The day I found out I was pregnant, I, Willow, braved a heavy downpour to visit the private members’ club Liam Hayes frequented. Outside his private room, I wiped my soaking wet hair, planning to surprise him when he finished up. Through a slightly open crack in the door, I heard men’s voices, laced with laughter. “Liam, your wedding with Willow is just a week away. Are all the surprises for the wedding ready?” “All ready,” Liam’s cool voice, softened by alcohol, replied. “I’m going to give her a memory she’ll never forget.” My hand, wiping my hair, paused. A sweet smile unconsciously spread across my lips. In the three years I’d been with Liam, he’d truly doted on me, cherished me deeply, as if I were the most precious thing in his life. “Haha, bro, what if Willow finds out I’ve been impersonating you and playing her all this time? Will she just completely lose it?” “Haha, Willow probably can’t even imagine that Liam has an identical twin brother!” “Doesn’t she always act so high and mighty? If she knew she’d been played for three years by her boyfriend’s brother, I can’t imagine the look on her face.” The men’s malicious laughter froze me to the spot, my face turning deathly pale. I could barely believe my ears. My feet instinctively took a step forward, peering into the private room. The next second, I saw a man sitting next to Liam who looked exactly like him – from his appearance to his hairstyle, even the teardrop mole under his eye was identical! The man scoffed, leaning back lazily on the couch. “Who told her to mess with Blair? Blair is the love of my life, my brother’s precious darling. To punish Willow, to drag her down to hell at the peak of her happiness, my brother really went through a lot.” The friends, who usually greeted me warmly as “sister-in-law,” chimed in with teasing remarks. “Caleb, you’re the one who worked hard! You’ve been getting all the action these past few years!” “Hahaha, if I didn’t look different, I’d want a piece of that action too!” “Seriously, Willow’s face, her figure, tsk tsk. If she goes crazy after the wedding, why don’t you let us have some fun with her first?” “Liam came up with this plan for Blair, acted for three years, and still stayed faithful to Blair! What a real Prince Charming!” Liam Hayes, Caleb Hayes, Blair. My head buzzed. My blood felt like it was freezing, making it impossible to breathe. My body trembled uncontrollably. Tears streamed from my wide-open eyes, blurring my vision to a crimson haze. The happiness I thought I had found in love was a lie. It was a setup, orchestrated for Blair, my bully. I remembered countless nights, waking up from nightmares of Blair, with Liam holding me, soothing me, telling me not to be afraid. I remembered countless times, sharing my experiences of being bullied, with him comforting me over and over, taking me to see a therapist. I couldn’t believe it, wouldn’t believe it. I couldn’t understand how those moments of being loved, so vivid and real, could possibly be fake. The voices from the private room continued: “Blair’s coming back from abroad soon, Liam, and you won’t have to be constantly flying out of the country anymore. Don’t you ever get tired of flying every week?” “Three years of role-playing, and I can finally be myself again! Every time my brother flew abroad, it was me who went to appease Willow…” “Your voices aren’t the same. She never noticed?” Caleb scoffed. “That idiot. I purposely lowered my voice and told her I had laryngitis. Every time, she doted on me, even getting up before dawn to bring me home remedies for my throat!” Another burst of loud laughter erupted. Liam interrupted. “Enough. After the wedding, I’ll give her a substantial compensation, enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life.” “Liam, are you getting soft, are we?” My heart fluttered, and I instinctively held my breath, staring intently at the distinguished man. Two seconds later, he let out a cold laugh. “How could I?” “What about you, Caleb? After three years of sleeping with her, you didn’t catch feelings, did you?” Liam turned to look at Caleb, who shook his head abruptly. “Three years? I’m long tired of her. Bro, why don’t you take over?” Liam gave a cold smile. “She disgusts me.” “Alright, she practically begged for this wedding. Giving her money is just to ensure she doesn’t cling to me.” “Time is a bit tight; you guys help me get everything ready.” “In a week, after exposing the truth, I’m going to propose to Blair directly!” I don’t know how I managed to leave that private members’ club. Pelting rain lashed down, but I felt nothing. Only the conversation from that room echoed endlessly in my mind. Blair… Just hearing that name made my body tremble uncontrollably. I didn’t understand. She had already moved abroad; why couldn’t she just leave me alone? Why was she so fixated on utterly destroying me? It was just a “campus queen” title. Because my candid, untouched photo had somehow beaten Blair’s heavily Photoshopped competition entry, Blair had rallied a group of people to trap me in the bathroom, using every cruel trick to torment me, then forced my head into the toilet bowl. Because I refused to get down on my knees and beg for forgiveness, I lived a hellish life for the next three years. Ganging up on me, poking me with needles, putting thumbtacks in my shoes, turning the entire class against me, isolating and tormenting me, sabotaging my part-time jobs, spreading vicious rumors about me. She even arranged for several rich kids to pursue me. Once, I overheard her plotting to corrupt me with money, only to ruthlessly discard me later. Blair never succeeded. Even when she left to study abroad in my junior year, she hadn’t completely broken me. But by then, I was already suffering from severe depression and engaged in self-harm. Liam appeared at that time. He wasn’t like the other rich guys who pursued me, always eyeing me with a predatory gaze, as if I were a piece of merchandise, or who simply threw money at me. He had a sincere gaze, genuinely sought to understand my struggles, and listened to my needs. When he learned I had a Nana Rose who needed long-term medication, he never once judged me. Instead, he did everything he could within my comfort zone to improve my life. He even helped me find internships and part-time jobs, and he’d sit with me in convenience stores eating dinner between shifts, then gently stroking my hair. “Willow, you’ve worked so hard. You’re truly amazing.” Once, when Nana Rose fell ill while I was out of town, Liam was the one who helped take her to the hospital and stayed by her side, caring for her day and night. When I rushed back the next day, he looked utterly exhausted, yet he smiled and comforted me, “Nana Rose is fine, don’t worry. Don’t push yourself too hard.” At that moment, a voice in my heart told me: “He’s the one. Try to trust him, and cherish the present, no matter the outcome.” Later, he truly remained good to me, even bravely stood up to his family to be with me. Liam’s brother Caleb’s sneering laughter echoed in my mind again: “So stupid. How could the Hayes family possibly allow an orphan girl like her to marry into their family? It’s nothing more than hiring a couple of actors to put on a show. My brother just had to ‘defy’ his family for her, and she was completely devoted.” “So stupid, didn’t notice anything was off for three years.” “So stupid, still thinking Liam is madly in love with her.” “So stupid, so stupid, so stupid…” I stumbled and fell in the rain, tears mixing with the downpour. So stupid… Willow, you really are… so stupid. I suddenly looked up and laughed like a madwoman, letting the torrential rain mercilessly lash my face. My phone rang abruptly. It was Nana Rose’s caregiver. “Willow, hurry! Nana Rose is fading fast!” My head buzzed. My mind instantly went blank, my limbs weak. I scrambled to my feet on instinct, rushing to the roadside to hail a cab. But every car that passed by just flashed their lights, honked, and sped away. Just as I was about to run to the hospital, an SUV pulled up. The rugged man inside asked my destination. Without a second thought for my safety, I quickly got in. By the time I arrived at the hospital, the doctor had already given a critical condition notice. “Her breathing was failing; resuscitation was pointless. Just spend some time with her.” I dropped to my knees, grasping Nana Rose’s hand, which trembled in mine. Nana Rose smiled weakly. “Willow… don’t cry… I’m sorry, Nana Rose couldn’t hold on until your wedding…” I shook my head vigorously, unable to speak, unable to control my heartbroken sobs. Nana Rose’s gaze weakly searched around. “Where’s Liam…? Nana Rose wants to see him…” “Okay.” My voice was so hoarse it was barely audible. I pulled out my phone, dialing Liam’s number again and again. The calls were repeatedly hung up. I quickly sent a message. **Liam, Nana Rose’s heart is failing, she can’t hold on much longer. Please come to the hospital; she wants to see you one last time.** **Liam, Nana Rose is waiting for you, just one visit. Can you come?** **Liam Hayes, please…** My trembling hands furiously typed on the keyboard. Tears streamed from my bloodshot eyes, splattering onto the phone screen. At this moment, the lies and deceit didn’t matter. If only Liam could come, if only Nana Rose could pass peacefully, nothing else mattered. But Liam remained silent. I stopped, forced a strained smile, and squeezed Nana Rose’s hand, trying to comfort her. “Nana Rose, Liam must be tied up with something. Don’t worry, we’re very much in love, and we’re getting married next week.” “Nana Rose, I’ll be very happy… Please don’t worry…” The hand gripping mine squeezed back fiercely. Nana Rose stared intently at me. “Willow… live well… be happy…” Her hand went limp. The last look in her eyes was filled with worry… I stared blankly at my palm, then collapsed to my knees, crying hysterically. That night, I numbly followed the procedures for Nana Rose’s funeral arrangements, and still, I never received a reply from Liam. During a waiting period, I unblocked Blair’s SnapChat from my blacklist and clicked into her feed. **[Originally planned to surprise him by coming back early, but I was the one who got surprised!]** The accompanying picture showed an airport background. Liam, dressed in a mascot costume, held a bouquet of flowers, his sweaty face smiling, his eyes gentle. Another photo showed the two of them together. She was smiling sweetly, and Liam looked at her from the side, his gaze tender. I gave a bitter laugh and turned off my phone. The next day at noon, I returned to the hospital with Nana Rose’s urn and did two things. First, I scheduled an abortion for three days later. Second, I submitted an application form for Doctors Without Borders. Dr. Evans looked at me in surprise. “Aren’t you getting married soon?” I was silent for a moment. “Not anymore. Dr. Evans, I need to leave, the sooner the better!” Seeing my bloodshot eyes and urgency, Dr. Evans said nothing more. “You’ve just made the application deadline. Take these few days off to prepare.” “We’ll meet at the hospital to depart in a week.” “Okay.” A week later, it would be the exact date of my wedding with Liam. Not only would I be leaving that day, but I’d also be sending them a grand gift, one they’d never forget. Considering the dangerous location I was heading to, I decided to bury Nana Rose. I bought an urn pendant, placed a strand of Nana Rose’s hair and a pinch of her ashes inside, and buried the rest in the cemetery. I knelt before the tombstone, clutching the pendant at my chest. “Nana Rose, please don’t worry. I’m about to do what I’ve always wanted to do, and I’ll take good care of myself.” I returned to the villa in the evening. The moment I stepped inside, I heard laughter and cheerful voices. I froze, and Liam immediately noticed me. He quickly came forward and led me inside. “Come, let me introduce you to some friends.” A man and a woman on the sofa stood up, turning to look at me, their eyes sparkling with amusement. It was Blair and Caleb. My body trembled uncontrollably. This was my physiological reaction to facing Blair. Liam’s voice was laced with a smile. “Blair is my childhood friend, and Caleb is my twin brother. They just returned from studying abroad and made it just in time for our wedding.” Blair waved at me, smiling sweetly. “Willow and I know each other; we were college roommates.” Saying this, she rushed forward, took my arm, and whispered in my ear, “Right, Willow?” Countless images flashed before my eyes. Every time Blair bullied me, she would whisper in my ear, “Just a roommate’s joke, right, Willow?” I instinctively flinched and pushed Blair away. Blair sat on the floor, looking utterly wronged. “Willow, do you still dislike me? I just want to get along with you.” Both men’s expressions changed. Liam quickly rushed over to help Blair up, his gaze dark. Caleb frowned in displeasure. “Bro, your fiancée has quite a temper. She’s not even a Hayes yet, and she’s already this arrogant?” Liam shielded Blair behind him, his tone furious and cold. “Willow, apologize!” I looked at the three of them, my hands at my sides clenching silently. Thinking of what I’d overheard last night, my heart felt like it was being brutally ripped open. I silently turned, preparing to leave. After only two steps, my wrist was suddenly grabbed. The immense force pulled me, making me stumble. I looked up, meeting Liam Hayes’s eyes, swirling with rage. “Who said you could leave?” Caleb’s tone was cold. “The Hayes family is a prestigious one; we value manners above all else. Bro, your fiancée needs to be properly disciplined.” “You’re right.” Liam’s eyes were ice-cold. “Willow, you’re about to become a Hayes. You must be careful with your words and actions, and always restrain yourself.” “Reflect on what happened today.” With that, he forcibly dragged me to the basement, pushing me into one of the rooms. Before I could react, he slammed the door shut. No light penetrated the perfectly sealed door. It was then I realized this was a windowless, dark room. In the pure darkness, my breathing grew shallow, and I started frantically pounding on the door. But no matter how much I yelled, there was no response from outside. I sank into endless terror. In college, Blair had locked me in a dark room for three days. No sound, no light; the passage of time felt excruciatingly long. That time, I had a mental breakdown. Since then, I’ve been terrified of darkness and developed claustrophobia. For years, I had to leave all the lights on every night, even when sleeping. Liam had initially struggled to adapt, tossing and turning, waking easily. But after hearing about my past, he held me tenderly, saying, “It’s okay, it’s okay. From now on, we’ll sleep with the lights on. Don’t be afraid.” Every time I suggested trying to turn off the lights, he’d refuse. “Willow, you don’t have to force yourself to do anything. I can adapt.” He knew. They… they all knew. Yet they still chose to punish me this way, simply because I pushed Blair. My heart ached dully. I curled up in the corner, holding my trembling body tightly. Yes, their past kindness was fake, deliberately performed. Even this dark room, I suspected, was specifically designed for me. Two days later, Liam came to open the door, a pleased smile on his lips. “Blair isn’t mad at you anymore about the other day. Get ready; we’re going to try on wedding dresses and rings.” I was taken to the bridal shop. As soon as I got out of the car, I saw Blair and Caleb already waiting inside. Blair enthusiastically greeted me. “Willow, you’re here! I didn’t get to congratulate you last time. Liam and I are the best of friends, so let me help you pick out your wedding dress today!” A smile was plastered on her face, waiting for me to lose my composure. But I didn’t show the slightest hint of fear or disgust. Instead, I smiled and said, “Thank you, that’s very kind of you.” Blair’s face darkened for a fleeting moment, then she put on a bright smile again. She hooked an arm around Liam and Caleb, giving them a meaningful look. “Then I’ll try them on with you. Willow, I’ll be a bride soon too.” I smiled faintly. “Congratulations.” The light in Blair’s eyes completely dimmed. Next, Blair would call over a staff member and try on any wedding dress I lingered on for more than a second. Each time she emerged, she’d pull Liam’s hand. “Liam, what do you think? Do I look good?” And Liam would always be captivated, praising her without reservation. Caleb also hovered around Blair; the two of them completely ignored me. The staff members looked on enviously. “This bride is so lucky…” Blair let out a theatrical “Oh dear!” and turned to look at me, standing by the side like an outcast. “I’m sorry, Willow, you’re the bride, you should be trying them on first.” She then playfully punched Liam’s chest. “Liam, what’s wrong with you? How can you leave your own bride standing around?” The staff members looked awkward, and Caleb’s lips curled into a mocking smile. Only then did Liam look at me. “Do you like anything?” I casually picked a dress and went in to try it on. When I came out, all three of them were gone. A staff member looked sympathetic. “Madam, Miss Blair said she was going to pick out rings, and both gentlemen went with her. As for you…” “It’s fine.” I took off the wedding dress and handed it back, then left directly. Soon, Blair posted an update on SnapChat, with a picture of a diamond ring embedded with multiple gems: **[The diamond ring Liam had bid on at that exclusive auction.]** I only glanced at it before turning off my phone and continued packing. Besides the clothes and toiletries I intended to take with me, I gathered all my remaining belongings, including gifts I had once given Liam, and disposed of them. Any gifts Liam had given me, I left untouched. Just as I finished packing my suitcase and put it in the closet, Liam walked in, carrying a blue velvet box. “This is the ring I bought for you at the auction.” I recognized it—it was the complimentary gift from Blair’s SnapChat post. I calmly took it and placed it aside. My overly cold reaction made Liam frown. His gaze shifted, and he noticed the couple’s mugs in the trash can that I used to cherish so much. A flicker of unease inexplicably crossed his mind. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why did you throw away the mugs? Are you mad?” I pressed my lips together. “No.” Liam, however, became convinced. “Is it because of the wedding dress fitting? Blair is just my good friend. It’s been years since we last saw each other, so I paid a bit more attention to her.” He reached out and put his arm around me. “There’s no need to be jealous of her. If Blair and I had anything going on, we would have been together a long time ago, wouldn’t we? Willow, you’re my bride. Don’t you understand how I feel about you?” Hearing those words, my heart felt like it was violently squeezed, a sharp pain piercing through me. My eyes were slightly red. Liam, seeing this, stroked my hair. “I’m sorry, Willow, for making you feel wronged.” At his words, my fingertips trembled, then clenched into fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. In that instant, I was tempted to confront him, to distinguish his sincerity from his deceit, to know if there was even a shred of genuine feeling in him these past three years. But the words died in my throat, swallowed back. Liam’s phone rang. He quickly answered, “Blair… I’ll be right there…” After hanging up, he ruffled my hair. “I have something to do. Get some rest early. You’ll be the most beautiful bride in a week.” With that, he quickly turned and left. I sat on the bed, holding back the tears in my eyes. Two hours later, after washing up, I lay in bed, ready to sleep. In a hazy state, the bedroom door suddenly twisted open. Liam, who was supposed to be at the bar partying with Blair, walked in. He reeked of alcohol, casually ripped open his shirt, and pulled back my covers, then came down on top of me. The moment our skin touched, my sleepiness vanished instantly. I was terrifyingly awake, realizing— The person on top of me was Caleb. My body instantly stiffened, my face turning deathly pale. I used all my strength to push him away, shrinking back against the headboard. Caleb frowned at me for two seconds, then raised an eyebrow. “Still mad?” He rubbed his temples. His demeanor was identical to Liam’s, and his voice, soaked in alcohol, was no different. If I hadn’t overheard Liam say he stayed faithful to Blair, I wouldn’t have been able to tell them apart. He leaned in again, his hands propped behind me, our noses almost touching. “I already explained today. If I had feelings for her, I wouldn’t be marrying you.” Caleb was about to kiss me. My eyes widened. I abruptly turned my head away and gagged. My eyes were red from retching, but I couldn’t stop. I pushed the man away and rushed to the bathroom. Caleb watched my retreating back, his brow slightly furrowed, his eyes flickering. Inside the bathroom, I slid down the wall, crouching on the floor. Outside the door, Caleb’s voice suddenly rang out. “Did you guys hear that? She’s gagging. Could she be pregnant?” Then came a startled clamor, and one of his friends shouted, “Caleb, don’t take it too far! What if she gets pregnant and then clings to you when the truth comes out?” My spine instantly stiffened, my limbs turning cold. I realized Caleb’s phone had been on speaker the whole time. Blair’s voice immediately followed. “Liam, Caleb, you two are going too far…” “Too far?” Liam’s voice was icy. “She’s targeted you for so long. This is the punishment she deserves.” Blair worried, “What if Willow really is pregnant?” After a moment of silence, both men spoke in unison: “Impossible!” On the other end of the phone, Liam’s voice sounded exceptionally cruel. “Even if she is, we’ll take care of it. Caleb, wouldn’t you agree?” Caleb’s Adam’s apple bobbed twice. “Y-yes, of course.” Somehow, his heart clenched for a split second. The next second, he saw me open the door, my face deathly pale, staring at him. His heart skipped a beat. He quickly ended the call and stepped forward. “What’s wrong, Willow? Why do you look so bad? Are you feeling unwell somewhere? You’re not… pregnant, are you?” I stared at him, forcing a weak smile. “No, my stomach ache just flared up.”
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