In the seventh year of our relationship, Julian’s side account was dug up. Every single word was about his love life. [Wifey wore a pink sweater today, so cute! I want to hold her and kiss her to death!] [Sang my new song to her, and she praised me! Exploding with joy!] [Bought her a pink diamond. The way she smiled, ahhhh! Buy, buy, buy! Whatever baby wants, I’ll buy it!] [Day 2 of the tour, miss wifey boohoo. No motivation without wifey, my soft and fragrant wifey.] The comments section was full of envy. [Help, Julian looks so rebellious on the outside, but privately he’s such a simp.] [LOL, some people act indifferent to their girl in public, but inside: I am my wife’s dog!] My best friend forwarded the post to me and teased: “How come you’re eating so well in private?” I carefully scrolled through every message he posted. After a while, I replied to my friend. “I’ve never worn a pink sweater.” Chapter 1 Actually, I did wear one. During the years I chased Julian Vance, I heard from somewhere that he liked soft, girly girls. I never liked pink. But that time, I specifically wore a pink sweater to bring him food. In the middle of winter, I didn’t wear a coat just to look good. My face was frozen white. Julian came out of the studio half an hour late. He looked me up and down lazily. Crossed his arms and sneered. “Audrey, you look like a pink pig.” Amidst the crowd’s laughter, I fled. Since then, I never wore pink again. My friend’s message on the phone carried an awkward attempt to comfort me. [Audrey, don’t overthink it.] [Maybe he says he hates it but likes it in his heart.] [We all know what kind of person Julian is.] True. In college, Julian was famous for his foul mouth and bad attitude. In my roommate’s words, “Such a handsome guy, pity he’s not mute.” Almost every girl who tried to chase him got scolded bloody. Only I was different. He also despised my outfits, my bento boxes, and me sticking to him all day. Yet, he would still call out to me coldly when I sat in the corner at parties. “Hey, come sit over here.” Later, he became a big star. His first stadium concert. He sang a whole love song facing my direction. Then the camera moved over. The young man’s features were exquisite and serious. “Let me introduce someone.” “The female lead of my life.” The spotlights were blinding. I only remember, amidst the screams, he was smiling at me. Offstage, Julian got scolded bloody by his agent. “Do you want your fans? Do you want your future?” He leaned against the wall, smiling indifferently. “You don’t know, my girl is dramatic and sensitive. If I don’t say it upfront, there will be trouble later.” Julian’s career did stagnate for a few years because of this. It wasn’t until last year when his new song won a Gold Award that things picked up again. However, the one presenting the award was a junior who used to be far inferior to him. That guy broke up with his girlfriend of ten years for his career, then skyrocketed. So a reporter asked him if he regretted going public back then. “No regrets.” Julian showed the necklace on his collarbone to the camera. That was the birthday gift I bought him after delivering food for five months. He once said this necklace was more precious than any trophy. But… In his latest faceless selfie. The necklace on his neck was replaced by a Hello Kitty cartoon pendant. He once said this thing was too girly and childish. But now. He cheered. [Bought couple necklaces with wifey!] Chapter 2 I sat in the living room all night. Reading his side account over and over again. He said the desserts she made were delicious. But the cake I spent all morning making for him, he just glanced at it and threw it into the trash can in front of me. He praised her for being lively, cheerful, and good at socializing. But when I just said two sentences to someone else, he sneered, “Showing off again?” He carefully prepared gifts for her on the first day, first week, first month they met. The man who always lacked patience sat at the craft table for a whole day. [Happy just thinking about wifey getting the gift! Her eyes sparkling, so cute ahhh!] And today, is my thirtieth birthday. Julian didn’t even come home. I waited until midnight, couldn’t help calling him. It took a long time to connect. Music was deafening on the other side, laughter of men and women mixed together. “I said I’m busy, can you stop annoying me!” “Huh? It’s your birthday today?” “…I forgot.” I silently opened his side account. Ten minutes ago, he said. [Don’t want to go home.] Chapter 3 Julian came home near dawn. The door opened. Alcohol smell mixed with strong perfume hit my face. Then I saw him leaning by the door. He was typing, noticed the living room light, glanced at me, then looked down at his phone again. “Still awake?” “Mmhmm.” Julian responded with an indifferent “Oh”, still looking down at the screen. The other side said something, and he unconsciously revealed a helpless smile. I sat on the sofa watching him quietly. After about three to five minutes, Julian realized I hadn’t left. He put away his phone, touched his nose, and looked up at me with a frown. “Not going to sleep?” “I…” “Perfect.” He interrupted me, sat down next to me, and ordered naturally. “Go pour me a cup of tea.” To protect Julian’s voice, I specifically learned to make many herbal teas. Julian said it tasted bad every time, but would drink it with a frown. Except this time. I brought the tea, he took a sip, and poured the whole cup into the flower pot. “Tsk, your skills are getting worse.” The blister burned on my finger hurt piercingly. I lowered my head and didn’t speak. Remembering his words in the side account again. [Wifey burned the food today, but I ate it all too!] I suddenly felt all this was a bit boring. “I’m going back to my room.” “Hey!” Julian called me from behind. I turned around. A palm-sized box hit my chest. I hissed subconsciously. He frowned a bit annoyed, then turned his head away. “Happy Birthday.” Inside the box was a cartoon pendant matching his. The silly teddy bear was grinning. Chapter 4 “I told you the person in the side account is you.” My friend came to see me the next day. Seeing that pendant, she comforted me confidently. “Julian is just like that, foul mouth but soft heart.” “If he didn’t like you, how could he be with you for so many years?” “To keep you from worrying, look at his performance two days ago, he kept a galaxy’s distance from his female partner.” “And look at the staff around him, is there a single woman?” “People outside say he’s sexist. His agent asked him to hire a few women to quell public opinion, but he refused to do it.” “You, you just overthink.” I couldn’t say anything to refute. But a woman’s intuition always made me feel something was wrong. Just like the childish and exaggerated cartoon pendant hanging on silk pajamas. It looked out of place no matter how you looked at it. My friend sighed looking at me. “How about this, check on him now?” “That’s not good.” I refused almost subconsciously. Julian hated me checking on him. I called him a few times when I was worried before. Every time ended in a big fight. He said I didn’t trust him, said I disturbed his work. Once he even smashed a cup in front of a room full of people, calling me crazy. “Audrey! Can you get lost!” “It’s not like that.” My friend held the phone in front of me. On the screen was a post from Julian. [Wifey checking on me again!] [What a little dummy, doesn’t believe I love her at all.] [But I really love how she overthinks for me.] [Praying wifey checks on me every day.] The comments were full of “Dying of cuteness”. I hesitated, but took the phone and dialed Julian’s number. It was picked up after one ring. Julian’s tone wasn’t gentle, but hearing me ask what he was doing, he didn’t hang up on the spot. “Playing tennis with my assistant.” The sound of tennis balls hitting the ground came from the other side. Julian liked sports and always spared two or three days a week to play ball. The assistant, Liam, who accompanied him was also someone I knew. A college graduate, clean background, straight orientation. I gave an awkward “Oh”. Julian’s sneer came from the ear. “Worried again?” “Want to come over and see?” I quickly refused. “No need.” I wasn’t good at tennis, and Julian played indiscriminately. I got smashed by him a few times on the court. So I wasn’t willing to join the fun. Julian sneered on the other side. “By the way, I’m going on a business trip tonight, not coming home.” I cared for him almost instinctively. “Is Liam going with you?” Julian murmured an agreement. “Then tell Liam to pay attention, your throat needs to drink…” “Alright, alright.” “I’m playing.” Julian hung up impatiently before I finished. My friend looked at me amusedly. “Relieved now?” “Even if Julian cheats, he wouldn’t go for Liam, right?” I smiled embarrassedly, but still felt something was wrong. I attributed this to worrying about Julian’s trip. After all, Young Master Vance always focused on art and ignored mundane matters. All housework fell on me. I washed his underwear and socks. Cooked three meals a day for him. At my most tired, I worked two jobs a day, and had to clean up the takeout boxes he left on the dining table when I got home. My friends laughed at me saying I was basically his mom. But lovers, inevitably have to give more. I wrote a long list of precautions and sent it to Liam. Thinking he was playing with Julian, I added a sentence. “No rush, read it after you finish playing.” However, the next second Liam called. “Sis.” “Did Julian not tell you?” “I quit the year before last.” Chapter 5 Julian never told me about this. On the contrary, he often mentioned his assistant to me. A tie clip appeared in the jewelry box. Gift from assistant. Beautiful meals posted on social media. Ate with assistant. Movie tickets found in pockets. Watched with assistant. Even staying out all night. Said… “I have to work overtime with the assistant.” “Don’t disturb me.” So even when I had a fever of 102 late at night, almost fainting, I dared not send him a message. What was he doing then? When I rushed to the court, only Julian was left. He was stunned for a moment seeing me, then frowned impatiently. “What are you doing here? Paranoia again? Audrey, can you…” “Where is Liam?” Julian stopped abruptly. He obviously didn’t expect me to ask this, dodging and murmuring. “Changing clothes…” I walked towards the locker room without a word. “Audrey!” Julian suddenly grabbed my wrist. “What crazy fit are you throwing now!” His collar was pulled slightly open with this movement. The red mark on his collarbone was ambiguous and dazzling. I struggled almost screaming. “Let go of me!” Staff on both sides looked at us. Julian’s face grew darker. He pinched my wrist deadly tight, dragging me out. “I said he’s changing!” “Go home if you want to make a scene!” Long-term suspicion and uneasiness finally exploded. I squatted on the ground like a madwoman being dragged by him. “I don’t believe it! I don’t believe it!” “Let me see!” Someone recognized Julian and started taking out phones. “Security!” Julian roared. Someone ran over to hold my shoulder. I cried and struggled. People around pointed at me. The world was in chaos. Then returned to a soft sentence. “Julian?” Chapter 6 A girl in a pink sweater stood at the locker room door. The cartoon pendant swayed on her chest. Matching perfectly. It’s hard to describe Julian’s look at me in that moment. Like guilt, like helplessness, and like relief. He stared at me for a few seconds. Then under everyone’s gaze, turned around, and walked towards that girl. “I have something to deal with here.” “Let the driver take you home first, okay?” His tone was a gentleness I hadn’t heard before. And that girl was used to it, even complaining greedily. “Huh? But I made spicy chicken, you promised to come back and eat.” Julian can’t eat spicy food. Instinct made me almost blurt it out. But the second before I spoke. Julian smiled. He pinched the girl’s cheek. “Okay, wait for me at home.” The girl left satisfied. Only after she went out the door did Julian finally deign to turn his gaze to me. My hair was messy, clothes wrinkled from the struggle. Only that extra cartoon pendant, hanging awkwardly on my chest. Julian probably had a moment of intolerance. He smoothed my hair, his voice rare and gentle. “Go home.” “Let’s pretend today never happened.” I took a step back subconsciously. Julian’s hand hung in the air. “Audrey?” I lowered my eyes not looking at him. “Let’s cool off for a while.” “Don’t be silly.” Julian frowned, reaching out to pull me. I didn’t resist. It was his phone that rang first. The girl on the screen smiled charmingly. Julian paused, eventually let go of my hand. Picked up the phone, tone suddenly softened. “What’s wrong?” “Yeah, it’s okay, I’m here, take your time.” The girl’s chirping voice came vaguely from the other end. I walked to the door, looked back and saw a smile on his lips. Didn’t notice my leaving. Chapter 7 This farce hit the trending search that night. Comments were buzzing. [Men are all the same.] [Gave up career to go public back then, now it’s so ugly.] [To be honest, I always felt the current sister-in-law doesn’t quite match him.] I recognized that avatar. It was a side account of a staff member in Julian’s studio. Sure enough, this comment was voted to the top. Many people agreed below. [Julian went from D-list to top star, she’s still a nobody.] [More than that.] [Heard she quit her job as soon as Julian got rich, we all know what that means.] It wasn’t like that. Julian asked me to quit my job back then. He said he didn’t want me to work hard from 6 AM to 10 PM. He said I just needed to focus on him. But netizens don’t listen to that. Fueled by someone with intentions, in less than a night. The target of criticism shifted from Julian to me. [Gold digger dug her own grave.] [Deserved it for relying on a man.] Someone even doxxed me. My phone blew up, filled with junk messages. At this time Julian posted a clarification tweet. [Misunderstanding caused by playing ball with assistant, both are good girls, my fault.] My friend comforted me with relief. “See, Julian is still siding with you.” I smiled, didn’t speak, just signaled her to open the comments. [Oh, got it, so wifey got jealous again?] [Fed up with the trophy wife, won’t even let boyfriend have female colleagues?] [Probably knows she can’t keep hubby’s heart?] Amidst ridicule, occasionally someone spoke for me. [Isn’t Julian’s assistant a guy? When did he change to a young girl?] This comment stayed on screen for less than half a minute, clicking in again showed “Comment deleted.” My friend was dumbfounded. “Wait, Julian is…” Subtle writing, retreating to advance. Surface saying it’s his fault. Actually blaming everything on me. Letting me bear the insults. While that girl was protected well by him. In his side account, he posted her cat. [Mommy is unhappy today, Kitty needs to comfort Mommy for Daddy.] In the photo, their overlapping hands covered the cat. I suddenly remembered many years ago, I also clamored to Julian about wanting a cat. He refused impatiently. “Don’t you know I’m allergic to cats.” “Audrey, can you stop thinking only about yourself?” “Julian is scum!” Phone vibrating from harassment calls. My friend’s eyes reddened, distressed and angry. “Audrey, we can’t take this.” “Wait.” “I’ll find a paparazzi, let’s expose him too!” “Forget it.” I stopped her. First, it wasn’t easy for Julian to get where he is today, I really loved his talent, so I didn’t want to ruin him easily. Second, a media war would inevitably be messy. I didn’t want to have anything to do with Julian anymore. Seven years of relationship. He doesn’t love me. We part on good terms. I blocked all his contacts, packed my luggage, booked a flight. My friend sent me to the airport. One second before boarding. My friend’s phone rang. Julian.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390002”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

When I was five, Mom said she was going for a “little plastic surgery.” Before she entered the operating room, I tilted my head and asked her: “If Mommy changes her face, what if Nina can’t recognize you?” She smiled, but tears kept falling. “In the future, whoever Daddy tells you to call Mommy, that person is me.” I nodded obediently. Not long after, Dad really brought back a beautiful Mommy. I happily rushed over, but was pushed away by her. The little boy behind her threw stones at me with a face full of hatred. “Get lost! Don’t touch my Daddy and Mommy!” From then on, my room became my brother’s room. My clothes and toys were thrown into the trash. Dad was busy with work and would only occasionally rub my head helplessly. “Nina, you must listen to Mommy so Daddy won’t worry.” One time, I accidentally knocked over hot water. I instinctively wanted a hug from Mommy. She looked coldly at the third-floor balcony. “If you want a hug, jump from there.” Chapter 1 I looked up at the balcony Mom pointed to. I didn’t understand why last time she gently coaxed me: “Nina, the balcony is dangerous, don’t go near it.” But this time, she wanted me to jump. Just for a hug. But soon, I remembered Mom’s instructions before the surgery. “Mommy might have a bad temper after the surgery.” “Nina, be good then, and listen to Mommy.” So, I clenched my scalded little hand and walked step by step toward the third floor. With almost no hesitation. Under Mom’s indifferent gaze. I jumped from the balcony. My body hit the chandelier on the second floor and crashed onto the sofa in the center of the living room. A cracking sound came from my knee. I rolled on the sofa in pain, opening my watery eyes to ask: “Mommy, can you hug Nina now?” Seeing I only hurt my leg, a trace of disappointment flashed in her eyes. Her bright red lips spat out one word. “Idiot.” Not long after, Dad rushed back, panting. Seeing the private doctor applying ointment to me. Dad’s eyes turned red with anger. He slapped me across the face. “Nina! How many times have I told you to behave at home!” My face swelled up. Just as I wanted to explain. I looked up and met Mom’s threatening eyes. Although she had a gentle smile, the force she used to apply the ice pack got heavier and heavier. I grimaced in pain, daring not to cry. Dad was furious. “Are you trying to cause trouble for me on purpose?” “I remember you used to be sensible. Why have you become like this!” I held back my tears. It was them who changed. Mom wouldn’t ask me to jump off a balcony before, and Dad wouldn’t be so fierce. Mom spoke up for me from the side. “Don’t scold the child. It’s normal to be playful at this age.” “It’s my fault for not watching her closely.” Unexpectedly, her words completely ignited Dad’s anger. He called the butler and ordered: “No dinner for Nina tonight!” “From today on, all her play activities and hobby classes are cancelled.” “I think she’s just living too comfortably, always looking for trouble.” After speaking. Dad changed his face to coax Mom. “Thanks for taking care of the two kids recently. Buy whatever you want.” “And sign Caleb up for that European summer camp.” Mom happily threw herself on Dad and kissed him. At night, my brother Caleb came to the small attic with the summer camp invitation to show off. Before leaving, he poured a basin of cold water on my bedding. And stuck his tongue out at me. “You’re just like your mom, a bitch!” I jumped anxiously. “My mom is your mom! You can’t say that about Mom!” He rushed over disdainfully, grabbed my hand, and bit it hard. “Bullshit! Your mom is already dead!” I froze. Chapter 2 I heard this word from Mom and Caleb more than once. Mom used to say “death” is a bad word and shouldn’t be said casually. But now, whenever they are angry, they always talk about death. Looking at the bleeding bite mark on my arm. I used tissue as a bandage. I laid out old clothes on the floor again and lay down. Before sleeping, I thought about how to make Mom happy tomorrow. I remembered Mom used to love honey toast. Early the next morning, Dad went to the office early. I brought breakfast to Mom’s bed. She took one look. Her face changed drastically. Mom dragged me by my hair all the way to the dark room. Her angry tone sounded like she wanted to eat me. “You little bitch! You know I’m allergic to honey and want to kill me, don’t you!” I cried and struggled. “Mommy, I was wrong… Nina just wanted to make you happy…” Bang. The iron door cut off my begging. Mom’s disgusted voice came from outside. “Don’t call me Mommy when Simon isn’t around.” “I’m not that poor, unlucky woman!” I curled up in the corner. The scalded arm from yesterday scraped against the floor, peeling off a layer of skin. It hurt. So much. After this incident, I seemed to understand something. The woman in my house really doesn’t seem to be my mom. Although she looks beautiful and wears perfume. She doesn’t have Mom’s scent, nor does she feel soft. So. While she took Caleb to the amusement park. I secretly ran out, deciding to find Mom. Outside was a bustling world I hadn’t seen before. I looked up in the crowd, searching everywhere. But before I could find Mom, I bumped into a police officer. He frowned and asked why I was alone and where my mom was. I answered honestly. “My mom got plastic surgery and changed her face. I’m looking for her now!” The officer was confused. “Where did your mom get surgery?” “A white room! Many uncles and aunts in white clothes, and a small TV.” I gestured. The line on the small TV went from wavy to straight. My short sleeves revealed my scars. The officer’s face showed complex emotions. He squatted down. Voice softened. “Come with me. I have a way to find your mom.” I obediently put my hand in his. Unexpectedly, he took me to the police station. Minutes later, Dad arrived with a dark face. The officer frowned. “How do you watch your child? The injuries on her…” Dad looked angry. He ignored everyone, dragged me out by the arm, and retorted to the officer. “Those injuries are from her own disobedience!” I hung my head silently, feeling wronged again. Dad threw me into the back seat. The door slammed bang, shaking the car. Dad punched the steering wheel. “Nina! Why are you doing this? Did your dead mom teach you?” “Is she teaching you to punish me for using her dowry to start my business, or for keeping Shelby as a mistress?” “She was a woman who didn’t know how to adapt until death! Who in this circle doesn’t have a woman on the side? But she was stubborn and taught you to cause trouble!” Dad’s anger surrounded me. I didn’t understand what he was saying. In an instant, I was pulled back to when Mom and Dad fought. I was scared and cried helplessly, just like then. After a long time. He was tired of venting, and I was tired of crying. Dad turned around, wiped my tears, and spoke in a tone half-negotiating, half-ordering. “Dad is going on a business trip for two days. You must listen to Mommy.” “Don’t make Mommy and Caleb angry. If she’s unhappy, stay in your small room, eat less, speak quietly.” “If you do this, Dad will grant you a wish, okay?” I sniffled and nodded heavily. After making a wish in my heart. I took a candy from my pocket and put it in Dad’s hand. “Daddy, Nina will do it.” Dad looked at the candy, stunned for a moment. Before leaving, he smiled at me for the first time in a long while, and secretly put a photo of Mom before surgery in my pocket. “Nina, Mommy won’t come back. If you miss her, look at the photo.” Chapter 3 Now, I am very sure the mother at home is not my mom. But to reassure Dad, and not to make her angry. I still call her Mom. First day Dad was away, I kept my promise. At breakfast, I lifted the chair to avoid noise. Chewed slowly without sound. Caleb spat milk on me. I didn’t cry for Mom’s help. Instead, I took a tissue and wiped it off silently. Cleaned up the trash, bowed to Mom. “Mommy, I’m done.” After they finished, I stood on a stool to wash the dishes. The rest of the day. No lunch, no dinner. Like Dad said. Shrink in my small room. Eat less, speak quietly. When hungry, I drew pictures of my wish. To show Dad when he returns. The first day ended peacefully. Mom rarely praised me. “Sensible today. Pity, you are her daughter.” I didn’t understand. Smiled foolishly at her, fawning. “Thank you, Mommy.” Suddenly, she saw the corner of the photo in my pocket. Her smile froze. By the time I realized and tried to cover it, it was too late. Mom snatched the photo. Her face turned black instantly. “Nina, where did this come from?” Before I could speak, she grabbed my shoulders and shook me like crazy. “Did I not say, don’t let me see this woman’s shadow in this house!” “Nina! You are the ghost left by that woman!!” The photo shredded in her hands. I jumped to stop her. Mom raised her hand, Slap! Caleb clapped and cheered. “The little bitch got hit again!” My head buzzed from the slap. I bit my lip, daring not to cry. Looked up, squeezed out an ugly smile. “Mommy, I was wrong.” I turned to run back to the attic. Behind me, Mom grabbed my hair. “Hiss.” I fell backward, ceiling receding. This time, Mom threw me out the door. Freezing December. Snow piled up to my waist. I wore only thin short sleeves. Cold wind cut like knives on old wounds. I banged on the door crying. “Mommy! Nina is really wrong!” “Nina won’t make you angry again!” Inside, Mom made a call. “I can’t stand this kid for a second. While Simon isn’t here, think of a way to get rid of her.” Chapter 4 Tired of crying, I curled into a ball. Fell asleep by the pillar. In my dream, Mom hugged me by the fireplace telling stories. She was so gentle, voice soft as feathers. But next second. Mom coughed blood on the book. Tubes all over her. Going for that “surgery” again. This time, I cried snot and tears, grabbing her hand. “Mommy, don’t go! Nina can’t find you!” I tried my best, but couldn’t stop the cart pushing her into the white room. Woke up crying from the dream. I was covered in tubes too, lying on the attic bed. But there were strange uncles and aunts in white coats. A man in black asked again. “Miss Shelby, are you sure? The child doesn’t deserve this. Why use such cruel blood drawing…” “What about Mr. Vance…” From the foot of the bed came Mom’s impatient growl. “With her around, Simon will always feel guilty about his dead ex-wife. How can he love me and my son?” “I just want to live a good life with him. What’s wrong with touching his daughter?” The door slammed shut. The man in black walked to the bed. I tried to grab his pinky. “Uncle, will I see Mommy?” He frowned, unbearable. Turned away, whispered “Do it.” A needle as long as my arm pierced me. I saw blood flowing into bags. I had no strength to struggle or speak. My small head couldn’t understand. I was good enough. Why was Mom still angry? Lying on the cold bed. Bright lights blinded me. Vision darkened. In a trance, I saw Mom before surgery. I reached out. “Mommy, did it hurt this much during your surgery?” “Mommy… Nina misses you.” “But… Nina hasn’t told Daddy her wish yet…” … In the Vance mansion, Simon returned a day early with gifts. Before entering, he shouted. “Nina! Daddy’s home!” Simon brought a princess dress, cake, diamond tiara, Barbie dolls. Everything a little girl likes. Enough to grant Nina’s wish. But no one ran out to greet him. Instead, Shelby ran down from the attic in a panic. Simon gave her an expensive necklace. And a limited edition car model for Caleb. Shelby was flustered by his early return, glancing at the attic. Simon realized something was wrong. He strode up. Shelby blocked him. “She threw a tantrum and ran out!” But a bad feeling urged Simon upstairs. He called “Nina” walking down the hall. Silence in the attic. Simon opened the door. The scene made him pale, legs weak, falling to his knees. Chapter 5 Simon never expected. The daughter who pinky-swore to wait for him yesterday. Now lay pale on the small bed, floor covered in syringes and blood bags. “Nina, Daddy’s back.” “Did you hear? Get up and call Daddy.” Simon tried to stop shaking, but stumbled. On the bed. Nina’s palm-sized face had no color. Lips scary white. Simon picked her up. Body limp, lighter than a chick. He turned, eyes red, looking at Shelby who arrived late. “What is this?” Shelby argued. “She made noise all day while you were gone.” “I just wanted to draw some blood to punish her. Who knew she was so weak?” “Just like her mom, weak as hell!” Even Caleb jumped out. “Mommy didn’t sleep well taking care of her.” “Look, she has dark circles!” Simon stood there in disbelief. Facing a dying life. Shelby and Caleb could be so self-righteous. Reminding him. Three years ago, Shelby climbed into his bed after a party. The dignified Miss Shelby willing to be his lover. Until after his ex-wife died, the night he married Shelby. He thought he was climbing the social ladder. Shelby cried, confessing she was the least favored daughter and had a secret son abroad. Turns out, Shelby wanted him to be the stepfather from the start. And he accepted everything. Angered his wife to death, and now his daughter. Simon regretted it to his gut. Roared. “Get out! I’m taking Nina to the hospital!” Simon walked downstairs. Shelby blocked him. “Simon! She’s hopeless!” “If you take her like this, what will people think of me?” Simon sneered. “You, a rich miss, care about opinions?” Dropping this, he walked past her. Behind him. Shelby dragged Caleb to kneel. “Simon, I’m already despised for having a child out of wedlock. Now married to you, I can finally live cleanly. I can’t have more stains.” “If she dies, she dies. Can’t we live happily as a family?” The more Shelby tried to cover it up. The more hate surged in Simon’s heart. “I’ll say it once.” “Get out.” He shoved Shelby aside, hugging Nina tight, running to the hospital. The breathing in his arms faded. Simon begged humbly. “Nina, please, don’t sleep.” “Daddy’s back. Daddy’s taking you to the hospital.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390001”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

The first time I brought my boyfriend, a CEO of a listed company, home. My stepmother frowned with disgust. She said earnestly in front of the whole family: “Daughter, as someone who’s been there, I have to warn you.” “Rich people like him are most afraid of filth. Is your AIDS cured? Don’t harm him!” “You had over ten abortions in the red-light district because of this disease, your uterus is rotten. What if you infect his whole family?” My boyfriend left in extreme disappointment. Distracted while driving, he died in a car crash. I went crazy and questioned my stepmother why she slandered me with such filthy lies. She said nonchalantly: “I was helping you test if it was true love. Who knew he was so petty?” Even my father echoed: “Good thing we tested him. If you really married such a stingy man, you’d be crying later!” I was furious and died of a stroke from anger. Reborn. I looked at my stepmother, who was about to open her mouth, and smiled. Since you love testing so much, let me help you test my dad. Chapter 1 The atmosphere in the private room was suffocating. The crystal chandelier was blinding. My dad, Nathan, sat at the head of the table, his face flushed with health. My stepmother, Lucinda, parted her lips, that vicious line about to come out. I slammed my chopsticks onto the table. Clack. I covered my face and started wailing without even building up emotion. “Dad! I’m so sorry!” This scream confused everyone present. “Gavin said! As long as you agree to treatment, he can help with the $500 million debt! Our family won’t go bankrupt!” The flush on Nathan’s face vanished instantly. “W… what $500 million? What bankruptcy?” Lucinda ignored her lobster and screeched, “Nina! What nonsense are you talking about? The company is fine!” I sniffled, pointing at Nathan’s crotch, voice loud enough to lift the roof. “Dad! At a time like this, let’s stop hiding it!” “Aunt Lucinda, take Dad to the hospital quickly!” “The doctor told me, it’s Super Syphilis! And it’s late stage!” “If he doesn’t treat it, that thing will rot off! His whole body will fester, oozing pus and blood, he won’t even have a whole corpse when he dies!” Crash. Lucinda’s chair fell over. She sprang away three meters as if on springs. She screamed in horror, “What? Syphilis?! Late stage?!” Step-sister Tiffany was scared silly too, dropping her wine glass. She screamed along, “Mom! Didn’t you say this old man was healthy? How could he have such a dirty disease!” Nathan turned purple with rage. He stood up abruptly, pointing at me, “You unfilial daughter! What nonsense! When did I…” I didn’t let him finish. I pulled a prepared lab report from my bag. And stuffed it into Nathan’s hand. “Dad! Look for yourself! It’s the urgent report from City Hospital!” The bright red words: [Treponema pallidum antibody positive (++++), Stage 3, immediate hospitalization recommended]. Nathan looked at the paper, hands shaking like he had Parkinson’s, mind blank. A man shrewd all his life, his IQ dropped to zero on matters concerning his “manhood.” I turned, looking at Lucinda with teary eyes. “Aunt Lucinda, you always say true love is priceless.” “You said true love must withstand testing.” “You won’t despise Dad for being dirty, right?” “Gavin said, as long as he gets treatment, we’ll shoulder the $500 million debt! Even if we sleep on the streets and beg, as long as the family is together and Dad is alive, we are happy, right?” I spoke with deep emotion. Lucinda’s face looked worse than if she ate shit. Her eyes darted around. $500 million debt? Sleep on the streets? Serve a syphilitic old man with a rotting crotch? Tiffany couldn’t take it first. She jumped up yelling, “Mom! Didn’t you say marrying this old geezer was for me to enjoy life? I won’t sleep on the streets! I won’t serve a dirty old man!” Lucinda seemed to snap out of it. She looked up, resolute. “No! Absolutely not!” “I’m carrying a son! I can’t be infected!” “I came to be a rich wife, not to be poor!” “Nathan! You old immortal thing, stay away from me!” Chapter 2 Nathan’s lips trembled with anger, “I didn’t… I’m not…” I wanted to laugh, but held it back. I cried and added, “Aunt Lucinda, how can you say that? Dad mortgaged the house to buy luxury goods for you and Tiffany! Was it easy for him?” Hearing “mortgaged the house,” Lucinda went completely mad. That was her bottom line. She planned to give birth to the son and fight me for Nathan’s assets. Now not only assets are gone, but debt remains? “House gone?!” Lucinda’s scream pierced eardrums. Nathan was about to say no. Gavin spoke timely. “Mr. Nathan, the mortgage contract is ready. If you don’t sign, the bank will seize everything tomorrow for the $500 million gap.” “Not just the house, but the watch on your wrist, the clothes on your back, all will be taken.” Nathan was confused. Lucinda believed it completely. A late-stage syphilis old man, $500 million debt, no house, no car. Lucinda’s face became hideous. She threw her napkin on the floor. “No house? No money? And a dirty disease?” “Why the hell should I stay with you!” “Divorce! Immediately!” “Nathan, I’m telling you now, we are divorcing!” “Tiffany, let’s go!” Lucinda pulled Tiffany to leave. Nathan was thunderstruck. He never expected his obedient, gentle wife to flip so fast. “Lucinda, what are you saying? You want a divorce?” “Duh! Wait to die with you?” Lucinda spat, face twisted. “Nathan, look at yourself! No money, no health, and a dirty disease! I was blind to be with you!” At this moment, the silent Gavin spoke again. “Ms. Lucinda, I’m afraid it’s not that simple.” He adjusted his cuffs slowly. “According to marriage law, debts incurred during marriage are joint debts. Nathan’s credit is ruined. As a spouse, you likely bear joint liability.” “That $500 million, you have a share.” Lucinda froze. She didn’t know law, but she understood “joint liability.” It meant she had to pay too! “No! Why! I won’t pay! It’s his debt!” Lucinda screamed. Then, her eyes rolled, and she suddenly laughed. “Hahahaha! Luckily! Luckily I’m smart!” She pointed at Nathan, chin high. “Nathan, you fool! When we had the wedding, I said I lost my ID, so we never registered the marriage!” Nathan was dumbfounded. He pampered her, gave her everything. Unexpectedly, she was waiting here. “Lucinda, you… you lied to me?” “So what? Look at your old face, do you deserve me?” Lucinda rushed up and stripped the gold watch off Nathan’s wrist. “This is my compensation! I need to check if I caught your dirty disease! Bad luck! Bad fucking luck!” Nathan tried to grab it back. “Give it back! That’s mine!” “Get lost!” Lucinda pushed him away. She dusted her hands in disgust, as if touching trash. “Don’t touch me! My son in my belly is precious! Can you afford to hurt him?” Chapter 3 Nathan stumbled. He pointed at Lucinda’s belly, trembling. “Child… that’s my child!” “Your child?” Lucinda sneered. “Nathan, look at yourself. With your toothpick, can you make a baby? Pui!” She spat at Nathan’s feet. “Truth be told! This isn’t your seed, you rotten thing!” Nathan felt his brain buzz. “What did you say?!” Lucinda took out her phone triumphantly. “My man is a top billionaire! Ten thousand times better than you bankrupt loser! He drives a Rolls-Royce, lives in a mansion! I’ll call him to pick me up now!” She dialed a number. A rough male voice answered. “Hello? Who is it?” Lucinda changed her tone instantly, voice sickeningly sweet. “Brother Dragon, it’s me, Lucinda! I missed you!” “Oh, Lucinda. What’s up?” “Brother Dragon, come pick me up! I’m at the Hilton, I miss you to death.” Silence for two seconds. “Fine, wait. I’m nearby.” Hanging up, Lucinda fixed her hair, chin high. “See? Dragon is coming! You poor ghosts, wait to kneel!” Nathan got up, eyes red. He loved saving face the most. He couldn’t swallow this. He rushed into the pantry, grabbed a fruit knife, and charged out. “Lucinda! I’ll kill you! You slut!” Lucinda screamed, hiding behind Tiffany. “Murder! Help! Mad dog biting!” Tiffany was scared too, pushing her mom toward the door. I was quick, blocking Nathan. “Dad! Calm down! Murder means life in prison!” Nathan struggled, strong. “Let go! I’ll die with this bitch! She cheated my money, cheated my feelings! I’ll cut her open to see whose bastard it is!” I whispered in his ear, “Dad, don’t be impulsive. Which is more important, face or life?” Nathan paused. His knife lowered slowly, but he still stared at Lucinda. “Fine! I’ll see! Who the adulterer is!” Just then, screeching brakes sounded outside. Screech— Lucinda’s eyes lit up. She smoothed her mink coat, touched up her lipstick. “Hear that? That’s a Rolls-Royce! Only luxury cars sound like that!” Tiffany got excited, holding her mom’s arm. “Mom, is it really Brother Dragon? Am I a rich heiress now? I want Hermes, and a Ferrari!” “Buy! Buy it all! We’ll live in luxury, let these poor ghosts envy us!” Lucinda glanced at me smugly. “Nina, you and your poor boyfriend kneel and kowtow three times, maybe I’ll let Dragon give you some leftovers.” I didn’t speak, corner of my mouth lifting slightly. Gavin leaned back, playing with a lighter, watching the show. The door opened. Lucinda welcomed him excitedly, face full of smiles. “Brother Dragon! You’re finally here! I…” A stench flooded in. Lucinda’s smile froze. Chapter 4 Three homeless men in rags stood there. The leader, an old man in his sixties, smiled revealing yellow teeth. “Lucinda!” He threw down his woven bag, arms open, rushing forward. “Oh my sweet heart! You said you carried my baby and would take me to a villa. When? Can you buy me a roast chicken tonight?” Lucinda rolled her eyes at the stench. She backed away, pushing him. “Get away! Who are you! I don’t know you! I called Brother Dragon! Where is he?!” The old man grinned, pointing at his nose. “I am Dragon! Big Tony! The one under the bridge! Lucinda, you forgot? That night under the bridge, you called me Brother Dragon so affectionately!” Lucinda froze. Flashes of memory. She fought with Nathan, went out drinking, got drunk, and ended up under the bridge… She thought it was a nightmare. Turns out it was real. I sneered, interjecting timely. “Aunt Lucinda, the ‘Dragon’ in your phone isn’t Big Tony who collects scrap under the bridge? You really eat anything, even got pregnant.” I investigated this long ago. Lucinda’s private life was chaotic. I just helped invite her old lovers. The other two homeless men surrounded her too. One lame, one one-eyed. The lame one slammed his bowl on the table. “Lucinda, don’t be biased! That night under the bridge, we queued up! Who knows whose kid it is!” The one-eyed man joined in, reaching for her belly. “Yeah! I contributed too! If it’s mine, I’ll raise him picking trash!” Three dirty hands reached for Lucinda. Lucinda was terrified, slapping their hands away. “Get out! All of you! Don’t touch me! I don’t know you! You beggars!” Tiffany was dumbfounded. Her proud sugar daddy turned out to be this? “Mom… this… what’s going on? Where’s my rich dad?” Nathan stood aside, watching this absurd scene. His face changed colors, feeling heavy on his head. He thought he married a trophy wife, didn’t expect her to be so loose. Pfft… Hearing the filth, imagining the scene, Nathan spat blood. “Lucinda! You… you are shameless!” He rushed into the pantry, grabbed a bigger cleaver, and charged out. This time, no one stopped him. “I’ll kill you bastards! I’ll fight you to death!” Nathan waved the cleaver, charging at Lucinda. Lucinda ran for her life, screaming. “Murder! Help!” She ran around the table, chased by three homeless men, then Nathan with a cleaver. “Don’t chop me! I just came to claim my son!” “Lucinda run! This old man is crazy!” Lucinda lost a heel, hair messy, pathetic. Running and looking back, she bumped into a figure entering the door. She looked up and hugged his leg. “Dragon! Save me! My real Dragon is here!” Tiffany hid in the corner, seeing this, got anxious. She pointed at the man, screaming at Lucinda. “Mom! What are you doing? That’s my Top Donor?! You seduced my Sugar Daddy?! Have you no shame!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “390000”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Since I can remember, I knew my family was poor. So when I suspected I had a serious illness, my first reaction wasn’t fear, but asking my parents carefully: “If… I got cancer, what would we do?” They laughed at my overthinking, but their tone was firm: “If that day comes, we’ll sell everything we own to treat you.” I tossed and turned all night, finally deciding—I couldn’t be a burden to them. But after I swallowed a whole bottle of sleeping pills, I “saw” them laughing and chatting in a penthouse in the city center. At that moment, I finally understood. The “hard life” that forced me to be sensible all these years was just a play they carefully choreographed. They were just pretending to be poor. And I… was really dead. Chapter 1 During recess, my nose started bleeding suddenly. I used up half a pack of tissues to stop it. My desk mate Hannah looked at my pale face and whispered: “My neighbor’s brother was like this. Later he was diagnosed with leukemia… His family spent all their money, but he still didn’t make it…” I smiled and called her a jinx, but my heart sank. Lately, I’ve had no energy. Running two steps in PE class makes me pant. Bruises appear on my knees for no reason and won’t fade. I tried hard to tell myself not to overthink, not to worry my parents for nothing, but the panic in my heart grew wild. What if… what if it’s true? I secretly went to the community clinic for a blood test. The doctor looked grave after seeing the results. He said he couldn’t rule out malignant blood disease and urged me to go to a big hospital for a full checkup ASAP. My heart hit rock bottom instantly. Clutching the light lab report, my steps were unsteady. I don’t even know how I dragged myself home. Mom was busy in the kitchen, wearing a faded apron. Hearing the door, she called out: “Wash your hands quickly. I made your favorite Mac and Cheese tonight.” I hurriedly crumpled the report and stuffed it deep into my backpack. A while later, Dad came back too. He looked exhausted, took off his jacket with frayed cuffs, threw it on the chair back, and let out a long sigh. Mom served the food. A plate of boiled cabbage, a bowl of watery soup, and a small plate of scrambled eggs in the middle—a rare treat. Dad ate fast and urgently, like he was starving. Mom ate while complaining that the price of pork went up again. I took small bites, tasting nothing. The doctor’s words echoed in my head, lingering. “Dad, Mom…” I called them softly, putting down my fork. They both looked up. “If… if I got a very serious illness,” I stared at the table, daring not to look into their eyes, “Like cancer… what would we do?” The table went silent instantly. Dad’s hand holding the fork stopped in mid-air. Mom’s spoon hit the bowl with a clink. “What nonsense!” Mom reacted first, frowning tight, “Kids shouldn’t say such unlucky things!” “I mean if… just in case?” I persisted, my eyes getting hot. Dad put down his fork, his rough hand rubbing my hair. “Luna, don’t overthink. Your job now is to study hard. If that day really comes…” He paused, “Don’t worry, Dad will sell everything, mortgage the house, to treat you.” Mom nodded quickly: “Yes, even if we go bankrupt! Eat now, food’s getting cold.” After they finished, it seemed the topic was over. Dad buried his head in eating. Mom put a piece of egg in my bowl: “Eat more, you’re growing.” I listened to them, looking at their faded old clothes and the simple meal. “Sell everything…” “Go bankrupt…” I slowly picked up my fork, lowered my head, burying my face in the bowl. Tears fell suddenly, dropping into the rice. I shoveled a big mouthful of food, swallowing it with my tears. Chapter 2 Since I can remember, I knew my family was poor. We lived in a dilapidated apartment complex. The paint peeled off the walls. When it rained, water seeped into the corners, growing fuzzy mold. There wasn’t a single new piece of clothing in my closet. All hand-me-downs from my sister, Stella. Cuffs worn shiny, colors washed white. Mom said they were still good, couldn’t waste. She always patted my head and sighed: “Your dad and I work double shifts every day. Every penny is hard-earned. So you have to be more sensible than others, understand?” Dad also looked at me seriously: “You have to be successful, study hard, to be worthy of our sacrifice.” I clutched the frayed hem of my shirt and nodded hard. Life went on tight like this. I had no allowance. Classmates bought snacks, stickers, colorful pens. I just watched. When they talked about eating pizza or going to Disneyland on weekends, I couldn’t join in, so I just lowered my head, silent. When hungry, I drank hot water. My stomach felt heavy and warm, not so empty anymore. If I felt unwell, I never said anything, just endured. Last winter I coughed for a whole month. Afraid of waking my parents at night, I covered my mouth and coughed until tears came out. The next day I went to school as usual. Mom and Dad always praised me: “Our Luna is the most sensible girl.” Hearing this, I didn’t know how to feel. Actually, I wanted to tell them something. That my throat itched terribly. That the old backpack from Stella was worn out, straps about to break. That I also wanted a small slice of cream cake on my birthday. But I was afraid. Afraid that if I asked for money, Mom and Dad would be more tired. I was afraid of seeing their troubled eyes, afraid of hearing their sighs, afraid my small wish would be the straw that broke the camel’s back. At night, I lay in bed, tossing and turning. In the dark, eyes open, the doctor’s grave face and my parents’ words about “selling everything” and “going bankrupt” spiraled in my mind. By dawn, I made up my mind. If treating me would drag this family down completely, push them to a dead end, I’d rather… rather disappear. Outside, sounds of movement. Mom and Dad got up. A while later, Mom gently pushed the door: “Luna, Dad and I are going to work. Breakfast is warm in the pot. Eat before school.” I lay in bed, hummed a low “Mmhmm,” eyes shut tight, daring not to look at her. The door closed gently. Footsteps faded. The room was scary quiet, only my heartbeat. I sat up slowly, took paper and pen from my bag, and wrote a letter to Mom and Dad, stroke by stroke. Folded it carefully and put it under my pillow. I walked to the old cabinet, squatted, and pulled the bottom drawer. Messy inside. I rummaged for a while before finding the yellowed pill bottle. I remembered when I was little, Mom took these for insomnia. She hid the bottle specifically, patting my head and warning: “Luna, kids can’t touch this. If you eat it… you will leave Mom and Dad forever.” I always remembered that. Now I’m grown up. I know “leave forever” means death. If I die, they will be free. I went to the kitchen for a glass of water, then sat back on the bed. Unscrewed the cap, poured all the white pills into my hand. Looking at the tiny pills, my parents’ smiling faces suddenly appeared. Nose sour, tears fell pat pat on my hand. I was suddenly scared, and reluctant. But the smiles faded quickly, replaced by their exhausted faces from daily toil. I closed my eyes, telling myself— Don’t be selfish. Leaving is the last act of sensibility I can give them. I took a deep breath, stuffed all the pills into my mouth, and swallowed them with cold water. A bit bitter, but soon I felt nothing. Put the empty bottle by the pillow, lay down, and covered myself. The heavy feeling in my heart seemed to vanish suddenly. Outside, light grew brighter. Birds started singing. I closed my eyes, feeling so tired. Just wanted a good sleep. Chapter 3 After a while, I seemed to “wake up” again, body light as a feather. Looking down, another me was still lying quietly on the bed, face calm as if sleeping. Am I… already dead? But where to go next? I didn’t know. I suddenly thought of my sister, Stella. Last time I saw her was Christmas. She stayed for only three days and left in a hurry. Yesterday I called her. Before I could say much, noise came from her end. She hung up before I could finish. Before leaving, I wanted to see her again. Thought flashed, vision blurred. I was standing outside a bright cafe. Through the floor-to-ceiling window, I saw Stella laughing with friends. She wore a beautiful floral dress, hair perfectly done, a delicate cake in front of her. My gaze fell on the brand-new designer bag beside her. I’ve seen this brand in the mall, secretly counted the zeros on the price tag. But how could Stella… I leaned closer to look. Her phone rang, startling me. She walked to a quiet corner to answer. I followed. “Mom?” Her voice was light. “Why call now?” Mom’s clear voice came through: “Has your sister contacted you lately? I feel she’s acting weird these two days…” “Oh, she called yesterday.” Stella’s tone was casual. “Said she wanted to buy textbooks, asked to borrow a hundred bucks.” “Buy textbooks?” Mom’s voice spiked, full of undisguised dissatisfaction, “Can’t she tell us if she needs books? That child… don’t know what schemes she’s plotting.” I lowered my eyes instinctively, heart feeling sour. Actually… I lied to Stella because I couldn’t afford the hospital checkup fee. “Relax, I didn’t give it to her.” Stella smiled slyly. “I pretended to be busy and hung up. Let her ask you guys.” “Smart girl!” Mom’s tone became serious, warning, “Remember, never give her money privately. If I find out, forget about your allowance! But speaking of which, you’re working now, should learn to be independent…” “Oh Mom—” Stella dragged her voice, spoiling, “I won’t give it. My salary barely covers rent, how can I shop without family subsidy…” “Okay okay.” Mom sighed helplessly, softening, “Anyway, be sharp in front of your sister. Don’t slip up. She’s sensitive. If she finds out, it’ll be big trouble.” “Got it, thanks Mom!” Stella hung up beaming, returned to her friends, chatting about the weekend concert. My mind was a mess. They were hiding something from me. Thought flashed, scene changed abruptly. A spacious living room, blindingly bright. Polished floors reflecting the crystal chandelier, a huge window overlooking the city skyline. Where is this? How am I here? I looked around blankly. A woman was lying comfortably in a massage chair, playing with the latest foldable phone. A man walked over with two glasses of fresh juice, wearing comfortable loungewear. I stared at their faces, brain buzzing—aren’t these my parents? Shouldn’t they be guarding the food stand at the market right now? “We spoiled Stella since she was little, she never focuses on the right path. Now Luna is learning bad habits too…” Mom frowned complaining, “She called her sister for money, saying she needs textbooks. Didn’t dare tell us, must be lying!” Dad put down the juice, comforting: “Luna is sensible enough. Maybe she really wants something. A little white lie is fine. Under our noses, nothing big can happen.” “True,” Mom hammered her shoulder, “Just tired of living in that dump to act out this play. Uncomfortable all over…” “Endure a bit more for Luna’s future.” Dad massaged her shoulders, tone soft, “When she gets into a good college, we’ll tell her the truth. She’ll be thrilled.” Mom sighed heavily: “Hope so… As long as she doesn’t waste our efforts, my suffering is worth it…” “Hard work for wifey! I’ll cook your favorites later to reward you.” Dad handed the juice, both smiling eyes curved. These words drilled into my ears, weird and indigestible. After a long time, I realized. So, they were pretending to be poor. But I… was really dead… Chapter 4 I floated in the center of the luxurious living room, staring at them blankly. My heart felt like it was being gently squeezed, a dull ache. So the exhaustion from early mornings and late nights, the bitterness of struggling for a living, were all just a play they put on. And all the hardships I suffered growing up were just their calculation “for my own good.” In a trance, I remembered finding a designer belt under Dad’s bed. He snatched it back, saying it was a fake from a street stall. Remembered the high-end face cream behind Mom’s mirror. She said it was a sample from a friend, worthless. Remembered the large window flashing behind Stella during video calls. I asked if she moved to a big house, she laughed and interrupted, saying it was a colleague’s place. Turns out those moments that felt off were clues to this scam. In this family, only I was like a fool, kept in the dark, guarding the fake poverty they created, living carefully. The sadness surged like a tide, then slowly receded. Whatever. Leukemia is a tough disease. Maybe even spending all the family’s money wouldn’t save me. By then, they might really be forced into that precarious, poor life. At least now, they don’t have to really get up early and stay up late at the stand, don’t have to haggle over pennies. They live so decently and comfortably, not hard at all. I have nothing to worry about. Thinking this way, I felt much more at ease. Curious, I started floating around this bright big house. Soft carpets, huge balcony, all kinds of high-end appliances, things I only saw on TV. I floated into a room. The vanity was full of bottles, closet door half open, filled with beautiful clothes. I recognized it instantly. This was Stella’s room, the place often in her videos. Then, I found another room. Walls painted pale pink. White curtains with lace edges. Bed covered in floral sheets. On the nightstand, a photo frame. Inside was me, about seven or eight, wearing the red plaid coat handed down from Stella, smiling shyly at the camera. This room… was prepared for me. My heart felt warmed by something gentle. I lay on that floral bed. Though I couldn’t feel the softness, I imagined if I could sleep here, it would be as comfortable as lying on clouds. Sunlight shone in, warming the whole pink room. I lay there, watching, feeling sad again. I knew, this perfect room prepared for me, I would never move into. Time passed. Suddenly, a phone rang in the room. Mom’s old phone. I floated over to look. The screen flashed with Teacher Wang’s name. Mom took a deep breath, answered, voice instantly switching to that familiar tired tone: “Hello, Teacher Wang? Yeah, busy at the stand. What’s up?” Teacher Wang’s anxious voice came through: “Luna’s Mom, I called several times! Finally picked up!” “Oh, so sorry,” Mom’s voice lowered, apologetic, “This broken phone always dies. Just turned on. Is something wrong at school?” “Luna didn’t come to school today. Didn’t ask for leave. Is she home? Is she sick?” Mom’s hand gripping the phone tightened. Surprise flashed on her face, voice rising: “What? Luna didn’t go to school?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “389999”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

The day I got into a car accident, my best friend Sienna insisted I use it to test my boyfriend. “Just say you have amnesia. See how he reacts.” Unable to argue with her, I nodded. When Julian Vance rushed into the hospital room, looking anxious, I pretended not to know him. “Who are you?” The next second, Sienna linked her arm with his. “Silly, this is my boyfriend. Don’t you recognize him?” Her hand trembled slightly, staring at Julian with eyes full of expectation. Julian froze for a moment, then held her hand. He whispered: “Yes, I am Sienna’s boyfriend.” I looked at them for a while. Suddenly laughed out loud: “Should I congratulate you then?” Hearing this, Julian’s face sank instead. Chapter 1 I didn’t understand. What was he unhappy about? And I didn’t care to think. Staring at their intertwined arms, my mind went blank. One was my best friend of fifteen years. Hearing I was hit by a car, she ran so hard she broke her heel. The other was my boyfriend of seven years, whom I was about to marry. A 2000-mile distance, a 3-hour flight, he arrived in 3 hours. Were they pranking me together? But today isn’t April Fools’. Just as this thought popped up, Sienna stood on her toes and kissed the corner of Julian’s lips lightly. “Julian, I told you Hazel would bless us.” “You were worried for nothing, refusing to tell her.” She turned to me, smiling brightly. “Hazel, you will, right?” I felt like an invisible hand was choking my throat. I couldn’t speak. No cameras in the corner. No one recording my clown-like frozen face. This wasn’t a prank show. I couldn’t help looking at Julian. He turned his head slightly, avoiding my gaze. Eyelashes fluttering rapidly, locking away the truth I wanted to know. Just last night, he looked at me with those same eyes on video call, as if I was the only one in his world. “Hazel, I’ll fly back tomorrow night and take you home.” “This time, no matter how my parents object, I will marry you.” He came back early. But the promise seemed void. I pinched my palm hard, forcing a smile. “When did you… get together?” Throat dry, I whispered: “How… how did I not know?” Sienna smiled sweetly. Just as she was about to speak, I interrupted softly: “Don’t let her do all the talking. I want to hear what your boyfriend says.” I stared at Julian, nails digging a bloody mark into my palm. Dull pain. He pursed his lips unconsciously: “Start of the year.” The tone was the gentleness engraved in my bones. That hand I could recognize with my eyes closed was holding someone else. “We met on a blind date, felt a connection, so we got together.” I froze. The Vance family is a famous academic dynasty. Both parents are professors at Ivy League schools. Me? My father is in prison, mother remarried years ago. At the beginning of the year, Julian’s mother threatened suicide to force him to go on blind dates. I had insomnia all night and proposed breaking up. Wishing him happiness. Julian stood downstairs in the rain all day. He hugged me, trembling all over. “Hazel, I only want you. Let’s not break up, please?” I touched his face, unable to distinguish between tears and rain. So, it was all fake? “Hazel.” Sienna interrupted my thoughts. “Actually, Julian and I are a better match, aren’t we?” Right. Sienna’s parents are also professors. A perfect match for the Vances. She smiled. “It doesn’t matter if you forgot the past due to amnesia. Now, it’s your turn to bless me.” My heart suffocated. I remembered the summer after high school graduation. I excitedly ran to tell Sienna that Julian and I were dating. She widened her eyes, dropping her water glass. Crash. Glass shattered everywhere. “How? Julian rejected even the Prom Queen. How could he…” I was too anxious pulling her away from the shards. Forgot to think deeply about the complex emotions in her eyes. Time changes things. We swapped roles. I drank some water, swallowing the bitterness in my throat. As if swallowing those sharp shards from years ago. Just as I was about to speak, the doctor pushed the door open. Chapter 2 “The patient’s leg bone is severely displaced and needs surgery. Who is the next of kin?” “Me.” Julian’s instinctive answer froze the room. Sienna gritted her teeth: “Julian, did you hear wrong?” She squeezed out a smile: “The doctor asked for family. You aren’t.” “Need a signature? Give it to me.” She glanced at me: “Her father is in jail, mother ran away long ago.” “I should be her oldest friend. I’ll sign.” Actually, not just the oldest, but the best. Since I chased away the bullies blocking her with a broom, we were inseparable. Fifteen years. We shared homework answers, cried and laughed over the same movies. Shared door codes, clothes in the closet, and family matters I never told anyone else. I had no defenses against her. Didn’t expect to share the same man today. I found it ridiculously funny and reached out to the doctor: “No need. I can sign myself.” The consent form passed Sienna’s hand. Her face didn’t look good. “Doctor.” Julian suddenly spoke. “Is her amnesia curable?” My hand holding the pen stiffened. “The patient has a concussion…” Before the doctor could finish a sentence. Sienna cried out in pain: “Ouch—” Julian’s attention was instantly hooked. “What’s wrong?” He bent down to look at Sienna’s broken heel, frowning. “Slippery in the rain. Don’t wear heels next time.” The concern was so familiar. He picked Sienna up and placed her on a nearby chair. Squatting down, he gently took off her shoe, wiping the mud spots off her foot with a wet wipe. I scribbled my signature, pretending my soaked clothes from falling didn’t exist. Only the leg pain was impossible to ignore. Sienna shook the man’s arm coquettishly. “Go buy me a pair of shoes, okay?” “Mn.” Julian stood up, glanced at me lightly, and turned to leave. The doctor closed the door. The air was so quiet only the rain outside could be heard. “Hazel.” Sienna spoke, tearing the last shred of peace. “Don’t blame me.” “Julian deserves better. I have the right to fight for what I want.” I didn’t speak. The rain was too quiet. Couldn’t cover the pain of the wound. Sienna wasn’t done. She counted one by one. “The bag you wanted him to bring from Paris isn’t out of stock. It’s in my closet.” “His phone password and wallpaper changed from your photo not to look professional, but because I asked.” “Last month on your grandma’s death anniversary, Julian wasn’t on a business trip. He was with me at a concert.” “And the house the Vances are looking at. It’s not for you.” Every sentence was a nail hammered into my heart. She didn’t let me go. She touched her belly gently. “I’m pregnant.” “Julian wanted to find a good time to tell you. I think today is perfect.” I was nailed to the spot. During the breakup scare at the beginning of the year, I lost a child. Just because Julian said one sentence. “Hazel, it’s not the right time.” Rain tick-tocked. My tears surged. I blurted out: “Shut up! Get out!” I raised my hand, pressing my leg hard. Too painful. Chapter 3 The moment the anesthesia kicked in, I felt cold all over. Blacking out, I remembered the day I found out I was pregnant. I spent 3 hours cooking a feast, hiding the test result in a gift box. The celebration cake candles flickered. Julian was silent for a long time. He rubbed the back of my hand, saying deeply: “Hazel, I hope our child can be born in a blessed environment.” And in my phone, there was still the message from his mother yesterday, calling me shameless. In his family’s eyes, I was mud by the roadside. Should stay far away from him. Tears fell instantly. I asked tremblingly: “Julian Vance, when you confessed at 18, promising to give me a very, very good home, does it not count anymore?” He lowered his head, refusing to look at me, only saying: “Hazel, I have difficulties too.” Later, I went onto the operating table alone. It seemed to be raining then too. I just felt heavy all over. A wetness that wouldn’t go away. When I woke up, the ward was quiet. Replying to work messages, I saw Sienna’s Instagram post. A small box in flowers, containing a ring with a Pigeon Blood Ruby. The style I mentioned wanting to Julian when we were young and naive. I liked the post. 5 minutes later, Julian sent a message. [Hazel, is the surgery done? What did the doctor say?] [About your amnesia, is recovery possible?] I replied: [You are Sienna’s boyfriend. My business is none of your concern.] Before he replied, I blocked both of them. Raised by Grandma, when I met them, I thought fate pitied me and gave me gifts. It was a dream. Now I should wake up. The nurse asked me: “Miss, where is your family?” “Don’t hide the surgery from them. If you were my daughter, I’d be heartbroken knowing this.” I smiled: “I have no family.” “Not a single one left.” I closed my eyes, hiding the heat in them. A week later, I was discharged. Back to the so-called “home,” I started packing. Struggling to stuff clothes into the suitcase, the door opened from outside. Laughter came in. Sienna and the Vance parents. Seeing me, Mrs. Vance raised her thin eyebrows. “Why are you here?” “Our Julian is getting married. How do you have the face to come?” I paused. Before, I didn’t want Julian to be caught in the middle, so I endured. Now, there was no need. I turned cold: “I paid for this house. Why can’t I come?” “Calculating carefully, you are the ones with no right.” In the last year of college, Julian wanted to start his game company. His parents disagreed, cut off his living expenses, forcing him to study abroad for academia. I used the money I earned from modeling to support him and his startup team. Even this house, I paid a part. Now that Julian’s startup succeeded and is about to IPO, I became the unpresentable little model in the Vance family’s mouth. “So uneducated.” Mr. Vance pointed at me. “How dare you speak to us like that? Apologize immediately!” I was about to retort. But I glimpsed a familiar figure in the elevator hall. The moment I recognized who it was, a chill rushed up my spine. Chapter 4 It was Jack. My biological father. He got addicted to gambling shortly after marrying my mother. After losing everything, he started stealing and robbing. When I was 5, he was sentenced for home invasion. Since then, the whole family fell apart. Thinking of him, I only remember the gossip and ridicule behind my back. And the “guilty” label stuck on me forever. Unlike the refined Vances, he wore an ill-fitting jacket with a loose collar. Not to mention his chicken-nest hair and stubble. When did he get out? And why did he find this place? Before I could think more. Sienna walked behind me in a few steps, turning my wheelchair. She whispered in my ear: “Hazel, look closely.” “With a father like this, you should let Julian go.” She couldn’t hide the trace of jealousy in her eyes. I saw it. It happened before. Chatting in bed at night, she touched my hair, sighing. “Hazel, you’re actually lucky.” “Lower degree than me, but earning several times more.” “You have such a good and excellent boyfriend…” I laughed at her silliness: “But your parents wait for you to come home every day. I don’t have that.” Now, she pushed me towards the door. Loudly: “Uncle Jack, Hazel is here.” I gripped the wheelchair handles tightly, teeth chattering from cold. Muttering: “You called him. It was you.” The person who knew my deepest pain used the privilege I gave her to stab me hard. Sienna chuckled: “So you know shame too.” Jack turned around, black eyes lighting up. He rushed over: “Girl! Finally found you.” “Heard you earn a lot now. Give me some, just 20,000. Dad can turn the tables immediately!” Speaking, he revealed two rows of uneven yellow teeth. Mr. Vance stepped back, frowning. Mrs. Vance fanned the air, pinching her nose: “So smelly.” An invisible slap on my face. Seeing I didn’t speak, Jack reached for my pocket directly. “Where’s the money? Give me money, quick…” The madness in his eyes almost swallowed me. Just then, the elevator opened. Julian saw this and rushed out. I looked up at him. Relying on him was a habit I hadn’t quit yet. “Who are you? Stay away!” He pushed Jack. Roaring: “I’m calling security! Get out!” Jack was pushed down. He stood up angrily: “Little bastard!” His chest heaved violently, kicking out directly. “Julian!” Sienna screamed, he immediately blocked in front of her. Off guard, Jack kicked my wheelchair. I couldn’t hold on, tipping over heavily. The world tilted violently. I saw security running over, saw Jack fleeing in panic. Julian seemed to just see me, walking over to help me up. Mrs. Vance grabbed him: “Julian, look clearly!” “This woman isn’t one of us. Her family is this shameful!” Julian froze. He looked at me, didn’t move a step. Disgust he didn’t even bother to hide. I suddenly laughed out loud. “You think you are decent?” Propping up with my arms, I sat up slowly. The wound hurt too much. Tears fell uncontrollably. I wiped them gently. “A cheater, a homewrecker, and a pair of mean parents.” My voice was icy: “You have no right to judge me.” As soon as the words fell, Julian swayed in disbelief. His voice spiked: “You didn’t lose your memory?!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “389998”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

The camera started shaking. The woman took the phone and flipped the view. She wasn’t tall, so only the man’s chest was visible when she entered the frame. The caption read: “The one I love will come to me with roses, braving the snow.” The comments below were all shipping them. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t envious. But before I could even sigh, my eyes locked onto the man’s chin as the camera swept past. There was a small mole. Identical to the mole on my professor husband’s chin, who said he wasn’t coming home. Chapter 1 The video continued to play, the woman’s sugary voice giving me a headache. I opened the comments section. The top comment had over 3,000 likes. [OMG so sweet! Can the OP share your love story?] Almost instantly, the top comment was replaced by the OP’s reply. [Thanks for the love, babes. Heart emoji.] [He was a student under my father. The first time I saw him, I knew he was the one.] [Later, although there were some accidents in between, we still got together.] This familiar backstory made me suspicious. I clicked into the woman’s profile and scrolled through her past videos. Finally, I found a familiar face. It was Jasmine! The woman who had been pestering Professor Bennett since he was in grad school. I remember the first time I went to Bennett’s university to visit him. It was Jasmine who picked me up at the gate. She wore a white dress, long hair flowing. Her look at me was perfunctory at best. “Bennett is doing an experiment, so he asked me to pick you up.” At first, I didn’t know who she was and thanked her. Jasmine just smiled and said nothing. Later, I learned from people around us. She was the daughter of Bennett’s mentor, and she had her eyes on him. At that time, Bennett and I were just dating, not married. Hearing such things naturally made me panic. As soon as Bennett came back, I asked him. Unexpectedly, Bennett just rubbed my hair and smiled. “Miriam, only we are one.” “I will never do anything to betray you.” To reassure me, Bennett proposed immediately. And refused any contact with Jasmine. Until Jasmine got married, I finally felt at ease. But why? Why does the person in this video look so much like Bennett? A wave of grievance surged, tears blurring my vision. Just as my mind was in turmoil. Bennett video called me. My hand answered the call faster than my brain. “Why are your eyes red? Miss me?” Bennett’s voice was as affectionate as ever. Seeing I didn’t speak, Bennett sighed. “Alright, I bought you a gift, go get it.” Saying that, he was about to hang up. I stared at the screen intently, as if trying to see through it. “Where are you right now?” Bennett seemed confused, “In the lab, of course.” “What’s wrong? You’re acting paranoid.” I gripped the phone tight, keeping my voice calm. “Show me a video of your surroundings.” “Photos aren’t allowed in the lab.” “I want to see it NOW!” I screamed, and Bennett froze. After a long while, the camera flipped. I looked carefully; it was indeed their lab. The breath I was holding finally relaxed. Bennett complained a little. “We’ve been married for so long, and you still doubt me.” “Hmph, wait till I get back in a few days, see how I punish you.” Hearing Bennett’s words, my ears turned slightly red. Maybe the video was just a misunderstanding. After all, people can look alike. I wanted to say something more, but Bennett glanced outside and said to me. “The experiment is starting, I have to go watch those students.” “I’ll call you when it’s over.” I nodded, preparing to hang up. But in Bennett’s camera frame, I spotted a figure that shouldn’t be there. It was Jasmine! Chapter 2 Why was she in Bennett’s lab? Before I could figure it out, the video ended. A woman’s intuition told me something was wrong. I immediately dialed the landline of Bennett’s lab. “Hello, I’m Professor Bennett’s wife.” “Something happened at home, and I can’t reach Bennett. Can you call him for me?” The person answering seemed to be a new student. His confused voice came through the phone. “Mrs. Bennett, the Professor isn’t in the lab. Didn’t he apply for leave?” “We already received the reply from his family.” I didn’t speak for a long time, and the other side got nervous. “Thank you, I found him.” “That’s good. Happy New Year, Mrs. Bennett.” After hanging up, I squatted on the floor, my chest hurting unbearably. Just then, a thought flashed through my mind. I opened the previous local video. Checked the location tag and drove over. The city roads late at night were empty. Just like my heart. My nails dug deep marks into the steering wheel. I didn’t know how to describe my feelings. Wanting to know, yet afraid to face the truth. The location was very close to home. A thirty-minute drive. I got out of the car. It was empty. Only a snowman stood there lonely. I didn’t see Bennett. I sighed in relief first. Just as I was about to leave. I caught a glimpse. The house next to the snowman was lit. I approached quietly. Laughter and faint talking came from inside. “Bennett, is everything okay with your wife?” This voice froze me in place. But the next voice tore me apart directly. “After so many years, I’m used to it. Don’t know what got into her this year, she actually wanted to check on me.” “Good thing you prepared everything.” “Or I wouldn’t know how to explain.” I looked inside through the window. The room was warm. Jasmine sat on the sofa, a girl sleeping on her lap. And Bennett was sitting next to her, pinching the bridge of his nose, looking helpless. Jasmine patted the girl’s back and said. “It’s all my fault. If not for me, you should have spent the holiday with your wife.” “Letting you come to accompany me every year, I…” Boom. Something shattered completely. So, Bennett came back every New Year’s Day. Just never home, but accompanying another woman. He lied to me, saying there was an important experiment. I suddenly remembered last New Year’s. Bennett also said there was an emergency experiment, so he couldn’t come home. That time, I hadn’t seen him for a whole year. I gritted my teeth and took a long leave, planning to fly over to spend the holiday with him. But after learning my plan. Bennett threw a temper tantrum for the first time. “I told you I need to do experiments. You coming will only cause me trouble.” I still remember how helpless I was then. I just wanted to see him, was that wrong? But Bennett’s cold demeanor scared me. In the end, I didn’t go. Another holiday alone in an empty house. Thinking back now, he was probably afraid I would discover the truth. I couldn’t help stepping back, knocking over a flower pot in the corner. Bennett walked out, and I stood there looking at him. Panic surfaced on his calm face. “Miriam, why are you…” Chapter 3 Before he finished, Jasmine walked out too. Seeing me, she seemed flustered and hurriedly explained. “Mrs. Bennett, don’t overthink. Bennett just pitied us, a widow and orphan, so he spent the holiday with us.” Saying that, she reached out to pull me into the house. I waved my hand impatiently. I didn’t use force, but Jasmine fell to the ground. Bennett immediately stepped forward to hold her, looking at me with blame. “Jasmine is in poor health. If you’re angry, take it out on me, don’t target her.” My tears came out faster than my questions. Bennett called her Jasmine, just like he called me Miriam. How ridiculous. “Professor Bennett, is she the experiment you must do every year?” I braced myself against the wall to keep from falling. Bennett was silent for a moment before looking at me. “Jasmine is the widow of my brother. His only wish before dying was for me to take good care of her.” I looked at him with red eyes. “There are many ways to take care of someone. Why choose this one?” “Why hide it from me?” “Is that child yours?” I spoke incoherently, pointing at the girl in the room. This sentence made Bennett’s face turn cold. “I didn’t do anything to betray you. Don’t spread rumors and ruin people’s innocence.” I smiled sadly, “Does it only count if I catch you in bed?” “Do you have to speak so harshly?” Bennett let go of Jasmine, stood up and stared at me. I had only seen that look once. It was when Jasmine deliberately provoked me in the past. The way Bennett warned her. Time has passed, and the object of Bennett’s warning has switched. I took out my phone and played the video in front of him. “The one I love will come to me with roses, braving the snow.” I played that sentence on loop. “Explain this!” “Not betraying me means leaving me alone at home every holiday to be with her?” “Not betraying me means watching me being deceived by you again and again?” “Bennett, playing me like a fool, are you proud?” I cried hoarsely, but Bennett remained silent. It was always like this. Whenever there was a dispute, Bennett would only give me the silent treatment. I needed him too much. So, every time, I silently digested it myself and then coaxed him. Suddenly, a child’s cry came from inside the house. The girl walked out barefoot. Bennett frowned immediately. “Jasmine, take the child inside. The ground is cold.” I stood in the snow, my body and mind freezing. But Bennett didn’t see it at all. I looked at the girl, and in a trance, I remembered. Once, Bennett and I also had a child. But due to an accident, the child was lost. Since then, I haven’t been pregnant. I could see Bennett liked children very much. For this, I saw many doctors and took many shots. But none succeeded. The snow fell harder. Bennett reached out to pull me into the house. I avoided his hand. “Don’t touch me. I find it dirty.” Bennett’s face darkened. “In that case, go home yourself.” Bang. The door closed. I returned to the car almost numbly. The moment the engine started, I called my best friend who is a lawyer. “Help me. I want to ruin them.” Chapter 4 My best friend is a famous divorce lawyer in NYC. After learning the truth, she formulated a plan for me. I hired the best Private Investigator in the city. And threw a lot of money into it. Finally, I got what I wanted. Looking at the photos covering the bed, I found it hard to breathe. Soon, the news of Professor Bennett abandoning his wife of seven years and cheating with his brother’s widow hit the trending search. That day, I was packing at home. Bennett slammed the door open and rushed in, looking at me with an iron-green face. “You distrust me this much!” “Using public opinion to ruin Jasmine and the child, how did you become so mean and vicious?” “Do you know, because of you, the child is afraid to go to school and cries at home all day.” My hand paused, voice faint. “Is any of that evidence fake?” Bennett froze, not knowing how to answer. I continued. “We lived apart for years. I never knew you had a house in Boston.” “Did you buy it to visit her conveniently during experiments?” “After all, that house is very, very close to your lab.” “No wonder, every time I said I wanted to visit you, you made excuses.” Bennett seemed guilty, his tone softening a bit. “Jasmine is a woman raising a child alone, it’s not easy. I just looked after her a bit more.” He walked towards me, “I understand you are angry.” “As long as you post a clarification video, we’ll let this pass.” “Let’s live a good life in the future, okay?” I threw the things on the floor, tone sarcastic. “Live a good life? With the three of you?” Bennett couldn’t help pushing me. “Can you clean up your mouth?” My waist hit the corner of the table. Instantly, a sharp pain shot through me. I reached out to grab Bennett. “Take me to the hospital.” Bennett looked cold, “Faking illness now?” “Too late!” With that, Bennett left. I endured the pain and called my best friend. When I woke up again, I was in the hospital. My friend looked at me unbearably. A sense of uneasiness rose in my heart. “What happened?” My friend sat by the bed comforting me. “The doctor said… you miscarried.” A wave of bewilderment surged. This was the child I had longed for. I just found out about his existence. And he left me. My heart felt like it was being torn apart. Pain made it hard to breathe. My friend hugged me. “This is not over. You have to be strong.” She showed me her phone. The original trending search was gone. My friend told me, “Someone intervened. No one dares to report it anymore.” I gripped the sheets, gritting my teeth. “This isn’t over!” After that day, I didn’t contact Bennett again. He thought I learned my lesson. But he didn’t know I was waiting for an opportunity. Finally, on the day of the New Year’s Gala. I received a text. [You and Bennett will go to the college’s New Year Gala this year, right?] [I saw his application to bring family.] [Long time no see, miss you.] The sender was the Dean’s wife. In the faculty housing, because we were from the same hometown, we were very close. [Don’t worry, sister-in-law. I brought you specialties from home. Hope you like them.] After replying, I cleaned myself up. Booked the earliest flight to Bennett’s workplace. Thanks to the Dean’s wife, I entered the college smoothly without alerting Bennett. The college was decorated with lights, and many older alumni were chatting in the audience. I saw Jasmine leading her daughter from the crowd towards Bennett. Standing together, they looked like a natural pair. Soon, the show began. The PPT that was supposed to say Happy New Year… Changed to intimate photos of Bennett and Jasmine. The whole venue was in an uproar. I took off my hat and walked onto the stage step by step. “Hello everyone, I am Professor Bennett’s wife.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “389997”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After my sugar daddy died, I had trouble sleeping alone. One night, I was getting ready to watch some “adult content,” but when I connected my Bluetooth, there was no sound in my earbuds. Just as I was about to switch videos, my stepson knocked on my door, holding his headphones. Oh crap. Wrong Bluetooth connection. The next second, he pinned me against the wall, blushing but intense. “You’re watching videos because you want to try it, right?” “Why not try me…?” Chapter 1 “My dad is dead. Before he died, he named you his sole heir.” “So, you inherit everything of his. Including—me.” “I am also a part of his estate.” “He told me specifically to obey you.” “If you have needs now, of course, I must satisfy you.” When Liam said this, his warm breath sprayed on my ear. My face flushed, and I felt instantly awkward. William Sterling really won’t let me have peace even in death, leaving me such a mess. As the “stepmother” who is about to fight him for the inheritance, Liam naturally wouldn’t give me a good face. See, waiting for my embarrassment to humiliate me to the extreme. I tried to explain to him, “Liam, I’ll move out in a few days. Don’t worry, I’m not interested in what your father left behind.” “What belongs to you is yours. I won’t take a penny.” After all, during the years of our arrangement, William gave me a million dollars a month. Now I am worth tens of millions. Even if I splurge every day, it’s enough for a life of luxury and comfort. Although I love money, I cherish my life more. Of course, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to fight Liam for those things. As the only son of the Sterling family, how could Liam tolerate an outsider inheriting his father’s legacy? Not knowing where the punchline of my words was, the usually cold Liam suddenly smiled and said: “Little Mom, there are more important things to do now.” “What?” “What are you doing?” Liam suddenly picked me up princess-style and walked to the bed. Before I could react, he pressed me under him. “Of course, helping you solve your physiological needs.” “You are so thirsty you need videos to relieve yourself. As a son, I should share my mother’s worries.” Liam began to unbutton his shirt. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, eight-pack abs, biceps, V-line… Is this something I can watch? “Little Mom, wipe your drool.” Liam’s words pulled me back to reality. Watching him undo his belt, I grabbed his hand in panic: “Wait, wait!” In my panic, my hand actually landed on his pants. Liam smiled ambiguously, “Are—you—sure?” Feeling that place starting to perk up, I quickly withdrew my hand. Young boys are full of vitality, getting hard just by a touch. But looking at his posture, he might really want to sleep with me. Does he think sleeping with me will naturally make those things his? Actually, I wanted to say, Bro, you don’t need to make it so complicated. I really don’t care about your family’s stuff. From beginning to end, I knew my identity clearly. How could I be stupid enough to fight him for inheritance? Afraid he would really do something, I quickly explained: “Liam, I am your stepmother. Technically, I am your elder. This is not okay.” “Don’t worry, I am really not interested in the old man’s will. In a few days, no! Tomorrow! I will move out tomorrow, absolutely won’t hinder you!” “Really! I promise!” I raised my hand to swear, expressing my determination. My guess was spot on. After I said I wouldn’t fight for the inheritance, Liam’s face softened a lot. He picked up his shirt, put it on, and left my room. Watching the door close, I ran over and locked it. What a pity! Almost lost my virtue. Chapter 2 I packed my bags overnight. In the two years at the Sterling estate, most of my things were bought by William, bearing the mark of the family. I certainly wouldn’t be stupid enough to take these things away, fearing Liam would come after me. So in the end, the only thing I could take away was that debit card. But I wasn’t panicked at all. The money in the card was enough for a lifetime. Early the next morning, while Liam was still asleep, I tiptoed out of the Sterling manor. But before I even got down the hill, Liam chased after me. Screech. The car stopped right in front of me. Liam got out and walked towards me, his expression extremely ugly. His voice was icy cold, “Jade, where do you think you’re going? Come back with me.” I didn’t understand what he meant. I left so tactfully, why was he still haunting me? “Liam, what exactly do you want?” He was very insistent, “You can’t go.” “Why?” I was puzzled. Liam looked at me calmly, but his gaze was mixed with emotions unfamiliar to me. Finally, he spoke softly, “Jade, I like you.” I froze. “Do you really not know?” “Why leave? Stay here, be with me, isn’t that good?” His expression changed unpredictably, sad one moment, happy the next, like a madman. Before I could react, he hugged me and stuffed me into the car. Standing in the familiar room again, I couldn’t help but smile. Back again. Liam brought breakfast to the room. He held me tightly in his arms. He picked up a piece of toast to my lips, chuckling lightly: “Jade, be good, eat.” It was a normal tone, but I felt a chill down my spine. Just like when I first met Liam. Chapter 3 I was nineteen when William started our arrangement. That year, my mom got cancer. Chemo cost thousands each time. My dad died early. Mom and I depended on each other. Her health was weak, she couldn’t earn much. Supporting me until college was already her limit. To treat her, I dropped out and worked at a club. But for an introvert like me, making money was too hard. Other colleagues got thousands in tips for a drink. But I was force-fed alcohol for being ungrateful. That was when I met William. “Why make it hard for a little girl? Are you men?” “What? Never drank before?” Seeing it was him, the crowd lost their arrogance instantly, standing aside meekly. That night, William said to me: “I know your situation. I have a way for you to make a large sum of money in a short time.” “What way?” I asked urgently. To me at that time, money was too important. William took a drag of his cigar and said calmly: “Be my sugar baby. I can give you a million a month for living expenses.” A million. Enough for my mom’s chemo a thousand times over. The temptation was too great. The girl taught to be good since childhood did something against her beliefs for the first time. “I agree.” I was asked to change into a red dress. William stared at me in a trance, muttering: “So alike.” Later I learned, I looked 80% like William’s late wife. That night, William took me to the estate. He held me and slept all night. Nothing else happened. The next day at the breakfast table, I met Liam. He was handsome, standing out anywhere. But his aura was strangely indescribable, like melancholy, or gloom. William introduced me to him: “This is your new mother.” Liam nodded and greeted me: “Mother.” His tone was respectful, faultless, but his eyes were full of scrutiny. I knew the word “Sugar Baby,” once attached to a woman, brings contempt and disdain. But I couldn’t care less. When I got the first payment, counting the long string of zeros, I cried out loud in excitement. Chapter 4 Strangely, William didn’t ask much of me. Just to dress like his late wife and stay by his side. One stormy night, I went to deliver coffee to William. Walking to the study door, I heard the sound of a whip, William’s cursing, and intermittent groans. He was beating Liam again. Staying with William for a long time, I learned a bit about him. William had a “White Moonlight”—his late wife. They were deeply in love. But William was ruthless in business and offended many people. Enemies sought revenge. On the day they returned from vacation, the car lost control and crashed severely. William was saved, but his wife and the unborn baby died. It was said to be a daughter. For a long time after, William changed his ways, becoming gentle and gentlemanly. A few years later, his secretary drugged him and climbed into his bed. She disappeared for a year, then returned with baby Liam, demanding a status. William’s principle of remaining faithful to his late wife was tainted. He almost killed her in anger. Later, the Old Master Sterling found out, gave the woman money, and demanded Liam stay. Liam stayed in the Sterling family, and the woman took the money and disappeared. His existence constantly reminded William of that mistake. William vented all his anger on Liam. He beat and scolded Liam frequently. If Liam did anything slightly wrong, he whipped him without a word. The study door opened. I was startled and snapped back to reality. Liam glanced at me with a pale face and left without a word. His back was red with blood, dripping down his shirt, leaving traces on the floor. Driven by some unknown psychology, I knocked on Liam’s door that night. “What?” Liam asked coldly. I handed him the medicine. “Treat your wounds, or they’ll get infected.” Every time after punishing him, William ordered the servants not to give him medicine. Often, Liam appeared at the breakfast table with a flushed face. Unsurprisingly, a fever. Liam didn’t take it, looking at me with disdain. “You giving me medicine? Aren’t you afraid my dad will know? Or is this… poison he sent?” I laughed angrily. “Fine, don’t take it.” I turned to leave. Suddenly heard him sneer behind me. “Thought you had no temper.” In the estate, I did whatever William said without complaint. After all, I knew my place too well. Fight William? Unless I was crazy. Over time, everyone in the estate thought I had a good temper, though they dared not say it to my face. Hearing Liam say it so bluntly, I just felt awkward. The next morning, while eating breakfast, Liam suddenly said “Thank you” to me.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “389996”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

On the last day of December, a woman led five-year-old me out of the foster home. She named me Hope. “Hope, your sister’s name is Grace. Your birthday is on New Year’s Day, symbolizing rebirth.” “So, every birthday, you must make a wish. A wish means a new beginning, a thing full of hope.” I nodded vigorously, teeth chattering from the cold. Back then, I didn’t understand. Every time I made a wish, Mom would take something from me. At six, I wished to see fireworks; they took my bone marrow. At seven, I wished for a doll; they took a kidney. At eight, I wished for cake; they took a lobe of my liver. This year, I am ten. Mom looked at me tenderly in the candlelight: “Hope, make a wish.” In the flickering light, I closed my eyes. My only wish this year is… To survive this year. Chapter 1 The fireworks outside danced in Mom’s gentle eyes. She asked softly: “Hope, what did you wish for this year?” I looked into her eyes, where the warmth I craved all year resided. I moved closer carefully and whispered: “I wish… Mom would love me forever.” Mom’s expression froze for a second. Then, she opened her arms and pulled me into a hug. The hug was tight, so tight I could barely breathe. She smelled of faint perfume. My cheek pressed against her soft sweater, and my eyes heated up. “Silly child.” Mom’s voice came from above, smiling. “Of course Mom loves you. As long as you are good, as long as your sister Grace survives, Mom will love you forever.” I nodded hard, rubbing tears onto her sweater. Mom only hugged me when I made a wish. This was the hug I waited a whole year for, from last New Year’s to today. Just as I extended my thin arms to hug her back, Mom let go. She cupped my face, wiping away my tears with her thumbs: “Hope is so sensible. Mom granted your wish, now will you grant Mom’s wish? Help your sister one more time, okay?” I nodded. It was always like this. I was used to it. “Grace’s heart is getting worse.” Mom’s voice remained gentle. “The doctor says she needs a healthy heart. Hope, are you willing to give your heart to your sister?” “Tomorrow, Mom will take you to the hospital for matching tests. If it matches, Grace can live. You want your sister to live, right?” I looked at her expectant eyes, at the gentle smile on her lips. “Okay,” I said. Mom’s smile brightened instantly. She hugged me again, light and fast: “I knew Hope is the best.” As she got up to cut the cake, the living room door was pushed open. My sister, Grace, walked in wrapped in a thick down jacket, cheeks flushed from the wind, eyes shining. “Mom! The countdown at the square started! Martha said we can watch from the front row! There are fireworks!” Mom put down the knife immediately, walked to Grace, and brushed the snow off her shoulder: “Sweetie, speak slowly, don’t swallow the wind. It’s cold outside, how about we go after your surgery?” “I want to go!” Grace swung Mom’s hand, whining, “It’s once a year! And the doctor said I’m stable…” Mom glanced back at me, then at the expectant Grace. That glance was short, too short for me to read the emotion. “Okay, okay. But only for a little while. Don’t get tired.” Mom’s tone held a doting I never heard before. Then she turned to me: “Hope, you have tests tomorrow. Rest early tonight, don’t go.” I opened my mouth, wanting to say I wanted to see fireworks too. I wanted to see real fireworks. When I wished at six, Mom promised me. I still remembered her smiling and saying: “Okay, after you help Grace, Mom will take you.” But after I gave my bone marrow, Mom just patted my head: “Next time. Grace can’t wait.” The words were swallowed back. Mom had already led Grace to the door, not looking back: “Hope, don’t eat anything after the cake. You need to fast for tomorrow.” The door closed. Chapter 2 I stood there, holding the piece of cake Mom gave me. The living room fell silent, except for the noise from the TV countdown: “Ten minutes left! The New Year is coming!” I carried the cake back to my small room. The storage room had no windows. I sat on the small bed, eating the cake in small bites. It was sweet. Sweet enough to be bitter. I suddenly remembered the night after my kidney donation at seven. The anesthesia wore off, the wound burned like fire. I cried for Mom. The nurse checked and said Mom was in Grace’s room because Grace had a nightmare. That night, I counted the cracks on the ceiling. At three hundred and twenty-seven, the sun rose. After the liver surgery at eight, I vomited until I blacked out. Mom visited, frowned, and asked the nurse: “Why such a big reaction? Will it affect the liver quality?” She didn’t ask if I hurt. Didn’t ask if I was scared. She only cared about the organ that was no longer in my body. The cake was finished quickly, but a sharper emptiness and pain came from my stomach. I only ate this small piece since the afternoon. Mom said to fast. But no one told me fasting hurt this much. The old scar on my abdomen started to ache dully. Since losing my kidney, I hurt every night. The living room lights were off. Martha probably went to sleep. The house was quiet, only my stomach growling and distant firecrackers. I endured, but finally pushed the door open gently. There must be food in the kitchen, even a slice of bread. In the fridge, there was a bowl of soup that looked delicious. I swallowed. “Hope?” Martha’s voice came from behind. I jumped, almost dropping the bowl. “Are you hungry?” Martha walked over, looking troubled. “But Madam said you have blood tests tomorrow, you must fast…” “Just one sip,” I begged softly, stomach growling again. “Martha, I’m so hungry, my tummy hurts…” Martha hesitated. She looked at the clock, then at my pale face and the hand clutching my stomach. Finally, she sighed: “Just a small sip. Really small. Or I’ll get scolded.” She poured a spoonful into a cup and heated it. In those few seconds, the aroma filled the air. My stomach cramped as if squeezed by an invisible hand. “Here, drink slowly.” The moment the warm liquid hit my throat, I almost cried. So hungry. Every sip was salvation. I sipped carefully, afraid to finish too fast. Just then, the front door clicked. Dad, Mom, and Grace returned. Grace was in Dad’s arms, sleeping. Mom followed with her bag. Their smiles froze when they saw me in the kitchen with a cup. “Hope? Didn’t I say fast?” Mom rushed over, snatching the cup. Grace woke up, seeing Mom’s angry face, she shrank into Dad’s arms. “Mom…” I looked at her, tears surging, “I’m really hungry, it hurts…” I pointed to my side where the kidney was missing. It throbbed from hunger and cold. “Hurts? You’re doing it on purpose! You don’t want to save Grace, so you ate?” “No, Mom, I’m just hungry…” I cried, reaching for her sleeve. Dad frowned, carrying Grace to the master bedroom: “Claire, put Grace to sleep first. Don’t scare the child.” Mom’s finger almost poked my nose: “Hope, didn’t I tell you, be good and Mom loves you? Did you promise to give your heart to Grace?” “I did, I did. Mom, don’t scold me, don’t throw me away…” I gasped. “You liar! You don’t want to save her! I raised you for nothing!” She grabbed my arm, crushing my bone, dragging me to the storage room. Familiar fear drowned me. She’s going to abandon me, just like the orphanage auntie said. Bad kids get thrown away. Mom shoved me in. I fell, pain shooting through me: “You selfish ingrate! Stay here and reflect!” The door slammed. Darkness swallowed me. Chapter 3 I curled in the cold corner, stomach empty and aching. Hunger gnawed from the inside, making me shiver. Worse was the itch. I scratched my skin, leaving red marks. But the more I scratched, the more it itched. Drilling into my heart. “Stop being hungry, Mom doesn’t want me anymore…” I muttered, digging nails into skin: “Transplant will fix it… scratch it clean and Mom will come back…” Warm liquid seeped out. Pain finally covered the itch. Darkness took my sight but sharpened my senses. I heard my heavy breathing, smelled the sweetness of the New Year Cake. Everyone eats cake on New Year’s. I wanted some too. Consciousness blurred. I saw that woman again. Snowy night. Thin coat. Holding a bundled baby. Couldn’t see her face, just her shaking shoulders. She put the baby on the cold steps and walked away. “Mom… Mom…” The baby cried, reaching out. That was me. One or two years old. The woman paused but didn’t look back. Snow turned her into a white shadow. “Mom take me! I’ll be good!” “Don’t leave me… please…” I chased crying. But her back grew smaller, disappearing into the snow. I knelt in the snow, crying until hoarse, until frozen. Until the orphanage worker dragged me back like trash, throwing me into the windowless room. “Stop crying! Your mom doesn’t want you! Crying is useless!” The lock sounded just like tonight. “No… Mom… don’t leave me…” I woke up sobbing. Face wet with cold sweat and tears. Morning. I struggled up. Scabs tore, stinging. I leaned on the wall, moved to the door, opening a crack. Living room bright. A big plate of white dumplings on the table. Grace sat in her high chair. Mom blew on a dumpling, feeding her. “Come, Grace. Lucky Dumpling. Eat for peace and health.” Grace bit it, smiling satisfied: “Yummy!” “Eat more.” Dad poured milk for her. “Our Grace needs lots of luck today.” My eyes glued to the dumplings. Hungry. So hungry. Vision blackening. I forgot pain, forgot punishment. Only food remained. “Hope?” Dad saw me first. Mom and Grace turned. But I couldn’t care. My focus was on the dumpling that fell from Grace’s bowl. Before I touched it, Grace tried to protect her bowl, bumping my hand. Weak as I was, I fell, smashing the table. Grace wailed: “My dumplings… my Lucky Dumplings… gone… woo woo…” Mom’s face turned iron. She stood up and slapped me hard. My head snapped to the side. Ears ringing. Face numb. “Hope! You did it on purpose! You can’t stand Grace being happy? Even stealing her dumplings?” I shook my head crying, terror gripping my organs: “I’m hungry… I want to save Grace… I’ll give my heart… let me eat a little…” Mom sneered, dragging me to the door: “Then let’s go to the hospital now! Get the surgery done early! Save you being an eyesore here, trying to harm Grace!” Cold wind cut my face. Wearing thin pajamas, I was stuffed into the car. Arrived at the hospital. I was taken to a bright room. The doctor frowned at my bruised body: “Mr. and Mrs. Vance, this child looks ten at most, body very weak. Are you sure about matching now?” “Is she willing? Did you ask her?” Mom looked fierce: “She is.” I summoned strength, kneeling before Mom, tears flowing: “Mom, Dad, I want to eat dumplings. I want Mom to call me baby. I want Mom to love me.” “I want to live through this year too.” Chapter 4 I shook, almost suffocating. Silence in the ward. Grace shrank into Mom’s arms, coughing: “Mom! Does she not want to give me her heart?” “It’s all her fault! Since she came, I’ve been sick! Did she pass her bad luck to me?” “She stole my dumplings, now she wants to steal my parents!” Steal? I looked up, screaming irrationally, tears mixing with blood on my face: “Then who stole what was in my spine? Who took my kidney? Who took my liver?” “My body, my organs, my life, aren’t they a life too? Since I came here, I’ve been losing, hurting. I stole nothing! I gave you everything!” Another slap. Harder, fiercer. Dad this time. He grabbed my hair, lifting me up roughly. “Hope, your cheap life was worthless since the day you were dumped at the orphanage!” “A waste unwanted by parents! Destined to die of hunger or cold! We pitied you! Took you out of that hell! Fed you, clothed you!” “From the day we took you, your existence was for Grace to live! Now Grace needs your heart. That’s your fate! You owe us!” I lay on the floor, blood frozen. So that’s it. I just owe you. Then I’ll pay. I laughed lightly, propping myself up shakily. “Doctor, I volunteer. Can we start?” Dad huffed: “Should have been like this. Wasting time, delaying Grace!” I entered the OR. Anesthesia spread from my hand, flowing through veins. Doctor prepping. I turned my head with difficulty, looking at the small observation window. Two shadows stood behind the glass. Dad and Mom. Shoulder to shoulder, eyes focused on Grace on the other table. Mom prayed. Dad held her. From start to finish, they didn’t look at me once. Not even once. Consciousness fading. The last thing I saw was Mom leaning close to the window, nodding to the doctor inside, mouthing: “Please.” Then she turned, walking with Dad to Grace’s room. Their backs overlapped perfectly with the shadow leaving in the snowy night. I closed my eyes, letting darkness take me. Mom, Dad. Everything you want, I return to you. Marrow, kidney, liver, and this heart. Finally, we are even. I don’t owe you anymore. Unknown time passed. Door opened. Parents surrounded the surgeon. He nodded: “Surgery successful. Almost no rejection.” “This is extremely rare in non-related transplants. Usually only happens with direct blood relatives.” Air solidified. Dad rasped: “Direct blood relatives?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “389995”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Julian Vance hated “Targeters” the most. Until the heiress of the Lin family entered his world for an arranged marriage. She danced in his private garden rain or shine, her movements captivating. Modern dance, Jazz, Classical Ballet… Julian was captivated by her, rarely not sending her to “The Island” for imprisonment. I took a bite of tiramisu, too sad to speak. The System mocked: “You useless thing! Now look, wait to be erased!” Looking at the Affection Score bar that never moved, actually, I am a Targeter too. Chapter 1 Eight Targeters were already locked up in the private prison on The Island. They preached equality and hoped for a “one life, one couple” love with Julian Vance. Julian hated them. But their business ideas were sometimes useful, though Julian found them annoying. So he locked up every one he met. Kept the useful ones, made the useless ones disappear. Letting the security team’s interrogation squad use threats and promises to make them spit out all business secrets, maximizing their value. I am Julian’s childhood friend. Julian was an illegitimate son ostracized by the family when he was young. Everyone could bully him, tease him. His older cousins often beat him black and blue. When he hid in the dark attic of the family estate to heal, a warm, kind girl would appear. Like an angel, bringing him medicine, stroking his wounds with tears. She said she came to save him. “I will protect you from now on. I won’t let them bully you again.” “Does it hurt? I will always be with you!” She smiled gently at Julian. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to save you. We’ll be best friends.” I thought Julian would be moved and accept the girl glowing with “I’m good for you” light. Unexpectedly, Julian choked her neck, pinning her against the wall. The girl kicked wildly, making suffocated whimpers. Julian said coldly: “Get lost! Don’t let me see you again.” I hid behind a tree and saw everything. The macaron in my hand fell with a soft thud. He turned to look at me, put away his scary expression, and walked over. His aura was terrifying. I dared not speak. Legs weak, I fell to the ground, touching my neck. Begging fawningly: “Don’t choke me. My neck is too thin, it will break. I saw nothing.” “You don’t need saving. I don’t dare.” His face looked even worse. He stared at me darkly. “You’d better stay this way forever.” I shrank my neck, nodding frantically. Chapter 2 My parents were famous business tycoons, but died in a plane crash. Since I lost my parents young, Grandmother often took me to stay at the Vance Estate. And recognized me as her god-granddaughter. To show the Vance family’s kindness. I was present at every moment Julian needed saving. I just stood silently aside. When he was thrown into the combat training ground and beaten all over. When the snobbish servants withheld his dinner. When his mother was critically ill and passed away. That year, he became more steady and grew up. He stood in the dark attic of the old house, quietly looking at his mother’s cold body. His mother’s personal assistant walked up to him, comforting softly: “Young Master Julian, Rou will accompany you instead of Madam.” It seems in every low period when Julian needed comfort, a “flower that understands speech” would appear. Trying to save him, target him, be the only light in his heart. Like this assistant named Rou. She tugged Julian’s shirt, smiling warmly: “Don’t be sad, Young Master. Be happy, smile, okay?” Rou didn’t know Julian was a germaphobe. He couldn’t stand anyone touching him. Every time someone accidentally touched him, he had to change his whole outfit. Sure enough, with a signal from his eyes. The bodyguards standing aside immediately dragged Rou out. Rou was gagged by the bodyguards, whimpering soundlessly. Dragged away. Julian walked to me and hugged me gently. He buried his head in my neck, voice muffled: “Nina, let me hug you. I’ll bring you your favorite Black Forest Cake.” I dared not move. Responded: “Okay.” His voice was light, but terrifyingly calm: “I loathe them. And I loathe myself.” “If I were conquered, would there be fewer hardships? Would my mother not have died?” I didn’t understand what “them” meant. Nor what “conquered” meant. I only knew Julian was very sad that day. Since then, he acted even more ruthlessly. Chapter 3 Today, I dressed up. Preparing to attend my coming-of-age ceremony. The Vance Villa had invited many guests. But suddenly a voice came into my brain: Beep beep beep. Target System energy sufficient. Ready to start. Hello Host. System binding. Target: Julian Vance. I jumped, refusing frantically: “I refuse to target! Refuse! Refuse!” Ding! Cannot refuse. Mission started. Progress query. Progress: 66. Massive information flooded my brain. After a moment of daze, I came back, face pale. No joy. Only infinite panic. I am a Targeter. The Targeter Julian hates the most. Once there was a Targeter discovered by Julian. She was a girl with a voice like a lark, knowing all kinds of pop singing. Julian made her sing and sing. Until her voice was hoarse, coughing blood. Finally locked in the confinement room, beaten bloody. Julian even excitedly took me to watch. He really hates Targeters. If he finds out I am a Targeter too, will I be beaten to death? Moreover, I know nothing but eating. Will he make me eat and eat until I burst? The more I thought, the more scared I was. The System’s voice sounded again with surprise: Unexpectedly, Host already has 66 Affection Score from Julian! Before Host, Targeters used many identities: Mrs. Vance’s cousin, Julian’s mother’s assistant… none exceeded 0 score. So those girls who wanted to save Julian were all Targeters bound with Systems. But they all failed. Tortured by Julian until unrecognizable, then erased by the Main God along with the System. Host, you are very hopeful. Only success, no failure. Or we will die miserably. I shivered, comb falling to the ground. This sneak, when did I target him? Where did the score come from? “Can I not target? Julian will choke me to death. I can’t beat him.” System cold and ruthless: No. System started. Slacking will be punished by electric shock. I was weak and helpless. Can’t beat Julian, can’t beat the System. Attended the banquet with a pale face. The Vance family sent a pile of expensive gifts as usual. Today’s Julian is the esteemed head of the Vance Group. No longer the bullied bastard son. His presence gave enough face to the Gu family. No dignitary in the capital dared not come. Arriving at the banquet hall. He stared at my face for a while: “You look wrong. What happened?” Seeing his dark gaze. I stepped back in terror, waving my hands repeatedly. Julian paused, eyes obscure: “Nina? Did someone say something, hmm?” I paused, shaking my head firmly: “No… no, absolutely not!” He is too smart. Every previous Targeter was accurately found by him. Then caught, tortured, revenged. I was absent-minded throughout the banquet. Grandmother saw me drinking champagne sullenly, glared at me unhappily: “Nina, go toast Mr. Vance!” In Grandmother’s eyes, Julian and I are childhood sweethearts growing up together. A girl of the Gu family is qualified to be Mrs. Vance. In Grandmother’s eyes, I deserve the best. But in my eyes, that’s the King of Hell who takes my life in minutes. I was reluctant. But still raised the glass, toasting Julian meekly: “To Mr. Vance. It’s Nina’s honor to have you here today.” Julian stopped the glass I was about to drink, grabbing my sleeve: “Stop drinking. You drank too much. I’ll have someone send you to rest.” He frowned at me. I remembered Mrs. Vance’s cousin. Julian discovered she was a Targeter. Even her touch was disgusting. Thinking of the scene where he choked her coldly. I shivered in fear. “Don’t… don’t touch me. I am not a Targeter.” He paused for a second, mouth curving into a smile. I was really scared. Chapter 4 System: You are embarrassing! Coward! Me: … Julian shouldn’t have discovered I am a Targeter. Or he would have sent me to The Island. He laughed: “You are drunk. Rest early.” The banquet dispersed. Guests left, he left too. At night, I returned to the bedroom. Lying on the soft big bed. Tears fell. “System! You are not human! Making me target that living King of Hell!” “I have been afraid of him as long as I lived in this world.” “Find someone else!” System sneered: Better to live poorly than die. Understand? If you die, I will be erased too. For our lives, work hard. A soft sound from the balcony. Someone came in. Bringing the smell of roast meat. I got up and wiped my tears. It was Julian. Under the dim wall lamp, he stared at me burning: “Saw you didn’t eat much at the banquet. Brought your favorite BBQ platter.” His skills were getting better, coming and going freely in the Villa. I nodded vigorously. Whatever, eating is the most important. Took the food and ate. He often brought me food I loved. To bribe me, threaten me not to tell about the Targeters. System angry: You only know eating! Dark night, high wind, lone man and woman. Target him! I sighed in my heart: “No, I can’t do that.” System: Mission complete, I can grant you a wish. Any wish. “I have no wish.” System mourned its misfortune. Stuck with such a slacker host. Luckily there was some Affection Score, not to be erased. Julian reached out to touch my head. I was still afraid, tilted my head to avoid. His expression became suppressed. I was really afraid of death. “Julian, do you hate Targeters very much?” He looked at me steadily, voice hoarse: “Yes. I hate, hate Targeters very much. Want to dispose of them all.” I nodded with a bitter smile: “Mm, I also… hate, hate Targeters very much.” “If, I say if, I am also a Targeter, will you dispose of me too?” “Can you, let me go?” In the dark, Julian’s voice was exceptionally clear: “No. I will never let you go!” System: Detected score fluctuation. Current score 50, 20, 0… My hands shook with fear. Did he find out?

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “389994”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Three years after our breakup, I met Griffin again. In front of the crowded OB-GYN clinic, he wore a black suit, holding a pink cashmere shawl. Next to him was the little assistant he cheated with back then. The moment he saw me, Griffin froze in place. He looked down at my baby bump. “Here alone?” I nodded calmly. The nurse called me in. As I stood up, Griffin’s voice was hoarse behind me. “Winter, about what happened… I’m sorry.” I didn’t stop, nor did I look back at him. Chapter 1 I hung up the phone with a smile, stroking my belly while waiting, when the seat beside me sank. I glanced instinctively and crashed into a pair of dark, deep eyes without defense. I was surprised. Didn’t expect to see Griffin again. His gaze swept over my face, finally nailing onto my protruding belly. Adam’s apple rolled, seeming to want to say something, but swallowed it back. I looked straight ahead, no interest in catching up. Until he squeezed out a hoarse sentence: “Here alone?” I didn’t want to answer, just nodded slightly. Just then, the nurse came out: “Ms. Winter, please prepare.” I supported my belly to stand up slowly. A hand reached out from the side, hovering to support my arm. I dodged subconsciously: “Thanks, no need.” Griffin froze, fingertips curling slightly: “Let me help you.” I ignored him, walking straight to the exam room. A suppressed voice came from behind: “Winter…” I didn’t stop, pretending not to hear. During the checkup, the doctor asked routinely about history of miscarriage. I nodded, answering softly: “Yes, three years ago.” On that Christmas Eve three years ago. I not only lost Griffin, but also that child. Seeing him now, my heart no longer hurts. After the checkup, I met my best friend for lunch. She studied my calm face, suddenly tearing up: “Winter, I still can’t believe you really moved on.” “Back then, you were so crazy for that scumbag Griffin, it scared me.” I looked down at the steak on my plate, remembering myself back then. Indeed, crazy like not a human. From eighteen to twenty-five. Seven years entangled with Griffin. Ended with a breakup in New York. I held a gun to his forehead. And he, red-eyed, choked my neck deadly tight. We both wanted to win. But in the end, we both lost everything. Griffin and I were two weeds depending on each other in the foster care system. I was fiery, loved trouble. Griffin was gentle, mature like an adult. But every time something happened, he stood in front of me. Even if I stole someone else’s bread. He was the one beaten black and blue on the ground. I swore, when I grew up, I would protect him. Later, I grew into a young woman. The foster father frequently asked me to serve tea to “guests.” Griffin never left my side, blocking those sticky, disgusting gazes. Until that day. He came back from school to see me panicked, hands covered in blood. And the foster father, pants half down, unconscious on the floor. Griffin walked up expressionlessly, stomping hard on the man’s crotch. He washed the blood from my fingers, wiped my tears. Took me away in the night. I was thirteen, he was sixteen. We slept under bridges, dug through trash for food. Were beaten half to death for a meat bun given by a stranger. I envied kids in uniforms, carefree. Griffin secretly worked construction to save for my tuition. The day I could go to school, I hugged him, crying and laughing. He touched my head, fingers rough but gentle: “I’ll give you a good life.” Life did get better. Griffin was smart and good at reading people. In three years, he climbed from a laborer to the corporate office. While I struggled with grades due to poor foundation. Griffin comforted me gently. We moved to New York. I could continue school, and he accepted an expatriate assignment. A bright future was ahead. That night, I was too excited to sleep. Just as I was preparing to go abroad. The foster father brought police to our door, screaming Griffin castrated him, wanting Griffin to rot in jail. While Griffin was on a business trip, I confessed to everything. That year I was sixteen, detained for intentional injury. When Griffin cried and called me stupid through the glass, I laughed heartlessly. I was mud anyway, but he had to be clean. Two years later, I was released. Ignored the bad past, flew non-stop to New York to find him. Twenty-one-year-old Griffin, in a suit, cold and noble. Only when looking at me, his face was full of indulgence. Here, no one knew our dirty past. We died once, and were reborn in this strange country. On my eighteenth birthday night, drunk, I kissed him. That night, we explored each other, becoming each other’s. Pressure from school and work suffocated us. We frantically absorbed warmth from each other’s bodies. Back then, neither of us thought one day I would point a gun at his head. And he would choke me, wishing me dead. When I was twenty-four, Griffin became CEO. He got busier. I did nothing daily, just enjoyed life. He fulfilled his promise of a good life. But I became unhappy. I noticed the perfume smell in the heavy alcohol scent on him. I pretended to be jealous, telling him to stay away from women. Griffin was always good-tempered, never exposing me. Just whispering in my ear during sex: “Saved it all for you. No other women, silly.” I relaxed. We grew up together, survived hard times together. I should trust him. Until Stella appeared. She was the most inconspicuous assistant in Griffin’s secretary team. Thin, grey, like a frightened quail. Griffin disliked her stupidity, frowning to fire her. Seeing her trembling with red eyes, I felt pity. For the first time, I interfered with Griffin’s decision, speaking for her. Griffin said straight-faced, “Just this once.” When Stella met my smiling eyes with fear, her face flushed red. I comforted her gently, told her not to be afraid. I didn’t know then, I personally saved a demon that would swallow me. That night, Griffin bit my lip punishingly: “Like pleading for others so much?” “Why not beg me now, hmm?” Chapter 2 Later, the name Stella appeared frequently in our conversations. At first just teasing: “That idiot you saved messed up a contract today. I had to clean it up.” I kissed him, praising him as a good boss. Gradually, his tone changed: “That little assistant fell asleep on the desk, drooling all over.” “She’s really clumsy, spilled water on herself, dared to borrow my jacket.” I interrupted: “Did you lend it?” Griffin paused, then glanced at me grumpily: “Could I not? You saved her.” Later, as he climbed higher, he got busier. Topics between us became fewer. I thought he was stressed, dared not disturb. We were either silent, or talking about Stella. As if without her, we couldn’t talk. Though heart blocked, I chose to trust. After all, he was the one I loved for so many years. Until that day, I felt nauseous, booked a doctor. At the end of the OB-GYN corridor, I saw two familiar figures. Griffin was carefully supporting Stella, intimate posture. Panic filled me. At that moment, reason collapsed, blood rushed to my head. I couldn’t hear anything. When I came to, I had rushed up and kicked Stella down. Stella screamed, clutching her belly: “Griffin… hurts… the baby…” Griffin looked up sharply. His eyes were cold as if looking at a dead object. No explanation. Didn’t look at me again. Picked Stella up, shouting anxiously for a doctor. I don’t know how I got home. Lights on, I had a home, but seemed to have lost it. Cold war like never before. He didn’t come home for half a month. When he did, he packed all his clothes. I grabbed his sleeve hysterically, asking why he betrayed me. He wouldn’t say a word to me. Just crossed his arms coldly, watching me smash everything like a madwoman. Six months ago, he accompanied me to pick a wedding dress, planning for a baby next year. I didn’t understand how hearts changed so fast. I went to his company, blocked by secretaries who used to be respectful. Like a stalker, I watched him and Stella together. Watched him accompany her to checkups, moving his things into her small apartment. I naively thought, maybe he had a terminal illness, acting to push me away. Until I saw him rolling in bed with the pregnant Stella. That moment, all excuses collapsed. I rushed in, dragged Stella off the bed by her hair. Slapped her hard twice. Hearing her wails, I felt no revenge pleasure. Only heavy sorrow. The future I fantasized about was not this. Griffin sat on the messy bed, buttoning his shirt slowly. He didn’t even get angry. Just looked down at me, like looking at a shrew. His gaze stabbed my heart, my grip loosened. Griffin got off the bed, gently removed my hand from her hair, as if afraid she’d hurt. Then—shoved me hard. I stumbled back, hitting the wall. He adjusted his cuffs, tone icy: “Winter, don’t be ungrateful.” “Everything you have I gave you. If you don’t want it, plenty of people do.” Glancing at me, he spoke slowly: “If you behave, the wedding at year-end proceeds. If you continue this scene, I’ll send you back to the country to rot.” Vision blurred, I didn’t understand why the person before me was so strange. Nor what I did wrong. To save our relationship, I tried everything ridiculous. Relationship experts, psychics… Only exchanged for Griffin’s increasingly undisguised disgust. Later he stopped coming home. Bought a luxury apartment opposite the company for Stella. He stopped seeing me. To see him, I threatened suicide. Stood on the company roof all night, wrist cut bloody. But gained nothing but a hideous centipede scar. Not even a look from him. During that time, my health failed rapidly. When I realized I missed my period, I saw a glimmer of hope. Holding the 3-month ultrasound, I cried in the hospital corridor. I thought God pitied me, giving me a way out in despair. Griffin loved kids most, craved a family most. Now I have a child, we can be a family again. Child has dad and mom, will be very happy. Suppressing excitement, I called him, rare calm. “Griffin, come home for dinner. I have good news.” Maybe my tone was too humble, even fawning. Silence for a long time, he finally granted a word: “Okay.” 8 PM. I wore his favorite red dress, cooked his favorite dishes. Door unlocked. Griffin walked in. I couldn’t wait to throw myself into his arms, hugging his waist tight, choking: “Griffin… I really can’t live without you.” “Let’s stop fighting, okay? We are going to have…” Before I finished, a timid voice came: “Griffin… Mary said it’s time to feed Little Joy.” “Daughter will cry if she doesn’t see Daddy.” Instantly, my blood froze. Joy. That was the name Griffin planned for our daughter. He had a daughter with Stella. Then what is the child in my belly? Before I spoke, Griffin’s face hardened. He instinctively shielded Stella behind him. Afraid I’d go crazy and hurt his treasure. His brows knitted into a knot, face full of impatience: “Didn’t you say good news? Say it, I have no time to waste.” That anxious look to comfort his child stabbed my eyes. My vision blurred, whispering: “Joy?” “That’s the name you promised our daughter! How could you give it to someone else?!” Griffin’s eyes had no fluctuation, looking at me coldly: “Just a name, you haggle over this?” “Stella is weak, don’t go crazy here.” Then he looked me up and down, eyes full of disgust: “Winter, look in the mirror.” “You look like a shrew right now.” Shrew? Ears buzzing, mind blank. I stared at the impatient Griffin and the provocative Stella behind him. Monstrous hatred made me lose calm. I pushed Griffin away, grabbed Stella’s hair, and stuffed the screaming woman into my car. “Ah!! Griffin save me!!” Griffin roared behind, I didn’t listen. Locked the door, floored the gas. Seeing Stella’s terrified face in the passenger seat, a flash of pleasure crossed my mind. Sped all the way to their apartment. Ignored the nanny, rushed into the bedroom, picked up the baby. And skillfully took out the gun Griffin kept in the nightstand secret compartment. Five minutes later, Griffin and Stella stood before me again. Stella leaned in his arms crying, like a tragic couple. And I became the unforgivable villain in a movie. How ironic. Hatred made me lose all reason. I raised the gun, pointing at the baby: “Stella, kneel and kowtow.” “Or I shoot this bastard!” Griffin’s face was iron, roaring sternly: “Winter!! Are you crazy!” I was in a trance, looking at eyes that wanted to slice me. Is he really the Griffin who depended on me for life? I once paid a psychic to see if Griffin was possessed by a demon. Or how could the real Griffin hurt me so? In my daze. Griffin snatched the baby, gave it to Stella. Other hand clamped my wrist, trying to take the gun. BANG— Deafening gunshot. Bullet hit the ceiling. Chapter 3 When I snapped back, my gun was pointing at his forehead. And Griffin pinned me on the bed, choking my neck deadly tight. Eyes red, veins popping, cursing: “Winter, you are a lunatic!” “You curse, why don’t you die!” Why don’t you die. Hearing this, I laughed. Laughing and crying. He took me out of hell back then, now he curses me to die. What do I live for? His voice echoed: “You curse, why don’t you die!” Fine, as you wish. Wrist flipped, gun pointed at my own temple. Griffin’s face changed drastically, knocking the gun away. Clatter— Gun flew. Griffin seemed relieved, then shoved me hard. Inertia threw me out, lower abdomen hitting the sharp bed corner. Severe pain hit. I fell silent, curling up to protect my belly. Griffin looked at his hand, expression blank for a second. He moved, seemingly wanting to approach. But next second, Stella’s scream distracted him. “Griffin help! Daughter isn’t breathing!” Griffin’s hand reaching for me retracted instantly. Without looking at me again, he turned and ran out with his child and Stella. Warm liquid flowed down my legs, dying the white carpet red. Fear of losing my child woke my survival instinct. Enduring pain, I crawled to the door inch by inch. But the hand reached out only grabbed air. “Griffin…” “Save… our child…” Pity, that day, no one heard except the wind. My best friend interrupted my trance. Face ugly, looking behind me. I turned. Griffin stood by the table. Ignoring my friend’s murderous gaze, he pulled a chair and sat next to me. My friend’s hands shook with rage, throwing the napkin, standing up to support me: “Seeing some people makes me sick! Bad luck!” “Winter, let’s go.” I patted her hand, tone calm: “Okay, don’t be angry. Not worth it.” Not worth turning into a ghost for a man. I understood this after dying once. Not looking at Griffin, I prepared to leave. A hand suddenly grabbed my wrist. Hot, strong. Chapter 4 I frowned, as if touched by filth, shaking it off hard: “Don’t touch me.” Griffin’s hand froze in mid-air, fingers curled, seemingly surprised by my rejection. My friend shielded me, swinging her bag at him like crazy: “Scumbag, go to hell!” “You hurt Winter so bad, still have the face to show up? I’ll beat you to death!” One hit, two hits. Metal buckle smashed Griffin’s forehead. Blood flowed down his pale face. He didn’t dodge or fight back, just looked at me straight, eyes sorrowful. Afraid of a real accident, I hugged my friend. “Alright… calm down.” “Don’t dirty your hands.” My friend stopped, panting, glaring at Griffin, afraid of bumping my belly. But Griffin ignored the blood. The usually arrogant man, voice choked imperceptibly: “Sorry.” I froze. Dependent on each other for so many years, never saw him this fragile. But I didn’t understand. Why stalk me instead of being with Stella and his daughter? What’s the point of this late apology? Past is past. I sighed, eyes tired: “Leave.” Turned to leave with my friend. “Winter!” Urgent steps behind. The man chased stubbornly, reaching to pull me. Terror struck. Memory of him choking me and cursing me to die vivid. I covered my neck, retreating two steps in horror. Griffin’s hand froze, face pale instantly. Pain flashed in his eyes, as if he was the one hurt. Suppressing fear, I pulled my friend away. Unexpectedly, Griffin followed us like a lost soul, blood on his face. My friend looked back frequently, scared: “Is he mental? Winter, I’ll call Sebastian to pick you up.” Mentioning that name, panic dissipated a bit. I nodded. Looked back at the bloody figure. Since the break, I found I knew Griffin less and less. Or, never truly knew him. That day, I dragged a trail of blood out the door. But was dragged back by the returning Griffin like a dead dog. His vicious interrogation smashed onto me: “Don’t I have the right to choose others?” “Must I be tied to a stained ex-con like you forever?” Curled up in pain, I still heard “Stained ex-con.” He looked down, eyes full of disgust: “Those two years you served, why do you think I never visited?” “Because I didn’t want to see you!” “Orphan without parents, indeed never learned to read the room.” In the past, if anyone called me a bastard, I’d bite off their flesh. But now, I just looked blankly at that strange face. Touched my chest, it felt completely hollowed out. Brain blank, sharp ringing in ears. Tried hard to understand him. He said, I was a burden for years. Said he planned to dump me before going abroad. Didn’t expect me to chase him to New York shamelessly. “Winter, I’ve had enough of you.” “Just took the blame for two years, do I have to pay with my life?!” “You are a leech I can’t shake!” Physical pain was nothing compared to heart pain. So, the two years of prison were blackmail in his eyes. So, our ten years together was just my wishful thinking. Unknown time later, Griffin slammed the door and left. Maybe sure I couldn’t make waves, or rushing to coax his true love and daughter. I got up slowly, dragged my broken body, moved out of the apartment step by step. There was a dark sea in the distance. I had no parents, never knew a parent’s hug. When cold seawater covered my nose, I felt no cold, only relief. Drifting, I dreamed. Back to childhood. Damp foster home. I grabbed a big kid’s bun and ran, beaten hard, but kept the bun. That day, I grinned with missing teeth, stuffing half a dirty bun into Griffin’s mouth: “Eat, you eat.” Scene changed to the foster father’s hideous face. Pressing on Griffin, tearing the boy’s uniform. Griffin’s pale face full of despair. Since then, he became more silent. Until that day, I walked to the office with a heavy porcelain pot. Said I’d pour him tea, thanking him for years of shelter. Smashed his head when he looked down. Pulled down his pants, wanted to cut off the dirty thing that hurt Griffin with shards. Griffin rushed in to stop me, and he stomped that disgusting thing. The day we left, he didn’t want to take me. I followed him. Used to parting and death. Just wanted to send him off, stay a bit longer. Until Griffin turned back impatiently. Seeing my teary eyes, he sighed helplessly: “Fine, come along.” I happily thought it was a signal of acceptance. Later I thought, one thing he said was right. Orphan without parents, I really couldn’t read the room.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “389993”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel