After being diagnosed with hemophilia, I became the family’s “Glass Princess.” The doctor said I wouldn’t live past five. So Mom and Dad put me first in everything, even spending all their savings to treat me. Until my fifth birthday, there was rare laughter in the house. Only my little sister asked innocently: “Sissy, will you die tomorrow?” That was the first time Dad hit her. And Mom knelt beside her, praying desperately, begging God to keep me for a few more years. But on the day my sister started kindergarten, I just said my chest hurt a little. Mom suddenly broke down crying and slapped me: “Why are you so disgusting? Will you only be satisfied if you drive your sister to death?” “We revolve around you every day, can’t we even send your sister to school?” “If you want to die, just die! Stop torturing us!” She threw all the medicine at me, grabbed my sister’s hand, and slammed the door. I didn’t speak, just watched the continuously bleeding wound, my body getting colder and colder. … When the medicine bottle shattered, I happened to raise my hand to block it. I stared at the wound for two seconds before remembering what the doctor said: “Child, you absolutely cannot have any wounds on your body, or the bleeding won’t stop.” I hurriedly found a band-aid and put it on. But it was soaked through in less than half a minute. I turned to get a bandage, but blood dripped all over the floor. Mom loves cleanliness the most; I can’t cause her any more trouble. I panicked and tore my sleeve to wipe it. But the blood on the floor seemed to explode, smearing more as I wiped. I grabbed a towel and wrapped the wound. My body started to get cold, from fingertips to bone marrow. I walked into the bathroom and filled the tub with hot water. Lying in it, I felt a little relief. Blood was still flowing, dyeing the water red. I suddenly missed Mom and Dad very much, dialing Dad’s number with my smartwatch. It rang for a long time, no one answered. I called Mom again. It was very noisy over there. Music, children laughing. Lively as if in a different world from me. “Speak quickly if you have something, it’s your sister’s turn to perform soon.” “Mom, I don’t feel well, I’m bleeding…” An impatient voice came through the phone: “Uncomfortable again?” “Are you uncomfortable as long as we don’t revolve around you?” “Clementine, you are eight years old, a big girl now, can you be more sensible?” Next second, the busy tone sounded in the empty bathroom. I looked at the tub of water slowly turning red, suddenly wanting to cry. Mom was right, I seem to always cause trouble for people. Being sick is trouble, being in a bad mood is trouble, now bleeding is also trouble. Mom’s cardigan was draped on the edge of the tub. I gently covered my face with the clothes, which still had the familiar scent of jasmine. It felt like going back to childhood, she guarded me like this when I had a fever. The water slowly cooled. The bleeding seemed to slow down a bit, probably almost drained. When my head started to get dizzy, I wondered, will I be better after the blood runs out? Mom and Dad won’t have to worry about their sickly daughter all the time. My sister won’t have to yield to me every day. I won’t have to pretend to be sensible carefully, won’t have to grit my teeth in pain at night daring not to make a sound. I curled up in the bathtub, as safe as in my mother’s womb before I was born. Chapter 2 When I opened my eyes again, I only saw my small self soaking in the bathtub, face pale as death. So I am already dead. The sound of the door opening came from outside, followed by my sister’s cheerful laughter: “Sissy, I’m back!” I rushed out. Mom and Dad came back holding my sister’s hand, carrying a strawberry cake. Dad saw the mess in the living room and froze: “What happened here?” Mom frowned: “She threw a tantrum with me at noon.” “Seeing I was going to take her sister to school, she lied about feeling unwell.” Dad’s face darkened: “Really getting less and less sensible.” I wanted to explain, waving desperately in front of them: “No! Clementine didn’t mean to make Mom angry!” But my hand passed through Dad’s shoulder, they noticed nothing. My sister broke free from Mom’s hand and ran to my room door. She knocked gently: “Sissy, come out and eat cake.” Silence inside the door. My sister looked up and asked: “Is Sissy asleep?” I hugged my sister: “Thank you, Joy.” Mom’s voice was cold and hard: “What sleep, just ignoring people on purpose.” “Ignore her, let’s eat first.” Dad put the cake on the dining table. My sister looked eagerly, whispering: “But I want to wait for Sissy to eat together…” Dad opened the box, exchanging a look with Mom: “If Clementine was half as sensible as her sister, we would worry much less.” Candles inserted, lit. My sister was lifted onto the chair, blowing out five candles under my parents’ gaze. Today is also my sister’s fifth birthday. Mom asked gently: “Did Joy make a wish?” My sister’s eyes sparkled: “Yes! I wish Sissy…” Dad smiled and patted her head. “Wishes won’t come true if you say them out loud.” I watched quietly from the side. On my birthdays in past years, the house was always filled with the smell of medicine. The candle numbers on the cake were like a countdown. And my sister’s birthday finally looked like what a birthday should be. When cutting the cake, my sister insisted on cutting the biggest piece: “This is for Sissy!” She carried the plate to my room door and knocked again: “Sissy, eat strawberry cake with Joy!” Still no response. The smile on my sister’s face slowly disappeared. She carried the plate back to the table, whispering: “Sissy is ignoring me.” Dad suddenly reached out, snatched the plate from my sister’s hand. And threw it into the trash can along with that exquisite strawberry cake. Dad slapped the table angrily: “Don’t eat then! No one is allowed to call her again.” “So insensible, starve a few meals and she’ll know she’s wrong.” My sister was scared, eyes red instantly. Mom hugged her, glaring at Dad: “Why are you fierce to the child?” Then said softly to my sister: “Good girl, we eat first. When Sissy knows she’s wrong, she will come out herself.” I squatted next to the trash can, looking at the cake inside. The strawberries on the cream were still so fresh, but now mixed with dirty tissues. What a pity, it’s my favorite strawberry flavor. My sister ate her cake in small bites, looking at my door from time to time. Mom and Dad stopped talking, eating silently. There should have been four places at the table, now one is empty. I sat in that seat, whispering Happy Birthday to my sister. Chapter 3 At night, Mom bathed my sister. I blocked in front of the shower curtain, heart clenched into a ball. Afraid Mom would open the curtain and see me in the tub. In the steam, Mom soaped my sister. My sister looked up, wet hair sticking to her forehead: “Mommy, why isn’t Sissy out yet?” Mom’s hand rubbing soap paused. “Sissy might be asleep.” My sister whispered: “But I miss Sissy, I haven’t seen her all day.” Mom turned off the water, wrapped my sister in a big towel, and hugged her. “Joy, do you blame Mommy and Daddy?” “Blame what?” Mom hugged my sister tighter: “Blame us for always revolving around Sissy, giving her the best. Blame us for sometimes neglecting you.” My sister wrapped her wet little arms around Mom’s neck. “No blame, because Sissy is sick.” “Teacher said today, sick people need care the most.” “Daddy, Mommy and I must love Sissy together.” Mom’s shoulders trembled slightly. She buried her face in my sister’s towel, silent for a while. “Joy is so sensible.” “Actually Sissy is very pitiful.” I stuck to the cold tiles, hearing Mom continue: “Sissy was born with bad health, doctor said she might not grow up.” Mom sniffled: “So Mommy and Daddy are always afraid she hurts, afraid she feels bad, wishing to pile all good things on her.” Her voice got lower and lower: “But sometimes Mommy gets tired too.” “Also think, how good if Sissy was healthier. How good if I could spend more time with you.” My sister listened half-understandingly, patting Mom’s back with her small hand. I squatted in the corner, big transparent tears falling down. “Sorry, Mom, I was insensible…” “If I never existed, how good if Mommy and Daddy only had a sister.” But they couldn’t hear anything. After bathing, Mom carried my sister to bed and coaxed her to sleep. Then she walked to my door, stood for a long time. Finally, she raised her hand and knocked gently. “Clementine, are you asleep?” I floated to her, wanting to reach out and touch her, but my fingertips only passed through air. “Mommy shouldn’t have lost temper at you today, Mommy was wrong.” “Today was sister’s first day of school, Mommy was too nervous, didn’t mean to be fierce to you.” She paused again, as if waiting for my response. Of course, I could never respond to her again. Mom sighed: “Left cake in the living room. It’s your favorite strawberry flavor, remember to eat.” She stood at the door for a few more seconds before returning to her room. Door closed. I walked to the living room, saw a piece of cake on the dining table. Small, on a plate, the strawberry on top a bit crooked. It was late at night. I looked at the small me in the bathtub. The water was cold, my face white as paper. Mom never opened the shower curtain. She didn’t know, I could never eat the cake she left. I could never hear her apology again. Chapter 4 I followed Mom into the master bedroom. Dad looked up hearing the sound: “Did Clementine come out?” Mom sat by the bed folding clothes, shook her head: “No movement. Child is growing up, strong self-esteem.” Dad took off glasses rubbing the bridge of his nose: “Clementine is bitter inside too.” “Never went to school since childhood, made few friends. Seeing her sister go to school, envy is normal.” “If really no way, let’s hire a tutor for Clementine?” Mom paused: “Hire a tutor? Where’s the money? Last month’s medicine bill is still owed to the hospital.” Dad sighed, turned over: “I’ll drive Uber. Drive a few hours after work at night, can scrape some together in a month.” Mom turned to look at him. Lamplight shone on Dad’s face, dark circles obvious under eyes. “You are tired enough working day time, this is dangerous.” Dad waved hand: “It’s fine, I’m healthy.” “Just shoulders a bit sore recently, put a patch on me.” Dad turned over, Mom lifted his pajama collar, that patch of skin red and swollen. I stood by the bed, looking at the redness on Dad’s shoulder, tears fell on the quilt. I used to say he came home late, say he didn’t play with me. Never thought, every day he came home late was paying for me. I threw myself into his arms: “Sorry, Dad. Please forgive my willfulness.” Mom put on the patch, both lay down and turned off the light. I lay down between them, like when I was little. Mom’s warm breath on the left, Dad’s steady heartbeat on the right. I reached out, hugging them loosely. At this moment, I felt especially happy. Next morning, Mom called us for breakfast. Passing the dining table she found that piece of strawberry cake still on the plate, untouched. Cream collapsed, strawberry withered. Gentleness on Mom’s face faded bit by bit. She put down the plate, walking towards my room. She knocked twice: “Clementine, come out.” No response. Her eyes started to redden: “Mommy apologized yesterday, what more do you want?” “Not eating cake, want to hunger strike?” “Who are you showing attitude to? Want to anger Mommy to death?” Still no sound. Mom held the door handle, pushed open the door. Room empty. Mom turned pale, turned around shouting fearfully to Dad: “Honey, Clementine is missing!” Dad ran over scared: “What? Don’t be afraid, let’s look properly, must be at home.” Just then, my sister’s voice came: “Mommy, Sissy is playing with water in the bathroom.” I was so anxious I didn’t know what to do. I shouted at my sister: “Joy, get out quickly, don’t let Mom see me!” But my sister couldn’t hear, she pulled the shower curtain fully open. Mom breathed a sigh of relief: “Clementine, you went too far this time! Mommy is really angry!” Next moment, she saw me soaked in bloody water. Chapter 5 In the bathtub, I lay quietly. Water was dark red, my face transparently white, lips blue-purple. Long hair spread like seaweed, still wearing that pink pajama from yesterday. “Ah!” Mom let out a piercing scream. She stumbled to the bathtub, trying to lift me out. “Clementine! My daughter!” Mom incoherent: “Baby don’t be afraid, Mommy is here!” My body was stiff and cold, like a heavy stone. Mom used all her strength, slipping several times, finally fishing me out of the bloody water. She hugged me tightly, as if trying to warm me with her body heat. Mom lowered her head, cheek against my forehead: “My daughter, open your eyes and look at Mommy.” Tears fell one by one on my blue-white face: “Mommy was wrong, Mommy was really wrong! Mommy didn’t mean to ignore you, wake up and scold Mommy okay?” “Hit Mommy is fine too, I only beg you to open your eyes and look at me!” She called my name over and over. Fingers trembling combing my wet sticky hair, wiping water stains and blood from my face. But my eyes never opened again. I knelt beside her, reaching out futilely to wipe tears from her face. But my fingers passed through her cheek again and again, touching nothing. Could only watch her grief drown me. My sister was stunned by this huge change: “Sissy?” She walked timidly to Mom, pulling my clothes: “Sissy get up, water is cold.” “Get up and play blocks with Joy okay?” She didn’t understand why I didn’t move, why Mom cried so scarily. Mom hearing my sister’s voice, collapsed even more. She hugged my body tighter, as if letting go meant losing: “My child, Mommy failed you!” She cried out of breath, almost fainting. Body convulsing violently, eyes unfocused, on the verge of passing out. Dad heard Mom’s crying, rushed to the bathroom door too. But when he saw the scene in the bathroom clearly, blood drained from his face instantly. Lips trembling, eyes staring dead at me, as if unable to understand what happened. Next second, his legs went soft, tall body collapsing on the floor directly. “Clementine?” Dad’s gaze moved from my face to Mom’s collapsed face, then back. He shook his head, crawling over on hands and feet: “Impossible! This isn’t real!” After feeling I had no pulse, Dad slammed his head against the bathtub violently. “Why? Why does God treat me like this?” He looked up sharply, face covered in snot and tears: “Where is my phone? Call, call 911!” He trembled so much he could barely hold the phone, entered wrong password several times, finally unlocked it. When dialing, fingers shook missing numbers. Tears blurred vision, barely seeing the screen. Dad spoke to the phone, voice broken into pieces. He reported the address intermittently. After hanging up, he hugged Mom and me tightly again. My sister was completely scared, crying loudly on the spot. I was beside them, soul aching like being torn. I wanted so much to tell them stop crying, wanted to hug them. But I could do nothing. I could only say silently: “Sorry, Mom and Dad, I’m a burden even in death.” “Sorry, sister, Sissy was bad, scared you.”

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My husband invented a time machine and went back without hesitation, preparing to resurrect “the one that got away.” Perhaps because of his time travel, my current life trajectory changed. Day one, I found the husband’s name on the marriage certificate at home changed to my nemesis. Day two, I found my nemesis lying in my bed. Day three, a little bean who looked exactly like my nemesis opened the door and called me, “Mommy.” After we lived happily as a family of three, my husband traveled back, and he broke down. Chapter 1 In the third year of my marriage to Caleb, as a genius scientist, he invented a machine that could travel through time and space. He told me, “Sarah, I want to go back and save Julia.” Julia was his college girlfriend. They broke up because Julia insisted on developing her career abroad. Six months after breaking up with Julia, he confessed to me. At that time, Caleb was a top student, the favored son of heaven, impeccable in looks and personality. With such a prize falling on my head, I couldn’t help but be moved. I agreed, and we were together. After grad school, we got married. Now we have been married for three years. I don’t know much about Julia, only that she was also excellent and died in a plane crash returning to the country. Caleb promised me, “Sarah, don’t worry, you are already my wife. I’m going back only because it’s a pity Julia died. Once I save her, I will travel back.” I pulled a ridiculous smile, “Caleb, where do you place me?” “Caleb, do you really not have Julia in your heart? Are you planning to lie to yourself too?” He was silent for a long time, finally speaking, “Sarah, let’s divorce.” I sneered. “I thought about it. If an accident happens, the best way is for us to divorce. I will leave with nothing. You wait for me for two years. If I don’t come back in two years, you can marry someone else.” “Why do you think I am willing to wait for you?” Caleb looked at me with a tired face, softening his tone, “Sarah, stop making a scene.” Coming back from work, I felt a sore throat. I went back to the bedroom without a word and lay down. At night, I felt my body sinking. High fever made me speechless. In my drowsy consciousness, Caleb picked me up, voice gentle, “Wifey, get up and take medicine.” After being fed medicine by him, I asked him with a hoarse voice, “Promise me, can you not go?” Under the light, Caleb’s face looked exceptionally handsome. He was silent. I smiled bitterly, “Let’s go divorce tomorrow.” The next day, my consciousness was still groggy. Caleb persuaded me, “Divorce isn’t urgent. How about we divorce when you get better?” “No need.” I wore a coat. When Caleb was about to put a scarf on me, I dodged calmly. He handed me the scarf with some disappointment. After I put it on myself, he drove to City Hall. Coming out of City Hall, my vision went black, almost falling over. Caleb supported me. One month left until the divorce papers are finalized. Then he will take the time machine back to the past. On the way back, I asked him, “If you really save Julia, and she says she likes you and wants to be with you, what about us?” He guaranteed me, “Sarah, I will be with you. I will choose you.” I just found it laughable. During this month, Caleb and I were like strangers under the same roof, barely speaking. Probably due to bad mood, my illness lingered. When I stepped on the scale, I realized I had lost ten pounds. Caleb and I finalized the divorce. Before stepping into the time machine, he said to me, “Sarah, wait for me to come back.” I opened my mouth, “Caleb, I won’t wait for you.” With a look of astonishment, he slowly disappeared from the time machine. In the following days, I started living alone. At first, I was unaccustomed, suddenly feeling the bed was huge and the house empty. I put the divorce papers under the pillow. Until a year later, the papers fell out from under the pillow. I found that the divorce papers had turned into a marriage certificate. Chapter 2 I opened it and found the photo of me and my nemesis, Quinn, on the marriage certificate. The date was March 2015. At that time, I seemed to still be a college student. In my memory, I had just been with Caleb for six months. Why would I marry Quinn? Moreover, except for the renovation, many things in the house changed. A night light appeared on the bedside table. If I get up to use the bathroom at night, I can tap it on. The washing machine in the bathroom that always made strange noises turned into a brand new fully automatic one. I opened the closet and froze for a moment. Caleb’s clothes completely disappeared. Inside were crisp men’s suits. Then, I found more details. After Caleb’s toothbrush was thrown away by me, two toothbrushes reappeared on the sink. A yellow one was mine, the other blue one… could it be Quinn’s? There was also a pair of men’s slippers at the door. But surprisingly, there weren’t many male elements in the house, not like a man lived here long-term. I wanted to find evidence of my contact with Quinn. I opened WeChat and found Quinn was no longer in my blacklist, appearing grandly in my chat list. Then I clicked on the chat history with him. Very thin. Last contact was ten days ago. He said, “Going on a business trip.” I replied, “Mm.” Then no more contact. The next night, I woke up in the middle of the night and found a man lying next to me. I was startled. After turning on the light, I saw Quinn’s face. He wore a bathrobe, belt loosely tied, revealing smooth chest muscles, looking sleepy. I asked him, “Why are you in my house, in my bed?” A hurt expression appeared on his face instantly, but his tone was very cold. “Sarah, we are husband and wife. Of course I am in your bed.” I asked him, “Why are we husband and wife? Why did I marry you?” “In my memory, Caleb and I are the couple.” Quinn and I weren’t originally enemies. We fell out because of Caleb. My relationship with Caleb wasn’t smooth at first; he wasn’t enthusiastic about me. Quinn persuaded me to break up several times. We quarreled many times. The last time, I blacklisted him and decided never to interact again. For so many years, it’s not that I haven’t regretted it, but I couldn’t lower my face to reconcile with Quinn. Quinn was the same, never contacting me for so many years. Speaking of this, I felt Quinn’s face darken obviously. “Sarah, you have been married to me for so many years, still can’t forget Caleb? What’s good about that man.” I advised him, “No, Caleb is trash. Who can’t forget Caleb?” He asked me with astonishment, “You really forgot?” “Really.” He asked me, “Can you repeat that?” I asked him, “Repeat what?” “Caleb is…” “Trash.” He hooked his lips, looking very satisfied. Chapter 3 I asked him, “So why on earth did we get married?” He asked back, “Don’t you know yourself?” If I knew, I wouldn’t ask him. Quinn and I lay in the same bed after all. I felt indescribably awkward, worried he might do something to me. Fortunately, he slept very disciplinedly. When I showered in the morning, I found a scar suddenly appeared on my belly. When I came out of the bathroom, breakfast was already on the table. It was my favorite pancakes, bacon and eggs, and a bagel on the table. Quinn put on the black suit hanging in the closet, looking unnatural, even coldly telling me, “I went out for a morning run, passed by the breakfast shop, bought a bit more.” I looked at him suspiciously, “The pancake place in the south, the bagel shop in the north. Your ‘passing by’ is a bit far.” I looked him up and down. In my impression, I had never seen Quinn in a suit. Actually, Quinn was tall with long legs, a perfect clothes hanger. He looked very good in a suit. I asked him, “Why are you dressed like this?” “I’m going to work.” I asked him, “What position are you now?” Then I lifted my shirt to show my belly. Quinn was surprised, face turning red instantly. I looked at him confusedly. If we have been married for so many years, we should have seen each other’s bodies long ago. Why does he still look so innocent? I asked him, “What’s with the scar on my belly?” He asked me, “Sarah, you really don’t remember?” I decided to confess to him. “Actually, in my memory, I married Caleb.” His hand holding the bacon paused in mid-air. “Sarah, do I need to remind you, I don’t want to hear this.” “After so many years, you still can’t forget him?” “No, you have to listen.” He crossed his arms, looking like ‘let’s hear what you can make up’. I told him, “Actually, I married Caleb.” His face turned black, “My name is not Caleb.” When he stood up to leave, I held him down. “In the third year of marriage, Caleb invented a time machine. He said he wanted to go back and save Julia. Before he went back, we divorced.” “Then, I lived alone for a year. I don’t know why a marriage certificate of you and me appeared under my pillow.” “Nor do I know why you appeared at home.” “Even less do I know why we got married.” “So, what is the scar on my belly?” He looked at me in surprise, then calmed down quickly. “It’s a C-section scar.” “We have a child.” I asked him, “But there are no traces of a child living in this house. How old is he?” “Six years old.” “At my parents’. We are busy with work, inconvenient to take care, so the child is with my parents.” I asked him, “Boy or girl? Can I see him this afternoon?” I touched the scar on my belly, really couldn’t imagine how I gave birth to a child. When I married Caleb before, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to have kids, but he proposed to be DINKs. I could only agree, so we didn’t have children in three years of marriage. Quinn told me, “It’s a boy. He’s in elementary school. I’ll pick him up after school this afternoon.” “Okay.” In the afternoon, I saw a very cute little bean, standing at the door looking at me timidly, finally calling me obediently. “Mommy.” A softness rose in my heart suddenly. I really couldn’t imagine I would give birth to such a child. Chapter 4 When going to sleep at night, Quinn wore a bathrobe, belt loosely tied at the waist, super unintentionally revealing full chest muscles. I sighed, “I’d better sleep in the next room.” Quinn looked aggrieved, “Sarah, we are husband and wife.” I was silent for a moment, “But I have no memory of our life together. Suddenly like this, I can’t accept it.” He promised immediately, “I won’t do anything. If you don’t believe me, you are questioning my character.” Before I could reply, I saw the little bean at the door holding a pillow. “Daddy.” Then he looked at me, speaking timidly, “Mommy, baby is scared sleeping alone. Baby wants to sleep with Daddy and Mommy.” My heart softened completely. Then turned head to see Quinn hesitating to speak. Little bean wore soft beige pajamas, standing by the bed. Asked me, “Mommy, can baby sleep in the middle? Baby wants to stick to Mommy.” “Of course.” Then Quinn gritted his teeth, “Zack, you slept alone since three.” I felt worse, “Poor baby, come to Mommy.” Zack took off his slippers, placed them with ours neatly, then lay down obediently between me and Quinn. Usually, I had trouble falling asleep, but this time I had a dreamless night. Waking up in the morning, I found Zack lying in my arms. After I opened my eyes, he opened his big watery eyes, “Mommy, good morning.” Then his little face came close, kissing my cheek. It was a magical, soft touch. Quinn carried Zack off the bed, “Zack, stop acting. You need to go to school. Daddy will dress you now and send you to school.” Zack looked serious, “Daddy, what are you saying? Baby truly loves Mommy.” Then he turned to look at me, “Mommy, although Grandpa and Grandma treat me well, baby still wants to be with Mommy more.” “Will Daddy pick baby up after school today?” “Yes.” Very strange. After breakfast, Quinn drove, Zack and I sat in the back, sending Zack to school together. I asked Quinn, “What does baby like to eat usually?” Quinn listed them one by one. I didn’t expect him to know so well. Finally, he added, “As long as it’s junk food, he loves it.” Then I asked, “Just wear school uniform usually? I don’t see baby having other clothes.” Quinn replied, “Mm, wears school uniform mostly. Other clothes are at my parents’.” “Then let’s buy a few sets for baby after school.” Quinn hesitated, finally couldn’t help saying, “He has a name, he is called Zack.” Zack nested in my arms, looking innocent, “But I am Mommy’s good baby.” At the school gate, Zack kissed me reluctantly again before entering school. I am not a person swept by consumerism. Clothes are mainly minimalist, buying twice a year. But after Quinn, Zack, and I entered the mall, I had a feeling of dressing up a little figure. Zack looked very much like Quinn, with deep and sharp eyebrows and eyes, but his lips were like mine, slightly upturned, neutralizing the sharpness perfectly. Even in a school uniform, his outstanding appearance couldn’t be hidden. Especially the salesguide was very good at talking, “Your child looks so good in this set, a proper little British prince.” “This set is also good, preppy style.” Quinn advised me on the side, “Enough, enough.” “The child is growing, won’t fit in no time.” I bought red-eyed, finally bought a dozen sets. Quinn carried big and small bags, we walked out of the mall. Dinner was made by Quinn. honestly speaking, it fit my taste very well. Zack should love it too, a bowl of rice pressed solid, finally not a grain left. I even sprouted a feeling that this is home.

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My husband has always had a female “best bro,” a classic “Pick Me Girl.” From the first moment we met, I knew she didn’t like me. When we traveled together, she was in charge of booking tickets but “forgot” mine. She cried and apologized, and my husband persuaded me to forgive her. At our wedding, she deliberately led the groomsmen to smear cake on my face. She said it was a “tradition,” and my husband told me not to be petty. After our new house was renovated, under the banner of a housewarming party, she and “The Boys” trashed the place. I couldn’t bear it anymore and exploded. My husband told me to calm down: “She flipped a table at someone else’s wedding last month. We are all bros, don’t hold a grudge, okay?” I touched my pregnant belly and helplessly threatened: “Next time, divorce!” After that warning, the “female bro” settled down for a while. Until my daughter’s first birthday party, she looked at my daughter’s face with a conflicted expression. “Why does the baby look less and less like my bro? Bro, is this really your kid?” The other bros chimed in. My face went cold on the spot. My husband was also furious and kicked them out. “It was fine before, but now you say my daughter isn’t mine? We are done being bros!” Unexpectedly, that night, I saw a hot thread on Reddit. [My daughter is one year old. My bros say she doesn’t look like me. I suspect my wife cucked me. What should I do?] Chapter 1 [If you don’t do a paternity test, just accept raising another man’s child with a green hat on.] The OP replied: [I thought about doing a paternity test, but if my wife finds out, she will divorce me. I don’t want a divorce.] Many comments below mocked him for being a coward and a cuckold. Some also condemned him for believing his bros instead of his wife. [Calling them bros, do you really think they wish you well? They are miserable and wish your family would fall apart!] OP replied: [No way, we grew up together. Why do you speculate maliciously about my bros like my wife?] Someone gave him an idea. [Steal your daughter’s hair for a test. If it’s yours, pretend nothing happened. If not, just divorce.] At my daughter’s first birthday party, my husband Julian’s female bro Mia just instigated that the daughter wasn’t his. This thread appeared at night, and the OP’s daughter is also one year old. Similarly, every time I said Julian’s “Frat Pack,” especially Mia, targeted me and sowed discord. Julian also said I thought his bros were too vicious. The OP even had the same IP address as us. I highly suspected the OP was Julian himself. Looking at Julian sleeping next to me, about to talk in his sleep, a wave of grievance and anger surged in my heart. I took his phone and unlocked it, but searched through his phone and couldn’t find the Reddit app. The chat history with his bros also stopped yesterday. Scrolling up, there was nothing excessive. Could it be that the thread wasn’t posted by him? I felt my anger subside a bit. Early the next morning, Julian got up early as usual to take care of our daughter, loving her very much. I breathed a sigh of relief, starting to feel that the thread might really be a coincidence. But unexpectedly, when I came out of the kitchen with baby food, I saw Julian pulling my daughter’s hair. “What are you doing!” I rushed over, pushed him away violently, and hugged my daughter. Julian looked shocked: “Wifey, what’s wrong?” I questioned him with red eyes: “Why are you pulling our daughter’s hair?” “You mean this?” He reached out and showed me what was in his hand. It was a flying insect. “Don’t know where the bug came from, it flew onto baby’s head. I was just catching the bug.” He was very aggrieved: “Wifey, why would you think I was pulling baby’s hair? And why are you so agitated?” Seeing I misunderstood him, I felt a burst of guilt. “Sorry, I was afraid you would hurt her.” Hearing this, Julian didn’t pursue it further. After coaxing my daughter to sleep at noon, I opened Reddit and found that the thread had been updated. [I almost got caught by my wife pulling my daughter’s hair today. Luckily I pretended to be calm and fooled her. Give me another idea.] Chapter 2 I felt my head explode, vision went black, almost couldn’t stand steady. Now I’m sure, the person who posted this thread is Julian! Otherwise, how could there be so many coincidences! At this moment, I didn’t want to care about anything. I frantically wanted to rush to him and hold this thread in front of his face. Then drag him and our daughter to do a paternity test, then divorce. But the next second, I saw the OP reply to a comment. [Bro, I see you are also from State J. Which city? I have a friend working in a private testing center who can get expedited results. DM me, I’ll hook you up. Don’t raise another man’s child.] OP replied: [Bro, I’m from City S. DM’d you.] My home is in City H. This OP is only in the same state as me, not the same city. I almost wrongly blamed Julian again. Luckily I saw this reply in time. Otherwise, if I really asked him, our relationship would definitely deteriorate because of this distrust. When we were dating, Julian said the most important thing between us was mutual trust. In college, he agreed with Mia and the others to go on a beach vacation behind my back. Notified me to go together only when they were about to leave. I already couldn’t stand him and Mia always having no boundaries. Many things were only told to Mia and not me, as if I, the girlfriend, was the outsider. Now I was even more angry. Went to the airport with him only to find Mia didn’t buy my ticket at all. She cried and apologized to me: “Sorry sister-in-law, I’m used to buying tickets for six people, didn’t realize there was one less person.” But I knew she did it on purpose. My face was ugly. Julian’s bros started accusing me of being petty. Julian also persuaded me: “She’s just careless. Don’t be angry. I won’t go, I’ll stay with you.” His bros were unhappy, calling him prioritizing hoes over bros. Julian was in a dilemma. I sneered in my heart, but my face returned to calm. “You go, I’m not angry.” Until boarding, Julian was making sure I wasn’t really angry. After confirming the plane took off, I blocked him and all his bros’ contact information directly. Leaving a sentence: “You and Mia go ahead.” That night, Julian took a red-eye flight back to school, begging for my forgiveness like crazy. I ignored him. Finally, he had no choice but to threaten suicide by jumping into the river. I went to the hospital to see him. He explained to me that not telling me about the island trip was to surprise me. “Mia said you girls like surprises.” He promised to keep a distance from Mia in the future, so I got back together with him. The day we got back together, he hugged me and cried: “No matter what happens, you have to trust me. If you don’t trust me, I feel worse than death.” After that, he really avoided suspicion with Mia, otherwise I wouldn’t have married him. I felt fortunate. The trust between me and Julian was almost destroyed. Out of guilt, I decided to leave the child to the nanny today and go on a date with Julian. After sending him the date message, I picked clothes in the cloakroom. Picked mine, then Julian’s. As a result, I found a phone I had never seen before at the bottom of his sock drawer. Chapter 3 The phone password hadn’t changed. After unlocking, I subconsciously looked for the Reddit app. Found it, clicked into the account, saw that familiar thread, familiar ID. My brain buzzed. Before I could react, tears started to fall. I tried hard to hold back tears, clicked on the DM on the homepage. Saw his private chat with the person who said he could expedite results. [Bro, I’m actually from City H. How fast can I get the results?] I closed Reddit expressionlessly and turned this phone upside down. Turns out, he has so many alt accounts I didn’t know about. In WeChat, his alt account and his bro group had a chat group called “Mia is Best”. Mia kept explaining: [Bro, I really didn’t mean to say it in front of so many people. Help me explain to sister-in-law.] [Sister-in-law never liked me, now she misunderstood even more.] Other bros were also persuading Julian not to blame Mia. Julian didn’t speak. Finally, Mia said: [But Bro, we’ve been bros for so many years, I genuinely wish you well. Baby really doesn’t look like you.] [I’m afraid you really became a sucker. When the child grows up, neither wife nor child is yours.] Julian replied with two words “Shut up” and ignored anyone. After that, Julian went to Reddit to post. Scrolling up, there were photos of them going to bars together, Julian surrounded by women. So many times Julian said the company was busy, he was busy playing with women in bars with Mia. Seeing this, I actually laughed inexplicably. It was really too ridiculous. Opened his TikTok again. Mia shared a few thirst trap videos with him. [Isn’t this body more exciting than my sister-in-law’s?] [Bro, I dug out the best stuff for you, are you still angry?] Julian replied “Get lost”, and Mia immediately messaged him to chat. Scrolling up, Mia shared thirst trap videos with him almost every day. Every one showed he had watched it. These things were like countless slaps on my face. Putting down the phone, I slumped on the ground, face white as a dead person. Chest hurt so much I could hardly breathe. Turns out, Julian has been acting in front of me with Mia all along. Their intimate relationship never broke. The love Julian talked about, the trust, the no deception. All lies to me! These years, he and Mia watched me being fooled like a fool. Nausea in stomach churned with pain. I climbed up from the ground. Outside came the nanny’s voice. “Madam is in the room.” Click. Door opened. Julian walked towards me with a happy face. “Wifey, I’m not going to work today. Where do you want to go for a date?” Gaze fell on my face and froze: “What’s wrong?” He walked over to wipe my tears, dodged by me. I looked at him with disgust. Picked up that phone, opened that thread, held it in front of him. “Paternity test done?” Chapter 4 Julian panicked in an instant. “Wifey, what paternity test? I didn’t.” I sneered: “Didn’t you make an appointment with a netizen, and took our daughter’s toothbrush for a test this afternoon?” Julian hurriedly denied: “I didn’t, wifey. I just posted that thread because I was confused for a moment.” I was too lazy to listen to his explanation, reached out my hand to him. “Show me the results.” “Is the daughter yours? It would be bad if I gave you a green hat.” My cold calmness scared Julian. He shook his head: “I really didn’t go, Jessica. Believe me, okay?” “Don’t be like this.” I looked through his phone, mouth curling into a mocking arc. “You didn’t go?” Julian nodded vigorously. I threw the phone into his arms. “Then let’s take our daughter for a paternity test together, so you don’t have to worry and ask around online.” Julian’s face turned whiter. I hugged my daughter directly, dragged him, and walked to the underground garage. “Notify your good bros to come too. Let them see if my daughter is your seed.” Julian almost cried. “Wifey, let’s not go, okay? I was wrong, I really know I was wrong.” I stuffed him into the car, snatched his phone, and notified them in the “Mia is Best” group chat. Mia replied first: [Bro, you finally figured it out!] [Don’t be afraid, bros are here for big things!] [Women are like clothes, bros are like limbs. Bros never betray you!] Mia and others arrived at the hospital, seeing me there too. All stunned. Then Mia smiled and patted Julian: “Bro, you are finally not henpecked, tough for once!” Smiled at me again: “Sister-in-law, don’t blame my bro. After all, which man can tolerate raising someone else’s child?” “Now doing a paternity test while the child is small, confirming the bloodline, my bro can be at ease too. Please understand.” I nodded indifferently: “Mm, I understand.” Soon the doctor asked me, Julian, and our daughter to draw blood. When drawing my daughter’s blood, she didn’t understand why the needle pricked into her vein. When she reacted, she cried loudly. I looked at her pouting mouth, eyes almost drowned by tears, heartbroken. All disguised indifference shattered at this moment. I hugged my daughter, apologizing to her constantly. “I’m sorry.” Sorry for finding the wrong dad for her, letting her suffer such things at a young age. Waiting in the hospital for a few hours, the paternity test results came out. Doctor came out with the report. Mia snatched it fastest. After reading the result, she covered her mouth in shock at Julian. “Bro, the child really isn’t yours. Jessica cheated on you!”

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As a washed-up genius composer, I hid it from my husband and sold the rights to my last few masterpieces—my magnum opuses—to a rival company just to scrape together the money. But one hour before the surgery, the payment window showed “Insufficient Funds.” I called my husband Julian frantically, only to be hung up on and blocked. Until the LED screens across the city lit up, a two-million-dollar drone light show illuminating the night sky. The screen boldly read: [May the great artist Scarlett’s inspiration never dry up — Gift from Julian] I stumbled into the light show venue, but Julian frowned and pushed me away: “Scarlett is in a creative bottleneck. These two million can buy her a masterpiece handed down for generations. What do you know about art?” “Is our son’s life not as important as a painting?” Julian sneered: “Don’t use the child to emotionally blackmail me. The doctor said it’s just the early stage, he won’t die.” Under the brilliant lights filling the sky, news came from the hospital that my son’s heart had stopped beating. And in Julian’s eyes, my breakdown at this moment was just jealousy of his “true love.” Chapter 1 Just when Julian threw a few thousand dollars at me, just when Scarlett shouted “Inspiration is here.” My Leo, the little angel who would lie in my arms calling Mommy and asking for chocolate cake, stopped breathing on the operating table. When he left, Mommy wasn’t there, Daddy wasn’t there. Only the exploding lights outside the window, worth two million, belonging to the fireworks his dad gave to another woman. “Leo said, the fireworks are bright, but the sky is too dark, he can’t find Daddy.” This sentence suddenly echoed in my mind. After huge grief, it wasn’t hysteria, but a heart-palpitating dead silence. I slowly lowered my hand, slowly raised my head, looking at the two people still flirting in front of me. Meeting my gaze, the smile on Julian’s face froze. He subconsciously took half a step back, inexplicably shivering. “E… Evelyn, why are you looking at me like that?” He frowned, masking his inner unease, scolding sternly. “I tell you, don’t think acting mysterious will make me forgive you! Here’s your phone, get out!” Snap. The phone was thrown on the ground by him, screen cracking. I didn’t pick it up. Nor did I kneel and beg for mercy like just now, nor did I scream in anger. I just looked at him quietly, looking at this man I loved for seven years, to whom I gave all my youth and talent. “Julian.” I spoke. Voice very light. “You don’t need to forgive me.” I bent down, picking up those few bills stepped on and dirty on the ground. That was the few thousand dollars he gave me like charity just now. I patted the dust off them one by one, then folded them neatly, putting them into my inner pocket. This is Leo’s funeral expense. Even if only a few thousand, I want him to leave with some dignity. “Evelyn, you…” Watching my unusually calm actions, Julian’s uneasiness grew stronger. “What? Playing tricks again?” Scarlett said sarcastically on the side. “Took the money, why not leave?” I didn’t pay attention to the barking dog. I just looked at Julian deeply, for the last time. No love, no hate in that look, only the pity of looking at a dead person. “Julian, you won.” After saying this, I turned around, dragging my bare right foot, step by step, walking into the darkness. Behind me, the fireworks continued. Boom—! Another brilliance exploded. That was the elegy sending off my son. Chapter 2 When leaving the riverside, a fine rain began to fall. I don’t know how I got back to the hospital. Only remember the nurse guarding the operating room door, handing me a death certificate with red eyes. “Mrs. Evelyn, the child went quietly… didn’t suffer much.” Didn’t suffer much. These three words cut my heart a few more times. I pushed open the door to the morgue, a chill hitting my face. Leo lay on the iron bed in the center, covered with a white cloth. I walked over, gently lifting a corner of the white cloth. He was really quiet, like having a dream he didn’t want to wake up from. His little face was pale, body stiff. “Leo, Mommy is here.” I took out that stack of bills with body warmth from my pocket. That was the few thousand Julian gave as charity. “Mommy is useless, couldn’t snatch the money back…” “Although not much, it’s enough to buy Leo a beautiful new outfit, and a small house.” I wiped the residual blood from his face bit by bit with a towel, movements gentle as if washing his face. At this time, the phone in my pocket vibrated. It was a WeChat message from Julian. Not asking where I was, nor asking how our son was. But a photo. In the photo, a luxurious celebration party. Huge champagne tower shining under crystal lights, Scarlett standing in the center, holding a painting tube, smiling triumphantly. Julian stood beside her, face glowing with happiness. Caption: [Congrats to Scarlett for finding inspiration! Not going home until drunk tonight!] This is my husband. While I was dressing my son in grave clothes, he was popping champagne for another woman. While I was wiping my son’s body, he was hugging another girl laughing endlessly. I didn’t reply, nor was I angry. I silently turned off the phone, dressed Leo in the slightly large grave clothes, then leaned down, planting a last kiss on his cold forehead. “Leo be good, wait for Mommy here for a few days. Mommy has a little bit of trash left to clean up.” After finishing simple cremation procedures, I walked out of the hospital. The villa late at night was empty. Julian hadn’t returned, probably still celebrating Scarlett’s “rebirth” in that gold cave. I didn’t turn on the light. Borrowing moonlight, I walked into the music room at the end of the corridor again. Locked here was my entire seven years of blood and sweat. Dozens of thick composition notebooks, hundreds of unreleased master tapes, and that violin Julian gave me back then, now covered in dust. These things used to be the only capital I had to stand tall in this wealthy wife identity. Relying on them, Julian turned the nearly bankrupt Starlight Entertainment into an industry giant. I also naively thought, as long as I kept writing good songs, he would always love me, would leave a place for me in this home. But now it seems, I am a complete joke. I opened the safe, hugging out those stacks of manuscripts. “Silent Wind”, “The Last Farewell”, “Echo of the Deep Sea”… Every song here could sell for a sky-high price on the black market. Especially “Nirvana”, the core soundtrack needed for Scarlett’s so-called “synesthetic painting.” “All trash.” I whispered, throwing them all into the fireplace. Scratch. A match broke the darkness, flame landing on the paper pile. Dry paper ignited instantly, tongues of fire greedily swallowing the staves. Notes twisted in the flames, turning black, turning into smoke. Firelight reddened my face, also illuminating Scarlett’s poster on the wall. He looked melancholy. I sat on the carpet in front of the fireplace, holding a bottle of red wine, drinking gulp after gulp. Watching this fire, my heart was surprisingly calm. Burn. Burn it all clean, and I can leave cleanly. Just when the fire was at its peak, noisy footsteps and laughter suddenly came from the entrance. “…Scarlett slow down, don’t break the painting tools.” “Julian, tonight was so happy! I feel inspiration still surging endlessly!” “Quick, to the music room, I want to try if ‘Nirvana’ can change key again!” “Okay, whatever you say. As long as you are happy, change however you want.” The door was pushed open. Julian held Scarlett, walking in with the smell of alcohol and cold wind. The smiles on their faces hadn’t had time to converge before they saw the soaring fire and smoke at the end of the corridor. “Fire?!” Scarlett screamed, hiding behind Julian. Julian’s face changed instantly. He smelled that familiar burnt scent—the smell of special music paper burning! “My songs!!” He let out a sharp scream, stepping in leather shoes, rushing towards the music room like crazy. Standing at the door, seeing the half-burnt manuscripts in the fireplace, he screamed. “Evelyn!! What are you doing!!” Ignoring the high temperature, he pounced on the fireplace, reaching out to grab those burning papers. “Stop! Stop it! Are you crazy?! Do you know how important this song is to Scarlett?!” “Ah—!” Flame singed the back of his hand. He cried out in pain withdrawing his hand, but still firmly protected those few remaining pages, turning his head, staring at me with eyes wanting to eat people. “Evelyn! I see you really don’t want to live!!” Chapter 3 “Evelyn! You are crazy!!” Julian screamed, reaching into the fireplace recklessly to grab those burning papers. Tongues of fire licked his fingers. He withdrew his hand in pain, but still wouldn’t give up, turning around and pouncing on me like a madman, raising his hand and slapping me hard on the face. Slap! My head was beaten to the side, cheek burning with pain, a trace of blood taste in my mouth. “Do you know how much these manuscripts are worth?! Do you know how important this is to the company?!” Julian grabbed my collar. “This is the trump card I saved for Scarlett to win awards! How dare you burn them?! You just can’t stand seeing Scarlett do well, right?!” He cursed while scratching and clawing at me. Sharp nails cut my neck and arms, leaving trails of blood. I didn’t dodge, nor fought back. I just held that small blue box tightly against my chest, even when pushed into the corner by him, I didn’t loosen a bit. That was Leo. I can’t let him hurt anymore. “Julian! Julian don’t do this!” Scarlett only rushed up to pull him fake-heartedly then. She glanced at the manuscripts turned to ashes in the fireplace, a flash of pleasure in her eyes, but mouth showing heartache for Julian. “Oh my, burned is burned, beating her is useless. Don’t hurt your hand, I’ll be heartbroken.” She stepped forward hugging Julian, looking at me in a mess, sighing with feigned magnanimity. “Actually I can understand Ms. Evelyn.” “After all, I heard she felt she had no status at home these years,” “Maybe she wants to get your attention this way.” “Get attention?” Julian sneered. He looked at me, eyes full of disgust. “Is she worthy? If I didn’t raise her these seven years, she would have starved to death long ago!” “Now daring to burn my things to demonstrate to me? Evelyn, you are simply an ungrateful wolf!” He didn’t know at all. These seven years, who raised whom. Those golden songs that sent Starlight Entertainment public, those hits that made him earn buckets of money, which one didn’t come from these hands? Which one wasn’t written by me draining my heart’s blood? Now, he takes the money I earned, raises another woman, and calls me an ungrateful wolf. Too laughable. I hugged Leo’s urn tightly, slowly sliding down the wall to sit on the floor, mouth curling into a sarcastic arc. “Yes, I am an ungrateful wolf.” I looked up at him, voice hoarse and calm. “So President Julian, since I am this kind of person, what are you waiting for?” “I’ve already signed the divorce agreement on the table. You sign it, we are even.” Hearing the word “divorce,” Julian’s body stiffened. He seemed not to expect that Evelyn, who used to obey him and loved him like life, dared to mention divorce so resolutely. And at a time when he thought I was “making trouble without reason.” “Divorce? Dream on!” Julian suddenly sneered, eyes becoming more sinister. “Burned my manuscripts worth tens of millions, want to leave just like that? No such cheap thing!” “How to calculate those losses? How to calculate Scarlett’s mental damage?” Scarlett rolled her eyes, suddenly interjecting. “Julian, actually it’s not that serious.” “Ms. Evelyn is in the circle after all, although not famous, she knows a bit about music.” She walked to me, looking down at me, wearing a hypocritical smile. “Ms. Evelyn, my charity gala is starting tomorrow night,” “Originally ‘Nirvana’ was to be played by me personally as the finale.” “Now the score is burned, can only use that unfinished draft.” “How about this, you come to the gala tomorrow night too.” “Apologize to Julian in front of the whole city’s media and celebrities, and help me turn pages on stage, be an assistant.” “As long as you are willing to admit in public that you burned the manuscripts out of jealousy, and willing to be my assistant,” “This debt, we can write off.” Make me an assistant? Make me, a former candidate for Vienna’s principal violinist, turn pages for this idiot who can’t even read all the staves? And admit jealousy in public? Julian’s eyes lit up, seeming to think this was a good idea to humiliate me and vent for Scarlett. “Scarlett is right. Evelyn, this is your last chance to redeem yourself.” He pointed at me, tone unquestionable. “Tomorrow night at seven, The Peninsula Hotel.” “Clean yourself up, don’t embarrass me looking like a beggar!” “If you dare not come, or play tricks at the banquet, I’ll make you spend the rest of your life in jail!” With that, he took Scarlett’s arm, stepping over the mess, walking out of the music room without looking back. “Scarlett, let’s go to another room, the air here is too dirty.” “Okay, whatever you say…” The voices of the two drifted away. The music room returned to deathly silence. Only the remaining embers in the fireplace occasionally made cracking sounds. I looked down at the blue box in my arms. Luckily, Leo wasn’t woken up. “Leo, did you hear?” I whispered, eyes gradually turning cold. “They invited Mommy to the gala.” “Good.” I looked at the charred score fragments in the fireplace, only black corners left. On them, vaguely visible notes scorched by fire, seeming to cry, seeming to scream. “Just right, Mommy also wants to send their ‘art’ off for the last time.” “This last performance, Mommy will definitely make them… remember for life.” Chapter 4 The ballroom of The Peninsula Hotel, crystal chandeliers projecting brilliant light. I wore an ill-fitting black dress, standing in the shadow at the side of the stage. This was specially requested by Scarlett. She said my existence would affect the visual beauty of the stage, only worthy of staying in the gutter turning pages for her. Below, celebrities gathered, flashes of cameras blinding. Julian sat in the center of the first row, in a haute couture suit, like a king. He looked at Scarlett on stage, eyes full of pride and expectation. “Good evening everyone.” Scarlett sat in front of the Steinway piano worth millions, speaking affectionately into the microphone. “Tonight, I want to play my original farewell work for everyone — ‘Rebirth’.” “This piece was born under last night’s fireworks, a collision of my inspiration and soul.” Thunderous applause. Scarlett raised her chin at me triumphantly, eyes full of provocation. I looked at her too, mouth curling into a sneer. Start. Let your ugliness have nowhere to hide under the spotlight. Music sounded. As soon as the prelude came out, the whole venue was quiet. That was the prelude of ‘Nirvana’, written by me using complex syncopation to match Leo’s heartbeat. However, listening further, the brows of knowledgeable musicians below furrowed tighter. At the chorus climax, the melody that should have been soaring suddenly became strange and twisted. Scarlett didn’t understand the modulation processing at all. To cover up her fingering that couldn’t reach, she forcibly added an inexplicable glissando. Harsh, abrupt, extremely ugly. “This is… the master’s synesthesia?” Someone whispered below. “Why does it feel a bit out of breath?” Scarlett obviously realized something was wrong too, cold sweat on her forehead. She panicked trying to make up, but played more chaotically, finally even playing a wrong note directly, making a loud CLANG. Scarlett’s hand froze on the keys, face pale as paper. Just then, I walked out of the shadows. “Can’t play anymore? Master Scarlett.” I walked to the piano, in front of everyone, pulling out the blurry photocopied score from her music stand. “Because this fragment can only support you to play till here.” I held up that paper, facing all media and guests below. “This is Ms. Scarlett’s so-called ‘Original’?” “Holding a few burnt pages, not even understanding the rest rests on them, dare to call it a collision of souls?” “The modulation in the twelfth bar, that is compassion only C major can reflect,” “You forcibly changed it to E flat major to show off skills, ugly!” “Evelyn! Shut up!” Scarlett turned angry from shame, standing up abruptly wanting to snatch the mic from my hand. “Security! Where is security! This crazy woman is jealous of me! Get her down quickly!” Uproar below. Reporters’ flashes flashed crazily, shutters clicking continuously. “Jealous?” I sneered, just about to continue exposing her. “Enough!” Julian rushed onto the stage, face iron green. He didn’t question why Scarlett played wrong, nor looked at that fragment score, but rushed directly to me, raising his hand— Slap! Another loud slap. Harder than the one in the music room last night. Half my face swelled quickly, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of my mouth. “Evelyn, have you made enough trouble?!” Julian pointed at my nose, announcing loudly to all guests: “Everyone, really sorry.” “This woman is my ex-wife. Because she has been raised by me, her mind is twisted,” “She can’t stand Scarlett being better than her, that’s why she deliberately made trouble tonight!” “Scarlett’s talent is obvious to all. This song is indeed her inspiration last night.” “As for the mistake just now, it was completely because this crazy woman affected her mind!” Final verdict. He is the President of Starlight Entertainment, he is the capital. He says black is white, then it is white. Public opinion below reversed instantly. “So it’s a gold digger jealous of a genius, disgusting.” “How can such a person have the face to live in the world?” Seeing this, Scarlett immediately put on the face of an aggrieved victim. She clutched her chest, eyes red. “Julian, forget it… Ms. Evelyn followed you for seven years after all, has credit if not hard work. I don’t blame her.” “Just…” She changed the subject, a trace of viciousness flashing in her eyes. “Since Ms. Evelyn looks down on my art so much, and values money so much. How about this.” “Heard Ms. Evelyn studied music before too, those hands even won some Vienna ‘Golden String’ award.” Scarlett pointed at my long hands, mouth curling into a cruel smile. “Since you ruined my premiere, why not bring out your trophy for charity sale to atone.” “Or… ‘donate’ these hands, maybe I can forgive your rudeness.”

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I knew from the beginning. Julian Hale never got over the ex-girlfriend who almost cost him half his life. He allowed me to stay by his side for five years, promising me a title, Only because I was more obedient than Madison. I wouldn’t cry and say he trampled on my dignity with money when he gave expensive gifts. Nor would I threaten to break up over his scandalous rumors, staging a “chasing wife” drama. So on our wedding day, he felt justified running off to comfort Madison. Leaving me alone to face the embarrassment of the full venue. The officiant tried awkwardly to smooth things over, while his rich buddies laughed in a group: “Sister-in-law, being a wealthy wife isn’t that easy. Consider today our first lesson for you!” Unfortunately, Julian and they all calculated wrong. I didn’t swallow my pride to marry into a wealthy family, begging him to change his mind. Instead, I took off my wedding dress on the spot, took the money Julian gave me over the years, and quietly left New York. Chapter 1 Three hours past the ceremony time, Julian still hadn’t appeared. Ignoring the sympathetic or mocking gazes around me, I calmly removed the white veil pinned in my hair. Connor Hale leaned against the door, sneering with a curled lip: “Can’t wait already? Julian is just a little late. Want to be the future mistress of the Hale family, but don’t have this little patience?” I didn’t look up, continuing to face the mirror, taking off the matching jewelry piece by piece. His cousin, who always looked down on me, leaned in, persuading with a soft voice: “Sister-in-law, don’t take it to heart. Cousin Julian is always punctual. Today… maybe Madison is suddenly sick and needs his care~” She deliberately said the name “Madison” slowly and clearly, her exquisite eyes unable to hide her schadenfreude. I looked at her expression in the mirror and suddenly laughed. “Take it to heart?” I repeated, gently placing the last earring back into the jewelry box. “Why should I take it to heart?” The air in the dressing room suddenly quieted. I turned around, my gaze calmly sweeping over faces with various expressions. “You guys don’t really think I’ve been waiting for him for these three hours, do you?” Connor’s face darkened: “Scarlett, what do you mean?” I stood up, fingers touching the zipper on the back of the wedding dress, slowly pulling it down. “This dress is quite expensive. Pity not to take a few photos.” My tone was as flat as discussing someone else’s affairs. “Scarlett, don’t be ungrateful!” Someone couldn’t help but speak up. “It’s a huge grace that Julian is willing to give you a title. You want to play the runaway bride game? I tell you, if you dare walk out this door today, there will be no place for you in New York tomorrow!” Zipper down to the bottom, the gorgeous wedding dress slipped off. I had already changed into a plain shirt and pants underneath. I bent down, finding my old phone used for years from that pile of jewelry worth millions. Then, looked at every pair of eyes staring at me in the room, smiling faintly: “I never belonged here anyway.” “So, there’s nothing to lose.” With that, I ignored their stunned expressions and walked out without looking back. Julian is the sole heir of the Hale family in New York. Naturally, those around him are rich kids who grew up in piles of money. They always looked down on me. Compared to them, my background was like a glass bead mixed into a pile of pearls. No one knew why Julian chose me. So even if I was about to become his wife, the contempt in their tone never diminished by half. The person who disappeared today was clearly him, but in the end, I was the one facing criticism and ridicule. I should have had a good fight with them, returning the grievances and injustices accumulated over five years one by one. But I didn’t have time. I was leaving New York tonight and had to rush back to pack. Julian fleeing the wedding today, I wasn’t surprised at all. The night before the wedding, tossing and turning in bed, I opened my phone and accidentally entered Madison’s livestream. At 3 AM, she was still selling cosmetics hard in front of the camera. Years after leaving Julian, she didn’t seem to be living easily. The popularity of the livestream was unexpectedly high. But most people didn’t come for cosmetics, but were attracted by the constant screen-flooding gifts and that mysterious Top Donor. [Turn off the stream, go rest.] [Your stomach condition can’t handle staying up late. Madison, if you faint again, I won’t go take care of you.] [Unblock me, send me your account number, I’ll transfer you some money.] [I’m getting married tomorrow. Don’t contact me again, and stop putting on that pitiful look.] Accompanied by every cold text, dazzling gift animations filled the screen. Julian was generous to everyone, even to this ex-girlfriend he once hated to the bone, spending money like water. Madison’s voice explaining products already carried a slight tremor. She lowered her head to wipe the corner of her eye, voice so light it was almost inaudible: “Julian, don’t use money to insult our past feelings.” [Did we have feelings?] [Madison, for you, I almost lost half my life. I fell out with my family, even to force myself to forget you, I’m marrying a woman I don’t love at all tomorrow. I wanted to erase all your traces like a madman. It was you who let go first, you destroyed everything between us.] I stared at the phrase “woman I don’t love at all,” stunned for a rare moment. The comment section was already out of control, full of “Get back together” and “Don’t get married.” Madison bit her lower lip tightly, looking at the camera with red eyes: “Julian. If I say, I’m willing to come back to you, willing to pay any price to make up for it.” “Can you… not get married?” Chapter 2 I didn’t see Julian’s answer, but his absence today explained everything. It’s no secret that Julian can’t let go of Madison. Two years ago, my back injury relapsed. Julian insisted on giving up the superior medical conditions in New York and took me to a hospital thousands of miles away in the north. As expected, we met Madison in that hospital. She was still like the old photo in Julian’s wallet, young, beautiful, innocent. Julian supported my waist, looking at her expressionlessly, gaze obscure. But only I knew, the second Madison appeared. Julian’s fingers around my waist tightened suddenly, so hard that I frowned slightly. “Sorry, I didn’t know you would come here…” The girl retreated a few steps in panic. “I’m leaving now. I said I wouldn’t disturb you again.” Julian’s Adam’s apple rolled. I stood quietly aside, gaze falling on the tattoo on her collarbone. A puppy that looked very much like Julian’s dog. Indeed, a good match with the kitten on Julian’s collarbone. “Move.” Julian’s voice was cold as ice. But waiting for the elevator, his eyes kept drifting to the end of the corridor. “Hold it tight.” I said, “Don’t lose it.” The black card Madison held was Julian’s supplementary card. He was a man of clear boundaries. People who offended him in business never had a chance of reconciliation. And that unlimited black card was probably the last bit of warmth, a way out he gave the girl. Even though he said she was the person he least wanted to contact in this life. On the way back, a rainstorm suddenly started. Julian held the steering wheel with one hand, somewhat distracted. Phone screen lit up. A number not saved in contacts. He glanced at it and slammed the brakes. I rushed forward, forehead hitting the windshield hard. Blood gushed out instantly. “Julian…” Suppressed sobbing came from the phone. “Sorry, I really shouldn’t call you… but my mom is critically ill, the hospital says it’s urgent, I don’t know who else to call…” “I’m so scared… I…” Julian looked at me, panic unable to be hidden in his eyes: “Scarlett, you go back first, I have something urgent.” I rarely saw Julian like this. Even when the company faced life and death, he hadn’t been this panicked. Panicked enough to let me get off at a highway exit late at night. Panicked enough to drive recklessly in the rainstorm. Panicked enough to forget, on a winter night of minus five degrees, I was only wearing a thin shirt. He just left. Leaving me shivering in the howling cold wind. The highway exit was desolate. I couldn’t call a car. After standing in the cold wind for nearly four hours, Julian came back with hazard lights flashing. Obvious fatigue between his brows. “Madison fainted.” I lowered my eyes. “Arrived at the hospital only to find out her mother was just hospitalized normally. She exaggerated the condition in a panic. I turned to leave, she fainted from emotional agitation. She’s fine now.” He approached, holding my hands red from cold. “Sorry, made you wait alone for so long… She’s been in a bad state recently, I was afraid she would do something stupid.” I didn’t know what to say. “Have you really… let her go?” I heard my own voice asking. If he really couldn’t let go, I wouldn’t tactlessly continue to stand in the middle. After driving far away, Julian whispered: “There’s nothing about letting go or not. I’m not a fool to hang myself on one tree.” “Just… seeing her helpless now, felt a bit pitiful.” Oh. So he hasn’t let go. Since then, Julian consciously hid all news related to Madison from me. I knew, but I didn’t care. Because every time after he got involved with Madison, the jewelry or real estate he casually compensated me with was enough for an ordinary person to strive for a lifetime. So what? One can’t refuse real money for self-esteem. Chapter 3 Because everyone knew how much Julian cared about Madison, they never thought I could stay by his side for long. So when we announced our marriage, almost everyone thought it was incredible. A week before the wedding banquet, Connor organized a grand bachelor party. He booked the most high-end private club in the city, inviting the most playful socialites in the circle. All with exquisite makeup and slender figures. Of course, Madison was invited too. I had no reaction. Instead, Julian frowned slightly, whispering to me: “These people play without limits. If you feel uncomfortable, find an excuse to go back first later.” Just as he was about to lead me inside, Connor blocked the way smiling: “Sister-in-law, you don’t usually come to our gatherings. It’s normal not to be used to it.” Wearing a deep V black shirt, he handed me a glass of champagne. “Our circle is like this, playing open, different from your rhythm of living a steady life.” I smiled, took the glass, and took a sip. Looking down to adjust my skirt, tone calm: “It’s okay, as long as you enjoy yourselves. Just don’t play too late. Watch Julian for me, don’t let him drink too much.” Julian was obviously stunned, seeming not to expect my reaction. Connor didn’t notice his brother’s strangeness, putting his arm around Julian’s shoulder: “Julian, sister-in-law said so, what are you waiting for? Come in!” “I specially messaged Madison to come. Last single night, rare opportunity.” For Connor’s childish provocation, my heart had no waves, just calmly waved at Julian. Unexpectedly, he suddenly grabbed my wrist, brows locked tight: “Scarlett, what do you mean? Pushing me out?” Pushing you out? But when did you ever truly belong to me? I felt it a bit laughable, looking up and asking back: “Then if I say, I don’t want you to go, don’t want you to see Madison, can you agree?” Inside the private room, lights were blurry, music restless. I looked at Julian quietly. Connor spoke before him, raising his voice: “Julian! Everyone is waiting!” Julian’s eyes flickered, Adam’s apple rolled, finally letting go of my hand. “Scarlett, wait for me at home.” Before he finished, he was pulled in forcefully by Connor. Standing in the shadow of the corridor, I glanced through the door crack, turned and left, never looking back. On the way out, a loud noise suddenly came from the next private room. Followed by a girl’s suppressed crying. Very familiar, sounded like Madison. Just as I approached, the door was pushed open violently. A man stumbled out covering his bleeding forehead, smelling of alcohol: “Who do you think you are? Dare to hit me?” “This isn’t over today!” Madison looked up, looking like she suffered a huge grievance. “I don’t know you! You kept pestering me!” The man was exasperated: “You slut pretending to be pure! Either pay up, or don’t think about leaving tonight!” Madison’s eyes reddened, tears swirling but stubbornly held back. Red eyes swept towards me. “Laugh if you want… I have no backer, but I’m not lower than anyone. Don’t look down on me!” Speaking as if the person humiliating her right now was me. The man steadied himself, grabbing her wrist. “Then pay.” “I have no money.” “Then drink all this wine, and I’ll let you go.” The man glimpsed the corner of the black card in her bag. “Using this kind of card and telling me no money?” “No!” Madison cried out, “This can’t be touched!” “I’ll drink!” She squatted by the coffee table, grabbing the bottle and pouring it into her mouth. Alcohol choked her into coughing violently, but she wouldn’t stop. I couldn’t stand it. “How much, I’ll pay.” “Don’t need your hypocrisy!” Madison screamed out of control. She raised her hand, slapping me hard. “It’s all your fault! You stole Julian!” “Didn’t you call me here today just to show off you’re marrying him? You think I don’t know?!” “Now using money to trample my dignity! I don’t want your charity!” Ears buzzing. Spinning, I saw the door pushed open, Julian rushed in, passing me. He held the trembling girl tightly in his arms. “Madison, stop being cowardly, hit back!” “Why didn’t you use the money I gave you!” I almost couldn’t stand steady. Holding the wall, cheek burning with pain. “Scarlett!” Julian looked at me, eyes cold as ice. “You said go back first, just to come here to trouble Madison?!” I opened my mouth, said nothing, turned and left. Of course he wouldn’t know, I wished he thought I did it. After all, the more he hates me, the cleaner I can leave. Julian finally returned home at 3 AM smelling of smoke and alcohol. I hadn’t slept, checking immigration procedures in the study. He leaned over, hugging me from behind, chin on my shoulder, hot breath mixed with alcohol spraying on my ear. “Why haven’t you slept? Waiting for me?” “Mm. Is Madison okay?” “Sorry, I misunderstood you. That man deliberately troubled Madison. I handled it, sent her home and came back.” He nuzzled my neck, tone fawning: “I kept checking my phone, you didn’t send a single message. Still angry?” I really wasn’t in the mood to deal with him. Who knew he was extra clingy today, insisting on turning my face to look into my eyes. “Jealous? I swear, I didn’t touch Madison, Connor can testify. I didn’t touch any of those girls, didn’t give contact info.” I looked at him for a long time, finally sighed, resignedly supporting him to the bedroom. Chapter 4 First time I met Julian was by the old book stall outside the north gate of NYU. He probably just came out of the club opposite, holding a black umbrella, face gloomy, like he just had a big fight. Just as he was about to get in the car, the stall owner suddenly grabbed me trying to put back an old dictionary. “Stop! Page corner folded, you have to buy this book!” “I just opened it to look… this crease was already there.” I tried to explain, voice drifting in the wind. Owner relentless: “I say you did it, you did it! Thirty dollars, don’t leave without a cent less!” During the struggle, the backpack strap couldn’t bear the load, ripped open, books scattering all over the ground. The student loan overdue notice sandwiched in the book floated out, instantly soaked by puddle water. Just as I squatted to pick it up, a black umbrella steadied over my head. “How much?” Julian’s voice wasn’t loud, but carried an unquestionable coldness. The owner froze, looked up at him and the car behind him, momentum instantly weakened: “Th… thirty…” Julian didn’t speak. Assistant behind him already pulled out a bill and handed it over. Owner took the money, muttering and retreating behind the stall. He then looked down at me. Gaze swept over my soaked hair, finally landing on that crumpled tuition bill. “Which school?” “…NYU.” He nodded, handed the umbrella to me, squatted down himself, picking up my books soaked in dirty water one by one, stacking them. I stood there blankly holding the umbrella, watching him take off his trench coat, putting it on my thin sweater without refusal. “Get in, I’ll send you back.” His car was parked by the road, interior spotless, heating on high. “Short of money?” He looked ahead, tone flat as discussing weather. “Mm.” “Name?” “…Scarlett.” He tapped the steering wheel twice, seeming to think. “Follow me. Your tuition, living expenses, I’ll cover. Plus, $50,000 monthly allowance.” Reason told me to refuse immediately. This was too absurd, unreasonable. No free lunch in this world. But from the corner of my eye, seeing luxury goods placed everywhere in his car, and dollar bills thrown all over the back seat. I wavered. I needed this money, needed to get rid of the immediate predicament, needed… to seize this sudden possibility. Car stopped at the tree-lined avenue outside the dorm area. Rain had lessened. He didn’t rush me to get off, just waited quietly. “Why?” I heard myself ask. He turned to look at me, no warmth in his eyes: “You look quite obedient.” Paused, he added: “Besides, this little money means nothing to me.” Yes, indeed means nothing. My embarrassment, my struggle, in his world, small enough not to mention. I lowered my eyes, gripping the wet books in my arms. “…Thank you. I will consider it carefully.” At that time, I didn’t understand why he did this. But later hearing his roar on the phone, I understood everything. To him, I was just a whim, just to prove to Madison who left him that he had moved on, just a… tool to provoke old love. But perhaps it was the desire for money, or a trace of inexplicable heartbeat, that made me choose silence at that moment. I knew what I was doing, and knew what I wanted. Anything but love. … Maybe because my attitude towards Julian’s absence was too calm, his friends were uncertain, secretly calling him. “Julian! Scarlett seems to be going home to pack, looks like she’s leaving New York!” Girl’s joyful laughter came from the phone. Julian’s voice carried a faint impatience of being disturbed. “Leaving? What is she making a fuss about now.” “Today is your wedding… guests are all here.” “So what?” Julian chuckled lightly. “Tell her, don’t be willful, I’ll go over when I’m done.” “Julian, this time seems not willful, she…” Julian interrupted, tone casual: “Those pearl earrings I gave her last month, suitable for today, let her wear them.” Silence on the other end for a moment. “…Mentioning this now is probably inappropriate. Scarlett looks serious.” “What’s inappropriate?” Julian’s voice was careless. “She stays with me for money, right? Real estate, shares, jewelry, what have I given less? Putting on this attitude now… taking herself too seriously.” He paused, seeming to sip wine. “Tell her, I’ll transfer another million to her account, make her behave. If not, I’ll say some nice words when I get back. Women, just coax them.” Phone hung up. Whispering outside the door stopped abruptly. Those friends who tried to smooth things over for him now looked complex. “Just for money?” “Just coax her.” I hooked the corner of my mouth extremely sarcastically at the lonely wedding ring on the vanity table. Then opened the door, walked out calmly under everyone’s varying gazes. Let him leave his money and love to Madison.

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My husband has Bipolar Disorder. Every time he beats me, he guiltily transfers $10,000. I never resist. I silently accept the money, covering the bruises with foundation. My best friend calls me cheap, urging me to divorce. I count the balance in my account, a sneer curling my lips. “Don’t rush, the pig isn’t fat enough yet.” Until one day, he punched me in the stomach, and I miscarried. Chapter 1 “Venmo received: $10,000.” The mechanical female voice echoed in the empty living room, sounding particularly harsh. I spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva, a bit metallic, like the taste of rust. Lucas sat on the sofa opposite, head in hands, fingers buried in regret. His hair was messy, grabbed by himself during his madness just now. “Sorry… Honey, sorry… I couldn’t control myself…” His voice carried a sob, trembling like a withered leaf in the wind. I didn’t speak. Just silently climbed up from the floor. My knee hit the corner of the coffee table just now, piercing pain. Probably bruised. I walked to the mirror in the entryway. Left cheek swollen. Five finger marks clearly visible, red turning purple. Lucas didn’t hold back this slap. He really wanted to kill me, or rather, the “him” during the episode wanted to kill me. I picked up the concealer, covering it layer by layer. The foundation liquid was cold, touching the burning wound, this temperature difference sobered me up a little. Heavy footsteps came from behind. He hugged me from behind, burying his head in my neck. Tears dropped into my collar pata pata, burning me to a shiver. “Honey, hit me, scold me… I’m really not human…” “It’s okay.” I looked at myself in the mirror, pulling a perfect, tolerant, even saint-like smile. “I know you are sick. I don’t blame you.” Lucas cried even harder, like a child who made a mistake. He took out his phone again. “Venmo received: $10,000.” Plus the one just now, twenty thousand. This slap, twenty thousand dollars. Quite worth it. My monthly salary is only eight thousand, enduring the boss’s bad breath and clients’ difficulties. But at home, taking a beating, just enduring a few minutes of pain, equals three months of my salary. This account, however calculated, is a bargain. Lucas is a Trust Fund Baby, family owns factories, money is just a number to him. To me, it’s life. Chapter 2 Lucas fell asleep. Beating people is also physical work, especially beating hysterically like him. I covered him with the quilt, looking at that face which still seemed a bit gloomy in sleep. If not for the episodes, Lucas actually looks quite good. High brow bone, straight nose, a pair of seemingly affectionate peach blossom eyes. Who would have thought, under this skin, hides a beast? I closed the bedroom door, walked to the balcony, and lit a cigarette. I don’t smoke much, only one when it hurts too much to sleep. Phone lit up. WeChat from best friend Sarah. “Still alive?” I took a screenshot of the bank balance and sent it over. Silence on the other end for a while, then a long voice message. “Nicole are you sick in the head? Do you have masochistic tendencies? Twenty thousand bought you? Do you know domestic violence has only zero and countless times? One day he beats you to death, will you spend these millions in hell?” Sarah scolded fiercely, but I knew she meant well. She is the only one who knows Lucas beats me. I blew out a smoke ring, watching the smoke dissipate in the night. Typed reply: “Soon.” “What soon?” “The pig is almost fat enough.” Sarah sent a string of ellipses, probably thinking I was hopeless. Of course I’m not crazy. I am very sober. More sober than anyone. I touched my belly. It was flat, soft, without any sign of life. But I need it to have one. Lucas’s Bipolar Disorder is getting worse. Used to be throwing things, then pushing, now using fists. Frequency changed from once a month to once a week. I know, that critical point is coming. Once crossing that line, I might really die. But I can’t leave now. The current Lucas, although guilty, is not enough. His guilt value hasn’t reached the amount I want. I want more than these twenty or thirty thousand pocket money. I want his everything. Or, his life. Chapter 3 Preparation work is almost done. That blood bag was bought online, special for movie effects, realistic texture, even with a disgusting b****y smell. As for that “fetus.” Obtained through some special channels. Very small, only palm-sized, an unformed lump of flesh, heart-stopping to look at. I hid it in the bottom freezer drawer, wrapped in three layers of black plastic bags. Every time I open the fridge for milk, I feel that lump staring at me with cold air. This is crazy, I know. But to hunt a beast, the hunter must be crazier than the beast. This Friday is Lucas’s birthday. According to custom, he will drink some wine. Alcohol is taboo for Bipolar Disorder, especially mixed with medication. But I still prepared the best red wine for him, Screaming Eagle, costing a small half of my savings from a year of beatings. Investment, always has costs. At 7 PM, Lucas came back. He looked in a good mood, carrying an Hermès bag. “Wifey, happy birthday.” I froze: “Today is your birthday.” Lucas smiled, walked over and kissed my forehead: “I know, but I want to give you a gift. As long as you are happy, I am happy.” At that moment, I was even a bit dazed. Ignoring those violent nights, Lucas is really a perfect husband. Rich, romantic, gentle. Pity, he’s a lunatic. I opened the gift, a limited edition Birkin bag. “Like it?” He looked at me expectantly. “Like it.” I nodded smiling, “Let’s eat, I made your favorite Sweet and Sour Ribs.” On the table, candlelights flickered. Lucas drank one glass, two glasses, three glasses. His eyes began to blur, cheeks flushed, voice louder. I knew, the drug effect started. Not the alcohol, but the “seasoning” I added to the wine. It’s a neuro drug that amplifies emotions and induces rage. Lucas has been taking Lithium Carbonate prescribed by the doctor recently, but I swapped the pills. Swapped for vitamin tablets that look exactly the same. And the real strong medicine, is all in this wine. “Nicole…” Lucas suddenly smashed the wine glass on the table heavily. Red wine splashed on the white tablecloth, like an exploding blood flower. “Do you look down on me?” His eyes changed. That familiar, violent, murderous look returned. Show time. Chapter 4 I pretended to be panicked, shrinking back. “Hubby, what’s wrong? How could I look down on you?” “You just look down on me! You think I’m a lunatic! You think I live off my family!” Lucas stood up abruptly, knocking over the chair. He walked around the table, approaching me step by step. I didn’t retreat but advanced, protecting my belly desperately. This action stimulated him greatly. “What’s in your belly? Huh? Is it a bastard!” This step I didn’t expect. His paranoia flared up worse than I imagined. But it fits my plan perfectly. “Lucas! Are you crazy? This is your child! I’m three months pregnant!” I screamed, voice shrill. “My child? Hahahaha! I can’t have children at all! I’m sick! I’m a lunatic! How can a lunatic have children!” Lucas roared, like a wild boar losing reason. He rushed over, grabbed my hair, and smashed me against the wall. Bang! Very painful. But I endured. I fell to the ground, curling into a ball. “Don’t hit me… please… don’t hit the child…” I cried out, voice getting weaker. But this didn’t awaken his conscience, instead acted like a catalyst, making him crazier. “Die! All die!” Lucas raised his foot, kicking my belly viciously. Once. Twice. I felt the illusion of broken ribs. But I must wait for that hardest hit. Now! I pressed the blood bag hidden in my clothes fiercely. Warm, viscous liquid gushed out instantly, soaking my dress, flowing down my thighs all over the floor. Bright red blood, spreading on white tiles, shocking to the eye. I let out the last scream, then pushed the prepared “fetus” out from under my skirt. It mixed in the blood pool, a small lump, purple-black, hideous and terrifying. The world went quiet. Lucas stopped moving. He panted heavily, eyes staring dead at the pool of blood on the floor, and that lump of flesh in the blood. His pupils shrank violently, whole person like struck by lightning, frozen in place. I also “fainted.” But the moment before closing my eyes, I saw the expression of extreme collapse on Lucas’s face. That was fear. Pure fear. Not because he hit me, but because—he killed someone. Chapter 5 When I woke up, I was lying on the bed in the bedroom. The sheets were new, but I was still wearing that blood-stained dress, even the blood stains had dried and hardened. Lucas didn’t dare change my clothes. Nor dared send me to the hospital. He was afraid. He was currently huddled in the corner of the room, like a frightened mouse, hugging his knees and shivering. The room was filled with a heavy smell of blood, and the smell of urine. Seems he peed himself in fear. I moved my fingers, letting out a weak moan. Lucas looked up sharply, eyeballs full of red blood streaks. “Wifey… you woke up… you didn’t die… great…” He crawled over, wanting to touch me but daring not, hand trembling in mid-air. “Child…” I spoke weakly, tears flowing from the corner of my eyes. “Where is my child…” Lucas’s face instantly pale as paper. He pointed to the bathroom, voice shaking uncontrollably: “In… inside… I… I don’t know what to do…” “Lucas, you killed him.” I looked into his eyes, saying word by word. “That was your own flesh and blood, a boy, I already named him… but you killed him.” “Ah!!!” Lucas covered his ears, letting out a beast-like wail. “I didn’t mean to! I really didn’t mean to! I didn’t know… I didn’t know you were pregnant…” “I’m calling the police.” I struggled to reach for the phone on the bedside table. Lucas pounced like crazy, snatching the phone, smashing it hard against the wall. Phone screen shattered, like a spider web. “No police! No police! Police mean I’m done! I’ll go to jail! I’m mentally ill, but I don’t want to be locked in a mental hospital for life! Nicole, please, don’t call the police!” He knelt by the bed, kowtowing to me frantically. Thud thud thud. Forehead broke quickly, blood flowing all over his face, but he seemed not to feel pain. I saw the timing was about right. The torture of this night, plus the side effects of drugs, his psychological defense had completely collapsed. The current him is a lump of mud for me to knead. “No police is fine.” I looked at him coldly, tone suddenly becoming calm, eerily calm. “But you have to pay the price.” Lucas looked up, face covered in blood and dirt, eyes dull: “What price? How much do you want? One million? Five million? Ten million? I’ll give you all! As long as no police!” I shook my head. “I don’t want money.” I propped myself up, enduring the severe pain (it really hurt this time, he hit too hard), pulling out a document from under the pillow. This was prepared long ago. “Sign it.” Lucas took the document with trembling hands. By the dim light, he saw the title clearly. [Voluntary Organ Donation and Full Body Disposal Power of Attorney Agreement]. Beneficiary/Executor: Nicole. “What is… this?” Lucas looked at me blankly. “This is your indulgence ticket.” I leaned close to him, whispering in his ear, voice like a devil’s whisper. “You killed my child, that’s a life of yours. Since you don’t want to go to jail, give your life to me for safekeeping.” “As long as you sign, this agreement takes effect. In the future, whether you live or die, your heart, your liver, your kidneys, even your corneas, are under my control.” “If you dare touch me again one day, or when I want you to die…” I extended a finger, gently sliding across his carotid artery. “I’ll take you apart, sell pieces one by one, to sacrifice to our child.” Lucas shivered. This is actually a threatening document with no legal effect, even absurd. But in the eyes of a lunatic on the verge of mental collapse, deeply mired in guilt of killing his son, and poisoned by drugs, this is a judgment from hell. And his only straw to clutch at. “I sign… I sign…” Lucas grabbed the pen, hand shaking like Parkinson’s, crookedly signed his name. Last stroke fell. I smiled. This time, not a saint’s smile. It’s a hunter’s smile. Pig, finally in the cage.

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I waited like a fool for my husband all day, waiting for him to come home and spend Valentine’s Day with me. But it wasn’t until 1 AM the next day that he finally appeared before me, covered in travel dust. He pulled me into his arms, a hint of deliberate guilt in his voice: “Baby, that’s the bad thing about budget flights, taking off too late. But… I saved over a thousand dollars.” “Didn’t you always nag me to save some diaper fund money for the baby?” My eyelashes trembled slightly. I suppressed the indescribable grievance in my heart and teased him pretending to be relaxed. “Our Julian, the second-generation heir of the Sterling family, the young master who believes in hedonism, when have you ever been persuaded by me? Just a business trip, and you seem like a different person.” His body stiffened for a split second, almost imperceptibly. Then, he frivolously scraped the tip of my nose, masking everything with a smile. “Isn’t it all influenced by my little financial manager? Money that shouldn’t be spent, not a cent can be wasted.” Chapter 1 He remembered something, turned around and opened his suitcase, “Sweetie, I brought you a Valentine’s gift.” Saying that, he handed me a bag. Inside was a pink floral dress. I held it up. “It’s pretty, just…” It was too different from the style of gifts he used to give me. Not designer bags, perfumes, or other jewelry. But a dress without even a tag. Julian rubbed my head, tone somewhat proud, “Bought it at the Miami Night Market, two for sixty-five.” “Great cut, nice fabric, super cost-effective.” His eyes shone as he looked at me, begging for praise. I leaned in, cupping his face and examining it seriously. “Confess, who picked it for you!” I didn’t believe he became so thrifty overnight, and could even pick out a nice dress from a street stall with sharp eyes. He quickly pecked my cheek, tone helpless. “It was Mia, she insisted on showing me the prices on the street outside her university.” “Finally know how college students live on eight hundred a month.” Mia, his biological sister attending college in Miami. I breathed a sigh of relief. Asked casually: “Your family only gives Mia eight hundred a month?” He froze, hugged me, “How is that possible. It’s her roommate who has a poor family background.” Then he rested his chin gently on my shoulder, somewhat tiredly said: “So tired.” “This month on business trip in Miami, missed you especially.” “Is the baby good? Didn’t make you uncomfortable again, right?” I touched my belly, tone softening, “The little guy tosses and turns all day.” Seeing this, he said fiercely to my belly, “Make Mommy trouble again, and I’ll spank you when you’re born!” I couldn’t help laughing, “Alright, hurry up shower and sleep.” Paused, then mumbled, “Julian, you owe me a Valentine’s Day tomorrow.” “Yes ma’am!” The sound of water started in the bathroom. I put my mind at ease, the depression of missing Valentine’s Day swept away. His phone was casually placed on the table. Ghost-driven, I picked it up. Wallpaper still our photo, password still my birthday. No anomalies in WeChat chats. He was even really chatting with Mia about money-saving tips, reading like he was eager to try. I smiled speechlessly, annoyed at myself for being so bored. He couldn’t possibly cheat, and I was checking his phone seriously like others. Exiting to the desktop, just about to turn off the screen, a red app in the corner caught my attention. He even downloaded Temu. Clicked in, no purchase records. Just as I was about to exit, a message popped up at the top. [You have successfully assisted Daisy! The system gifts you a new user free order qualification…] Chapter 2 Daisy… I silently recited this name. So Julian downloaded Temu just to help her get a deal. I unconsciously gripped the phone tightly. Remembered when we first started dating, I invited him too. He refused without thinking. “If you want money, I’ll just transfer it to you.” The sound of water in the bathroom didn’t stop. Budget flight tickets, floral dress, and this Daisy. Julian, is there really no problem? My throat tightened, heart pounding. Walked to the balcony, dialed Mia’s number. The girl’s cheerful voice sounded. “Sister-in-law, why aren’t you sleeping so late, what’s up?” I said gently: “Mia, I want your roommate’s contact info. Heard from your brother her family is poor, considering sponsoring her.” “Oh, Daisy Xu. I’ll send you her WeChat.” “Her family values boys over girls, gave birth to four daughters before having a son.” “She’s the third, living the hardest, but quite inspirational, living happily on eight hundred a month.” “My brother keeps nagging me to learn from her, ears are calloused…” I instructed her not to tell anyone first. She agreed. I didn’t hear clearly what she said later, just staring at the pretty girl’s avatar on the screen in a daze. If I remember correctly, the remark Julian gave her was “Teacher Daisy.” A vague yet extremely ambiguous title. My fingertips turned white. Clicked friend request, using my identity as a famous writer. “Scarlett?” Julian stood not far behind me at some point. I turned off the screen, turned to hold his hand, chuckled lightly: “Came out for some air, let’s go back to sleep.” Late at night, lying in bed tossing and turning. While he was asleep, I got out of bed, quietly pushing open the bedroom door. The light of the phone screen hit my face. Quickly found Daisy’s social account. A girl who loves sharing life, username just Daisy. Scrolled down, saw the first post related to Julian. Title: [Roommate dating a punk, let me entertain her CEO brother QAQ] She took him to the night market, ate cheap food he never ate. From disdain to acceptance, from cold face to smiling. [CEO really smells good (changed his mind)!] [With me, he can learn many money-saving tips, feel like I can charge tuition…] A pure black avatar commented under the post. [Please guide me more, Teacher Daisy.] Girl went crazy. [Damn, cover blown!] [Teacher Daisy reluctantly takes you on a budget tour of Miami hahaha.] Last Friday was her birthday, Julian pushed work to accompany her to the amusement park. Roller coasters, pendulum rides, drop towers. He, who is afraid of heights, played them all, face pale, retching desperately. Daisy posted: [Super moved, specially brave Mr. Shen!] And that day I was alone in the hospital for prenatal checkup. The baby either sat straight up unable to be photographed, or arm blocked the face. Tossed for a whole afternoon, anxious and uneasy. Pretended to be relaxed texting Julian to complain, he never replied. Maybe due to pregnancy hormones, I panicked for no reason, rarely contacted his assistant. Reply was, “Mr. Sterling is busy with a meeting, might not have seen Madam’s message.” “Next checkup I can help contact the Old Madam to accompany.” I put my mind at rest: “No need, just a bit worried about him.” And his mother always looked down on me, no need to ask for a snub. Latest post, Daisy wore that pink floral dress, spent Valentine’s Day with him. Parting, she said [Don’t like immorality, hate female competition even more, I want you to choose me unswervingly.] Julian commented after getting off the plane. [You are strong, brave, kind. Beauty is the least worth mentioning merit.] [Regret is we met too late.] [If there is a next life, I choose you.] 5 AM, sky gradually turning white. I sat quietly on the living room sofa, booked a hospital abortion. Julian, no need for next life. You can choose her now. Chapter 3 8 AM, he woke up. Looked for me immediately, relieved seeing me “Scarlett, why up so early.” “Baby not behaving again?” He squatted in front of me, worry looking genuine. Touched my belly with heartache, “Wifey, really hard on you.” “I dreamed of our first child last night.” “Sigh, let’s not mention this, this one will definitely go smoothly.” “I won’t leave again, this time I will accompany you until birth.” “Make you the happiest Mrs. Sterling!” His tone was very sincere. If I hadn’t seen those posts, I’m afraid I would have believed these words. Moved his hand away from my belly, forced a smile, “Go to work quickly.” “Earn more diaper fund for this naughty one.” He frowned, face full of disapproval, “Said I’ll make up a Valentine’s Day for you.” “Even if the sky falls today, I will accompany you.” He rubbed my head comfortingly, “Don’t worry, all arranged. No one will disturb us.” “Sweetie, go change clothes.” “I prepared many surprises this time.” He was in high spirits. I frowned, clutching the phone, thinking maybe I should change the appointment time. Changed clothes and came out, disappointment flashed in his eyes. “Why not wear that dress?” I smiled: “Haven’t washed it, you became so unparticular after a business trip.” Panic flashed in his eyes, then he smiled and shook his head, “Pregnancy brain for three years, looks like I’m the silly one.” Then diligently brought shoes to me, “Princess please lift foot.” Prepared everything needed for going out in detail. Phone rang suddenly before leaving. He looked, expression unchanged. “Sweetie, I’ll take a call.” “You sit and rest a while.” I opened my phone, found the abortion appointment interface. Finger paused, no movement. Cold silence in the air for three minutes. He came out from the soundproof balcony, silent for a long while. Expression a bit guilty, voice extremely low. “Company has some problems, I have to go there quickly.” “Scarlett, make up Valentine’s Day tomorrow okay?” “Or I let the assistant accompany you to play first?” Tone almost pleading. Although I comforted myself long ago, he probably doesn’t love anymore. Or loves more than one. Heart still sank inevitably. He lowered his head daring not look into my eyes. “I swear, just this once.” I said gently: “Okay, you go.” He sighed with relief instantly, “Thank you for your understanding.” Self-lamented: “Really married a good wife.” Hurriedly planted a kiss on my forehead, turned and left. Completely didn’t notice my obviously red eyes. Julian, actually I saw. The one calling you was Teacher Daisy. Chapter 4 I asked my lawyer best friend Chloe to help draft a divorce agreement. Took a taxi to the hospital myself, didn’t tell anyone. Afraid of softening if persuaded. After all, I looked forward to the baby’s arrival more than anyone. Doctor looked solemnly at the preoperative checkup sheet in hand. “Ms. Su, fetus is eleven weeks.” “Given your current physical condition, having an abortion might mean unable to conceive in the future.” “Please sign here if confirmed.” My raised hand was trembling. First child with Julian, aborted under his mother’s coercion. Five years, I still clearly remember how painful the painless abortion was. Also remember him hugging me tightly after surgery, red-eyed promising to love me forever. Just finished signing, phone ding-dong, Daisy accepted the friend request. Her Moments updated ten minutes ago, [Just couldn’t help saying miss you.] Picture shows two hands fingers interlocked. Laughable is Julian still wearing the ring I gave. But flew to Miami leaving me behind just because she missed him. When they kissed under the Canton Tower, I was lying on the operating table. When they walked by the river, I was pushed out of the operating room. Chloe rushed over, face paler than mine. “Scarlett, you are too stubborn. Insisted on marrying him back then.” “Now coming alone…” She paused, stopped talking. I curved my lips gently, “Alright.” “How is the divorce agreement preparation?” She sniffled, “Electronic version sent to your email.” “Julian he… cheated?” I nodded imperceptibly. Her eyes filled with tears, “Heartache for you.” “If I knew this, I wouldn’t have advised my brother to let go back then.” “I’ll call him back now!” I frowned, urgent: “Chloe!” “Not calling, not calling, don’t get excited.” She put down the phone. “What to do next?” I had no expression, said softly: “You know, my temper is stubborn.” “They are finished.” I told Daisy I learned about her family difficulties, asked if she needed sponsorship. Girl thought she met a benefactor, lines full of admiration. [Sister, I loved reading your books most in high school!] [If possible, really hope to get this sponsorship quota!] I hooked my lips, [If convenient come to New York to meet.] Midnight. Julian messaged me, [Sweetie I just got off work, you not home?] [Don’t know why heart always panicked, really want to see you immediately.] [Playing at Chloe’s? I pick you up.] I said: [No need, staying at her place these days.] [Came often when you were away, used to it.] Silence on the other end for a long time. [Sorry, Scarlett.] [I promise won’t happen again.] Again? We have no again. A week later, I wore a waist-cinching long dress attending the press conference. When Julian arrived, gaze fell on my flat belly first, frowning. “Why thinner?” “Baby teasing you again?” “Tsk, really have to spank hard then.” I smiled, “Julian, let me introduce the little girl I want to sponsor.” Turned back holding the girl waiting aside, “Come, Daisy, this is your brother-in-law.” Julian froze on the spot, gaze shifted from her somewhat panicked. Girl spoke first, “Hello brother-in-law.” He nodded indiscriminately, forced a smile. Conference started. I announced the marriage with Julian, and told the reason for this sponsorship. Finally pointed to the screen. “Daisy is a good child, these are some awards she won during school.” However, once the video played, the audience exploded. Julian ran onto the stage with a pale face, supporting my trembling body. “Scarlett, listen to my explanation.” “Don’t believe these, must be someone wanting to harm our baby!”

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Julian Meng had an extraordinary temperament. I thought, finding him as my first love, even if we broke up, there would be no regrets. So I chased Julian wildly. Moved by my pursuit, he made a three-point agreement with me: Just dating, no marriage, break up upon graduation. I agreed happily. We were together for three years, interpreting love to the fullest. On graduation day, I initiated the breakup. But he regretted it. I was shocked: “Didn’t we agree? Break up upon graduation!” I clearly remember, at the end of that day, our talk collapsed. Julian lowered his always proud head, smiling self-deprecatingly: “Jane Chang, you’d better pray we never meet again.” From then on, I avoided him. However, with a gentle flick of God’s finger, the world became very small, and two people always have a time to meet again. Chapter 1 Julian and I tacitly abided by an unspoken rule. We were only a campus couple. Once out of school, like during holidays, we went back to our own homes and ceased contact. In those days without contact, he was the famous Julian Meng of New York, and I was the obscure Jane Chang of Chicago. We didn’t text, didn’t voice chat, didn’t ask about each other’s whereabouts, as if we were still single. I thought this niche mode of getting along would last until we graduated and broke up. However, the summer vacation of sophomore year was exceptionally long, lasting eighty days. Before leaving school, Julian asked me: “Will you miss me?” I hugged him and acted coquettishly: “Mm, I will miss you very much.” He pulled me into his arms, kissed my head, and didn’t say silly things like “contact me if you miss me.” I have always liked this rationality in Julian. His family background is high, and his future partner will definitely be found within the same circle. We both knew very well that there was no future between us. The reason for dating was probably just to experience a pure campus romance, and I happened to fit Julian’s taste for a girlfriend. In school, Julian was my boyfriend. Outside of school, when he became the Third Young Master of the Meng family, he didn’t want me to disturb his life. I followed his wishes, cooperated silently, and never crossed the line. At that time, I never expected that this rule would eventually be broken by Julian himself. The summer vacation was too long. He sent a message saying he wanted to return to school early, a full month earlier than our agreed return time. When I received the message, I was surprised and teased him: “Why return early? Did you miss me?” He didn’t reply to this message. However, since then, whenever there was a long holiday, Julian would ask me: “Do you want to travel together?” Most of the time, I agreed happily. We went to many cities together, watched stars in the desert, and watched the sunset on the island. When I appreciated the scenery, I was often very serious, so I was always startled by Julian’s sudden kiss. He loved to cup my face and kiss me from above. A very domineering posture. In intimate behavior, Julian liked to take the initiative, and liked me to be forced to accept. However, at every critical moment, I would ruin the atmosphere and call stop. Julian’s eyes were stained with desire, his Adam’s apple rolled unbearably, but he didn’t speak, just raised his eyebrows and asked in confusion: “What’s wrong?” My answer was always: “Don’t want to.” Clearly, desire was baring its fangs and claws, and he sweated a thin layer. But as long as I called stop, he could always restrain himself, go into the bathroom to take a cold shower, and come out to hug me for pure sleep. After I refused many times, Julian seemed to guess a bit of my mind. If there was a sign of misfire again, without me refusing, he would consciously get up and take a cold shower. The only exception. That day, he saw a message sent to me by a friend and asked me: “Who is this?” I didn’t hide it from him: “It’s my friend from Chicago.” He didn’t say anything more at the time. At night, his attitude became tough. I pushed back. He pinched my wrist, pressed it on the headboard, and continued. I avoided his kiss and emphasized: “Julian, I don’t want to!” “Why not?” He asked, “For that friend in Chicago?” Clearly a very proud person, when jealous, he was as hard to coax as a mad dog. I never said it thoroughly, but Julian should understand in his heart that I didn’t want to go to the last step with him because I knew he wouldn’t be the one to stay with me in the end. I didn’t want the bond between us to be too deep. Julian was a gentleman, understood my thoughts, and didn’t force me. It’s just that every time we were intimate after that, he seemed to be competing with someone, very grinding. Chapter 2 In the second semester of junior year, the day we agreed to break up was getting closer. Thinking of ending this relationship, I felt reluctant. To avoid future pain, I began to prepare psychologically for detachment in advance. That year’s trip, Julian arranged to go to the UK. On the second day of arrival in Kent, I was still sleeping off jet lag when a group of people broke into the hotel. I was forcibly changed into a wedding dress, put on perfect bridal makeup, and taken to a carriage outside the hotel. I don’t know when Julian arranged all this. I held a wedding with him in Canterbury Cathedral, officiated by a priest personally. No one observed the ceremony. Only the two of us. An unacknowledged wedding. It wasn’t until the moment we exchanged rings that I finally understood why he uncharacteristically asked me for a ring as this year’s birthday gift. Turns out, it was just so that at this moment of exchanging rings, I could take out a ring. This was an invalid wedding. We both knew it well. But that night, when Julian was panting heavily and intending to take a cold shower, I stopped him. I pressed him on the bed and kissed him hard. He trembled all over and lost his voice calling me: “Jane.” I scolded: “Wedding night, Julian, don’t be unromantic.” It didn’t matter. I thought, who cares where he goes in the future. Only today, I, Jane Chang, am his bride. I indulged myself. Just this once. I thought it was just once, but later it was actually many times. Some principles, once broken, seem to have no stand to abide by anymore, can only be broken again and again, retreating step by step. Julian and I were both out of control, unable to brake. I told myself, just treat it as a countdown indulgence, leaving a bit of madness, not in vain of occupying Julian once. I wasn’t sure when Julian would bring up the breakup. After all, our original agreement was: Just dating, no marriage, break up upon graduation. Not specific to which day. I waited anxiously for a while, but he delayed speaking. The ticket back to Chicago was already bought. No time to drag on, Julian and I needed a formal farewell. I actively asked him out, in a relatively quiet restaurant near the school, and brought up the breakup with him. I thought about Julian’s reaction. I thought he would uphold his consistent style, accept it calmly, and then say goodbye gentlemanly and decently. I didn’t expect him to look at me quietly and say: “No.” I didn’t react, asking him blankly: “What no?” He stared deeply into my eyes: “Jane, I don’t want to break up.” Chapter 3 My brain suddenly became messy. Julian is definitely not a person who goes back on his word. He has always kept his promises and practiced what he preached. So, I have always firmly believed that breaking up was a certainty. Never expected that he would regret it. When did he change his mind? I didn’t notice at all. I panicked a bit inside. Because I never thought about continuing with Julian. Breaking up upon graduation, this agreement, in my opinion, was happy for everyone. Julian’s temporary change of mind caught me off guard. I couldn’t speak, only staring at him in disbelief. My reaction was probably far from what he expected. His tone rarely mixed with a bit of urgency: “I know what you are worried about.” “Jane, give me five years.” “In five years, I guarantee that no one in the Meng family will interfere with my marriage anymore.” “By then, we will hold a wedding again, invite friends and family to witness, with a red book stamped by City Hall, justifiably announcing to the whole world that we belong only to each other.” “Jane,” he asked me, “What do you say?” Facing his eager inquiry, I dodged his gaze guiltily, bit the bullet, and stammered out a sentence: “Didn’t we agree? Break up upon graduation.” Julian was obviously stunned, asking unconsciously: “What?” Now that things have come to this. If I don’t make it clear, I’m afraid misunderstandings will arise. I took a deep breath and said bluntly: “I want to break up.” Julian’s gaze shot over instantly, like a substance, stinging people. He put his arms casually on the table, looked straight at me, and emitted a terrifying aura. “Why?” This sentence revealed a faint dead silence, as if compared to doubt, he actually wanted to hear the answer from my own mouth. I had never felt such oppression from Julian. With the mentality of cutting the Gordian knot, I shook out all my heartfelt words. “Because we are not a match.” “I have no great ambition, just want to eat and drink enough every day and live a smooth life.” “Don’t want to be made difficult because of the disparity in family status.” “Also unwilling to labor mentally and physically to deal with complex interpersonal relationships.” “Once married to you, these are inevitable.” “So, actually I never thought about continuing with you.” Towards the end, my voice lowered. I suddenly found that compared to Julian, I seemed very cruel. He planned our future with heart, while I calculated gains and losses inch by inch. It was as if… on our common battlefield, he was determined to fight for me once. And I had long prepared to escape the battlefield. And, did not intend to look back. “I’ve said what needs to be said clearly,” I stood up in panic, dropping a sentence hurriedly like an escape, “I’m leaving, take care.” I turned around. Arm was pulled. Like iron pincers, stubbornly not letting go. I looked back flustered. Julian sat by the table, looking up at me. Such a proud person, at this moment, looked like he was caught in the rain, emitting a cold chill all over. He asked: “If you never thought about having a future with me, why did you give yourself to me?” My breathing stagnated. I threw off his hand, pretending to be relaxed: “Didn’t expect you to care about this? I care less instead.” He seemed to be stung, pupils shaking brokenly. Then, he twitched the corner of his mouth, revealing a self-deprecating smile, let go of me, and stood up from the chair. His tall figure instantly enveloped me in a shadow. His posture was straight, unwilling to bend over, so he just lowered his eyelids, lowered his gaze, and stared at me. “Jane Chang, you’d better pray we never meet again, otherwise, I don’t know what I will do.” I didn’t show it on my face, but my palms were actually full of sweat. I regretted a bit. Shouldn’t have provoked him. That day, I fled the restaurant awkwardly and fled back to Chicago without looking back. From then on, even when traveling, I would specifically avoid New York. I thought I would never meet Julian again in this life. However, man proposes, God disposes… Chapter 4 My cousin Mia married into a wealthy family and invited me to the wedding. The wedding was held in New York. Learning the location, I simply refused the invitation. However, the groom’s side filtered the guest list of the bride’s family and only circled me, thinking I was qualified to show my face. In other words, Mia’s parents were not allowed to attend her wedding. Among relatives and friends, besides me, only a few bridesmaids were granted permission to observe the ceremony. Mia’s mother, my aunt, visited me personally and asked me to “support the scene” for Mia as the only family member. I was forced to take on this ridiculous heavy responsibility. We were arranged to stay in a luxury hotel. Mia would marry from the hotel the next day. The night before the wedding, a young girl added Mia on WeChat, sending her more than ten photos of intimate interaction with the groom-to-be, and a video. A bachelor ENDING party was being held in a villa thirty kilometers away from the hotel. Men and women, cool and eye-catching, partying to the fullest. In the video, the coquettish girl kissed the groom-to-be mouth to mouth sweetly. Mia calmly turned off the phone, greeted me, and six other bridesmaids, saying: “Let’s go, we also go to the party.” I never thought I would see Julian again. After all, New York is so big. I thought, how could it be so coincidental? Four years later, coming to New York for the first time, I would meet him squarely. But God really loves to joke. Mia went to give a display of authority. She slapped the girl without ambiguity. The girl was unconvinced and wanted to find the groom-to-be for support, only to find that he just watched smilingly and had no intention of standing up for her. The groom-to-be’s surname is Wu, named William Wu. The girl didn’t know that Mia had a three-point agreement with William before getting married. No matter how William messed around outside, Mia could turn a blind eye. The only point was, if the wild flowers outside danced in front of her to provoke, when she took action to teach a lesson, William couldn’t help. The girl wrongly weighed her weight in William’s heart. Mia grabbed her hair and blasted her out the door. William acted like nothing happened, closed the door smoothly, then happily put his arm around Mia’s waist, telling her: “Don’t be insensible. Since you are here, go say hello to The Third Young Master.” Mia just finished a fight, collar pulled open, hair messy as a chicken coop. She tidied herself up calmly and said: “Okay, I’ll go over as soon as I clean up.” William left Mia and went over first. There was a table of people over there, handsome men and beautiful women, glamorous, not sure if playing board games or chatting. Anyway, compared to the noise by the pool, it seemed quiet over there. Mia glanced in that direction, then sneakily greeted the bridesmaid group to approach, lowering her voice to whisper to them: “See that table? Except the one in the middle, others are good targets.” The one in the middle she mentioned, I looked over curiously, froze at a glance, and didn’t withdraw my gaze for a long time. I saw him. He didn’t see me. It was Julian. Julian, four years older, was different from my memory. Shedding the immaturity of youth, his eyebrows and eyes are now deeper and more steady, precipitating an outstanding temperament all over. In the bridesmaid group, the most beautiful girl, Bella, asked Mia unwillingly as soon as her eyes fell on him: “Why not him?” Mia pulled the girl’s arm, tone rarely serious: “Him, we can’t reach. Don’t engage in wishful thinking, to avoid getting into trouble.” Bella has a lofty nature. Hearing this, she said a faint “Oh,” as if she listened to the advice.

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Sunny and I are twins. Mom always says she wants to be fair, so she buys two identical copies of everything. But during New Year’s Eve, my sparklers were damp and wouldn’t light no matter what. I secretly swapped two of Sunny’s. The moment I lit them, sparks illuminated the joy in my eyes. And also printed Mom’s ugly face. “Who told you to steal from your sister? I gave you yours and you’re still not satisfied?” “You like fireworks, right? Go then—” She roughly pushed me out the door, forcing little me to go to the field to light the big fireworks. The firework exploded with a bang. When the crackling fire jumped onto the stunned me. I suddenly remembered the so-called fairness over these years. Identical apples, Sunny’s was crisp and sweet, but mine was rotten and yellow at the core. Identical clothes, mine were always mocked by classmates as fakes, tearing after a month. Severe pain invaded my whole body, and I closed my eyes. Mom, I’m dying now. No need to buy two copies of things in the future. Chapter 1 The moment the fuse was lit, the firework tube tipped over towards me due to poor placement. The huge impact knocked me to the ground. At the same time, the firework exploded in the ink-black sky with a bang. Brilliant streamers spread out overwhelmingly, scattering into my eyes. Like bigger, prettier sparklers. The ones stolen from Sunny didn’t burn for long before Mom snatched them away. Sunny cried with red eyes, accusing me of robbing hers. I clutched my handful of damp, soft sparklers. Accumulated grievances surged. I finally looked up, asking the confusion of many years: “Mom, didn’t you say everything is the same? Then why can’t mine light up? Why can Sunny’s?” “Since they are the same, why can’t we swap?” Responding to me was Mom’s slap. Embarrassment and awkwardness of being exposed flashed across her face, raising her voice to scold: “You are so young, why so greedy?” “I’m already so fair, it’s your own bad luck, and you blame me and your sister?” Glancing at the crying Sunny, her anger grew. Pulling the corner of her mouth, she sneered at me: “Don’t you like setting off fireworks? Go light them then, don’t come back if you don’t light them.” Am I really too greedy? I thought. Sky full of fireworks illuminated a twisted, blackened body on the ground. Only then did I realize, that was me. I am already dead. Soul drifting, I went back home again. On the second-floor balcony, Sunny clapped her hands laughing: “Mommy Mommy, look quickly!” Sunny and I grew up in the city, rarely seeing such clear and beautiful big fireworks without obstruction. “Alright, go to sleep after watching, it’s late.” “I’ll go warm up milk for you.” Mom smiled dotingly at Sunny, turning into the kitchen. She habitually took two cups. One poured with imported fresh milk. The other, poured with the cheapest bagged milk from the supermarket, marked ‘near expiry’. Mom frowned, as if smoked by the cheap milk smell. “Sunny, come.” I watched Mom hurriedly make Sunny drink the milk. I’m already dead. Mom, you don’t need to prepare two portions anymore. “Luna, where is Luna?” Grandma Rose in the bedroom called my name. Recently her health got worse, sometimes couldn’t get out of bed. When we came back, Grandma gave me a red envelope, thicker than Sunny’s. Mom questioned dissatisfiedly: “Mom, what do you mean? I give children red envelopes of identical thickness, you are biased right?” The little old lady hummed, touching my head: “I just gave Luna a bit more.” “Should I learn from you? Ten one-dollar bills and ten hundred-dollar bills, that’s not biased?” Grandma gave me a big hug. Unlike Mom, every time I stretched out my arms, she would frown and retreat. “No Luna, Mom’s hug must be double, one for you one for sister.” “If sister isn’t here, giving only you, that’s unfair.” I didn’t understand then. Why when Sunny demanded kisses and hugs from Mom. There was no talk of fairness. “Where is Luna? Luna was muttering about watching fireworks, why isn’t she here?” Grandma sat up anxiously. “She went back to her room long ago, Mom, no need to worry, she’s shrewd.” Mom sneered, eyebrows mixed with deep disgust. “Just stole Sunny’s sparklers just now. I treat her so fairly, she’s still not satisfied?” “Indeed just like her dad, a greedy and cheap ungrateful wolf.” Chapter 2 Pain flashed in Grandma’s eyes. She clutched her chest, throat hoarse: “You can’t just blame the child for everything because Luna looks like him.” Floating in the air, my heart skipped a beat. Remembering these years, Mom took us out. There would be grandmas looking at us in identical princess dresses, praising with a smile: “You really balance the bowl of water well, raising both children so beautifully.” “Sister is like you, then this older one is like dad, right?” Mom’s smile from the second before vanished instantly. The look she gave me was like poison. Later because of my grades, Mom was called to the office. Homeroom teacher saw Mom, mouth corner hooked up an ambiguous smile: “I guessed she was your daughter, this face is exactly the same as her dad.” “Academic performance is also bad.” “But indeed has a pretty face, no wonder you dropped out of school to run away with a man back then, beauty misleads people.” Her teasing gaze fell on Mom. Mom squeezed out a smile, veins on forehead throbbing. She roughly pulled me out of the school gate. A slap made my ears buzz. “I always treated you and your sister fairly, what did I lack you?” “You show me these grades?” She pinched my shoulder, nails almost embedding into flesh. I bit my lower lip daring not speak. Compared to the smart, generous, sweet-talking Sunny. I had nothing to show off except being praised for being prettier, cowardly and cramped in doing everything. “Dirty blood flowing in bones, no wonder I can’t raise well.” Mom left a cold sentence that day. Young me vaguely sensed something wrong with the role of “Dad”. And gradually understood, Mom’s occasional vague targeting and disgust were not my illusion. “Scarlett, your dad and I stopped you back then.” “You said you were willing, willing to not study and go work, willing to give birth to two children.” I looked at Mom ignorantly. She clenched her fists, face iron green. Just like when we just returned to the countryside, Mom took boxes of gifts out of the car. Auntie at the village entrance rolled eyes, smile hidden thorns: “Old Chen’s girl is quite capable, cheated of body and money by a man, now still magnificent.” Mom’s back she tried to keep straight still bent down. She fled awkwardly under their teasing gazes. “I know you regret it, you hate him, but the child is innocent.” Grandma coughed twice violently, eyes full of heavy grief. “If you don’t like Luna, then leave her with me, no need to torture the child.” “How do I not like her!” My mom couldn’t suppress emotions anymore, eyes staring round. Screamed, “What Sunny has, what does she not have?” “What does she have to be aggrieved about, even learned to steal sister’s things.” “I found out before, every time distributing things, her eyes always stare at sister’s, greedy enough.” Mom seemed to grab my braid, scolding mercilessly. “Really an ungrateful wolf, same disgusting look as her dad.” “She is still a child!” Grandma slapped the bedside table hard. “Don’t think I don’t know, you buy Sunny brand name goods worth thousands, buy Luna broken clothes worth dozens.” “The inside of her padded jacket had a big hole, pasted with transparent tape.” Grandma’s voice choked, as if couldn’t bear it. “I wanted to mend it for the child, result cotton taken out inside, all smelly black broken feather pieces.” I froze. So clothes always breaking, not because I was careless, not cherishing. Clothes itchy, smelly, not because I was unhygienic. I secretly touched Sunny’s down jacket. Light and soft, like clouds. Identical appearance things, turned out to be really different. Not my illusion, not my bad luck. Even less Mom being careless. Chapter 3 Mom didn’t want to talk more with Grandma, turned and left directly. She went downstairs to lock the door, as if finally remembering I was still outside not back. Called impatiently towards the yard: “Gu Niannian, not rolling back yet?” Sunny leaned over curiously, pouting: “Is sister angry? Didn’t let her light fireworks, even bigger fireworks.” “Let her make a scene, don’t come back.” Mom mocked lightly, locked the door neatly. “Isn’t there a doghouse in the yard, she is deadly shrewd, can’t die outside.” “Let’s go Sunny, we go up to sleep, ignore her.” She hugged Sunny to bed. I also secretly floated to Mom’s side. Mom flipping fairy tale book, telling story to Sunny. Warm dim light at bedside plated on her face, making her eyebrows and eyes soft as water. I felt a bit unfair. Why can Sunny lie on Mom’s chest listening to stories. And I can only nest in the utility room, sleeping on a small bed made of iron frames. In winter, have to rely on hugging dolls, curling into a ball to keep warm to fall asleep. Now I understand. Mom just doesn’t like me. Fairness, just for show, for me to see, for others to see. Facing Sunny, she has her own standards and privileges for Sunny. But I still stuck to Mom’s back. Almost greedily feeling Mom’s temperature. Mom’s bed so soft, Mom smells so good… Clearly I am already a soul. Why still tears flowing out of eyes. Next morning, Mom prepared breakfast calling Sunny to eat. “Where is Luna? Not up yet?” Grandma propped herself up walking out of room, tone a bit anxious. “Mom you don’t lie down well, get out of bed for what?” Mom seemed to just remember my existence. Froze, brows dyed with familiar impatience again. “Where can she go, hiding in corner sulking.” “She steals things and still reasonable, seems I was too good to her usually.” Grandma’s figure trembled: “Early morning, where can Luna go…” “Not in room either, the bed I made for her is still clean.” Grandma muttered to herself. Raising eyes suddenly sensed a trace of unnaturalness in Mom. She tapped cane, face extremely ugly: “Scarlett, tell truth, where is the child? “Did she… come back last night…” Grandma asked the second half carefully. Mom looked away guiltily, saying rather carelessly: “How do I know, she’s in elementary school, not a small child anymore.” Chapter 4 Grandma was choked with anger. Breathing rapidly, clutching chest panting violently. Mom just said two words to make up, Sunny’s cry cut in. “No! This doll is not mine!” Sunny rummaging through her suitcase. Holding a Disney rabbit crying. “Look its face is crooked, fur messy too, simply a fake.” “Must be sister swapped it.” She red-eyed, crying to Mom. Doll in hand fabric greyish, face crooked mouth slanted, threads opening. Sunny threw on ground with disgust. I waved hand wanting to say no, it was Sunny took wrong when packing. But Mom kicked away the doll, hurriedly squatting to wipe Sunny’s tears. Look, they can totally distinguish, my things and Sunny’s. That doll, was when we went to Disney, Sunny clamored to buy. Price tag 499. When Mom paid, didn’t blink an eye. Until seeing me holding the corner of her clothes. Mom smiled weirdly, said to me: “Sorry Luna, Mom didn’t bring enough money today, buy you same online in a few days okay?” My eyes burst with light immediately. Crisply shouting “Okay”. For many years, I foolishly guarded Mom’s so-called “Fairness” smiling satisfied. “Mom you saw, Gu Niannian same disgusting look as her dad.” “Did I wrong her saying she steals?” Mom gritted teeth cursing, looking at other dirty dolls in suitcase, face darker: “How come these all dirty, is it Gu Niannian doing it too.” Sunny froze, nodded immediately. Actually dolls were dirtied by Sunny. Not first time she framed me, whenever she made mistake, would shout it was me. Mom wouldn’t care about my explanation. She only saw Sunny’s tears. “Cheap thing, she is just jealous of Sunny, I treat her so well, still not satisfied?” “Why gave birth to one more back then, giving birth to this disaster thing too.” Mom scolded harshly. Grandma heard pupils dilated, chest heaving violently. As if unbelievable, such ugly words came from a mother’s mouth. “Good good good, you don’t want Luna, I want.” Grandma walked towards door trembling with cane. Mom frowned wanting to stop, but Sunny cried “Wah”, tripping Mom’s steps again. “Alright alright, Mom buy you a few more okay.” “Anyway your sister isn’t here, buy as many as you want.” Mom comforted Sunny gently. This warm scene, I didn’t want to watch anymore. I followed Grandma to the yard. Wind big outside, blowing Grandma’s thin body swaying more. “Luna, my good Luna—” She shouted my name, but except dog barking in yard, no other response. She stood blankly in yard, old eyes surfacing water light. “Mom, stop looking, let her make trouble, die outside if not wanting back—” Mom’s scolding came from inside. Before I was locked in storage room by sister several times, Mom only thought I was throwing tantrum. “Must have done bad thing dare not come out.” Mom always speculated me with greatest malice. But now Grandma, was sad for me: “This child, must have suffered how much grievance…” Ignoring Mom’s obstruction, insisted walking out of yard alone. Ground frosted, Grandma stumbled every step, but dared not slow down. “Luna, Luna where are you, come to Grandma quick—” She shouted tirelessly, voice choking, “Don’t be afraid child, Grandma protects you.” I floated in air, anxious and panicked. Watching helplessly as Grandma walked towards the empty ground where I set off fireworks. Suddenly, she screamed, collapsed on ground. In front, clearly my unrecognizable corpse.

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Mom always loved to blame me for trusting her too much. She promised me $500 if I got Straight As. But when I went to her with my report card, she said: “I was just joking, who told you to believe me?” She swore to me that if I jumped from the high bleachers, she would definitely catch me. But the moment I jumped, she dodged immediately, letting me smash onto the ground and break my leg. In exchange, she just said lightly, “Told you not to trust others’ words casually. It’s been so many times, why don’t you learn?” I stared blankly as she steadily caught my sister who jumped from the bleachers, realizing that I was the only one participating in this trust test. But the story of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” doesn’t work after too many times. Mom, as you wish, I will never trust you again. Chapter 1 “Lemon is so great! Daring to jump from such a high place. But don’t learn from your sister in the future, it’s dangerous.” My mom hugged Lemon tightly. Although her face was full of smiles, her eyes held lingering fear. Afraid that my sister would fall from such a height and get hurt. But for me, she could withdraw her hand so decisively, watching me smash onto the ground without saying a word. I clutched my broken leg, cold sweat on my forehead, unable to say a word from the pain. The laughter of their family of three drowned out my painful groans. I don’t know how long passed, my sister Lemon noticed me still lying on the ground, broke free from Mom’s embrace, and walked to me. The sarcasm in her words overflowed. “Sister, Mom told you so many times not to trust her. It’s been so many times, why don’t you learn!” “In the end, you deserve it!” Hearing this, I froze. Yeah, Mom has lied to me so many times, why don’t I learn? I can’t even count which time she lied to me this is. When I was five, she said she lost a very important necklace, begging me with red eyes to find it. I searched from 5 AM to midnight. When I picked up the necklace, Mom just said lightly: “Not a very important thing, was it necessary?” After speaking, she laughed at me with Dad and my sister. “Look, how can there be such a stupid person. I was just tricking her, didn’t expect she really believed it.” After laughing enough, she looked at me coldly, “Go wash the dishes, this is my punishment for you. Who told you to trust me so much!” “You are so stupid, you will suffer big losses sooner or later!” I stood there tearfully, at a loss. That was the first lesson she taught me. Chapter 2 Since that day, she seemed to have found the fun of teasing me. Testing my trust in her from time to time. She even tricked me, saying the neighbor grandma stole her shoes. She pointed at the shoes at the neighbor grandma’s house and asked me to grab them back. With past lessons, I was alert, but Mom said, “I won’t lie to you, trust Mom.” I believed her and grabbed the shoes back. What I got was a beating from the neighbor grandma. She whipped me with a long thin stick, cursing while hitting. “So young and already a thief! If your parents don’t educate you, I’ll discipline you for them!” I cried and banged on the door, but Mom hid inside without making a sound. From that day on, I became the uneducated thief in the community. Peers didn’t want to play with me. Everyone who saw me would mock, “She’s a thief, don’t play with her, even stealing a 70-year-old grandma’s shoes! Shameless!” I defended with a red face, “I am not a thief.” Attracting more ridicule. I went home aggrieved and asked Mom, “Clearly the grandma’s shoes weren’t yours, why did you lie to me they were?” “Can you help me explain I’m not a thief?” Mom pushed me away coldly, “Is this my problem? Who told you to trust me so much!” The title of thief crowned me for more than ten years. My heart throbbed with pain. I couldn’t help asking myself, why after so many times, I still don’t learn. My sister stared at my bruised foot, suddenly kicked it. The pain made me scream. My sister covered her mouth and chuckled seeing me like this. “Sister, you are faking it, right? But you fake it quite well. Your leg doesn’t look broken.” Deep disgust appeared in Mom’s eyes, she urged me. “Stand up quickly. People are around, aren’t you ashamed lying here?” I pursed my dry lips, red-eyed, spitting out pleading words with difficulty. “Mom, my leg is really broken, it really hurts. Can you take me to the hospital?” Before Mom could speak, Dad interrupted impatiently. “Enough, how high is the platform? Can this break your leg? Is there a limit to your acting?” “Your mom and I hate you playing pitiful for sympathy the most, you know? Your sister jumped down fine, why is it only you who have problems!” My heart stagnated suddenly, unable to control my tears anymore, explaining chokingly. “Dad, I’m not faking, my leg is really broken.” Dad sneered, face full of disbelief. Mom was even less likely to believe. After looking at my leg again and again, she came to a conclusion. “Clementine, are you trying to imitate me, testing our trust in you?” Mom didn’t think much and confirmed her thought, disgust towards me even worse. “But Clementine, Mom won’t be as stupid as you. Mom won’t believe your little tricks.” Paused, her face became serious. “I give you one minute now. Stand up and go home with us. If you still pretend, don’t come home tonight!” Her words were cold and heartless. All my words trying to make her believe were blocked at my lips, teardrops falling desperately. Before one minute was up, Mom and Dad were already holding my sister’s hand, warning her. “Don’t lie like your sister in the future, okay? Liars will end up miserably.” My sister nodded, snuggling on Dad’s shoulder, looking at me lying on the ground, she stuck out her tongue maliciously at me. Chapter 3 In the cold snow, I tried to move my body, but the pain in my calf became more intense. Don’t know how long passed, finally a kind person found me and sent me to the hospital. The doctor couldn’t stop rejoicing, “Luckily came early. If a bit later, her leg would have to be amputated!” The warm-hearted auntie touched my head comfortingly and sent me into the operating room. For a whole week, my parents didn’t look for me. The warm-hearted Ms. Sarah stayed by my bed the whole time. During this period, I used her phone to contact Mom, but got Mom’s angry rebuke. She shouted loudly on the other end, “Why are you still lying! For that height, do you need hospitalization?” “If you trick me again, die outside and don’t come back!” “I won’t believe lies like yours that can’t stand!” Ms. Sarah looked at me in surprise hearing this. My face was red, curling my fingers awkwardly, avoiding Ms. Sarah’s eyes, then whispering and choking to explain. “Mom, I’m really hospitalized, can you come pay…” Before I finished, Mom interrupted impatiently. “Enough, I have to take your sister to tutoring. So what if you are hospitalized? Come back yourself, make dinner later, we are waiting to eat!” I swallowed sour water. Before I could say more, the phone was hung up. For a moment, I was ashamed, embarrassment torn on the surface. Ms. Sarah stepped forward to wipe away the tears about to fall from the corner of my eyes with pity, patted my shoulder, tone gentle. “It’s okay, Ms. Sarah is here.” Hearing this, I was stunned for a long time. When I came back to my senses, my face was covered with tears. I threw myself into Ms. Sarah’s arms and cried loudly. I stayed in the hospital for almost two months before going home, but my parents didn’t look for me once. Even the medical bills were advanced by Ms. Sarah. I asked for her phone number, planning to take the surgery bill to Mom for money to pay back Ms. Sarah. Result, just entering the door, Mom slapped my face. My face swelled half up instantly. I grimaced in pain, limping back a step. Mom’s scolding sounded in my ears. “Clementine! Is your heart wild? Not coming home for so long, I really thought you died outside!” “What are you back for now? Get out! Our house doesn’t welcome you!” The passing neighbor Mrs. Higgins noticed the commotion at my door, snorted contemptuously, and slammed her door shut. I pinched my fingers, voice trembling. “Mom, I was really sick. My leg broke that day, someone sent me to the hospital.” I hurriedly took out the payment slip and medical record from my pocket to prove my innocence. Mom snatched them, looked carefully for a long time, then speculated maliciously. “Do you think I will believe it?” “I think you didn’t break your leg, but went to the hospital for an abortion, right?” With that, she crumpled the medical record and threw it in my face. I stepped back in disbelief, not knowing why Mom would say that about me. Her mouth didn’t stop, “Does a broken leg need to stay in the hospital for so long?” “Tell me the truth, did you sleep with those punks outside, pregnant with their child and dare not come back?” I bit my cheeks hard to explain for myself. “No Mom, I really broke my leg that day!” Mom didn’t believe it. Regardless of being outside the door, she started tearing my clothes directly, wanting to prove I was still innocent (virgin). Chapter 4 I resisted slightly, Mom slapped me. Until I was hanging with a few thin pieces of fabric, Mom stopped, glanced at me, and pushed the responsibility onto me. “Then say it earlier. Come in, don’t embarrass yourself outside.” “You already carry the title of a thief. Do you want to carry the name of a slut? Our family can’t afford to lose this face!” My heart felt like a big hole was torn open, howling cold wind pouring in madly, freezing me almost numb. Mom pulled me into the house. Seeing me crying, she couldn’t help scolding. “Cry cry cry! Who are you crying for during New Year’s!” “Clean up your sloppy look quickly, have to go to Grandma’s for Christmas tomorrow morning!” But my tears fell uncontrollably. Mom was annoyed, slapped my face again. Seeming not relieved, she pinched my arm hard before feeling comfortable. I held my clothes like a soulless puppet walking into the room. Outside, not long after, with Dad and sister coming back, it became lively. I hid in the room alone, out of place with everything outside. Through the crack of the door, I was a clown peeping at happiness. Early next morning, when I woke up, they had already gone to Grandma’s. Mom sent a message. [Come over early if up, don’t let people see our joke.] I clenched the phone, took a taxi. When I arrived at Grandma’s, it was already eleven. Mom saw me, pulled me to the corner and scolded. “Why come now! Are you deliberately going against me!” Before I spoke, Mom slapped my head. Instantly, my head started buzzing. I could only see Mom cursing, but couldn’t hear what she was saying. Until mealtime, Mom’s shouting stopped, granting me permission to eat. I breathed a sigh of relief. After eating quietly, it was time for Grandma to give red envelopes every year. Mom hurriedly went to take over my red envelope, but Grandma turned a corner and stuffed the red envelope into my hand, touching my head lovingly. “This is for my Clementine, not for outsiders to snatch.” I pinched the red envelope, looking at Grandma with red eyes. This envelope was thicker than others. Mom’s face turned green and red instantly, finding an excuse for herself. “Sigh, I was just keeping it for her.” Grandma ignored her, turned to give red envelopes to others. Mom glared at me viciously and didn’t speak again. But as soon as we got home, she wanted to imitate the previous method, coaxing me softly. “Clementine, Mom keep your red envelope for you okay? Save it for next year’s pocket money.” I pinched the envelope without moving. Sister actively handed her envelope to Mom. She blinked proudly, setting an example first. I did this countless times. Before, Mom always thought it was taken for granted, but it was different in sister’s hands. A smile appeared on Mom’s face, praising sister unstintingly. “Still Lemon is obedient!” After speaking, she reached out to me urging, “Hurry up, bring your envelope over. Are you distrusting Mom?” “But Clementine, you know Mom never lies to you.” I stepped back alertly, annoying Mom. Her voice added a bit of gnashing teeth meaning. “Bring it over!” I still didn’t move. To claim credit, sister started snatching directly. Failing to snatch, she bit my hand. I was in pain, hand loosened involuntarily. My envelope instantly went to Mom’s hand. I wanted to snatch back, but Mom grabbed my hair directly, dragging me all the way to the door, warning me. “Asked you to hand over just now you didn’t! Must make us discipline you?” “I am your Mom! Would I trick you about things I promised?” “Stand outside and repent properly!” Bang, door slammed. She won’t trick me, then who tricked me? I looked at the spot helplessly, hot tears falling. The medical fee to pay back Ms. Sarah is gone just like that. I took out my phone trembling, calling Ms. Sarah, voice carrying aggrieved crying tone. Ms. Sarah’s gentle voice sounded, “Clementine?” I couldn’t suppress the emotions in my heart anymore and cried out, asking while crying. “Ms. Sarah, you said before if I can’t pay medical bills, I give myself to you to pay debt. Does this still count?” Mom just opened the door to urge me to throw trash, but her hand handing trash froze suddenly upon hearing this.

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