to speak… Mia interrupted him, pointing at me and asking: “Julian, is she the person you hired to take care of Sweetie?” I froze. I looked at Julian in disbelief. “What is she talking about?” Julian put his arm around my shoulder, completely ignoring my shock. “Chloe, you were basically the one I asked to take care of Sweetie.” I broke free from his grasp: “But didn’t you say you brought Sweetie back because I liked her?” Julian nodded: “Yes, if it weren’t for you liking her, I would have left her at the pet shop.” “But I don’t recall saying I was giving you the cat…” “Baby, taking care of a cat is one thing, but we can’t just steal someone else’s pet…” My heart felt like it was pierced by a sharp sword. I stood there pale and rigid. My hands clenched involuntarily at my sides. Julian didn’t notice anything wrong with me. He pulled me forward and introduced me, “Mia, you actually believed I was joking? This is my girlfriend, Chloe.” “Thanks to her, Sweetie was well taken care of these past six months.” Mia was stunned for a moment. Then she smiled, “Julian, you hid her well. Your girlfriend is so pretty.” “Thank you, Chloe, for taking such good care of Sweetie for me.” After saying that, she nudged Julian’s arm, “Since your girlfriend is so accommodating, want to go to the party Mark is throwing later?” Julian readily agreed: “Sure, we definitely have to celebrate you coming back to the country.” Mia looked delighted and linked her arm through his, “Then I’m afraid I’ll have to ask your girlfriend to take care of my cat a little longer.” I wanted to refuse. But my shoulder was squeezed hard. Julian: “No problem, my Chloe loves taking care of Sweetie the most.” 3 It was 1 AM, and Julian still hadn’t returned. After he and Mia left, the empty apartment was left with just me and Sweetie. After taking care of her for six months, I couldn’t be totally heartless. I poured out some cat food and called her over to eat. Sweetie seemed not to hear, continuing to lie by the door, waiting. I figured she was probably waiting for Mia. I went over to hold her. But she extended her claws and scratched me. As if to say: Get lost, don’t bother me. My heart was pierced again. Thinking about how, despite my best efforts over the past six months, she remained unmoved. Even when I approached. She would assume a defensive posture. A surge of anger rose in my chest. I kicked the cat bowl over. Instantly, cat food scattered all over the floor. Sweetie let out a frightened “meow,” arched her back, and lunged at me. Just then, the door was violently pushed open. Mia rushed in, screaming: “Sweetie—” Julian followed closely behind. Mia quickly picked up Sweetie, looking at me with a defensive glare. “Chloe, what are you doing?” “What did Sweetie ever do to you? Do you really have to starve her?” “I… I didn’t…” I tried to explain. But Mia wasn’t listening. She raised her hand and shoved me. I wasn’t expecting it, lost my balance, and fell to the floor. When you’re unlucky, even drinking cold water can make you choke. When I fell, my lower back hit the corner of the sofa perfectly. The pain made me curl up, tears rolling down my face. I looked up at Julian. Only to find that he wasn’t even glancing my way. He was busy comforting the woman in his arms. Mia cried pathetically, “This is abuse. I’m calling the police. I can’t even imagine what kind of life Sweetie has lived these past six months…” “Julian, is your girlfriend even human? My cat is so well-behaved, how could she do this, boo hoo hoo…” Julian patted her back soothingly. His eyes overflowed with heartache. “Mia, maybe today was just an accident.” “Chloe usually dotes on Sweetie.” Hearing Julian speak up for me, Mia immediately pulled away from his embrace. Her tear-filled eyes glared at Julian. Without any real threat. “You’re taking her side?” Julian paused, wanting to say he didn’t mean that at all. Because he knew how much I liked Sweetie. But seeing Mia looking like she wouldn’t let it go. Julian turned to me and coldly ordered: “Chloe, apologize to Mia and Sweetie. Say it was an accident.” 4 The moment I looked up, my tears fell uncontrollably. Julian, in his immaculate custom suit, looked aloof and aristocratic. He was looking down at me with disdain. His eyes were indifferent and icy. Lacking even a trace of heartache. In a flash, the last string in my heart completely snapped. When I looked up again, I met Julian’s gaze with calm composure. “Why should I?” Julian was stunned. “What did you say?” This time, I straightened my back and said firmly: “Why should I apologize? Do you even know what really happened?” Julian clearly didn’t expect me, who was usually obedient and compliant, to fight back. He froze for a second, then quickly recovered. As if realizing something. He stepped forward and gripped my wrist tightly. “Chloe, there has to be a limit to your jealousy. Isn’t it a fact that you kicked over the cat bowl?” “You’ve taken care of her for six months and Sweetie still doesn’t like you. Why don’t you look for the reason within yourself? Is it really that hard to apologize when you’ve done something wrong?” I didn’t expect Julian to be so capable of twisting the truth. He was the one who lied to me. I foolishly raised the cat for six months. And the cat still wasn’t affectionate with me. If I hadn’t been wearing thick clothes today, my arm would have had deep, bloody scratches. But he didn’t think about any of that. His heart had already tilted since Mia returned. A sudden, immense feeling of powerlessness surged over me. I couldn’t be bothered to explain anymore. I swatted Julian’s hand away and prepared to go upstairs. “Whatever you say.” Seeing me leaving, Mia panicked and lunged to grab my hair. “Bitch, you hurt my cat and you think you can just walk away?” “Hiss,” my hair felt like it was being pulled out by the roots, a piercing pain shooting through my scalp. I was forced to lean back. I instinctively reached out to protect my hair. But no matter how much I slapped at her hands, it was useless. I tried to reach out and pull her hair. But just as I was about to touch Mia, my hand was intercepted by a well-defined hand. My hand hung suspended in mid-air. Julian said coldly: “Chloe, have you thrown enough of a tantrum?!” It felt like a ball of cotton was lodged in my throat, unable to go up or down. My fingertips turned white from clenching them so tightly. I feigned composure. But I couldn’t control my own eyes. I quickly lowered my gaze, letting the tears blur my vision. Julian seemed unable to bear it. He looked at Mia, “Mia, Chloe is just immature. She raised Sweetie for six months, so she has feelings for her. I believe she didn’t intentionally keep Sweetie from eating.” “How about this? You’ve vented your anger. For my sake, let’s just drop this.” After Julian finished speaking, Mia reluctantly let go. A clump of long black hair fell to the floor. “If it weren’t for the fact that she’s your girlfriend, she’d be locked up by now. You know I have the power to do that.” Julian, like a sycophant, flattered her: “You’re absolutely right.” I didn’t even look at them. I just turned and went upstairs. The thought of breaking up surfaced for the first time right then.

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While my colleagues were grinning from ear to ear, holding their generous year-end bonuses, I happily stepped onto the stage. Mia, the CEO’s secretary, held a single scallion tied with a red ribbon and threw it at me with a mocking smirk. “Director Hastings, here is your year-end bonus: one scallion.” A wave of snickers rippled through the audience as malicious glances darted my way. I looked at Mia with a cold face. “What is the meaning of this?” She looked at me arrogantly. “Some people are just like a scallion, so they get a scallion. Is there a problem?” I ignored her. Suppressing my anger, I turned around, pushed open the door to my CEO husband’s office, threw the scallion onto his desk, and demanded an answer. “What do you mean by giving me a scallion for a year-end bonus? Are you intentionally humiliating me?” Ethan laughed dismissively and said, “It’s just a joke. Is it really worth interrogating me over? It’s just a little bonus, why are you being so petty?” “Besides, if you hadn’t embarrassed Mia in front of the client last time, I wouldn’t have played this joke on you to vent her frustration. In the end, it’s your own fault.” So, he humiliated me with a scallion just because last time, Mia acted out in front of our partners and almost ruined the deal, and I reprimanded her, making her lose face. My heart felt a dense, pricking pain, like rows of needles piercing it. Since you care so much about Mia’s pride, I’ll grant your wish. “Since my year-end bonus is only worth a scallion, I resign.” … It turns out that years of marriage couldn’t compare to an outsider who just showed up. I looked at him in disbelief. “So, to vent Mia’s frustration, you used a scallion to humiliate me.” “Ethan, do you have any idea how big of a mistake she made during that negotiation? She publicly embarrassed the client. If I hadn’t reprimanded Mia right in front of Mr. Lee, do you think we would have secured that deal?” “You were the one who told me I had to win that contract no matter what. Don’t you know how much effort I put into it? Mr. Lee is notoriously difficult to deal with. I had to swallow my pride and flatter him just to get him to consider working with us.” “And what did you do? Just to boost Mia’s status, you shoved her into my project without even telling me. I tolerated that. But when she almost ruined the deal, you actually blamed me? Ethan, do you even have a heart?” A flicker of guilt crossed Ethan’s face. Just then, Mia walked in. Hearing my words, she squeezed out a look of grievance. “Mr. Sterling, did I make things difficult for you again?” “If I had known, I would have just let Mr. Lee humiliate me. Even if it was uncomfortable, I should have endured it. Even if I had to kneel and grovel, I should have endured it.” “It’s just that I thought, since our company is now publicly listed and was recognized as a leading enterprise in Seattle this year, if we still have to sell our dignity to please clients, wouldn’t we look weak and invite contempt? That’s why I stood up for myself. I didn’t expect Director Hastings to make such a big deal out of it.” “I’m sorry. I just wanted to protect the dignity of the company and you, Mr. Sterling. I didn’t want people to think our partnerships were won by selling our dignity and groveling.” I sneered internally. Her so-called “difficulty” was just being asked to drink two glasses of wine at the dinner table. I had already drank almost a whole bottle and even took the drinks meant for her. And what did she do? She threw a glass of wine right in Mr. Lee’s face, publicly humiliating him. If I hadn’t humbled myself, apologized, and reprimanded Mia, promising to teach her a lesson to appease him, Mr. Lee would have walked out right then and there. There would have been no partnership. And Ethan knew all of this. He had even promised to give me an explanation. But with just a few twisted words from Mia, his heart instantly biased towards her. His so-called explanation turned out to be teaching me a lesson. Since that was the case, I decided it was time to lay all my cards on the table. Hearing Mia’s words, a look of heartache flashed in Ethan’s eyes, and his gaze towards me grew sharper. “Chloe, Mia did nothing wrong in this matter. She’s right. We are a publicly listed company now; the old ways don’t suit us anymore.” “We need to maintain a certain image. If others knew we had no dignity when doing business, wouldn’t we become the laughingstock of the industry?” Hearing Ethan’s defense, Mia shot me a triumphant look. “That’s right, Director Hastings. Even though you are the Sales Director, I have to say this: next time you negotiate a deal, please stop putting on this ‘bitter suffering’ act in front of Mr. Sterling. I know that now that Mr. Sterling’s net worth is over a hundred million, you feel insecure, but you shouldn’t use such low-class tactics to win his sympathy.” “You always make it seem like getting deals is so hard, deliberately lowering your status, letting the clients make things difficult for you, and then playing the victim.” “This really damages the company’s reputation. Although I understand that a middle-aged woman feeling inferior to her successful husband might feel insecure about living off him, you shouldn’t jeopardize the company’s future.” “Giving you a scallion for your year-end bonus was my suggestion to Mr. Sterling, precisely to make you realize your place and stop thinking you’re so smart.” So, giving me a scallion was Mia’s idea. And regarding those partnerships… Yes, our company was publicly listed, but the market was practically saturated. We hadn’t even established a firm foothold yet. What capital did we have to throw attitudes at our partners? One misstep could send us crashing down, never to recover. But looking at him now, it seemed Ethan had completely forgotten where he came from. With bloodshot eyes, I looked at Ethan in disbelief. “Is that what you think too?” Ethan nodded. “Of course. Mia is right. We are a publicly listed company now; negotiating deals doesn’t require much effort. It was all just a tactic you used to play the victim and make my heart ache.” “Considering our years together, let this scallion serve as a lesson. Next time, you are not allowed to do anything that damages the company’s dignity.” My expression remained flat, but because of our years of history, I still wanted to give Ethan one last chance. “So, you don’t intend to give me the year-end bonus I rightfully earned?” “I’ve told you many times, this bonus is very important to me. It concerns a very important matter. I must have it.” “And you clearly promised you would give it to me.” Ethan’s face stiffened. At this moment, Mia feigned surprise and chimed in, “But the year-end bonus that belonged to you this year has already been used by Mr. Sterling to buy me a car.” With that, Mia pulled a Bugatti car key from her pocket and dangled it triumphantly in front of me. Looking at the Bugatti key in her hand, my emotions erupted again. “This is the year-end bonus you gave her? She hasn’t contributed a single thing to the company this past year and even ruined several key projects. Not firing her was already a mercy, and she gets a Bugatti for a year-end bonus?!” “And you used my bonus to buy it for her.” “Ethan, is this the fairness you’ve always preached?” A flash of anger mixed with embarrassment crossed Ethan’s face, and he quickly defended himself loudly. “Mia is new. I gave her this reward just to motivate her to work hard.” “You’re my wife. You already have everything. Do you really need to care about that little bonus?” “What’s wrong with using your bonus to motivate an employee?” I sneered. “There are so many new employees in the company, but I don’t see you using Bugattis to motivate them. Ethan, do you even believe your own excuse?” Ethan’s face stiffened slightly, then he stubbornly replied, “Now that the company is public, do I still need to care about what others think?” “I also don’t allow my employees to sacrifice their dignity to please clients.” But I clearly remembered the client, Mr. Lee. Ethan had demanded that I secure the partnership no matter how difficult they made it. But when it came to Mia, she couldn’t suffer even the slightest grievance. Since the feelings were gone, arguing further would only humiliate myself. “Since that’s the case, I resign.” “Also, let’s get a divorce.” Ethan looked at me in disbelief, as if he had misheard. “Chloe, did I hear that right?” “You want to resign and divorce over this little thing? What exactly are you trying to do? Do you really care about that little bit of money that much?” I stared at him intently. “It is quite important. So since you won’t give it to me, let’s separate.” I was originally the heir to the wealthiest family in New York, but to be with Ethan, I made a pact with my family. As long as I helped Ethan succeed in his startup and he was willing to share his wealth with me, or if my personal account reached a balance of one hundred million dollars within six years, the family would recognize our marriage. They would accept his status as the Hastings family’s son-in-law. Otherwise, I would have to divorce him, return to the family to accept an arranged marriage, and inherit the family enterprise. But after Ethan’s company went public, he didn’t give me any shares. He said he had to treat all employees equally and couldn’t give me shares just because I was his wife, as it would make people think it was a “mom-and-pop” shop, which would look bad. He said he had to be fair and treat me like an ordinary employee. So I had to rely on my own abilities to reach a deposit of one hundred million dollars. For the past year, I had been desperately socializing, pulling in business from all over, and swallowing my pride, all to fulfill the pact with my family. With this year-end bonus of over thirty million dollars, I would have reached the one-hundred-million-dollar goal. I never expected that Ethan would casually take this money to buy Mia a Bugatti. And all I got was a scallion. Since he treated me like this, I had nothing left to hold onto. Ethan jumped up, looking at me fiercely. “Chloe, so it really is about this little bit of money. Why are you so obsessed with money?” “It seems Mia was right. You’re only with me for the money.” “These past few years, you’ve been stingy and calculating with your salary, and you even asked me for shares before. Fortunately, I was smart enough not to give them to you. It seems I was right.” My heart was pierced once again. So, he knew I wanted shares back then, and he didn’t give them to me not because of some so-called fairness, but because he was guarding against me from the very beginning. My mother had told me back then that Ethan’s intentions were not pure, that he didn’t treat relationships as innocently as I did. I didn’t believe her then. Now it seems, I was indeed a poor judge of character. Seeing me stay silent, Ethan felt even more certain that his assessment was correct. His gaze towards me grew increasingly mocking. “I hit the nail on the head, didn’t I? You have nothing to say for yourself, do you?” Seeing his angry and defensive state, I felt even more that my sacrifices over the years were worthless. “Ethan, from accompanying you when you started the business to desperately pulling in deals for the company now, you just think I’m doing it for money?” “This Mia has only been at the company for a year. You believe whatever she says, and whenever she makes a mistake, you think it’s never her fault.” “While I dedicate myself entirely to the company, you suspect me at every turn. Ethan, I hope you won’t regret this.” Ethan scoffed coldly. “But your constant calculating over money is also a fact. I didn’t falsely accuse you. Now that I won’t give it to you, you’re threatening to resign and divorce. What else is there to say?” “Since you want a divorce, then leave with nothing. I just hope you don’t regret it.” Looking at his heartless and emotionless attitude, my heart went completely cold. “Fine. I will leave with nothing.” With that, I turned and walked away, my back straight. At the office door, my colleagues cast various glances my way—some sympathetic, some gloating, and some indifferent. Mia’s delicate voice came from behind: “Mr. Sterling, with Director Hastings gone, what will happen to the Sales Department?” Ethan sneered. “Will the company stop running without her? It’s the perfect opportunity for someone capable to step up.” My steps didn’t falter, but a faint smirk appeared on my lips. Yes, let’s see if the company keeps running without me. I quickly packed the items on my desk and headed straight to the underground parking garage. Looking at my secondhand Honda, which probably couldn’t even buy a single part of Mia’s car, my heart ached even more. I had thought about changing cars before, but to save money, I kept repairing this one, never bearing to part with it. Looking back now, it was truly a joke. Just then, my phone rang. It was my father. “The six years are up. It’s time to fulfill our agreement.” I let out a breath and raised the corners of my mouth. “I’ve decided to return and inherit the family business.” My father didn’t expect this answer. His tone was somewhat cautious. “Chloe, you mean returning alone to inherit the family? Did something happen between you and Ethan?” “I’m getting a divorce. I misjudged him all these years.” There was a moment of silence on the other end. “I support your decision. But people of the Hastings family don’t suffer grievances in silence.” “I’m coming to bring you home right now.” Hearing this, my nose stung, and tears threatened to fall. “Thank you, Dad.” I hung up, drove home, packed a few personal items, and threw the rest into the trash. Then, I printed out a divorce agreement. Just as I was about to send it to Ethan, the villa door slammed open, and Ethan stormed in. He slapped me across the face. “Chloe, I never expected you to be so malicious as to scratch Mia’s new car out of jealousy.” “So what if I used your year-end bonus? How can you be so petty?” “Mia is still blaming herself, thinking you brought up divorce because of her. And you? You turn around and scratch her car. You’ve gone too far.” “I’ll give you one chance. Buy Mia a new car with your own money, and I’ll forgive you. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless.” I looked at him in disbelief, not expecting him to actually hit me for Mia’s sake. “I didn’t scratch her car, and I definitely won’t pay to buy her a new one.” Ethan sneered. “Who else could it be? Someone saw you go to the underground parking garage after leaving, and then Mia’s car was scratched. Who else would dare scratch such an expensive car?” “If you do something wrong, you must accept the punishment. You ruined her new car, so you should compensate her with a new one.” I refused again. “I went to the parking garage to get my car. I never even saw her new car, so how could I have scratched it?” “If you don’t believe me, go check the security cameras.” At that moment, Mia walked in looking deeply wronged. “Did Director Hastings say that because she knew the cameras in that section of the underground parking garage are broken for maintenance?” “I know you’re jealous that Mr. Sterling bought me a new car while you’re still driving a secondhand Honda, but if you wanted to drive my new car, you just had to ask. I would have let you drive it. Why did you have to scratch it?” “Do you know those few scratches will cost millions to repair? You knew I didn’t have the money, so you did it on purpose to humiliate me, didn’t you?” Ethan looked heartbroken, and his gaze towards me grew increasingly disgusted. “Chloe, you scratched the car, so whether it’s buying a new one or repairing it, you must pay for it.” Seeing his aggressive demeanor, I confirmed once again that our marriage was truly over. I didn’t answer him. Instead, I handed over my divorce agreement. “This is the divorce agreement. I’m leaving with nothing. Sign it. I’m too tired to waste words on you.” “As for the car, I didn’t scratch it, and I won’t accept the blame. If you insist on making me responsible, then call the police. Let them find the truth.” A flicker of excitement flashed across Mia’s face when she saw the divorce agreement, but upon hearing me mention the police, a hint of guilt mixed with her excitement. So, she had orchestrated the whole thing herself. “You really want a divorce? Chloe, you must realize that without me, you are nothing. Think carefully.” “I’ve thought it through clearly. Sign it.” Ethan snatched the divorce agreement, quickly signed it, and threw it at me. “I’ve signed it. From now on, even if you kneel on the ground and beg, I won’t give you another chance.” “Since you won’t admit to scratching the car, I’ll handle it by calling the police.” He took out his phone to call the police, but his assistant called him instead. “Mr. Sterling, something happened.” “The partners who were supposed to sign contracts today didn’t show up. They’re all demanding to cancel their contracts.” “Furthermore, not only did the bank loan not come through today, but they’re calling in our existing debts early. The company is in complete chaos.” Ethan’s pupils contracted in disbelief. “What nonsense are you spouting? How is that possible?” “Everything was fine when I left the company. In just a few short hours, who has the power to do this? This is clearly trying to drive me to my death.” Assistant Wang’s tone was frantic. “Then, Director Hastings, think carefully. Have you offended anyone recently?” “This attack doesn’t feel like normal business tactics; it feels more like a vendetta. They didn’t leave any room for negotiation.” “Mr. Sterling, you need to think of a solution quickly. The company’s phones are ringing off the hook. The suppliers are calling like they coordinated it, demanding payment. But the bank loan didn’t come through today, and our liquid assets have already been invested in other projects. We have no way out.” Ethan stumbled back a few steps and was caught by Mia. “Mr. Sterling, could this be Chloe’s doing?” “We haven’t offended anyone recently. Besides her holding a grudge, who else would do this?” “She must have colluded with someone in the company to set you up. Don’t worry, we are a publicly listed company. We won’t collapse just because of her petty tricks. She’s just trying to scare you.” Ethan glared at me furiously, his eyes blazing with anger. “Chloe, how could you gamble with the company’s future? Do you know this will cause massive problems for the company?” “If our competitors find out and deliberately spread rumors about us, these fake issues could be blown up into real ones. If the company loses its credibility, who will work with us?” “The company just went public. Doing this will affect our stock price, and if we’re not careful, we risk bankruptcy. How could you do this for your own selfish gain?” “You’ve truly disappointed me. But let me tell you, I’m calling the company right now to revoke your position and blackball you from the entire industry. Let’s see who dares to put on an act with you then.” After saying that, he immediately called Assistant Wang. He started off with an interrogation. “Assistant Wang, did Chloe bribe you to put on an act with me?” “What benefits did she give you to help her like this? You know if you cause losses to the company because of this, I can have you sent to jail.” “I’m telling you right now, I have signed the divorce agreement with Chloe. She leaves with nothing. I am now revoking all of Chloe’s positions in the company and blackballing her from the industry.” “Are you still going to betray me with her? If you don’t tell me the truth, and if anything goes wrong with this partnership, I will hold you fully responsible.” Facing Ethan’s accusations, Assistant Wang was utterly bewildered. “Mr. Sterling, what are you talking about?” “What does this have to do with Director Hastings? Have you misunderstood something?” “A very important person has just arrived at the company. I suggest you come back immediately, or things will really go south.” After hanging up the phone, Ethan glared at me, his eyes full of scrutiny. “Is this really not an act you and Assistant Wang put on to scare me?” I sneered and didn’t answer his question directly. “I never try to scare people.” “I suggest you head back to the company and see for yourself.” An ugly look flashed across his face, and he glared at me viciously. “If I find out the company’s issues have anything to do with you, I won’t let you off.” Watching his retreating back, I raised an eyebrow. “Ethan, enjoy your last days of glory.” If my guess was right, the one taking action should be my father. I just didn’t expect him to move so swiftly, practically paralyzing Ethan’s company in just a few hours. After packing my personal belongings and leaving the villa, a stretch Lincoln stopped in front of me. “Miss, the Master sent me to pick you up first. There will be a grand show in a few days.” I nodded and got in the car. Meanwhile, Ethan rushed back to the company. As soon as he entered, Assistant Wang briefed him on the situation. Then, he led him to the conference room. “This is Mr. Hastings from the Hastings family in New York. He is here today to discuss acquiring our company.” Hearing the word “acquisition,” Ethan’s eyes widened in shock, his face instantly turning pale. “The Hastings family… wants to acquire my company?” He looked at the powerful middle-aged man sitting there, instantly understanding the truth. What happened to the company today had nothing to do with me; it was orchestrated by the Mr. Hastings before him, precisely for this acquisition. But why would the prominent Hastings family of New York set their sights on his unremarkable company? Could it be that he had offended someone in the Hastings family? He quickly adjusted his emotions, his eyes revealing a hint of flattery when he looked at the man. “Mr. Hastings, I built this company through hard work. It’s my lifeblood. I wonder what it is about this company that caught your eye?” “Or perhaps I offended you in some way, causing you to target my small company? If you tell me, I will sincerely apologize.” “I just hope you can give me a chance, considering I’m just a junior who doesn’t know any better.”

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In my last life, they murdered me. Now, I’ve been reincarnated as the unborn daughter of a tragic heroine. In that past life, my mother was lured into a vicious trap by her best friend and her husband. It was a “two lives, one casket” ending. In this life? I was a D-list actress who specialized in playing tragic extras before I died, and I’ll be damned if I let my mother and myself go up in flames again. When that “best friend” sent the invitation to the gala again, my mother’s hand wouldn’t stop shaking as she gripped her phone. I rolled my eyes in the amniotic fluid. My thoughts crashed into her mind like a physical blow. [Mom, stop shaking! You’re causing a damn tsunami in here!] [Crying is the most useless thing on this planet. Suck those tears back in, now!] My mother’s eyes widened in sheer terror. “Who… who’s speaking?!” [Don’t go looking for a ghost. I’m the kid in your belly!] Without mercy, I forced the memory of her previous death into her brain—the image of her “best friend” pushing her off that penthouse balcony. The sensation of falling. The snap of bone. The phantom pain and raw terror sent her into a breakdown. She curled up on the floor, letting out a desperate, broken whimpering. [Begging for mercy? Last time, you knelt and begged them, and they didn’t even blink. It didn’t save us then, and it won’t save us now.] [But it’s okay. Your kid is a professional. I might have spent my last life as a nobody playing corpses on Law & Order, but I’ve memorized every trope and screenplay in the book. If you listen to me, I promise you your revenge.] My mother stared blankly at her stomach. I let out a mental smirk. [Acting Rule Number One: The most profound contempt is found in the simplest actions.] [Now, smile. And tell her yes.] My mother hesitated, but under the sheer pressure of my mental will, she reached for the phone that had slid across the floor. She squeezed out a smile that looked more painful than a sob and accepted that “invitation to a funeral.” 1 The moment she hung up, she collapsed, her strength spent. I didn’t give her a second to breathe. I kept the lesson going. [Acting Rule Number Two: Retreat to advance. Vulnerability is often your sharpest weapon.] [Pick up the phone again. Call your mother-in-law, Beatrice West. You know, the one who treats you like an oven for her ‘precious legacy heir.’] My mother resisted, but she loved me—or at least the idea of me. She followed my lead. When the call connected, Beatrice’s impatient, sharp voice barked through the speaker. “What is it now? Focus on the pregnancy and stop calling me every five minutes!” My mother flinched, the words dying in her throat. [Cry! Now! Let it out!] [Tell her your heart is racing, your head is spinning, and you can’t stand the smell of grease. Oh—and tell her you’re craving something sour.] With my permission, the dam broke. My mother’s tears flowed, her voice trembling with genuine grievance as she recited my script. “Mom… I… I’ve been feeling so dizzy lately. Every time I smell cooking oil, I feel like I’m going to be sick… and all I want to eat are green apples and lemons…” There was a heartbeat of silence on the other end. Then, Beatrice’s tone shifted instantly. It became sharp, urgent, and almost frantic. “Nauseous? Craving sour things?” “Don’t move! And don’t you dare eat any of that trashy takeout! I’m taking you to the hospital for a check-up tomorrow. Nothing can happen to the West family heir!” [Acting Rule Number Four: When danger is near, muddy the waters to find a way out.] [Tell her you can’t go to the hospital because you promised Tiffany Sinclair you’d go to her party.] My mother sobbed, her voice heavy with feigned conflict. “But… I already told Tiffany…” [No ‘buts.’ Speak!] Under my coercion, my mother spoke in a frail, tiny voice. “Mom, I promised Tiffany I’d go to her Halloween gala tomorrow night…” “What gala?! Absolutely not!” Beatrice’s voice jumped an octave, pure fury. My mother’s eyes welled up with a fresh layer of tears. [Quick, say you’re afraid of making Tiffany angry. Tell her to talk to Tyler.] My mother’s voice was timid. “Mom, maybe… maybe you should talk to Tyler? I’m just afraid Tiffany will be… upset with me.” “Upset? Who cares if that outsider is upset? Is she more important than my grandson? I’m calling that boy right now!” The line went dead. My mother looked at her pale reflection in the mirror, blinking, lost. I was satisfied. [Mom, remember this. A woman’s tears are never meant for a dog of a man. From today on, your tears are only for the performance.] My mother didn’t quite understand, but she nodded anyway. 2 The next morning, the doorbell rang. It was the gown Tiffany had “specially prepared” for my mother. “Jade, babe! I found the perfect ‘warrior’ outfit for you!” Tiffany’s voice over the phone was so sweet it was nauseating. “With your pale skin, this ‘Fallen Starlet’ piece is going to kill. Trust me, you’ll be the envy of the room tonight!” My mother held up the black dress. It was barely a handful of sheer fabric. The sight of it made her stomach churn, and she gagged. I hissed immediately, [Don’t you dare throw up!] [Showing weakness is the cardinal sin of acting. Do what I say. Smile. Take it. Tell her you love it so much you want to sleep in it.] My mother hated every second of it, but she forced a stiff smile and took the dress. “Thank you… I love it. It’s a very… airy design.” Tiffany sounded delighted and hung up. The second the screen went black, my mother bolted for the bathroom and retched. She leaned against the wall, staring at her bedraggled self in the mirror, her eyes filling with humiliation and hatred. She was remembering the last life—the cold, the pain, the betrayal. She grabbed the “Fallen Starlet” dress, ready to tear it to shreds. [Hey, hey! Stop! Don’t throw it away.] My mother froze. “But… this is the evidence of how they killed us.” I raised a mental eyebrow. [A good tool should be used where it hurts most. Sometimes, poison is the only way to break a stalemate. Go get your eyebrow scissors.] My mother walked to the vanity, confused. [See the side seams on that dress? Use the scissors. Snip the threads every few inches. Make it so that a stiff breeze—or a gentle tug—will make the whole thing fall apart. Remember, a prop only has value when it fulfills its destiny.] My mother’s eyes lit up. She delicately picked at the seams, weakening the structural integrity of the gown. [Perfect. Now it’s a dress with a mission. Next prop: that diamond necklace Tyler gave you.] [The idiot tried to save money by taking the diamonds off your old jewelry and putting them on a new chain, but he forgot one thing: the clasp on that pendant is actually a high-end micro-recorder you bought years ago for your acting classes.] Understanding my plan, my mother dug through the bottom of her jewelry box. … By evening, my “dear” father, Tyler West, was home. The moment he walked in, he saw my mother in that black “warrior” dress. I didn’t miss the flicker of disgust in his eyes, but I kept my mouth shut. His hand slid over her waist, his fingers lingering meaningfully over the weakened seams. “Honey, you look stunning,” he murmured. “Don’t drink at the party. Take care of yourself.” Following my instructions, my mother lowered her head, a perfect flush of “shyness” on her cheeks. “I’ll be there. I won’t let you or Tiffany down.” Tyler smiled—the smile of a hunter watching his prey step into a snare. Right then, her phone shrieked. Caller ID: Mother-in-Law. Her “good” mother-in-law was always on time. [Mom, put it on speaker.] Beatrice’s scream erupted instantly. “Jade Montgomery! If you dare step foot in that trashy club tonight, don’t you ever think about stepping foot back in this house!” My mother’s eyes turned red instantly. Tears rolled down her face—she had truly mastered Rule Number Two. “Mom, Tyler and Tiffany really want me to go… I’m too scared to say no…” Before she could finish, the doorbell rang. Tiffany was here to pick her up, swaying in a long white silk gown, looking like a literal angel. She walked right into the middle of the mother-in-law showdown. “It’s just a party, what’s the big deal?” Tiffany’s eyes flashed with disdain as she snatched the phone and hung up on Beatrice. “Why do you listen to that old bat? You’ve got Tyler and me. Who could possibly hurt you?” My mother smiled but said nothing. Just before walking out the door, she clipped the diamond necklace around her neck. The click of the clasp sounded like a gavel hitting a bench. [Mom, remember. Tonight, you are the director—and the only lead actress.] 3 The music in the ballroom was deafening. Tyler’s arm was clamped around my mother’s waist as he introduced her to the crowd. “This is my wife, Jade.” But his eyes were constantly drifting past her, exchanging secret glances with Tiffany, who was dressed as an elegant jasmine flower in the middle of the crowd. Seeing the room that looked exactly like the one from her memories—the place where her nightmare began—my mother nearly faltered. I cleared my throat mentally. [Mom, stop shaking. Confidence is the first requirement of a lead! Straighten your back. Channel that old-money Montgomery energy. Imagine you’re a queen inspecting the peasants.] My mother took a deep breath, and her tremors miraculously stilled. Tiffany glided over, holding two glasses of red wine, her smile sweet and venomous. “Jade, you look so pale. Are you feeling okay? Why don’t I take you upstairs to a private room to rest for a bit?” My mother’s body stiffened. She instinctively wanted to refuse. I cut in. [Go with her. The recorder is running. You can’t catch the tiger if you don’t enter the den. Move.] My mother nodded and let Tiffany lead her toward the elevator. As soon as the doors closed, the mask slipped. Tiffany’s face twisted with malice. “Jade, why do you insist on playing the victim?” She leaned into my mother’s ear. “You’re a useless waste of space who was born into the right family. You don’t deserve Tyler. Don’t you feel disgusted, hogging the title of Mrs. West?” “But it’s fine. After tonight, you won’t be the high-and-mighty Jade Montgomery anymore.” She giggled, a sharp, piercing sound. “Can you guess tomorrow’s headlines? ‘Socialite’s Secret Life of Sin: Caught in Bed at a Wild Party.’ Doesn’t it sound spicy?” She gestured excitedly. “By tomorrow, you’ll be a branded adulteress. The shame of the West family!” I couldn’t help but laugh mentally. This bitch was as dumb as she was cruel. [Mom, you don’t have to hold it in anymore. Give her the full ‘weak and helpless’ performance!] My mother let herself go. Her body shook violently, large tears spilled over, and her lips trembled so hard she couldn’t speak. Her fear was half-acting, half-PTSD from her previous life. It was a perfect blend of Method and Meisner. Tiffany was ecstatic seeing her like this. She didn’t notice my mother’s hand gently pressing the clasp of her necklace. “Yes! That’s the face! Keep that expression for when the reporters burst in!” Tiffany laughed, patting my mother’s pale cheek. “Cry harder. It makes it more believable.” Ding. The elevator reached the 18th floor. Tiffany dragged my mother down the hall to Room 1808. She pulled out a keycard and waved it mockingly. Beep. The lock clicked. Her smile turned demonic as she shoved my mother from behind! My mother stumbled into the darkness of the room. Click. The door was locked from the outside. Inside, the heavy scent of alcohol was overwhelming. A tall silhouette rose from the sofa, his voice thick with confusion. “What the hell? Why was she shoved in?” “Aaaah!” My mother’s scream shattered the silence of the room. The man froze. [Now! Improv Rule Number Six: A great actor knows how to create a highlight! Tear the seams! Cry! Cry like the world is ending!]

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I found a GPS tracker hidden under my car by my husband. He thought his plan was flawless, but it chilled me to the bone. My sister-in-law was trying to get pregnant, desperately seeking medical advice every day. I smiled kindly and handed her my car keys: “This car has a safety blessing. You’ll feel more at ease driving it to your checkups.” She thanked me profusely, completely unaware that danger was already quietly hitting the road. Until the sound of police sirens pierced the air the next day. My mother-in-law’s wails were heart-wrenching. Only then did he understand my ruthlessness. 1 The afternoon sun was a bit glaring, and the fan-shaped mist from the pressure washer refracted a fleeting rainbow. I was bent over, washing the car with a soft sponge. It was a white SUV, bought with the bonus from my very first project. Ethan didn’t like this car. He thought its lines weren’t sharp enough, that it didn’t match his status as an investment manager. But I liked it. I liked its rounded lines and spacious interior, like a mobile fortress that could whisk me away at any moment. The water flushed through the tire treads, washing away the mud and sand. My fingertips accidentally brushed against an edge on the car’s undercarriage. There was something stuck there that didn’t belong to the car itself. It was a small, rough, magnetic block. My movements halted for a second, my heart feeling like it had been violently seized by an invisible hand. I didn’t rip it off immediately. I stood up and turned off the pressure washer. It was dead silent around me, save for the rhythmic dripping of water sliding off the car body. I took out my phone, adjusted the angle, and snapped a picture of that little black block. The photo clearly showed its outline, and a faintly blinking indicator light. Back home, I locked myself in the study and uploaded the photo to my computer. Zoom in, search. Every word of the results that popped up on the screen felt like a cold chisel, carving a bloody hole in my heart. High-precision GPS tracker, ultra-long standby, silent operation. So that was it. No wonder last week, when I suddenly changed the meeting location with a client, Ethan’s call came “coincidentally” right as I walked into the new cafe. No wonder he always managed to send a considerate “Don’t rush, drive safe” text exactly when I was feeling frustrated in traffic. I used to be touched by this telepathic connection. Thinking about it now, I only felt a churning nausea in my stomach. I leaned back in my chair, closed my eyes, and tried to steady my breathing. Besides the tracker, there was something else. That smell. For the past month, a faint, sickly-sweet scent would constantly drift from the car’s AC vents. I thought it was time to change the cabin air filter and even mentioned it to Ethan. What was his answer then? He said the new car freshener was just a bit too strong and the smell would dissipate in a few days. And then there was my own body. An inexplicable exhaustion that an eight-hour sleep couldn’t relieve. Recurring skin allergies on my arms and calves that itched to the bone. I thought it was just the changing seasons, or maybe the stress from work. Now, all these clues were slithering out of dark corners like venomous snakes, wrapping around me, flicking their tongues. I didn’t touch anything. I shut down the computer and saved the photos on my phone into an encrypted folder. I prepared dinner as usual: washing rice, washing vegetables, chopping meat. The blade hitting the cutting board made a crisp sound—rhythmic, and cold. The lock turned, and Ethan was home. He was wearing a perfectly tailored suit, his hair meticulously styled, a gentle and refined smile on his face. He walked over and habitually hugged me from behind, resting his chin on my shoulder. “Tired today?” he asked. I could smell the mix of tobacco and cologne on him, a scent I used to be obsessed with, but now it only made me want to throw up. I shook my head, my voice as calm as stagnant water: “Not tired.” “By the way,” I turned my head, looking into his eyes, trying to make my expression look natural. “Is it time for the car to be serviced? I keep feeling like there’s something wrong with the AC lately.” His eyes flickered—very fast, almost imperceptibly. “Really? I just had someone check it a while ago. It might just be a dirty filter. I’ll take it to the dealership this weekend to have a look.” His answer was airtight, the smile on his face flawless. Halfway through dinner, my mother-in-law, Susan, called right on schedule. Ethan put her on speaker. “Chloe, did you go see the doctor or not? You’ve been married for three years, and your belly hasn’t shown any signs. Are you deliberately trying to end the Vance family line?” The shrill, mean voice drilled out of the receiver, piercing my eardrums like steel needles. “Our Ethan has a great career and good looks. Marrying you was the worst luck of his life! A hen that can’t lay eggs, what are you taking up space for!” My hand gripping the chopsticks tightened slightly, my knuckles turning white. Ethan immediately frowned and said to the phone, “Mom, what nonsense are you talking about! Chloe is under a lot of pressure too. We’re trying.” “Trying? Trying for three years and not even a fart to show for it! Let me tell you, Ethan, I don’t care. If there’s no news by the end of this year, you two are getting a divorce! I don’t want to die and be too ashamed to face your father!” The call was forcefully hung up by Susan. The dining room fell dead silent. Ethan sighed, placed a piece of ribs in my bowl, and spoke in a tone as gentle as coaxing a child. “Chloe, don’t listen to my mom. She’s just anxious to have a grandchild, she doesn’t mean any harm.” “Look at my sister, Lily. To get pregnant, she’s seeing doctors, getting checkups, working so hard. Let’s step it up too, okay?” Every sentence was a comfort, yet every sentence was applying pressure. Looking at his hypocritical face, and that fleeting gleam of calculation in his eyes, the temperature in my heart dropped inch by inch until it was frozen solid. This man I had loved for five years, this husband I had shared a bed with for three years, was personally weaving a massive web for me. And I was the prey about to be devoured. No. I won’t let him get his way. Late at night, Ethan was fast asleep, his breathing steady and long. I quietly got out of bed, walked to the living room, and picked up his phone. The password was our wedding anniversary—how ironic. I opened his WeChat, my fingers trembling slightly from nerves. I clicked on a contact with no profile picture, saved as “S.” There wasn’t much chat history, but every sentence was shocking. “Has she been suspicious lately?” “No, she’s very naive.” “How are the effects of the stuff?” “Should be soon. She’s always complaining about being tired lately.” Right then, a new message popped up at the top of the screen, from “S.” “How are things going? Once she definitely can’t have kids, you’ll have an excuse for your mom, and we can be together sooner.” I covered my mouth tightly to stop the sob from escaping. So, my physical discomfort, my mother-in-law’s pressure, his gentle traps—everything was a meticulously planned conspiracy. What he wanted wasn’t just for me to not be able to have children. He wanted me to be “proven” infertile. A bone-chilling cold rose from the soles of my feet, instantly spreading through my limbs and bones, freezing me into a sculpture devoid of warmth. Anger and hatred churned in my chest like magma, scorching every inch of my rationality. Very well. Ethan. If you want to play, I’ll play with you to the bitter end. 2 The next day, I called my company and asked for a sick leave with a hoarse voice. The excuse was a severe cold and physical discomfort. Hanging up, I dug out gloves and a mask from the storage room, arming myself securely. I needed to confirm again. Opening the car door, that sickly-sweet scent was even more distinct than yesterday. I didn’t start the car. Instead, I directly dismantled the glove box on the passenger side, revealing the cabin air filter compartment inside. The process was more complicated than I imagined, but as an architectural designer, I have a natural sensitivity to mechanical structures. I carefully pulled out the filter. In the deepest part of the filter, near the air vent, I found something. It wasn’t a normal car freshener. It was cleverly disguised as a black plastic part, tightly wedged in a structural crevice. Attached to it was a tiny flexible tube leading to a modified miniature device that could slowly release liquid. My heart beat wildly, almost leaping out of my throat. Using tweezers, I extremely carefully removed the entire device intact. Then, I placed the device in a sealed bag and cut off a small piece of the filter soaked in the liquid as a sample. Having done all this, I called Sarah. Sarah is my best friend from college and also a top-tier lawyer at the city’s premier law firm. When the call connected, I only said one sentence: “Sarah, I’m in trouble.” Sarah immediately heard the wrongness in my voice. “Where are you? Don’t move, I’ll be right there!” Half an hour later, Sarah rushed to my house. I placed the tracker and that strange device in front of her. After hearing my account, fury erupted on her usually calm and composed face. “That animal, Ethan! This is chronic poisoning! This is a crime!” She immediately helped me contact a highly professional and confidential private testing agency. They promised to have the results in 24 hours at the earliest. During the long, agonizing wait for the results, I didn’t let myself stay idle. I opened my laptop and began organizing all the assets under my and Ethan’s names. Married for three years, we had jointly invested in quite a few projects, mostly led by him. I checked them one by one, my heart sinking lower and lower. There were three wealth management products totaling over seven figures that should have been under our joint account, but were now missing. I checked the transaction records. They had been unilaterally transferred by Ethan a month ago to an account completely unknown to me. Sarah called, her voice grave. “Chloe, I just consulted with a colleague, and we have a terrifying theory.” “Ethan’s goal is likely a combo move.” “Step one: use drugs to ruin your body, making you ‘infertile’. Step two: use the tracker to monitor your whereabouts and fabricate ‘evidence’ of your indiscretion.” “Finally, during the divorce, he’ll leave you with nothing due to your ‘physical issues’ and ‘marital fault’.” My brain buzzed. I remembered now. Just two months ago, Ethan had subtly tried to get me to sign a property agreement. He said it was just in case—if our feelings ever changed, we could part amicably without hurting each other. I had only thought it was weird at the time and kept putting off signing it. Looking at it now, it was a trap he had laid long ago. I hung up, immediately put on my coat, and went to the bank. The bank statements spat out by the ATM were as long as a eulogy. They clearly recorded the path and time of every single asset transfer Ethan had made. Irrefutable evidence. Holding that stack of cold paper, I walked on the streets at dusk, the city’s neon lights blurring my vision. My phone vibrated. It was a WeChat message from my sister-in-law, Lily. “Sister-in-law, trying to get pregnant is too hard. I’m going to the city’s best fertility center tomorrow for a comprehensive checkup. Hoping for a good result.” Followed by a praying hands emoji. I looked at that line of text, looking at that glaring emoji. A bold, meticulous, and perhaps even crazy plan slowly broke ground on my frozen heart. Ethan, didn’t you want to watch a good show? Then I’ll let you see with your own eyes how you personally pushed your precious sister into the abyss. 3 The call from the testing agency came earlier than expected. The results were out. A chemical substance named “phthalate” was detected in the filter sample. This is an environmental hormone. Long-term, low-dose exposure severely disrupts the human endocrine system, causing irreversible damage to female reproductive health. Simply put, it can cause infertility. I gripped my phone, my fingertips freezing cold, drained of all color. The last bit of fantasy about our five-year relationship completely turned to ash along with that cold chemical term. I calmly deleted all call logs and contact information with the testing agency. Then, I took photos of the test report, uploaded them to the cloud, and set up multiple encryptions. Having done all this, I put on my gloves and took out that deadly “freshener” device. I installed it back into its original position in the car, untouched. Except, before installing it, I used a fine needle to quietly widen the small hole that released the liquid. This meant its evaporation rate would be several times faster than before. That evening, Ethan suggested we go back to his parents’ house for dinner. A trap I had long anticipated. At the dinner table, my mother-in-law, Susan, started her performance again. One minute she’s talking about how the neighbor’s daughter-in-law had a chubby baby boy, the next she’s talking about someone’s daughter who got pregnant right after getting married, saying she was born to be a good breeder. Every sentence was like a soft knife, stabbing at my heart again and again. Ethan, meanwhile, played his role of the twenty-four-filial-exemplar good husband. He “considerately” served me food, gently told me to eat more, and used his eyes to signal me not to mind his mother. That acting—it’s a waste he hasn’t won an Oscar. “Bro, Sister-in-law,” Lily put down her chopsticks, looking worried. “I’m going to the hospital tomorrow. The road to the city fertility center is too hard to navigate, and it’s impossible to get a cab during the morning rush hour.” The opportunity had arrived. I looked up, a remarkably gentle and kind smile blooming on my face. “Lily, why didn’t you say earlier that you needed a car?” I took my car keys out of my bag, placed them on the table, and pushed them toward her. “Take my car.” In an instant, everyone at the table froze. Surprise showed on the faces of both Ethan and Susan. I ignored them, just looking at Lily, my tone as sincere as could be. “My car just got serviced, it runs smooth. Plus, I heard this license plate number is super lucky; it brings good fortune.” I paused, adding with a smile. “Take it to your checkup. Maybe with the ‘good pregnancy’ blessing, you’ll succeed on the first try.” I enunciated the words “good pregnancy” very clearly. (Translator’s Note: In Chinese, “good fortune” and “good pregnancy” sound identical.) The doubts on my mother-in-law’s face vanished instantly. She eagerly urged Lily: “Your sister-in-law said so, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and thank her!” Ethan chimed in: “Yeah, Lily, your sister-in-law is just looking out for you.” He looked at me, a hint of probing in his eyes, but mostly satisfaction at my “putting the big picture first.” He probably thought I had been successfully brainwashed by him and his mother, and was trying hard to please their family. Lily was overjoyed, accepting the car keys with endless gratitude, clutching them tightly in her hand. “Thank you, Sister-in-law! You’re so good to me!” I smiled, looking at her face full of gratitude. Looking at the relieved expressions of Ethan and Susan behind her. There wasn’t a single ripple in my heart, only a bottomless, cold abyss. Go ahead. Drive this lucky car loaded with my husband’s “love” and your whole family’s “hopes.” Go meet your judgment. 4 The morning Lily drove to the hospital, the sky was a dreary gray. I used an unregistered SIM card I bought on the street yesterday to send a text message to someone. The recipient was Lily’s attending physician, Dr. Chen. I got his contact info from a registration slip Lily had accidentally posted on her Moments before. I revised the text message over a dozen times, carefully considering every single word. “Hello Dr. Chen, apologies for the intrusion. You have a patient surnamed Vance coming in today for fertility planning. She may have been unknowingly exposed to phthalate chemicals long-term. I suggest you pay attention to related indicators during the exam and check her belongings for contamination sources. This is purely for her health, please.” After sending the text, I immediately removed the SIM card, cut it into pieces with scissors, and flushed it down the toilet. I completely removed myself from this matter. Having done all this, I turned on my computer. I categorized and organized the chat logs of Ethan’s affair, the bank statements of the transferred family assets, and the photo of the GPS tracker. Then, I packaged and encrypted all the files and sent them to Sarah. Sarah replied almost instantly. “Everything is ready, just waiting for your signal.” I closed the laptop, walked to the window, and made myself a cup of coffee. The aroma of coffee filled the room, but my mood was exceptionally calm. I ran through all the possible scenarios that might unfold next, and my corresponding countermeasures, over and over in my head. I even had the mood to open my design software and start modifying a museum design project I had shelved for a long time. Lines flowed from my fingertips, constructing a space full of light and hope. Ironically, in reality, I was personally destroying another hypocritical palace. Around noon, Ethan called. “What are you doing at home? Feeling any better?” His tone carried an imperceptible probe. “Much better, just resting.” My voice sounded a bit languid, like a wife truly resting sick at home. I even “caringly” asked, “Did Lily’s checkup go smoothly?” Ethan was silent for two seconds on the other end of the line. “Should be soon, she hasn’t called me yet.” His voice betrayed a trace of nervousness even he hadn’t noticed. I smiled. What was he nervous about? Of course he was nervous. He desperately needed a report of his sister successfully getting pregnant to contrast my “incompetence.” He was also afraid his tampering would be discovered. But he would never have thought that the one to uncover all this would be his most beloved sister. He would never have thought that the protagonist of the stage he meticulously set was no longer me. But himself.

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When the story’s “true heroine” appeared, I was already pregnant with Liam Sterling’s child. Unable to fight fate, Liam had once abandoned everything and broken his engagement with her for me. Yet now, the universe forced him to hate me to the bone, finding me repulsive just to look at. Eventually, I got tired. I threw away our tangled love, and even gave up our child. Until six years later, on a late afternoon. A young, tender-faced child knocked on my door. He kept his face perfectly serious like a little adult and said: “My dad doesn’t want me anymore. Can I stay with you?” 1 I froze for a second, not saying a word. Leo pursed his lips, clearly unhappy. Tilting his pretty little face up, he said very seriously: “My teacher said that parents have a responsibility and obligation to raise their children…” The half-open door cut off the rest of his sentence. I stepped slightly to the side and said calmly: “Come in.” The dim, warm light inside illuminated his slightly widened eyes. His eyes flashed inexplicably. He lifted his chin, gave a little “hmph,” and obediently walked inside. After closing the door, I turned around to see Leo looking around curiously. Seeing me look at him, he immediately averted his gaze, nervously gripping his backpack straps. With a tense little face, he said: “My name is Leo Sterling.” It sounded like a self-introduction, but also a reminder that he was the child Liam and I had together. I know. From the very first glance, I knew exactly who he was. Because his face was practically a carbon copy of Liam’s. Seemingly disappointed by my calm reaction, he turned his head away, unhappy, refusing to look at me anymore. I placed his little pastel yellow backpack in the entryway and led him to wash his hands. “Let’s eat first.” Leo obediently said “Oh.” By the time I brought the food out, he had already climbed onto his chair. I asked him why he suddenly came looking for me. Leo buried his head, poking at the bok choy in his bowl. His lowered head was dark and round. His voice was muffled: “I got in a fight with him. He smashed things and told me to get out, saying I could never come back.” So he was just throwing a tantrum and running away from home. Liam would probably come pick him up very soon. Makes sense. After all, six years ago, the Sterling family fought me tooth and nail for Leo’s custody. It got incredibly ugly. There was no way they wouldn’t want him now. My chopsticks paused. I couldn’t quite name the feeling in my heart at that moment. I hadn’t known Leo was coming tonight, so I only had a simple meal of two dishes and a soup. He was a very picky eater. He didn’t eat onions, and he didn’t eat carrots. In the end, he had nothing left to pick from. Leo stared at the mangled bok choy leaf like it had killed his family, stole a guilty glance at me, and swallowed it down. When we first met today, he carried a little bit of arrogance and spoiled pride. Now, seeing him pick at his food and refuse greens, I figured he must be given whatever he wants and deeply loved at the Sterling house. He probably hadn’t suffered any real grievances. I felt a bit relieved. After doing the dishes, I waited for Liam to send someone to pick him up. I waited until 9:30 PM. Six-year-olds get sleepy early. He dug his pajamas out of his backpack, looked around, and pouted: “There’s only one bedroom.” “Am I squeezing into the same bed as you tonight?” I glanced at the clock on the wall. For whatever reason, the Sterling family still hadn’t sent anyone. I had to compromise. “Yeah, you’re sleeping with me tonight.” I thought Leo would throw a fit. After all, my meager one-bedroom apartment was obviously not as comfortable as the Sterling family’s luxurious mansion. But Leo just pressed his lips together, his eyes flashing. After washing his face, he huffed and puffed as he changed into his pajamas, kicking his little legs as he climbed into bed all by himself. Just like at dinner—even though he looked disgusted, he had silently finished the greens I put in his bowl. He wriggled under the covers, making a little mound. He pulled out a fairy tale book from nowhere, peeking his eyes out to look at me, unable to resist rushing me: “Aren’t you going to read me a bedtime story?” He actually looked pretty happy. 2 After putting Leo to sleep, I pulled up Liam’s number. I hesitated for a long time, but still didn’t make the call. Liam and I had been separated for six years. At first, we thought we could fight fate. Back then, my family suddenly went bankrupt. The Sterling family broke our engagement and secretly arranged for Liam to be engaged to Chloe Snow. For me, he disregarded everything and broke off the engagement with Chloe. He even gave up his status as the heir. He took a brutal beating from Old Mr. Sterling as family punishment and couldn’t get out of bed for half a month. Seeing me cry, he endured the pain, offering a lazy smile as he softly coaxed me. I thought everything would be okay. The bankruptcy would pass, Liam would get better, the future would be bright. But it wasn’t. Liam and I got married in secret. Perhaps because of Liam’s unwavering commitment to me from beginning to end, after I got pregnant, I never once considered not keeping the baby. Until right before I gave birth. Enduring the pain, I called him for a long time, but Liam never answered. A neighbor rushed me to the hospital. When I woke up, I saw a cold, indifferent Liam. I didn’t know how a person could change so drastically overnight. It was as if his eyes held nothing but unfamiliarity and disgust for me. Chloe visited me once. From her mouth, I learned the truth about this world. Due to a timing error by the “System,” when the late-arriving “True Heroine” appeared, the “Male Lead” had already developed feelings for someone else. As the price for correcting this, the Male Lead’s mistaken feelings began to invert. However much he loved me before, he would hate me that much now. Chloe looked at me with pity and sorrow. Before leaving, she asked softly: “Have you thought about what will happen to your child in the future?” I suddenly froze, feeling lost. I didn’t know who to hate anymore. Should I hate Liam? But he couldn’t even control his own emotions. Should I hate fate? But what good is hating? I couldn’t change anything. At that time, my parents got into a car accident on their way to the hospital to see me. They were in a coma and might remain in a vegetative state for the rest of their lives. I was on the verge of a breakdown. My mind kept replaying Chloe’s words. I just felt that this bastard of a world was so, so tiring. I pushed open the window. As I looked down, the baby beside my hospital bed suddenly started wailing loudly. I thought hazily: If I die, what will happen to him? Will this world tolerate his existence? Will Chloe abuse him? Or will he end up like me, abandoned by Liam, silently suffering countless grievances, only to eventually die quietly while everyone expects it? My body started trembling. I walked back to the bed, my hands shaking as they hovered over his neck. I wanted to take him with me. But then he stopped crying. His red, teary eyes stared at me longingly, as if no matter where we went, he just wanted to be with his mother. It wasn’t until a nurse and a bodyguard noticed something was wrong, burst into the room, and shoved me hard. I looked down at my trembling hands. Only then did I abruptly realize the absurd thing I had almost done under Chloe’s suggestion. The news quickly reached the Sterling family. Old Mr. Sterling demanded to see me and initiated a custody battle. I wanted nothing anymore. I discarded the Liam who disgusted me, gave up my custody rights, and cleanly signed the divorce papers. I only took two hundred thousand dollars. Youth doesn’t know the taste of sorrow. The young Miss Davis, who used to casually throw around millions, could now find herself driven to a dead end over a few thousand dollars in hospital bills. From beginning to end, Liam never showed up. He despised me so much he wasn’t even willing to look at me one last time. So, I accepted my fate. I threw away our tangled love, and even gave up our child. I let him go, and I let myself go. I only snapped back to reality when a soft little dumpling burrowed his head into my chest. Leo closed his eyes and grunted, curling up softly in my arms, as if he had finally found a comfortable position, sleeping soundly. He uneasily clutched the hem of my shirt tightly, as if terrified that I would disappear the moment he opened his eyes. I looked at that innocent, tender face and couldn’t help but sigh softly. If he knew his mother had wanted to strangle him right after he was born, would he still have come looking for me? He probably would have run as far away from me as possible. 3 By morning, Liam still hadn’t shown up. I had no idea what he was planning. The Sterling family fought so viciously for custody back then, yet now they were acting like they could just toss him away. I woke Leo up early, called an Uber, and took him to school. The preschool he attended wasn’t in the same city as me, but thankfully it was only an hour’s drive away. Before getting out of the car, he made me promise repeatedly that I would pick him up after school, whining and refusing to let go of my hand. Until he saw a specific car parked in front of the preschool. His eyes lit up. He hurriedly dragged me out of the Uber. As we got close, he deliberately slowed down, pretending to casually block the path of a chubby kid who had just gotten out of his car. As if to make sure the kid saw, Leo swung my hand in front of him. Then, very loudly, in a voice everyone could hear, he asked me: “Mom, you’re going to pick me up after school, right?” That was the first time Leo called me “Mom.” Maybe because I was absent for six whole years, he hadn’t even proactively called me “Mom” when he knocked on my door. The chubby kid stared straight at me, looking skeptical: “If you have a mom, why didn’t she drop you off before?” Leo scoffed, his gaze incredibly disdainful: “My mom is busy with work. Today she specifically took time off just to drop me off.” He emphasized the word “specifically.” Holding my hand, he walked to the main gate of the preschool in front of everyone, as if showing off, making sure everyone saw. Before parting ways, he twisted awkwardly and asked one more time: “…You will come pick me up, right?” When I didn’t answer right away, he glared at me, then panicked and whispered: “You promised me in the car. Adults aren’t allowed to lie!” I crouched down with a sigh of resignation, smoothing down his popped collar and ruffling his hair. His hair was dark and soft, feeling nice to the touch. “Okay, I’ll come pick you up.” He couldn’t help but curl his lips upward, but he tried hard to keep them straight. Acting mature, he tilted his chin up and said reservedly: “Mhm, I’ll remember to wait for you.” I only looked away after his figure completely disappeared from my sight. I found a teacher and asked about Leo’s situation at preschool. The teacher hesitated, finally sighed, and complained with a frown: “I know the Sterling family is powerful, and what I say might not matter.” “But Leo’s Mom, no matter how busy you are, you can’t just completely neglect the child, right?” “Since he enrolled, no one has ever shown up for a parent-teacher conference!” “Now all the kids in the school are saying he doesn’t have a mom. This is really bad for his physical and mental development.” No one came to the parent-teacher conferences? Even if Liam was incredibly busy and disliked this child, couldn’t he even bother having an assistant handle it? I frowned, feeling for the first time that I might have made the wrong decision. …Maybe I shouldn’t have given up custody back then. But at that time, I was penniless, my parents were in comas at the hospital, and I couldn’t even support myself. How could I possibly raise a fragile child? I pulled up Liam’s number, hesitated for a second, and dialed. I decided to have a serious talk with him. If Liam really didn’t want to raise him anymore, I would take him in. Even though I couldn’t provide the excellent conditions of the Sterling family right now, it was still enough to raise a child. Just as the call went through, a ringtone sounded from behind me. Sensing something, my fingertips trembled as I turned around. I saw Liam stepping out of a black Bentley. Six years had passed. He seemed to have changed, yet somehow remained the same. He looked down at the lit screen through half-lidded eyes, his wrist bones sharply defined, his cold, handsome face hidden in the shadows. He unhurriedly raised an eyebrow and suddenly looked up. “You hid from me for so many years.” “Want to talk?” Unlike my miserable circumstances all these years, Liam remained calm and composed. His features were the same as before, but the gaze he directed at me felt inexplicably deep. Even the dappled light filtering through the trees seemed to favor him. I had heard he had already taken over the entire Sterling family empire from Old Mr. Sterling. I had heard the brand he founded swept the globe. I had heard he secretly married years ago and always kept a low profile. Memories spanning over a decade, which I had deliberately ignored, surged back like a breaking dam, sending sharp, fine pain through my chest. It was only at the moment I saw him that I realized: I thought I had let it go. Turns out, I hadn’t. The boy who wove a grass ring for me when we were young, who kicked the person bullying me into the pool. No one could have ever imagined we would end up in such an embarrassing situation. He actually hadn’t changed; he just stopped loving me, that’s all. It’s been a really, really long time, Liam. 4 We walked in silence and found a nearby coffee shop. Before the coffee even arrived, as if trying to hide my nerves, I cut straight to the chase: “Do you still want the child?” For six years, I had fantasized about reuniting with Liam, almost torturing myself with the scenarios. So much so that I was able to feign indifference now. Liam glanced at me, answering without hesitation: “Of course I do.” I pressed my lips together, staring at the street sign through the floor-to-ceiling window. I gave a low “Mhm” and stood up. “Then remember to pick him up after school. If you don’t have time for parent-teacher conferences, you can let me know. I won’t bother you and—” I still couldn’t say Chloe’s name out loud. I couldn’t help digging my nails into my palms. The sharp pain kept me lucid, forcing me to say: “…I won’t disturb your lives.” I checked the time, ready to leave. As we brushed past each other, I heard Liam abruptly ask: “So now, the only thing you want to talk to me about is Leo?” My footsteps faltered. I didn’t quite understand. Everything between us had been settled six years ago. He loved someone else; I took my two hundred thousand and left cleanly. It was that simple. Besides Leo, what else was there to talk about? Liam let out a breath, his dark eyes locked onto me, and spoke again: “Alright then. I don’t want Leo anymore.” He sounded so righteous, as if he wasn’t the one who had just flipped his stance in a split second. I furrowed my brow, unable to resist asking: “What do you mean?” Liam lifted his chin slightly, tapping the seat across from him, signaling me to sit back down. “Exactly what it sounds like.” “You want to raise the kid? Fine. The kid is yours.” “Considering the child’s physical and mental well-being, I will come to your current residence every Friday evening to spend necessary quality time with Leo, and I will drive back to the office on Monday morning.” Seeing him spout this nonsense with a straight face, I felt it was completely absurd. Reaching my limit, I reminded him: “We are already divorced.” “Are we?” Liam let out an ambiguous scoff. “I never signed.” I belatedly realized the meaning of his words. When Old Mr. Sterling told me to sign the divorce agreement, I just assumed Liam was so disgusted by me he didn’t even want to see me one last time, which is why he never appeared. He said he never signed. But then why did he wait six years to find me? I wouldn’t flatter myself by thinking he still had feelings for me. Maybe the original agreement got lost, or maybe there was a loophole that required a supplementary contract. Anything was possible. I pressed my lips together and said very cooperatively: “Then we can draft a new one and sign it.” Liam didn’t even look up: “I’m not signing.” I tried reasoning with him nicely: “If we sign it, we’re totally clear of each other. Isn’t that great?” “No.” “Do you have some kind of concern? I don’t want any shares or money. You can consider me leaving with absolutely nothing.” “No.” His three “no’s” made me both angry and dazed. Perhaps Liam himself didn’t even remember, but he was exactly like this when he was younger. That day was his birthday party. Someone cornered me, looking at me with lecherous, disrespectful eyes, saying whatever garbage came to mind. Liam kicked him right into the pool. It caused a massive scene. The guests were all prominent figures in New York’s high society, and the faces of the family elders were quite ugly. When asked for a reason, Liam refused to explain. To avoid gossip and protect my reputation, Liam never even mentioned me from beginning to end. Because he refused to admit he was wrong, he took a brutal beating with a cane from Old Mr. Sterling. Probably no one would have guessed that the 18th birthday of the man sitting in front of me, now a titan of industry, was spent locked in a solitary confinement room. The door was completely locked from the outside; no one could even bring him medicine. I huddled outside the door, saying very softly and guiltily: “I’m sorry.” Through the door panel, he paused for a moment, making some rustling sounds. It seemed he sat down by the door too. His voice was a bit muffled as he gave a soft “Oh,” and then said: “Not listening.” I buried my forehead in my knees and mumbled: “Actually, you didn’t have to kick him. You could have just let him finish talking. He wouldn’t have dared to actually do anything to me.” “Not waiting.” I didn’t say anything else. Maybe my voice was too muffled and he misunderstood something. After a moment, he said again: “No crying.” He knocked on the door panel, making a light tsk sound: “I did it because I wanted to. It has nothing to do with you. No crying.” I snapped out of my daze, trying my hardest to hide the burning sensation in my eyes. Yet it felt as if I could hear his “no crying” from all those years ago. Liam sat under the light, offering a faint smile. The fine dust caught in the light drifted lazily. His old features had silently sharpened over the years. He looked up and raised an eyebrow at me. As if answering what I had said earlier. “Maya, things between us can never be clear.” 5 I don’t quite remember how it ended. I only remember that I was so angry I didn’t even say goodbye. Because we parted on bad terms, I wasn’t sure if he was just talking nonsense or if he actually intended to follow through. I hesitated for a moment but decided not to call an Uber back. Maybe because the round-trip fare would cost almost what I make in a day; I might as well just take the rest of the day off instead of going back to work. Or maybe the maternal love that had been absent for six years was acting up. I didn’t want to break my promise to Leo. I waited until 4:30 PM, when preschool got out. Most of the children at this preschool came from prominent families. Amidst the coming and going luxury cars, I saw that Bentley stop in front of Leo. So I didn’t step forward. I turned around, slowly walking back the way I came. I suddenly felt that my previous worries were ridiculous. What was I thinking? How could the Sterling family really let the child leave with me? The Bentley quickly drove away, kicking up a thick cloud of dust as it passed. I inexplicably thought of that tender little face. We probably wouldn’t see each other again. I just, as if possessed, turned to take one last look. With the black car gone, the other side of the road was revealed. Leo stood all alone at the preschool gate. His wide, round eyes met my gaze. His eyes lit up, and he was about to sprint toward me, but was stopped by a teacher raising her arm. He scrunched up his little face, looking a bit angry as he said something to the teacher. Afraid he would jaywalk, by the time I snapped out of it, I had already taken several steps toward him. The teacher saw me and finally felt safe letting Leo go. He ran until he was panting, his dark, obsidian-like eyes sparkling. He only slowed down when he got close, deliberately putting on an air of indifference. Squirming but happy, he said: “…You, you really came to pick me up?” A soft little hand tentatively grasped my fingertips. Seeing I didn’t pull away, he pressed the corners of his lips together, stole a glance at me, and squeezed even tighter. I gave a soft “Mhm” and asked him, a bit unsure: “Aren’t you going with him?” At the mention of Liam, Leo’s cheeks puffed up like a propane tank ready to explode: “I don’t want him! And he didn’t come to pick me up!” “He said you work so hard dropping me off and picking me up, and that I’d just annoy you by clinging to you every day. He told me not to disrupt your work.” He looked very opinionated, seemingly very disdainful of Liam, and said very seriously and proudly: “I’m not as stupid as he is!” “I talked to my teacher about transferring schools today! That way, you won’t have to spend so much time dropping me off!” He tilted his little face up, his gaze urging me on, seemingly waiting for me to praise him. I couldn’t help but rub his round little head. Traffic was heavy on the way back. After stopping at the grocery store, the sky was getting dark. I held Leo’s hand as we walked home. He seemed to remember something and casually mumbled: “Oh right, the driver is picking me up after school tomorrow. Dad said I have to go home tomorrow to get all my clothes.” “But I still want to come back here to sleep! You’re not allowed to forget me!” Tomorrow was Friday. I instinctively tightened my grip on the plastic bag holding the pork belly ingredients, paused for a second, and said softly: “Okay.” Children are forgetful. Maybe after a weekend of being coaxed at home, he would forget about me. I treated every meeting as if it were the last. Because only by doing that wouldn’t I feel disappointed during the long waits.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “392108”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

The day before I was set to study abroad, I went to say goodbye to my aloof childhood best friend. His face remained entirely expressionless. He merely asked which university I was attending, then turned to leave. I pressed my lips together and eventually hid the confession gift I had prepared behind my back. Suddenly, lines of text began to float in the air right in front of me, like a live-stream comment section. [Female Lead, hurry up and confess! He’s absolutely crazy about you!] [He’s playing so hard to get. Pretending to be all cold and indifferent to her face, but secretly crying his eyes out at home all night.] [Wait, wasn’t it because the female lead was leaving him that the male lead snapped, followed her abroad, and then locked her up in a basement?] [OMG! Are we jumping straight from pure romance to forced confinement?!] 1 Startled by the floating text, I instinctively called out his name: “Ethan, wait a second.” The figure walking away stopped. He slowly turned around and asked, “Is there something else?” He looked completely indifferent. On the continuously scrolling text above him, the word [Confess] kept appearing, making me dizzy with a sudden burst of courage. I brought the gift hidden behind my back out to him. “Ethan, I like you. I have for a long time.” Ethan’s expression froze, and the scrolling text halted as well. “Your birthday was a few days ago, and I had this gift picked out ages ago, but…” My smile was tinged with bitterness. “If I don’t give it to you now, I might never get another chance.” Ethan’s face was hidden in the shadows, his expression unreadable. I lowered my head, staring at the ground, feeling a burning heat spread across my ears. On the ground, as if thawed, the comments started scrolling frantically again. [Wait, did my internet lag? Did I miss a crucial plot point? Why does the female lead suddenly have a mouth and know how to use it?!] [I’m just as confused. O_O] [Something’s wrong! Something’s very wrong! Based on how hard the male lead simps for her, shouldn’t he be thrilled she confessed? He should be announcing he’s buying out the whole airport today! But look at his face…] [To the person above, do you remember what happened on Ethan’s birthday? The female lead ran off early with the second male lead!] [Oh, I remember! The male lead wanted the female lead to blow out the candles with him, but he couldn’t find her. He got so mad his heart condition almost flared up!] His birthday! Reminded by the comments, the memory suddenly clicked into place. That day, I had stuck close to Ethan, chatting and trying to make him smile. But he seemed completely distracted, like something very important was weighing heavily on his mind. I got so mad that I deliberately dragged an upperclassman outside to get some fresh air. By the time I cooled down and went back inside, the private room was completely empty. So, he had gone looking for me later. [Actually, based on my years of reading web novels, Ethan was probably planning to confess that day, but the main character ran off with some random guy halfway through!] [The commenter above is right. I saw Ethan secretly blowing up heart-shaped balloons. He blew up twenty of them all by himself, and stuffed a ring inside every single one.] [Tsk, so pure and innocent!] Rings? I snapped my head up, looking at Ethan. He was staring at me expressionlessly. After a long time, he let out a mocking chuckle. “You like me? How do you plan to prove it? “Hmm? Chloe, how exactly do you plan to prove that you like me?” 2 All my previous soft-heartedness and affection vanished into thin air at his cold interrogation. I took a sharp breath and glared furiously at Ethan. He looked back at me with complete indifference, as if he were looking at a complete stranger who had nothing to do with him. [Oh no, our precious Chloe is going to run away angry again!] [Ethan! You have a perfectly good mouth, why can’t you just use it to talk properly?! Go home and cry about it later!] [Alright everyone, nothing to see here. The plot is returning to its original track—imprisonment and forced love!] Just as I was about to turn around in anger, seeing the comments predict my exact move actually made me feel too embarrassed to leave. My gaze returned to Ethan’s face. It was an incredibly pale and beautiful face. He had narrow, elegant eyes with an upward tilt at the corners, giving him a somewhat classical look. I don’t know if it was the comments influencing me, but I genuinely thought I saw a faint hint of red around the beautiful corners of his eyes. I sighed, took two steps forward, and tilted my head up. At this moment, the distance between us was incredibly close. So close I could almost feel his breath. He lowered his eyes, looking at me in confusion, his pure black pupils reflecting my figure. I cheered myself on frantically in my head, then suddenly leaned in and pressed my lips against his. Cool, soft, and slightly trembling. That was the immediate sensation Ethan’s lips gave me. To be honest, in all my years of life, I had absolutely zero kissing experience. I only knew to press my lips against his; I had no idea what came next. I froze against his lips, feeling the deafening heartbeat of the person in my arms. There was no sound of breathing. He had forgotten to breathe too. I don’t know how much time passed before he suddenly took a step back, staring at me with an unreadable expression. “What is the meaning of this?” His entire face was bright red. He was already very fair-skinned, so he flushed easier than most. Even the back of his neck, visible above his collar, held a faint pink hue. My mood instantly soared. I grinned at him and said, “Didn’t you want me to prove I like you? Is this enough?” “Or… how about this?” Deeply encouraged, I stepped forward again, cupped his face, and planted a loud, wet kiss right on his lips. “If you still don’t believe me, I’ll tear up my plane ticket right now, okay?” I wrapped my arms around Ethan’s neck and said softly, “I’ll just stay by your side. I’ll go wherever you go, until you believe me.” Before I even finished speaking, Ethan violently ripped my arms from his neck and glared at me furiously: “Chloe, are you done messing around?!” 3 He pushed me so hard I stumbled violently, barely managing to steady myself. I looked at him in absolute shock, not understanding why the mood had taken such a sudden, sharp nosedive. [Keep pushing it. Keep acting up, male lead. This is exactly how you lose your wife.] [Chloe finally gathered the courage to confess, and this is what he does?!] The comments echoed exactly what I was feeling. I gritted my teeth tightly, refusing to let the humiliating tears fall. He remained completely oblivious, his voice still icy as he said, “Chloe, do you really like Alex that much? Do you like him so much that you’d stoop to pretending with me just so you could stay here and be with him?” I looked up at him in utter bewilderment. The tears lost their battle for control and fell anyway. [Huh?] [Bro Ethan, that one sentence just completely derailed me.] [Wait, does he think Chloe is confessing to him so she can stay in the country and sneak around with the second male lead?!] “And then what?” Ethan demanded coldly. “You’d stay here, date me, and still be with Alex on the side? And later, are you planning to marry me while cheating on me with Alex?” “Chloe, do you have any basic moral compass at all?! You truly disappoint me!” The angrier he got, the more the ambiguous pink flush on his face faded without a trace. [What an advanced train of thought. I don’t even know how to judge this…] [Everyone, does anyone remember that after his birthday, Ethan secretly told Chloe’s parents that she was dating some random bad boy? That’s what caused her parents to urgently pack her off abroad to study. So, it makes sense he’s thinking this way.] […] [As expected of a psycho. So manipulative.] I scanned the words on the comments, finally realizing that my parents throwing me out of the country was actually Ethan’s doing! The fury of being tattled on behind my back mixed with the sting of being rejected. Old grudges and new anger merged into a sea of fire that rushed straight to my head, and I instantly lost all rationality. “Believe whatever you want! Who wants to like a despicable coward like you anyway?! You think I can’t live without you?!” I fiercely threw the un-gifted present onto the ground, turned around, and marched away. [Sigh. It’s over again.] [And so, the story will inevitably head toward the imprisonment arc we’ve all been anticipating…] [Wait! What is he doing?! What is Ethan doing?] [Chloe, turn around quickly!] [Daughter! Turn around!] 4 Of course, I didn’t turn around, nor did I pay attention to the scrolling comments, because my face was completely covered in tears at that moment. Liar! They’re all liars! Who said Ethan liked me? Would someone who liked me yell at me like that? Would he question me like that? I bet he doesn’t like me one bit. Getting my parents to send me abroad was probably just so he could get rid of me once and for all. I wiped the tears from my face aggressively and walked into the security checkpoint. [Why is Bro Ethan still crouching there?] [Did Chloe’s gift break when she threw it? It looked like it was made of glass.] Those comments wanted me to see… that he was picking up the gift I threw? I pondered this internally, still not turning around, dragging my coat toward the boarding gate. [Something’s wrong! Bro Ethan is having a heart attack!] I snapped my head back. Through the glass, I saw a black figure curled up in agony on the exact spot we had been standing. It was Ethan. His face was deathly pale. His hands still tightly gripped the gift I had given him—a watch. But the glass face of the watch had shattered completely. The broken shards had cut his hand, and blood was staining the floor tiles of the airport terminal. I screamed in panic and immediately sprinted back toward him, but a security worker at the checkpoint stopped me. Through that pane of glass, I watched helplessly as people swarmed him from all directions. Soon, someone brought a wheelchair and wheeled him away. From beginning to end, his hands tightly gripped that shattered watch that had cut him so deeply. Only after he was taken away did I finally snap back to reality. The security guard looked at me with sympathy and gently reminded me that if I wanted to return to the main terminal, I could take another passageway. “No, I won’t,” I muttered to myself, wiping the tears from my face. “It’s useless to go back. He doesn’t believe I like him anyway.” 5 During the eight-hour flight, I drifted in and out of sleep. The comments never stopped chatting. From their text, I gathered a lot of information. First, if Ethan’s and my story were a novel, then we were destined for a tragic ending. In this story, I was a proud heiress who liked Ethan but was constantly wounded by his icy demeanor. To save my pride, I always pretended to be close with an upperclassman named Alex. Reading this, I felt a pang of guilt. Before this, I truly had used Alex many times. Whenever Ethan gave me the cold shoulder, I would drag Alex right in front of him, trying to hint that plenty of other people loved me. Alex was more than happy to play along. To be honest, I always believed that liking someone meant treating them well—wanting to buy them things I liked, wanting to be the first to share anything fun I encountered. So, I always thought Ethan’s coldness toward me all these years meant he didn’t like me at all, perhaps even found me annoying. But the comments said Ethan loved me to the point of madness. Instead, it was Alex who didn’t like me at all. He was only willing to cater to me because being with me meant he could skip twenty years of hard work. The comments also said Alex had a childhood sweetheart, and they were the main characters of another book. Once Alex climbed his way to the top of high society, he would dump me—the woman he used—and fulfill his childhood promise to marry his sweetheart. I didn’t want to believe what the comments said, but I had to. Because based on all the facts, everything they said was true. My mind was racing, my thoughts a tangled mess. Looking out at the clouds through the window, I couldn’t help but let out a long sigh. [Sigh, my poor daughter is getting all emo.] [Don’t be sad, Chloe. The real hard days are still ahead. When Bro Ethan completely loses it and locks you up, that’s when you’ll really have no one to cry to.] [Stop talking about it, it makes me want to cry. Why can’t two people who love each other just be together properly?] [Heh, because Ethan has an inferiority complex! He always felt his poor health made him unworthy of Chloe. He wanted to avoid her but couldn’t help getting close, and then he’d have a massive breakdown whenever he saw her with other guys. Honestly…] [Actually, you can’t really blame Ethan for his twisted emotional expression. He was raised by his cold, unsympathetic grandfather. He has no idea what love is; he only knows what possession is. Then, subconsciously, because he likes Chloe, he can’t bear to truly possess her. He went back and forth, agonizing over it until he broke himself.] Seeing this comment, I suddenly remembered when Ethan was little. 6 Ethan’s grandfather built the family corporation from scratch, but tragedy struck in middle age when his son and daughter-in-law both died in a car accident. Only young Ethan survived, but he was left with a severe heart condition as a consequence. Left as the only heir, his grandfather naturally valued him immensely, raising him to take over the family empire. But terrified of anything triggering his heart condition, his grandfather was incredibly overprotective, strictly forbidding him from experiencing any intense emotional fluctuations. Because I was Ethan’s friend, his grandfather allowed me to play with him. Every time I visited, he would instruct me to take careful care of Ethan. Originally, I was full of complaints about this. After all, we were both kids. Why did I have to take care of him? Besides, he was the older brother, and I was the younger sister; shouldn’t it be the other way around? But all that resentment vanished shortly after I saw Ethan. For one thing, Ethan was just too beautiful. I was instantly captivated by his looks on the spot. Secondly, Ethan was incredibly good to me. If there was delicious food, he let me pick first. If there were new toys, he offered them to me first. If I casually mentioned wanting to play the newest video game, he’d have it delivered to my house the very next day. When did things change? It seemed to be after my high school entrance exams. I asked him to hang out, but he didn’t show up. I didn’t see him for a long time after that. When I finally saw him again, I threw myself at him crying, saying how much I missed him. But he had become cold and distant. I felt confused and angry. From then on, we started a cycle of constant, petty antagonism. Until Alex appeared, which made his temper even more unpredictable. Pondering this, I took out my phone and texted my grandfather: [Grandpa, around the time of my high school entrance exams, was Ethan sick?] The signal on the plane was surprisingly good. A moment later, my grandfather replied: [That’s right. He had to undergo heart surgery during that time. He wouldn’t let me tell you. I remember you threw a tantrum crying for a long time.] He added another message: [Little Ethan’s health was very poor those few years. Once, I caught him secretly crying. He said he was afraid he would die and make you sad. Sigh, you two were so close back then. Who would have thought you’d grow apart as you got older.] Understood. I understood everything now. Back then, Ethan became cold toward me because he was terrified I would be heartbroken if I lost him, so he deliberately distanced himself. Since that was the case, I couldn’t help but wonder what changed his mind. What made him become the person the comments described—someone who would imprison me just to be with me? To be honest, I was actually looking forward to it a little. [Is it just my imagination, or does our daughter seem to have regained her fighting spirit?] [News flash! Even though Chloe’s plane hasn’t landed yet, Bro Ethan is already in A-City buying a manor! Friendly reminder: it comes with a luxurious basement.] [What?! Shouldn’t Bro Ethan be in the hospital right now?!] [Wow, this is intense! The imprisonment countdown begins now!] 7 Seeing that comment, I immediately sat up straighter. If he could travel alone to a foreign country to buy a manor, it meant his health must be fine right now. A huge weight lifted from my heart. As for the “imprisonment” the comments mentioned, I thought it was highly unlikely. Because I simply couldn’t fathom how someone who had so sternly rejected me just moments ago would suddenly want to possess me completely. It wasn’t until I got off the plane and arrived at my new place that I received a call from a friend. My friend said that when Alex found out my parents had sent me abroad, he quickly went to them to declare his loyalty, swearing he would never give up on me. And unfortunately, my parents were visiting Ethan in the hospital at that exact moment. Ethan had just woken up, only to hear Alex proclaiming his devotion to my parents right in front of his hospital bed, declaring he would marry no one but me. He even used Ethan as an example, saying how fragile life is, that someone could fall ill or meet a tragic accident any day, so one must seize the person they love while they can. According to my friend, Ethan turned deathly pale with anger. Without saying a word, he ripped out his IV, went straight to the hospital roof helipad, and demanded to be flown to A-City. After hearing my friend’s account, I was utterly speechless. It was hard to say whether Ethan was provoked by Alex or actually took the “life is fragile” part to heart. Regardless, if all this made Ethan finally realize what he wanted and decide to be with me, then I was very happy. I wanted him to be happy, to follow his heart and fight for the person he liked. If that coincidentally aligned with my heart’s desire, then that would be perfect. Filled with anticipation, I stepped onto campus and attended my first class. Even though I had been hastily thrown out of the country, my university and major had been carefully selected—it was Jewelry Design, my absolute favorite. The first class with the professor was very pleasant. Instead of starting with a lecture, he immediately assigned a project: to design a piece of jewelry to the best of our abilities, without considering any practical constraints. For some reason, I thought of Ethan’s birthday. I thought of the twenty-something rings hidden inside balloons that I never got to see. I decided to design a ring. I rolled up my materials and walked out of the classroom. As I was walking down the steps, the comments, which had been chatting about random things, suddenly grew excited. [Here it comes!] [Oh ho! Bro Ethan! Fresh out of the hospital bed and you’re already here lurking in the corners?] [Crawled right out of his hospital bed, flew on a plane, bought a massive estate, and came straight to stalk Chloe without even sleeping! Bro Ethan, with this level of perseverance, you could succeed at literally anything.] Seeing the text on the comments, I started to worry about Ethan’s health again. I was just about to walk toward him. Right then, my phone rang. In that instant, I felt the expression of Ethan, hiding behind a tree, turn incredibly dark. I looked down. The caller ID read: [Alex].

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My childhood best friend and I accidentally drank spiked drinks at a banquet. When I woke up, I stared blankly at the messy bedsheets. My hands were shaking so badly I couldn’t clasp my bra. He fastened it for me, his tone pleading: “Please don’t tell my girlfriend, okay? There was something wrong with the drinks. What happened between us was just an accident.” His girlfriend… is my best friend. 1 My best friend, Mia, a wealthy heiress, is celebrating her birthday today. She specifically told me to bring my childhood friend, Liam, along. “With the dreamy crystal chandeliers and the pink balloon bubbles at the party, the atmosphere will be perfect. Why don’t you confess your feelings to him again?” Everyone knows I confessed to Liam once. Mia, who has only known him for two weeks, knows it too. I lowered my eyes, quietly stirring the latte art in my coffee cup with a spoon. “Better not. He told me never to confess to him again, or we wouldn’t even be friends.” Even though that’s what I said out loud, another voice was clearly ringing in my head—Confess to him again. That evening, Liam drove to pick me up for the party. Sitting in his flashy red Maserati, he let out a low whistle. “Wow, Chloe, you look so beautiful today. If people didn’t know better, they’d think you were the birthday girl.” Wearing a cocktail dress, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Do I really look good today?” “Yeah.” Receiving Liam’s affirmative answer filled me with joy. Liam stepped out of the car and opened the passenger door. One hand rested on my shoulder, while the other hovered protectively over my head. I was a bit surprised. Whenever I rode in his car before, he never got out to open the door for me. Let alone make any extra, protective gestures. Sitting in the passenger seat, I kept stealing glances at him while he drove. Sensing my gaze, he seemed a bit distracted himself. He even took a wrong turn. When we finally arrived at the party, the birthday girl, Mia, spotted us the moment we walked through the door. “Chloe, Liam, you’re finally here!” She skipped over to us. I had been holding onto Liam’s arm. But he suddenly pulled his arm away. My hand hung awkwardly in the air. For a second, I almost thought he pulled away specifically because Mia came over. But the very next second, he took my hand again and led me into the party. 2 Before the party officially started, a few close friends gathered to play a card-drawing game. The cards were all filled with questions and games related to love and relationships. Exactly what was weighing heavily on my mind. When it was Liam’s turn, the card he drew read: “Is the person you like present right now?” My fingertips trembled, and I held my breath waiting for his answer. If he said “yes,” I was going to muster a lifetime’s worth of courage and confess to him again tonight. “Yes.” His tone was very light. But the moment that magnetic voice reached my ears, it was as if the lock holding Pandora’s box shut clicked open. He said his type was here. He complimented my looks when he picked me up. He held my hand when we walked in. My palms started sweating, and I gripped the fabric of my dress tightly. Mia gently nudged my arm. I shot her a “stop messing around” look. When it was my turn, the card I drew read: [How long did your longest relationship last?] “I’ve never been in a relationship.” I smiled bitterly, a sharp pain in my chest. “But I’ve loved someone for seven years… no, even longer.” Sitting across from me, Liam looked up and stared at me intently. Everyone knows that my first—and only—confession to Liam was seven years ago. The people around us fell silent, their eyes darting back and forth between Liam and me. Someone bold enough couldn’t resist chiming in, “Is this person here right now?” A question to which they already knew the answer. I closed my eyes. When I opened them again, my gaze collided straight with Liam’s. “He’s here.” This was practically a complete confession. I had always listened to Liam. Back then, when he rejected me, he added, “If you ever confess again, we won’t even be friends.” I obeyed for seven years. I never breathed a word about my feelings. But I didn’t expect him to constantly bring it up as a joke. Maybe it was just his way of stopping me from confessing again. But I love him. So, through this winding, indirect method, I laid my heart bare to him once more. 3 A new round of drawing cards began. The card Liam drew read: [Pick a girl, give her a princess carry, and walk a lap around the room.] My heart pounded like a drum. The next second, Liam stood up and walked straight toward me. Fireworks exploded in my heart; I was thrilled. He’s coming toward me. He’s coming toward me. By the time I silently repeated that twice, Liam was only two steps away. I looked up, studying his sharp, defined features. I wanted to lean close to his ear and solemnly tell him again, “I love you.” That way, everything that just happened wouldn’t seem so frivolous. Liam’s figure was right in front of me. Having sat nervously for so long, my body was stiff, and my feet stood up on their own accord. And in that moment— Liam brushed right past me. And stopped in front of Mia, who was standing beside me. I stood there helplessly, feeling as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over my head. The silent gazes of the people around me were practically screaming about how pathetic my wishful thinking was just a moment ago. “I wonder if I have the honor of carrying our lovely birthday girl today?” I turned sideways, staring at Liam in disbelief. But his eyes weren’t on me at all. Mia looked hesitantly at me, standing right next to her. I forced an awkward smile. “I need to use the restroom.” Muttering a random excuse, I hurried out of the room. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Liam already bending down, scooping Mia up into his arms. I hid in a bathroom stall. I leaned my head against the wall and covered my eyes with my hands. It’s fine. It’s just another failed confession. It can’t possibly be worse than seven years ago. Good thing I didn’t say it out loud this time. When I finally snapped out of it, my palms were wet with tears. My phone suddenly buzzed with a message from Liam. [The party is about to start. Mia’s looking for you. Where did you go?] I wiped my cheeks and walked out of the stall. The reflection in the mirror had lost all its vibrant color, looking like a completely different person from the one who had carefully applied makeup that afternoon. The tears had ruined my eye makeup. I just used a tissue with warm water to wipe away all the eyeshadow and false lashes. Then I faced the mirror, forced a somewhat lively smile, and finally dared to open the door and go back out to celebrate my best friend’s birthday. 4 In the dazzling hall, a massive, multi-tiered cake stood right in the center. People were crowded around it, three layers deep. “They’re so perfect for each other. A match made in heaven.” “When he confessed just now, I think I was more excited than she was.” The people around me were clicking their tongues, marveling at the perfect couple. A sense of unease washed over me. Following their gaze, I saw Mia and Liam. Liam was holding Mia’s hand, cutting the cake layer by layer. “Confess? Who confessed?” I grabbed a stranger next to me, asking frantically. “The main couple tonight, obviously. Hey, who are you? Let go of me.” The person pushed me away in disgust. The crowd started chanting, “Kiss! Kiss!” Liam wrapped his arm around Mia’s shoulders, cradled the back of her head, and kissed her passionately. My mind went completely blank. Even though it was incredibly noisy around me. It felt like I was trapped in a vacuum, suffocating any chance I had to scream. Standing in the middle of the crowd, I stared blankly at the two people under the spotlight. Tears fell unconsciously down my freshly wiped cheeks. “Ah, Chloe’s finally here!” Mia, the center of attention, called out in surprise when she saw me. She walked toward me with a bright smile. Liam followed right behind her. “If it weren’t for Chloe, I never would have met Liam! You’re our Cupid.” She handed me the biggest piece of cake. “What Cupid? What are you talking about?” I didn’t believe it. I didn’t believe a single word that stranger or Mia said. “Chloe.” Liam suddenly spoke up. “I just confessed to Mia, and she said yes.” … A long, agonizing silence. “Liam… stop joking.” “After you introduced us, I’ve been pursuing Mia for two weeks.” Liam’s voice even trembled slightly with excitement. “She just accepted.” Tears, tasting faintly of blood, slid down my throat. A bitter, salty taste. “So for these past two weeks, when the three of us hung out… was I just the monkey you were both playing with?” I heard my own voice, harsh and strained. “We didn’t mean to hide it from you, we just didn’t know how to tell you…” “Listening to me share my feelings about liking Liam, and then sneaking around behind my back… treating me like a clown—is that fun for you?” I said, staring right at Mia. “Chloe, I…” Two weeks… I was played for a fool for two weeks by the two people I trusted most. So the arrow shot by Cupid… Only ended up making me bleed. 5 A group of friends we knew gathered around. They all knew I had confessed to Liam. Liam had told them himself. A few of them spoke up to break the awkward silence. “Chloe, today is Mia’s birthday, don’t make a scene.” “Liam rejected you seven years ago. You can’t expect him to never date anyone.” “Why don’t you give me a try? I’m single too.” The group chimed in one after another, their words cornering me. These people sucked up to the Sterling family’s power. Even their previous politeness toward me was entirely because of Liam. And there were definitely a few who were just waiting to watch the drama unfold. As long as we started fighting, everyone would think I was just a jealous, bitter woman who couldn’t handle rejection. I let out a self-deprecating laugh. I snatched a wine glass from someone next to me. The crowd gasped, thinking I was going to throw the wine or start pulling hair. Liam rushed forward and grabbed the glass from my hand. “What are you doing?” he demanded, his tone hostile. The wine in the glass spilled onto my dress in the struggle. I don’t know how I found my voice. But I managed to compose myself and speak. “Congratulations.” I took the glass back, downed the remaining dregs in one gulp, and tilted the empty glass toward him. “Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.” I turned around. And walked out of the hall. Leaving the glass by the door. From beginning to end, I never looked back inside once. I didn’t want this filthy friendship and relationship anymore. But then again, they were never mine to begin with. 6 I blocked Liam and Mia on everything. I stayed home and slept for days. Then I suddenly received an invitation from the Sterling Corporation. I had almost forgotten about this. My grandfather intended to gradually hand over the company’s management to me, and I was the one assigned to negotiate our bid for the Sterling Corporation’s new project. Which meant I had to see Liam again. After the Sterling Corporation’s bidding conference, my family’s company, Terry Machinery, successfully won the bid. While signing the letter of intent, Liam’s eyes kept lingering on me. As soon as I signed, I wanted to leave immediately. Liam held out his hand: “Congratulations on winning the bid.” I pressed my lips together, hesitated for a moment, but still reached out my hand. But the moment my hand touched his, I instinctively dropped it and turned to walk out the door. Liam blocked my path: “Are we just throwing away years of friendship like this?” “If there are no issues with the bidding proposal, I don’t think we have anything else to discuss.” I turned to leave again. “There are some issues.” Liam reached out to block my exit. “Stay for the business dinner after this; it’s the perfect time to go over the details of the contract.” “Can’t I go over the details with your secretary?” “Some things need to be made clear today.” This project was crucial, and there was no room for error. I had no choice but to stay and wait for Liam to finish his subsequent meetings. His secretary led me to the banquet hall downstairs. Mia and I saw each other almost simultaneously. I looked away, walked over to a sofa on the side, sat down, and turned my back. But Mia walked over to me, smiling brightly. “Chloe, about me and Liam… are you still mad?” “I should have smashed your birthday party that day, to save you from asking such delusional questions.” I lifted my eyelids and gave her a cold look. Mia’s expression shifted several times before she finally looked at me with a wronged expression. “Chloe, I apologize.” Mia picked up a glass of wine, downed it in one gulp, and handed another glass to me. “But there will be many opportunities for collaboration between the Vance family and the Sterling Corporation in the future. There’s no need to make things so hostile, right?” “Business collaboration” was the polite way of putting it. The ugly truth was that a single project thrown our way by the Sterling Corporation was enough to cover the Vance family’s revenue for half a year. I knew this perfectly well. “Are you threatening me?” I forced a tight, insincere smile, took the glass from Mia’s hand, and drank it. “What are you talking about? A glass of wine washes away all grudges,” Mia smiled, tapped her glass against my empty one, and was then called away by another group of people. 7 Back when Liam and I were close, I didn’t think much about the business implications. Now, it was time to carefully calculate them. But the more I thought about it, the tighter my chest felt. A waiter walked by, and I intercepted a glass of wine from his tray and placed it in front of me. Glass after glass, I forcefully drank until only one glass remained on the tray. I drank the last glass too fast, choking until the corners of my eyes turned red. Suddenly, a hand reached out from behind me and took my glass away. I turned around. It was Liam. “You’ve had too much.” “None of your business. Give it back.” I unsteadily held onto the sofa, trying to snatch the glass back from him. Liam dodged me and downed the remaining wine in the glass himself. Standing up too fast caused the alcohol to hit my brain, and my consciousness began to blur. Liam supported me. I instinctively felt annoyed and tried to shake off his hand. The commotion drew the attention of Mia and a group of people. “Should I find someone to take her home?” Mia offered. “No.” Liam pondered for a moment. “There are executive suites upstairs. I’ll just take her up to rest. We still have contract details to discuss.” Except, after Liam took me up to the room, he never came back down. Because the wine was tainted. It was spiked. My complete memory ends at the banquet hall. After that, I only remember fragmented, shattered pieces. When I woke up again, I looked at myself in the mirror. My body was covered in mottled red marks. Liam’s lean, muscular back bore several bright red scratches. There was skin under my fingernails. I looked at Liam, utterly lost. “How… how could we?” He fastened the clasp of my bra for me, bringing his hands together in a pleading gesture. “Please don’t tell Mia, okay? The wine we drank had something in it. What happened between us was an accident.” I stared at Liam blankly. Broken phrases floated vaguely in front of my eyes. But I distinctly remembered what he said when he pinned me to the bed: “When we were doing it… didn’t you say you broke up with her?” “I only said that so you wouldn’t feel guilty,” Liam scoffed, jumping off the bed. “I couldn’t just let you find some random guy to handle it. I should have recorded you, so you could see how incredibly wild you were acting.”

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