I chased Elias Vance for four long years, utterly devoid of shame. He was utterly exasperated by me. Under his immense pressure, my family, cowering in fear, shipped me off overseas. He said, “Whatever it takes, make her stop bothering me!” “Otherwise, don’t expect any mercy from me.” Drugs, hypnosis, electroshock therapy… These methods were incredibly effective. I forgot what it felt like to love him. Even my memories of him became blurry, indistinct. He finally relented, allowing me to return home. I instinctively avoided any place where he might appear. My mother had warned me that I couldn’t afford to cross that breathtakingly handsome man. Seeing him kiss Seraphina, my sister, I secretly pulled out my phone to snap a picture. His eyes were predatory and icy. Terrified, I shrank into the corner, my words caught in my throat: “I’m sorry, I just thought you two looked so perfect together, like something out of a romance movie…” I don’t know why. The man who usually showed no emotion, his gaze trembled violently. **1** Ever since I came back from overseas, my mind has felt… fuzzy. Most of my day was spent sleeping. I felt like I might be sick. Mom comforted me, saying there was nothing to worry about. “You’ve always been a little sleepyhead, unlike your sister who’s so disciplined.” “It’s fine. Everyone’s constitution is different. If you’re tired, go to sleep.” I poured myself a large cup of black coffee, hoping to perk up. But it had no effect. I tapped my temples, frustrated, when the front door chimed. The butler announced, “Miss Seraphina has brought Mr. Vance home.” My parents’ eyes instantly lit up with joy. Dad eagerly rushed out to greet them. Mom was about to follow, then suddenly remembered something. She looked at me apologetically: “Daisy, you…” I nodded understandingly: “I know, Mr. Vance isn’t fond of me.” “Seraphina’s engagement is important. I’ll go upstairs now; it’s a good time for me to catch some more sleep anyway.” Mom looked at my yawning face with a hint of relief. I had only taken a few steps when I suddenly remembered I hadn’t taken my coffee cup. I wanted to try another cup later. The moment I turned, I inadvertently met a cold, icy gaze. It was almost a primal instinct. I forgot about the coffee cup and bolted, as if delaying for even a second would cost me my life. I didn’t stop until I reached my room and locked the door. I even shoved a table against the door from the inside. Only then did the knot in my stomach finally loosen. I couldn’t explain why, but whenever I saw Elias Vance, a powerful emotion surged through me: fear. Mom said it was because Elias was a born leader, someone who naturally makes anyone around him feel small. “Especially you, a natural pushover.” Mom told me not to appear in front of Mr. Vance. “Mr. Vance, he… he doesn’t like people who look sweet but are actually ditzy.” “His eyes only linger on accomplished girls like your sister.” “What caliber is the Vance family? Marrying into them would set us up for generations, wouldn’t it?” “Daisy, you need to be sensible.” I was very sensible. So, every time Elias came to the house, I actively avoided him. Mom was always relieved by this, sometimes stroking my head. It was the greatest reward for me, and I cherished it. That’s why I never dared to tell Mom. Even if she didn’t say it, I would still actively avoid Elias Vance. His presence was just too overwhelming. I felt so uneasy. So suffocated. It was like someone was squeezing my heart. And there was this strange, aching bitterness. Downstairs, laughter and chatter echoed. Amidst that joyous noise, I drifted off into a hazy sleep. **2** When I woke up again, the sky had darkened. It was already evening. The mansion was quiet. Elias Vance must have left. My stomach rumbled. I pushed open my door, wearing a white, princess-style nightgown, and padded barefoot downstairs looking for food. The cold floor made my fuzzy brain feel a tiny bit clearer. I was standing by the counter, heating some bread slices. Suddenly, the study door opened. Elias Vance, dressed in a sharp suit, walked out. Under the warm, yellow glow of the lights, his silhouette was even sharper, his body perfectly straight. His features were chiseled, like a god who held the power of life and death. But he was so cold. His entire demeanor was cold, his eyes were cold. Even the lead-grey cufflinks on his suit gleamed with a chilling light. Across the long living room, his gaze fell dispassionately on me. His thin lips were pressed into a grim line. His presence was utterly intimidating. Almost immediately. I snapped back to reality. Clutching my head, I crouched under the dining table. I scrambled to hide, only making my presence more obvious. Seraphina’s light steps skipped down the stairs. She practically flew into Elias’s arms, clinging to his arm and swaying it playfully. “Are you really leaving already? You haven’t even seen my new publicity photos, and you haven’t eaten dinner yet! Please stay?” Seraphina usually carried herself with a cool, distant air. But now, she was all girlish charm, her voice a sweet, lilting sound. Like a beautiful bird, with dazzling plumage and a melodious song. Elias Vance didn’t speak. He looked coldly at me, cowering under the table. Seraphina’s smile faltered. She bit her lip and said, “If you’re busy, you can see them another time. Let’s go, I’ll walk you out.” Elias Vance stood still. His oppressive presence was so heavy, as if he hadn’t heard Seraphina speaking at all. Seraphina opened her mouth but dared not speak. After a long moment, he finally spoke, his voice low and deep: “Alright, I’ll eat dinner before I leave.” Dad and Seraphina’s faces simultaneously showed expressions of surprise and disbelief. Elias’s lips curved faintly: “What are you afraid of? She’s forgotten everything, hasn’t she?” Elias Vance strode his long legs to the dining table and crouched down. His tailored suit pants highlighted the strong lines of his legs. “Daisy, do you still recognize me?” I timidly raised my eyes, then lowered them again, not daring to meet his gaze. I slowly nodded. But my fingertips and toes suddenly felt like they were being pricked with needles. It was like an automatic, panic response. I screamed. Clamping my eyes shut. Shaking my head frantically. “No! I don’t! Don’t hurt me! I don’t know you!” **3** At the dinner table, the atmosphere was bizarre. My parents tried desperately to liven things up. But Elias Vance simply ate in silence, his posture noble and graceful. He showed no intention of speaking, making my parents’ enthusiasm incredibly awkward. Seraphina’s face was dark, and she didn’t say a word. I didn’t dare to pick up dishes, only eating small bites of rice. Finally, the meal was over, and both my parents seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Watching Elias Vance’s departing figure, I suddenly remembered something and called out to him: “Mr. Vance, wait a minute.” Everyone looked at me in surprise. Including Elias Vance. His brows slightly furrowed, clearly impatient. “Just for a second. Please?” I held up my finger, indicating a tiny distance. With that, I dashed upstairs, and soon ran back down clutching a metal box. All eyes were locked on me. I opened the lid of the metal box and asked, “Mr. Vance, is this yours?” On top of the box were a dozen or so ID photos. Some were small, some were larger. You could tell they hadn’t been obtained through official channels. Some had embossed stamps, others had dried glue on the back. Clearly, they’d been peeled off from various places. The Elias Vance in the photos was younger than now, with a hint of youthful innocence in his eyes, but his features were already strikingly superior. Besides the ID photos, there were all sorts of random things: candy wrappers, cigarette packs, used pen refills, crumpled test papers, and so on. Elias Vance looked at me with piercing eyes. I bit my lip before I dared to continue: “I found it in a corner of my wardrobe. I don’t know who put it there. But I recognized your photos, so it must be yours, right?” Elias Vance’s gaze shifted slightly, as if with a hint of inquiry. His stare made me feel small. My shoulders slumped. He finally spoke: “It’s not mine. Throw it away.” “Oh, okay.” I casually tossed the box into the nearby trash can and started to head upstairs. Elias Vance’s eyes suddenly held a dangerous glint. “Daisy, are you doing this on purpose?” he called out to me. I was confused: “What?” He seemed to see through everything, his eyes mocking as he scoffed. “Nothing. You’re a good actress. But don’t bother next time. I’m not interested.” With that, he turned and left. **4** Mom closed the door. Seraphina, who had held it in all night, finally burst into tears, collapsing onto the table. Dad watched, his heart aching, and eventually couldn’t hold back his anger, striking out with a slap. I was unprepared and fell awkwardly to the floor. My head hit the corner of the table. A dull throb pulsed through it. Mom, her face etched with pain and frustration, embraced Seraphina’s shoulders and said to me, “Daisy, don’t blame your father for being so harsh; tonight, you were truly, truly a disappointment!” “Did you forget Mom’s repeated warnings?” “Why did you come downstairs on your own? Why did you talk to him? Are you really that pathetic?!” Blood oozed from the cut on my forehead, trickling into my eyes. My vision blurred, obscured by a crimson haze. Clutching the bleeding wound, I tried to explain: “I’m sorry, I thought he had left. I didn’t mean to…” Seraphina suddenly grabbed my collar, screaming hysterically: “Coming downstairs dressed like that, deliberately walking around barefoot in front of him, and bringing out some old box trying to get his attention, Daisy, who are you trying to seduce?!” “Do you even know who Elias Vance is? Do you know who *you* are? How dare you even think about him?” “Do you realize that because of your indecent behavior tonight, I could lose him?” “Can’t you live without a man? Seducing your own sister’s boyfriend!” With that, Seraphina opened the door and walked out. Mom quickly grabbed her: “Seraphina, where are you going at this hour?” Seraphina glared at me with hatred: “It’s either me or her in this house. If she stays, I leave!” Soon, the sound of a car engine starting echoed from the garage. Mom sighed deeply. Dad slammed a door in frustration. I spoke softly: “Should I stay somewhere else tonight?” Mom hesitated for a few moments: “Where would you go?” “I can stay in a hotel. I always stayed in hotels when I was abroad; I’m used to it.” Back then, I couldn’t stand the inhumane torment, so whenever I had a chance, I would escape from the hospital. I stayed in the cheapest motels, trying to avoid the painful treatments they arranged for me. But Seraphina always found me quickly and dragged me back. Mom was silent, then after a while, she nodded: “Tonight was indeed your fault, so go stay out. When your sister cools down, Mom will pick you up.” **5** In the hotel room. Standing in front of the mirror, I carefully wiped away the blood from my forehead. The wound was a bit large; a single bandage wouldn’t cover it. But it was so late, and I didn’t dare leave the hotel room to buy more bandages. Usually, I could never get enough sleep. But tonight, perhaps because of the throbbing pain in my forehead, I found it hard to sleep at all. I had forgotten why I was sent abroad. I only remembered that, ever since childhood, Seraphina had always been smarter and more accomplished than me. Wherever she went, she seemed to glow. So, my parents held the highest expectations for her. Seraphina started as a child model at a very young age, and later, she became wildly popular with her image as a brilliant scholar. As for me, besides having looks comparable to hers, I was completely useless. So, I understood my parents’ favoritism. I agreed with their decision to channel more resources towards my capable sister. But was this favoritism the reason they sent me abroad? I remembered when I was abroad, taking handfuls of pills and undergoing painful treatments. Mom told me on the phone that it would make me smarter. But I always felt that since returning from abroad, my brain worked even worse. Besides being constantly sleepy, my reactions were slower. Had my parents brought me back because the treatment failed? Were they even more displeased with me because I was dumber? **6** During the day, I wandered the streets. As soon as night fell, I returned to the hotel to sleep. I stayed in the hotel for a week, but Mom still hadn’t told me to come back. I had run out of money. I SnapChatted my mom. I discovered she had blocked me. At noon, as I sat in the hotel lobby, staring blankly, I saw a striking couple from a distance, standing at the entrance to the indoor garden. The man had a tall, commanding presence, his back to me, showing only his broad, straight shoulders. The woman had an enviable figure, accentuated by an elegant long dress, her face upturned as she smiled at the man. But I could only see half of her profile. I shook my head, trying to see more clearly. But these past few days, I always had a headache, and everything looked as if through a fog. This only made the scene in front of me feel even more atmospheric. I pulled out my phone to capture the beautiful scene. But I completely forgot to turn off the flash, and my shutter sound was cranked all the way up. They quickly noticed me. The man’s jawline seemed to clench. His gaze towards me was extremely hostile. I watched as the two of them strode towards me, feeling fidgety and anxious. Until Elias Vance and Seraphina stood over me, looking down. “Daisy, what are you doing here?” Elias Vance’s voice was as cold as ever. I looked at Seraphina, too scared to speak. Elias Vance extended a long, slender hand: “Give me your phone.” Trembling, I handed my phone to him. It was so strange; he knew my password. Even I didn’t know what my six-digit password meant. I’d tried everyone’s birthdays at home, but none of them worked. Elias Vance pulled up the photo, his eyes dangerously narrowed: “Why were you secretly taking pictures? Daisy, what do you intend to do to Seraphina? Are you trying to hurt her again?” I shook my head frantically, so nervous I was close to tears: “No, I didn’t.” I knew Seraphina was more accomplished than me. I was so ordinary, so I never thought about competing with her for anything. But Mom said I had once appeared at Seraphina’s new show’s press conference, dressed to the nines. A reporter had commented that Seraphina and I looked alike but had completely different temperaments. Seraphina was pure and ethereal, while I was whimsical and utterly innocent. They said I had a broader range for acting roles. Because of that, Seraphina’s confirmed lead role suddenly ran into complications. In the end, I didn’t get to act, but Seraphina lost her chance to become an A-list actress. That’s why Seraphina hated me, hated me for deliberately stealing the spotlight and being unable to bear her success. No matter how I explained, no one believed me. That day, I wasn’t trying to steal Seraphina’s glory; I just wanted to witness her success. I had spent all my pocket money renting an expensive gown, just so I wouldn’t embarrass my sister. I never imagined that I would somehow outshine her. I really didn’t mean to. But no one believed me. Those days when everyone turned against me, my family took turns expressing their disappointment. It was suffocating. Like a nightmare. I never wanted to go through it again. “Please believe me, I didn’t.” I desperately grabbed Elias Vance’s sleeve, pleading. He frowned, then said: “Daisy, are you still pretending? You didn’t really lose your memory, did you?
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