My best friend became an overnight billionaire and tossed me a limited-edition Louis Vuitton bag like she was throwing a bone to a stray dog. I took it and used it to haul rotting trash from the dumpster behind the cafeteria. Why? Because I’ve died before. In my past life, Bella Sterling bound herself to a parasitic entity—a supernatural curse that allowed her to siphon off every ounce of my luck through the objects she gifted me. She became the untouchable “It Girl,” the natural-born genius who went viral with a single makeup-free selfie and signed million-dollar contracts before graduation. Meanwhile, I spiraled. I developed a severe metabolic disorder, flunked every class, and eventually died from cardiac arrest during the gym class mile run, my body giving out under the weight of a stolen life. But I’m back. I’ve been reborn. And if she wants to trade lives, I’m going to make sure she gets exactly what she paid for. Chapter 1 I was walking back from the water fountain during passing period when I saw a crowd gathered around my desk. “Harper! Oh my god, you’re finally back! Look what I brought you from the shoot!” Bella Sterling spotted me and waved enthusiastically. Her smile was dazzling, the kind that stopped traffic. Every movement she made was calculated perfection. I walked over. Sitting on my desk, basking in a sunbeam like a holy relic, was a pristine Louis Vuitton Capucines bag. The leather shimmered under the fluorescent lights. The surrounding classmates let out a collective gasp of envy. “No way. That’s a legit LV. Bella is literally the best friend ever. Harper Vance must have saved a country in her past life to deserve her.” “Please. Look at Harper. She’s a total mess. She looks like a bloated tick. A bag like that on her? It’s like putting lipstick on a pig.” “Seriously. If I had a friend like Bella, I’d be on my knees thanking her right now.” Bella heard every word. She tilted her chin up slightly, soaking in the praise, before turning her “concerned” gaze to me. “Harper, are you in shock? Come on, swap your stuff over! That old backpack you’re carrying is falling apart. It’s practically leaking pens.” It was almost funny. A long time ago, Bella was the poor, insecure, overweight girl. I was the one who bought her lunch, who helped her study. Then came my sixteenth birthday. Bella gave me a bag she had “hand-stitched” herself. That was the moment my perfect life shattered. Bella had bound the Curse to me. That handmade bag was her extraction tool. If I put a mirror in it, she stole my beauty. If I put my textbooks in it, she drained my intelligence. I remembered the time I caught the flu. I carried my medicine in that bag to school. The next day, I could barely walk without wheezing, while the historically sickly Bella suddenly ran a six-minute mile. I had spent years in a spiral of self-hatred, while Bella quietly encouraged the school to isolate the “weird, fat girl.” Staring at the designer leather, I let out a cold laugh and looked up. “Bella, didn’t you hear everyone? Someone like me makes a bag like this look like trash. Honestly, my old backpack matches my vibe way better.” I paused, scanning the room. “But I’d hate to waste your generosity. So, I’ll pay it forward. Does anyone else want a free Louis Vuitton? First come, first served.” The room exploded. The classmates who had just been mocking me lost their minds. “Me! I want it!” “Back off! I need that bag!” “Move, losers!” A girl named Roxy—tall, broad-shouldered, and mean—used her linebacker build to shove everyone aside. She slammed her hand on the desk, glaring at the crowd. “Anyone who touches this bag gets a black eye!” Bella’s face went pale. The air of superiority vanished, replaced by sheer panic. She shrieked, “No! You can’t! That was a gift for Harper!” “But she said she didn’t want it,” Roxy sneered, clutching the leather handle. “Besides, look at her. She’d probably just get mugged for it in five minutes anyway.” Bella looked like she was choking. She watched Roxy claim the bag with a mix of urgency and terror, her entire body trembling with rejection. Watching her panic, a thought crossed my mind. If the bag holds someone else’s belongings… does the extraction spell work on them instead? Chapter 2 “Harper, I hand-picked that for you! You can refuse it, but why do you have to trample on my feelings like this?” Bella’s eyes instantly welled up with tears. The switch was flipped; she was now the tragic heroine in a soap opera. “I treat you like my sister, and you just toss my gift to a stranger? That is so incredibly cold-hearted!” She suddenly clutched her chest, stumbled backward, and collapsed gracefully onto the linoleum floor. Roxy freaked out. She yelped and threw the LV bag back onto my desk like it was a live grenade. Chaos erupted. The boys in the class surged forward, eager to play the hero for the fallen princess, but hesitating to actually touch her. Suddenly, a voice cut through the noise like a whip. “The bell rang two minutes ago. What is going on in here?” Standing in the doorway were the Hall Monitors—specifically, the Student Council Disciplinary Board. At the front was Chase Montgomery. Tall, leaning against the doorframe with an air of bored aristocracy, he had pale skin and dark, intense eyes that seemed to analyze everything they touched. The guy behind him, holding a clipboard, scowled and scribbled something down before handing it to Chase. “President. Room 302. Disorderly conduct during study hall. Minus ten points.” The class went dead silent. You could hear a pin drop. Even Bella, currently staging a faint on the floor, cracked one eye open. It wasn’t just about the points. It was about Chase Montgomery. He was the Golden Boy. His father was a Senator, his mother was a tech mogul who owned half the prime real estate in the city. And Chase? He was a prodigy, already scouted by USC’s School of Cinematic Arts for directing. Chase took the pen, his expression unreadable, and signed the violation slip. Just as the group turned to leave, Bella “miraculously” found the strength to stand up. “Chase! Wait! This isn’t the class’s fault. It’s all my responsibility!” In full view of everyone, she pushed through the crowd and stood before him, looking up with wide, teary eyes. Silence stretched for a few seconds. Chase instinctively took a step back, turning his face slightly away. His voice was low, almost raspy. “Reason?” Bella took a breath, ready for her close-up. “I fainted because of a personal shock. The class was just trying to help me. The noise was… unavoidable.” Chapter 3 Bella blinked her watery, doe-like eyes, speaking in a soft, trembling voice. “I gave my best friend a Louis Vuitton bag. She didn’t want it, which is fine, but she tried to give it away to humiliate me. I couldn’t stop her…” Bella choked back a sob. Seeing her act so righteously, the rest of the class jumped in to defend their queen: “Yeah! It’s Harper Vance! She’s trying to start drama. Bella was just being nice!” “That fat loser’s backpack is literally falling apart, and she still acted stuck up. I think she’s trying to frame us!” “Harper’s just jealous because she’s ugly and broke. She’s always sabotaging Bella.” “She’s a sociopath! She bullies people all the time behind the teachers’ backs!” “Bella fainted from the stress! Please, President, put all the penalty points on Harper Vance!” They piled on, throwing every insult they could think of, dumping all the blame squarely on my shoulders. No one noticed that Bella had inched closer to Chase. She reached out, her fingers lightly grazing the hem of his blazer—a calculated move of vulnerability. “President, please,” she whispered. “Don’t punish the class. Our homeroom teacher will kill us.” Chase looked down at her. His cold, indifferent gaze seemed to soften. The tips of his ears turned a faint shade of pink. “Where is this Harper Vance?” “Right there!” Without warning, someone shoved me hard from behind. I stumbled, unable to catch my balance, and face-planted right at Chase Montgomery’s feet in a pathetic sprawl. Cruel, sharp laughter erupted around the room. I gasped in pain, feeling the skin on my palms scrape raw against the floor. “Oops! Wow, Harper, so clumsy. Why are you crawling on the floor? You’re embarrassing the whole class.” I gritted my teeth and scrambled up, ready to defend myself. But Chase had already made his judgment. He lifted his pen, writing as he spoke, his voice dripping with disdain. “Harper Vance. Bullying classmates. Disruption of order. Twenty points deducted from your personal record. You are barred from all merit awards until graduation.” He didn’t even look at me. “If you have an objection,” he added coldly, “bring the security footage to the Dean’s office.” Chapter 4 Chase didn’t give me a single second to explain. He turned and walked away with his entourage without looking back. The class exploded into laughter. Someone sneered, “Everyone knows the cameras are just for show. They only turn them on during finals. Suck it up, Harper.” Rage boiled in my chest. I spun around, grabbing the collar of the boy who had shoved me—the one laughing the hardest. I put my entire weight into it and slapped him across the face. Smack! The sound echoed through the room. “Harper, are you crazy?! You hit me!” He widened his eyes, raising a fist to strike back. But I weighed 180 pounds. Weight moves weight. His skinny frame was no match for my adrenaline-fueled mass. “You said I was bullying classmates, right? You already deducted the points. So, I might as well earn the title!” I shoved him back into his chair. The class, usually so comfortable tormenting me, went silent. They looked terrified. Bella, the architect of this misery, smiled at me with fake sympathy, assuming I was too stupid to catch her drift. “I’m so sorry, Harper. I really wanted to take the blame, but the President wrote your name down… We’re still besties, right? You won’t hold a grudge?” I looked at her, and the corners of my mouth curled up slowly. “Of course not,” I said. “My. Best. Friend.” Right in front of her, I picked up the Louis Vuitton bag, shoved it into my desk cubby, and sat down to study. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her let out a breath of relief. She thought she had won. Chapter 5 After school, I grabbed the bag and sprinted out of the classroom, running straight to a back alley a few blocks away. There was a recycler there—an old woman who sat on the ground every day at 4 PM, sorting through trash. The sun was brutal. The woman wiped sweat from the deep wrinkles on her face as she organized aluminum cans. “Ma’am, I want to buy your stuff.” I pulled a handful of cash from my pocket. Tens, twenties, mostly ones—my lunch money for the month. I gritted my teeth and handed her a twenty. The woman looked up, her weather-beaten face full of shock. She stood up, wiping her dirty hands on her pants. “I want to buy the trash you’ve collected. Or the garbage you have piled up at home. Just give me twenty dollars’ worth. I’ll be back for more.” She had never seen a student try to buy trash before. She hesitated, eyeing my school uniform, but the cash was real. Half an hour later, I was hauling the Louis Vuitton bag back to the dorms. It was stuffed to the brim with crushed plastic bottles, greasy ramen wrappers, and bags of rotting food scraps. My heart was pounding like a drum. In the past, I avoided mirrors. I hated my reflection. But this time, I walked straight to the full-length mirror in the hallway and looked up. It wasn’t a hallucination. My face was smaller. Where my neck used to merge directly into my jaw, there was now the hint of a jawline. Even my eyes, usually buried in puffiness, looked wider, brighter. The reverse curse worked. To ensure I had enough money to keep buying trash from the recycler, I didn’t sleep during lunch. I spent the time doing homework for the rich kids who were too lazy to do it themselves. My brain, usually foggy and slow because of the drain, felt clearer. But it was still hard work. When I got back to the classroom, the place was buzzing. “Holy crap, Bella, you’re legendary! I saw Chase Montgomery walking you to class!” “They just met this morning! That is insane progress. He’s ignored every girl for three years!” “I know! He’s always alone with his camera on weekends. He barely speaks.” Someone sighed dreamily. “Well, it makes sense. Bella is the Queen Bee. She’s already modeling. The King and Queen belong together.” I rolled my eyes. A heartless psychopath and a blind idiot. A match made in hell. “Chase just thought I was too innocent,” Bella said loudly, making sure everyone heard. “He said he was worried I’d get bullied again. Oh, and he said I speak very elegantly. He thinks I read a lot.” Bella walked past my desk, her smile barely containing her triumph. “Don’t spread rumors, guys. We aren’t dating… yet.” She leaned against my desk, turning her back to me. “By the way, have you heard? That reality show, Finding America’s Sweetheart, is coming to scout high schools. The winner gets a lead role in a blockbuster movie.” She lowered her voice, but kept it loud enough for the room. “Modeling is fine, but I want Hollywood. I want to be a star. Then, when I’m with Chase, no one will be surprised. They’ll just say he has good taste.” It was a great speech. Very “Main Character energy.” Too bad she was building her castle on my bones. She hadn’t read a book in years; she just stole my intellect. Bella, I thought, staring at her profile. Your double chin is showing. Chapter 6 The final bell rang. The class stampeded toward the cafeteria. I stayed behind, finishing a calculus problem set for a junior in another class. Bella stood at the front of the room, frowning into her compact mirror. She kicked the chair in front of her. “What the hell? Why does my face look puffy? Is that cow not dieting anymore?” She muttered to herself, glancing suspiciously at my desk. When she saw the bulging Louis Vuitton bag stuffed in my cubby, she relaxed. “Harper! You’re doing the right thing. Study hard!” She beamed at me, looking at me like I was a useful farm animal. “Skip dinner, okay? Look at how big you’re getting. You really need to fast. One meal a day is plenty for you.” I didn’t even look up. Bella sashayed out of the room, heading to the cafeteria to gorge herself. She didn’t know that every bit of effort I exerted now was solely for me. Once she was gone, I counted my earnings. Twenty-three dollars. Perfect. I grabbed the bag and ran out the school gates. This time, I bought a stack of old, yellowed newspapers the recycler used for insulation. I stuffed them into the LV bag until the seams groaned, then skipped back to school. At the main gate, a crowd had formed. A boy in a black shirt and a baseball cap was cleaning a camera lens. Behind him, a gaggle of girls clutched their dinner, whispering and squealing. “God, he’s so hot. Chase Montgomery.” “He’s already accepted to USC. He just comes to school to mess around with his camera.” “Is that girl his girlfriend? I’m so jealous. It’s like a movie scene.” I walked closer. It was Chase. And his lens was pointed directly under the school’s archway, at a posing, “candid” Bella Sterling. He bent down, focused, and click. “Chase! Let me see!” Bella bounced over to him. Standing close, they looked like a magazine cover. I clenched my fists, a bitter acid rising in my throat. That was my life. That was the stolen potential she had ripped out of me. I swallowed the hate and tried to walk past them into the school, but Bella spotted me. “Harper! Come here! Let’s take a picture together!” Chapter 7 Bella grabbed my arm, digging her nails in, and dragged me into the frame. “Chase, shoot it! I want a picture with my BFF!” Chase looked at me with open disgust, but he adjusted the focus—keeping it sharp on Bella, leaving me in the blur. The crowd watched, eating their sandwiches and laughing. “She looks like a mountain next to Bella. So embarrassing.” “If I were her, I’d hide. It’s humiliating.” “Comparison is the thief of joy, but wow, that’s a brutal contrast. Beauty and the Beast.” Bella looked ethereal next to my bulk. I stiffened, resisting with every muscle fiber. I knew exactly what this was. She needed a prop to make herself shine brighter. “Just a few more! These are memories, Harper!” “Smile! Come on, I’ll stand in front to make your face look smaller. Don’t move!” She wrapped her arm around my neck in a chokehold masked as a hug. I snapped. I shoved her away with both hands. “Enough! Are you deaf?!” “I said no! Get off me!” The onlookers jumped. My voice was raw, screaming with years of suppressed rage. Bella stumbled back and fell onto the pavement, looking up at me with wide, shocked eyes. Chase was there in a second, helping her up. He turned his glare on me, his eyes cold as ice. “Harper Vance. What is wrong with you? Apologize to Bella. Now. Or else.” He looked ready to destroy me. Around us, phones went up, recording the “crazy fat girl” losing her mind. “Apologize? Why the hell should I apologize? She dragged me!” I didn’t care anymore. My hair was a mess, I was sweating, and I was screaming. “Why does everyone ignore the facts just to target me? Is it just because I’m ugly? Does that make it okay to treat me like an animal?” “You people are sick! And you’re all going to pay for it!”

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My childhood friend suffers from severe insomnia. For years, my voice was the only thing that could lull him to sleep. That was until he met the new “It Girl,” and suddenly, he was cured. For her, he fought with paparazzi, blacklisted her rivals, wrote hit songs for her, and shipped me—the girl he found annoying—off to a political marriage. Rumor had it my fiancé was a ruthless, elderly tycoon with one foot in the grave. I ran to my friend, crying, holding a knife to my throat, threatening to end it all. Liam Sterling just scoffed. “Grow up, Chloe. Are you still playing these games?” “If you want to die, hurry up. Do you think everyone has as much free time as you?” “You’re not a child anymore. Sure, he’s a bit older, but for someone like you? It’s more than you deserve.” Suddenly, a stream of holographic text—like a livestream chat—scrolled across my vision: 【Don’t listen to him, girl! Your fiancé is a dark, obsessive Merman! A total tragic villain!】 【He’s been in love with you for centuries! He’s drop-dead gorgeous, loyal to a fault, cries actual pearls when he’s sad, and his biggest dream is to start a family with you!】 I silently lowered the knife. “Um, excuse me. Can we move the wedding date up?” I don’t have any ulterior motives. I just really, really like seafood. Chapter 1 When I pressed the cold blade against my neck, my eyes were filled with absolute despair. Then, the floating text appeared, bombarding my vision. 【Don’t do it! If you die now, no one will even care!】 【Plus, the heroine will inherit your magical voice, and Liam will love her even more!】 Mia Thorne stood behind Liam, shielded from my glare. Her almond eyes were brimming with tears, looking pathetic and fragile as she tugged at the hem of Liam’s designer jacket. “I’m so sorry, Chloe. I didn’t know you hated me this much. I truly just want to be with Liam.” “If you don’t want to see me, I promise I’ll disappear. You and Liam have known each other for fifteen years… you’re his dearest little sister. I don’t want you to get hurt.” She sobbed in hiccups. Liam, seeing this, tenderly wiped her tears away. “Let her throw her tantrum. It’s not the first time.” “Everyone knows she’s terrified of pain. Suicide? Please. She’s just seeking attention.” “You’re too innocent, Mia. That’s why she always bullies you.” He glanced at me with impatience. “Haven’t you had enough? Your arm must be tired holding that knife up.” “Everyone is watching. If you’re going to do it, make it quick.” The boy who once hugged me and refused to let go was now telling me to die for another woman. Chapter 2 Liam Sterling has chronic insomnia. He needs the sound of my voice to fall asleep. My parents died when I was young, leaving me alone. When the Sterlings discovered my voice was the only cure for their son, they adopted me. From the age of eight, I lived under the same roof as Liam. He was clingy. If I left his sight for a moment, he’d panic. Before me, he lived on sleeping pills. After he met me, he never took another pill. Every night, I sang him a lullaby. Growing up, Liam always let me win. Whenever I made him angry, he was the one who apologized, claiming that seeing me cry broke his heart. On his eighteenth birthday, in front of the entire socialite circle of New York, Liam declared he would never marry anyone but Chloe Vance. I thought we would be together forever. Junior year of college, we had a fight. I ran off to Joshua Tree to paint. He drove through the night to find my tent, wrapping me in a blanket under the starlight. Hot tears ran down my neck as he choked out, “Chloe, take me with you next time, okay? Without you, I can’t sleep. My heart feels empty.” I was defeated by his tears. “Shh, didn’t I leave you a recording?” I wanted to say more, but a line of text floated in the air. 【Tragic, isn’t it? Who would have thought the puppy-dog boy who ‘couldn’t live without Chloe’ would drive her to suicide for another woman two years later?】 I thought the altitude was making me hallucinate. I didn’t know then that the man in my arms was the Protagonist of this world. And I was just the fleeting, villainous side character. Chapter 3 After graduation, I became a director at Sterling Entertainment. When Liam came to find me, I was supervising a girl group rehearsal. Mia Thorne was bubbly and cute, but her singing was off-key and her dancing was a disaster. The manager scolded her. Mia blinked, pouted, and instantly dropped a few perfect tears. I turned around and saw Liam staring at her, entranced. A smile played on his lips. Perhaps that was the moment the gears of fate began to turn. I saw the strange “Chat” again. 【Love at first sight! Classic trope check.】 【Mia is so cute, the male lead’s heart just melted. Look, he can’t even blink.】 【The heroine is clumsy, but adorable. No wonder he’s moving on.】 【What? The side character (Chloe) is way prettier!】 【Pretty doesn’t matter. The plot demands he dumps her for the heroine.】 From those comments, I realized I was living in a romance novel. Mia was the “Sweetheart Heroine,” and Liam was her destined “CEO.” I didn’t want to believe it. But from that day on, Mia and Liam grew closer. He came to the studio to “see me,” but ended up laughing with her. She even hitched a ride home in his car every night. I felt panicked, like someone had licked the frosting off my cupcake. I told Liam to stop coming. If he wanted to see me, I’d go to him. He frowned but agreed. One day, I was heading to the Sterling estate with Liam. It wasn’t on Mia’s way. I whispered, “Liam, the ice cream I bought is melting. Can we call Mia an Uber?” Liam thought for a second, then smiled. “Whatever you want.” Halfway there, Mia called. She was crying. “Liam… I think someone is following me… I’m scared…” Liam immediately U-turned. “Don’t be scared. Stay on the line. I’m coming!” When we arrived, Liam jumped out. Mia threw herself into his arms. He stroked her back, his face full of pain. “I’ll protect you. I’ll drive you home every day from now on, okay?” And so, “Drive Mia Home” became a permanent fixture in his schedule. I became invisible. Eventually, I realized Liam could sleep without me. I had been replaced. Even when I fainted from cramps and asked him to take me to the hospital, he was indifferent. “Chloe, stop being dramatic. I called you a car.” “Mia needs me right now. Just hold on. I’ll send my assistant to sit with you.” Later, I found out the stalker was a former employee of Mia’s father. Her family had run a factory into the ground, embezzled the funds, and fled the country, leaving workers unpaid. The stalker, a man named Frank, needed wages for his daughter’s leukemia surgery. When he confronted Mia, Liam beat him half to death. Liam kicked the man until he was unconscious. When the police arrived, Liam’s face was scratched. I tried to clean the wound, but he shoved me aside. He knelt before the terrified Mia, hugging her tight. “I’m sorry I let you get scared.” I was standing right there, but I didn’t exist in his world anymore. Liam knew I was terrified of pain. But when he shoved me, I hit a pile of exposed bricks. My shin was bleeding profusely. But I didn’t cry. Because Liam was wiping Mia’s tears, his face full of adoration. At that moment, I realized it didn’t matter if I hurt or cried. Liam didn’t care. Later, Frank went to jail. Liam made Mia quit the idol group and become his personal assistant. At galas, I was no longer his plus-one. At business dinners, he drank for her and held her waist. The handmade storybook I made him? He gave it to Mia. Worse, he moved Mia into the house. I came back from a business trip to find my room gone. “Chloe, Mia needs to sleep next to my room. I moved your stuff to the attic.” In the attic, my things were scattered. Broken glass, torn photos. Downstairs, the Sterling parents were laughing with Mia. Mia was a master manipulator. Even Liam’s stoic father was smiling. His mother, who suffered from migraines, loved Mia’s massages and gave her an heirloom bracelet. I finally believed it. The world revolved around her. I planned to move abroad. To escape this “Sweetheart Center.” But the Sterlings told me I was to be married off to Silas Hale in Seattle. Silas Hale. Rumor had it he was an arms dealer or a mob boss. Over fifty. Brutal looking. I was terrified. I ran to Liam’s room. “Liam, please. Tell them no. I don’t want an arranged marriage.” Liam pulled my hand away, sipping his tea. “Chloe, you’re not a kid. He’s older, sure, but for you? It’s more than enough.” I felt my heart turn to ash. I grabbed a fruit knife. When I aimed the sharp blade at my neck, Liam didn’t even flinch. Two years ago, if a mosquito bit me, he’d freak out. Now, he watched me prepare to die with boredom. Suddenly, Mia screamed, startling me. The knife nicked my skin. Green text flashed before my eyes: 【Poor side character. The chandelier is about to fall on the knife. She won’t die, but her vocal cords will be severed. She’ll be mute.】 【She thinks Liam and his parents will feel guilty? Nope. They’ll just sigh and move on.】 【By the way, Mia gets her magical voice. Liam sleeps even better.】 【The parents are so touched by Mia that they let her marry Liam immediately.】 【I remember their wedding rings were made from the inheritance left by Chloe’s parents.】 【Yeah, the ‘Mermaid’s Tear’ diamond. Worth millions.】 I went cold. Why? Just because she’s the protagonist? Then, a huge, bold comment appeared: 【Girl, stop crying! Your fiancé isn’t an old man! He’s a tragic, beautiful Merman!】 【That gloomy fish is obsessed with you! When he heard you almost committed suicide, he cried all night. He kissed your wounds!】 【He’s super hot, totally loyal, and—most importantly—he’s rich and obedient. He literally dreams of carrying your babies!】 Chapter 4 I froze. Huh? A Merman? The chat was going wild. 【He’s loved Chloe since he was a fry! He fought his way onto land just to find her.】 【When she loses her voice, he acts out both sides of the conversation. He says the dirtiest things to make her blush.】 【Chloe is tiny, so when the giant Merman hugs her, her feet rest right on his… sensitive scales. He turns bright red.】 【He loves water. When she showers or swims, he gets… naughty.】 【CEO romances are fine, but a possessive, wet, pathetic Merman? Yes please!】 My face flushed. Why didn’t you guys say so sooner? I’m a total monster-lover! If that’s the plot, who wants to die? In the living room, people were still surrounding Liam. “Chloe listens to you, Liam. Tell her to stop!” Liam looked annoyed. He knew I was afraid of pain. I was bluffing to stay in the house. “Chloe, put the knife down! Does it have to be this ugly?” “Mom and Dad are doing this for you. If you don’t want to marry, fine. Stay. But no more bullying Mia.” Before he finished, I dropped the knife. I ran to the Sterling parents. “So, when is the wedding? Can we move it up?” Silence. Liam grabbed my arm. “Chloe, there’s a limit to your jokes.” I rolled my eyes. “Who’s joking with you?” Mrs. Sterling recovered. “If you’re okay with Mr. Hale… next month?” “No problem,” I said. Crash! The chandelier fell exactly where I had been standing. Mia glared at me, hateful that I wasn’t hurt. The chat said she stole my voice “buff” after I got hurt. Not today. “Mia, you look disappointed. Sad I didn’t get crushed?” Mia immediately switched to victim mode, hugging Liam. “No… I was just scared.” Liam glared at me. “Chloe! Where are your manners? Apologize.” In the past, I would have cried. Now, I laughed. “You’re right. I should apologize. Sorry for interrupting the family dinner. Don’t worry, I’m getting married. You won’t see me much longer.” Liam sneered. “Playing hard to get? Chloe, I’ll say it once: Stop playing games.” Mia suddenly whimpered. “Liam… my hand… it’s scratched.” A microscopic scratch. Liam panicked, yelling for the first aid kit. But he paused, glancing back at me. He felt a sudden emptiness, as if I really was leaving his world. “Liam! It hurts!” Mia cried. He turned back. I was just jealous, he told himself. I’d never actually leave him.

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On New Year’s Eve, right in the middle of a live broadcast, my sister called me. I spoke first: “Peace, joy, and a long, long life.” My sister let out a cold laugh on the other end of the line. “But I don’t want you to have peace or a long life. “I hope you suffer for the rest of your miserable existence.” I had cut ties with my sister years ago, back when she was at rock bottom. Now, she was on top of the world, a Fortune 500 CEO. Her first order of business was revenge. My tone remained steady, unchanged. “Peace, joy, and a long, long life.” She snapped, her voice dripping with impatience. “Enough. I will never bless you. “If you want a wish, then I wish you eternal pain.” The talk show host hesitated for a second, his earpiece buzzing, before he interrupted her. “Ms. Vance… I’m sorry to interrupt, but that was a pre-recorded message from Mr. Vance. “When he passed away, it was… just as you wished. Very painful.” 1 “Passed away?” Scarlett Vance froze, then scoffed. “I hope you mean he’s dead.” The host paused, looking uncomfortable, and pointed behind her. On the massive Jumbotron in Times Square behind her, my face appeared. In the footage, I was slapping the camera lens away. Rain plastered my hair and cheap dress shirt to my skin. I looked pathetic. My voice was thick with annoyance. “Stop filming. I didn’t sign a release.” A sweet, earnest voice spoke from behind the camera. “I’m not a scammer, I swear. I’m a content creator documenting life on the streets. I can help you.” I turned away from the dumpster I was digging through and pressed my face right up to the lens. “Really? Can you cure Stage 4 cancer?” The girl behind the camera froze. I smirked, a jagged, tired expression. “Don’t waste your breath. Go find a stray cat to save.” “Wait… maybe I can try!” She grabbed my sleeve as I tried to walk away. I looked her up and down, laughing as I pointed at her outfit item by item. “Shirt, twenty bucks. Belt, sixty. Pants, forty. Shoes, fifty. “Oh, and this camera? Pawn shop find, right? “Do you have any idea how much American healthcare costs?” I held up five fingers to the lens. “Five hundred thousand. Minimum. Cash.” The girl’s breath hitched. I turned and walked into the rain, bending over the next trash can. “Shadow? Shadow, where are you, buddy?” She followed me. “What are you looking for?” “A dog.” “Is he yours?” “No. I passed out earlier. He licked my face until I woke up.” The girl went silent. I looked up at the grey sky. “If you’ve got nothing to do, go home. There are plenty of people in this city you can save. Don’t waste your time on me.” My hand covered the lens. The screen went black. 2 【 The Afterlife Series – Oct 11, 2023, 9:32 AM – The Vance family doesn’t take handouts 】 “You’re Julian Vance. Scarlett Vance’s brother, right?” I was sweeping the back alley of a coffee shop. I frowned. “You again?” The girl’s voice came from behind the camera. “The internet says you’re a traitor who abandoned his family, but they don’t know you have terminal cancer. I want to film a documentary series about you. Is that okay?” I shook my head. “Let them think I’m a traitor. It took me years to build that reputation. You want to ruin it now?” “Wait!” She grabbed my arm again. “But you’re broke. How are you paying for meds? I have some savings. Let me help.” I turned, a mocking smile on my face. “You know why I cut ties with my sister?” She hesitated. I yanked my arm back and waved her off. “I have a job. I don’t need your charity. Beat it.” “I asked the manager. You make ten bucks an hour under the table.” “That’s enough.” I turned my back to her, throwing a grin over my shoulder. “The Vances don’t take handouts.” The moment the words left my mouth, my knees gave out. I hit the pavement hard. “Julian!” The camera shook violently. On the concrete, a pool of bright red blood began to spread. “Oh my god!” Maya’s voice trembled. The camera was discarded on the ground, pointing askew. I could see a slender girl trying to haul me up. “Come on, I’m taking you to the ER!” I shoved her away with the last of my strength. I grabbed a dirty rag from my belt, wiped the blood off the concrete, and smeared the red from my mouth with the back of my hand. “No hospitals.” I walked to the slop sink and washed the blood off my face. Maya’s voice broke. “Please. Just let me help you, okay?” I scrubbed the last spot of blood from my chin, turned, and looked straight into the lens. “The Vances. Do not. Need. Help.” Then I walked out of the frame. 3 【 The Afterlife Series – Nov 15, 2023, 3:21 PM – Dogs don’t know they’re dying, they just know they’re home 】 “What do you mean?” I stared at the vet in shock. The vet sighed and shook his head. “The previous owner probably dumped him because they didn’t want to pay the bills. “This little guy has been starving, beaten by other strays… his organs are failing.” I forced a smile. “I know that look. You’re going to tell me he doesn’t have long, right?” The vet hesitated, then nodded. It was the exact same look my oncologist gave me. Maya frowned from behind the camera. “Is there really nothing we can do?” “…Just keep him comfortable. Give him whatever he wants to eat.” Silence filled the small exam room. I petted the scruffy black dog’s head. “No wonder we found each other.” Shadow’s tail thumped against the metal table. He leaned into my hand, panting, his dark eyes shining with adoration. Maya smiled sadly. “He thinks you’re his owner.” I paused. “Is that something to be happy about?” Maya nodded, reaching out to touch the dog’s ear. “Dogs don’t know they’re dying. He just knows he finally has a home.” I went quiet. I patted his head again. “I’ll call you Shadow.” Shadow let out a weak woof. Carrying Shadow out of the clinic, I turned to face the lens. “You found him for me. As repayment… I agree to the documentary.” 4 【 The Afterlife Series – Dec 31, 2023, 9:00 PM – Long Live the Queen (Part 1) 】 “Where did you get this?” I stared at the VCR Maya had dragged in, frowning. She waved a VHS tape with a grin. “A good director does her research.” She popped the tape in. On the grainy screen of the TV provided by my landlord, a boy in a bespoke suit bowed to the camera. Back then, my eyes still held a spark of hope. “Hello, hello! Happy New Year 2015! Wishing everyone peace, joy, and success!” “You were so energetic back then,” Maya said, sitting on the floor beside the couch. Her eyes crinkled with a smile as she watched. I leaned back on the torn upholstery of the sofa. “Did you dig up every archived post on my old social media?” “I thought it was interesting.” I didn’t answer. On the screen, Past Julian sat amidst a mountain of gifts. A familiar voice rang out. “Don’t rush, let me help you open them.” Scarlett walked into the frame, sitting beside me. I held up a hand. “Stop! Sis. Vances are self-made, remember?” The camera cut. Scarlett was fastening a luxury watch around my wrist. “Happy New Year, Julian.” Click. The video froze on my massive grin. Then, laughter. Scarlett’s face was smeared with cake frosting. She paused, then raised a threatening hand, laughing. “Come here! Just because it’s your birthday doesn’t mean I won’t kick your ass!” The video was full of joy. Watching it, I let out a sudden laugh. I wiped the corner of my eye. My sigh trembled. “After Mom and Dad died, everyone pitied me. “But actually… I wasn’t pitiful at all. “I had my sister. I had friends…” A draft whistled through the leaky window frame. I pulled the thin blanket tighter. Tears slid silently down my face. Two warm hands covered my freezing ones. Maya looked at me seriously. “I saved up some money. Let’s go to the hospital tomorrow. Get some treatment.” I sniffled and laughed. “Your account has less than a hundred followers. You eat cup noodles with me every day. How much money could you possibly have?” Her pale hands clenched against her faded jeans. “It… it would help a little.” “No need. I have good news. I saved up two grand. I can afford a round of meds.” Maya froze. Then she smiled. “Is it enough? I can give you more.” I shook my head stubbornly. “No. Vances don’t take handouts.” I lifted my chin arrogantly. “Relax. My income covers my bills. Look, I bought these with my own paycheck.” I grabbed a handful of colorful pills and dry-swallowed them all at once. I frowned, swallowing hard, and sat in silence for a long time until the pain subsided. I exhaled, clutching my chest. I looked up. Maya was watching me, her eyes red. I grinned. “Swallowing a handful dry. Pretty badass, right?” Maya looked down, her smile bitter. “Yeah.” 5 【 The Afterlife Series – Dec 31, 2023, 11:45 PM – Long Live the Queen (Part 2) 】 On screen, we were slumped on the couch, full from a meager dinner, waiting for the ball drop. Maya looked at me. “Is that really all you’re eating?” I looked exhausted. “Stomach hurts. If I eat more, I’ll throw it up.” Maya was silent for a moment, then spoke softly. “Ms. Vance… she did it. Her new IPO hit a billion-dollar valuation.” I closed my eyes. “I know.” “Go back to her. She has the money now. She can save you.” I shook my head. “Why? Do you want to die?” “Do you think I had any illusions of living when I cut her off?” Maya choked on her words. Her voice trembled. “Why did you cut ties? Wouldn’t it be better to face it together?” I laughed. “Mom and Dad always said the Vance kids don’t need help. But the Vance family helped every relative we had. “But when Scarlett went bankrupt? Not a single one of those relatives lifted a finger. “Do you know what it felt like watching my sister beg those people for my tuition money?” My breath hitched. I gritted my teeth. “Scarlett never begged. Never. But after the relatives slammed the door in our faces, she took me to a tiny apartment, smaller than this one. “She said, ‘Even alone, I will get us back to the top.’ “That’s the sister I admired. Even with nothing, she had ambition. “But…” I smiled, looking at Maya. “Guess what would happen if she knew I was sick back then?” Maya couldn’t answer. “She would have gotten on her knees for those relatives.” My heart ached just saying it. “She almost did it for my tuition. I had to physically stop her. Haha…” I wiped a tear. “When I left, she and her partner were just starting to get traction. “Do you think investors would dump money into a startup if the founder had a dying, money-pit brother?” Maya’s voice shook. “Julian…” I held up a hand. “Cancer will take my life. But half a million dollars of debt? That would have taken her life.” Maya clenched her fists. I sighed, a smile playing on my lips. “The day I left, I destroyed her. I called her worthless. “I told her she was a failure, that she was ruining Mom and Dad’s legacy. I told her if she had any love for me, she’d let me go find my own happiness.” “And then… she let go.” The countdown on the TV hit zero. Fireworks exploded on the screen. I wiped the tears from my face.

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Nobody thought Julian Thorne and I made sense together. He was the campus god—sculpted features, brilliant mind, full scholarship. I was just Harper Vance—plain, average, and cursed with a stutter. But Julian gave me the kind of respect and love I’d only ever read about in books. So, I treasured him. I worshipped the ground he walked on. That was, until I walked into a café and saw my father sliding a black Amex card across the table to him. “Thank you for taking care of her these past two years. Harper has become much more confident. This bonus is what we agreed upon.” Julian took the card without hesitation. He smiled, a cold, calculated smile I’d never seen before. “I’m raising my rates this year, Mr. Vance. You know how it is—she’s demanding more and more of my emotional labor these days.” In that moment, I realized that “love” could indeed be a performance art. I didn’t storm in. I didn’t scream. I continued to date him, pretending nothing had changed. In fact, I “loved” him even harder than before. Because before I left for grad school in London, I wanted to see if I could play the game too. I wanted to see if I could become the hunter. 1 In the dimly lit corner of the café, I froze. I had ghosted into a booth partially hidden by a decorative partition, purely by instinct. I shouldn’t have been there, but seeing my father and my boyfriend sitting together was too bizarre to ignore. “Thank you for taking care of her these past two years. Harper has become much more confident. This bonus is what we agreed upon.” I stared blankly at them. My mind was a hurricane of confusion. Thoughts swirled like autumn leaves in a gale, impossible to catch. My father’s voice continued. “She’s been insecure since she was a little girl. I didn’t have any other choice but to find you.” Julian smiled, his fingers deftly sliding the black card into his palm. He rubbed the surface of the card thoughtfully. “I’ve always been curious, sir. Why me?” Dad hesitated, then sighed. “I saw a photo of you giving the freshman orientation speech on her lock screen. I looked into you—you were brilliant, popular, dazzling. She liked you.” “I didn’t want to see Harper trapped in her shell forever. So, I came up with this… arrangement. I hired you to date her. I wanted her to feel a pure love, one untethered by family obligation or pity.” Julian lowered his lashes, masking his eyes. Dad watched him carefully, then asked tentatively, “Julian… after two years, what do you actually think of her?” Julian laughed. But the laughter didn’t reach his eyes. It sent a chill down my spine. “Mr. Vance, let’s be real. What exists between Harper and me is a transaction maintained by currency. Since it’s business, let’s not complicate it with sentiment, shall we?” Dad’s face fell. “I see. I overstepped.” “By the way.” Julian tapped the card on the mahogany table. Click. “I’m raising my fee this year. You know how it is. She’s getting clingy. She eats up a lot of my private time and demands a lot of emotional value.” … I sat there, paralyzed. Julian’s voice slithered into my ears like a viper. I watched his elegant fingers playing with the bank card—fingers that had warmed my hands just last night. Now, they were putting a price tag on my heart. They were negotiating the cost of loving me like they were buying a used car. The café buzz faded into white noise. All I felt was a piercing, suffocating humiliation. I wanted to run, but my legs were lead. Every ounce of strength drained from my body, leaving behind a hollow shell. Our relationship had always been a mismatch. He was the golden boy of Whitmore University. I was the rich girl with the stutter. I barely spoke in public. I was terrified of judgment. When Julian first approached me, I was terrified. But he encouraged me. He was patient. When he confessed his love, I thought I was dreaming. I often wondered: Why? Why would a god look at a mortal like me? Why did he rarely kiss me, rarely touch me beyond holding hands? Now I had my answer. 2 Sitting opposite my father, Julian was a stranger. His expression was indifferent, detached. He had two faces. I couldn’t help but think of yesterday. It was ironic. Yesterday was Julian’s birthday. I had spent nights learning to bake. I wasted pounds of flour and sugar, failing over and over until I got it right. I stood in the freezing wind outside his dorm for two hours, holding the perfect cake, until he finally rushed back from his “tutoring gig.” Under the streetlights, he ran to me. He stopped, breathless. “It’s freezing. Why didn’t you wait inside?” He rubbed my cold hands, glancing at the box. “What’s this?” I flushed. “It… It’s a c-cake. I m-made it.” He looked genuinely surprised. “You made this? By yourself?” The frosting had melted slightly, but the strawberry heart was still bright red. “Yeah.” My palms were sweating despite the cold. Julian cupped my frozen face in his warm hands, looking at me like I was the most precious thing in the world. “Thank you.” I felt my face burn. My stutter flared up. “Julian, H-Happy… B-Birthday.” He smiled. Not mocking, just gentle. “It’s okay. Take your time, Harper. Say it again?” I hesitated. “I want to hear it,” he whispered. “Can you say it for me?” His gaze was intense. He seemed to glow. I took a breath and forced the words out, one by one. “Julian. Happy. Birthday. I hope… you are always… happy.” He looked down at me, his long lashes casting shadows over his eyes. Then he pulled me into a hug. His heart was racing. “Thank you,” he rasped, wiping a tear from my cheek. “Why are you crying?” I hadn’t realized I was. He kissed the tear away. But when he leaned in toward my lips, he tilted his head at the last second, kissing my cheek instead. He’d done it a thousand times. I thought it was respect. Now I knew. A hunter doesn’t kiss the prey. He never loved me. He was just a method actor. And God, he deserved an Oscar. 3 I clenched my jaw, trying to hold back the scream building in my chest. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the hem of my coat. Dad and Julian left the café separately. I sat there until a waitress touched my shoulder. “Miss? Are you okay?” I realized my face was wet. “I’m fine.” I wiped the tears away and walked out. When I got home, Dad was wearing an apron, cooking. To the world, he was a shark. At home, he was just a dad. Mom died when I was little, and he never remarried. He loved me. He bullied the school board when I was teased. He bought me extravagant gifts. He tried to understand my generation. And he hired someone to love me because he wanted me to be confident. He was wrong. But I couldn’t hate him. “Harper, you’re home!” Dad turned, spatula in hand. “I made your favorite—sweet and sour ribs.” I sat at the table, staring at the feast. My eyes burned. “Dad.” He sat down. “What’s wrong, honey?” “That offer… to send me to grad school in London. Is it still on the table?” Dad froze. He looked at me in disbelief. “I thought you refused to go?” I smiled at him. It was a broken, jagged smile. “Dad. I saw you this afternoon. At the café.” 4 We talked until midnight. Dad took off his glasses, looking suddenly old and defeated. “I’m sorry, Harper. I just wanted you to be happy.” “But Dad, fake love expires. It can’t withstand reality. I don’t need that kind of charity.” He was silent for a long time, then he hugged me. “Okay. You’re going to London. What about Julian?” “I’ll handle him.” … Julian lied to me, but my father had paved the road for him. I planned to break up with him cleanly. But then I walked past a lecture hall and saw him with a girl. She looked young, maybe sixteen. She looked exactly like him. “Jade, why are you here?” “Bro, are you still dating that rich girl?” the girl demanded. Julian leaned against a desk, looking out the window. I couldn’t see his face, but I heard the sneer. “Yeah. Her dad pays well.” Jade eyed him suspiciously. “You didn’t actually fall for her, did you?” “Are you kidding?” Julian turned, his face twisted in annoyance. “Good,” Jade huffed. “The Vance family’s construction company built that site where Dad died. If it wasn’t for the settlement money, we’d have starved, but it wasn’t enough! I hate rich people like them.” Julian was silent. Jade sat on the desk. “You said you were going to make her fall in love with you and then dump her brutally. How’s that going?” Julian laughed. It was a dark, mocking sound. “She’s already obsessed with me. She sits with me while I study, brings me coffee… she even baked me a lopsided cake for my birthday.” Jade burst out laughing. “A billionaire’s daughter begging for your attention? Bro, you’re a legend! What’s the use of money if she’s pathetic?” Julian picked up a piece of chalk and crushed it against the desk. Snap. “She’s just an annoying little stutterer that nobody wants.” 5 I don’t remember walking out of that building. The sunlight hit my face, but I felt cold. The conversation played on a loop in my head. I thought Julian just didn’t love me. I was wrong. He loathed me. He was planning to destroy me. He wanted to watch me fall apart. The sadness evaporated, replaced by a cold, hard rage. I wanted revenge. I wanted to treat him exactly the way he treated me. … I took a day to compose myself. When I saw Julian again, I was the same shy, adoring girlfriend. He handed me a thermos. “You didn’t text all day. Are you sick?” I smiled. “J-Just tired. I’m b-better now.” He felt my forehead. I swatted his hand playfully. “Don’t you trust me?” He laughed. “My bad.” I tugged his sleeve. “No class this afternoon. Let’s go shopping?” “Sure.” The mall was crowded. We were heading for a boba shop when a man blocked our path. He glared at Julian. “It is you! You’re the little gigolo messing with my wife!” Julian shielded me. “Excuse me?” “Don’t play dumb! You tutor my son, but I saw the ring cam footage! You and my wife, all over each other at the door!” The man lunged for Julian’s collar. I shoved the man back. “Stop! My boyfriend w-would never!” The man stumbled, enraged. He swung his hand without looking. Smack. He slapped me. Hard. My chin throbbed instantly. Julian froze. He pulled me behind him, staring at the red mark on my face. His eyes were filled with panic and guilt. I watched him closely. God, he should really be in Hollywood. Julian clenched his fist, ready to fight. Passersby started yelling, threatening to call the cops. The man panicked and ran off into the crowd. Julian wanted to chase him. I grabbed his wrist. “Julian, it hurts.”

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We were married for six years, and Julian Thorne never loved me. But after I died, he went insane with grief. His devotion moved heaven and earth. On the first anniversary of my death, the King of Hell released me. “I hate to break up such a loving couple,” he said. “Go bring him down here.” 1 Before I died, I called Julian, wanting to see him one last time. He snapped at me impatiently. “Harper, are you done yet?” “Today is Scarlett’s birthday. Do you have to pick today to bring everyone down?” I smiled bitterly. “Julian, I told you many times. The cancer diagnosis isn’t fake. I feel terrible today, I— cough, cough—” “Julian! Come over here! Help me blow out the candles!” Scarlett’s voice rang out in the background. “I’m too lazy to deal with you. If you want to die, just go die.” Before I could finish, the line went dead. Julian hung up without hesitation. If you want to die, just go die. Those were the last words he ever said to me. I stared at the black screen of my phone and pulled the corners of my mouth into a silent smile. I couldn’t say I was heartbroken. Maybe after all these years, I was just numb. We were high school sweethearts, together from prom to the altar. We were supposed to be the couple everyone envied. But last year, I found out that Julian’s love letter back in high school was meant for someone else. He liked my best friend, my deskmate, Scarlett. Scarlett lived up to her name—big eyes, porcelain skin, dimples that popped when she smiled. She was the prom queen everyone wanted. Julian said Scarlett was too beautiful, too hard to get. He didn’t have the confidence. Coincidentally, I received his love letter and nodded yes, blushing. “Harper isn’t bad looking either. Plus, she’s close with Scarlett. If I date her, I can be around Scarlett every day. It’s great.” “I thought I’d just date her for a while and then break up. Who knew… sigh, Harper is kind of dumb.” “You guys saw how much she did for me over the years. I really couldn’t bear to hurt her.” “So I had to marry her. A man’s responsibility, you know?” Julian held his whiskey glass, feigning a look of潇洒 (carefree) melancholy as he said this to his frat buddies. His friends all sighed in admiration. “Julian, you’re a good man!” “Loyal and responsible!” Julian smiled bitterly. “I guess this is my life now. If I could do it over, I wish I had been brave enough.” Someone tried to comfort him, saying that marrying Scarlett might not have been better. At least I helped him build his business empire from scratch. My ability and character were impeccable. The smile faded from Julian’s lips. “Do you know Scarlett?” “Harper can’t compare to her in any way. Don’t let me hear you say that again.” I stood outside the private room, clutching the cancer report I just got. I didn’t know which news hurt more. 2 I’m emotionally slow. In six years of marriage, Julian lacked any sense of romance. He never bought me gifts for holidays. I convinced myself he was just practical, not into flashy things. He was often busy with social engagements, staying out all night. I told myself it was for our business. He had a sharp tongue, often criticizing my outfits, mocking my waist for not being thin enough, my skin for not being pale enough. I laughed it off. Just a typical guy, not good with sweet words. I made countless excuses for him, covering up the fact that he didn’t love me, pretending I was happy. But the body is more honest than the brain. Doctors say cancer, besides genetics, is also an emotional disease. Six years of marriage, day after day of suppression and cold treatment, wore away my feelings for him. And along with it, my body was destroyed. Now that everything was ending, I felt a sense of relief. Julian said if he could do it over, he would be brave. I thought, if I could do it over… I never want to meet Julian Thorne again. I closed my eyes with regret. Unexpectedly, when I opened them again, I saw Julian. He stood there with his arms crossed, watching Scarlett cut the cake with adoration. His phone rang again. Julian’s smile vanished, his brow furrowing. “Harper, you—” “Hello, is this the family of Harper Vance? This is South City General Hospital. Harper Vance passed away at 6:07 PM. Please come handle the paperwork.” Julian froze for a moment, gripped the phone, and sneered. “Did Harper tell you to say that? Hah, she’s getting creative. Hiring people to help her lie now.” “Lie my ass! I’m busy as hell, who has time for this?” “If you don’t come, I’m calling the police. Abandoning a corpse is a crime, you idiot.” The hospital worker hadn’t eaten dinner yet and had more resentment than a ghost. Julian got chewed out, and panic flashed across his face. He turned and fled the hotel in a panic. Scarlett chased after him, calling his name, but he didn’t hear. 3 In the hospital corridor, Julian ran frantically, losing a shoe along the way. When he saw the body under the white sheet, he suddenly recoiled, taking two cowardly steps back. “This is a prank, right?” “Harper, come out!” “You’re crazy!” The orderly whipped off the white sheet. “Family of the deceased, come identify and sign. Hurry up!” Seeing my face. In the next second, the color drained from Julian’s face. He stumbled, collapsed on the floor, crawled forward a few steps, and grabbed my hand. Julian broke down wailing. “Harper! Harper! Wifey! Wifey, wake up—” “Heh—” A disdainful scoff sounded in my ear. I turned to look. A tall man in ancient black robes stood beside me. His features were cold and handsome. He nodded at me indifferently. “Black Impermanence. Just call me Officer Fan.” What the hell? The Grim Reaper is real? I clenched my hands nervously. “Officer, am I dead?” Officer Fan: “Yep.” “Let’s go.” Aloof attitude, not a wasted word. I looked back at Julian with regret. He didn’t love me, so why was he so sad now that I was dead? Did this mean he actually had some feelings for me? Then my six-year marriage wasn’t entirely a joke. Officer Fan saw through my thoughts and sneered. “Normal people feel bad if they lose a chicken.” “Crying for a few days is normal. He’ll forget you in a month.” 4 Officer Fan was wrong. After I died, Julian went crazy. The first day, he held my body all night. No one could pull him away. The second day, he vomited blood from crying. The third day, Scarlett came to see him. His eyes were red. He grabbed a kitchen knife and tried to kill Scarlett, saying she should pay for my life with hers. “It’s all you, you bitch! You kept telling me Harper’s diagnosis was fake! It’s you! You killed her!” Scarlett screamed and ran. “Don’t be impulsive! If you kill me, you’ll go to jail!” “If I kill you, I’ll kill myself. I’ll go with her. It’s what we owe her.” People nearby rushed to stop him, wrestling the knife away. Julian was pinned down, banging his head on the floor, weeping tragically. On the seventh day, he gradually accepted reality. He spent a fortune on a prime burial plot for me. Day ten, day twenty… Every night, Julian slept in front of my tombstone. In the morning, he prepared breakfast for me, patiently wiping the tombstone with a towel. “Wifey, I wanted to buy what you like to eat. But I thought about it, and I realized I don’t know what you like.” In front of the tombstone, a feast was spread out. Soy milk, churros, dumplings, sandwiches, rice balls, bagels. A chaotic mix of East and West. Julian covered his eyes, bright tears slipping through his fingers. “I really wasn’t a good husband.” “If we could do it over, I’d make you breakfast every day, okay?” No one answered. The breeze lifted a dead leaf onto his shoulder. The crowd in Hell… oh wait, the ghosts… watched with sighs. “So devoted. It’s so moving.” “Yeah, I’m about to cry.” 5 Birth rates have dropped significantly in recent years. More people die than are born. The line for reincarnation is huge. My ticket number is for fifty years from now. Hell has a giant screen. If anyone living still thinks about you, your image scrolls on the screen. The deeper the longing, the higher the ranking. The ghosts have nothing to do, so they squat in front of the screen every day, watching it like TV and chatting. Old Man Lin has been dead for twenty years, but his daughter still cried for him this year. Such a filial daughter. “Why isn’t Old Man Lin happy?” “Why should he be? When he was alive, he was sexist. Only cared about his son, sucked his daughter dry. Now that he’s dead, the daughter still handles his memorial. Every time this plays, it’s a slap in his face.” A withered old man squatted on the ground covering his face, sobbing. “I was blind! Sarah, don’t think about Daddy anymore. Daddy doesn’t deserve it.” The screen switched. Julian sat in his office chair, staring at my photo. His secretary stood respectfully. “Mr. Thorne, as per your request, we built a residential complex near the cemetery. It has a kindergarten. The price is 50% off market value. People will definitely buy.” Julian nodded. “Good. She liked kids. She liked lively places.” “Build a park across the street. Plant it full of cherry trees. She loved cherry blossoms.” The secretary hesitated. “Mr. Thorne, aren’t cherry blossoms what you like? You liked them because Miss Scarlett she—” Julian suddenly exploded in rage. “Don’t mention that bitch’s name!” He went mad, sweeping everything off his desk, then carefully touched the photo. “Harper, I’ll get revenge for you. The Scarlett family will go bankrupt soon. Just watch.” The ghosts in Hell applauded emotionally. “Wow! Devoted! A true lover!” “Yeah, it’s been almost a year, and his life is still only about Harper. That’s deep love.” Over the years, Hell’s currency has inflated. But one thing has deflated severely. Human emotion. In ancient times, a man mourning his wife for decades was common. In the modern fast-paced world, let alone years, lasting a few months is considered deep. But after arriving in Hell, I topped the charts for a whole year. As the ghosts marveled, a black wind surged. Everyone stood up respectfully. “Officer Fan.” “Mm. Harper Vance, come here.” Officer Fan kept his eternal poker face, glancing at me. “Let’s go. Come with me to the mortal realm.” I was shocked. “The mortal realm? I can go back?” Officer Fan was concise. “The King of Hell has been watching that screen lately too.” “He’s feeling benevolent. He told me to bring Julian down to keep you company.”

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Years after graduation, the boy who sat behind me in homeroom became a bestselling author. During an interview about the inspiration for his heroine, Gabriel Thorne glanced discreetly in my direction. “I had a crush on a girl in high school. When I finally confessed, she rejected me. She said she didn’t like guys who were too handsome; it made her feel insecure.” Hearing this, I buried my head in my hands, praying for invisibility. “So, what do you think about Maya Brooks being cast as the lead, Serena, in the TV adaptation?” the interviewer asked. Gabriel let out a cold, short laugh. “It’s perfect. She’s practically playing herself.” 1 Gabriel Thorne, the literary genius of our generation, just announced the screen adaptation of his latest novel. The news hit #1 on X (formerly Twitter) instantly. Meanwhile, I was getting chewed out by my agent, Sarah. I was trending too. But for all the wrong reasons. “I told you to stay away from Leo Knox! How did you still get paparazzi on you?” “Do you know how vile his stans are being in the comments?” Leo was my co-star in my last drama and currently the biggest heartthrob in Hollywood. I kept my head down, too scared to make eye contact. “I turned him down, Sarah. He was the one who kept coming over…” But the cameras only caught the moment we were together, and just like that, I was the villain. Sarah sighed, rubbing her temples. “You’re a D-list actress. He’s A-list. Even if he chased you, in his fans’ eyes, you’re just a clout chaser.” “Forget it. Bad publicity is still publicity. Don’t respond. Let the news cycle kill it.” I didn’t argue. I just stared at the trending topics on my phone. #GabrielThorneNewSeries was trending with a “BREAKING” tag next to it. Way down the list, buried under ten other topics, was #MayaBrooksDesperate. We weren’t even in the same league of internet fame. I sighed and, after a moment’s hesitation, took a screenshot of the top trend. I tapped on the hashtag. It was a clip of Gabriel’s exclusive interview. Gabriel is only twenty-five, yet he already has three bestsellers turned into hit series. His newest book sold its rights before he even finished writing it. In the video, the host asked, “Rumor has it your heroine is based on a real person. Is that true, Gabriel?” The man on screen paused for two seconds before speaking softly. “Yes. She has a prototype.” I stared at Gabriel’s face. Years had stripped away his boyish awkwardness. He was no longer the shy kid who sat behind me in AP English, whose ears turned red when he spoke to me. Now, he faced the camera with an icy, confident composure. His sharp jawline and brooding artist vibe had already garnered him a legion of thirsty fans. At the end of the clip, he suddenly looked up, staring dead into the camera lens. Even through the screen, my heart skipped a beat. Before I could process it, Sarah’s shriek pierced my eardrums. “Maya! Why the hell did you like that tweet from your main account?!” 2 I was trending again. And the hate comments were brutal. Because Gabriel’s previous adaptations were massive hits, his new book, The Silent Witness, was already hyped to the heavens. The internet was fighting over who should play the leads. And there I was, a fourth-tier actress fresh off a “clout-chasing” scandal, liking the casting announcement. I unliked it instantly, but screenshots live forever. [Here she goes again. She really loves the attention.] [Quote of the day: Not famous, but audacious.] [Oh god, please don’t tell me she’s gunning for the lead role.] [If she plays the lead, I’m boycotting. Book fans, rise up!] Bad news: I got roasted onto the trending page twice in one day. Good news: I actually got an audition invite out of it. I usually played the mean girl or the evil ex, so my public image was trash. I was used to it. I never got lead roles. So when the email came, Sarah was more shocked than I was. “Is this… failing upwards?” I quietly opened a text thread I hadn’t touched in years. I hesitated, then typed. Maya: Hey, old classmate. Sorry about the mess. I felt bad that his prestige project was getting dragged because of me. I watched the “Typing…” bubble appear almost immediately. One second. Two seconds… Twenty minutes later, a reply finally popped up. Gabriel: Who is this? “…” Right. I played myself. Why did it take him twenty minutes? He probably spent that time trying to figure out who the hell I was. I bit my lip and put the phone away. No point in humiliating myself further. The audition was on the weekend. Because it was a major studio production, the waiting room was packed with talent. I had the lowest status, so naturally, I was the last one scheduled. It was my first time reading for a lead. I was shaking. But the moment I walked into the room, my heart stopped. Gabriel was there. It was the first time we’d seen each other since graduation. Hearing the door, Gabriel, who was talking to the director, turned his head. His gaze lingered on me for a beat, seemingly casual. Then he looked away. Like I was a stranger. Makes sense. I pulled myself together and introduced myself. I had memorized the sides perfectly. I knew I could act. When I finished, I saw approval in the director’s and producer’s eyes. But Gabriel just looked down at the script, his expression unreadable. The director, clearly close with him, nudged him. “Come on, Gabe. She’s reading for your heroine. Give us some notes.” My stomach tightened. I pressed my lips together, standing stiffly in the center of the room. Gabriel looked up. Our eyes locked. Before I could decipher the emotion in them, he looked away. “I know her,” he said, his voice low. “It wouldn’t be fair for me to comment.” I stood there, stunned. “We’ll be in touch,” the casting director said. Walking out of the studio, I realized it had started to rain. Sarah couldn’t make it, so I texted my assistant to pick me up. Footsteps echoed behind me. I turned. It was Gabriel. I instinctively stepped aside to let him pass. But he stopped. “Hello, Mr. Thorne,” I said quickly. “Do you really want this role?” We spoke at the exact same time. I looked at him in surprise. He repeated it, his voice colder this time. “Maya, do you really want this role?” Oh. So he wasn’t pretending not to know me earlier. I smiled awkwardly. When I rejected him back then, I thought our paths would never cross again. I thought he had forgotten me. Turns out, he was holding a grudge. I couldn’t blame him. He was the golden boy. He probably never saw rejection coming. When I didn’t answer, Gabriel frowned slightly. “Maya,” he said, his tone softening just a fraction. “Speak.” I bit my lip and took a deep breath. I looked him in the eye. “Yes. I really want this role.” Who wouldn’t? 3 When The Silent Witness announced the cast, the internet wailed. [Are you kidding me? Maya Brooks?] [Book Twitter is rioting right now.] [Insider info: The author had veto power. If she’s cast, he signed off on it.] [Look, if the author picked her, maybe we should trust him?] The male lead went to Leo Knox, who is signed to my agency. Leo is a rising star—great face, decent acting. The agency fought hard for this role to push him onto the A-list. After that encounter in the rain, I thought I was done for. Gabriel clearly held a grudge. But the director called me that night. He asked some standard questions, then awkwardly pivoted to my relationship with Leo. I frantically explained it was a misunderstanding, terrified the scandal would ruin my chances. He seemed relieved. The next day, Sarah told me I got the part. The novel is a crime thriller. The heroine is the detective’s high school crush who gets kidnapped and murdered, motivating his quest for justice which uncovers a serial killer ring. In the script, the heroine mostly exists in flashbacks. On set, this was Gabriel’s first time serving as a screenwriter. A month later, I saw him again. This time, a girl was trailing behind him. She looked fresh out of college, wide-eyed and excited. When she saw Leo and me, she gasped. “Omg, real celebrities!” Gabriel rolled his eyes, but paused when he saw me. “My assistant,” he muttered. Oh. I nodded. During the table read, I found myself zoning out. “Maya? Any thoughts on this scene?” I snapped back to reality, embarrassed. “No, uh, nothing. Just analyzing the subtext…” I felt Gabriel’s gaze burn into me. I looked down at the script. They were discussing the scene where the heroine rejects the hero’s confession in high school. “…” Sure enough, Gabriel let out a scoff. “There is no subtext.” He leaned back in his chair. “She was just heartless.” Me: “…” Confirmed. He is definitely still bitter. His little assistant, Bella, glanced between us with curiosity. Leo, dense as a brick, nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, she was brutal. The hero is so tragic here.” “Haha… yeah…” I laughed dryly. After the read-through, Leo offered me a ride since we were heading to the same agency meeting. “Hop in, Maya!” I scrambled into his car, desperate to escape the lasers shooting out of Gabriel’s eyes. 4 Filming started, and I saw Gabriel constantly. I learned the director, Mike, was Gabriel’s college roommate. “You weren’t on the original shortlist,” Mike told me privately. “Gabriel saw you liked that tweet and told me to bring you in.” “He had veto power. He abstained when your name came up.” So, when he asked if I wanted the role… he was giving me a chance. He didn’t fight for me, but he didn’t block me. My mind was a mess. To make things worse, our high school connection leaked. Leo came to me for gossip. “I saw an interview where Gabriel said the heroine has a prototype. You guys went to high school together… do you know who it is?” “Huh?” My heart hammered. “No idea. Maybe someone from another class…” Gabriel happened to walk by right then. “Oh,” he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “So you don’t know.” Me: “…” Why is he acting like a vengeful ghost? That night, Mike told us the platform arranged a promotional livestream. Because of the buzz, the host came prepared. “Gabriel, everyone is dying to know. Who is the real-life inspiration for the heroine?” I sat there, sweating. Gabriel looked directly at me. I frantically signaled him with my eyes—Please, shut up. His eyes darkened for a split second, then he looked at the camera. “I had a crush on a girl in high school…” The host perked up. Even Leo leaned in. The comments section was flying. “When I confessed, she rejected me. She said she didn’t like guys who were too handsome; it made her feel unsafe.” Host: “…” Leo: “…” Viewers: “…” I buried my face in my hands. The screen behind us filled with comments. [Is she insane? What kind of rejection is that?!] [LMAO I’m dying.] [Does she regret it now? Look at him!] [How could anyone reject that face?] “Wow,” the host stammered. “That’s… unfortunate.” Gabriel picked a comment off the screen. His peripheral vision locked onto me. “I want to ask her that too. Does she regret it?” Do I? I lowered my eyes, my throat tight. The host moved on to Leo and me. Because of the casting controversy, a lot of book fans were watching. “Gabriel, what do you think of Maya Brooks as your heroine?” I instinctively looked at him. “She’s good.” He smiled softly. This time, he looked right at me, openly. “She’s playing herself.” 5 [Anyone else sensing a vibe? Gabriel keeps looking at Maya.] [Wait, the genius author and the glam actress? I ship it.] [I accepted this ship in one second flat.] [Ugh, Maya is flirting again. That’s how she got the role.] The comments were wild, but I checked out. After the stream, my high school best friend, Riley, called me screaming. “Are you dating Gabriel?! I knew he still liked you!” “We aren’t dating,” I whispered. “I’m just acting in his show.” “He was practically undressing you with his eyes on that stream! Maya, why did you reject him back then?” “…” I didn’t know how to answer. “What… what did he even like about me?” I stammered. Eighteen-year-old Maya was plain, chubby, wore thick glasses, and had terrible grades. What business did a god like Gabriel have liking me? “Who cares why? He just did!” Riley yelled. But I couldn’t accept that. I didn’t even like myself. How could he? “You liked him for years! Why didn’t you confess?” “I never thought about it.” My teenage crush was safe because it was secret. Do not disturb. Do not initiate. Do not expect. That was my rule. If he liked me back… he wouldn’t be the Gabriel I idolized anymore. “Maya…” Riley’s voice changed. “Are you… do you have an avoidant attachment style?” Avoidant attachment. I’d thought about it. I lost weight in college, got Lasik, learned makeup. Guys asked me out. I never dated anyone. I pushed everyone away. I craved love, but the moment someone got too close, I ran. Acting was my escape. I could be someone else. But Gabriel… seeing him again triggered every flight reflex I had. I knew it was wrong. But I couldn’t stop.

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The Sterling family, the wealthiest dynasty in New York, posted a recruitment ad that shook the internet: 【 High-Price Seeking Daughter-in-Law We are looking for a wife for our sole heir. Reward: $5 Million for a boy, $3 Million for a girl. You just handle the birth; the Sterlings will handle the bill. 】 I smirked. My chance to get filthy rich had finally arrived. First pregnancy: Triplets. Three boys. Mrs. Sterling threw a party that shut down Manhattan, grinning so hard her eyes disappeared. Second pregnancy: Quadruplets. Two boys, two girls. Mrs. Sterling smiled politely, asking if I needed a nap. Third pregnancy: Triplets again. All boys. Mrs. Sterling couldn’t smile anymore. Now, she grabs anyone she sees and whispers, “Why won’t God just take me?” 1 My family has a genetic predisposition for extreme fertility. My great-grandmother had eight sons and two daughters. Back in the Great Depression, she single-handedly ate a wealthy landowner out of house and home until they were farming dirt. My mom had a pair of fraternal twins—me and my brother. She wanted more, but finances forced her into early retirement. Summarizing the experience of two generations, my mother gave me one piece of advice: “Harper, find a man who is hot, and find a man who is loaded!” After all, our constitution is volatile. Twins are a glitch. Triplets are the standard. Occasional quadruplets or quintuplets? Just a Tuesday for us. Find a handsome one so the army of kids is at least pleasant to look at. Find a rich one so they don’t starve. We didn’t want a repeat of Great-Grandma’s “eating the landlord poor” incident. I took this to heart. So, I stayed single. Until two days ago, when the Sterling family posted The Ad. Applicants swarmed like bees. But I, Harper Vance, fought through the preliminaries, crushed the semi-finals, and took the championship crown! When I held the contract, I called my mom, shaking. “Mom, we’re about to be richer than astronauts!” My mom heard the details and gasped. “Baby, pace yourself. Don’t bankrupt them.” 2 Day one on the job. Mrs. Eleanor Sterling sat on a velvet throne, giving me the orientation speech. “The Sterling line has had only one son per generation for eight generations. We are desperate. So don’t blame me for favoring boys slightly.” “Once the first child drops, you get the marriage license and the cash transfer. Instantaneously.” “If you can’t produce? You get a severance package and an Uber home.” I thumped my chest confidently. “Don’t worry, Boss Lady. Mission accepted.” Mrs. Sterling looked pleased. She waved her hand, and the guards brought in the father-to-be: Sebastian Sterling. Sharp eyes, chiseled jaw, legs for days, and a glimpse of an eight-pack through his disheveled shirt. Honestly, in any other context, he’d be the guy you dream about. Unfortunately, right now, he was a mess. He was hogtied with red silk ropes, carried in by eight bodyguards like a prize hog at a county fair. He was struggling and screaming: “Let me go! Am I a stud horse to you people?!” “Get out! I don’t touch women!” “Put me down! Marriage is a democracy! My body, my choice!” He screamed until his voice cracked. I suddenly understood why they had to hire a wife. The eighth-generation heir was… playing for the other team. Oh, heartbreaking. Mrs. Sterling looked pained. “Sebastian, I respect your lifestyle. I’m not a bigot.” “Just give me one heir. After that, you can fly to San Francisco, date men, date drag queens, date aliens—I don’t care!” Sebastian thrashed harder. “Mom, stop ‘understanding’ me! Who said I like men?!” Mrs. Sterling wiped a tear. “Oh, I get it. You like non-binary performers. That’s fine, but they can’t get pregnant! Just give me this one wish!” Sebastian howled. “Stop guessing!” Mrs. Sterling ignored him and pointed at me. “This is the mother I picked. Your future wife.” “I know your tastes are… unique. But Harper is a good girl. You can’t give her a normal marriage, but don’t you dare bully her!” Sebastian sneered at me. “Useless. Mom, tie down my body all you want, but my soul will fight for its virginity!” Mrs. Sterling ignored him. “Harper, can you handle this tonight?” I looked him over. Disheveled clothes. Forbidden vibe. The ropes were tight, but they didn’t obstruct the essential equipment. I looked up. “No problem, Ma’am. No matter the difficulty, the vendor will deliver!” Mrs. Sterling scolded Sebastian. “Look at her attitude! Now look at yours!” For some reason, Sebastian stopped struggling. He locked eyes with me, and the tips of his ears turned bright red. 3 That night, to be safe, Sebastian was tied to the king-sized bed. He was as quiet at night as he was loud during the day. I assumed he had accepted his fate. I rubbed my hands together. Imagine: A six-foot-two billionaire, restrained, at my mercy. And I get paid millions for it. “Um… I don’t have much experience. Tell me if it hurts.” I started stripping. Sebastian’s face flushed crimson. His eyes darted around the room. “Harper.” “Yes, Boss?” “Do… do you have someone you like?” I paused, holding my shirt. I remembered the freelancer’s code: Take the client’s questions seriously. I shook my head. “Nope!” Sebastian sighed. “I do.” Oh. Awkward. I stood there in my bra. I felt bad. Is this ethical? Sebastian glanced at me. “Why did you… stop?” I crawled over to him. “I didn’t know you had a partner. If you aren’t willing, we can skip it.” I mean, it’s just a few million dollars… sob. But I have a conscience! Sebastian looked like he was about to combust. He coughed. “It’s fine. Continue.” I ripped his shirt open. “Wait, won’t your partner mind?” “If it’s you… it’s okay.” Wow, his partner is open-minded! I got his pants off. We were skin to skin. But I wiggled around and couldn’t quite figure out the mechanics of a tied-up man. Sebastian panted. “Be good. Untie me. I’ll do it.” No way! My bottom line is twins. That’s a guaranteed $8-10 million. If I untie him and he runs, my millions run with him! I struggled for another ten minutes until I accidentally kneed him somewhere sensitive. Sebastian hissed. “Sweetheart, untie me. You’re going to break it.” I untied him. Because honestly, this was exhausting. Money is hard to earn. The moment the ropes fell, Sebastian flipped over and pinned me down. Lights out. Shift starts. My last thought before passing out was: Sebastian is definitely a Top. His stamina was terrifying. 4 I woke up alone. There was a new contact in my phone. Seb: [Emergency at the office. Call if you need anything.] I sighed. Such a considerate client. Before I could reply, my best friend Chloe called, screaming. “Harper Vance! Where the hell are you? We have the pitch meeting with Horizon Corp today!” “If we miss this, I will have your head on a spike!” I checked the time. 10:00 AM. I scrambled out of bed. I was so busy with the side hustle, I forgot my main job! Chloe and I run a boutique ad agency. The Horizon contract is worth $500k. To Chloe, this is life or death. I rushed to the Horizon building, but we were three minutes late. The receptionist was stone cold. “Sorry, your slot is gone. Reschedule.” Chloe grinded her teeth. “You better explain where you were yesterday.” “I… took a gig?” “What gig is more important than a half-million-dollar contract?” Well… a forty-million-dollar one. The elevator dinged. A group of suits walked out. The leader was cold, handsome, and radiated ‘Main Character’ energy. Chloe, being Chloe, shoved me aside and lunged. “Mr. Sterling! I’m Chloe from Starlight Ads. Just one minute, please!” Sebastian didn’t even slow down. His assistant blocked her. “Sorry, Mr. Sterling is busy.” My phone buzzed. Seb: [Home in 20. What do you want for lunch?] 5 I looked at my desperate friend, then at the power-walking Sebastian. I raised a timid hand. “Um…” Sebastian stopped dead. He looked up. His gaze darkened when he saw me. His Adam’s apple bobbed. I blushed. I felt a twinge of jealousy. That damn partner of his eats well! He extended a hand. “Give it here.” Chloe shoved the portfolio at him. “Mr. Sterling, this is the draft. We can change anything!” Sebastian ignored it. “The contract.” I pulled the contract out of my bag. He didn’t read it. He flipped to the last page, signed his name, and shoved it back at me. “Wait for me at home.” He didn’t whisper. Instantly, every employee in the Horizon lobby stared at me. Shock. Gossip. Who is she? I wanted to melt into the floor. Only Chloe was oblivious, drowning in the joy of money. “I knew it! Thick skin wins the game!” “Tonight, drinks on me! Invite your college buddy Liam too. Celebration dinner!” The stares intensified. Wow, the CEO is getting cucked? Sebastian spun around on his heel. He planted himself in front of me. His eyes were predatory. “I love celebrations. Add a plus one?” Chloe beamed. “Yes! Yes! Yes!” I pinched her. “Girl, you are playing with fire.” Chloe shrugged. “For a client this big, I’ll burn.” 6 That night. A roadside taco stand. Four people at a plastic table. The stools were too low for Sebastian’s long legs. His knee kept brushing against mine. “So you’re Harper’s ‘Senior’ form college? Thanks for looking after her.” Sebastian smiled—a smile that didn’t reach his eyes—and draped an arm possessively around my shoulders. Liam’s face went cold. He pushed Sebastian’s arm away. “No need to thank me. I enjoy taking care of Harper.” “Also, keep your hands to yourself. As far as I know, Harper doesn’t have a boyfriend.” Sebastian re-draped his arm, eyebrows raised. “My Harper is shy. She doesn’t need to tell outsiders about her private life.” Liam clenched his fist. “I’m not an outsider. I’m her closest… boy friend.” Sebastian scoffed. “Space that out. Male. Friend.” The air crackled with testosterone. Chloe was happily munching on nachos, watching the drama. “Fight! Fight!” I grabbed her arm. “Stop it! Why are we eating street tacos for a celebration dinner?” Chloe threw her hands up. “Mr. Sterling picked it!” You’re kidding. Billionaire Sebastian Sterling eating a $2 taco? Chloe whispered, “Tell me the tea. How did you snag him?” Before I could answer, Sebastian plucked the jalapeño popper from my plate. He smiled gently. “You’re preparing for pregnancy. No spicy food.” K.O. The table went dead silent. Chloe choked. “Holy sh*t! You guys got married?” I shook my head. “No. But… we slept together.” Chloe: “WTF? When?” “My gig yesterday…” Chloe shrieked. “You became a sugar baby?!” Me: … Can this woman let me finish a sentence?

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I pretended to be ugly since childhood, known as the “Ugliest Girl in the Trailer Park”. But at eighteen, I was chosen by the biggest wealthy family in Beverly Hills and engaged. I thought I found a home. Didn’t expect, my fiancé used me, this ugly girl, to spite his first love who rejected him. Before the engagement party, his big star first love exposed my ugly photos, trending on Twitter. Everyone was waiting to see the trailer park ugly duckling humiliate herself. But didn’t expect, the moment I stepped on the red carpet at the banquet. My fiancé stared at me wide-eyed as if he couldn’t believe it. His big star first love looked at me pale-faced, before she could speak. She was pushed away by her own agent: “Goddess! Are you interested in signing with our agency?” “I swear your peerless beauty can be made into a top star by us!” … Chapter 1 My mom said, pretending to be ugly can save life. I looked at half of her face corroded by acid, believed it firmly. So dark painted face, protruding buckteeth, hunched waist and three layers of fat suit. Accompanied my entire adolescence. Of course, being ugly and poor gets bullied. I went home every day with footprints all over my school uniform. Hair occasionally stuck with chewing gum. School bag always stuffed with trash. Mom saw it and only filled with tears, helplessly said to me: “Penelope, just keep your life.” Until eighteen, a stretch limousine came to the trailer park. That person told me, he came to take me home to get married. At that time, I was just beaten at the public toilet door. Covered in injuries, urine smell on body hadn’t dissipated. So didn’t even think, lifted foot and got on the luxury car. I don’t want to live days being beaten as soon as I open eyes! But just stepped into the thousand-square-meter manor, I was blocked at the door. Red-haired young master looked at me with disgust: “No way, Bro?” “Are you crazy? Leave piles of rich beauties not marry.” “Bring a trailer park ugly monster home?” Because of long-term habit of hunching and lowering head. I looked like a shrinking ostrich. That voice full of disdain smashed into eardrums from above my head. “You… to spite Giselle no need to try so hard right?” That voice suddenly lowered close to the noble cold man beside: “Look like this, can you really kiss her?” “Will you vomit ah…” “Yuck… what smell on her! So disgusting.” Man beside rarely opened mouth. “Xavier, don’t be so rude to my fiancée.” That moment, somewhere in bottom of heart was fiercely hit. This life, no one ever defended me like this. “Since Grandpa made the Arranged Marriage Pact, I must keep promise.” “Doesn’t exist spite who or not.” Finished, signaled butler to take me away to settle. I shrank neck, hunched body, timidly followed butler away. Behind that person named Xavier was still chattering complaining: “Then at least lock her in basement, I really can’t stand ugly thing.” “Besides, Giselle finally willing to come home for dinner, do you really want to anger her away!” Man behind imperceptibly sighed. Then called butler instructed: “Arrange her in basement, meal and activity time stagger with us.” Then hugged clamoring boy walked away. Start to end, didn’t look at me once, didn’t say a word to me. Evening, I was really hungry dizzy. Considered long time, finally made up mind, pushed open basement door plan find something to eat. Just pushed door a crack, butler’s ice block face appeared in front of my eyes. “Sorry, Miss Giselle and young masters are dining, you can’t come out.” Finished, even disgustingly rolled eyes at me: “Three are all people with status, your this appearance will dirty their eyes.” My stomach untimely growled loud, making my ears red with shame: “I am really too hungry, can you… give me something to eat…” In butler’s disdainful scrutiny, my voice smaller and smaller. Only heard him sneer: “Big sister, your body size can’t starve to death, don’t think I don’t know…” A gentle voice aside interrupted butler’s sarcasm: “Alfred, give her something to eat.” Finished Giselle turned to look at me, a hostess posture: “Don’t starve guest at home.” Fiancé rushed over, somewhat proudly said to Giselle: “Do you know she is my fiancée? So generous?” “Or say, you basically don’t care who I marry?” Giselle smiled gently, like spring breeze in April: “I just thought of that Pekingese you gave me.” “Locked in dog cage by me every day, eat drink all depend on my face, quite pitiful.” Only saw Caleb face change, voice cold few degrees. “So you think, the dog I gave you looks so disgusting?” “Giselle, after rejecting my proposal, no need to humiliate me like this.” Chapter 2 Locked in basement for three days. Was Caleb’s grandfather rushed home from abroad, I then released. Xavier rushed to me pinching nose warned: “Ugly monster! I warn you, don’t randomly complain to my grandpa!” “Otherwise I…” Saying, made a throat slit gesture threat. I suddenly felt funny, compare to those physical hurts in trailer park. This truly seemed a bit childish. “Xavier, come here!” Again that familiar female voice. “Limited edition Lego sister-in-law brought you from abroad, like it?” “Like it too much! Sister Giselle you are really my biological sister-in-law!” “Compare to some wishful thinking ugly monster.” “Sister Giselle is the person truly worthy to be my sister-in-law!” Arrogant teenager in front of gentle beautiful female star, like a coquettish giant dog. Not far away Caleb watched two interact with eyes like water. Full eyes warmth and satisfaction. Noticed my dazed sight, he didn’t even turn head. Frowned disgustingly turned back to block my gaze for them. As if I am some filth, touch me will become dirty. “Saw it?” “If not Princess Giselle career heart too strong not want marry, you think you are what thing can step into Vance family?” “Call you this ugly monster over, just Eldest Young Master want spite Princess Giselle.” “Less wishful thinking there can marry our Eldest Young Master!” “You, not worthy!” Butler crossed arms stood beside me gritting teeth cursing. Speaking to excitement even raised hand pinched my back. Pain made me grin teeth, tears飆 (spurted) out. Just this time, a low-key yet luxurious car slowly drove into manor. Stopped silently in front of three people. From car walked down a white-haired old man with cane, wearing Tang suit. Giselle immediately diligent walked up, sweetly presented gift to old man: “Grandpa, this is gift Giselle brought you from abroad.” “So long no see, I missed you.” Only saw old man didn’t look her straight eye, cold snort dropped a sentence: “I didn’t miss you!” Left Giselle froze in place, holding gift box awkward helpless. Then walked straight to me, held my hand: “Is it my granddaughter-in-law Little P!” I cramped shrank back a bit, voice small like mosquito buzzing: “Hel… hello, I am Penelope… trouble you…” Old man in front hearty laugh, patted my shoulder: “Little P looks polite and educated! Come! Grandpa give you meeting gift.” Saying, slapped me a Check, on it brightly wrote: [Five Million Dollars] I widened eyes, some dare not believe this is true. Only saw Grandpa looked down at my left hand. Instant face sink, low voice called: “Caleb Vance, roll over here for me!” Comer just stood still, Grandpa Vance a slap fan up: “Bastard! Where is my granddaughter-in-law’s engagement diamond ring?” “You look, people entered our home how long! Body still ragged clothes!” “You want whole New York think we Vance family can’t afford decent granddaughter-in-law.” “Money all gave outside those shady women right!” I saw whole body haute couture wearing jewelry Giselle face shame red. Caleb just want open mouth argue something, interrupted by Grandpa Vance stern voice: “Now immediately right now take my granddaughter-in-law buy clothes buy diamond ring!” “Not serve my granddaughter-in-law happy, you this little beast also don’t come back!” Saying, Grandpa called assistant forcefully stuff me and Caleb into a car. I haven’t reacted, car already drove to city biggest mall Rodeo Drive. Through glass door reflection, I saw myself reflected oily face. Pustule pimples, hairy moles and mud stained clothes pants. I suddenly felt incomparable inferiority. Especially sales whole process only enthusiastic promote to Caleb. Even didn’t welcome me in door. Glass door slapped on my face, Caleb heard my exclamation didn’t turn head. Behind came exaggerated laughter: “Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!” “Giselle, this is your that love rival?” “God, Vance family old man senile right, this kind person also can marry in.” “I if look like this really might as well hit head die.” Giselle smiling walked to me: “Here threshold indeed a bit high, not anyone can receive.” “My taste similar to Caleb, wedding ring let me pick ba.” “After all…” That forever gentle face seemed cracked a seam. A trace sinister and disdain straight shot into my eyes: “Finally who wear this ring, also not that old man say count.” She passed me walked into store. Sweet smiling sat in Caleb arms, put on a pigeon egg big ring. Those rich girls assistants seven hands eight feet stripped my whole body clothes, three layers fat bounced out time. I heard someone exaggerated dry heave: “Vomit! Too disgusting a person how can have so much meat!” “Is pig right!” “A pig also worthy shop same mall with us?” “Stuff her into trash can, don’t disturb our Princess Giselle date!” Push and shove, Locket on my neck fell out, slid to these rich kids feet. Original honest let slaughter me suddenly excited: “My locket! My locket!” “Return my locket to me! That is my dad left me relic!” Not sound fine, I one remind just now hugging Giselle girl eyes instant light: “Locket? You a trailer park come dead pig afford wear locket?” “I want see see exactly is real or not!” Saying one lift foot, in my exclaim sound high heels fierce step down, green fragments paved a ground. “Che~ all impurities, this kind trash stuff free give. I all don’t want!” My heart also followed locket broken into pieces, couldn’t help cried out sound. That is my dad before death left me only one thing. Didn’t want but let these devils more excited. “You quick look! Ugly pig cried!” “Mom ah, she cry how more disgusting!” “Really world wonder, quick take picture show Giselle!” Camera flashing flash light stick me desperate shoot. Through gap, I saw Caleb hugging Giselle sit on car, peripheral vision glanced me one eye. No a trace sympathy and bear not. Full eyes are disgust and disdain. He hugged Giselle sat on sedan car drove away. Few rich kids played enough, kicked me few feet teasing walked away. Aside secretary from my head sprinkle few bills. A word no have then left naked squatting in trash can me. Broken locket, disgust eyes. And real beat on body pain, let my chest constant surge. Suddenly, phone vibrate a hot search topped headline. Fat naked body and shocking world ugly face shove to screen. Beside impressive few big words: [Beverly Hills Tycoon forced marry by Trailer Park Ugly Monster, only because patriarch casual set Arranged Marriage Pact?] I trembling hands flip down, all are curse and abuse to me. Life first time, I produced hatred to this world. I called mom, dropped a sentence: “Mom, pretend ugly simply can’t save life!” Then disappeared without trace. Chapter 3 Time fast came to engagement banquet day. Giselle long spread news, Caleb will announce regret marriage on engagement day. Banquet hall crowded with holding long gun short cannon reporters. All come shoot this invincible ugly girl returned goods famous scene. Giselle, wearing bright red dress a main wife style up down manage. Caleb frowned tight sit beside Grandpa Vance. Engagement banquet already start two hours everyone waiting me appearance. Reporters already dissatisfied, complain sound more and more big. Giselle expression also more proud. Caleb finally couldn’t help, stood on stage say to reporters below: “Everyone, delayed everyone time, I announce, Vance family set this Arranged Marriage Pact…” “Wait!” Finally, I wearing snow white gown pushed open big door, step on red carpet. Throw ground have sound threw out this sentence. Everyone sight all gathered on me. Brew long time ridicule and disdain freeze in air. Replace are shock inhale sound. Someone couldn’t help praise out sound: “So beautiful ah~” “Did I see fairy?” “I want be faint by fragrance~” “Nuwa based on what so unfair!” Giselle jealousy and anger bright hang on face, angry corrupt said: “Who are you! How dare casual break in! You know here is whose territory!” Only saw, I slowly walked under spotlight, look straight all sizing gaze: “I am Penelope, what? Aren’t you guys waiting me?” Always self-claim noble arrogant Caleb all stammered: “You… you are…” Xavier aside broke sound shout: “Penelope?” “You actually are Penelope?!” Caleb amazed gaze gather on my face move not open. “You… you not…” He words haven’t finish, just by person a push away. A eyes emit essence light man diligent hand up business card, say to me: “Beauty beauty! You have interest enter entertainment circle?” “Can consider our company!” “Your such peerless beauty, I swear can make you into top star!” Never proud yet fake gentle Giselle rare lose manner a stomp foot: “Leo! You are my agent!” “How in front my face poach others!” “I am the top star you made out!” Agent naked eye visible irritable a scratch head, also not care full field long gun short cannon: “Big Sister!” “You what top star?” “You f*cking everyday buy press release step other artist, drama not act, variety show not go!” “Everyday circle a rich second generation not do proper business, still handle not people old man get returned!” “You know not know Grandpa Vance not like you news whole world knew!” “I now not find new person, company all want lose on you!” Reporters below originally Giselle find come see my joke. Now uniform aim Giselle, a look of dig to fierce material expression. Giselle face eat sh*t, face swell red angry drum stare agent. Stammer a word say not out. I light laugh, handily take business card sweet smile to agent: “Thank your favor, I will consider.” Original blow beard stare eye to Giselle agent, this moment a look of soul upside down appearance. Below stage someone gently said: “This kid good fortune, I also want speak with big beauty.” Giselle fist dead grip, joints creak ring. She walk to Caleb side, tight hug Caleb coquettish voice said: “Caleb, you forgot promised me what?” “As long as you now just withdraw marriage with her, I agree marry you!” “I no longer obsessed career, we together build a happy family!” But always reserved self-respect Caleb head didn’t turn. Straight stare spotlight under me. Obviously, Giselle said words, he a word didn’t listen in. “Caleb! You speak ah! Not you promised me ma!” Aside Xavier first react. At once pulled Giselle down, tone unkind said: “You don’t disturb my brother sister-in-law engagement again!” “What obsessed career, you have career ma?” “Not all my brother spend money support you!” Giselle wide eyes, face full disbelief. I in Caleb stunned gaze walk to his front: “So… I today is want be withdrawn marriage right?” “Also good, force twisted melon…” Caleb immediately react, immediately open mouth interrupt: “Who said I want withdraw marriage?” Chapter 4 Below stage instant a piece uproar, everyone whisper discuss something. Caleb also realized self some lose manner, dry cough few times said: “Your father back then sacrifice body save my grandpa, our family have today!” “Back then engagement Locket all exchanged, how I will violate grandpa meaning.” Giselle below stage instant scream want pounce on stage. Let Grandpa Vance call people hold. Only saw that white hair old man smiling walk to stage front, take out our engagement locket. Saw my locket broken pieces, face stiff a moment. “Miss Giselle friend opened a joke with me, broke, sorry grandpa.” Old man face unkind aim below stage one eye. Assistant immediately understand, escort Giselle just go. That night, whole city news all broadcast this full drama engagement banquet. Vance Group shares rise with water. Curse to Giselle also sky cover earth. I follow trend open social platform, one night just rose one million more fans. Giselle agent 10086th time call me time. I agreed their agent contract. Premise is, he can give me wanted thing. Turn day, Giselle rushed into Vance Manor. “You this dead scheme bitch give me roll out!” Table side, Caleb right peeling shrimp for me, Xavier help me pick dish. Hear Giselle shout all unconscious frown. Giselle red eyes run into dining room. See once full heart full eyes all her Vance brothers sit around my side. Lose control step forward just want flip table, by Caleb dead clamp hands. “Caleb Vance! You crazy right!” “I am this life only woman you deep love!” “How can you because a trailer park born scheme bitch just so treat me?” “You know not know, because her my notices all gone!” “She play scheme! Don’t know used what method change head change face!” “Not only rob my man also rob my job!” “You not help me, still by her coax live!” Giselle only care blind vent, completely not see Caleb face already black into pot bottom. “Turns out you Caleb Vance is a only look face low life!” “You still pretend what noble! Pretend what old money!” “You with outside those see pretty girl just love at first sight pervert men have what difference!” Giselle already mouth not choose words, use most ugly words insult Caleb. Slap! Only saw Caleb take out a bag file fling on Giselle face. “You still embarrassed come find me?” “Private all by people played rotten, still want find me take pan (be stepdad).” “Giselle you really play me round turn!” File bag corner expose a stack photos on is overlapped many legs. Giselle expression big change reach hand want tear destroy photo. By Xavier quick eye quick hand snatch over. “Now know hide?” “Back then hang my brother time why not think have today ne?” “If not sister-in-law zero pay act TV series, from your agent hand get these!” “We Vance family almost let you this dirty woman enter door!” Saying, Xavier not hold a punch hit on Giselle face. Right, these black materials all I found. Before I just feel strange, Giselle clearly try every way want loop Vance family. Why still want pretend reserved push three block four. Later bought agent then know. Turns out she still by sugar daddy kept, belly inside still pregnant her sugar daddy illegitimate child. She want while coax sugar daddy, keep job. While hang Caleb, find good back road for self. Just pity in the end, bamboo basket draw water one void. Caleb engaged with me, her agency also sign exclusive contract with me. My all work notices, all originally want contact give Giselle. Plus Grandpa Vance escort, My future more bright simply sleep not!

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On New Year’s Eve, my brother-in-law died naked in my bed. When discovered, his lower body was still high up. When I was slapped awake by my sister from the bed, my whole world collapsed. To redeem my sin, My General husband divorced me, turned around and married my adopted sister. All properties and shares under my name were also transferred to her by my uncle Sebastian, helping my adopted sister sit firmly as the USO Star. And I, was sent to a Psychiatric Ward by them, to escape Court-Martial. Just as the statute of limitations passed, they drove to pick me up. Ex-husband carefully draped a coat over me, expression of excessive heartache looked very hypocritical: “Serena, it’s all over, I’m here in the future.” But media reporters who heard the news swarmed up instantly. “Miss Serena Sterling, why did you disregard ethics to seduce your brother-in-law, and finally killed him?” “You relied on fake mental proof to escape punishment, enjoying life in the mental hospital, is this fair to the victim?” They were still indignantly saying something, but I couldn’t hear clearly anymore. Endless Electroshock Therapy in the mental hospital had long left me with constant tinnitus. Until Scarlett’s fan rushed up, splashed a whole bottle of Red Paint on my head and face. “Bitch! To pick you this murderer out, no one accompanied Scarlett properly on her birthday party!” “You killed her husband, destroyed her home, now even want to snatch her only remaining relatives? Why don’t you go die!” I froze in place. But back then, clearly it was them, one dislocated my jaw so I couldn’t defend, one forged evidence to push me into hell. Let me endure years of inhuman torture. And all this, was just to cover up the truth that Scarlett was the real murderer! … Chapter 1 I slowly raised my hand, wiped the dirty paint off my face. No crying, no noise, nor looked at them again, turned and walked out of the crowd. “Serena?” Uncle Sebastian’s voice sounded behind, with a trace of imperceptible astonishment, “Where are you going?” Julian Vance also quickly stepped forward to block me, frowning tight. “Serena, we pick you home, don’t play child temper.” I stopped, finally lifted eyes to look at them. “Home?” “Which home?” “Sebastian Sterling, all my property and shares, haven’t you already transferred to Scarlett? Do I still have a home to return to?” Uncle’s face suddenly stiffened. Gaze fell on Julian who was tightly gripping my wrist, I hooked my lips. “Forgot to congratulate you, wish you and Scarlett hundred years of good union.” “Next time remarry no need to hide, you guys could secretly communicate even under my eyelids, why care about others’ eyes when holding a wedding?” “Serena Sterling!” Julian’s face sank, “Must you speak in this tone?” Uncle was furious, reached out to grab me. “Serena you what attitude! We paid so much for you, is this how you repay us?” During pulling, that fan who splashed paint on me just now actually rushed over again. His face full of resentment, raised hand want to hit me. “Bitch! Dare to be so rude to Scarlett’s uncle and husband, I beat you to death!” This time, Julian and Uncle blocked him. Julian looked at me with frowned brows, tone full of helplessness: “Serena, look at you, must you intensify conflict like this? Communicate well can’t?” Communicate well? I looked at them, only felt incomparably ridiculous. “I intensify conflict?” “From start to end, what exactly did I do wrong? She Scarlett is the murderer!” “You guys biased her, indiscriminately locked me into mental hospital, destroyed my life!” “Now, actually still want me to be grateful to you group of executioners?” “You shut up!” Uncle roared out. “What murderer! Scarlett so kind and gentle, you still want slander her!” “Clearly you jealous of her, jealous Gabriel treat her good, so had evil thoughts to harm people.” “We just sent you to mental hospital to receive treatment, didn’t let you go suffer Court-Martial, already is biggest mercy to you, you don’t not know good bad!” Julian sighed. “Serena, you calm down. I know you suffered grievance. But I marry Scarlett, really is expedient measure.” “She suffered severe depression because of Gabriel’s death, I stay by her side also to take care of her, redeem for you!” “Wait her illness thoroughly good, I just remarry with you, that time we lifetime no longer separate!” “Slap!” I used all body strength, fiercely slapped him a slap. Julian’s face fiercely turned to one side, clear finger marks rapidly surfaced on face. He stunned, seemed completely didn’t expect I would move hand. Uncle also shocked, “Serena Sterling, you crazy!” My voice trembling, but carried bone piercing coldness: “Start over?” “Julian Vance, you really make me sick.” “Live a lifetime with your Scarlett, you guys scumbag and bitch born a pair! I won’t accompany!” Uncle angry face iron green, pointing my nose scold: “Serena Sterling, I give you last chance, now immediately kneel down, apologize to Julian and Scarlett!” “Otherwise, I won’t recognize you this niece! See how you stand in military compound then!” Just then, a low-key luxury military nanny car quietly stopped outside the crowd. Door opened, Scarlett supported by assistant, gracefully walked down. “Uncle, Julian, not allowed speak to sister like this.” Julian and Uncle saw her, immediately swarmed up one after another. “Scarlett why you got off? Here too messy, quick go back!” Uncle hurriedly said. “Yes ah Scarlett, your health not good, don’t close here.” Julian reached out protected her in arms, not let anyone close. Their careful care look, stung my eyes painful. Once upon a time, I was also treated like treasure like this. When I was blocked in corner by senior kids in military compound. Uncle took off suit jacket just rushed up, one person against three. Beaten nose blue face swollen, still silly look at me said: “Don’t fear, Uncle protect you.” Julian silently settled all troubles, even used family connection let opponent father transferred away important post, whole family move. For this he beaten by Old Master Vance with military stick back full of wounds, but didn’t mention a word to me. More clear memory picture, reality in front more like a absurd nightmare. See no one focus me, previous that fan united other few people fierce rushed up, grabbed my hair, fiercely threw me on ground. “Tear rotten your this seductive face!” “Murderer, I want remove harm for military!” “Deserve! Beat die her! Remove harm for society!” Five years mental hospital life, enough teach me how protect self in beating. I instinct curl body, protect back head and heart. Vision became blur in shaking. In peripheral vision, Julian was lowering head saying something to Scarlett, side face line was softness I never seen. Sebastian Sterling then frowned, disgustedly glanced my side. Scarlett like just discovered violence here, exclaimed: “Stop!” She stopped few fans, reached hand want pull me, “Sister, are you okay?” Fingertip but fiercely pinched into my arm wound. I pain muffled hum. She but like scared withdraw hand, tears fell more fierce: “Sorry Sister, I not intentional, I just want help you up.” Uncle lifted foot, fiercely kicked on my waist side. I whole person kicked rolling half circle on ground, eyes burst black. “You exactly still want harm Scarlett to when?!” He squatted down, a grab my hair. “Act! You again give me act! Scarlett just touched you a bit, you just this look want die not live.” “Are you again want repeat old trick, like back then impersonate her save me, use bitter meat trick frame her, destroy her hard earned reputation and status?” “I tell you, Serena Sterling, Scarlett heart kind, will worry these groundless rumors, but I won’t!” Scalp came tearing pain. “You if again dare use those dirty means on Scarlett, mental hospital can lock you five years, can lock you a lifetime! You better give me remember clear!” “Enough!” Julian a grab Sebastian wrist. “Serena anyhow is your relative…” “Relative? She worthy ma?” Uncle force threw away Julian hand. “From moment she for self live, threw me alone in valley, head not back run away.” “My Sebastian Sterling relative, just only Scarlett one.” Chapter 2 Julian looked at emotional Uncle, again looked at curled on ground, almost lost consciousness me, finally sighed. He took off his military coat, stiffly covered on me, then turned walk towards Scarlett. “I first send Scarlett go military hospital check a bit, she just now seem scared, face always not good.” Scarlett immediately snuggle into his arms, voice weak: “Julian, my stomach pain.” “Don’t fear, I immediately take you hospital.” Julian careful carry her up, from start to end, didn’t look back at me again. Sebastian even disgustedly glanced me, ordered guards and bodyguards still at scene: “Handle here well, don’t let messy people close Scarlett car again.” Finished, he also fast step follow Julian, protect them left. “Look, sure enough no one want her.” Previous that fan squat down, reach hand pat my red swollen cheek. “Just now not quite arrogant ma? Have ability kill me ah, murderer!” Another girl also squat down, force tear open that military coat on me. “You also worthy wear so good clothes?” “Strip her clothes, bitch not worthy wear clothes!” Someone sharp voice propose, immediately attract few excited echo. I whole body severe pain, almost move not, can only eye watch few hands rough tear my already ragged patient gown. I try struggle, voice hoarse weak, but fiercely slapped a slap. That fan pinch up my face, “Scarlett kind, not calculate with you, we but not so good talk!” “From now on, you say a sentence, I slap you once!” They dragged me to a relative hidden corner aside, then from bag took out a bottle super glue. “Since like seduce people, just let her that mouth never open again!” “Also that pair seductive eyes!” I desperate struggle, exchange is merciless beating. Aside guard really not bear, pick up phone call Sebastian: “General Sterling, Miss Serena now besieged by Miss Scarlett fans, you see…” “This bit small matter also want report?” Sebastian impatient interrupt him. “I not said, don’t let messy people close Scarlett car just fine ma? Others with me what concern?” This time, phone that end came Julian nervous voice: “Waste what words with unrelated people? Scarlett heart rate bit fast, quick find doctor come!” Then over there came a burst rustling sound, immediately is Julian clear voice: “Watch scene well, don’t make too big noise, more don’t let people film things unfavorable to Scarlett.” “As for others, not die just fine.” Phone was crisp neat hung up. Few fans heard dialogue, loud laughed: “Hahaha! Heard not? Not die just fine!” “Sisters still fear what? Have General Vance support us, how happy how come!” They exchanged a look, coaxing laugh more piercing ear. Crowd gradually scatter. No one call ambulance for me, no one help me up, I like trash thrown here. I support ground, bite teeth, bit by bit sat up. I took out phone hidden on body, send text to a string cooked by heart number: [Cooperation I agree, price whatever you open, I only want them die!] I nervous wait other side reply. This number first time contact me, was fourth year I locked in mental hospital. But that time I dare not bet, I promised parents, no matter what will good live on. I afraid this again is a trap, once I die, just really nothing have. Until other side sent a photo. In photo I unconscious, and Scarlett et al right put Gabriel beside me. [Evidence already prepared, tonight eight o’clock, see at military celebration banquet.] My heart finally settle down. I want tell parents this good news, after all they before die, most worry is me. Just get up, my arm by two iron clamp like hands dead grab. Is Sebastian’s guards. They tie me back to military compound villa, press down on cold rough stone floor. Knee heavy knock on ground, a burst drilling heart pain come. “Second Miss, General Sterling said Miss Scarlett fetus image unstable, need you kneel here pray for her, this is punishment to you.” “Fetus image unstable? With me have what relation?” Behind hemp rope but follow my struggle more and more tight. Night more and more deep, cold wind piercing bone, knee from start raw pain, gradually become numb. Sky almost bright time, Julian and Sebastian finally came back. I subconscious shrink myself behind garden bush. “Julian Vance, you exactly hesitating what?” “This time we can let Serena Sterling disguise as Scarlett, give Gabriel his mom an account, but later ne?” “His mom just a madman!” “As long as hand Serena Sterling out, everything not solved?” “Anyway they look so like, his mom spirit have problem again, simply can’t see out!” Julian irritable pull tie, “Enough.” “I will handle, necessary time…” Julian words not finish, I but control not back a step. “Who?” Sebastian fierce turn body. Three people gaze meet, air instant dead silence. I turn want run, but by back tied hands and almost lost feeling legs let me a stumble. Julian a buckle my shoulder, dead fix me in place: “Since you heard, then no way. Tonight Scarlett banquet vital important, cannot have any mishap.” “So, first wrong you.” “Rest assured, I will send people follow you, won’t let you suffer heavy injury.” But Gabriel’s mom is a madman. Back then see Gabriel die in my bed time, if not surrounding people pull her, she early killed me. “No, Julian Vance, you can’t send me go, she will kill me, she really will kill me!” I despair struggle. Julian just frowned: “Don’t noise, Serena. This is for big picture.” He casually dislocate my jaw, “Just being humiliated that’s all, you should early used to.” “This time matter end after, I promise divorce with Scarlett, re-be together with you.” He waved hand. Two guards step forward, one left one right hold me up, drive towards Lin Family (Gabriel’s family). In Lin villa, Mrs. Lin sat on sofa, holding Gabriel portrait, softly humming: “Gabriel, Mom’s baby, don’t fear, people killed you, Mom one won’t let go.” Living room TV right playing Scarlett holding Julian grand attend military celebration red carpet picture. Mrs. Lin whisper to portrait voice abrupt stop. She slowly stare TV screen, then loud scream: “Based on what? Based on what this person harmed dead you can smile so happy, my son but want lie in cold underground!” Guards look each other, one person step forward, reach hand push me forward. See me, Mrs. Lin action instant stop. She fierce pounce over, withered thin like wood fingers dead choke my neck, nails deep sink into flesh: “Is you! Is you killed my son!” Then, she grab beside fruit knife, aim my heart: “Go die! You all go die!” City other end, lights brilliant military banquet hall inside. Scarlett right holding Julian arm. Sebastian stand her other side, applause, flash light, praise sound one after another. Suddenly, big screen behind her fierce dark. “What happen?” “Technical glitch?” Scene a burst slight commotion. Julian frown, look backstage direction. Sebastian also vigilant move half step, protect beside Scarlett. Next second, screen re-light. In picture, Scarlett back to camera, a grab bed side metal ornament fierce smash towards Gabriel. Gabriel body slowly slide along wall, finally paralyze on ground, twitch few times then no move. Whole process, just short short tens seconds. Scene instant dead silence. Then explode huge uproar. “That is Scarlett?” “Is she killed Staff Officer Gabriel?” “Then Serena Sterling was wronged?” “Quick shoot! Headline! Absolutely headline!” Reporters instant crazy, long gun short cannon regardless everything break security line, aim on stage face pale Scarlett. “Miss Scarlett, how you explain content in picture?” “Back then matter whether have other hidden story?” “Could it be murderer is you, you framed Serena Sterling?” Julian first react, he a hug almost paralyze Scarlett behind: “Please everyone calm, person in picture actually is Serena Sterling.” Sebastian also immediately step forward, block in front Scarlett: “Correct, this video is forged! Our Scarlett heart kind, absolutely won’t do this kind thing!” “Must be Serena Sterling, she small deep scheme, jealous Scarlett want destroy her!” However reporters simply not believe, after all video picture clear, person on top clearly is Scarlett. See situation, Sebastian direct take out phone: “Bring Serena Sterling over! Now! Immediately!” “Gen… General Sterling, Miss Serena she… afraid can’t come.” “What call can’t come?” Sebastian roar, “Let her answer phone!” “General Sterling, Miss Serena by Mrs. Lin a knife stab into heart, already no breath.” Sebastian face blood color instant fade clean: “No… impossible…” “I not believe!” He fierce look up at Julian. Julian also heard this sentence, his always calm self-control expression appeared crack: “How can…” Chapter 3 Reporters fight first fear last squeeze forward, microphone almost shove to Scarlett face. “Julian, my stomach so pain…” Scarlett body soft slide down. If usual, Julian early heart ache protect her in arms. But this moment, Julian brain all is guard words. Until Scarlett painful groan out sound, he then fierce return mind: “Don’t fear, okay, maybe suffered scare, I immediately send you hospital.” Then he hand Scarlett to Sebastian, “You send Scarlett hospital, I go Lin family look.” Result Sebastian actually head not back turn just go. “Stand! You go where?” Julian a grab his arm. “Now go, Scarlett what do? So many reporters, you let her alone how deal?” Sebastian fierce throw away his hand: “You say I can go where!” “Sebastian Sterling!” Julian turn back, eyes sharp sweep surrounding tiger watch reporters, “Pay attention occasion! Don’t affect Scarlett!” Sebastian like heard heaven big joke: “Julian Vance, that is my biological niece! Now she life death unknown, you let me pay attention occasion? Go f*cking occasion!” Finished, he big step meteor rush out. “Julian…” Scarlett hand just touch Julian, but by him fierce pull back arm. “You rest assured, I just go catch her back, can’t let her again nonsense, destroy you.” Julian last sentence defense, don’t know say to Scarlett listen, or say to self listen. Then, he no longer hesitate, turn chase Sebastian. Two people almost one front one back rush to Lin villa, enter eyes is full ground fresh blood. “Bang!” Julian swing fist, use all body strength fierce smash on Sebastian face: “Sebastian Sterling!” “Didn’t you say have guard follow? Absolutely won’t have matter ma? Person ne! You tell me person ne! Guards you arranged do what eat? Ah?” He point ground that patch blinding blood pool, fingers all trembling. “So much blood, even a strong soldier flow so much blood also fierce more lucky less.” “Let alone she just came out from that ghost place, how she hold? You tell me how she hold?” Sebastian face burning pain. He lick blood at mouth corner, look again front eyes double red Julian, suddenly sneer once: “Julian Vance, you pretend what.” “Back then for Scarlett, you sent her into that mental hospital, also order director electric shock her into fool, just for let her become forever won’t flip confession scapegoat!” “That time, why you not ask she hold not hold?” Julian nailed in place by his words, open mouth, but find self no way refute. Sebastian no longer look him, turn face again face that patch blood pool: “I not believe she will die.” He voice hoarse, but carry a kind near paranoid certainty. “Serena Sterling this woman, I most understand. She small most can lie, also most cherish life!” “Back then fall cliff, she can for self live, steal my all supplies and warm clothes, head not back throw me at cliff bottom wait die, such person, how possible easy let people stab through heart?” “She definitely hide in some place, watch us anxious, crazy.” “Then wait at most key time jump out, thorough destroy Scarlett, destroy today everything!” Sebastian roar at aside head drop stand few guards, forehead veins burst: “Person ne? Are you guys trash? Exactly happened what!” “Didn’t I let you guys good protect her ma!” Lead that guard face pale: “General Sterling, we really tried best! Mrs. Lin move too fast, wait we react time, already too late.” “Lie!” Julian step by step walk to guard front, eyes sharp like knife. Guard whole body tremble. “You guys are Sterling Group high salary hire, pass professional combat and emergency response training guards.” “Six people, can’t watch a spirit collapse, physical strength far not you middle age woman? Let her have chance get knife, still can accurate one knife stab into heart? This ghost talk, you feel I will believe?” “Say! Exactly happened what?!” Sebastian hear words, fierce gave guard a slap: “Person where!” “General Vance, General Sterling spare life!” “Is Miss Scarlett, she let us deliberate stimulate Mrs. Lin, then let Mrs. Lin kill Miss Serena.” “Mrs. Lin move hand after, we report to Miss Scarlett, again come back time, scene just became like this.” “Scarlett.” Sebastian like strike by thunder. He always protect behind, pure flawless girl, actually is all this behind scene director? Just then, a burst rush high heels sound from far to near. “Julian! Uncle! I so afraid, my stomach so pain…” Scarlett supported by assistant, pale small face, eye rims red ran in. She one eye see Julian and Sebastian, immediately like usual pounce towards Julian embrace. However this time, she was fierce pushed away by Julian. Scarlett pounce empty, astonish lift head, meet Julian ice cold double eyes, heart thud once: “Julian? Uncle? You guys what wrong?” She force press down panic, try maintain weak pitiful expression. “Just now you guys throw me just go, I really so sad, those reporters almost ate me.” Saying, she habit like want pull Julian hand act spoiled. But by Julian a grab neck: “Who give you guts hurt Serena?” Scarlett feet off ground, desperate go break his fingers: “Julian Vance, you… dare!” “Why I dare not?” Julian voice cold drop dregs, “If not you still have bit use, I now just can kill you!” Scarlett face more and more red: “Kill me, your those secrets just no longer can hide.” Sebastian fierce wake up, step forward force break Julian arm: “Julian Vance loose hand, she can’t die!” Scarlett get a trace breath, violent cough. Then dead stare Julian: “Have ability you just kill me, I die, you guys also live not long.” “My hand not only have Gabriel that bit matter backup.” “You guys transfer military asset, use position convenience money laundering, also back then handle those few disobedient shareholders, all video, recording and record I have.” “I if accident, those things, will auto send to discipline department and major media.” “That time, everyone die together!” Julian fierce stiff. Sebastian also face drastic change, stern voice: “Scarlett! You shut up!” Scarlett however not care: “Uncle, Julian Vance, we are one boat people.” “Serena Sterling that idiot, beside drag you guys, have what use?” “Without my connection net, you guys those see not light deals, can do so smooth?” “Want move me, also want see you guys have this ability not!” Living room death like silence. Finally, Sebastian dejectedly back a step, dumb voice: “Julian, she said right. Now not internal strife time.” Julian close eyes, deep breath: “Handle scene clean. Today red carpet matter, must thorough press down. As for Serena…” “Cost everything find her.”

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Restarting a life, I actively sent the drunk Prom Queen into my Childhood Sweetheart’s room, Fulfilling his lifetime of unrequited love. In previous life, he treated me as the Prom Queen, After a night of confusion, we got married. Everyone said I climbed up to him, was a scheming woman. Even he said, “I only treated you as a sister, who knew you are so vicious, actually climbed into my bed.” Marriage without love, I endured for seven years, Moment the car sped towards me, what I thought of was actually release. Didn’t expect childhood sweetheart desperately tried to save me, Two people fell in pool of blood, at death’s door, I threw away his hand, “Next life, I don’t want to be with you…” … Chapter 1 I like the school’s Bad Boy Xavier Thorne, only my childhood sweetheart Julian Vance knows. That night at the college graduation party, Lila asked me to send her to rest. I didn’t know that was the Bad Boy’s room. And the Prom Queen’s acting skills were excellent. Once out of everyone’s sight, she instantly sobered up. Even when looking at me, eyes carried mockery. In previous life, I couldn’t understand these. After all, I was the scheming vicious bookworm in everyone’s mouth. Until before death in previous life, hearing that phone call of Julian. I finally thoroughly woke up. Turns out he could sacrifice his whole life for Lila. I actually also foolishly believed, when he proposed saying he loved me was true. Before death, me and Julian fell in pool of blood together. When speeding car hit over, he desperately protected me in arms, used back to block impact for me. However at this time, doing anything was useless. Violent impact, directly knocked me out more than ten meters away. Before consciousness dissipated, I vaguely saw. Not far away Julian, stubbornly top a body of blood and dirt. Even pain made him tremble all over, still desperately crawl to my side. Wounds on his ten fingers deep to bone, voice trembling out of shape: “Scarlett, don’t scare me. “You wake up listen me explain ah! “I wrong Scarlett.” Julian’s heartbroken voice noisy made me want vomit, mouth immediately vomited a big mouthful fresh blood. At last moment of life, I finally also fought once. I used all body strength, moved fingers. Dodged Julian desperately reaching over, want interlock fingers with me hand. Now admit mistake, late. Chapter 2 “Scarlett, what you say late ah? “This also didn’t drink much ah, come, drink more.” Woken up from memory by someone. I then realized, I reborn back to senior year. Bad Boy host, invite us these classmates in his empty villa in Hamptons, celebrate college graduation. Graduation party to others, maybe is beginning of stepping into new life. But to me in previous life, was entrance leading to hell. Just now speaking was Prom Queen Lila. Her voice sweet and charming. Julian always let me learn from her, even angry also like acting spoiled, not many people can refuse. I originally can’t drink, but Prom Queen active toast, I not drink, will be said not know appreciate. Pity my reborn node not right, just now a glass wine already down stomach, I start little dizzy. So no matter how Lila persuade, I drop wine not touch. Just hold glasses, pretend drunk look. After all later I still have things to do, can’t really drunk. Lila see situation, eyes turn. Holding her wine glass say to others on table: “Big Scholar not drink, then remaining, I drink for her.” I lower head hook lip sneer. She drink clearly is wine in her own glass, but say is drink for me. Previous life me, where have such scheme like her? She actually speak better than sing. I poured cup plain water, holding shallow sip, silently watching Lila perform. This time, Julian already helped Lila get Xavier drunk, sent upstairs. And Julian himself also drank too much, nearby rest in room next to Xavier. Lila this time, perform so hard, afraid is have other plot. Soon, Lila drank until cheeks red, eyes misty lean on me. She used voice everyone can hear say: “Scarlett, I help you block wine all drink too much, you send me upstairs rest ba! “My life property, all hand to your hand le. “Scarlett, you must guarantee my safety ah.” Previous life I early by Lila poured drunk. She said these, I just heard clear a sentence, upstairs rest. Then just dizzy taken upstairs by her. However reborn me then found, Lila words and actions at this moment, all extra clever. She mouth saying. Is my reason caused her drink too much. I have obligation safely send her to rest. And her words out. In everyone present consciousness, all buried a seed by her—— Lila tonight no matter happen what accident, all is I harmed. Plus she this moment drunk, need support me, then can walk posture, all show her harmless identity to outside. But no one knows. In angle others can’t see, is Lila rely on taller than me advantage. Hands seem put on my shoulder, a look of soft bone. Actually she right pinching my shoulder, holding me walk out. Pain on shoulder hurt me frown, simply I also pretend drunk. Borrow taking off glasses action, throw off shackles on shoulder. Then, I instantly soft in Lila arms. Shorter than her half head me, top a red baby face, soft voice hug her act spoiled: “Sister Lila, people so dizzy ah! Can’t walk le.” Everyone present didn’t expect I would be this reaction. After all in their eyes, me and Lila are love rivals relation. Because Julian likes her. And I just now Truth or Dare, when asked person like, said also is Julian. Soon, I heard someone exclaim: “Bad! Big Scholar this is really drunk.” Hide in Lila arms me, a word not say, only bury head pretend drunk. In angle crowd can’t see, I pulled mouth corner light laugh. Lila scared by my operation, eyes instant sober. But she tonight need me carry pot for her, can only bite teeth endure, didn’t push me away. And she for fake drama real do, really drank not few wine, now at least have eight points drunk. I top a head messy hair, blink eyes look her. “Sister Lila, tonight we sleep together ba.” Chapter 3 I don’t know Lila thought at this moment, but I indeed plan like this. Tonight Lila only stay with me, can stop confusion happen. And, I live ten years more than current Lila. In my eyes, she just a sister went astray. Maybe she experienced something in college, let her now can’t wait want climb a rich boyfriend. But little girl again for decent, so design me. She want let everyone think, is I jealous Julian like her. So deliberate send drunk her to Bad Boy room. Previous life her plan very successful. Second day after party, I became pronoun of vicious. Everyone said is I harmed her, everyone mention me is abuse. Gradually, I also thought, all blame I drank too much, so sent her wrong room. Is I caused her disappear ten years since then. Also caused Julian therefore lost heart person. So I start try every way redeem, I can’t find Lila, just give all repentance to Julian. I start learn love him, want use true heart warm him, only beg he don’t hate me again. After all I small adopted by Vance family, more than ten years raising grace, I no way repay. But in the end, person cheated most miserable, is me. Julian actually can for Lila, willing risk his whole life, pass marriage to drag me. Not let me have a trace possibility destroy Lila happiness. Actually car accident that day, I go find Julian, is want tell him, Lila whereabouts. Also this day, I then from Xavier there learned, Lila this ten years, exactly went where. I want let him see clear Lila true face. Let him don’t guilt again, party that day why he drank too much, didn’t protect Lila well. But words haven’t time say, we just hit dead. I very grateful heaven give me chance rebirth. Just now on wine table, I always thinking. I should do what, to repay heaven grace. I thought want fierce revenge Lila, let her also taste ruin reputation is what taste. But I look front flower like girl, again can’t harden heart come. So when Lila want me send her go rest. I then public ask her, want not want sleep together. If she choose tonight with me, no longer do wrong thing. Then previous life things, I just let bygones be bygones. After all, separated two time space. Another time space she do things to me, I no reason revenge on this time space her. But if she insist want be stupid, I also respect her choice. Everyone want for own choice responsible. So, when Lila hold me stop between two room doors. I again asked her second time. “Yourself decide. “Tonight sleep here, or follow me go other room.” This time Lila wine strength came up, look my eyes are misty. But hear my ask, she still force shake head. Want keep sober. “I think think. “Aiya, remember not up le. Lila while say while knock few times own head. See situation, I direct open ask her choose who: “Left side is…” I want tell her, left side is Xavier, right side is Julian, I at her hand side. However my words haven’t finish, just interrupted by Lila. “I forgot I gave who Spiked Drink le…” This sentence like thunder explode in my ear, shake me daze. This instant. I again look towards Lila time, only feel she like rotten same. Right blooming fresh flower, just like this from root rotten. She for achieve goal, actually use this kind dirty means. I start recall self have or not hit trick. Subconscious back one step, pull open distance with her. I again asked her once. But got same answer. She said: “Who all can, casual one just fine.” I deep breath, close eyes. Decide put down help people complex, respect her fate. So I cold eye watch her self enter Julian room. Then I turn push open next door room door. Lila remember not clear gave who spiked drink. But I have previous life memory. She one say, I just know hit drug is who. Tonight, still let me come save Bad Boy this little pitiful ba! Chapter 4 One open door, I just by cold air blow a tremble. Room messy scary, everywhere is water stain. Follow water sound look over. Always unruly cool drag Bad Boy, now right miserable sit on ground, back lean sofa. Holding ice water pour on own head. T-shirt by him throw aside. Body just wear a gray sweatpants. Xavier lower head. Black short hair wet stick on face, micro cover brows eyes. Water drop along sharp jaw line slide, drip on pants. One drop, two drops, wet a patch. Look people thirsty. Boy knuckle distinct slender fingers, pinch plastic water bottle creak sound. Xavier look up, see again pour not out a drop water, he actually stick tongue in lick a mouthful. Bright red tongue tip stick into bottle mouth turn a circle, again shrink back. Blocked sight by full lips. Xavier in my memory, still red hair ear stud, whole body write full arrogant and rebel teenager. Now look again, that arrogant face, still is dazzling handsome. Just whole body red skin, and hot panting sound, explain his this moment abnormal. He reaction some slow, then discover room entered person. Head not lift, fierce let people roll. “Who let you in, get out!” But he turn head see clear comer is me time, mouth inside that sentence don’t touch me, hard raw swallow down. Stumble want hide in fridge. Result but because legs feet soft, crooked sit on ground. I took a bottle ice water, twist open hand him. “Xavier, where is your phone, I call doctor for you.” He look up fierce pour few mouthfuls water, too late swallow, all along lip gap flow to neck. Then he dizzy, start fumble pants pocket find phone. I look his pocket bulge, like have phone look. Result half day, he also didn’t find pocket where. Still face full lost look up see me. Red lips tremble, hear not clear saying what. I dislike him too laborious. Direct pull open his in way hand, self go take. But hand reach in moment I just regret. Rely previous life many years male doctor experience. This shape, simply not phone. I haven’t scream, Xavier already in ear pant not shape. Hot air blow past ear tip, I subconscious turn head dodge itch. Just right meet Xavier red eyes. “I, I go call people for you.” I panic get up, but by him a press hold. His hand separate fabric, press on my hand. Again a sound difficult bear pant. Probably stimulus let him find back little consciousness, low hoarse voice blurting out: “Scarlett.” I stunned look towards mind some unclear Xavier. Some shock. Turns out he just now always mumble, is my name. He all like this, still can recognize me. But previous life why Julian will recognize wrong, why treat me as others? Or say in Julian eyes, I just can random play existence? More think more resentful. So I step forward, bend waist lift Xavier chin. Look straight him: “Say again, who am I?” My hand one stick up, just feel a piece hot. Again want take away time, hand by Xavier two hands hold, use cheek light rub. His sight from my lips slide to eyes, until four eyes meet. “Scarlett, help me.”

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