On our 100-day anniversary, my boyfriend excitedly introduced me to his roommates. “This is my wingman! I only managed to woo you because of his advice!” I looked up, unexpectedly locking eyes with my ex-boyfriend from three years ago. His pupils dilated in shock. The smile on his face froze instantly. Through gritted teeth, he forced out a single word. “F*ck?!” 1 Caleb Vance paused. “What’s wrong?” Ethan Hunt and I stared at each other for a second before simultaneously looking away. Ethan forced a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Nothing. Just… your girlfriend looks a lot like my ex.” Caleb’s other roommates laughed, trying to smooth things over. “Don’t mind him, sister-in-law. Ethan got dumped pretty hard by that ex. He hasn’t dated anyone in years. Total PTSD.” I kept my voice even. “It’s fine.” Caleb waved his hand. “Bring out the bottles I saved last time.” The bartender nodded respectfully and soon brought out a few bottles of Louis XIII and Hennessy. “Today is our 100-day anniversary. Everything is on me tonight. Drink up, guys!” Caleb wrapped his arm around me, beaming. The others started cheering. “Caleb is the man!” “Adopt me, bro!” “To Caleb and the sister-in-law! Grow old together!” … Only Ethan sat there with a dark expression, tossing an American Express Black Card onto the table. “No need.” Caleb picked up the card and stuffed it back into Ethan’s pocket. “Ethan, take it back. I owe you for helping me get Mia. How could I let you pay?” Ethan’s face went beyond ugly, but the club lighting was dim, so no one noticed. One of the roommates’ girlfriends grabbed an empty wine bottle. “Just drinking is boring. Let’s play Truth or Dare! Whoever the bottle points to has to choose!” My heart tightened. Luckily, the first few rounds missed me. Just as I breathed a sigh of relief, the bottle stopped, pointing directly at Caleb. He chuckled, leaning back on the sofa, sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms. “Truth.” A roommate shouted, “Caleb, are you still a virgin?!” Caleb laughed, “Of course I am, idiot!” A hint of pride appeared on his handsome face. “Mia and I are each other’s first love. Chastity is a man’s best dowry. My first time is definitely saved for Mia.” Under the lights, his glass-bead eyes looked watery and sincere. Despite his playboy looks, he was surprisingly innocent. My heart softened, and I let him pull me into his arms for a kiss. Beside us, the sullen Ethan suddenly smirked. The next second, the bottle spun and stopped, pointing straight at me. The last dare was getting a number from a stranger, so I instinctively chose truth. Ethan stared straight at me. “So, Mia, is he your first love?” 2 “No.” After a moment of silence, I answered calmly. Caleb shot up straight. “I’m not?!” “Then who was it? How long did you date? Why did you break up?!” He seemed to realize he was overreacting. He tried to look magnanimous but failed miserably, his expression twisting. “I mean, I don’t mind, obviously. Just curious.” I paused. “Because there was always a third person between us. He had a girl he couldn’t let go of. I got tired, so I dumped him.” Caleb’s expression relaxed a bit. “What a psycho. Dating someone while hung up on another girl? He deserved to be dumped.” He quickly seized the chance to pledge loyalty. “Babe, I would never make that mistake. Since we got together, I haven’t even spoken to another woman!” He was huge, 6’3″, but acted like a puppy when he wanted affection. I couldn’t help but ruffle his hair. “Okay, good boy.” He lowered his head obediently, but his gaze was fixed on me, heavy with pressure and curiosity that didn’t match his cute act. “So, babe, do you like him more, or me more?” Here it comes! The question every person with an ex gets asked! “That’s a separate question,” I deflected. Caleb didn’t get mad. He narrowed his eyes at me for a moment, then smirked. “Fine. Next time then.” The bottle spun round and round. Just as I was getting sleepy and wanted to leave, it pointed at Ethan. “Truth,” he said, lowering his eyes. A drunk roommate excitedly asked, “Ethan, bro, why exactly did your first love dump you?” Under the lights, Ethan’s eyes were hidden in the shadows of his brow bone, unreadable. Just as everyone thought he was mad and tried to change the subject, Ethan suddenly spoke. “Because I was stupid. I hurt her a lot. “She got tired.” 3 The first time I met Ethan was in my junior year of high school. My dad’s job transferred us, so I was the new kid. My assigned desk mate was Ethan. Because the only empty seat was next to him. For the first two months, we barely spoke five words. I thought he was a rich, lazy delinquent. Rumor had it his family was loaded, and he never studied. He called me a nerd. Every time I collected homework, he impatiently told me to get lost. Until one night, walking home, I saw a fight in an alley. A group of guys from another school, armed with pipes and bats, were ganging up on a student from our school. The boy fought hard and well, holding his own even outnumbered. But he was overwhelmed. Someone hit him from behind with a bat, and he stumbled with a groan. A girl in our school uniform was crying beside him, eyes red. “Stop it! Please stop!” I don’t know where I got the courage, but I rushed over and shouted: “Stop! I called the cops! They’ll be here any minute!” One guy looked up. “Sh*t, who’s this busybody? Get lost or we’ll beat you too!” I tried to stay calm. “The police station is five minutes away. You still have time to run.” Hearing that, the group cursed and scattered. I approached cautiously. “Are you okay?” The boy leaning against the wall looked up. It was Ethan. Messy black hair, sharp features, a cut on his forehead bleeding. He looked wild and dangerous. I frowned, confirming my opinion of him as a troublemaker. Still, I pulled out a band-aid. “You’re bleeding.” He glanced at the pink Hello Kitty band-aid in my hand, scoffed, and turned away. The girl he was protecting thanked me profusely. She took the band-aid and tried to put it on him, looking heartbroken. But he slapped her hand away impatiently. “I’m fine.” He grabbed his bag and walked off. “Ethan…” The girl stepped back, her face pale. I noticed she had a limp. I felt bad. Such a pretty girl, but her leg was injured. I didn’t think much of it. But the next day, when I collected homework, Ethan didn’t tell me to get lost. He lazily took my homework and started copying it. “Wait.” After finishing, he tossed the notebook back to me, raising an eyebrow. “Turn it in, Little Miss Class Rep.” I had seen him fight, so I didn’t dare argue. I cursed him internally and turned to leave. But he called out to me. His voice was slightly raspy, with a hint of awkwardness. “Hey. About yesterday… thanks.” 4 After that, things between Ethan and me thawed. He started talking to me, joking around. Sometimes he’d walk on my left, then yank my ponytail from the right. Every time I collected homework, he’d call me: “Little Miss Class Rep.” We got closer. He dragged me to watch his basketball games and walked me home every day. Teenage feelings are like sparks from nowhere that suddenly catch fire. I found myself looking forward to seeing him every day. Until a power outage during evening study hall. I was terrified of the dark. I froze, unconsciously leaning toward Ethan. In the pitch black, someone grabbed my hand. He whispered in my ear: “Don’t be scared. I’m here.” Ethan’s hand was rough with calluses from basketball, his palm hot. I heard my heart pounding violently and slowly squeezed his hand back. A chuckle sounded in my ear. And two heartbeats, intertwined, indistinguishable. … Ethan and I naturally started dating. He liked me a lot, even studying hard to get into the same college as me. Ethan was smart. His grades improved fast. As we spent more time together, I learned he was a black belt in Judo, played drums, passed level 10 piano, surfed, and skied. He read a lot too. I realized he wasn’t the uneducated delinquent I thought he was. I also learned why he fought. The girl that day was Lily, the daughter of his family’s housekeeper. Years ago, Ethan’s dad expanded his business too aggressively and offended people. Someone hired a hitman to run Ethan over. Lily pushed him out of the way and got hit instead. She survived, but her leg was shattered. She would walk with a limp forever. That day in the alley, the guy had mocked Lily for being a cripple. That’s why Ethan fought. When Ethan talked about it, his eyes lowered, expressionless. “She used to be an amazing dancer. Her dream was to be a prima ballerina, to perform around the world. “Because of me, her dream is dead. I owe her my life.” I sympathized with Lily. I even planned to help Ethan take care of her. I didn’t know then that Lily would be the reason we fell apart completely. 5 Snapping back to reality, I looked at Ethan. Three years apart, he had changed. Still handsome, but the wild arrogance was gone, replaced by maturity. In his black turtleneck, he looked steady, even calm. Everyone was drunk; no one caught his drift. Only Caleb frowned, his gaze darting between us. Before he could speak, I pulled him up. “Let’s go. I’m sleepy. Calling it a night.” … It started snowing in Boston. Huge flakes fell, illuminated yellow by the streetlights. The snow that didn’t melt immediately formed a thin layer on the ground. Caleb took off his grey LV scarf and wrapped it around my neck. Sandalwood mixed with his body heat. He looked down, asking casually: “I heard Ethan’s ex is at our school too. He skipped a grade and transferred here just for her. “You and Ethan are from the same hometown. Do you know her?” I knew Caleb figured it out. He acts carefree, but he’s incredibly sensitive about who I talk to. “It’s me,” I admitted helplessly. Caleb smiled, but his eyes were cold. “So if I asked him how to woo his ex, I’d be digging my own grave?” I knew he was upset. I pursed my lips, silent. Caleb’s voice fell coolly on top of my head, colder than the snow. “Babe, so who do you like more? Him or me?” I knew how petty Caleb could be. If I didn’t soothe him now, he’d hold a grudge for ages. I hugged him tight. “Of course I like you more! We broke up years ago. If I hadn’t seen him today, I would have forgotten he existed.” Caleb looked down at me, silent. I knew what he wanted. I tiptoed to kiss him. He didn’t bend down. He just looked at me with a half-smile. Caleb is 6’3″. I’m a head shorter. If he doesn’t bend, I can’t reach. I was flustered and angry. “Caleb!” He wouldn’t budge. “Beg me.” “Forget it!” I turned to leave, but he yanked me back! The snow blurred under the neon lights. The sandalwood scent became aggressive as he leaned in. I was forced to look up. Even through his wool coat, I could feel the muscle definition of his back. His kiss was demanding, brooking no refusal. He backed me up step by step until tears of suffocation pricked my eyes. Finally, he let me go. I leaned against him, gasping. Through my hazy vision, I saw him looking behind me, smirking provocatively. I froze. I turned around. Ethan stood under the streetlight in a black wool coat. Snow piled on his shoulders. He had been watching for god knows how long.

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That year, the earthquake hit, burying my sister and me under tons of concrete. The rescue captain shouted, “The structure is unstable! If we pull one out, the rest might collapse. We can only guarantee one safe extraction right now.” Without a second of hesitation, Mom and Dad screamed, “Save Bella! Save our oldest!” Bella, my sister, screamed from the darkness, “Save me first! Get me out!” During the rescue, the firefighters repeatedly emphasized, “Do not move. Stay perfectly still.” But Bella didn’t listen. In her panic, she thrashed around, pushing against the debris surrounding her to clear her own path. Her movements triggered a secondary collapse. I was crushed to death by a falling beam while she was pulled to safety. When I opened my eyes again, I was back in my bed. It was the day of the earthquake. Chapter 1 I jolted awake, gasping for air. The date on my phone glared back at me. It was today. The earthquake would strike at 2:00 AM. It was currently midnight. I didn’t waste a second thinking. I shoved my feet into sneakers and bolted out the door. In my past life, too many people died in our apartment complex. Since I had been given a second chance, I couldn’t just let them die. I started from the first floor, pounding on doors like a maniac. “Fire! Gas leak! Everyone out!” I screamed, using whatever excuse would get them moving fast. I waited until I saw lights flicker on before moving to the next unit. By the time I had woken up the residents of all seven floors, I had five minutes left. I sprinted back into our unit. Two minutes. In my previous life, I wasted my escape window trying to wake Bella. She was a heavy sleeper, and that delay cost me my life. This time, I’d leave that “honor” to Mom, who loved Bella more than life itself. I burst into my parents’ room. “Mom! Dad! Wake up! The ground is shaking!” They groggily sat up. Forty seconds left. “I tried to wake Bella, but she won’t budge! What do we do?” I yelled, feigning panic. Dad frowned, confused. “What earthquake? What are you talking about in the middle of the…” Before he could finish, the floor lurched violently beneath us. “Bella is still asleep!” I screamed over the rumbling. Terror washed over Mom’s face. She scrambled toward Bella’s room, shrieking, “Bella! Bella, baby, get up! Run! It’s an earthquake!” Dad grabbed my arm. “Run! Now!” The quake was violent and immediate. It gave no quarter. Just as Dad and I stumbled out of the building entrance, the world roared. Boom. The building collapsed behind us. Mom and Bella were trapped inside. Screams and sirens filled the air. My ears rang, vision blurring as the dust settled. The memories of my death flooded back. Last time, I had shaken Bella until my arms ached, but she wouldn’t wake up. Mom and Dad had escaped, leaving us behind. When the rescuers found us hours later, Mom’s voice had pierced through the rubble. “Bella! Hang in there, baby! Mommy is here! You have to survive!” She never called my name. Not once. When the rescue team explained the unstable structure—that saving one might crush the other—I knew my fate before they even spoke. “Save the one on the right! Save Bella! The one in the white pajamas!” Mom had screamed. And Bella, hearing this, had cried out, “Mommy, save me! My leg hurts! Me first!” I lay there in the cold dark, watching the light shine on Bella. “Don’t move,” the firefighter had warned her. “If you move, the debris will shift onto your sister.” She didn’t care. She kicked and pushed, desperate to get out. As she was pulled free, the weight of the building came down on me. “Mom, help me! It hurts!” I had screamed. The rescuers wanted to dig for me, but I heard Mom’s voice from above, cold and final. “Don’t bother. Even if you get her out, she’ll be crippled. I don’t have the energy to raise a vegetable.” I watched the sliver of light vanish as the rubble sealed my tomb. I waited in the dark for death. Now, I stood in the dust of a new timeline. This time, you get to feel what it’s like to be chosen last. Chapter 2 “Ava! Are you okay?” Dad’s voice snapped me back to reality. I pulled him backward. “Dad, watch out for aftershocks! We need open ground. Rescue is coming. Mom and Bella will be fine.” Dad was in shock, staring blankly at the ruin of our home. Anyone experiencing this for the first time would be broken. But I had already died here. Every breath I took now was profit. The first responders arrived quickly. Dad rushed over, begging them to dig. The building was a mess of concrete and rebar. They couldn’t locate them. But I knew where they were. I intentionally led a team in the opposite direction first, “saving” an elderly neighbor who was calling for help. By the time I “found” Mom and Bella, six hours had passed. “Dad! I hear Mom!” I shouted. The rescue captain assessed the situation. He looked at Dad with a grim expression. “It’s unstable. The structure is like a house of cards. If we extract one, the shift will likely collapse the pocket holding the other.” The words were identical. Through a gap in the concrete, I saw Bella’s pale face and Mom’s terrified eyes. Dad hesitated. Both were his family. Unlike Mom in my past life, he struggled with the choice. Then Bella started screaming. “Daddy, save me! I don’t want to die! Daddy, I can work, I can marry rich, I can take care of you when you’re old! Mom is just a housewife! You can get another wife! I have more value than her!” I watched Mom’s face contort in shock. I lowered my head to hide my smirk. Surprise, Mom. The daughter you worship sees you as a disposable servant. Dad made his choice. “Save my daughter.” Mom went feral. “David! If you let me die, I will haunt you forever! And you, Bella! You ungrateful brat! I can’t believe you’re so selfish!” Bella, trapped and in pain, screamed back, “I’m just being realistic! I have a future! Dad is making the smart choice!” Mom’s eyes were full of venomous hatred. But I couldn’t let Mom die just yet. That would be too easy. I leaned into the gap and sobbed, “Mom! Mom, don’t be scared! I’ll find a way! Hang on, Mom! I won’t give up on you!” Compared to Bella, I sounded like an angel. I just wanted to make sure she survived long enough to hate Bella properly. The rescue took hours. When Bella was finally pulled out, her legs were purple and crushed. “Those legs are gone,” a medic muttered. Surprisingly, the secondary collapse didn’t happen this time. Maybe because I wasn’t the one trapped, or maybe Bella was too injured to thrash around. Mom was pulled out alive. They were rushed to the hospital. Dad went with Bella. I went with Mom. I couldn’t wait for Mom to wake up. Chapter 3 I sat by Mom’s hospital bed, staring at her sleeping face. It was the first time I’d really looked at her. Mom never wanted me. Grandma told me that Mom paid a hefty fine to try for a second child, hoping for a boy. When I popped out—another girl—she was furious. I was dumped at my grandma’s farm immediately. I survived on scraps and the kindness of neighbors. When I was eight, Dad brought me back to the city for school. Bella was two years older, the princess of the house. I was the Cinderella. Cleaning, cooking, laundry. My grades suffered because I had no time to study, while Bella was tutored and pampered. I never had a birthday party. I wasn’t even allowed to eat Bella’s birthday cake because Mom said I would “steal her luck.” Now, Bella was a double amputee with a face scarred by rebar. Would they still love her? Mom’s eyes fluttered open. She looked at me, confused, then relieved. “Mom? You’re awake? Are you okay?” I asked, feigning deep concern. She grabbed my wrist. “Where is your sister?” I put on my best tragic face. “Bella… it’s bad. They had to amputate both legs. Her face is ruined. She hasn’t woken up yet.” Mom went silent. She lay back, staring at the ceiling. She wasn’t crying. She was calculating. When Mom was discharged, Bella finally woke up. Dad wasn’t there; he was out trying to find us a place to live. Bella lay in bed, groggy. She didn’t know about her legs yet. When she saw Mom, she flinched. “Mom… you’re alive. That’s… good. We’re both alive. Don’t blame me for what I said, I was just scared.” Mom looked at her coldly. I walked up and hugged Mom’s arm. “Mom, you just woke up, sit down. Thank god you survived. If you hadn’t…” I trailed off. Mom looked at Bella with disgust. Bella glared at me. “Ava, stop trying to drive a wedge between us. Mom will never love you.” That sentence seemed to snap something in Mom. She turned, grabbed my hand, and teared up. “I haven’t wasted my time on you, Ava. I was wrong before. I treated you poorly. Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you. Double.” I smiled and squeezed her hand, shooting a triumphant look at Bella. But internally, I was skeptical. Would she really change? Or was I just the new investment vehicle? Chapter 4 Dad returned with three takeout boxes. Me, Mom, and Dad. None for Bella. “Where’s mine?” Bella demanded. “You just had surgery,” Dad said, stuffing his face. “Doctor said liquids only. I’ll get you some porridge later.” “Surgery? What surgery?” Silence fell over the room. She didn’t know. “Answer me! What surgery?!” Her voice rose to a shriek. Mom, losing patience, walked over and ripped the blanket off. The bedsheet was flat where her calves should have been. Bella opened her mouth, but no sound came out. Tears streamed down her face. Mom wasn’t done. She took out her phone, snapped a picture of Bella’s scarred face, and shoved the screen in front of her. Bella screamed. It was a primal, horrific sound. “Shut up!” A nurse yelled from the hallway. “This is a hospital!” Bella shook her head violently. “No! Impossible! I was saved! How is this possible?!” I quietly ate my chicken leg, watching the show. Mom sneered. “You thought you’d be saved and live happily ever after? You told your father to get a new wife? Look at you now. If he gets a new wife, do you think he’ll want a burden like you?” “I can’t believe I pampered you for eighteen years just for you to wish me dead. I was blind.” Dad chimed in, eager to please Mom. “Honey, I never wanted to leave you. Bella begged me. I was heartbroken.” Mom glared at him. “I only heard Ava telling me not to give up. I only heard Ava promising to save me. Don’t take me for a fool, David.” They argued. I finished my meal. We moved into temporary government housing. Bella needed constant care. Mom refused to touch her. Dad said it was inappropriate for him. So, naturally, they looked at me. Bella seemed to enjoy bossing me around again. I wasn’t having it. One afternoon, Bella yelled that she needed the bathroom. I was outside washing dishes and pretended not to hear. Dad and Mom were out. I finished the dishes, hung the laundry, and hummed a tune. When Mom came back, she saw me working hard. “Good girl, let me help.” Thump. A loud crash from inside. We ran in. Bella had tried to crawl to the commode and fallen. She was covered in her own filth. Mom gagged and walked out. Dad came home right then. He pulled me aside. “Ava, I found a school in New York City that will take you. Pack your things.” I packed immediately. That left Mom and Bella alone in the stench. Bella screamed in shame as Mom dragged her into a plastic tub to hose her down. Mom was cursing the whole time, but she did it. A mother never truly abandons her favorite, I guess. But me? Why was I so easy to discard? Chapter 5 We moved to New York City. Dad rented a small two-bedroom apartment in Queens. Mom and Dad took the master. I got the small room. Bella slept on a cot in the living room. Bella threw tantrums daily. At first, they reasoned with her. Then, they started hitting her. I watched Bella become quiet and fearful. It felt familiar. That was my childhood. Why did she look so pained? It was just normal life for me. The new school was great. Teachers were kind, knowing I was a survivor. Without chores weighing me down, I studied voraciously. My grades skyrocketed. Every time I brought home an ‘A’, Mom praised me. So this is what being the Golden Child feels like. Bella grew silent, staring at us with dead eyes. Dad bought Bella cheap prosthetics. She cried that they hurt. “It hurts to walk,” Dad said coldly. “Deal with it or crawl.” Surprisingly, the harshness worked. Bella learned to walk again, albeit with a heavy limp. The day Bella walked across the living room, my parents’ attitude shifted. They looked at her with that old, familiar warmth. “She was always the smart one,” Dad whispered to Mom. “If she can walk, she can go to school.” I felt a chill. They were already planning to reinstate the Queen. I ignored them and focused on my books. I needed a scholarship. I needed out. Dad pulled strings and got Bella into my high school. She was a senior, I was a sophomore. But because she missed so much time, they put her in my grade. “Take care of your sister,” Mom told me. “She has special needs. Carry her bag. Get her water.” I smiled and agreed. Mom patted my head. I looked at Bella’s cot in the living room. Did she really think she could take her crown back? 6 Bella played the victim card perfectly on her first day. The tragic survivor. The brave girl. By lunch, she had a circle of friends. She told them how terrible her life was at home. How I was the spoiled favorite who ignored her suffering. People started glaring at me. Trash appeared in my desk. My textbooks were vandalized. My homework was stolen. The teacher called me in. “Ava, you’ve missed three assignments. What’s going on?” I lowered my head, saying nothing. I walked back to class. Bella was standing at the door, smirking. I walked past her to the podium. The class went silent. I picked up a piece of chalk and wrote five names on the board. “The teacher just asked why my homework is missing. Guess if I told her?” “The cameras in here work. If I report this, they’ll check the tapes.” “You think you’re justice warriors? Bullying me because of her sob stories?” “If you want to be heroes, go catch real criminals. This isn’t justice. It’s assault.” The bell rang. I erased the names slowly, making eye contact with each bully. I went to my desk. My neighbor whispered, “There’s glue on your chair.” I looked. Superglue. Bella hadn’t come back to her seat yet. I swapped our chairs. The teacher walked in with Bella. “Tests are back,” the teacher announced. “Ava Zhang. 100%. Highest in the grade.” I walked up and took my paper. “Bella Zhang.” Bella stood up, acting weak and fragile. The paper was passed back. Everyone gasped. 12%. The former small-town genius had scored a 12 in a New York City math exam. The bell rang. Everyone packed up. Except Bella. She tried to stand, but her pants were fused to the chair. I packed my bag. “Ava!” she hissed. “Help me up! Fix this!” I walked out the door. I waited in the hall to watch the show. She struggled, realized what happened, and burst into humiliated tears. The teacher had to call Mom. 7 “I entrusted my daughter to this school!” Mom screamed at the principal. “She’s disabled! She’s being bullied! Where were the teachers?!” “If my younger daughter hadn’t noticed, she would have sat there all night!” Bella tried to speak. I grabbed her arm. “Sis, let’s go to the bathroom and change.” She shoved me away. “Get off me! You did this!” The teacher had had enough. “Mrs. Zhang, let’s be real. Bella requires constant care. Ava was a straight-A student before Bella arrived. Now she’s missing assignments because she’s playing nursemaid.” “If this continues, you ruin both of them.” Mom glared at me. “Ava was always stupid. Bella is the smart one. She just needs time.” The teacher slammed the test scores on the table. “Look at the data. Ava is top 10. Bella is bottom 5.” “We suggest transferring Bella to a special education program where her needs can be met.” Mom hesitated. Bella screamed, tearing up the test paper. “No! I’m not retarded! I can do it! Give me time!” That night, I heard them arguing. Dad wanted to send her away. Mom was wavering. Bella was in the bathroom, disinfecting the bloody stumps of her legs. Mom saw her and started crying. “My poor baby. Why did this happen to you?” I sat in my room, solving calculus problems. I had to climb. Higher. Away from this sinkhole. They kept Bella in school. Mom gave her one semester to catch up. “I’ll beat her in a month,” Bella promised. She didn’t. At the end of the semester, I was ranked 5th in the grade. Bella was ranked 92nd. Mom and Dad made the call. Bella was sent to a boarding school for students with disabilities. She screamed and fought, but they dragged her away. I stood there watching as she was led through the gates. She looked back, saw me, and went feral, trying to attack me. But the orderlies held her back.

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I was Julian Thorne’s canary for three years. But lately, he’s been acting weird. At a high school reunion, people started teasing us: “I heard you guys live in the same gated community. Are you secretly dating?” I quickly explained, pulling out a photo of a random guy from Instagram as proof. “No way! I already have a boyfriend!” Across the table, Julian gritted his teeth, nearly crushing his wine glass. My phone buzzed with his texts. [Am I not your boyfriend?!] [Am I that embarrassing?] [What did you take me for these past three years?!] [A free gigolo?!] Me: “?” 1 “Snow! Over here—” As soon as I entered the private dining room, my best friend Chloe pulled me aside. She linked her arm with mine, muttering, “Why are you so late?” I pressed my palms together in apology. “It’s raining, traffic was terrible.” Looking around, our old high school classmates were all there. I secretly rubbed my sore waist and sat down next to Chloe. It had been seven years since graduation. I didn’t want to come to this reunion, but Chloe begged me. People greeted me warmly. “Snow White, I didn’t even recognize you!” “You’ve changed so much, you’re gorgeous now.” I smiled and made small talk, but they soon moved on to other topics. In high school, I was invisible. I wasn’t close to them then, so there wasn’t much to say now. The class president, holding the menu, asked, “Is everyone here? Should I tell the waiter to serve?” “We’re missing Julian.” “And Bella hasn’t arrived yet. She just flew in from Tokyo.” “What a coincidence!” someone teased. “I saw Julian posted from Tokyo just a few days ago.” Everyone winked and laughed, the implication clear. Even after all these years, the rumors about those two hadn’t faded. I sipped my tea, saying nothing. Just then, the door opened. A man walked in, raindrops clinging to his dark hair, making his eyes look even blacker. The room was warm, so he casually undid the top button of his dress shirt. My gaze traveled up his long, veiny hands to his pale wrists. For some reason, my waist started aching again. “What are you guys talking about?” Julian asked, glancing up. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a sharp jawline. His eyes still held that arrogant laziness from our school days. “Prince Julian, what took you so long? We were waiting for you to start,” Max joked. “We were guessing if you went to pick up Bella.” “Bella?” Julian frowned, annoyed. “I was outside—” He paused, catching my eye. He cleared his throat awkwardly and looked away. “…smoking.” He was the last to arrive. Only two seats were left: one in the girls’ section, one in the boys’. Max pulled out the chair next to him. But Julian walked right past him and sat down next to me. Max: “Why are you sitting with the girls?” Julian didn’t look at him, sipping his tea. “The ventilation is better here.” In high school, his temper was legendary. No one dared to question him. I kept my head down, but under the tablecloth, a hand hooked my finger and slowly caressed it. His fingertips were cool, the touch teasing and careless. I continued chatting with Chloe while my left hand ruthlessly shook him off under the table. I hate the smell of smoke. Julian froze. A moment later, I heard him grind his teeth and let out a cold snort. Chloe didn’t notice our silent war. She whispered, “Snow, how about that guy your aunt set you up with? Any updates?” I choked. I felt the hand under the table pinch my palm hard in punishment. On the surface, Julian looked bored. I quickly said, “I have a boyfriend now.” Satisfied, Julian took another sip of tea. Outside, loud voices announced, “Bella is here—” 2 Everyone looked up. A woman walked in. Years had shed her high school awkwardness; she was poised and elegant. Bella was the school beauty back then. The line of boys bringing her boba tea could wrap around the hallway. Even the girls had to admit she was stunning. Bella smiled at me when our eyes met. But when she saw Julian next to me, she paused, feigning resignation. “Looks like I’m late to the party.” Classmates urged Julian to move. “Julian, why are you crowding the girls?” “Come over here and drink!” Julian didn’t move. I nudged him gently. He stood up with an impatient tsk and moved to the empty seat in the boys’ section. As he passed Bella, she called out to him. “Julian, I haven’t paid you back for that watch you bought for me in Tokyo.” She held out her phone, smiling. “Add me back on WeChat/Venmo.” “Add back.” Those words carried weight. The room watched with interest. Everyone remembered how Julian gave up going abroad for college because Bella stayed in the country. They never officially dated, but everyone knew Julian liked her. Later, something happened, and they drifted apart. “No need,” Julian said indifferently. “Too much trouble.” Bella smiled brighter. “Fine, then consider it a birthday gift from you.” The crowd cheered. “Whoa! Birthday gift!” They shoved drinks into their hands, insisting they toast to bury the hatchet. Reunions are breeding grounds for rekindled flames. Chloe whispered, “This feels like a ‘get back together’ scene.” I smiled and said nothing. I could tell Julian was annoyed. He hadn’t even taken the glass. But the others were too drunk on nostalgia to notice. Only I sensed the storm brewing. With his temper, he might flip the table and leave. I sighed internally and spoke up with a smile. “Let’s eat first. The food is getting cold. Don’t waste the class president’s order.” Everyone finally sat down. Bella sat next to me. Seeing me pick up food, she suddenly spoke. “Snow, you bought that watch too?” I followed her gaze to my wrist. I didn’t usually wear jewelry, but Julian loved buying me random accessories and insisted I wear them. Today was no exception. Bella’s comment made me realize my watch was the same model she had mentioned to Julian. “No,” I smiled softly. “It was a gift.” Bella looked enlightened. “Are you married, Snow?” Honestly, Bella and I weren’t close in high school. I wasn’t close to anyone except Chloe. I was the introvert, the wallflower. I didn’t know why Bella was so interested in chatting with me today. “Not married,” I replied politely. “Dating?” she pressed. As she asked, I felt a gaze burning into me. I didn’t need to look up to know it was Julian. I opened my phone gallery. “Yes, I’m dating.” I showed her a photo. “This is my boyfriend.” The man in the photo had a bright, sunny smile. It was a random picture I found on Instagram to fend off nosy relatives. Clang— A glass smashed on the floor. Julian kept a straight face, smiling coldly. “Sorry. Slipped.” 3 Dinner ended. People were calling Ubers and designated drivers. Those with cars offered rides. Chloe waved at me. “Snow, I got a ride! Since we live close, let’s go together!” “I’m not going back to my mom’s place tonight,” I explained quickly. “Oh right,” Chloe paused. “You said you moved. Where do you live now?” “Um… pretty far out.” I couldn’t exactly say I lived in Julian’s villa in the suburbs. Just then, Max walked over, smiling. “Snow White, where do you live? I can drop you off if it’s on the way.” Max was Julian’s best friend. But even he and Chloe didn’t know about my relationship with Julian. I mumbled a vague area. “Oh, that’s on Julian’s way,” Max said. “Yeah, what a coincidence.” Julian walked over, glancing at me. “Let’s go. I’ll drop you.” He turned to Bella lazily. “Sorry, not going your way. Catch a ride with Max.” Bella pressed her lips together, glancing at me again. We walked to the parking lot. I stayed a meter away from Julian. At his car, I habitually went for the passenger side, then froze and reached for the back door handle. Julian stopped me. He pressed his hand over mine, smiling without warmth. “Sitting in the back? Treating me like a chauffeur?” Well, aren’t you driving me home? I lowered my eyes, too tired to argue. But my silence looked like I was being bullied. “Julian, don’t be so mean to Snow,” Chloe chided. She knew Julian and I had zero interaction in high school and knew his temper. Julian pursed his lips, silent. Max took the opportunity to hand me his phone. “Snow, let’s exchange contacts. We’re old classmates, might need to network later.” Julian looked down at me. I could feel his gaze darken. But I couldn’t refuse an old classmate, so I added Max. Max added fuel to the fire. “Don’t be scared. If he dumps you on the side of the road, call us.” I smiled gently. “We’re just classmates. Julian wouldn’t be that heartless.” Once everyone else drove off, I got into the car. Julian grabbed my wrist and pulled me into his arms. The alcohol buzz vanished instantly. I pushed him away, whispering, “Julian! Let go!” We were in a parking lot. Anyone could see. Julian held the back of my head, preventing me from struggling. In the cramped space, he leaned close to my ear. His warm breath tickled my skin. His voice was dangerously casual. “Snow White, say that again.” “What is our relationship?” 4 How do I explain my relationship with Julian? We met at a business mixer after college. He helped me out of a tight spot for old times’ sake. He was a major client for my company. He knew I needed money—lots of it. He liked my obedience. I was his canary in a gilded cage. This went on for three years. We weren’t lovers. We were a transaction. So in public, he maintained my dignity, and I stayed silent to protect his reputation. That night, Julian went crazy. I was disheveled, voiceless, reduced to soft whimpers. But he wouldn’t let me go. He kept asking in a hoarse voice. “Snow, am I that embarrassing?” “Why didn’t you reject them when they asked for your number right in front of me?” “What do you take me for?” … I woke up at noon the next day. My body ached. The house was empty. Julian had fallen asleep at dawn and left for the office after only a few hours. I didn’t understand his anger last night. I chalked it up to weird possessiveness. On the surface, Julian was a playboy heir. But his father had handed him the reins of the group. Recently, there was internal strife, and Julian was stressed balancing the board members. He often came home exhausted. I never asked questions. I just poured tea and massaged his shoulders. As long as he deposited the money every month, I didn’t care. My phone vibrated. I ignored it. The caller persisted. I frowned and picked up. “What?” “Why didn’t you answer?” My mom complained. “Too busy to talk to your own mother?” “Did you find a job for your brother?” I was silent. “Sorry, I don’t have that kind of pull.” “It’s just a few words for you. That Chairman Thorne is your classmate’s dad, right?” “You went to school with his son. Can’t you ask for a favor?” The “brother” she mentioned was her son with my stepdad. Spoiled and arrogant. He tried business and failed. Now he wanted a cushy job at the Thorne Group. “I saw you come home in his son’s car the other day. Are you dating?” My mom suddenly sounded alert. “If you’re together, we’re practically in-laws!” “Mom!” I cut her off. “It’s not like that. Stop imagining things.” She went silent. After a long pause, she said slowly: “Your brother said you changed. I didn’t believe him.” “But for Grandma’s birthday, you carried a bag worth thousands.” “Your brother saw you enter a villa complex. An old man picked you up.” “Snow, don’t forget your roots. We are your family. You can’t abandon us just because you have money.” My voice turned cold. “Caleb stalked me?” She ignored my question. “Anyway, I’ll say this.” “We know where your money comes from.” Her tone turned threatening. “Your brother knows where you live now.” “If you don’t want to be exposed and shamed, don’t forget to send money home.” “We are your family. We won’t hurt you. You understand, right?”

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After my parents died, I was taken in by my father’s best friend, the Vance family. On my sixteenth birthday, Caleb Vance kissed me while drunk and demanded I only like him. At eighteen, he coaxed me into tasting forbidden fruit, promising we’d be entangled for a lifetime. At twenty-four, I wanted to get married. But he said he wouldn’t marry me. After a month of cold war, our friends organized a party to help us reconcile. That day, Caleb brought a young girl with him. The girl’s shy smile looked exactly like mine at eighteen. My friends stood up for me: “Caleb, what the hell is Elara to you?” Caleb sneered. “Why are you all overreacting?” “I only see Elara as a sister. Just because she lived in my house all these years doesn’t mean I have to marry her, right?” 1 After saying that, he lowered his head and kissed his little girlfriend’s hair. He looked around the room. “Don’t spread rumors about my relationship with Elara Vance. My girlfriend might misunderstand.” “She’s young. Hard to comfort.” Sitting across from him, Liam, who grew up with us, gritted his teeth. “Caleb Vance, are you serious right now?” Everyone knew about my relationship with Caleb. Liam was speaking up for me. Caleb glanced at him lazily, lit a cigarette, and his face turned cold. “Liam, since when are you and Elara so close? Is it your turn to stand up for her?” His gaze swept over me indifferently, then he pinched his girlfriend’s cheek. “Babe, wait for me outside. It’s too noisy here. I’ll take you somewhere else later.” The girl was obedient. She glanced at him timidly and left quietly. Once she was gone, Caleb lifted his eyelids to stare at me. “Elara, we were consenting adults. Is it fun for you to keep putting our friends up to pressure me into marriage?” Before I could answer, he blew a smoke ring and smiled indifferently. “I never said you were my girlfriend, did I?” I looked numbly at the face I had loved for eight years, suddenly feeling like he was a stranger. Liam stood up to punch him. “Caleb, are you even human saying sh*t like that?” I held Liam back tightly. He gritted his teeth. “If you want to break up, do it with some dignity. Why humiliate her like this?” Caleb’s gaze was icy. “Liam, you’re defending her so much. Do you like her?” “Fine, I don’t want her anymore. Go ahead and chase her.” “I’ve slept with her for years anyway. Even if she’s not bored, I am.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Noah, sitting in the corner, smashed his wine glass. Everyone turned to look at him. 2 Noah was the “high mountain flower” of our circle—aloof and untouchable. When I first arrived at the Vance house at twelve, I was most afraid of him. He always acted older than his age, always stern, always sparse with words. Regarding Caleb and me, whether we were being affectionate or fighting, he never showed any extra emotion. His sudden outburst surprised me. He looked coldly at Caleb. “You’ve crossed the line.” “What? You’re going to lecture me too?” Caleb sneered. “I didn’t expect everyone to be more anxious about my family affairs than I am.” “Elara Vance, should I praise you for being so capable?” When I was sixteen, he said the same thing to me. But back then, it was because he found a love letter in my backpack. That day was my birthday. He looked at me with a half-smile. “Top of the class, huh? What he wrote is so cheesy.” That’s what he said. But after everyone left, he barged into my room, pinned me against the door, and kissed me. After a brief taste, he nuzzled my neck intimately. “Elara, you’re not allowed to like anyone else. You can only like me.” Back then, he was like a pitiful puppy, his tone full of grievance. I lowered my eyes, avoiding his gaze now. I just felt it was too disjointed. My heart stung a little. But I knew it was time to end things with him. “Caleb, since everyone is here today, let’s make everything clear once and for all.” He stubbed out his cigarette. “Speak.” Even though my eyes were stinging painfully, I looked up stubbornly. “Just as you said, we have no relationship.” “From now on, we go our separate ways.” Caleb’s fingers gripping the wine glass turned white, veins bulging. “Elara, you want to draw a line with me?” I dug my nails into my palm. “You have a girlfriend. Shouldn’t you keep your distance from other women?” 3 I remembered when I was seventeen, I went to bring him his jersey. But I stumbled upon the school beauty cornering him in the locker room. “Caleb, I’ve chased you from middle school to high school. I like you so much, just be with me.” I quickly retreated to the corner. I heard Caleb’s cold voice. “You like me. What does that have to do with me?” “Move.” She wouldn’t give up, grabbing his hand, tears about to fall. “Don’t be so mean to me. Don’t ignore me. I’ll be sad.” Caleb showed no mercy. He pulled his hand away and looked down at her. “I have someone I like.” “Keeping a distance from other girls, isn’t that what I should do?” She froze. Her tears fell, making her look pitiful. “Leave. If the person I like sees you, she’ll get jealous, and I won’t be able to coax her back.” She wiped her tears and ran off. I watched her retreating figure, thinking Caleb was cruel. But he had walked up behind me and hugged me without me noticing. “Seen enough?” “Aren’t you going to praise me?” “You’re cruel,” I said. He laughed roguishly. “Elara, it’s because I only love you.” “So, you can only love me too. Got it?” His kiss fell. The minty scent of his youth wrapped around me cleanly. It let me understand what it felt like to be someone’s unreserved preference. It turned out to be like this. 4 Caleb might have remembered it too. He pressed his lips together in silence. I stood up, walked over to him, and took off the ring. That was when I was twenty-two. He begged his mother for it, saying it was a family heirloom. He insisted on putting it on my finger. Now that our relationship was over, I naturally didn’t need it anymore. “Caleb, here’s your ring back.” His brows furrowed tightly. He looked up at me, his lips trembling slightly. “I don’t take back things I’ve given out.” “It’s not appropriate.” I placed the ring in front of him. He stood up abruptly, didn’t take it, didn’t look at me. “My girlfriend is still outside.” It looked like he was fleeing in panic. The room fell into a dead silence. Liam comforted me. “Elara, you guys have been together for years.” “Caleb is just spiting you.” Spiting me? A month ago, right here. In the same spot. I had prepared a wedding dress, wanting to propose to Caleb in front of everyone. He lost a game and chose Truth. I asked him, “Have you thought about getting married?” In the dim light, Caleb’s expression was obscure. Then he answered, “I won’t get married. I have a phobia of marriage.” In that instant, I froze. And because I brought it up publicly, he was very unhappy. That day, he left early. My planned proposal died before it began. Looking back now. He didn’t fear marriage. He just didn’t want to marry me. I suddenly thought of a saying. Relationships that start unclearly will end unclearly. Caleb and I, perhaps this was as far as we could go. 5 On the way back, Noah drove. He wasn’t much of a talker, and I wasn’t in the mood to chat. Silence filled the air again, only instrumental music quietly spreading in the confined space. “Elara, if you…” Before he could finish, Liam called. “Elara, Caleb got into a fight!” When we arrived, the conflict was over. Outside the crowd, I watched Caleb from a distance. Maybe it was the adrenaline from the fight, or maybe he was drunk. His face was flushed as he sat in the middle of the sofa, tightly holding his little girlfriend. The girl buried her head shyly, and he lifted her chin to kiss her. There was a roar of teasing from the crowd. Someone who knew me asked him, “Bro, aren’t you marrying Elara?” “Why are you keeping a little lover?” Caleb’s face darkened immediately. “When did I say I was going to marry her?” The person paused, seeming to want to speak up for me. “But the one in your arms looks so much like Elara…” Caleb slammed his glass down. “Don’t mention that name in front of me again. Or get out.” “Starting today, this is your sister-in-law. Say hello to your sister-in-law.” The people present looked at each other, unable to call such a young girl “sister-in-law.” I didn’t want to watch anymore. I turned and left. At the door, I met Liam who had just arrived. “What’s going on with him? Is he hurt? Does he need a hospital?” He looked inside. Just in time to see Caleb pull the girl onto his lap and nuzzle her neck. Just like how he used to love being intimate with me when he loved me so much. Liam backed out. He cursed. 6 I didn’t let them drive me home. I walked alone to the riverbank, involuntarily thinking of the past. At eighteen, after graduation, Caleb coaxed me into intimacy. He said we would be entangled for a lifetime. He was so wild and untamed outside. But because of one worried word from me, he quit all dangerous sports. He stayed by my side obediently. He went to the same university as me, becoming my twenty-four-hour devoted boyfriend. Everyone envied me, saying his love for me was something to show off. At twenty-one, the Vance parents discovered our relationship. Mr. Vance beat him with a cane, calling him a bastard. He held his head high, didn’t shed a tear, and told them he was serious about me, that he would make me happy. Even though his back was bloody and I was crying my eyes out, he smiled and comforted me, saying it didn’t hurt a bit. Later, he went to Mrs. Vance for the ring and put it on me. “You are now part of the Vance family.” Liam once asked him if feelings change, would he have a change of heart. He kicked Liam and said unless he died, he couldn’t stop loving me in this lifetime. Until last year, we survived the seven-year itch. He still hugged me and said his love for me was undying. He was such a fast-burner, wishing the whole world knew when he treated someone well. Loving fiercely and crazily. But I was such a slow-burner, slow to fall in love but loving for a long time. So much so that he has already extricated himself, and I am still reminiscing about the past. Reminiscing about the year he put the ring on me, and I took him to my parents’ grave. He held my hand and made a promise: “Uncle, Auntie, don’t worry. I will treat Elara well for the rest of my life.” It turned out his “lifetime” was only eight years. It turned out the love I believed in was just a friends-with-benefits relationship without a title. I wiped away the cold tears on my face. My phone dinged with a notification. An email came in; my application for Doctors Without Borders had been approved. Departure in one week.

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The day my billionaire parents found me, I was gutting a fish in the local market. After they brought me home, the “Fake Heiress” tried to play mind games with me, dropping passive-aggressive hints left and right. Unfortunately for her, I barely went to school, so I didn’t understand a word of her subtle shade. My biological brother couldn’t stand watching it anymore, so he gave me a copy of The Mean Girl Survival Guide. I became a self-taught master. Later, I smiled innocently at the Fake Heiress and said: “Haha, trying to mess with me? Jokes on you, it’s like kicking a cotton ball~” She was so mad she literally ended up in the hospital. 1 When my biological parents found me, I was passionately chopping fish. It was a scorching summer day. I was wearing a waterproof apron, my cleaver thudding rhythmically against the cutting board. I smelled like a mix of fish guts and old blood. I looked at them blankly. Their faces were completely unfamiliar. I asked them dumbly, “You want a carp?” The man ignored the stench and pulled me into a hug. “Lily, you are our daughter. Mom and Dad are taking you home now, okay?” Seeing how sincere he was, I nodded and agreed, but I insisted on bringing my mutt, Lucky. I couldn’t read the complex emotions in their eyes. Dad patted my head. “Lily, we can buy you a new dog when we get home, okay? A Poodle, a Maltese, whatever you want.” I shook my head and hugged Lucky tight, climbing into their luxury car. Mom kept staring at me, telling me not to get the car dirty. I nodded and hugged Lucky tighter. “Mom, I’m very good, and so is Lucky.” Mom finally turned away and stopped looking at me. 2 I rode in their car to a massive estate. A girl about my age was waiting at the door. She was wearing a pristine white dress with a flower in her hair. She looked beautiful. Mom went over and hugged her, stroking her back. “Bella, Mom is home.” I hugged my dog, Lucky, and hid behind Dad. I was so dirty. I didn’t want to stain that white dress. Dad pulled me out from behind him. I looked awkwardly at the mother and daughter hugging. The girl turned to hug Dad but hesitated when she saw me. I wisely stepped aside, but Dad pulled me back. “This is your sister. Even though she’s adopted, we’ve raised her as our own for years, so she is your sister.” I nodded, wiped my hands on my apron again and again, and reached out. “Hi, sister!” She looked at me in horror, then looked at Mom. “Does sister think I’m dirty?” I asked Dad. Dad’s eyes filled with tears. He grabbed my outstretched hand. “Lily isn’t dirty.” Mom realized her mistake and looked at me with guilt, ordering the housekeeper to take me upstairs to clean up. Actually, I really wasn’t that dirty. I showered every day after selling fish. I soaked in a bathtub for the first time. It was amazing. The housekeeper, Mrs. Higgins, was washing Lucky. It turned out Lucky wasn’t a yellow dog, but a white one. I was a little embarrassed. 3 I was enjoying my bath when Mom came in. She brought me a dress. “This is one of Bella’s old dresses… I’ll take you to buy new ones when I have time…” Before she could finish, I stood up, eyes sparkling, smiling foolishly at her. “A dress! I’ve never worn a dress before. It’s so pretty.” Mom looked at me and suddenly started crying. Did I scare her? She hugged me tightly, heartbroken. “Lily, why do you have so many scars?” I looked at my arms, legs, and shoulders. Some scars were fading; others were freshly scabbed. “Some are from gutting fish. I wasn’t good at it at first and kept chopping myself. Some are from my old dad hitting me. He hit people whenever he got drunk,” I said nonchalantly. “But later I got really good at gutting fish, and I never cut myself again! Mom, aren’t I awesome?” I looked at her, waiting for praise. But Mom just hugged me tighter and sobbed uncontrollably. Mom put the dress on me, but it was a bit too big. Then I didn’t understand why she cried even louder. Her crying summoned Dad. Dad asked Mom what was wrong. Mom said I was too skinny, looking nothing like a girl who was almost sixteen. Oh, so that was it. I sighed in relief. I thought I looked so ugly in Bella’s dress that I made Mom cry. I was wearing a dress for the first time, spinning around in circles. I kept asking Dad if I looked good. Then I ran into a pillar. Why is there a pillar in the middle of the living room? Turns out it was my brother, Ethan. He looked at me with disgust. “Where did this skinny monkey come from?” Then he got smacked by Dad. I blew on his arm, saying “blow it and it won’t hurt,” and he looked like he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. 4 Now, only Bella was afraid to get close to me. But I was clean now. She looked at me and cried too. I felt like I had a magic power that made everyone who saw me cry. Bella hugged Mom and wouldn’t let go. “Mommy, I don’t want to go gut fish.” Why not? Gutting fish is great. For every fish I gutted, my adoptive father gave me a dollar. I had saved almost a thousand dollars. A thousand dollars! Mom looked at Dad pleadingly. Dad looked at me. “Why does sister have to go gut fish?” I asked, confused. “Because Bella is your adoptive parents’ biological daughter. After you got lost, we found her and thought it was fate, so we adopted her,” Dad explained. No wonder Bella looked familiar. She looked like my adoptive mother. What a coincidence. I am my parents’ daughter, got lost, and was adopted by my adoptive parents. Bella is my adoptive parents’ daughter, got lost, and was adopted by my parents. Dad asked me, “Lily, how about we don’t send Bella back?” “If the family has three thousand dollars a month, sure,” I answered with a smile. “Why three thousand?” “Because I only use five hundred a month. Three kids would need about fifteen hundred, plus Mom, Dad, and Mrs. Higgins, so six people need three thousand,” I calculated on my fingers. Dad’s eyes turned red again. Sigh, when will my magic power to make people cry wear off? I stopped crying when I was five, and they are grown-ups and still crying. “Lily, you can spend five thousand a month if you want. Mom and Dad are very rich. Look, we live in a huge house.” “Five thousand dollars?!” I was shocked. If Mom and Dad are that rich, of course we can keep Bella. We could keep lots and lots of Bellas. 5 Bella looked at me timidly. “Sister, can you please not kick me out? I don’t want to leave Mom and Dad.” “Of course.” Mom let out a sigh of relief and immediately hugged Bella. Watching them hug, tears welled up in my eyes. Weird. What is going on today? Why did I cry right after saying they love to cry? Dad looked at Mom and coughed. I sniffled and asked Dad if he was sick. Dad bent down and hugged me. Now it’s fair. One kid each, I thought. Wait, not fair! I broke free from Dad’s hug. Under Dad’s confused gaze, I hugged Ethan. And threw Lucky to Dad. Yeah… now it’s fair. Mrs. Higgins saw us huddled together and smilingly called us for dinner. We went to the dining room. I had never seen such a fancy dinner in my life. Ethan called me a country bumpkin. I ignored him. Bella put food in my bowl. I held up my bowl to receive it. Mom looked at this harmonious scene and laughed. “Oops, sister… do you still hate me?” For some reason, the food Bella was passing to me fell onto the floor. I had held my bowl out perfectly. I didn’t hear what Bella said. My eyes were fixed on the fallen food. I picked up the eggplant with my hand and ate it. Mom looked at me like I was a monster. I explained in a panic, “Five-second rule! I always eat like this…” Besides, the floor in this house was polished so clean, it wasn’t dirty at all. I saw a flash of shock in Bella’s eyes, but she quickly recovered and whispered, “Sister, it’s my fault, I didn’t hold it tight…” “It’s okay, sister, I’ll get it myself.” “Sister really hates me, doesn’t she?” Bella looked like she was about to cry again. “Ah… no… oh dear, I just wanted to try every dish and was afraid you’d get tired,” I blurted out, embarrassed. I really wanted to crawl under the table. So I did. Ethan laughed so loud. I didn’t dare come out. Finally, Mom pulled me out and put a little of every dish in my bowl. I had never eaten such delicious food! I was happy again. 6 “Sister, did you just leave your old home like that? Don’t you miss your adoptive parents? I can’t imagine leaving Mom and Dad,” Bella asked curiously. “Hmm… I do miss them a bit. Gutting fish is tiring, but a dollar a fish, I saved a thousand dollars in two years! And although my adoptive dad beat me, he always avoided my face so I could still sell fish.” “Also, also, the kids around there told me school is super tiring, so my adoptive parents didn’t let me go to school,” I answered cheerfully. Bella was stunned. I thought she must be envious of my life. “If you want to experience it, I can take you! I have experience! I can train you, and we can dominate the fish market!” “Mom… Sister is threatening me again, boo hoo hoo.” She cried again and hugged Mom. “Huh? Sister, I didn’t… I just thought your biological parents would be happy to see you because Mom and Dad were happy to see me.” “Sister, don’t cry. I’m clumsy with words and can’t comfort people. I’ll give you all my money.” I untied the cloth bag hanging around my neck, the one I never took off even in the shower. Inside was the thousand dollars I saved over two years, stacked neatly. I heartbrokenly handed the money to Bella. She didn’t take it. The money fell all over the floor. “Does sister… still think I’m dirty?” I sadly picked up the scattered bills alone. Dad squatted down and helped me pick them up. After collecting them, he put the money away and handed me a bank card. “Dad put the money away for you. This card is for you. There is lots and lots of money in it. Lily, spend it however you like.” Dad, my real Dad. I took the card and touched it carefully. This card was different from the ones I’d seen. It was black. But I finally had a bank card! The kids at the fish market said you have to deposit lots of money to get a card. Bella stared at Dad in disbelief. “Dad… isn’t that my birthday present?” “Huh? What is a birthday present?” I asked abruptly. In my memory, I only had a birthday when I was very, very little. But I couldn’t remember clearly. I didn’t have a birthday. My adoptive father told me every time the year changed, I grew a year older. I always calculated my age like that. The guilt in Dad’s eyes couldn’t be hidden anymore. He looked sternly at Bella. “Lily just came back. You should share with your sister. Dad will give you one later.” Then Dad told me May 17th was my birthday. I was so happy. I finally had a birthday like everyone else.

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One year after my divorce, I announced my retirement from Hollywood. Everyone said I had gone insane after being dumped by Scarlett Vance. Then one day, a wish-granting vlogger’s video went viral. My video series was divided into seven episodes. They were the fragments of my life flashing before my eyes. The title of the first episode was: [By the time you see this, I will already be dead.] 1 I was bundled up tight, only my eyes visible. Suddenly, someone blocked my path. “Hi, I’m a vlogger who helps people grant their wishes. Can I interview you?” It had been three months since I retired. I thought I’d been recognized by the paparazzi, so I waved him off immediately. But the guy in front of me kept trying to persuade me. “Do you have any unfulfilled wishes? I can help you, no charge.” I turned to leave, but I heard him chasing after me, trying to show me his phone screen. “I’m not a scammer, I have a TikTok account! Look!” I thought he was rude, but what he said was true. He was clearly a newbie. He had barely any videos, and his view count was pitiful. Looking at his earnest face, I suddenly remembered when I first entered the entertainment industry. Back then, I was full of ambition but kept hitting walls. I suddenly felt a pang of compassion. “What kind of wishes can you grant?” The naive kid just scratched his head. “It depends on what you want. To be honest, you’re the seventeenth person I’ve asked today. No one believes me. Like, do you have someone you want to see? A place you want to go? Tell me your story, and I’ll arrange it.” I teased him a little, afraid I might scare him off. “What if… I want you to document the end of my life? Would you be willing? “The condition is, these videos cannot be released before I die. “If I don’t die, these videos are void. Do you dare to take that bet?” 2 The wish-granting vlogger’s name was Evan. He was tall and skinny. He sat in front of me. He looked extremely awkward. No, actually, he looked like he was about to cry. “Liam… I didn’t expect it to be you. Are you really…” His eyes were red, as if he couldn’t accept it. “I really loved your movies.” “Yeah. You could say I’m pretty impressive in every aspect. I don’t get sick often, but when I do, it’s a big one. I have several types of cancer in my body.” I pulled out a tissue and handed it to him. “The doctor says I have about six months left.” He held his phone up to me. “So, this is the real reason you retired?” “Yeah, I can’t film anymore. Constant chemotherapy drains all my energy. And…” I smiled. “Too many tabloids posted proof that I’m going bald.” This was the first time I took off my wig in front of a camera. Underneath the wig, there were only sparse patches of hair. My scalp was clearly visible. I looked like a ghoul. “You know I’m pretty vain. If I keep getting papped like this, where’s my dignity? “I’m greedy. I want seven wishes from you. You make seven episodes. Deal?” 3 May 2, 2024 – May 8, 2024 Episode 1 (Part 1) [By the time you see this, I will already be dead.] “Film my left side more. Fans always say my left profile looks better.” Evan was much calmer than a week ago, but he told me he cried at home for days after finding out and lost three pounds. “I’ll definitely make you look handsome.” He rubbed his eyes. “Liam, what’s your first wish?” “I want to try circumambulating Mount Kailash.” He nodded immediately. “No problem, I’ll book the tickets now. But can I ask why you want to go there?” I couldn’t smile at the camera. “Scarlett Vance and I once promised we’d go together. Now that the chance is gone, I want to see it for myself. They say it cleanses the soul, right?” Tibet is far, but not unreachable. After getting off the plane, the high altitude made me sick. It took two days of travel to reach Darchen, the starting point for the trek. On the way, Evan kept worrying about my health, nagging me with precautions. I teased him with a smile. “I asked the doctor. He said since I don’t have much time left anyway, I can go wherever I want.” One sentence made the kid’s eyes red again. He asked cautiously, “Liam, did you and Miss Vance break up amicably?” I knew he was asking politely. Actually, my divorce with Scarlett was messy and ugly. But in these final moments before leaving the world, I finally had the courage to speak up. “In her eyes, it definitely wasn’t amicable. She, like everyone else, thinks I cheated.” “So you really didn’t cheat, right?” The kid’s eyes lit up. “I knew I didn’t judge you wrong.” I nodded with a smile. “Yeah, I loved that woman to death. How could I look at anyone else?” New vloggers have one flaw: their emotions are too volatile. He started crying buckets right in front of the camera. He sobbed, “The media scolded you so badly back then. How dared they?” I had to comfort him on camera. Finally, I had to admit: “Forget it. I’ll tell you. I staged the whole thing.” 4 May 2, 2024 – May 8, 2024 Episode 1 (Part 2) [By the time you see this, I will already be dead.] “Six months before the divorce, I was diagnosed with cancer. Back then, it was only one type. The doctor told me if I cooperated with treatment, there was hope for survival. “Later I learned that most doctors are kind-hearted, but sometimes they lie. “I got my childhood best friend to act with me, just to get rid of Scarlett faster. “Don’t let her CEO title fool you. She’s decisive in business, but with me, she’s stubborn as a mule.” I didn’t say anymore. Everyone understood. Evan asked with a sad face, “Bro, why didn’t you tell her the truth about your illness?” “The process of dying is painful. Why drag someone else into it?” Evan suddenly said, “Recent news says Ms. Vance has a new boyfriend.” “Really? Then I genuinely congratulate her.” I meant it. “She deserves better.” I endured the nausea caused by the bumpy road. “I’m not acting here. When you’re about to die, you can let go of anything. “I used to joke with Scarlett that if she found another man, I’d break her legs. But look, didn’t I let go easily?” The guide suddenly spoke up. “Rest tonight. The rest of the journey is on foot. 32 miles total. But I have to warn you, the altitude is high. It feels much longer than 32 miles.” On the first day of the trek, our destination was Dirapuk Monastery. That’s where you can see the Golden Mountain at sunrise. “I suddenly feel like it’s unfair to drag you on this life-threatening trek for my own selfish desire.” Evan shook his head. “Liam, I know my body. If I can’t hold on, I won’t force it. Besides, you said you prepared for months.” Luckily, neither of us had severe altitude sickness. And we were lucky. The morning after staying at Dirapuk Monastery, I saw the sun hit the golden peaks. I copied the pose I saw online, arms wide open for a photo. I shouted, “If possible, I hope you all forget me!” I thought for a moment and shouted again, “Scarlett, I came for you! You don’t have to come anymore!” Along the way, we met many devout pilgrims prostrating themselves. We saw hail. The food was terrible. We slept in simple, uncomfortable beds. It took three days to complete the trek. I summarized the episode to the camera. “What I didn’t tell you is that when I first planned this, I wanted to come with Scarlett. Later, when I decided to come alone, I thought about killing myself here.” Evan was so scared he grabbed my hand. I patted his hand and continued. “Back then I thought, I can’t be cured anyway. I’ll die in a lake, on a snowy mountain, or just on the journey. “But later, I suddenly didn’t want to die. I wanted to live well in my final moments, to make this life worthwhile.” Evan suddenly asked, “Any regrets about this first trip?” I nodded. Thinking about it still scared me. “My parents spoil me rotten, but I lied to them. I didn’t tell them I was sick. “I even lied that I started acting again, filming a movie in Tibet. “I’m sorry. I was wrong. I ended up being an unfilial son.” 5 June 4, 2024 Episode 2 (Part 1) After returning from Tibet, it took me a full month to recover from the altitude and exhaustion before I contacted Evan again. I had a chemo session in between. Each time, it felt harder to get out of bed than the last, as if my strength was being drained, bringing me one step closer to death. I wasn’t sure if I could trust this kid I’d only met once. If he released my first video now, he could go viral instantly. I was gambling. Gambling that people generally have a bit more conscience when facing a dying man. “Liam, what’s your second wish?” “I want people to get to know me more. And I want to revisit the paths I used to walk.” Evan looked worriedly at the camera. “With your health, we can take it slow.” “It’s okay. I rested enough before calling you. In the final moments of life, people become greedy, wanting to fulfill more and more wishes.” “Your look today is great. Reminds me of your breakout role in Do You Remember Me Today?” In that drama, I played a fresh college grad with short hair who got entangled with the CEO of his internship company. I smiled and touched my head. “I can change hairstyles at will now. Handsome, right?” “But you’re getting thinner. Has no one around you noticed?” I looked down, embarrassed. “I divorced Scarlett, so we don’t meet. Since getting sick, I see my parents less and less. But they are parents, so we video call. Guess what I said? I said I’m method acting a terminally ill patient.” I only dared to tell the truth through lies. He rubbed his eyes in front of me. “So where do you want to go for this episode?” “Back to where I grew up.” Just a two-hour drive, and I arrived at my childhood hometown. “Liam, where is that assistant of yours?” My assistant, Sam, was a loyal guy. Sometimes his appearances with me created iconic moments. “Oh, Sam? I told him not to follow me.” “So he knows about your condition?” “Hahaha.” I laughed at myself. “Guess what excuse I used? He’s been with me so long, how could he not notice something was wrong?” I sat calmly in front of the camera. “I lied again. I said I loved Scarlett too much, and the cheating scandal and separation made me depressed. I wanted to retire to treat my depression.” “He believed it?” “How could he? He and my agent, Lee, dragged me crying, saying they’d take me to a doctor. I said give me some time, I’ll see a doctor myself. I’ll travel for a while and come back.” “Could they have already guessed?” “My hair falling out couldn’t be hidden. I made up these excuses, thinking I was smart. But one day Lee said he didn’t want me to make money anymore, he just wanted me to live well.” Saying this, I started crying. I wiped the corners of my eyes. “Probably no one dared to bring up these sad things in front of me, so they didn’t say how much they knew. “Sam, that kid, bought me ten wigs out of his own pocket, saying it was a gift for my trip.” I stopped talking. I was wearing a mask and hat, dressed simply in a hoodie and jeans, carrying a canvas bag. Passersby just saw me as another passerby. I pulled a thermos out of my bag and drank. “This is my elementary school.” “Bro, you went to First Experimental?” I nodded, pointing to a big tree on the playground. “Back then I competed with others on guts. I climbed up there and couldn’t get down. I was so scared I peed my pants crying in the tree.” “Liam, school is in session. The guard probably won’t let us in.” “Not going in. Just looking. Don’t disturb them. I’m just taking one last look. After I drink Meng Po’s soup (soup of forgetfulness), I won’t remember anything. “Hey, why are you such a crybaby? Directors should cast you for crying scenes.” I pointed to an alley not far from the school. “Let’s go. I’ll take you to see my old home. I haven’t been back in years.” But when I walked in, I was stunned. I stood frozen in the wind. I couldn’t help laughing. “Oh boy, it’s been demolished.” The camera facing me shook a little. “What now? Seems like my old home is gone?” I turned back to the camera. The audience probably couldn’t see my expression. To be honest, I was a little disappointed. But I couldn’t say it. “Walk forward a bit. I’ll introduce it based on my memory. “This used to be an old street. The media always says I’m a rich kid. I explained at events, but no one believed me. “Borrowing this chance, I’ll show you. I grew up here. The houses were all old bungalows. My deepest memory is teasing a dog and getting chased. It bit my butt.” “Huh?” “Luckily it was winter. I lived with my grandparents, and they dressed me in layers of pants. It bit a hole and pulled out cotton, but didn’t break the skin.” It sounded funny. At least Evan laughed hard. “Liam, I really can’t imagine you being chased by a dog.” After laughing, I said, “Let’s go. I’ll take you to see my high school. It’s not far.” I paused. “It’s also where I met Scarlett.”

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“The apocalypse is coming, Ava. You need to come home!” “Mom, this is the 32nd excuse you’ve invented to trick me into coming home for a blind date. Your creativity is flowing better than the plumbing in this old apartment.” I hung up on my mother helplessly and slumped back onto the sofa, half-watching TV while scrolling through Reddit. A thread popped up on my feed: “February 14, 2028: New infectious disease case found in Seattle. Potential for extreme aggression.” I clicked on it. — This content has been removed by moderators. 1 “Meow!” A sharp, urgent cry pierced the night, ripping me from my sleep. I opened my eyes to see Lucky, my fat orange tabby, facing off against my vibrating phone. I scooped up the bristling cat to comfort him. Lucky was stressed. He leaped from my arms, arching his back and scratching anxiously at the concrete floor, making a teeth-grinding sound. I was about to check on him when the phone grabbed my attention. The video I had clicked on earlier was no longer blocked. It was playing on a loop. It was grainy surveillance footage. A hulking man, face obscured, was on all fours, lunging and biting into a crowd of people. Suddenly, a “Loading…” buffer wheel spun on the screen. I glanced at the top right corner. The Wi-Fi signal had a big red ‘X’ over it. “Garbage internet.” I lived in a cheap studio in the old part of the city. The wiring was ancient, and the router failed constantly. I dialed my landlord, Mr. Henderson, hoping to get it fixed. After several attempts, he finally picked up. The background noise on his end was chaotic—a static-filled mess of shouting and screaming. Mr. Henderson didn’t even say hello. He was yelling hoarsely, “Quit shoving! If you keep pushing, nobody gets any groceries!” Then came a string of panicked muttering I couldn’t quite catch. Something about… “…madness… biting… can’t run…” My stomach tightened. When the noise subsided slightly, he finally addressed me. “Ava? What’s going on?” I explained the internet issue. “Ava, it’s not the wiring. The signal is down across the whole downtown area. The tenant group chat is blowing up about it.” “I’ll add you to the group.” “People are organizing bulk buys. Get in on it. Stock up on food.” Mr. Henderson was rambling, but I froze. “Is Seattle going into lockdown again?” Before he could answer, a piercing scream cut through the line, followed by the sickening thud of a heavy object hitting the ground. I instinctively pulled the phone away from my ear. In that brief silence, a faint voice came through the receiver. I pressed the phone close again. I only caught two words: “Run. Fast.” … The signal cut out completely. I tried redialing multiple times with no luck. I tried calling 911. While waiting, I typed keywords into my notes app: “Apocalypse,” “Madness,” “Biting,” “Panic Buying,” “Run.” None of these were good words. The emergency line was busy. My heart sank. Combining my mom’s warning with Mr. Henderson’s chaos, it seemed Seattle had an outbreak. Something far more aggressive than the flu. I had to go home. If the world was ending, I might be just another casualty, but I had to be with my family. I didn’t want to die alone in a rented box. 2 Priority one: Don’t get infected on the way. I raided the kitchen for plastic wrap. I wrapped it around my limbs to ensure no skin was exposed. Then came the layers: a heavy windbreaker, thick pants, boots, a beanie, a face mask, a scarf, and gloves. I even stitched the gaps between the fabrics with a needle and thread. I looked ridiculous, like a paranoid marshmallow, but I was sealed tight. I checked the airline app. Plenty of tickets available. It was 10:00 PM. To be safe, I selected a 2:00 AM flight to my hometown, Portland. But the payment screen kept spinning. Loading… I closed the app and retried. Nothing. I called the airline hotline. Busy signal. The automated system said there were 487 callers ahead of me. Was I trapped? My hands started shaking. I pinched my thigh hard, using the pain to force myself to focus. Optimistic view: Maybe the cell towers were just jammed. I couldn’t sit and wait. I decided to head to the airport. At worst, I could get information from the counter. I didn’t pack clothes. I shoved Lucky into his carrier, stuffed two bottles of water and some energy bars into the side pockets, and left. The subway was too crowded; too risky. I flagged down a taxi. The driver gave my weird outfit a second look but didn’t say anything. As we drove toward the outskirts, the signal improved. Before I could dial, my mom called. “Thank God! Ava, you have to stay away from crowds. Don’t let anyone bite you.” “I swear on my life, I’m not joking. Those things are eating people!” “Your dad and I are packing the truck. We’re driving to get you. In my last life… Seattle was the first to fall. I won’t let you die this time!” “Mom…” My eyes welled up. Last life? Was she having a premonition? “Mom, Dad, don’t be impulsive.” “It’s an eight-hour drive from Portland to Seattle. If the city is ground zero, you’re driving into a death trap.” “I’m heading to the airport. If all goes well, I’ll be home by morning. Use this time to buy supplies.” “In times like this, food and weapons are the only currency.” With the driver listening, I couldn’t say much more. I hung up after calming them down. I checked the GPS. The highway to the airport was a solid red line. Ten miles. Estimated time: three hours. The airtight suit was suffocating. I pulled down my mask, took a deep breath, and sealed it back up. The air smelled faintly of rot. While stuck in traffic, I made two lists on my phone. List A: High-calorie, shelf-stable food and essential medicine. List B: Tools, hardware, and defensive gear. I sent List A to my parents. These items make you a target; they had to buy them personally. For List B, I contacted a delivery courier service in Portland. I had used them before to send gifts home. I paid an extra $1,500 for a rush order, demanding delivery to my parents’ house by 10:00 AM tomorrow. Shortly after sending the list, Dad texted: [Ava, we’re at Costco. Buying everything.] [Text us the second you land. We’ll be waiting.] I replied in the family group chat: [If we hoard this much, the neighbors will notice. The apartment isn’t safe.] [We should move to the old Lighthouse. Dad still has the keys, right?] We all agreed. The Lighthouse was isolated, sturdy, and defensible. [Mom, Dad, I ordered tools. Sign for them tomorrow morning, but wait until no one is looking to load the truck.] I remembered reading survival novels. Never expose your stash. I looked up. The line of cars stretched endlessly. The red taillights looked like hundreds of eyes watching me from the abyss. Something was wrong. Lucky poked his head out of the carrier, scratching frantically at the plastic mesh. He hadn’t made a sound since we left the apartment. Now he was hissing. I realized what was wrong. The traffic toward the airport was gridlocked. The lanes heading back to the city were empty. Aside from cars making illegal U-turns, no one was coming back from the airport. The airport had likely already fallen. Before I could process this, the driver pulled over on the shoulder. “Miss, I can’t take you any further.” “Don’t blame me. The driver group chat says the airport is a slaughterhouse. I need to get home to my family.” … He dumped me on the side of the overpass. No matter how much cash I offered, no one would stop. For three hours, I watched cars U-turn and flee back to the city. I refused to give up. I started running along the highway shoulder toward the airport. Maybe a plane would take off. Maybe there was a chance. I ran until my lungs burned. The outline of the airport terminal came into view. I watched a plane taxi down the runway, lift off, and then—nose dive straight into the tarmac. BOOM. The shockwave nearly ruptured my eardrums. I stood frozen, watching the flames turn the night sky blood red. “Hello? Mom,” I called, voice trembling. Mom sounded out of breath. “We split up. Your dad got the food. We used our savings to get everything on the list. We even managed to get two compound crossbows.” She kept talking about picking me up. I listened quietly, waiting for her to finish. “Mom, I decided not to come back.” “I’m staying with Ethan. He has a villa in the suburbs, fully stocked. It’s safe.” “You know Ethan, he’s a doctor. He has resources.” My voice sounded calm, even cheerful. “I transferred $40,000 to Dad’s account. Buy more supplies.” “Protect yourselves.” Suddenly, a hand snatched the phone away. I whipped around, terrified. A man was leaning against the guardrail, phone pressed to his ear, looking at me with a smirk. “Yes, Auntie, this is Ethan.” “As much as I’d love for Ava to stay in my villa…” “It wouldn’t be right to keep her from you.” “I promise, I will bring her home safely.” Ethan hung up. His warm hand brushed over my eyes, wiping away tears I didn’t know were there. “I’m late.” I realized I was crying uncontrollably. “Not late. Just in time to see your ex-girlfriend make a fool of herself.” I turned my face away. Dealing with an ex during the apocalypse was awkward. He didn’t argue, his tone softening. “Still got the sharp tongue. Good. You’re not in shock.” “Hey! Ethan! Stop flirting with the sister-in-law, we gotta move!” A voice shouted from above. I looked up in shock. A rescue helicopter was hovering just overhead. The rotors were deafening. I had been so overwhelmed I hadn’t even noticed it. 3 Almost no cars were left on the road. Ethan set up flares to block the lane. He took Lucky’s carrier and slung it over his shoulder. He pulled a climbing harness from his bag, strapped himself in, and then strapped me to his chest. We were pressed tightly together. I looked away. “Scared?” he asked, checking the buckles. I shook my head. The helicopter lowered a rope ladder. He held me as we climbed. Inside the chopper, there were three men in camo gear and helmets. One took off his helmet and grinned. “Sister-in-law! When we got the call about Seattle, Ethan went crazy.” It was Leo, the guy who shouted earlier. “Leo!” Ethan barked. Leo shut up. Ethan handed me a hazmat suit identical to theirs. “How did you find me?” I asked. “You never turned off your location sharing from when we dated. I saw you were near our flight path.” “We’re heading to Sea-Tac Airport for extraction. Saving you was just a detour.” He placed the cat carrier on an empty seat and sat opposite me, avoiding eye contact. Back to the “business only” attitude. Fine. I examined the suit. It had a peculiar pouch near the waist. I leaned in to sniff it. A wave of rotting stench hit me. I gagged, covering my mouth. “Heh.” Ethan chuckled. “It masks your scent. The chemicals inside evaporate quickly, so it only lasts thirty minutes.” “Open it only if you’re in immediate danger.” “Otherwise… don’t be curious.” Before I could retort, a roar echoed from below. Like wild beasts. The smell of blood filled the air. I looked out the window. A full moon illuminated the airport sign: Welcome to Sea-Tac. Beneath it, the ground was painted red. The moonlight was too bright. I could clearly see the “Zombies”—mangled, bloody figures—tearing into the remains of the crashed plane survivors. The helicopter noise drew their attention. One by one, dozens, then hundreds of heads snapped up. They began to converge, forming a massive circle below us. One of them looked straight at me with hollow, leaking eyes. I recoiled. The pilot kept the chopper hovering just outside the perimeter. Are we bait? I noticed many zombies wearing shredded military uniforms. “The first responders are already dead,” I whispered. “If we’re bait, there must be survivors inside.” “Medical Team Alpha, ready for insertion!” Ethan stood up. They were all gearing up to jump. He paused, looking at me. “The pilot will take you to the port. I have people there who will get you on a boat to Portland.” A sense of powerlessness washed over me. Ten years. Five years as a couple, five years as strangers. We graduated med school together. I became a vet; he became a surgeon. We were intersecting lines that had drifted apart. “Ethan, listen to me!” I unbuckled my seatbelt and grabbed his collar, forcing him to look at me. “Don’t come back into my life if you don’t care.” “We haven’t settled our score yet. You are not allowed to die quietly.” “Or I will haunt you.” Ethan didn’t push me away. When my tears hit his face, I heard him sigh. “Okay.” “Neither of us dies first.” I wiped my eyes and helped him buckle his helmet. … The rest of the trip was a blur. They rappelled down to the terminal roof. The helicopter drew the horde away, buying time for the ground team. The pilot dropped me at the Port of Tacoma, where I boarded a private cargo ship headed for Portland. 4 6:00 AM. Arrival. The port security was intense. I filled out a form: Origin – Seattle. The moment I wrote it, I was pulled aside by hazmat-clad officers. They inspected every inch of my skin for bites or scratches. Then, I was locked in a quarantine room for three hours. The room was white and sterile, reminding me of the tiny apartment I rented when I followed Ethan to grad school. I texted him. Delivered. No reply. Three hours later, I was released. I had to wear a GPS ankle monitor and quarantine at home for 14 days. Compared to the alternative, this was freedom. My parents were waiting at the dock. Mom cried the moment she saw me. Dad took the cat carrier. “You’re back. That’s all that matters.” We drove straight to the Lighthouse. It was built on a cliff, surrounded by ocean on three sides. Solid stone walls. It was the perfect fortress. We unloaded the trucks. Mom went back to the city to get the tools I ordered. Dad went for one last supply run. I was left to clean and organize. The lighthouse had seven floors. The ground floor was spacious, about 400 square feet, getting smaller as it went up. The top floor was the lamp room, surrounded by a glass enclosure and a narrow balcony. There were two high-powered binoculars mounted there. I cleaned the lenses and looked out. I could see the highway entrance clearly. I sketched a map, marking blind spots, and installed micro-cameras in those areas. I checked my phone. Food delivery apps were all “Temporarily Closed.” I called a local agricultural supplier. I paid triple for three heavy-lift agricultural drones, ten LED grow lights, and boxes of vegetable seeds. I designated the 4th floor for hydroponics and water purification. We had stored water, but we needed a renewable source. The drones could haul buckets of seawater up to the tower for desalination. The plants would provide food and oxygen. Waste management? Cat litter. It absorbs moisture and odor. The main ingredient is silica. Sand is silica. We were surrounded by a beach. I grabbed a shovel and spent hours hauling sand to the first floor. I ordered 20 barrels of waterproof cement from a local factory. I called Dad. “Get liquid nitrogen and dry ice.” I organized the supplies. Heavy items on floors 1-3. Sand on 1. Tools on 2. Canned food on 3.

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The year my son was diagnosed with a serious illness, facing huge medical bills. My husband Dominic was paralyzed in a car accident and lost his job. I divorced him, abandoned them, and only took away my six-year-old healthy daughter. Five years later, my genius son graduated from university and was exceptionally admitted by MIT. At that time, Dominic, who had become a new noble in the business world, accompanied him to an academic lecture. In the conference hall, a professor greeted and joked: “With such achievements today, who do you hope to be seen by most?” The seventeen-year-old son, with a cold and mature expression: “The disgusting so-called biological mother, and the ungrateful sister like her.” Dominic chuckled lightly, eyes hiding the same uncontrollable hate. Until later, they received a Piggy Bank from the daughter. The first note inside, was written in childish handwriting with phonetics: “Mom said, when the piggy bank is full, Maisy can leave the hospital.” The last note, was the elegant handwriting Dominic was most familiar with: “Goodbye, I’m going to accompany my Maisy.” … Chapter 1 The night they received the piggy bank. Dominic and son Caleb just came out of the conference hall. On his left ring finger, the wedding ring with me had been removed, replaced by a new diamond ring. The young woman held by his hand was probably his new wife. The self-made business upstart and the seventeen-year-old genius boy were both attention-grabbing existences. The media cameras following behind and a crowd of conversationalists took a long time to disperse. Dominic stayed away from the crowd, under the street lamp, lowered his eyes and just lit a cigarette. Not far away in the dim light, a girl in her early twenties hesitated for a long time before finally running over. She carefully handed over the piggy bank in her hand: “Are you… Mr. Dominic?” Dominic looked at the person in front of him through the smoke, then looked at the piggy bank in her hand, his expression quickly turned cold. A note was pasted on the piggy bank, with my handwriting on it: “Maisy’s discharge countdown.” Across the long river of five years, the note had begun to turn yellow. After a very brief stun, Dominic sneered: “What trick is Lily playing, just say it.” The young and gentle son Caleb also showed disgust on his face: “Disappeared for five years, thought they could really hide for a lifetime and not come out.” The little girl’s eyes turned red, voice trembling: “They… have both passed away for many years. “These years, I have been working hard to find the Dominic and brother Caleb in their writings. “Until today, finally saw you on the news.” Dominic laughed hearing this. Probably choked by smoke, making his eyes red from laughing: “Oh, turns out they passed away miserably five years ago. “How unspeakable is the hardship? “Want me and Caleb to pay how big a sum to express grief?” The little girl looked in disbelief at the father and son who were always gentle and considerate in mine and daughter Maisy’s writings. Then looked at the woman standing beside Dominic. Now, it has become like this. Her eyes turned red, expression sorrowful and angry, hugged the piggy bank back into her arms: “Since you don’t want it, then forget it. “I will bury it with their ashes.” Dominic’s eyes were full of sarcasm, reached out, and snatched the piggy bank over. His voice mocking: “Since the play is rehearsed, isn’t it a pity if the audience doesn’t watch?” Saying that, he took out the first note from the piggy bank. Unfolded it, reading the childish handwriting on it expressionlessly. Chapter 2 “December 18th “Going to a new city for hospitalization. “Mom said, when the piggy bank is full, Maisy can leave the hospital. “First time writing a diary, luckily learned a lot of spelling and words from the world’s most awesome brother. “Luckily, the one sick is Maisy, not the world’s most awesome brother!” Very short sentences mixed with many phonetics and typos. A photo was printed at the bottom. It was six-year-old Maisy sitting on the train, hands clenched in fists raised, posing like a superman. Small face showing pale, but smiling with curved eyes. On the back of the paper, was my handwriting left hiding in the fire escape. … Maisy had a nosebleed and went to the hospital. Caleb held her, even tears fell down. He loved his sister most, even anxious to vomit. So followed Maisy, blood drawn for check together. Diagnosis result came out, Maisy was fine. Caleb was actually diagnosed with leukemia, could only hope for bone marrow transplant. Even if matching bone marrow can be found, transplant cost, at least forty to fifty thousand dollars. We were far from being able to afford it. Caleb said, he won’t treat it. Maisy anxiously hugged his arm crying. Dominic had a mental breakdown. He hid from me went out to borrow money, ate countless closed doors. Halfway mental trance, had a tragic car accident in heavy rain. After overnight rescue, whole body and organs left multiple serious injuries. Paralyzed in bed, couldn’t even get out of bed. When I cried to almost out of breath, suddenly informed by doctor, Caleb’s diagnosis sheet was wrong. Like a surprise from heaven and survival after disaster, next second, threw me thoroughly into hell. “That blood sample diagnosed with leukemia, is… your daughter Maisy’s.” I froze in doctor’s office, instinctively looked back uneasily. Saw Maisy standing at the door, eyes red, small hands anxiously grabbing clothes corner. At night, Maisy suddenly disappeared. She left me a note saying: “Mom, Maisy left. “Mom and Dad and Brother, want to be happy every day.” I was anxious crazy. Until late night, found Maisy in train station staff room. She wanted to learn from adults, take train alone to far place. I squatted down tightly hugged her, heart pain bone eroding. She guiltily wiped my tears saying: “Brother sick said not treat, said better leave money for me to study. “So, I also want to leave money, for Brother to study. “Brother is genius, next year can take SATs. “Kids in school, all envy me most.” Caleb is the best brother. In times when me and Dominic work most busy, most no time care for them siblings. Carefully took care of sister, taught out most obedient most sensible Maisy. I hugged Maisy, body uncontrollable trembling, heart full of despair. Maisy learned from adults, gently patted my back. Early winter street side, coldness bone piercing. I looked at foggy long street, couldn’t see hope. Maisy’s childish voice, still in my ear: “Maisy knows, family money all take out, also not enough to treat my illness. “So Mom, let Brother continue study, let Dad treat injury well, okay?” My long silence, looked at her again: “Then Mom, accompany you go together okay?” “Money leave to Dad and Brother. “We play a game of hide and seek with Dad and Brother. “Wait… wait Maisy cured, we come back.” Maisy thought for a long time. Long time later, heavily nodded: “Mn!” … First note read finish. Caleb aside, seemed really couldn’t listen down. He sneered: “So want to say Maisy got leukemia?” Dominic also light scoff: “After all person been a screenwriter, wrote like real model.” Saying that, face cold, somewhat impatient flipped to next page. Chapter 3 “December 20th Took Maisy to hospital.” Before leaving for Florida, I forced Dominic sign divorce agreement. He lay on bed, whole body still wrapped in bandages everywhere, voice full of despair: “Lily, I said I will think of way. “You can’t… can’t be this cruel.” I didn’t waver, still divorced him. I took Maisy leave. Caleb chased up, blocked our way. His eyes red, voice trembling: “I said, I won’t treat, I won’t treat. “Rest assured, I won’t drag your life.” He reached out, trying to grab my hand. But I dodged. When we entered elevator, Caleb trembling voice behind: “Maisy, then you?” “These years Mom Dad busy, I took care of you time compare Mom, even longer, even more. “Just because I sick, you want follow her, also leave Dad and Brother ma?” Maisy face, already full of tears. But she just more forcefully, used small hand grabbed tight my hand, count as silent answer. Behind, Caleb finally hiss voice laughed: “Good, hahaha, good…” On train south, Maisy shrank in my arms. Always crying, always crying. I also want cry. But I can’t cry, I still want coax my daughter. I sold bracelet, that was my mom before death left me heirloom. Quite unfilial. When she alive, I also didn’t filial her much. I again sold things on body can sell, wedding ring, necklace, all sold clean. All add up, also less than five thousand dollars. But finally enough, short term hospitalization fee. Wish, wish, heaven can pity, my Maisy, can survive. Wish, our family, still can have reunion day. … Second note words, end here. Dominic cold eye read finish, emotion still no fluctuation. His voice still sniff disdain: “Made up so much, isn’t just want sell things for money?” But cigarette in left hand, already burned to fingertip, he seemed didn’t notice. He seemed, no longer his surface, that calm. Mouth disgusted. But he still flipped open, next note. Chapter 4 “January 1st “Mom said, bone marrow match result came out. “I don’t understand, Mom said, just means my illness going to be cured. “She can donate bone marrow to me, wait donate finish, we can go home, return to Dad and Brother side. “Mom happy dropped tears, hugging me said: ‘Maisy don’t fear, half month fine, won’t very pain.’ “I a bit afraid. “But I more want know, Mom donate bone marrow to me, will she pain? “Bit miss Dad and Brother. “If Dad and Brother here, then when I change bone marrow sleep, they can protect Mom.” Under twisting words because body rapid weak, I still took photo for her. She still smiling, towards lens made a “V” sign. But somewhat blurred photo, still can’t hide, her start blue start swollen hand back. Because chemo, her beautiful long hair, already shaved bald. Left hand somewhat shyly, subconscious pulled her new bought hat. Patient gown specially took small size, still loose almost hang on her body. Short half month, her whole body, almost only left skin wrap bone. Dominic holding that note, sight fall on photo, half day didn’t move. Sarcastic mocking words, seem moment also can’t say out again. Caleb look not care appearance, side eye also looked that photo. Expression instant stunned, good a while, then recover mind sneer. But don’t know if weather cold wind blow cause, his voice inside, carried fine a trace tremble. “Photoshop quite like, put on hat, hair also really all covered. “Also can only wear hat, Maisy how treasure her hair, where bear really shave?” Standing in front of them girl, already full eyes tears: “Not Photoshop, all real, Maisy for chemo, hair shaved bald. “Originally, originally… they thought really can survive.” She saying, voice already start choke. Dominic seem endure not bear, brows eyes only left impatient anger: “Enough! “Brewed so big a play, now me and Caleb all saw. “Lily acting skill very great, also taught out best acting good daughter. “Enough ma, satisfied ma?!” Little girl angry extreme, reach hand want take piggy bank back: “Return me, you guys simply not Lily sister and Maisy pen under, forever gentle considerate father son!” Dominic seem thoroughly exhausted patience, backhand want throw piggy bank, into trash can. Caleb reached out, took piggy bank over. Boy eye bottom all hate, face more and more cold: “Seems this careful written script, we not finish reading, they won’t give up. “I instead suddenly also start curious, that kind cold blood person, exactly can still make up, how miserable ridiculous story?” Dominic already thorough black face, straight threw cigarette butt. He no longer willing stay more, only throw little girl a sentence: “Want money let Lily self come, don’t count on story can exchange money, I here not accept screenwriter script.” He finished, looked still stand in place Caleb: “You love read, self slowly read.” He took young woman got on car, straight left, no more hesitate. Soul can’t blow wind. But I float in mid-air, looking at his back in night, still can’t help red eyes. Five years, his once broad back, always most can let me and daughter peace mind. Now, side clearly already have new person, figure but seem more and more thin. I take back already sour unbearable sight. Saw Caleb, flipped open next note.

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Reborn to the day I chose a husband with my sister. I discovered I could hear other people’s inner voices. I heard my sister say: “This time, I must grab the good husband in advance.” Then, she anxiously pulled away the gentle husband I married in my previous life. And left the domestic violence man who beat her every day in the previous life to me. I smiled. Does she think the person I married before had good character? … Chapter 1 I was reborn to the day I chose a husband with my sister. Sitting opposite the dining table were two men of similar age. One is Dominic, the eldest son of the Vance family, cold personality. One is Caleb Vance, the youngest son of the Vance family, but an illegitimate son, gentle personality. [This time, I must grab the good husband in advance.] A female voice transmitted into my ears. It was my sister Scarlett’s voice. I looked at her, but she didn’t speak. Her eyes were just staring straight at Caleb. [Later I must snatch you away.] Her voice transmitted out again. I then discovered, I not only reborn, but also can hear other people’s inner voices. And from these two sentences of my sister, she also reborn. Otherwise she couldn’t say such things. Sure enough, next second she walked over and sat next to Caleb, looking at him shyly. “Hello, I am Scarlett, I like you.” Beside me my dad suddenly spoke: “Serena, since your sister already chose Caleb, then you marry Dominic.” As soon as this was said, my sister’s eyes were full of pride, she said in her heart: [In this life, you go get beaten for me.] Chapter 2 In previous life, my sister married Dominic. Dominic has strong business ability, busy with work all day, and heard he is also cold… Sister looked for him three times five times, but every time was kicked out of room with bruised nose and swollen face. Finally, because she never pregnant, was judged by Grandma Vance as having physical problem, kicked out of Vance family. And Caleb I married, although no power in Vance family, but enough let me eat full wear warm. He accompanied me every day, accompany me shopping eat date, spoiled me to bones. Vance family up and down knew, our relationship very good. And later, Dominic suddenly died of poisoning, Caleb inherited family company. My status in Vance family soared instantly. Sister jealous of me, took advantage when I went out shopping, drove car hit me, perished together with me. Chapter 3 “Okay, Dad, I happen to also quite like Dominic.” I responded with a smile, walked over and sat beside Dominic. Have to say, this man’s aura is indeed strong, sitting there only felt a burst of cold air wrapped me, making people dare not speak. No wonder sister was beaten so miserably by him in previous life. I tried to listen to his inner voice, but he didn’t say a word in his heart. However when Caleb smiled and looked at sister, I heard him say a sentence. [Really a beautiful little baby.] Hearing this, I shivered all over. Subconsciously held Dominic’s hand. Although his personality is cold, but hand is quite warm. Because of my action, he glanced over. I hurriedly let go hand holding him, he then didn’t speak. Although this man looks scary. But I feel following him, is better than following Caleb that poisonous snake. In this life, I must change my original tragic life. I want earn big money, independent, rely on no one. Chapter 4 Me and sister held wedding together. Previous life we also held at this time. That time, Dominic didn’t come to attend wedding on the day, instead Caleb came early in morning. Everyone said he this husband more considerate. Sure enough, this life also same. Caleb wore white suit, hurriedly came up and carried sister away. Passing by me, sister looked at me proudly: “Sister, why Dominic didn’t come pick you ah.” I just smiled: “No need sister worry, you manage yourself well.” She was choked by my words face sank down. [Laugh ba, I see you later be beaten, still can laugh out or not.] She finished saying in heart, and went downstairs with Caleb. But now say these words still too early, who will laugh to end, not certain yet. Dominic didn’t come attend wedding, let me and sister like previous life, suffered many discussions and strange eyes at wedding. Sister happier, can’t wait say to Caleb: “I love you, Caleb.” Then kissed his lips, after kiss, full mouth saliva stare at me. I know, she wants see me embarrassed look. But I not stupid, won’t be like previous life her, angry directly leave scene. That let everyone present and Vance family have handle. I remember that time all said sister not steady, not worthy be Vance family eldest daughter-in-law. So that after marriage, Grandma Vance never gave her good face, let her suffer enough bitterness in Vance family. Chapter 5 I held microphone smiled generously to people below stage. “Today Dominic has a very important business need talk, later toast, will be me replace Dominic together, hope everyone don’t laugh.” This word out, people below stage stopped discussion. Grandma Vance sitting in main seat, cast me a look of new respect. Vance family big business big family, most care face and others opinion. So at this time, as daughter-in-law more can’t panic, must take out hostess style. Sister also saw Grandma Vance’s gaze, eyes flashed a trace anger. [Really f*cking disgusting, later toast tea time, must make you ugly!] Actually I feel can hear inner voice really is a good thing. More a golden finger, do anything convenient much. Arrived toast tea link, I calmly lifted dress walk towards Grandma Vance. Sister always tightly staring me, in heart silent count [One, two, three.] Next second, I directly side body dodge go take tea. And sister fiercely fell on ground, tea water also wet whole body. “Okay right.” Caleb hurriedly go help her. In heart but scold: [Really a idiot!] Everyone looking this way. Grandma Vance full face anger. “Rash, still have a bit Vance family second daughter-in-law look?” “So… sorry Mom, I not intentional.” Sister hurriedly apologize, eye bottom but unwilling. If I were her, this life I won’t make trouble again, just peaceful live days. But she not want let me pass good, I naturally also won’t swallow anger. Chapter 6 Because sister made fool, wedding hastily ended. Grandma Vance from start to end didn’t give her a good face. But when look me, eyes inside are gratified. Also pulled my hand say: “Serena, tonight I let Dominic must come back accompany you, compensate you.” Sure enough, night Dominic really came back. He opened door, just untying tie, face full exhausted. I hurriedly go over take clothes for him. “Dominic, tired today right.” He just looked me one eye, didn’t ignore me. Previous life, I heard servant said, wedding night Dominic didn’t come back. Sister empty guard new room, watched joke by everyone. She go find Grandma Vance complain, instead suffered a scold, said she herself no ability, can’t hold man heart. When Dominic shower, I made bed for him, brewed tea. Then, I myself tidied sofa a bit, prepare alone sleep here. When Dominic came out, saw this scene, eyes flashed a trace surprise. I hurriedly say: “You sleep bed, I sleep sofa.” “Serena, are you playing hard to get?” He slightly narrowed eyes staring me, because wearing bathrobe, chest slightly exposed, still some water drops attach on top. Have to say, his figure indeed good. I hurriedly move away eyes. “No, we two before no feeling, sleep together to you me both awkward.” “If can, I want cooperate with you.” “What meaning?” “After all we just commercial marriage, many this kind couples private are each pass each, surface act a act just fine, I marry you also just want food clothing worry free pass a life, feeling I not extravagant hope.” Hearing my words, he suddenly hooked lip smile: “You very smart.” “Just right I also want like this, I can agree you.” I just a ordinary person, no that big ability and assurance, can hold a man’s heart. After all in Vance family, his attitude to me, depends on Grandma Vance attitude to me. I don’t want be like sister previous life, mix until targeted by everyone. That to me no any benefit. And previous life he also domestic violence sister. I also don’t want go provoke him, then also be beaten. So I choose live in peace with him just fine. This life, I only want take money open own company, then self rely self fly yellow arrive! Chapter 7 I let Dominic post our ten fingers tight lock photo in Moments. And caption: [Happy Wedding.] Reason is let everyone feel we two feeling no problem. Besides this, I also found his Moments very clean, except this Moments, no longer posted Moments. He such person daily life must very boring. When sleep, he really slept big bed, let me alone sleep sofa. Really not understand pity fragrance cherish jade, fine, I should satisfy. Next morning early, I was woken by Dominic. He early morning want while listen music, while do push-ups exercise body. Heard sex cold men, are all thin dogs. But his that eight pack abs, strong calf meat, look just full of power. Better than Caleb figure too many times! “Don’t look, I not interested in you.” He suddenly voice out, climb up from ground. “Wear good clothes, follow me go eat breakfast.” Subconscious is telling me, like this everyone will feel our feeling good. Actually I feel he quite good talk ah, why previous life would beat sister? After tidying myself, I went out with Dominic. Just go out, I saw sister and Caleb ten fingers tight lock walk over. Sister wearing tube top dress, collarbone and shoulder place all hickeys, also deliberate lean close give me look. She full face all proud, from head to end sized me up a round. [Wrapped so tight, must be beaten, deliberate cover wound.] She voice out in heart, then proudly smiled. “Sister, how new wedding night pass ah?” I today wear is a set decent long sleeve dress. Sister seem forgot, Grandma Vance most dislike low vulgar wear match appear in Vance family. And makeup also can’t heavy makeup. But I don’t want remind her. I just smile. “Sister, in Vance family according seniority, you should call me Sister-in-law, not Sister.” Her face instantly some ugly, unconvinced bite teeth: “People Dominic didn’t say so call, you base on what require me?” Then she look towards Dominic. “Dominic, you stand out say a word.” I can feel beside Dominic, whole body aura bit by bit cold up. Caleb in heart scold: [F*cking idiot, see father night not fix you!] Then pulled sister hand, signal her don’t speak again. But she still unaware seriousness of matter.

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I broke up with my boyfriend in his poorest year. One year later, he achieved fame and success, married a “America’s Sweetheart” more beautiful and lively than me. On a talk show, the host asked him, having swept the Grammys at such a young age, if he still had regrets. He held Stella’s waist: “I want to know, after breaking up with me, how is she doing?” Host paused: “She… is doing very badly.” Julian Vance finally revealed a smile: “Then I’m relieved.” “But Ms. Mia left a videotape before she died.” Julian’s smile froze. Inside the videotape, were my days and nights from leaving him to dying of illness. … Chapter 1 “Before died?” Julian’s hand on Stella’s waist paused. Turned to a disdainful smile: “Is this your show effect?” Host shook head. On the big screen behind, appeared my smile. “Hello everyone, I am Mia, today I broke up~ “Huh? You ask me if I’m sad kicking a promising handsome Golden Retriever Boyfriend?” In the picture, the girl with shaved head was picking a wig for herself. Hearing this looked at camera, smiled: “Not sad, letting him see me like this now would be sad haha~ “Eh? What are you shaking for? Can’t film well.” I supported best friend Nora’s trembling hand. Nora choked with sobs: “I don’t want to film… I will cry to death, I don’t want to film anymore…” “That won’t do, you promised me, record my every day before death.” Nora voice carried crying tone: “Can’t I go back on my word?” “No!” I pouted: “This lady’s perfect curtain call, can’t be handed to others.” Seeing her still crying, I grabbed her clothes corner and shook: “Good Nora, I only have you in this world~” Crying sound more obvious: “Knew it knew it, I film okay…” Chapter 2 [Goodbye World, 2023.4.17, 9:34 AM —— Take It All] After many years, I returned to the old house in Texas. Nora held phone walking behind me, I led a big yellow dog walking on field path, laughter came from the ridge: “I said why Julian’s Instagram just updated a song, turns out because you took Yellow away!” I turned head: “What song? After breakup I blocked him.” “Adele, ‘Someone Like You’.” Me and Nora looked at each other for a moment, suddenly didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: “Never mind, I’ll find someone like you. “I wish nothing but the best for you too. “Don’t forget me, I beg…” Nora laughed out tears: “He wants nothing, just wants the dog, result you want nothing, only took the dog hahaha!” Sky edge came our laughter. Gradually mixed with weeping. Chapter 3 [Goodbye World, 2023.4.17, 10:08 AM —— Does puppy also know you are leaving?] Old wooden door pushed open, I waved away spider web: “I tell you, since me and Julian went to New York for school, rarely came back home. “After mom and dad left me and Julian took Yellow away, this is first time bringing him back.” Lens turned, became me holding camera: “Hello hello, Mia takes everyone immersive cleaning old house!” Nora wearing apron holding broom frowned: “Clearly is me cleaning! My big miss!” “I am patient~ let me okay~” After a burst of laughter, I walked out of kitchen face covered in ash. Nora black face took spatula: “I said don’t cook don’t cook! Don’t you know your own level! Go out sit!” I while coughing while smiling sat down. Wait Nora entered kitchen, my smile disappeared from face, phone put on table edge support, uncontrollably panting heavily. Trembling hand inhaled few mouths oxygen, I then smiled to camera: “Sorry ah, recently breathing problem times more and more… “Cough cough! Actually I very good at cooking, really. “Watch me brave kitchen again!” Saying picked up phone, foot side but more a furry thing. Lens down, Yellow right drooping eyelids lying on my foot. “Hungry?” I handed sausage over, he put at mouth side, continue lying on my foot back not move. “Good Yellow, I want go kitchen see Nora, get up.” He not move. “What wrong, today how so clingy?” I touched his already dry fur: “I know, Yellow also old咯~ lazy to move right? “Okay, today accompany you more a while~” I leaned on sofa: “Later also no chance accompany you.” Yellow low whined a sound. Chapter 4 [Goodbye World, 2023.4.17, 11:21 AM —— Is home still home without people] When I woke up from sofa, Nora right squatting at my feet. Hearing my voice, looked up, tears flowed full face: “Mia, heard dog can feel owner want leave, will go next life wait her in advance, is it true?” My lens almost shook off. Hurriedly touched Yellow. No breath. He lay at my feet, when I tired entered dreamland, quietly left me. I smiled uglier than crying: “Saying what, Yellow ten years old, arrived age of natural death that’s all.” Lens open again time, I right earthing up beside small mound in back mountain. Breath rapid, face pale, wipe sweat on forehead, pointed home direction: “Here straight go is home, million don’t go wrong direction, if walk to Julian…” I abrupt stop. Smiled, took hand back: “Don’t go back, there soon no people. “Wait I go down, we form a home with mom and dad below.” Sobbing sound accompanied lens shaking, I looked up, smiling pointed behind lens: “Doing what you, lens hold not steady.” Nora cried louder: “You are! Saying what you!” I laughed out sound, waved hand: “Look your look, go la, go home eat rice you made~” “Mia! You again like this I ignore you!” I grinning stepped forward, embraced her shoulder: “You rest assured, your Sister Mia, invincible under heaven! “Little cancer, easy peasy! “Hahahahahahahahaha!” Chapter 5 [Goodbye World, 2023.4.18, 8:27 AM —— I occasionally also forget I am a patient] “Mia! Mia you open door ah!” Nora crazy patting door. Lens set aside, Nora even didn’t have time adjust position, can only see her lower body. Inside room, I roaring crying: “Roll! I let you roll! Roll away!!” Immediately following is severe vomiting sound. Nora about to cry: “Mia you again like this I want hit door ah! Exactly happened what! You let me see!” “Roll! Let me alone stay!” Tear heart crack lung crying shout penetrate screen. Nora fiercely hit on door, old wooden door answered sound open. Inside room, I knelt beside trash can, hair strand stuck on face by vomit, a face of embarrassment. Slightly can’t see yesterday laughing singing look. I despair looked up, eye orbit red: “Nora…” “Mia.” She knelt down, ignore my full body dirty, a hug held me. I trembling hand hugged her, chin against her shoulder, tears soaked her clothes: “Sorry, I shouldn’t fierce you… “But I always will trance when wake up, thought I still normal Mia… “Then stare ceiling look long time, realize I sick… “I sick… I sick Nora…” I wept不成声 (choked with sobs). Nora held me tighter: “Mn, it’s okay, it’s okay Mia, you can survive, you can… “You are… “You are Mia ah…” Chapter 6 [Goodbye World, 2024.4.21, 4:34 PM —— Sometimes forgetting is instead comfort to the dead] I lay on Nora shoulder, under rolled up sleeve arm blue a piece purple a piece. My voice hoarse: “What to do ah Nora, again like this going to no place stick needle, so pain ah.” “Yo, now know pain, not you last night stay up late grab ticket time?” I pouted: “I always have to see ex-boyfriend big fire after first concert right? “Long time no see, see if his singing skill improved not.” Nora fell into silence. Long time after touched me: “You said back then break up reason is not want drag him, if he now to you still have feeling, will you find him help?” “No!” I cut nail chop iron (decisive). “But he now one song can break ten million, he now definitely have ability help you treat illness.” “That also no! You also not allowed tell him!” “But, you now…” I hands on hips, indwelling needle on hand left blue mark on skin: “I now good good ah, besides, he most poor time I kicked him, he just achieve fame I go back find him say I sick, that count what? “Rest assured, I am Mia ah! “Little cancer, easy peasy!” I index finger and thumb touch, made a “pinch” gesture. Nora looked me a while, sighed. I waved hand: “Go la, my this disease spend money also not certain can cure, might as well use limited money on last enjoyment. “Quick go quick go, night not still appointed amusement park ma? Before this, I found a BBQ… “Ah!” I head bumped into a person arms. Just crazy apologize, looked up see clear other face, immediately back retreat good few steps. Nora suck a mouth cold air: “Julian Vance?” Although he wearing mask, cover strict strict, but lover just rely a pair eyes can recognize each other. “Mia?” His good looking peach blossom eyes carried some shock. Turn is anger, blame. Think also didn’t think, I turn head just run. Lens crazy shake, Nora also follow me all way wild run. A cancer patient ran out steps faster than healthy time. After severe panting sound, someone loud calling my name: “Mia! You just so hate me ma?!”

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