1 It was the company’s team-building day, and I brought my daughter along. My colleagues found her adorable, constantly showering her with snacks. Only our young boss, Ethan, eyed her with a knowing look. “Autumn, your daughter looks so much like a friend of mine. So much so, I’d almost suspect she’s his illegitimate child.” Ethan snapped a picture of Ella, then asked for my permission. “You don’t mind if I send this to my friend, do you? Just to spook him a little.” I shook my head, simply dismissing it as a coincidence. My colleagues, now intrigued, gathered around me, gossiping non-stop. “Autumn, what does the baby’s father do?” “We… separated a long time ago.” “Ella is so beautiful, besides your gorgeous genes, her dad must be responsible too. Was your ex-husband really handsome?” “Yes, quite handsome.” Even though he wasn’t even an ex-husband. “Why did you two break up? Did he cheat?” “No.” “Domestic violence?” “No, he was very gentle.” “Then why?” My colleagues were genuinely regretful. I offered a bitter smile, saying nothing more. My thoughts drifted over a thousand miles away, to the city of Portside. I was sold to Mr. Tanner, Liam Tanner, by my adoptive father to pay off a debt. He initially didn’t want me, but fearing my adoptive father might beat me to death, he took pity. Not only did he let me live rent-free in one of his properties, but he also funded my high school and university education. Yet, during that time, he never saw me again. It wasn’t until graduation that my adoptive father, burdened by gambling debts, schemed with me once more. He demanded I go to Liam for money. Little did he know, I couldn’t even find Liam. The only person I normally contacted was his assistant, Ryan Lee. And I certainly didn’t want to find him. My adoptive father beat me until I was hospitalized, making me miss my graduation ceremony. I didn’t tell Ryan, but Liam found out anyway. In the crowded hospital room, reeking of antiseptic, I saw Liam for the second time. He was still as composed as a mountain, refined as jade when he cast his gaze down, yet radiating an undeniable presence. My left cheek was bruised and swollen from my adoptive father’s beating, and every movement of my mouth was painful. I hid my left cheek, not daring to meet Liam’s eyes. “Did you learn self-defense for nothing?” His tone was laced with helplessness. “No, I didn’t learn for nothing,” I countered. I had deliberately not fought back. That way, I’d have evidence to sue the man and sever our father-daughter relationship. “Why didn’t you contact Ryan?” I lowered my head, my voice barely a whisper. “No reason.” Liam sighed. He turned and instructed Ryan to move me to a spacious private room and hire a caregiver. As he was about to leave, I tugged at his sleeve. He looked at me, his eyes devoid of emotion. “Mr. Tanner, I’ll pay you back.” “Have you decided what you’ll do?” “Yes, I’ve already interviewed for the Executive Assistant position with Mr. Vance at Horizon Corp. I start next week.” With the injury report, I smoothly severed ties with my adoptive father, finally gaining my freedom. An Executive Assistant’s salary was good, but to repay Liam as soon as possible, I remained frugal. After moving out of Liam’s property, I chose to share an apartment. My boss, Marcus Vance, was not an easy person to work for. Besides assisting him professionally, I also had to manage his private life. One day it was preparing an anniversary surprise for a university student, the next it was ordering flowers and gifts for a model… such tasks were commonplace. At an auction, Ryan and I both bid for a pair of earrings, the posthumous work of the famous jewelry designer Anna. After a few rounds, I could see his determination, so I gave up. As I was leaving, Ryan called out to me. He placed the brocade box containing the yellow diamond earrings in my hand. I stood frozen. “Boss’s orders.” After successfully acquiring the earrings, he reported the news to Liam. He also casually mentioned, “Autumn Valley was also at the auction, presumably for these earrings.” There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line, then a direct command: “Give them to her.” I tried to return the brocade box to Ryan, but he wouldn’t take it. “Mr. Vance sent you, didn’t he? If you don’t bring the item back, how will you report to him?” The earrings were what Marcus’s new girlfriend had her eye on. At worst, he’d yell at me when I got back. I was used to it. Ryan simply said, “Boss said they’re yours. You can do whatever you want with them.” Later, I learned that Liam had acquired those earrings for a project he was pursuing. The daughter of the project’s head particularly loved Anna’s jewelry designs. Getting those earrings would save him a lot of trouble. I still got an earful from Marcus because I couldn’t bear to give him the earrings. Many nights, looking at those earrings, Liam’s calm, restrained face would involuntarily appear before my eyes. But then, the earrings were stolen and sold by my roommate. I was so furious I beat her up, and it ended up at the police station. The officer told me to call someone to post bail. I looked at my contact list. After much deliberation, I called Ryan, repeatedly begging him not to tell Liam. However, as I walked out of the police station with him, the window of the black car waiting outside lowered, and Liam’s face appeared before me. I felt a little disoriented. It had been over a year since I last saw him. “Are you hurt?” Liam didn’t ask why I hit her. I shook my head. “You really liked those earrings?” Liked them enough to almost kill the person who stole them. I bit my lip guiltily. “They were very valuable.” “But I heard that person offered you all the money from selling them, yet you still didn’t let her off the hook.” My head drooped completely. “I’m sorry, Mr. Tanner. I caused you trouble.” He paused, then chuckled softly. “What kind of trouble is this?” Liam pulled out a neatly folded handkerchief and handed it to me to wipe the bloodstains from my hands. “Don’t dirty your hands for material possessions.” The handkerchief carried Liam’s unique, faint scent, and I couldn’t bring myself to soil it. Liam knew where I lived, but it was his first time visiting. The hallway walls were peeling, dark, and narrow, and the room inside was so small it was hard to turn around. A place that felt cramped for one person housed three. Liam subtly frowned. “You’ve been living in a place like this since you moved out of Cloud Creek? Are you that short on money?” He didn’t wait for my answer, instead, he instructed Ryan to go upstairs to pack my bags and move me back to Cloud Creek. Liam refused my offer of rent, so I suggested cooking him dinner. He raised an eyebrow: “Ryan said you’re a great cook?” I hadn’t expected Ryan to tell him even that. I loved to eat, and I loved experimenting with food. Once in college, when Ryan came to my apartment, I made him dinner. I walked into the kitchen, and Liam followed. He took off his suit jacket, rolled up his shirt sleeves, and naturally picked up vegetables to wash. I was a little surprised. “I can manage by myself.” “I’ll help you out, we’ll be faster.” He moved continuously, his back tall and slender. He looked so much like the male lead from the comic I read last night. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, inviting all sorts of fantasies. After that day, Liam often brought groceries and joined me for dinner. Slowly, from initial awkwardness, I eventually became comfortable enough to unreservedly direct him to do tasks. Marcus Vance had a new celebrity girlfriend. On her birthday, she was filming on set and wanted him to visit. He didn’t have time, so he sent me with flowers and jewelry to soothe her mood. However, she was a fiery one. She took out all her anger towards Marcus on me. She splashed unfinished coffee without hesitation. Everyone on set watched in shock. Fearing they might be implicated, no one dared to step forward. I stood still, calmly allowing her to vent. I hoped that once she finished venting, she wouldn’t bother Marcus anymore. Otherwise, I’d be busy again. I still had dinner planned with Liam that evening. Just as I was zoning out a little, a cup of coffee, without warning, was also splashed onto the celebrity. It was still steaming slightly. I turned my head in astonishment, meeting Liam’s sharp jawline. He stood with one hand in his pocket, casually tossing the empty coffee cup onto a nearby table. This was the first time I had ever seen Liam angry. Even Ryan, who followed behind him, was wide-eyed in shock. I quickly pulled out tissues to wipe the celebrity. But Liam gripped my wrist, pulling me away. “I can’t leave.” If I just walked away like that, Marcus would never let me hear the end of it. Liam released me, his eyelashes slightly lowered. Our eyes met, and I clearly saw indignation in his gaze. “And now you don’t know how to fight back? Autumn, I’m genuinely curious what goes on in your head.” “I… she’s my boss’s new girlfriend. I can’t upset her.” These were just part of my job; I didn’t feel wronged. Besides, in such situations, Marcus usually offered a significant compensation afterward. No job came without its frustrations, and self-respect was often worthless in the face of money. Liam sighed helplessly. “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to Marcus so he doesn’t take it out on you.” Liam’s regular penthouse apartment was near the filming location. I showered at his place and changed into the clean clothes Ryan had prepared for me. When I came out, I saw Liam leaning back on the sofa, eyes closed, asleep. The fitted suit vest tightened at his waist, subtly outlining the firm lines of his abdominal muscles. His legs were relaxed, slightly parted, radiating a strong, masculine aura. It drew me towards him involuntarily. I stared at his face for a long time, then tiptoed over and gently removed his gold-rimmed glasses. Just as I was about to retreat, Liam slowly opened his eyes. At arm’s length, I couldn’t help but swallow, staring at his lips. “Mr. Tanner, I was just…” Before I could finish my sentence, his sudden kiss swept away all my words. His kiss, unlike his usual gentle demeanor, was forceful and relentless, an unending assault. After a long while, I collapsed weakly onto his chest, my legs having, at some point, wrapped around his. We were so close, we could feel the rhythm of each other’s beating hearts. As reason slowly returned, I felt a little embarrassed and tried to get up. But Liam held the back of my neck, pulling me even tighter into his embrace. “Autumn, will you be my girlfriend?” I looked up, surprised, and a smile slowly bloomed under his gentle gaze. I nodded furiously. At that young age, I believed that as long as we loved each other, we could be together forever. But I forgot that two people from different worlds, even if they occasionally intersected, would eventually drift apart. In our fourth year together, I became pregnant. Liam was overjoyed when he found out. Ryan chuckled, saying, “Looks like Boss’s proposal plan needs to be moved up.” While I was immersed in happiness, a video was sent to my phone. The video was secretly filmed through a door crack. Liam was sitting on the sofa with his back to the door, bare-chested, his lean back covered in crisscrossing blood marks. It was horrifying. The family doctor was carefully applying medicine to him. Each time the cotton swab touched a wound, his body trembled slightly. But from beginning to end, he didn’t utter a sound. [My brother loves you very much, but you might not understand our family. Our marriages are never our own to decide.] [Can you really bear to see him suffer so much for you?] [Autumn, for all he’s done for you, please let him go.] I never knew that, in places I couldn’t see, Liam had to pay such a painful price to get his family to accept me. His pride shouldn’t be repeatedly humbled because of me. When I handed him the abortion papers, his eyes instantly welled up. But he didn’t ask anything, merely pulled me gently into his embrace. He even thought up the reasons for me. “If you don’t want children, then we won’t have them. It must have hurt a lot, didn’t it? Autumn, I’m sorry. I won’t let such an accident happen again.” I coldly pushed him away. “Liam Tanner, not only do I not want a child, I don’t want you either. We… we’re breaking up.” In a perpetually rainy February, I left the city that had given me painful memories, yet also moments of happiness. I came to my adoptive mother’s hometown, Coastwood. Years ago, my adoptive father couldn’t have children, so they adopted me. Later, due to work, they moved me to Portside. After that, my adoptive mother passed away, and my adoptive father became addicted to gambling, his personality changing dramatically. The years before I met Liam were a nightmare. That’s why I loved him, and even more, I was grateful to him. Precisely because of this, I wanted him to remain the brightest sun, not drag him down from his pedestal. After my colleagues’ attention shifted from me, the conversation slowly moved to our newly appointed junior boss, Leo Vance. They said he had previously been expanding the market in Portside, then spent over half a year at a branch office before returning to headquarters. I paused, nervously confirming with a colleague. “What did you say? The junior boss came back from Portside?” “Yeah, you didn’t know?” My head buzzed. I found Leo again. “Mr. Vance, the friend you just mentioned… his last name isn’t Tanner, is it?” Leo looked surprised. “How did you know?” “The photo from earlier, can you unsend it?” Leo had sent the photo to Liam, then put his phone away. Hearing my question, he pulled his phone back out. It was already past the unsend window. Below the photo Leo sent, there were a few lines of text. [This company employee’s daughter, doesn’t she look exactly like you?] [I was stunned!] [If I didn’t know how pure you are, I’d swear she was your illegitimate child!] Just then, the person on the other end, who hadn’t replied until now, sent a new message. [Send me the address.]

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Six months into my new apartment, and out of all the milk I’d ordered for half a year, I’d only managed to drink five. The rest had all vanished down the gullet of the elderly woman next door. I installed a camera; she showed up in a mask. I woke up early to grab it; she was even earlier. Finally, I resorted to my last trick: cash on delivery. I thought my troubles were over. Seven days later, the building manager stood at my door, his face grim. He handed me a piece of paper. Four words on it turned me to stone. 1 I’d moved into this apartment complex six months ago. To catch a few extra minutes of sleep each morning, I’d subscribed to a fresh milk delivery service. The milkman would drop a bottle into the milk box by my door before six AM daily. My usual wake-up time was seven-thirty. After I’d washed up, I’d open the milk box. Empty. At first, I assumed the milkman had forgotten. I called to inquire. He insisted, quite adamantly, that he’d delivered it. He’d been delivering to this complex for three years, he said, never once made a mistake. Perhaps a neighbor’s mischievous child had taken it, I thought. The next day, the milk box was empty again. The third day, still nothing. I was getting annoyed. Three consecutive days – this wasn’t normal. I told the milkman, “Please send me a message tomorrow after you’ve delivered the milk.” He agreed. The fourth morning, my phone’s vibration woke me before six AM. It was the milkman’s message: “Milk delivered.” I immediately shot out of bed and rushed to the door. I opened it. The milk box was empty. The motion-sensor light outside was still glowing faintly. A lingering chill in the air suggested someone had been there just moments ago. This meant someone had taken the milk in the mere seconds between me receiving the message and opening my door. Who would be so utterly bored? And every single day? I decided to install a camera. I ordered it online, and it arrived the next day. I mounted it in a discreet corner above my door, positioning it to clearly capture my doorway and the area directly opposite. I connected it to my phone app and set up motion detection alerts. After all that, I felt a good deal more at ease. I wanted to see just who this mysterious individual was, so obsessed with a single bottle of my milk. The fifth morning, my phone buzzed precisely at 5:50 AM. It was a motion detection push notification. I immediately opened the app. A familiar figure appeared on the live feed. It was old Mrs. Davison, my next-door neighbor. She was retired and usually very friendly. When I first moved in, she’d even brought me a plate of dumplings. Seeing me, a young woman, always alone, she’d frequently fuss over me. “Skylar, you work too hard; you need to take care of yourself.” “Skylar, are you seeing anyone?” I couldn’t believe it was her. On the screen, she was wearing pajamas, her hair disheveled. A large blue face mask covered almost half of her face. She walked up to my door, skillfully opened my milk box, glanced left and right, then took out the milk bottle. She quickly turned and went back into her own apartment. The entire process took less than ten seconds. I stared at my phone screen, utterly stunned. It really was her. I rewound the video. She seemed to know where the camera was, deliberately avoiding its direct gaze. The mask was also for concealment. She knew this was stealing. A surge of anger, unidentifiable, rose within me. I thought of her as a kind, elder neighbor. She was treating me like an idiot. A bottle of milk wasn’t worth much, but I couldn’t swallow this insult. I saved the video. I had the evidence. But confronting her directly? I hesitated. She was a neighbor, after all. If we fell out, it would be incredibly awkward seeing each other every day. Plus, she was old. What if I said something too harsh and she had a heart attack? I decided to give her another chance. I planned to beat her to it. 2 The next day, I set my alarm for five-thirty. It was still dark when I woke. I didn’t turn on the lights. I crept to the door and peered through the peephole. The hallway was pitch black, save for the faint green glow of the emergency exit light in the distance. I waited patiently. At five forty-five, I heard the familiar footsteps of the milkman and the gentle clinking of glass bottles. The sound echoed clearly in the hallway. The milkman stopped at my door, opened the milk box, placed the bottle inside, and closed it. Then, he moved on to the next apartment. I waited until his footsteps faded, silently counting to ten. Then, I yanked the door open. The doorway was empty. The milk box was empty too. I froze. How was that possible? I’d been watching through the peephole the entire time. I hadn’t seen anyone approach. I immediately checked my phone. The camera app hadn’t registered any motion detection alerts. I double-checked the app settings – everything was fine. I pulled up the recording for that time slot. The screen was completely black. Nothing. I understood then. She knew the camera’s blind spots. She must have come from the other side of the stairs, crouching low, staying out of the camera’s view. Then, she’d silently taken the milk. I even suspected she might have been waiting, hidden around the stairwell, ready to act the moment the milkman left. That’s how she managed to do it all before I even opened my door. A chill ran down my spine. This wasn’t just petty theft. This was a pathological obsession. She was going to great lengths for this bottle of milk. Calculating timings, routes, perhaps even mapping out my daily routine. How could I, a young woman constantly working overtime, possibly outwit a retired woman who dedicated all her cunning to this? That afternoon, leaving work, I ran into her in the elevator. “Skylar, back from work?” she greeted me with a warm smile, her face radiating kindness. She held a basket of groceries. “Oh, Mrs. Davison, off to buy groceries?” I forced a smile. “Yes, going to make something nice for your Uncle Tom tonight.” She looked at me, her eyes full of grandmotherly concern. I looked at her smiling face. I couldn’t reconcile it with the masked, stealthy figure from the early hours of the morning. This kind of person… she was terrifying. I decided to give up on trying to outsmart her. Confronting her directly still felt wrong. What if she made a scene, crying and collapsing? I’d never be able to explain myself. Call the police? For a bottle of milk, the officers would just mediate. I thought and thought. I wasn’t trying to prove she stole my milk. I just wanted to drink the milk I paid for. If her target was the milk in the box, then I’d just make sure there was no milk in the box. I pulled out my phone and found the milk company’s customer service number. I had one more option. My last option. 3 The call connected. I told the customer service representative that I wanted to change my milk delivery method. “Hello, madam, how may I help you?” “I don’t want the milkman to put the milk in the milk box anymore,” I said. “Is there an issue with the milk box?” “No, I don’t want to pre-pay anymore. I want to switch to cash on delivery.” The representative sounded a little surprised. “Madam, most of our customers pre-pay monthly or annually; it’s more cost-effective.” “I know, that’s fine. I don’t mind the hassle.” My tone was firm. “I want the milkman to knock on my door every morning and I’ll pay him directly when I pick up the milk.” The representative was silent for a few seconds. “Madam, in that case, you’ll need to have exact change ready every day. Also, our milkmen are very busy with morning deliveries and might not be able to knock at a fixed time.” “No problem, I accept that,” I said. “A general timeframe is fine, between six and six-thirty, I’ll be home waiting.” To finally drink my milk, I was willing to wake up early. “Alright, madam, I’ve made a note for you. Starting tomorrow, we’ll provide you with cash-on-delivery service, with single payments each time.” “Thank you.” I hung up, a weight lifted from my shoulders. I admitted it, I lost. I couldn’t outwit a cunning habitual thief. I could only use this clumsy, yet most effective, method to protect my milk. Cash on delivery. She couldn’t snatch it from the milkman, could she? She couldn’t pay for it for me, could she? Thinking this, I even looked forward to tomorrow morning. I imagined Mrs. Davison, sneaking to my milk box as usual, opening it. Empty. What expression would she have? Disappointment? Anger? Would she think the milkman had forgotten to deliver? Then, day after day, she’d open that empty milk box, eventually realizing her free milk was gone. This feeling was more satisfying than confronting her directly. That night, I slept exceptionally well. The next morning, I woke precisely at six, without an alarm. I walked to the living room, brewed a cup of tea, and sat on the sofa to wait. At six-fifteen, a soft knock came from outside the door. Three rhythmic taps. I walked over and peeked through the peephole. It was the milkman. I opened the door. “Your milk.” He handed me a chilled bottle of fresh milk. “Thank you, how much?” I took out the change I’d prepared. “Seven dollars.” I paid him and took the milk. “Thanks for the trouble every day from now on.” “No trouble at all, it’s my job.” The milkman smiled genuinely and turned to leave. I closed the door, leaning against it, gazing at the milk bottle in my hand. It was cold, still damp from the outside. I twisted open the cap and took a large gulp. A rich, milky aroma instantly filled my mouth. This was the taste. How long had it been since I’d had it? Half a year, over 180 days. I’d only had it five times. This was the sixth. It was earned through my own “cleverness” and “compromise.” Holding the milk, I walked to the window. The sky was already brightening. Early risers were exercising downstairs. Everything seemed so peaceful. I opened my phone and checked the camera. Less than a minute after I closed my door, Mrs. Davison’s figure appeared, just as expected. She was still dressed the same, wearing her mask. She tiptoed to my milk box, skillfully opened it. Then, she froze. Her hand fumbled inside the milk box for a long time. Empty. She closed the milk box, then opened it again. Still empty. She straightened up, standing there, bewildered, seemingly trying to figure out what had gone wrong. She even walked to the stairwell, looked around, then came back. Finally, she left, unwilling to give up. I watched the surveillance footage, a smile playing on my lips. It was a particularly good day. 4 Over the next few days, the milkman would knock on my door promptly around six each morning. I’d exchange cash for milk, then start my day sipping my hard-won drink. Every morning, I’d habitually check the monitor. Mrs. Davison would always appear a few minutes after the milkman left. She’d persistently open my milk box each day, then leave, disappointed. I almost felt sorry for her. But then, remembering her past actions, that fleeting pity evaporated. Not exposing her was already the greatest kindness I could offer. I was simply reclaiming what was rightfully mine. We still encountered each other in the elevator. Her smile was noticeably absent. Seeing me, she’d only manage a curt nod, her eyes holding a mix of resentment and scrutiny. I guessed she was wondering what trick I’d used. I pretended to know nothing, greeting her as usual. “Good morning, Mrs. Davison.” She’d simply respond with an indifferent “Hmm.” The elevator would fall silent. I thought this arrangement was perfect. We kept to ourselves. My world was quiet again. This peaceful existence lasted for a week. I thought the matter was over. I believed our milk war had ended with my “indirect victory.” I was too naive. I underestimated the depths of a “shameless person.” On the afternoon of the seventh day, I was at home, working overtime on a proposal, when the doorbell rang. I thought it was a food delivery, so I got up to open the door. Standing there was the building manager, Mr. Smith, a man in his forties. We rarely interacted. Behind him stood two men in security uniforms. “Mr. Smith? Is everything alright?” I was a little surprised. Mr. Smith’s expression was serious, even grim. He didn’t speak, just looked me up and down. His gaze felt like I was a suspect in a crime, which made me very uncomfortable. “Skylar, isn’t it?” he finally spoke, his tone formal. “That’s me.” “There’s something we need to verify with you.” He took a folder from the security guard behind him, pulled out an A4 sheet of paper, and handed it to me. “Take a look at this first.” His expression was like a judge delivering a verdict. My heart sank. I had a bad feeling. I took the paper. It was printed, with several lines of bold text. The title read: “Application for Compensation for Emotional Distress from Neighbor Skylar Roberts.” Skylar Roberts. That was me. I looked further down. Applicant: Mrs. Alice Davison. My next-door neighbor. I froze. Compensation for emotional distress? On what grounds could she demand compensation from me? I continued to read the stated reasons. When I reached the last part, written by hand, pressing hard into the paper, four words made my blood run cold. My entire body felt like it had been struck by lightning, and I turned to stone.

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When they performed the caesarean section, my husband was buying a gift for his ‘first love.’ When he hung up my desperate call, he said, “What new game are you playing? Get lost! Don’t even look for me if you die!” Seven days later, he was embroiled in the horrific case of a dismembered pregnant woman. To identify the victim and find the killer, he worked tirelessly, barely sleeping. But eventually, the clues began to point, step by step, to me. His most hated wife. 1 After the killer dismembered me, they audaciously dumped my remains into the police station’s sewer system. Officers, clad in thick hazmat suits, spent a full day and night sifting through the foul-smelling sewage before recovering all the pieces. It took several forensic pathologists three days and nights to painstakingly piece my body back together, just barely forming a recognizable human shape. But… my left ear was missing. The police suspected this was a deliberate act of revenge by a criminal. My husband, Detective Captain Asher Rodriguez, was the youngest captain on the homicide squad, with countless complex cases solved under his belt. When his team first saw my remains, several officers were overcome with nausea, retching uncontrollably. Asher’s brows were deeply furrowed, his face ashen, battling the intense disgust. The forensic team handed them the reports and began detailing my condition. “Based on the autopsy results, the victim is female, between 22 and 25 years old. Cause of death was exsanguination.” “The victim had restraint marks on her wrists and ankles, multiple contusions across her body, and her head was repeatedly struck with a blunt object, resulting in a shattered and severely deformed skull.” “Additionally, the victim was pregnant and endured inhumane torture before her death.” Officer Rodriguez slammed his hand on the table with a loud smack. “They’re worse than animals!” The other officers echoed his outrage. “Such a brutal method of killing, it’s most likely a revenge killing!” “What kind of hatred could drive someone to be so vicious to a pregnant woman!” “The killer is too arrogant! Dumping the body in the sewer beneath the police station is a clear provocation to law enforcement!” “…” My husband, Asher, stared intently at the report. “It’s them.” The officers’ faces instantly grew grim. They—a massive international crime syndicate, a huge shadow looming over the minds of every officer. Countless colleagues had fallen each year because of them. But thanks to a decade of relentless effort by law enforcement, this transnational crime group had been entirely dismantled three months prior. Therefore, this case was highly likely the work of a few remaining members, committed for revenge and as a deliberate challenge to the police. 2 Just then, an officer walked in, carrying a shoebox-sized container. “Captain Rodriguez, it’s another one from… your wife.” Hearing my name, my husband’s face contorted with annoyance. “From now on, anything she sends, don’t give it to me. Just throw it out.” Officer Rodriguez sighed, patting his shoulder. “Still can’t let it go after all this time? Your father’s death… it wasn’t Emma’s fault… she was a victim too…” As he spoke, he took the box, opened it for Asher, revealing a transparent jar inside. Upon seeing its contents, everyone gasped in horror. Asher’s hand loosened, and the jar clattered to the floor. It was… a miniature doll. Even after hitting the ground, its pose remained unchanged; it even bounced slightly. The forensic pathologist carefully placed the doll into an evidence bag. With just a glance, he concluded, “It’s fake.” “Another one of her tricks to get my attention. She’s completely insane!” My husband’s single sentence condemned me. But this wasn’t something I had sent. Perhaps the officers also felt that sending such a doll was too much, as they all fell silent. Officer Rodriguez sighed, “Emma doesn’t seem like the type to play such a joke. Could there be some misunderstanding? You haven’t been home in a while; why don’t you go check on her?” “Hmph! What’s there to misunderstand? Sending something like this is just her way of threatening me, trying to make me lose the baby!” My husband sneered. “That kind of woman, full of lies, will even invent a child to get off the hook!” “Even if she really was pregnant, there’s no way I’d let her keep it. A woman like her doesn’t deserve it!” “The sight of her disgusts me! I’d rather focus on the victim, find more clues, identify her, and solve this case quickly.” I floated in the air, transparent tears streaming down my face. So… in his heart, I wasn’t worthy of bearing his child. Who was, then? His ‘first love’ ex-girlfriend? Perhaps thinking of when I had told him I was pregnant, Asher disgustedly tossed the doll into a nearby trash can. Then he pulled out his phone, unblocked me, and spoke in a chillingly cold voice. “Threatening me with a child will only make me think you’re lower than dirt!” “Give up. Even if you die, I wouldn’t spare you a glance!” But… I am dead… And I wasn’t lying… That dismembered body, it’s me… 3 My husband and the detectives gathered around a whiteboard covered with photos of my body, alongside their analyses and theories. Key points were circled. “The victim’s DNA hasn’t matched anyone, indicating she has no criminal record.” “There are no missing pregnant women in recent reports who match the victim’s age and height.” An officer remarked, bewildered, “How could a pregnant woman go missing for so long without any family looking for her? Does she not have family?” Asher twirled his pen, circling the word “child” on the whiteboard. “If we can’t identify the victim, finding the missing child for a DNA comparison might lead us to the father, which could then identify the victim.” I crouched by the trash can, desperately trying to pick up that fake doll, but my translucent hand passed right through it, unable to touch it. The clue you’re looking for right now is inside this fake doll… But you’ve thrown it in the trash… Then, he wrote “Dismemberment Scene” and circled it prominently. There was very little blood in the sewer, clearly just a dumping ground. Killers typically dismember bodies in places they are familiar with or consider safe and private. Most even return to the crime scene. If the dismemberment site could be found, the case would have a major breakthrough. Next, he circled “left ear” and added a question mark beside it. “We searched the entire sewer system, but couldn’t find the victim’s left ear or any remaining body parts.” “This means the killer didn’t dump those parts here.” “But why dispose of them separately? This particular part likely has a distinguishing mark that could identify the victim.” Asher paused in his analysis, his brows slightly furrowed, staring at the words “left ear.” I unconsciously touched my own left ear. On my left earlobe, there was a burn scar. It was from the first time I cooked for Asher; scalding oil had splattered onto my ear, forming a blister and leaving a scar. Asher was very apologetic and applied ointment for me every day. So, he knew perfectly well about the mark on my left ear. “The killer tortured the victim for several days before cruelly murdering her. There must be a grudge with the victim, or her family.” “Revenge…” An officer suddenly looked at Asher. “Captain Rodriguez, could the killer be a criminal we arrested, holding a grudge against us, and that’s why they tortured the victim and dumped her in our sewer, to provoke us…” “No, that doesn’t quite fit. None of our officers’ family members are pregnant… and how could someone go missing without it being reported?” Asher’s eyebrow twitched, as if something had occurred to him. But then he shook his head, as if dismissing his own thought. Asher, in that moment, did you remember? I once told you I was pregnant. But you only thought I was jealous of your ‘first love,’ lying about pregnancy just to manipulate you… Alas, you missed that clue again… If you asked which police officer those criminals hated most, Asher Rodriguez would definitely be number one. If he hadn’t been so cold to me, if he’d just gone home, he would surely have found the clues I left for him. He paused, then immediately plunged back into work, dividing the officers into several teams, each with assigned tasks. One team would conduct interviews, checking for any missing pregnant women. Another team would search for the primary crime scene and any remaining body parts. A third team would visit hospitals, as a pregnant woman like the victim would most likely have prenatal records. In addition, an expert was specifically brought in to reconstruct my skull. The expert could, based on principles of human anatomy and the characteristics of my facial bones, age, and soft tissue data from my body, sculpt my skin and hair onto a plastic model. Once my skull was reconstructed, it could be matched with ID records through the public security system, directly confirming my identity. However, this skull reconstruction would take some time. Asher rubbed his temples, his face etched with fatigue. Buzz, buzz, buzz. He pulled out his phone. Seeing the caller ID, a gentle smile appeared on his face. “Elara, I’m so scared…” “Where are you now? Okay, don’t move. Lock your windows. If you’re scared, turn on all the lights and wait for me to get back!” He hung up, checked the time. It was almost 10 PM. “Everyone, head home and get some rest. We’ll discuss anything else tomorrow.” My heart instantly shattered. Asher was a workaholic; he often disappeared for days on a case, and I never dared to disturb him. But now, a single call from her was enough to make him drop everything and rush back to her… In your heart, I could never compare to her… 4 I floated along, following Asher to a house. It was a residence he owned before we married. It’s ironic, I only learned after I died that the house he said he had rented out was actually occupied by her. Elara Rodriguez, Asher’s ‘first love’ ex-girlfriend. She was the hostage he rescued from criminals three months ago. And in those three months he spent away from home, he must have been living with her here, right? My heart started to ache again at the thought. Elara suffered from post-traumatic stress. He was afraid the criminals would seek revenge and find this hostage rescued by the police. He was even more afraid his beloved Elara would be harmed. So, he, usually so calm and collected, sped home, pushed open the door, his voice trembling. “Elara?” Elara was curled up in the corner of the sofa. Hearing Asher’s voice, she darted into his arms like a startled rabbit, clinging to him tightly. Asher’s body stiffened slightly, then he wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her soft hair, comforting her in a low, tender voice. “It’s alright, don’t be scared, I’m here…” Elara cried, tears streaming down her face, “Where were you? I was so scared without you…” Asher gently explained, “The dismemberment case, the autopsy results came out today. It’s been a bit hectic.” Elara’s eyes flickered, and she pulled away from his embrace. “Oh? Did you find any clues?” “Yes, the victim was a pregnant woman. It seems to be a revenge killing. Her identity hasn’t been confirmed yet; there are no leads.” “A pregnant woman… how truly pathetic…” She spoke with feigned sorrow, but her eyes glinted with hidden triumph. Her hypocritical demeanor made me want to vomit! She was clearly trying to glean details about the case! Asher, who had always been tight-lipped about cases when dealing with me, was completely unguarded with Elara. Was this the difference between love and not loving? Because he loved her, she was the ‘first love’ he once yearned for but couldn’t have, so in front of her, all his principles vanished. He seemed eager to share with Elara. “The killer brutally dismembered the victim, so we suspect it’s a remaining member from three months ago, deliberately provoking the police.” Elara gasped, seemingly terrified. “That’s… too horrifying… Did you find out who it was?” “Not yet,” Asher said, looking very worried. “It’s highly likely to be remnants of the crime syndicate. I’m afraid the killer knows you’re still alive and might target you.” “Don’t go out recently. If anything unusual happens, call me anytime.” Elara nodded obediently. She softly changed the subject. “Asher, you come here to be with me every day. Won’t she… be unhappy? After all, she’s your wife. Didn’t she say she was pregnant…” At the mention of me, Asher’s face instantly chilled. His expression softened again when he looked at Elara, as if afraid of frightening her. “Why bring her up? If it weren’t for her, my father wouldn’t have…” He frowned. “You should rest now, it’s getting late.” Elara said, “But I’m scared…” “Don’t be. I’ll stay with you until you fall asleep, then I’ll leave.” I floated in mid-air, watching my husband guard Elara’s bedside, gently coaxing her to sleep, with a tenderness I had never seen directed at me. They looked so perfect together. I had always been an outsider… But Asher, the person you’re now cherishing is a demon…

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My sworn enemy had filled out my information on a dating site. The moment I received the call, I was about to yell at the scammer when a stream of pop-up comments flashed before my eyes: 【The male lead is afraid of an arranged marriage with the female side character, so he just randomly filled out her info, and she actually reeled in a rich, handsome catch.】 【Too bad the female side character isn’t destined for it. The rich, handsome man she rejected becomes the female lead’s most devoted, exclusive lapdog.】 【The unrequited male supporting character even dies saving the female lead in the end; such a tear-jerking setup.】 …Wait, what? Devoted, exclusive, lapdog, rich, handsome? I immediately cleared my throat, my voice softening: “I’m free tonight. Let’s pick a place to meet.” 1 The voice on the other end of the line was still pleasant and efficient: “Alright, Ms. Sullivan, I’ll send the location to your phone shortly.” With that, the person hung up. Before I could fully process what had happened, I saw the comments section light up again: 【OMG, what’s wrong with this female side character? Why did she agree? Shouldn’t she reject him and thoroughly humiliate him?】 【Nooo… what if the male supporting character actually falls for her? My lapdog second male lead can only be for the female lead!】 【How could he possibly fall for her? What does the female side character have besides her looks that can compare to our darling female lead?】 I casually looked up the name of the website the man had mentioned. The moment I typed it in, I was stunned. This dating site wasn’t just legitimate; its membership fee was an astounding ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars. I now fully understood just how much Logan Thorne detested me. He was truly willing to spend money to avoid an arranged marriage with me. But arranged marriages were usually meddled with by parents; Logan and I hated each other so much, we could only be enemies, never spouses. For my evening meeting, I simply booked a facial at a beauty salon. Just then, I received a call from my mom. “I’m telling you, you’re in your twenties, and it’s almost the holidays again. What am I supposed to tell the relatives?” I sighed, “Mom, our family isn’t poor, and our relatives are all well-off. Why are they all so idle that they have to meddle in other people’s business?” My mom was surprisingly candid: “Well, it’s because your mom, me, was too bored in previous years and used to badger them all. Now they’re just getting their revenge.” “Couldn’t you have just refused?” “The me from back then made it impossible for them to refuse.” That boomerang really stung… My dad had pampered my mom so much she spent her days playing mahjong. Her hands were busy enough, but her mouth never stopped either. I was too annoyed to speak, but still replied with my pre-planned line: “Stop trying to set me up with Logan. I have a boyfriend.” “Since when? What does he look like, what does he do?” “Just stop asking. I’ll bring him home for the holidays, won’t I?” I hung up. Then I started to panic again. Just like the comments said, I had only secured a chance to meet the male supporting character. Whether I would like him, or whether he would like me, was indeed an unknown. I muttered casually, “If it really doesn’t work out, it looks like I’ll have to rent a boyfriend to take home for the holidays.” But the comments seemed to relax: 【So she’s also afraid of an arranged marriage. But to believe a phone call so easily, she’s really not vigilant at all.】 【The second male lead belongs to the female lead, and to the audience. He just can’t belong to the female side character.】 【I don’t think the second male lead’s taste is that bad. How could such a perfect second male lead be suitable for this female side character? Anyone would know how to choose once they meet the female lead, right?】 That evening, the first time I saw Julian Knight, I couldn’t help but exclaim: He truly was a handsome man. So, I directly addressed him: “To make a long story short, shall we get married?” 2 I’d read a ton of comments. Every single one said he was devoted, exclusive, and a rich, handsome man. They even said he had no bad habits and was single only because he was dedicated to his work. They’d even detailed his family background—more accurate than any background check. He just paused, then immediately responded, “I haven’t introduced myself yet.” I nodded. “I just feel a strong connection with you.” What more could I ask for in such a perfect man? 【LOL, what ‘connection’? She’s just impressed by his looks, right?】 【Why couldn’t it be that she’s also afraid of an arranged marriage with the male lead? I don’t think the female side character is as bad as you all say.】 【The female lead is about to appear. Let’s see how she can compete.】 I listened carefully as he introduced himself, then hastily introduced myself. I stood up and invited him, “If you’re still free tonight, why don’t we go for a walk? It’s better than us both sitting here awkwardly.” If I couldn’t beat it, I could at least avoid it. I had to create more opportunities for myself. Isn’t that how people reach the pinnacle of their lives? He had no objection and followed me out of the coffee shop. As we walked along the lakeside promenade, I asked him, “With your background, why are you on a dating site? Don’t your family arrange suitable matches for you?” I was practically asking why he wasn’t in an arranged marriage. In truth, my family’s circumstances were far inferior to his. He nodded. “I’m a person who goes by feeling. For someone I’ll spend my life with, I hope it’s someone I genuinely like. As for circumstances… I don’t think those are the main point.” 【Exactly! That’s why when the female lead caught his eye, he had no one else in his sight.】 【His love for the female lead is undeniable, and his ending makes me sob uncontrollably.】 I looked at the stray cat that suddenly appeared at my feet. I pulled out a portable pouch of cat food from my pocket. “You carry that with you?” I thought he meant the cat food, and immediately explained, “Yes, feeding stray cats wet treats isn’t ideal; they can get oral inflammation. My pouches double as bowls, which are more convenient and don’t harm the environment.” He smiled. “Do you also have cats?” “Four cats and a dog. You’ll get to meet them if there’s a chance.” 【The female side character is so cunning, she’s trying to establish a caring image for herself, but the male supporting character likes that ‘feeling.’】 【Does she think taking the male supporting character away and preventing him from meeting the female lead will work? They’re destined to meet. She’ll regret it.】 Who knows what the future holds… Before I even finished that thought, I knew the comments were right. At that moment, the female lead, Anna McCarthy, appeared. She ran past us, shouting, “Stop, thief!” Behind her, a crying old lady slapped her thigh. The kind female lead quickly ran out of breath. Now, it was my turn to show what I could do. The comments had only praised my face, no one mentioned my strong limbs. I quickly charged forward. Just as I was about to grab the thief, I saw the comments. 【This female side character is so stupid, a woman daring to charge. The thief has a knife.】 3 At the same time, I saw the thief making a movement as if to pull out a knife. Although I was a little flustered, self-preservation was the most important thing. As I lifted my leg, someone else’s foot had already connected. It was Julian, who had rushed over behind me. The thief cried out, collapsing to the ground, the knife he’d just pulled out flying away. Julian then pinned the thief down. Due to the momentum of my missed kick, I also stumbled and fell. At that moment, Anna McCarthy arrived, panting. She anxiously helped me up. “Are you alright?” My knee hurt a little, so I had to be honest: “Ouch, I wanted to pretend I was fine, but my knee hurts too much. I want to cry.” 【Hahahahaha, why is the female side character so funny?】 【The female lead is so pure, so beautiful. Now that she’s a little sweaty, she’s like a goddess descended.】 I took a closer look at Anna. What would be an exaggerated amount of exercise for her had only made her slightly sweaty, her face beautifully flushed. She thanked Julian, then snatched the recovered bag and hurried off to find the old lady whose bag had been stolen. Good heavens. She was so kind, I almost fell in love with her myself. Julian stared at her retreating back, and I already had a premonition that such feelings might indeed be predestined. But then Julian, busy subduing the thief, turned to me again. “Help call the police.” After I dutifully called the police, he asked me, “Are you alright?” I shook my head. “I’m fine. He didn’t even get the knife out.” Robbery was one thing, but assault with a deadly weapon was another. The police arrived swiftly. Watching the thief being led away by officers, Julian suddenly walked over to the weeping old lady. After her ordeal, she was still too shaken to recover. We had all clearly heard her crying earlier, saying the bag contained her husband’s life-saving money, just withdrawn from the bank, and there wasn’t enough to begin with, almost getting stolen. The female lead anxiously comforted the old lady nearby. “I can help you figure something out.” Julian listened, then made a call. “Grandma, would you mind telling me your husband’s hospital? I’ll cover your husband’s medical bills.” So, for the female lead, the male supporting character truly would try to do anything. Under their joint persuasion, the old lady left, relieved. 【Seriously, the female lead and male supporting character together are a delight to behold.】 【I’m on Team Male Supporting Character; I support him moving up.】 【What’s the female side character still standing around for? Can’t she see the atmosphere is just right? Why intrude?】 Actually, it wasn’t that I wanted to intrude, it was that after I stood up, I found my foot was hurting badly. In a moment, Julian walked up to me again. “Are you feeling unwell somewhere?” I tried to walk a few steps. “My foot hurts terribly; I think I twisted it.” 【The female side character is such a manipulative green tea, pulling out all the stops.】 【My foot hurts too, can a handsome guy take me to the hospital?】 Julian took me to the hospital without a second thought. That was impressive. I ran and kicked, and ended up with a hairline fracture. What angered me even more was that the most bizarre comment was: 【The female side character has already lost so badly, and now she has a hairline fracture. How can that compare to the female lead’s perfect bones?】 4 It was almost the holidays, and I’d managed to fracture my bone. Logan heard about it instantly. He swaggered into my house, even bringing a ridiculously expensive pair of crutches. His handsome face always spouted crazy things: “Holiday season, and you’re on crutches, you’re something else, Scarlett Sullivan.” I genuinely couldn’t imagine a girl like Anna McCarthy falling for someone like Logan. Truly a misfortune for our family. “Don’t you worry your head, it’s a hairline fracture, not a full break. You don’t need to be so happy.” He unexpectedly poked my head with his finger. “Can you even remember you’re a woman? You charged at him even though he had a knife? Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Logan and I might be sworn enemies, but we certainly didn’t wish death upon each other. “How was I supposed to know he had a knife when I chased him? But thanks to you calling me a menace, I guess I’m unkillable. Just don’t tell my mom.” I was afraid my mom would tie me down in the hospital for the entire holiday. I glared at him, asking the crucial question: “Anyway, since when do you care if I live or die? What are you doing here? Just passing by?” His face changed, even flushing slightly. “I deigned to check if you were dead.” I glanced out the window, understanding. “Oh? This is the university district. Did you fall for a college student?” He instantly became flustered, his face turning even redder. Annoyed, he stalked towards the door. “If I ever come to see you again, I’m a dog.” Did I hit the nail on the head? I called out to his retreating back, “Logan, you didn’t fall for a male college student, did you?” He responded with a raised fist. The comments section buzzed: 【The male lead fell in love with the female lead at first sight on the street, even chasing her to her campus gate.】 【If the male lead’s mom hadn’t insisted he invite the female side character over, he wouldn’t have come.】 …I really wanted to say. He ran off too fast, he didn’t even tell me about his aunt inviting me to dinner, did he? Not two minutes later, the doorbell rang. I hopped over to open the door. “What, you again—?” But it was Julian Knight standing outside. Behind Julian, there were many people. Such a grand entrance immediately scared me into a precarious one-legged stance. I lost my balance and fell backward. As Julian caught me, my hands landed directly on his chest muscles. It was… a very nice feel. “Your foot isn’t good, so I’ve brought people to take care of you.” “But, can you please stop squeezing for a moment?” Since he hadn’t been immediately swept away by the female lead, I saw no reason not to keep fighting for him. I didn’t let go, still enjoying the feel. Casually, I asked him again, “Julian, shall we get married?” “Yes, but before we get married, can you please stop squeezing?” “Sorry, I’ve just never touched… that before.” Wait, what did he just say? He actually agreed? 5 He scooped me up and gently placed me on the sofa. Watching the procession of people stream into my apartment, I joked, “What… is all this? This isn’t exactly how you propose, is it?” The people behind him were either carrying medical kits or various types of groceries. He gestured to the people behind him to help me. “This is my private doctor. I brought him to give you another check-up. If it’s serious, we’ll go to my private hospital.” “Wait, how do you know where I live?” “You said you wanted to get married, didn’t you? So I asked the friend who came to see you at the hospital, and she told me.” How could anyone be even more direct than me? “It’s inconvenient for you to live alone. And I know you wouldn’t want to stay at my place, so I brought people to cook you some nutritious meals. Once you’ve eaten, I’ll take them all with me so as not to disturb your rest.” “Also, I brought a professional pet groomer, Sarah, to help you take care of your cats and dog these next few days. From now on, whenever you need anything, you can entrust it to her; she’s very professional.” I was practically moved to tears. And also shocked by the comments: 【Oh my god, this is the preferential treatment our darling female lead should be enjoying, I’m so jealous.】 【This made the male supporting character completely miss the female lead. This female side character is too sly. And he’s so considerate, how did he even think of the pets?】 【Good thing the male lead has already met the female lead and had a heroic rescue moment for her.】 To be honest, compared to the feast about to appear in my house, I was more curious about what Logan’s heroic rescue situation was like. Seeing me a little dazed, Julian started to self-critique. “Am I moving too fast? Did I scare you?” I waved my hand, speaking without filter, “Too fast for what? It’s not like we got our marriage license on the first meeting and slept together on the second. Uh… you know, I’ve just read too many brain-dead CEO novels.” He chuckled, making my heart flutter. Next time I see Logan, even if I can’t hit him, I’ll have to praise him a little: that ninety-nine thousand dollar membership fee was truly worth it. 【The male supporting character is most afraid of girls crying. Every time our darling female lead cries, he gets flustered and panicky, practically giving his heart away.】 After the family doctor finished examining me, I stared at my badly bruised ankle… I wanted to cry but couldn’t! I didn’t have a tragic family background, and my life was quite free, so I genuinely… couldn’t squeeze out any tears. I sighed, only able to change my approach. I scooted closer. “There’s something, Mr. Knight, I don’t know if you could help with?” “What is it?” “The holidays are in half a month.” I hesitated. “My mom said if I don’t bring someone home, she’ll force me to marry anyone, and if she makes me marry an old man…” Sorry, Mom. He agreed in a second. “Okay, I’ll go home with you for the holidays this year.” I was extremely happy, and asked him directly, “I’m not an easy woman, and I’ve never been in a relationship before. But I’m very happy right now, so I want to hug you. May I?” He immediately embraced me tightly. “That’s something the man should do actively.” I don’t think I’d been hugged like that in a long time. “Julian?” “Hmm?” “If you act like this, I’m going to get serious.” “Okay.” “If I do this, or that, or whatever, you can’t blame me.” “Okay.” I pulled away from him, exasperated. “Are you thinking that a high membership fee means there are no scammers? Are you too trusting? And why do you agree when I say marriage? What if someone else said marriage?” 【The male supporting character isn’t that simple, how can the female side character believe everything?】 【Oh my, I’m kind of shipping these two, what do I do?】 【The female lead is attracted to the handsome male lead. When are they going to have a kissing scene? I’m a SVIP, I want to see it.】 He still looked the same: “I’m not a fool to believe everything others say; it’s just that I believe everything you say. Later, tell me all your parents’ preferences, and I’ll prepare some gifts for your home. These days, I’ll bring people over, you can only go home once your foot is healed.” This was a direct hit, impossible to fend off… When had I ever met a man like this? I was momentarily flustered, somewhat forgetting I was an injured person. I stood up and took a step, then remembered I couldn’t walk, pulled my leg back, my brain and foot out of sync, and stumbled right into him again. This time, something even more embarrassing than public humiliation happened. I head-butted his crotch. He grunted in pain. I was so ashamed I almost cried. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to. I mean, if I were faking it, I wouldn’t use this much force, and aim for that area… I swear I really didn’t mean to…” The more I explained, the more chaotic it became. I tugged at him. “The private doctor is still here; should he take a look?” He grabbed my flailing hand. “It’s fine, don’t rush. It won’t affect our marriage.” He wiped my tears, a little flustered, saying things that were even more charming than mine. “Don’t cry. Rather than showing that part to a man, I think it’s better to save it for your wife.” 【Oh no, the female side character actually cried, and as soon as she cried, the male supporting character softened.】 【This female side character is so clumsy; I maliciously suspect she wants to destroy what she can’t have.】 【Is she trying to confiscate the ‘crime tool’?】 Confiscate your ghost! Haven’t even committed a crime yet! 6 “Julian, your family owns a chain of malls, don’t they?” I asked, gesturing at the carload of goods, a slight tremor in my voice. The backseat and trunk were crammed, not just the passenger seat. 【LOL, of course the male supporting character’s family owns malls.】 【The male supporting character even complained before leaving that the car was too small to fit everything.】 “Is it not enough? I’ll prepare more then.” I quickly stopped him. “It’s too much, okay? Julian, you could be proposing with all this. We’re just going to make an appearance; there’s no need to be so exaggerated.” Besides, nothing was set in stone yet. This guy, no matter how much I tried to get close, remained as firm as a statue. Even when he blushed, he would restrain himself and endure. If the comments hadn’t said he genuinely wasn’t interested in the female lead, I would have thought he was saving himself for her. It was such a strange feeling. I didn’t even have much information about him, yet he was already coming home with me to meet my family. I almost felt like I’d gotten a free rental boyfriend for the holidays. On the way, I expressed some concern. “Julian, if you come home with me, won’t your parents be upset?” He didn’t hesitate. “Of course not. They were very happy when I told them I was going home with my girlfriend for the holidays.” “Huh?” That sounded so unreliable. How could his parents be so nonchalant? “I was mainly worried you’d be bored. You could have been with your family and friends. Here, you don’t know anyone.” “Friends can be met anytime, it’s no trouble.” He suddenly remembered something. “Oh, right, I’m afraid you might be shy around new people. After the holidays, I’ll take you to meet my friends. They’re all great, just a bit fond of joking around.” 【This male supporting character, once he commits, he’s incredibly thoughtful.】 【I can’t stand it anymore, what does he see in the female side character?】 My parents, having lived so many years, had certainly seen a few things. But even they were a little overwhelmed by the array of expensive gift boxes. My mom pulled me into a corner. “Where did you find such a gem?” Could I tell her Logan had paid for him? “I don’t know, I just have a very shapely figure.” My mom smacked me on the back. If my foot hadn’t recovered, I would have fallen. “Still being silly and improper. I don’t know what he sees in you!” My mom glared at me twice more, then went back to host Julian. My dad seized the opportunity to discuss with me, “First visit, with all these gifts he brought, the cash gift should be substantial.” I nodded; that seemed logical. But this guy was truly something. He pulled two large red envelopes from his pocket. They were so thick, you’d think they were two big red books. “Uncle and Auntie, I’m very happy to have met such a wonderful girl as Scarlett Sullivan.” “This is my first visit, and I’m a little nervous. I always feel like I haven’t prepared enough. I’ve prepared these holiday envelopes for you, and I hope you won’t mind my presumptuousness.” “I’ll take good care of Scarlett from now on.” This was completely turning the tables! Even more incredible was my mom. She hadn’t prepared a guest room at all. She had simply placed an extra pillow on my bed. When I questioned her, she nudged me: “Do you think I don’t know what you young people are up to? Remember, if you get pregnant, don’t just indulge yourselves and decide to get rid of it. If you have it, our family can afford to raise it.” “Oh, and there’s… that stuff on the nightstand…” I was speechless. “If the person I brought home wasn’t satisfactory, would you still prepare the same way?” “There are plenty of hotels outside; doesn’t he have legs?” 【OMG, this mom is too funny. Is she really that afraid her daughter won’t get married?】 Me???

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Three days ago, sifting through old belongings, I stumbled upon memories of a time capsule Ben and I buried a decade ago. His face, however, stiffened at the mention. He urged me not to go, saying, “It’s been so long, surely someone’s dug it up by now.” I paid him no mind, and went to our old school alone. But at the spot where we’d buried it, I unearthed not one, but five metal boxes of varying sizes. Two were ours, Ben’s and mine, from ten years back, already encrusted with rust. The three extra ones: one was equally corroded, but the other two were pristine. The old, rusty box bore the name Linda. Inside, a note read: My secret love was a battlefield fought alone. Ben, I wish you happiness. I remembered her then, a quiet girl who sat behind us in class, hardly noticeable. The two shiny new boxes were engraved with Ben’s name and Linda’s, respectively. The date of burial was today. Ben’s box read: My life’s greatest regret is not being able to give you a wedding. Linda’s box read: My life’s greatest regret is not being able to openly wish you a happy wedding. 1 I stood beneath the old elm tree, unchanged in a decade, clutching five cold metal boxes. I felt like a complete and utter joke. The wind swept through, swirling a few fallen leaves, and sending a chill through me. So, in a corner I knew nothing about, another woman had fought her silent battles. And my fiancé harbored a regret he’d never voiced. His greatest regret was not being able to give her a wedding. What about me then? Our wedding, just two days away, what did that signify? A grand deception, or a profound compensation for another woman’s devotion? I reburied the three boxes that weren’t mine, taking only Ben’s and my own. By the time I returned home, darkness had completely fallen. The living room light was on. Ben sat on the sofa, then immediately rose when he saw me. “What kept you so late? Where have you been?” I slipped off my shoes, calmly replying, “I went back to our old school.” “High school?” He faltered for a second, then quickly composed himself. “What for? Why didn’t you call me to come along?” “Nothing much. I was just passing by and dropped in to see some teachers.” He visibly relaxed, walking over to embrace me from behind. His chin rested in the crook of my shoulder, his voice as soft as water. “You scared me, thought you’d run off. The wedding’s in two days, can’t be wandering off anymore.” I let him hold me. Silence stretched between us, thick and suffocating. After a long moment, I quietly asked: “Ben, do you really want to marry me?” His body stiffened, then he tightened his arms around me. “Of course. We’ve been together ten years. What else would we do but get married?” “Alice, what are you thinking?” Yes, ten years. But the words from the iron box relentlessly replayed in my mind. My life’s greatest regret is not being able to give you a wedding. He released me, eagerly discussing the details of tomorrow’s wedding rehearsal. He mimicked the officiant reciting the vows. “For richer, for poorer… in sickness and in health…” “To marry Miss Alice…” “To marry Mr. Ben…” Every word felt like a needle piercing my heart. “Do you like this bouquet? Or would you prefer white roses?” He held up his phone, eyes full of anticipation as he looked at me. A surge of nameless anger flared inside me, burning away all reason. “Whatever.” I turned my head away, my voice icy. “Do whatever you want. I don’t care.” Ben’s smile froze. “Alice, what do you mean? What do you mean you don’t care? This is our wedding!” “Ours?” I scoffed, unable to stop myself from turning back to him. “Is it really ours?” My question caught him off guard, and he frowned. “What’s wrong with you today? You’ve been moody ever since you came back.” “I’ve been running around for our wedding, and this is your attitude?” “My attitude?” My chest felt tight with blockage. “What about yours? Is your attitude to…” I stopped myself, almost exposing everything. I was afraid I’d regret it if I spoke. Ben’s eyes were bloodshot, and he roared at me: “What attitude? Haven’t I been busy with our wedding?” “Alice, are you crazy? If you don’t want to get married, then let’s not!” He turned and slammed the door, the sound shaking the entire house. I stood alone in the empty living room, tears falling without warning. 2 Ben and I had been together for ten years, and arguments were commonplace. We were both stubborn, neither willing to back down first. But this, him slamming the door and leaving me alone, was a first. No, not a first. I remembered another time. At our high school graduation party, the class held a farewell dinner. By then, we were officially together, in that intensely infatuated phase. One of the guys, tipsy from drinks, joked that Linda, being such a quiet one, would probably never get married. The words had barely left his mouth when Ben’s face instantly darkened. I didn’t think much of it then, assuming he just felt the guy was being tactless. I even tugged on his hand, telling him not to be angry. But he abruptly shook me off and walked out without a word. Leaving me standing there, facing a table full of surprised stares, utterly mortified. That night, his mother said he hadn’t come home, and his phone was off. I found him the next day at an internet café. He simply said he was in a bad mood, offering a casual apology for leaving me the night before. I believed him. Looking back now, it was laughable. The time capsule Linda buried contained a diary. One page recorded that very party. [Today, Mark made fun of me again, saying I wouldn’t get married.] [I was so sad, but I’m used to it.] [I never thought he’d get angry for me, that he’d actually shake off Alice and chase after me to comfort me.] [He stayed with me on the rooftop all night, telling me I was a good girl, that they just didn’t appreciate me.] [In that moment, I felt like my whole world lit up.] [Alice, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to take him from you, even if it was just for one night.] So, his bad mood that night was spent comforting another girl. While I was worried sick about him all night, he was on a rooftop, lighting up another girl’s world. Inside the iron box was also a photo, a group shot from our graduation trip. Ben and I stood in the middle, smiling brightly. Linda, however, was in the furthest corner, her gaze fixed on Ben, her eyes full of longing and adoration. On the back of the photo, in Ben’s handwriting: May you always smile as brightly as the sun. He’d written the same words in my yearbook on graduation day. There was also a bracelet, identical to the one on my wrist. He’d told me it was a couple’s design he’d searched several stores to find. It wasn’t a couple’s design; it was a trio’s. Ten years, Ben. My youth, my love, all my visions for the future. It turns out, from the very beginning, it was all an illusion. I was never your only one. I was just the one you displayed in plain sight. My heart ached, almost to the point of being unable to breathe. I curled up on the sofa, feeling all strength drain from my body. My phone screen lit up. Julian, Ben’s high school roommate and a good friend, had sent a message. I opened it. It was a photo, the background a bar VIP room. Ben sat in the center of the booth, bottle in hand, eyes glazed, clearly drunk. And the woman gently wiping his face with a napkin next to him, who else could it be but Linda? 3 Julian’s message followed immediately: [Alice, I know your wedding is in two days, but I just couldn’t stand by anymore.] [Ben called us all out tonight, saying he’d argued with you and was in a bad mood.] [But then he turned around and called Linda.] [They… they’ve been like this for years.] [All of us friends saw it, but we were afraid to tell you.] [The address is Nightfall Bar, VIP Room 302. I think you should come and see for yourself.] I stared at the photo. Linda’s gaze towards Ben was full of concern and affection. And Ben, he showed no resistance. I took a deep breath, stood up from the sofa, and grabbed my car keys. Following Julian’s directions, I found VIP Room 302 at Nightfall Bar. The door was ajar, and familiar laughter drifted out. I stopped, not immediately pushing the door open. “Brother Ben, don’t be too angry. Alice just has a bit of a temper, just sweet-talk her a bit. After all, you’re getting married.” A man’s voice advised. Another voice immediately chimed in: “Exactly, why bother with a spoiled princess like Alice.” “If you ask me, our Linda is so much better. Gentle, considerate, never makes Brother Ben angry.” “Isn’t that right! If it weren’t for…” “Oh, never mind. Brother Ben, you marrying Alice… we all feel bad for Linda.” “Bad for what? Can’t you see who Brother Ben really cares about? It’s obvious, isn’t it? Even on the verge of marriage, the first person he thinks of when he argues is our Linda.” A burst of laughter erupted from the room. I leaned against the wall, feeling my blood run cold. I recognized all those voices. They were Ben’s best friends, and friends I’d known for ten years. I had personally delivered their wedding invitations. So, in their eyes, I was just an unreasonable princess, and Linda was the understanding ‘first love’. And Ben? I stared intently through the crack in the door. He sat in the middle of the group, letting Linda feed him fruit, and wipe the wine from the corner of his mouth. Their actions were as intimate as a couple deeply in love. He didn’t object, didn’t say a word in my defense. He just silently accepted everyone’s teasing, basking in Linda’s tenderness. In that moment, I finally understood why, for ten years, I’d always felt like I couldn’t quite fit into his social circle. Because in that circle, I was the unwelcome outsider. Linda was the sister-in-law they had implicitly accepted. I didn’t have the courage to push open that door. I recorded a video through the crack and turned to leave. Just as I rounded the corridor corner, I bumped into Julian. He looked at my tear-reddened eyes, sighed, and handed me a tissue. “You saw everything?” I nodded. “Thank you.” “It’s nothing.” Julian scratched his head, a little awkward. “I just felt it wasn’t fair to you. Ben, he… well, never mind. Don’t be too sad.” I managed a smile. “I’m fine, perfectly fine.” How could I be fine? Ten years of a relationship, collapsing in an instant. The man I deeply loved had deceived me for ten years. The friends I trusted had been mocking my foolishness behind my back.

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I woke from the haze of anesthesia, a dull ache in my side from the appendectomy, to a far sharper pain: the emptiness in my womb. My baby was gone. Zoe, Sebastian’s childhood friend, was giggling beside my bed. “Hey, Cass,” she chirped, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “I took care of that little problem in your belly for you. You’re welcome.” I saw red. I grabbed my phone and called the police, reporting her to the state medical board, my voice shaking with rage. But before anything could happen, Sebastian burst in, rushing straight from his office. He swept Zoe into his arms, shielding her as if I were the threat. “That’s enough,” he snapped at me. “She was just messing with you. If the kid’s gone, it’s gone.” His voice was cold, dismissive. “You’re going to ruin her career over a joke?” Every complaint I made was intercepted and buried. Three days later, I was readmitted to the hospital with a raging infection. The cause? A used condom they found inside me. Zoe pouted, the picture of innocence. “Oops. I guess I must have forgotten to take it out during the procedure. But hey, you’re fine, right?” Sebastian’s voice was a low warning. “Stop it, Cassandra. Zoe is just starting her residency. Don’t be so hard on her.” 1 Staring at Zoe’s triumphant smirk from behind Sebastian’s shoulder, a bitter irony choked me. My heart felt like it was being squeezed in a vise, stealing the air from my lungs. “A condom in the operating room? How does that happen? She did this on purpose!” I pleaded, my voice cracking. “Sebastian, don’t you understand? That baby was—” He cut me off, his patience already gone. His brow furrowed, his disgust for me plain on his face. “She’s always been a little wild. Can’t you just cut her some slack?” “It’s better that the baby is gone anyway,” he continued, his words like shards of ice. “She only did it because she was afraid people would laugh at me. Drop it, Cassandra. My patience has a limit.” He fixed me with a look so cold it chilled me to the bone. Three months ago, Zoe and I were kidnapped together by one of his business rivals. Sebastian came alone, a hero storming the gates. But he only saved Zoe. I was left behind in that abandoned factory. The police didn’t find me for three days. When they did, Sebastian held me, his voice thick with guilt. “I’m so sorry, Cass. Zoe… she was kidnapped as a child. I couldn’t let her go through that again. The trauma would have broken her.” Later, when I found out I was pregnant, he refused to believe the child was his. I threw the paternity test results in his face. He didn’t even glance at them, just rubbed his temples with a look of weary resignation. “It doesn’t matter whose baby it is. I’ll raise it as my own. You don’t have to bribe a doctor and fake these results to convince me.” His voice dropped lower. “Zoe told me everything… what you did to survive in there, seducing those men. I don’t blame you, Cass… but can we please just never speak of this again?” I screamed, I cried, I dragged Zoe in front of him and called her a liar. But Sebastian wouldn’t believe me. He accused me of trying to humiliate her. A wave of nausea and grief rose in my throat. I looked at him, really looked at him, one last time. “That baby was yours, Sebastian. I wouldn’t joke about something like that.” For a flicker of a second, he hesitated. “The baby…” he began, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. But Zoe seized the moment. She dropped to her knees before me, bowing her head in a frantic, desperate display of remorse. “You’re right, Cass, I’m a liar! Just say I’m a liar, as long as you and Seb can be happy together.” She looked up at him, her eyes wide and pleading. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have taken matters into my own hands.” Then, turning her tear-streaked face to Sebastian, she sobbed, “Seb, it was me. I lied to you. Nothing happened to Cass in that factory. Those men never touched her. It’s all my fault. Please, you two, don’t fight because of me…” “I’ll quit my job. I’ll turn myself in. I’ll go to jail…” She put on a masterful performance, but not a single tear fell. It was enough for Sebastian. He was completely undone. He scooped her up into his arms, cradling her like she was the most precious thing in the world. “This has nothing to do with you,” he murmured, stroking her hair. “You’ve been in surgery for hours. You’re exhausted. Let me take you home.” “Don’t worry,” he whispered, his voice full of a tenderness he hadn’t shown me in months. “I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Then, he turned his gaze back to me, and it was glacial. “Enough of this, Cassandra. Are you trying to weaponize Zoe’s guilt? Trying to pressure me by pinning this baby on me?” he snarled. “I don’t care if it wasn’t mine, and even if it was, it’s gone now. So it’s over.” “You push this any further,” he warned, his voice a deadly whisper, “and I will teach you a lesson in obedience myself.” He walked away with Zoe in his arms and never looked back. I stood there, frozen, as a deep, unshakable chill seeped into my bones, making my whole body tremble. We had been together for seven years. He had always showered me with affection, given me anything I wanted. But ever since Zoe returned from overseas, it was like she had methodically replaced me, piece by piece. My word meant nothing. My pain meant nothing. Fresh from surgery, abandoned and standing in a hospital corridor, I was worth less than one of Zoe’s fake tears. This was the eighteenth time he had chosen her over me. I was done being the one who had to bend. I was done making myself small. The last of the anesthetic wore off, and my legs gave out. I collapsed onto the cold linoleum floor. Gritting my teeth against the pain, I pulled out my phone and dialed my father’s number. “Dad,” I said, my voice low and steady. “I need some of your men.” “Tonight. And I need two doctors.” If Sebastian wouldn’t deal with Zoe, then I would deal with them both. My way. 2 That night, with the resources my father provided, I leaked all the evidence of Zoe’s malpractice onto the internet. Sebastian could pull strings with the hospital board, but he couldn’t control the tidal wave of public opinion. I was lying in my new private room when the door was kicked open. Zoe stormed in, her face a mask of fury. “Cassandra, you bitch! What the hell did you post online?!” With Sebastian gone, her sweet facade had vanished completely. I gave a subtle nod to the men standing guard behind me. My father’s people were efficient and sharp; a single look was all they needed. In seconds, they had Zoe restrained, her arms pinned behind her back. But there was no panic in her eyes. She looked at me with smug confidence, a defiant smirk playing on her lips. “What’s this, Cassandra? Putting on a big show? You don’t have the guts to touch me.” “You lay a single finger on me today, and I’ll have Sebastian divorce you tomorrow.” Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Did you really think you won his heart? If his grandfather hadn’t been so dead-set against us, you never would have married into the Blackwood family. You were just a pawn, Cass. A way for him to declare war on the old man. You really think he loves you?” The blood drained from my face. My heart stuttered, each beat a sharp, tearing pain. It was true. When Sebastian and I first got together, his grandfather had been my biggest obstacle. Sebastian, who had always been the dutiful grandson, started publicly defying him, bringing me to every event. It was an open declaration of war. I had asked him once if he regretted it. His expression was complicated, filled with an emotion I couldn’t decipher. It was like he was looking through me, at someone else entirely. He sighed, then gently stroked my hair. “Cass,” he said softly, “I just… I don’t want to have any more regrets. So this time, I’m going to protect you.” I was so lost in love back then that I never questioned the “more” in his sentence. I never realized what he meant by “this time.” He wasn’t protecting me. He was re-living a battle he’d lost before. On me, he was making up for the regret of letting Zoe go all those years ago. A wave of violent nausea churned in my stomach, threatening to erupt. Seeing my face turn ashen, Zoe’s eyes lit up with malicious glee. “Get the hint and get out of the picture. I’ve seen women like you before, gold-diggers clinging to what they can’t have. Why do you think Sebastian let me get rid of your baby? Don’t you get it? A trashy woman like you isn’t worthy of carrying his child.” She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a hiss. “And by the way, you should thank me. When you were kidnapped, Sebastian was perfectly fine leaving you there to die. If I hadn’t been worried about a murder charge and pushed him to call the police, you’d still be rotting in that factory.” Her last words incinerated the last shred of my composure. An endless, searing hatred erupted inside me, a wildfire consuming everything in its path. I dug my nails into my palms, the sharp pain a momentary anchor to reality. “I will give you exactly what you want,” I said, my voice dangerously calm. “But that child was innocent. You picked the wrong person to mess with, Zoe.” I rose from the bed and walked slowly toward her. I grabbed her chin, my fingers digging into her skin. “Since this mouth of yours loves to run, let’s sew it shut.” Zoe’s arrogance finally shattered. Panic flared in her eyes. She began to struggle violently. “You wouldn’t dare! You’re nothing but an orphan! Sebastian will destroy you for this!” I laughed, a cold, hollow sound. “That’s right. I’m an orphan. Does that mean I’m supposed to just let you walk all over me?” After my father cheated on my mother, I decided she was the only family I had. When she passed, I was truly alone. My father was a terrible husband, but he retained a sliver of paternal instinct. When I started dating Sebastian, he called me secretly, offering to use his influence to smooth things over with the Blackwood patriarch. I refused. Ironic that now, in the end, I had to rely on his power after all. I was done talking. The two doctors my father sent stepped forward. One threaded a needle. Crimson bloomed on Zoe’s white dress as the needle pierced her lip. Her agonized screams devolved into muffled, desperate whimpers. I had my men lock her in an empty operating room. “You spent four hours on my ‘surgery,’” I told her through the door. “I’m giving you double.” “Crank the AC down to freezing. Don’t let her out until eight hours have passed.”

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On the day of my husband’s funeral, I overheard his best friend on the phone. “Dude, this ‘playing dead’ thing is next level. Your wife is literally burying you at the cemetery, and you’re at a gaming hotel pulling an all-nighter with some chick.” “Save me a spot. I’m on my way.” I froze, my blood turning to ice. On autopilot, I followed him to the gaming hotel. There, I saw him. Preston Prescott, the man whose word was law in our family, now fawning over some rebellious-looking girl with neon-streaked hair. He leaned in close, feeding her lemonade mouth-to-mouth. When he turned his head for a second, his friend nudged him, laughing. “Bro, you still haven’t washed off that temporary tattoo?” Preston tilted his neck back. Under a decal of a yellow lemon, a pair of bright red words stood out: Roxy’s Property. “Never,” he declared, his voice thick with affection. “It’s a custom piece from my girl. I’m keeping it forever.” A chilling cold seeped into my bones. I stumbled out of the hotel in a daze. I had just walked through my front door when my mother-in-law, her eyes red and swollen from crying, gripped my hand. “Audrey, darling,” she said, her voice gentle. “A Prescott woman isn’t expected to live as a young widow. I’ve found another family for you to consider. If he’s a good man, I will personally arrange the match.” 1. “So, has Audrey handled all the funeral arrangements?” Preston’s voice was casual, but I could hear the mocking undertone. His friend chuckled. “All taken care of, man. Meticulous, perfect etiquette. Classic Audrey.” “She was crying her eyes out, but she still had that perfect, restrained posture. A true high-society lady.” Click. Preston lit a cigarette, then placed it between Roxy’s lips, his eyes full of doting affection. Through the haze of smoke, I saw the flicker of annoyance in his eyes. “That’s just Audrey,” he said with a sigh. “Emotionally numb by nature. She doesn’t have feelings.” “Her life is a color-coded schedule. What to eat, what to wear… even getting pregnant was a calculated event, waiting for the exact day of ovulation. She’s rigid and boring.” “Honestly, even if I really were dead, she’d just live out her days as a dutiful widow, taking care of my mother and the Prescott estate.” His friend burst out laughing. “One marriage certificate, and she’s loyal to you and your family for life. Pretty good deal, huh?” “Who knows,” another voice chimed in, “maybe she’ll even be happy when you come back from the dead.” The room erupted in laughter, each sound a needle piercing my eardrums. A bitter acid rose in my chest, and I had to take several deep breaths to swallow the tears. For the sake of his dignity, I had suppressed my own grief to manage his affairs. Every person who came to offer their condolences praised my composure. “Preston found such a wonderful wife. Audrey, you poor thing, left to manage this entire mess.” I never saw it as a burden. For Preston, I would have done it a million times over. At home, I managed every detail of our lives so he never had to worry about a thing. In public, I was his most capable partner, helping him land the biggest deal for the Prescott Corporation in the last decade. I truly believed we were soulmates, partners moving forward together. I never imagined that in the end, all I was to him was a “good deal.” “Hey! Can you stop talking about your old-fashioned wife when you’re with me?” Roxy ripped off her headset and slammed it on the table. “I want you to divorce her! And you have to get my name tattooed on your chest! That’s how I’ll know you really love me!” My heart clenched. I was terrified to hear his answer. Preston hesitated for only a second before nodding eagerly. “Okay, baby. If you want a divorce, we’ll get a divorce. Want to go get that tattoo right now?” An arctic chill washed over me. A violent headache threatened to split my skull in two. For the first time in my life, I lost control. I stumbled out of the gaming hotel, running blindly. On the crowded street, Preston’s proposal echoed in my ears. “Audrey, in the Prescott family, there’s no divorce. Only ‘til death do us part.’ You will be the only wife I ever have.” How laughable. His vow had an expiration date of only three years. I wandered the streets, lost, until my phone buzzed. It was my mother-in-law, her voice weary. “Audrey, you’ve been through so much. In our family, there’s no tradition of widowhood. I’ve found someone for you. Please, consider marrying again.” 2. I don’t know how long I stood there before I heard my own trembling voice answer. “Okay.” After hanging up, I realized I’d unconsciously walked to the entrance of an amusement park. To the base of the bungee tower. This time, I bought a single ticket. As the elevator ascended, I saw him again, the Preston from three years ago. Before I met him, my life was a set of rigid rules laid out by my parents. I was taught to be rational, to live life on a razor’s edge. One wrong step meant failure. My mother’s most frequent mantra was, “You enjoy a life of privilege others can only dream of. The price is that you must discard all unnecessary emotion.” I wanted to rebel, but I knew I didn’t have the right. In our world, the moment you step out of line, you are replaced. I would become worthless, with nothing. Preston was the first person who made me feel like I could take off my mask. “Audrey, life is short,” he’d said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Why live it like you’re walking on eggshells?” “Isn’t it better to just live in the moment?” He helped me sneak past the bodyguards my parents had assigned to me and took me straight to the bungee platform. In that heart-stopping moment of freefall, I clung to him, and for the first time in my life, I broke free from my gilded cage and screamed with abandon. Preston was the beautiful, chaotic exception to my perfectly curated life. I loved the rebellion in his soul, his courage to love and hate so fiercely. The elevator jolted, and I gripped the railing, my heart skipping a beat. The ghost of the man I loved flickered and blurred. Just like the real man had. He started changing six months ago. His predictable routine began to fray. Our lives, once intertwined, became parallel lines that never touched. He’d come home after I was asleep. I’d leave for work before he woke up. I tried asking his secretary, but she would just stammer about business dinners. But the cloying scent of cheap perfume on his shirts told a different story. My upbringing made it impossible for me to cause a scene. I could only remind him calmly, “Be careful eating out so much. You might get sick.” That was the first time he ever threw something in my presence. A bowl shattered at my feet, splattering hot soup across my ankle, raising a line of angry blisters. “So the perfect little princess knows how to be passive-aggressive after all,” he sneered. “Tired of dropping hints? Why don’t you just investigate me if you want to know so badly?” He knew me too well. He went straight for the kill. He knew my breeding, my decorum, would never allow me to stoop to tracking his movements. I had to let it go. Thinking back, I regret it. If I had intervened then, maybe we wouldn’t have ended up here. “Ma’am? Is this your first time bungee jumping? The safety instructions are…” A staff member’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. I shook my head. “I know them all.” He nodded and opened the gate. I looked down at the vast emptiness below, my breathing quickening. My heart, which had been dormant for so long, began to pound. In the moment of the fall, the wind whipped away the memory of Preston’s mocking voice, his condescending smile. Our story began here. It was only right that it end here, too. 3. When I got down from the platform, the wind had already dried the tears on my face. My mother-in-law sent me the address for the meeting. I plugged it into my GPS. Just as I was about to pull away, someone tapped on my window. I looked up, and was startled to see Roxy’s face. “Hey, old hag. You probably recognize me. You saw everything at the gaming hotel, didn’t you?” She swung a baseball bat, smashing it against my car window. CRACK. Shards of glass flew past my cheek, stinging like fire. Roxy grabbed a handful of my hair, yanking me halfway out of the broken window. She leaned in, her voice a low hiss in my ear. “I’m here to tell you, since you heard Preston say he’s divorcing you, you better play along. Or I’ll make you regret it.” “I’ve seen your type before. So high and mighty. You know what he hates most? A dead fish like you. I’m the only one who can give him passion!” I met her defiant gaze. “So?” Roxy’s smirk faltered, her bleached-blonde bangs seeming to bristle with anger. “I’m not letting him go, Audrey! He’s the first good man I’ve ever met. He spoils me, he cares for me more than my own father does, and he gives me money to take care of my grandma!” “Don’t you get it? A man’s money is where his heart is. Does he do that for you?” I tried to pry her fingers from my hair, my voice hoarse. “You think he really loves you? You’re just a cheap thrill, the easiest way for him to feel something new. Once the novelty wears off, there will be a second you, and a third…” Her face flushed crimson, as if I’d struck a nerve. “Who are you to judge me?!” she shrieked, dragging me out of the car. Rip. A button on my blouse tore off, and the sudden cold air made me panic. She held up her phone, pointing the camera at me, her voice shrill. “You think because you were born with a silver spoon you can lecture me? Let’s see how a high-and-mighty princess like you survives after I plaster these pictures all over the internet!” Her strength was shocking. As she dragged me, the rhinestones on her nails scraped red lines across my skin. I stumbled backward, my voice shaking with rage. “What you’re doing is illegal!” Roxy sneered. “Illegal? I’ve got nothing to lose. What are you, with your perfect little life, going to do about it?” She panted, then dialed a number on her phone. “Yo, get the girls over here. I’m at the Starlight garage. We’re about to have some fun with a new toy.” My brow furrowed. I tried to snatch her phone, but she slammed the car door on my hand. A blinding, excruciating pain shot up my arm, making me tremble uncontrollably. I gritted my teeth against the agony, pushing against the door and screaming for help. “Security! Somebody, help!” Silence. Despair began to creep in. My composure finally shattered. I frantically looked around for anything to defend myself with. No one was coming. I was on my own. My eyes landed on a fire extinguisher on a nearby pillar. I was trying to wrestle my hand free when a familiar, confused voice cut through the air. “Audrey?”

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The day of the client dinner, my boss insisted we go to The Sterling Steakhouse, a place where the tasting menu starts at $300 a head. When the check came, he had me put the $1,250 on my personal card. But when I submitted the receipt for reimbursement, the finance department told me the absolute maximum they could approve was $500. I went back to my boss, Walter, to explain. He just glanced dismissively at the receipt in my hand. “That extra $750? That’s on you for being incompetent.” I didn’t get angry. I smiled. Then I walked out of the office and called the client to split the remaining $750 with me. 1 “Now, Jessica, I see your potential, I really do,” Walter began, his tone dripping with condescension. “But you know the company’s expense policy. The limit is $500. Anything over that is a clear violation.” I stared at the $1,250 receipt in my hand and the notification on my phone confirming a $500 deposit from the company. Suddenly, the memory of myself in the restaurant bathroom last night, forcing myself to throw up so I could go back out and keep drinking for the deal, felt like a sick joke. “Mr. Davis, you were the one who insisted on The Sterling Steakhouse,” I said, my voice dangerously calm. “A place that costs $300 per person. There were three of us from the company. We were over the limit before we even ordered appetizers.” “You’re also the one who told me to pay for it, who promised the company would reimburse me in full. Why the sudden change of heart?” I clutched the receipt, my hand trembling with barely suppressed rage. Walter just tapped his pen impatiently on the polished surface of his desk. “You know the rules. If I make an exception for you, what kind of message does that send to the rest of the staff? Don’t think that landing one big account puts you on my level.” He leaned forward, his voice turning sharp. “Don’t blame the system for your own incompetence. Now, it’s working hours. You should be at your desk, not wasting my time.” He buzzed his assistant to show me out. The heavy oak door clicked shut behind me, a final, unceremonious dismissal. My mind was a whirlwind of fury, replaying the scene from the night before. Walter, expansive and magnanimous, slapping me on the back. “Jess, my girl! You landed us the biggest account of the year! As a reward, we’ll take Mr. Grayson to The Sterling Steakhouse tonight! Time you saw how the big leagues operate.” Even then, I had tried to stop him. “Mr. Davis, that place is $300 a head. Even if we’re careful, we’ll blow past the $500 reimbursement limit.” He acted as if he hadn’t heard me. He was already on the phone with the client. “Robert! All set for tonight. The Sterling… yes, that’s the one. See you at eight!” He hung up and immediately texted Mr. Grayson the location, following up with a string of voice notes confirming the restaurant, as if our most important client was incapable of reading a map. I tried one last time. “The reimbursement limit is $500. Will the company cover the overage? Besides, The Sterling is almost impossible to book on short notice…” He cut me off, slamming his hand on the table. “I already told the man where we’re going. Are you going to make me a liar? Make the reservation!” I’m just an employee. I did what I was told. The Sterling was impossible to book. I had to call in a massive favor, begging and pleading until a private room was miraculously made available. And this was my reward. A passing coworker saw me standing outside Walter’s closed door and sidled up to me, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. “You know, your commission on that deal is over three grand, not to mention the bonus. The company’s been good to you. Is it really worth fighting over a few hundred bucks? You’re starting to sound greedy.” Before I could even respond, the sharp voice of Linda from Finance cut through the air. “Jessica. We need to discuss your last expense report. There are some… discrepancies.” 2 Being summoned by Linda was never a good thing. My coworkers were already rubbernecking, sensing drama. I was about to follow her to her office, hoping to plead my case about the dinner again, when she stopped in the middle of the open-plan floor and decided to make it a public execution. “Jessica Pierce!” she shrieked, her voice echoing off the cubicle walls. “How dare you submit an expense report for $1,800 for a three-day trip! Who do you think you are, the CEO?” The entire office fell silent. Her voice was a drill in my ear. “So young, and already trying to cheat the company! You think this is your personal piggy bank? First, you try to expense a $1,250 dinner you knew was over the limit, and now I find this? An $1,800 travel bill? You’ve got a lot of nerve!” A murmur rippled through the office. “Wow, she seems so innocent, but she’s skimming off the expense reports?” “I know, right? Tacky. And who spends $1,250 on one dinner?” Walter emerged from his office, a cigarette dangling from his lips, drawn by the commotion. He saw me, and his eyes narrowed in annoyance. “You again? What’s this about $1,800?” Linda seized her moment. “Mr. Davis! It’s her! Three days on the road! The train tickets for her and the client were $650! Shipping for the samples was another $150! And the hotel… she submitted a bill for $750!” Her voice rose to a screech. “Were you staying in a hotel made of solid gold?” At the mention of the hotel bill, Walter’s face darkened. He stalked over and flicked his cigarette onto my shoe, grinding the embers into the leather with a look of utter contempt. “A $750 hotel bill, you say?” He smirked. “Fine. We’ll approve a payment that starts with a seven.” Linda understood immediately. She scribbled on an approval form and handed it to me. The approved amount was $75. “Company policy is company policy,” Walter said, his voice dripping with fake sincerity. “You’re a smart girl, Jessica. Don’t think landing one big deal means the rules don’t apply to you. You need to learn to think before you act.” A bitter, hysterical laugh escaped my lips. That “one big deal” was worth millions. Walter’s personal cut alone would exceed the company’s profits from the previous year. My commission was a paltry $3,100—the “over three grand” my coworker had mentioned. To close that deal, I had pulled a month of all-nighters. I’d lost count of the weekends I’d worked. When the contract was finally signed, all Walter said was, “Good job. This is what you’re paid for.” He never saw the endless revisions, the canceled plans, the nights I spent sleeping at my desk. I’d been to the doctor three times for a stress-induced stomach ulcer, but I still showed up to every client dinner, smiling and drinking until the deal was done. Before that business trip, I had followed protocol. I had specifically requested approval for the higher hotel costs. “Mr. Davis,” I’d said, “the client has very specific accommodation requirements. It’s going to be more expensive than our usual rate…” He had cut me off before I could finish. “Rules are for schmucks, Jessica. People are what matter. You land this deal, and I’ll approve whatever it takes. Just keep the client happy. Money is no object!” I had the entire conversation recorded, just in case. But it didn’t matter. He was denying it anyway. Every single receipt was legitimate. Every expense was pre-approved, verbally at least. $1,800 was two months’ salary for me. After rent, my last paycheck was almost gone. Now, with the dinner bill added on top, my bank account was practically empty. 3 Just as I was about to argue, to play the recording, Linda slid my monthly pay slip onto my desk. I looked at the number. $75. I felt my mind go blank. “Linda, is this a mistake?” She didn’t even look at me, already moving on to the next person. The other employees shot me pitying, scornful looks. I was now officially the office pariah, the greedy grifter. “A mistake?” she said without turning around. “Don’t you remember what you did last month? Or do I need to humiliate you in front of everyone again? I’m doing you a favor by not making a scene. Don’t push it.” I crumpled the pay slip in my fist, the last of my control snapping. I threw it at her head. “What did I do?” I snarled, my voice shaking. “I worked every single night for a month on that deal. I was on the road, visiting construction sites. I ended up in the emergency room with a bleeding ulcer! You told me yourself to take it easy! Did you forget? We can check the security footage if you need a reminder!” Linda was not one to back down. The sight of the pay slip fluttering to the floor sent her into a rage. She slapped me, hard, across the face. “Don’t you dare, Jessica! Your monthly salary is $4,000! That includes a $500 attendance bonus and a $1,000 performance bonus!” Right. A $2,500 base salary. After taxes, it came to just over three thousand a month. I could accept losing the attendance bonus; I had been sick. My head was ringing from the slap. I stared at the floor. “What about my commission for closing the deal?” Linda snorted. “Commission? Has the client even paid the first invoice? You don’t get a bonus until the money is in our account. And since that deal was your only performance metric last month and it hasn’t paid out yet, you get zero for your performance bonus. You were also absent, so that’s another five hundred gone.” “Oh, and you broke a printer. That’s a deduction for damaging company property. You’re lucky to be getting seventy-five bucks at all. I was being generous.” Her voice echoed in the silent office. My coworkers stared at their own pay slips, not daring to breathe, lest their own meager salaries be targeted next. “That printer was broken before I got there,” I said, my voice dangerously low. “I told you, it started smoking the second I walked near it. I never even touched it.” “And my expense report… every single item is within company guidelines. Every receipt is accounted for. You’re refusing to reimburse me?” My final question was so calm it seemed to unnerve her. She froze, at a loss for words. But Walter stepped in from behind me with a cold laugh. “Reimburse you? You’re lucky you still have a job.” I turned slowly to face him. “Oh, I’m not quitting. In fact, Mr. Grayson said he wants me to personally handle his next project. I wouldn’t want to miss out on that bonus.” I gave him a smile that was all teeth. It worked. He nodded, his mood instantly shifting. He even patted me on the shoulder. “See? That’s the spirit. Look, Jess, don’t take it personally. But rules are rules. I can’t bend them, even for a star employee. You understand, right?” He shoved a copy of the company’s official expense policy handbook into my hands. I took it, my smile widening. “Of course, Mr. Davis. I understand completely. Rules are rules.” The moment I stepped out of the building, I took the handbook, drove straight to Mr. Grayson’s office, and laid it on his desk. “Mr. Grayson,” I said. “About dinner last night. The bill came to $1,250. My company’s policy only covers $500. I was hoping we could split the difference.”

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My coworker, Sienna, saw me pull up in a luxury car and asked, her voice laced with envy, “Roxanne, did you buy this car yourself?” Remembering my dad’s advice to keep a low profile, I answered casually, “It’s my husband’s.” Three months later, she showed up with a group of people and sued me. I was completely bewildered, but she was crying like she was the most wronged person in the world. “It was Roxanne’s husband who assaulted me. I went to her house to drop off a file, but she wasn’t home. Her husband saw me, got ideas, and forced himself on me.” “I’m pregnant with his child! I demand they take responsibility! Otherwise, I’m suing them both for marriage fraud!” She demanded five million dollars in compensation and half of my assets. A tidal wave of condemnation washed over me, but I remained calm, a smirk playing on my lips as I watched her performance. She had no idea that I’d been single for five years. I did have a husband once. But he died five years ago. 1 “You just said you’re pregnant with my husband’s child. Are you sure about that?” In the courtroom, I looked calmly at Sienna, a woman I had worked with for three years. She had always been overly friendly, fawning over my clothes and accessories. She’d complimented a bracelet I was wearing, so I gave it to her. She was always trying to get me to buy her coffee, and I never made a big deal out of it. But I never could have imagined that she would show up three months pregnant, her belly slightly rounded, and accuse my husband of assaulting her in front of a judge. Sienna lifted her chin, her voice firm. “Of course, I’m sure!” “Roxanne, out of respect for our time as colleagues, I wanted to handle this privately, but you refuse to admit it.” “I had no choice but to take legal action. Now, in front of the judge, you might as well tell the truth.” Sienna’s mother glared at me, her face contorted with rage. “You’re Roxanne, right?” “Your monster of a husband committed this crime, but he doesn’t even have the guts to show his face in court?” “If he hadn’t defiled my daughter, she would still be an innocent young woman! How could she possibly be pregnant?” “I suggest you bring him here right now. It doesn’t matter where you hide him; a scumbag like that deserves the death penalty!” The mother-daughter duo put on a dramatic performance, their voices loud and accusatory. I could barely watch. I shook my head in exasperation. “I think you’ve got the wrong person. Instead of wasting your time with me, you should be out looking for the real perpetrator.” “I’ll say it again: my husband would never do something like that.” My words were like a lit match to gasoline. Sienna’s mother exploded. “How can you be so sure he wouldn’t? My daughter is young and beautiful; men can’t take their eyes off her. I bet your husband is no saint.” “If she hadn’t gone to your house to deliver that file, she wouldn’t have been subjected to such a brutal attack!” “The way you’re defending him… maybe you two planned this together, to lure an innocent young girl into a trap!” Sienna’s mother started to dab at her eyes, her gaze falling on her daughter’s swollen belly as she wailed to the heavens. “My poor daughter! You just graduated a few years ago. You had your whole life ahead of you, and now it’s been ruined by that monster!” Her cries were so heart-wrenching that the jury and the coworkers who had come to watch started to look at me with disdain. “The victim is on the verge of a breakdown, and you’re just sitting there, unmoved.” “Rich women are all heartless bitches.” “I bet she’s covering for her husband. Maybe they even planned the whole thing together!” Seeing the tide of sympathy turn in her favor, Sienna played her part to perfection. Her eyes were red and swollen as she looked at me with a pitiful expression. “Roxanne, it was your husband. Why won’t you admit it?” “Because of his selfish desires, my life is ruined. I can’t get married, and now I’m pregnant. The doctor said if I have an abortion, I might never be able to have children!” “My demands aren’t unreasonable. Just five million dollars for emotional distress and a share of your assets. After all, I’m carrying your husband’s child.” “Your family is well-off. Can’t you spare that much?” 2 A smirk played on my lips. “There it is. The real you is finally showing.” “This has always been about money, hasn’t it? Just pin a crime on me that’s impossible to disprove.” “Sienna, you’re more cunning than I gave you credit for.” My words hit their mark. A flicker of panic crossed her face, but she quickly masked it. “I am the victim here! Am I not allowed to seek justice for myself?” “Roxanne, how can you be so cruel? Do you have any conscience at all?” “If you’re just going to slander me like this, I might as well just end it all right here…” Sienna made a show of trying to run headfirst into a wall, thrashing about until her mother and a few jurors managed to restrain her. Everyone rushed to comfort her. “Miss Vance, please, don’t be rash. Now that you’re in court, we will ensure that justice is served.” Then, they shot me a cold glare. “People like her, who enable monsters, will get what they deserve.” Just then, the judge banged the gavel. “Order! Since the two parties cannot reach an agreement, you will each present your evidence.” Sienna wiped her tears, took a deep breath, and began her story. “That night, I saw that Roxanne had left a file at her desk. It was urgent for the next day. I somehow found her address and went to deliver it. As I was getting into the elevator, I saw her husband coming out of apartment 302. He looked me over and asked if I was Roxanne’s colleague. I said yes.” “He nodded and said that Roxanne wasn’t home, and that I should wait for her in the car. But then…” Sienna started to sob again. “The moment I got in the car, he locked the doors. Then he started touching me, tearing my clothes… I struggled, but after he was done, he just patted my shoulder and said he would be seeing me often. He even asked if I wanted to be his mistress.” “And then?” someone from the gallery asked, completely engrossed. “Of course I said no! I pushed him away and ran.” “But after that, he started stalking me.” “He cornered me downstairs from the office and forced me to go to a hotel with him several times. He threatened to post my pictures and videos in the company group chat if I didn’t comply, so I had to agree.” “I’ve been trying to break it off with him, but then… I found out I was pregnant.” “I went to him to take responsibility, but he blocked me and pretended he didn’t know me. Who else am I supposed to turn to?” All eyes were on me, filled with a mixture of anger and disgust, as if they wanted to tear me apart. “Roxanne, do you have anything to say?” I shook my head, a cold smile on my face. “This is ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.” “If that man was really my husband, why would he ask a colleague to wait in the car instead of inviting them inside?” Sienna’s face paled slightly. “How should I know? Maybe your husband had sinister intentions from the start!” “He locked the car doors. I couldn’t escape.” Something still felt off. “You’re just spinning a tale with no proof. Where’s your evidence?” Sienna’s voice was defiant. “I have it!” She produced a surveillance video. It showed her arriving at the entrance to my apartment complex. It’s an upscale building, so she loitered outside for a while. Then, a man with his back to the camera emerged from my building. Sienna approached him, and they started talking. The video cut off there. “See? He was right outside your building. It was obviously your husband!” My expression turned serious. Apartment 302, Brighton Towers. I had randomly put down that address when the company was collecting employee information. But I live in a villa and rarely go to that apartment. I never thought she would dig that up. And the man… his back did look vaguely familiar. Still, I shook my head. “Impossible. I almost never stay at that apartment. How could a husband of mine just suddenly appear there? I suggest you tell the truth in front of the judge. Otherwise, I will be suing you for defamation.” Sienna’s face contorted with a mixture of anger and fear. She was clearly shaken. Her lawyer whispered something to her, and her confidence seemed to return. “Don’t try to turn this around on me!” “Your husband assaulted me and got me pregnant! I have proof!” “I even heard him take a phone call. It was your voice on the other end. He called you ‘honey.’ Don’t deny it!” I was completely baffled. Could there really be someone out there impersonating my husband and deceiving Sienna? “That’s impossible. Describe the man to me. What were his distinguishing features?” Sienna sneered. “Stop pretending, Roxanne.” “I know your husband. His name is Peter Hayes!” The name dropped like a stone, and a wave of amusement washed over me. “Say his name again?” Suddenly, this whole situation had become very interesting.

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1 The vows were on our lips when the doors to the chapel burst open. My groom, Lucian Vance, head of a weapons empire, was about to become a husband. And, it seemed, a father. He stiffened, then immediately released my hands and grabbed his jacket, ready to bolt. “Arabella, she’s in trouble. I have to go,” he said, his voice urgent, his eyes devoid of a single shred of guilt for the woman he was about to leave at the altar. A hush fell over the cathedral. Every guest, every powerful figure from the city’s underworld, turned to stare. “Lucian, I don’t give a damn who Isla is,” I said, my voice ringing out, clear and cold. “But this isn’t just our wedding. It’s an alliance between the Vance and Stanton families. Are you willing to burn that bridge—to break that treaty—for a mistress?” Lucian froze, clearly stunned that I would challenge him so publicly. The whispers from the pews grew louder. “That poor Stanton girl. Finding out on her wedding day he has another woman…” “I heard she’s some nightclub dancer. And pregnant with his child…” In another life, I threw a fit. I threatened to kill myself to stop him from leaving, forcing him to complete the ceremony. But Isla died in childbirth, along with their son. He never even got to say goodbye. For that, he hated me. He locked me away in a gilded cage, a sunless villa where I became his prisoner. And when it was my turn to give birth, he smiled and told the doctors to remove a bullet from one of his men first, leaving me to bleed out on a cold operating table. This life, I would make sure everyone knew that the Vances had betrayed me first. This life, Lucian Vance would pay for his choice. “Mr. Vance, it’s an emergency! Miss Isla is in labor, and the doctors say it’s a difficult birth! They said you have to come now!” A young woman with a perfectly made-up face burst into the ceremony, interrupting us. She fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. “Mr. Vance, please, you have to save Miss Isla! She’s carrying your child!” My grip on my bouquet tightened. Across from me, Lucian’s face had gone pale with shock. “What did you say? A difficult birth? How?” He was about to abandon the entire wedding, all our guests, and run. In my last life, this was the moment I stopped him, forcing him to finish the wedding and sealing his eternal hatred for me. This time, I wouldn’t stand in his way. I ripped the veil from my head. “Lucian, who is Isla? And why is she saying she’s pregnant with your child?” I let my voice tremble, my face a mask of shock and devastation. The guests immediately turned their sympathetic gazes upon me. The whispers started again. “Poor Arabella. Her wedding isn’t even over, and her husband’s mistress is giving birth.” “This is a major union between two families. The Vances are showing zero respect for the Stantons.” Lucian shot me an impatient look. “Arabella, it’s my child. I can’t let her die. I’ll explain later.” He turned to leave again. “Wait.” I stepped in front of him. “Today is our wedding day. You’re going to leave me at the altar for another woman, in front of all these people? What does that say about the Stanton family’s honor?” “If you already had someone you loved, why didn’t you say so? Why did you wait until our wedding day to humiliate me?” “A Stanton woman does not have to beg to be married into the Vance family.” Lucian shoved my hand away. “I’m not refusing to marry you, but this is a matter of life and death! I can’t just ignore it!” My eyes reddened, and a single tear traced a perfect path down my cheek. “But this alliance was set in stone by our families. The invitations have been sent, the contracts signed. If you walk out that door right now, this union is void. You can explain that to our parents tomorrow.” My tears began to fall like broken pearls. This time, I had learned how to play the victim. I would make sure the entire world knew that Lucian Vance, and the entire Vance family, had wronged me. Lucian’s parents, their faces burning with shame from the surrounding gossip, finally stepped in. “Lucian, stop this nonsense! Today is your wedding day with Arabella. You can’t just walk out!” “Get back here and finish the ceremony!” his father commanded. The young assistant fell to her knees again. “Sir, Madam, Miss Isla is carrying the Vance family’s first grandson! Can you really be so heartless?” “Mr. Vance, she followed you without a title or a name, willing to bear your children. Are you really going to let her die?” Lucian echoed her plea. “Father, Mother, that’s your grandson. Can you truly stand by and do nothing?” He then turned his cold eyes back to me. “Since this is a family alliance, the marriage is inevitable. Why the rush? Or is the precious Stanton daughter that desperate to marry into the Vance family? It’s a bit pathetic, don’t you think?” His tone softened slightly. “Arabella, I know you’re a reasonable woman. Once you’re Mrs. Vance, I’m sure you and Isla can learn to get along, can’t you?” A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Lucian, you and I are not yet married. This ceremony is not complete. I have no intention of playing sisters with your mistress.” I threw my bouquet to the ground. “If you insist on saving her, I won’t stop you. But the alliance between our families cannot be jeopardized by your personal affairs.” “Can the Vance family afford the price of breaking our contract?” Lucian’s father’s face was a mask of fury. “Lucian, this deal is worth billions! Are you going to risk our entire family for some woman?” Lucian was dismissive. “Father, I already agreed to the alliance, didn’t I? What does it matter when the wedding happens? You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.” He completely ignored the gravity of the situation. “What’s next? Are you going to try and schedule when we sleep together too?” Seeing that he had finally pushed his father too far, I smiled faintly and took a step forward, addressing Lucian’s parents. “Mr. and Mrs. Vance,” I said, my voice clear and deliberate. “As this is an alliance between our two families, the contract doesn’t specify which Vance son I am to marry.” “Since Lucian already has a woman he loves, I will not stand in his way. Our engagement is hereby terminated. The man I will marry today is the Vance family’s second son, Adrian.” The entire cathedral erupted. Lucian burst out laughing. “What did you say? You want to marry my brother? He’s nothing but a brute who only knows how to fight! I am the future head of the Vance family! Have you lost your mind?” I looked him straight in the eye. “So what? You may be the heir, but you cheated during our engagement and fathered a child with another woman. Why would I marry a man with no loyalty? Adrian may not work at the headquarters, but he is capable and honorable. He is a thousand times the man you are.” I gave him a mocking look. “Or are you having second thoughts? Do you want to marry me now? Oh, dear. I wonder how Isla is doing. She must be in so much pain…” At the mention of Isla, the assistant tugged frantically on Lucian’s arm. “Mr. Vance, we can’t wait any longer! Miss Isla is fading!” Lucian glared at me with contempt. “Fine. If you’d rather marry my brother than be my wife, I’ll grant you your wish. After my son is born, I’ll marry his mother. Arabella Stanton, you will regret this.” With that, he ripped off his tuxedo jacket, threw it to the ground, and stormed out in front of everyone. I turned to my assistant. “Contact my father and mother. Tell them to bring the marriage contract they signed with Lucian.” My parents arrived within minutes. My father’s face was thunderous. “A fine welcome from the Vances! Did you think the Stantons were a family to be trifled with? For Lucian to cause such a scene on his wedding day for a common mistress… don’t blame us for turning hostile.” I stopped him. “Father, Lucian and I have made things clear. I will not marry him. But the alliance is for our families’ mutual benefit. It never stipulated which son I had to marry. Now that Lucian has proven his disloyalty, I refuse to marry him. But he isn’t the only son. There is still Adrian.” My mother whispered, “Arabella, you don’t have to sacrifice yourself. Even if we break the alliance, it would be the Vances’ fault.” I smiled softly. Breaking a family alliance of this magnitude wasn’t easy. But switching the groom? That was much simpler. The underworld didn’t need to know whether I married the first or second son of the Vance family. They only needed to know our families were united. That was enough to keep our enemies at bay. Besides, in my last life, when Lucian drove me to my death for Isla, it was Adrian who stood up at my funeral and condemned his brother’s treachery, exposing Lucian for the monster he truly was. My father considered for a moment, then nodded in agreement and turned to Lucian’s father. “Mr. Vance, your thoughts?” Mr. and Mrs. Vance nodded eagerly. “This is an excellent solution. We are so sorry for what Arabella has had to endure. We must call for Adrian immediately.” My father held up a hand, stopping them. “My daughter has certainly been wronged. Lucian’s deplorable behavior and public breach of contract is an insult to both our families. He fathered a child with another woman during his engagement to my daughter and chose to reveal it on their wedding day.” “If the Vance family does not make a significant gesture, the Stanton family elders will assume this behavior was condoned.” Lucian’s father was stunned. “What do you propose?” I spoke up. “Since you feel I have been wronged, and I have chosen not to escalate this scandal for the sake of both our families, the best solution is for you to convene a family council. Revoke Lucian’s position as heir, and name Adrian the new head of the Vance syndicate.” “After all, Lucian has proven himself to be a reckless liability. Adrian, on the other hand, is exceptionally capable and has earned the respect of everyone. Don’t you think he is better suited to lead?” Defeated, Lucian’s father finally nodded. “Very well. As you say. I will call a family meeting tomorrow and propose the change of heir.” “The second son has arrived.” Adrian was standing at the back of the crowd. I didn’t know how long he’d been there. He walked up the aisle. His father clapped him on the shoulder. “The family is in your hands now. Since your brother has no regard for our interests, let him have his freedom. The position of heir to the Vance family is no longer his.” Adrian looked at me, his gaze deep and steady. “Miss Stanton, I am a practical man. I don’t have time for poetry or romance. I may not be able to take you shopping or for tea. But I swear on my name, if you will have me, I will protect you for the rest of my life. Will you?” I smiled. “I will.” To the sound of the wedding march, I put my veil back on, and Adrian and I exchanged rings, becoming husband and wife. As the chandeliers sparkled above us, a wave of relief washed over me. This time, I was finally free of Lucian Vance. And I had taken his birthright. I couldn’t wait to see if he would regret losing everything for Isla. The story of how Lucian Vance abandoned his bride at the altar for his mistress spread through our world overnight. The next day, as Adrian and I were preparing for the formal tea ceremony with the elders, Lucian’s father sent men to bring him back to the estate. He didn’t come alone. He brought Isla, who was holding a newborn baby. She was dressed in a designer coat and dripping with jewels, clinging to Lucian’s arm as if she were a fragile doll. She bowed demurely with the baby in her arms. “Father, Mother, my name is Isla. Orion, say hello to your grandpa and grandma.” She cooed at the baby, a smug look on her face. Lucian’s parents were livid. “What is the meaning of this? How dare you bring her here today!” Lucian declared, “Father, Mother, Isla risked her life to give me Orion. He is our family’s first grandson!” “Isla and I are in love. I have decided to marry her and make her an honorable Mrs. Vance.” Isla gazed at him, her eyes shining with adoration. “Lucian, having you is all I need in this life. My son and I want for nothing. Please don’t argue with your parents.” Lucian pulled her closer. “You gave me a son. You are a hero to this family. My mind is made up. You will be my wife.” He saw me then, dressed in a traditional red gown for the ceremony, and his tone softened. “I know I wronged you yesterday, leaving you to face our guests alone. I’m surprised you were so understanding. I will make it up to you.” “What I said about canceling our engagement was just in the heat of the moment. I’ll treat you well from now on.” “But Isla gave me a son, so I must marry her. You can live here with us. She has a gentle nature and isn’t suited to manage a household. You can be in charge. It will be a sign of respect. You and Isla must get along.” I frowned, listening to his nonsense, about to speak, but someone else spoke for me. “Brother, what are you saying to my wife? Arabella, it’s time to serve the elders.” Adrian stepped out from behind me, his arm gently guiding me forward. Lucian was dumbfounded. “What wife? What are you talking about? The one who married Arabella was me, not you!” Adrian smiled, holding my hand tightly. “No. You didn’t finish the ceremony, remember? You ran off to be with your Isla. Everyone in the underworld knows that the man who exchanged rings with her and spent our wedding night with her… was me.” Lucian yelled, “Impossible! Father, Mother, how could you let this happen? This makes us a laughingstock!” His father’s face was grim. “You’re just now realizing we became a laughingstock yesterday? If it weren’t for Adrian, the Vance family’s name would be in ruins!” Suddenly, a formal announcement cut through the argument.

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