A new girl, Sienna, transferred in—a bombshell with a sharp attitude. She vowed to have my childhood best friend, Noah, in her bed within months. Without looking up, Noah said, “Stay away. I’m a germaphobe.” But then he gripped my hand, eyes red, and whispered, “Aria, I’ve only ever been yours. Why wait until after graduation? Waiting is killing me.” He paused, then added, “But fine. I’m traditional. A few more months won’t kill me. Your happiness comes first.” Sienna chased him for half a year; he never glanced her way. I thought it was true love—until the pre-semester party. Drunk and barely standing, he leaned on me, murmuring my name desperately: “Aria, have pity on your future husband…” My heart raced. Alone, I tried to steal my first kiss. But as my lips touched his, his hazy eyes snapped open. He pinned me against the door, his voice a rough whisper: “Why so shy tonight? No tongue? Last night in the music room, you were all over me.” A chilling cold washed through me. The boy who swore I was his one and only… was wearing a mask I’d never seen. 1 Noah’s kiss was deep and possessive, his movements far from clumsy. He kissed like an expert. He said last night. So, who was he with last night? Before I could even form the question, he pulled away. He was completely wasted, his eyelids heavy. He let out a low groan, his brow furrowing slightly. “You dummy, still haven’t learned how to breathe?” “Did I teach you nothing?” I took a sharp breath, pushing against his chest. My fingertips trembled, but I forced my voice to stay level. “Noah, look at me. Look who I am.” Noah went silent for a beat, squinting at me. I never imagined that the few seconds before his answer would feel like an eternity. A dreadful possibility was clawing its way into my mind. But I needed to hear it from him. He patted his own cheeks, then gently pinched mine, his words slurred with alcohol. “Sweetheart, are you still in my dream?” “Aria… you’re so much better in my dreams. You let me kiss you whenever I want.” My eyelashes fluttered. Hearing my name, that gnawing anxiety in my gut subsided, just for a moment. So, he thought he was dreaming. Noah cupped my face, his warm lips descending on mine again. “Breathe, sweetheart. Don’t hold your breath and turn all red like last time.” He cooed and kissed me, peppering his words with all the old pet names he had for me. When he was done, he flopped onto the bed and buried his face in the pillows, as if embarrassed. “Damn, this dream feels real.” I sat beside him on the edge of the bed, my thoughts racing. After a few moments, I stood up. Whatever. Noah was an idiot. He’d been chasing me his whole life. Even if he was hiding something, he was terrible at keeping secrets. It would come out eventually. No one else was home tonight. I pulled out my phone to order some hangover soup, but it died right in my hand. Too lazy to find a charger, I grabbed Noah’s phone instead. The lock screen was still the latest picture I’d sent him. He always claimed he got bored easily, so he demanded at least three new, different photos of me every week. If I didn’t deliver, he’d pout and ignore me, a real pain to win back over. I always teased him about it. “If you get bored so easily, how have you been stuck on me for so many years?” He’d just grin, all carefree charm. “Tough luck. You’re the one I like.” But when I tried my fingerprint to unlock the phone, it failed. Of the five fingerprints registered on his phone, one was his. The other four were mine. I tried each of my fingers. All of them failed. Did he delete them by mistake? Noah wasn’t that careless. I tried the passcode next: my birthday. He’d used that code for years. He wouldn’t change it. But it failed, too. Just then, a notification popped up on the screen. It was a picture, from Sienna. The girl who had been chasing Noah for months. 2 My hand tightened around the phone, my knuckles white. When did they become friends on social media? Didn’t Noah say he couldn’t stand her? To be fair, Noah had always had a legion of admirers. But he was aloof and had a sharp tongue. That, combined with his blatant, unwavering devotion to me, made most girls give up pretty quickly. Sienna was the only one who had lasted this long. And she was the only one who truly got under his skin. I remember one evening after our late study session, she cornered me in the hallway. Her voice was laced with ice. “Aria, you and Noah aren’t actually dating, are you?” “So it’s fair game. May the best woman win.” Her hostility was palpable. Before I could respond, Noah appeared, snagging my backpack and slinging it over his shoulder with practiced ease. He handed me a warm carton of milk and carefully adjusted my scarf and hat. Noah was usually so mild-mannered, but that night, I could feel the storm brewing inside him. He took my hand, his tall frame shielding me from her glare, and his voice was cold steel. “She doesn’t have to compete with you. Because I’m the one chasing her.” “And you’re right, we’re not dating. I’m just her future husband.” Noah was silent the entire walk home that night. Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and poked his arm. “What’s wrong?” His eyes were red, and he pinched my cheek, his tone accusatory. “Aren’t you even a little bit jealous?” “Someone says that to you, and you have no reaction? Do you not even like me?” Oh, so that was it. I shook my head. “No, because I know your heart only has room for me.” Noah’s lips pressed into a thin line, but I could see he was pleased. He took my hand again, his grip tight. “I can’t wait for graduation, Aria. I want to date you so badly.” I looked down, remembering what Noah’s mother had told me. “Aria, sweetie, I know Noah has loved you since you were little, and I don’t object to you two. But can you promise me you’ll wait until after graduation to say yes to him?” I squeezed Noah’s hand, thinking to myself. Just wait a little longer, Noah. There’s only one semester left. 3 I put Noah’s phone down and went to my own room downstairs. The room I had lived in for over a decade. When I was three, my parents divorced. My mother, raising me alone, found a job with the Scotts, Noah’s family. She worked as their housekeeper, and we lived there with them. Noah and I are the same age. We grew up side by side. Even as a kid, Noah had this “keep your distance” aura. I was a little scared of him, but I was always polite, calling him my big brother. He never answered back, but he always included me when he played with his friends. I guess I was a cute kid, because one of the boys once told Noah to share me with him. Noah, who was always so cool and collected, exploded. He tackled the boy, pinned him to the ground, and just snarled, “Get lost.” It was the first time I’d ever seen him angry, the first time I’d heard him swear. On the way home, I trailed timidly behind him, calling his name. Still fuming, he turned and yelled at me, another first. “Don’t call me your brother!” I was so scared I avoided him for days, until he finally cornered me. His tone was softer then, and he used a nickname for me for the very first time. “Aria, are you dense?” “Brothers and sisters can’t get married.” I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. I’d imagined he hated me, that he was annoyed by me… But I had never, ever imagined he might actually like me. After his confession, Noah became even more shamelessly devoted to me. His love wasn’t quiet like he was; it was loud, passionate, and on full display. Everyone knew it. Noah Scott would only ever marry one person in his life. Aria Lane. But tonight, my mind couldn’t stop racing. His practiced, expert kiss. The way he called me “sweetheart.” And that picture from Sienna, the one I couldn’t see. 4 The next day was the first day of the new semester. My mom had taken a month off to visit family, and Noah’s parents were away on a business trip. It was just me and Noah in the house. I hadn’t slept a wink, so naturally, I overslept. The moment I opened my door, I walked straight into Noah’s chest. A faint scent of citrus hit me. I sniffed the air, asking without thinking, “Did you change your body wash? It smells… unfamiliar.” For years, he had insisted on using the same brand as me. He’d never switched, not once. Even yesterday, when we went out, he smelled like my body wash. Noah’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He gave a quiet “mmhmm.” He clearly didn’t want to elaborate. “I made you breakfast. Let’s get to school.” I took the breakfast sandwich he handed me and pursed my lips. “My mom told me to take care of you…” Noah grabbed my hand, a faint smile playing on his lips. “You, take care of someone? You practically threw me on the bed last night and disappeared.” I seized the opportunity. “I was going to order you some hangover soup, but my phone died. And you changed your phone’s passcode.” Noah paused for a second before explaining, “The guys figured out my password was your birthday last time. It’s not secure.” “You know my phone is filled with pictures of you. I’d lose my mind if even one got out.” “Oh,” I said. He continued, “I changed it to the day I first told you I liked you.” I nodded, pretending to understand. But a thought still nagged at me. That doesn’t explain why you deleted my fingerprints. Just as I was about to press him further, Noah handed me his phone and leaned back against the car window, closing his eyes. “Go ahead, look. It’s not every day I get an inspection from you.” “Finally starting to care about what I’m up to, huh?” I’d never done anything like this before, but today, I had to know. So I opened his chat history. Sienna’s contact was gone. I tossed the phone onto his lap. “I saw Sienna send you a message yesterday. It was a picture. It’s gone now.” Noah didn’t even open his eyes. “Yeah. She sent me an explicit photo. I blocked and deleted her.” 5 …An explicit photo? A lump formed in my throat. I wanted to ask him why he’d added her in the first place. I thought he couldn’t stand her. But what right did I have to ask? We weren’t anything, officially. Everyone thought I was just stringing him along, refusing to say yes after he’d poured his heart out for so long. But Mrs. Scott had taken my mother and me in when we had nowhere else to go. We owed them everything. I had to honor the one condition she’d given me. Besides, it was just a little longer. Being with Noah at all was more than I could have ever hoped for. “Aria, I didn’t know it was her when I accepted the request.” He held up his phone, showing me his lock screen—my face—his eyes softening with a genuine tenderness. “It just disgusted me. She’s got nothing on my Aria.” In class, Noah sat beside me as usual. He expertly unpacked my various snacks from his backpack, along with new pens and notebooks, and a few other little things he knew I sometimes needed. He was always like that, taking care of every little detail. Sienna was the last one to arrive. On this frigid winter day, she wore a tight, cropped top under a thin jacket, paired with a skirt that barely reached her mid-thigh. She sauntered in, chewing gum, and tossed her bag onto the desk across the aisle from Noah. Noah’s pen froze for a second. He glanced at me. “Aria, switch seats with me.” Sienna just smirked and plopped down into her chair. I moved to Noah’s seat. As soon as I sat down, I was hit by a wave of citrus. The same scent that was on Noah. Only here, it was much, much stronger. 6 First period was a study hall. I told myself to stop overthinking and buried my head in my workbook. A folded note slid onto my desk. It was from Sienna. I hesitated for a moment, then unfolded it. “He smells like me, doesn’t he?” I crumpled the note into a tight ball and threw it at Noah in frustration. He was in the middle of organizing my notes on problems I’d gotten wrong. He raised an eyebrow at me, then slowly unfolded the paper. As he read the words, his fingers clenched, crumpling it again. Noah muttered a curse under his breath and pulled me out of my seat and into the hallway. The class monitor called after us, but we were already gone. He sighed and wrote both our names on the board for detention. At the end of the empty hall, I yanked my hand free. “What is wrong with you?” “What kind of lies is she feeding you now?” I pressed my lips together. “She’s not lying. You both have the same scent.” Noah sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Don’t listen to her nonsense. I ran into her the other day when I was buying you snacks.” “She must have seen me grab some new body wash. She’s doing this on purpose to mess with you.” It felt like too many coincidences, but I chose to believe Noah wouldn’t lie to me. “Okay, I get it. I didn’t say anything. Let’s go back to class.” Noah reached for my hand, but I flinched away instinctively. I was distracted for the rest of the day, making stupid mistakes on the simplest problems. On the walk home, for the first time in forever, Noah didn’t hold my hand or talk to me. Usually, the walk from the classroom to the school gate was his dedicated pestering time. He’d chatter endlessly, a stark contrast to the cool, quiet persona he showed everyone else. It was an endearing, adorable side of him that I loved. But today, he was just staring at his phone. He had long legs and a fast pace. He forgot about me, leaving me trailing behind. I clutched my backpack straps and jogged to catch up. 7 That evening, Noah brought a glass of warm milk to my room. He leaned against the doorframe, watching me drink it all. Then he pushed his hair back from his forehead and smiled. “Can I have a hug?” I nodded. We’d already kissed last night, so a hug didn’t seem like a big deal. I walked over and stepped into his embrace. The scent that hit me wasn’t the citrus from earlier. It was my scent, the one he was supposed to smell like. Didn’t he say he switched his body wash? Noah’s phone buzzed. He glanced at it. Then he released me and left without looking back. “Get some sleep.” I stood frozen in place, the lingering scent of him clinging to me, a confusing, unsettling presence that I couldn’t shake. Later that night, as I was getting ready for bed, I got a new friend request. The profile picture was familiar. It was Sienna. I accepted. A message came through immediately. [Remember what I said three months ago? Well, I did it.] [I tested him out for you. He’s amazing, by the way. And very… gifted.]

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I got the supercar dirty while I was mucking out the chicken coop. The family’s young prince was already in a foul mood over his rebellious adopted sister and her new boyfriend. He didn’t dare take it out on her, so he threw the car keys at my head instead. “If you don’t break up with that punk, you can get the hell out of this house!” The girl’s eyes filled with tears. “Then who do you want as your sister? Her?” She pointed a dramatic finger at me, still rubbing my head. The prince didn’t even glance my way. “Works for me,” he sneered. I was about to protest when strange, glowing text floated in front of my eyes: 【LOL, does the chicken poop girl actually believe him? He’s just saying it because he’s mad.】 【He already regrets it. If she hesitates for even a second, he’ll take it back.】 【But… if she actually becomes the Morton family’s adopted daughter, she’d be set for life. Money, luxury, everything…】 I snapped to attention and beamed. “Hello, brother!” 1. The moment the words left my mouth, the expressions on everyone’s faces soured. The boy, Spencer, looked me up and down, his gaze finally landing on the chicken droppings caked on my boots. His face twisted. “You really want to be my sister?” I nodded, looking up at him with wide, hopeful eyes. “Are you going to take it back?” His jaw tightened, and he pressed his lips into a thin, silent line. “Spencer!” The girl, Tina, stomped her foot, her voice thick with tears. “You promised I would be your only sister!” The air crackled with tension for a few seconds. Then, Spencer’s voice turned cold. “Sorry. I was just joking.” My heart sank. The floating text reappeared: 【OMG, I’ve seen shameless people, but this is a new low. Practically begging to be a stranger’s sister.】 【She should take a good look at herself in a puddle. A wild hick reeking of chicken shit, trying to compare herself to our sweet, perfect heroine?】 【Besides, the role of ‘sister’ is sacred to him. He would never let some dirty girl take that spot.】 I rubbed the growing bruise on my head. I lowered my gaze and mumbled, “Then… can you at least give me some more money?” 2. Spencer gave me twenty crisp hundred-dollar bills. By the time I left, the brother and sister had already made up. Tina was clinging to his arm, a triumphant smirk on her face as she glanced at me. “That’s not even enough for me to buy a new backpack. Maybe we should give her some more?” A flood of text filled my vision: 【Our heroine is so kind! Aaaah!】 I carefully rolled the bills into a tight cylinder, tucked them deep into my pocket, and shook my head. “No… that’s not necessary.” I was asking for compensation, not trying to blackmail them. I rolled up my sleeves and meticulously wiped the bird droppings off the supercar’s gleaming finish. Thankfully, it came off without leaving a trace. The whole time, Tina covered her mouth with an exaggerated gasp, her big, bright eyes wide. “It stinks so much, Spencer! Is that what chicken poop smells like?” Spencer shot her a look but, for once, didn’t respond. He stayed silent until I had polished his entire car. Just as he was about to leave, he frowned, his handsome brows furrowing, and pressed another roll of cash into my hand. That money was a lifesaver. I divided it into three parts. One for my high school tuition, one for living expenses, and the last part I sent to the hospital. When the money ran out, I started collecting empty bottles. I’d start after school and work late into the night. The next time I saw Spencer, he was drinking alone on a dark street corner. Under the dim streetlight, his silhouette was lonely, his deep-set eyes filled with a quiet desolation. The floating text, silent for so long, flickered back to life. 【He must have seen the heroine kissing the other guy. His heart is probably shattered.】 【Our girl is just going through a rebellious phase! It’s not like she doesn’t love him! Aaaah!】 【If only she could realize how important he is to her. She’s only so reckless because she knows he’ll always forgive her!】 【He knows what the problem is, but he can’t bring himself to discipline her, can he?!】 … I quietly placed a carton of milk at Spencer’s feet. My eyes darted to the expensive watch on his wrist. I summoned my courage. “Brother.” Spencer lifted his eyelids, his dark pupils heavy as they fixed on me. “What did you call me?” My voice trembled with nerves. “If you take me in, I can help you… manage your relationship with your sister.” He stared at me, his face a blank mask. “You? And how would you do that?” This was my one shot. I widened my eyes, trying to convey all my sincerity. “I’m a really good cook, I can get the dishes sparkling clean, and I-I’m great at housework…” His lips curved into a smirk that wasn’t quite a smile. I gradually lowered my head, my voice trailing off into a mumble. “…I could just be a servant, if you want. I’m not expensive, you could consider it…” My voice faded, dissolving into the dusty night air. After a long moment, I heard a soft chuckle. Spencer was actually laughing. The curve of his eyes under the streetlight was devastatingly handsome. “My family doesn’t have a history of hiring child labor.” I let out a disappointed “oh” and was about to slink away when he called out. “But… I could certainly use a more obedient sister right now.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “What’s your name?” “Alice.” The air seemed to freeze for a second. Spencer’s brow twitched almost imperceptibly. 【Alice??? Isn’t that the name of the scheming supporting female character who has the same name as the heroine’s original name?】 【I thought she was just a random extra, but she’s actually that disgusting character… No wonder she’s throwing herself at him.】 【She’s the one who constantly tries to seduce the male lead, making our heroine throw tantrums. But her little tricks never work and only end up pushing the main couple closer together…】 【I heard that in the end, he marries her off to an old man fifty years her senior… who has a psycho son.】 … I stood there, perfectly still. My hands were tucked in my pockets, nervously rubbing the last two bills I had left. Compared to a tomorrow where I might not eat… Who I might marry in the distant future didn’t seem so important. After a long pause, Spencer ruffled my hair. “From now on, your name is Holly. It’s easier to remember.” 3. The Mortons were good people. They weren’t angry that their son had inexplicably brought home a strange girl. They even gave me a guest room to stay in. But they didn’t immediately agree to adopt me, saying they wanted to observe for a while. Tina threw the household into chaos. She cried, screamed, and went on a hunger strike. It took Spencer four hours of coaxing before she finally agreed to go to sleep. Seeing the exhaustion etched on his brow as he left her room, I felt a wave of despair. I thought for sure I was about to be kicked out. I packed my meager belongings and sat by the front door all night. I was finally woken up by Spencer’s annoyed voice. “Trying to run away?” His gaze landed on my face and paused. “You actually look pretty when you’ve gained a little weight. Much better than when you were all skin and bones.” He casually pinched my cheek. “Relax and stay. My parents really like you.” I breathed a sigh of relief. That night, for the first time in a week, I slept soundly. I didn’t have to collect bottles anymore. I didn’t have to worry about tuition or food. I poured all my energy into my studies and quickly ranked in the top ten of my grade. With me as a constant comparison, Tina felt the pressure for the first time. She stopped skipping evening study sessions and even ignored the love letters from her boyfriend, burying her head in her books every day. The day she finally broke up with him, Spencer did something unheard of: he came to pick me up from school himself. “Good job, sis.” His usually stoic face was alive with a rare, bright energy. He had a cigarette dangling from his lips and a smirk in his eyes that told me everything. That was the first time he ever called me sister. I smiled back at him. My genuine, heartfelt smile seemed to catch him off guard for a moment. I smoothed down my skirt and said obediently, “I know what to do next, brother.” I started finding creative ways to cling to Spencer in front of Tina. Spencer was a picky eater, so I spent hours researching recipes he’d like, delivering his lunch to his office every day, rain or shine. It got his employees talking. “The boss’s new sister is so much more thoughtful than the other one.” “She gets good grades, she’s obedient, and she actually knows how to take care of her brother.” Spencer would neither confirm nor deny it, just ruffle my hair and give me a knowing smile. The gossip quickly reached Tina’s ears. Just as I expected. After her initial burst of anger, she slowly started to rein in her temper and began showing concern for Spencer too. One time, while Spencer was washing fruit for Tina, I deliberately snuck up behind him, covered his eyes, and whispered, “Brother…” The long lashes under my palms fluttered. He turned, taking my hands in his. His expression was a little strange. “Holly, don’t you know about personal space?” Just then, Tina walked into the kitchen and saw us. Her eyes turned red, and she ran off in a huff. From then on, Tina not only started sticking to Spencer like glue, but she also saw me as her sworn enemy. After our final exams, she deliberately pestered her parents into sending me abroad. “Spencer is mine. You can’t steal him, so stay away from him,” she warned me coldly. I didn’t say anything, just gave her a look of profound gratitude. My exam scores were excellent; I could apply to even better universities overseas. I didn’t forget my promise to Spencer during my four years of college. Since I couldn’t be there in person, I’d slip a cute little trinket that looked like me into his car. Sometimes, a passenger would joke, “Your girlfriend put this here?” Spencer would just raise an eyebrow. “Something like that. She’s clingy. Can’t live without me.” Whenever I came home for a visit, I would ignore Tina’s thunderous expression and use the excuse of a nightmare to beg him to stay with me for a little while. In my junior year, I was being harassed by some rich brat, and it was Spencer who stepped in to solve the problem. He was always a willing participant in our little play, and every time, it successfully provoked Tina. He played the part of the perfect, doting brother so well. Sometimes, I even felt he was a little too good at it. He once bought out every single camellia in the city and had them delivered to me, just because I’d casually mentioned I liked them. He’d call me and ask nonchalantly if I missed him, and when I said yes, he’d book a flight and cross an ocean just to see me. Gradually, everyone in Spencer’s circle came to know about the new sister he cherished. His friends would look me over with playful smiles. “Well now, his sister is a real beauty.” “How old are you? Ever had a boyfriend?” I looked at them honestly. “I have.” “Oh really? Who was he? Does Spencer know?” From the corner of my eye, I saw Spencer, who had been lounging lazily, sit up a little straighter, a frown creasing his forehead. I smiled sweetly. “Just some silly high school thing. I kept it a secret from my brother. I guess I’m confessing now.” “Pfft—a high school romance?” My candid, innocent attitude must have been convincing. The young heirs shook their heads in disappointment. “Just holding hands doesn’t count as dating, little sis. Boring.” “You perverts, is that all you think about!” Spencer’s features relaxed as he laughed and cursed at them. “My sister is the sweetest, most obedient girl in the world. She’s only ever had eyes for me. You think she’d have a boyfriend behind my back?” Is that so? Fuzzy, moonlit images flickered through my mind. I nodded serenely and said yes. But I couldn’t stop the heat rising in my cheeks. 4. On Tina’s twenty-second birthday, the whole family went to the coast to celebrate. On a private yacht in the harbor, Spencer was staring out at the sea, lost in thought. I quietly walked over and draped a jacket over his shoulders. The floating text appeared: 【Here comes the famous scene!! The supporting character is about to kiss the male lead!! The heroine is going to see and burst into tears from jealousy!】 【This supporting girl is so annoying. Hasn’t she been trying to seduce him long enough? It’s so obvious he only sees her as a sister!】 【Watching them get close all this time must have made the heroine finally realize her own feelings for him, right?】 【This kiss is the turning point!! After they talk it out, it’s all sweet moments from here on out!】 My fingers lingered on Spencer’s shoulder. For so long that he noticed something was wrong. He turned, looking down and taking my hand. “Why are your hands so cold?” I forced a smile. Taking a deep breath, I stood on my toes and kissed him. The next second. Tina’s hand connected with my cheek in a resounding slap. 5. The night ended in chaos. Tina was completely overwrought, confessing her love for Spencer through a flood of tears. Spencer held her tenderly, his heart aching for her. Just as the floating text had predicted. My kiss was the catalyst that brought all their feelings rushing to the surface. The main characters were finally together. It was time for the supporting character to make her exit. The next day, I was informed of an arranged marriage. Spencer looked at me with cold indifference, all his previous warmth gone. “Holly, I only ever saw you as a sister. Your behavior has been a great disappointment.” I lowered my eyes. “I know.” His face was a stony mask. “Walter Lancaster. Fifty-seven years old. He has an illegitimate son. You will marry him.” I nodded. “Okay.” He seemed stunned that I would agree so easily. For the first time, Spencer’s composure cracked. His voice was hoarse. “You can… think it over.” “No need. I’ll marry him.” I met his gaze calmly. Marrying an old man wasn’t as bad as the rumors made it sound. Old men were good. They had money and status, which meant my own status would rise accordingly. The only downside was the loss of love. But after flipping through a full page detailing the Lancaster family’s assets, that one downside suddenly seemed negligible. I quickly got a handle on the Lancaster family situation. Walter Lancaster was in poor health and spent all his time in a private hospital. The only potential complication was his illegitimate son—his only son—who had just returned from abroad. But I wasn’t worried about that. Spencer’s expression seemed to darken even further. “Holly, are you doing this to spite me?” I blinked, then let out a small laugh. Why would he think that? “Brother, I sincerely wish you and the person you love a lifetime of happiness.” Now that Tina had confessed, this long, drawn-out performance was finally over. I looked at him with genuine sincerity. “And now, I’m off to find my own happiness.” As the words fell. The cup in Spencer’s hand suddenly crashed to the floor, shattering into a million pieces. Ceramic shards flew past my ankles like raindrops. He stared at me, his face blank, for a very long time.

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On my wedding night, my childhood sweetheart and fiancé drugged me and threw me to his groomsmen. The next day, the headlines exploded: “Vaughn Heiress’s Wild Night with Four Men.” My reputation was in ruins. My father threw me out of the house. When my mother, her eyes red from crying, knelt and begged Alistair Sinclair to clear my name, his expression was chillingly indifferent. “Mrs. Vaughn, your daughter’s wild streak almost crippled Lila. She almost never walked again. Consider this a lesson I’m teaching her for you.” “Besides,” he added, his voice dripping with contempt, “she stole the life that should have been Lila’s for years. It’s time she paid it back.” My parents’ marriage was a business arrangement, a cold transaction that resulted in me. Lila, on the other hand, was the illegitimate daughter my father had with his mistress. Alistair’s words made my mother cough up blood. Tears of pure despair streamed down my face. Two years later, to pay for my mother’s burial, I became a go-go dancer at a nightclub. When Alistair pushed through the doors, I was already on stage, caked in makeup, stripping down to the essentials. Below me, a pack of men in masks sat in the VIP booths, their gazes hot and predatory. I moved my body in a mindless, provocative rhythm, my face a blank mask under the strobing lights. The crowd roared. “Damn, this girl can move. She’s drenched in sweat and not even slowing down.” “Of course. The dirtier she dances, the faster the drinks sell.” “I heard she’s been at it for two years. Drove the club owner’s wife to file for divorce. A real femme fatale.” I ignored the masked jackals and their crude fantasies. My eyes locked onto a man who had just entered, his face hidden by a golden mask. The impeccable wool suit, the multi-million-dollar Rolex Submariner on his wrist—it all screamed wealth. Our eyes met, and for a split second, I froze. Then, a booming announcement echoed through the club. “Congratulations to Mr. Sinclair in booth 12 for hitting the one-million-dollar spending mark! We hope you have an unforgettable night at Serendipity!” A million-dollar tab. The dancers got a thousand-dollar cut. I swayed my hips and shimmied my way toward my new benefactor. “So generous, Mr. Sinclair~” I purred. “What can I do for you tonight? Hip-hop, K-pop, pole dancing… I can do it all for you~” The man shook his head. He grabbed me, pulling me off the stage and pushing me down onto the table. “Drink all of this.” I just smiled, grabbed a glass, and started chugging, one after the other, without a word. After everything life had thrown at me, drinking with a client was nothing. The harsh liquor trickled from my lips, soaking into my bikini top, making the curve of my breasts glisten under the lights. The men in the room stared, their breathing growing heavier. The man beside me was no exception. He suddenly threw a thick wad of cash onto the table, the bills scattering across my chest. “A bill for a kiss. I’ll pay you for every man in this room you’re willing to kiss.” I couldn’t read his expression behind the mask, but his voice was ice, leaving no room for argument. I didn’t refuse. I grabbed the nearest man and planted my lips on his. When I pulled away, the room erupted in jeers. “Hey, Aurora, don’t hold back now! A peck on the cheek doesn’t count!” “Yeah! When it’s my turn, you have to kiss me down here for it to count!” I ignored the filth, moving from man to man, only kissing the ones who would play along without being disgusting. “Enough!” The golden-masked man’s voice cut through the noise. He shattered his glass in his fist. “You really have no shame, do you…” He smirked. “Since you’re so willing, why don’t you give everyone a real show? A full striptease. Like they do at the Crazy Horse.” A striptease? I froze, my body rigid. But the catcalls from the crowd grew louder. “What’s wrong, Aurora? I thought you’d do anything for a price!” “Yeah, if you can’t handle it, get out of the business!” “Five hundred thousand. You in or out?” a cold, familiar voice cut in again. Five hundred thousand. It would pay off half of my mother’s remaining medical debt. And I could finally move out of my basement hovel into a decent apartment. My mind made up, I forced a seductive smile back onto my face and began to pose and preen for the man in the golden mask. My hands moved slowly to the clasp of my bikini top. “Stop!” The man ripped off his mask and slammed it on the table, his eyes blazing with fury. “You’d take it all off for a measly five hundred thousand.” “Aurora, when did you become so cheap?!” He stormed out, slamming the door behind him. A bitter smile touched my lips. Of course it was him. Alistair Sinclair. Cheap? Had he forgotten who was the one who branded me a whore in the first place, plastering my name next to the headline “A Wild Night with Four Men”? Before I could even process it, the club owner’s sweaty hand was on me. “Aurora! What the hell did you do? You just scared off my biggest client!” I scrambled back, re-fastening my top. He started screaming at me. “What are you doing? Don’t bother with that! If you can’t handle the clients here, you can start taking private bookings!” Private bookings. It meant going to a client’s house, one-on-one, to dance, drink, and play. Since I’d started this job, I’d been with all kinds of men. The job description called it “dancing and livening up the atmosphere.” The reality was you were there to put on a show in their bedrooms. The owner said some big shot was having a birthday and had requested me specifically. Numbly, I changed into a leather miniskirt, styling myself to look both hot and submissive. My mother’s final debts depended on this night. Before walking in, I even deliberately snagged my black stockings, making them easier to rip. I put on my sweetest voice. “Honey, I’m here~” The door swung open. And there he was. The same familiar figure. “Aurora? Are you so pathetic you’re stalking me now? What, didn’t get to finish your striptease at the club?” I was about to explain when a rich kid who was a regular at the club chimed in. “Alistair, my man! You two know each other?” “I hired her specially for Lila’s birthday party. For a little… entertainment. Hot, right? Prettier than any celebrity.” Alistair froze for a second, then his voice dripped with undisguised scorn. “Oh, I’ve been to that club. She’s a real star there. Willing to strip down to nothing for the right price. A rare talent, indeed.” The room filled with cruel laughter. I looked down, my nails digging into my palms. He wasn’t always like this. The Alistair I remembered saved the sweetest candy for me. He always took the blame for the trouble I caused. Even when he was burning with a fever, he’d murmur, “Aurora, I’m so glad it was me who fell in the water, not you. I’ll always protect you…” The night before our wedding, he drove me out to see a once-in-a-century meteor shower. So why, the very next day, was the entire internet screaming about what a desperate, disgusting slut I was? The rich kid, thinking I must have offended Alistair, started pushing me toward the door. “If she’s an eyesore, Alistair, I’ll get rid of her right now.” Alistair crossed his arms, his voice casual. “Forget it. Since it’s for Lila’s birthday, let her stay and dance.” “But that leather skirt has to go. It’s hideous. No taste at all.” He shot me a look of disgust and kicked a clown costume lying on the floor toward me. “Here. Wear this.” The rich kid’s eyes lit up in understanding. “Oh, I get it. Our boy Alistair is worried this one will steal the spotlight from his girlfriend. Don’t worry, man, we’ll all be clowns for the night.” Alistair’s face darkened instantly. “Steal Lila’s spotlight? Her? Don’t make me laugh. Look at this filthy thing.” Now, every eye in the room was on me, filled with mocking curiosity, wondering how I had managed to piss off the city’s golden boy. I swallowed my humiliation, bent down, and picked up the clown costume. Without a word, I went to the bathroom to change. Dressed in the ridiculous outfit, I danced at the lavish birthday party Alistair had thrown for Lila. I danced like a buffoon, making a fool of myself for their entertainment. At the end, I was the one who had to carry out the birthday cake and sing my wishes to the guest of honor. Lila, looking stunning, sliced into the cake and pointed at me, laughing so hard she had to hold her sides. “Alistair, darling, where did you find this clown? She’s absolutely hilarious!” “Where do you think? It’s your dear, disowned, pathetic excuse for a sister.” Alistair’s words sent a wave of whispers through the crowd. “Oh, that’s her? The one who had a night with four men? How does she still have the nerve to show her face…” In that moment, with my face painted like a clown, I truly was one. My smile was more painful than a sob. “Mr. Sinclair, the dance is over. If you could please settle the bill. It’s ten thousand an hour.” Alistair snorted, rising to his feet and looming over me. “What’s this? Two years and the great Miss Vaughn has fallen on such hard times?” “Does your mother know you’re out here selling yourself?” A sharp pain lanced through my heart. My mother… she was gone. She had died two years ago, right under his nose. What did it matter now if she knew? Did he even care? I lowered my head, silent. Alistair’s long fingers gripped my chin, forcing my head up. “Mr. Sinclair, what are you doing…” “What am I doing? I’m giving you a chance to please me. You’re so good at selling yourself, aren’t you? Please me, and I’ll pay you ten thousand a second.” His cold, sharp cologne filled my senses. It was the scent of the pine forest we used to visit as children. He once promised he would always protect me. Now, he wanted me to please him. I laughed, turning the tables and pressing him against the wall. My voice was sickly sweet. “Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. Sinclair~” The thin clown costume clung to my curves. I pressed my body against his, grinding mechanically, my hands roaming over his chest. The crowd stared, stunned. Lila’s face turned green with rage. The seconds ticked by. Finally, Alistair couldn’t take it anymore and shoved me away. The disgust in his eyes was overflowing. “When it comes to being a slut, no one does it better than you.” I nodded, my voice flat. “Twenty-three and a half seconds. Let’s round down. That’ll be two hundred and thirty thousand.” He choked, his eyes widening in disbelief. He sneered, threw a stack of cash in my face, and roared, “Get out! And don’t ever let me see you again.” I laughed at myself. As I walked out, Lila stepped in front of me. “Alistair, darling, since my sister is so desperate for money, why don’t we help her out? And have a little fun at the same time?” Alistair, who had been frowning, suddenly relaxed. A cruel, playful glint entered his eyes. “Good idea. If she’s such a good dancer, what’s the point in her only dancing for us?” “Get a few bums from off the street. Let her really shake it for them!”

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My mom is a low-level “pick-me girl.” She stole her cousin Sienna’s “life-saver” credit to get close to my dad, Sebastian Sterling, and then drugged him to have me. When she found out Dad was entering an arranged marriage, she panicked and prepared to cause trouble. To ensure we didn’t get discarded, I decided to take matters into my own hands. She staged a fall down the stairs to frame the fiancée, Zoe. I rushed into Mom’s arms and rolled down with her, crying: “I accidentally slipped! Mom fell trying to protect me!” Dad was heartbroken, and the Sterling family softened towards Mom. But Mom wouldn’t give up. She drugged Zoe and hired thugs. I pushed Mom into the room, knocked everyone out with gas, and beat them up. When Dad arrived, he saw Mom bruised and battered, “protecting” Zoe. Zoe was so moved she canceled the engagement and had her family adopt Mom as a goddaughter. Dad, feeling guilty and moved, fought his family, citing the “life-saving grace”—claiming he would have died without Mom. The Sterlings finally agreed to let Mom in. Mom wept with joy. But just as the engagement party was being prepared, Dad grabbed her wrist, eyes red. “Vivian! Sienna told me she was the one who saved me! Why did you lie?!” I frowned. Impossible! Didn’t my mom’s cousin die in a trafficking ring long ago? Chapter 1 Mom panicked completely, helpless. I rushed forward and pushed Dad. “Bad Daddy! Don’t bully Mommy!” I hugged Mom, “accidentally” pulling her collar, revealing a prominent butterfly tattoo on her shoulder. Dad saw the tattoo and frowned. He remembered when his savior dragged him out of the car, her shoulder was cut by broken glass. Right in that spot. His tone softened. “I will have this investigated. I won’t wrong you.” He left with tight lips. Mom turned pale, muttering. “Isn’t she dead? How did she come back?” I was confused too. A year ago, Grandpa took Mom and me to the police station to identify the body. The deceased was indeed Cousin Sienna. The blow was huge. Grandpa even did multiple DNA tests for his niece, all confirming it. How could she come back from the dead? Mom forced herself to comfort me to sleep. I closed my eyes, waiting until Mom fell asleep before sneaking into the basement. There, I kept samples of Cousin Sienna’s remains and biological materials! I took out a tooth I secretly kept and sent it to the lab for another test. I recalled Mom’s journey. The moment I transmigrated here, I knew Mom was a manipulative “pick-me,” but a clumsy one. Six years ago, she approached Dad claiming to be his savior. Then she drugged him and got pregnant with me. Dad didn’t say much. He let her have the child and paid child support, but nothing more. A year ago, Cousin Sienna blackmailed Mom with the truth about the accident. I learned then that Mom stole the credit! I was about to intervene. But Sienna acted possessed. She only extorted $20,000 from Mom and ran off with a college boy. The next news was the police notification to claim her body. Police said the boy was a trafficker. Sienna realized it, tried to save herself, and was killed. Mom felt guilty. For the past year, she compensated Great-Aunt’s family heavily. The DNA result came back quickly. I read it three times. The body claimed was Sienna, Mom’s biological cousin! I sighed in relief but was puzzled. Sienna didn’t know Dad before she died. So who was the “Sienna” Dad mentioned? And she knew about the life-saving grace! I went back to bed. Just then, Mom’s phone buzzed. I opened it and saw a blatant provocation. A photo of a woman’s back in Dad’s arms. Caption: [Vivian, you stole my credit and tried to marry into the Sterling family! I won’t let you succeed!] [The position of Mrs. Sterling belongs to me!] Chapter 2 I deleted the message and put the phone back. Mom is a low-level player. If she saw this, she’d lose her mind and do something stupid. Early the next morning, Zoe banged on our door. “Vivian! Do you know there’s a woman around Sebastian?” “Quick! I’ll take you to tear her apart!” Mom turned pale. “What’s her name?” Zoe gulped down some tea and slammed a file on the table. I peeked. Name: Sienna. Background, career, even elementary school grades—all detailed. It was exactly Cousin Sienna’s life resume! Just missing the “death” part. Included were photos of her intimate with Dad. One showed a clear face. It was Sienna’s face. Identical. How is this possible?! Mom and I rubbed our eyes simultaneously. Mom pinched my cheek. “Ouch!” I hissed. Mom snapped back to reality. “Not a dream! It’s really her!” A dead person, walking among the living! Zoe saw our strange expressions. “What’s wrong?” Mom smiled bitterly. “She’s my cousin.” She didn’t mention Sienna died. Maybe she wasn’t sure herself if the death was faked. “What?” Zoe was shocked. Then she gritted her teeth. “Rabbits don’t eat grass near their burrow! Your cousin is too much!” “Let’s go! They are on Fifth Avenue right now. I’ll take you to destroy that couple!” Zoe grabbed me and Mom, rushing to Fifth Avenue. Since Mom “saved” her, Zoe adored Mom. She broke off her engagement, made her family adopt Mom, and tried to set Mom up with Dad. The Zoe family was generous too, offering 5% shares as dowry if they married. Mom felt guilty, but being a “pick-me,” she let Zoe stay oblivious. Now, they were besties. Dragged to the mall, Zoe wanted to storm the plastic surgery clinic where they were. But Mom froze. She saw the woman inside! Identical to the dead Sienna! Mom gripped Zoe’s arm, trembling with fear. Zoe stopped, confused. Just then, Dad left with the woman. The woman seemed to sense something, looked back at us, and smirked coldly. Mom’s phone buzzed again. [Vivian, wait for me to expose your true face!] Mom turned white and almost collapsed. Zoe put me down to support her. I used the chance to run into the clinic. “Sister, that lady just now was so pretty! Is she getting work done?” The receptionist laughed. “No! She came to treat an old scar on her shoulder!” My heart sank. “She’s so beautiful! In your expert opinion, has she had plastic surgery?” Chapter 3 The receptionist paused, then smiled. “No! She’s all natural. I think she’s gorgeous too!” My heart hit rock bottom. Natural face! I thought maybe someone got surgery to look like Sienna. But the truth hit hard! I saw it clearly. Except for the short hair, it was definitely Sienna’s face! While I was dazed, Zoe and Mom found me. Mom hugged me, trembling. Zoe patted her chest. “Oh my god, you scared me. Your mom thought you were kidnapped.” I apologized. I knew Mom wasn’t scared of kidnappers. She was scared “Cousin Sienna” would hurt me. I was Mom’s biggest bargaining chip. For the next few days, Mom was a nervous wreck. Zoe didn’t come either. One gloomy day. I was contacting a PI. He sent photos of “Sienna” and Dad. They went to the accident site and checked surveillance footage. I frowned. I wondered what they found. After all, the person who pulled Dad out of the smoking car wasn’t Mom. Before I could reply, Knock knock knock. I opened the door to see Zoe’s grim face. She dropped a file without her usual loudness. “Vivian, was my kidnapping your doing?” Mom didn’t expect this exposure now. She blinked nervously. “What?” Her hands shook holding the file. I looked too. Evidence: Mom’s calls and transfers to the middleman. I spoke up. “Auntie Zoe, why investigate this now?” Zoe frowned, ignoring me, shouting at Mom. “Vivian, speak!” Mom trembled. I patted her hand. Just then, the door opened. Dad walked in, voice cold. “Coincidence. I also want to hear if she did it.” Mom’s legs gave out. She collapsed on the sofa. I ran to hug Dad’s leg. “Daddy, what are you asking?” “Are you interrogating Mommy? But on TV, they need witnesses and evidence. Where are yours?” Dad picked me up, eyes cold. “Oh? Mia thinks I wronged Mommy?” I pouted. “Just different from TV!” Zoe took a deep breath. “Vivian, I didn’t believe you were this kind of person either!” “Since Mia said so, I don’t want misunderstandings. I’ll find the witness. Hope you don’t disappoint me!” Dad smiled coldly. “Tomorrow. Bring them to the Estate. I have something related to Vivian too. Let’s settle it together!” Zoe nodded and left. Dad put me down heartlessly and left too. Mom collapsed, closing her eyes in despair. I pocketed a few chestnut hairs I grabbed from Dad’s shoulder. Mom, don’t worry. I’m here! That night, the DNA test between the hair and Great-Aunt arrived. I opened it confidently but froze. [Biological Parent-Child Relationship Confirmed]. Chapter 4 I blinked hard. Is she really Great-Aunt’s child? Impossible! I asked Mom seriously: “Did Great-Aunt only have one daughter?” Mom looked half-dead but answered. “Yes. She was injured during birth, could only have one.” I was confused. If that person is Sienna, who died? I pondered this all night until Dad took us to the Estate. The atmosphere was tense. Grandpa and Grandma sat in the main seats. Beside them, the Zoe parents. On the other side, Zoe, Dad, and Sienna. Two strangers stood below. A three-way trial. Seeing us, Sienna looked provoked and smirked. Victory flag. Zoe spoke first. “Vivian, I treated you like a sister. What did I do wrong to you?” Mom squeezed my hand, silent. I wasn’t panicked. I studied Sienna. Her eyelashes curved just like Cousin Sienna. Is she really Sienna? Did someone else die a year ago? What about the DNA tests on the body? While I spaced out, Dad spoke. “These two. One is the thug leader who tried to assault Zoe. The other is a witness to my accident.” Mom’s face paled with every word. Until Sienna spoke. “Cousin, do you remember who saved Sebastian back then?” Mom lost all strength, gasping like a dying fish. I let go of Mom’s hand and ran to Sienna. Left, right. “Auntie? Is it you? Didn’t you die a year ago?” Sienna’s mouth twitched. “I did die. Now I’m alive.” “Surprised?” I opened my mouth in shock. So brazen! Who is she! Dad pushed me away coldly. “Mia, behave if you don’t want to be kicked out!” Grandma sighed and picked me up. Sitting on Grandma’s lap, I stared at Sienna’s ear. Flash! I finally knew who she was! Zoe lost patience. “Vivian, confess or I’ll show all evidence! Speak!” Mom was bloodless. Bit her lip, silent. Zoe pointed at the thug. “You say it!” The thug stuttered. “She… she did transfer me money…”

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My boyfriend has extreme boundaries. If I take a sip of his drink, he throws it away immediately. He never touches chopsticks I’ve used. He forbids me from touching his phone or wearing his jacket. I thought he was just a germaphobe with everyone. Until I saw his “bro-girl” wearing his jacket, playing games on his phone, and drinking from his cup. He explained lightly: “She’s just one of the boys. Why are you so petty?” One of the boys, huh? Go spend the rest of your life with your “bro.” Chapter 1 My boyfriend, Ethan, organized a dinner. His “bro-girl,” Sophie, was there too. Sophie wore a pure white strapless mini dress, her long black hair cascading down her back. Ethan teased her: “Why are you dressed like you’re going on a date?” She rolled her eyes at him: “It’s the first time I’m meeting your girlfriend. I wanted to make a good impression.” “Wow, Omakase? This must be expensive. How much? I’ll Venmo you half.” Ethan smiled back: “What’s our relationship? Do we need to split bills?” My hand, holding the chopsticks, froze. A wave of grievance rose in my chest. From the first day I met Ethan, he was obsessed with boundaries. If I bought him Jordan sneakers, he would buy me a bag of equal value. If he bought me a Starbucks, within an hour, he’d remind me of the exact price, down to the cent, and ask me to Venmo him. Once, I forgot my wallet and borrowed $50. The moment we got home, he reminded me to pay him back. Every cent between us was calculated clearly. I thought he had financial boundaries with everyone. I looked up at Ethan’s enthusiastic smile and suddenly felt blinded. So my boundary-obsessed boyfriend can be generous. Just not with me. “I heard you’re dating someone. Bring him over so I can check him out.” Ethan brought up Sophie’s boyfriend. Sophie blushed: “Who are you to me? Why do you need to check my boyfriend?” I gritted my teeth and tried to join the conversation: “Ethan, my best friend has been wanting to meet you too. Should we set up a dinner?” Ethan frowned slightly: “Haven’t I told you many times? Your social circle is yours. I don’t participate. We have separate lives. Don’t force me to deal with them, okay?” I deflated like a balloon, pouting silently. He was always like this. Refusing to integrate into my life. But he just actively asked to meet Sophie’s boyfriend. Why was he so interested in her social circle? I pushed down the disappointment: “Then can you take me to meet your friends?” Sophie spoke up for me, pretending to be righteous: “Ethan, you’ve been dating for so long, and she hasn’t met your frat bros yet?” I pressed my lips together, unable to speak. Under Sophie’s exaggerated gaze, I felt humiliated. Sophie slapped my back heartily: “You don’t need to know Ethan’s friends anyway. They aren’t good people, hahaha…” Ethan retorted: “So you’re not a good person either?” They laughed together. My hand under the table clenched into a fist. Is this Ethan’s so-called “social boundary”? It doesn’t exist for Sophie. Throughout the meal, they talked non-stop. I couldn’t get a word in, nor did I want to anymore. Chapter 2 Walking out of the restaurant, Sophie frowned: “Oops, it’s late. Uber surge pricing is crazy.” Ethan patted his chest: “I’ll drive you.” I couldn’t help but look at Ethan. Sophie and I lived in opposite directions. Who gets dropped off first? Ethan didn’t ask me. He turned the car directly toward Sophie’s apartment. An hour later. He considerately walked Sophie up to her door before slowly returning to the car. On the way to my place, Ethan lost his enthusiasm. Silence all the way. Near my apartment, Ethan suddenly frowned and clicked his tongue. I asked him what was wrong. He waited a long time before saying: “I told Sophie to text me when she got inside. Why hasn’t she texted yet?” I paused: “Didn’t you walk her to her door?” “I didn’t watch her go in. The hallway is dark. What if something happened?” My heart turned to ice. I had replied late before. Once, my phone notifications were off. I saw his message five hours later. I called him back immediately. He was playing video games and hung up perfunctorily. I asked him: “I was missing for five hours. Weren’t you worried?” He replied coolly: “We are adults. We need personal space. I won’t pry.” I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He never voluntarily reported his whereabouts to me. Sometimes he even complained I shared too much: “That’s your private matter. I have no right to know.” If I hadn’t met Sophie today… I would have thought he was just that kind of person. I even felt proud, thinking if he was like this with me, he must be even stricter with other girls. I got out of the car. Ethan sat in the driver’s seat, showing no intention of walking me to the elevator. Suddenly, I had an impulse. I turned and asked: “Do you have anything to say to me?” I was unhappy today. It was obvious. He must have noticed. Ethan thought for a moment, then raised his hand with a smile: “Just Venmo me one-third of the dinner bill.” I stood frozen, like a bucket of ice water had been dumped on me. Grievance poured out like a flood. I couldn’t stop crying: “Ethan, you never let me touch your phone or wear your jacket. But today, Sophie played games on your phone, and you gave her your jacket because she was cold.” Ethan paused: “You care about that? Relax, she’s just one of the boys. Don’t be so petty.” Back home. I lay in bed, images of Ethan and Sophie laughing filling my mind. Ding. A notification from Sophie, whom I just added on WeChat. “I tried to Venmo Ethan for dinner, but he refused. So I’m sending it to you.” She sent a cute sticker sticking its tongue out. My nose stung. I accepted the money immediately. Then I transferred it to Ethan: “Here is my money. One-third of the dinner bill.” Ethan replied with “K” and went silent. With me. His emotions were always cold. Restrained and polite. I couldn’t stand his “boundaries” anymore! I wanted to text him, to have a serious talk about boundaries. If we couldn’t agree, we’d break up. But the words stuck in my throat. I remembered he told me he had strict “time boundaries.” No texting after 10 PM. It was exactly 10:01 PM. I rolled my eyes, threw the phone aside, and went to sleep. I was woken up by my phone alarm. Today was my birthday. I jumped out of bed, afraid of being late. Ethan and I had agreed to go to that French restaurant I’d been dying to try for lunch. It was almost noon. I quickly put on the magenta velvet dress I bought specifically for today, did my makeup, and rushed to the restaurant. Chapter 3 I sat at the table. I waited until the sky turned dark. Ethan never showed up. I texted him: “Didn’t you say you’d eat with me on my birthday?” A long time later, Ethan replied: “Sorry, Emily. Can we celebrate tomorrow? Sophie broke up with her boyfriend. She’s fragile and heartbroken right now. I want to be there for her. No one else can comfort her but me.” I sat there, stunned. The waiter walked over: “Miss, when will your friend arrive?” Embarrassment spread from my feet up. I stood up: “Sorry. Cancel the table. I’m not eating.” On Instagram, Sophie posted a photo. Her face was pale, eyes swollen from crying. In the corner of the photo, Ethan was peeling shrimp for her. Caption: Lucky to have you by my side. I walked home alone, soulless. The evening wind was cold. By the time I snapped out of it, I had walked a long way. I sneezed. When I got home, I felt dizzy. I probably caught a cold. I buried myself in the quilt. A thought popped up. If Ethan hadn’t stood me up, I wouldn’t have walked in the wind. I wouldn’t be sick. I shouldn’t have waited for him. In my daze, Ethan video called me. I didn’t want to answer, but my vision blurred, and I hit the wrong button. “Emily, you’re not mad, are you? You didn’t reply to my texts.” Seeing my face, concern appeared on his face. “Do you have a fever? I’ll bring you medicine. Wait for me.” “No need. I’ll DoorDash some meds.” But Ethan shook his head firmly: “No. I must bring it to you personally.” I nodded silently and hung up, waiting for him in a daze. I waited and waited. My body burned, alternating between hot and cold. Ethan still didn’t come. When I opened my eyes again, I was in the hospital. My landlord had come to collect rent. I didn’t answer the door or texts, so he used the spare key and found me unconscious. If he had come an hour later, my brain might have fried. The landlord was shaken: “Why are you so silly? If you’re sick, buy medicine.” I remembered a sunset long ago. Ethan, tipsy and unlike his usual cold self, stared at me with bright eyes. He said he would love me forever. He said we would be together always, have a wedding, support each other. I was so naive back then. I believed him. I smiled bitterly, feeling pathetic. My voice was weak: “I was going to buy medicine. But someone said he would bring it to me.” I texted Ethan: “You said you’d bring medicine. I haven’t seen you yet.” Ethan apologized profusely: “Sorry, sorry! I was helping Sophie move. I got busy and lost track of time.” “You know she just broke up. She wanted a new environment to change her mood. The boxes were heavy, she couldn’t lift them.” “How are you? Feeling better?” I didn’t bother replying to his excuses. I sent two words: “Let’s break up.” Silence for a long time. Then a message popped up: “Don’t be petty, okay? She’s just one of the boys.” One of the boys. Again. Go marry your bro then. I was on an IV drip for three days. I took three days of sick leave. Work piled up. As soon as I got home, I opened my laptop. It auto-logged into Ethan’s WeChat. A message from Sophie popped up: “If she doesn’t cherish you, you still have me.” I clicked on their chat history and scrolled up. Yesterday, after I broke up with him, Ethan immediately went to cry to Sophie. Sophie comforted him: “Why does she care about such small things? Is it necessary to hold a grudge?” “Sigh, don’t fight because of me. I’ll feel guilty, Oppa.” I sneered. Calling him “Oppa” (Brother)? Just be his girlfriend already. I scrolled up further. My eyes locked onto a message. Sophie actually said this to Ethan: “Ethan Oppa, there’s something I don’t know if I should tell you. I’m not sure if it’s true.” “I saw Emily on an adult website. I didn’t expect her to have a past like a cam girl.” She dared to slut-shame me! Chapter 4 At first, Ethan didn’t believe it: “Emily’s private life has always been clean. She doesn’t need to earn that kind of money. Maybe it just looks like her.” “No, Emily has a mole under her eye. That cam model has the same mole.” Sophie sent an explicit photo. It was obviously Photoshopped. Ethan was furious: “So Emily is this kind of person.” “Will you break up with her, Oppa?” Ethan was silent for a long time: “Forget it. I dare not ask her. I’m afraid of the truth. Even if she was a cam girl, I accept it. Because I love her. I don’t want to tear this veil. If I ask, we might break up.” Sophie sympathized: “Oppa, you bear too much. Emily doesn’t know how much you love her. You even accept her dirty past.” Blood rushed to my head. Creating rumors about me? I called my lawyer friend immediately. I forwarded all the chat logs. My friend said confidently: “I’ll sue her until she’s broke.” “Your boyfriend believed her so easily?” I corrected him: “Ex-boyfriend.” When Sophie received the lawyer’s letter, she was stunned. She realized the severity. She texted me frantically: “Emily, I might have said some wrong things, but it was just nonsense. I didn’t mean it. Can you withdraw the lawsuit?” Why should I? Did you think about the consequences when you spread rumors? “You want me to withdraw? Sure. Pay me $10,000 for damages.” Seeing I wouldn’t budge, Sophie called for backup. Ethan came to my door, looking disgusted: “Emily, why are you blackmailing Sophie? She just said a few wrong words. It never caused you any real harm.” “I know. You’re doing this to make me mad, right? You realized breaking up didn’t work, so you hacked my chat and bullied Sophie to make me come to you?” I stared at him defending her. I was blind to ever date him. Seeing my lack of reaction, Ethan got emotional: “Emily, even if Sophie accidentally spread rumors, can’t you be the bigger person and forgive her?” “Why be so petty?” I laughed out loud. “Listen to yourself. Is that human language? So this is the real you. Pretending to be a gentleman, but asking me to forgive someone who slandered me.” “Emily, don’t be unreasonable. I advise you to withdraw the lawsuit, or I really will break up with you. No getting back together.” He still thought I was madly in love with him. In reality, once I drop feelings, I never look back. I slammed the door in his face. I recorded our conversation. I wanted everyone to know what he was. Let him and his “bro-girl” rot together!

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I used to scoff at the idea of “love at first sight.” Until the day I registered for college and bumped into Julian. One look, and I finally understood. When a guy is that handsome, he can make thrift store clothes look like Haute Couture. As a certified sucker for a pretty face, I drooled over him for years. Finally, when his family went bankrupt, I didn’t hesitate. I used my money to smash my way into becoming his girlfriend. In the third year of our relationship, his proud head was about to bow to reality. He was even ready to “settle” for me for a lifetime. Our families even sat down to discuss the wedding date. But then, Chloe appeared. Chloe, the junior student. Bright, gentle, soft. She hit every single point of Julian’s “Ideal Type.” So, the look in his eyes changed from indifference to undisguised disgust. That night, the smell of alcohol mixed with his cologne. He kissed me, but whispered another woman’s nickname. My heart felt like it was squeezed to a stop. A dull pain spread through my chest. I turned my head and pushed him away. “You’re drunk.” I lay in bed, pretending to sleep. I didn’t have the courage or the resolve to rip off the band-aid. In the dark, I heard him hiss through his teeth: “Candace, you can really endure anything. How can you be so pathetic?” I knew he regretted it. But what could I do? I was hopeless. The thought of waking up and not seeing that god-like face made me want to die. So I swallowed my pride, played dumb, and wasted another three years like a coward. Until that night. I went to a bar to pick up his drunk ass. But the moment I pushed open the door, I bumped into another face. A face so handsome it crashed my brain. My heart stopped. I even forgot to wipe the tears from my face. I heard myself stammer: “W-what’s your name?” The boy looked obedient, his voice clean enough to kill. “Liam.” At that moment, 1:27 AM. I knew clearly. My obsession with Julian… Had vanished into thin air. Chapter 1 At midnight, Julian was brought home by his junior again. I was woken up once more. I threw on a robe and leaned against the door, watching the girl’s flushed face. “Why didn’t you ask the other students to help? It’s hard for a girl to carry him.” I tried to take Julian from her, but he swatted my hand away. Awkward silence. The junior stammered an explanation. My eyes fell on Julian’s hand, gripping the girl’s purse strap tightly. His knuckles were distinct, as beautiful as ever. But now, he was holding onto another woman like a lifeline. My throat felt dry. I watched the girl soothe the drunk Julian and coax him into my arms. I guessed why she brought him back. When I hugged Julian, the strong smell of alcohol made me nauseous. Wiping his face, changing his clothes, feeding him medicine… After doing all this, I sat by the bed, studying Julian’s elegant face. Thin brows, long eyes, high nose, thin lips. His open collar revealed white, firm skin. I lowered my head, close to him, and whispered: “I like you so much, Julian.” He turned his head, frowning in pain, and mumbled. I tried to distinguish the name on his lips, my cheek almost touching his. “Chlo…” If I remember correctly, the junior who brought him back is named Chloe. A first-year grad student. Very likable. How close do they have to be for a man as restrained as Julian to call a girl by her nickname? I didn’t want to think of Julian as a cheater. He was one of the few “gentlemen” I had met. That was one of the reasons I pursued him so passionately. Of course, the most important thing was his face. I pushed away my emotions and lay down beside him. I wanted to kiss him, but the alcohol smell was too strong, so I retreated. “Goodnight.” I whispered. The next second, Julian pulled me into his arms. Like countless nights before, he buried his head in my neck. I took care of him until dawn. Plus, work was busy. I slept terrible. So when Julian woke up, I woke up too. He let go of me and sat on the edge of the bed for a long time, back to me. I didn’t know what he was thinking. Just as I was about to ask, he took a call. The balcony door was open. Julian’s clear voice drifted to my ears. “Yeah, just woke up. You? Sleep well?” I didn’t know what the other person said, but Julian laughed softly. I hadn’t heard him laugh in a long time. Strangely, their ordinary conversation sounded piercing to me. A sourness clogged my chest. Chapter 2 My boyfriend was cheating. Not physically, but emotionally. He checked his phone more often. When talking to me, he was either distracted or silent. He stopped hugging me, kissing me. His eyes were cold when he looked at me. This was Julian’s usual tactic. In the past three years, whenever he regretted being with me, he used the “Cold Shoulder” treatment to drive me away. But I was too attached to his face. I clung to him shamelessly. Julian was about to compromise. He planned to settle with me. Our families even discussed the wedding date. But Chloe appeared. This sunny, gentle girl was his perfect match. They had endless topics, secrets, and inside jokes. They were soulmates. And me? Shallow, loud. I only embarrassed him. I tried to break up, as he wished. But every time I tried to speak, his narrow eyes looked at me, and I couldn’t say a word. I just wanted to kiss him. The thought of not seeing his face in the morning made me want to cry. So I chose to be a coward until Julian explicitly dumped me. He pulled all-nighters in the lab with Chloe. I sent texts that got no reply. He left early; I laid out his clothes the night before. He partied with colleagues; I picked him up. Every time his friends joked about “Sister-in-law being so sweet,” Julian’s eyes grew colder. He sat in the passenger seat silently. I chatted with his friends before waving goodbye. Naturally, I noticed Chloe’s pale face in the corner. “The temperature dropped recently. Chloe, wear more clothes. Don’t catch a cold.” I said this deliberately before leaving. She mumbled a yes, and soon took off the dark blue scarf around her neck. That scarf took me three months to knit for Julian. When I put it on him, he didn’t even lower his head. He just looked down at me struggling to reach his shoulders. So how did he tie my scarf around another girl’s neck? Did he bend down? Did he smile? I dared not think about it. On the way home, Julian was silent. I adhered to the “Enemy doesn’t move, I don’t move” principle and chatted about daily life. He replied little. Before getting out of the car, Julian suddenly leaned in. His black hair fell down, revealing his high nose, perfect lips, and clean jawline. Eyelashes trembling, his gaze fell lightly on my lips. The sweet smell of alcohol filled the small space. I held my breath, my heart pounding like a drum. We hadn’t kissed in so long. I was nervous and closed my eyes for the first time. Usually, I couldn’t bear to close them. But the next second, Julian said something that froze me to the bone. “Chloe…” He did it on purpose. My heart skipped a beat. A dull pain followed. I turned my head and pushed him away. “You’re drunk.” When we got home, he saw the fresh clothes and hangover soup I prepared. I lay in bed, feigning sleep. I had no courage to break the illusion. Drifting off, I heard Julian gritting his teeth: “Candace, you can really endure. Are you that cheap?” Julian looked like an upright gentleman, but when angry, he had a foul mouth. I was used to it and fell asleep quickly. Chapter 3 Julian’s indifference became blatant. He ghosted me, ignoring my texts and calls. I was anxious without seeing his face. Finally, I saw him in a mutual friend’s Instagram story. He was at a quiet bar, heads together with Chloe, talking. I cropped Chloe out and saved the picture. I got the address and took a taxi there. Julian’s face was sour. Chloe looked uneasy seeing me, only calming down after Julian comforted her. “Evening, Sister-in-law! Come have a drink!” “Yeah, we missed you! Not used to you not checking up on Julian.” Everyone laughed. I ignored Julian’s gaze and mingled quickly. I drank a lot and felt dizzy. Sitting in the seat they made for me, I wanted to lean on Julian’s shoulder. Suddenly, Julian stood up. He was tall, attracting attention. “Liam, switch seats with me.” Everyone froze, looking back and forth between us. “Julian, that’s awkward for her…” a friend whispered. I rubbed my temples, surprised by Julian’s sudden malice. He gave up talking to Chloe just to avoid sitting next to me. “It’s okay…” I tried to smooth things over. Before I could finish, Julian cut in. He looked at me with contempt: “Don’t worry. She has thick skin. She gets along with everyone. She knows this kind of environment well.” Few people knew that after high school, I worked at a seedy bar to save for college tuition. I was almost assaulted several times. I told Julian this when I was most vulnerable. He hugged me tight then. Now, he used it as a blade to hurt me. I looked up in disbelief. He seemed startled for a second, then frowned and looked away. No apology. Julian never apologized. I was tired. I didn’t fight back. My heart felt like it was being hit by a dull axe. A boy in a light blue flannel shirt sat next to me. He handed me tissues and hot water. Halfway through the party, Chloe had a stomach ache. Julian panicked first. Ignoring everyone, he picked her up and rushed out. Including me, no one had seen him this anxious. “I thought Julian only had emotions for Candace. Seems like he really cares about this junior.” Someone sighed. Then realized I was still there. He looked at me carefully. “It’s okay. Chloe is weak. Julian is kind.” I smiled, my eyes curving, but my tone was bitter. “But that’s too much. His girlfriend is right here…” someone whispered. I drank more wine. My head hurt. The person next to me handed me tissues again and replaced my wine with water. I realized I was crying. “Haha, so embarrassing. Looking this messy.” Tears blurred my vision, but I still saw that shocking face immediately. So handsome that my blood rushed, my body relaxed. I opened my mouth and forgot to wipe my tears. I stammered: “W-what’s your name?” The boy was obedient, his voice soft. “Liam.” 1:27 AM. I was sure. I had no more obsession with Julian. Chapter 4 Julian came home the next afternoon. I was eating leftover cake at the table. I was in a good mood, swinging my legs, replying to Liam’s texts. Just simple greetings. Polite, distant, but much warmer than Julian. “Today… is it your birthday?” Julian finally realized something. His hand tightened on his phone. A trace of annoyance and panic flashed in his eyes. Last night, I called him multiple times. He just watched the screen and let me go crazy at home. Now he remembered. This was the day he promised three years ago to always be with me. I ate a mouthful of cream and waved the fork. “Wrong guess. It was yesterday.” I didn’t question or scold him like he expected. I didn’t beg for love like a dog. This was what Julian wanted, but a secret uneasiness gnawed at his heart. He stood at the door, conflicted. I knocked on the table, signaling him to sit. “Let’s talk.” Julian thought this was a peace offering. He sighed in relief and sat down, defenseless. I continued eating cake. He was still wearing yesterday’s clothes. Wrinkled cuffs. Smell of alcohol and smoke. Hair messy. “I was too busy yesterday. I didn’t mean to forget. Let’s make it up today, okay?” When Julian spoke, the first thing I saw was his dry, peeling lips. His lips, his tongue, his teeth. Dull. Nothing to praise. I interrupted his self-righteous plan. “Let’s break up.” He stood up abruptly, staring at me. Like he was stunned by the good news. “You explain to the parents. You changed your heart and betrayed me. It’s not my fault. If you hide anything, I will show them Chloe’s photos and name. Your parents won’t accept a mistress as a daughter-in-law.” “I lived in this apartment longer. I have feelings for it. Please move out this week.” “Money-wise, we’ll get lawyers. It’s fair.” … I finished calmly. Seeing Julian still dazed, I waved my hand in front of his face. His eyes cleared. He looked at me slowly. I smiled at him: “We broke up, Julian. Are you happy?” Just like three years ago when I finally got him, I smiled and said: “We are finally together, Julian. I’m so happy!”

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Five years after our breakup, Julian Vance’s sister exposed me on a reality show. “My brother used to date this girl. total gold digger.” “After they broke up, she sent him hundreds of texts begging to get back together.” “But, you know, I deleted all of them.” Netizens locked onto me, a washed-up actress, as the suspect. To grab the headline, a paparazzo dug me out from a pile of “dead bodies” on set. I wiped the dirt off my face and smiled at the camera. “We really aren’t close. Otherwise, would I be playing a corpse here?” The interview went viral. Julian flew back from abroad. That night, I saw him at my apartment door. “Not close? So who was I sleeping with all those years? A ghost?” Chapter 1 After Chloe’s explosive clip aired, it fermented overnight and trended #1 on Twitter. On screen, she smiled nonchalantly, acting like the judge, jury, and executioner of gold diggers. “Anyone with eyes could see she was after our money. My brother thought she was so innocent.” “You know, that ‘innocent’ act is the scariest. None of our friends liked her.” “But my brother was bewitched. He almost cut ties with the family for her.” “My mom wanted to force them apart, but I told her not to lose her son over a gold digger.” “Eventually, I went undercover and used some tricks to reveal her true colors.” “I saved my brother’s life. Families like ours need a match of equal status for everyone to be happy.” Chloe entered showbiz as a “Chaebol heiress.” Publicly, she was the daughter of Vance Real Estate. People naturally assumed the brother she mentioned was the heir to Vance Real Estate. But in reality, Vance Real Estate was just a small asset of the Vance Empire. Anyway, you can’t check your phone while playing a corpse. The guy next to me filled me in on what Chloe said. Somehow, the clues linked back to me, the has-been actress. “Is it really not you?” The director yelled “Cut!”, and the paparazzo and I crawled up together. This guy was dedicated. He snuck in to play a dead body just to get a scoop. I dusted off my gray robe and grinned. “Really not me. If I could hook up with a billionaire heir, would I be playing a corpse here?” He spat out a blade of grass. “Don’t act. I’ve tracked you since your debut. I could never get a pic of your ex-boyfriend. Now this leak matches perfectly.” I ignored him, digging a crumpled business card out of my jeans pocket under the robe. I shoved it into his hand with a flattering smile. “Boss, call me if you have work. Dead bodies, corpses, background trees… I can do it all. My skills are top-notch.” This paparazzo, Mike, bought stock in “Scarlett” when I debuted. In my prime, he bought a house in LA by selling my scandals. Now that I was a flop, only he hadn’t given up, hoping for my comeback tour. He cursed and grabbed the card. “I swear, if you were a stock, I’d have lost my underwear by now.” “Scarlett, you used to be so glorious. How did you end up like this?” I sighed and rubbed my hands. “Heroes don’t brag about the past. Just throw some work my way, Mike, and I’ll be grateful.” I stretched my neck and shouted at his back, “Bro, I’ll play anything! Just give me a role!” The autumn wind was cold. I wrapped my robe tighter. If he hadn’t mentioned the past, I might have forgotten. Glorious? Yeah, it was glorious once. Chapter 2 I debuted at eighteen, scouted from film school. By nineteen, I was a superstar. Magazines criticized me daily but couldn’t deny my fame. Variety called me the brightest star in the galaxy. I lived up to the hype, rocketing to the top. Chloe always said I was after her brother’s money. Others didn’t know, but Julian Vance knew best. I met him when I was nineteen. My future was limitless, and I was arrogant. He didn’t know how to woo a girl, only how to throw money. “Be with me, I’ll fund your movie.” I threw the money in his face. “I need your funding? Directors are lining up to give me scripts.” He smiled, not angry, and stopped his bodyguards from attacking me. After that, he changed tactics. He lowered his noble head. He rode the bus with me to remote sets. He stayed in my rental, cooking soup for me. I took it for granted, patting his shoulder. “I’m a superstar. People line up to cook for me!” “When I win the Oscar, when I’m famous worldwide, you’ll have bragging rights. Out of everyone, you picked me, a treasure.” Julian ran his fingers through my hair, agreeing with my nonsense unconditionally. “That’s why I have good taste. I knew you’d make it since day one.” Back then, Julian seemed like any other rich kid, except for his devastatingly good looks. He really loved me then. The patience cultivated from a privileged upbringing was all spent on me. I got famous early. Young, aggressive, proud. I didn’t know how to bow. No one restrained me. I offended many people along the way. I did whatever I wanted in that circle at such a young age. Not because I was powerful, but because Julian was always cleaning up my mess. Those years, if he handed me a sword, I dared to draw it. Actress marrying a billionaire. A classic trope. I thought, I’m a star. Marrying Julian wouldn’t bring him much glory, but he wouldn’t lose out. So I naively thought it was just a matter of me saying “yes.” Chapter 3 Later, I learned what a true gap in status meant. Julian’s mother didn’t like me. His friends looked down on me. With my pride, I should have broken up with him. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t leave him. I couldn’t stop loving him. I bowed my head. I compromised. I refused to retreat. Chloe entered the picture then. She was Julian’s adopted sister. Her father was the Vance family driver. He died saving Julian when she was five, so the Vances adopted her. Maybe out of gratitude, maybe childhood friendship. Chloe had a lot of influence in that circle. When she first met me, she was incredibly enthusiastic. “Brother, is this the sister-in-law you found? She’s beautiful.” She linked arms with me, pointing at the circle of snobs. “Be nice to my sister-in-law. With me here, no one bullies her.” In my confusion, I treated her as an ally. I asked her what Julian’s mom thought of me. How to please her. Chloe comforted me. “Don’t worry, Auntie is all bark and no bite. You and my brother just need to hold out. Maybe get pregnant first, give her a grandson, she’ll be happy.” “Or just wait. When my brother gets older, she’ll compromise.” I wasn’t stupid enough to use a baby as a bargaining chip. But Chloe’s words gave me confidence. I thought Julian’s mom was like any mother. She couldn’t beat her child’s will. So when Chloe said Julian’s mom wanted to see me, I believed her. I did my best makeup, wore my most appropriate dress, and went nervously. It was the first time I met Julian’s mother face to face. In a setting clearly not meant for me, I intruded rudely. That moment, I saw deep disgust in her eyes. I looked at Chloe, hoping she would speak up. She smiled and said ambiguously, “Auntie, don’t blame her. She just wanted to please you so much, she lost her sense of propriety.” My pupils shrank. I felt cold all over. The incident blew up. Julian flew back overnight. Seeing me, his eyes were tired. “Scarlett, I said I was planning. I was finding a way. Why the rush? Do you know what occasion that was? How many VIPs were there? You barging in like that, what does my mom think of you?” I knew he was fighting his family for us. Many sleepless nights, he hugged me, whispering to hold on a little longer. So I knew I was wrong. Red-eyed, I said, “I’m sorry. I was too anxious. It was Chloe. She told me…” Long confrontation with his family drained his patience. “Why blame her? Even if she tried to help, you’re an adult. Can’t you read the room?” He didn’t believe me. He thought I was a gold digger in a hurry. Chapter 4 After that, endless fights and cold wars began. Chloe still pretended to be my friend in public. But behind my back, she despised me like the rest. I decided to leave Julian because the messy relationship stalled my career. Before the breakup, Chloe sent me a video. In it, Julian sat on the sofa, surrounded by familiar faces. His mother said sternly, “How long will you be with that girl?” Julian didn’t look up. Lazy tone. “Just playing. Why the rush?” Along with the video came a text from Chloe. “Sister-in-law, don’t misunderstand. My brother is like this. Bad mouth. He said he was ‘playing’ with all his exes, but he gave them money and resources. Dating him for a few days sets you up for life.” I didn’t confront Julian with the video. I broke up directly. But Julian thought I was throwing a tantrum. He humored me patiently. To disgust him, I said cruel things. “Yes, I found a better sponsor. Whatever you can give, others can too!” “You think your family is royalty? I don’t care!” Arguments exploded. Entanglement. Often, I wonder. If Julian had let go then. If I hadn’t had that lingering affection. Maybe I wouldn’t have walked into Chloe’s trap. I wouldn’t have been framed as a mistress sleeping with a director at my peak. Explicit photos everywhere. I wouldn’t have lost every penny to breach of contract fees. I wouldn’t be playing dead bodies now. But there are no “ifs.” Love tripped my early life and threw me into prison. Chapter 5 I looked down and lit a cigarette, swiping the screen. The clip’s heat was still rising. I read the comments. “Wait, this sister feels like a ‘Pick-me girl’. Vance Real Estate owner is named Vance. Is she biological? Does she like her brother? It sounds like she broke them up. The girl didn’t even take any money.” My finger paused on this comment for a few seconds, then scrolled past. My interview video was also trending. Looking at the free publicity, I felt regret. If I had a PR team now, I could push clips of my old roles. Find some marketing accounts to praise my acting and past achievements. Maybe a director would see it and give me a villainess role. I stomped out the cigarette and turned to go upstairs. Headlights flashed. A black car stopped a few steps away. I looked over curiously. The back door opened. A long leg stepped out. I looked up. The man wore a crisp coat, black turtleneck framing a slender neck. Years later, Julian hadn’t changed. High above, noble. Pale skin, sharp brows, narrowed eyes. Looking extremely unapproachable. I scoffed, put my hands in my pockets, and turned away. “Take another step—” Julian called out, voice cold and unfamiliar. I stopped and turned. “Here for the hundred texts? I sent them. But shouldn’t you blame Chloe? Why pick on me? She deleted them.” Julian smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “You should thank her for deleting that trash. If I saw them back then, I might not have let you off so easily.” Hate me? Easy. I leaned against a tree, lit another cigarette. Facing Julian’s ugly expression, I smiled brightly. “Boss, if I sleep with you, can you get me a supporting role?” Julian’s face stiffened. He looked me up and down, then asked indifferently. “Scarlett, where is your shame?” I smiled indifferently. “In my line of work, dignity and shame don’t put food on the table, right?” I had shame. No one cared about face more than me back then. But I’m human, not a god. Even thick shame… Was ground to dust over these years. Chapter 6 That night, Julian left with a dark face. His car blew exhaust in my face. The next day, his assistant knocked on my door. Just in time. I almost considered the creepy director who touched my butt a few days ago. Julian’s assistant was an old face. Seeing me sign the contract without hesitation, he reminded me sternly. “Mr. Vance said, as long as you behave, he won’t treat you badly.” I replied perfunctorily, “I get it. From now on, if Boss Vance says go East, I won’t go West.” “Bro, when can you give me a script? Give me a hint?” “You! How did you become…” He stopped, packing the contract noisily. I knew what he wanted to say. Scarlett, how did you become so mercenary? So thick-skinned? The old Scarlett wouldn’t even look at resources Julian offered. I called out to him. “Hey, old friend. Let me know when Julian is getting married. Give me a heads up.” Assistant Xu didn’t reply and left. Julian and I “reconciled” just like that. Calmly, as if nothing happened. I moved into the Malibu beach house. I brought nothing from my rental. That night, I dressed up carefully. Midnight passed. Julian didn’t come back. I leaned on the sofa, figured it out, and smirked. I dumped the food and changed into comfortable pajamas. At 3 or 4 AM, half-asleep, a coldness covered my waist. I woke up and saw Julian in the night light. His features were blurred in the dim light. I didn’t know what year it was. “How did you get this scar?” He pressed the huge scar on my waist slightly. Old wound. No pain anymore. But I frowned dramatically. “Scratched it on set.” Julian smiled thinly. “With such a big scandal, you still had roles?” I sighed. “Someone has to be a body double. I have a good figure. Using me is a bargain.” His face darkened. He pulled the quilt over my head. Out of sight, out of mind. The next day, people came in waves. Scripts for me to pick, luxury endorsements without probation, my first comeback event… Staring at the papers on the table, I suddenly laughed. Why was I so high-and-mighty before? WeChat voice messages popped up. I clicked. Mike’s voice. “Scarlett, why is everyone saying you’re making a comeback?” “Be fair. What’s going on? Which role are you taking?” “Let me be the source this time, please! If the info is real, I promise to hype you up big time.” In this circle, if there’s profit, we are friends. I took a photo of the script I chose and sent it to him.

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It was my tenth year as the “Headline Queen” of GNN. On New Year’s Eve, my paparazzi snapped a bombshell about my husband. Harrison Sterling told me he was working late at the office. In reality, he was ringing in the New Year with another woman. In the photo, there was a red mark on the woman’s neck. It was clear how wild they played. Seeing my dark expression, the paparazzo whispered, “Nicole, do we still publish these?” I smiled indifferently. “The first scandal of the year. Why would I say no to money?” Besides, old trash doesn’t belong in the new year. Chapter 1 Just then, I received a text from Harrison. “Honey, Happy New Year. Tired from overtime. Going to sleep now.” I smirked. Physical labor all night is indeed tiring. I didn’t reply. I opened my laptop and started typing. The next morning, the headlines in Manhattan exploded. [The Crown Prince’s New Year Bang!] [Exclusive! Harrison Sterling Tames a Wild Mare on NYE!] Within thirty minutes, Harrison stormed into my office, ignoring security. “Nicole! Issue a clarification immediately!” I calmly handed him a document from my desk. “Sure. Sign this, and I’ll pull all the reports.” Harrison stared at me for two seconds. “Nicole, I’m not leaving you.” But the next moment, he sighed, feigning helplessness. “But she’s pregnant.” “I’m thirty this year. I want a child of my own.” He dropped his arrogance and softened his voice. “Honey, when the baby is born, we can raise it together, okay?” My eyes stung. I asked him: “Who is she?” He promised me that no matter how much he played around, he would never bring a child into this. My hand trembled as I touched my lower abdomen. There was a scar there, ugly as a centipede. Harrison knew that my inability to conceive was the greatest pain of my life. Suddenly, there was a commotion at the door. “Ma’am, you cannot enter the Director’s office without permission!” “I’m pregnant! Who dares to touch me?” She screamed, squeezing through the door and rushing in front of me. “Sister Nicole, my child is innocent! Please let us be!” It was Sienna. The nurse responsible for my care. So, the woman under my husband last night was her. I sneered at Harrison. “All these years, you flew around the world finding hundreds of doctors for me. You spent a billion dollars just to get me pregnant.” “In the end, you knocked up a little nurse!” I raised my hand and slapped him hard. “Harrison Sterling, you disgust me.” He opened his mouth to speak, but Sienna dropped to her knees with a thud. “Sister Nicole, I know you two have a deep bond.” “Please keep me! I’m willing to be the second wife. I’ll serve you and Harrison for the rest of my life!” What a move. Retreating to advance. I almost wanted to applaud her. Harrison rushed to help her up, kissing and comforting her, checking her knees. By now, the doorway was crowded with people watching the drama. Their looks of pity or schadenfreude burned me like fire. I smashed my mug on the floor. Shards flew everywhere. “Harrison, if you’re not signing, get out.” “Look at whose territory this is. Don’t make me call security!” Harrison recognized the mug. We bought it ten years ago when we got married. It symbolized a lifetime of happiness. His pupils shrank. He silently took Sienna’s hand and left. After everyone was gone. I held back the tears in my eyes. I picked up the internal line. “Send a banner to the hospital for me.” The photos the paparazzi took were blurry. But it didn’t matter. I would let all of New York know who the loose woman from last night was. My assistant sent me the live feed. Sienna opened the banner with a smile in front of everyone. Until she saw the words: [Thank you, Miss Sienna, for providing sexual services to my husband.] She screamed, frantically trying to roll the banner back up. But the patients and colleagues around her had already seen it. Sienna covered her face and cried amidst the pointing fingers. Harrison called me quickly. This was the first time he shouted at me for another woman. “You painted Sienna as an escort! She’s crying and wants to abort my child!” “Nicole, get over here and apologize to her!” I sneered and hung up. I went back to work. When I checked my phone again, 99+ notifications filled the screen. Chapter 2 An uncensored video was trending. In it, a greasy middle-aged man groped me, and I fawned over him. My worst nightmare was exposed to the world. Suffocation wrapped around me. It felt like being stripped naked and paraded on Fifth Avenue. Only he knew where my weak spot was. And how to hurt me the most. This was my first big undercover assignment. I infiltrated a VIP club to get intel. Harrison was the only one who encouraged me back then. Later, he bought back all the footage at a high price. Over the years, Harrison used his resources to lift me up. He told me firmly, “Nicole, I’m willing to let you stand on my shoulders to see the view you want.” But after we married, we could never go back. I was the “Headline Queen” for ten years. I reported thousands of scandals. Hundreds of them were about my husband. The Harrison who encouraged my career now only said, “I play around, but I love you the most.” “No matter how many women I have, they have to call you Sister.” I thought a child would make him settle down. But the woman outside was faster. Just then, Sienna posted a photo of her interlocking fingers with Harrison on Instagram. An official announcement. The ruthless “Crown Prince” of Manhattan looked at the camera with tender eyes. I followed the location tag to his private booth at the club. A drunk man suddenly spoke up. “Harrison, your plan was brilliant!” “Setting up Nicole ten years ago so she couldn’t have kids… now you can play around guilt-free!” Harrison swirled his wine, looking bored. “I was too young back then. Didn’t want to be tied down by a kid.” I froze. The last bit of warmth in my heart vanished. The gold heist that shocked the city ten years ago. I rushed to the scene but was stabbed in the uterus by a robber. That knife cut through my unborn child and churned my insides. So, it was Harrison’s setup… No wonder the robber got out on medical parole after a few months. The man sleeping next to me for ten years was the one who stabbed me the deepest. His friend looked at Sienna and asked: “Why do you want a kid now? Turning over a new leaf?” Harrison didn’t deny it. He smiled faintly. “Sienna is clean. Unlike all of them.” He kissed her hand like a rose. “I promise to be a good father and protect our baby.” Sienna blushed and buried her face in his chest. “Harrison… Hubby, people are watching!” But she couldn’t hide her smugness. His friend said enviously: “Young women are the best. Makes me want to date again.” I dug my nails into my palm. I suppressed the urge to rush in and smash everything. I recorded his friend’s words and sent them to his wife—the fiercest tiger in our circle. Then, I called a strange number. “I accept your offer.” Ten years later, I learned to hide my blade. I was no longer the reckless rookie reporter Nicole. Chapter 3 That night, I didn’t rush to leave. I didn’t play the obedient wife waiting for a man who wouldn’t come home. I found a booth in the lobby and sat down. I threw Harrison’s supplementary credit card on the table. I waved my hand. “Whoever makes me happy can swipe this card!” Several young men stood respectfully in front of me, calling me “Sister” sweetly. Just as one of them was about to touch my hand… Smack! His hand was slapped away violently. Harrison stood before me, face cold, radiating danger. He grabbed my arm, veins popping. “Nicole, what are you doing!” This time, I was the calm one. I said lightly, “I just wanted to know if cheating feels that good.” “Worth doing over and over again.” Harrison’s eyes turned red. “Tell me, where did he touch you?” I didn’t answer. I shook off his hand. “Harrison, you cheated last night. All of New York is my witness.” “I will hire the best lawyer and leave you with nothing.” Suddenly, he scoffed. He looked down at me like an ant. “Nicole, you can’t do it. And I won’t give you the chance.” That night, Harrison sent female bodyguards to escort me home. They forced me into the bathtub. Ignoring my screams, they scrubbed me with brushes over ten times before leaving. Harrison knew. Since that incident ten years ago, I revolted against anyone’s touch but his. Yet he humiliated me by any means necessary. Ten years of deep love turned out to be a massive joke. I hugged the toilet and vomited all night, sitting there until dawn. The second day of the New Year. I hosted the annual meeting at the TV station. A man suddenly burst in with documents. “Nicole threatened me to make fake AI photos of her husband! Or she’d fire me!” “I have a family to feed! I had to listen to her!” My brain exploded. More subordinates squeezed in. They shouted out evidence of my “crimes.” I couldn’t understand. How much money did it take to make loyal subordinates fabricate lies and betray me? My heart felt squeezed. I couldn’t breathe. The board decided to fire me and fine me millions. But the day wasn’t over. As soon as I stepped out of the station. Police officers rushed over, pinning me to the ground and handcuffing me. “Nicole, you are under arrest for defamation. Come with us.” Ridicule erupted behind me. “Some Headline Queen. Look at her now, like a chained dog!” “Faking news for money? Scum of the industry!” Chapter 4 Half an hour later, Sienna stood outside the bars. Holding Harrison’s hand, she smiled victoriously. Harrison said deeply, “Sienna is carrying my heir. You are sisters now. Take care of each other.” “If you kneel and apologize to her, I’ll clear your name. You can be the Headline Queen again.” Even after countless disappointments, I couldn’t believe my ears. To vent anger for Sienna, he destroyed my bright future. I really wanted to ask him. Where did the Harrison who praised my ambition as brighter than the Hudson River skyline go? I gritted my teeth and swallowed my emotions. “No need. I don’t want it.” Harrison’s face darkened instantly. The last trace of pity in his eyes vanished. Sienna grabbed my hand and yanked off my wedding ring. “No jewelry in detention. Sister Nicole, I’ll take this ring!” She scratched my skin, drawing blood. But it didn’t hurt as much as my heart. She whispered in my ear. “Nicole, I bribed some killers inside.” “Tell me… if your beautiful hands are ruined, will Harrison still want you?” I was thunderstruck. I tried to scratch her face. Harrison blocked my hand effortlessly. “Nicole, cool off in there for a few days. When you figure it out, I’ll let you out!” Not long after Harrison left, he was engulfed in a scandal. News about Sterling Motors’ cars spontaneously combusting, previously suppressed, resurfaced. Stocks plummeted. Trading was halted. Even the retired Old Man Sterling had to step in. Finally, the old man gave Harrison a path: “Go say hello to the newly appointed City Director of Communications.” Harrison went straight to City Hall. Staff in black uniforms led him to the office and closed the door respectfully. The leather chair slowly turned around. The person spoke. “Do you like my gift on my first day?”

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In the tenth year of my secret marriage, I handled the ninety-ninth girlfriend for him. The one-hundredth was me. When I decided to divorce, I handed the signed papers to Julian Sterling. He paused, then smirked. “Nora, even you use this trick to get my attention? We are different from the others.” Ten years. He had said that too many times. Until three days ago, when I dealt with his ninety-ninth fling. She didn’t look at the contract. Instead, she looked at me with pity. “I didn’t expect the person by his side to still be you after all these years.” “If he really loved you, how could he let you clean up his mess time and time again? Mrs. Sterling, you’re not a wife. You’re a glorified fixer.” My heart clenched. At that moment, I realized this was a decade-long scam. Just as Julian threw a lavish gala to finally introduce me as his wife… He received my divorce papers. Julian, we will never meet again in this life. Chapter 1 When Julian walked into the walk-in closet, he naturally stood beside me in front of the mirror. “Nora, this one is tricky.” His voice was low as he adjusted my shawl. “You have to meet her personally.” I looked at his confident reflection and said nothing. This scenario had repeated countless times over ten years. Every time, I handled it to his satisfaction. I thought this time would be no exception. But when I saw the girl, I understood what “tricky” meant. She was different. A Chanel suit hugged her curves. A diamond ring sparkled on her finger. She smiled and pushed a cup of Blue Mountain coffee toward me—my usual order. “Miss Nora, ten years, and you’re still cleaning up his mess.” She wasn’t like Julian’s previous women. She knew exactly why I was there. She didn’t cry or scream about not being able to live without him. I composed myself, sat opposite her, and put on my professional face. “I won’t beat around the bush. Leave Julian Sterling. Name your price.” “Shares, jewelry, or that castle in Europe…” She laughed suddenly, saying something completely unexpected. “I don’t want anything.” I looked at her firm eyes and smiled. “Julian doesn’t love you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be seeing me. I’m the one he calls to get rid of you.” She smiled elegantly. “Do you think no one but you can enter his heart?” “That’s why none of his women stay as long as you.” My knuckles turned white. Suddenly, I felt exhausted. “Is staying by his side a good thing?” I had asked myself this question too many times. I looked out the window, remembering the first time I caught Julian cheating. I smashed every porcelain vase in his study. Amidst the shards, I cried and asked him why. Julian flicked the ash from his cigarette, calm as ever. “Nora, you are the legitimate Mrs. Sterling. How many people beg for this title?” “Since you sit in this seat, you should know your place.” He spoke like he was teaching a child. “Don’t act like those cheap women, throwing tantrums in front of me.” The light in my eyes went out. We were different. They only needed to sign a breakup contract. I needed to sign divorce papers. From that day on, I knew he chose to marry me secretly because I was sensible. Because I could handle the private matters he didn’t want to face. I couldn’t delude myself into thinking I was special just because I stayed longer. I pushed the document forward, business as usual. “Sign it. It’s better for everyone.” She signed quickly and pushed the blank check back to me, pity in her eyes. “Keep it. But remember, even if I sign, one day, Julian will make you bring me back personally.” She stood up, her skirt swaying. “Don’t believe me? Wait and see.” I looked at her name. Nia. So we were both named similarly to Nora. No wonder she looked familiar. She looked like me at twenty. The me who loved Julian with all my heart. A familiar black SUV pulled up outside. Julian was here. But this time, I didn’t rush out. I took another document from my bag and slowly signed my name. It was printed on the same paper, from the same printer as the ninety-nine breakup contracts before. Only this time, I wasn’t asking a young girl to sign. I signed it myself. Julian, I don’t want to be your fixer anymore. Chapter 2 I packed everything quietly, walked out the revolving door, and got into his car. The sweet perfume in the car was identical to Nia’s. I rolled down the window, letting the wind rush in. The late autumn wind felt like dull knives on my face, but I felt no pain. Julian rested his eyes in the back seat, his tone lazy and intimate. “Done? As expected, no trouble you can’t solve.” I laughed low. After a long time, I looked at the café seat where I had sat for ten years. Then, I spoke softly, my voice devoid of emotion. “Julian, let’s get a divorce.” This was the first time in ten years I called him by his full name. Usually, I called him Julian. In public, Mr. Sterling. Since we were parting ways, I should be formal. He froze, then smiled, tapping his finger on the file. “Nora, stop it. The Gala is in three days. I plan to introduce you formally.” His voice was full of indulgent confidence. “Is that sincere enough? We aren’t like those flings.” Actually, the first time Julian said he would make me public, I believed him. The second time, I hesitated. But love pushed me to keep hoping. I lost count of when I stopped believing him. I turned and met his beautiful eyes. Eyes I drowned in for ten years. No wonder so many girls fell for them. But this time, I just smiled. “I can’t wait anymore. Ten years is too long.” I placed the two copies of the divorce agreement on his lap. This time, I didn’t look back. Pain shot through my ankle. I stumbled. My four-inch heels twisted, and I fell onto the cold ground. My tight cashmere dress restricted me, making it hard to get up. Rip. The hem tore. I hissed and kicked off the torture devices. Ten years. Julian said he liked elegance, so I learned deportment and wore heels everywhere. He liked clean hands, so I maintained my manicure while cooking for him. He liked my hair up, so I never wore it down. Ten years. 120 months. 3650 days. I swallowed my grievances, thinking I was the exception. The miracle who made the prodigal son return. I walked barefoot, memories flooding back. It was the darkest winter of my life. My father went bankrupt. Debt collectors blocked our door. Mom was in the hospital. Medical bills crushed me. I worked days, studied nights in the hospital hallway, thin as paper. The collectors found the hospital. They pushed me, demanding money, spitting in my face. That was when I met Julian. He stood before me in a tailored coat. “How much does she owe?” His aura silenced them. They named a figure. Julian didn’t bargain. He gestured to his assistant. The assistant paid them off calmly. He shielded me. In that moment, the noise and despair were muted. I looked at his back like it was the only light in the dark. So when he said, “Nora, stay with me,” I grabbed him like a lifeline. I stayed for ten years. I thought I found a safe harbor. I didn’t know the storms of the next decade would come from him. A familiar voice interrupted me. “I knew you were here.” I turned. Julian stood under the streetlight. He didn’t speak. He picked me up and grabbed my shoes. I froze, forgetting to struggle. “We are divorced.” I whispered, reminding him, or myself. “I know.” He put me in the car. “But you are still my employee. I need you to handle something.” “Nia is pregnant. Two months. The breakup contract is void.” As the engine started, he added, like ordering a secretary. “Prepare a room. Pick her up next week.” I stared at the city lights blurring past. When sadness hits its peak, you lose your voice. Pressure crushed my chest. Breathing was hard. He never took anyone to the penthouse by the river. He said that was our home. My nails dug into my palm. I remembered being pregnant at twenty-five. Shaking holding the test. He glanced at it and said, “Get rid of it.” He said we weren’t ready. It wasn’t that he didn’t like kids. He just didn’t like my kids. Cold wind blew in. I closed my eyes. Nia was right. I really had to bring her back personally. Chapter 3 I drove Nia to the penthouse and rolled her luggage in. She stood by the sofa, touching a cushion, and said softly to Julian: “This color is too dark. Bad for the baby’s eyes.” Julian looked at her with a tenderness I hadn’t seen in ten years. “Whatever you want. The designer will come tomorrow. Pick that lotus pink you like, okay?” When he turned to me, his face was cold business. “Note it down. Change the living room to light colors tomorrow.” Nia leaned into him, smiling at me. A smile of victory. She tugged Julian’s sleeve. “Julian, I’m thirsty.” Before he spoke, I went to the kitchen. When I handed her the water, her fingers slipped. Scalding water splashed on my hand. The glass shattered. Pain seared my skin. Red marks appeared instantly. “Oops, sorry Sister.” Her voice was light. “Slipped.” Julian rushed over, frowning. He looked at the mess, then at me, accusingly. “Nora!” He shouted my name. “You were never this clumsy. What if you burned Nia? Can you afford the consequences?” I stared at his anger, feeling strange. In ten years, he was always gentle, detached. He never spoke to me like this. My hand burned. Blisters were forming. But he turned to check Nia’s shoulder, asking if she was hurt. At that moment, the pain in my hand vanished. Only a chill remained in my heart. Nia ate grapes on the sofa, smiling. Sunlight hit her face. Warm. My hand was numb. My heart was dead. I called the maid to clean up and left that suffocating place. Back at the company, HR looked troubled. “Nora, for your level, Julian must sign the resignation personally.” I nodded. “Call him.” She dialed nervously. “Mr. Sterling, Nora wants…” “Give her whatever she wants.” Julian interrupted impatiently. Nia’s laughter was audible in the background. “But sir, we need your signature. Can you come in?” “Go to my office and get the stamp!” He was annoyed. “Just do what she says. Don’t bother me.” HR hung up and looked at me. “Nora, the Gala is tomorrow. Julian said he’d introduce his wife. Everyone is waiting.” “It’s a pity you’re leaving now.” I smiled bleakly. “Stamp it.” The CEO’s wife bought the earliest flight out tomorrow. Not just you, but Julian himself, will never see her again. Chapter 4 When I returned to pack, Julian came out of the study. He saw my bandaged hand and frowned. “When did you learn this bitter meat trick?” Seeing my suitcase, he looked nervous. “Where are you going?” “Business trip.” I handed him the divorce papers disguised as a project contract. “Mr. Sterling, sign this.” He took it, about to flip through. He was sharp. But Nia called from the garden, voice dripping with honey. “Julian! Look! A cat! Its eyes look just like the emeralds you gave me!” He paused, signed his name quickly, and handed it back. I had fed that cat for three years. He never noticed. He walked away, adding: “Be back before the Gala tomorrow. I’ll introduce you formally.” Before, I would have been ecstatic. Now, I put away the papers calmly. It was the most useless promise in the world. He noticed my lack of reaction and stopped. But Nia called again. He didn’t look back. I watched him walk away to another person. And I let go of everything. The night of the Gala. Lights blazing. VIPs everywhere. Julian stood on stage, confident, in control. He scanned the crowd for me. His voice was solemn. “Today, I want to introduce my wife of ten years, Nora.” The crowd gasped. “Nora the assistant? Mrs. Sterling?” “No wonder he never showed her! She was right there!” Applause and whispers. The spotlight searched the crowd but found nothing. Cheers faded. Silence fell. Julian’s smile vanished. He signaled his assistant. Five minutes. Ten minutes… He checked his phone constantly. Calling. Only voicemail. He loosened his tie, sweating. He lost his composure. He roared at his assistant. “Where is she?! Go find her!” Three hours later, the assistant ran on stage with a file. “We couldn’t find her. Only this on her desk. The divorce papers you signed.”

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On my deathbed, I used my last ounce of strength to lift the water cup, my hands trembling. But my daughter slapped it away. “Drink what? If you drink, you’ll live a few more days. So annoying!” “Just die already. I’m waiting for the inheritance check!” Tears streamed down my old face. I finally asked, “Why? Why treat me like this?” My daughter rolled her eyes, sauntered over, and whispered the truth: “Because you’re poor. Because you’re pathetic!” “I’ve hated you since the moment I was born!” “Why did you have kids if you have no money? Couldn’t you use birth control? You just had to breed!” “If not for you, maybe I would have been reincarnated into a rich family and lived a comfortable life. But no, I got stuck with you two broke losers!” “I beg you, if there is a next life, stay away from me. Don’t stop me from being born rich!” So that was it. A muddy tear slid past my eye. I prayed to God to grant her wish, then closed my eyes forever. When I opened them again, I was reborn. Chapter 1 “Congratulations, ma’am. You’re pregnant!” The dizziness of rebirth faded. The first thing I heard was the doctor’s “sentence.” I froze, staring at the ultrasound report. Pregnant already? How did this happen? Why restart at this moment? The thought of giving birth to that “debt collector” daughter again made my legs shake. In my past life, Chloe hated studying as a kid and hated working as an adult. She lay on the couch playing on her phone all day, screaming: “You gave birth to me, so you have to support me! I didn’t ask to be born. You had your fun, now you want me to support you? No way!” We explained that we didn’t need her money; we just wanted her to get a job and feed herself. She rolled her eyes and snatched our wallets. “Why should I work? I have you guys! You owe me a lifetime of support!” To be honest, we weren’t “poor.” David and I were ordinary working-class people. We saved up, bought a small condo in Chicago, and drove a ten-year-old Toyota. But this couldn’t satisfy Chloe’s appetite for luxury. After draining our savings, she took out loans in our names. Debt collectors harassed us daily. It was hell. Thinking of those days, I shivered. I grabbed the doctor’s sleeve, begging: “Can I abort it? Doctor, please help me get rid of it! It’s only six weeks!” The doctor looked at me strangely. “Why? You were asking about IVF before. Isn’t a natural pregnancy good?” “Oh, are you worried about the fetus? Don’t worry, everything looks normal!” I smiled bitterly. David and I loved kids. We tried for two years. We even prepared for IVF. That’s why in the last life, we spoiled Chloe rotten, thinking she was our lucky star. Who knew she was a demon? I stammered, making excuses. Seeing my determination, the doctor sighed. “If you really want to, you can. But I have to warn you. Your body isn’t in great condition. If you abort this one, you might never conceive again.” My heart sank. “Go home and discuss it with your husband. He really wanted this.” I walked out of the office in a daze and sat on the bench in the hallway. I didn’t know what to do. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice. “Hahaha! I’m reborn! My mom is Auntie Isabella this time! Yes! I’m finally a rich second-generation heir!” Chapter 2 I knew that voice too well! It was Chloe! “Damn! My last life sucked. Born to broke parents, couldn’t even buy a game skin.” “This time, I’m going to enjoy life!” “I gotta say, a rich mom’s womb feels different. So comfy!” I scanned the crowd frantically. The voice came from a woman’s belly. That woman was the “Auntie Isabella” Chloe mentioned—Isabella, the wife of David’s boss, Mr. Sterling. In the last life, Chloe visited David’s office once. She came home throwing a tantrum. “Why aren’t you rich? Look at Mr. Sterling! Look at Auntie Isabella! Look at their son! Why am I stuck with you losers?” We thought it was teenage rebellion. Now I know—she saw the wealth gap and her mind twisted. And in this life, she actually managed to be reborn into Isabella’s womb. And I could hear her inner voice! Isabella walked toward the VIP clinic, holding her report. Her belly faced me. I lowered my head. “Oh look, who’s this? My broke mom from the last life! God, look at her clothes compared to my new mom’s. Night and day!” “The smell of poverty is choking me!” “She looks pregnant too. She doesn’t think it’s me in there, does she? Ha! A phoenix doesn’t nest in a chicken coop. Get lost!” Chloe’s noisy thoughts passed by. Isabella didn’t notice me. Once she was far away, I looked up. I touched my belly. If Chloe is in Isabella… then who is in me? Could it be him? That poor little boy? I smiled. Chloe, oh Chloe. Being a rich heir isn’t as easy as you think! Chapter 3 My mood instantly lifted. As long as it’s not Chloe, I’ll take anyone! Realizing this, the joy of pregnancy finally hit me. I really, really love kids! I rushed home and hugged David, who was cooking. Tears streamed down my face. In the last life, we were in our seventies, forced by Chloe to work at a diner. He was a waiter, I washed dishes. One day, he slipped in the kitchen and hurt his back. The doctor found advanced stomach cancer. David had been enduring the pain to save money. The doctor suggested hospitalization. Chloe screamed in the ward. “Stomach cancer is incurable! It’s a waste of money!” She dragged David home and threw us some cheap painkillers. I tried to fight her for our bank cards. She pushed me down with one finger. I was a bag of bones. I couldn’t fight back. That night, David and I cried in each other’s arms. In the end, he died of pain. After he died, the diner fired me. Chloe dumped me back in our old village and ignored me. She only showed up when I was dying, eager to collect the funeral money. Thinking of this, I wailed uncontrollably, releasing all the grief from my past life. David panicked, wiping my tears. “What’s wrong? Pregnancy is good news! Why are you crying? Are you too happy?” I wiped my face and nodded hard. “Yes! I’m too happy! We’re going to be a happy family!” Chapter 4 Our home wasn’t big, but it was warm. David was a team lead at a tech company, making decent money. I was an accountant at a small firm. We weren’t rich, but we weren’t poor. I just wanted to live this ordinary life well. Three months later, David brought home an invitation. “Honey, Mr. Sterling is getting married again. To a 23-year-old girl. Apparently, she’s pregnant. He wants all staff to bring their families.” I looked at the gold-stamped invitation. Since rebirth, I avoided Chloe. I was afraid she’d notice something. But she was just a fetus now. It should be fine. We went to the wedding. I was shocked by the luxury. Rose petal carpets, crystal chandeliers, gold cutlery. Even the goody bags were designer brands. Sitting on the embroidered cushion, I felt out of place. No wonder Chloe was obsessed. The world of the rich is beyond our imagination. The bride entered. I heard Chloe’s voice again. “My dad is loaded! This is insane! So luxurious!” “I’m going to be so spoiled! I’m the little princess!” “Tsk tsk, my last life was trash. This is the life I deserve!” I rolled my eyes. She still had a limited vocabulary. “Ew, are those my loser parents from the last life? Why are they here? Do they deserve this food? Stay away, poor ghosts!” The couple came to toast our table. I forced a smile and raised my glass. But then: “Why do I have to toast them? Annoying!” “They made me suffer so much. I should teach them a lesson. Let them know the power of the rich!” My heart skipped a beat. What is she doing? Then, Chloe switched to a baby voice in her mind, broadcasting it somehow: “Mommy… I feel sick looking at these two. I feel like they want to hurt me! Ouch, my head is spinning!” Isabella’s face changed instantly. She looked at us with suspicion. Mr. Sterling dropped his glass and shielded Isabella. I was shocked! They could hear her too!

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