My salary is $60k. I accidentally glanced at the pay stub of a new hire in my team, impressively printed with $150k. I didn’t say anything, continued to teach him hand in hand, fix bugs for him, help him report to the boss. He relied on my results to get the quarterly bonus, high-spirited in the meeting. End of year renewal, HR smiled and said to me: “Young people should look at the future, don’t care too much about gains and losses.” I pushed my resignation letter in front of her. Next day, the core project responsible by the whole department, system backend went directly red. Chapter 1 Monday’s stand-up meeting, the air was dull like a soaked sponge, couldn’t squeeze out a bit of fresh oxygen. Overhead fluorescent tubes hummed faintly, light pale, shining on everyone’s face with a layer of greasy fatigue. I finished reporting last week’s development progress, every node, every data, clear and accurate. This is the result I exchanged with two all-nighters. Department Director Mr. Miller nodded, no expression on his face, as if listening to an irrelevant weather forecast. “Mm, noted.” He cleared his throat, leaned forward, face instantly piled up a kind of almost greasy appreciation. “Next, let Chad say a few words. Although Chad just came, his ideas are very novel, potential huge!” Eyes of everyone in the conference room focused on Chad Sterling beside me. Chad, twenty-four, Ivy League graduate, resume golden. He stood up, cleared his throat, opened a PPT. That PPT cover was indeed designed gorgeously, was the only “contribution” he made after I stayed up all night writing the report. He was high-spirited, eloquent, repackaged core content of my report with various trendy tech buzzwords. What “underlying logic”, “empowerment”, “closed loop”, “synergy”, Mr. Miller and other leaders nodded frequently. I sat below, expressionless, fingers curled unconsciously under the table, nails digging deep into palm. That report, every word, every punctuation, was written by me. After the meeting, I went to print documents. Printer spit out warm paper, I organized them one by one, just about to leave, corner of eye glimpsed a forgotten strip of paper in the corner. It was a pay stub. Two words “Chad Sterling” on it, clear and dazzling. I picked it up as if possessed. Base salary, performance, bonus… finally, the net amount column, a number like a red-hot iron, burned fiercely on my retina. $12,500. (Monthly) Multiply by 12, that’s $150,000. My hand shook uncontrollably, that light paper, at this moment heavy as lead. On my pay stub, that number was $5,000. ($60k/year) Huge sense of absurdity and humiliation, instantly drowned me like a tide. I heard my own heartbeat, thump thump, heavy and slow, smashing in chest. I quickly recovered, pressed that pay stub under my documents, walked back to my station quickly, movements calm as if nothing happened. Chad swayed over leisurely, plopped on the chair next to me, turned his laptop over. “Julian, quick help me look, what’s going on with this bug, too hard to fix.” His tone taken for granted, carrying complaint. I glanced at the screen. That bug was caused by him writing a wrong parameter yesterday afternoon, a mistake so low-level it couldn’t be lower. I didn’t say a word, took over the computer. Didn’t ask him why, didn’t explain the principle. My fingers typed on keyboard, modify, save, compile, run. Whole process less than five minutes. Green “BUILD SUCCESS” prompt jumped out. He leaned over to look, face showed relaxed expression, lightly said: “You are still the best.” Finished, he held his cup, turned and went to the pantry. I heard his voice bragging to other colleagues, separated by cubicle partition, blurry, but that proudness penetrated everything. “…a small problem, fixed in minutes…” I looked at my computer screen expressionlessly, on it was the core code annotation document I was writing. These codes were typed out by me line by line, the skeleton of the entire system. Afternoon, he came with a USB drive. “Julian, those annotation documents and maintenance manuals you wrote, copy a set for me, I learn learn.” I looked at him, he smiled harmlessly. I plugged in the USB, copied everything I organized for half a year, my own knowledge base, everything I prepared to prevent others from being blind when I’m on leave, all to him. No hesitation. After he left, team’s QA engineer Sarah quietly leaned over, lowered voice said: “Julian, you are… too generous. Must guard against others.” Sarah is over forty, stayed in company for almost ten years, seen all kinds of waves. I smiled at her, that smile might be uglier than crying. “It’s okay Sarah, all for work.” I knew, I was not generous. I was just handing them the rope to hang myself. No, handing them a gun, but I already loaded the bullet in the chamber that will shoot at themselves. Quarterly report meeting, all mid-high level management attended. Chad used materials and results I gave him, made an extremely gorgeous PPT. He talked eloquently on stage, as if the person who fought all night and overcame difficulties was himself. Mr. Miller listened with a red face below stage, whispering with leaders beside, face full of pride. At the end of meeting, Mr. Miller announced on the spot, because of Chad’s “outstanding contribution” and “huge potential” on the core project, decided to give him a $10,000 quarterly bonus. Applause thunderous. Chad bowed to everyone in applause, gaze swept over me, didn’t stop, as if I was just a background board. Next day, to celebrate, Chad treated the whole department Starbucks. Cups of beautifully packaged coffee sent to everyone’s desk, sweet aroma filled the office. Only, my desk was empty. He didn’t forget, he did it on purpose. He handed the last cup of coffee respectfully to Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller took the coffee, happily patted his shoulder: “Chad, work hard, you are the future of our department!” I looked at them, like watching a farce irrelevant to me. Last bit of warm fantasy in heart, completely cold, broken, turned into cold ashes. I was not enduring. I was waiting for a timing. From that day, I started working more “wholeheartedly”. I quietly organized all my work documents, code records, handover SOPs. Every interface definition, every module logic, every possible exception, I recorded with the most detailed and standard language. I even matched independent instruction documents for every key script I wrote, detailed to the meaning of every parameter and consequence of modifying it. I did it flawlessly, perfect like a work of art. A perfect sacrifice prepared for this grand funeral. Sarah looked at me with eyes full of worry and confusion. She found me privately again: “Julian, what exactly are you thinking? Going on like this, credits are his, blame is yours.” I just smiled at her, said: “Sarah, don’t worry, my value, is not decided by them.” But my price, must be taken back by myself, with principal and interest. Chapter 2 End of year, air began to fill with a restless atmosphere. Company renewal season arrived. HR Manager Karen called me into that familiar conference room always blasting AC. She wore a professional, impeccable smile, personally poured me a glass of water. “Julian, been in company two years, time flies.” She pushed a renewal contract in front of me, posture elegant. “Look, this is company’s affirmation to you.” I opened contract, gaze fell directly on salary column. Increase 5%. $60,000 times 1.05, equals $63,000. A month, increased $250. I let out a cold sneer in heart, face remained calm. Karen started her performance, voice gentle like spring breeze, words carrying unquestionable pressure. “Julian, I know, young people, definitely have expectations for salary. But, you have to look at the future.” “Our company platform is top in industry. Projects you touch here, things you learn, are far more important than this little salary in front of eyes.” She paused, picked up cup drank water, eyes meaningful. “I know, you worked hard mentoring new hires recently. But this is also training for you, leaders’ trust in you. Mr. Miller sees it all.” This sentence was like a switch, instantly ignited my long-suppressed anger. But I didn’t explode. I just raised my head, looked straight into her eyes, calmly interrupted her. “Mr. Miller saw it all, then gave the $10,000 bonus to Chad.” Smile on Karen’s face froze for an instant. Air in conference room seemed solidified. She obviously didn’t expect me, usually silent and honest, to contradict her so directly. “Uh… Julian, this… things can’t be looked at like this.” She tried to make up, “Chad has good background, prestigious school graduate, can bring different resources to company. This is… this is strategic level consideration.” I laughed. Kind of laugh from bottom of heart, feeling everything in front absurd to extreme. “So, Karen, you mean, my technology is worthless, his PPT and his background, worth $12,500 a month, plus $10,000 bonus?” I made it completely clear. I don’t want to play those hypocritical workplace games anymore. Karen’s face completely changed, that layer of professional mask torn by me, revealing arrogance and impatience underneath. She put away smile, leaned back on chair, changed to a business-like cold face. “Julian Brooks, I hope you think clearly. How is job market outside now, you know better than me.” “Don’t be too calculating about immediate personal gains and losses, calculating people, road won’t be wide. This will affect your career development.” Typical PUA speech. Past, I might feel anxious, self-doubt because of these words. But now, I only feel ridiculous. I didn’t waste words with her. I took out another document from my bag, a document I prepared long ago. Resignation letter. I pushed it in front of her, next to that “grace” of $250 raise. “Thank you Karen for teaching.” I stood up, looking down at her. “Maybe my pattern is too small, only can see immediate gains and losses.” “So, this contract looking at future, better leave to people with bigger pattern.” I picked up my bag, ready to leave. Karen was completely shocked by my move, she stood up abruptly, tone sharp. “Julian! What do you mean? Threatening company?” I stopped, turned head, face wearing a smile she couldn’t figure out. “Oh, forgot to tell you, Karen.” “I already found next job, salary doubled.” This sentence was fake. I didn’t find next job at all. But I needed this sentence, to cut off any thought of them trying to keep me or suppress price. What I wanted was not raise, what I wanted was leave. What I wanted was, to see how this magnificent stage built by my own hands, trampled by them at will, collapse轰然 (with a loud crash) after I leave. Looking at Karen’s twisted face from shock, anger, to disbelief, I felt an unprecedented relief. I turned, pulled open conference room door, walked out without looking back. Behind, was dead silence. Chapter 3 Resignation procedures went surprisingly smooth. When handing over work, I printed that “perfect” handover documentation into a thick stack, placed on Mr. Miller’s desk. “Mr. Miller, all code permissions transferred, server accounts also transferred to Chad. This is handover document, all details inside.” Mr. Miller didn’t even look at that document, just waved hand impatiently. “Noted noted.” His face carried an undisguised contempt, as if saying company turns fine without anyone. Chad stood aside, mouth corner hanging triumphant smile. In my eyes, he looked like a silly prince inherited throne, not knowing he inherited an empire about to erupt volcano. After finishing all procedures, holding my box walking out of company gate, Mr. Miller even hypocritically came out to send me off. He patted my shoulder, tone kind. “Julian ah, keep in touch. Wish you bright future.” I smiled. “Borrow your good words.” I didn’t look back, stepped into winter afternoon sun. Sunlight a bit dazzling, I felt comfortable all over. Air of freedom, really good. Second day after leaving, was Monday. An ordinary Monday no longer need wake up early squeeze subway. 9:30 AM, Market Open time. I was leisurely sitting at home dining table, eating fresh baked toast, drinking hot soy milk. Phone suddenly started vibrating crazily, like an angered hive. Various notification sounds rose one after another, screen lit up instantly. It was former company’s department work group chat. Although I already quit group, Sarah pulled me into a private small group of us few old colleagues. At this moment, in that small group, former colleagues were crazily forwarding screenshots from big group. “Big trouble! Company core trading system backend all red!” “Exploded! All exploded! All trading modules hung!” “Customer order requests all timeout, log system also crazily reporting errors, already burst!” “Holy cow, what situation? End of world?” Immediately after, was a screenshot of Mr. Miller roaring in big group. He crazily @everyone, every sentence with several exclamation marks. “What is happening!!! Who can tell me what is happening!!!” “Chad! @Chad you are responsible for this project now! Why system crash? Fix it now!!” Few minutes later, Chad finally bubbled in group, tone panicked and eager to clear relation. “Mr. Miller, I’m looking! Seems underlying architecture has problem… feel… feel it’s Julian didn’t hand over clearly before leaving!” He unsurprisingly, first time started throwing pot (blame). Sarah immediately sent a message in group, like stating a fact. “Julian’s handover document I glanced once, detailed to every parameter annotation. No issue of unclear handover.” Whole group silenced for a moment. Immediately, my phone rang loudly. Caller ID: Mr. Miller. I looked at that name, pressed hang up. Then, without hesitation, dragged him into blacklist. Ringtone just stopped, WeChat notification rang again. It was HR Karen. Her avatar jumped on screen, message tone soft enough to drip water. “Julian, there? Free? Company system has some emergency, want ask you help look, pay can be negotiated.” I looked at that message, pressed “Read” button. Then, buckled phone screen, continued eating my breakfast slowly. I drank last mouthful soy milk, feeling warm liquid slide into stomach comfort. Various messages constantly popping on phone, in my eyes, just accompaniment to this big show opening. This is not a bug. Nor hacker attack. This is just a small “Scheduled Cleanup Script” I wrote. Its function, is at 9:30 AM on first working day after my employee account cancelled by backend, automatically clean all “temporary cache files” and “redundant daemon processes” created in my name. Original intention of this script, was to ensure system cleanliness and security. Just that, they none knew. Scheduling center of entire core trading system, those most critical, core processes, all rely on these processes I marked as “redundant” to live. They are like tree roots, buried deep in soil, invisible, untouchable, but once pulled, whole tree will instantly wither. This is the first appetizer in the farewell gift package I carefully prepared for them. Good show, just started.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390103”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Ninth year of marriage. I just found out my husband gave the son I birthed to his First Love to raise. When I learned this, the child was already seven. Urgently needed to enroll in an elite elementary school. Husband with a guilty face, discussed Strategic Divorce with me: “Swapping the child back then was a helpless move, Giselle is infertile, her life in her husband’s family was hard.” “Don’t worry, once the child is enrolled, we will remarry immediately.” Looking at my son’s face full of hatred towards me, my heart was dead as ash. Calmly nodded, got the divorce decree. While they happily went to get their marriage license, I boarded a one-way flight to the other side of the earth alone. This home, I don’t want it anymore. Chapter 1 The day we came out of the City Clerk’s Office. Julian Sterling suddenly stopped, tone hesitant: “Willow, later when I get the marriage license with Giselle, if you feel awkward being there, you can go home and wait for us first.” “Tonight we family will eat a reunion dinner together.” “By the way, Giselle and Spencer love your Crab Cakes, coincidently today is both their birthdays, you make more, atmosphere will be better then.” I froze for several seconds. Giselle and the Sterling family’s “reunion dinner”, still needs me, the ex-wife, to cook personally to perform? But I was too lazy to argue, casually perfunctory: “Mm. You guys busy, I head back first.” A trace of relief appeared on Julian’s face. Just turned around. From the marriage license side, a small figure ran over, threw headlong into Julian’s arms. “Daddy, Daddy, we are here!” “Daddy, can I see you every day from now on?” “Am I also like other kids, have Daddy and Mommy attend Field Day together!” Julian smilingly responded to the child one by one, full of patience. Voice usually cold as ice, now gentle like spring breeze turning rain. Leaving this afternoon. I still couldn’t hold back, attracted by that childish voice to look back. Wanted to take a last look, at the child I risked my life to birth seven years ago. Spencer and Julian, holding hands, big and small standing there. Almost scaled-down facial features and expressions, unconcealable noble handsomeness, passersby couldn’t help but look a few more times. Giselle with a smile, elegantly paced over from not far away. She specially wore a slim simple wedding dress today, fitting the ritual sense of getting a license, also perfectly outlining her curvaceous figure. I then noticed. Julian wore a brand new Bespoke Suit today, perfectly matching her wedding dress. Two people standing together, exceptionally compatible. Julian at this moment also looked at Giselle somewhat entranced. Wonder if he was regretting their fate delayed for many years. Spencer’s small hand took Giselle’s hand, holding his dad and mom left and right, eyes smiling into a slit. Family of three,俨然 (just like) a template of thousands of happy families. Clearly my husband, my son born by me. But at this moment. I was like the most superfluous person, standing alone in place. Bitter unspeakable. Heart like gouged by countless sharp blades, riddled with holes, pain finding no exit. I stiffly turned, planning to leave directly. Next moment caught off guard, pushed hard from behind, stumbled. Chapter 2 “Dead woman, why you still pestering my daddy?” “My daddy is going to marry my mommy, can you roll far away, don’t be a mistress to daddy and mommy okay?” Child’s voice very loud, resounding through the entire City Clerk hall. Instantly countless scrutinizing gazes cast over. My face turned thoroughly red, wished to drill into ground crack on spot. But heart felt absurd and ridiculous to extreme. I also hysterically cried and questioned Julian. Clearly we are legal couple, why want me sacrifice and fake divorce with him? Why can’t bring Spencer back for me to raise myself? For Sterling family, even buying ten schools is fine, let child study so hard? And Julian’s explanation to me back then was: “Spencer very stubborn, refuses to be in same household with you, he only recognizes Giselle as his mom.” “Giselle insists on sending child to public school, cultivate child’s endurance.” Finally he even frowned and scolded me: “Willow, Giselle is not biological mother, can consider long term for child, you shouldn’t indulge in love and affection, planning more for child, is the look of a mother.” I was shocked dizzy by Julian’s words. Planning? Is it I don’t want to plan for child? My child since born, I didn’t see one face, was taken away. Everyone told me, I birthed a stillborn. I didn’t even know who to cry to. Who gave me chance to plan? How come now I unwilling to cooperate with their absurd acting, became not considering for child? How come I became mistress in others’ eyes? “Spencer, what nonsense? How can you speak to Mother Willow like this?” “Watch less TikTok, learning those bad words, careful I confiscate your phone!” Thoughts interrupted by Julian’s stern scolding. He already straightened face, brows condensed with raging anger. Giselle quickly stepped forward, pulled Spencer behind her. A look of trembling fear I would hit the child, busily apologized to me: “Sorry sister, child’s words carry no harm, Spencer is still a child, doesn’t understand meaning of those words at all.” “I apologize to you for him, you must not calculate with him.” She apologized while bowing, attitude humble to extreme. As if I was that unreasonable shrew insisting on making things difficult for biological son. Once cold arrogant New York rich flower, now for child, deliberately put posture extremely low. Sincere motherly heart, hard not to move people. Julian sure enough couldn’t watch anymore, anger turned into heartache. Cleared throat, turned head frowned advising me: “Willow, be more generous. On such a big day, why make things difficult for Giselle.” I almost laughed in anger. Didn’t say a word, became I deliberately making difficult. Turns out heart grows crooked, eyes will also selectively blind. I just about open mouth to defend. Interrupted again by a voice full of vitality. “Giselle, who let you apologize to her? I see who dares let my Sterling family eldest grandson apologize?!” Chapter 3 Julian’s mother carrying a $200,000 Birkin Bag, walked over nobly. Forcefully protected Spencer whole in arms. Grandmother and grandson stared at me with common hatred. I smiled bitterly in heart. Yes. Sterling family values heirs so much, yet could tolerate me sitting in Mrs. Sterling position for full nine years. Turns out people long had enough trump cards. Funny thing is. Birthing child I had massive hemorrhage, Hysterectomy, forever lost fertility. Mother-in-law knew truth clearly, yet still three times five times used this pain point to beat and humiliate me in front of whole family. Saying I can’t even birth a son, not even count as woman, even less worthy of figure like Julian. Julian every time hearing these, just frowned and hid, never spoke a word for me. Afterwards would hug me comfort: “Mom just too eager to hold grandson, words have mouth no heart, don’t calculate with her.” “I only need you enough, have child or not, I really don’t care, your happiness is only thing I care.” That time I was moved by Julian’s sincerity, gradually stopped persisting on child. But seven years passed, they suddenly told me, my child actually still alive. But child already so big. Refused to accept me no matter what. What can I do? I closed eyes, unwilling to look at them again. Turned just took a step, Julian called me again. “Willow.” “You go home wait us first, finish very soon.” My steps didn’t stop, walked straight towards door. Behind came mother-in-law muttering dissatisfaction. “Wait what wait, tonight is Sterling family grand reunion dinner, she a divorced outsider present not convenient.” “Besides Spencer also doesn’t want see her, rare child birthday, let child happy once.” Steps under feet faster and faster. Finally like fleeing, quickly left the hall. Chapter 4 Sunlight outside City Clerk’s Office just right. Weather very suitable for long journey. I exhaled a deep breath of stuffy air, whole person recovered a bit. Divorce only, nothing big deal. Leaving matter, I didn’t tell anyone. Except best friend Nina. Current Sterling family, even Wen family has to fear a bit. If knew I want to leave, definitely many people would dissuade me. Nina pushed my three giant suitcases, shuttled in airport accompanying me busy back and forth. “Willow, take good care of yourself there, don’t for those two not things white-eyed wolves, make yourself live too bitter in heart.” “Relax, I die won’t tell anyone where you went.” Nina gritted teeth scolded Julian for long time, finally ordered me: “Heard not? Later give me fiercely happy!” Finished, she turned ran away. Afraid slower, tears seen by me. My tears long couldn’t hold, burst moment she turned. Couldn’t stop no matter what. Happiness, such a luxurious word. Probably only only best friend always by side for years, can see clear if I really happy. Seventeen first met Julian love at first sight, I thought found happiness. Eighteen reunited Julian studying in Europe, I also thought was happiness. Twenty-two married Julian without hesitation, I more firmly believed was lifetime happiness. Twenty-three suffered all bitterness pregnant gave birth for Julian, I even thought God too generous, let my life so complete happy. But in the end, recall my nine years marriage. Just a huge ridiculous bubble. Those happiness, never were but my fantasy. Start to end, Julian heart only put Giselle in first place. Even she already married others, even he also already married wife. He even could without soft hand, give our biological flesh and blood to her to raise. I really silly pitiful. Don’t know cried how long, until notification about to board, finally calmed a bit. Phone suddenly popped few WeChat notifications. Julian sent me several messages. Chapter 5 [Willow, sorry, delayed some schedule here, dinner might push back a bit.] [By the way, Giselle and Spencer’s birthday cake you no need prepare, Giselle said Spencer not used to eating cake made by others, every year wants her hand make then willing eat.] [Avoid you made and disappointed again.] I stared at phone dazing, didn’t reply. Seemed afraid I angry, moment later added two sentences: [You don’t overthink, Giselle said, she won’t snatch Spencer with you.] [Child also needs slowly cultivate feelings. We slowly come, okay?] I still didn’t know what reply him. Also nothing good to slowly come. Disappointed too many times, dare not have any extravagance again. Me and Spencer, actually not strange. From he few months old, Giselle often used family friend name, hold Spencer to Sterling old mansion for short stay. Sometimes I just bumped into. That time, smaller Spencer seeing me, would also smile out dimples. But later Spencer gradually grew up, every time came Sterling house, seeing me eyes were fear evasion. Later again, even disgust. Until Julian confessed truth to me, I like crazy found my biological child Spencer. I dare not rashly step forward hug him. Only bought toys he usually loved playing, fawningly presented. But Spencer didn’t even look, backhand threw gift I sent into trash can, even scolded me a dirty word. I never knew, less than seven years old child, how could burst out such big hatred and hostility in eyes. Those few days I completely collapsed. Couldn’t eat couldn’t sleep. Thought no matter how, what exactly did wrong myself. Julian learned Spencer attitude to me, fiercely educated him a round. Also specially sent Giselle away few days, good give me time cultivate feelings with child alone. In front of Sterling family, Spencer started show gentle polite to me. But once Julian and Mother Sterling left, he immediately restored vicious eyes looking me. Mouthful blaming me, let his mom can’t go home. Even in front of whole family, wronged me privately abused him. Also accused me threatening him must call me mom, otherwise throw him out of house. Such clumsy lie, originally simple check surveillance, then know truth. But when child lifted clothes, body blue purple patches pinch marks. Plus child seeing me, terrified hide to corner reaction. I hundred mouths can’t argue, became target of thousand fingers. Giselle holding Spencer, cried almost faint. Word word sentence sentence all begging me: “Sister, child still small, give him some more time okay, I definitely teach him obediently call you mom! If you have anger just hit me pinch me fine, beg you don’t torture child again okay? Beg you…” Mother Sterling then furious, declared henceforth I can’t alone be with Spencer again. Julian also protected Giselle mother and son, coldly despised me: “Willow, to fight for favor, you actually can lay hand on biological flesh and blood, really too disappointed me.” Disappointment and pain in that eyes, let me even lose courage to defend. That day when leaving. Spencer mouth corner successful smile, I didn’t miss. Also exactly that moment, I finally completely dead heart. Decided do as he wished. As they wished. Personally cut off closest kin flesh and blood. Leave this absurd everything. Thinking thinking, stopped tears, unknown when flowed full face again. Plane about to take off, people around whispering about me. I wiped tears, took out phone want fix makeup. Phone lock screen, suddenly popped a financial headline—— [Billionaire Sterling Corp CEO and First Love High Profile Get License, Welcome Back Sterling Family Next Generation Heir]

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390102”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After remarrying Julian Brooks, I put away my bitter face and became a perfect wife. Julian was very satisfied. Until three days later, he saw me entering and leaving a hotel with another man with his own eyes. Postures ambiguous, talking and laughing, like a couple in passionate love. He flew into a rage out of humiliation, smashed photos on my face like crazy. “Grace, who is this man??” I was concise, “My boyfriend.” Julian laughed in anger, eyes blood red choking my neck. “I already cut clean with that little girl, you revenge me like this right?” I raised my eyes expressionless. “Didn’t you say? Marriage is marriage, doesn’t delay us each having love.” “I also want to know, exactly how cool cheating is, to make you tireless again and again.” Chapter 1 Julian’s hand tightened fiercely, suffocation instantly surged up. I didn’t struggle, just looked at him like that. Perhaps my eyes were too calm, making him feel strange, making the madness in his eyes gradually fade, surging out panic. Hand loosened, I coughed violently, leaving a few red marks on my neck. “Grace, you did it on purpose.” His voice was hoarse, gritting teeth, but unwilling. My mouth corner hooked a self-mocking smile. “Think whatever you want, on purpose or unintentional, does it still matter?” Julian closed his eyes, took a deep breath. Veins on the back of his hand bulged. “Break up with him.” “Grace, as long as you break up with him, I can treat it as nothing happened.” I know, always proud Julian. Being able to say such words, counts as making the biggest concession. But based on what he gives me a step down. I have to take it. I lit a cigarette, gently spat out two words, “I won’t.” My light attitude, enraged Julian again. “Grace, don’t be ungrateful!” He pounced over again, pressed me against the corner, choked my neck. Like a desperate trapped beast. “We already remarried, I also did what I promised you, cut off with Chloe.” Julian scratched his hair irritably, “I transferred her to the branch company, won’t meet again in the future.” “What else do you want?” Heh, really cut off? Calling her Chloe one by one, so intimate. Julian thought I didn’t know. Every time he passed Mount Sinai Hospital, he would stop at the entrance to watch for a while. Only because the surgery Chloe had to abort that child was done in this hospital. Two days ago, the secretary accidentally broke the cup on his desk, he flew into a rage, directly fired the secretary. Also because that cup, was a small gift Chloe gave him. Surface cut off with person. Actually, looking at things Chloe gave every day, seeing things and thinking of people. He didn’t go out to get a room with Chloe again, go to Disney to check in, or road trip to see aurora. He didn’t even actively see Chloe once again. But his missing was like a disgusting seed, growing crazy, then growing into a towering tree. Forcibly lying across our marriage. I sneered, just like he treated me countless times before. Poked the burning cigarette butt on the back of Julian’s hand. “You guys cut off, that’s your business, what does it have to do with me?” Hand was burned a blood blister. Julian withdrew his hand without a word. He looked at me confrontationally, eyes full of fatigue. “Grace, do you have to be like this?” Chapter 2 Have to be like this? Listen to these words, how innocent, how passive. As if he is the implicated victim. Clearly he cheated first, he moved heart to other woman first. Three years ago, Chloe was the company’s new intern, young and beautiful, silly sweet white. Understood nothing, always looking up, blinking innocent big eyes asking. “Mr. Brooks, can you teach me?” Julian gradually fell. He initially always mentioned Chloe a few sentences in front of me. “That new intern, stupid very, not half smart as my wife.” But later, it became “That intern positive and motivated, actually quite cute.” Later again, at my birthday banquet. I was blowing candles, wishing to grow old with Julian, looked up found him gone. When I found him, saw him in the next box pressing another girl kissing crazily. My scalp tingled, reacted crazy like, grabbed everything can grab smashed over. Julian silently blocked in front. But dead protected person behind. He said, “Grace, all my fault, is me didn’t hold, come at me if anything.” “Chloe is just an ignorant little girl.” Later again, he even directly played open cards in front of me. Brought Chloe home. “Grace, we are not young anymore, thirty something, what love to imagine?” “I love you, is true.” “But such days too plain, boring, I also need a bit freshness.” “Stimulation Chloe can bring me, you can’t give.” He said marriage should be like this. Have to breathe, otherwise always feel like a fish almost suffocated. So he could righteously have a new home with the intern outside. But let me like stuck in throat, had to smash grievance swallow into stomach. That time I racked my brains, didn’t figure out. Clearly we initially had a happy perfect family. Exactly what did I do wrong? Just destroyed in one day like this. I unwilling, tried thousand ways hundred plans propose let Julian fire Chloe. He did, but turned head raised person in villa outside city. Five days a week go accompany her. Two people like passionate couple played happily. Chloe every three days would update their travel dynamic on TikTok and Instagram. Julian every time went accompany her, wedding ring on hand would take off, then wear her couple style. Even that group of friends around Julian not surprised. Privately called Chloe “Little Sister-in-law” lively. They seemed justifiable, like got whole world’s blessing. And I seemed like an outdated, forgotten in corner, old pearl yellow, abandoned woman. I unwilling. Again crazy like trouble. Spent high price found private detective, took their intimate video, then spread crazy online. Julian flew into rage out of humiliation, forced me delete. He came find me, that day carrying alcohol smell, rushed in desperately tore my clothes. “Aren’t you just jealous? Grace.” “What you want I give you all, money, status position or body?” “I give you all, beg you let go Chloe…” He voice hoarse used force on me. I die not accept this humiliation, grabbed scissors beside stabbed into his shoulder. Floor full of blood. Julian smile insidious and desolate. “Chloe thin skinned, because this matter troubled almost depression, swallowed pills suicide.” “Grace, if you don’t want me hate you thoroughly, delete video.” When Julian taken away by ambulance, he coldly dropped this sentence, head not back. I die dare not submit, is Julian cheated. Then I even self damage eight hundred, also want hurt enemy one thousand. But my persistence didn’t have any use. Instead waited Julian more ruthless revenge. Chapter 3 Is me let people spread their video crazy online. Chloe lost job therefore, washed face with tears all day, even troubled jumping off building rooftop. She was surrounded by group of people, almost taken advantage. But turned head cried to Julian said. That group of people was directed by me. “Julian, all me deserve die, I shouldn’t provoke you, beg you, let your wife let go me!” Her tears made Julian heartache bad. Next day, my Revenge Porn video was mosaicked, spread all over the circle. That period I every day go out, door would have paint splashed words “Bitch” “Slut”. Those days, curtains forever pulled tight. I closed door not out, shrank in shell like turtle. Holding knees sitting on floor, listening to neighbors whispering outside door. I didn’t even dare turn on phone. Once turn on, phone full of filth words, those people once smilingly called me “Mrs. Brooks”, turned head nailed me on shame pillar. Abused me with most ugly words. Julian came back once. He stood at door, looking at mess on ground, frowned. “Grace, do you know wrong?” He squatted down, pinched my chin. “Say you, put good Mrs. Brooks not do, insist make yourself so embarrassed.” “As long as you properly turn one eye close one eye let go Chloe, we no need trouble so ugly.” Long time, I looked up, eyes dry painful, but also empty terrible. “Julian, I admit defeat.” Because an unwillingness, troubled me have nothing, reputation ruined. I afraid. I put divorce agreement in front of Julian. “Let’s divorce, video I delete, also beg you let go me.” Julian stunned for long time, he looked at me sneer. “Divorce?” “Grace, you actually use this threaten me.” “Don’t you know clearer than me? Our two families came together because of alliance, from moment of marriage, only widowhood, no divorce.” He said right, family interest far exceeds everything. When I proposed want divorce, parents first gave me a slap. They accused me act on impulse, a stupid love brain. “Let you marry Julian, not for you children love long.” “Do you still have Gu family in eyes?” When married, I thought me and Julian match made in heaven. But once step wrong, is ten thousand feet abyss. Two families interest bound too deep. Even if Julian raises countless little wives outside, I also have to decently play a, virtuous Mrs. Brooks. But I don’t want endure. “I willing cut relationship with Gu family, only beg, divorce.” Seeing me word by word, attitude firm. Julian stunned, squatted down touched my face. “Grace, stop making trouble.” His tone so casual cold. “We now not children anymore, marriage originally is each take what need, why you insist grab love not let go?” He took deep breath. “Spread your video online, this matter indeed me wrong.” “I already apologized to you.” “Also let people process those traces completely clean.” He impatiently took out check, “How much you want? Name a price, don’t toss anymore.” My eye rims red, but looked at him resolutely. “Julian, I hate you.” “I only want divorce, just this one, otherwise, what you see only will be my corpse.” Julian didn’t care, sneered, hands in pockets. Leaving time looked down, gave me a glance. “Then you casual, Chloe home power cut, she afraid dark, I have to go accompany her.” “How you want trouble? Self casual.” That day, I took knife cut open my own wrist. Blood like broken dam crazy flowed out, dyed bathtub red. And Julian, however dashingly hugging Chloe, smiling exceptionally dazzling in front of blue dome church in Santorini. Later, when he received news, I already lay in intensive care unit. Julian crazy like rushed back country, he knelt before my sickbed, voice trembling, begged again and again. “Grace, beg you wake up, I agree you anything okay? I agree you… divorce!” “Only beg you don’t have matter!” Chapter 4 Good thing nanny sent me hospital timely. Kept my one life. In operating room, Julian face pale signed divorce agreement. “Grace, if which day you regret, want turn back come find me.” “As long as you willing, you anytime can be Mrs. Brooks.” I always turned face away. Didn’t look Julian once again. After divorce, I didn’t happy as imagined. Instead in following whole half year, fell into severe depression. Countless pills swallowed into mouth. Whole person also became bone thin like wood. One side is public opinion pressure, notorious me already not suitable stay in circle. I originally wanted go far abroad, but on day go airport, blocked by my dad’s bodyguard. My dad forced me, “Remarry with Julian.” “Otherwise, don’t blame me suppress your mom’s ashes under Soul Locking Array do ritual.” Boom a sound. Like a thunder, exploded my brain. There was Feng Shui master once said, my mom’s ashes if suppressed under soul locking array, can be beneficial to Gu family development. Back then was me agreed marry Julian. He then suppressed this matter, now old matter mentioned again, nothing but force me submit. My mom originally left nothing, I can’t be so unfilial, even her ashes can’t keep. Coincidentally that time, Chloe pregnant. Lu family gave pressure, forced Julian break up with Chloe. Mother Lu gave Chloe $5 Million check, forced her go abort child. Chloe saw money eyes open, agreed without hesitation. Julian heart thoroughly hurt, quarreled big with Chloe, not few days suddenly knelt in front of me. “Grace, I wrong.” He eye rims red, like a child did wrong thing. “I already cut with Chloe, person I love still is you, Grace, we remarry okay?” I looked at him, suddenly felt very funny. This man, stepped my dignity under foot crushed, now want pick up piece together complete. But I still nodded. After all my life, already because Julian rotten. How would fear more rotten. Just after remarrying. I put away blaming heaven accusing people shrew face, no longer trouble, obedient can’t more obedient. Even did kind of virtuous wife good mother Julian expected most. Julian thought I experienced so many things, finally thought open. “Grace, I love current you more, calm composed, is a qualified Mrs. Brooks.” He just finished saying this to me satisfied yesterday. Today at door bumped into me and man entering leaving hotel get room, whole person almost collapsed. “We remarried! You are my wife!” “So?” I looked at him, “You can cheat, I can’t find boyfriend? Back then you said marriage just a form, each play each fresh, not said like this.” He was choked speechless, face burst green burst white. As for me, instead face more cold notified him. “If you mind, then I also keep him outside, let you eyes not see as clean.” I directly moved out from original wedding room, lived in apartment outside. Before leave I even considerately looked Julian once. “You also good unobstructed take Chloe back live.” “No matter how you guys trouble, won’t have anyone stop again.” After moving out, Julian called me countless times I lazy answer. Fifth day, he couldn’t sit still. I just off work, Julian waited downstairs my office building, seeing me walk out, irritability smashed photos on my face one by one. “Grace, that man exactly what point attract you? Haven’t you cut with him yet?!” Looking Julian irritable and abnormal. I silently looked at him. “Sick go take medicine, don’t lose face here.” Those photos flew like snowflakes, I bent down casually picked one. Is photo me and Ethan kissing under Empire State Building background. I praised nodded, “Photo skill quite good.” “Hired which private detective, next time remember recommend me.” Julian eye rims red, “Don’t change topic, you explain clear to me, otherwise, this life can’t pass!” He re-picked that photo, tightly clutched, gritting teeth asked me. “You said today want go out see client, want overtime, is it lying me? Did you go see this man again?” I calmly looked his eyes, frankly answered. “Yes.” Julian red eyes, eyes surged monstrous anger. “No wonder you so easily agreed remarry, turns out you wanted use this move revenge me!” “Grace, you wake up, this little white face so young, one look is want cheat you.” Julian whole person collapse extreme, almost broken. “You say, you exactly when got together with this man?” “Before we divorce, or after remarry!” I calmly looked photo once. Emitted light sneer. “When you and Chloe lotus root broken silk connected.” “I just wanted know exactly what taste cheating is, exactly how stimulating, to let you linger forget return again and again.” Atmosphere instantly solidified. I instead turned head smiling looked Julian. “Didn’t you say? Marriage just a cooperation, doesn’t delay us each possess love.” Julian face white. Choked speechless. He definitely remembers, when I crazy catch adultery like a bitter woman. He protected Chloe behind, carelessly sent me away. “Grace, can you calm down?” “30 something adult, how still like a child rough hands rough feet.” “We long passed age of love, now bound together because marriage.” Didn’t he say marriage is marriage, love is love? Then I act one for him. Just didn’t expect, his reaction would be so big. Also, always only his share cheating, where tolerate me half bit unfaithful? Julian looked at me, fatigue in eyes almost overflow. “Grace, we start over, okay? You cut with that little white face, I also send Chloe abroad, never let her come back…” “No need.” I stood up, red marks on neck still faintly aching. Old man or little white face. I not stupid, know which choose. “Julian Brooks, you keep your freshness, I not accompany.” He fiercely grabbed my wrist, “Where you want go? Find that man?” “Yes so what?” I looked straight his eyes, “At least he won’t while saying love me, while entangled with other woman unclear, at least, we together very happy.” Julian face instantly became pale. Hand loose, stumbled back a step. “Grace, how you…” “Divorce.” I interrupted him, voice calm, “This time, I propose.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390101”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

At my husband’s funeral, my twin son and daughter each took out a DNA Test report showing no blood relation with me. Son looked indifferent, “I already know Aunt Sheila is my biological mother. Back then you used dirty tricks to break her and Dad up. We have already moved our household registration to be with my real mom.” Daughter frowned impatiently, “You live in my dad’s house, let the woman he loved suffer for so many years. From now on, you stay at home as a maid to serve her till she dies.” I didn’t cry or make a scene, just nodded calmly. Only because yesterday, I saw them in the hospital with my own eyes, holding forged DNA reports discussing, “Brother, Dad is dead, Mom only has us two relatives left. Really want let her die alone? No one to arrange her funeral?” Son didn’t hesitate, “If Aunt Sheila didn’t give me her heart back then, I would have died long ago. As long as Aunt Sheila is willing, I am her biological son. And you, did you forget who risked life to carry you out during the House Fire? That woman you call Mom, disappeared without a trace when we were most difficult. People taking care of us were all Aunt Sheila. This kind of cold-blooded and selfish person can’t compare to Aunt Sheila’s one finger. I feel disgusted calling her Mom one more time.” I clutched the heavy Artificial Heart in my chest. Tears smashed on the diagnosis of end-stage heart failure. This is also good. I die alone, when the heart stops beating, I can leave without any ties. Chapter 1 Seeing me silent. Son Mason looked impatient, calling my name directly, “Hazel, Dad told me personally before he died. You gave birth to a stillborn back then. He was afraid you would be sad, so he adopted us siblings for you to raise. My mom is kind, for a person like you, she forcefully endured the pain of separation from her children for twenty-eight years. Even if you give your life to her now, it’s not enough.” Daughter Mia echoed as a matter of course, “Exactly, since the truth is out, you are not our real mom, but you enjoyed the fortune that should belong to my mom for so many years. Being a maid to serve my mom is only right.” I stared at their angry faces. Wanted to laugh but couldn’t. Only felt full of absurdity. I was married to George Sterling for thirty years, he cheated with my father’s illegitimate daughter Sheila for twenty-eight years. For his professor’s face, he threatened me with children. Trapped me, the legitimate daughter, in this prison-like marriage. To decorate his facade. But behind the scenes, he acted as a secret couple with Sheila. I wasted half my life, becoming a ghost-like old woman. Sheila was raised not knowing grains, over fifty still like a young girl. Before marriage, she had my father’s preference. After marriage, she had my husband’s preference. Now, this pair of children I held up with half my life. Just when I thought the pain ended today. Also because of her. Used the sharpest blade, stabbed into my heart. Amidst the whispers of the crowd, I was like an embarrassed stray dog. Lowered head grabbed my handbag ready to leave. Mason suddenly rushed over, snatched my handbag, “Don’t think about taking anything from my house.” Handbag was turned upside down. “Crash”. An old phone and a photo floated out. That was taken when they were ten years old, I begged George to take for us. He didn’t even look, impatiently took one. Photo didn’t even focus, three of our faces were a bit blurry. But I carried it for eighteen years, rubbed until edges curled. Mia also recognized the photo I treated as life. Face looked a bit unnatural, “Brother, forget it, she didn’t take anything.” Mason picked up the photo on the ground without a word. Just one look, tore it to pieces and threw it on my face. Facing my instantly pale face. He sneered without guilt, “Originally you broke up my dad and mom. If not for you, our family would be living happily now. Mia and I wouldn’t be separated from our real mom for more than twenty years. You keeping this disgusting photo now is just to deliberately make my mom feel bad, are you disgusting or not?” He got more excited as he spoke, eyes dyed scarlet, “When I was diagnosed with heart problem, you and my mom both matched. You were afraid of death and ran away first time, disappeared for two months. If not my mom stood out to give me her heart, grass on my grave would be two meters high now.” “Thinking about it now, this is the power of blood. Sure enough, only my real mom would risk her life for me. And you, this greedy for life and afraid of death impostor, simply don’t deserve children to send you off.” I looked bloodlessly at this son I had difficult labor for three days and nights. Risked life to give birth. And spent half life cultivating into talent. Using the most resentful eyes. Most vicious words. Chopping one knife after another at my most fatal place. Afraid couldn’t make me painful. Surging dull pain flooded throat, almost made me stand unstable. Just then, a familiar figure suddenly entered the door. Chapter 2 Sheila wearing a black mink coat. Trotted to block Mason, “Mason, don’t say that. Your Aunt Hazel after all isn’t your real mom, I can understand she afraid of death. What I did for you and Mia was all willing. I don’t blame anyone, you guys also stop blaming your Aunt Hazel okay?” Mason red eyes held her hand tightly, “Mom, sorry, let you suffer so many years. Son will never leave you again, no one can separate us mother and son.” Mia even cried choking pouncing into her arms. Three of them hugged tightly together. Weeping with joy for the blood reunion late for twenty-eight years. Only me, standing in the ridicule and banter of public eyes. Lived like a thorough clown. But Mason still didn’t plan to let me go, “I have already processed divorce for you and him according to Dad’s will. Later my mom is Mrs. Sterling. When you die, you are not qualified to be buried in Sterling family grave, find a place yourself.” Mia added hesitatingly, “As long as you concentrate on serving my mom well, after you pass away, I can buy you a coffin to bury in public cemetery.” Public cemetery buries all loners with no relatives, no one to claim. I stiffened in place, actually wanted to laugh, but pulling mouth corner, tears couldn’t help flowing out. Sheila pretended difficult stepping forward to pull me, eyes hiding pride, “Sister, I didn’t want to do this either. But you saw, these two children are filial, insist on giving me a home, I also have no choice, you will understand us right?” Looking at the pair of children guarding Sheila tightly left and right. I cried and laughed. Do I have qualification not to understand? From small to big. Whatever Sheila wanted to snatch from my hand. I never kept. Before was father. Later was husband. Now, at this moment my life is coming to an end. Even my children are lost. I don’t want to fight anymore, also can’t fight anymore. Finally I bent down, amidst floor of photo fragments, only picked up the phone. Funeral ended, I returned to familiar home. But was arranged to live in the narrow cramped storage room. Not even a bed. Mia threw a tattered quilt emitting heavy moldy smell on the floor. Tone full of venting pleasure, “Are you regretting now what you did to me and my brother back then?” I looked at her fingers pinching red. Heart filled with dull pain. My Mia, from small to big always like this. Whenever wronged, would subconsciously pinch her own fingers. Every time was me holding her hand, rubbing open bit by bit, hugging her in arms to comfort. But now, my subconsciously raised hand, was avoided by her with disgust. I blinked eyes astringent to pain, gently smiled, “I don’t regret. Start over, I would still do this.” She gritted teeth, almost instantly red eyes, “You simply don’t deserve to be a mother, deserve to die alone with no one to send off.” Mason also followed in, he obviously heard our conversation. Eyes full of ice slag like coldness, “Why talk so much to this selfish vicious old woman? If she had conscience she wouldn’t be punished by God to have no descendants. Later we concentrate on being filial to our own mom, don’t waste time on her this lowly maid.” Door was slammed heavily, shaking down a floor of dust. I stood in darkness for a long time. Only raised hand wiped face, but found face full of tears long ago. It’s okay, wait a few more days, I can do as they wish, never hinder their eyes again. Sheila already lost all reliance, she will be a mother obediently. This is enough. Chapter 3 Midnight, I was woken by chest stifling pain. Winter twelfth lunar month weather, cold air on ground continuously spread my whole body through thin bedding. I shivering, got up to kitchen pour cup of hot water. Just picked up boiling kettle, a heavy muffled sound hit my head. I stunned in place, vision black for a while. Until a stream of warm wetness slid down from hair. Frozen stiff body then hindsight felt scalp exploding severe pain. But before I opened mouth. Ear suddenly exploded sound of glass breaking on ground. Followed by Sheila’s scream. “Ah, ghost!” Mason and Mia almost rushed in at same time. Looking at broken vase on floor, two people protected in front of Sheila without saying a word. “Sister, you clearly know my heart is bad, why deliberately hide in kitchen scare me? You just hate me not dying?” Sheila clutched chest, crying almost passed out. Mason furious, fiercely turned head glaring at me, “Are you fucking sick? Not sleep at midnight hide in kitchen scare people? If my mom scared out something good or bad, I want you pay life…” He roared halfway, but suddenly choked voice. Gaze dead staring at blood continuously hanging down from my head top, brows twisted into a knot. Mia tone guilty but fierce said, “Injured not hurry go handle, get blood everywhere, disgusting dead.” Sheila seeing this, cried more aggrieved, “I thought thief entered home, so used vase smashed sister, but I was also too afraid. Mason, Mia, my heart uncomfortable, don’t know if artificial heart scared out problem.” Two people’s attention immediately transferred, quickly took out heart protection pills fed her, nervously supporting her walk out. Just walked two steps, Sheila turned head, like suddenly remembered something, “Sister, I a heart bad person where have strength smash your head broken, turns out two bags of ketchup I put in fridge yesterday not found was used by you…” She lowered eyes, red eye rims sighing, “I know, you not reconciled. You rest assured, after New Year, I leave, absolutely not disturb your family of three. I only beg you, let me accompany children finish this last New Year, even if artificial heart stops later die alone outside I also no regrets.” I looked at her bloodlessly, whole body blood cooled down bit by bit. Actually, when learned George seriously ill couldn’t survive this year. I had several beautiful dreams. Me and children finally suffered through. Finally can have a happy reunion New Year. In dream no threat, no abuse, no beating. Only family happiness. TV playing lively gala. Pot boiling white chubby dumplings. Brilliant fireworks, dispelled all haze of my first half life. Even if this is the last year I can accompany them. I was still happy to tears. But I forgot, I was long a person forgotten by happiness. Cold main door opened. Two people who I blocked wind and snow for a lifetime. Threw me into ice sky snow ground. High above gaze, is chill colder than this sky full wind and snow, “So like acting, I let you stay outside act enough.” Before door closed, Mia’s gaze stayed on my thin worn cotton coat for two seconds, “Brother, so cold weather, throwing her outside won’t happen accident right?” “What accident can she have? Strong like a cow. You think everyone like our mom? Heart installed artificial heart, body full of burn scars, need careful nursing. Just her kind of black heart, freeze to death is deserve.” Chapter 4 Main door closed before my eyes, cut off last trace of warmth. I leaned on steps at door. Exhaled breath one colder than one. Heavy artificial heart, like a disrepair old machine, beating slowly and dully. Slower and slower. Happy laughter inside room transmitted continuously through door. “Mom, tomorrow Christmas Eve, we take you out eat big meal count down.” “Mom, this is imported cashmere coat I bought you, very warm, only mom so young stylish wear good looking.” “Mom, later we never let you eat a bit bitter, we siblings will be filial to you forever.” “Mom, we will earn lot lot money, let you become world happiest old lady.” Wind and snow seemed bigger. So cold. Cold heart so painful so painful. I wrapped tight cotton coat worn many years, long clumped not like shape. Leaning in sky full flying snow, borrowing meager light leaking from room. Softly hummed song children liked gather around me sing most when small, “Stars in sky don’t speak, doll on ground misses mom…” How much want accompany children finish this last New Year. Pity, seem can’t wait. I hugged myself tight, heavily closed eyes. Don’t know how long passed, main door behind suddenly opened. My stiff body fell in following momentum. Trance open eyes time, I saw two faces sweetly calling mom in dream enlarged, no smile, only thick disgust. Mason sneered, “I said, scourge leave thousand years. Person like her, how so easy freeze die.” Mia supporting Sheila wearing big red cashmere coat, stepped over me without looking sideways, “We going out count down, you stay home clean up.” I supported door panel climbed up, looking at my purple but no longer trembling hands, gently nodded, “Okay.” Before turning leave, Mason subconsciously looked back once, hunched staggering back figure, head full of white hair. He frowned, like first time discovered. Clearly I only one year older than Sheila, why I aged so much? But he thought for long time, how also couldn’t recall my former look. This hindsight unease, like an invisible needle stuck in heart, made him suddenly sting unbearable. He clenched fist, forced himself suppress that discomfort, but heard Mia somewhat hoarse voice, “Brother, today is Christmas Eve, how about we come back bring her some food?” Silent few seconds, Mason then stiffly nodded, “Whatever.” He told himself. Unable to enjoy family happiness is I deserve. Become絕户 (end of line) no children send off, is I unkind unjust first. If one day, I can sincerely apologize, repent my mistake. He not cannot give me another chance, properly filial me second half life. He felt, my body good, unlike Sheila changed heart for him, entered fire for his sister. He confidently thought, still have very long very long future can wait my repentance. As if convinced himself, he raised smile, focused accompany Sheila finish big meal then watch fireworks show. And me at home, silently picked up cleaning tools, like countless times in past decades. Carefully cleaned every corner and nook. Then turned into kitchen. Two hours later, I finished wrapping one hundred dumplings. Half is son loves pork green onion. Half is daughter loves shrimp chive. Finished all this, I washed my face, combed hair. Walked out this home, walked into wind and snow. Finally I still didn’t hold till hospital, after terminal lucidity scattered, I fell amidst passerby screams. And other side, accompanying Sheila finished watching fireworks show Mason finally impatiently answered my twelfth call. “Hazel Yang, are you done? I want accompany my mom count down, can you roll far away.” Phone other end hesitated few seconds, then came a strange male voice. “Hello, here is General Hospital Cardiology Department, ask are you Ms. Hazel Yang’s relative? Ms. Yang due to artificial heart rejection triggered acute heart failure already rescue invalid passed away, trouble you come claim body ASAP.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390100”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

10 years after breaking up, I found my ex-boyfriend was still offering a heavy reward for my whereabouts. I sneered and swiped the message away. We didn’t break up peacefully. The year we broke up, he got someone else pregnant. And I, because of his mother’s design, also got pregnant by someone else. After he found out, he went crazy and forced abortion pills down my throat. Crying to me: “I only beg you to understand me, born in a wealthy family, I can’t help myself.” “I can give you everything except a title.” His mother said: “Our Old Money family firmly does not accept the Working Class, let alone let the blood of the lower class multiply in our family!” He stood not far away listening, without saying a word. Since then, I disappeared from his world. In a flash of 10 years, he stood in front of me again. His handsome face was more steady and noble than 10 years ago, eye rims red. He said: “I am powerful now, parents can no longer interfere with my feelings.” “Let’s be together again, okay?” I shook my head and refused. He didn’t understand: “Why?” I said calmly: “Because, my husband won’t allow it.” … Chapter 1 He froze, eyes trembling. Pupils appeared especially clear because of a layer of tears. I thought he would completely give up, but heard. “Still the same as 10 years ago, only know how to say ugly words to provoke me.” Julian Hale’s choked voice paused, looking at me with a sudden burning, urgent gaze. “I should also treat you like I did 10 years ago.” Speaking, he strode over. I panicked and stepped back, dodging his hug and forced kiss. 10 years ago, as long as I said ugly words to choke him, he would use a kiss to block my mouth. Until I was almost hypoxic, he would proudly and unsatisfiedly release me. Facing my resisting and alienated actions. He paused, only hesitated for a second, then walked towards me again. I stepped back two steps again, pulling distance between us, voice raised: “Julian Hale!” He stopped. Expectation in the man’s eyes was instantly filled with grievance. “It’s been 10 years, I don’t believe you don’t miss me.” Hehe. I sneered in my heart. As long as the new love is good enough, there is no old love that can’t be forgotten. “That’s your business, in fact, the past is past.” “Things have long changed between us.” My breezy attitude hurt him greatly, he chuckled twice in disbelief. “I can’t get over it!” “I also thought I could forget you, but the longer time passes, the more I can’t forget!” His eyes misted over again, gently sniffed, pretending to be calm. When he spoke again, his tone softened: “I know what you are worried about.” “I divorced her, the child wasn’t kept, so you don’t have to worry, I won’t let you be a stepmother.” “And about my mom, she had a stroke and is paralyzed, won’t bully you anymore.” “I am now the person in charge of Hale Group, I have the final say in the Hale family.” “I can marry you openly and honorably now.” He said all the situations in one breath. 10 years, those scars that had long scabbed were uncovered by him. That experience prone to give me nightmares, floated in my mind, like yesterday. On my 20th birthday, he also said: “Mia, I can marry you openly and honorably!” “I want to repay you with love for a lifetime, please marry me okay?” I agreed to him, happily accepted his pigeon egg diamond ring. But the next day, my family went bankrupt because of this proposal ring. His mother, Mrs. Hale, appeared in front of me elegantly and nobly. Looking at me like despising an ant. Walked around me circle after circle, using the aura of long-term high status to oppress me with her eyes again and again: “What year is this! Still dreaming of Prince falling in love with Cinderella!” “I can accept you being played by my son, but a social bottom feeder like you, will never enter a wealthy family like the Hales even if you die!” She took out a lawsuit and smashed it on my face: “Return the ring! Or wait to be sued!” Chapter 2 Self-esteem frustrated, I immediately plucked up courage to rummage through my bag to return the ring to her. But the ring was gone. His mother arrogantly humiliated me again. Turning around, she threw the ring Julian gave me into the sea right in front of me. I suddenly realized, the ring was taken by her long ago. She deliberately humiliated and dealt with me. “You can tell Julian all this, see if he believes you or me!” Turning around, she really sued me. My parents sold the only house in the family to pay back the ring money, heavily in debt. Because of this, I had a big fight with Julian: “Your mother is a villain! She is doing evil!” First time he flushed red, fiercely scolding me without giving in: “I don’t allow you to say my mom like this!” “She just asked you to return the ring, you just follow her first, I’ll buy you another one later!” “If you took out the ring, there would be no such things!” “My mom is sick, I beg you to follow her a bit for my sake, okay?” That time, was our first conflict because of his mother. He believed his mom’s words, thought I deliberately didn’t return the ring. And thought I didn’t handle things well, not tactful. First time I experienced, filled with powerlessness towards him. And he also suffered again and again because caught in the middle. His action of stepping forward again pulled my thoughts back. “Julian Hale, impossible!” “I already have my own new life.” “Even if I don’t have a new life, even if your mom died, I can’t turn back.” “I hate her, and hate you too.” Speaking of this my emotions were slightly excited. Those scars, just thinking of them, are heart-wrenching pain. Julian paused, eyes overflowing with innocent guilt: “Things back then, each had difficulties, there were misunderstandings inside.” “Baby, listen to me explain slowly okay?” I shook my head slightly refusing, didn’t want to talk about the past by re-experiencing the scars. He was nervous to the point of red eyes. Facing my refusal, he was anxious and careful, afraid of scaring me. “Don’t disturb my life, that’s it.” I turned to leave. He caught up and grabbed my hand, pulling upstairs. “This time I say anything won’t let go of your hand again.” “I take you to see now, my mom really already had a stroke and paralyzed!” Not allowing me to refuse, he pulled me to the bedroom on the second floor. The face lying on the bed is the person who gave me countless midnight nightmares. She opened her eyes, seeing me, eyes glared excitedly. Just like back then, when she knew Julian still pestered me not breaking up. She forced a bottle of aphrodisiac drink (Roofie) down my throat, gritting teeth humiliating me: “Little bitch! Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit!” “I told you to stay away from my son! Your family made heavily in debt by me, actually still not afraid!” “I let you rot now!” “My son won’t want a rotten woman!” I was held down by her people, forced down a full bottle of aphrodisiac drink. Then, she put me in Julian’s deadly rival’s private room… My consciousness involuntary, under drug control, played by Julian’s deadly rival for several hours. When I collapsed holding my ruined body, ran to find Julian. He was lingering in bed with a girl of equal social status. I froze there, like dying. And he only stared angrily at the hickey left on my neck saying: “What, played happy yourself!” “Seeing me play, can’t stand it!” I was struck by lightning, painful then laughed. Turns out he knew all, but he chose to play deaf and dumb witnessing me sinking in pain. Chapter 3 Memory like blade, cutting my heart bloody. Looking at Julian’s mother’s face, I couldn’t help clenching my fist, biting back molars deeply. Couldn’t suppress anger in heart anymore, rushed forward and slapped her heavily: “This is what you owe me from my 20th year!” Mrs. Hale looked unhappy, glared at me fiercely. Julian’s eyes startled, didn’t expect I would hit. He hugged me from behind, comforting emotional me: “Mia, it’s all passed, these things won’t happen again in the future.” His embrace triggered my deeper hatred, turned around and slapped him on the face. “This is also what you owe me!” “Knew saving you would make our whole family live a life neither human nor ghost, I shouldn’t have saved you back then!” Five pink finger marks appeared on his cold white face. This slap made him smile. “So good, you are willing to lose temper at me.” He walked forward two steps, holding my hands, slapping his own face: “You hit, as long as you can vent anger, even beating me to death is fine!” I was confused. He didn’t mind pain. I still mind hand pain. “Enough! I should die alright!” Crackling slap sounds, terminated by Mrs. Hale’s roar. She stared at me angrily, like despising back then, just added helpless compromise. “I won’t stop you anymore.” “Want to be together then be together.” She said this sentence extremely reluctantly, gritting teeth. I laughed in anger: “Your son is garbage to me now!” “Give me for free I don’t want!” These words fiercely hurt the hearts of the Hale mother and son. He looked at me deeply, complaining eyes seemed to say, why I say such words to hurt him. Mrs. Hale snorted coldly to Julian: “See? Even I agreed, she won’t be with you!” She suddenly emotional, hate iron not becoming steel: “You half dead for such a woman! Worth it?” “Worth!” He replied very firmly. I turned and left, didn’t want to fall into the vortex of this mother and son again. Julian nervously pulled my hand again, explaining to me very fast: “I married Tiffany back then because, my mom was sick, only Tiffany could be a match for her.” “If I didn’t marry Tiffany, she wouldn’t do surgery.” “Back then I didn’t marry you, I was really helpless, not that I didn’t want to be responsible for you!” “Mia what I said is all true, beg you believe me once.” I forcefully threw off his hand, attitude still very firm: “All this is meaningless, I only hope not to be disturbed!” “If you don’t let me leave again, I will call the police.” He froze in place, smiled self-mockingly. Smiling smiling then cried. Looking at my back going away, his voice very confident: “I know you still love me!” “I will make us together again!” “No one can stop us!” Chapter 4 I didn’t take his blindly confident words to heart. I blocked all his contact information. Didn’t expect at a Charity Gala, saw the person I wanted to see least. Mrs. Hale sat in a wheelchair, still graceful and noble. Seeing me, servant pushed her towards me. Surroundings empty, she used voice others couldn’t hear. Like humiliating 20-year-old me, humiliated me again. “Playing hard to get! Hehe!” “Quite good at pretending, you came to this occasion just to attract my son’s attention right!” She glanced at me contemptuously: “I still say that, low-class goods like you only deserve to be played by my son!” “Don’t forget, you were forced a whole bottle of abortion pills by Julian back then!” “That medicine will make you infertile for life, I just let Julian be obsessed with you now.” “When he gets tired of playing, he will know you, a hen that can’t lay eggs, are useless!” 10 years ago, I not only almost infertile for life, but also almost died. When Julian knew I was pregnant with his deadly rival’s child, he was exasperated and cried forcing abortion pills on me. That time he said: “As long as not birth this child, I will persuade myself continue loving you.” “I give you chance to correct, you listen to me once, obediently drink this medicine.” He didn’t know I hoped the child in belly not born more than him. I resisted drinking the abortion medicine he brought, completely because medicine was switched by his mom, and increased dosage. And my resistance behavior, all misunderstood by Julian as, I cheated and fell in love with his deadly rival, so unwilling to drink abortion medicine. That day I lay on the floor, painfully panting, blood slowly spreading on carpet. And after Julian received Tiffany’s call asking him to accompany her to prenatal checkup, threw me alone in room. He never knew, that day I almost died because of him. Mrs. Hale’s sarcastic snort pulled my thoughts back. I had a fire in throat, couldn’t swallow, raised hand slapped Mrs. Hale in public: “Julian having a mother like you is his shame!” Mrs. Hale’s face just about to explode, suddenly changed drastically, covering face hit painful by me, crying said: “I know it was my fault stopping you before.” “I sincerely apologize to you, hope you can be with Julian.” “As long as you can vent anger, hit me however you want.” Not only Julian walked over, her voice attracted surrounding people’s eyes. Julian reached out want to hug me: “You can come specifically to see me here, I am very happy.” “Mia, give me and my mom some face on this occasion okay?” “After going back, you can make trouble however you want.” His voice very light, only let me and him hear. I alienated retreated a few steps to side, staring at him coldly: “Julian Hale, control your mom!” “Next time, it won’t be just a slap!” My warning attracted dissatisfaction from onlookers. “This girl speaks quite big tone, beating and scolding elders, really no upbringing!” Speaker didn’t know me, but I knew him! He is Hale family’s little follower, always fawning on Hale family, hoping Hale family can share some small projects to him. 40 something balding man, fawning look like a pug. “Who said my wife has no upbringing!” “My mommy is the best, you are the one with no upbringing.” 3-year-old son and husband’s voice came domineeringly at same time. Julian looked towards path crowd automatically dispersed, father and son walking in big strides, made him suddenly change color.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390099”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Not long after I was diagnosed with Leukemia, my parents adopted the daughter of our housekeeper. That girl wore the same knee-length cashmere dress as me, combed the same shoulder-length straight black hair, appeared in front of my parents. Almost instantly, made my mother cover her face and weep, hands trembling: “Too alike, if my daughter was also healthy, she would be this quiet and elegant look.” After getting approval, the Imposter very proudly moved into my room, used my cosmetics, called my parents, even changed her name to be 70% like mine. Unknowing people, all recognized her as that sickly real heiress of the Vance family. Hearing this news, I was in the hospital, but didn’t feel a bit uneasy or replaced. “Stupid people, are going to pay a high price for their ignorance and overstepping.” I picked up the somewhat twisted wooden Voodoo Mask on the table and put it on my face, through the mask, I could see, dead Grandma appeared in the mirror, looking at me kindly smiling: “Don’t be afraid, Hazel, soon someone will replace your bad luck.” Chapter 1 Speaking of strange, my family inherited for several generations, enduring, is one of the top Old Money families. People in the family, basically wishes come true, doing things, also never encountered any obstacles. Unknowing outsiders, all think our family are all “Chosen Ones”. But I know, all this seems to have a price. Certain members in the maternal family, will die at uncertain ages, with an extremely painful and unrelated illness, generation after generation, like a kind of genetic bad luck. After those family members died, family wealth and fortune, will develop like a raging fire with fiercer momentum. Times many, it’s not coincidence. Everyone thinks, it is the tragic death of relatives, like “Sacrifice”, nourished the bloodline and fortune of this huge family. But some family members seem not want, not want to lose their loved ones, to exchange for momentary glory and wealth, what we got is already enough. They attempted to join hands to resist, this “Inherited Curse”. But even donating family property, selling everything, this “Sacrifice”, did not stop. Until, Grandma found a way to break the genetic bad luck. She sat in front of the window, letting sunlight warm her fingers. Grandma’s curled fingers, because of bone cancer influence, exceptionally different from normal people. Knuckles swollen high, other places exceptionally withered, skin on fingers no luster, covered with lines, like withered old tree in mountains. Grandma paralyzed in wheelchair, like pumped away spirit, but her pair of protruding eyes were shining. She first pulled Mom to side instructed something, then looked at me full of expectation, comforted: “Don’t be afraid, Hazel, Grandma already found the way to crack.” Later, all females, will find a person, extremely similar to themselves in all aspects. Or, find a person, with extremely strong will, to replace and seize their identity. Let this person come home, eat wear live travel together, let her enjoy wealth and glory. Gradually, become from dressing to body shape, from voice to appearance, at first glance, unable to distinguish situation. Then, family members live elsewhere, let this person, become family member replacing her existence, live with everyone… Mom has “Replacement”, Auntie has, Cousin has. Such people, we call them “The Replacement”, in novels, call her “Fake Heiress”. Auntie Sarah was Mom’s “Replacement”. She under Mom’s eyelids, had affair with Dad, wearing Mom’s nightgown, using Mom’s perfume, all this tacitly allowed by Mom, indulged by Dad. Dad always behind back, looked at Auntie Sarah with exceptional disgust, then treated affectionately after Auntie Sarah turned around. Like a puppet show no one pulling strings, can’t understand, but very mysterious. Later, Grandpa even gave Auntie Sarah, changed a name same as Mom, publicly announced adopted Auntie Sarah. “Mom, I quarreled with classmate at school today…” Me in middle school, often called wrong Mom and Auntie Sarah, I hugged “Mom” from behind somewhat aggrieved complaining. But not wait my words finish, Auntie Sarah exceptionally surprise turned around, eyes bright: “What did you call me? Hazel, I am Auntie Sarah.” “Am I very like your mom, actually even you this biological daughter can recognize wrong, really very like? Hazel?” “Like this, I can replace that bitch, become your mom, I can completely change from original self to her.” Auntie Sarah while talking, while couldn’t help grabbing my shoulders, shaking hard. She widened eyes, this time I then saw, her eye whites, all red bloodshot. When she asked me these questions, exceptionally crazy, eyes straight, like a monster stripped of soul, like a parasite desiring to replace host. I was scared, shrank back, then, felt exceptionally guilty standing on spot. How could I even call Mom wrong? But Mom seemed not think so. In corner mirror, emerged Mom standing behind second floor wall, peeking all this, she seeing this scene, no sadness, no sorrow. Replaced by, was a kind of extreme excitement and surprise. Seemed like thing Mom long looked forward to became true, desired dream became reality. Not long after, Mom moved out, gave herself a new name. Dressing style, also completely different from before, Mom cut long hair, put on strange clothes never liked before. In my eyes, completely became another person. She not allow me call her Mom, she touched my head, let me call Auntie Sarah Mom. Don’t know why Mom wanted do this, but looking Mom somewhat begging and fearful eyes, I agreed. From that day, time less than a year, Auntie Sarah seriously ill died. Those discomforts troubling Mom, bit by bit disappeared, Mom changed back to that Mom again, returned home… Most importantly, from that day, family bought new luxury cars again, built hot spring villa, seemed no one cared Auntie Sarah’s death. Dad wearing newly bought Richard Mille watch, sitting on beach watching Mom running under not far afterglow. Although I somewhat ignorant, but still could guess, Mom’s bad luck, already replaced by “The Replacement”. So, now turn to me? My body always very good, at least annual physical exam and gene test, all proved this point, but Mom always not assured. Start from middle school graduation, Mom asked me bring those, classmates with bad intentions to me home, let them become my “Replacement”. But I unwilling, I always luckily thought, I can escape this calamity. Those girls just dislike me, doesn’t mean, degree I hate them, can let me easily use “Bad Luck” this torture tool, to execute them. My life, not nobler than their life much, I don’t want anyone become my “Replacement”. I also too easily believed, human nature not bad to this degree. Until, family housekeeper Mrs. Baker’s daughter, Lola, appeared in my life. Chapter 2 At first meeting her, she stood at foyer, wearing old tattered clothes, timidly called me “Sister”. Later she and I entered same school, eyes looking at me more and more timid. Later again, she always followed behind me entering school, always displayed her full body scars in front of everyone, also always when contacting me, obedient unlike words. Gradually, appeared in school, I am “Mean Girl”, take pleasure in abusing Lola, such rumors. Childhood sweetheart neighbor brother, extremely angry pushed me to wall: “Knowing person like you, really disgusts me, Lola told us all, how you privately found people beat her humiliate her.” “I really didn’t expect, you actually such bad person.” To this, I chose a slap fan back, and blunt said: “Believe who you love believe! Idiot brainless thing.” But later, things didn’t easily stop, my nude photos taking bath at home, inexplicably appeared on school forum. Title is “Rich Miss escort play, just for stimulation”. Comment section below exploded: “I long knew she not a good person, this photo is it leaked by that play guy.” “Look at her that slutty look, really is material for this line, body not bad oh, Miss overnight what price.” “That leg really white ah, why can’t think open go do this line.” I sat on steps, lost mind looking these comments, a kind of causeless despair surrounded me, what should I do? Thoughts in brain haven’t cleared, eyes suddenly spun. Suddenly pushed hard by someone behind, I directly fell down from stairs. Sky spin earth turn, forehead hit a big hole, blood blurred my eyes, but I still saw standing in stair crowd, Lola looking at me. Her eyes not like before soft and enduring, instead full of provocative meaning. Her lips proud upward, silently mouthed these words: “You really deserve it.” During time I recuperating at home, she started imitating me, imitating my handwriting, wearing clothes I like appearing in school. She cut same hairstyle as me, surrounded by my former suitors. Even many classmates felt, she more like Vance family spoiled grown big miss than me: “Hazel is just fate good, can reincarnate in Vance family, she want looks no looks, want upbringing no upbringing.” “Now still notorious, did rotten things discovered, can’t bear self-harmed right?” “Want me say, Lola generous decent, definitely envied by Hazel, then targeted by her like that before.” Lola’s mom, also started when parents business trip, cold words to me. Back home, on dining table, no longer my favorite sweet sour ribs and fried fish, instead placed Lola loved black pepper small steak. Rotten plot in real fake heiress novels, just appeared in my life like this. I vaguely felt something wrong, but couldn’t say reason. Seemed all reality situations, guiding me to hate her, to let her become my “Replacement”. But everything now, let me unable stop think clear, classmates targeting, teachers misunderstanding. Even back to own home, still encounter annoying person. This feeling of being slighted and invaded, made me angry unstoppable, I directly smashed bowl and chopsticks: “Mrs. Baker, here should be my home right? Why you not follow my order, make some dishes I like? What are these on table?” Mrs. Baker looked at me eyes somewhat disdain: “Eat what not same eat? You really think self is thousand gold miss, so eat must follow your order?” “Your parents just asked me cook for you eat, not want let me become your slave.” “Don’t think telling your parents, who can prove you morning said want eat sweet sour ribs, you think my daughter will help you prove?” I smashed bowl, she roughly pulled me to kitchen, let me clean kitchen: “Miss Hazel, I really never seen child like you, your parents not discipline you right? I come discipline. You today not finish cleaning, don’t think eat.” “How you not like my daughter a bit, she so obedient, you look at yourself.” Even after they finished eating, Mrs. Baker called me wash bowls chopsticks together. I called parents, but Mrs. Baker very proud stood at stair entrance smiling: “Place your parents went business trip, very few signal, they said, this period by me take care you, I am your temporary guardian.” “You don’t think make trouble, listen my words well, otherwise you have good suffer.” I past never couldn’t contact parents, this not fit past experience and memory, I always felt where appeared problem. I seemed cleverly fell into a dilemma no one can help. That night, Lola under Mrs. Baker instruction, slept in my room. She wore my clothes, slept on my bed. Although I didn’t deliberately guide, but always felt. Lola, to certain extent, unknowingly, seemed already became my “Replacement”. Thinking her actions, I actually to matter she become my “Replacement”, had a kind of revenge pleasure. If she really can bear bad luck originally belong to me, then to her why not a kind of revenge? She framed me, posted my nude photos online, pushed me down stairs, simply crime big evil extreme. She deserves it. Chapter 3 Midnight, I came to attic Grandma once liked most. Here has a mask Grandma asked Shaman carved for her. Since Grandma passed away, I found, wearing this mask, can see former Grandma look in mirror. She will talk to me, tell me live well. At this moment, I very want ask Grandma, what I should do. But I just opened attic, picked up mask, whole person uncontrolled fell backward. A stream heat gushed from nose, how also wipe not clean, brain also sky spin earth turn a burst dizziness. Blood non-stop flowing ah flowing. I helpless, holding cuff wipe, wipe till sleeve full blood, then realized this is precursor of Leukemia, my “Bad Luck” is it already descended? I fainted sleep, whole body cold terrible. In coma, seemed see not far, Grandma sitting on rattan chair, gently rocking. Don’t know slept how long in attic, I then dragged up by a somewhat warm small hand, I couldn’t open eyes, but ear side rang familiar voice: “Endure don’t sleep ah!” Half faint half awake, I saw Lola one hand holding me in arms, other hand flustered using phone call 911. Her eye corner don’t know why hung tears, seemed scared by my full face blood. That arm holding me still slightly trembling, her eyes this moment seemed so sincere kind. Lola trembling speaking my situation to phone: “Yes, in Garden District, Building 3, someone in this house keeps bleeding nose, seems dying, woo woo, you come quick, how long arrive?” I lay in her arms looking at her. Somewhat not understand, current Lola exactly doing what? Isn’t she person most want me die? As long as I die, she can thoroughly replace me, become me. But now, that anxious look, looks like, seems not want me die? “Aren’t you most want harm me die? Now isn’t as you wish?” “Is you pushed me down stairs right? Didn’t harm me die, are you very disappointed.” Lola raised hand, wiped tears cried out by scare, somewhat stubborn said: “I not as bad as you, debts you bullied me, I find you calculate later, you better not coma, wait you coma, I will take chance slap you.” “Why you flow so much nose blood, do you have some big illness?” When she wiped tears, raised hand, forearm not covered by cuff, impressively revealed a terrifying scar. I forced spirit, look closely, there are large amount burns, scars cut by knife then stitched, blue purple bruises. Curiosity drove me ask this question: “Who made these wounds?” She bit tight back molars, somewhat viciously sarcastic me: “Evil person still have face ask knowingly? I really should choke you death while you sick, I didn’t offend you, why you always want find people hurt me, woo woo woo, do you know how hard I am?” “I since small always raised by grandparents, my mom long died, is Auntie Baker took me in, now can come city school, you still treat me like this.” She crying look, very ugly, I somewhat dizzy, also somewhat impatient: “What is your mom surname?” She stunned, obviously didn’t expect I ask this question, her eyes dimmed a moment: “My biological mother surname Sarah (Xu).” This instant, I seemed thought through, before fainting, somewhat indistinct said to Lola: “Idiot, run fast ah.” Chapter 4 When I woke up, eyes front a piece pure white, parents still didn’t come back. Mrs. Baker in ward, looking me lying on bed dying look, somewhat afraid shirking responsibility: “Not my business ah, is yourself body weak, who can you blame?” “Also this matter, all yourself went attic take things, so would…” Not wait her finish, I somewhat unhappy interrupted: “Where is your daughter Lola?” She eyes panicked a second, somewhat hem and haw, doubts in this too many I must ask clear face to face. Mrs. Baker evasive: “Did she tell you something? She this child sometimes will have some consciousness confusion, she born like this, speak not reliable.” Looks like, person manipulating all this behind scenes, already detected, did I hear something shouldn’t hear. I somewhat impatient, pretended angry: “I sick now, I just want her come serve me, you hurry call her come, right, I have some clothes old long time, you take give her wear.” Mrs. Baker once heard “old clothes” these few words, eyes lit up. From her reaction, I roughly can know, seems this Mrs. Baker also knows something. Approaching afternoon time, Lola then sent to hospital. In process waiting her, I walked circle in room, room didn’t put surveillance camera, also didn’t put bug. But that camera on corridor, directly facing my ward. I must use more confidential way, to ask truth I want know. When Lola came my side, already put on my clothes, even hairstyle also somewhat similar to mine. Only difference me and her, is she slightly fatter than me, and face different. She holding fruit knife, peeled a pear for me eat. I picked up newspaper, pretended reading newspaper, actually blocking my mouth corner, low voice asked: “Those people hurt you before, have what characteristics? Where road you beaten? I actually don’t know all this, I also yesterday saw scars on your hand then discovered.” “Also, is you uploaded my nude photos to school net, outside has surveillance, you speak small voice, you recently also detected this home somewhat abnormal right?” She lowered head, somewhat dare not speak, thought, pretended organize trash can, back to surveillance said: “Person hurt me, said sent by you, height not tall, is a woman, looks thirty something look, behind left ear, has a purple birthmark, birthmark looks like a starfish.” Starfish? I crazy searched my memory in brain. Seem, indeed have seen, somewhat familiar… Right, that is Mom’s assistant, one of Mom’s most trusted people, behind ear has such starfish birthmark, I impression very deep. I found Mom colleague team building group photo from phone, WeChat sent to Lola: “Is her?” Lola looked once, hands couldn’t help trembling afraid, she small amplitude nodded. Night, I on internet, found a hacker. Let him help me see, appeared in school, my bathing nude photos, exactly sent from where. Finding a photo address from forum simply too simple, ten minutes later, he found original network address sending this photo. Vance Group, Dust Replacement Tower. This is our family group location. Truth seems bit by bit, start gradually emerge on water surface. I opened tablet. Searched on it, regarding our family consortium recent economic report. Sure enough, before “Replacement” sacrificed, consortium will appear large scale performance decline, financial loss, after sacrifice, then will steadily rise. “Did they ever try really stop all this?” I produced doubt to things Mom told me before. Doctor said, I got Leukemia, must hospitalized recuperate, see if have suitable bone marrow, can transplant. Midnight woke up, on tea table before bed, actually placed Grandma’s that mask. Safety sign not far in corridor emitting green light very creepy. I put on that weird mask, walked to mirror beside toilet, instantly, Grandma appeared in mirror. She still sat in wheelchair like before, but this time she no longer had past kind of kindness. Her sharp voice constantly high laughing, eyes couldn’t help spinning on me: “Hehe… he, Hazel, found own double?” I looked at Grandma, first time felt so creepy. I stepped back a step, somewhat timid asked: “Grandma, what exactly is this all about, this bad luck, does really want find person replace then disappear? Why our family has such bad luck?” “Where parents went these few days?” Grandma still hehe laughing, she saw me straight staring her, actually stood up from wheelchair. “Hazel, you really smart, I feel, you are family child most like me, smart guts big.” “Granddaughter, don’t you want glory wealth, everything easy to get?” “You think poor days, just really that easy pass? Don’t go explore so much, listen parents and family words, so you can have good days live.” “Whether she can become your replacement, ultimately, still depends on your will, if you unwilling, that time nourishing Ancestral House is your own flesh and blood.” She just finished words, then red eyes pounced towards me. I somewhat scared, hurry took off mask. But ear side, still echoed Grandma somewhat sharp voice: “Hazel… don’t fear, already someone want replace your bad luck.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390098”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

The New Year’s Eve bell just rang, I timed it perfectly to send a message to Julian Brooks: “Dr. Brooks, when can we go public with our relationship?” But before he could reply, my dad suddenly raised his hand, pointing at a street lamp not far away, tone full of surprise: “Hey, isn’t that Julian? Holding hands with a young girl, looks like their relationship is unusual.” My heart skipped a beat, subconsciously following their gaze. Next second, blood all over my body seemed to freeze. In the warm yellow halo of the street lamp, Julian leaned slightly, kissing the girl in his arms. I recognized that girl, she was the newcomer the department head mentioned a few days ago, coming to start work next week. Perhaps my gaze was too burning, Julian suddenly looked up. At the moment our eyes met, his pupils shrank, Adam’s apple rolled quickly twice. Few seconds later he let go of the person in his arms, walking towards us. “Professor, Mrs. Song, let me formally introduce, this is my fiancée Sarah.” When it was my turn, his eyes hid a trace of evasion, didn’t even dare to look at me for too long, just hurriedly swept over my face, introducing to the person beside him: “This is Professor and Mrs. Song’s child Chloe, counts as my half-sister.” Hearing his words, I smiled self-mockingly. Turns out, the person who shared bed and pillow for 365 days and nights, is actually just his half-sister. Chapter 1 Sarah turned to smile at me: “Sister Chloe, later when I start working in the hospital, I will trouble you a lot.” She leaned closer to Julian, holding his hand tighter, eyes curved adding: “After all Dr. Brooks is too busy, department matters are enough to make him scorched head and rotten forehead (busy and anxious), where does he have energy to care about me.” I looked at the matching rings shining on their ring fingers, only felt my eye sockets burning. Julian is indeed busy. Busy lying to me about consultation on New Year’s Eve, busy holding another girl’s hand to cross the year, busy kissing another person while I was full of expectation for his reply. Julian’s ear tips turned red, he looked down at Sarah, with a coaxing tone: “What nonsense? Even if I’m busy, I won’t ignore you.” “Which time you needed me, I didn’t appear in front of you first time?” Words out, sourness instantly spread from heart to throat. I remembered last week I had a fever of 102 degrees, messaged him asking to bring a box of fever medicine, he said department busy feet not touching ground, replied let me order delivery myself, then no follow-up. Turns out, he didn’t lack time, just his time, never belonged to me. Just then, my dad suddenly patted Julian’s shoulder, face full of gratified smile, tone carrying a few points of emotion: “So good, I watched you two grow up together since childhood, now you both have people you like, we elders are also happy.” He said, turning to look at me again, eyes carrying some smile: “Speaking of which, Chloe also has a boyfriend, heard dated for a year, but never told us who he is.” “Your Mrs. Song and I guessed secretly at first, thought it was you and our Chloe together, after all you two are childhood sweethearts, later worked in same hospital, seeing each other every day.” My dad laughed heartily: “Result seeing your girlfriend today, realized we made a big misunderstanding!” Fireworks around exploded instantly, reflecting on my pale face. Julian almost immediately took the words, tone calm without a flaw, even carrying a meaning of crying and laughing. “How possible Professor, I always just treat Chloe as sister, she has straight personality, in department I also took care of her a bit more, didn’t expect let you misunderstand.” I stared tightly at Julian’s smiling face, suddenly felt surrounding noise like drowning, a silent suffocation wrapped me, making me unable to escape no matter how. One year of underground romance, three hundred sixty-five days and nights of sneakiness, in his light sentence of sister, shattered not even dregs left. I took a deep breath, forced a smile, actively stepped forward, held my dad’s arm: “Mom, Dad, don’t worry, wait till Chinese New Year, I will bring my boyfriend back for you to see.” My dad stunned, then eyes lit up, patting back of my hand happily: “Good ah, that time must let me look carefully, exactly which handsome lad made you spend so much effort hiding for a year.” My mom also followed laughing, pulling my hand carefully instructing: “Right, that time say in advance, we good prepare meal, can’t slight people.” Julian seemed not listening to what we were saying here, just holding Sarah’s hand looking at her. I looked at the unconcealed happiness on Julian’s face, that dense pain in heart suddenly surged up, forcing me to birth a few points of almost masochistic prank thought. I hooked lips looking at him: “Speaking of coincidence, my boyfriend is also a doctor, and works in the same hospital as Dr. Brooks.” Words out, air around instantly solidified. Smile on Julian’s face froze instantly, he couldn’t care about Sarah, eyes locked dead on me, lips moved silently, that mouth shape clearly saying “Don’t make trouble”. Like exactly when we secretly kissed in his office before, someone knocked, he panic pushed me away, also afraid I aggrieved, secretly winked at me begging for mercy. But now, panic in his eyes, is afraid I ruin his good match with Sarah, afraid I expose his dirty act of stepping on two boats. I looked at his familiar eyes, heart like grabbed fiercely by an invisible hand, painful making my fingertips tremble. I pulled corner of mouth, withdrew gaze, didn’t look at him again: “But well, he is relatively low-key, wait till brought back during Spring Festival, you will know.” Julian obviously sighed relief, tightness on back faded a lot, only ears still red piercing, don’t know if guilty conscience, or lingering fear. Just then, my dad’s phone suddenly rang, he answered, smilingly responded few times, hung up then waved at us: “Old Wang and them 2 missing 2, urging me and your mom to go make up numbers, already past 12, just right catch an all-nighter.” My mom also echoed: “Then we go first, you young people have fun.” She turned to look at me, eyes carrying a few points uneasiness: “Chloe, so late, you alone go home not safe, let Little Julian send you.” Sarah immediately held Julian’s arm, smiling obediently: “Uncle Auntie rest assured, me and Julian send Sister Chloe back together, guarantee send her home safely.” My heart burst of nausea, hurriedly waved hand refuse: “No need, Uber I called already arrived, just at intersection.” I said about to turn, wrist was grabbed by Julian. His force very big, like deliberately doing for my parents to see, also like warning me: “Professor and Mrs. Song handed you to me, I must send you home safely.” Voice just fell, he dragged my wrist, pulled me into back seat. Moment car door closed, I saw Julian go around to other side, bent down to fasten seat belt for Sarah. His movement very light, fingertips brushed Sarah’s hair tip, didn’t forget to lower head instruct “Sit steady”. Sarah looked up smiling at him, reached arms around his neck, printed a kiss on his cheek, coquettishly said: “Knew it, you drive slow.” I sat in back seat, gaze swept inside car, heart like fiercely grabbed, painful breathless. Before, this passenger seat was my exclusive position, car hung Lucky Cat charm I ran three streets to buy, dashboard placed photo of us first time went amusement park, even car fragrance was my favorite citrus scent. But now, Lucky Cat charm missing, photo changed to side face of him and Sarah hugging, fragrance also changed to rose scent Sarah prefers. Even cartoon cushion I forced to him, changed to lace style same color system as Sarah’s dress. Turns out, he long pulled my traces from his life, by the roots. I turned head away, dead staring scenery retreating fast outside window, eye sockets sore and swollen terrible, but forced back tears about to roll down. Silence all way, car stopped downstairs my home, Julian first pushed door get off, went around to back open my door: “I send you upstairs.” He turned to smile at Sarah in passenger seat: “Sarah, you wait me in car a while, I come down soon.” Sarah obediently nodded, waved at me. I ignored her, walked straight to community. Julian silently followed behind me, street lamp pulled our shadows very long, one front one back, separated by not far not near distance, like exactly our relationship unable to see light in this year. Until walked to unit building door, Julian finally opened mouth: “Your things I already packed, all put at doorman.” “That apartment, Sarah wants to live, letting her know not good…” My hand pinching key paused, fingertips ice cold. That apartment we secretly lived for small a year, wall still pasted wallpaper I bought, fridge still stuffed food he loves, wardrobe still hung our couple pajamas, turns out in his eyes, that is just a place can’t let Sarah know, hiding secrets. I didn’t speak, didn’t turn back, just lowered head, staring at keyhole. Julian behind silent few seconds, low voice spoke again, tone carrying a trace of guilt: “Chloe, sorry.” I finally turned around, looking at him. Stairway light fell on his face, reflecting panic flashed in his eyes. I pulled corner of mouth, revealed an extremely faint, sarcastic smile: “No need apologize, after all we never together, just Friends with Benefits only.” Friends with Benefits three words, like a needle, fiercely stabbed him. Julian face instantly changed, he fiercely grabbed my hand, force big making me frown: “Chloe Song, must you speak so ugly?” I looked at him, chill in eyes bit by bit漫 (spread) up. Ugly? Compared to him lying to me overtime on New Year’s Eve, turning head holding other girl kissing, compared to him wiping my traces completely from life, turning head taking new love live into our rental, compared to him facing my parents, lightly saying only treat me as sister. This sentence, really not count as ugly. After Julian left, that strength holding up whole night finally collapsed. Tears held too long in eye sockets, finally without warning smashed down, smashed on back of hand, hot making people hurt. I just squatted on ground like that, cried till whole body trembling, cried till night faded, sky light slight bright. Cried tired, I buried myself in quilt, phone off, curtains pulled tight tight, let room fall into a piece darkness. I asked a week leave, didn’t tell anyone reason. In these few days, I didn’t eat a mouthful rice, didn’t step out room door one step, only when thirsty to extreme, would climb up drink a mouthful cold water. Stomach empty, hungry limbs soft, but that hole in heart, how also can’t fill. Until 5th day evening, sunset outside window through curtain crack, fell on floor. I stared at that beam light for long time, suddenly felt, seems no need torture myself like this anymore. I slowly climbed up, walked into bathroom. Person in mirror face pale, under eyes hung heavy blue black, lips dry cracked skin, haggard unlike words. I turned on hot water, washed a good bath, then dug out cosmetics, gave myself a good makeup. Draw brows, apply eye shadow, put on a bright lipstick. Looking at myself in mirror re-glowing few points brilliance, I suddenly smiled. I changed into a beautiful dress, stepped on high heels, walked out of home. I came to that private kitchen restaurant I missed for long time, pushed door in, ordered a table of my favorite dishes. Steaming hot Sweet and Sour Ribs, crispy flavorful spicy chicken… When first bite of sweet and sour ribs sour sweet taste melted on tongue tip, my eye sockets somewhat hot, but not because sad. But because I suddenly understood, Julian compared to delicious food, really counts nothing. Those hypocritical sweetness he can give me, far not as solid as a plate of sweet and sour ribs. Eat full drink enough, stomach warm, bringing mood also good a lot. I paid bill, slowly walked along street side, evening wind blew on face, a trace of cool. Passing by hospital, my steps paused, thought, straight walked in. Nurse at duty desk saw me, even smiling greeted: “Chloe, didn’t you ask leave? Why came?” I smiled at her, just wanted say process resignation, she step ahead lowered voice: “You don’t know right? Department just decided, Attending Position quota given to Sarah, is that girl came last week…” I stunned, immediately reacted. Also, I phone off this week, hiding at home not out, naturally wouldn’t know these things. Can’t say what mood, not uncomfortable, nor angry, even a bit surprise none. Seemed long expected this result. I pulled corner of mouth, smiled to nurse: “Knew, thanks, I just came to process resignation.” Before shuttling in this building, always thinking fast turn regular, thinking can stand beside Julian openly, but now standing here, only feel body relaxed. Procedures went very smooth, signed last name, I put work ID on table, turned out of hospital. Moment walking out hospital gate, I long exhaled a breath, like unloaded thousand pounds burden. I didn’t go home, instead directly bought plane ticket to South three days later. Done all this, I then called parents, said resignation and travel things together. Phone other end, parents stunned half day, immediately burst out surprise cheers. With Julian this year underground love, I lived carefully, gain and loss worried. Put all time and energy on Julian, but forgot most should accompany is Mom and Dad. Hung up phone, I hummed song back home, started rummage chests cupboards pack luggage, those things related to Julian, all by me one brain stuffed into trash can, threw clean clean. Three days later, I dragged suitcase, with parents downstairs ready go airport. Just to community gate, a familiar figure suddenly blocked in front of us. Is Julian. Under his eyes green black, hair messy, looked haggard a lot. Seeing suitcase in my hand, his pupils fierce shrank, tone carrying few points urgent question: “Where you going? Why resign? Message I sent you why not reply?” I then suddenly remembered, since that night cried, I never touched WeChat again. I in front of her face, took out phone unlock, click open WeChat. Top pinned chat box, densely packed all his messages, from initial “Where are you” “Why didn’t come up”, to later “Are you still blaming me” “Don’t make trouble”, to finally carrying anger “Chloe Song, then what exactly you want” “Attending quota will have again, next time I give you okay?”. Looking these messages, I quickly screenshot, then look at Julian: “$100,000, hush money, otherwise I send these messages to Sarah.” Words out, Julian face instantly sank, brows dead frowned: “Chloe Song, everyone is adult, each take what need that’s all.” I pulled corner of mouth, didn’t take his words, just steadily looked at him, eyes carrying few points mockery. Julian stared at me few seconds, like judging true fake in my words. Anger in his eyes gradually faded, gradually, a wipe annoyance and fear climbed on cheek. He probably really afraid I make thing big, afraid Sarah know all this, ruin his carefully maintained deep affection image. Silent for half day, he took out phone from pocket, fingers flying tapping on screen, tone impatient but carrying few points compromise: “Fine, I transfer you, don’t make thing to unmanageable step, not good for you me.” Transfer notification sound soon rang, phone screen jumped out 100k arrival notification. Julian put away phone, face still ugly, but still forced suppressing emotion, tone eased few points, like comforting: “Money transferred, you good follow Professor Mrs. Song go out play play also fine, treat as relax.” “Hospital position I keep for you, when want come back work, anytime tell me.” He probably still thinks, I do all this is playing temper, thinks I sooner later will turn back, thinks I can’t without him. I looked at his self-righteous look, heart only felt a burst nausea. I didn’t look him one more glance, turned smile to parents: “Mom Dad, let’s go, don’t delay plane.” Julian stood in place, didn’t chase up again, but I could feel a gaze staring dead at me behind my back. But these, all irrelevant to me. 100k, counts as his compensation to me for this year absurd underground love, from today, he owe me nothing, I also owe him nothing. Chapter 2 Plane shuttled above clouds, outside window is large large soft cloud sea. Sunlight shone in through window, shining on body warm. I leaned on seat back, just wanted close eyes rest mind. Dad beside suddenly gently patted back of my hand: “Chloe, tell Dad truth, that boyfriend you dated before, is it Julian?” I fiercely opened eyes, heart missed a beat, subconsciously wanted deny: “Dad, what you saying, no…” Words not finished, Mom held my other hand: “Silly child, you are our precious daughter, your every move can’t hide from us.” “New Year’s Day when we met Sarah and Julian, I saw your face poor scary.” She paused, sighed: “You locked yourself at home seven days, me and your Dad also didn’t dare go back disturb you, just wanted give you some space, let yourself slowly recover.” “We know you suffered grievance, also know you don’t want let us worry.” I originally didn’t want cry, but this moment, poked through all disguise by parents, those emotions forced down, finally couldn’t hold anymore. Tears like broken line beads, rolled down without warning. I turned head, wanted avoid their gaze, but gently cupped face by Mom: “Cry ba cry ba.” My Dad voice carrying few points choke: “Aggrieved just cry out, don’t hold in heart, have Mom Dad here.” I couldn’t hold anymore, pounced into Mom’s arms, shoulders violently trembling, suppressed long crying finally intermittently overflowed. I choked, incoherent: “Mom, I so silly ah, I dated him one year underground love, just want wait day he public our identity.” “But… but he with someone else, also said only treat me as sister.” My Mom gently patting my back, saying again and again: “Not silly not silly, our Chloe just too serious, so spared no effort pay all.” “Is Julian that bastard not worthy our Chloe.” I nestled in Mom’s arms, cried long time. Until cried all grievance clean, then gradually stopped tears. Trance, memory uncontrolled surged up. High school Julian, was poor student in class. My Dad his head teacher, saw his grades top but family poor, not only helped him actively apply financial aid, also often brought him home eat. I was at that time, slowly moved heart to this boy three years older than me. He would red face thank my Mom, would when I couldn’t solve math problem, patiently lie on table explain to me, fingertip occasionally touched my finger, would bounce away like electric shock. Later he admitted famous medical university, I fought life chase his steps, college application filled same city medical school as him. University graduation year, he entered Best Hospital in City, I sharpened head also squeezed into that hospital. He just on day I started work blocked me in fire escape. He said: “Chloe, I like you.” “But I now just started, can’t public, wait I stand firm heel, definitely give you a title.” Secret crush so many years person, personally confess to me. Where I still care what underground love, full heart all joy, didn’t think agreed nodding. Those days, we kissed on duty room sofa, hugged in unmanned stairwell, said goodnight in late night WeChat. I thought as long as I wait, wait him turn regular, wait him promotion, can wait him hold my hand, stand under sun openly. Now think, really naive laughable. Got off plane, parents didn’t rush go hotel, instead pulled me straight run city most famous steak house. Tender steak roasted sizzling sound, rich aroma came to face. Dad also ordered me a cup sweet fruit wine, smiling said: “Adult, drink a bit no matter.” Start from this day, we started our travel. Parents seemed more excited than me, holding camera snapping non-stop. A while pull me take group photo, a while squat roadside take a unknown small wild flower. Those annoying things once happened, those bits and drops about Julian, seem really in this journey scenery, slowly washed light. Days passed fast, we walked one after another city, tasted one after another food, took full an album photos. Until street red lanterns gradually hung, mall rang familiar New Year song, I then reacted, turns out we already out playing more than a month. New Year footsteps closer and closer, every family started prepare New Year goods, air floating faint fireworks smell. Parents looked calendar, smiling said to me: “Time go home, we have to go back paste couplets, wrap dumplings, have a lively New Year.” Just then, Dad suddenly thought of something, patted my shoulder: “Right, before go back take you see someone, is Dad’s proud student, you childhood also saw.” I heart mumbled, besides Julian, who else is Dad’s proud student? When we carried luggage walked out airport arrival exit, far saw a figure standing by pickup sign. Man wearing simple camel coat, posture tall and straight, waving towards our direction. I stared him few seconds, only felt between brows revealed inexplicable familiarity, but just can’t remember where seen. “Caleb, here.” My Dad smiling welcomed up, patted man’s arm. Man called Caleb walked fast over, politely greet parents: “Teacher Song, Mrs. Song, long time no see.” His gaze turned to me, smile deeper a bit: “Chloe, long time no see, remember me?” Dad aside smiling explained: “This is Caleb ah, high school always came our home eat, grades special good, later he went abroad didn’t have time come back, this year just back country, said first time wanted come see us.” I finally remembered. These years he changed lot, faded youth green, added few points mature steady bearing. I somewhat shy smiled: “Long time no see, you became handsome, just now didn’t recognize.” Caleb ears instantly red thorough, he scratched head: “You don’t tease me, so many years no see, you instead didn’t change a bit, still same as childhood, like tease people.” This words amused parents laugh loud, good while later Dad then lifted my suitcase, waved hand to us: “Okay okay, don’t stand here blow wind, hurry home.” Caleb hurriedly took suitcase in Dad’s hand put into trunk, also thoughtfully helped me open car door. Parents in back seat chatting travel funny things, also said wait New Year start want go abroad. Me and Caleb sat front row, occasionally chat two sentences. Suddenly, Caleb turned head look Dad in rearview mirror, tone serious: “Teacher Song, matter you let me handle before, I all done.” I stunned, somewhat puzzled look my Dad: “What matter ah?” My Dad leaned on seat back, cold snort: “Julian that bastard bullied my daughter so, I can just let go?” “I just asked Caleb, poke news he step two boats, to their hospital department group and leaders that’s all.” Dad looking my astonished look, tone sank: “He occupied our family support finish study, turn head spoil you so, really treat our Song family easy bully?” Caleb aside echoing nod, added: “After news sent out, their hospital all exploded.” “Heard Julian promotion quota revoked, also called by leader scolded.” “Sarah knew truth, on spot broke with him, now whole hospital up down everyone knows what virtue he is.” I looked scenery retreating fast outside window, heart couldn’t say what taste. Turns out parents long vented this anger for me, but why I don’t have imagined pleasure? Probably that relationship, along with those unwillingness and resentment, long thrown behind head by me.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390097”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After finishing my Bar Exam, I found out my fiancé was cheating, and I actually felt relieved. Luckily I was too stupid and trusted Julian Hale too much, So I didn’t find out before the exam, affecting my performance. I logged into Julian’s Delta Airlines account. Found the information of that extra stranger girl. Then opened the contact info column, directly copied the girl’s phone number into Instagram. Profile picture similar to my fiancé’s popped up, I first saw the marriage certificate she pinned on her story: “I think the heavy snow will remember this Christmas we promised our lives to each other.” The date on the certificate was even today. I was stunned, then added her as a friend: “Hi sister, do you know your husband has a fiancée he’s been dating for five years?” … Chapter 1 Friend request was approved almost instantly. Immediately, a voice message popped up: “Sister, it’s not whoever dates first is right.” “Please figure it out, I am the main one now.” Background had sound of water splashing, and a man humming. That song was too familiar to me, it was Julian’s favorite “Thinking Out Loud”. Stomach churned, disgusting enough to make me vomit. I looked at the phone screen, hand shaking almost unstable. Just a minute ago, Julian told me on video call he was working overtime at the company. I didn’t reply to that voice message, but quickly screenshotted Jessie’s Instagram. Dazzling marriage certificate, their intimate photo cheek to cheek, and that caption “promised our lives”. Every picture was a knife stabbing into my heart. But I didn’t cry. I backed up all chat records, photos, booking information to the cloud. Then went to wash my face. Moment cold water splashed on face, numbness pain in heart suddenly exploded. Preparing for exam for a whole year. Turns out when I was gritting my teeth fighting for our future, he already had someone else. No longer needed me, and that future with me. An hour later, sound of door opening came from foyer. Julian entered with a body of cold air, holding a box of exquisite Godiva Chocolates. Usually I never bear to buy. “Zoe, not asleep yet?” He changed shoes, shook the chocolates in hand: “Finally finished exam, let’s celebrate today!” If before, I would be moved to pounce into his arms. But now I only smelled the shower gel scent on him that didn’t belong to me. I sat on sofa without moving, raised hand pointed: “Where did you buy these chocolates?” Julian face unchanged, while taking off coat said: “Just that shop downstairs of company, on the way.” “Downstairs of company?” I chuckled lightly, lit up phone screen, threw on coffee table. “Julian Hale, your company moved to Marriott Hotel in South City?” Julian’s action of taking off coat stiffened. He looked down, gaze landed on that red background marriage certificate photo on screen. “Zoe, you checked my phone?” He didn’t explain, first reaction was to bite back. “I didn’t check your phone, your good sister approved my friend request.” I looked at him coldly, “Explain, Mr. Married Man.” Julian stunned, then as if hearing some joke, sneered out loud. “You wouldn’t really believe it right?” He walked over, picked up a chocolate stuffed into mouth, even rolled his eyes. “This is a truth or dare game we played at department Team Building, loser has to Photoshop a marriage certificate post on social media, everyone is playing.” “Jessie is that intern, young age, loves playing, why are you so unable to take a joke?” I stared at his eyes: “Joke? Then the adjacent high-speed train tickets are also a joke? Her listening to you shower in hotel is also a joke?” Julian threw chocolate wrapper fiercely into trash can, voice raised an octave. “Are you done yet? I work myself to death every day for our future, you only know how to be suspicious!” “I said that was business trip! As for her in hotel, that was everyone playing cards in one room, I showered because I accidentally spilled drink on myself!” “Zoe, did you study silly for exam? Can you not be so neurotic?” While speaking, he took out phone, dialed Jessie’s number in front of me, even put on speaker. Jessie’s crying voice came from other end: “Did sister-in-law misunderstand? Sorry Julian brother, I just thought fun to Photoshop… I delete now, sorry, woo woo woo…” Julian hung up, turned to look at me, face full of “you satisfied now” expression. “You scared the little girl to cry, what else do you want?” “I won’t contact her later okay? Deleted, okay right?” He blocked and deleted Jessie in front of me. Then walked over, forcefully hugged stiff me, chin resting on my shoulder. “Okay wifey, don’t make trouble. Next spring when you get offer we hold wedding, I swear, my heart only has you.” His embrace was warm, but I only felt cold. That night, Julian slept very deep. I kept eyes open till dawn. Taking advantage of his deep sleep, I fished out two movie ticket stubs from today in his suit pocket. And a receipt, was a 1 carat ring. Size was 5, a size I simply couldn’t wear. Tears finally flowed down, along corner of eye into pillow. Turns out so-called vows were just his flirting in another woman’s bed. I took photos of ticket stubs and receipt, then put them back as they were. Chapter 2 Next morning early, Julian went to work like nothing happened. Before leaving kissed my forehead, let me not too tired. Moment door closed, I rushed into bathroom, scrubbed that patch of skin on forehead red. When cleaning bathroom, I found a pink electric toothbrush in the cabinet corner of sink. It was hidden behind spare toilet paper roll. But I clearly remembered, here before put my towels to change. Just then, a strange number sent a text message. “Sister, toothbrush I left, Julian brother said I not used to disposable ones, this soft bristle one brushes clean.” No signature, but I knew it was Jessie. Julian deleted her WeChat in front of me yesterday, she changed a way to disgust me today. “Oh, then can only throw, after all things used by dog, human holding feels dirty.” That side didn’t reply again. Noon time, doorbell rang. I opened door, Jessie stood at door, holding a stack of files. She wore a large men’s white shirt, shirt hem tied a knot, revealing slender waist, face hanging innocent smile. That was birthday gift I gave Julian last year, cuff still embroidered Julian’s initials “JH”. “Sister, Julian brother left urgent files at home, let me come pick up.” Her sight crossed me, greedily looking at furnishings inside, eyes full of unabashed possessiveness. “This house really big, Julian brother really amazing.” I leaned on door frame, didn’t let her in. “Files in study, you go get yourself? Or I get for you?” Jessie blinked: “I go myself, I know where.” She didn’t even change shoes, directly stepped high heels walked into living room, leaving few gray marks on floor. “How do you know where?” I asked coldly. She turned back, covered mouth light laugh: “This is me and Julian brother’s couple joint property, of course I know.” “When Julian brother brought me here overtime before, sister you seemed at library right?” Just then, Julian came back. He said came back to get a USB drive, entered door saw Jessie, face changed a bit, but soon recovered normal. Jessie immediately changed to a aggrieved expression, hiding behind Julian. “Julian brother, sister seems not very welcome me, how about I leave…” Julian frowned looking at me: “Zoe, people come help me send files, why you show face?” I pointed bathroom direction: “That toothbrush also sent along with files?” Julian waved hand impatiently: “Before overtime late occasionally stayed, anyway that time your room empty, just convenience. Why your heart so narrow?” “Also this shirt on her.” I pointed Jessie. Julian looked, righteous: “Last team building dirty clothes lent her wear, haven’t had time return, you even quarrel for this broken matter?” “No wonder you took so long to pass exam, mind not on right path, whole day just staring at these chicken feathers garlic skin.” This sentence, accurately stepped on my thunder point. How much I paid for exam, only myself know. And in his mouth, my effort worthless. Julian turned to Jessie gently said: “Ignore her, since came, eat lunch here, taste your sister-in-law’s cooking.” Jessie cheerfully responded, flew into kitchen like a flower butterfly. Eating time, Julian kept picking food for Jessie. “Eat more, look you thin.” “This shrimp is your sister-in-law’s specialty, only you have mouth luck.” I mechanically shoveled white rice in bowl, watching them talking laughing, as if I was the outsider in this home. Jessie went to serve soup, deliberately hand slipped. “Crash!” Mug responded sound broke. That was my favorite limited edition mug, was first year me and Julian together, saved money went Disney bought. “Ouch! Sorry sorry!” Jessie exclaimed. Julian first time grabbed Jessie’s hand, nervously asked: “Scratched or not? Pain not?” Even if Jessie’s hand didn’t even have a red mark. I silently stood up, squatted down to pick up fragments on ground. Sharp porcelain piece cut my fingertip, bright red blood bead instantly popped out, dripped on floor. Very painful. But Julian didn’t even look at me once. He was still blowing that simply non-existent wound for Jessie. I looked at blood on fingertip, suddenly felt that place always tight in heart broke. Blood drained dry, love also gone. I poured bloody fragments into trash can, calmly said: “It’s okay, broken pieces mean peace (pun).” Just like our relationship. Chapter 3 That night, I had a fever. Probably daytime finger cut not treated well bit infected, plus emotions up and down, by midnight, temperature soared to 102 degrees. Whole body like run over by truck painful, throat dry smoking. I pushed awake Julian beside: “Julian, I uncomfortable, seem fever.” Julian groggily opened eyes, touched my forehead, frowned: “Why so hot? Home has fever medicine, you find yourself.” Finished, he turned over, back to me continue sleep. I endured dizziness, climbed up find medicine, pour water myself. Just then, Julian’s phone on bedside table rang. That kind special attention notification sound, appeared exceptionally harsh in this quiet late night. Julian almost catapulted out of bed. He looked at screen, expression instantly became nervous. Connected phone, Jessie’s crying voice came out, clearly audible in quiet bedroom: “Julian brother… home power cut, thunder so scary… I so afraid…” Julian while listening, while flying putting on pants. “Don’t fear, Jessie don’t fear, lock door well, I come immediately.” I holding water cup in hand, weakly pulled his shirt corner. “Julian, where you going?” Julian threw off my hand, buttoning shirt, tone urgent: “Jessie side power cut, she a little girl live alone, afraid dark, I go look.” “I burn to 102 degrees.” I looked at him, voice hoarse, “Can you not go?” Outside window exactly a thunder struck, heavy rain pouring. Julian looked outside window, then looked face full red me, eyes flashed a trace impatience. “Zoe, why you so selfish?” “You just fever, eat some medicine sleep a sleep fine. Jessie side power cut! In case something happen what do?” “She guts small, you are adult, can you be sensible?” I let go hand, gently smiled: “Okay, you go. Remember bring umbrella.” Julian stunned, probably didn’t expect me so easy talk, eyes flashed a trace guilt, but soon interrupted by phone vibration. “You take care yourself well.” Dropped this sentence, he grabbed car key, head not back rushed into rain curtain. Main door heavily closed, shook my eardrum painful. I paralyzed on floor, listening thunder outside, feeling whole body blood flowing backwards. I struggled took out phone, called Uber to hospital. During waiting, I habitually refreshed Instagram. Sure enough, Jessie updated. A photo under dim candlelight. A bowl of steaming hot noodles. Caption: “Stormy night, exclusive knight braved rain deliver warm heart noodles. Not only stomach warm, heart also warmer.” I liked this post. Then put on coat myself, dragged heavy body downstairs. Hospital emergency hall crowded. I alone registered, drew blood, paid fee, finally sat on cold chair in infusion room. Medicine water flowed into vein along tube, cold me straight shivering. Just then, I saw familiar figure. Julian. He holding Jessie in arms, carefully walking out from emergency room. Jessie draped Julian’s coat, face ruddy, where has a bit look of overly scared? She hung on Julian like boneless person, hand still holding a cup hot milk tea. “Julian brother, people ankle twisted, want hug hug.” “Okay okay okay, hug hug.” Julian eyes full doting picked her up, look not sideways passed in front of me. Only two meters distance. I wrapped in down jacket we bought shopping together, sat on chair closest to aisle. Julian’s gaze swept over here, paused half second, then moved away without wave. He didn’t recognize me. Even we shared bed and pillow full five years. Chapter 4 Next day noon, Julian then came back. He looked refreshed, completely didn’t remember last night had a high fever fiancée abandoned by him. “Zoe, better?” He hypocritically asked a sentence, didn’t even reach hand touch my forehead. “Tonight our engagement fifth anniversary banquet, friends all called, you don’t forget clean up.” He threw suit jacket on sofa, still remaining Jessie’s perfume smell on it. I sat in front mirror drawing brows, tone calm: “Relax, won’t forget.” Night, I put on most exquisite makeup in these years. Wore that red slip dress. That was Julian gave me two years ago, but I always disliked too revealing never wore. When Julian saw me, eyes lit up, obviously thought I already turned page. “Wifey, you tonight really beautiful.” He wanted come hug my waist. I sideways avoided, picked up handbag: “Let’s go, don’t be late.” Arrived restaurant, private room already full of our good friends. Everyone seeing me, all booed: “Ouch, sister-in-law today outshine everyone ah!” Julian face full pride. However, just when everyone raising glass, room door pushed open. Jessie wearing a pure white little dress, timidly walked in. “Julian brother… I don’t want eat alone, can I…” Whole venue quiet for a second. Julian immediately stood up, smilingly greeted whole venue: “Come come come, introduce to everyone, this is our company intern Jessie, today bring her see world.” Friends looked each other, eyes spinning between me and Jessie. As long as not fool, can see trick inside. Jessie very sensibly squeezed to seat beside Julian, face full shyness. During meal, friends to relieve awkwardness, booed let us drink cross-cupped wine. Julian raised wine glass, just about lean over. Jessie suddenly low cry, body soft, whole person fell into Julian arms. “Aiya… head so dizzy…” Julian hand wine glass tilted, red wine spilled some on table. He pushed away wine glass, supported Jessie: “Jessie what wrong? Is it hypoglycemia?” Jessie weakly opened eyes, gaze however dead staring at engagement diamond ring on my hand. “Julian brother, sister-in-law’s diamond ring really shiny… I also want try wear…” “Heard diamond ring can bring good luck, I also want touch joy, just once okay?” Julian actually turned head, face matter of course said to me: “Zoe, look Jessie like this, you just lend her wear a bit? Don’t be so stingy.” Room dead silence. I looked at Julian that face, accumulated long anger suddenly turned into a light laugh. “Okay.” I slowly took off that ring wore five years. Julian sighed relief, reached hand want take. My wrist turned, directly threw ring out an arc. “Clang” sound. Ring accurately fell into trash can in corner. “Aiya, hand slipped.” I faintly said. Julian face changed suddenly: “Zoe! You crazy? That cost twenty thousand bought!” “Twenty thousand?” I took out phone, connected to room big screen projector. Next second, screenshots rolling play on huge screen. Jessie Instagram fake marriage certificate. Julian transfer 520, 1314 records to Jessie. And those explicit chat screenshots. “Julian Hale, you also know twenty thousand expensive ah? Buy bag for mistress cost thirty eight thousand, buy me ring still want installment?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390096”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Married for five years, after twelve rounds of IVF, Julian and I finally had our own child. The day the child was born, the always calm Dr. Julian Hayes lost his composure and shed tears, holding my hand tightly, saying to me: “Annie, I can never repay what I owe you in this lifetime. From now on, you and the child are my everything.” He carefully picked up the child, mustered up courage to touch the child’s little face, “From now on you are called Max, wish you a life full of happiness and perfection.” Until his First Love’s daughter was diagnosed with Kidney Failure, he said: “Jenny has the talent to be a top artist in the future, absolutely cannot stop here because of physical reasons.” He knelt on the ground, humble almost to begging: “Annie, I checked, Max and Jenny’s match results are compatible, just let Max give up a kidney, okay?” … Chapter 1 Julian Hayes has always been arrogant, never bowed his head for anything. Even when proposing to me back then, he just threw me a ring, “Marry me, you definitely won’t regret it.” But today, for Selena’s daughter, he actually knelt on the ground, humble like a stray dog. Scorching summer heat, but chill spread through my limbs and bones. I closed my eyes deeply, “Julian, do you know what you are saying?” My heart still held a last trace of expectation for him, as long as he said he was momentarily confused, I could forgive him, then pretend to know nothing. Julian remained silent, as if made up some determination, took a deep breath and spoke again, “I know it’s hard for you to accept, but a person only needs one kidney to maintain normal life.” Seeing I refused to loosen up, he said decisively: “If you insist on disagreeing, I am also Max’s Legal Guardian, I have the right to sign the organ donation form.” I froze in place, under huge grief and indignation, I almost squeezed out a sentence from my throat, “Absolutely not.” Julian stroked my head with a look of regret, “Annie, don’t make it difficult for me, okay?” I beat his shoulder, crying and complaining: “When Max was born, it was you who personally said, from now on we are your everything. Julian, it’s only been three years since you said those words.” I cried falling into Julian’s arms, “It’s not must be Max’s kidney right? Medical science is so advanced now, I beg you, let them wait a bit more, maybe there will be a kidney source?” A trace of sorrow flashed across Julian’s face, “If possible, I certainly don’t want Max to…” But Julian’s phone rang, seeing it was Selena’s call, Julian pushed me away without hesitation, answered the phone. Selena on the other end cried hard, “Julian, Jenny entered ICU again, I am alone in the hospital, what to do…” Julian who was just gentle faced instantly panicked. Grabbed car keys, left without looking back, leaving only a decisive back view, “Can’t wait anymore, you rest assured, I will personally perform this surgery, definitely let both children be safe and sound.” Max just woke up, chased after Julian shouting: “Daddy, where going, Max also want go.” But Julian didn’t even look back at Max once, let Max fall on the steps at the door crying loudly. My heart instantly cooled to the freezing point. Wiping dry tears, I picked up Max who was still wailing, took out phone sent a text to Julian, “Let’s divorce.” Julian delayed replying my message, until late night, he came home with toys and snacks. Behind him followed Selena. Before I could stop, Max already pounced into Julian’s arms. He smilingly handed the toy to Max, “Like it? This is specially chosen by Daddy and Auntie Selena for you. And your favorite snacks.” Julian held Max in arms, tore open snack package, fed food into Max’s mouth. Max long forgot morning’s matter, stuck in Julian’s arms, smiling happily. I watched all this coldly, Max relied on him even more than me, but he was cruel enough to want his own biological son to give up a kidney. Still Selena winked, Julian then looked at me, took out a necklace from chest, “Annie, this is a Wishbone, whatever wish you make in the future, I can help you realize.” I looked at him coldly, brushed away his extended hand, “My only wish, is to cancel organ donation to Jenny.” Julian lowered his head, mumbled something unknown, seemed very troubled, “Annie, do you think I feel better than you? Max is my own flesh and blood, but Jenny is also watched growing up by me, I can’t stand by and watch death.” “Julian, forget it, blame me impulsive, proposed letting Max donate kidney to Jenny such request, made your family restless. All my fault.” She lowered head weeping softly, a look of extreme pitifulness. Seeing her tears smash on the smooth floor, Julian clenched fists, knuckles white. “How can this blame you! Even if you didn’t say, I would actively propose it.” I was stung eyes by the two’s intimate actions, took a deep breath to endure not losing composure. Max was scared to cry by this scene, but Julian’s pitying gaze only fell on Selena alone. My whole body blood gradually cold. Before I married Julian, knew he had a childhood sweetheart. When I hesitated whether to agree be with Julian, it was Julian personally promised me, they were just friends, absolutely wouldn’t affect our relationship because of Selena. But when Selena gave birth, Julian would rather miss opportunity for exchange abroad, also want guard by Selena side. The day Selena’s daughter was born, he who never cared about rituals personally went to auction, bid for world’s top pink diamond tiara to give Jenny as gift coming to this world. Jenny just said want paint, he immediately used connections arranged domestic best painter accept Jenny as closing disciple. Pity my Max, when born, only had a silver safety lock, two days later, Julian actively went to Africa for international support. He kept saying loved me and Max most, but he forever put Selena and her daughter’s matters in first place. So many years I have been deceiving myself, but now, I really can’t deceive anymore. Max still holding cheap toy brought back by Julian in hand, mouth containing that cloying candy. Actually Max never liked these, just because it was given by Julian, he was happy terribly. “Max, spit it out, don’t eat if don’t like.” “Enough, Annie, if you can’t stand me and Selena just say it straight, what for taking anger out on child, are you still fit to be a mother?” Until this time, Julian still defending Selena. “If our Max got kidney failure, Selena and Jenny would definitely donate a kidney without hesitation! Annie, you can’t be so selfish.” “Don’t say anymore Julian, you just treat never knew me, never knew Jenny.” Selena cried choking, snuggled in Julian’s arms. Julian eyes cold, glared at me, “Married so many years, until now, I finally saw clearly your cold-blooded ruthless true face.” I suddenly remembered, after marriage me and Julian honeymoon in Sanya, but just then, Selena divorced. Selena just posted a WeChat Moment, Julian without saying a word left me, immediately booked nearest flight flew back to comfort Selena. Consecutive half month accompanied by Selena side. When I walked alone on beach full of couples, Selena’s Moment was [We are world number one best], picture Julian making love breakfast for her in kitchen. When I sat alone under coconut tree, Selena’s Moment was [Secret of eighteen years old], picture Julian’s side face, background in dim cinema. … That half month, once I wake up, just flip Selena’s Moments, tears flow down, then wipe dry, until numb. I always believed Julian. Looking at Julian’s unconcealed affection for Selena, I suddenly laughed out loud, “So, if our wedding date was a bit later, would you have canceled engagement to marry Selena?” “Slap!” A burning slap landed on my face, opposite Julian eyes scarlet, “I did like Selena that’s right. But for you, I gave up all beautiful memories with Selena, isn’t this enough? Must you say such words to provoke me?” Cruel accusation sound like a sharp blade cut open my heart. Tears endured for long time, finally fell like rain. When I looked up, looked at Julian again, eyes already no half bit love. “No, you don’t need to give up memories between you guys. From now on me and Max, absolutely won’t appear in front of you again.” I picked up Max, prepared to leave. But blocked by Julian, “You can go, Max must stay.” I opened lips, but could only laugh weakly. “Julian, must you be so heartless?” Who knew Julian after a silence snatched Max away, pushed me down fiercely. He handed the child to Selena, “You take Max go first!” Tears gushed out stream after stream, I opened mouth but couldn’t shout out sound. Until Max was roughly stuffed into car by Selena. “No! Don’t take away my child!” Voice broke through throat, I heard my own almost collapsed crying sound. But Julian confined me dead, until my eyes black, saw nothing in front. Chapter 2 “Oh my god, sister-in-law you are actually so beautiful, no wonder Brother Julian reluctant to bring out.” “Didn’t expect Brother Julian’s daughter already so big, painting so well, maybe can become top painter in future.” “Look at you no eyesight, paint Jenny uses is specially mixed by our country’s top painter Master Ouyang, presumably Jenny is that closing disciple of Master Ouyang right. Brother Julian really generous.” I was woken up by chattering voices from next room. “Max!” Open eyes again, no one beside me, Max also disappeared. I stumbled ran to door, “Damn, locked!” “Anyone! Help!” I desperately knocked on ward door, but no one opened for me. “Don’t bother, Brother Julian specially instructed next door is a mental patient, some noise is normal.” “Don’t mention, don’t know what happened to Brother Julian recently, always bring some special disease patients back, that kid in further next door also brought back yesterday, said to be especially serious infectious disease, when I delivered meal in only dared throw in from far, porridge spilled on floor, that kid hungry bad just lay on floor lick, quite pitiful.” Must be my Max! They actually treated my Max like this! Max cries once hungry, but at this moment further next door had no sound at all. I cold all over, trembling lips couldn’t say a complete sentence: “Julian, beg you… beg you return Max to me… I don’t want be with you anymore, I don’t want anymore, whatever you and Selena want all okay, beg you guys… return Max to me…” Seemed telepathy, next door suddenly rang child’s hoarse crying shout: “Mom… Max scared! Dad! Mom!” I picked up room chair, fiercely smashed on door, eyes splitting roared out, “Max don’t fear, mom come save you!” That door extremely solid, my hand shocked out bruise, door still dead closed. Until I exhausted, desperately fell on ground, Max over there also already cried hoarse throat. I shedding tears, sorrowfully squeezed few words from throat, “I, donate. Let me and Max go.” A white light flashed, Julian cold face opened door, “Hope you understand my difficulty. Little Chen, donor’s two guardians both agreed donation, immediately notify operating room set up.” Pain to extreme, I suddenly laughed out, “Julian, me and Max won’t forgive you this life.” Julian eye bottom flashed a trace pain, “I promise you, surgery will definitely succeed. Max is my son, I absolutely won’t let him have trouble.” Moment stepping out ward, Max already injected sedative pushed out. He so well-behaved, still didn’t know what he was about to face. My heart seemed pierced repeatedly by thousand needles, already pain to speechless. Even used all strength reached out to touch, also stopped by Julian. Operating room door heavily closed, only left light sentence “Just wait.” But surgery only proceeded less than half hour, Julian hurriedly came out, he full body blood, didn’t even have time say a word to me. I chased behind him, pulling him, “How is Max!? Where are you going?” I then noticed he carried a box in hand, should be holding kidney. “Julian! Max hasn’t got off operating table, you rush to save Selena’s child! You promised me, would let Max come out safe!” I like a shrew dragged him, I cared nothing, I only want my Max safe and sound. “Max surgery remaining part will be done by my most valued student! Jenny critical again, I have to hurry save her!” He pushed me on ground again, ran towards another operating room. I collapsed powerless lay on ground crying, could only pray Max can get off operating table safe. An hour later, doctors in operating room finally came out. I hurriedly wiped dry tears, tried best pull a smile, “Doctor, can I see Max now.” Several doctors face difficult, finally sentenced, “Massive hemorrhage happened before suturing, we tried best. Please restrain grief.” My brain blank, “No, this impossible, I want see Max! Let me see him!” “Sorry, according process, child body need send to Morgue first, you can go morgue claim.” They don’t let me see child… Don’t know how many tears shed, I supported broken body, stumbled walked towards operating room Jenny did surgery. I wanted ask Julian, our Max died, is he satisfied? Chapter 3 “Congrats senior brother, Jenny successfully out of danger, kidney transplant also very successful. You and sister-in-law finally can peace mind.” Selena face full shy, “You guys don’t tease us. Jenny this time escape danger really relied on you guys, gather together another day.” Crowd waited Julian speak, until Julian also nodded, everyone talked and laughed again. Met Selena smile, I heart pain to numb, almost can’t feel pain. How ironic, my child died, Selena’s child escaped danger. Selena and Jenny treated as Julian wife and child, enjoyed everyone’s beautiful blessing, while me and Max treated as mental patient and infectious disease patient, until Max died, no one knew he was Julian’s son. When Jenny wakes up can see own mom, while my Max, can only lie in cold morgue. I couldn’t support anymore, retreated again and again. When Julian saw me, like electric shock released Selena’s hand. “Annie, listen me explain…” I pale face shook head, “Roll away, don’t touch me.” Julian followed beside me, but pulled by Selena, “Julian, wait again okay? Jenny said first person she want see when wake up, is you. You know, in her heart, you already existence surpassing her dad.” Julian didn’t follow up again. I couldn’t help sneer smile, Julian, you also just so so. Not coming disturb me and Max better, I want go pick him home. … “Selena, but I already Max’s dad, Annie’s husband.” Julian gently brushed away Selena hand, “We can’t go back, let those beautiful memories stay in past.” “But you even can for Jenny, let Max give a kidney!” Selena hugged Julian, “You clearly still love me right? Julian, don’t leave us okay?” “Selena, I admit I loved you, but person I love most now, is Annie and Max. Jenny is watched grow up by me, I won’t stand by, but me to you and Jenny, also only stop here.” Selena visibly panicked, “But you took Max one kidney, with Annie character absolutely won’t forgive you!” Julian silent, long sigh. “I will use my second half life everything, to repay Annie and Max.” Julian clicked open chat box with Selena, deleted Selena completely. “If our relationship brought trouble to Annie, then later we don’t contact.” “No, Julian, not like this, clearly we almost could together forever. Between us, Annie is third party.” “But back then, was you actively chose someone else.” Finished, Julian prepared leave. Selena cried red eyes, she knew she no longer influence Julian thought, could only tentatively open mouth, “Julian, at least wait Jenny wake up, let her look you again, okay?” Julian raised left foot stopped in mid-air, hesitated moment still took back, “Okay, but this is last time.” Chapter 4 When found Max body, I delayed dare not lift white cloth. Two days ago still lively calling dad mom good baby, suddenly couldn’t move anymore, also couldn’t speak. When dug out kidney, he must scared terrible. Thinking these, my heart like twisted dough tight,揪 (gripped) pain terrible. Unbearable Max body rot, even reluctant, I also quickly arranged burial. Day of burial exactly Max birthday. Rainstorm pouring, I stood before tombstone, looking Max portrait, thought of dream I had previous night. In dream Max crying followed behind me, chasing ask: “Mom, where is dad? Why not come see Max? Is it Max not good. Max wants dad.” I deeply closed eyes, finally still called that familiar number. “Beep beep beep—The number you dialed is not answered…” Until long time, phone then connected. “Papa Julian, come help me cut cake. I want eat this side has strawberry.” Julian tone extreme doting, “Okay, these all yours.” “Your Papa Julian knows you love eat strawberry most, specially ordered biggest best for you.” … Rain heavier and heavier, people around all left, only left me alone still here. I listened to laughter on other end of phone, heart pain difficult breathe. “Hello? Annie? Still there? Just now… I had something. You called have matter?” I sneered, couldn’t help mock: “You guys celebrating?” Julian on that end seemed stunned, passed good while then stammered open mouth: “Today celebrate Jenny reborn. You and Max good at home okay? I will rush back ASAP.” Phone fell on ground, I didn’t pick, just looked at Max portrait lost mind. Looking looking, suddenly laughed, “Max, knew early let you come this world would be so painful, mom shouldn’t birthed you suffer these. Will you regret become mom child?” Rain washed my body, I groggy returned home. Julian immediately took dry towel help me wipe, tone somewhat blaming, “Went attend whose funeral? Why made this look. Max? Why didn’t see him. Why you not let Max stay hospital few more days, just did such big surgery, what if infected?” Julian lifted cake on table, “Did you put child at parents-in-law home? Let’s go, we go celebrate birthday for Max.” I expressionless looked at mango cake in Julian hand, “So you knew today is Max birthday, but still ran to celebrate for Selena and her daughter?” Julian frowned, “I promise this is last time. Annie, don’t willful, Max still waiting us.” I smilingly slapped off cake in Julian hand. “Enough Annie! What crazy exactly you发 (acting) ?!” I face full bitter smile, tears uncontrollable flow down, “What deep affection you acting here? Act for who see? Max mango allergy you don’t know? Based on what Selena daughter can eat custom cake, my Max only worthy eat these garbage! Julian, since your heart never had me and Max, come back do what?” Met my indifferent eyes, Julian obviously stunned a bit, his voice choked, “Sorry, Max mango allergy? I really don’t know…” His eyes flashed a trace guilt, panic took out phone, “You tell me, what flavor Max like eat, I immediately order best one for him.” He said while taking car key, “Let’s go first, later directly let people send over.” Looking at his subconscious extended hand want pull me, if before, I would happily hold, then pounce into his arms. But now, thinking he also used this hand held Selena and her daughter, I only feel disgusting. “No need go, Max not there.” “Annie, exactly want angry with me till when? Exactly where you hid Max? He just did surgery, can’t stand such toss.” Julian long sigh, as if everything my fault. I no strength argue with him again, “Max died, let’s divorce.” Julian face flashed unprecedented panic, shaking my body, “To anger me, you actually say such words curse own biological son? You quick say, exactly where you hid Max?” Seeing me paralyzed on ground wordless, Julian unbelievable shook head, “Impossible, why Max die? Because post-op infection? No one told me?” I listened Julian these self-deception words only felt funny, so long, he still hasn’t seen son’s medical record. His face emerged nearly despair sorrow, painfully pinched my shoulder, “What exactly happened?” I didn’t want say one more word to him, I really so tired, used all strength support broken body, I coldly said: “Divorce agreement I will let lawyer give you.” My cold to extreme attitude made Julian thoroughly panic, he stumbled out door, drive to hospital.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390095”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

In the seventh year of my relationship with Julian Vance, the new drama he starred in exploded overnight. The Shippers of him and the heroine invaded the comment section of my, an amateur girlfriend’s Instagram: “Hurry up and give Julian to someone more suitable.” “The one not loved is the third party, sister you are really superfluous.” “If you don’t break up, we will scold you until you do.” I was so angry I wanted to delete my account. Julian laughed at me for making a fuss, “They just haven’t moved on from the drama.” Later, at every promotional event for the new drama, Julian and the heroine would look at each other and shed tears. When the host asked about feelings, the heroine cried and said: “The order of appearance in life is really important.” Julian sighed, raised his hand and touched her head. That night I proposed a breakup. Julian frowned and explained to me, “She just hasn’t moved on.” “Mm.” “I didn’t cheat.” “Okay.” He didn’t understand, “Then why break up?” I smiled, “Julian Vance, I just suddenly feel it’s meaningless, thoroughly meaningless.” Chapter 1 Julian seemed not to hear me clearly. After a moment of silence, he said lightly: “I want to hear the real reason.” I shrugged, “This is it.” He stared into my eyes, thinking he saw through my mind. “Layla, it’s nothing more than because of what happened during the day, you started being suspicious again, right?” Julian emphasized the word “again”. Indeed, I used to suffer from gains and losses due to lack of security. Especially in the last two years, Julian’s career was on the rise. Once he entered the set, he wouldn’t reply to messages or answer calls. Where he was filming, who he partnered with, he never told me. Many times, I relied on scrolling Twitter, learning Julian’s recent situation from paparazzi roadshows. In those videos, hugging, holding, kissing, were all common meals. I often watched and watched, uncontrollably imagining him being intimate with others, and then suffered insomnia. Maybe I was too petty. A few times I couldn’t hold back, called over, and was coldly hung up by Julian. Next time we met, he always criticized me first time: “I said many times, I need to get into character, completely immerse in the script, can’t be disturbed by outside people and things. “As a professional actor’s girlfriend, you must understand me, support me, not cause trouble, understand?” Chapter 2 I have tried my best not to cause trouble. Only once, haven’t seen for more than three months, I missed Julian too much. I inquired about the schedule in advance, confirmed he wasn’t filming that day before going to visit. To bring his favorite pastries, I queued for three hours. Result caught up with heavy rain. The crew temporarily moved a heavy rain scene to that day. Because of my intrusion, Julian’s kissing scene couldn’t get into state, NG several times. He always treated people properly and thoughtfully, temper extremely good. Worried about causing trouble to everyone, kept apologizing. Only vented anger on me. Even threw the pastries I bought. “Layla, who let you come? Take your broken stuff, go!” My tears swirled in eye sockets. “Julian Vance, you bastard, you only know how to fierce me! “Seeing you busy, I immediately went to the lounge to wait, where exactly did I hinder you? “I don’t want to date you anymore! Break up!” Hearing “break up” two words, Julian paused for two seconds. He clenched fists, restraining full anger. Pressed me on the chair to kiss, kissing and biting, fierce terribly. “Quarrel is quarrel, dare you casually mention break up later?” Today, Julian wanted to repeat the old trick. I stepped back. Let him pounce on empty air. Julian pinched his brow center, patiently continued to explain: “Tara is a newcomer, young, just can’t get out of character for a while, is it wrong? “All colleagues, colleague cried I comfort a bit, is it wrong? “Can you not always suspect me, making me look like a scumbag, I have great mental pressure…” He chattered endlessly. I didn’t listen to a word. Mind recalling the live broadcast during the day. After Julian and Tara looked at each other for a long time, both cried into tears. I don’t understand. In the drama, the ending of male and female leads is happy and perfect. Outside drama, ratings soared all the way, receiving countless praises. What exactly are they crying for? Julian subconsciously wanted to help Tara wipe tears, hand raised halfway felt inappropriate, changed to touching head. A detail made Shippers edit countless videos. Caption: [Your tears are still on face, but I no longer have the identity to wipe them.] If before, I would be extremely jealous, let Julian coax me. But current me won’t. Turns out when relationship reaches end, really like a pool of dead water, can’t stir up waves. “You are not wrong okay, Julian Vance. “But today I just want to break up.” Chapter 3 My stubbornness exhausted Julian’s patience. He was in a hurry to catch a flight, no time to pull with me, only left a sentence: “You calm down yourself first.” This is his most common way to solve problems between us. Just hands off and ignore. Next time meet again, two people kiss hug tired for a while, treat previous quarrel as never happened. With him, not mentioning means passed. But with me, every stroke is remembered. Few days later, I signed a shop transfer contract. “Miss Layla, I see your business usually very good, why not doing it?” I looked at the flower shop in front of me, still very reluctant. After all, poured my effort of several years here. “Because I am about to leave Los Angeles.” Me and Julian are both from San Francisco. Back then he went north to build career, I quit job followed him to LA. At beginning we were very poor, lived in a ten square meter single room, monthly rent six hundred fifty, window only half above ground. Always passersby curiously peeking into window. LA so prosperous. And we were like rats living in gutter. Winter here cold to bone. I bought a second-hand heater, contact bad caught fire at midnight. Julian heard news, borrowed friend’s car, drove seven hours night road back. He this person, put almost all emotions into acting. Usually treat people things lightly. But that time, he hugged me cried almost alkalosis. “Layla, is me useless, let you suffer with me. “I will be red, I will earn lots lots money later, love you cherish you whole life!” Seven years passed. Julian’s career rose step by step, conflicts between us also more and more. No way. I am a person extremely anxious about intimate relationships. And Julian happens to be an actor. His job requires filming many intimate scenes, requires stuffing his soul into another identity, imagining loving others as the character in the play. Once he filmed an intense kissing scene with an actress. That part was exactly the famous scene where male and female leads emotional entanglement deepest. Two people both kissed to tears, uncontrollably hugged together kissed for long time, didn’t even hear director shout cut. Finally both fell on bed, bodies sticking, tearing clothes. Those behind were not in script. Were subconscious reactions after true feelings revealed. Director couldn’t stop applauding, “Good, this part added good, looks like really moved.” Just so coincidence, that day was Julian’s birthday, I specially brought gift to find him. Honestly speaking, seeing that scene, I was very uncomfortable. But no way. This is his job. Even I get angry, jealous, all appear unreasonable. Lack of security, made me anxious, sensitive, controlling desire bursting. While Julian showered, I secretly checked his phone. Discovered. He was very angry. “Layla, are you sick? Are you idle panic? Don’t you have your own things to do?” Fatal three questions. Back then was him coaxed me quit job come LA, said just like me sticking to him, want raise me whole life. After that day, I took out all savings opened this flower shop. Come every day, wind rain not stop. Let myself busy. Then no time to tangle, Julian want kiss who today, intimate scene can shoot to what scale, will have physiological reaction, what if he really can’t get out of character fall in love with others… Chapter 4 Already passed rush hour. Way home, subway empty. Two girls sat next to me, staring at phone, face hanging aunt smile. “Bet or not, Julian and Tara definitely moved heart outside drama too, this kind subconscious approach body movement can’t fool people.” “Doesn’t Julian have girlfriend?” “Think about it, one side is girlfriend dated seven years, old pearl yellow no freshness, other side is fresh beautiful glamorous female star, if you are Julian, who you like?” I silently took out small mirror, looked at myself. I was at least prom queen back then. Not to point of old pearl yellow right. Actually Julian publicizing relationship was forced by me. At beginning, he said didn’t hope bring too much personal life to screen to discuss. So that insiders didn’t know he had girlfriend. There were chasing him, introducing objects to him. Even wanting unspoken rules him. I therefore threw a big temper, “Do you exactly think unnecessary, or think I can’t be shown, don’t want give up your single persona?” Julian scolded me unreasonable. But still announced my existence on Twitter: [Happy 7th Anniversary, Girlfriend @Layla] Late night, #JulianAnnounceRelationship and #JulianTara simultaneously on trending. Because their CP fans wrote a explosive post overnight—— [You are my madness wandering outside secular order.] Summarized all ambiguous interactions of two cooperating till now. In post, they two like hard fate mandarin ducks love but can’t get, and I am the bully blocking their two-way rush. They said Julian only because responsibility, didn’t choose break up with me such mediocre girlfriend. Tara online late night. Like, cancel, post saying hand slipped. All in one go. Even specially @me: [Sister-in-law don’t mind, another day beautiful date meal together @Layla] As if very familiar with me. But I simply don’t know her. Julian advised me don’t overthink, “Tara very simple little girl, she just afraid you awkward.” I subconsciously asked: “She simple, then me?” “You?” Julian hooked lip corner, “Alright Layla, compare what with young little girl.” His tone carried doting. Clearly Tara only two years younger than me.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390094”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel