You Were Always Here

I was known as the frail and unstable heiress in our social circles, with a rare condition that required regular blood transfusions to survive. Dissatisfied with my father’s choice of Aiden as my fiancé, I kept nine men as my personal playthings at home. Whenever Aiden, the wealthy pharmaceutical heir, confronted me with reddened eyes, I just scoffed dismissively. But later, those nine men poisoned my blood supply and ran off with all my assets. As I lay dying, blood pouring from every orifice, Aiden hunted them down and tortured them to death, their blood staining the entire mansion red. He slit his own artery to feed me his blood, tears streaming down his face. “Chloe, my blood can cure any illness. Please, I’m begging you to live!” But despite draining himself dry, he couldn’t revive me. Only then did I realize the depth of his love. When I opened my eyes again, I had been reborn to the day my father chose my fiancé. This time, I sent away all my boy toys, wanting only Aiden. I truly believed we would live happily ever after in this new life. But later, to redeem his cousin Lily who had gambled herself into debt, Aiden and my father conspired to offer me up at the gambling table… 0

At the casino, my body trembled uncontrollably. In my past life, Aiden had been willing to drain his own blood to save me. But just three minutes ago, he had drugged his own blood and forced me to drink it. He sighed regretfully, his warm fingertips brushing away my tears. “Chloe, I’ve replaced everyone at the casino with my own people. They won’t hurt you. You just need to put on an act to soothe Lily’s wounded feelings.” “You ruined one of her dresses yesterday. Consider this as making amends.” Even my doting father chimed in, “Think of it as character building. If it weren’t for you, Lily wouldn’t have run off to the casino heartbroken.” I was stunned speechless, my whole body shaking. I couldn’t believe these words were coming from my formerly overprotective father. Yesterday, Lily had seen my dress at the mall and lunged for it, but she slipped and tore her own clothes, embarrassing herself in public. She blamed me for “causing” her wardrobe malfunction to be photographed. Heartbroken, she had run off to the casino and lost everything. Compared to how these two men had doted on me in my past life, I felt my pupils constrict in shock. Could it be that they had been reborn as well? My body was rigid but my mind razor sharp as tears streamed down my face. Aiden positioned me in a pose that satisfied everyone, casino chips precariously balanced on my barely-clothed body. “Aiden, isn’t that Chloe, the crazy beauty from the Shen family? You’re setting us up… Wouldn’t your cousin be a better choice?” Several wealthy young men leered hungrily while nervously backing away, their clammy hands tentatively reaching for my body. Aiden leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed coldly on the changing room. “Since I brought her, feel free to enjoy. Her blood-nourished body gets wet at the slightest touch.” My whole body shook like a leaf. The Aiden I knew would fret for hours if a mosquito bite left a small bump on his carefully maintained body. Now he was handing me over to strangers without a second thought. Seeing me helpless like a fish on a chopping block, the men rubbed their hands eagerly. As they tore at what little clothing I had left, waves of humiliation washed over me. My heart shattered into a million pieces. In the distance, Lily emerged from the changing room with reddened eyes. Aiden pulled her into his arms tenderly. His doting tone made her giggle coquettishly. Those who had disrespected her earlier now kowtowed in apology. My emotions were a tangled mess. I remembered how in the past, Aiden would viciously punish anyone who so much as looked at me wrong. When Lily’s gaze fell on me, her eyes flashed with vicious glee even as she feigned concern. “Big sis, even if you’re used to being arrogant, you shouldn’t be naked in front of so many men. How embarrassing! You should all get closer to keep her warm.” As soon as she finished speaking, Aiden strode over and covered her eyes with his hand. “Don’t look, it’s dirty.” My fingernails dug into my palms as I trembled in pain, tears falling in big drops. It was June, but Aiden clearly understood Lily’s implications. He was indulging her, backing her up. This germaphobe who had once held my blood-soaked body and kissed me tenderly – why was he being so ruthless this time? Seeing Aiden leave, the men lost all restraint, crowding around the gambling table to play freely. Satisfied, they tossed me aside. The laughter in the room drowned out my heart-wrenching screams. Every breath was filled with the metallic taste of pain. I stumbled home on shaky legs, but froze at the doorway, my breathing nearly stopping. My clenched fists hung limply at my sides. Lily and I shared the same birthday. At that moment, my father and Aiden were celebrating her birthday at the table, countless gifts piled in the living room. Everything that should have been mine in my past life now had nothing to do with me. The three of them laughed and chatted around the dinner table, a warm family scene I had desperately longed for in this life and the last. It turned out Lily could obtain it so easily. I averted my gaze and snuck up to the second floor through the back door. As soon as I closed the door, I could no longer hold back and broke down sobbing. I had changed my personality for Aiden’s sake, but why had he and my father acted so out of character? This time, I wanted to love him properly, but he didn’t even give me a chance. Ashen-faced, I took out my phone. “Big bro, I’m coming to find you guys. I won’t marry him anymore.” 0

The man on the other end sighed, his voice icy. “Little sis, I’m glad you’ve come to your senses. Your second brother will be thrilled to hear this.” After hanging up, I lay on the cold floor sleepless all night. My phone buzzed once, shattering what was left of my frozen heart. A video from Lily. With trembling hands, I pressed play. By the end, my whole body was rigid with shock. “Big sis, did you sleep well last night? I arranged for the baby in your belly to come thank me. I specially chose quality DNA, no need to thank me.” I sat paralyzed, chilled to the bone. Lily had switched out the casino staff… In the final shot, I saw someone injecting something into my body. I rushed to the bathroom and vomited until I was spitting up blood. I scrubbed my skin raw with steel wool, tears and blood mixing together. In my past life, although Lily was adopted, she had behaved herself in the Shen household. But this time, it was like she had become a completely different person. A horrifying thought popped into my head – they had all been reborn. I dragged my battered body to the hospital in a panic, begging the nurse, “Please give me an abortion, I’m begging you.” Just as I finished speaking, the clack of high heels sounded behind me. I looked up to see Aiden striding over, his face dark with anger. “Big sis, you’re pregnant? But why are you asking the nurse for an abortion? Don’t you want Aiden’s baby?” Lily’s voice dripped with false concern. I rushed over and clutched Aiden’s hand tightly. “I’m not pregnant. This isn’t my baby. Lily switched out the casino staff and had them put… into me.” Aiden’s eyes flashed red as he pinned me against the wall, gritting his teeth. “You’re still trying to frame Lily even now? I thought you had improved, but you’re still as selfish as ever.” Even my father, who had rushed over at the commotion, slapped me hard across the face. “You ungrateful child! When will you learn to be as obedient as Lily? This is your own flesh and blood!” Blood seeped from the corner of my mouth as I swallowed the metallic taste. I watched them laugh uproariously, tears silently rolling down my cheeks. The two men who had loved me most had handed me over to the casino without a second thought. They would rather believe an outsider than ask their own daughter what happened. In my past life, I distinctly remembered them putting an entire medical team on standby at our mansion if I so much as coughed once. Helpless tears spilled over as I could no longer hold them back. Seeing me like this, Aiden’s heart clenched. He took a step towards me. But Lily began sobbing at that moment. “I’ve already forgiven big sis, why do you still want to frame me? I’m a victim too, I was almost…” She trailed off at just the right moment, making Aiden shake with fury. Her eyes gleamed with triumph as she looked at me. Rage boiled over and I glared at her venomously. I staggered to my feet and lunged at her. But I had barely touched a strand of her hair when Aiden violently shoved me away. I crashed into a cart, shattering IV bottles everywhere. Pain radiated through my entire body. As blood gushed from between my legs, I saw Aiden gently blowing on Lily’s scalp. While my normally composed father frantically called for doctors and nurses. I smiled as I blacked out. When I came to, I was tightly strapped to the hospital bed, unable to move an inch. My hands and feet were bound to the point of losing circulation. The nurses’ envious words drifted to my ears. “When will I find a man like Mr. Aiden? His fiancée yanked out one of his adopted sister’s hairs, and he called in the top hair transplant surgeon.” “I know right? He’s treating her like a mental patient to prevent her from hurting Miss Lily again. I’ve never seen restraints used like this before!” Their voices faded away. I looked up to see Aiden appear in the doorway. Was that a flash of pain in his eyes as he looked at me? I let out a cold laugh. He noticed my gaze and loosened the restraints, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Chloe, you’re being too unreasonable. Lily said you just got your period and weren’t pregnant at all. Your methods of getting my attention are too clumsy.” My breathing hitched. He so easily believed everything Lily said. “You should apologize to Lily. As compensation, give her your Four Seasons Villa. You don’t use it anyway.” 0

My eyes flew wide open in shock. The Four Seasons Villa was divided into Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter sections. It was the wedding gift my mother had specially designed for me. On her deathbed, she had used her last breath to make sure I signed the deed myself. Aiden had once held me and promised that we would let my mother witness our happiness there. How could he just hand it over to someone else? “I don’t agree!” I said forcefully. Aiden’s expression darkened as he coldly stared me down. “Lily’s health is fragile. The Four Seasons Villa was built with special temperature controls for each season. It’s perfect for her recovery. Don’t be so stingy.” The blood drained from my face, but I refused to back down. “You have a special constitution. If her health is poor, you can use your blood to nourish her.” Aiden’s face twisted. “No! Lily isn’t like you, she can’t stand the smell of blood. It’s decided.” I looked at Aiden with deep sorrow, suddenly remembering my father. That’s right! Father and Mother were so in love, he definitely wouldn’t agree to this! I rushed out of the hospital and home. When I happily approached my father, he slapped me hard across the face, shaking with rage. “Is this how your mother taught you to be so cold-blooded? For the sake of some trinket left by a dead woman, you’d let her suffer with her poor health!” My pupils constricted as my whole body trembled. Mother had been so good to Aiden, managing Father’s company until her dying day. But now the same people only had cold shoulders and cruel words left. I bit my lip until it bled. Aiden flinched at the hatred in my eyes. He was about to say something when Lily waved the deed in front of my face. “Thanks for making amends, big sis. Let’s put our grudges behind us now.” She pulled two tickets for a car race out of the folder. “Big sis, I’m inviting you to watch my race tomorrow. Father and Aiden will both be there.” My hand shook violently as I touched the tickets. I looked at the two men in panic. When I was little, I had been hit by a race car that went off course. I spent two years in the hospital, nearly giving up surrounded by cold machines. “I’m not going!” I tried to escape, but she grabbed me, her nails digging into my flesh like she was tearing off a chunk of me. Lily suddenly fell backwards uncontrollably, too fast to stop. “Ah, don’t push me…” She fell straight into the fireplace behind her. As flames flared up, Aiden pulled her out. She sobbed in his arms. “My hair got singed, what do I do? Big sis must hate me, I never meant to take anything from her.” I raised my eyes. “I said I didn’t do it. Will you believe me?” “Chloe, have you gone mad?” Aiden’s eyes blazed red, like he wanted to tear me apart. I laughed coldly as I looked at him. There was no point in explaining. He knew how terrified I was of cars, yet he still refused to believe me. Lily ran off crying. He raised his hand to slap me viciously. Then he chased after her like a madman. In the dead of night, I curled up in bed, my tears soaking the pillow. “Mom… why didn’t you take me with you…” I vaguely heard someone push open the door and carry me downstairs. When I opened my eyes again, the sharp screech of tires against pavement assaulted my ears. Everything around me was a blur. I bit my lip hard as waves of near-death terror washed over me. Vomit mixed with blood covered my body. I instantly realized Aiden was getting revenge for Lily. This time, I couldn’t even shed a tear. The car door opened and I tumbled out like a sack of meat. The smell of burning flesh filled the air, but I no longer had the strength to struggle. I didn’t understand why everything had changed in this life. Aiden and my father seemed like completely different people. But it didn’t matter anymore. It would all be over soon. I managed a small relieved smile as I slowly closed my eyes. 0

When I opened my eyes again, my body burned with pain. I wasn’t in a hospital, but a dark basement with a cheap bed. I touched my singed, messy hair, my heart shattering. The housekeeper hugged me gently with reddened eyes. “Miss, you’re finally awake. You’ve suffered so much. How could Mr. Aiden do this to you? He knew what you went through…” Tears silently rolled down my face. Yes, he used to personally drive me everywhere, knowing my fear. This time he had someone kidnap and race me around. My prized hair was burned on a whim. I let out a bitter laugh. In my past life he had loved me to death. In this life he loved someone else to death. We were never meant to be together. I had a long dream where my second brother took me away. All four of my brothers showered me with endless love. Just thinking about it made me smile. Aiden’s casually placed hands clenched into tight fists as he struggled to contain his anger. “Consider this punishment a warning. Why do you have to keep going after Lily? She’s not as lucky as you. Can’t you just let her have this?” I scoffed. As if Lily’s misfortune was my fault. Who should I blame for my current situation then? I met his eyes, my own stinging with unshed tears. “Aiden, have you really forgotten how much you loved me in our past life?” He looked dazed for a moment before furrowing his brow and coldly replying, “What nonsense are you spouting? You think we had a past life together?” He stormed off before I could respond. I laughed bitterly as I gathered my things, burning all the wedding supplies before heading to the airport. But as soon as I stepped out the front door, blinding headlights shone on me as a car sped straight at me. BANG! When I came to, Lily and I were tied to chairs. Her face was twisted with malice as she looked at me. “I know you want to leave. As it happens, I know a place where Aiden will never find you.” As she finished speaking, the men from the casino walked towards us. I stared at her in wide-eyed horror. But they walked right past me and went straight for Lily. The next moment, her screams echoed through the warehouse. “Even if you ruin me, Aiden still won’t like you! Please let me go!” Before I could process what was happening, the door was kicked open violently. Aiden strode in backlit dramatically. A small doll covered in needles hit me in the face, drawing blood. I shook my head frantically, face pale. “It wasn’t me…” But his handsome face was contorted with rage, his eyes like he was looking at a dead person. “We found your fingerprints in Lily’s car. What else do you have to say? Chloe, you’re still as disgusting as before!” I stared blankly as he carried Lily away. Every breath tasted of blood. Aiden, goodbye and good riddance. As the casino men swarmed towards me, I closed my eyes in despair with a bitter smile.

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