I was employed by a wealthy family as a scapegoat, under the pretense of a life-saving favor, to marry into the family. My wife, however, despises me for disrupting her plans to marry Phoebe. Despite her immense wealth, she gives me only five dollars a day for living expenses. I’m so hungry I’ve become gaunt, while she changes boyfriends frequently. Once, to amuse her young boyfriend, she drove drunk, crashing into the hospital’s power supply, causing my mother’s tragic death. Afterward, she casually handed me a Black Card: “You actually left your mom in that rundown hospital? Well, someone as greedy as you would do anything.” “Use this card to move Auntie to a VIP Ward, but don’t think about siphoning off any money. I’ll be checking your bills.” I silently discarded the Black Card and arranged my mother’s funeral. She doesn’t know that it was Phoebe who left her at the altar, and I was just hired by her family to console her. Now that my mother is gone, my debt is repaid. It’s time to leave. — “Lydia, the ceremony has started. Where are you?” At my mother’s funeral, Lydia’s mother, Vera, used my phone to call my wife, Lydia. But a man’s voice answered: “Auntie, Lydia went to bed late yesterday and hasn’t woken up yet. I’ll let her know when she does.” “How can she miss her mother-in-law’s funeral?” Vera yelled angrily and hung up the phone. “Jude, I’m sorry. I spoiled her.” She hates me deeply, and I never expected her to come, nor was I heartbroken over it. I handed the scapegoat contract I signed years ago to Vera and said calmly: “Mrs. Song, the seven-year term is up, and the marriage certificate with Lydia is fake. I want to…” Vera anticipated what I was going to say and interrupted, wiping away tears: “When Lydia found a Heart Match for your mom, I thought she would finally recover.” “I never expected that your mom wouldn’t make it…” “Jude, Lydia made mistakes, but the coroner determined that your mom’s death wasn’t due to a power outage. It was suicide.” “Can’t you give her another chance for finding a match for your mom?” Suicide? My mother wouldn’t leave without seeing me start a family. I knew it was just an excuse to absolve Lydia, and I didn’t bother to argue: “Thank you for your help back then, but now, Lydia doesn’t need me anymore. Can I leave?” Vera sighed and slipped a gold-embossed card into my hand: “Since you’ve made up your mind, I won’t stop you.” “But it’s just seven days short of the original agreement. Give her some time to adjust.” Having endured seven years, seven days doesn’t matter. I pushed the card back: “You’ve given me enough. I can’t take this money.” Vera forced the card into my pocket, patting my hand earnestly: “If it weren’t for you taking the fall, Lydia and I would have been estranged long ago. This billion is just a token of my gratitude.” “Jude, Auntie asks you to keep our secret.” This was hush money. Knowing she’d be uneasy if I didn’t take it, I reluctantly accepted with a bitter smile. Back then, Lydia defied her family, threatening to die if she couldn’t marry Phoebe. But just before the wedding, Phoebe eloped with a wealthy woman overseas. Afraid of the blow Lydia would suffer, Vera hired me to play a role. She tampered with Lydia’s car, allowing me to marry in under the guise of a life-saving favor. At first, Lydia didn’t blame me. She even wrote a farewell letter to Phoebe and married me. When she learned I injured my hand saving her and could no longer hold a scalpel, she searched everywhere for renowned doctors and remedies. When all efforts failed, she cried in my arms, promising to give me children and a family. Those were happy days for a while. Until Phoebe’s cousin, Asher, appeared with evidence accusing me of orchestrating the car accident years ago. Lydia slammed the abortion papers in my face, speaking harsh words for the first time: “Jude, someone as unscrupulous as you doesn’t deserve to be my child’s father or have a family!” I clutched the papers, my heart aching as tears streamed down my face. That day, Lydia ended our child’s life with her own hands, and any bond between us was severed. All of this was orchestrated by Vera, but with my mother’s life in her hands, I couldn’t say a word. “Stop pretending! If you love acting, keep it up!” She was unmoved by my tears and knocked over the gourmet food on the table: “From now on, your food allowance is reduced to five dollars a day.” “Jude, you love money and aspire to rise above others, but I won’t let you have your way.” She walked away without looking back, hand in hand with Asher, who resembled Phoebe. Around her were people who only flattered her and belittled me. Once Lydia spoke, they disrupted all my work outside. Even when a beggar took pity on me and bought me a bun, they trampled it mercilessly. “This meat bun costs two dollars and fifty cents, half your daily allowance. You’re really extravagant.” They kicked a dog bowl towards me: “Here, leftovers from our dog. It’s cheap for you.” I once thought that life would just drift by until the agreement was lifted. But not long ago, Lydia told me they found a heart donor matching my mom: “I can give your mom the heart, but Asher said his cousin is plagued with bad luck and needs a sincere person to kneel three thousand steps for blessings.” Heart matches are extremely hard to find. She must have worked hard to get one. I thought the three thousand steps were just punishment for lying, that she still cared for me. But after I finished, she glared at me: “Jude, your heart isn’t sincere. He didn’t get good luck and instead got heart disease.” “This heart is his now. Kneel again and pray properly!” She only wanted to mock and retaliate against me. How ridiculous. I actually thought she had a bit of love for me. I stumbled to my feet, ready to kneel again. But a passerby couldn’t bear it and stopped me: “Your legs are so injured. If you kneel again, you’ll die!” Only then did Lydia see my knees, raw and bloody. She turned away, snorting coldly: “Forget it. Insincere hearts only have bad effects. Just eat vegetarian for a month and pray for him properly.” Vegetarian meals were much better than dog food. I even gained some weight after the punishment ended. As soon as I got down the mountain, I rushed to the hospital, intending to ask about the heart transplant, only to find out my mother had been moved to a small hospital. Before I could ask her why, I learned she had passed away. I wiped my mother’s photo over and over, my eyes empty, tears long dried. Lydia was right; I didn’t deserve a family, and now I truly had none. After I finished my work, Lydia’s call finally came, albeit late. “This child, only calling after it’s over.” “But at least she knows to apologize.” Vera mumbled, answered the call, and put it on speaker. Lydia’s cold voice followed: “It’s Asher’s mom’s birthday soon. Handle it.” Embarrassed by this slap in the face, Vera flew into a rage: “Lydia, he’s your husband, not your servant!” “His mom just passed. How can you make him handle someone else’s birthday party?” Lydia was confused: “Isn’t Auntie seriously ill? Where did she go?” I didn’t want any trouble with only a few days left before I could leave. “She went back home.” I vaguely changed the subject and took on the birthday party task. She didn’t ask further, satisfied with my compliance: “Smart choice.” “Once Auntie’s health improves, I’ll throw her a birthday party, let her have her moment.” She didn’t know my mom was already dead. In seven days, I’d be gone, and there would be no future between us. 2 When I was about to go home, Lydia gave me an address and told me to go there. I thought she wanted to discuss the birthday party. But when I opened the door to the private room, all I got was a cold drink from Lydia: “I wondered why you agreed so quickly to handle the birthday. Turns out you took my mom’s money.” “Jude, seven years, and I thought you’d learned, but you’re still a dog that can’t change its ways!” Asher handed me a tissue, pretending to be a mediator. “Sorry, Jude, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have spoken about it earlier, causing you and Lydia to fight.” Then he tugged Lydia’s sleeve, pretending to slap himself a few times, eyes red: “Lydia, don’t scold Jude. It’s my fault. Blame me if you must.” But Lydia held his hand, rubbing his unhurt face with concern: “Don’t hit yourself. I care about you.” “Besides, you did nothing wrong. If not for you, I wouldn’t have known Jude dared to ask my mom for money.” “Tell me, baby, what reward do you want?” Asher propped his chin, deep in thought: “You’ve already bought me a Lamborghini, given me a lakeside villa.” “Regular gourmet food, endless gifts. Last time, I just mentioned wanting lobster, and you bought it and even peeled it for me.” “And the time before, at that auction, I liked a watch worth thirty million. You bought it without blinking and released all the sky lanterns just for me. You’ve spoiled me rotten; my material desires are incredibly low…” “Tell me, darling, what reward do you want?” Asher rested his chin in his hand, thinking deeply: “You’ve already bought me a Lamborghini and gifted me a Lakeside Villa.” “We enjoy gourmet food regularly, and the gifts never seem to stop. Last time, I casually mentioned wanting lobster, and you immediately bought it and even peeled it for me.” “And the time before that, at an auction, I took a liking to a watch worth thirty million. You purchased it without a second thought and even lit sky lanterns for me. You’ve indulged me so much that my material desires have become almost nonexistent…” Asher recounted Lydia’s generosity over the years, and the more he spoke, the colder my heart grew. While I spent decades eating unappetizing meals and living in a dark, damp servant’s room with cockroaches and rats, Asher lived a life of luxury and comfort. Driving luxury cars, residing in mansions, enjoying gourmet food daily, being served shrimp peeled by Lydia, and receiving various gifts from her. And yet, as Lydia’s husband, the most indulgent meal I’ve had in these seven years was vegetarian, and the best place I’ve stayed was a temple. Indeed, without comparison, there is no disappointment… Just then, my thoughts were interrupted by Asher’s words: “Sister Lydia, I know what reward I want! I want to eat an egg yolk pastry from that place we often visit in the east of the city!” He emphasized “often visit,” frequently glancing at me with a provocative and boastful look. I pretended not to notice. Over the years, I’ve grown accustomed to Asher’s provocations. While I was lost in thought, Asher sighed and spoke to himself: “It’s such a shame it’s so far, 30 kilometers away. Maybe I should just forget it…” Asher’s deliberately forlorn act made Lydia feel quite sorry for him. In the private room, one of Lydia’s girlfriends suddenly suggested: “Let Jude go get it!” “Yeah, he’s got nothing else to do anyway! Plus, it’s his fault in the first place; this could be a way to punish him for deliberately asking Auntie for money!” Lydia paused for a moment, then nodded slightly in agreement: “That’s actually a good idea.” She turned her head, glanced at me indifferently, her voice ice-cold. “What are you standing there for? Didn’t you hear that Asher is craving egg yolk pastry? Go buy it!” Asher immediately put on a facade of goodwill, came to me and said insincerely: “Brother Jude, 30 kilometers is quite a way. You don’t have a car, right? I can lend you one.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a bunch of car keys—Cayenne, Maybach, even a Rolls-Royce Phantom. All kinds of luxury car keys, you name it. Asher dangled the car keys in front of me, eyes gleaming with pride: “Brother Jude, pick whichever one you want to drive.” I knew he was deliberately flaunting, taking the opportunity to provoke me. However, before I could respond, Lydia snatched the keys away, her voice cold: “Do you think you’re worthy of driving?” “Just walk there step by step, it’s only 30 kilometers. Consider it exercise. Are you afraid of a little walk?” I didn’t react as I used to, shouting and resisting. I just nodded silently, accepting it all with calmness and composure. In the beginning, when Lydia deliberately tormented me, I resisted. But it only brought more severe torment. Since the outcome is already decided, why waste my breath and effort? Lydia’s words made her girlfriends’ eyes widen, and they laughed uproariously: “Lydia, you’re really clever.” “Don’t worry, we’ll keep an eye on him for you.” Lydia didn’t expect me to agree so readily. The words she had prepared to counter me got stuck in her throat. She stared at me for a while, feeling that I seemed different these past couple of days. In the past, every time she punished me, I would argue forcefully, accusing her of being unreasonable. But today, I seemed soulless, unusually quiet. But soon she convinced herself that I was using reverse psychology, trying to get her attention. She raised an eyebrow, quickly covering the surprise in her eyes with a cold demeanor, and snorted: “Seven years and you still haven’t learned. You guys must have been too lenient.” “This time, I’ll watch him myself.” Under the scorching sun, I limped along, with Lydia’s car following behind. The fierce sun beat down on the earth, my back soaked with sweat, and large drops of sweat fell like broken strings of beads. Occasionally, a few drops fell into my eyes, stinging painfully. Every time I wanted to stop and wipe my sweat, the car behind would honk sharply, accompanied by the cold ridicule of Lydia’s girlfriends. “Jude, didn’t you eat? Walk faster!” “Yeah, you’re so slow; are you trying to starve Asher?” And Lydia watched coldly the entire time, never intending to speak up for me. I could only endure the pain, dragging my heavy steps forward… We passed through bustling streets and entered a small alley. Suddenly, the car behind stopped. Lydia looked at me, drenched in sweat, and said coldly: “Stay there and wait. Asher wants to eat street skewers. We’ll leave after we’re done.” I didn’t know what else Lydia had in mind, but I obediently stood aside, took out a tissue, and wiped my sweat. Lydia and her friends laughed and joked, walking together toward the street vendors. As I watched their joyous departure, I couldn’t help but lower my gaze, lost in thought. I vaguely remembered when Lydia and I weren’t on bad terms, I also wanted to eat street barbecue. But she pulled me away, frowning in disdain: “Jude, the son-in-law of the Song family eating street food? It’s too embarrassing if it gets out. Don’t tarnish the Song family!” So I had to compromise and give up on eating street barbecue. After that, to be a good son-in-law for the Song family and not embarrass them, I had to attend classes every day to learn Western dining etiquette. But when it came to Asher, he didn’t know how to use a knife and fork for steak. Lydia not only got him chopsticks but also complained to the restaurant, demanding that they provide chopsticks at every table. Now, dressed in tens of thousands of dollars worth of high-end custom clothes, she stood in a place swarming with flies, eating junk food fed by Asher, smiling tenderly and indulgently. Turns out, she could be so down-to-earth. Turns out, she could eat street food, just not with me. The sun was blazing overhead, and my knees had long gone numb from the pain. I felt dizzy, and then everything went black as I lost consciousness. 3 When I woke up again, I was lying in a hospital, surrounded by the pungent smell of disinfectant. My pant legs were rolled up, my knee had been treated and bandaged. Lydia sat by the bed, scooped a spoonful of bird’s nest soup, blew on it to cool it, and brought it to my mouth, complaining: “The doctor said you fainted from malnutrition. You’re so stubborn. I punished you by making you eat vegetarian; couldn’t you secretly eat something good? Your health is this poor.” “As for the card issue, mom told me it was for your mom’s medical expenses. I checked your account; you haven’t spent anything.” “Don’t you have a mouth? Why didn’t you explain it to me?” “And about your knee injury, why is it getting worse…” I raised an eyebrow at her, finding it ironic. Wasn’t it her who told Asher to make me kneel for an hour every day? Now she asks why the injury is worsening? This woman is really fickle. As for explaining… Haven’t I explained enough over the years? Back when Lydia wanted to torment me, she reduced my living expenses to 150 a month, only allowing me to spend five a day. Vera couldn’t stand it and often secretly gave me money for extra meals. But when Lydia found out, she was furious. She said I was deliberately angering her because I was eating so well despite her rules. I tried to explain to Lydia, but she never gave me the chance, locking me in the storage room despite my claustrophobia, cutting off my food and water for a week, forcing me to write self-reflections and think over my actions. There were several past conflicts with Asher, where Lydia blatantly sided with him. Asher claimed I deliberately caused a car accident to drive away Wenyan, and Lydia believed it. To punish me, she aborted our child despite my protests, saying a malicious schemer like me didn’t deserve to have a child, didn’t deserve a family. And when Asher tried to drive me away by faking a drowning incident in front of Lydia, he later framed me for pushing him. I repeatedly explained to Lydia, swore it wasn’t me, but she accused me of trying to justify myself, ordering people to dunk me in the cold sea for three hours, saying all the pain Asher suffered had to be inflicted on me until I passed out… All these years, Lydia never believed me, not once. She trusted Asher enough to share the safe’s password but always assumed the worst about me, her husband. Seeing me silent, Lydia thought I was still worried about my mom’s illness. She sighed: “Jude, don’t worry too much about your mom’s illness. I’m still looking for a heart match. I’ll make sure Auntie recovers.” I lowered my gaze, clenching my fist, feeling a pang of bitterness. But… My mom’s gone. She doesn’t need a heart anymore. I was about to speak about my mom. Lydia looked up at me and tentatively said: “By the way, the traffic police issued a notice. Asher’s drunk driving might lead to his license being revoked.” Seeing my silence, Lydia assumed I was still concerned about my mother’s illness. She sighed: “Jude, you shouldn’t worry too much about your mother’s condition. I’m still searching for a heart; I promise to help Auntie get better.” I lowered my gaze, clenching my fists as a wave of bitterness washed over me. But… My mom is gone, and she no longer needs a heart. I was about to mention my mom when Lydia glanced at me again and cautiously spoke: “By the way, the traffic police have issued a notice. It seems Asher might have his driver’s license revoked for drunk driving.” “Jude, you know Asher worked hard for three years to get that driver’s license. He can’t afford to have it revoked.” “Anyway, you have a driver’s license but no car. Why don’t you take the blame for him? If you agree, I can give you 300,000 as compensation.” 300,000? I found it incredibly amusing, and a chill ran through me. One of Asher’s ties costs 3 million. After seven years of marriage, am I worth less than one of Asher’s ties? I must have lived too poorly. Besides, it was because of this car accident that my mom died. And Lydia wants me to take the fall for Asher, the main culprit? My gaze turned cold as I pushed away the porridge Lydia offered: “I refuse. I won’t help with this, so give up.” After I rejected her, a cold glint flashed in Lydia’s eyes. “Jude, why won’t you help? Are you deliberately targeting Asher?” “Besides, it’s just taking the blame, and I’m even offering you money. Is it really that big of a deal?” “Or… do you think 300,000 isn’t enough?” Listening to Lydia’s absurd reasoning left me speechless. But my silence seemed to Lydia like an agreement. Her gaze grew even colder, with a hint of disdain, as if she had seen through my intentions. “Jude, I thought you had learned your lesson, but you still can’t change your greedy nature!” “In the end, it’s all about money. I guess you’re just obsessed with it!” After scolding me, Lydia raised her chin, acting like she was doing me a favor. “Tell me, how much do you want to agree to take the blame?” So, this is how Lydia thinks of me? After seven years of marriage, no matter how sincerely I treated her, even if I was willing to eat dog food for her, even if I acted as a scapegoat to help her move on from a breakup, even if I tolerated her tantrums and unreasonable behavior. No matter how much I did, I couldn’t warm her heart. When facing me, her heart remained as cold and hard as ice. In her eyes, I was just a greedy, malicious, calculating person. She thought I was only with her for the money. But she didn’t consider that if I were truly after money, I would have left as soon as she moved on from her shadow. Instead of staying with her year after year… Suddenly, it felt like a heavy stone pressed on my chest, and I felt exhausted. Perhaps two incompatible people shouldn’t be together. Maybe our marriage was a mistake from the start. I exhaled deeply, looked at Lydia, and spoke calmly: “Lydia, let’s break up.” 4 Lydia was waiting to negotiate a price with me. Hearing my words, she was suddenly stunned: “Break up? What do you mean by that?” I replied to her indifferently: “You said I was after your money, right?” “Anyway, you’ve been tired of me for a long time. We might as well separate, so I won’t be in your way.” Lydia thought I was being petty, mocking: “Back then, you insisted on marrying into my family, and now you’re using a breakup to make me compromise?” “If you’re so bold, why don’t you dare to propose a divorce?” She slammed the bowl on the table heavily, and the spilled bird’s nest soup instantly scalded my hand, causing me to gasp in pain. Hearing my pained cry, Lydia paused for a moment. But soon, she thought I was just trying to gain sympathy and left angrily. Watching her resolute back, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile. Lydia didn’t know that I wasn’t asking for a divorce, not because I didn’t dare, but because our marriage was a sham from the start. But since I’m leaving soon, there’s nothing left to explain. I drifted into a heavy sleep. When I woke up again, Asher came with gifts to see me, speaking coldly: “I heard Lydia offered 3 million for you to take the blame for me? She really loves me, huh.” I closed my eyes, not bothering to respond. He chuckled: “But I didn’t expect someone as greedy as you to refuse?” “The bond between you and your mom is enviably strong.” Seeing me silent, Asher leaned closer, speaking with a sinister tone: “Jude, you still don’t know, do you? Your mom transferred hospitals because of you.” Hearing him mention my mom, I looked at him sharply. “What do you mean?” Asher shrugged nonchalantly: “I just said a few words to your mom, and she immediately agreed to transfer hospitals.” I was even more confused, a bad feeling rising in my heart: “My mom wouldn’t listen to you. What did you do?” Asher, as if nothing happened, continued smiling: “Nothing much, I just showed her the video of you being punished and eating from a dog bowl.” “I told her you were living so miserably because of her. If she truly cared for you, she should end her life immediately and stop burdening you.” “Your mom immediately agreed to the transfer and even planned to end her life when the power went out as a signal.” “Jude, to give you freedom, she suffocated herself with her own hands. Your mom went to such lengths for you, yet you’re still clinging to Lydia like a leech?” A surge of anger rushed through me, and I couldn’t hold back any longer. I pulled out the needle and got out of bed, slapping him across the face: “So it was you who drove my mom to her death! You murderer!” Asher bit his cheek without a care, pulling out his phone to play a video, smirking: “Jude, don’t accuse me of murder. Your mom did commit suicide.” “To avoid being implicated, I set up a camera at the hospital to record everything. This video is the best evidence.” The video showed the entire process of my mom’s suicide. Tears streaming down her face, she suffocated herself. Before her last breath, instinct made her struggle painfully. But for my freedom, she wouldn’t let go, pressing on her nose and mouth until her pupils dilated, and she stopped breathing entirely. By the end of the video, I was already in tears, my heart aching to the point of suffocation. Asher didn’t miss a chance to provoke me: “I just said it casually, but your mom actually took it seriously!” “What a great mother’s love. I’m moved to tears!” “Asher, you beast, I’ll kill you!” In a fit of rage, I rushed forward, grabbing his collar, ready to land another punch. Just then, a clear, cold female voice called out from behind. “Stop!” 5 Before I could react, Lydia came over with a lunch box, quickly stepping between us. She pushed me away, shielding Asher as if afraid he might get hurt. “Jude, who allowed you to bully Asher!” “Asher came to see you out of kindness, but you hit him. Do you think that’s acceptable? Let me tell you, if anything happens to Asher, I won’t let you off!” I, exhausted, crashed into the edge of the bed and fell to the ground. Lydia, however, was busy caring for Asher, not even sparing me a glance, convinced I was faking it. “Had the strength to hit someone earlier, and now you can’t stand up? Who would believe that!” “Jude, your acting is too poor. Next time, have a plan before you lie.” Asher clung to Lydia’s clothes, covering his face and sobbing: “Sister Lydia, don’t blame Brother Jude, it’s all my fault.” “It’s because I look too much like my cousin. Brother Jude has always been jealous of your past relationship, so he hates me because I look so much like him.” “If that’s the case, I’ll avoid Brother Jude from now on…” I struggled to my feet, trying to explain: “Lydia, do you know my mom was killed by him…” Before I could finish, Asher sniffled, deliberately showing the red handprint on his face to Lydia. Seeing the fresh slap mark on Asher’s face, Lydia’s eyes reddened with heartache, and she slapped me, cutting off my words: “Jude! You drove Asher away back then, and now you’re so jealous you can’t even tolerate his cousin!” “Not only that, but you also dared to use your sick mother as an excuse?” Furious, she grabbed my hand, forcing me to slap my own face: “You like slapping people, don’t you?” “Then kneel here and don’t leave until you’ve slapped yourself a thousand times!” She left with Asher, shouting for a doctor as if Asher had some terrible illness. But she didn’t let me off easy, leaving behind two rows of strong men to watch me. If I didn’t slap myself or hit softly, they would do it, slapping my face hard. The crisp slapping sounds echoed continuously in the ward… When my cheeks were swollen and raw, Vera finally arrived, a trace of pity in her eyes. “Stop, don’t hit him anymore!” But the leader raised a hand to stop her: “Ma’am, these are Miss’s orders, please don’t make it difficult for us.” “Lydia! Are you crazy?” Vera anxiously called Lydia, but the line was busy. But she didn’t go easy on me either. She left two rows of strong men to watch over me. If I didn’t hit myself hard enough, they would step in, swinging their arms and slapping my face with harsh brutality. The sharp sound of slaps echoed continuously in the Ward… When both sides of my face were swollen and bleeding, Vera finally arrived, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. “Stop, that’s enough!” But the leader raised his hand to stop her: “Madam, these are Miss’s orders. Please don’t make it difficult for us.” “Lydia! Have you lost your mind?” Vera anxiously called Lydia, but the line was busy. Not until my cheeks were a bloody mess and a thousand slaps were done did the Bodyguards leave. In a detached manner, I raised my hand. Just as it was about to strike my face, Vera caught my hand, her voice choked with emotion: “Don’t wait the seven days, child. Leave today.” “The Helicopter is waiting on the Hospital rooftop. Pack your things and take your mom away. Never come back.” She carefully handed me my mother’s Urn and photograph. Looking at my mother’s kind face. My heart ached unbearably, as if encased in wet cotton. When she was alive, my mother would mend my clothes when they tore, patiently listen to my complaints, and make me my favorite Pickled Cabbage Pie when I lost my appetite. Just one bite of Pickled Cabbage Pie could chase away a whole day’s fatigue, providing comfort and warmth, filling me with energy and determination. In front of her, I was always a child and could forever remain one. But now, my mother is gone. My last family member in the world is gone too. From now on, no one will patiently listen to my troubles and complaints, tolerate me unconditionally, or endure my little tantrums. The saddest part is, my mother sought death just to trade for my freedom. But mother, you were never a burden. You were my reason to live, my hope in life. Without you, my life is only darkness, with no light at all… Thinking of this, I couldn’t hold back anymore and cried out loud, holding my mother’s Urn. After being discharged, I took my mother’s Urn home, going straight to the small servant’s room in the corner. Opening the door, I started to pack. Vera, who came along, was shocked to see the moldy walls, the blackened, rotten Bed, and the rats and cockroaches running around. “Child, you… lived here?” I nodded, managing a weak, bitter smile. “Mom, no, I should call you Auntie now.” “Auntie, having a place to stay that’s sheltered from the wind and rain is already good. Many times, Lydia punished me by making me kneel outside overnight.” “Usually, I’d kneel the whole night. The Bodyguards watched. If I tried to get up, they’d press me down…” I won’t forget how sharp stones pierced my knees with excruciating pain, leaving permanent damage, making me limp at times, with my knees aching after too much walking. Hearing this, Vera’s eyes turned red. She looked at me with sympathy and heartache, wanting to say something but finally staying silent. She knew, without her, I wouldn’t suffer so much. My misery was tied to her. Vera stood there, heartbroken and helpless, watching me. I kept packing. I didn’t have much, just some washed-out clothes, a few documents, and my mom’s Urn, barely filling a small suitcase, even less than what I brought when I married in. After marriage, Lydia and I once had sweet, happy times. At our most loving, Lydia bought me new clothes and many imported trinkets to make me happy. Knowing I liked Lily of the Valley, she set aside garden space for me to plant them. But everything changed when Asher appeared. Lydia believed Asher’s accusations, thinking I drove Phoebe away. She was so angry that she took back her love overnight, reclaiming clothes, shoes, and trinkets for Asher, even replacing the garden flowers with Asher’s favorite Violets. Whether to spite me or because Asher’s resemblance to Phoebe moved her, Lydia favored Asher more and more, even spoiling him endlessly. Our sweet photos were burned to ashes as my heart died for her. After packing, I said goodbye to Vera, then deleted Lydia’s contact information from my Phone. After doing all this, I got on the Helicopter Vera provided, leaving without looking back. Lydia, you find me annoying, and don’t want to see me anymore. Well, neither do I. I’ve been with you for seven years. I owe you nothing now. For the rest of our lives, may we never meet again. … Lydia partied and drank for three days before she realized that the husband who used to endlessly text her “good morning” and “good night,” call her to come home, and regularly send food hadn’t contacted her in a while. She went to the Hospital, asking the Nurse, only to find out her husband had been discharged three days ago. Lydia frowned in displeasure, muttering: “Jude, why didn’t you tell me when you were discharged?” She drove home but found it empty again. Frustrated, Lydia messaged Jude. [Jude, where are you now?] This was the first time in their marriage she had messaged him. She expected Jude to reply instantly as always. But instead of a quick reply, she got a red exclamation mark. Lydia was stunned, shock all over her face. She never thought Jude would delete her! She assumed Jude was still sulking and muttered in annoyance: “Alright, Jude, you dare delete me? Wait till I find you, I’ll make you pay!” Just as she was about to turn off her Phone, Lydia remembered the 99 missed calls from her mother. She thought Jude had complained to her mother and angrily drove to the Old Mansion. “Alright, hiding at the Old Mansion, are you? Just wait!” She drove to the Old Mansion, ready to knock, but heard Asher’s mocking voice at the door: “Auntie, it was my cousin who abandoned Lydia and ran, why be so hostile to me?” “Now, Jude’s mom is dead too. He won’t be back after leaving. I’m your future son-in-law, we should get along.” “After all, I kindly kept your secret about orchestrating the Car Accident to force Jude into marriage from Lydia!” About to knock, Lydia froze, her face turning pale as she heard these words. Her Phone dropped to the ground. 7 “Asher, are you threatening me?” Vera’s voice was filled with anger. “How would I dare? I’m just speaking the truth. Can you deny that what I said isn’t true?” Vera fell silent. Song Zhaoning, standing at the door, felt a chill run through her body. At first, she thought there might be some misunderstanding.
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