After being with Lucas Frost for seven years, he said he was bored and turned to a younger, more delicate girl. This time I didn’t make a scene. I threw away the ring and cut up the newly bought wedding dress. I boarded a plane late at night and left the capital. His friends bet on how long it would take for me to bow my head and beg for reconciliation. Lucas smiled coldly: “Within three days, she will come back crying and begging me.” But three days passed, then another three, and there was still no news from me. Lucas couldn’t sit still any longer and called me for the first time: “Chloe, come back when you’ve had enough…” But a man’s low laugh came from the other end of the phone: “Mr. Frost, you can’t wait overnight to coax a girl, otherwise, someone will snatch her away halfway.” Lucas’s eyes turned red, and he gritted his teeth: “Put Chloe on the phone!” Ethan Stone looked down and kissed me: “Can’t, she’s still passed out, I have to kiss her awake first.” 1 In the seventh year of being with Lucas Frost. I secretly bought a wedding dress, mustered up the courage, and prepared to propose to him. But unfortunately, I arrived a few minutes late at the gathering that day. Just in time to hear him chatting with friends. “You mean Chloe? I got bored of her long ago.” Lucas lit a cigarette and smiled casually: “Seven years, wouldn’t you get bored?” Those people laughed along: “True, seven years, even a goddess would taste bland.” “But Chloe is really beautiful.” “Her figure is great too. Last time at your birthday, she wore that bodycon dress, which man present didn’t stare?” “Seriously Lucas, you cherished her so much back then, can you really let go now?” Lucas’s voice was indifferent: “When have I ever lied?” “Then… if I pursue Chloe, you won’t mind, right?” “Go ahead.” Lucas casually blew a smoke ring: “As long as you don’t feel disgusted.” “Pathetic, aren’t you ashamed to pick up someone Lucas is tired of playing with?” Another burst of laughter. I didn’t enter the private room that night, just made an excuse about a headache and went home first. Lucas didn’t ask a single word more and hung up the phone. The determination to break up was probably made that night. 2 Within two days, rumors began to spread in the circle. Lucas was pursuing a sophomore girl from the Film Academy, young, delicate, and innocent. His pursuit was always shockingly grand. Just like when he pursued me back then, wishing he could announce it to the world, throwing houses, cars, and jewelry at will. How could that little girl have seen such a battle? She fell for it within two days. At a gathering organized by friends, Lucas brought her directly. As soon as they entered, everyone went quiet. A few girls who were on good terms with me looked at me with some worry. I smiled, “Why is everyone silent, looking at me for what?” Lucas put his arm around the girl and sat down, then looked at me squarely: “Chloe, today is a good opportunity, I’ll just say it openly.” “Mm, go ahead.” “It’s boring to break up and get back together all these years, feelings have faded long ago.” I clenched my hands tightly, the ring on my middle finger digging deep into my flesh, but I seemed unable to feel the pain. “Lily is young and simple. I really like her and don’t want to wrong her.” Lucas touched the girl’s hair: “I have to give her a title.” I nodded lightly: “Mm, I understand.” “We’re still friends in the future. If you have any difficulties, you can come to me. As long as you’re in the capital, I’ll take care of your affairs as usual.” “Better not.” I smiled lightly and stood up: “Since we broke up, let’s make a clean break, save the girl from misunderstanding.” Lucas raised his eyebrows in surprise, and said after a moment: “True.” “Then you guys enjoy, I’ll go back first.” “Let the driver take you?” “No need, I’ll take a taxi.” I walked out of the room. When I closed the door casually, I heard someone ask, “How long do you think Chloe can last this time?” “Two days?” “She seems really angry this time, so I bet a week.” Lucas glanced at the door that wasn’t completely closed and smiled coldly: “Within three days, she will come back crying.” “It’s been like this for so many years, I’m tired of watching.” “True, how can Chloe leave you? Who doesn’t know she loves you madly…” I smiled self-deprecatingly, clutched my handbag, and walked quickly to the elevator. 3 Back at the apartment, I went to the corner of the walk-in closet and took down the wedding dress. Looked forward to it for half a year to get it, but unfortunately, will never have the chance to wear it. This wedding dress was custom-made and non-refundable. Simply found a pair of scissors and cut it. After all, keeping it here would only be an eyesore for Lucas. When I finally left, I took off the ring and put it on the coffee table. I didn’t take many things. Except for personal items, I didn’t want anything else. Thought about it, and left a note for Lucas, He can dispose of this house and everything in it as he pleases, no need to ask me. I booked a flight for the early morning to Hong Kong. My best friend married there before the New Year, perfect for visiting her to relax. 4 My best friend asked me out for shopping and afternoon tea. There was also a small gathering in the evening, all former classmates and old friends. After three rounds of drinks, someone else pushed the door open and came in. Several female classmates’ eyes lit up immediately: “Ethan Stone? You are really a rare guest.” “Yeah, big shot, why did you grace us with your presence tonight?” “Just discussing something next door, heard old friends were gathering, so came over to join the fun.” As Ethan spoke, his gaze fixed on a spot for a moment before slowly moving away. My best friend pinched me quietly: “Chloe, Ethan came for you, right?” I looked at that man with drunken eyes. Taller than Lucas, wearing a black coat with a business suit of the same color inside. Brows and eyes were very handsome, figure very stylish, legs super long. I squinted for a while, then withdrew my gaze and shook my head: “Can’t be, we haven’t been in contact for years.” My best friend ignored me and called Ethan directly: “Big shot Ethan, can I trouble you to send Chloe back later?” “We’ve all been drinking, I’m not comfortable calling a ride-share for her.” I looked up at Ethan in a daze. Ethan’s gaze also crossed everyone and landed on my face. After about two seconds, I saw him nod: “Okay.” “Thanks, big shot.” My best friend sat down smiling and whispered in my ear: “Chloe, sleeping with one man for seven years, doesn’t seem worth it no matter how you look at it.” “If Lucas can be half-hearted and flirt around, why can’t you start a second spring?” “Besides, a superb man like Ethan, it’s a waste not to sleep with him.” “How do you know he will sleep with me?” “The way he looks at you is almost stripping you naked, baby.” “Trust me, I’ve dated eighteen guys, I have more experience than you.” 4 (Note: Chapter numbering in source repeats 4, continuing narrative) Ethan drove me back to the hotel. Downstairs at the hotel, I unbuckled my seat belt, Thanked him: “Thank you for driving me back tonight.” Ethan turned his head to look at me: “You’re welcome.” I pushed open the car door, about to get off, suddenly thought of what Lucas said that day. Ghost led me to speak: “Want to go up for a cup of tea?” Ethan kissed me in the elevator. I was already drunk, and being kissed by him so strongly and domineeringly, almost lacked oxygen. “There’s surveillance…” I panted, cheeks flushed, Legs so soft I could barely stand, could only hold his waist tightly. Ethan glanced at the camera, turned around, changed angle, and kissed down again. When swiping open the room door, he suddenly stopped me: “Chloe, if you regret now I can still stop.” “Regret what?” I looked up at him, fingers winding around his tie, pulling him closer: “You kissed my mouth swollen, now you say stop?” Ethan suddenly laughed. He reached out, finger pad lightly rubbing my slightly swollen lips, “Then even if you regret later, it’s useless.” Our first time, Ethan didn’t even wait to enter the bedroom. Back rubbing against the wall hurt a bit, I couldn’t help but bite him whiningly: “Ethan Stone are you a beast, do you know how to cherish jade and pity fragrance?” His hot palm padded my back. Finally panted and kissed the side of my neck: “Chloe, I can’t hold back anymore…” 5 Five minutes later, I understood what he meant. Ethan carried me back to the bedroom. I buried my face in the pillow, laughing non-stop, “Ethan, how long has it been since you had a woman?” Ethan looked at me with a dark face: “Quite long, busy with work these years.” I looked at him in surprise, gradually stopped laughing. After a while, tears suddenly welled up: “Sorry Ethan, I…” dirtied you. “Chloe, what are you saying.” Maybe because I cried, Ethan panicked a bit. He flusteredly wiped my tears, but my tears couldn’t stop at all. “I shouldn’t have provoked you.” “But you already provoked.” Ethan leaned over, he cupped my face and looked at me steadily, tone unexpectedly serious: “Chloe, since you provoked, you have to provoke to the end.” 6 On the seventh day in Hong Kong. Friend Jack from the capital suddenly sent me a WeChat: “Chloe, when are you coming back to Beijing?” “No plans to return for now.” “Everyone misses you quite a bit. Zhou is celebrating his birthday in two days, come back and gather.” “No, help me tell him, I’ll send a gift back.” “Alright then, take care of yourself.” In the private room, Jack handed the phone to Lucas: “Lucas, look, why don’t you call Chloe? She will definitely listen to you.” Lucas stared coldly at the few lines on the screen, Suddenly stubbed out the cigarette and stood up: “Come back or not, better die outside.” “Lucas… don’t be angry, Chloe must be feeling bad inside.” “Yeah, she took off the ring this time, looks like she’s really sad, also you and that woman went too far…” “We already broke up, what more does she want?” Lucas suddenly got angry: “Listen well, no one fucking look for her anymore, not even if she dies!” “Okay okay not looking not looking, don’t lose your temper, just hospitalized for stomach bleeding from drinking two days ago.” “Only when Chloe was here you didn’t have stomach trouble. She’s only been gone for a few days, and you tortured yourself like this…” Friends said a sentence, Lucas’s face darkened a degree. In the end, he took his coat directly and slammed the door leaving. Walking all the way downstairs, cold wind blowing on face, Lucas still felt the anger in his chest couldn’t dissipate. That woman Chloe really has guts, seven days, not a single call or text from her. Playing for real, huh? Lucas cold-facedly pulled Chloe’s number into the blacklist. You better fucking not come back crying and begging me. Because this time, I will absolutely not be soft-hearted towards you like before.

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Seven years after breaking up with my first love, I became the sugar mommy of a male college student who looked like him. Everyone around me said he was just a substitute, but he smiled slightly and never refuted. As time went by, I felt living like this wasn’t bad, so I warned my friends: “Don’t say he is anyone’s substitute, I’m going to marry him.” Just that one sentence made my first love on the other side of the ocean fly back overnight. Even though he had been separated from me for several years and had never come back to find me. 1 When I opened the door, the smile on my face froze. A person I had only seen in my dreams for seven years was standing outside the door. Ethan Hayes, my first love. His features were still sharp and deep, eyes like stars, more mature and charming than before. That black windbreaker draped over him, majestic like a tree. I had thought many times about what I would say if we met again, but I didn’t expect him to speak first, raising one eyebrow. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?” When we broke up, it wasn’t ugly. Because it ended with his long and lasting cold violence. But I have my pride. On the day of the first snow in the New Year, I cried my heart out alone in the snow. But opening my phone, I just calmly said one sentence: “Let’s break up, setting you free.” He replied very quickly, almost never replying instantly during the long cold violence. “Okay.” From that day on, my unforgettable first love came to an end. For so many years, I always thought I couldn’t forget him. But it turns out time can really smooth everything. Seeing him again, the waves from the past were long gone. Now he was sitting in the living room, while I was seriously decorating the house. Hanging balloons, colorful lights, waiting for the cake in the oven to bake, taking it out, and carefully decorating it according to the tutorial. A few strands of broken hair fell from my forehead, and I didn’t bother to smooth them back. No time to pay attention to his existence, Only saw his slowly clenched fingers from the corner of my eye. Today is Caleb Moore’s birthday. After working all afternoon, people slowly arrived. They were all my friends, Only with more people would there be popularity. I hoped to make Caleb happy today. And when they saw Ethan sitting on the sofa, those who knew our past were all stunned. But looking at me, they still said nothing. At five o’clock, the doorbell rang again. Opening the door, Caleb stood outside holding flowers, looking at me gently with a smile. I pulled him in, and colorful ribbons shot out from both sides, falling on him. “Caleb Moore, happy birthday!” I happily put my arm around his shoulder and introduced him to all my friends. Introducing one by one, when it came to Ethan, my tone paused, trying to say as usual: “He is… Ethan Hayes, my classmate in high school.” Ethan stared at me. When he lowered his brows and eyes, it was actually very scary, with a heavy aura. If according to my understanding of him in the past, I almost thought he would flip the table and leave at any time. But fortunately, he didn’t. Even when Caleb reached out to him, he gave me face and shook it. I breathed a sigh of relief. Throughout the birthday party, I made Caleb the protagonist. Friends praised him endlessly. After all, since I laid down that sentence last time, no one dared to say he was a substitute tactlessly anymore. “So handsome, Lily, really envy you for having such a handsome boyfriend.” “Not only handsome, but also good-tempered, unlike the one you had a few years ago, wow really…” That person realized something, glanced at Ethan, and suddenly silenced. … The atmosphere of the banquet reached its peak when eating, drinking, and playing games. Because Caleb lost, he was asked to do a dare, the condition was–kiss me. Everyone applauded and cheered: “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” “Kiss quickly! Not a man if you don’t kiss! This is your girlfriend!” Suddenly with a bang, the door was slammed shut. And Ethan was long gone from his seat. … 2 After the party ended, I went upstairs. Caleb sat in front of the easel, looking at the picture seriously. The soft light of the bedroom spilled on him, his profile elegant. He didn’t know, he was more moving than his paintbrush. Sneaking up on him from behind, I suddenly got interested and reached out to cover his eyes regardless. “Guess who I am?” Caleb needed focus when painting, but he never blamed me for disturbing him. I could feel him gently curling the corners of his lips, cooperating asking me: “I don’t know, who are you?” “I am your little baby.” I said sweetly. Letting go, he looked up at me smiling, and then pulled me into his arms just like that. His embrace was wide, soft, and powerful, always able to wrap me easily. I buried myself in it, taking a deep breath. The faint scent unique to Caleb fascinated me so much. Caleb suddenly said: “What happened to you today?” “Huh? Nothing.” “Feel…” His gaze fell on me, thoughtful. “Your state is not right.” I didn’t expect him to be so keen. Seeing the person I once yearned for day and night after so many years, no matter how calm I was, it was inevitable to be affected. But I didn’t plan to tell him. Unexpectedly, he suddenly asked me: “That guy today, the one you said was a high school classmate, I haven’t seen him around you before.” Alarm bells rang in my heart. “Oh… he went abroad after graduation, just came back recently…” I thought I acted as usual, but still couldn’t help feeling guilty, secretly praying he wouldn’t ask anymore. Who knew he looked at me with a half-smile, effortlessly piercing my disguise. “That’s your ex, right?” “…How did you know?” “Guessed.” Looking into his eyes, I surrendered. Maybe this is man’s sixth sense. Raising three fingers, pointing to the sky, the earth, and my heart. “I admit, indeed yes.” “But after so long, I have long had no feelings for him.” “Who is in my mind now, don’t you know?” Saying the last sentence, I couldn’t help smiling. He gently pinched my face. “I know.” Didn’t ask again. This is Caleb, always decent, always knowing propriety and when to advance or retreat. Occasionally I feel that others secretly calling him Caleb the Sensible also makes sense. Otherwise, so many people came and went around me for so many years, how come only he stayed. On the weekend, someone invited me to play golf. This is considered a common activity in the upper class. During the process, everyone will exchange recent business sectors and market conditions. I took Caleb along too. Many people in the circle knew about me and Caleb. Although those people had loose lips, they wouldn’t disrespect me openly, but the caddies picking up balls in the field were different. They whispered: “See that pretty boy? He was kept by Sister Lin, heard tens of thousands a month.” “Sister Lin is really good to him, even bringing him to play golf, such a high-end place… really dirtying our club’s mats.” “Exactly, that kind of poor person probably hasn’t touched a golf club in his life.” … Just happened to be vacant on the field, I asked Caleb. “Want to try?” He didn’t refuse, nodded, looking very noble. Going on the field, taking the ball, gripping the club, swinging. Hole in one. Perfect! Others looked sideways one after another, I applauded happily, loudly saying: “Beautiful!” 3 Swiped twenty thousand dollars on the spot. The venue took out twenty thousand in cash, distributing to everyone present one by one. Whenever someone gets a hole in one, money is distributed as an honor and celebration. When distributing to those few caddies, I said lightly: “Don’t give to these few.” “Mouths too dirty, I’m afraid of dirtying my money.” Hearing this, they showed expressions of extreme shame. The boss who invited me said with a smile: “Didn’t expect your boy… friend to be so amazing.” I waved my hand: “If not for him back then… sigh, let’s not mention it, anyway it wasn’t easy for me to get him.” I was born into a wealthy family in the capital. The family has many children. I was cultivated as an heir since childhood, which also gave me the capital to look down on everything. It can be said that except for stumbling on Ethan, no one has ever rejected me. At this time money distribution reached the corner, suddenly came a burst of low exclamations. A tall, handsome man stood there, don’t know when he came. Seemed to have been there for a long time. The assistant handed him two thousand, smiling apologetically, but he didn’t even look. Walked forward, also hit a shot. Also a hole in one. Everyone exclaimed. He swiped forty thousand. Turning his head, he saw me happily holding Caleb’s hand. “Why are you so amazing, worthy of being my boyfriend, really making me proud!” Ethan’s face sank suddenly. And I was unaware, continuing to praise Caleb on my own. Suddenly a ball rushed into view, speed extremely fast, almost about to hit Caleb’s head. But still deviated a little bit, brushing past Caleb’s temple by a hair’s breadth, then falling heavily to the ground. Such a big golf ball, such impact, almost could give someone a concussion! But Ethan walked over and said casually: “Sorry, hit wide.” “Wide my ass!” I almost couldn’t help cursing! “Hayes, are you sick?!” He didn’t expect my reaction to be so big, raising his hands: “Just a little thing you keep, heard he’s also my substitute, how come the original is in front of you, you still pass fish eyes for pearls?” Beside me Caleb although expression unchanged, his eyes still dimmed. Ethan’s words really stepped on my landmine hard. I raised my hand, gritting my teeth pointing at his nose. “I tell you, Caleb is my boyfriend, not some substitute. You fucking be smarter next time, otherwise in the whole capital, I’ll mess with you every time I see you.” “You know I have this strength!” Strictly speaking, the Hayes family focuses on business, my family focuses on power, his family has to respect me three points when seeing me. Ethan’s expression changed, bit by bit becoming gnashing teeth. In disbelief: “You just… for him?” And I had already pulled Caleb away. 4 Sitting in the car, I still felt heartache. Held his face and looked again and again. Although that ball didn’t really hit, I was still worried. “Does it hurt?” I said. Hearing this he blinked, then eyes filled with some mist. “Hurts…” I felt even more heartache, seeing him so pitiful, became even angrier at Ethan. “His brain was really kicked by a donkey, that idiot, swinging club without looking at direction, why doesn’t he go die!” Just cursed like this for a while, when I came back to my senses, found Caleb looking at me with a smile. Gaze infinitely gentle. Don’t know why I suddenly stunned a bit. “What’s wrong? Something on my face?” His hand gently stroked my hair, stirring up a burst of酥痒 (crisp itch/tingling sensation). “Like seeing you angry for me.” “Why?” “Shows you care about me.” I pulled his hand, poking poking poking in his palm with finger, in such atmosphere don’t know why felt so hot. “Of course I care about you, humph.” He smiled gently again. I found I blushed. The news that I threatened to mess with Ethan on the court spread. Now everyone on the field says I “raged for a beauty”. Even my parents knew. On the phone my dad said angrily: “Listen to yourself, is that proper? Just for such a thing, go mess with Ethan?” “Our relationship with the Hayes family for so many years, all ruined by your one sentence! Now how many people are watching the joke!” “You, go apologize to Ethan, then cut off that little boy of yours!” Things weren’t that serious, after all I didn’t really do anything to Ethan, just Dad was angry and spoke indiscriminately. But, he did use this excuse to remove me from the general manager position, arranging in an unimportant position. Stripped my power. When finding Caleb, he had already prepared everything. Seeing me come, wrapped the cape around me. Potions, scissors, hair clippers and so on were all ready. Today is the day he scheduled to cut my hair. He teased me: “I haven’t done it for so long, aren’t you afraid I’ll ruin your cut?” But I didn’t speak. He seemed to realize something, immediately shut up.

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At the banquet in my previous life. The family needed a marriage alliance, my brother asked who I wanted to choose. I unhesitatingly chose the playboy childhood sweetheart, Ethan Carter. But after marriage, he still kept in touch with his first love, and they even had a child. Facing friends’ teasing, he sneered: “Amelia Grant is the world’s biggest bootlicker. No matter what I do, she won’t leave me.” My heart finally died, turned and left. But had a car accident on the highway, resulting in two lives lost (me and the unborn child). Opening my eyes again, I returned to the day of the cocktail party. 1 “Amelia, have you decided who to choose?” My brother asked me gently. I stood there trembling, still unwilling to believe that rebirth had happened to me. Before I could reply, Ethan’s mother came to me first, handing me the ancestral bracelet. She smiled gently and said: “Amy will definitely choose our brat. They grew up together, have deep feelings, others can’t compare.” “Mom, drunk before drinking? Who wants to marry Amelia Grant? Bad grades, short, looks just so-so. Marrying her? Our Carter family’s genes would be tainted.” Ethan Carter frowned, looking at me with a bit more disgust in his eyes. Just like in my previous life, as toxic as ever. But in my previous life, I only thought it was because of childhood bickering, and didn’t notice at all. Ethan truly despises me right now. Coming back to my senses, I immediately stepped back two steps. “Mrs. Carter, Ethan and I… are just friends.” As soon as the words fell, the people around quieted down instantly. Everyone knew the Grant and Carter families had been friends for a century. Everyone also knew that I had liked Ethan since childhood. Mrs. Carter’s face stiffened. She moved her gaze away from me and patted her son’s shoulder hard. “What nonsense are you talking about? Our family marrying Amy is a blessing from past lives.” Ethan didn’t seem to expect me to say such a thing. His originally cold face instantly dropped a few degrees. I tremblingly pulled my brother’s suit, red-eyed and whispered: “I’m not feeling well, want to go home.” The marriage alliance isn’t urgent. My brother just raised his hand to call someone to take me back first. But in the next second, Ethan grabbed my hand, walking out abruptly, also saying coldly: “Brother Julian, I’ll take Amy back.” (Wait, Julian is prohibited, replacing with Lucas) “Brother Lucas, I’ll take Amy back.” He held my hand tightly, I couldn’t break free at all. Wanted to call for help, but turned back to find Mrs. Carter had already blocked in front of my brother. Outside the hotel. Ethan threw off my hand without hesitation. My high heels uncontrollably leaned back a step, subconsciously reached out to him. Ethan didn’t expect it either, just wanted to reach out to catch me. I retracted my hand quickly, sat heavily on the ground on my butt. A stinging sensation went straight to my head, my face wrinkled in pain. Ethan’s face changed, stepped forward wanting to help me up. I spoke without hesitation: “Don’t come near me.” After recovering, I took off my high heels, supported myself on the ground with both hands and stood up. This series of reactions made Ethan completely darken his face. He sneered: “What tricks are you playing again? Playing hard to get? Amelia Grant, when did your methods become so disgusting?” I looked up, tears I didn’t even notice were in my eyes. “Ethan Carter…” Originally wanted to say a lot, but meeting his eyes. Meeting his disgusting gaze, all words seemed like a thorn stuck in the throat. I lowered my head and laughed out loud. Before he could say anything, I threw the high heels worth thousands of dollars on the ground, turned around barefoot and left without hesitation. This pair of shoes was given by Ethan on my coming-of-age ceremony. Heard from Mrs. Carter that he carefully selected these shoes for a long time. Knowing today’s banquet was important, so I specially chose these shoes. But I forgot, these shoes are too big, they don’t belong to me. I also forgot, inappropriate people, will never be appropriate. 2 Ethan Carter didn’t chase after me. To him, this was just my manipulative tactic of playing hard to get. When I got home, I lay in the bathtub drowsy. My mind kept replaying everything that happened in my previous life. My hands uncontrollably grabbed the edge of the bathtub. Water spread to my nose, I choked severely a few times before climbing up completely awake, wrapped in a bathrobe looking at myself in the mirror. This face has no burn marks, nothing. I touched my face, lowered my head and sobbed. In my previous life, the Carter house caught fire, Ethan unhesitatingly saved his first love and abandoned me. I was left behind, when rescued. Already lost a perfect face. Afterwards, Ethan explained, “I didn’t see you. Annie’s legs were crushed at that time, the fire was so big, I definitely had to save her first.” Thinking back to this, I raised my hand and slapped myself in the face. Ridiculous, stupid as a dog in the previous life, played around by Ethan’s few words. Probably because of rebirth. This whole night repeatedly dreaming of past life events. When woke up in the morning, the whole person was exhausted and uncomfortable. Perhaps sensing something wrong with me last night. My brother, who usually went to the company early, was waiting for me downstairs at this moment. “Come eat breakfast when you wake up.” My brother looked at the dark circles under my eyes, showing a touch of heartache. “Did brother wake you up when coming back last night?” I shook my head, red-eyed rushed into my brother’s arms. Hands tightly hugged my brother. My brother was stunned, put down the newspaper and gently patted my back. He said softly: “If liking the Carter boy is too tiring, then don’t like him, okay? If you don’t marry in this life, brother can also support you.” I sniffled chokingly. Actually there was no marriage alliance at all, it was brother seeing I liked Ethan, deliberately arranged like this. Thinking of brother dying to save me in the previous life. My heart hurt more and more, hugging tighter and tighter. Until a slight cough woke me up. I looked back with red eyes. A man sat on the sofa at some point, tears spinning in eyes, I couldn’t see the person clearly. The man hooked his lips and smiled: “Good morning, little princess.” I was stunned for a moment, reacted and quickly pushed out of my brother’s arms, also recognized the person in front was Sebastian Ford. Brother’s best friend. When brother died back then, Sebastian avenged brother, beating the murderer to death. Last time seeing him. Was in prison, he said he wanted to take me away, said brother’s death wasn’t that simple. I was possessed. Always believed people who got along for decades wouldn’t become like that. When I turned back to think of him. I was already in a car accident and difficult labor on the highway. Suddenly, I also realized the last voice I heard before dying. “Why are you here.” I spoke in surprise. At this time point. He should be sleeping because of partying too late last night. Sebastian raised his eyebrows and chuckled. “Cough cough.” Brother coughed lightly, signaling breakfast with eyes. I nodded and sat down to eat breakfast, looking back at the man behind from time to time. After eating for a while, brother hesitated for a moment but still spoke: “Amelia, did Ethan make you angry recently?” I looked at brother, didn’t understand the meaning in his words. Brother opened his phone, found the latest moment posted by Ethan. It was a photo on the mountain top full of fog, also captioned: “What to do? Made the little princess angry, how to coax?” I subconsciously tightened the spoon, trembling all over without realizing it. In previous life because of this moment. Made me always think Ethan also liked me. Until later I knew, the little princess in his mouth was his first love Nina, never me. The originally delicious porridge, at this moment tasted like wax. Couldn’t eat nor swallow. I lowered my eyes and said tremblingly: “Brother, I don’t want to mention Ethan Carter.” In this life, I don’t want to have any involvement with Ethan Carter anymore. Liking him for twenty years, was my self-sentimentality. Brother’s face stunned, he didn’t speak, just clicked into Ethan’s chat record. The chat record above was still brother asking him about my trace. Brother looked a few times, unhesitatingly blocked and deleted. He smiled gently: “With brother here, you won’t suffer any grievance.” I looked at brother with tears in my eyes. Brother is always like this, choosing me without hesitation. I like Ethan, he paves the way for me. I don’t like him, he solves it for me. 3 After breakfast. Brother took me to the company. Originally this company was intended for me to inherit. Just because I married Ethan. I always wanted to give time to Ethan. Basically never came to the company. Making many problems in the company, finally brother returned to solve. Everyone knew I liked Ethan. Secretly handed me a special poster of Ethan. A hand took the poster back faster than me. I looked up, seeing Sebastian crumbling the poster into a ball and throwing it into the trash can. Brother also spoke: “From now on, Ethan Carter’s things are not allowed in the company.” I suddenly remembered Ethan is a big star. Entering the office, brother ordered the assistant again. “Pass it down, tear off any Ethan Carter posters posted. Also… “Brother, no need for this.” I interrupted. After all, still have business dealings with the Carter family, plus the relationship between the two families. Brother saw my worry. He shook his head and chuckled: “I said I won’t let you suffer grievance.” Voice fell, he raised his hand to let the assistant do as told. Brother had a temporary meeting. Only Sebastian and I were left in the entire office. Not much interaction with him. Only thing known, he has someone he liked for many years. But love unrequited, heard the other party has someone liked. Watching him staring at me, I uncomfortably turned my head. After a while, the phone in the bag rang. Took out the phone to look, stunned for a few seconds then hung up without hesitation. Sebastian raised eyebrows and chuckled: “Not answering?” “Spam call.” I coldly faced. After a while the phone received a text message. [I’m sick, bring me medicine.] Followed by a hotel room number. I stared at the phone frowning. Didn’t notice Sebastian who had already stood up. When reacting, Sebastian raised eyebrows smiling: “Yo, who is sending room number to the little princess?” My safety awareness has always been strong. Could sense immediately when Ethan approached. But at this moment I was obviously startled, panting heavily. Sebastian seemed not to expect it either, handing me water on the side, but didn’t forget to tease: “This room number is a bit familiar, seems to be Young Master Carter’s exclusive room?” Every rich kid has exclusive private rooms and rooms everywhere. Ethan’s room number is 0726. I didn’t notice anything before. Only realized now, the room number is Nina’s birthday. My fingertips kept trembling. Sebastian who was still teasing me also instantly sensed something wrong. He frowned and tentatively asked: “What’s wrong? Did that Carter kid bully you? “Brother I don’t have other skills, beating people is still okay.” I shook my head gently. Immediately blocked and deleted Ethan’s number. “Person who is not important anymore, getting into trouble for unimportant person, not worth it.” I looked up at Sebastian. His brows and eyes seemed able to flirt. Staring at me a bit blushing. Sebastian obviously didn’t believe. 4 Ethan Carter in the hotel was still waiting for medicine. Yesterday his quarrel with Amelia was seen by someone. Someone immediately teased in the group chat. [Yo yo yo, childhood sweethearts breaking up oh.] [Little Princess Grant looks very angry this time.] [Ethan, don’t always make Amelia angry, or else one day she ignores you, you’ll regret too late.] Looking at the messages in the group. Ethan sneered coldly. Knowing Amelia since childhood, he knew exactly what kind of character she had. Wait for her to bring medicine, casually buy a small trinket to coax, she will be a bootlicker as usual. Done such things thousands of times. Ethan was tired of it. He leaned lazily on the sofa, scrolled videos for more than half an hour but didn’t wait for his medicine. People in the group were still watching the show asking if medicine was delivered. Sentence after sentence drove Ethan anxious directly. He immediately exited the video scrolling interface, immediately opened the pinned place, hesitated a bit and made a call. Just connected. It was the sound of unable to connect. Ethan was stunned. He stared at the phone, called again. The other party still showed unable to connect. Young Master Carter had never been blocked since childhood, didn’t know this was being blocked. He searched on Baidu (Google). After finding the result, he was stunned on the spot for a long time. When recovering, he instantly blackened his face and threw the newly bought phone on the ground. The phone instantly smashed to pieces. “Amelia Grant, good for you.” Amelia far away didn’t know what happened at all. Didn’t care what would happen to Ethan. It was already twelve noon after brother finished the meeting. Sebastian actively proposed: “Eat hot pot, craving.” I looked at Sebastian. Every time in bad mood, I always liked eating spicy hot pot. Numbing myself with spice so no time to think about these annoying things. Just now was indeed annoyed by Ethan. But much better now. Brother didn’t know what happened, seeing I had no objection immediately asked assistant to arrange three seats. Hot pot restaurant chose the frequently visited one. Arriving at the store entrance, I seemed to have a long-lost feeling. Previous life because of pregnancy. Ethan said hot pot would affect child’s development. For full nine months, I didn’t touch anything spicy. Fuck you Ethan Carter. Fuck your affecting child. Once sat down, I ordered everything once, and requested the manager: “I want all spicy, extra spicy, explosive spicy.” My temper was so irritable for the first time. Even the manager was a bit surprised. Suddenly, I remembered brother said Sebastian doesn’t eat spicy, I hurriedly said again: “Split pot ha.” Arranged special private room. I didn’t worry about ladylike image being affected. After serving, while taking care of eating, while eating non-stop. Brother inquired Sebastian with curious eyes. Sebastian waved his hand. Just eating eating, loud noise came from outside. I always liked quietness, hearing noisy sound instantly face wrinkled. Sebastian seeing this reached out greeting manager: “We book the whole place today, those not finished can continue eating, don’t arrange more people, a bit noisy.” Saying, took out a black card. Manager didn’t take, face a bit hesitant: “Young Master Ford, it’s Young Master Carter came.” Neither side easy to offend. Manager dared not make decision. My action of eating hot pot stopped, before we reacted, a voice faster than body. “Brother Lucas, shouldn’t mind I bring someone together right?”

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When my stepmom moved out, she only took two things with her: me, and the kitchen trash. That’s when I found out she wasn’t just some trophy wife. She was the daughter of the wealthiest man in the city. And just like that, I went from a trailer-park brat to the granddaughter of a billionaire. 1 Today is a day for celebration. My stepmom just served my dad with a lawsuit. Why? Because she’s suing for full custody of me. They finalized their divorce two weeks ago. When she moved out, she didn’t take a single piece of furniture, not even a lamp. I’d tried to convince her to go after the house. I mean, they were married for years—she deserved something for her service. She just shot me a look, snorting, “Is there anything in that dump actually worth moving?” I was speechless. She was right. For the last two years, if she hadn’t been paying the bills, my dad would have gambled away the roof over our heads. The house wasn’t filled with valuables; it was filled with “investment stones”—expensive rocks my dad bought thinking they held hidden emeralds. Some were half-cut, some were whole. Every single one was a worthless piece of granite. To be fair, my dad used to be okay. Before the gambling took over. But now? Now I was motherless again. On the day she left, I sat on the porch, sighing. She didn’t have any luggage, just her designer handbag. She looked radiant, radiating an old-money elegance I’d never seen before. “Bye, Mom,” I muttered, head down. She snapped her sunglasses off. “What do you mean ‘bye’? You’re coming with me.” I froze. “I am?” She gave me a playful kick and grabbed the trash bag on her way out. “Goddammit, you’re the only thing in this house worth a damn. Who else would I take? Forget the junk. Let’s go. Don’t make me ask twice.” My heart soared. I grabbed her arm, grinning like an idiot. Best deal ever: Dad and Mom get divorced, and Mom takes me. 2 She drove me straight to The Highlands—the most exclusive gated community in the state. I tugged at her sleeve. “Mom, we can’t afford to look at houses here. Let’s go before security kicks us out.” She just smirked. “This is home.” This mansion was hers?! I found out pretty quickly it wasn’t just the house. Her family built the entire neighborhood. As we pulled up, an older man in a crisp suit spotted us and shouted, “The Young Mistress is back!” A dozen security guards lined up along the driveway, bowing in unison. “Welcome home! Welcome home, Little Miss!” Little Miss? What kind of Victorian novel had I walked into? Before I could process it, an old man with a silver-topped cane walked toward us, eyeing me up and down. My heart nearly stopped. I knew that face. He was all over the news—Arthur Miller, the legendary venture capitalist. The richest man in the tri-state area. The old man huffed and pointed at me. “You. Come here.” My stepmom gave me a firm nudge. “He’s talking to you.” I walked over, trembling. I didn’t know what to call him. After a long silence, I managed to squeak out, “Grandpa…?” To my shock, the old man burst into a booming laugh. “Hahaha! This girl’s got instincts! I like her!” “My dear granddaughter, say it again, and I’ll buy you a private jet.” Suddenly, it clicked. Arthur Miller was my stepmom’s father. Holy crap. I was the granddaughter of a billionaire. My eyes lit up. I channeled every bit of energy I had and yelled, “Grandpa! Grandpa!” The old man couldn’t stop grinning. He wrapped an arm around my shoulder and led me inside. “Good girl! We’re buying you that jet!” I thought he was joking. But the next morning, I woke up to see a massive plane parked on the back lawn. A hot pink private jet. I watched, stunned, as someone walked down the stairs. A tall, handsome guy with charming eyes looked at me and smiled. “You must be Mia?” I nodded slowly. He chuckled and ruffled my hair. “Hey there. I’m the brother you never knew you had.” 3 I never knew my stepmom had a son, and an older one at that. His name was Leo Sterling. My stepmom’s maiden name was Miller, but his was Sterling. Wait… was she married before my dad? Did she have another family? I felt a sudden sting of betrayal. I really loved my stepmom. She was beautiful. When my dad first brought her home, I thought he’d hit the lottery. She was in her early forties, but she looked like she was twenty. When they got married, she told me she’d treat me like her own daughter. That I’d be her only child. But now, this guy appears out of nowhere? My heart sank. “What’s up, Leo? You bothering your sister already?” My stepmom walked down the stairs. Seeing my expression, she pulled me to her side. Leo looked innocent. “No way. Grandpa told me to show her the jet, so I flew it over.” “Oh, the jet. Come on, sweetie, let’s take your new toy for a spin.” She dragged me onto the plane, but I was still pouting. She felt my forehead. “What’s wrong, honey? Don’t you like pink? You look miserable.” “It’s fine…” I mumbled. “You lied to me.” “Liar?” She looked surprised. “What did I do?” “You said… you said I was your only daughter.” She blinked, then let out a roar. “LEO! What kind of crap did you tell her?!” Leo held up his hands. “Nothing! I swear, Auntie, I didn’t say anything.” “Auntie?” I gasped. “Yeah,” she said. “He’s my sister’s kid. He’s your cousin, but you can just call him your brother if you want.” The weight lifted instantly. “I thought he was yours…” I whispered. She tapped me on the head. “Raising one little piglet like you is enough work for me.” That was all I needed to hear. I flopped back into the leather seat and enjoyed the ride in my pink jet. 4 They say money changes people. They’re right. I wasn’t just changed; I was borderline obnoxious. My stepmom was rich. My grandpa was rich. Therefore, I was rich. Grandpa gave me a black card. He didn’t tell me the limit; he just said it was for “pocket money.” My stepmom was heading out for tea with her friends. “If Grandpa gives you a card, keep it. If you run out, ask me. Also, the garage is full of cars. If you don’t want the chauffeur to drive you, just pick one.” I bolted for the garage. It was a sea of chrome and carbon fiber. Ferraris, SUVs, vintage muscle cars… I picked the smallest, cutest thing in there—a tiny, egg-shaped gray car. It looked like a high-tech toy. “You’ll do,” I whispered. 5 Driving that car was an experience. People were staring, and other cars were practically swerving to give me space. I was feeling myself—until I pulled into the valet at the luxury mall and slammed right into the back of another car. I winced and climbed out. The owner of the other car jumped out, screaming, “Which idiot hit me?! Do you have any idea what this car costs—” He stopped dead when he saw my car. His eyes nearly popped out. “A… a Microlino?” Is that what this thing was called? “I’m so sorry,” I said. “We can go through insurance or I can just pay you cash. Whatever you want.” “Pay? You think you can afford this? Do you know what I’m driving? You bring a bubble car to the luxury mall and—” He couldn’t even find the words. He was turning purple. “Stupid?” I offered. “Yes! Incredibly stupid!” “Clueless?” “Beyond clueless!” “Dumbass?” “Dumb—hey!” The guy was tall and handsome, but he was currently throwing a tantrum. “Are you making fun of me?” Probably because you look like a rich, handsome moron. I stayed sincere. “Let me make a phone call.” He got defensive. “What, calling for backup? I’m telling you, that won’t work.” Backup? No. I was calling in a strike from my bank account. 6 I called my stepmom first. The background noise was weird—a lot of clicking and clacking. When I told her I was in a wreck, she shrieked. “A wreck?! Are you okay? Are you bleeding?” “I’m fine. The car isn’t.” “You totaled the bubble car?” “No,” I said sheepishly. “I totaled the other guy’s car. I broke the little toy on his hood… wait, let me send you a video.” I snapped a clip of the damage. She texted back two words: “Holy Shit.” “Mia, out of all the cars in the garage, you picked the custom electric prototype. And that ‘little toy’? That’s the Spirit of Ecstasy on a Rolls-Royce.” A Rolls-Royce? This tacky-looking thing was a Rolls? My knees went weak. I texted back: If you sell me into slavery, will it cover the bill? She didn’t reply for a minute. The guy was hovering over me like a ghost. I couldn’t take the silence, so I asked for his business card. Quinn Parker. Quinn sat down on the curb, looking up at me. “Call your family. We need to figure out how you’re paying for this.” “I’m paying, I’m paying!” I stammered. Finally, my stepmom texted: I sent your brother. Then, like a god descending from Olympus, a black and white Ducati roared into the parking lot. Leo pulled a sharp turn, stopped, and tried to pull off his helmet with a cool flourish— But it got stuck. 7 Even through the visor, I knew Leo was dying of embarrassment. A second later, he finally yanked it off, acting like nothing happened. “Sorry I’m late.” “It’s—” Before I could finish, Quinn jumped up from the curb. “No worries! You’re right on time! Bro, don’t stand in the sun, come over here in the shade.” The speed of this guy’s personality flip was breathtaking. I couldn’t help it. “Hey! You weren’t this nice to me!” He glared at me. “So? Look at your brother. Pure class. Look at his gear—that’s custom. Look at the bike… Bro, can I touch the bike?” Leo waved a hand. “Go ahead.” Quinn’s eyes sparkled. He practically hugged the Ducati. “Wow… titanium valves? The aerodynamics on this cowl… ah~ The smell of freedom!” Right there in front of the Gucci store, the two of them started debating the merits of a Kawasaki vs. a Yamaha. I didn’t want to ruin the moment, but I saw red and blue lights flashing in the distance. “Hey…” “HEY!” Quinn snapped at me. “What?!” “I don’t want to ruin the vibe, but the cops are here.” Quinn shrugged. “So? Let them handle the report.” “Right,” I said. “One problem. My ID says I’m seventeen.” Quinn: “?” Leo: “…?!!”

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In our last life, my sister was adopted by a billionaire dynasty. I was taken in by a school janitor. She thought she’d won the lottery. Instead, she stepped into a shark tank of corporate infighting, cold parents, and a brother who made it his mission to break her. She ended up with nothing. Meanwhile, I grew up in a house full of warmth. My life played out like a teen drama—the brooding, wealthy heir fell for the “poor but brilliant” girl. Me. Consumed by jealousy and rage, my sister killed me. Now, we’re back. Back to the day of the adoption. This time, she didn’t hesitate. She threw herself into the arms of the woman in the faded jumpsuit. “Mom! Take me home! I want to be your daughter!” she cried. She looked at me with a triumphant smirk. “Sis, this time, I’m the leading lady.” What she doesn’t realize is that being the “heroine” was never about where I started. It was about how I played the game. 1 We were back in the Director’s office at the orphanage. Two couples stood before us: The Westons and the Millers. The Westons looked like they stepped off the cover of Forbes. The husband was in a bespoke suit; the wife was draped in Chanel and diamonds. Their only son, Becket Weston, stood there in his private school blazer, rocking a pair of limited-edition sneakers that cost more than a mid-sized sedan. They were the most powerful family in the city. Real estate, tech, philanthropy—they owned it all. Becket was the “Prince of the City.” Then there were the Millers. They looked exhausted. Their hands were calloused from manual labor. They’d clearly put on their “Sunday best,” but you could still see the faint stains of hard work on their collars. The Director introduced them: Mr. Miller was a high school custodian; Mrs. Miller was a cleaning lady at the same school. In our first life, my sister, Macy, had fought tooth and nail to be picked by the Westons. But now? She lunged for Mrs. Miller as if she were afraid I’d beat her to it. “Take me! I want to be a Miller!” The Director whispered to himself, confused. “Strange. Macy usually only looks at people wearing Rolexes. Why the change of heart?” The Director didn’t know. But I did. 2 In the last life, Macy became Macy Weston. She thought she’d be a pampered princess. She thought Becket would be the protective older brother who eventually realized he loved her. It’s the oldest trope in the book: The Billionaire and the Adopted Daughter. She was dead wrong. Becket didn’t have a protective bone in his body for her. He loathed her from day one. “I hate gold-diggers,” he’d told her. “You’re just a social climber with an orphanage pedigree. Don’t touch my stuff.” At home, he bullied her. At school, he turned the entire student body against her. Their parents didn’t care; they only adopted a girl because a “spiritual advisor” told them a daughter would bring good luck to their next merger. While Becket was tormenting Macy, he became obsessed with me—the janitor’s daughter. He saw me working three jobs, maintaining a 4.0 GPA, and helping my mom scrub floors at night without a single complaint. “There’s something about Chloe Miller,” he’d say. The arrogant prince fell for the “indomitable wallflower.” It was the ultimate Cinderella story. When the Weston parents died, Becket’s legal team made sure Macy was cut out of the will entirely. She left with nothing but a suitcase. A few months later, Becket married me. At the wedding, he declared, “Everything I own is yours, Chloe.” Driven to madness, Macy ran me over with her car a week later. Now, she thinks she’s being smart. She wants the “simple life.” She wants the unconditional love of the Millers and the chance to be the “poor girl” Becket rescues. She smiled at me as we walked to our separate cars. “Sister, it’s my turn to be the star. Enjoy the Westons. Let’s see how you handle the ‘Prince’ when he’s your brother.” 3 Macy’s prediction was half-right. Becket’s bullying started even earlier this time. In the school locker room, my head was shoved into a sink full of water. The sound of boys laughing echoed off the tiles. Just as I was running out of air, a hand grabbed the back of my neck and hauled me up. Becket Weston looked at me with a cruel, handsome smile. “Want my family’s money, Chloe? Fine.” He pointed at the floor. “Lick the water off my shoes. Ten thousand dollars a lick. Deal?” His goons cheered. I looked at him. In my past life, this man had looked at me with such tenderness. Now, he was a monster. But Becket wasn’t even looking at me. His eyes moved past me, toward the hallway. Macy was there, kneeling on the floor, scrubbing the tiles. “Isn’t that the new Miller girl?” one of the goons asked. “Yeah, her mom’s the cleaning lady. She works with her after school.” Becket’s eyes flickered with a strange emotion—shock, then a hint of pity. “Hey!” Becket shouted at Macy. “Stop scrubbing. It’s freezing out. No one’s checking the halls.” Macy stood up, her dark hair falling over her shoulders. She looked pale, stubborn, and perfectly “tragic.” “I can’t,” Macy said, her voice trembling. “If the floors aren’t clean, they’ll dock my mom’s pay. A hundred dollars is nothing to a guy like you, Becket. To us, it’s a week’s worth of groceries.” She went back to scrubbing. It was a masterclass in manipulation. She knew exactly where to stand to get the best lighting. She knew Becket’s “hero complex” was his greatest weakness. Sure enough, Becket walked over, grabbed the rag from her hand, and threw it at one of his friends. “You guys finish the floor,” he barked. He took off his designer jacket and draped it over Macy’s shoulders. “It’s late. How are you getting home?” “Bike.” “In this weather?” Becket frowned. “Wait downstairs. My driver will take you.” As Becket led her away, Macy glanced back at me. She threw me a look of pure, concentrated smugness. Once everyone left, I was alone by the sinks. “Here. Use this.” A quiet, cold voice came from behind me. I turned. It was Avery Lane, our class president. Avery was a shadow. Brilliant, silent, and always in long sleeves, regardless of the heat. In the last life, she had tried to help Macy when Becket bullied her. She’d offered Macy towels and told her to report the abuse. Macy had slapped her hand away. “What do you know? He’s my brother! He’s just misunderstood!” Macy had been too busy dreaming of a romance with her adoptive brother to see a real friend. Avery eventually stopped trying. By graduation, Avery had committed suicide. Only then did we find out how poor she really was—her grandmother was bedridden, and her father was a gambling addict who beat her and planned to “sell” her to pay off his debts. Now, Avery stood there holding a clean towel. I took it. She turned to leave, likely thinking she had nothing to say to a “Weston.” “Avery!” I called out. She stopped. “I’m new here,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck. “I’m lost. Can you show me where the cafeteria is?” 4 In the cafeteria, I ordered everything. Ribs, wings, pasta, salad, and soup. “Oops,” I said, looking at the table. “I over-ordered. It’s a sin to waste food. You haven’t eaten, right? Join me.” Avery sat in silence for a moment before picking up a fork. She ate in tiny, controlled bites. I looked at her thin wrists. Avery was the kind of girl who actually needed a “fairy godmother.” But because she wasn’t “pretty” in a loud way and didn’t scream for help, she was just treated like background noise. This time, I was going to save her. “Man, this calculus is killing me,” I lied. “I don’t get it at all. Avery, you’re the smartest person in class. Can you tutor me?” Avery looked at me like I was insane. “I’ll pay you,” I added quickly. “Think of it as a job.” 5 I gave Avery a “pre-payment” of five thousand dollars. She was stunned. To the Westons, that was a rounding error. To Avery, it was medicine for her grandmother and a down payment on a small apartment away from her father. I went back to the Weston mansion. It was cold and empty. My “parents” were out at galas; Becket was probably at Macy’s house. I knew exactly what was happening there. Becket would be sitting in their cramped, “cozy” kitchen. He’d be eating a home-cooked meal, feeling the “warmth” of a working-class family for the first time. The Miller parents would be smiling their “honest” smiles. Macy thought she was in heaven. She didn’t realize the Millers were the most dangerous people in this story. They were sexist to the core. They wanted a boy, but since they couldn’t get one, they chose a pretty girl they could “sell” to a wealthy suitor later. Their “warmth” was a performance. In my last life, when I told the Millers I didn’t want to marry Becket, my “mother” locked me in a room and my “father” beat me nearly to death with a belt. Macy thinks she’s the lead in a romance. She doesn’t realize she’s in a trap. The Westons are a hell made of gold. The Millers are a hell made of poverty. The only way out is to stop being a “heroine” and start being the architect of your own life. 6 Over the next few weeks, Becket’s bullying intensified. I found thumbtacks in my lunchbox. Dead spiders in my toothpaste. My designer dresses were found in the closet with cigarette burns in them. Becket would smirk at me. “You deserve this, Chloe.” He expected me to cry. I didn’t. I cleaned up the mess and went to study. I had resources now. I didn’t have to work three jobs. I had a driver. I had a tutor (Avery). I had the best prep books money could buy. In the last life, I survived on black coffee and grit. This time, I had a war chest. Meanwhile, Macy was falling apart. She was sleeping in class because she was forced to help Mrs. Miller clean offices until 2 AM. Her grades were tanking. To her, being Becket’s “future wife” was more important than an Ivy League education. She spent her time writing diaries for Becket to “find” and skipping dance rehearsals to go stargazing with him. But when the school talent showcase approached… she was cut from the program. I saw her crying in the hallway—the perfect “heroine” cry, head tilted at 45 degrees, tears glistening but not falling. Becket walked by. Right on cue. “What happened?” he asked, his voice full of protective rage. “The dance team…” Macy sobbed. “Chloe kicked me out. She said… she said because my mom is a janitor and my dad is a guard, I’m not ‘classy’ enough for the stage. She said I can’t afford the costume.” Becket’s face went dark. “How dare she? It’s just a costume. I’ll buy it for you.” “No,” Macy sniffled. “She’s a Weston. Her dad is the Chairman of the Board. Even if the teachers knew she was a bully, they wouldn’t stop her.” She didn’t notice the reporters standing behind her. They were at the school for a feature on “Elite Education.” They pounced like sharks. “Bullying? What bullying?”

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My five-year-old daughter is a master of deception. I took her back-to-school shopping, and in the middle of a crowded mall, she screamed at the top of her lungs that I was a kidnapper. I was nearly hauled off to a precinct in handcuffs. When we got home, before I could even open my mouth, she collapsed into her father’s arms, sobbing. “Daddy, Mommy wouldn’t buy me my supplies! She hit me in the street!” I tried to explain the truth to my husband, but he didn’t even let me finish. He backhanded me across the face, his eyes burning with rage. “She’s five! Why would she lie? How can you be so cruel to your own flesh and blood?” Later, when I dropped her off at school, she fell to her knees in front of all the other parents. “Mommy, please let me go to school! I don’t want to take those pictures for those men anymore!” The teacher snatched my phone and found it filled with suggestive, horrifying photos of my daughter. Enraged parents pushed me into traffic. I was crushed instantly, a bloody mess on the asphalt. As I died, I couldn’t understand: Why? Why would the daughter I carried for nine months do this to me? Then, I opened my eyes. I was back at the beginning of that shopping trip. 1. “Everly, honey, Mommy and Daddy are going to take you to get your school supplies today. We’re going to make you the happiest little princess in the world.” My daughter didn’t even look at my husband, Mark. She stepped forward and grabbed my sleeve. “Daddy, I want to go with Mommy. All the other girls have their moms with them. You stay here and work, okay?” Everly had been raised by her grandmother in a small rural town and had only recently moved back to the city with us. Mark, feeling guilty about her childhood away from us, couldn’t say no. “Honey, I’ll Venmo you some extra cash. Buy her whatever she wants. She’s still little, and we owe her for the time we missed.” Hearing those familiar words, my heart felt like it was being squeezed by a giant fist. I could barely breathe. I realized I had been reborn. In my past life, I listened to Mark. I happily took Everly to the mall. At the store, Everly insisted on buying a sharp box cutter. I told her it was too dangerous. She smiled sweetly and agreed, saying kids shouldn’t play with blades. I was so relieved. I thought she was finally warming up to me. But as we walked toward the exit, she suddenly threw herself onto the floor. She wailed, “Don’t take me! Help! She’s a kidnapper! Help me!” The mall was packed. Hearing her screams, a crowd swarmed us. I desperately tried to explain, and just as a few people seemed to believe me, Everly pointed a trembling finger at me. “She really is! She’s trying to take me away!” The police arrived. I was detained and questioned for hours before being released. I couldn’t fathom why my “sweet” girl would tell such a monstrous lie. I was furious. I wanted to discipline her. But the moment we stepped through the front door, she beat me to it. She flew into Mark’s arms. 2. “Daddy, help me! Mommy wouldn’t buy me the Frozen notebooks, and then she hit me! It hurts, it hurts!” Mark pulled up her sleeve. There were dark, purple bruises on her arm. I gasped, reaching out. “Mark, I didn’t—” Mark shoved me back and slapped me across the face. “What kind of mother are you? You hit a child?!” “She’s lying! I didn’t touch her!” I screamed. I tried to tell him about the scene at the mall, but he cut me off, shouting over me. “She’s five years old! Why would she lie? Why can’t you just love your own daughter?” Mark cut off my access to our joint accounts after that. I was heartbroken and confused. I stopped trying to explain. I just kept my eyes open. But it wasn’t an accident. When I dropped her off at school, she knelt at the gate. “Mommy, please! I just want to go to school! I don’t want to take any more naked pictures for those uncles!” I was stunned. Before I could move, her preschool teacher, Ms. Claire, lunged forward. She snatched my bag and pulled out a stack of horrific photos. On the back of each one were names of “buyers.” Ms. Claire held Everly, shielding her from me. “How could you do this to your own child? You’re a monster!” Before I could say a word, the crowd of parents pushed me. I stumbled back into the middle of the road. A truck hit me. Just before the darkness took me, I saw my daughter’s face. She wasn’t crying. She was looking at me with a gaze so cold, so malicious, it didn’t belong on a five-year-old. I died never knowing why she hated me so much. Every night when I tucked her in, she would kiss my cheek and say, “I love you most, Mommy.” Since I’ve been reborn, I’m going to find out the truth. I looked at Mark, who was setting up his laptop to work from home. “Mark, she just got back. Why don’t you come with us?” If he thinks she doesn’t lie, then this time, I’ll make sure he sees it with his own eyes. Mark agreed immediately. At the mall, Everly hopped out of the car. Mark stayed inside to take a call. “I just got a notification. Work emergency. You guys go ahead. Just meet me back here in an hour.” I nodded, took Everly’s hand, and walked into the stationery store. Just like before, Everly made a beeline for the box cutters. “Mommy, I want this one! It has a cute pattern! Can I have it?” 3. I shook my head and knelt down to her level. “That blade is way too sharp, Everly. Let me ask the clerk if they have a safe version that looks just like it, okay?” Everly’s eyes were so pure, so innocent. For a second, my heart softened. With the help of a clerk, I bought a safety version of the cutter—unsharpened and child-friendly. Everly held her new tool and gave me a sweet smile. “Thank you, Mommy! You’re the best!” Maybe, I thought, it was just because I denied her what she wanted in the last life? Now that I’ve satisfied her, we can be close. She acted perfectly normal as we walked through the mall. I started to relax. But the moment we reached a crowded plaza, she wrenched her hand away and shrieked. “Help! She’s a kidnapper! She’s trying to take me!” My heart turned to ice. I had made excuses for her. I thought maybe my mother-in-law in the countryside had scared her with stories of kidnappers to keep her from wandering. But I had given her exactly what she wanted, and she still did it. The crowd gathered. People looked at me with suspicion. “She’s a kidnapper! Help me!” Everly sat on the floor, sobbing hysterically. People started believing her. “A kid that small doesn’t lie. Who are you?” “Don’t let her leave! We called the police!” A few men stepped forward to restrain me. Suddenly, I saw a familiar figure in the crowd. My eyes lit up. I shouted: “Mark! Mark, tell them! Explain it to them!” Everyone’s eyes turned to Mark. Earlier, I had texted him asking him to bring us some boba tea. Now, appearing at the scene, the crowd assumed he was my accomplice. They surrounded him. Everly’s crying faltered. She looked confused, seeing her father being harassed. Mark was more panicked than I was. It took forever for him to convince the crowd we were a family. Regardless, the police arrived and took us all to the precinct for questioning. 4. Mark’s face was thunderous the moment we left the station. As soon as we got home, he turned on Everly. “Are you stupid?! Why would you tell people we were kidnappers?!” Mark was shaking with rage. He swatted her across the rear. Everly let out a piercing scream and started wailing. I watched, feeling a cold sense of satisfaction. In the last life, he blamed me for “provoking” her. Now that it was his reputation on the line, he didn’t care about “she’s only five.” I stepped in and pulled Everly into my arms, acting the part of the protective mother. “Mark! She’s just a child playing a game! Why are you so angry? You’ll hurt her!” Mark’s hands were shaking as he pointed at Everly. “Do you know what her ‘game’ did? One of my biggest clients was at that mall. He saw the whole thing and wants to pull his contract! How am I supposed to explain this to my boss?” “You’re still protecting her! Who knows what she’ll do next!” So, it was about his job. That’s why he was so furious. I cut him off. “It’s just one client. We finally got her back, Mark. Don’t be so mean to her.” “Don’t be so dramatic. She’s just a kid. You shouldn’t take it so seriously.” I held Everly and looked at Mark with disdain. “Are you just blaming her because you’re failing at your job?” Those were his words to me in the last life. I gave them back to him, word for word. How does it feel to be the one wrongly accused, Mark? Mark stormed off. “Fine! Spoil her then!” I stroked Everly’s head. “It’s okay, honey. Mommy will take you to school tomorrow.” Everly looked at me, and for the first time, I saw genuine fear in her eyes. She was terrified of me. Why? I hadn’t done anything. Mark didn’t come home that night. After Everly fell asleep, I started searching the house. In the last life, those photos were in my bag. They had to have been taken beforehand. They had to be here. I searched every room. Finally, under Everly’s bed, I found a small metal box with a combination lock. I tried Everly’s birthday. No. I tried Mark’s birthday. Click. I opened the box, and the world stopped. The mystery of two lifetimes was solved in an instant. I finally understood why my daughter—my own blood—was working so hard to see me dead. 5. The next morning, acting as if nothing was wrong, I drove Everly to school. As we got out of the car, a teacher greeted us warmly. “Is this our new student? Come on, let’s get you registered.” I took Everly’s hand. “Let’s go, sweetie.” Suddenly, Everly ripped her hand away and dropped to her knees, howling. “No! I don’t want to go with Mommy!” “Mommy, please let me go to school! I don’t want to take naked pictures for those uncles anymore!” Her scream was high and sharp. The school gate was crowded with parents dropping off their kids. Everyone froze. Faces twisted in horror as they looked at me. The teacher immediately pulled Everly behind her. “What did you do to this child? Naked pictures? Are you insane?” Here it was. In my past life, this teacher—Ms. Lane—had immediately condemned me. Before I could even breathe, parents were surrounding me. In the last life, they found the photos in my bag. But this time, I wasn’t going to wait. I stepped forward and slapped the teacher across the face. “You’re the one who’s insane! You hear a child say something and immediately accuse a parent? Is this how you run this school?” “If you’re this quick to judge without evidence, how can we trust our children with you? What if our kids are being bullied and you just believe the bully?” My words made the angry parents hesitate. One father frowned. “Wait, she has a point. Ms. Lane, you shouldn’t just throw out accusations like that.” Ms. Lane was stunned. Tears welled in her eyes. “I… I just wanted to make sure the child wasn’t being hurt! I’m looking out for her!” The parents weren’t buying it. “What? You think we’re going to hurt our own kids? Kids at this age say all kinds of things.” Ms. Lane didn’t understand. She expected a mob. Instead, she was the one being judged. She didn’t realize that parents are naturally protective of their own. They know kids have wild imaginations.

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When I arrived at the penthouse club, Dominic Vance was sitting in the head seat. He looked composed, but his eyes were bloodshot. A circle of trust-fund heirs didn’t dare to breathe. When they saw me, they looked like they’d seen a savior, straightening up instantly: “Hey, Chloe.” The girl sitting next to him paled. Her eyes welled up as she whispered to him, “Dominic, I’m back. Are you still going home with her?” I walked over and picked up the bottle of Cabernet from the table. “Dominic. Home or a hospital wing. Pick one.” 01 The lounge fell so silent you could hear the rhythm of uneven breathing. Dominic flicked his eyes up to look at me. In that single movement, I felt his raw impatience. The guys around him, sensing the coming storm, backed away to a safe distance. I held the wine bottle steady, standing like a statue in front of the two of them. After a long beat, Dominic smirked. “Who called your sister-in-law?” The moment he said it, the color drained from the girl’s face. She looked like she was made of glass, ready to shatter. She clutched Dominic’s arm, her voice trembling. “Dominic… are you really going back with her?” I let out a sharp, cold laugh and pulled up a chair. I sat down, leveling my gaze with hers. “Lily Rose, while I still have a shred of patience left, you’d better vanish.” A single tear rolled down her cheek. “If you know who I am, then you must know…” I cut her off. “I know. I know you’re the ‘One Who Got Away.’ I know he still keeps your photo in his private study.” A shy blush crept onto Lily’s face. Her eyes lit up as she leaned her head gently on Dominic’s shoulder. “Dominic, I’m back. Divorce her. All these years later, being your wife is still my only dream.” “I know you’re not happy. You’ve suffered so much lately.” Dominic tried to keep his trademark poker face, but the vein throbbing in his temple betrayed the chaos inside him. He lifted his hand, reaching out to stroke Lily’s back. I sneered, breaking their little moment. “Mr. Vance, it seems you’ve lost interest in going home.” “My apologies, then.” I swung my arm high, and the wine bottle came crashing down—straight toward Lily’s head! 02 CRACK! The explosion of glass was met with screams. Lily stared, paralyzed, as Dominic shielded her in his arms. Blood, mixed with dark red wine, began to pour from his forehead. “Dominic! Oh my god, Dominic…” Lily scrambled to her feet, her hands shaking as she tried to help him sit. She grabbed a handful of napkins, pressing them desperately against the gash on his head. The paper was soaked in seconds. She turned to me, screaming like a banshee. “You’re insane! You tried to kill her! How could he ever marry a freak like you?!” Dominic caught his breath. He took a napkin, wiped the blood and wine from his eyes, and pulled Lily back. “Lily, don’t provoke her.” “Are you hurt?” Lily whimpered and held out her hand. There was a tiny half-inch scratch from a flying glass shard. Dominic stood up instantly, cradling her hand like it was made of gold. He started leading her out. “Why didn’t you say so? Come on, I’m taking you to the ER.” I looked down at my own hand. Blood was dripping from my fingertips, vanishing into the dark carpet. I had been at the office all day. I’d only had time for a few bites of a sandwich between meetings with major clients. I had barely clocked out when I saw the text and rushed here. Dominic, I’m exhausted. I’m hungry. And I’m bleeding, too. What happened to the boy who once fought off kidnappers until he was covered in bruises just to save me? How did he become this stranger? Dizziness hit me in waves. The room began to spin. I grabbed the edge of the table, collapsing into a chair. Someone shouted, “Dom! Chloe’s hurt too! She looks really bad!” Dominic’s voice echoed from down the hall. “She’s ‘The Boss.’ She can handle herself.” I watched his retreating back. Fine. It makes what I’m about to do much easier. 03 I looked up. These “Vanderbilt” types, the city’s most notorious playboys, were standing perfectly still, looking at me with genuine worry. I smiled and waved them off. “I’m hungry. Fix the table.” “On it, Chloe! Right away!” Parker, the son of the club’s owner, was the most eager. He immediately had staff clear the glass and bring out a fresh course. Watching them move reminded me of when we were kids, and they’d follow Dominic and me around like little shadows. When did I stop being “Chloe” and start being “The Wife”? Probably when I was five and got snatched by a rogue nanny. Dominic, only eight at the time, analyzed the tiny clues she left behind and found me before the police did. I still remember waking up on his thin back. He was gritting his teeth, carrying me, staggering out of that terrifying abandoned factory. That image was burned into my soul. Our parents used to joke that for the rest of his life, Chloe would always be Dominic’s “exception.” But then came Lily Rose. Unlike me—who lost her mother in that kidnapping and was raised as a shark-like heiress for the sake of the family business—Lily was soft. She didn’t demand he study financial journals or learn five languages. She just sat by him, smiling. She cooked for him. She spent hours sitting through classes she didn’t understand just to be near him. I couldn’t do that. I was raised to measure the world in profit and loss. Until Lily left. She said she couldn’t fit into his world. She moved abroad, and Dominic didn’t chase her. He wanted the Vance empire, and he wanted my family’s tech conglomerate. He wouldn’t give that up for a girl. So, when he proposed, I said yes. Dominic gave me every luxury money could buy. I enjoyed it, knowing that eventually, the Vance and Sterling empires would both be mine. I ate my dinner in silence, mentally reviewing my plan. After fifteen years of plotting, I wouldn’t allow a single mistake. “Chloe!” Parker suddenly slammed the table. “You’ve never been soft on the women around him! Why did you let her win today?” The table went quiet. I smiled. “Because she’s Lily Rose.” The “One Who Got Away” has a very specific lethality. I checked my phone. The screen was blank. No calls, no texts. I figured by now, Lily’s “life-threatening” scratch must have healed. 04 Dominic didn’t come home that night. I stayed in the living room, watching the city go from midnight to dawn. My time was coming. When the clock struck 8 AM, I was dressed in a power suit, heavy concealer hiding the dark circles under my eyes. I didn’t expect to see Lily Rose at the office. She was wearing a brand-new professional suit, sitting at the desk outside Dominic’s office. When she saw me, she stood up with a smug smile. “Good morning, Ms. Sterling.” The way her mouth curved into a triumphant arc made my skin crawl. I called the HR manager over immediately and asked what kind of “stray” they were letting into the building. Lily looked like she wanted to melt into the floor. Her face turned red, tears welling up under my interrogation. “Ms. Sterling, please,” she sobbed. “I really need this job. Don’t take this from me. You people have everything… can’t I have this?” Classic “damsel” dialogue. I looked past her shoulder at the office door. Right on cue, it opened. Dominic stood there, cold. “Chloe, you were born with a silver spoon, but that doesn’t give you the right to bully people.” “She’s my assistant, not yours.” With one sentence, he drew the line. He walked over, took Lily’s hand, and announced to the staff: “Starting today, Ms. Rose is my Chief of Staff. Her word is my word.” The “Exception,” indeed. I didn’t argue. I turned and walked into my own office. Near the end of the day, my assistant reminded me of a gala we had to attend. My biggest project of the year depended on this meeting. I did my makeup, put on my gown, and went to find Dominic. Before I could knock, the door opened. Dominic and Lily walked out, laughing. I froze. It was early autumn, and the draft from the window felt like ice on my bare shoulders. Dominic didn’t even stop. “Lily will be accompanying me tonight. Don’t bother coming, Chloe.” “Dominic, I’ve been working on this merger for six months.” His voice grew distant as they walked toward the elevator. “It’s Lily’s project now.” 05 Dominic signed the deal for her. Before the project even started, a commission check for Lily was sitting on my desk for approval. I sent it back unsigned. Even without the cash, Lily became the “it girl” of the firm overnight. Word even reached our partners. I got a call from Mr. Harrison, a long-time family friend. “Chloe, dear, Dominic just bought a villa in the Hamptons. Registered it in the name of a Lily Rose. I hear she’s already moved in.” The teacup in my hand tilted, spilling hot tea over the desk. It had been 29 days since Dominic last slept at home. The plan was falling into place. My life isn’t a romance novel; it’s a balance sheet. Parker and the boys tried to offer to “take care” of her for me, but I told them to stay out of it. Everything was under control. 06 Then came the Vance matriarch’s 80th birthday. I used my connections to get her a rare piece of calligraphy she’d wanted for years. I had it wrapped and signed it from Dominic and Chloe Vance. Regardless of the mess inside, the family facade had to hold. I dialed Dominic for the first time in a month. It rang until I thought it would go to voicemail. “Ms. Sterling,” Lily’s voice came through, dripping with faux sweetness. “Dominic told me he’s taking me to meet the family tonight. You should probably just head there on your own.” I pulled the phone away to check the number. It was Dominic’s. “Put him on.” Lily giggled. “Sorry, we just woke up. Dominic is making me brunch.” I hung up. A text came in from Parker: Plan A is a go. I had my stylist come over. If I was going to a massacre, I was going to look like a queen. At 6 PM, I walked into the Vance estate. The elders were all there, asking where Dominic was. I brushed them off, but when I saw Grandma Vance, my throat tightened. She had watched me grow up. She watched me marry into the family. She was a titan of industry herself; she knew what was happening, but she didn’t ask. That was her gift to me. Suddenly, a stir at the door. I turned. Dominic was walking in, hand-in-hand with Lily. The room went cold. They walked up to Grandma. “Grandma, this is Lily. I brought her to meet you.” Grandma didn’t even glance at her. “Security, escort this woman out.” Lily’s eyes filled with tears. “Dominic, I’m sorry. I tried, but I just don’t belong in your world. Forget me. Go back to Chloe.” She turned and ran out, sobbing. God, she’s good, I thought. Dominic panicked. He chased after her, catching her in the driveway. “Kneel!” Grandma barked. The house went silent. Dominic knelt on the marble floor. Grandma took her cane and struck him across the back. “You disgrace!” Lily came screaming back in, throwing herself over Dominic’s back. “What did we do wrong?! We just want to be together! He’s your grandson! He’s the heir! Nothing is more important than his happiness!” Grandma didn’t hesitate. The cane came down again, hitting Lily this time. Dominic shielded her, shouting, “Grandma, stop! Lily’s pregnant!” 07 All eyes turned to me. Dominic looked relieved. He stood up and walked over. “Chloe, let’s end this. I owe Lily a family.” My father, who had been silent until now, stood up. My father-in-law stepped forward to slap Dominic, but I stopped him. I walked up to Dominic and looked him in the eye. “Say it again.” “I want a divorce.” I nodded. Before anyone could react, I landed a blow across his face that echoed through the hall. “Dominic Vance, listen closely. The moment we divorce, the Sterling-Vance merger is dead. Every asset is decoupled.” My father nodded. “Chloe speaks for the Sterlings.” Dominic’s confidence shattered. “Dad, we can’t decouple! The losses would be catastrophic!” “My daughter’s happiness is worth more than your balance sheet,” my father snapped. I asked Dominic one more time. “Do you want the divorce?” He looked at his father, then at me, then at Lily. He couldn’t speak. Grandma Vance broke the silence. “I’m giving Chloe five percent of my personal shares. Whether she stays or leaves, they are hers. And I will never acknowledge that child.” Lily collapsed onto the floor. Dominic didn’t reach out to help her.

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My mother became a viral sensation because of a “Before and After” pregnancy video. She captioned it: “You see my mess today, but you forget I used to be a girl…” She used that viral fame to guilt-trip me into a life of indentured servitude. At six years old, I was responsible for the laundry, the cooking, and the cleaning. She never flinched, even when my hands were blistered from hot grease. “I was a rising star news anchor,” she’d remind me. “My career was destroyed because of you. Your physical pain is nothing compared to the death of my dreams.” She would break me down, then wrap me in a hug the moment the chores were done. She made me believe I owed her my life. I died on the third day of trying to hand-scrub a heavy area rug, my small heart simply giving out from exhaustion. But I woke up. I’m back. And as I watch her setting up her ring light for another “Before and After” video, I know exactly what I have to do. 1 “Look at the comments! Thousands of moms are crying with me, and the world is mourning who I used to be!” “My life ended the day I went into labor!” “If it wasn’t for you, Chloe, I’d be in a corner office at the network right now!” Hearing those words again made my vision blur. I looked over at Mrs. Gable, our nanny, who was busy in the kitchen. My small fists clenched. The universe had given me a second chance. I had worked myself to death for her, and now I was back at the beginning. In my past life, today was the day Mom posted the video that broke the internet. The caption read: “You see my mess today, but you forget I used to be a girl…” The video started with her current self: disheveled, unwashed, and nearly two hundred pounds. Then, a sharp transition to her “Before” life: a slim, polished, high-achieving local news anchor. The internet ate it up. “The ultimate horror story.” “If this is what happens to your body, I’m never having kids.” “Another day of being grateful for birth control!” The pity of strangers fueled her resentment. She looked at me and saw the thief who stole her beauty. She grabbed my favorite doll and smashed it onto the floor. “If I hadn’t carried you, I wouldn’t be this fat! I wouldn’t be this broken!” I burst into tears, which only made her angrier. “Cry! That’s all you do! Your screaming is why I don’t sleep! It’s why my hair is falling out!” But I remembered. Ever since I could walk, Mrs. Gable was the one who slept in my room. Mom only started “parenting” me this month when she decided we couldn’t afford the help anymore. I tried to run to Mrs. Gable for safety. I loved the smell of her fresh laundry detergent; it was the only thing that made me feel safe. But Mom wasn’t done. “If it wasn’t for you, I’d still be on the air! You ruined my future!” I shrunk into Mrs. Gable’s shadow. When it was time for her to go home, I tugged on her sleeve, begging her to stay. But Mom’s rage was a physical force, and Mrs. Gable, eyes full of pity, eventually had to leave. I hid in the corner, praying Dad would get home from the office early. Then Mom saw a notification on her phone—some new comment about how “brave” she was. She grabbed my arm and dragged me into the laundry room. “Starting today, I’m going back to being the girl who never got her hands dirty. You’re the reason I’m in this mess, so you’re going to fix it. You’re doing the laundry from now on.” “Mom, I don’t know how…” I whispered. Her eyes flashed with hate. “Then learn. Are you stupid? You’ve seen the nanny do it a thousand times.” I started to cry, and she kicked the water bucket over. “Stop being a curse on this house! Wash the clothes, or you don’t eat!” I was six. I tried to hand-wash her silk nightgown and tore the delicate fabric. She went into a frenzy, grabbing Dad’s leather belt and striking me until I was curled on the floor, screaming for mercy. When Dad finally came home, they had a screaming match that shook the walls. “You hate me because I’m fat! Because I don’t have a career!” Mom shrieked. “I should never have had a kid! I have nothing left! I should just die!” I sobbed under my covers, terrified. The next day, they were suddenly “fine” again. But Mrs. Gable—the woman who had raised me since I was a baby—never came back. 2 Every time I asked for Mrs. Gable, Mom would guilt-trip me. “Don’t be so selfish, Chloe. You’ve already ruined my career. Do you want to kill your father with stress, too?” “Your dad works so hard. We can’t afford a nanny. You’re six; it’s time to be a big girl. You’re going to take care of this house now.” Then, she’d kiss my forehead. I was so desperate for her love that I’d just nod. I spent my afternoons after kindergarten scrubbing. She wouldn’t let me use the washing machine. “It ruins the clothes. Hand-washing is better,” she’d say. By winter, my hands were cracked and bleeding from the cold water and harsh soap. Then came the cooking. I was terrified of the stove. One night, the oil popped, and my arm was covered in painful blisters. I wailed in pain, but Mom just scoffed. “Useless. You can’t even do one simple thing right.” “Do you have any idea what I sacrificed for you?” I didn’t know what that meant. I just knew that when I used to fall down, Mrs. Gable would hug me. Mom just watched me bleed. When Dad came home from his business trip, I ran to him. Mom got there first, smiling sweetly. “Look at this little troublemaker! She tried to cook behind my back while I was resting!” I wanted to tell him the truth, but Mom pulled me into a hug. I breathed in her perfume and stayed silent. If working made her hug me, I’d work forever. I pushed myself to the limit for her. To clean the living room rug, I didn’t sleep for three days. I collapsed in the bathroom, my heart stopping before I even hit the tile. Mom found me. She checked my pulse. When she realized I wasn’t breathing, she panicked for a second—then she shoved my head into the water bucket. She waited ten minutes before calling 911. When Dad got home, she was a wreck, slapping herself and screaming. “I should have stayed awake! If I hadn’t been napping, she wouldn’t have been playing in the water!” “Chloe, you’ve broken my heart! Why were you playing with the bucket…” I wanted to scream the truth, but I was a ghost. She turned my death into a viral story about “The Grief of a Mother.” She made a fortune off the tragedy. Eventually, Dad found out the truth. He was devastated and tried to drag her to the police station. To save her career as an influencer, she caused a car accident that killed him, too. I hated her. Dad was the only one who actually tried. He’d hired help, paid for her therapy, bought her postpartum recovery classes. He took the night shifts so she could sleep. And she killed him. I snapped back to the present. It was the day of the viral video. If Mom thinks I’m a burden… then this time, I’m going to be a heavy one. 3 “Chloe! Are you deaf? I’m talking to you!” I blinked, looking up at her with the most innocent, wide-eyed expression I could manage. “Mom… why don’t you just go back to work?” “I mean, Mrs. Gable does everything anyway, right? You don’t really do anything here.” She froze. Then, she stepped forward and slapped me twice. Hard. “You ungrateful brat! Am I in your way? Is that it?” “I deserve a break! Don’t come crying to me when you’re sick or need a field trip chaperone!” I felt a cold smile forming inside. Go ahead, try the ‘working’ excuse. She hadn’t been to a single school event in my last life anyway. Mrs. Gable rushed over and pulled me into a hug. “Chloe, apologize to your mother!” I didn’t cry. I looked at Mom with a spark of defiance she didn’t recognize. “I’m sorry, Mom,” I said, slipping down from Mrs. Gable’s lap and kneeling. “I said the wrong thing. Please punish me.” They both looked stunned. I looked at the clock. Dad would be home soon. I ran to the laundry room and grabbed a dirty shirt. “Since Mom is so tired, I’ll help. I’ll do the laundry from now on!” Mrs. Gable tried to stop me, but I insisted. “I want to be a ‘Big Girl,’ Mrs. Gable. I need to practice.” Mom sneered. “Fine. She’s six. She can wash her own clothes.” I didn’t tell her that I already knew how to do everything. I just waited. When the time was right, I took her favorite $300 silk dress—the only one that still fit her comfortably—and I shredded it against the washboard. I walked out to the dining room, holding the ruined dress, looking terrified. “Mom… I’m sorry. I broke it.” She saw the dress and her eyes turned red. She lunged at me, kicking me into the wall. “You useless brat! Do you know how much this cost?!” I shivered, sobbing for real this time. “I’m sorry, Mommy! I’ll do better!” She grabbed Dad’s belt, just like before. I checked the door. Click. The smart lock turned. Perfect timing. 4 “Vanessa! What the hell are you doing?!” Dad burst through the door just as the belt swung down. Mom froze. “Are you blind? I’m disciplining her!” “She insisted on doing laundry and ruined my $300 silk dress! Do you know how hard it is for me to find clothes that fit right now?!” I crawled to Mom’s feet, trembling. “I’m sorry, Mommy! Please give me another chance! I promise I’ll wash the rest perfectly!” I lifted my head just enough so Dad could see the red handprints on my face. Dad’s voice was low and dangerous. “Vanessa… who hit her face?” I cut in before she could lie. “Dad, please don’t be mad at Mom! I’ll work harder! I’ll do all the chores so Mom can rest!” Mom looked triumphant for a second. But Dad snatched the belt from her hand. “She’s six, Vanessa! You beat her like an animal because of a dress?” “Is the washing machine broken? Or are you just too lazy to use it?” I sobbed harder. “Dad, don’t fight. It’s my fault for being a burden… I’ll do everything, I promise.” Dad didn’t comfort her that night. He took me to the guest room, cleaned my face, and slept there with the door locked. The wedge was driven. Now, I just had to keep pushing. 5 The next morning, Mom tried to play the martyr. “Fine. Since I’m such a monster, I’m going out to find a job.” Dad frowned, about to say something, but I shoved a piece of toast into his mouth. “You can do it, Mom! I’ll stay home with Mrs. Gable and be a good girl!” Mom waited for Dad to beg her to stay. He didn’t. She slammed the door so hard the pictures rattled. Because I made it clear I “needed” Mrs. Gable, Dad didn’t fire her. Mom spent her days “job hunting,” but after seven years out of the industry, no one wanted her. She was bitter and out of touch. She’d come home and take it out on me. “I can’t find anything because I have a seven-year gap on my resume because of you!” “Even the receptionists look at me like I’m a joke!” “Why don’t you just disappear? If it wasn’t for you, I’d still be someone!” I hid in Dad’s arms. “Why is Mom so mean?” Dad’s patience was gone. “She’s not mean because of you, Chloe. She’s mean because she’s lazy. I paid for a nanny, I paid for her trainers, I did the night shifts—she chose to stay on the couch.” “Vanessa,” Dad said, his voice cold. “I want a divorce.” Mom froze. Then she started screaming. “You just want a younger, thinner woman! You’re abandoning me after I gave you a child!” “I’m leaving because you’re a monster to our daughter,” Dad said. “And I’m taking Chloe. You never cared for her anyway.” Mom lunged at me. “Chloe, tell him! You want to stay with Mommy, right? I gave you life!” I looked at Dad. “I want to stay with Daddy. I’m scared of Mom.” Mom’s face twisted. “You ungrateful little bitch! I should have strangled you the day you were born!” The divorce was quick. Dad gave her the house and a settlement just to get us away from her. We moved into a cozy apartment near his office. I thought we were safe. But Mom wasn’t done.

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In my last life, I was the pathetic girl who followed the golden boy around like a stray dog. The day I died in a sterile hospital room from terminal cancer, he was busy having the “Wedding of the Century” with his high school sweetheart. Given a second chance at life, I’m back at the very moment I was supposed to confess to him. Under the watchful eyes of the entire cafeteria, I marched past the golden boy and slammed my love letter onto the desk of the school’s most notorious rebel. The silver-haired delinquent blinked awake from his nap, staring at the envelope covered in hand-drawn hearts. “What’s this?” Me: “For you. Scratch paper.” 1 The classroom fell into a deafening silence. The boy with the messy silver hair slowly looked up, revealing a face that was pure, unfiltered trouble. Sharp eyes, a high bridge to his nose, and a single silver hoop glinting in his right ear. He looked dangerously attractive. I heard several sharp intakes of breath around me. I couldn’t tell if it was from awe or fear. I remembered him: Jaxson Miller. The rumor was that if you picked any three buildings on campus, his family had donated at least one of them. People called him “The Prince of the Hill,” but mostly they just stayed out of his way. A guy nearby joked, “Damn, Jax, looks like the flowers are blooming in your garden today. Who’s the secret admirer?” Jaxson told him to shut up with a lazy, low-timbered voice. Then he turned to me. “What do you want?” I stated it as if it were the most natural thing in the world: “I want to sit next to you. Any problem?” More gasps. This time, definitely shock. Jaxson leaned his head on his hand, a mocking half-smile playing on his lips. “I don’t do seatmates. What makes you think you’re special?” We locked eyes. Neither of us blinked. I gritted my teeth. I had no other choice. In this AP track, there were only two seats left. If I didn’t sit next to Jaxson, I’d be forced to sit next to Caleb Reed. Sitting with Caleb was a death sentence for my soul. I dropped my backpack onto the chair next to Jaxson and sat down, refusing to move. Jaxson’s brow furrowed with irritation. He looked like he was about to toss me out of the room. “I told you—” Before he could finish, I reached under the desk and grabbed his leg to keep him from standing up. Jaxson froze. His entire body went rigid. I leaned in and whispered, low enough that only we could hear: “Please, just let me sit here. If I sit with Caleb, I’ll die. You have no idea—he’s a total creep. When no one’s looking, he crawls around on the floor like a weirdo. I heard he steals girls’ clothes. I’m desperate, please…” Sorry, Caleb. You can’t hear me anyway. And even if you could, you deserve it. 2 I got more animated as I spoke. With every sentence, I gripped harder. With every grip, Jaxson’s expression grew darker. His mocking smile vanished completely. By the end, his face was like a thundercloud. He squeezed out one word through gritted teeth: “Fine.” I was confused. Why the sudden change of heart? He looked like a man who had been cornered by a blackmailer. Wait… his leg felt a bit thin. And oddly soft? “Are you going to stop squeezing my hand yet?!” Jaxson finally snapped, his voice tight. I yanked my hand back. Oh. My. God. That wasn’t his leg. I had just grabbed the “Prince of the Hill” in a very, very wrong place. 3 After classes were over, Caleb Reed cornered me in the stairwell. “What was that with Jaxson Miller today?” I didn’t want to waste a single breath on him. “None of your business.” Caleb flinched, clearly not expecting me to snap at him. He blocked my path with his arm. “Chloe, Jaxson isn’t the kind of guy you play with. Why would you give him a love letter?” Thinking about everything that happened in my past life, my blood started to boil. “Who I play with is my business. What does it have to do with you?” “He’s bad news. Even if he’s ‘bad news,’ he’s better than someone who strings people along—someone who won’t say yes but won’t let go, either.” If Caleb hadn’t given me just enough hope every time I was about to move on in my last life, I wouldn’t have wasted my youth on him. Caleb’s face paled. “Chloe, what is that supposed to mean?” I crossed my arms and sneered. “It means I’m insulting you. Can’t you tell?” Caleb looked like he was about to explode, but I was done. I spotted Jaxson walking not far away and waved frantically. “Jax! Over here!” Under the gaze of the crowd, Caleb had to drop his arm. He leaned in and whispered, “Chloe, I’m disappointed in you.” I smiled at Jaxson while telling Caleb: “Get lost.” 4 As I reached Jaxson’s side, I caught a faint scent of tobacco. “Did you just come from a smoke break?” Jaxson gave a noncommittal “Mhm,” then put his hand on my forehead and pushed me back a few steps. “Secondhand smoke is bad for you,” he rasped. “Back off.” I remembered that in my last life, Jaxson had transferred after only a semester. The rumor was that his health had taken a turn. Acting on a sudden impulse, I said, “Firsthand smoke is bad for you, too. Can you stop?” I looked at him expectantly. His friend, Luke, couldn’t help but laugh. “Damn, Jax. She hasn’t even landed you yet and she’s already acting like the wife?” I realized how over the line that sounded. Jaxson didn’t know about our “past.” “I mean… you could just smoke less…” I started to backtrack. “Okay.” We spoke at the same time. I blinked. “Huh?” Jaxson cleared his throat, looking away. “I’m quitting.” I was stunned. The school’s biggest rebel… was that easy to talk down? 5 Caleb’s “soulmate” was a girl named Sarah Bennett. In my last life, she and I were both in the AP track. I didn’t know Caleb liked her, so I sat next to him, thinking I was lucky. I didn’t realize that seat was meant for Sarah. No wonder Caleb hated me. No wonder he took my love letter and said, “Oh, scratch paper. Thanks.” In this life, Sarah sat right next to Caleb. But strangely, Caleb didn’t seem happy. He kept cornering me instead. I guess distance really does make the heart grow fonder. To avoid Caleb, I glued myself to Jaxson. I followed him everywhere. It got to the point where Jaxson’s friends started teasing me at the door of the guys’ locker room. “Hey, Chloe! Here to walk Jax to the bathroom again?” “Can’t bear to be apart for a second, huh?” Jaxson walked out of the room with a strawberry lollipop stick hanging out of his mouth. Since he promised to quit smoking, he hadn’t touched a cigarette. He just bought lollipops in bulk. He shoved his hands in his pockets and looked at me. “Let’s go, little shadow.” I blushed. “Don’t call me that!” Jaxson leaned down and grinned. “You know what the school is calling you? My ‘Child Bride.’ Because you follow me around like I’m the only person on earth.” I’m just hiding from Caleb! I wanted to scream. Jaxson pulled a lollipop from his pocket, unwrapped it, and held it to my lips. “Open up.” I bit my lip, suspicious, but I opened my mouth. The sweet taste of strawberry filled my senses. “Why the sudden—” Before I could finish, Jaxson had already turned and started walking toward the classroom. I saw Caleb’s shadow ducking around a corner nearby and immediately ran after Jaxson. “Wait for me!” 6 A few days later, Caleb blocked me again at the stairs. He tried to block me with a stack of notebooks. “These are my study guides for the midterms. You won’t pass without these.” I didn’t take them. I just looked at him with pure disdain. In my last life, I begged him for his notes. He told me: “You only got into this track by luck. Why bother struggling to stay?” Now, I avoided him like the plague, and he was shoving notes at me. I laughed. “Caleb, who gave you the right to look down on me? I don’t want them.” Caleb tried to force the notebooks into my arms. I stepped back to avoid him, forgetting I was on the edge of the stairs. I felt the sudden drop. “Ahhh—!” But the pain didn’t come. I fell into a chest that smelled like strawberries. “Ugh. How long are you going to lay there?” I looked up at Jaxson. I had tackled him to the ground. That loud thud was the sound of his back hitting the concrete. “I-I-I’m so sorry!” Jaxson stood up, rubbing his neck. He looked at Caleb. “Beat it.” Caleb left without a word. He didn’t dare challenge Jaxson. Jaxson stood there in silence after Caleb left. I panicked. “Let’s go back to class. He keeps following me, I promise—” “I know,” Jaxson interrupted. He pointed at his leg. “Can you help me to the nurse? I think I twisted something.” I: “…” I ended up practically carrying Jaxson down the stairs. “So,” he said, leaning on me. “Are you really avoiding him because I told you to? Do I mean that much to you?” “One more word and I’m dropping you down the stairs.” 7 Jaxson’s ankle was messed up because of me, so I became his personal assistant. I got his water. I got his lunch. I even got us both excused from PE. He said he needed someone to keep him company in the quiet classroom. Luke looked at the pile of snacks and fruit on Jaxson’s desk and sighed. “Man, I wish I was the one who got hurt.” Jaxson bit into an apple, looking smug. “Is your seatmate as good as mine?” I remembered the rumors. Jaxson’s family was wealthy, but his parents were never around. My heart ached for him. Without thinking, I said, “I’ll come over and take care of you.” Jaxson and Luke both froze. “Fine,” Jaxson cut him off. He looked at me with a lazy grin. “You said it. No taking it back.” 8 Jaxson lived in a penthouse in the city center. I brought a bag of groceries, but when I turned back, Jaxson had already put on an apron. A rugged, handsome face paired with a pink frilly apron. “I thought I was cooking?” I asked. Jaxson was already at the sink. “Just kidding,” he mumbled, popping a lollipop into his mouth. “I can’t let my ‘bride’ do all the work. Today, you taste my cooking.” I watched him expertly dice meat. My jaw dropped. Jaxson chuckled. “What? You think I’m some pampered prince?” He told me how his parents used to cut him off whenever they fought. “One time they didn’t talk to me for six months. I almost couldn’t afford takeout. I had to learn.” He acted like it was a joke, but I could see the loneliness in his eyes. Suddenly, my phone rang. It was my father. “Where are you? Your brother wants dessert from that bakery downtown. Make sure you pick some up… Hello? Are you deaf?” I took a deep breath and hung up. Neither of us said another word about it. 9 “You’re finally home?!” The living room was pitch black. When I flipped the light, my father’s anger filled the small space. “I’m home.” I started walking toward my room. “Get back here!” A glass flew past my ear and shattered against the wall. My mother followed: “Chloe, what’s wrong with you? No one’s made dinner. Are you hanging out with the wrong crowd?” In my last life, I would have apologized. But now, I saw the truth. They weren’t worried about me. They were worried that no one had cooked. When I got my cancer diagnosis in my past life, they just wanted my bank password for my brother. I packed my bag. Everything in this room I had bought with my own money. “Where do you think you’re going?” my mother screamed. “I’m leaving. If a court says I owe you child support one day, I’ll pay the minimum. Until then, don’t talk to me.” 10 The streetlights cast long shadows. I stood there, feeling a sudden wave of emptiness. “It’s not your fault.” I looked up. Jaxson was leaning against a lamppost. “Jax? What are you doing here?” He walked over and pulled me into a hug. He smelled like strawberries and home. “It’s not your fault, Chloe. You’re great. They’re the ones who are wrong.” My eyes welled up. “Jax,” I whispered. “You promised to stop smoking.” He stiffened. “I… I saw your face when you took that call. I followed you to make sure you were okay. I heard the screaming and I got stressed… I won’t do it again.” “So, where are you going to stay?” he asked. “My place?” “Okay,” I said. “But I’m paying rent.”

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At my high school reunion, Bennett Hayes, the guy I’d crushed on for three years, actually showed up. I didn’t say a single word to him all night. By the time the party wound down and everyone had drifted away, I was the only one left to haul his drunken self back to his hotel. In the room, watching him sprawled on the bed, I fought a internal battle for a long time. Eventually, I managed to keep my baser instincts in check. I didn’t expect him to show up at my front door the next morning, looking hurt, asking: “How did you hold back?” I was completely lost. “Weren’t you wasted?” He took a step forward. “I was drunk. “I was faking it. “You, on the other hand—you watched me for so long, and you still just left.” 1 Our class president started organizing this reunion months ago. Everyone was signing up. Then, the former sports captain tagged Bennett Hayes in the group chat. 【@Bennett are you coming?】 【Whoa! If Bennett’s coming, then Clara Sterling will be there too, right?】 【The dream team! My high school OTP is finally going to be in the same room again!】 Scrolling through the messages, a bitter pang hit my chest. Clara was the “It Girl”—stunning, wealthy, and effortless. Standing next to Bennett, they looked like they belonged on a movie poster. Meanwhile, back then, the most I ever got was a smirk from Bennett when the teacher announced the test results. “Our Academic Rep really is something else,” he’d say. My crush was a secret I kept buried deep. I didn’t even have the courage to speak to him. I was terrified a single look would give me away. Finally, Bennett replied with a simple 【1】. I immediately messaged the president to confirm my spot. On the night of the party, I sat in a corner, chatting with some girls about college. Then Bennett walked in. Clara was right behind him. The room erupted into cheers. “Bennett and Clara look so good together!” “Only Clara could actually pin down a guy like Bennett!” Clara gave a shy smile and rolled her eyes at everyone. “Alright guys, pipe down.” Bennett’s face suddenly went cold. “Stop talking trash,” he snapped. He pushed through the crowd and sat directly next to me. The room went dead silent. Every eye was on us. I stiffened and turned my head, meeting Bennett’s dark, unreadable eyes. “Long time no see, Academic Rep.” I folded instantly. I just nodded at him, barely a greeting. He was all legs and broad shoulders. To avoid touching him, I scooted as far toward the wall as I could. Bennett glanced at me out of the corner of his eye but said nothing. My friend Jenna texted me under the table. 【Holy crap, why is Bennett sitting next to you? Since when are you guys tight?】 【I have no idea. Maybe because I’m wearing black and he didn’t see there was a human being here?】 【…Nobody is that blind. Look at Clara. If looks could kill, you’d be a crime scene.】 I glanced at Clara. She looked miserable. I told Jenna I’d rather be a ghost than a target. The class president pulled Clara into a seat. People started reminiscing about high school, and the tension eased. Suddenly, Clara walked over with a glass of wine. She leaned down and smiled at me perfectly. “Suzy, mind if we swap seats?” I looked up. Finally, an exit! “Oh, sure! I’ll swap with you.” I grabbed my orange juice and started to stand up. A heavy weight hit my shoulder. Bennett had pinned me down. I froze, slowly turning to look at his long, pale fingers on my shoulder. Then I looked at Clara. Her eyes were flaming. Bennett didn’t even look at her. He just flicked his gaze up and said coldly: “She’s sitting right here. Find another spot.” I broke into a cold sweat. I wanted to shake his hand off. But then I realized that making a scene would just make it look more intimate. I tried to play it cool. “It’s fine, I’ll swap. I don’t really want to be against the wall anyway.” Bennett tilted his head, raising an eyebrow. “In high school, didn’t you always fight for the wall seat?” The smile on my face vanished. I had no idea what game he was playing. The room was silent. Clara, completely ignored, had tears brimming in her eyes. “Bennett, do you really have to humiliate me in front of everyone?” Bennett’s aura was heavy. “Humiliation is self-inflicted,” he said flatly. “She’s sitting here comfortably. Why should she move for you?” Clara couldn’t take it anymore. She set her glass down and ran out. Bennett didn’t move an inch. Eventually, the class president went after her. Every eye in the room moved from Bennett to me. I felt like I was sitting on a bed of needles. Oh my god. I have nothing to do with this! 2 After Clara left, Bennett started drinking heavily. To anyone watching, it looked like a lovers’ quarrel. I didn’t dare speak to him for fear of making things worse. I huddled in the corner with my juice, mentally counting how many glasses he knocked back. In three years of high school, we’d never been this close. He’d taken his jacket off and draped it over the chair. His white shirt sleeves were rolled up, revealing the sharp lines of his forearms. I tried to control myself, tried not to look. But the faint scent of his rose-wood cologne kept drifting toward me. It had been a year since graduation. His features were more defined now. The boyishness had faded, replaced by something more rugged and masculine. He was even more handsome than before. I couldn’t resist a peek, but I walked right into his gaze. I immediately looked down at my food. A few seconds later, he let out a low chuckle. “Hiding again.” My heart nearly leaped out of my chest. Thankfully, someone else started talking to him, breaking the tension. I poked at my salad, feeling distracted. I kind of regretted coming. Knowing he wasn’t mine but wanting him anyway was a special kind of torture. Suddenly, a chicken wing landed on my plate. I looked at Bennett in shock. He looked away, saying casually: “Serving tongs. They’re clean.” I took a deep breath and muttered a “thank you.” But inside, I was screaming—This isn’t about the tongs! We are not ‘fixing each other’s plates’ close! Luckily, everyone else assumed I was just caught in the crossfire. Even Jenna messaged me: 【Looks like the ship has sunk. Suzy, you are a total casualty today. I can’t save you. Just eat.】 I sent back a “face-palm” emoji. Bennett seemed determined to get trashed. He barely spoke to anyone, and he didn’t look at me again. As the night ended, people started filtering out. I wanted to leave too. But Bennett was leaning back with his eyes closed, his long legs blocking my way out of the booth. “Bennett?” I whispered. “Can you move?” No response. I tugged on his sleeve. “Bennett?” Still nothing. He was out. I looked at Jenna for help. “Jenna, wait for me!” But as she started to walk over, Bennett’s eyes snapped open. A sharp, cold glare fixed on her. Jenna stopped dead and gave a weak smile. “Suzy… maybe you should be the one to get him home?” I didn’t even get a chance to protest. “Mhm,” Bennett grunted. He looked back at me and said politely: “I’d appreciate the help, Suzy.” I: “…Fine.” 3 I opened a room at the hotel next door and asked if he could walk. He braced himself against the table and stood up, stumbling slightly. I caught him instinctively. The sudden contact sent my pulse racing. I wanted to let go, but I was afraid he’d fall. “Maybe I should call a porter to help you?” Bennett straightened up immediately, frowning. “No. I don’t like being touched by strangers.” He grabbed his jacket, looking back at me. “Let’s go. You said you’d get me back.” He started walking out ahead of me. I watched his back, confused. Is he wasted or not? I sighed and followed. “Bennett, wait. Let me call an Uber.” “Is it far?” “Not really—” “Then let’s walk. My head is spinning. I don’t want to be in a car.” He looked pale, his brow furrowed. He really did look unwell. Maybe the fresh air would do him some good. I followed silently behind him. The only sound was the GPS on my phone telling us when to turn. Bennett stopped abruptly. I wasn’t paying attention and nearly walked into his back. My nose brushed against the wool of his coat. “What’s wrong? You going to be sick? I can go to the pharmacy and get you some ginger ale or something?” My dad always drank that when he overdid it. There was a 24-hour pharmacy right on the corner. “Wait here,” I told him. “Don’t move. I’ll be right back—” Bennett suddenly grabbed my wrist and yanked me back, pulling me into a full-on hug. My whole body went rigid. I forgot how to breathe. The hug I’d dreamed about for three years was actually happening. But I was clear-headed. This is wrong. I tried to push him away, but he held on tighter. If anyone saw us, how would I even explain this? “Bennett—” my voice was shaking. He buried his face in my shoulder, his voice low and raspy. “Don’t go. Please. “I didn’t mean to make you mad. Don’t hide from me anymore.” 4 Bennett was definitely gone. He was clearly mistaking me for Clara, saying all these confusing things. I didn’t want to wrestle with him in the middle of the street. I had to play along. “I’m not going. I’m taking you to rest. Just be a good boy and let go, okay?” He gave a soft “mhm,” let go of the hug, but immediately grabbed my hand. He looked at me with those big, puppy-dog eyes. Thank god for my strong moral compass and high emotional intelligence. By the time we walked the two blocks to the hotel, my palm was sweaty from how hard he was gripping it. I stepped into his shadow and muttered, “If you’re this clingy, why did you fight with her in the first place?” Once we got to the room and the door closed, he couldn’t stand anymore. He pulled me down onto the bed with him. His breath was hot against my ear. If I turned my head just an inch, I could kiss him. Who could resist that? Me. Only me. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t. He was drunk, not dead. Taking advantage of him would be disgusting. I pushed my “dark thoughts” down and rolled him off me. Bennett was flat on his back. His throat moved as he swallowed, his pale neck flushed red from the alcohol. My god. If I kept looking, I was going to have a nosebleed. I fumbled with a water bottle and held it to his lips. He drank greedily, his Adam’s apple bobbing. The water spilled slightly, wetting his shirt. I slapped my own cheek. “Get it together, you animal!” I whispered. I pulled the covers over him and finally calmed down. Looking at his sleeping face, I gave myself a mental high-five. Good job, Suzy. You didn’t ruin the guy you’ve loved for three years while he was unconscious. He should stay a dream. Not a messy reality. The doorbell rang. The hangover patches I’d ordered had arrived. I left the medicine, some water, and some tissues on the nightstand. I gave him a little wave and whispered goodbye. “Bye, Bennett. Don’t drink like that again. A guy alone in a hotel needs to be more careful.”

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