My deceased elder brother left me two things: a multi-million dollar company, and my little nephew. The day my nephew was kidnapped, the kidnappers demanded ten million dollars within 24 hours. I immediately called my wife, telling her to withdraw the money from my brother’s personal funds to save him. Her refusal was ice-cold. “You can’t. He had a son, not a money tree. What life is worth ten million?” Her inhuman reply ignited my fury. “The company and the money, they were all left by Michael. It’s only right to spend it on his son!” “Right?” My wife scoffed. “The little money Michael left all those years ago wasn’t even enough for your nephew’s tuition. We’ve shelled out plenty ourselves. I’m just protecting *our* family’s best interests.” I didn’t believe her. I immediately called the school for verification. “Sir, your nephew, Leo, was sent to school with your wife’s assistant’s son. Leo is here in school, it’s the other child who hasn’t shown up, isn’t it?” I asked for a headshot from the assistant’s son’s school file. Staring at the photo, the spitting image of my wife, I smiled. Then, I dialed the kidnappers’ number. “My family has no money. Do what you want.” 1 My sister-in-law, Scarlett, was already frail. Hearing her son had been kidnapped, she collapsed on the spot and was rushed to the ICU. Fearing the kidnappers might realize their mistake, I quickly and secretly picked up my nephew from school and hid him at a friend’s house. I then rushed back to the hospital to see Scarlett. A nurse approached with a bill. “Mr. Alex, Ms. Scarlett’s ICU bill is substantial and requires immediate payment. We need three hundred thousand dollars.” I acknowledged her, dialing the company’s CFO. The phone rang for a long time before it was picked up. The CFO’s voice was hesitant. All company assets Michael left behind were under my wife Victoria’s management. “My apologies, Mr. Alex. Ms. Victoria has instructed that all large expenditures require her personal signature and approval.” “That’s my sister-in-law, a board member of the company! She’s lying in the ICU right now!” “Mr. Alex, we’re very sympathetic, but Ms. Victoria specifically instructed us to prevent operational risks from ’emotional expenditures.’” Risks? My sister-in-law was fighting for her life, and she was calculating risks? I hung up, my heart heavy, and just sat stunned by the ICU doors. Through the glass, I could see Scarlett’s pale face. Victoria finally arrived. She wasn’t alone. Her assistant, Marcus, was with her. They both wore expressions of false concern. Marcus even carried a fruit basket. I stood before Victoria, my voice icy. “What are you doing here?” She smoothed down her coat, a hint of reproach in her eyes. “Alex, don’t be like that. Marcus and I came to see if there’s anything we can do to help.” “Victoria, you’re a hell of an actress. You’re using company money to support this man’s child, and now you…” Marcus immediately stepped forward, looking at me with a pained expression. “Mr. Alex, I know you’re distressed, but Ms. Victoria is in a difficult position too!” Victoria gave Marcus a solicitous glance, then turned to me. “Alex, watch your words. Show some class, please?” I suppressed the surging anger, pointing to the ICU payment window. “My sister-in-law’s medical bills. They need your signature.” Victoria frowned. “I can’t approve it.” “Why not?” “Company funds need to maintain liquidity for unforeseen emergencies. Her illness is a money pit; any investment offers no positive return for the company.” “Besides, we need to secure *our* future. That’s what truly matters.” I felt all the blood drain from my body. “Victoria, you monster!” I clenched my fists. Marcus immediately stepped in front of her. “Alex, what are you doing?!” Victoria peeked out from behind Marcus. Marcus smoothly supported her. “Ms. Victoria, don’t get upset. Mr. Alex is just too worried. He doesn’t understand company operations.” Victoria let out a soft huff. “Ignorance requires accepting reality. The business world has no room for sentimentality.” Victoria handed me a document. An “Emergency Authorization to Manage Company Affairs.” “Sign it. Then I’ll see if finance can squeeze out a few thousand dollars.” I stared at her. “Victoria, does it really have to come to this?” The atmosphere was awkward. Marcus offered a forced smile. “Mr. Alex, Ms. Victoria actually cares about your nephew.” “See, Ms. Victoria just got me this new bulletproof model. Over ten million dollars.” “She said things are unstable outside and we need to upgrade our security. If your nephew comes back safe, I can give him a ride to and from school in this car.” Marcus pulled out a car key from his pocket and pressed it. Down in the parking lot, a brand new Mercedes S680 flashed its lights. News of my nephew’s kidnapping became an excuse for him to get a new car? “Victoria! You have money to buy him a car, but not to ransom my nephew?” I pointed at her. Victoria slapped the document onto the long bench by the ICU entrance. “What do you know? Buying a car comes with a proper invoice, an official expense, tax-deductible. Can a kidnapper give you a receipt?” “Alex, your emotions are unstable right now. You’re not fit to handle company matters.” “Sign it, or I’ll not only cut off Scarlett’s medical funds but also declare you mentally unstable and have you committed.” My fingers trembled with rage. “Get out!” The farce ended unhappily. She used the most professional excuses to pull off the most despicable schemes. Conventional methods wouldn’t work against this viper. I had to be more ruthless than her.

I pawned a vintage motorcycle Michael had left me, just enough to cover Scarlett’s medical expenses. Michael had hired Victoria as a professional manager during his lifetime, hoping to steer the family business onto the right track. He practically orchestrated my marriage to Victoria. I once thought this was Michael’s grand plan, never imagining it was to aid Victoria. In the years we were married, Victoria often said: “Alex, I’ll take care of the business. You just live your life.” I believed her. But she had schemed to steal everything I had. I had to reclaim what belonged to my family. The next day, I went to the company’s headquarters. Pushing open the door to Michael’s top-floor office. The scent of a distinctly high-end perfume—Victoria’s favorite. The office layout had completely changed. Michael’s beloved bookshelves and books were gone. Replaced by sleek, minimalist decor of cold metal and glass. Several cleaners were clearing out miscellaneous items. Among a pile of discarded things, I saw a familiar framed quote. It was a piece personally inscribed by Michael: “Family first, everything else follows.” I rushed over, pulled the framed quote from the trash, and carefully put it aside. “What are you doing at the company?” Victoria walked out, holding a report. “This is my brother’s office!” Victoria glanced at the framed quote. “Strictly speaking, this is the CEO’s office. And I am the acting CEO.” She pointed to the pile of my brother’s belongings. “Outdated structures hinder growth.” She walked closer, reaching for the framed quote, but I stopped her. “This sentimental clutter, which generates zero value, should be purged.” My heart clenched painfully. It hurt so much. She called Michael’s legacy trash! She wasn’t just after Michael’s estate; she wanted to erase every trace of Michael’s legacy here. “Victoria, you ungrateful snake! Without Michael…” “Silence!” Victoria’s face turned ugly, a flicker of disdain in her eyes. “I’ve tripled the company’s market value with my capabilities. What I’ve gained is my rightful reward.” “Sign this ‘Overseas Licensing Agreement for Key Technologies’.” I opened it and saw that it would license several of the company’s most valuable patents at a low price to an offshore company under her control. “I will never sign it.” Victoria wasn’t surprised. She pulled a medical report from her drawer. She looked at the report, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. “I’m pregnant. We’re having a baby.” She looked up at me, her eyes cold. “Idiot, do you know how much risk this agreement mitigates for ‘our future family’? Hundreds of millions!” “My child deserves the best security!” She framed draining the company as being for my own good. “Victoria, you disgust me.” “Disgust?” Victoria let out a short laugh. “The business world only acknowledges winners.” She walked up to me. “Sign it.” I snatched the agreement, throwing it forcefully at her feet. “Get lost!” The agreement scattered across the floor. Victoria calmly smoothed her hair. “You’ll pay for your impulsiveness, Alex. Anger is the most useless thing in this world.” She turned, pressing the intercom on her desk. “Security, please escort Mr. Alex out of the company. Finance, freeze all his spending permissions.”

I was “escorted” by security out of the company Michael had founded. Standing before the familiar building, I felt like an outsider. I needed help. But every one of Michael’s old colleagues and friends I contacted politely declined. Victoria had already spread rumors that I was emotionally unstable due to family changes. She wanted everyone to isolate me. I arranged to meet a respected family friend, hoping he could mediate. When I booked a restaurant table online and went to pay the deposit, a message popped up on my phone: [Notification: Your business card has been suspended by the primary cardholder. For inquiries, please contact Ms. Victoria.] All my consumption cards were linked to company accounts. She had cut off all my financial lifelines. I couldn’t even afford a single meal. My phone chimed—a new social media post from Victoria. The picture showed her and Marcus picking out gifts at a toy store, with a salesperson behind them holding piles of boxes. Beneath the image was a line of text: [Company quarterly perk: birthday gifts for employees’ families.] She was using my brother’s company to provide perks for her secret son. Just then, the doorbell rang. “Mr. Alex, your delivery.” I opened the box to find high-quality knock-off LEGO models from Wish. A moment later, Marcus sent me a message: “Mr. Alex, Ms. Victoria said you’re a bit tight on cash lately. A man shouldn’t be without money when he’s out, so she transferred you 500 dollars. Spend it wisely. This toy set is for Caleb. She said once your nephew is safe, she, as his aunt, should show some appreciation.” It was a blatant insult. My stomach churned, and I immediately rejected the transfer. I would make those two pay! I went to Michael’s study, the only place Victoria hadn’t touched. I had to find a weapon for retaliation, even if it was just a tiny clue. As I thumbed through Michael’s books, his voice and image flashed before my eyes. When I picked up a copy of “Game Theory” that he had reread countless times, I felt something odd about the cover. I peeled back the inner lining of the cover. A stiff business card slipped out. I tremblingly picked up the card. It bore only a name and a phone number. Kira. On the back inner page, in Michael’s handwriting: “Brother, Victoria is a deeply cunning woman, a business prodigy. I made you marry her to revitalize the Sterling Group.” “But if Victoria ever harbored other intentions, you’d need ruthless tactics to break the deadlock.” “Conventional legal channels won’t work against her. You’ll need a more formidable shark to deal with her.” “Go find this Kira person.” “She was an old friend of mine; she left the country because of me. But she will help you.” “Tell her I never forgot her.” Finishing the note, I wiped the dampness from my eyes. Finally, I wasn’t fighting alone. Michael had laid a plan. I dialed the number. “Who is this?” A pleasant female voice. “Ms. Kira, I’m Alex, Michael’s brother. My brother asked me to contact you. I need your help.” The other end of the line was silent for a moment, then a cold laugh. I recounted the company’s situation to her. “Victoria? I know her. The woman who has a calculator for a soul.” “She’s draining the company Michael left behind, using a complex capital maneuver.” “Capital maneuver? She’s mastered your brother’s game?” “I need your help. But right now… I might not be able to afford your fee.” “Fee? Your brother never paid me during his lifetime. I guess I owe him from a past life.” Kira cut me off. “Bringing down someone so utterly devoid of gratitude like Victoria, that in itself is an interesting proposition.” “Send me all the documents. I love dissecting a seemingly foolproof scheme.”

Kira’s actions were lightning fast. The very next morning, she called. “Your family’s situation is worse than I imagined.” My heart sank. “Victoria is a master of finance. She played your brother’s game very well.” “What do you mean?” “She feared you’d use company money, so she laid her trap early.” “The very day the kidnapping happened, under the pretense of mitigating market risks, she funneled all the company’s liquid assets into an offshore long-term real estate trust fund.” My mind buzzed. “What does that mean?” “It means the company has no cash flow left.” “That money is locked in for three years.” “If you want to withdraw it early, you’ll lose at least eighty percent of the principal, and the process is extremely complicated; it’ll take at least ten days, if not longer.” Kira’s tone was serious. “To prevent you from touching the money, she placed a self-destruct lock on the company’s finances.” “She locked herself in too.” I understood. Victoria thought it was my nephew who was kidnapped. She assumed I would use company funds at any cost to save him. So she made the first move, bleeding the company dry. But she miscalculated one thing. One thing that would destroy her. I hung up the phone and drove straight to the company headquarters. This time, I wasn’t stopped. Victoria seemed to have anticipated my arrival; the front desk simply gave me a temporary visitor’s pass. I pushed open the door to the CEO’s office on the top floor. Victoria and Marcus stood together, laughing happily as they pointed at blueprints for a children’s play area. Seeing me enter, Marcus immediately sobered. Victoria slowly put down the blueprints and leaned back in her executive chair. “Had a change of heart? Come to sign that authorization?” Her tone carried a hint of condescension. I ignored her, walking directly to her. “I’m here to talk about the ransom.” Victoria looked as if she’d heard the funniest joke. “Alex, are you still dreaming?” “I’ve made it very clear. The company won’t pay a single dime.” “Your nephew’s life isn’t worth ten million.” She repeated the cold words, her eyes full of contempt. Marcus, beside her, nodded in agreement. “Mr. Alex, Ms. Victoria is also thinking about the company’s long-term development. Don’t let your emotions get the better of you.” I watched them, finding it utterly ironic. “I agree with you.” I said calmly. Victoria paused, clearly not expecting that. “A child’s life is indeed not worth ten million.” I paused, my gaze sweeping over Marcus’s tense face. “Especially when that child’s family doesn’t have that much money.” Victoria’s smile froze. “What exactly are you trying to say?” “I’m saying, the kidnappers didn’t take my nephew.” I pulled out my phone, opening the encrypted video the kidnappers had sent me. In the video, Marcus’s son was tied to a pillar, his mouth gagged. The kidnapper, wearing a mask, spoke: “Our patience is running thin. If we don’t see the money by tomorrow at noon, you’ll be collecting a corpse!” Victoria stared at the screen, the color draining from her face. “No… this can’t be… this is definitely fake!” She shrieked, completely losing her usual composure. “Fake?” I sneered. “Then why don’t you call the school right now and ask?” Victoria fumbled with her phone, her fingers trembling as she found the school teacher’s number. The teacher’s polite but confused voice came through the phone. “Ms. Victoria? Hello. Leo was picked up by his uncle yesterday.” “Impossible!” Victoria’s voice was hoarse. “Then who was absent yesterday?” “Oh, you mean Caleb. His father called in, reporting him sick for three days.” The call ended. The office fell into a dead silence. Victoria’s phone slipped from her hand, falling onto the carpet. Her face was as white as a sheet. She finally understood. The child kidnapped, from start to finish, was never my nephew. It was her and Marcus’s secret son. Victoria lunged at the computer like a madwoman. “Money! Quick! Transfer the money!” She screamed at Marcus, frantically operating the online banking herself. Marcus nodded, equally panicked, and pulled out the company’s security token to authorize the transfer. “But Victoria, the company account is empty.” Victoria didn’t hear him. She entered the amount and clicked ‘transfer’. A red warning box popped up on the screen. [Insufficient available balance. Transaction failed.] She collapsed into her chair, her eyes vacant. She knew. To stop me from using company money, she had personally locked all the funds. She had personally cut off her own son’s lifeline. She violently lifted her head, glaring at me, her eyes filled with venom and desperation. “Alex… you…” I walked to her, enjoying her agony. “So quick to transfer the money. You’re really desperate. It seems he truly is your son!” “I never thought you’d go to such extremes to prevent me from saving my nephew.” “Locking down all the company’s cash.” “Now, it’s your own son on the line.” I mimicked her earlier tone, enunciating each word. “Didn’t you say a child’s life isn’t worth ten million?” Victoria’s lips were bitten raw and bleeding, her body trembling violently. Despair—I was seeing it on this woman’s face for the first time. She suddenly knelt before me. “Alex, I beg you! You… you must have a way, right?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299217”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

The day of my dad’s birthday, I found the car charm I’d spent a week meticulously crafting tossed in the trash. I put away the car keys I was planning to give him and went to confront him, only to be met with a harsh slap across my face. “I raised you this big, and this is all you give me? You complain constantly that we favor your brother and give him all the money, but have you seen the pure gold bracelet Kevin gave me? You still have the nerve to freeload in our house!” “Get out! If you cause any more trouble, I swear I’ll disinherit you!” It was pouring rain, and I was kicked out of the house in my pajamas. I turned around and saw my dad post on SnapChat: “Raising a daughter is worse than raising a dog.” When I saw the gold bracelet on his wrist, I froze. Wasn’t that the same gold-plated bracelet I’d bought him when I got my new car? On my dad’s sixtieth birthday, I had an expensive gift ready for him early that day. I drove my newly purchased car downstairs, then went up with the car keys in hand. The moment I stepped through the door, I found they’d already finished eating. I paused, a flicker of annoyance crossing my face. “Mom, didn’t we agree you’d wait for me to celebrate since I’d be home late?” Before my mom could answer, my brother, Kevin, sneered from the side. “Who do you think you are? You come back empty-handed and still expect a meal?” We’d never gotten along, so I shot back immediately, “No matter what, I don’t constantly drain Mom and Dad’s pockets. Besides, who says I didn’t bring Dad a gift?” I started to pull out the car keys as I spoke. My dad’s car was a decade-old used Honda. It had no AC in winter and no ventilation in summer, but he’d never brought himself to replace it. I’d recently made a decent chunk of money from my business, so I meticulously picked out a brand-new SUV worth a good fifteen thousand dollars as his birthday gift. Before I could finish, Kevin scoffed. “You ungrateful brat. I bought Dad a gold bracelet this year. And you think *that* pathetic thing is a gift? I’ve never seen anyone so shameless.” “Dad thought it was trashy to hang in his car! He tossed it ages ago.” The specific color I wanted for the car wasn’t available at the local dealership; it needed a few more days to arrive. Afraid I’d miss the birthday, I had specially made a car charm in advance and gave it to Dad. My craftsmanship wasn’t perfect, and that charm took me a solid week to make, leaving several holes pricked in my fingers. Kevin’s words made me laugh, but it was a bitter, angry laugh. “Mom, Dad, did you hear what Kevin just said?” My gaze fell on Mom’s evasive eyes, and my expression hardened. “Dad, did you really throw away my gift?” A flicker of guilt crossed Dad’s face, then vanished as he bellowed at me. “Who taught you to talk to your father like that? Are you *questioning* me?” I ignored him, just staring him down. “Dad, I’m just asking you one thing: where’s the gift I gave you?”

Dad’s silence chilled me to the bone. I slammed the door, ready to leave, but Mom stopped me. She pulled me into the bedroom, trying to soothe me. “Lily, I accidentally threw that car charm away, thinking it was trash. Don’t blame your dad.” “Today’s your dad’s sixtieth birthday. Just for my sake, don’t make a fuss over something so small and spoil the day for him.” My heart ached with resentment, but looking at Mom’s tired, worn face, I softened. I reluctantly agreed not to make a scene about the car charm, but all my enthusiasm for giving him the car vanished. I felt listless, unwilling to speak. Mom went out to talk to Dad and Kevin, leaving me alone in the bedroom to calm down. My mind was racing, and I paced restlessly in the room. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a red corner peeking out from under the pillow. I pulled it out and found it was a property deed. But as far as I knew, we didn’t own any property. Ever since Dad’s business failed, our old house had been sold, and we’d been renting ever since. My heart hammered in my chest. I slowly opened it. Kevin’s name, in big bold letters under the owner’s column, deeply stung my eyes. Kevin had been unemployed since dropping out of community college, struggling to even support himself. Where would he get the money to buy a house? There was only one possibility: Mom and Dad bought it for him. The realization hit me, and a wave of fury surged from my feet to my head. Months ago, I was misdiagnosed with gastric cancer. I called Dad, crying. He was silent for a long time before finally saying, “You know our family’s situation. Your mom and I spent half our lives working to pay off debts. Your illness is a bottomless pit…” The transfer date on the property deed was the *exact same day* I received that terrible misdiagnosis. So, the family wasn’t broke. Buying a house for Kevin was just more important than my life. Thinking this, my heart turned to ice. I clutched the property deed and stormed out of the bedroom.

“Slam!” I threw the property deed heavily in front of Dad. “You bought Kevin a house? The down payment alone must have been over ten thousand dollars. Where did you get the money?” Mom quickly scurried over to calm me. “Lily, what are you talking about? We’re still in debt; where would we get money to buy a house?” I scoffed. “Then what’s this property deed all about?” A flicker of panic crossed Mom’s eyes, but she forced a laugh. “This… this is fake. Your brother’s got a girlfriend, and her family is well-off. He was afraid of being looked down upon, so he made a fake document to keep up appearances.” Did she take me for a fool? I stated plainly, “Fake? Then let’s call the city records office. Faking official documents is a crime.” Mom shut her mouth. Kevin jumped in again. “Lily, don’t be crazy. So what if I have money to buy a house? It’s none of your business!” I didn’t even want to dignify him with a response. I pulled out my phone, ready to call the police. “Since you can’t explain where the money for the house came from, let’s call the police and investigate.” “Smack!” Dad’s slap made my ears ring, yet my mind felt strangely clear. Dad pointed at me, yelling. “What’s all this fuss about? I paid for this house for your brother!” “Your brother is filial; he gave me a solid gold bracelet for my birthday. And you? A worthless, crappy car charm.” “Raising a daughter is worse than raising a dog. We should’ve drowned you the day you were born…” “Get out! Get out, I don’t have a daughter like you!”

In the pouring rain, I was beaten and cursed as I was driven out of the house. My head spun with fury; I don’t even remember how I got downstairs. Just as I sat in the car, trying to compose myself, a SnapChat message from Mom came through. “Lily, don’t argue with your dad. He had a bit to drink today for his birthday, his mind isn’t clear. He didn’t mean to hit you. Don’t worry, Mom has already scolded him, so don’t hold a grudge.” “Be careful on your way home. Mom cured your favorite salted fish for you. Remember to come back and get it in a few days.” “Only you get some. Your dad and brother? We won’t give them any.” In the past, hearing Mom say something like that would have made at least half my anger disappear. Dad always favored Kevin, and while Mom didn’t have much say in the family, she usually sided with me a little more. Like the salted fish – only I loved it in our house. Dad had told her many times not to make it; it was time-consuming and messy, filling the house with a smell. I’d also tried to persuade her, telling her her back wasn’t good, and curing fish took half a day sitting down. Plus, it was cheap and delicious to buy outside now. Mom wouldn’t listen. “If my daughter likes it, Mom will make it. What they sell outside has additives; Mom’s is all-natural, good for your health. You work so hard, with Mom’s salted fish, you can eat two more bowls of rice.” She’d rub her back, carefully packing the salted fish into my bag as if it were treasure. Every time I saw her like that, I’d instinctively soften. But now, that property deed kept flashing before my eyes. Did Mom really think that property deed was fake? I didn’t reply. Just as I was about to drive away, an algorithm pushed a post onto my feed.

I don’t know why, but I clicked on the post. The title was “Raising a daughter is worse than raising a dog!” I recognized it as Dad’s post because he’d attached a screenshot from a security camera. It was a still of me, just moments ago, holding the property deed and confronting him. Though it was only my back, anyone familiar with me would recognize the out-of-control, raging woman as me. In Dad’s description, I became an unforgivable, unfilial daughter, while Kevin was portrayed as a thoughtful, model son. Someone commented below, suggesting he might be showing favoritism towards his son. Dad quickly defended himself: “What do you mean favoritism towards my son? Our family values family bonds above all! Kevin has never caused his mom and me any trouble since he was little, and he even gave me a pure gold bracelet for my birthday.” He even gave an example. A few months ago, he saw me at a restaurant celebrating a stranger’s birthday and giving them two bottles of expensive wine. Then, for his own birthday, I only gave him a worthless car charm. “This kind of daughter is raised to be someone else’s property! We should have drowned her at birth!” I scrolled through in silence, feeling utterly powerless. That man was my client; my entire year’s business hinged on him. My client had no other hobbies, just a fondness for good wine. I’d specifically pulled strings to get him two bottles of rare, vintage wine. Later, Mom secretly told me Dad was upset. I tried to explain that it was for a client. But Dad wouldn’t let it go, constantly mocking me whenever we met. To avoid making Mom uncomfortable caught in the middle, I again pulled strings to buy him two bottles of equally expensive wine. I never imagined he’d cherry-pick the worst parts, leaving out all context, turning it into undeniable proof of my disrespect. With pictures and “facts,” the online sentiment quickly turned against me.

“This woman is terrifying! She must have rage issues!” “A daughter like this is worse than no daughter at all!” “This type of woman is just asking for trouble; are outsiders more important than her own father?” “This is why people in our country don’t want to have daughters. Girls always abandon their families for outsiders!” Kevin was also jumping in the comments, stirring the pot. “My sister is in the import-export business; she even has a small company. For Dad’s sixtieth birthday, such an important day, she only gave him a car charm. Who knows if she’s really broke or just stingy with Dad. We can’t say anything, because if we do, she’ll just accuse Mom and Dad of favoring their son.” Dad replied below: “Even if she gave me a gold bracelet, I wouldn’t want it. Who knows if her money came from some shady dealings?” “Not like my good son. He earns his money honestly, and Dad is happy to receive it.” The two of them portrayed a perfect picture of fatherly love and filial piety. My blood boiled. When I started college, Mom and Dad cut off my allowance and tuition, claiming money was tight. I worked tirelessly, juggling multiple part-time jobs, just to scrape through university. After graduation, I started my own business. The moment I had some savings, Mom would cry poor, and soft-hearted, I gave her a card, transferring money into it every month. In fact, many of the items in their home were purchased by me out of my own pocket. In contrast, Kevin spent a fortune on community college only to drop out. Now, he sat at home all day, doing nothing, relying on others for support, and gave Dad a cheap, gold-plated bracelet whose authenticity was questionable. Yet *he* was the model son? The community was small, and Dad’s post didn’t hide his IP address. Soon, “righteous” netizens were threatening to dox me. “Expose her! This unfilial daughter’s true colors should be seen by her business partners. Let’s see who dares to work with someone like her again!” My vision blurred. I’d worked my ass off for years; I absolutely couldn’t let this fabricated post ruin my career. Clutching my phone, I rushed upstairs, determined to make Dad take down the post. The front door of the house was ajar, and snippets of three voices drifted through the slightly open gap.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299216”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

After my best friend and I died, we both simultaneously reincarnated as the unborn fetuses in my mother-in-law Eleanor’s womb. At that moment, the original fetus in her belly had already stopped beating due to a fall. Just as Mom was heartbroken and about to undergo an induced abortion, my best friend and I quickly intervened. 【No, Mom! If you have an abortion now, you’ll just be handing an opportunity to your husband’s old flame’s daughter!】 【Exactly! Don’t you dare go through with it! We’re both alive and well in here!】 Mom, who was just about to sign the consent form, froze. I quickly wiggled inside her belly, revealing a secret only we knew. 【It’s me, Mom! Your daughter-in-law! You organized my funeral with your own hands, and secretly sent me so many gifts to take to the afterlife, remember?】 【To come back, we gave away everything we had in the afterlife! We’re still racking up spiritual debt for this!】 My best friend and I spoke one after another, terrified Mom would agree to the abortion. Mom, however, was stunned. She looked down at her belly, forcing a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. “I must be grief-stricken to the point of hearing things.” With that, she reached for the pen again. Panicked, I flipped over in her belly, making sure she felt a distinct kick. 【No, Mom! It really is me! I’m back to help you!】 【Yeah, yeah! If you die now, we’ll have to go back to suffering in the afterlife!】 Mom gasped, her mouth open, and whispered. “Is it really you? Sophia?” I nodded furiously inside her belly, forgetting she couldn’t see me. My best friend groaned at my clumsiness and quickly chimed in. 【And me, her best friend! You absolutely cannot go through with the abortion now, or you’ll just be handing everything over to your husband’s first love’s daughter on a silver platter!】 Seeing that Mom still didn’t understand, my best friend and I began to explain the whole story, back and forth. My death was orchestrated by Alex, all so he could be with his first love, Jessica. And my best friend… she was just an innocent casualty. Jessica wasn’t just Alex’s first love, the one he could never let go of. She was also the daughter of the woman my father-in-law, Richard, was completely obsessed with when he was younger! Richard and Alex not only knew about this, but they also planned for Mom to never have another child, so they could eventually bring Jessica into the family as their own, as if she were a daughter! By then, Mom would not only lose her fertility forever, but she’d also be unknowingly raising the child of her husband’s old flame! Mom listened to us, her face paling, and abruptly stood up: “So, all these years, Richard kept finding excuses to go abroad—it was all to see *that woman*!?” I clenched my tiny fists, responding furiously. 【Yes! He took Alex with him! They’ve been scheming against us for ages!】 【Mom, I spent a fortune in the afterlife to get us some serious powers, and I even managed to make us boys! We *have* to make those two despicable men pay for what they did!】 My best friend was seething with indignation. 【Not only that, Mom. You thought you just lost your footing and fell, right? No, they deliberately poured water there, setting a trap for you!】 Mom was absolutely livid, and my best friend and I immediately felt uncomfortable, quickly reassuring her. 【Mom, don’t get too angry too fast. You need to steady yourself first. That’s how we’ll get our revenge.】 After I finished, my best friend suddenly remembered something important and quickly spoke up. 【But before all that, could you please go and say some prayers for me? The afterlife… it’s expensive, Mom.】 Hearing us, Mom waved off the nurse and turned to leave.

She bought a large bouquet of fresh flowers and candles, then drove to a suburban cemetery. As she paid her respects, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of sadness: “To think you’re still worrying about survival on the other side… it breaks my heart.” I interrupted her somber thoughts: 【Please don’t be sad, Mom. We have important things to do later.】 【Exactly! The most crucial thing now is to get justice for us, and help you reclaim everything that’s rightfully yours.】 Just then, an unpleasant voice came from behind us: “Aunt Eleanor, what are you doing here, mourning that short-lived person?” Jessica, arm in arm with Alex, her tone dripping with impatience. “The doctor said the baby couldn’t be saved and you need an abortion immediately. Running off like this just makes everyone worry.” Alex stood beside her, his face grim. “Mom, don’t make a scene. Come back to the hospital with us.” Inside Mom’s belly, I was absolutely fuming. 【Pfft! Worry? They’re probably worried we’re not dead *enough*! Those despicable bastards!】 My best friend was just as enraged, grumbling. 【Are you hearing this? Is that how a human being talks? Your own mother disappears, and instead of asking if she’s safe, you immediately blame her—this son truly doesn’t deserve the way you raised him!】 Mom’s body visibly stiffened. She stared at Alex, her voice trembling slightly. “Alex, don’t you have anything else to say to your mother?” Alex avoided her gaze, his tone hardening. “What’s the point of saying any of that now? Getting back to the hospital and taking care of business is what’s most important.” Jessica quickly jumped in. “That’s right, Aunt Eleanor. Facing the pain now is better than letting it drag on. You take care of yourself, and maybe you’ll have another chance later.” Her words sounded like comfort, but every single one was a knife stabbing at Mom’s heart. 【Bullshit! She’s practically cursing you to never have children again!】 I wished I could jump out right then and kick her. Mom took a deep breath, her chest heaving. My best friend and I could both feel her sadness. “Fine, I’ll go back with you.” Mom suddenly became calm, even forcing a smile. 【You’re really going?!】 My best friend sounded panicked. I, however, understood Mom’s meaning. 【Yes! Why not? Just wait and see how Mom slaps them both in the face!】 Mom ignored the two of them, turning and walking away. Alex and Jessica exchanged glances, probably thinking Mom had finally accepted her fate, and hurried to follow her. Back at the hospital, the atmosphere was oppressive. Jessica acted like the lady of the house, ordering nurses around one moment, then “comforting” Mom the next. “Aunt Eleanor, don’t force yourself. It is what it is. The baby being gone is God’s will; you need to accept it.” Alex sat nearby on the couch, head down, playing on his phone, only occasionally echoing Jessica’s sentiments. “Mom, Jessica’s right. Just listen to the doctors.” Mom’s eyes were closed; she didn’t say a word. 【Oh my god, I can’t take this anymore! Has Alex completely lost his damn mind? What kind of dark magic has Jessica put him under?!】 My best friend was restless beside me. 【Calm down, wait for it. Wait for the doctor.】 Even though I was furious, I knew we had to keep our composure. Just as I was thinking this, the door opened, and the doctor who had recommended the abortion walked in. “Mrs. Richard, have you made a decision? If you’re ready, we’ll schedule the procedure.” Jessica immediately cut in. “Doctor, Aunt Eleanor has made up her mind! She agrees to the surgery! Please schedule it now!” Mom opened her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Alex and Jessica. “Who said I agreed? I want another check-up.” Alex shot up from his seat. “Mom! What are you doing? No matter how many times you check, the result will be the same!” Jessica pouted. “Aren’t you just making things difficult for the doctor? The sooner it’s done, the sooner you can relax.” “I want a check-up.” Mom repeated, her eyes fixed. The doctor, probably used to dealing with all sorts of distraught family members, simply nodded and agreed. Once in the ultrasound room, Jessica’s mouth didn’t stop, every word dripping with sarcasm. Alex remained silent, tacitly approving all of Jessica’s words and actions. But after a while, the doctor’s expression changed. He stared at the screen, letting out an incredulous gasp. “This… how is this possible? The heartbeats have returned, and they’re incredibly strong!” Alex and Jessica, hearing the commotion, rushed over. “Doctor, what did you say?” Alex looked utterly bewildered. “Impossible! You said the heartbeats had stopped!” Jessica shrieked. The doctor ignored them completely, his full attention on the screen. “Not just that! Mrs. Richard is carrying twins! Both boys, and they’re developing perfectly!” “Twins?! And boys?!”

Grandpa had arrived. He must have heard the news and rushed over, his face a mix of shock and uncertainty. 【Well, well, if it isn’t the old jerk himself!】 Max sneered. Alex and Jessica’s faces instantly turned deathly pale. Especially Jessica, her expression was like she’d seen a ghost. Grandpa practically lunged at the ultrasound screen, his breathing ragged. “Doctor, are you absolutely sure? It’s really two boys?” “Absolutely! Mr. Richard, look, both heartbeats are strong and clear.” The doctor pointed to the screen, explaining. Grandpa looked at Mom, his eyes incredibly complex. After a long moment, as if making a sudden, firm decision, he spoke to Alex in a gravelly voice. “From today on, your mother needs complete rest. Don’t you dare disturb her without reason!” Alex and Jessica were unceremoniously escorted out of the room by Grandpa. As Jessica was being led out, she struggled. “Uncle Richard, we were just worried about Aunt Eleanor…” Mom gently stroked her belly, a smile playing on her lips, tinged with sadness. 【Mom, don’t be sad over that ungrateful idiot!】 I quickly wiggled my tiny hands and feet inside her belly. 【Exactly!】 Max immediately chimed in, 【Don’t get upset and hurt yourself, or those two jerks will just be happy!】 Mom took a deep breath. Right, now wasn’t the time for sadness. Grandpa was incredibly efficient. That same afternoon, Mom was transferred to the top-floor VIP suite. She was even assigned a dedicated nurse and nutritionist. Mom lay on the soft hospital bed, her face expressionless. 【Finally, a break.】 I stretched my tiny limbs inside Mom’s belly. 【This place is way more comfortable. You need to take it easy, Mom.】 【Seriously, I was so stressed out earlier, terrified you’d actually sign that paper.】 Max shivered, still a bit shaken. Mom’s hand rested gently on her belly, her eyes slowly firming with determination. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anyone manipulate me again.” The next few days were calm. Grandpa visited Mom’s belly daily, asking the doctors about our condition, ensuring his two grandsons were well. His attitude towards Mom also softened considerably; he even proactively suggested getting her a more comfortable car. Mom simply responded faintly. She knew this newfound kindness was entirely dependent on the children in her belly, and therefore, incredibly fragile.

Days turned into weeks. Max and I tried to be as well-behaved as possible inside, and the pregnancy proceeded surprisingly smoothly. During this time, Alex tried to visit a few times, but was always turned away with the excuse that Mom needed undisturbed rest. Grandpa remained noncommittal; his entire focus was on his soon-to-be-born sons. Jessica had also quieted down, no longer showing up in person, but her petty actions never stopped. For example, rumors mysteriously circulated around the hospital about Mom being a “high-risk, older mother” and that “the babies might not be healthy.” Or, Grandpa would occasionally receive anonymous calls, subtly implying that Mom was emotionally unstable and unfit to raise children. But none of it could shake Grandpa’s deeply ingrained preference for male heirs. The Richards had plenty of money; as long as it wasn’t a serious illness, they wouldn’t care. Mom didn’t even bother investigating who was behind the sabotage; she simply quietly instructed her staff to gather evidence. Finally, the day of delivery arrived. Mom’s labor was astonishingly smooth. In less than ten minutes, Max and I arrived, one after another. When the doctor came out to announce the good news, Grandpa was so excited he nearly cried tears of joy, shaking the doctor’s hand repeatedly in gratitude. Mom was wheeled back to her room, exhausted but her eyes bright. The nurse held us both. “Mr. Richard, look, the elder young master’s eyes and brows are just like yours, and the younger young master looks so clever.” Grandpa leaned in to look, a continuous smile on his face. He examined us carefully, his eyes full of warmth. I mustered all my tiny strength and beamed a smile at Grandpa. Grandpa was immediately filled with surprise and joy. “He smiled! He smiled at me! This child, he’s destined to be close to me!” Max was not to be outdone, waving his little hand at Grandpa. Max and I took turns charming the old man, and we scored a ton of cash from him. This left Alex and Jessica absolutely furious. That night, the nursery door was gently pushed open. A shadowy figure crept in stealthily, heading straight for my incubator. 【Oh no! It must be Jessica, coming to do something to us!】 【It’s okay, watch this.】 Max said, and immediately began to cry loudly. Not wanting to be left behind, I also started wailing. The next second, the lights in the room flashed on. Mom and Grandpa burst in together. The nurse, caught red-handed, froze in place, her face as white as a sheet. “What are you trying to do to my grandson?!” Grandpa’s voice was trembling. The nurse collapsed to her knees, stammering incoherently. “I wasn’t trying to do anything, I was just looking at the babies…” “Looking at the babies requires sneaking around in the middle of the night?” Mom immediately put on a distraught act, clutching Grandpa’s hand. “Richard! Someone is trying to harm us! If we hadn’t found out, what would have happened to our babies?!” Grandpa was absolutely furious and immediately summoned the hospital administration. Under intense pressure, the nurse quickly confessed that she’d been instructed to ‘take the babies and make it look like an accident.’ As for the person who instructed her, she only said she was contacted via anonymous calls, received money, and didn’t know their specific identity. But everyone knew exactly who it was. After this incident, Grandpa’s security measures were elevated to the highest level. He personally selected trustworthy nannies and bodyguards, brought Mom and us back to the family estate, and strictly limited Alex and Jessica’s visits. Jessica clearly sensed the change in circumstances and temporarily chose to remain silent. But only a few days later, Alex and Jessica arrived uninvited. Jessica’s face was pale, her eyes swollen red. The moment she walked in, she dropped to her knees before Grandpa, startling everyone

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299215”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

On the day we were supposed to get our marriage license, my fiancée, Seraphina Dawson, was wearing a brand-new silver necklace. The moment I saw her, I lunged forward and kicked her, sending her sprawling to the ground. My parents, her parents, they stood there, frozen in shock. She looked up at me, dazed and confused, as I lifted my foot again, ready to deliver another blow. “What are you doing? Stop kicking me! If you kick me again, I’m not marrying you!” she shrieked. “Good!” her mother snapped. “That suits me just fine!” My gaze was locked on the silver chain around her neck. “I’m asking you.” My voice was disturbingly calm, devoid of any warmth. “Who gave you this necklace?” Her body stiffened. Her eyes darted around, betraying a flicker of panic. “Wh-why are you asking?” “I’ll ask one more time.” I tightened my grip on her arm, enunciating each word. “Who gave it to you?” Tears streamed down her face, mixing with the dust and grime, making her look utterly disheveled. “Julian, you’re hurting me…” She tried to play the victim, hoping to get away with it. But she didn’t know. The moment she put on that necklace, it was a fight to the bitter end, and I wouldn’t stop until one of us was broken. Watching her, I couldn’t hold back. I kicked her again! Seraphina cried out in agony! I stared intently into her eyes. “Have you forgotten?” “The birthday gift I gave you was a platinum bracelet.” “All the jewelry in your closet—your necklaces, earrings, rings—they’re all platinum and K gold.” “I’ve known you for ten years. When have you ever worn silver?” Whispers began to ripple through the crowd. The City Hall was bustling, and our dramatic scene had already drawn every eye. She took a deep breath, as if making a monumental decision. The next second, she suddenly broke free from my grasp and scrambled to her feet. Clutching her face, she began to wail. Her cries were heartbreaking, tearing through the air, enough to make anyone grieve. “Julian, what is wrong with you?” She cried and accused me, her voice just loud enough for everyone around to hear. “It’s just a necklace! My best friend gave it to me for my birthday, and I thought the weather was nice today, so I wanted to wear it with my outfit. Is that wrong?” Now she was turning it all around on me. “The bracelet you gave me is safely put away. I just changed my necklace, and you have to hit me in front of all these people?” “Do you not love me anymore?” Her words instantly ignited the onlookers’ “sense of justice.” “Oh my God, he’s beating his fiancée in the street just for a necklace?” “He looks so respectable, but he’s just a wolf in sheep’s clothing!” “He’s laying hands on her before they’re even married? What’ll happen after?” The murmurs and pointing fingers crashed over me like a tidal wave. My parents couldn’t stand it anymore and quickly pulled me aside. “Son, what on earth is going on?” My mother’s eyes were red with worry. My father clapped me on the shoulder, his voice low. “We trust you, Julian. You’re not a reckless man.”

The crowd’s emotions were fully inflamed by her performance. “Jerk!” “Call off the wedding! Don’t marry a man like that!” “Run, girl, run!” Their angry words, a torrent of insults, threatened to drown me. Just then, she suddenly raised her hand and pointed to my secretary, Chloe, who stood a little distance behind me. Chloe, clutching a stack of files, looked utterly astonished. “Is it because of her?!” Seraphina’s voice was sharp and furious. “Julian, are you going to abandon me for her?!” All eyes instantly converged on Chloe. Chloe was a fresh graduate, completely unprepared for such a scene. Her face instantly drained of color, and she clutched her files, unsure of what to do. I disdained explaining myself to a crowd of strangers. I strode towards Seraphina. She saw the murderous glint in my eyes and recoiled a step. “What are you doing?! Everyone’s watching!” I completely ignored her clamor. Reaching her, I kicked her again. Her clean, neat clothes were already disheveled, marred by several distinct shoe marks. I lunged, and before she could react, I ripped the necklace from her neck. I held the necklace up to her face, almost touching her skin. I lowered my voice, to a volume only we could hear, and pressed her again: “I’ll ask one more time.” “Why did you dare to wear it?” Her eyes flickered wildly, her lips trembling, but she still tried to bluff. “Are you going to ruin everything we have for a cheap necklace? Julian, you’ve disappointed me so much!” In the standoff, Seraphina suddenly clutched her abdomen, her face instantly turning ashen. “Ah…” She cried out in pain, her body swayed, as if she might collapse at any moment. “My stomach… it hurts so much…” Her parents’ faces changed instantly. They rushed to her side, supporting her. “Seraphina, what’s wrong?” She leaned into her mother’s arms, weakly raising her head, her tear-filled eyes fixed on me. “Julian, don’t push me…” Her voice was choked with tears, full of grievance and despair. “I found out I’m pregnant two days ago!” Boom! Those words, like a bomb, detonated in the crowd. The entire place erupted in gasps. Even my parents were stunned, staring in shock at her flat stomach. Pregnant? I found it utterly laughable. “Really?”

I spat out the two words, my eyes full of mockery. My reaction clearly enraged her father. The man who had been silently observing finally spoke. He didn’t inquire about his daughter’s well-being, nor did he question why I had laid hands on her. He simply frowned, speaking to me in an unyielding, commanding tone: “Julian, stop this nonsense!” “Our joint project is set to launch next week. The signing ceremony is all prepared; we can’t have any mishaps now!” I looked at him, my heart sinking further and further. This was Seraphina’s father. For the sake of profit, for the partnership with the Hayes family, he could completely disregard his daughter’s life. Even after I publicly struck her, all he cared about was whether the project would be affected. The chilling depths of his self-interest, the cold calculus of his priorities, were laid bare right before my eyes. I stared at him coldly. “If you want the project to proceed smoothly, then shut her up and let me handle this.” My words stunned him. He probably hadn’t expected me to speak to him with such defiance. A flicker of hesitation and struggle crossed his clouded eyes. Just for a second. Then he made his choice. He actually let go of Seraphina’s hand and pushed the trembling Seraphina towards me. “Julian, talk to Seraphina properly. Don’t… don’t let things get out of hand.” Seraphina stared at her father, disbelief etched on her face. “No…” As Seraphina was pushed directly in front of me, I lifted my foot and kicked her hard in the stomach. She flew backwards, landing on her knees, clutching her stomach in agony! I looked down at her, my voice ice-cold: “You said you were pregnant, didn’t you? I just kicked you in the stomach, and there’s no sign of blood!” She shrieked, wrenching free from her mother’s grasp, and snatched her phone from her bag. “I’m calling the police! This is assault! I’m going to have you arrested!” Her father’s face instantly changed. “Don’t you dare call the police!” He lunged forward, grabbed her phone, and violently slammed it to the ground! A sharp *crack* echoed through the air as the screen shattered into a spiderweb of cracks. Everyone was stunned. Why? Why wouldn’t he let her call the police? His daughter was assaulted, and not only did he not pursue it, he even stopped her from calling the authorities? “If you won’t call, I will.” In front of everyone, I calmly unlocked my phone screen, found the number I knew by heart, and pressed the dial button. Seraphina’s face instantly drained of all color. Like a madwoman, she lunged at me, desperate to snatch my phone. “No! Julian, don’t call the police! Please, I beg you!” For the first time, her voice was laced with genuine terror and pleading. No longer that feigned sob story from before. Her parents also reacted, rushing towards me. Her mother even dropped to her knees with a desperate plea at my feet, clutching my legs and crying: “Julian! I’m begging you! Let’s talk this out, please don’t make a scene!” “You absolutely cannot call the police! Please!”

I held up my ringing phone, looking down coldly at the family kneeling at my feet, their desperation laid bare for all to see. “What are you so afraid of?” The calm, practiced voice of the emergency dispatcher came through the receiver: “Hello, 911 emergency, how may I help you?” I spoke calmly: “Hello, I’d like to report a crime.” The police arrived quickly. Perhaps due to the unusual location—City Hall—they were on the scene almost immediately. I pointed to the silver necklace lying on the ground, the one I had ripped off, and addressed the lead officer. “Officer, I’d like to report something.” “This woman… she is not my fiancée.” With that single statement, the entire scene fell into a deathly silence once more. Everyone stared at me as if I were insane. Seraphina’s body swayed, almost collapsing to the ground. I ignored their reactions and calmly pulled a folded document from the inner pocket of my suit. I unfolded the document and handed it to the officer. It was a hospital allergy test report. “My fiancée, Seraphina Dawson, is severely allergic to silver products.” “It’s a top-level, life-threatening allergy.” “The report states it clearly: a ‘critical’ risk assessment.” “Let alone wearing it around her neck, even direct skin contact for more than a minute would immediately trigger acute anaphylactic shock. Without prompt medical attention, it could be fatal.” I paused, my gaze like a sharpened blade, slowly turning to the fake Seraphina, whose face was now ghastly pale. I pointed at her, enunciating each word clearly for everyone present: “From the moment I saw her until I ripped off this necklace, at least an hour passed.” “She wore this pure silver necklace for over an hour, yet she is completely unharmed.” My voice echoed through the entrance of City Hall, every word a hammer blow striking the hearts of everyone present. I looked into her pupils, which were constantly constricting with fear, and asked the question that had been churning in my mind for an entire week. “Now, tell me.” “Who exactly are you?” “And where is my real fiancée, Seraphina?” The surrounding onlookers finally understood, their expressions shifting from sympathy to horror and anger as they looked at the fake Seraphina. “Oh my God! She’s a fake?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299214”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

Liam Blackwood and I both struggled with fertility, yet we desperately wanted a child. After three years of marriage, countless doctor visits, and medications, I finally conceived. Just as I was about to tell him the happy news, I saw him with his arm around his mistress’s waist, standing before me, and he said coldly: “Serena’s baby needs a father. Let’s get a divorce.” I walked out of the hospital, clutching my pregnancy test report. The scorching July sun blinded me. The words “intrauterine early pregnancy, approximately 7 weeks” on the paper made my eyes well up. Three years. We had finally waited for this tiny life. My fingers unconsciously grazed my still-flat abdomen. I imagined Liam’s expression when he heard the news. For this child, how many bitter medicines had he drunk? How many IV drips had he endured? He had even swallowed his pride, practically begging those “specialist” doctors. After every failure, he would hold me close and say, “Evie, it’s okay. We have each other, and that’s enough.” But I knew how much he wanted a child. Every time he saw someone else’s baby in the park, his gaze would follow them for a long, long time. I pulled out my phone, snapped a photo of the report, then deleted it. Something this big, I had to tell him in person. I decided to cook all his favorite dishes and open a bottle of red wine we’d saved from our wedding. I wanted to see him so surprised he couldn’t speak, to see him gently touch my belly. I made a detour to the supermarket for the freshest ingredients, then stopped at a florist for a few sunflowers—he always said they reminded him of me, always facing the sun. As I reached our front door, still planning the dinner setup, I noticed the door was unlocked. “Liam? Are you home?” I pushed the door open. My words died in my throat as I froze in the entryway. In the living room, Liam and Serena Hayes stood incredibly close. No, not just close. His arm was around her shoulder, and she was leaning into his embrace. My grocery bag dropped to the floor, oranges rolling everywhere. “Evie…” Liam quickly let go of Serena, a flicker of panic crossing his face. Then, he regained that familiar, calm expression he used for business, “Perfect timing. I have something to tell you.” Serena ran a hand through her hair, flashing me a pitying smile. That smile made my stomach churn. Serena and Liam had grown up together. She was even my bridesmaid at our wedding. For the past three years, she had always appeared in our lives at just the right moment. Bringing Liam late-night snacks when he worked overtime, keeping him company when I was on a business trip, all under the innocent guise of “just being friends.” “Serena is pregnant.” Liam’s voice was utterly calm, as if he were commenting on the weather. “It’s not my child, but her family situation is complicated, and they can’t accept an unmarried pregnancy. I’ve agreed to be the child’s father.” My ears buzzed. The bouquet in my hand fell to the floor. Serena bent down to pick it up, and beneath her loose-fitting top, I could clearly see a slight bump. “So?” I heard my own voice ask, unnervingly calm. “So…” Liam took a deep breath. “Let’s get a divorce. I’ll compensate you. The house is yours, and we’ll split our savings evenly.” I looked at Serena. She was stroking her belly, a triumphant smile playing on her lips. I suddenly remembered last month, Liam said he had a work dinner and wouldn’t be home. But I saw a night-view photo Serena posted on her Ins, and in the corner, a man’s hand clearly wore the same watch as Liam. “Okay.” I heard myself say. Liam visibly flinched. He probably had a whole speech prepared to convince me, but he hadn’t expected me to agree so readily. “You… don’t have anything to say?” He asked. I shook my head, bending down to pick up the scattered groceries. “When should we finalize the paperwork?” “Tomorrow, I guess, before you…” He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes flickering. “Before I change my mind?” I finished his sentence for him, “I smiled. Don’t worry, I won’t.” I walked into the kitchen and put the salvageable ingredients into the fridge. The pregnancy test report lay in my bag, burning through the fabric. Three years of trying for a child, how many bitter medicines had he drunk? How many injections had I received? All those nights we cried in each other’s arms, it turned out, meant nothing compared to an unknown child in Serena’s womb. That evening, as Liam packed his bags, I sat on the balcony, watching the stars. He walked over, wanting to say something but remaining silent. “Don’t worry, I haven’t changed my mind. I didn’t agree out of spite. I just suddenly realized that for these three years, you didn’t love *me*, you only loved a woman who could give you a child.” “That’s not true…” He tried to argue but ultimately fell silent. The next day, the divorce process was surprisingly quick. As the official stamp fell, I vaguely recalled three years ago, when we came here to register our marriage, he was so nervous he dropped his ID card. “Thank you for these three years,” I said calmly, turning to leave, but then I saw Serena walking from the other end of the hall. “I arranged for Serena to come for the marriage certificate,” Liam explained awkwardly. “Figured… it’d save us another trip.” I nodded and walked toward the street. As I turned, through the glass doors, I saw Liam carefully helping Serena by her waist, whispering something to her. On his face was that familiar, long-awaited gentle expression. It turned out he wasn’t incapable of love; he just didn’t love me. I touched my belly, hailed a taxi, and said, “To City Central Hospital, please.” 2 Walking out of the courthouse, the July sun poured down like molten gold, blinding me. I stood on the steps, clutching my divorce certificate, its edges sharp enough to cut my fingers. Inside the glass doors, Liam was helping Serena fill out their marriage application. He leaned in to whisper something to her, a gentle curve on his lips I had never seen before. Serena giggled, playfully punching his chest. That intimate gesture… how could it be just a relationship of responsibility for a sudden pregnancy? A sharp pang shot through my abdomen. I instinctively clutched my stomach. For the past three years, my periods had always been this painful. Doctors said it was one of the symptoms of infertility caused by endometriosis. But now, a tiny life was growing inside my uterus—the child Liam had yearned for, yet had personally abandoned. Cold sweat trickled down my temples. The world before me began to twist and spin. I fumbled, reaching for the wall, but grasped at air. The last thing I heard was a gasp from passersby, then the world plunged into darkness. The smell of disinfectant stung my nostrils. I opened my eyes to a stark white ceiling. “You’re awake?” An unfamiliar male voice reached me. I turned my head, meeting a pair of serious eyes. The doctor was around forty, his name tag read: Dr. Alex Stone, Head of Obstetrics. “I…” “Evelyn Reed, 32 years old, 7 weeks pregnant. Preliminary diagnosis for fainting is low blood sugar combined with emotional fluctuation.” He flipped through my medical chart. “You know you’re a high-risk pregnancy due to age, right?” My fingers tightened on the bedsheet. “The fetus is stable for now, but your underlying health isn’t great, and you’ve had long-term hormonal imbalance. This pregnancy is quite miraculous.” Dr. Stone adjusted his glasses. “If you want to keep this child, you must be extremely careful.” The ward door pushed open, and my cousin, Chloe Jensen, rushed in, still holding my bag. “Evie! You scared me to death!” She practically pounced on the bed, then managed to compose herself slightly when she saw the doctor. “Doctor, how is my cousin?” Dr. Stone repeated the situation. Chloe’s expression went from worried to shocked, finally settling on fury. “Does that scumbag Liam Blackwood know?” I shook my head, my stomach churning again. Dr. Stone discreetly left the room, leaving us two cousins alone. Chloe gripped my hand, noticing I was trembling. “Are you going to tell him?” Outside, on the sycamore tree, a bird chirped tirelessly. I remembered the joy in Liam’s eyes this morning when he touched Serena’s belly, and that soft “Thank you for making me a dad” felt like a blunt knife, repeatedly carving at my nerves. “No.” I heard myself say. “He doesn’t deserve to know.” Chloe sighed, taking my check-up report and a termination consent form from her bag. “Then these…” “I’m keeping this baby.” I gently stroked my abdomen. It was still flat, but a small life had already taken root. Call me selfish, but this might be my only chance to be a mother. Chloe’s eyes reddened. She hugged me tight: “Don’t say such silly things! I’ll raise the baby with you! We’ve never needed a man to get by!” I leaned on her shoulder, tears silently falling. For three years of marriage, Liam had been almost my entire world. And now, before the dust of that collapsed world had even settled, new life was already budding in the ruins. After being discharged, I moved into Chloe’s apartment. She insisted I rest for a week before going back to work, cooking up different nourishing meals every day. “Are you taking care of a pregnant woman or feeding a pig?” I laughed wryly, looking at the fifth dish on the table. “Less talk, you’re eating for two now!” Chloe put a piece of fish in my bowl. “Oh, right. I contacted a lawyer for you, Julian Thorne. He specializes in high-stakes divorce settlements, very well-known. Tomorrow morning at ten, go to his office to chat.” My fork paused. “As for assets, Liam said the house is mine, and we’ll split the savings…” “You believe him?” Chloe scoffed. “A man’s promises when he’s cheating are worth less than toilet paper. Don’t forget, Blackwood & Reed Creative was co-founded by both of you, and you own 40%!” I fell silent. Blackwood & Reed Creative—I had even come up with the name, combining a part of both our names. In three years, we had grown from a two-person studio to an advertising agency of over fifty people, specializing in high-end brand design. Liam handled client relations, and I managed creative design. We were considered a golden duo in the industry. The next day, I arrived at Thorne Legal Associates as planned. The receptionist led me to an office where a man in a dark grey suit stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his back to me, talking on the phone. “Mr. Henderson, we’ve taken your company’s case, but one thing must be clear—” He turned around, giving me a slight nod when he saw me. “Without sufficient evidence, I don’t recommend litigation… Okay, send the documents to my email this afternoon.” He hung up and extended his hand to me. “Ms. Reed? I’m Julian Thorne.” As I shook his hand, I noticed that this renowned lawyer was younger than I expected. Around thirty-five, with sharp eyes, but a surprisingly gentle voice. “Chloe Jensen briefly introduced your situation to me.” Julian gestured for me to sit down. “First of all, I deeply sympathize with what you’ve been through.” “Thank you, but I need professional advice more.” I looked him straight in the eye. “I want to know how I can secure my maximum interests within the bounds of the law.” Julian raised an eyebrow slightly, seemingly surprised by my directness. He pulled out a form. “Please fill out your basic information first, including marriage date, joint assets, individual shareholdings, etc.” As I filled it out, he added, “Chloe mentioned you both operated an advertising company?” “Blackwood & Reed Creative. I own 40%, Liam Blackwood owns 60%.” I paused. “But in practice, we always maintained a true 50/50 partnership.” Julian jotted something down in his notebook. “Do you have access to the company’s financial statements for the past three years?” “Yes, I’m the Creative Director and involved in management.” “Excellent.” He nodded. “I suggest you back up these documents as soon as possible, including client lists, contract copies, bank statements, etc.” My heart tightened. “You suspect Liam might tamper with things?” Julian didn’t answer directly. “Prevention is better than cure. In my experience, it’s not uncommon for assets to be transferred before or after a divorce.” He opened The Civil Code, pointing to several legal provisions. “Based on your situation, marital joint property should, in principle, be divided equally. However, if there are acts of concealment or transfer of assets, the offending party may receive less or no share.” The conversation lasted nearly two hours. Julian meticulously analyzed every possibility. As I left, he handed me a business card: “24-hour availability. Contact me anytime if anything comes up.” “As for fees…” I hesitated. “Chloe is a college friend of mine; we’ve already sorted it out.” He smiled faintly. “Consider it a welcome gift for the little one.” I paused. Chloe, that bigmouth, had already told him about my pregnancy? Julian seemed to sense my confusion. “She only mentioned you might need legal advice during pregnancy, but I guessed.” His gaze fell on my hand, which I unconsciously protected my abdomen with. “Occupational hazard, observing details.” Back home, I opened my laptop, logged into the company system, and started backing up important files. While reviewing the past three months’ financial records, a set of unusual numbers caught my attention. Last month, a sum of 500,000 had been transferred to an account named “Serena Studios,” with the note “brand collaboration prepayment.” Serena? Serena Hayes? I searched the company’s project list. There were no records related to “Serena Studios.” Scrolling further back, there were two similar transfers, totaling 1.2 million. That much money was enough to buy a studio apartment in the city center. A SnapChat notification popped up. It was from Julian: “Forgot to remind you: check the company account’s login records. Look for any unusual IPs.” I checked the backend logs and found that my account had been logged in three times at 2 AM over the past month. The IP address showed the West End—the district where Liam and Serena now lived. My fingers hovered over the keyboard for a long time. I ultimately didn’t take a screenshot. Instead, I picked up my phone and called Julian. “I think I’ve found some evidence,” I said, my voice calmer than I expected. “Liam Blackwood has been transferring money to Serena Hayes using the company’s account.” Silence on the other end for a moment. “Can you prove this payment doesn’t correspond to actual business?” “I’m checking now.” I clicked on the project management system. “But it’s very suspicious. The project numbers for these three transfers don’t exist.” “Don’t alarm them,” Julian’s voice grew serious. “First, gather a complete chain of evidence. If possible, I’ll come to your company tomorrow under the guise of a legal consultant to review the original documents.” Hanging up, I leaned back in my chair, feeling a wave of exhaustion. Outside, the night was deep, the city lights scattered like stars. Once upon a time, Liam and I would often work late like this, then walk hand-in-hand to a noodle shop downstairs for a late-night snack. He’d always order two plates of dumplings – I loved the wrapper, he loved the filling. Now, he was probably with Serena, getting a prenatal check-up. I heard she was four months pregnant, a full nine weeks ahead of my baby. I gently stroked my abdomen. There were no changes yet, but I knew a tiny life was quietly growing. For this child, I had to be strong. Liam Blackwood wants to use my money to support his mistress? Dream on. 3 Monday morning, I stood before the Reed Arts building, gazing up at the twenty-story glass-walled structure. Three years ago, when Liam and I rented a small office here, we used to joke that one day, the entire building would be ours. Now, the company indeed occupied the top three floors, but my marriage lay in fragments. In the elevator, I adjusted my collar, reflected in the metal doors. I had deliberately chosen this dark blue suit jacket. Its loose cut perfectly concealed my slightly bulging abdomen, and the padded shoulders made me look more commanding. At eleven weeks pregnant, the morning sickness was torturous, but at least my figure hadn’t noticeably changed yet. “Good morning, Ms. Reed!” Sarah, the receptionist, visibly stiffened when she saw me. “You… you’re back to work?” “Yes, my leave is over.” I smiled, my gaze sweeping over the new business card holder on her desk. Beneath the gilded company logo, the original “Blackwood & Reed Creative” seemed to have been redesigned, the font more ornate. The elevator doors opened again, and Serena Hayes, arm linked with Liam’s, stepped out. She wore a form-fitting magenta dress, her abdomen noticeably rounded, at least two months larger than mine. Seeing me, her fingers instinctively tightened, her nails almost digging into Liam’s suit sleeve. “Evie…” Liam’s steps faltered, his eyes flickering. “Are you feeling better?” I noticed he said “feeling” rather than “mood.” It seemed he knew about my fainting and hospitalization, but Chloe definitely hadn’t revealed the specific reason. “Thanks for your concern, much better.” I nodded, then turned my gaze to Serena. “Congratulations. Looks like you’re five months along?” A flicker of unnaturalness crossed Serena’s face. “Four months and three weeks.” She deliberately caressed her belly. “Liam talks about it all the time, says he can’t wait to be a father.” My stomach churned, whether from morning sickness or disgust, I couldn’t tell. Liam had once been just as excited for *our* child. Every time my period was late, he’d anxiously buy pregnancy tests, then mark the dates on our shared calendar. “Ms. Reed, you’re back at just the right time.” Serena suddenly raised her voice, pulling a stack of gilded invitations from her bag. “Our wedding is next month; you absolutely must attend.” She specifically drew one out and handed it to me. “You are, after all, our most important ex-wife and business partner.” Several passing colleagues immediately stopped, the air thick with awkwardness and curiosity. I took the invitation. The gilded “Liam Blackwood & Serena Hayes” lettering stung my eyes. “I’ll be there.” I smiled, tucking the invitation into my bag. “Oh, and Mr. Blackwood, don’t forget the quarterly financial report meeting at ten o’clock.” Liam frowned. “What financial report meeting?” “I sent out an email notice last week.” I feigned surprise. “As a 40% shareholder, I have the right to call an extraordinary general meeting to review the company’s recent large capital flows.” I lowered my voice. “Especially those transfers to Serena Studios.” Liam’s face instantly paled, while Serena sharply turned to look at him, her eyes full of accusation. In the conference room, I turned on the projector, displaying the financial statements on the screen. Besides Liam, the Finance Director, Robert Miller, and two other department heads were present. “According to company regulations, single expenditures over 200,000 require the signatures of all shareholders.” I pointed to the three transfers labeled “brand collaboration prepayment.” “Where are the project contracts corresponding to these three payments, totaling 1.7 million?” Liam cleared his throat. “These are for a new short-video business. The contracts are still under review by the legal department.” “Really?” I clicked open another document. “But the system shows that the client names corresponding to these three project numbers are all ‘Serena Studios,’ and business registration indicates that Ms. Serena Hayes is the legal representative of that company.” Robert Miller’s pen clattered to the floor. “Evie, we can discuss this privately.” Liam’s voice was low, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. “Please call me Ms. Reed, Mr. Blackwood.” I smiled. “Furthermore, I’ve noticed that over the past two months, contracts for core clients, Fine Gems Jewelry and Athena Apparel, have been transferred to a newly established subsidiary, Serena Media. And my name is not on the shareholder list of that company.” The conference room fell silent. Liam’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He hadn’t expected me to investigate so thoroughly. “This is for business adjustment.” He finally managed to squeeze out. “Serena Media focuses on new media, which better suits these clients’ needs.” “Then why wasn’t a shareholders’ meeting convened for the transfer process, as per the company bylaws?” I pressed. “And, according to financial records, the renewal contracts for these clients last year were personally negotiated by me, yet the performance commissions were routed to the subsidiary’s account?” Liam was speechless. The meeting ended on a sour note, but I knew this was just the beginning. During lunch break, I hid in a restroom stall, finally unable to suppress the dry heaves over the toilet. The morning sickness came on suddenly and violently, as if trying to turn my insides out. “Ms. Reed?” A familiar male voice came from outside the door. “Do you need help?” My heart skipped a beat. Julian Thorne? Why was he here at the company? I turned on the faucet, splashed cold water on my face, and pushed open the stall door. Julian stood by the sink, holding a stack of documents, his suit impeccably pressed, as if he were attending a formal meeting. “How are you—” “Liam Blackwood invited me to discuss Serena Media’s legal structure.” He offered me a handkerchief, his gaze lingering on my pale face for a moment before politely shifting away. “Are you okay?” I took the handkerchief; it carried a faint scent of cedarwood. “I’m fine, just a little nauseous.” “Morning sickness usually subsides after 12 weeks.” He said, seemingly casually, yet it made my fingers tremble. “My sister was the same when she was pregnant.” I looked up at him. His expression was normal, as if he had just made a passing comment. But I knew he was telling me: he knew, and he would keep it a secret. “Thank you,” I said softly. “By the way, could you help me check Serena Media’s equity structure?” “Already looked into it.” Julian pulled a sheet of paper from his briefcase. “Liam Blackwood owns 60%, Serena Hayes 40%. Registered capital is 5 million, all from Reed Arts’ working capital.” I bit my lower lip. Five million, that was almost a third of the company’s cash on hand. “Don’t discuss it here.” Julian glanced at his watch. “Liam is still waiting for me in the meeting room. Too much delay will arouse suspicion. Seven tonight, at the Cloud Cafe downstairs?” I nodded. He turned to leave, then stopped. “Ms. Reed, whatever decision you make, remember to protect yourself first.” His gaze fell on my abdomen. “And… the baby.” Watching him walk away, I leaned against the sink, suddenly feeling a wave of exhaustion. This battle had just begun, and I was carrying a tiny life within me. For the child, I had to win. Back in my office, I found my access card no longer worked. Sarah, the receptionist, awkwardly explained, “Ms. Reed, all permissions were reset after the system upgrade… Mr. Blackwood said you’d need to reapply after your leave.” I scoffed. Was this Liam’s counterattack? Cutting off my access to the company system? “No problem, I understand.” I said gently. “Could you help me contact the IT department? I’d like to restore my access as soon as possible.” “IT said… it requires Mr. Blackwood’s signature.” I narrowed my eyes. It seemed Liam was determined to marginalize me. Luckily, I was prepared; all important documents had already been backed up. As quitting time approached, I was tidying my desk when Serena Hayes, wearing ten-centimeter heels, walked in, holding a bubble tea. “Oh, Ms. Reed, still working late?” She leaned against the doorframe, sipping her drink. “Liam said you don’t have system access anymore? So sorry, new company, new rules, you know, gotta standardize management.” I closed my folder. “Ms. Hayes, you’ve come personally to inform me?” —Yes, she had now taken my place as Creative Director. “Actually, I’m here to invite you to my prenatal appointment the day after tomorrow.” Serena’s smile was sweet. “Liam said he wants you to see the baby’s 4D ultrasound. After all… you two tried for so long without success.” My fingers tightened. My pen scraped a line across the document. “No, I’m very busy.” I stood up, taller than her by half a head. “By the way, remind Mr. Blackwood that, according to Article 33 of the Companies Act, shareholders have the right to inspect and copy company articles of association, shareholder meeting minutes, and financial accounting reports. If he continues to obstruct me from exercising my shareholder rights, I’ll have no choice but to apply for a court order.” Serena’s smile froze. “You… what do you mean?” “Exactly what it sounds like.” I picked up my bag and headed for the door, stopping beside her. “And just a friendly reminder, pregnant women should limit bubble tea; caffeine isn’t great for fetal neurological development.” Walking out of the building, the setting sun painted the clouds blood-red. I took a deep breath and called Julian Thorne. “Can we meet earlier? I’ve found some new developments.” On the other end, Julian’s voice was steady and firm: “Give me twenty minutes. See you at the cafe.” 4 The lighting at Cloud Cafe was dimmer than I expected. I chose the corner booth, backed by a wall of books, which perfectly shielded me from the entrance. Julian Thorne was ten minutes late. When he walked in, his suit jacket was off and draped over his arm, his white shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing well-defined forearms. I noticed he wore a simple mechanical watch on his left wrist, not a flashy brand, but one with an understated quality. “Apologies, Liam Blackwood held me up.” As he sat down, he carried a faint scent of cedarwood. “He insisted on hiring me as Serena Media’s general counsel.” My hand, stirring my coffee, paused. “Did you accept?” “Of course not.” Julian’s lips curved slightly. “Conflict of interest. However, I took the opportunity to review Serena Media’s registration documents.” He pulled a folder from his briefcase. “The situation is more complicated than we thought.” The server delivered his Americano, and we both fell silent. Once the server left, Julian opened the file, pointing to a set of numbers. “Serena Media’s registered capital is 5 million, with 3 million from Reed Arts’ working capital and 2 million from a personal loan.” He lowered his voice. “The borrower is Serena Hayes, but the guarantor is Liam Blackwood.” I frowned. “What’s the problem with that?” “The problem lies in the collateral for this loan.” Julian flipped to the next page. “It’s Reed Arts’ intellectual property—including the complete visual system you designed for Fine Gems Jewelry, as well as three pending patents.” My chest tightened. Those designs were the result of countless all-nighters my team and I pulled, every detail infused with my heart and soul. Liam actually used them to guarantee a loan for Serena? “Is that legal?” My voice was strained. “Strictly speaking, it requires the consent of all shareholders,” Julian’s gaze was sharp. “But Liam Blackwood used his position as legal representative to cut corners. The good news is, this kind of transaction can be challenged and revoked in court.” I took a deep breath. A wave of morning sickness suddenly swept over me, and I quickly drank some lemon water to suppress it. Julian subtly noticed my discomfort and discreetly pushed the tissue box closer. “Ms. Reed, if you want to fight for control of the company, there are three things you need to do now.” His voice was steady, like he was presenting an argument in court. “First, gather a complete chain of evidence; second, win the support of other shareholders; and third, and most importantly—” “Learn the rules of the game.” I finished his sentence. Julian raised an eyebrow slightly, a flicker of appreciation in his eyes. “Precisely. Starting tomorrow, at seven every evening, I can give you a two-hour crash course in corporate law at my office.” “Will you charge?” I asked, half-jokingly. “It’s covered by Chloe Jensen’s favor.” He chuckled, a few fine lines appearing at the corners of his eyes. “However, I suggest you take care of your health first. Excessive fatigue during the first three months of pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage.” My fingers trembled, the coffee spoon clinking against the cup. He knew, and he had stated it so directly. “Don’t worry, I’m a professional.” Julian seemed to read my nervousness. “A client’s privacy is safer with me than in a bank vault.” Over the next two weeks, I maintained the facade of Creative Director during the day, and attended Julian’s crash course at his firm in the evenings. He was indeed an excellent teacher. He made dry legal statutes come alive, even tailoring a special module on common legal pitfalls in the advertising industry for me. “Equity dilution, intellectual property transfer, non-compete clauses…” Julian drew a flowchart on the whiteboard. “These are all areas where founders can easily get burned.” I was diligently taking notes when a sudden wave of dizziness hit me. Morning sickness combined with days of exhaustion—my body was starting to protest. Julian immediately stopped explaining and pulled a packet of soda crackers from his drawer. “Have something to eat first.” He offered the crackers and poured a glass of warm water. “My sister said these help with morning sickness.” I took the crackers, my fingertips accidentally brushing against his hand. Julian quickly withdrew his hand and turned to organize some files, but I still saw a faint blush on his ear. “Thank you,” I said, nibbling on a cracker. “By the way, tomorrow I’m going to Liam and Serena’s wedding.” Julian’s back visibly stiffened. “Are you sure you want to go?” “I have to.” I wiped cracker crumbs from the corner of my mouth. “I need to see for myself how far Liam will go for Serena.” On the wedding day, I chose a dark green velvet dress. Its loose cut perfectly concealed my slightly bulging abdomen, and the color was dignified enough not to seem disrespectful. Chloe insisted on coming with me, but I refused. “I can handle it alone.” I applied lipstick, looking at myself in the mirror. “Besides, Julian will be outside, standing by.” Chloe narrowed her eyes. “Julian Thorne? Why?” “He’s a potential legal consultant for Serena Media, so it’s perfectly normal for him to be invited.” I put down the lipstick. “We agreed that if anything unexpected happens at the wedding, I’ll send him a signal.” The wedding was held at a rose estate in the suburbs. At the entrance, a giant wedding photo of Liam and Serena smiled brightly. Next to the photo, it read “Blackwood & Hayes Union, Happiness Forever,” the date specifically chosen for three days after my divorce from Liam. “Ms. Reed is here!” Serena spotted me from afar and hurried over, dragging her wedding dress. Her abdomen was clearly prominent, at least two months larger than mine. Pregnancy had made her radiant, her cheeks so full they looked like they could be pinched. “Congratulations.” I handed her the gift box. Inside were a pair of crystal glasses—redeemed with company employee benefit points. Liam walked over, impeccably suited, his tie perfectly straight. His eyes flickered when he saw me, his gaze unconsciously falling to my waistline. I had lost a lot of weight recently; the dress was a bit loose around the waist. “Evie, you… you’ve lost weight.” His voice was strained. “Busy with work,” I smiled. “Oh, by the way, Robert Miller mentioned that next week’s shareholders’ meeting will discuss the company’s name change?” Liam’s face changed. “Robert told you?” “Reed Arts to be renamed Serena Media?” I feigned surprise. “As a 40% shareholder, I haven’t received any formal notification?” Serena linked her arm through Liam’s. “Liam, don’t talk business here. She turned to me, her smile sweet but edged with a jab. Ms. Reed, today is just about love, okay?” I nodded and was led to my seat by an usher. Most of the guests were advertising industry acquaintances and relatives of the Blackwood and Hayes families. Many cast sympathetic or curious glances my way. I sat up straight, a polite smile on my face, as if I were simply attending a regular colleague’s wedding. The ceremony began. Serena walked slowly down the aisle, arm-in-arm with her father. Her wedding dress was backless, accentuating her porcelain skin. Liam stood beneath the floral arch, his gaze burning as he watched his new bride. When the officiant asked if he would take her to be his wife, his “I do” was incredibly firm. Three years ago, at our wedding, he had looked at me the same way, said the same vows. Back then, I thought it would last a lifetime. During the ring exchange, Serena suddenly burst into tears, choking out, “Liam, thank you for giving me and our baby a home.” She touched her belly. “Baby says he’s so happy to have a dad like you.” A collective gasp of emotion rippled through the guests. My nails dug deeply into my palms, but I maintained a composed smile. The baby in my womb suddenly stirred gently, as if sensing my emotions. This was the first time I felt fetal movement—a signal of a tiny life awakening within me. “Now, the groom may kiss the bride.” Liam leaned down and kissed Serena, full of deep affection. Amidst thunderous applause, I quietly excused myself and headed for the restroom.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299213”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

As final year exams approached, I paid Serena, a top scholarship student, to tutor me. But the day she was supposed to start, she showed up with her boyfriend, Julian, and insisted he join our study sessions. I politely declined, and she didn’t press the issue. However, on the very day they left my house, Julian was hit by a car, crippling him. He had to drop out of school to work. After that, Serena continued to tutor me. We both got into college, fell in love, got married, and even had a child. But on our wedding anniversary, during our intimate celebration that night… Serena poisoned my soup. I watched in horror as I coughed up blood, staining the floor crimson, little by little. “This is all what you owe Julian, Ashley. You deserve to taste utter despair!” It turned out she’d held a grudge against me for what happened all those years ago. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day Serena brought Julian to my house for our tutoring session. It was our fifth wedding anniversary. The moment I stepped through the door, I saw a huge spread of dishes on the table. Serena, her hand on her stomach, smiled at me. “I have a surprise for you.” I thought the surprise meant she was pregnant. I was overjoyed beyond words. Even when I smelled a faint, strange odor from the soup Serena handed me, I didn’t think anything was wrong. But five minutes after I finished it, my stomach felt like it was being twisted by knives. “Serena, my stomach hurts so badly…” “Hurts? Good. It *should* hurt.” Only then did Serena reveal her true face, her smile utterly cruel. Cold sweat drenched me as she kicked me hard in the stomach. Even though our marriage wasn’t as sweet as other newlyweds, we had never fought. Let alone resorted to physical violence. My eyes, wide with a terrifying mix of shock and fear, landed on her. What was happening? Another dull ache ripped through my lower body. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably as I struggled to beg her to take me to the hospital. But Serena locked the door, looking down at me with a cold, scrutinizing gaze. “Serena, please, save me…” I couldn’t understand why she was doing this to me. She stood with her back to the light, her face obscured, unreadable. “If you hadn’t hurt Julian all those years ago, causing him to get hit by that car, he wouldn’t have had to drop out and work, or live under his wealthy in-laws’ thumb, completely stripped of his dignity! “This is all what you owe Julian, Ashley. You deserve to taste utter despair!” She savored the words “left alone and helpless,” spitting them out with venom. Blood began to seep from the corners of my mouth. Serena continued to curse me with hateful words. I was in too much pain to think clearly, but with immense difficulty, I pieced together what led to this moment. It turned out that last night, during a work dinner, Serena had overheard someone talking about Julian being publicly humiliated by his new wife’s family. So, she came home and decided to inflict everything Julian had suffered onto me? All those years ago… All those years ago… It was just one time I refused to let her bring Julian to my tutoring session. And Serena was blaming Julian’s accident on me? She’d harbored this grudge for an entire lifetime! If that was the case, why had she married me? Why had she so calmly accepted all my kindness? I bit down hard on my lip, unable to utter another plea for help. A large pool of red spread beneath me. It felt as if my body was trying to drain, forming a river of blood. My consciousness faded, and I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by agony.

“Ashley, your friend is here.” It was Mom’s voice. I shot up from my desk, my hands flying to my mouth and stomach. No blood, no pain. Mom was knocking on my bedroom door, reminding me. I was wearing my old high school uniform. Yet, the painful memories lingered in my mind, refusing to dissipate. I stood there, stunned, for a long time, trying to make sense of my situation. I had been reborn. In the living room, Serena and Julian sat somewhat awkwardly on our couch. Without a doubt, today was the day Serena would bring Julian to my house for tutoring. It was also the origin of all the suffering in my previous life. Seeing me emerge, Serena practically leaped to her feet. She asked, “Ashley, Julian’s academic foundation isn’t very strong. Can he join us during our tutoring sessions?” Julian watched me cautiously from the side, his brows slightly furrowed, as if the request embarrassed him. Serena gently patted his hand, signaling him to relax. I took in all these small gestures. Facing their hopeful gaze, I shook my head gently. “No.” In my previous life, that’s what happened: I refused Serena, and she started to hate me. Julian had transferred to our school in his senior year. He seemed clean-cut and refined. The first time he was introduced to the class, Serena’s eyes were drawn to him. Julian’s family wasn’t well-off either; he only had a disabled father. Perhaps it was a mutual affinity between two struggling souls, but Serena and Julian quickly became close. Julian, often struggling with his studies, would bring test papers covered in red marks and timidly sit next to Serena, asking, “Serena, could I ask you a question?” Serena would always take his papers and patiently explain the solutions, completely devoid of the impatience she showed when tutoring me. Once, Julian was upset because he placed last in physics. Serena pushed Julian’s deskmate aside, quietly sitting by him, tirelessly comforting him. By evening study hall, a thick packet of compiled basic knowledge points appeared on Julian’s desk. Classmates often said Serena and Julian were a perfect match, making my presence seem out of place. But my refusal had nothing to do with that. It was because three days before Serena brought Julian to my house, I accidentally overheard Julian talking to his friend in the restroom. “Julian, Serena seems really into you. Are you two dating?” Julian scoffed, his tone mocking. “Look how poor she is. Do I look like I’m tired of living a good life? She’s just a tool to help me with my studies.” “Nice, Julian. Ashley has to pay Serena to tutor him.” “Tsk, with Ashley’s brain, he won’t learn a damn thing. Just wait, I’ll completely steal Serena away from him.” Hearing those words, I trembled with anger in the restroom stall. At the time, Serena was so devoted to Julian every day, and it was senior year. I was afraid of upsetting her, so I never told her. I just subtly suggested that Serena keep her distance from Julian. That’s why when Serena asked if Julian could join our study sessions at my house, I immediately said no. Julian felt humiliated, ran out of my house, and didn’t see the traffic light intersection, resulting in one of his legs being crippled. Serena, her eyes red with fury, blamed me, secretly weaving a web of deceit around me. Everything I did had turned into self-serving martyrdom, costing me my entire youth and even my life. Now, I understood a crucial truth: let go of the urge to help, and respect others’ destinies.

Seeing my refusal, Serena became agitated. “Tutoring just you is one thing, but adding Julian to study together, why is that so impossible? “Ashley, this is a crucial stage for our studies. Can’t you be less selfish?” She was fuming, glaring at me, making me doubt my judgment of her all those years ago. In high school, Serena was brilliant and proud, but so poor she barely had enough to eat. Even though I hated studying, I paid her a high tutoring fee to help me with my lessons. It was all to protect her pride and self-esteem. After graduation, I brought her to my dad’s company for an internship, pulling strings to get her a project manager position. After we married, I completely handed the company over to her to manage. But despite everything I did, Serena still wanted me dead. How could I possibly repeat those mistakes now? At that moment, Julian cautiously looked up at me, feigning vulnerability. “Ashley, if I don’t get into college, my dad will force me to work. “I really want to keep studying. Could you please just save my life? I promise to repay you for the rest of my life.” Serena roared, “Do you want Julian to be practically driven to his death before you’re satisfied?” I quickly took a few steps back, putting distance between us, as if I feared catching something unclean. “What are you even saying? Your life is far too precious for me to bear such a burden.” I pulled out my phone and, right in front of them, SnapChatted Serena a thousand dollars. Serena’s SnapChat was still pinned at the top of my contacts. So annoying. “Your tutoring fee for this month is transferred. You don’t need to come anymore. “Spend the rest of your time focusing on tutoring your friend Julian. I won’t interfere.” Julian’s face lit up with joy, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Serena. But Serena didn’t respond to Julian. She watched my actions, her brows furrowed. She stared intently at me, her eyes filled with disbelief. “What did you say? You don’t want me to come anymore?” I was afraid she hadn’t understood, so I repeated myself. “Serena, you don’t need to come to my house to tutor me anymore. Julian needs your help more now, or he might not get into college and it’ll be the end of him.” “But… I’ve been tutoring you for two years. Aren’t you worried you’ll suddenly fail your exams?” Serena’s voice trembled slightly. “That’s none of your concern. You can go now.” In my previous life, even after Serena tutored me, I still ended up studying abroad just to pad my resume. My grades didn’t improve, and I was stuck with the label of having crippled Julian. Looking back, I was a total chump. Serena’s hands trembled, her fingertips white as she clenched them, and she gritted her teeth. “Fine, Ashley. Don’t you dare regret this!” With that, she angrily stormed off with Julian.

From that day on, Serena began to study with Julian even more conspicuously. Their discussions were often loud; I could hear them even with headphones on. I had also started studying seriously, though I was still in the phase of grasping basic concepts. Julian seemed unable to stand seeing me focus. He came over, waving a textbook where Serena had just highlighted key points, trying to provoke me. “Oh, Ashley’s finally studying, too? How’s it going, just trying to figure it out on your own? “I have Serena’s notes here with all the important bits highlighted. I could lend them to you for reference.” He waved the book around, a sneer on his face. “Oh, I apologize. I forgot. Serena isn’t willing to teach you anymore. “So, I guess I can’t lend you these materials for now.” Julian’s voice was sharp and grating, attracting the attention of many classmates, who glanced over at me. Even Serena, who usually paid no mind to such things, cast a cold look my way. I propped my chin on my hand, asking him with amusement, “Do you have this much time to worry about how others study? Why don’t you check your own single-digit physics score first?” Julian’s face flushed red, embarrassed and furious. Serena walked over and tapped my desk. “Care to step outside and talk?” Before I could refuse, she grabbed my wrist and pulled me out of the classroom. Serena led me to the hallway, her lips pressed into a thin line. “If you’re willing to accept Julian, I can continue to tutor you.” Since I fired Serena, I heard she’d started working part-time in the cafeteria again. It seemed she was short on cash and was trying to get money from me again. She really thought I was a big idiot. “No, thanks.” I refused without hesitation. Serena’s eyes flared with anger. She grabbed my shoulders, her grip tight, and spat, “Things were fine before, weren’t they? I’ve tutored you for three years. Or is it because you mind Julian and I are too close? “Ashley, are you jealous, or are you just playing hard to get?” Quite a few students had gathered, watching Serena’s outburst, whispering and pointing at us. Serena was a girl, so I couldn’t just shake her off. I could only try to reason with her. “I genuinely don’t need you anymore. Just let go!” Serena’s eyes were fixed on me, forcing me to give her the answer she wanted. That obsessive gaze reminded me of the Serena who had poisoned me and kicked my stomach in my previous life. Sure enough, the seeds of extreme violence were already evident then. But back then, I saw her through rose-tinted glasses, and all her flaws were overlooked. Just then, someone came over and tapped Serena’s shoulder. “Hey, Serena, the ‘Academic Star,’ if someone says they don’t need your tutoring anymore, isn’t it kind of pathetic to keep hounding them for money?” I looked over, stunned. It was Blair, my deskmate, known for being a cold beauty.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299212”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

My wife was rushed to the emergency room from a hotel late at night. The doctor said it was a corpus luteum rupture, caused by excessively strenuous sexual activity. I lost my mind, hunting for the man responsible. It turned out to be Ryan, my closest friend, someone I trusted with my life. Fine. Since your love runs so deep, I’ll personally send you both straight to hell. At 2 AM, an ambulance wailed to a halt outside the Red Pillow Hotel. Ten minutes later, a woman was carried out on a stretcher. Her face and upper body were covered by a bath towel, and she was curled up, clearly in immense pain. Soon after, videos from various angles started circulating on TikTok. When I first scrolled past it, I was in full spectator mode, even joking in the comments that I’d heard of guys getting worn out, but never a woman getting *damaged* like that. Until I inadvertently saw the bracelet on the woman’s dangling wrist – identical to the one I’d given my wife for our fifth anniversary just a short while ago. My heart lurched, a cold dread seizing me like a gun pressed to my back. No, it couldn’t be. Impossible. Scarlett was supposedly away on a business trip to Seattle these past few days. I’d even booked her flight ticket myself. It’s just a bracelet, right? Even if it’s a niche, hard-to-find design, it’s not impossible for someone else to have it. And women with similar figures are common. I tried to reassure myself, but at the same time, I frantically searched for videos from other angles. Most were blurry. I scrolled for ages, finding only one, taken from close up, that clearly showed her hand. I slowed the playback to the absolute minimum, examining it frame by frame. That familiar, diamond-studded white manicure, glinting under the lights, stabbed at my eyes. It was her. Scarlett. My wife of three years, was cheating on me. 2 In that instant, I felt all the blood rush to my head. My hand, clutching the phone, trembled uncontrollably. A searing mix of humiliation and fury burned in my chest, a dull ache that made it hard to breathe. Even though I’d scoured every video, I hadn’t seen any suspicious male figure. But Scarlett’s affair was an undeniable fact. Otherwise, how could she explain being carried out of a hotel, disheveled and bare-legged, claiming she was on a business trip? I didn’t even dare to imagine why she needed an ambulance. The comments section was already ablaze with every insulting possibility. I grabbed a jacket, ran downstairs, got in my car, and drove straight to the hospital emergency room. The attending nurse gave me a complex look when I identified myself as Scarlett’s husband. It was a mix of embarrassment and pity, which made the rage I’d been suppressing flare up again. She pointed to a room at the end of the hallway, saying Scarlett was on an IV drip and was now out of danger. “What’s wrong with her?” Even now, pathetically, a sliver of worry still gnawed at me. But the next second, that sliver of worry turned into a gallon of fuel poured onto my burning anger. “Corpus luteum rupture.” The nurse paused, looked at me, and then added, “It was caused by excessively strenuous sexual activity.” My mind buzzed. It felt like a thousand tiny voices were mocking me. Excessively strenuous sexual activity… I thought of my wife’s usual cold demeanor at home and felt utterly ridiculous and pathetic. In our three years of marriage, Scarlett had always been indifferent to sex, never initiating. Twice out of three times, she’d make excuses to avoid intimacy. Even when she agreed, she’d just lie there in the dark room after I’d turned off the lights, passively going through the motions. I’d always thought she was naturally reserved, unable to let loose. Turns out, she just couldn’t let loose *with me*. With another man, she could be so passionate it led to a corpus luteum rupture… I didn’t go into the room. I turned and left the hospital. I lit a cigarette, taking deep drags. The earlier blaze of fury now seemed to cool into a chilling resolve. It was hard to accept, but it had happened. I had to face it. At the very least, I needed to know who that man was. 3 The hotel refused to provide any guest’s private information, citing customer privacy. But the front desk did confirm that Scarlett had checked in with a man, and it was that man who called the ambulance after the “incident.” However, after Scarlett was taken away on the stretcher, the man had hurriedly checked out and slipped away through a side entrance. Since the hotel couldn’t provide any useful information, I had no choice but to go home for now. By then, the sky was already faintly light. I collapsed, exhausted, onto the couch. I instinctively grabbed the framed wedding photo next to me and tossed it into the trash can. This marriage? It was over. No man on earth could endure this kind of humiliation and continue living as if nothing happened. But before the divorce, some debts needed to be settled. I’d always believed I treated her well, and her family, too, had benefited greatly from my help. I never imagined this was how she’d repay me. If that’s the case, then she shouldn’t blame me for being ruthless. Scarlett was my college sweetheart. Her family came from a modest, blue-collar background, and she had a deadbeat younger brother. The first time I visited her home, my future mother-in-law immediately hit me with a demand for a hefty $300,000 settlement. I hesitated for a moment, not refusing outright, but her mother’s face immediately fell. She told me to get lost. She boasted that Scarlett was highly educated and beautiful, with suitors lined up around the block, so she had no trouble finding a husband. If I was stingy with the money, I shouldn’t waste her daughter’s time. I considered myself a good catch. I owned my house and car outright. My parents worked for the government, and I was their only child. After college, I joined my Uncle Arthur’s company. I was doing well, and my future looked bright. I thought I’d be the ideal son-in-law in her mother’s eyes, but I was wrong… My parents, hearing about her mother’s attitude, urged me to break up with her. They said a woman like that would be endless trouble. But Scarlett cried and chased me to my doorstep, apologizing profusely for her mother. She said if we really broke up, her mother would force her to marry an almost fifty-year-old man from their small town. Three days later, I returned to her house with $300,000 cash in a briefcase, and the marriage was set. But that $300,000 was just the beginning. From then on, my mother-in-law and Caleb would ask for money every other week, coming up with endless excuses: business ventures, home renovations, technical training. They called it borrowing, but they never paid it back. Over three years, they took nearly two hundred thousand dollars from me. Caleb was irresponsible, gambling, partying, and getting into all sorts of trouble. Every few days, he’d cause a scene, and I’d be the one cleaning up his messes. I’d had enough a long time ago. But every time I saw Scarlett’s tear-reddened eyes pleading with me, I couldn’t bring myself to abandon them. Now that I was getting a divorce, I could finally shake off this rotten burden. Scarlett married me with nothing, not even a job – I was the one who arranged that for her. Thinking back, Scarlett really just played me for everything. Then she can leave with nothing. I immediately contacted a lawyer to draft divorce papers. I also reached out to friends, paying them to help delete those videos. I couldn’t afford that kind of public humiliation. Just as I finished all this, Scarlett suddenly returned. 4 Her face was pale, her eyes darted nervously, and she looked utterly weak, practically leaning against the wall as she entered. She must have heard from the nurse that I’d been to the hospital, realizing she couldn’t hide it any longer. She half-knelt before the sofa, clutching my arm and sobbing. It was the same pitiful act. But now, I just felt disgusted. I roughly shook off her hand, sat up straight, and forced myself to control the urge to strike her. Scarlett swayed, then fell to the floor. She winced, clutching her lower abdomen, and gasped in pain. That motion completely ignited my fury. “Stomach hurts, huh? Must have been quite a workout.” “Scarlett, you truly are beyond belief.” “Tell me, who is that man, and how long has this been going on?” My fists were clenched so tight my nails dug into my palms. Scarlett, like a startled rabbit, shook her head frantically, tears streaming down her face, speaking incoherently. “No, no, it was just this once, the very first time, Liam, you have to believe me…” “I just… I lost my head for a moment, Liam, I know I messed up, it will never happen again…” She sobbed, begging for my forgiveness, but she wouldn’t utter his name. Such deep affection, apparently. I remembered in college, the first time I ever got into a fight was because some petty thug flirted with Scarlett right in front of me. That time, I put the guy in the hospital and it cost me five thousand dollars. Scarlett was trembling with fear back then. I put my arm around her and said, “If anyone ever touches you again, I’ll chop off their hands.” It was just the wild talk of a hot-headed youth. The man I was now was no longer so impulsive. But seeing Scarlett’s terrified, nervous expression, it was as if she genuinely feared I’d go and chop off her lover’s hands. How ridiculous. When I fought that thug for her back then, she was hiding far away. Now, she’s learned to protect another man. I thought of how I’d argued so fiercely with my parents to marry her. Telling them she was gentle and virtuous, pure and sweet, that she’d be a wonderful wife and daughter-in-law. All those words now felt like slaps across my face. “Let’s get a divorce.” My head throbbed. I didn’t want to drag this out any longer. I stood up, dropped the words, and started to leave. I would just consider these past few years wasted. Whether it was her first time cheating or her tenth, it made no difference to me. Scarlett froze, then scrambled to her feet, stumbling forward to hug my leg. “No, please don’t, I know I messed up, just this once, please forgive me…” “Liam, you can’t let our child grow up without a father…” Scarlett’s words struck me like a thunderclap. “What child?” My hands trembled almost imperceptibly. Scarlett’s eyes lit up, as if she’d found a lifeline. “Liam, it’s our baby, I’m pregnant.” “Last night, last night I only found out after my ultrasound…” “I was going to wait for a happier moment to tell you.” “Liam, you can’t abandon our baby and me…” Scarlett’s voice rang in my ears, but it slowly faded away. 5 “How many months?” I tried to keep my voice steady. “Just one month.” Scarlett smiled ingratiatingly, coming closer to put her arms around my neck. “Liam, from now on, our family of three will live happily together, okay?” “Mom and Dad will be so happy when they hear they’re going to be grandparents.” Yes, they had been hoping for a grandchild since we got married, but… “Liam, what’s wrong?” Scarlett noticed my strange behavior and asked nervously. “Nothing.” I snapped back to reality, subtly pushing her away. “Why are you discharged already? Your body isn’t fully recovered, is it?” At that, Scarlett’s eyes reddened again. She said the doctor didn’t allow it, but she snuck out herself. She knew I was angry and wanted to explain face-to-face. As she said this, Scarlett put on that fragile, pitiful act again, as if *I* were the one at fault. “Since you’re pregnant, focus on recovering first.” “We’ll discuss everything else after you’re discharged.” Perhaps sensing a hint of compromise in my words, she seemed to visibly relax, nodding at me through her tears. I avoided her gaze, personally drove her back to the hospital, and saw the pregnancy test report. She was indeed pregnant. Watching her being ordered by the doctor to lie down for an IV, I made an excuse about work and left. Walking out of the hospital, I could no longer contain the burning rage. I slammed my fist against a tree trunk. Those despicable bastards! Scarlett was pregnant, true, but the child wasn’t mine. In these past few years of marriage, I always felt I wasn’t ready to be a father, and Scarlett hadn’t been enthusiastic about having children either. Out of consideration for her body, I’d secretly gotten male birth control pills from the doctor. I hadn’t told anyone about this. I never thought Scarlett would not only cheat on me but also try to pass off another man’s child as mine. She claimed it was “just this once,” but she was already pregnant! Initially, I had thought of just divorcing her, a clean break. But now, it seemed, I needed a long-term plan. Every humiliation I had suffered, I would demand repayment for, every single one. Back home, I retrieved Scarlett’s phone from under a throw pillow. Earlier, she had been too weak and anxious, too focused on clinging to me, to notice me subtly slipping her phone into the sofa cushion. When I hurried her out, she completely forgot about it. I knew Scarlett’s phone password. Her contact list and chat history showed nothing suspicious. But when I tried to switch accounts, I found she had indeed hidden a secondary account. After logging in with a text verification code, there was only one person in her secondary account’s friend list. Clicking into that person’s social media, in countless shared photos, Scarlett was nestled in his arms, smiling sweetly and charmingly. I stared at that man’s face for a long time, feeling as if ice water had been poured over my entire body. It was him, after all.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299211”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

My wife was raped on her way home last night. She said there were two attackers. But the DNA results showed three men’s profiles inside her. And I hadn’t been with her that night. The phone rang, jolting me awake. A glance at the digital wall clock in the living room showed it was almost one in the morning. Eleanor wasn’t home yet. The unknown number kept ringing relentlessly. In the dead silence of the night, the ringtone ripped through the air, jarring and shrill. My heart pounded with an unsettling dread as I answered. “Hello, this is Detective Miller from the local police department, badge number 723xxx. Am I speaking to Mr. Marcus Thorne, Eleanor Thorne’s husband?” “Yes.” “Is this a good time to talk? Are you alone?” “Yes, it is.” His voice was steady, calm: “I regret to inform you that your wife, Eleanor Thorne, was involved in an assault case within our jurisdiction. She is currently not in life-threatening danger, but we require a family member to come in and cooperate with the investigation.” “Alright.” “Please proceed immediately to the third-floor emergency intake at City General Hospital. We’ve arranged for a female officer to be waiting for you there, and she will explain the situation in detail when you arrive.” “Please do not disclose this information to anyone else for now, to avoid causing your wife further emotional distress. Thank you!” I tried to ask for more specific information, but Detective Miller dodged my questions, only stressing that I should get to the hospital’s designated spot as quickly as possible. Everything else, he said, would be discussed in person. I wanted to press further, but the call was disconnected. I tried to call back, but it was busy. My heart hammered, thumping so violently it felt like it would burst out of my chest. A profound sense of dread, a terrible premonition, rose from deep within me. 2 I rushed to the hospital in a panic. After giving my name, a man in his early thirties, a detective, approached me before I could even see Eleanor. “I’m Detective Miller, the officer who called you earlier.” I fought to control my anxiety, trying to keep my voice steady: “How is my wife now?” “Please don’t worry, your wife is not in any life-threatening danger. One of my female colleagues is with her in the lounge right now.” “Was she…?” I gestured, struggling to get the words out. Detective Miller nodded, motioning for me to follow him down the corridor: “Yes, I’m sorry to say your wife was assaulted.” “Where? When? Do you have any leads?” My voice trembled uncontrollably, a million questions flooding my mind. “We’ve only just started the investigation into the specific details. Your wife’s examination is complete. She just asked to see you, please follow me.” He gently pushed the door open. Eleanor was huddled in the corner of the sofa, wrapped in a beige blanket, her entire body, almost even her hair, hidden. Only her vacant eyes were visible, staring blankly at some unseen stain on the ceiling. Occasionally, an almost imperceptible, uncontrollable tremor would ripple through the blanket. She was shaking with fear. I wanted to go and hold her, but the female officer taking her statement gave me a look, signaling me to stand to the side. The female officer’s voice was soft: “Can you describe it again? About… the person who assaulted you.” Eleanor sniffled, as if she was crying. The officer asked: “How many people? You said earlier you felt it was three, is that right?” Eleanor’s head emerged from the blanket. Her eyes were bruised, her lips also injured, cracked and purple. She moved them a few times before squeezing out a whisper, barely audible: “It’s… not…” My heart tightened. “Not… it was two… yes, it was two people…” I leaned against the cold wall, my nails digging hard into my palms. A sharp pain shot through my chest, and I almost lost my footing. So, it was two people. I couldn’t bear to imagine the suffering my beloved wife, the woman I cherished, had endured. Eleanor saw me, stretched out her hands towards me, and burst into tears: “Marcus… I’m so sorry…” I immediately rushed to embrace her, gently soothing her: “Shhh… there’s nothing to be sorry for, it’s not your fault.” Just then, a nurse came in, “Emergency contraception. Please have the patient take this.” Eleanor became agitated again. Her eyes widened in horror at the sight of the pill box, and she reacted like a cornered cat: “Poison! I won’t take it, I won’t, I won’t… I won’t!” I confirmed the information with the nurse: “This medication is effective if taken within 24 hours, correct?” “Yes.” I considered for a moment: “Then let’s not give it to her for now. I’ll figure out how to get her to take it tomorrow.” Hearing that she wouldn’t have to take the medication, Eleanor’s emotions calmed. As I gently and rhythmically patted her back, she gradually drifted off to sleep. After the medical staff settled her into a private room, I felt utterly exhausted. But Detective Miller’s questions came quickly, with an urgency to get to the bottom of things. “What time did you get off work?” “Six o’clock.” “What time did you get home?” “Around ten-thirty.” “Oh? Why so late?” “I had plans to play high-stakes poker with some friends I hadn’t seen in a while. I was actually going to be home even later, but I was a bit worried about my wife, so I left earlier than planned.” “Just out of curiosity, what kind of stakes were you playing for?” I was a little surprised the detective asked that, but I answered honestly: “A thousand a hand.” Detective Miller raised an eyebrow. I wasn’t trying to show off, but everyone there was a big name in local business. Playing for anything less would have been embarrassing. At the time, I was worried my digital wallet wouldn’t have enough, so I even put my Audi car keys up on the poker table as collateral. My Audi was just one of my cars; I had several much more expensive ones in the garage. But I always preferred the Audi for its understated luxury—it perfectly matched my vibe. “Between getting off work and getting home, did you call your wife?” I checked my call log. Eleanor had called me at five-thirty. She told me she was eating dinner out and that I didn’t need to worry about her. At eight-thirty, I called her. She said she was in a bad mood and wanted to talk with her friends a bit longer before coming home. Detective Miller mused: “When you got home that night and your wife wasn’t back, you didn’t contact her—only that call at eight-thirty. You weren’t worried?” I felt a surge of anger. Was he treating me like a suspect? Eleanor had been in a bad mood recently and often didn’t come home until eleven or midnight. If I asked too many questions, she’d blow up on the phone. Yes, I’m a traditional man. I’d rather deal with tears than a full-blown meltdown. Besides, there are cameras everywhere. The city is pretty safe. I genuinely hadn’t been too worried. Later, I was just too tired and drifted off to sleep. I explained all this to him. Then I added: “My wife isn’t the type to bring negative emotions home.” “Between ten-thirty and one in the morning, can anyone confirm you were home?” I thought for a moment, “The building security guard. I gave him a cigarette when I came home, and I didn’t leave again after that. He should remember.” “How is your marriage?” “It’s good. All our friends and family know how much I dote on my wife. Every holiday, birthday, or anniversary, I buy her either designer bags or high-end jewelry. I’ve never missed one.” Detective Miller remained noncommittal, continuing: “What about your intimacy during this period? Your frequency of marital relations?” I considered: “About two or three times a week, typically.” Detective Miller seemed unconvinced. His gaze fixed on me like a hook: “When was the last time you were intimate?” I thought for a moment: “This past Wednesday.” “Just to confirm again, on the day of the incident, you were not intimate?” “That’s correct.” “I apologize, but cases involving sexual assault require us to ask very detailed questions. Please understand.” I nodded. He turned to his colleague, speaking in a low voice: “Focus on her social circles, anyone with a history of sexual offenses, and any acquaintances who might have had issues with either the husband or wife…” The questioning paused there for the moment. The next afternoon, the two detectives from yesterday returned. My wife suddenly claimed her whole body had been aching severely, especially her head. She might have remembered incorrectly, she said. There might have been three attackers. Honestly, whether the number was three or two, it was the same pain to me. I wasn’t overly concerned with the number; I just wanted her to get better quickly. Detective Miller narrowed his eyes: “Ms. Thorne, please try to think carefully again, how many people were there exactly?” Then he said they had reviewed the surveillance footage. There were indeed two attackers, not a third. I interjected: “Are you certain it was two people?” “The surveillance is quite clear. It distinctly shows two individuals from start to finish.” “However, we can’t rule out other accomplices.” “Ms. Thorne, before or after this incident, do you have any other memories of being assaulted?” The forensic results showed three different DNA profiles had been found inside my wife. Unfortunately, these three DNA samples likely had no prior criminal records, so they didn’t match any information in the database. The female officer gently asked my wife: “Could you try to recall again, whether it was two or three people, what were their physical characteristics?” Eleanor bit her lip, quickly glanced at me, and looked on the verge of tears. She quietly asked: “Are you sure there were three… DNA profiles?” The female officer nodded: “Yes. Have you remembered anything?” Eleanor shook her head: “My head still hurts, I can’t quite remember.” The female officer reassured her: “That’s okay, take your time.” I stood nearby, making a huge decision: “Eleanor, don’t worry, don’t consider me. Just say whatever comes to mind.” Eleanor looked at me, her eyes seemingly filled with tears. She shook her head almost imperceptibly, as if she, too, had made up her mind: “I remembered wrong before. It must have been just two people.” But then, what about the third DNA? Everyone’s gaze was now fixed on Eleanor. Detective Miller’s sharp eyes bore into her. “Is there anything you need to tell us?” Eleanor began: “The third DNA… it must be my lover’s.” My whole body trembled violently. I looked at her in disbelief. Her profile was stiff, her eyes vacant, filled with a desperate, almost martyred look. “I… I cheated. It’s been going on for a while.” My wife continued, her voice flat, as if reading someone else’s script, “That afternoon, I made an excuse to go out, met him, and we were intimate. Then he left.” “Afterward, I felt incredibly tired and fell into a deep sleep. When I woke up, it was already eleven at night. I quickly got dressed to go home, but on the way, I… that happened.” My heart lurched, a mix of emotions churning within me. Detective Miller’s gaze was piercing: “Why didn’t you tell us this yesterday?” Eleanor frowned, a hint of embarrassment on her face: “I’m a woman, after all. How could I possibly talk about something like that?” “What’s your lover’s name?” Eleanor shook her head: “I don’t want to say.” Detective Miller’s expression became serious: “This case involves assault, which is a criminal offense. Your lover’s name is not optional for you to disclose.” Eleanor bit her lip, still insisting that her lover had nothing to do with the incident and there was no need to involve him. When pressured further, she finally broke down in tears: “My husband hasn’t even said anything, why are you digging so deep?!” “It’s already bad enough that this happened to me. Are you trying to force me to die?” “Your priority should be to catch those two rapists quickly!” Detective Miller’s sharp eyes swept over Eleanor: “We also want to apprehend the suspects as soon as possible. But Ms. Thorne, you are lying.” 3 My heart skipped a beat. Detective Miller stood up and signaled for me to step outside: “In cases involving assault, female victims often feel guilty or ashamed towards their husbands and find it difficult to speak freely in front of them.” “We just want to understand what happened. Please understand.” I nodded in agreement. My wife had been in there for half an hour now and still hadn’t come out. Things seemed to have spiraled completely out of control, heading in a direction I never could have predicted. She had actually admitted to having an affair in front of the police. That was something I hadn’t expected. Yes, it wasn’t that I hadn’t suspected her of cheating. Eleanor loved getting manicures. Years ago, I first noticed her at the company cafeteria. She stretched out a pair of hands as delicate as spring onions. Her nails were pale pink, long, and each one adorned with a tiny pink bunny. They were hands that looked tempting, desirable. Later, I pursued her, we got engaged, married, and she always maintained her exquisite manicures. She would change the style every now and then, until… one morning, three months ago. I suddenly noticed that all her long nails had been cut short overnight. “Why did you cut off your beautiful nails?” “I suddenly felt that long nails weren’t actually very pretty, so I just didn’t want them anymore.” She said calmly. She kept her head down, pretending to read a book, but her gaze wasn’t actually moving across the pages. She just mechanically turned the page every once in a while. I stared at her intently, my gut telling me she was lying. Because Eleanor was the kind of woman who was very uninhibited in bed. Every time she reached the peak of emotion, her hands would grip my back tightly. Her nails would involuntarily scratch my back, leaving vivid red marks. I don’t know why, but when I saw she had cut her nails, my first thought was: She’s worried that the nail marks she leaves on a man will be discovered by another woman… Just as my thoughts raced like a late-night subway, flying through unfamiliar tunnels without stopping at a single station, Detective Miller and Officer Davies emerged. 4 Detective Miller said to me: “Your wife took the emergency contraception after my colleague convinced her. Don’t worry.” I nodded and thanked him. “Yesterday afternoon, your wife went to a private fertility clinic for treatment. Did you know about this?” I was surprised: “No, I really didn’t.” Officer Davies spoke, lowering her voice: “Your wife told me that one of her fallopian tubes is clear, but the other is blocked. Theoretically, having one clear tube shouldn’t affect pregnancy.” “However, after examination, she consistently ovulates from the blocked side, so her chances of pregnancy are much lower than average.” I stammered: “I had no idea when she went to the clinic for tests…” Officer Davies’s tone held a hint of reproach: “She’s been going to the clinic every month to monitor ovulation for over half a year. That’s why communication is so important between spouses. With everything that’s happened, you need to be even more understanding of your wife.” “Don’t worry about not having children. With active treatment, it will happen. Don’t put too much psychological pressure on yourselves.” “Also, regarding this incident, please don’t press her for details, to avoid causing her an emotional breakdown. Seeing a therapist might also be beneficial if necessary.” Despite this, I couldn’t help but ask: “That night… have you determined how many people were involved? When can they be apprehended?” Detective Miller said: “Our forensics team worked through the night, reviewing the surveillance footage. It was indeed two people. However, the image isn’t very clear because both of them were wearing masks, hats, and glasses.” “The forensics team is still working overtime to process the images, to see if they can enhance them for a clearer picture.” I was still puzzled: “If my wife genuinely didn’t meet her lover yesterday, then why was there a third person’s DNA inside her?” “Well…” Officer Davies seemed a bit embarrassed. She paused before saying, “Your wife stated that she privately gave the doctor at the private fertility clinic a substantial tip and specifically chose the highest quality sperm from their bank for artificial insemination. She was afraid that if she couldn’t get pregnant again, you would propose divorce, and she couldn’t bear the thought of your marriage ending.” I was stunned: “No… is that true?” “We went to the fertility clinic this morning to inquire about the situation, and it largely aligns with your wife’s account.” I blurted out: “How… how could she be so foolish?!” “Yes,” Officer Davies looked at me sympathetically, “I was just admonishing her, asking how she could be so misguided. A child is the crystallization of a couple’s love. A child conceived in such a strange way would not only fail to help a marriage but would also destroy trust between spouses.” As Officer Davies left, she continued to urge me, telling us as a couple to communicate more. Returning to the hospital room, there was a deathly silence. My wife, that foolish woman, had pulled the blanket over her head, completely covering it. I sneered. She must be utterly ashamed of her stupid actions, unable to even face herself, right? Not just foolish, but also cheap. I couldn’t even bring myself to look at her. And she expected me to take care of her? I’m no saint. I have emotions too. Hiring a private nurse for her was the most I could do. Finally, I got home, pulled out a phone registered under my brother-in-law’s name, and dialed a number: “Let’s meet up, by the South River bridge.” Reflexively, a wave of disgust churned within me. Yes, to fully control the situation, I had deliberately arranged to meet my wife’s lover.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299210”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

The day my mother, against all odds, announced she was having a second child with my much younger stepfather. My entire family ganged up, forcing me to sign disownment papers. I just smiled, took the pen, signed, and then dialed my inheritance lawyer. “Could you please check if my biological father’s billion-dollar inheritance is completely out of reach for this group of people?” I had always been the sole focus of my family, growing up as an only child in New York. The best education, the brightest future. Until the day I graduated. My mother called, summoning me home. “Aria, hurry back! Mom has some wonderful news to share with you!” I arrived home to find my stepfather instructing a maid to clear out my room. Mom was bubbling with excitement, walking a little awkwardly. She looked… clumsy. “Aria, come sit down! Mom has something to tell you: you’re going to have a little brother! Aren’t you happy?” I lowered my eyes, glancing at her slightly bulging abdomen. “Mom, you’re 58 this year, not 38.” “Aria, I know,” my mom said, blushing slightly as she stroked her belly, then looked at my stepfather, “But Frank is still young, and he wants to have a child with me.” “Are you seriously having a baby without consulting your oldest child?” My stepfather overheard and yelled, his voice rough. “What’s it to you? You never liked me anyway! Never liked this family!” I ignored him. I continued to my mother, “What were you thinking?” Mom replied, “Frank got a promotion; he’s now the Sales Department Manager.” “He can afford a child, and this one’s a boy.” “You know, your mom doesn’t really care about gender, but boys are so much easier; they practically raise themselves. He won’t be any trouble for his big sister, I promise.” “You’ll always be Mom’s little princess, and when your brother is born, he’ll protect you too!” Mom blinked at me, a wide smile on her face. “Mom, I wasn’t worried about any of that. I’m worried about your health.” My mother’s face had changed since she’d gotten older; there was a subtle, unsettling strangeness I couldn’t quite place. I’d always been independent, living in a boarding school since elementary. I attributed this strangeness to the limited time we spent together. Now, with her second pregnancy, a peculiar feeling stirred within me. But I was eighteen. I figured I just had to accept it; adults aren’t supposed to act so recklessly. I felt a wave of exhaustion. “Mom, if you’ve thought it through, that’s fine. I’m going to rest; the train ride was pretty tiring.” I pushed open my bedroom door, only to find it had already been converted into a nursery. I turned to my mom, who cringed, explaining apologetically, “Aria, you don’t come back often, so Frank and I just…” “Mom, this is my father’s house, not Frank’s.” My stepfather slammed the door and stormed out. “So, where do I sleep?” I stood in the living room, my luggage still in hand, demanding an answer. Mom plastered on a smile, “How about you rest in the living room for a bit?” I sighed, helpless. Mom quickly started tidying the living room. A worn stuffed animal lay carelessly discarded at her feet. I picked it up. It was a doll Mom had specially made for me when I was a child. Inside, there was a tiny voice recorder with my father’s voice. I looked at the mess around me. “Mom, forget it. I’ll stay at a hotel.” Mom froze for a moment, but then forced another smile. “Aria, I’m so sorry.” “Mom, you have your own life. Just don’t regret it.” “Please, can you not throw away my things? I’ll find someone to pick them up.” “Of course, Aria. Mom will keep everything safe for you.” I took a deep breath. I tried to calm myself. “So, what’s your due date? And you plan to show up at my engagement party like this, right?” 2 My fiancé, Liam, and I had been together all through college, four years. Aside from being a bit of a momma’s boy, he was decent. His family was well-off. He was ambitious and genuinely loved me. The only issue was his mother, who always thought my family situation was “too complicated.” His parents arrived early. Dressed impeccably, exuding an air of sophistication. But their posture was overtly arrogant. My mom arrived much later, clad in an oversized pink maternity dress. My stepfather was dressed like he’d just stepped out of a cheesy haircut commercial. My future mother-in-law’s face instantly hardened. At least fifty relatives were present. They all saw my mom’s huge belly. First, staring at my mother like she was a circus freak, then turning those same judgmental eyes on me. My future mother-in-law spoke, “Um, Aria, have these two perhaps come to the wrong place?” I lowered my head. “Mrs. Albright, this is my mother, and this is my stepfather.” My mother, oblivious to my embarrassment, sat down and picked up a menu. “You must be Liam’s mother. Hello, hello!” Mrs. Albright’s eyes were fixed on Mom’s belly; she looked like she had a hundred things to say but held them back. My mom, however, was openly sharing, “Almost due. It’s a boy.” Mrs. Albright’s lips twitched. “Well, congratulations then.” I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze. I sat between my stepfather and my mother. Gritting my teeth, I whispered, “Didn’t I tell you not to come?” Mom replied, “You’re Mom’s little princess! How could your mother not be here on such an important day as your engagement?” “Besides, your unborn little brother has to be here to congratulate you too!” She stroked her belly, smiling blissfully. “Honey, don’t you think our family is double blessed?” My stepfather looked at Mom, forcing a smile. Mrs. Albright turned to me. “Aria, why don’t you come with me to check on the food?” I stood in the hallway, watching Mrs. Albright’s refined features contort, as if she’d aged a decade in a single furious breath. She forcefully suppressed her anger, pointing a finger at my head. “Aria Blackwood, are you deliberately trying to disrespect me?” I lowered my head. “No, Mrs. Albright.” She scoffed. “My enemies would wake up laughing from their sleep if they knew I was associating with a family like yours.” “Your entire family, I can’t even begin to describe them! A slimy, scheming stepfather who looks like he’d murder his wife for insurance any second, and a mother so blinded by love she’s foolish enough to get pregnant at nearly sixty!” “And a clueless daughter who clearly has no idea how to present herself!” I kept my head down. “You can say whatever you want about me, but my mother raised me with difficulty. Please don’t talk about her like that, Mrs. Albright.” “You want me to agree to this marriage? Absolutely not!” I apologized, “Mrs. Albright, I’m sorry.” “What is this circus you’ve brought? Are you deliberately trying to humiliate me? You clearly have no shame, but I do!” My future mother-in-law’s fury was unbearable. I could only stare at the floor. “Mrs. Albright, it’s my mother’s freedom to have a child. I can’t control it, nor do I have the right to judge.” “Easy to say! Aria Blackwood, that’s her freedom? I ask you, when this child is eighteen, how old will your mother be?” “You want to marry my son? What if you two have your own children? You are completely irresponsible with your own life! I absolutely refuse to have someone like your mother as my in-law!” “You’ve completely disrespected me; your entire family is utterly repulsive!” She finished, then turned to leave with Liam. Meanwhile, I was still ordering food for my mom. Because she was hungry, and pregnant women can’t starve. Mrs. Albright watched me bustling about. “Though I don’t like you, I heard from Liam that you are a very capable girl, even if you won’t be my daughter-in-law.” “I’ll give you one last piece of advice: with a family like that, run away as soon as you can. They’ll only take advantage of you!” “Your mother has never once considered you!” “You and your family are truly bizarre!” With that, she stormed out with Liam. I watched Liam’s retreating back. And still chased after him. Even though he was a momma’s boy, he was undeniably handsome, like a K-drama star! His family was seriously wealthy. And it could really help my future career. Plus, I did love him. I called out to him, “Liam, is this really the end for us?” Liam replied, “My mom says your whole family is crazy.” I argued, “But we have different views than the older generation. If they want to have a child, isn’t it their freedom?” “As a daughter, what can I say? Liam, I’m helpless too!” “I thought you would understand.” Liam said, “I do understand, but I can’t accept my future mother-in-law being like that.” “The child she’s having, it’s basically for you to raise. Wake up!” I was about to say something else. But my mom’s FaceTime call interrupted me. “My little princess, I’m starving! Where are you?” I looked up. Liam was long gone. My mom only realized our in-laws had left after she finished eating. “Aria, why hasn’t your future mother-in-law come back yet?” “Mom, let’s go home. You need your afternoon nap.” “What’s wrong? Tell me!” “It’s off. The engagement is canceled,” I said weakly. “Why? Everything was fine just now! You youngsters treat life like a game! An engagement is a huge deal, and you just call it off like that!” “Mom, can we just go home, please?” Our relatives hadn’t left yet. My mom started yelling at me in front of everyone. “You’re becoming so unruly, daughter! How old are you? You have no stability!” Seeing my mortified expression, my mom’s tone softened. “I’m telling you, Liam isn’t all that great anyway. Besides being rich, handsome, and always doting on you, what else does he have?” My stepfather’s relative interjected, “Exactly, exactly! I always thought that family was too good for you. Honestly, even if you’d married in, you wouldn’t have gotten any real benefits.” I didn’t recognize the woman speaking to me. I only remembered she was one of my stepfather’s relatives, a middle-aged woman who looked quite coarse. “Aria, why don’t you meet my son?” “Even if he doesn’t have a job, he’s an honest man. His ex-wife just divorced him, so it’s perfect timing for you.” She excitedly pulled out her phone to show me a picture of her son. “Look, Aria, my son isn’t very photogenic, but he’s really handsome in person. You should meet him sometime.” “Mrs. Brenda, I’m not in a hurry, thank you for your kindness.” My mind was a blur; I didn’t want to deal with her. The aunt glanced at my stepfather. My stepfather suddenly stood up. “Aria, this is my distant cousin! What’s the harm in adding her on Snapchat? Have you no manners!” My stepfather put on airs, but my mother couldn’t meet my gaze. I looked at Mom. “Mom, what do you think? Should I add her?” Mom replied, “Aria, since you and Liam have broken up, there’s no harm in meeting someone new, right?” “Okay, I’ll listen to you, Mom.” I took out my phone and added the contact. That same evening, I returned to college. My stepfather was overjoyed. “In a family like ours, you need an honest man, you know? Don’t always reach for things that are beyond you!” He was probably drunk, pulling Mrs. Brenda’s hand. “Cousin Brenda, don’t worry, I’ll arrange it myself. Aria will be your daughter-in-law!” Watching my mother’s forced smile, my heart sank to rock bottom. 3 Since love was gone. I decided to focus on preparing for my graduate school re-interview. 8:30 AM. I was dressed in a carefully chosen outfit. Ready for my interview. My phone rang. It was Mom. I didn’t want to answer. But I was worried about her being pregnant and alone. So I picked up. “My little princess, come quickly!” “Mom’s stomach hurts, and I’m bleeding a lot!” Her voice was anxious, and hearing it, I felt a pang of fear. “Where’s Frank?” Mom cried, “How would I know? Probably out playing poker or something. Oh God, just come back, I’m so scared!” I glanced at the interview hall, so close. I could only hail a cab and rush home. At the hospital. The doctor examined Mom. “It’s nothing serious, just a little bleeding.” “Go home and rest. You’re too old for this.” I returned home and saw a bloodstain the size of a fingernail on my mom’s underwear. “Mom, if something happens, why don’t you call Frank?” “I can’t get back from college faster than him.” Mom was still caught up in the relief of a false alarm. “Frank’s busy, I don’t dare bother him. He’s at a crucial point in his career!” “Mom, today was my graduate school re-interview. He’s at a crucial point in his career, what about me?” Mom seemed to realize her mistake. She lowered her head. “My little princess, I was wrong. Mom won’t do this again.” I gritted my teeth, barely suppressing my emotions. “Stop calling me ‘little princess’!” “I’m not blaming you. I just think that Frank is your husband now; he has an obligation to fulfill a husband’s duties.” “And isn’t it his child you’re carrying?” Mom didn’t seem to pay attention to what I was saying, merely giving a perfunctory agreement. “Also, those funds my father left you? You better not let Frank know about them, or he’ll completely take advantage of you!” Mom replied, “How could he? Frank is an honest man; he’s the father of my child. I tell him everything, and I’ve entrusted all our family money to him.” A bad feeling washed over me. “The three million I saved for my overseas studies, you gave that to him too?” My mom avoided my gaze. “I…” “You really gave it to him? That’s the money I need for my overseas studies!” “Daughter, he won’t use your money. I just gave it to him to hold onto.” My emotions were on the verge of collapsing. “Then call him and have him transfer the money to my account.” Mom didn’t understand my sudden change of demeanor and nervously clutched her belly. “What are you doing? Aria, aren’t we family? Why are you suddenly wary of Frank?” “Me, wary of him? Come on, wake up!” My money was gone, and I was frantic. “Call him right now and get my money back, and then I’ll believe what you’re saying!” My mother, unconcerned, picked up her phone. “Hello, honey? The three million I asked you to hold onto, can you give it to me now?” “It’s nothing important, Aria just wants to use it.” “Don’t ask so many questions, just transfer it to my account, okay?” “You can’t take it out? What do you mean? Honey, please come home now and explain it to Aria.” Mom’s voice grew softer, and she cast a guilty glance at me. “Frank said he used that money to buy a house.” “He can’t get it back right now.” “But he said investing in real estate is very profitable, and we’ll pay you back once we make money!” I roared, “Mom!” “Are you out of your mind?! Buying a house now?” “I’m about to graduate! My graduate school plans were ruined by you, and now overseas study is my only path! I want that money back right now!” “Aria, Mom heard it’s really chaotic overseas. Do you really want to abandon Mom and go study abroad?” “The priority right now is getting my money back!” “Alright, alright, look how anxious you are! Why has your temper gotten so bad lately?” “Mom, didn’t you say he had no ulterior motives? Let’s make a bet, okay?” Mom asked, “Bet what?” “Let’s bet on whose name is on the house deed! I bet he won’t even put your name on it, let alone mine.” Mom, without hesitation, laughed and said, “How could that be? He promised me that house is for your little brother.” I stared at her in disbelief. “You knew! You knew about this, and you indulged him in using my overseas study money to buy a house!” It was only then that my mom realized she had accidentally blurted out the truth. “Yes, Aria, Mom knew.” “But Mom truly believes overseas study isn’t necessary. You’ll get married someday; you won’t need that much money.” “But Frank and I are already old; we need to raise your brother, get him married, have children, and buy him a house. Consider this money something we owe you.” I questioned her, “If you knew you were old and couldn’t afford to raise him, why did you have him?” “And what about me, Mom? The moment you got pregnant with him, my room was taken over, even though this is the house my father left me!” “Losing my room was one thing, but you ruined a perfectly good engagement for me!” “And all that was still fine, but you ruined my graduate school re-interview too!” “That was my future! I was first in the written exam! Do you know how hard it is to prepare for that? A whole year of my effort, all ruined by you!” “And now you tell me I can’t even go study overseas, and my money has been completely used up by you two!” “I was the top graduate in my medical school program! If I hadn’t wanted to apply to my dream school, I would have been guaranteed admission already!” “If I don’t go to grad school or abroad, what do you want me to do? I won’t find a job with just a bachelor’s degree!” My mom looked at me like I was insane. “Aria, do you remember Frank’s distant cousin, Mrs. Brenda?” “Her son can introduce you to a job. He works at the local community clinic, mostly handling inventory and waste disposal, but he knows people there.” “The young man said if you’re willing to marry him, he’ll pull some strings for you to work at the hospital.” “Mom, you’re crazy, you’re truly crazy. Do you even know what you’re saying?” “Mom thinks overseas is bad. Why can’t you just graduate, find an honest man to marry, and be Mom’s little princess forever?” “You’re terrifying. I’m going to sue Frank to get my assets back!” “Are you even my mom?” “Do you really think I’d choose between studying overseas and marrying a twice-divorced man who handles waste disposal?” “Someone’s really messed with your head.” “You’re on your own!” I stormed out of the house. Mom helplessly called after me, “I’ve done everything for your sake, why don’t you understand a parent’s hardships?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299209”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

On my eighteenth birthday, the Valerius crime family found me, claiming I was their long-lost daughter. They booked out an entire hospital, flying in top doctors from around the globe, all just to find a match for me and Caleb, their son, who had a heart condition. When the report flashed “perfect match,” my so-called mother, Eleanor, hugged me, tears streaming down her face. “Oh, Serena, this is wonderful! Your brother is saved!” But the night before the surgery, she brought me a bowl of sleeping draught, her eyes chilling as she said: “Drink this. We’ll announce you died during surgery, an unfortunate accident. You’re just a country girl, unfit for the Valerius name. Your heart is the only thing that gives you value, the only way you can save your brother.” I looked at the triumphant smirk on the fake heiress’s face behind her and calmly drank the soup. Mom, you didn’t know. My heart was already failing too. Doctors said I wouldn’t live three months. I watched the triumphant smirk on the fake heiress’s face behind her and calmly drank the soup. The soup was warm, carrying a medicinal taste, a flavor I utterly loathed. But I didn’t let it show. Instead, I offered her a smile. “Thank you, Mom.” She collected the bowl with satisfaction, and as she turned, the coldness and disdain in her eyes were no longer bothering to hide. “That’s more like it.” Behind her, the fake heiress, Serena Valerius – the girl who’d lived my life for eighteen years – giggled, clinging to Eleanor’s arm. “Mom, I told you Maya was the most understanding. She’d do anything for her brother.” The mother and daughter exchanged smug smiles, as if performing a play just for me. All I could do was offer a fake smile in return. After they left, I lay on the sterile white hospital bed, feeling the subtle changes in my body. I dared not sleep. Because I was still waiting. Waiting for my so-called father, Arthur Valerius, the head of the Valerius Corporation, to come for the final confirmation. Sure enough, half an hour later, the door to my room pushed open. Arthur Valerius strode in, impeccably dressed in a sharp suit, his expression utterly cold. It was as if he wasn’t visiting his daughter, but inspecting a newly acquired item. Beside him walked Dr. Wyatt, the world’s leading cardiac specialist. “Is she asleep?” Dr. Wyatt checked my pupils and pulse, then nodded. “Mr. Valerius, rest assured. The sedative dosage was precise. She’ll sleep soundly until the surgery begins, without any pain.” “Good.” Arthur Valerius’s voice held no ripple of emotion. “Remember, Dr. Wyatt, the surgery must be successful. My son’s life is more important than anything.” Dr. Wyatt nodded, respectfully responding. “The compatibility of this heart is truly perfect, a gift from God. Your son will recover quickly after the operation.” I almost laughed out loud. My dear father, you went to great lengths to drag me back from that remote village, not for reconciliation, but because your only son needed a compatible heart. And I, I was just the most compatible “item” you found. To prevent me from resisting, you lied, telling me it was just for tissue typing, a simple blood test. When the report came out, my biological mother, Eleanor, held me, weeping uncontrollably. But what she whispered was, “Caleb is saved.” From start to finish, no one ever asked me if I was willing. In their eyes, it seemed completely irrelevant. My life was clearly worth less than a suitable heart. Arthur Valerius stood for a while longer, seemingly ensuring I wouldn’t suddenly wake up. Then, he left without a backward glance. The moment the door closed, I opened my eyes. In the darkness, tears streamed down my face involuntarily. Mom, what you gave me was indeed a sleeping draught. But what you didn’t know was that before you brought it, I had already poured another bottle of colorless, odorless agent into my water glass. It was a powerful myocardial cell activator. It would make my heart exhibit unprecedented vitality and strength for a short period. But this vitality, which overtaxed my life, came at a price. After taking it, I could only sustain for a maximum of twelve hours. After twelve hours, it would completely fail and necrotize at the fastest possible rate. And that bowl of sleeping draught was the calculated prelude I needed to set the stage for this grand performance. You want my heart? Fine. I’ll give it to you. Not only will I give it, but I will personally deliver it into my “precious” brother’s chest. I want you to watch with your own eyes as hope, just ignited, crumbles into ashes.

The next morning, while I was still “asleep,” nurses wheeled me into the operating room. The surgical lights blazed, and cold instruments hummed faintly around me. Through a glass wall, I could vaguely see their anxious waiting figures. Eleanor covered her mouth, her eyes red, performing a show of deep mother-daughter affection. Serena, nestled beside her, couldn’t hide the triumph curving her lips. Dr. Wyatt put on his mask, picked up the scalpel, and gave a reassuring gesture to Arthur Valerius through the glass. “Prepare the anesthesia.” Cold liquid flowed into my veins. I took one last look at that family. Then, my consciousness plunged completely into darkness. … “It’s a success! The surgery was a complete success!” I don’t know how much time passed before I was “awakened” by a burst of ecstatic shouts. Of course, I wasn’t truly awake. My body had already been declared “massive intraoperative hemorrhage, resuscitation failed.” At this moment, the “me” was merely a detached consciousness, an observer. I saw Caleb Valerius wheeled out of the operating room, all his monitoring instruments showing normal readings. Eleanor saw her son emerge and immediately rushed forward. “Caleb, my Caleb! You’re finally well!” Arthur Valerius, for once, allowed a rare hint of a smile. He fought back tears as he clapped Dr. Wyatt on the shoulder. “Thank you.” Serena was even more excited, practically jumping up and down. “That’s wonderful! Caleb is fine!” The whole family gathered around Caleb, celebrating his new lease on life. Meanwhile, in another operating room, my body was slowly growing cold. No one cared. In fact, as Eleanor passed the gurney carrying my “body,” she averted her gaze in disgust, as if even a glance would bring bad luck. “Mom, what’s that?” Serena suddenly pointed to the bedside table in my old hospital room. There was an envelope there. It was in my handwriting. It read: To my dear Parents. Eleanor frowned, a look of revulsion on her face as she picked it up and tore it open. Arthur Valerius and Serena also leaned in, curious. The letter contained only a few short lines: \[Dad, Mom, thank you for finding me and giving me the chance to give my heart to my brother. Actually, I had already been diagnosed with heart failure when I was in the countryside. Doctors said I wouldn’t live three months. Now, to use this useless heart to buy my brother a lifetime of health is my greatest honor. Goodbye, I love you. The letter fluttered to the floor. Eleanor’s face instantly went ashen, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word. Arthur Valerius snatched the letter, reread it several times, then ripped it to shreds. “Nonsense! This is impossible! Dr. Wyatt clearly said the heart was perfect!” He roared, as if grasping at a last straw. “Quick! Get Wyatt over here!” Just then, in Caleb Valerius’s room, a piercing alarm suddenly blared! “Beep—beep—beep—” The heartbeat curve on the monitor slowly dropped, then flattened into a straight line. A young nurse scrambled out, her voice shaking uncontrollably: “Mr. Valerius! It’s bad!” “Young Master Caleb… he has no heartbeat!”

The world, at that moment, seemed to hit a mute button. The corridor, filled with euphoria a second ago, instantly fell silent. Arthur Valerius pushed past the nurse and stormed into the room. My dear mother collapsed to the floor, her gaze vacant. “No… it can’t be… it was successful…” Inside the room, Dr. Wyatt and his team were frantically trying to revive Caleb. “Adrenaline!” “Prepare for defibrillation!” “No heart rate response! The failure is too rapid! This is not scientific!” Dr. Wyatt’s shouts bordered on hysteria. How could a heart that was considered an “artwork” just hours ago wither and necrotize like a sponge instantly drained of water? Arthur Valerius’s eyes were bloodshot. He grabbed Dr. Wyatt by the collar. “You said it was perfect! Why is this happening?!” “I don’t know!” Dr. Wyatt’s voice choked, shaking his head repeatedly. “This must be some unknown, acute rejection! Yes, it’s rejection, don’t blame me!” “Rejection?” Arthur Valerius’s eyes were wild. He threw Dr. Wyatt to the floor. “Then replace it again! Use mine!” Dr. Wyatt shook his head despairingly. “It’s too late, Mr. Valerius. This heart is necrotizing inside him, and the toxins will rapidly destroy his immune system…” “Useless!” Arthur Valerius punched the wall, blood instantly seeping from his knuckles. Hope had plummeted from the clouds, shattering into a million pieces. This feeling, it must be exquisite, wouldn’t it? I “floated” in the air, calmly observing the farce. At this moment, my eyes held only the thrill of vengeance served. Father, Mother, Brother. Your family, at last, was “reunited” in another way. Half an hour later, the resuscitation attempt ended. Dr. Wyatt wearily removed his mask, shaking his head helplessly. “I’m sorry, Mr. Valerius, we did everything we could.” Caleb Valerius, the Valerius family’s only heir, was dead. Killed by my “loving” heart. Eleanor let out a guttural scream and fainted. Arthur Valerius, a man always so cold, instantly aged ten years. His gaze, piercing through the crowd, landed on the gurney covered with a white sheet. My “body” lay there quietly. For the first time, his eyes held something other than calculation. Was it bewilderment, regret, or even a hint of fear? Whatever it was, I saw no remorse. He slowly walked over and pulled back the white sheet. My sallow, emaciated face lay there peacefully. “Heart failure… wouldn’t live three months…” He muttered the words from my letter over and over, as if hypnotizing himself, or perhaps denying everything. “Right, she was going to die anyway. It was her choice… it’s not my fault…” He sought some shred of comfort within himself. But how could these things be erased with a single phrase? The “fruit” on this tree, he had planted all the “seeds” himself. But Dr. Wyatt’s next words ripped away his last pretense. He rushed forward with a certificate, holding it out to Arthur Valerius, his expression agitated. “No! This isn’t right!” Dr. Wyatt frantically rushed to the nurses’ station and pulled up my pre-surgery blood report. He pointed to one of the indicators, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Impossible! This cellular activity indicates that this heart was stronger than any athlete’s heart before transplant! It wasn’t diseased at all!” Arthur Valerius’s whole body jolted. He immediately grabbed Dr. Wyatt’s shoulders. “What did you say?” “I said.” Dr. Wyatt’s voice trembled. “Her heart was healthy! Perfectly healthy! What the letter said was a lie!” He paused, a terrifying thought dawning on him. “Unless… she did it on purpose!” “She must have used some kind of drug to make her heart appear in its most perfect state, deceiving all of us!” Dr. Wyatt grew more agitated, as if trying to clear himself of responsibility through his words. “Once the drug wore off, the heart would immediately collapse! My God, this… this was a deliberate, mutually assured murder!” The word “murder” exploded like thunder in Arthur Valerius’s ears. His vision swam, and he staggered backward. Not fate, not an accident. It was her, this daughter he had never truly looked at, who had gambled her own life, a calculated murder of his only son. She hated them. Hated them enough to use her own heart as the weapon. Arthur Valerius’s throat made a gurgling sound, the blood vessels in his eyes tearing open inch by inch. He finally understood. He wasn’t the hunter. He, and his family, were merely prey in my trap, awaiting judgment. “Ah—!” He let out a strangled roar, rushing to my gurney, violently shaking my cold body. “Why! Why would you do this! I’m your father!” I really wanted to laugh. Father? Where were you during the eighteen years I was trafficked? Where were you when I was treated as a walking organ bank? Now, you ask me why. How ridiculous. Just then, Serena Valerius, who had been hiding in the corner, suddenly shrieked. “Dad… Dad… your phone… it’s ringing…” Arthur Valerius numbly pulled out his phone. On the screen was a newly received email. Sender: Your Abandoned Daughter. Email Subject: *Dad, My Final Gift For You* Arthur Valerius’s fingers trembled violently as he clicked open the email. Inside, there was only one video. He pressed play. My face appeared on the screen. It was recorded the night before the surgery. Video me, wearing a hospital gown, my face pale, but my eyes unusually calm. “Dad, Mom, by the time you see this video, I imagine Caleb has already received the ‘gift’ I gave him.” I smiled, showing a flash of white teeth. But that smile, in their eyes, was chillingly sinister. “You must be wondering why I hate you so much.” “After all, you gave me life, didn’t you?” My voice was soft, but every word felt like a poisoned steel needle. “Don’t worry, I’ll soon…” “Tell you the answer.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299208”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic