I refused a $100,000 offer for my gaming account. My seven-year-old horror game was shutting down, and I spent my last all-nighter saying goodbye to every NPC. My roommates scoffed, calling me crazy. My family said I was insane. Even my childhood best friend screamed that I was a lunatic, turning down good money. But they had no idea. Days later, the horror game merged with our reality, and monsters started mercilessly slaughtering humans. To save themselves, they shoved me in front of a terrifying boss, hoping I’d be its first victim. Instead, I turned and threw myself into its arms: “Honey! They’re bullying me!” When I logged back into the game interface, nearly half a month had passed in the real world. That half-month of finals week had drained all my energy, and I desperately needed to recharge in my game. I never expected that as the interface refreshed, a game shutdown notification would pop up. I froze. My roommate behind me happened to glance at my screen. She sneered, “Still playing this game, even though it’s shutting down? You should sell your account while someone’s still offering to buy it. That’s real money, you know!” I smiled, saying nothing, just maneuvering my computer to enter the game. Seven years. This game had long become a part of me, impossible to cut away. I skipped straight to the final level, having already taken down all the minor bosses. I sat patiently, waiting for *him* to appear. But I waited and waited. The system countdown to shutdown hit zero, and I was forcibly logged out. He still didn’t show. I sighed, taking one last look at the world I’d fought for over seven years. I couldn’t help but whisper, “I won’t see you guys again. I’ll miss you. Take care of yourselves… get better and better.” My roommate rolled her eyes. “Are you seriously messed up in the head? Who talks to a screen like that? They won’t reply! They’re just lines of code. You think they’re your family?” “Sicko.” I gripped the hem of my shirt, a pang of loss in my chest. “You don’t understand. They really matter to me.” “Maybe you don’t get it, but please, respect me, and respect them.” She burst out laughing. “Respect *them*? A bunch of NPCs with only a few lines of dialogue? What right do they have to demand respect from me?” “No wonder you care so much about them. After all, a loser like you, who nobody loves in the real world, can only find a sense of belonging in a game. Tsk, tsk, tsk, how pathetic!” Chloe, my other roommate, finally spoke up, clearly uncomfortable. “She’s our classmate… isn’t that a bit too much?” Blair scoffed. “You don’t know what this psycho did! A few days ago, someone offered $100,000 for her account, and she wouldn’t sell it! Said there were ‘the most important people’ in it! What is that if not insane? $100,000! Do you know how long that could last us?” I couldn’t take it anymore. I slammed my hand on the desk. “Blair! Have you said enough?! My game account is my business! You don’t get to tell me what to do!” “Someone as cold-hearted as you would never understand this feeling. They helped me through the darkest days of my life. What’s wrong with not wanting to let them go?” Blair wasn’t about to back down. “Who in their right mind gets emotional over digital data?! You’re seriously disturbed! I’m telling you, either you move out of this dorm today, or I’m going to the dorm supervisor! I refuse to live with a crazy person who talks to game characters!” Our argument escalated, eventually alarming the school faculty. The teacher rushed over, scolded us both, and only then did the commotion subside. Lying in bed that night, I sighed, thinking about how I didn’t even get to see Damian one last time. Forget it. Maybe some people and some things are just meant to be regrets. Those beautiful memories are enough to keep in my heart.

A mix of rain and snow fell for three days straight. We hadn’t seen the sun in just as long. The entire world was shrouded in gloom, fierce winds tearing through fallen leaves, as if determined to rip everything apart. News anchors, who had started with optimistic predictions, now looked utterly distraught. No one could explain what was happening with this sudden, violent natural disaster. Watching the flickering network signal, I started to panic. I even tried reaching out to my family, whom I hadn’t contacted in ages, but all I got was: “Didn’t you say those weird game characters were your family? Why don’t you get them to come out of the game world and help you?” “If you want us to pick you up, sure, but go ahead and withdraw from school first. Your dad’s already lined up a family for you, and the money we’d get from it, over a hundred grand, will be enough for your brother…” I hung up abruptly, burying my face in my arms and sobbing quietly. Blair swung her legs idly. “See? People who get obsessed with games are unwelcome everywhere, even by their own families!” I wiped away my tears, about to retort, when a bloodcurdling scream pierced the air outside the window. “Help me!!!” We all rushed to the window, but what I saw next made my legs turn to jelly, and I collapsed onto the floor. It was *him*. The familiar minor boss from the horror game, stabbing a person with a knife. Passersby tried to flee but were snatched back. Then, blood dyed everything red. “What IS that thing?! This… isn’t this the real world? How are game characters appearing?” Blair wasn’t doing any better than me. She’d curled into a ball in the corner, shaking uncontrollably. Before we could even process it, the dorm door was kicked open. The monster, who moments ago had been outside, now stood in our doorway, grinning at us with a mouth that stretched to its neck. “You’re all so pretty. Can I be your friend?” Everyone was too terrified to speak. Blair, quick to react, shoved me forward. “Kira! Don’t you love these freaky things? Go be friends with him!” Damn it. Staring at that familiar monster face, my mind was a blur. I’d played this game for seven years, but deep down, I was still a total noob! All those times I cleared levels, it was always with the help of the main boss. But now… Where was I going to find someone to help me?! I pressed myself against the wardrobe, forcing a shaky smile. “Y-you… you calm down first. We can talk… How’s… how’s your family?” The monster’s smile faltered. “Family… I was choked to death right after I was born, just because I was a girl.” Sweat beaded on my forehead. “Oh… oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.” Its icy gaze immediately locked onto me. The next second, it teleported to my side, its hands tightly gripping my throat. “You’re a girl too. Why did *you* get to live?” I immediately choked, my face turning crimson. “Oh God… go after whoever hurt you… I… I’m a victim of old prejudices too… We’re both victims, why hurt me?” But consumed by rage, it wasn’t listening. Its grip tightened, making my eyes roll back. Just before my consciousness faded, I heard a crackle from the outdoor broadcast: **[ATTENTION! Recent studies indicate that the horror game, which closed recently, has merged with the real world due to an unknown cause.]** **[Citizens are advised to quickly conceal their locations. Monsters from the horror world possess extreme aggression and lethality. If encountered, you must immediately flee!]** **[Repeating! These monsters are highly lethal! If targeted, death is inevitable! Proceed with extreme caution!!!]**

Why couldn’t they have broadcast that *before* I was nearly choked to death?! Just as my consciousness was about to completely vanish, the monster suddenly released its grip. My body sagged to the floor like a deflated balloon. “Killing you like this is too boring. How about you answer a few questions for me?” The monster smiled sweetly, its eyes, however, filled with murderous intent. “Sound good?” I didn’t exactly have the power to refuse. “Ask away.” The monster suddenly leaned close to my face. “Tell me, was it wrong for me to be a girl?” I flinched. “No.” “Then why did I have to die? Just because I was seen as a burden?” I didn’t answer. Blair, on the floor, was frantic. “Say something! Hurry up and answer her! What if she gets mad and kills us all?!” Under pressure, I forced myself to look at the monster. “No.” “Then why did I die before I even had a taste of milk, before I could even call out ‘Mommy’? What did I do wrong?” Tears of blood started to well in its eyes, its voice turning guttural and sharp. Layers of skin peeled away, revealing the raw flesh beneath. Chloe, the timid roommate, fainted on the spot at the sight. Honestly, I couldn’t answer that question. Because *I* was the one who had lived. If it weren’t for modern laws, if it weren’t for the fact that my brother needed money for his arranged marriage, I might have been a ghost choked to death myself. “You can’t answer my questions, so you have to die.” Its sharp nails dug deeply into my neck, blood trickling down my skin. Meanwhile, Blair, taking advantage of our struggle near the dorm door, slammed it shut with a *snap*. She locked it multiple times, completely disregarding my desperate situation. Only after she’d done all that did she let out a sigh of relief, glaring at me with hatred. “It’s all your fault for being so stupid and not answering her questions! If you’re going to die, die outside, don’t drag us down!” “Didn’t you say they were your family just now? Go ahead and spend some quality time with your ‘family’! Don’t thank me for creating this private moment for you!” My mind was a mess. If the monster applied just a little more pressure, I was gone for good. Through the window, I saw Blair’s triumphant gaze, and a surge of pure rage filled me. Damn it, if I’m going to die, I’ll take someone with me! “The one inside… she knows the answer to that question… You… you can go ask her…” The monster smiled. “No rush. I won’t let any of you off the hook.” Blair’s smile vanished instantly. “You bastard! You want to drag me down with you?! I should have finished you off completely back then, you menace!” In my fading consciousness, a smile touched my lips. Blair, even if I die… I’m taking you with me! The monster’s grip tightened further. Just before I completely lost breath, my hands fell limply to my sides, and the bracelet on my arm slipped to the floor. The monster glanced at it casually, then its eyes widened in disbelief. “You! You’re Kira?!”

The monster roughly tossed me onto the floor. Freed from its grip, I gasped for air. I didn’t die! Thank goodness, I actually survived! Blair was even more shocked, pressing herself against the glass. “Kira! You really *are* a monster! Even that terrifying thing knows you! What are you pretending to be normal for?!” “Tell me! Did you bring these monsters?! You filthy bitch, you—ARGH!!!” Before she could finish, her tongue was instantly sliced in two. Blood splattered across the dorm. Chloe, who had just woken up, fainted again at the sight. “Noisy.” The monster frowned in displeasure, then its gaze returned to me. Its voice now held a hint of expectation. “Where did you get that bracelet?” I dared not lie to it. “I designed it myself.” It frowned, shaking its head frantically. “But… but *that person* also had one on their hand.” I suddenly realized something. In the horror game, you could design small accessories for your character, and I had added this bracelet. Could it have recognized me through it? That shouldn’t be possible. I was a weak player, a total noob who couldn’t even crack the bottom of the rankings. How would it remember me? The figure in front of me suddenly slapped its head. “Are you the one who used to say ‘the old man next door’s socks smell better than his cologne’?” …Did it really have to say that out loud? I nodded awkwardly. “Y-yes… that’s me…” The woman, who moments ago had been full of murderous intent, instantly leaped three feet into the air with excitement. “Excellent! I finally found you! Come with me, quickly!” She grabbed me, ready to bolt outside, scaring me so much I clung tightly to the bed frame. “Wait, wait, wait! Where are we going?!” Blair grew frantic. “Are you stupid?! If she wants to go, just go with her! What if she changes her mind and decides to stay? What then?!” I snapped back. “Isn’t my life worth anything?!” Blair glared at me viciously. “A life like yours? Who cares if it’s gone! My parents are waiting for me at home!” To flaunt parental affection in front of someone who had been deprived of family warmth since childhood was practically asking for death. As her words faded, so did her head. With a casual wave of its hand, the monster used a ribbon to twist Blair’s head a full 360 degrees. It rolled to the floor like a perfectly round ball. Blair’s terrified scream was abruptly cut off in her throat; she died without ever understanding what she had done wrong. The monster then turned to me, a radiant smile on its face. “Are you happy she’s dead?” I clenched my fists, wanting to say something, but finally just sighed. I wasn’t a saint. Blair had constantly tried to harm me, so her death was a consequence of her own actions. Seeing my silence, the monster seemed to take it as approval, smiling even more brightly. “Then, when we see *that person*, could you put in a good word for me?” I was a bit confused. “What person?” “Just… the one! We can’t say his name, but he said you’ll understand everything when you see him!” With that, it dragged me outside. I felt like I was going to throw up my guts from running before it finally stopped. It frowned, looking at a group of people ahead. I recognized Derek, my childhood best friend, at the forefront, and quickly waved to him. “Derek! I’m here!” But he looked at me like I was a fly. “You’re still alive?” “Perfect. Our team needs bait to attract fire, and someone as naive as you is just right.” I pointed at myself, incredulous. “Me? Bait?” Derek sneered. “What else? You’ve been stupid since childhood. I say a few nice words, give you a few scraps, and you treat me like your best friend, saying you’d repay me. Well, now’s your chance.” A monster with its head split open had already spotted us from the roadside. It roared and charged. Derek immediately grabbed my collar and shoved me towards the monster. “Kira! This is your fate!” “No!!!” I squeezed my eyes shut, awaiting death. But the next second, I fell into a warm embrace. “Who permitted you to harm her?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299109”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #玄幻Fantasy #魔幻Magic #励志Inspiring

“Jocelyn, give your parachute to Serena, hurry!” The plane’s windshield was shattered, a fierce air current ripped through the cabin, and the fuselage violently bucked. The plane was minutes from crashing. The crew had already deployed their parachutes and jumped. The entire cabin held only Captain Leo Thorne, me, Caleb Vance, and his fiancée, Serena Hayes. In that desperate moment, Serena’s parachute pack was torn. “It’s over… Am I going to die here?” Serena’s face was soaked with tears, her body trembling uncontrollably. That’s when Caleb made his choice. “Didn’t you hear me? Jocelyn! Give your parachute to Serena!” I thought I’d misheard him. “…If I give her my parachute, what about me?” “Stop arguing! Just give it to her. You insisted on coming on this flight with us! You were always the extra one!” After saying that, Caleb snatched the parachute pack directly from me and handed it to Serena. “There’s not much time. You go first.” Serena, still sobbing, put on the parachute. “I’m terrified of heights, I can’t… Caleb, you come with me!” One second she was claiming she couldn’t, the next she was pulling Caleb, who already had his parachute on, and they both jumped. Her piercing scream echoed in the air, fading into the distance. In a matter of seconds, they were gone. Leaving me alone at thirty thousand feet, feeling like I was trapped in a nightmare. “Don’t just stand there, grab onto me. We’ll jump together.” Captain Leo rushed out of the cockpit. The wings and roof of the plane were already on fire, the aircraft completely out of control, moments away from exploding. I knew this wasn’t the time for sentimentality. I clung tightly to Leo, counting one, two, three— We leaped into the thick clouds, accompanied by plumes of black smoke. I thought I was going to die. The moment my parachute opened, Leo and I were violently separated by the turbulent air currents. My body plummeted at an extreme speed, followed by a suffocating, near-death sensation. I plunged into the deep sea like a meteor. I don’t know how much time passed. When I woke, I thought I was dead. The scorching sun beat down, a sea breeze caressed my face. I lay on the ground, coughing violently, spitting out bitter, salty seawater. I… I wasn’t dead. Before me stretched an endless ocean; behind me, a dense forest. Not far away, someone was lying there… I thought it was Leo, who had jumped with me. But as I got closer, I saw it was… Caleb! I looked around, bewildered. There was only us. Caleb’s clothes were soaked with blood. During the fall, his thigh had been gashed by sharp rocks, and he’d passed out from blood loss. “Uncle Caleb! Uncle Caleb!” No matter how I called, he didn’t respond. The wound on his leg wouldn’t stop bleeding. He wouldn’t last much longer. I quickly tore off some of my clothes to tie around his leg, trying to stop the bleeding. The immediate priority was to disinfect the wound. “Uncle Caleb, I’ll carry you. There must be herbs in the forest that can disinfect and stop bleeding…” My small body erupted with an immense burst of energy in that moment. I somehow managed to hoist the almost six-foot-three Caleb onto my back. Every step was incredibly difficult. I walked barefoot into the forest, my skin torn by thorny plants, my body covered in ugly gashes. I’m terrified of insects, and poisonous bugs swarmed in the forest, buzzing around me, biting and stinging, making me itch unbearably. Yet, I didn’t shed a single tear. Because the most important person to me was on my back; I couldn’t afford to fall. Finally, I found herbs for inflammation and bleeding. I chewed them into a pulp and squeezed out the juice, applying it to Caleb’s wound. Only then did my heart finally feel a little steadier. The forest seemed like a giant maze, with no end in sight. “Thirsty… thirsty…” Caleb’s soft murmurs broke my heart. Without fresh water, I could only bite my wrist and feed him my blood. “Uncle Caleb… I’ll definitely get you out of here.” My eyes were bloodshot, my lips cracked, my whole body felt like a zombie. My only thought was to get Caleb to our other scattered companions and out of this terrifying place. I don’t know how long I walked, but eventually, the trees gave way to an open, wild plain. Scattered airplane debris lay everywhere, and the ground showed signs of being scorched. The next second, several familiar figures appeared. It was Captain Leo, flight attendant Maya Jenkins, security guard Grant Bell, and Serena Hayes! They were all here! Leo was the first to spot us and rushed towards me. Seeing familiar faces, my tightly strung nerves finally loosened. A stream of tears flowed down my face, my eyes rolled back, and I fainted. I woke up at noon, my entire body aching as if it had been run over. A bonfire was lit opposite me. I immediately saw Serena nestled in Caleb’s arms, a scene of affectionate display. “Serena, you saved me. I will never fail you in this life…” Serena brushed a light kiss on his lips, nodding shyly. “Uncle Caleb… it was me who saved you, though…” Caleb gave me a cold glance. “Jocelyn, you’re getting better and better at lying. Do you really need to claim credit for this too? If Serena hadn’t told me, I wouldn’t have known that *you* were the one who broke her parachute pack. People’s lives were at stake, how could you be so reckless?” “Uncle Caleb… I just woke up. Aren’t you even going to ask how I got all these injuries?” Caleb stiffly turned his head away. “If you hadn’t stubbornly followed me onto the plane, would any of this have happened? You brought it on yourself!” “So you gave my parachute to Serena?” “You didn’t die, did you? What’s the point of holding a grudge now?” Watching his indifferent expression, my heart ached as if it were being ripped to shreds. The pain was so intense that it turned numb. I brushed away the lingering tears from my eyes. “Fine, I won’t be reckless anymore.” I won’t cling to you ever again. Once we’re safely off this island, I’ll completely disappear from your world.

The plane crash had stranded everyone on this remote island. With no communication tools, we couldn’t contact the outside world, forced to passively await rescue. But before that, we had to survive. There were seven of us trapped on the island: Besides me, Caleb Vance, Serena Hayes, and Captain Leo Thorne, there were co-pilot Paul Davies, security guard Grant Bell, and flight attendant Maya Jenkins. The first order of business was to distribute supplies. Leo and Caleb had both brought some food and water before jumping, just in case. But resources were scarce; these meager provisions weren’t enough for seven people. “One portion each.” Leo and Caleb had already divided all the food and water equally into seven shares. Everyone immediately tucked their portion away, afraid someone else would try to grab it. That’s when Serena started her usual antics again. She pointed at the crackers in my hand and said, “I like those crackers. Can I have them?” My brow furrowed. I ignored her directly. “Jocelyn, I’ll give you my chocolate, and you give me your crackers.” It was obvious to anyone that the crackers were a much larger portion than the chocolate. Serena was clearly trying to take advantage of me. “Sorry, I don’t like chocolate.” Serena pouted, tugging at Caleb’s arm petulantly. “Caleb, I really want those crackers…” Caleb glanced at the crackers in my hand and said without hesitation, “Jocelyn, trade with her.” Before I could even react, Caleb stepped forward and took the crackers from my lap. Just like he’d taken my parachute. Authoritatively. Serena took the crackers, happily hugging Caleb and kissing him on the cheek. “Caleb, you’re the best.” Caleb’s expression didn’t change. He then pushed the chocolate into my lap. I didn’t take it. The chocolate fell to the ground and Paul quickly snatched it up. “Can you stop being so stubborn? It’s just crackers! Why do you always have to make things difficult for Serena?” My face was filled with shock. The person before me was utterly unrecognizable. Was this still the uncle who had brought me home and promised to protect me? “It’s alright, Caleb. Jocelyn’s still young, it’s normal for her to throw little tantrums. Don’t pay her any mind.” Caleb snorted coldly and, with Serena’s help, turned and walked away. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t grieve over him anymore, but the sadness still clung to me like a bad habit. After finally pulling myself together, I returned to the bonfire. The others were already discussing how to use the available resources to send out a distress signal. The seven of us split into three groups. The first group would go to the beach to collect wood for a bonfire, hoping to attract passing ships or planes. The second group would stay put and arrange “SOS” signals with branches and stones. The third group would use airplane wreckage and branches to build a makeshift shelter. The weather on the island was unpredictable. If we encountered severe weather like heavy rain or typhoons, we’d at least have some protection from the elements. Caleb was injured and couldn’t move easily, so he stayed behind to rest. I volunteered to go to the more distant beach. Among these people, I was the only one who had walked from the beach through the forest, so I was already familiar with the route. Serena, for some reason, also volunteered to go to the beach. Though I was reluctant, I had no reason to refuse her company. “Wait.” Caleb suddenly called out to us. But before he could say anything, Leo stepped forward, holding a pair of makeshift sandals he’d just woven from grass. “Jocelyn, you should wear these. The path is so rough, and you have cuts on your feet. We don’t want them to get infected.” My shoes had been washed away by the sea, so I’d been forced to go barefoot, every step painful. “Thank you.” I looked at Leo gratefully. Behind them, Caleb’s expression subtly changed. He silently pushed the canvas shoes he’d found among the plane wreckage further under a rock behind him. He said nothing at all.

We walked in silence. I led the way, with Serena trailing behind. “I’m so tired. How much longer until we get there?” Serena finally broke the silence, but it was just a string of complaints. “I didn’t ask you to come. If you’re tired, you can go back.” “Don’t provoke me! I’m not going back.” “Then shut up, say less, and conserve your energy.” Serena scoffed, then abruptly changed her tone. “Guess why I wanted to be on your team?” I didn’t answer. “I just wanted to tell you to give up on Caleb early. He’s never going to be with you! You’re his enemy now; he hates you more than anything.” “…What do you mean?” Seeing me turn back, Serena hugged her shoulders triumphantly. “You don’t know yet, do you—” Her words were cut short by a sudden roar of a wild animal in the distance. I quickly clapped a hand over her mouth. “Don’t speak!” The roar was long and low, carrying a strong warning. Serena was shaking all over, tears streaming down her face. I pressed myself against the ground, feeling the vibrations from the roar. The beast’s footsteps were relentless, getting closer and closer— “Run!” I gripped Serena’s wrist tightly and sprinted forward. Every second was terrifying; I ran with all my might. But Serena was losing stamina, her steps growing heavier and heavier. “I’m tired! I’m not running anymore!” Serena cried, shaking off my hand and plopping down on the ground. “Do you want to die?” I couldn’t leave her alone there, so I desperately pulled her! “I’m just not running! What’s that thing going to do, eat me?” The roars grew closer, my heart was pounding out of my chest. In that instant, I forcefully dragged Serena behind a thick tree. Holding my breath, I silently watched the direction the roar had come from. Within seconds, a tiger slowly emerged from the depths of the woods. It was over two meters long, exceptionally robust, with piercing amber eyes. Serena, who had just been loudly complaining about not running, was now too terrified to move. If it weren’t for me, she would have collapsed into a trembling heap. The tiger didn’t seem to notice us. I was secretly relieved when Serena suddenly let out a shriek. “Ah!” A flying insect had landed on her hand. “Bug! Bug!” With that scream, my heart plummeted. Without thinking, I dragged Serena deeper into the forest. In our escape, we bumped into Paul, who was collecting firewood. “Run!” Paul, confused, looked back curiously. Before he could even register what was happening, the tiger sprang from the dense bushes and bit deeply into his thigh! Serena’s screams were so loud they drowned out Paul’s last cry. I don’t know how long passed, but the tiger’s roars gradually faded. I went back alone to look for Paul, but only found half of his body and his head. His internal organs had been torn out, his intestines dragged far away, and his thighs and arms were mangled beyond recognition. Serena had run back alone and told the others about encountering the tiger. The others arrived with torches. Seeing Paul’s body, they were all struck speechless with terror. Serena reacted even more violently, throwing up on the spot. Then, she pointed at me, turning it all around on me. “Jocelyn, I never thought you’d be this kind of person… Because I traded crackers with you earlier, you bore a grudge and wanted to get back at me… The tiger was clearly going to pass us by, but *you* screamed, which made it notice us! If it weren’t for you, Paul wouldn’t have died…” Serena cried and accused, pinning all the blame on me. “Even if you hate me, you can’t play with people’s lives… What did Paul ever do wrong?” She sobbed incessantly, tears flowing like a flood. Paul’s death was truly horrific, and it fueled the anger of the others.

“It’s terrifying, a young girl with such a vicious heart… Is she some kind of sociopath?” Maya said. “Paul was so innocent… Someone else deserved to die!” Grant glared at me. Leo, however, spoke up for me. “We’re all in this together. I believe Jocelyn wouldn’t intentionally lure a tiger to harm a companion. Things aren’t clear yet; let’s not jump to conclusions.” “What’s not clear? Jocelyn is a murderer! I refuse to stay with a sociopath like her! Who knows how we’ll end up dying!” Maya retorted. “Yeah! Why wasn’t she the one bitten by the tiger? She’s the one who deserves to die!” Grant added. Serena continued to sob. When Caleb approached, she immediately threw herself into his arms. “Caleb, I was so scared just now…” “Mr. Vance, Paul was indirectly killed by your precious niece. You at least owe us an explanation, right?” Maya challenged. Caleb’s eyes were bloodshot. After looking at Paul’s body, he walked up to me and asked, “Did you really lure the tiger?” I let out a bitter laugh. “If I said no, would you believe me?” “_Smack_—” My left cheek burned with a stinging pain. Caleb, in front of everyone, had slapped me hard. “Jocelyn, how could you have become so vicious?” It hurt—my face hurt, and my heart hurt even more. I lifted my head, my gaze utterly devoid of emotion. “How could I be so vicious? Of course, it’s because my uncle raised me so well.” “Say that again!” Another slap was about to land, but Leo stepped in front of me. “Enough! Stop it! This isn’t the time for infighting. Paul is dead; we should be uniting! I’m the captain. I vouch for Jocelyn. She would absolutely never do anything to harm anyone here! If she really did something, you can throw both of us into the sea!” With Leo’s guarantee, and the fact that I had also been hit, the others finally quieted down a bit. They dug a pit to bury Paul’s body, then returned to the shelter. Caleb and Serena walked ahead, with Leo and me following behind. “Does it hurt?” Leo reached out to touch my face, but I flinched away. “I’m fine. Thank you for earlier.” Leo sighed, then pressed a piece of candy into my hand. “No matter what, I’m always on your side.” Unbeknownst to us, we had already been on the island for a week. Food was nearly depleted, and fresh water was almost gone. But rescue had still not arrived. Every day, the few of us went to the beach to keep watch, lighting bonfires and arranging huge “SOS” signals on the sand. We just hoped that a passing plane or ship would notice us. Caleb’s injuries had healed considerably, so he joined them in heading out to sea every day. Fishing, hunting, distilling fresh water. Every day, the cycle repeated. I hadn’t spoken to Caleb again. He spent every day with Serena. I had become the unwanted one. During my university days, I had joined a wilderness hiking club, so I was quite skilled in survival techniques. I couldn’t swim, but I was the one who caught the most fish. Whenever I caught fish, Grant and Maya would wait nearby. As soon as I pulled in a fish, they would immediately rush forward and snatch the largest and fattest one. They claimed it was punishment for me luring the tiger. In reality, it was just bullying. “Are you ever going to stop?” When I caught a fish, Grant and Maya once again picked out the biggest one. And then they also drank the purified fresh water I had just distilled. I had reached my limit and yelled at them. “You lured the tiger and caused Paul’s death, so you should atone for it! What’s wrong with catching a few fish for us? Now you’re playing the victim!” I refused to back down. I shoved Maya away and snatched back the fish I’d caught. “If you want fish, go catch your own.” Grant, who had a short temper, raised his hand and shoved me. My shoulder ached intensely, and I stumbled, falling to the ground. “What the hell do you think you are? Daring to yell at me like that!” Grant’s face was contorted in a snarl. The next second, he climbed directly on top of me.

“Get off me!” I struggled relentlessly, but it was no use. “Look how delicate you are, want to bet I’ll have my way with you right here?! I’ll make you scream for mercy!” I had never in my life suffered such an insult. I pushed and resisted, but it only made Grant’s taunts and advances more fervent. Just then, Caleb and Serena emerged from the forest, carrying wild fruit. Seeing the scene, a surge of blood rushed through Caleb’s body, and anger blazed through him. He was just about to rush forward when Serena called out to him. “Caleb, don’t you hate her? Don’t help her, let her figure it out herself. She’s your enemy.” Caleb’s heart ached intensely. In those few seconds of hesitation, Grant had already ripped my clothes. “You animal! What the hell are you doing?!” Caleb still didn’t intervene. Because Leo had returned. The firewood in his arms scattered everywhere as he darted forward, tackling Grant. I cowered to the side, clutching my shoulders tightly, my pained eyes fixed on Caleb’s face. They remained there, unmoving. This man who had raised me, this man I would willingly give my life to save, was watching me being violated, and he did nothing. A sliver of confusion emerged from the despair. I had heard everything Serena said just now. Serena had said the same thing before. She said… Caleb hated me. The chaotic scene finally ended. Grant was beaten to a pulp by Leo, no longer daring to make a sound. But a shadow had been cast over my heart forever. The others built a makeshift shelter on the beach, and as night fell, everyone gradually went to sleep. I secretly called Serena out. “What did you mean by what you said earlier this evening? Why did you say my uncle hates me? Why am I his enemy?” Serena seemed to have anticipated my coming to her, and immediately let out a cold laugh. “You still don’t know, do you? Your uncle found out your true identity six months ago. And guess how coincidental it is: the truck driver who killed your adoptive parents—his brother and sister-in-law—was *your biological father*, the one who abandoned you twenty years ago!” In that moment, I felt like plunging into an icy abyss. My heart felt like it was being repeatedly stabbed by the sharpest knife. The pain spread through every fiber of my being, leaving me unable to breathe, unable to move a single inch. …My biological father? That term felt impossibly distant to me. I had grown up in an orphanage, never knowing my birth parents. When I was eight, my adoptive parents brought me home. That was the first time I felt the warmth of a family. Two years later, when I was ten, my adoptive parents died in a car crash. Caleb brought me home, a second orphan. For ten years, he raised me from a little girl into a young woman, watched me grow, and treated me with thousands of kindnesses, more than anyone else in the world. Caleb didn’t know, but I had fallen in love with him long ago. He was the secret crush of my teenage years, the sole star of my most vivid dreams, the one constant in my life for all these years. On my eighteenth birthday, I drank a glass of red wine and waltzed with him, my arms around his neck. I deliberately wore a seductive dress, a clumsy attempt at seduction, an innocent provocation. After ten years, I had grown thirty centimeters taller; I could reach his lips on tiptoe. And I did. I pressed my lips against his, trembling as if struck by lightning. My tongue traced the tight seam of his lips, desperate for even the slightest hint of a response. The next second, he pushed me away. “What the hell is wrong with you?!” His eyes blazing red, he shoved me away. The cake crashed to the floor, a messy ruin, and he stormed out of the house. He was gone for two years. When he returned, he had a fiancée. He seemed like a different person, treating me with utter coldness. I thought it was because of our forbidden love, but it wasn’t until today that I realized it was more than that. I had become the daughter of the man who killed his brother and sister-in-law, his enemies. But I was a victim too. I didn’t even know that man. Did sharing the same blood make us family? I couldn’t understand it, only felt a deeper despair. There was too great a distance between me and the man I loved most. No matter how far I walked, I couldn’t reach him.

“Every second you’re around, Caleb’s reminded of his brother and sister-in-law’s death! He hates you, *despises* you! And you’re still clinging to him like a leech, aren’t you shameless? You should just die! Don’t ever appear in front of Caleb and me again! If you were gone, everyone would have some peace!” Serena’s eyes were full of hatred. She grew more and more agitated, then lunged at me without warning! “Go to hell!” She shoved my shoulder hard. I abruptly lost my balance and fell backward. In her excitement, her foot slipped, and she fell into the sea with me. I barely knew how to swim, just enough to dog paddle and keep myself from sinking to the bottom. I didn’t want anyone to die, so I struggled to grab Serena. But she didn’t cooperate at all, thrashing about, trying to push me down to climb ashore. The more she struggled, the faster she sank. “Help! Help! Someone!” I called for help repeatedly, finally waking the others. “What’s going on? What happened?!” Caleb saw Serena and me both in the water, his face ashen. He immediately ran towards us. Leo quickly followed, jumping into the water too! The moment he hit the water, Caleb glanced at me, then coldly turned away, swimming towards Serena. Leo also jumped in, pulling me onto the shore in one swift motion. Serena had swallowed a lot of seawater and lay on the ground, barely conscious. Caleb cupped her chin and gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Finally, Serena regained consciousness, coughing up all the seawater from her lungs. “Caleb… you scared me so much!” Serena clung tightly to Caleb’s neck, crying hysterically. “What happened?” Serena sobbed, “Jocelyn said she needed to talk to me, so I went out with her. She resented me for taking your attention away, told me to stay away from you, and even cursed me to die… Then, then she got more and more agitated and shoved me…” I had no strength left to argue, leaning against Leo’s chest, panting heavily. “Is that really what happened?” Caleb stood up and demanded, looking at me. I said nothing, burying my head in Leo’s chest and letting the tears flow freely. Seeing me leaning against Leo, Caleb’s gaze instantly turned sharp. That inexplicable possessiveness surged within him. He frowned deeply, pulled me roughly from Leo’s embrace, and demanded, “Speak! Is what she said true?!” I rested my head against his chest and said softly, “Think whatever you want.” I was done trying to explain. A sharp pain pierced Caleb’s heart. Looking into my inexplicably sad eyes, he felt a strange difficulty breathing. “…Consider all the years I raised you a waste.” Caleb hardened his heart and shoved me to the ground. He took Serena’s hand and walked away decisively. Leo caught me, steadying me, and draped his jacket over my shoulders. “Why didn’t you explain? I know you’re not that kind of person.” Hearing Leo’s words, I felt an even deeper sense of irony. Even a stranger could see I wasn’t such a malicious person. But my dearest uncle, he didn’t believe me. Was it disbelief, or unwillingness to believe? Days turned into weeks. Unbeknownst to us, half a month had already passed. They didn’t wait for rescue; instead, they faced a terrifying disaster. The day had been perfectly clear, but the night brought ominous clouds and raging winds. Deep-sea fish mysteriously washed ashore, and the tide receded eerily. “Something’s wrong here, we need to fall back immediately!” Caleb had a bad feeling. These strange phenomena couldn’t mean anything good! Serena and the others didn’t take it seriously. “It’s probably just going to rain again, it’s fine.” “No, everyone, retreat quickly!”

Leo’s tone was serious, ordering everyone to immediately pack up and retreat into the forest. “I don’t want to go… there are tigers in the forest.” Serena whimpered pathetically. “Are you deaf?! Something bad is about to happen!” Leo retorted, his face grim. At that moment, a strange rumbling sound began to rise from the ground. “Tsunami! It’s a tsunami!” I was the first to react. “Run!” Serena was also frightened by the eerie rumbling. She grabbed whatever was at hand and ran into the forest with the others. “Head for higher ground!” Caleb directed everyone to evacuate. Before long, towering waves suddenly erupted from the sea, crashing violently onto the coast. Seawater surged inland, trees snapped. We were minuscule like specks of dust, chased by the waves. The ground shook violently. We scrambled desperately up the high ground behind the coast. I was agile, no worse than the men. But Serena was useless. After climbing for a while, her limbs gave out. Her foot slipped, and she lost her balance, on the verge of falling. In that instant, she instinctively grabbed my foot, which was above her. “Ah!” She yanked me hard, and I slid directly down the slope. Serena, however, managed to regain her balance and miraculously escaped falling. “Jocelyn!” Caleb watched as I fell. I landed heavily between two large rocks at the bottom of the cliff. My eyes were half-open; I had lost the ability to move. “Jocelyn!” Caleb turned to jump down, but Serena clung to him tightly. “You can’t save her now! If you die, what about the company? What about the Vance family?!” No sooner had she spoken than another towering wave swept across the ground. In my last second of consciousness, Caleb was simply staring at me, unmoving. “No, I have to go back and save her!” Caleb’s heart ached as if it were dying. It felt as if something vital was slowly draining from his body. He went down step by step. By the time he reached the bottom, the world had returned to calm. As if nothing had happened. “Jocelyn! Jocelyn!” He searched for what felt like an eternity but still couldn’t find me. The massive waves had carried me back to the beach. I used all my strength to cling to a reef, preventing myself from being swept into the deep sea. When it was all over, my entire body felt like it had been run over by a car. Every bone ached agonizingly. I was still wearing the red jacket Leo had given me. It was dazzlingly red. Lying on the cold sand, I suddenly heard a whooshing sound above my head. My heart pounded fiercely. I thought I was dreaming. It was… a helicopter! I saw the helicopter circling in mid-air. I cried out through the pain, “Help! Help!” Perhaps the helicopter heard my faint plea, or perhaps it was drawn by my red jacket. In any case, it stopped. The roaring sound was deafening. I saw the helicopter land on the beach not far away. Several people in uniform got out and were running towards me! After so many days, I was finally going to be rescued. I let out a long sigh of relief. After telling them I had other companions, I peacefully closed my eyes. As my consciousness faded, I remembered everything I had endured during those days. Being slandered, being hit, being violated… And the person closest to me had always watched with cold indifference. Well, Caleb, you finally made me give up on you for good. The rescue team pulled everyone from the deserted island and took us to the hospital. I had been severely injured by the storm, suffering from lung infection and multiple fractures all over my body. I was barely recognizable. When I woke again, a day and a night had passed. Both my legs were in casts, and moving even slightly caused excruciating pain. I was grateful to be alive. After surviving such a life-or-death experience, I finally understood. The others had only sustained minor injuries. I was the abandoned one; my survival was nothing short of a miracle. That afternoon, Leo came to see me. Aside from a few scrapes on his face, there was barely any sign that he too had endured nearly half a month of survival on that deserted island. “Jocelyn… I wanted to go down and save you then, but you were already gone. I’m sorry…” I shook my head. “In a life-or-death situation, everyone’s choices are their own. You don’t need to apologize to me.” Leo’s eyes were red, filled with guilt. My expression, however, was a stark contrast to his. My gaze was calm, as if I no longer cared about anything that had happened.

Leo hadn’t left yet. He had been gathering his thoughts for a while, about to say something, when the hospital room door was pushed open again. The tapping sound of a cane hitting the floor made my heart clench. Without turning around, I knew who it was. It was Caleb’s father, my adoptive grandfather, Mr. Vance Sr. Caleb escorted Mr. Vance Sr. into the room. “Grandpa, Uncle Caleb…” I murmured softly, my gaze no longer lingering on Caleb for a second. Mr. Vance Sr. snorted coldly. “Serves you right! If you hadn’t shamelessly followed Caleb, would all this have happened? Serena told me you even broke her parachute pack, nearly killing her on the plane! What were your intentions? How could the Vance family have raised such a useless girl?” “What does this have to do with Jocelyn? A broken parachute pack was just an accident, and Mr. Vance is no saint, he snatched Jocelyn’s parachute and gave it to his beloved fiancée, didn’t he? It wasn’t Serena who almost died, but Jocelyn… You’re Jocelyn’s grandfather, yet you come in here and immediately start barraging her with questions? She’s still injured. Is everyone in your family this heartless?” “Leo!” Caleb’s eyes flashed with barely suppressed anger, his gaze instantly turning sharp. “What, did I say something wrong?” The tension in the air was palpable. “It was my fault for being thoughtless, for interrupting Uncle Caleb’s plans. I shouldn’t have boarded that plane. It was only right for him to give his parachute to his fiancée. I’m just an adopted child of the Vance family; my life isn’t worth much anyway. Dying wouldn’t be a loss. I’m already very content to have miraculously survived. I’m sorry, Uncle Caleb. I won’t ever trouble you again.” I said calmly, my voice completely flat. Caleb’s heart clenched. He countered, “You?” “You’re an elder. Is there anything wrong with addressing you that way?” Mr. Vance Sr.’s expression finally softened somewhat. “It’s good that you know your place! Don’t cause Caleb any more trouble in the future! Otherwise, I won won’t be so lenient with you!” If it had been before, I would have been utterly wronged, turning my gaze to Caleb, seeking his protection and comfort. But this time, I was exceptionally calm, even detached. “Jocelyn…” Caleb felt a growing unease in his heart, a stifling pressure in his chest. “It’s getting late, Grandpa, Uncle Caleb. You should head back. I apologize for causing you trouble; it won’t happen again.” Mr. Vance Sr. had originally been seething with anger, ready to properly discipline this disobedient girl. But his rage met no resistance, and it deflated. Although displeased, he couldn’t continue to pick a fight. “Come on, Caleb. Serena is waiting downstairs. Aren’t you two going for a wedding dress fitting soon?” At the mention of wedding dresses, Caleb subconsciously glanced at me, feeling a strange apprehension. But I seemed not to have heard him, my eyes empty. He finally panicked, a cold dread washing over him. “Jocelyn, are you okay?” I shook my head. “I’m fine. You should go, don’t worry about me.” “I… I’ll stay with you for a bit.” “Stay for what? Is she a three-year-old?” Mr. Vance Sr. was about to erupt again. Caleb swallowed the words he was about to say. “Alright, your twentieth birthday is coming up soon. I’ll come pick you up from the hospital then, and we’ll celebrate properly.” “We’ll see.” I stopped looking at Caleb. Appearing tired, I turned my gaze towards the window. That dull ache grew stronger and stronger, making even breathing difficult. Caleb grew more and more uneasy, but he didn’t know what else to say. Ultimately, he gave up, leaving with a promise of “I’ll come see you tomorrow,” then departed with Mr. Vance Sr. Life in the hospital was exceptionally calm. I no longer had that stubborn persistence I once had; instead, I felt lighter. Caleb had visited me a few times, perhaps plagued by guilt. He was no longer cold and aloof, seeming to have transformed back into the uncle who had once spoiled and indulged me unconditionally. But I knew, everything had changed.

Caleb was his father’s child born late in life; his father was busy with work, so his older brother and sister-in-law were closer to him. His older brother had raised him; his elder brother was like a father to him. In his heart, his brother was the most important person. And my biological father, whom I had never met, had killed the people he cherished most. I shared the same blood as the murderer of his brother and sister-in-law. This was my original sin. It didn’t matter anymore. Anyway, I was leaving. The day I was discharged from the hospital was also my twentieth birthday. Caleb kept his word and came to pick me up early that morning. He ignored the subtle tension between us, wrapped an arm around my waist, and intended to carry me bridal style. The moment he touched me, I flinched away as if pricked by a needle. “No, thanks. I can walk myself.” Caleb’s arms felt suddenly empty, a strange panic stirring within him. In the car, he opened the passenger door for me, but I quietly sat in the back seat. “Jocelyn… there are some things I need to take care of at the company. Once I’m done, I’ll come home to celebrate your birthday.” I nodded absently. In fact, I had just seen Caleb’s SnapChat messages with Serena. They were going to take wedding photos today. After arriving home, Caleb gave a few instructions and then hurried off. Watching his retreating figure, I felt a sense of relief. My legs were still a bit weak, so I walked slowly, taking a long time to reach the second floor. My room was right next to Caleb’s. Before I came back, Caleb must have had someone clean it. The room was immaculately clean, as if I had never left. The walls were covered with photos of Caleb and me, a painful sight now. I tore all those photos down. And the diary in my drawer, filled with my teenage crushes and secret thoughts about Caleb, I threw it into the fire pit. I burned it all to ashes. When Caleb first brought me home, I lived there for a decade. The days were long, but in this house, there were surprisingly few things that truly belonged to me. I only packed a small amount of clothes and necessary documents. Everything else that was useless, I burned. The plush doll Caleb gave me when he brought me home; The unburnt candle from my fifteenth birthday cake, prepared by Caleb; The princess dress he gave me when I was sixteen… Too many memories. My life had been completely filled by Caleb. Now, I was going to burn it all away. When I left, the room was still immaculately clean, but all traces of me had been completely erased. I took only one twenty-four-inch suitcase. That was all. As the car drove to the airport, the sky was clear and sunny, and my heart felt a sense of newfound clarity and lightness. I was finally leaving. What I once thought was inseparable, I managed to let go of. Caleb, this time I won’t cling to you anymore. Goodbye. Ahead lay a new world. I was going to walk into it alone.

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My Ex-Employers Can Go to Hell It was my fifth year as a personal caregiver for the Harrison brothers. Julian’s paralyzed legs were strong enough to carry him again, and Leo, who’d been blind, could finally see. Just when I thought I’d finally warmed these two brothers’ hearts, and everything was about to get better, after five years of silence, Chloe Hayes came back. It was to stop her from leaving the country that Julian and Leo had engaged in a reckless high-speed chase on the highway that ended in a horrific crash, leaving them both critically injured. That day, I finally understood. I wanted to see the Switzerland my mother had longed for before she died. … “Shameless! A mere caregiver, completely forgetting her place. Did she really think a few years of looking after the Harrison brothers would suddenly change who she is?” “Now she’s a joke! The moment news broke of the Hayes heiress’s return, they dumped her flat and left her for us to laugh at.” “If I were her, I’d just throw myself in front of a bus. No matter how she dressed up, that desperate, cheap vibe just reeked off her.” I was enveloped by their scornful, mocking stares, every word a jab at my self-delusion. Yes, I had indeed misunderstood. Yesterday, they had eagerly pulled me along, picking out dresses and accessories. Tomorrow, the Harrison family was hosting a grand banquet for them. And I, the great benefactor who helped them recover, was to be publicly thanked. When Leo said it, his eyes shone with an undeniable joy. But when his gaze met mine, he shifted it away awkwardly, as if hiding a secret. After we finally finished trying on clothes, Julian was called away by a phone call. Leo eagerly led me to his room. He pressed his lips together, his eyelashes trembling slightly with nervousness. “Tomorrow, I’m going to say something very important at the banquet. Really, really important. So you have to listen carefully.” “This year, I want to watch the snow with you.” In that moment, I remembered the winter when Leo’s blindness hadn’t yet healed. I stood with Leo by the door, feeling the soft crunch of snowflakes falling around us. We’d only been out for a little while when Leo fumbled, trying to go back inside. But he slipped on the icy ground, falling in a messy, furious heap. He blindly scooped up a handful of snow and flung it in my direction, his voice raw with fury. “Are you deliberately trying to make fun of me? You know I’m blind and can’t see, but you brought me out to watch the snow. Are you trying to humiliate me?” “Seeing me like this, are you satisfied?” I sighed, standing still, letting him vent his emotions. Then I knelt down and shaped a small snowman, placing it in his palm. “Some things, you only truly realize you’ve memorized when you can’t see them.” “Feel it carefully. Can you remember what snow looks like now?” Only when the snowman was about to melt did I take out a clean, soft handkerchief and carefully wipe the melted snow from his hands. Afterward, I heard Leo say, confused: “Only when I can’t see do I realize what I’ve memorized? “But why is it only your face that appears in my mind right now?” In that moment, surrounded by the vast expanse of snow, I said nothing. But I clearly heard the sudden acceleration of my heartbeat in my chest, answering him. After returning from the banquet, I changed out of my elaborate dress. I went back to my small room and skillfully pulled out a somewhat worn notebook from a drawer. I flipped through the pages, one by one, until my eyes blurred, and warm tears streamed down my face, dripping onto the paper. It was as if I was crying out all the grievances I’d endured over these past few years. I remembered my mother’s frail, drawn face in her final days, whispering weakly from her hospital bed: “Skylar, my two biggest regrets in life were not being able to give you a better life and not being able to visit Switzerland myself.” “If you ever get the chance, go see it for me, won’t you? How beautiful it truly is, the place that kept him from ever coming back to see me.” I don’t know how long passed before I closed the notebook and put it back in the drawer. From inside, I pulled out another document. It was the employment contract I had signed to care for Julian and Leo. The contract was for five years, and now, only seven days remained until it ended. So, I’ll use these seven days to say a proper goodbye. It’s time for all of this to come to an end.

It wasn’t until dusk began to fall that Julian and Leo finally returned. They didn’t talk much when they were alone; it was usually only when I was present that the atmosphere would lighten. But now, it seemed I was no longer needed. Because walking back with them was Chloe Hayes. The two tall men shielded her between them, Leo lowering his head, searching for conversation topics. He constantly monitored Chloe’s expression, and even the usually taciturn Julian had a slight smile playing on his lips. They looked harmonious and warm. She playfully patted Leo’s forehead, her voice chiding. “Leo, you’re such a child. Even if you’re upset or angry, you shouldn’t shave a girl’s head.” “It was just a caregiver, after all. Hair grows back.” Chloe pouted, feigning anger, and said coquettishly: “So if I ever make you angry, will you shave *my* head too?” Leo immediately clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture, promising: “My dear princess, how could I ever be angry with you? Besides, if anyone dared to make you lose even a single strand of hair, I’d make them pay for it a thousand times over.” This humble, fawning Leo was someone I had never seen before. I listened to all of this in silence, a bitter taste in my mouth. Because the caregiver with the shaved head Leo was talking about was me. After Julian and Leo’s car accident, the family had practically given up on them, and all the household staff had been reassigned. Only the two incapacitated men were left in the mansion. It just so happened that my mother had recently been diagnosed with a fibroid tumor, requiring a large sum of money for examination and treatment. Initially, I had simply been living with my mother in the Harrison family’s guest house. After her illness, with nowhere to find money, I proactively approached Julian and offered my services as a caregiver. I signed that contract, becoming their exclusive caregiver. Back then, shortly after his accident, Leo couldn’t accept the reality of his blindness and resisted anyone who tried to approach him. After I used a little force to make him eat, Leo held a grudge. He sneaked into my room in the dead of night, and with a shaver, mercilessly cut off my waist-length hair that I had kept for many years. Afterward, Leo even gleefully brandished his “weapon of choice,” threatening: “Next time you try to pull a stunt on me, it won’t be just this.” I cradled the pile of hair on the floor and cried all night. But now, Leo was using it as a joke to tell others.

The three of them were chatting animatedly, and it wasn’t until they reached the living room that they noticed the presence of a fourth person. “Long time no see, Skylar. Here’s a check for a hundred thousand dollars, a thank you for taking such good care of Julian and Leo these past few years.” With that, Chloe pulled a check from her purse and offered it to me. I didn’t take it. I sat there because I wanted to know if, after all these years, I was still nothing more than a caregiver in their hearts. If so, then why had they said all those things that made me dream? I looked up at the two men standing not far away, but they wouldn’t even spare me a glance. Their attention was entirely fixed on Chloe. Perhaps, the answer was already clear, wasn’t it? I stood up, my voice flat. “It was just part of my job. Ms. Hayes, there’s no need for this.” Seeing my reaction, Chloe didn’t say anything more and withdrew the check. “Since that’s the case, let me just add a few words. The Harrison family has strict rules. Now that Julian and Leo are back managing the company, there will inevitably be guests coming and going. Skylar, you’d best not make the mistake of sitting on the main sofa a second time, lest someone see you.” “I’m just giving you friendly advice. I’d hate for you to live here so long you start thinking you’re the lady of the house and behave improperly.” She finished, then turned to Julian and asked: “Right, Julian?” Julian smiled at her indulgently, his voice soft: “Whatever my Chloe says.” When I heard his reply, my eyes welled up slightly. Before, I took care of their daily needs and meals. No matter how tired I was, I always stuck to the rules, never eating or sitting with them. Only when they rested in the afternoon would I doze off, slumped at the dining table. Over time, I developed chronic back pain. Once, I fell asleep at the table, groggy from exhaustion, and didn’t even realize Julian had moved me to the sofa. When I woke up and felt the soft comfort beneath me, I immediately panicked, ready to apologize. But Julian’s voice was gentle as he told me: “It’s just the three of us here. You can think of this as your home.” I quickly tried to refuse, saying it wasn’t my place to presume. But Julian replied, sounding troubled: “If you don’t agree, I’ll just have to drag these useless legs and carry you here myself every time.” That day, I felt warmth. And today, I clearly saw reality again. I forced a bitter smile, my voice low as I responded: “I’m sorry. I’ll be more mindful of my behavior from now on, and it won’t happen again.” My feet felt like lead as I turned to leave, and tears flowed uncontrollably. Back in my room, I took out my phone and booked a flight to Switzerland. Seven days later, the person walking out of the Harrison family home would be a new me, starting fresh.

That evening, I still prepared dinner according to Julian and Leo’s tastes. As I turned to head back to the kitchen to eat the portion I’d set aside for myself, Chloe called out to me. “Skylar, why don’t you join us? I remember you grew up here too, didn’t you? There are no outsiders tonight, so it’s a good chance to catch up.” I was about to refuse when I heard Leo speak, frowning: “Just sit. Don’t make that angry face. Chloe just got back; don’t upset her.” The atmosphere grew tense, so I reluctantly sat down. As I picked up my fork to serve myself some food, Chloe suddenly remembered something amusing and burst out laughing. “I just remembered seeing Skylar once when I came to the main Harrison estate for dinner as a child.” My hand, holding the fork, trembled, and my face went pale. I almost fell off my chair. Chloe propped her chin on her hand and continued, oblivious: “Julian and Leo were there too, right? I hated the food and snuck out. You two were worried and followed me out.” “Then I saw Skylar sitting in a corner with her bowl. I was curious and wanted to get a closer look, but I accidentally knocked her bowl over. Suddenly, a dog darted out, snatched the meat from the ground, and ran off! Skylar was so desperate she chased after it, trying to snatch the meat back!” As she recounted the story, she truly seemed to find it hilarious, covering her mouth and giggling non-stop. My fingers, clenched around the fork, were white. I couldn’t speak. Back then, my mother and I had only recently moved into the Harrison house. I was at an age where I was growing fast and always hungry. It was only when the main family hosted banquets that I could get a decent meal. In my desperation, I had indeed fought with a dog over a piece of meat. Bringing up such an old, humiliating story in front of everyone was undoubtedly meant to put me down. “No wonder Skylar has worked so tirelessly for Julian and Leo all these years. Perhaps she thought that given enough time, she could latch onto one of them and never have to live that hard life she did as a child again.” “Chloe, that’s enough. Stop talking.” Leo, uncharacteristically, didn’t agree, cutting the topic short. I looked up, thinking he might defend me. But then I heard him say: “My brother and I aren’t that foolish. Just anyone can’t marry into the Harrison family.” Julian also put down his fork, his voice deep and brooking no argument: “Skylar, our relationship is purely employer-employee. My brother and I are grateful for her help with our rehabilitation and treatment, but that’s all it is. Skylar, please don’t entertain any inappropriate thoughts.” Their words were like sharp blades twisting in my heart. My body swayed, and I instinctively grabbed the table, the last flicker of hope inside me extinguished. Yes, how could I still harbor such inappropriate expectations for these two? I was indeed wrong. Wrong for not simply sticking to my role as a caregiver from the beginning, for giving too much of my heart. **Chapter 5** That night, I lay in bed, my mind replaying all the moments from the past five years. Why did all those beautiful memories seem to vanish so easily, as if they never existed, the moment Chloe reappeared? I never foolishly dreamed of marrying into the Harrison family. I just wanted to draw a little warmth from here. After my mother died two years ago, I had no one to rely on. No friends, no family. It was *they* who said I could consider this place my home, giving me a sense of belonging. Over a thousand days and nights, all reduced to a scheme to climb into wealth and an impossible dream, by Chloe’s mere words. I didn’t understand why people could become completely unrecognizable overnight. Just yesterday, they were pulling me along, saying they would thank me at the banquet. Lost in thought, I couldn’t sleep, so I got up and walked out of my room. I looked at the moon, and unconsciously found myself by the swimming pool. The moonlight flickered, and I unseasonably remembered the day my relationship with Julian deepened. After that car accident, outsiders said that the Harrison family’s golden boy was now confined to a wheelchair, unable to care for himself. Since coming to the Harrison house, I had been locked in a daily struggle with the volatile and difficult Leo. It was only with Julian that I found a moment’s respite. So I cherished the time spent with Julian, and felt a deeper connection to him. Unconsciously, I wanted to shield him from external news, to spare him any pain. He was always gentle and polite, never showing a hint of negative emotion. Until that late night, when I was thirsty and went to the living room for a glass of water. The house was silent, but I heard the incessant sound of dripping water coming from Julian’s room. After knocking for the third time and receiving no response, I pushed the door open anxiously. My gaze instinctively went to the bed, but it was empty. I walked towards the sound of water and saw Julian completely submerged in the bathtub. I frantically pulled him out, but he violently pushed me away. Julian’s eyes were red, radiating an aura that warned everyone to keep their distance. For the first time, he spoke to me in a voice as cold as ice. “Who let you in? Get out!” I trembled with fear but didn’t obey him. Instead, I forcefully approached him and dragged him out of the bathtub. “If something happens to you, no one will pay me, and I might even be blamed by your family. I have a duty to ensure your safety.” Having fought wits and strength with Leo for so long, I had developed a surprising amount of strength. Though it was difficult, I managed to get him onto the bed. For a moment, silence hung heavy between us. The man who was usually so gentle now had an expressionless face, like a lifeless object, devoid of any spark of life. But my sharp eyes caught his legs trembling unnaturally, and his lips were pale. I realized this was a sign of his leg pain. I brought hot water, soaked a towel, and placed it on his knees. “Does this feel better? My mom used to have rheumatism, and I’d put hot towels on her, and it made her feel much better.” Julian didn’t reply, his dark eyes fixed on me. I didn’t mind, continuing to replace the hot towels on his knees. After a long while, Julian finally spoke: “Aren’t you afraid I’ll fire you for defying my wishes?” My hand paused, but I didn’t lie. “Yes, but I’m more afraid you’ll die there.” Julian suddenly let out a laugh, though it sounded tinged with despair. “If the old Julian had died, perhaps many people would have mourned. But the Julian I am now is a cripple. If I die, I die. Who would care?” “Since childhood, I’ve grown up under the Harrison elders’ expectations. I had to excel at everything, never make a single misstep. Even when I was afraid, I couldn’t show the slightest hint of hesitation, or countless Harrison relatives would be eyeing me, ready to tear a piece off me.” “Now, they’ve gotten their wish.” I listened quietly, not interrupting. That night, Julian seemed to pour out everything he had kept unspoken until then. Finally, he said. “Do you know, before you found me, I had tried countless times to drown myself in the water, to just die. But I always failed.” “And just today, I was almost successful. But you saved me.” “You gave me a new hope for life. Will you help me stand up again?” I looked at the fragile Julian before me, who seemed on the verge of shattering, and without hesitation, I nodded. “I will.” Chapter 6 After that, I tirelessly applied hot towels to his knees every day. I looked up recipes online to make him nutritious porridges and broths. And when he nearly stumbled during rehab, I would catch his falling body again and again. At the time, I thought that having gone through difficulties together, we must surely be friends. But now, merely because Chloe had returned, that unrealistic fantasy of mine was shattered. My thoughts snapped back to the present. The night wind blew, bringing a chill to my skin. I stood up, intending to go back inside, but my gaze fell on the center of the swimming pool. Julian was submerged in the water, slowly sinking. The scene was a chilling echo of that day years ago. Without a second thought, I dove in, too caught up to consider anything else. But the moment I hit the water, an overwhelming fear engulfed me. Childhood memories flooded my mind. It was as if an invisible hand in the water was dragging me down. I struggled, opening my mouth to scream for help, but water rushed into my nose and mouth. I don’t know how long passed before a pair of large hands gripped me, pulling me up. I clung to the person in front of me like a drowning person to a lifeline. Once I could finally breathe, I saw who had saved me. It was Julian. Before I could even thank him, a third voice came from the poolside. “You really are exactly as Chloe said—a shameless opportunist trying to worm her way into the Harrison family!” “All these years of pretending, you must be exhausted. Should I present you with an Oscar?” Leo stood by the edge of the pool, his eyes fixed on the two of us in the water, our bodies tangled in an awkward embrace. The fury in his eyes seemed ready to erupt. Julian, after bringing me to safety, didn’t offer a single word of explanation for me. He simply walked away. “I thought you were different from all those other women out there. Turns out you’re just more cunning. Should I praise your patience, for pretending for so long in front of me? It makes me sick!” Leo finished speaking, then furiously ripped the crucifix pendant from his neck and hurled it at my face. It was a pendant I had once braved a snowstorm to get for him. He had carefully placed it around his neck back then. And tenderly cupped my frost-reddened hands, tucking them into his embrace. “I’ll never take this pendant off, or may I never achieve what I seek, and live a lonely life.” My hands trembled as I picked up the fallen metal cross from the ground, tracing the lingering warmth on its surface. The moonlight shone on my face, leaving my wretchedness nowhere to hide. After a long while, I tossed the cross into the pool. Fine. I was leaving anyway. Explanations no longer held any meaning. Chapter 7 A sleepless night. The next morning, I left the house early. This was my first time leaving the country, and there was a lot to prepare. Around noon, I returned home to make lunch, but received a call from Leo. “Chloe is having a piano recital today. You should come too.” I found it strange. Chloe clearly disliked me, so why would she invite me to her recital? Just as I was about to refuse, the voice on the other end of the line added: “She just returned, and the staff we hired aren’t enough. Come give us a hand.” So that was it. Perhaps after last night’s ordeal, I had finally accepted my place and Leo’s words no longer stirred any emotion in me. I just wanted to finalize my visa and leave this Harrison house that had trapped my entire youth. “Okay, Mr. Leo.” Leo on the phone fell silent. He hadn’t heard that title in a long time. In the past, to force me to call him by his name, He had thrown tantrums, gone on hunger strikes—done it all—until I finally agreed to stop using that distant title. Somehow, hearing that title again, he suddenly felt an emptiness inside. As if something had quietly slipped away. But right now, Leo didn’t have time to ponder; he had more important things to do. Chloe’s piano recital, held under the guise of a welcome-back party, couldn’t have a single flaw. I quickly tidied myself up and headed to Chloe’s residence. As I pushed open the door, I saw Leo, who usually needed help even to get a glass of water, standing on a ladder wiping the crystal chandelier. Leo was exactly as rumors described: arrogant, wild, and never listening to advice. But now, he was willingly and personally preparing for Chloe’s recital. This demotion of his status, in the eyes of outsiders, became a testament to his doting affection for Chloe. A few staff members were huddled together, trimming flowers for the banquet, whispering enviously: “Mr. Leo is truly smitten. The moment he heard they needed a hand, he rushed over. No airs of a young master at all.” Hearing this, I only found it absurd. Leo’s young master airs were quite extraordinary. When I first started caring for him, he found new ways to torment me every day. He was incredibly demanding, even if the water he drank was slightly too warm, He would mercilessly throw it in my face and make me pour a fresh cup. Looking at the man now, willingly doing manual labor, a pang of sadness still welled up in my heart. But it lasted only a fleeting moment, and then I walked inside. Chloe saw me enter, a sneer twisting her lips, and walked up to me, giving instructions without missing a beat: “You’re just in time. Go wipe down the piano I’ll be playing tonight.” I nodded, carrying the bucket of water further inside. As I passed Leo, he didn’t even spare me a glance. He was entirely focused on cleaning the crystal chandelier in front of him. I fetched a bucket of water and meticulously wiped down the priceless piano before me. Accidentally pressing a key, a melodious note flowed out. I felt a pang of nostalgia, recalling a memory deeply buried in my heart. There was also a piano in the Harrison mansion. But by the time I came to care for them, one was paralyzed and the other blind, so the piano sat unused. Still, I dutifully wiped every speck of dust from it, trying to keep it looking pristine. Once, while cleaning, I accidentally pressed a key. I was flustered, trying to close the lid, but a hand reaching from behind stopped me. Julian appeared behind me, guiding my hand to the keys. His voice, as clear as wine, drifted softly into my ear, his breath warm on my neck. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll play with you.” Perhaps the atmosphere that day was simply too perfect, making me forget to refuse. I let his slender, well-defined hands guide mine, playing a beautiful melody. I couldn’t tell if it was my heart fluttering or just nervousness. All I knew was that after that day, something felt different. My thoughts returned to the present, overlapping with those past memories. I swallowed the tears welling in my eyes. And pushed the memories aside. After cleaning the piano, I helped with a few other tasks, then retreated to a corner, trying not to draw attention to myself. Until the banquet began, and the piano was brought out. I stood in the corner, watching Chloe in her elegant gown under the spotlight, and Julian and Leo applauding below. They looked so perfectly matched. It was truly beyond my wildest dreams. Chloe raised her hand. The guests’ applause seemed to pause, and they watched the woman on stage with bated breath. As a few notes drifted out, everyone was captivated. But suddenly, Chloe cried out in pain. “Ow, that hurts! Why is there a razor blade in the piano?” Chapter 8 A few drops of bright red blood welled from my fingertip. Below the stage, Julian and Leo’s faces darkened. They immediately rushed forward to check on her. Leo’s eyes brimmed with heartache, and the guests murmured amongst themselves. Chloe’s eyes filled with tears, her voice choked with sobs: “This piano, only I touched it. Is she angry because you called her over? But why didn’t she just tell me directly, Leo? It hurts so much!” “Will my hand be scarred?” Hearing this, Leo’s anger intensified. His gaze frantically searched the crowd. My face went ashen. I couldn’t understand why this had happened, and I rushed forward to explain. “It wasn’t me! I don’t know why there was a razor blade inside!” But my explanation was too flimsy; in their ears, it became a desperate attempt to deflect blame. Leo violently turned to face me, a storm brewing in his eyes, as if he wanted to devour me whole. “Chloe, don’t be afraid. I told you that whoever hurts you, I will repay them a thousandfold.” After saying this, Leo gently pushed Chloe out of his embrace and slowly advanced toward me. The unsettling feeling inside me grew stronger, and the terrifying aura pressed me back two steps. Until I could retreat no further, Leo abruptly grabbed my hands, yanking me forward. His grip was incredibly strong, almost crushing my wrist bones. I stumbled and struggled, but couldn’t move him in the slightest. Then Leo forced my hands onto the piano. My eyes widened in terror. “No, Leo! You can’t do this to me!” “I’ve been too lenient with you these past few years, making you forget your place. Consider this a lesson today.” With that, Leo mercilessly pressed my hand onto the razor blade, rubbing it back and forth with brutal force. The intense pain triggered my survival instinct. I instinctively looked towards Julian. But I saw him subtly shield Chloe behind him, his eyes looking at me with icy indifference. This reaction felt like a thick rope tightening around my heart, suffocating me with a dull ache, leaving my soul desolate. For a moment, it made me forget to struggle. Only when my hands were bleeding profusely did Leo finally release them, letting me slide and kneel on the floor. For the first time, I felt lost and helpless. Even if I wanted to leave, I didn’t want it to end in such a messy, undignified way. I was surrounded by everyone, like a criminal awaiting judgment. No one listened to my explanations, and no one stood in front of me to protect me. But I hadn’t done anything wrong. Leo frowned, looking at Chloe’s injury, his voice soft: “Chloe, I’ll take you to the hospital. Your hands are for playing piano; I’ll make sure they heal perfectly.” With that, he scooped Chloe into his arms and walked out the door. Julian pulled out his phone and called his assistant. “Contact the best dermatology and reconstructive surgery expert in the country and have them come to the Harrison family’s private hospital immediately.” They clustered around Chloe as they left, treating her with such extravagance, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world. After the crowd dispersed, my hands, still bleeding profusely, slowly began to clot. I slowly stood up, letting out a self-deprecating laugh. Chloe’s triumphant smirk as she was carried away flashed in my mind. So that was it. Was this her lesson for me? Chapter 9 A sleepless night. The next morning, I left the house early. This was my first time leaving the country, and there was a lot to prepare. Around noon, I returned home to make lunch, but received a call from Leo. “Chloe is having a piano recital today. You should come too.” I found it strange. Chloe clearly disliked me, so why would she invite me to her recital? Just as I was about to refuse, the voice on the other end of the line added: “She just returned, and the staff we hired aren’t enough. Come give us a hand.” So that was it. Perhaps after last night’s ordeal, I had finally accepted my place and Leo’s words no longer stirred any emotion in me. I just wanted to finalize my visa and leave this Harrison house that had trapped my entire youth. “Okay, Mr. Leo.” Leo on the phone fell silent. He hadn’t heard that title in a long time. In the past, to force me to call him by his name, He had thrown tantrums, gone on hunger strikes—done it all—until I finally agreed to stop using that distant title. Somehow, hearing that title again, he suddenly felt an emptiness inside. As if something had quietly slipped away. But right now, Leo didn’t have time to ponder; he had more important things to do. Chloe’s piano recital, held under the guise of a welcome-back party, couldn’t have a single flaw. I quickly tidied myself up and headed to Chloe’s residence. As I pushed open the door, I saw Leo, who usually needed help even to get a glass of water, standing on a ladder wiping the crystal chandelier. Leo was exactly as rumors described: arrogant, wild, and never listening to advice. But now, he was willingly and personally preparing for Chloe’s recital. This demotion of his status, in the eyes of outsiders, became a testament to his doting affection for Chloe. A few staff members were huddled together, trimming flowers for the banquet, whispering enviously: “Mr. Leo is truly smitten. The moment he heard they needed a hand, he rushed over. No airs of a young master at all.” Hearing this, I only found it absurd. Leo’s young master airs were quite extraordinary. When I first started caring for him, he found new ways to torment me every day. He was incredibly demanding, even if the water he drank was slightly too warm, He would mercilessly throw it in my face and make me pour a fresh cup. Looking at the man now, willingly doing manual labor, a pang of sadness still welled up in my heart. But it lasted only a fleeting moment, and then I walked inside. Chloe saw me enter, a sneer twisting her lips, and walked up to me, giving instructions without missing a beat: “You’re just in time. Go wipe down the piano I’ll be playing tonight.” I nodded, carrying the bucket of water further inside. As I passed Leo, he didn’t even spare me a glance. He was entirely focused on cleaning the crystal chandelier in front of him. I fetched a bucket of water and meticulously wiped down the priceless piano before me. Accidentally pressing a key, a melodious note flowed out. I felt a pang of nostalgia, recalling a memory deeply buried in my heart. There was also a piano in the Harrison mansion. But by the time I came to care for them, one was paralyzed and the other blind, so the piano sat unused. Still, I dutifully wiped every speck of dust from it, trying to keep it looking pristine. Once, while cleaning, I accidentally pressed a key. I was flustered, trying to close the lid, but a hand reaching from behind stopped me. Julian appeared behind me, guiding my hand to the keys. His voice, as clear as wine, drifted softly into my ear, his breath warm on my neck. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll play with you.” Perhaps the atmosphere that day was simply too perfect, making me forget to refuse. I let his slender, well-defined hands guide mine, playing a beautiful melody. I couldn’t tell if it was my heart fluttering or just nervousness. All I knew was that after that day, something felt different. My thoughts returned to the present, overlapping with those past memories. I swallowed the tears welling in my eyes. And pushed the memories aside. After cleaning the piano, I helped with a few other tasks, then retreated to a corner, trying not to draw attention to myself. Until the banquet began, and the piano was brought out. I stood in the corner, watching Chloe in her elegant gown under the spotlight, and Julian and Leo applauding below. They looked so perfectly matched. It was truly beyond my wildest dreams. Chloe raised her hand. The guests’ applause seemed to pause, and they watched the woman on stage with bated breath. As a few notes drifted out, everyone was captivated. But suddenly, Chloe cried out in pain. “Ow, that hurts! Why is there a razor blade in the piano?” Chapter 8 A few drops of bright red blood welled from my fingertip. Below the stage, Julian and Leo’s faces darkened. They immediately rushed forward to check on her. Leo’s eyes brimmed with heartache, and the guests murmured amongst themselves. Chloe’s eyes filled with tears, her voice choked with sobs: “This piano, only I touched it. Is she angry because you called her over? But why didn’t she just tell me directly, Leo? It hurts so much!” “Will my hand be scarred?” Hearing this, Leo’s anger intensified. His gaze frantically searched the crowd. My face went ashen. I couldn’t understand why this had happened, and I rushed forward to explain. “It wasn’t me! I don’t know why there was a razor blade inside!” But my explanation was too flimsy; in their ears, it became a desperate attempt to deflect blame. Leo violently turned to face me, a storm brewing in his eyes, as if he wanted to devour me whole. “Chloe, don’t be afraid. I told you that whoever hurts you, I will repay them a thousandfold.” After saying this, Leo gently pushed Chloe out of his embrace and slowly advanced toward me. The unsettling feeling inside me grew stronger, and the terrifying aura pressed me back two steps. Until I could retreat no further, Leo abruptly grabbed my hands, yanking me forward. His grip was incredibly strong, almost crushing my wrist bones. I stumbled and struggled, but couldn’t move him in the slightest. Then Leo forced my hands onto the piano. My eyes widened in terror. “No, Leo! You can’t do this to me!” “I’ve been too lenient with you these past few years, making you forget your place. Consider this a lesson today.” With that, Leo mercilessly pressed my hand onto the razor blade, rubbing it back and forth with brutal force. The intense pain triggered my survival instinct. I instinctively looked towards Julian. But I saw him subtly shield Chloe behind him, his eyes looking at me with icy indifference. This reaction felt like a thick rope tightening around my heart, suffocating me with a dull ache, leaving my soul desolate. For a moment, it made me forget to struggle. Only when my hands were bleeding profusely did Leo finally release them, letting me slide and kneel on the floor. For the first time, I felt lost and helpless. Even if I wanted to leave, I didn’t want it to end in such a messy, undignified way. I was surrounded by everyone, like a criminal awaiting judgment. No one listened to my explanations, and no one stood in front of me to protect me. But I hadn’t done anything wrong. Leo frowned, looking at Chloe’s injury, his voice soft: “Chloe, I’ll take you to the hospital. Your hands are for playing piano; I’ll make sure they heal perfectly.” With that, he scooped Chloe into his arms and walked out the door. Julian pulled out his phone and called his assistant. “Contact the best dermatology and reconstructive surgery expert in the country and have them come to the Harrison family’s private hospital immediately.” They clustered around Chloe as they left, treating her with such extravagance, as if she were the most precious treasure in the world. After the crowd dispersed, my hands, still bleeding profusely, slowly began to clot. I slowly stood up, letting out a self-deprecating laugh. Chloe’s triumphant smirk as she was carried away flashed in my mind. So that was it. Was this her lesson for me? Chapter 9 My hands were stitched with sixteen sutures, making it difficult to slowly pack my things for abroad. Luckily, Julian and Leo hadn’t returned these past few days. Not having to do anything else reduced the frequency of the pain in my wounds. I opened my phone, intending to search for essential items needed for moving abroad. But I accidentally tapped on SnapChat and saw Leo’s latest post. In the photo, he and Julian stood on either side of Chloe. Behind them was the clear blue sea, and all three wore wide smiles. “Taking our little princess Chloe to the beach to relax. Suddenly reminded of our first meeting, when a brave princess saved the knight who would accompany her for life.” I liked the post, then went back to my contacts, unpinned Julian and Leo, and sent each of them a message. “Five-year contract is up. No debts, no regrets. Goodbye forever.” After sending it, I blocked and deleted them both, then pulled my suitcase and walked out of the Harrison house. On the other side, Julian and Leo received the message simultaneously. Leo’s face changed when he saw it. He instinctively tried to text back a question mark, but his chat window showed a red exclamation mark. He looked up at Julian, noticed his grim expression, and guessed he’d been deleted too. Leo glanced at Chloe, who was swimming in the ocean, then grabbed his jacket from the chair and hurried to leave. “You stay here with Chloe. I’m going back to see what kind of game Skylar is playing now.” The usually steady Julian didn’t agree this time. Instead, he stopped him. “I’ll go back. You stay here and look after Chloe. She probably doesn’t want to see you right now.” At his words, a flicker of regret crossed Leo’s eyes. Because that day, in his fury, punishing me in front of so many people had indeed been excessive. But now, he was panicking, unable to calm down. He knew Skylar. She was forgiving, gentle, and never backed down, even when he gave her endless grief. Instead, she repeatedly embraced the helpless, vulnerable person he hid deep inside. This Skylar would never use leaving to threaten him. So, Skylar was serious. Realizing this, his heart pounded even harder. He wanted to go back immediately and find out why. As they stood at an impasse, Chloe’s cry for help suddenly came from the beach. The two brothers exchanged a look, then simultaneously ran towards the ocean, jumping in to pull her out. Chloe coughed up water from her throat, a blush rising to her face. “Thank you both. I’ve always been afraid of water since I was little, unlike others who can play by the sea. But now, with you two by my side, I’m not afraid of anything.” She expected them to make eternal vows to protect her, as they always had. But to her shock, Leo violently pushed her away. Startled, she looked up. She saw them both with grim faces, staring intently at her, as if to pierce right through her. “You’ve been afraid of water since childhood?” Chloe hadn’t realized she’d made a mistake and still nodded. “I have aquaphobia. My parents strictly forbade me from going near water when I was young. Luckily, you two are here.” With that, she tried to lean into Julian’s embrace, but he subtly dodged her. “So, it wasn’t you who saved us back then?” Chloe had lived too comfortably all these years, only now remembering that she had claimed credit for someone else’s deed. She quickly tried to salvage it, “It was me, it was me! I forgot.” The trusting, doting expressions they usually wore were gone. They exchanged a look and then, with a shared understanding, bolted outside. A single thought flashed through both their minds simultaneously. They absolutely couldn’t let Skylar leave just like that. At Kyoto Airport, I, with my modest luggage, boarded a plane bound for Switzerland. After this farewell, what lay ahead was a brand new beginning.

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My Wife’s Secret Crush Ruined Our Marriage In a coastal city, a monstrous Category 5 hurricane was about to make landfall. I closed the windows tight, the wind howling furiously outside. My phone, resting on the table, buzzed incessantly. I stared at the incoming call but ignored it. This was already Maya Rodriguez’s eighteenth frantic call. Messages? Countless. “Liam Reynolds, the hurricane’s coming! I can’t get back to the city now. Go pick up Julian and take care of him, quick!” “Julian’s legs are injured, he can’t protect himself, do you hear me?” “If anything happens to Julian, I swear I’ll never forgive you.” “If you don’t answer, I’ll divorce you, I swear…” I’d lost count of how many times Maya had ordered me around because of her secret crush, Julian Thorne. And I’d lost count of how many times she’d threatened me with divorce. I used to get terribly anxious about these things. But not anymore. “Julian called me just now, he was crying. He must be so desperate right now. I’ve never asked you for anything else, so please, I’m begging you this time, go pick up Julian. Please?” I blacked out my phone. Lying in bed, headphones on. Perhaps the fierce hurricane outside was finally bringing down the long-standing heat. It had been a while since I’d had a comfortable sleep. In the five years I’d been married to Maya, I’d given so much for her. I genuinely believed that true feelings would be reciprocated. But even after we entered the sacred bond of marriage, even after we got our marriage license, It couldn’t stand against a single message from Maya’s secret crush. “Maya, I’m back in the country. Can you come see me?” I still remember the look of surprise and joy on Maya’s face when she saw that message. “Liam, I won’t be celebrating your birthday with you. I’ll make it up to you next time.” With those words, Maya hopped on a plane and flew to Sea City, leaving me utterly helpless. Maya returned from Sea City half a month later. When she arrived in the city, she asked me to pick her up from the airport. It was my first time seeing Julian Thorne. He was in a wheelchair, with a pale, refined face, delicate features, and sharp contours. Dressed in white, he exuded an elegant aura. Maya carefully pushed his wheelchair, lavishing him with a tenderness I’d never seen her display before. And certainly, a tenderness I would never experience. Maya and Julian had grown up together. They had been legends of the school from their middle school days all the way through college. Every little thing they did would become the talk of the campus. They were, without a doubt, the undisputed focal points of the school. Maya truly loved Julian. But in their junior year of college, Julian, a foreign exchange student at the time, openly flaunted his blonde, blue-eyed girlfriend on his social media account. He officially declared his love for her. Maya was heartbroken and devastated then. She completely fell apart. She even went abroad herself, begging Julian not to break up with her. But in the end, she couldn’t even get a glimpse of Julian. Maya suffered for two years. It took immense effort for me to pull her back from the emotional abyss Julian had dragged her into. But even so, what good did it do? With Julian’s single sentence about returning home, all my efforts vanished into thin air. I sighed lightly. It was time for me to let go of this relationship that was never truly mine. I placed the divorce papers, which I had prepared in advance, under my pillow. That night, I slept soundly.

The next day, after the storm cleared. The hurricane finally dissipated. I had just opened my eyes when I heard some commotion outside. Before I could fully wake up. A figure rushed into the room. Her eyes were a bit red, her hair a mess, her eyes sunken, with dark bags hanging beneath them. Her clothes were thrown together, a stark contrast to her status. She looked utterly haggard. Clearly, she hadn’t slept well the previous night. Seeing Maya Rodriguez, a top fashion designer, in such a state, genuinely surprised me. Our eyes met. Maya immediately yanked the blanket off me. “Get out here, I need to talk to you.” She seemed to be trying her best to control her emotions. But I could already see this was the prelude to a volcanic eruption. I moved at a deliberate pace, no longer the person who used to tense up at the slightest sign of Maya’s anger. On the contrary, there was a sense of calm in my eyes. Maya looked slightly surprised by this but didn’t dwell on it. She went outside, sat on the sofa, crossed her legs, and folded her arms across her chest, her expression showing a hint of fury. She was ready, waiting for me to come out and apologize. Maya had even decided in her mind that this time, she would punish and scold me severely, to make sure I learned my lesson. To know what I should and shouldn’t do. But after waiting a while, I didn’t emerge. Maya’s anger gradually dwindled with the wait. She stormed back into the room, just as I was coming out, and we nearly collided. Maya’s emotions were about to burst forth. But I cut her off. “Oh, by the way, Maya, Julian’s rehabilitation and hospital bills came in a while ago. Check them over, and if everything’s in order, just sign them.” Maya had put a lot of effort into getting Julian back on his feet. Now, she was even treating Julian at the city’s exclusive private hospital. I heard it had state-of-the-art medical equipment imported from abroad. Maya had sent Julian there without hesitation. Hearing about Julian seemed to calm Maya’s emotions somewhat. I handed Maya the hospital bills, with the divorce papers tucked inside. Maya didn’t look closely. She took the pen and quickly signed her name. As for the divorce papers beneath, Maya didn’t seem to care at all. After she signed, she handed the documents back to me. I carefully put both the hospital bills and the divorce papers away. I planned that once the thirty-day waiting period was over, I would move out of this place that felt like a house but wasn’t a home. Maya’s expression quickly reverted to its icy demeanor. “Liam Reynolds, don’t you think you owe me a reasonable explanation now?” A flicker of confusion crossed my face. “Explanation? What explanation?” Maya’s voice rose a few octaves. “I called you so many times last night, sent you countless messages, why didn’t you answer my calls or reply to my texts? Do you even know? Julian almost died last night.” She questioned me, demanding why I hadn’t taken proper care of her Julian.

I looked at Maya, furious over Julian. A bitter pang flashed in my eyes. It appeared as quickly as it vanished. “Last night, I…” I was about to explain. But Maya cut me off. “I can’t believe how cold-blooded and heartless you are. You almost became Julian’s killer.” Listening to the charges she was pinning on me. There wasn’t much of a ripple in my heart. She only thought about Julian’s safety. Had she ever thought about mine? Last night, a Category 5 hurricane swept through, uprooting large trees outside. If I had gone out, would I have been swept away like those trees, disappearing without a trace? As she spoke, she pulled up the security camera footage. In the video, Julian, sitting in his wheelchair, looked terrified and pale as the fierce wind blew in. He repeatedly cried out for help. “Maya, where are you? Come back quickly, I’m scared being alone.” “Maya, please come be with me…” Julian called out for Maya to the camera, looking utterly helpless and desperate. “Did you see that? Did you see that?” Maya’s voice caught in her throat. I was slightly surprised and turned to look at Maya, only to find her eyes red and her lips trembling. “How desperate Julian must have been last night! If I hadn’t rushed back through that Category 5 hurricane to take care of him, who knows what would have happened?” Maya’s tone was fierce, and her eyes were sharp as she stared at me. She seemed to be waiting for a reasonable answer. I looked at the video, then averted my gaze. “Julian’s fine now, right?” “He’s fine, but he’s still traumatized. He can’t stand like a normal person, so he’s naturally more sensitive and fragile emotionally, and his nerves are weak. After something like this, he won’t be able to sleep for at least half a month.” “That’s true. And since you ended your meeting early, you can go stay with him at his place.” I said calmly. Maya paused for a few seconds after hearing this. Her gaze towards me shifted. She had a feeling that something about me had changed. But she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was. She knew I had never supported her interactions with Julian before. Why had my attitude changed now? Maya was still in a huff. “I don’t need you to tell me that, I’ll make my own arrangements.” She tossed that out, then ignored me. She turned and went into the walk-in closet, starting to pack her clothes. She pulled a suitcase and walked out. “I might need to be away for about a week to take care of Julian this time.” “Oh.” I replied calmly. Maya, who was rushing out, abruptly stopped, turned, and glanced at me. “Don’t overthink it. Julian is a patient, after all, and he was traumatized last night. You don’t need to be jealous.” I said, “I’m not jealous. In fact, what I did last night was wrong, causing Julian such distress. Perhaps you should go take care of him for half a month or even a month, so his emotions can fully stabilize.” Maya frowned slightly. “Liam Reynolds, what do you mean? Don’t use those words to needle me, to mock me.”

“Maya, you’ve misunderstood. I’m not mocking you. It just so happens that I have an event to participate in soon, which will take some time. If you were home, I wouldn’t have time to take care of you. So, this works out well; you can use this time to properly spend time with Julian.” I said truthfully. My face was serene, showing no emotional fluctuations. “What event?” “Didn’t you promise to join me for a charity drive a while back? I figured you wouldn’t have time now, so I’m planning to go alone.” I explained. This charity drive was very meaningful. The organizers hoped to donate books to underprivileged children in remote areas through this event. At the time, I thought about signing up for such a meaningful activity. That day would also roughly coincide with our fifth wedding anniversary. If our fifth wedding anniversary could be spent on such an event, it would be a truly significant day. For this, I had even bought the gift in advance. But Maya seemed to have forgotten our wedding anniversary. Hearing me bring it up, her expression didn’t change much. “I really don’t have time to participate this time. I’ll join you another time if I get the chance.” “Alright, I understand. You should go take care of Julian quickly; don’t make him wait too long.” Maya still looked at me with a hint of confusion. But as soon as she heard Julian’s name, she no longer hesitated, turning to walk out. Watching her disappearing back. I let out a bitter laugh and said nothing more. I stood there for a moment. When I came to my senses, I began to pack up my belongings in the house. In our five years of marriage, besides a single photo of us from an event we attended, there were no other shared photos in the house. We hadn’t even taken wedding photos. Of course, I wanted to take wedding photos, but when I brought it up to Maya, She bluntly refused. “I don’t want to waste time on meaningless things.” But what was meaningful to Maya? Ever since Julian returned to the country. Maya had been busy, helping him arrange a place to live. She found hospitals and specialists to help Julian with his treatment. Maya paid meticulous attention to every update Julian posted on his Ins story. I remember Julian once posted a picturesque European landmark. Maya dropped her busy work, and the very next day, she took Julian to that landmark. Julian posted a picture of a delicious meal. Maya immediately started learning to cook, just to satisfy Julian. As for me. Maya never did any housework. Let alone cook a meal for me. For me, it was simply unimaginable. I simply packed up my belongings in the house. I threw everything that belonged to “us” into the trash can. Among them was a scarf I had knitted for her by hand. She had never worn it once. When I gave her the scarf and told her I had knitted it myself, she immediately pursed her lips. “As a top designer, wearing such an unstylish scarf from you would be absolutely laughable.” From then on, the scarf was relegated to a corner, collecting dust. This scarf was just like our relationship. From the very beginning, I wasn’t even Julian’s “substitute.” In the end, after five years of marriage, I was merely “the dusty scarf.”

After packing up my things. I contacted the event organizers and submitted some documents. Then I left, because this charity drive wasn’t hosted in this city, but involved a wilderness hike. So, it would take a few days. I bought a plane ticket and departed, also taking the opportunity to clear my mind. When I arrived at the location, one of the organizers looked surprised to see me alone. “Mr. Reynolds, I remember you mentioned coming with your wife?” I chuckled softly. “My wife had some urgent business, so she couldn’t make it…” The organizer didn’t say much about it. The charity drive lasted about a week. At the end, participants could also voluntarily donate to the charity fund. I donated a delicate “Crystal Heart.” This was originally a surprise I had planned for Maya during this charity drive. But she didn’t need it now. So, I made sure it was put to good use. The organizer opened the box containing the “Crystal Heart” and glanced at it, a hint of surprise on their face. “Mr. Reynolds, isn’t this too valuable? I remember seeing something like this online, it was worth hundreds of thousands.” “It’s just a small token of my affection for the underprivileged children in the mountains.” After a moment of stunned silence, the organizer quickly thanked me. I waved my hand. After returning from the charity event. I saw a familiar number calling me again. It was a call I had rejected countless times. After a moment of hesitation, I pressed the answer button. A voice came from the other end. “Mr. Reynolds, our C Group is very eager to…” “Mr. Reynolds, our company has extended invitations to you dozens of times to join us as our lead animation designer. We’ve seen your work from the global competition, and it perfectly aligns with our needs. We sincerely invite you to join our company. What do you think?” I had studied animation design and production. And I had a strong talent in this field. A while ago, out of boredom, I participated in an international animation rendering competition. I won first place. After that, I was noticed by an animation production company called “C Group.” I knew about this company; it was a top production studio that collaborated with Hollywood. Many famous animations on the market were produced by this company. When they invited me before. I still felt tied down, and I still clung to a sliver of hope. I always thought that one day, Maya would see my efforts and dedication. But now, none of that mattered to me. “Alright, I accept your invitation.” I answered before the other person could speak. The other person was stunned for a few seconds, as if they hadn’t fully processed what I said. A few seconds later, the person finally let out an excited voice. “That’s wonderful, fantastic! Mr. Reynolds, please complete your emigration procedures as soon as possible. Our company will cover all expenses.” “Okay.” I agreed. And hung up the phone.

When I returned to the apartment, I found it empty. A thin layer of dust had settled on the floor and the dining table. I was usually the one who cleaned the house. When I was here, this cold house felt like a home. When I was not, it was just a concrete and steel structure. Counting the days, it had been about ten days already. Twenty days left. This emotionally draining relationship was finally coming to an end. Just as I got up to tidy the place. My phone suddenly rang. It was Maya calling. After a moment of hesitation, I answered. “Liam Reynolds, you should be back in the city now, right?” I paused for a few seconds when I heard that voice. Because it wasn’t Maya’s voice. It was Julian’s. It was unthinkable for me to even touch Maya’s phone. Yet now, Julian was calling me from Maya’s phone. This was clearly a way to assert his dominance. “Yeah, I just got back.” I replied calmly after coming back to my senses. “Today’s my birthday, and Maya organized a birthday party for me. I heard from Maya that you went on a charity trip, and it’s been so many days, you should be back by now. So I called to invite you to my birthday party, do you have time?” Julian’s voice was excited, but I could also detect a hint of provocation. “Maya also hopes you can come. Of course, I hope you can come even more. After all, if it weren’t for your generosity, tacitly allowing Maya to take care of me, I don’t know how I would have gotten through these dark days.” Julian’s voice continued. “Alright, send me the address, I’ll be there later.” I hung up. Julian quickly sent me the address. I glanced at it, then looked away. Then I went out to start preparing my emigration documents. Since I had applied for an overseas visa before. I was quite familiar with the process. I submitted my application to the consulate, and it would take about ten days. After finishing my errands, I checked the time. From where I was to Julian’s birthday party venue, it was about a thirty-minute drive. Leaving now, the timing was just right. I might be a little late, but that didn’t matter to me. Sitting on the subway, my thoughts drifted. I chatted briefly with a friend. I informed my friend that I was preparing to move abroad soon. My friends, hearing that I had a better opportunity to go abroad, were all happy for me. Half an hour later. I arrived at the location. Following the address, I walked forward. The decor of this place was very high-end; it was clear the prices here wouldn’t be cheap. But this was the place Maya had carefully chosen for Julian. The venue was quite large, with many private rooms. I was led by a waiter to the door of the private room. When I pushed the door open. A booming music sound erupted. Accompanied by cheers and teasing. “Cheers…” The private room was spacious, two to three hundred square feet, with integrated leisure and entertainment. I pushed the door open and saw Maya smiling, with a hint of shyness, sharing an intertwined toast with Julian.

The two of them were intimately close, looking incredibly sweet. Seeing this, I also clapped along with the crowd. No one seemed to notice my arrival. But Julian’s gaze quickly fell upon me. “Liam Reynolds, you’re here…” As his voice landed. The eyes of the cheering crowd all turned to me. Even Maya’s gaze landed on me. Today, Maya wore a floor-length gown, exuding an elegant aura. Her delicate features had an air of nobility. The moment she saw me, a flicker of paleness crossed her face, quickly flushed with a hint of red. Her eyes were also filled with a touch of panic. But this panic vanished quickly. Her expression changed again and again. After a long moment, she said, “Liam Reynolds, why are you here? I’m telling you, I just…” “No need to explain. It’s Julian’s birthday today, and I know you’re just getting into the spirit of things, celebrating Julian’s birthday.” I said calmly. Everyone who heard my words paused for a few seconds. They seemed to be trying to process it. Julian quickly tried to explain. “Liam Reynolds, it’s a misunderstanding. Maya and I are not… we’re nothing.” His explanation actually made it sound more like there was something between them. “Yeah, I know.” I said. Julian was about to say more, but Maya cut him off. “Julian, you don’t need to explain. He’s very understanding; he wouldn’t fuss over such a small thing.” “Yes, that’s right.” I cooperated with Maya. I genuinely didn’t care if they shared an intertwined toast. Even if they kissed in front of me right then, I wouldn’t care. Julian’s lips now held a smirk that was half-triumph as he looked at me, adopting the posture of a victor. “Julian, thank you for inviting me to your birthday party. Happy birthday.” I said with a smile. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now. Have fun.” After speaking, I turned to go. But Maya’s voice suddenly rang out. “Julian, did you invite Liam Reynolds here? And you made me share a toast with you, weren’t you deliberately trying to cause a misunderstanding between Liam and me?” “Maya, it’s not like that, I…” Julian blurted out an explanation to Maya. But I was no longer interested in what they were saying. I turned and walked out. Leaving the private room, I soon arrived in the main lobby. My phone suddenly rang. To my surprise, it was my good friend Sam Peterson. I answered the call, and Sam’s voice came from the other end. “Liam, you’re so unfair! You’re going abroad and didn’t even tell your bro. If I hadn’t found out from another friend, I’d still be in the dark.” “I just hadn’t gotten around to it yet. I was planning to treat you guys to a good meal before I leave.” I said. But just as I finished speaking. A voice suddenly came from behind me. “Liam Reynolds, you’re going abroad? When?” Startled by the sudden voice. I turned around and saw Maya, in her floor-length gown, chasing after me. “I’ll tell you later.” I said into the phone, then hung up. I looked at Maya. “Oh, I’m planning to travel abroad for a bit recently, to clear my head.” “Oh, a trip abroad sounds nice, you can enjoy yourself.” Maya seemed to let out a sigh of relief, looking at me, as if I was only going away for a short vacation. I had just said it casually. After all, Maya probably didn’t care what I did abroad.

“Alright, you should go back. Julian’s birthday party has just begun. I have something to do, so I’ll be leaving first.” I said calmly. “No, Julian’s actions were a bit too much today. I don’t want to go back. I’ll go home with you.” Hearing her say that so unexpectedly. I paused for a moment. “Alright.” We both walked out. Maya suddenly said, “That figurine you said you wanted a while ago? I just checked, and it’s back in stock. I ordered it for you.” “No need, cancel it. I already bought one.” I was indeed interested in that figurine. When it was my birthday before, Maya asked what gift I wanted. I told her I wanted that figurine. I had hoped to receive it on my birthday. But that hope was ultimately dashed. That day, not only did I not receive a gift, Maya didn’t even celebrate my birthday with me. “Oh, really? Well, next time you see a figurine you like, let me know, and I’ll buy it for you.” “Yeah, okay.” I replied. Maya stepped forward and linked her arm through mine. I subconsciously tried to pull my hand away, but Maya held it tightly. Maya felt my attempt to “pull away,” and her heart raced for a moment. A sense of unease welled up inside her. It wasn’t until I stopped resisting and let her hold me that Maya felt a little relieved. This way, she could feel like I was still under her “control.” We walked out of the lobby and got into the car. Maya’s phone rang. She answered it, and her expression immediately changed. “Ah, what did you say? What happened to Julian?” “Okay, I’ll be right there.” Maya hung up the phone and said to me anxiously, “Julian fell down the stairs, I need to go check on him.” “Alright, go. Here are the car keys, it’ll be easier to take him to the hospital later.” Maya took the car keys from my hand, a look of hurried determination on her face, and ran back towards the private room. I stared at her disappearing back for a moment, lost in thought. Then I came to my senses and called Sam Peterson. I arranged a farewell dinner with my friends. After a few rounds of drinks, I returned home. I slept until the sun was high in the sky. When I woke up, I felt incredibly relaxed. During the days I waited for my visa, I intensified my workouts, updated my resume, and gathered my portfolio to directly liaison with C Group. Maya hadn’t returned during this time; she was at the hospital taking care of Julian. She called me once, saying Julian had fallen down the stairs. He was quite badly injured and might need to be hospitalized for ten days to half a month. She wouldn’t be coming home during that time. I said nothing to this, simply telling Maya to take good care of Julian at the hospital. Finally, my visa was approved. Some more time passed. The thirty-day waiting period was almost over. I packed my belongings, left the divorce papers, and headed to the airport with my suitcase. As I walked downstairs, I happened to see Maya pushing Julian’s wheelchair into the apartment complex. Maya’s attention was entirely on Julian. They were laughing and chatting, incredibly sweet. They didn’t even notice me leaving the building. I looked at their “intertwined” backs and suddenly smiled. My smile was light, as if a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. From now on, I would start my own life, live my own way. Goodbye, Maya Rodriguez! Never to see Maya Rodriguez again. I looked up at the setting sun, picked up my suitcase, and strode towards the light in my heart. This time, as I left, I didn’t look back.

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It was the third day of our cold war. I’d just walked through the door when Mr. Davies, our butler, presented a massive bouquet of roses. Mr. Davies’s smile was a little too sweet, a little too forced. “Sir realized his mistake. He personally picked out your favorite red roses this morning.” “If Sir didn’t have a meeting today, he would have delivered them himself. Please don’t be too angry, you’re the most important person to him.” To cover for Julian, Mr. Davies piled on the compliments, but after a long day, I just felt irritated. Red roses were my favorite. My hand lifted, but I didn’t reach for them. I wearily rubbed my forehead and walked past the butler, heading upstairs. Every time we argued, Julian would send me lots of things. Usually, I’d cherish them like treasures. But after finding that love letter, these gifts felt like a cruel joke. It was almost time for the seasons to change, and I wanted to update my wardrobe. While tidying up, I found a yellowed envelope at the bottom of my closet. Pink trim, old-fashioned. I knew immediately it wasn’t mine. I’d been looking at it for less than half a minute when Julian, fresh out of the bathroom, rushed over and snatched the envelope from my hands. He carefully inspected it, making sure it was undamaged, then folded it up. As if just realizing I was there, he looked at me, stunned. Julian showed no sign of embarrassment or shame at being caught. Instead, his gaze held a hint of reproach. “Why are you rummaging through my things? Even after marriage, people need their own space. You’re getting more and more out of control.” Just for accidentally seeing something of his, I was being judged. It was as if the marriage vow, “Everything I have is open to you,” had never been spoken. I pressed my lips together, meeting his eyes. “Aren’t you going to explain yourself?” The name on that love letter was Chloe, my high school desk mate. The date was during our sophomore year. Julian and I had gotten together at a reunion dinner after graduation. He confessed his feelings, and I immediately accepted. I’d forgotten that day was the second day Chloe had left the country. In high school, I was quiet. Chloe was outgoing and could chat with anyone. Because we were desk mates, Chloe often talked to me. To be honest, I liked her back then. We had a good relationship, sometimes ate together, and discussed girl talk. Julian, however, didn’t seem to think he was in the wrong. He said, “What’s there to explain? *You* should be explaining yourself. Why were you going through my stuff?” The atmosphere hung heavy until his phone rang. He answered it, letting out a sigh of relief. “Forget it, I forgive you. Just don’t touch my things again.” He tossed out the words, then casually threw on some clothes and left. As for the love letter, he acted as if he’d forgotten about it, never mentioning it again. It wasn’t that I hadn’t made a scene before, but his contemptuous, helpless gaze always cut deep. He’d said: “We’re married now, what else do you want?” His words tightened around my heart, squeezing until I couldn’t breathe. The window was open, the air circulating, yet I felt suffocated. In that moment, for the first time, I began to truly examine our years together. That night, I had already fallen asleep. In my dream, a dog kept clinging to me. Drowsily, I opened my eyes, met by a pungent smell. Julian, reeking of alcohol, was kissing me. His eyes were moist, like a golden retriever who had finally found its owner. After years of marriage, I got up and gently pushed him aside, intending to get him some diluted salt water to sober him up. I sat up, putting on my shoes, when suddenly a warm presence pressed close behind me. Julian hugged me tightly, burying his head against my shoulder. His voice was full of grievance: “Don’t leave.” I turned my head, my gaze tinged with a hint of sarcasm. “Am *I* the person you want to stay?” The moment the words left my lips, I felt the person behind me stiffen. The pressure on my shoulder eased. I turned around to see Julian lying flat on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, his eyes deep and vacant. My heart ached, my nose stung, but a cold, mocking smile touched my lips as I continued. “Is it because my parents passed away that you pitied me and married me?” He was the one who proposed, six months after my parents died in a car accident. I was devastated then, and he volunteered to help me manage the company. Before helping me, Julian had lost a fortune trying to start his own business. He was desperately looking for loans, and relatives and friends avoided him like the plague. He finally begged me to let him join the company to repay his debts with his salary. Unfortunately, his meager salary couldn’t even make a dent in the massive debt. He could only solve it by dipping into the company’s funds. I saw how hard he worked for the company, so I never exposed him. Later, after we got married, he gradually took over the company, allowing me to pursue work I loved. He promised me that my shares in the company would remain the highest, and he did keep that promise. But the reality now was Julian asking me: “So what do you want now?” I gave Julian a sidelong glance. The tearing pain in my heart made it hard to breathe. Disappointed, I stood up. My hand was taken, a warm palm connecting to icy fingertips, a confusing mix of hot and cold. Julian repeated his question, this time with a hint of compromise, forbearance… and a touch of disgust. “What else do you even want?”

After that night, he often avoided being alone with me. I didn’t crumble like I had after my parents passed. I pulled myself together and went back to work at the company. The company’s board members were surprised by my return. Some said I was just back to play around, while others speculated that my marriage was on the rocks. I took on more and more responsibilities, and Julian slowly stopped avoiding me. He started acting like he used to, doing things according to my wishes. I knew there was an invisible veil between us, obscuring our true selves. What broke the stalemate, or rather, worsened it, was a high school reunion. Our old homeroom teacher suddenly organized a reunion and specifically called to invite us. Our once handsome class monitor had turned into an overweight office worker. The quiet girl had transformed into a stunning, articulate beauty. Everyone had changed so much. Their arrival drew everyone’s attention, and murmurs started. “Is that Aria? She’s so gorgeous now.” “They actually look so good together now.” It was true. Julian and I had almost no interaction in the three years we were in the same high school class. It was my desk mate who had a good relationship with him. Everyone always thought Chloe and Julian would end up together. In high school, Julian was smart, handsome, and popular. I was just a clueless nerd who didn’t know how to dress up. Back then, no one thought we’d ever be together, and Julian was the one who confessed first. Mark, our class monitor, was still as enthusiastic as ever. He walked up to us and started chatting. “You two are such busy bees! Our teacher said it took forever to get you to come.” I smiled, my gaze sweeping over the room, unfazed by everyone’s eyes on us. “But we’re here now, aren’t we? Let’s sit down and talk.” Once we sat, everyone caught up, drinking and reminiscing. Quite a few classmates I’d never really interacted with in high school came over to chat with me. Brad, our old jock, half-drunk, came over and clapped Julian on the shoulder. “You’re one lucky bastard, marrying our class’s rich girl! And now she’s so beautiful.” “Hahahaha, the poorest guy in our class ended up with the richest. Good for you, buddy!” His voice wasn’t quiet. After he finished speaking, a heavy silence fell over the room. Julian’s smile froze, his face darkening. Julian hated nothing more than people saying he owed his wealth to me. He always believed his achievements were solely due to his own efforts, and I merely provided a stepping stone. A smile was plastered on my face, but it didn’t reach my eyes. I said calmly, “Brad, you’re drunk.” I wasn’t defending Julian; I was defending my own pride. Brad let out a loud burp. “No, I’m not! If I’d known you were so loaded, I would’ve gone for you first…” Before he could finish, Mark quickly came over, clapped a hand over his mouth, and dragged him away. “You’re wasted! It’s been years, can’t you tell what to say and what not to say?” Our teacher sensed the awkward atmosphere and started urging everyone to eat. The mood hadn’t improved when the door opened, and a familiar figure appeared. Her figure was graceful, her appearance beautiful. She had a new maturity and charm that she didn’t possess in high school. Chloe walked in, greeting everyone warmly, and chose a seat closest to me. A few people stared at Chloe, whispering. Our teacher coughed a few times and said, “Stop staring. Chloe’s back in the country for good this time. You’ll have plenty of time to catch up.” Their eyes locked, a silent, intimate conversation unfolding right across me, as if they wanted everyone to know about their unspoken affection. And I, his actual wife, felt like the villain tearing them apart. Later in the reunion, everyone got wasted. I stepped outside for some fresh air and happened to run into Chloe. A sickly sweet, cooing voice reached my ears: “I’m back now, so when are you going to divorce her?” The door was ajar. I couldn’t see the other person, but my heart plummeted. The moment that voice spoke, my heart died a little. The owner of the voice seemed annoyed, but tried to be gentle with the person in front of them: “You just got back. What’s the rush? Settle in first, then we’ll talk.” “Don’t lie to me! I came back for you!”

I crossed my arms, a faint smile playing on my lips, but my eyes were brimming with coldness. “Why are you talking out here? Is it something others can’t hear?” They exchanged a glance, unsure if their conversation had been overheard. Compared to Julian’s panic, Chloe quickly regained her composure. She walked over intimately and linked her arm through mine. “Oh, we were just talking about you, silly! I was asking Julian what you like these days because I wanted to get you a gift.” I pulled Chloe’s hand away, forcing a polite, business-like smile. “Still calling him Julian, huh? You two are still so close.” Both their faces stiffened. I continued, “No need for you to trouble yourself with gifts. Julian and I have everything we need now.” I’d vaguely heard about Chloe’s life abroad; it hadn’t been easy. Driven by a desire for shared misery, I looked up at Julian, giving him no quarter. “Julian, you and Chloe were quite the match in high school. But maybe you shouldn’t be too close now, I might get jealous.” I said I might get jealous, but my cold demeanor sent a chill down Julian’s spine. The ride home was silent. Julian’s phone kept buzzing. I was starting to get annoyed by it. I asked, “Aren’t you going to reply? What if Chloe has something important to tell you?” The moment her name left my lips, Julian slammed on the brakes. He shot me an irritated glance and then turned off his phone. “I told you, there’s nothing going on between us. Didn’t I just explain it to you?” His defense was weak and pale. I bit my lower lip, my mind already calculating divorce. After that, their relationship completely froze. We didn’t even argue anymore. Although he was the one who confessed, I clearly knew I was the one always chasing. Every cold war ended with me making the first move to reconcile. Julian would just brush me off with gifts, as if presents could solve everything. But he forgot that it was my connections and family that had lifted him to heights he could never have reached on his own. Perhaps Julian had truly loved me once, but that love letter signaled that I was never his first priority. I felt too little love, and I didn’t want to trap myself in fantasies. But at night, getting lost in memories made it hard to breathe. My body felt off. I selectively ignored it and went to work as usual the next day. For several days, Julian didn’t come home. I knew but paid it no mind, dedicating my energy to the company’s new project. It was only when I finally decided to take a night off and came home for dinner that Mr. Davies asked, “It’s getting cold lately. Sir hasn’t been home for days. I wonder if he has enough clothes at the office. Madam, would you like to send some to him?” This cold war had lasted too long, and everyone else in the house was a little anxious. Perhaps Mr. Davies just couldn’t stand the current atmosphere and was offering a kind suggestion. I’d been stressed with many things recently, and my emotions felt a little out of control. My cool voice turned sharp, piercing through anyone who didn’t align with my mood. “If you’re so worried, go find him yourself. I probably even know where he is. Do you need me to tell you?” Mr. Davies had been hired during my high school years because my parents were busy with the company. Before, in our home, Mr. Davies always prioritized my feelings. But after Julian and I got married, Mr. Davies gradually began to prioritize Julian. I stared at the dishes in front of me, most of which were Julian’s favorites. It wasn’t just Mr. Davies; the housekeeper was the same. Clothes and daily meals were first discussed with Julian. The home décor was arranged according to his preferences. Everything that was mine was slowly being eroded, swallowed up. I took a deep breath, my eyes sharp as I swept them over Mr. Davies. “Find the design blueprints I made for the house before. Arrange everything according to those.” Mr. Davies hesitated, wanting to speak, but then forced a smile. “Madam, that’s a huge project, and we should discuss it with Sir first…” I stared at her, expressionless. Mr. Davies fell silent, no longer speaking, and immediately ordered someone to find the blueprints. I went to the company and focused solely on organizing the project proposal, not noticing anyone had entered. When I finally took a breather, I looked up to see Julian, whom I hadn’t seen in days. I pretended he wasn’t there, standing up to ask my secretary why she’d let someone in without my permission. Julian stepped forward and grabbed my hand. After days apart, his first words were an accusation: “Why are you redecorating the house? Are you planning to divorce me? All because of that love letter?” He sighed in exasperation, accusing me: “You’re getting more and more selfish. You weren’t like this before.” At his words, my heart suddenly tightened. I exhaled, scrutinizing him. “And you? Haven’t *you* changed?” “Also, it’s my house. I don’t need you telling me what to do.” Julian hated it when I talked about money. Every time I brought it up, he felt like a failure, inferior to me. I knew this, which is why I often avoided such topics and only praised Julian when we were out. But with too much praise, not only did outsiders think I relied entirely on Julian, even Julian himself couldn’t distinguish reality. Julian was provoked by my words, his grip unconsciously tightening on my wrist. Pain shot through my wrist. I pressed my lips together, ignoring his cold gaze, and pried his hand off. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been up to these past few days.” Julian was speechless for a moment, then quickly found his voice. “You never saw how hard I worked for the company before? Now I’ve just made one mistake, and you’re treating me like this?” “Is it true that you only care about this company, and I’m nothing more than your obedient dog?” My brows furrowed. I didn’t understand why he was feeling sorry for himself. I just said, “If that’s what you want to think, I can’t help you.” Then, remembering something, I scoffed, “Are things settled with Chloe yet? Or are you just coming here to throw a tantrum? You know I’m not a forgiving person, right?” Julian’s body stiffened. He denied it flatly: “I’m not.” It was such a flimsy denial. My phone vibrated in my hand. I glanced down, then dismissively replied to him, “Yes, you’re right. It’s just harmonious, loving help between classmates and friends.”

Julian was annoyed by my attitude. “Why are you treating me like this over an outsider? She’s her, you’re you. We’re married.” His twisted logic made me laugh in exasperation. I wanted to leave, but Julian grabbed me. He remembered the real reason he came to see me: to tell me to get less involved in company matters. I was the largest shareholder, and my return significantly impacted Julian. The old-school board members, who already disliked Julian, were now openly challenging him, causing him to gradually lose influence in the company. My bad mood made me prone to sarcasm, and he didn’t know how to communicate with me anymore. After all, since our marriage, we rarely had such difficult conversations. Before, I often talked myself out of my own moods, making him forget that I used to be quite strong-willed before we married. Seeing that I didn’t trust him, Julian, as if grasping a lifeline, said, “I can explain it to you. That love letter…” But I didn’t have time to pursue it now. I turned and waved him off. “I have something to do right now. We can talk later.” Julian’s heart twisted with an indescribable bitterness, like he’d swallowed poison. I wasn’t intentionally ignoring him; it was just bad timing. I had finally gotten a response from the head of the Hayes Group, whom I’d been trying to meet for a long time. I arrived at the agreed-upon location, following the address he’d given me. When I saw the person, I froze. The balloon in my chest, on the verge of bursting, seemed to slowly deflate. Meeting the eyes of the person before me, I broke into a smile. It felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders, and I exhaled in relief. It wasn’t a forced smile or a cold sneer, but a rare moment of genuine ease these past few days. Liam watched my transformation from tension to relaxation and smiled wryly, extending his hand. “Long time no see, Ms. Jiang.” His address made me momentarily disoriented. It had been so long since anyone called me Ms. Jiang. The title of Mrs. Qi had almost made me forget my own surname. I snapped back to reality, stood up, and shook his hand. “Long time no see, Liam.” Liam was my junior high classmate. Our families lived close and knew each other, so we often walked to and from school together. We went to different high schools, but our relationship remained as good as ever. However, Liam went abroad for university, and later I got married, so our contact diminished. I never expected the representative I was meeting to be Liam. We exchanged a few pleasantries, then got down to business. Liam had just returned to the country and taken over his current project. The partner for the collaboration was still under discussion. Although we were old acquaintances, Liam had no intention of giving me special treatment. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to secure the deal, but the hope wasn’t entirely gone. There were still a few missing points in the contract, and Liam asked me to revise them and come to his company next time for discussion. Afterward, we both stood up and walked out. With the business negotiations set aside, our conversation reverted to our old easygoing dynamic. Liam had been dropped off by his driver, but then got a call saying the driver had an emergency. I didn’t hesitate to offer him a ride home. We chatted and laughed our way to the parking lot, only to find Julian there. Julian’s eyes lit up when he saw me, but then his gaze narrowed sharply when he saw the person beside me. He quickly walked to my side, separating us, his eyes filled with hostility. Julian didn’t want to speak to Liam. As if fleeing a plague, he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward his car. I glanced back at Liam, my mind still preoccupied with the contract. Realizing I couldn’t offend him, I shook off Julian’s hand. Julian’s eyes darkened as he looked at his hand, which I’d just pushed away. I stopped. “What are you doing?” Julian’s gaze was full of scrutiny, sweeping over both of us. He sneered, “What am *I* doing? What are *you* doing? You’re married. What are you doing with him?” I considered myself innocent. I was working hard for the company, yet he suspected me. My emotions had been unstable these past few days, and his words made me explode instantly. “How dare *you* ask me? Ha, I didn’t realize Mr. Qi’s standards were so high. When Mr. Qi and Ms. Chloe were together, did you ever consider that you were married?” Our words turned into spears, stabbing at each other. Our voices were powerful, yet privately held shattered hearts. The parking lot lights were dim. We could see each other, but a fog separated us, making it impossible to get closer.

The atmosphere was at a standstill. Liam took two long strides forward. “Mr. Qi seems to have a lot of animosity towards me. Do you think there’s a problem with our partnership?” Julian, who had been about to speak, closed his mouth again, his brow furrowed with confusion. “Partnership?” I scoffed at his confusion. “Julian, you really are a diligent husband, aren’t you? You truly haven’t cared about the company at all these past few days?” Liam “kindly” explained the reason for our meeting. Watching Julian’s face go from angry red to pale green, Liam’s eyes flickered with disdain and scorn. I was in no mood to deal with whatever he was thinking. I got straight into my car. Liam understood and followed, leaving Julian standing alone. After that, Julian came home, while I was busy dealing with company affairs. No matter how he tried to win me over, I ignored him. Everyone’s patience has a breaking point. I dragged my exhausted body home, met by a cloud of cigarette smoke. I hated the smell of smoke. Julian occasionally smoked, but he always avoided me when he did, and he’d air himself out before coming near me. The room was dim, with small points of light near the sofa. I turned on the light, still intending to ignore him as before. A weary, tired voice came from behind me, a mix of surrender and coercion. “Let’s talk.” An unavoidable conversation. I checked my watch and said, “Ten minutes. I need to sleep. I have an early start tomorrow.” Julian paused at my words, then let out an enigmatic chuckle. “Now talking to you is on a timer? When did we become like this?” I replied: “Since your love letter.” Julian was silent for a while, then said, “Yes, that love letter was for Chloe, but I haven’t had feelings for her for a long time. Why don’t you believe me?” No feelings? If there were no feelings, why did that conversation at the class reunion happen? Was I imagining it? I inwardly sighed at Julian’s growing ability to lie through his teeth. I turned to meet his gaze, like an invisible struggle for dominance. Neither of us would back down until we were both wounded. “So, is an explanation really so hard? Wasn’t it *you* who kept running away!? Do you dare to ask yourself if you truly had no ulterior motives?” “When I tried to explain to you, what were *you* doing? Weren’t you busy chatting with Liam?” “That was business. I don’t have as much free time as you do.” “Business? Does business require meeting and chatting every day? Fine, you had no ulterior motives. But what about him?” “You should sort out your own mess first. Everything I do is for the company. Oh, right, it’s *my* company, not yours. You, of course, don’t care about its development!” “Did you go abroad that year after we got married because of him?” I didn’t understand what that had to do with that year – a year I didn’t want to revisit. I don’t remember when that night ended. I only remember countless hurtful words exchanged between us. Our bodies were still there, but our hearts had already crumbled, and love had rotted. After his outburst, I dreamed all night. I didn’t sleep well. Waking up, I checked my phone for messages. Among the work emails, one stood out. Unknown sender: [It’s Chloe. Let’s meet and clear things up.] I swiped away the message and replied to my work emails. It was business as usual: reviewing documents, attending meetings, communicating. It wasn’t until dusk approached that I pulled out my lipstick and reapplied some color to my lips. When I arrived at the meeting spot Chloe had chosen, I found she was already there.

Chloe rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she looked at me. “I thought you wouldn’t come.” I ordered a black coffee. Chloe seemed surprised. “You drink black coffee now? I remember you used to hate anything bitter.” Because of our close relationship as high school desk mates, Chloe was the first person to know about my family background. But times had changed. Years had eroded our feelings. No one stayed in the past. I lowered my gaze. “You’re probably not here to reminisce.” Chloe stirred her coffee. “I really didn’t want things to be like this between us. Actually, I quite liked you.” I smiled, not a mocking laugh, but a genuine one. The chosen spot was perfect; I could see the sunset outside with a glance. The setting sun’s rays fell on Chloe and me, as if admiring our beauty. “About Julian and me, I’m sorry, but I really can’t be without him now.” My tone was mocking. “Your feelings seem so deep. Why did you break up before?” Chloe was rarely stumped, but she quickly recovered, leaning forward with more aggression. “I know about the love letter, the one he wrote to me.” “Actually, by now you should probably know why Julian chose you back then, right? It was because I went abroad, and you could be his best stepping stone at the time.” She mercilessly shattered my illusions, every word stabbing at my heart. I saw it clearly, yet I still deluded myself, convincing myself that at least the love of these past few years was real. But hearing the truth from Chloe, my former good friend and the woman Julian once loved, still made me uncontrollably sad. Gathering my last bit of courage, I met her gaze, stating calmly, “So what? At least we were happy for all those years, and we genuinely loved each other.” Chloe wasn’t deterred. She looked like a victorious winner already, pulling out her phone and pushing it towards me. “Read this, then tell me when you two ever loved each other.” I picked up the phone and scrolled through, my pupils contracting, the air growing thin. Chloe’s smile in front of me twisted, like a demon’s. I forgot how I walked out of the coffee shop. I only remembered all my memories with Julian being splattered with paint. My mind was filled with that chat log. Chloe and Julian’s messages started in the second year of Julian and my relationship. At first, it was just polite greetings, then slowly progressing to casual chats, sharing things, then ambiguous messages, and exchanging gifts. Every word they typed on the phone felt like a slap to my face. They had even met multiple times over the years. Julian’s frequent excuses about going abroad for “business collaborations” were actually trips to see Chloe. The year I was undergoing treatment, they met as usual, the overflowing affection on the screen searing my eyes. How ridiculous. So ridiculous that I couldn’t even cry. It was completely dark now. There was no dramatic rain, like in a movie, to accompany my sorrow. The city went on as usual. I even felt a strange relief that I had found the love letter, that I had taken my heart back from Julian before seeing those chat logs. But why did it still hurt so much? Was love really so hard to let go of? I walked to my car, then squatted down, burying my head in my knees, unable to speak. Afraid of being discovered, I didn’t even dare to cry out loud. I don’t know how long passed, until my legs went numb. Someone gently called out to me. I looked up, my vision blurry from crying for so long. A man was squatting in front of me, his voice soft, as if afraid to startle me. “Why are you crying here? Did something happen?” I suddenly stood up, but my legs were sore and numb from squatting. I stumbled forward and fell into Liam’s arms. Liam was about to make a playful remark to lighten the somewhat sad atmosphere. But the person buried in his shoulder began to sob louder. Liam sighed and silently patted my back. He comforted me just like he did in elementary school when I cried after doing badly on a test. “It’s okay, it’s okay. Everything will pass.” The voice muffled against his chest, tainted with a sniffle: “It won’t pass. It’s already too late.” I knew I shouldn’t be so close to Liam in public, especially after I’d told him just yesterday not to overstep. But I desperately needed a anchor right now. Liam had just finished a business meeting and happened to drive by, seeing my familiar car parked. He got out and found me squatting on the ground. When I buried myself in his arms, a flicker of joy shot through me, but seeing me cry, he felt a rare surge of anger. He liked me, had for a long time, but it felt like everyone kept getting in the way of his feelings. Julian’s appearance, the growing distance between our families, and then *that* incident—he felt he had no face to see me. Going abroad for further studies, he saw more of the world, and his desire for power grew day by day. And his former affection had twisted into a distorted love. Liam was no longer afraid; he confronted his desires head-on. Liam patiently, endlessly comforted me. He had already noticed Julian standing not far away, staring at us with cold eyes. Liam’s lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile. He lowered his head and gently kissed the forehead of the person in his arms. I was startled by his action, and rationality returned. I quickly pulled away from him. Liam reined in his emotions and said, “I apologize, I was out of line.” I had thrown myself into his arms, so I opened my mouth but had no words. I just blurted out, “I have something to do,” and got into my car.

The next time I saw Julian was in a photo someone sent me. An anonymous text message, an intimate photo. Julian was asleep, tightly embracing the person in his arms, a pretty, charming woman. The photo scorched my eyes and my heart. Suddenly, I felt like I couldn’t breathe, violently bending over and dry heaving. When I came to, I was already in my car. My mind was fixated on finding answers, but what could I even say? In a moment of distraction, a powerful impact came from the right. Before the car window shattered, I only felt like a fool. The next time I opened my eyes, I was in a hospital. My head was splitting, and I felt a bit disoriented. The pain in my abdomen spread throughout my entire body. A nurse called the doctor. As the doctor stood by my side, about to speak to me, two people burst into the room. Julian looked at me with heartache, while Chloe stood outside the door, silent. The doctor, having seen many ridiculous situations, inwardly scoffed but maintained professional composure, a cold glint flashing behind his glasses. “Fortunately, the car accident didn’t cause severe injuries, but Ms. Jiang’s body is weak after the miscarriage and needs careful recuperation.” At his words, everyone present froze, including Liam, who had just arrived. I touched my aching abdomen, deflated, and softly murmured, “I… I was pregnant?” Recalling my recent unexplained emotional fluctuations, everything suddenly made sense. Light shone at the foot of the bed, but it stopped beside me, casting me in shadow. A slight chill in the breeze hinted that the city’s cold autumn was approaching. I sat on the hospital bed, my eyes vacant. The pain in my abdomen spread throughout my body. I wrapped my arms around my stomach, curling into a ball, my eyes red and terrifying, tears flowing unconsciously. Julian approached the bedside, his hands trembling as he pulled me into his embrace. It was a rare moment of tenderness after so many days, yet I felt no warmth at all. The doctor offered a few polite words of comfort and then hurried to the next room. Julian’s eyes were slightly red, his voice hoarse. “…We’ll have other children.” In that moment, those words were genuine, a heartfelt promise from him. I couldn’t even remember the last time Julian had comforted me with such tenderness. Chloe walked over and sat on the side of the bed, advising me, “It’s important to take care of your health.” Catching Chloe’s gaze and the ambiguous red mark on her neck, I snapped out of the fleeting tenderness. I remembered how I’d lost my mind after seeing that photo. I struggled forcefully out of Julian’s embrace, retreating away from them. I had already felt Julian’s perfunctoriness for a long time. It was just that the feelings accumulated over time were watered with flesh and blood. The love letter was just the fuse. Even before that, I had been enduring. My feelings for Julian had also been cooling. But whenever I thought of the young Julian, I couldn’t bear to let go. In this relationship, which I wasn’t sure I had wanted, I truly had loved him well. But now, after losing the child, I couldn’t tell if this feeling was love, or just a high sunk cost from the past. At this moment, I truly hated Julian. I tried hard not to look too pathetic, but my body was uncontrollably trembling. I clutched my chest, hatred erupting through my eyes. When Julian met my gaze, he froze at the hate and disgust in my eyes. It was as if a sudden arrow had pierced his heart, bleeding profusely. Before today, he thought he only felt a sense of marital responsibility towards me. But when he heard about my car accident, he was terrified. In that moment, he realized the world would be gray without me. Seeing that I was okay, his senses for this world returned, like his heart started beating again. Chloe, standing nearby, felt complicated. She had just witnessed Julian almost go crazy for someone else. After hearing the news, he had driven recklessly to the hospital, nearly causing a second accident that day. The man whose eyes were once filled only with her in high school was now anxious and worried for another woman. For some unknown reason, she had stubbornly followed him. She had successfully angered me, the woman who had lost her child, creating a rift between Julian and me. Yet, she found no joy in it. Now, just as Chloe wished, I hated Julian. Every word I uttered was a sharp knife aimed at him. “You two disgusting cheats, get out! Get out! What are you pretending for, Julian? You must be thrilled, aren’t you? The baby’s gone, and your crush is back. Congratulations.” “I shouldn’t have gone looking for you. Why, why do I always lose? Why, why, why, I hate you, I hate all of you…” After the miscarriage, my face was as pale as paper, yet flushed from emotional intensity, my long hair disheveled. Tears soaked my beautiful face, making me look sickly and disheveled, with a broken beauty. I grabbed the water glass beside me and threw it at Julian. He didn’t dodge, and blood trickled down his forehead, bringing me back to my senses. My body couldn’t handle further outburst. I deflated, returning to my usual demeanor, and after a long silence, slowly spoke: “Now that the baby is gone, I’m also tired of you. Let’s get a divorce.”

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0 The night I learned of my sister’s death, I had just received my acceptance letter to Northwood University. Moments later, I found a disturbing video of her online. I didn’t recognize the men who violated her. But I knew the man behind them, the one barking orders to everyone – Damon Blackwood, the most powerful man in this city. He was infamously volatile. This time, simply because my sister had stained his shoes, he ordered men to assault her and then released the humiliating video across every platform. By the time I rushed to the scene, Skylar’s body was laid out on a table in a private lounge. Silently, I collected my sister’s remains, then tore up the acceptance letter I’d just received. Instead, I applied to Eastwood University, the prestigious institution Seraphina Thorne, the city’s most powerful young heir’s beloved, had attended. Damon Blackwood, I’m going to make you feel this searing pain, too. *** The party wound down, and without a sound, midnight arrived. I carried a tipsy Seraphina Thorne to the presidential suite reserved for her. The woman in my arms had clearly had too much to drink for the evening’s networking; a faint flush colored her pale face. A subtle scent of alcohol clung to her, making her frown slightly even in her sleep. I smoothly swiped the key card to open the door, then reached into Seraphina’s pocket for her phone. I dialed the number marked with a heart. When the call connected, I deliberately let Seraphina make a soft sound. Just as I expected, the man on the other end instantly ignited. “Seraphina? Where are you?” “Can you hear me?” “Is there a man with you? Seraphina!” Before his anger could fully erupt, I smiled and hung up. It was an open secret among the city’s elite: Damon Blackwood adored Seraphina Thorne to his very core. From childhood, any man who came close to Seraphina was either threatened away by Damon or subtly driven off by his machinations. Because of this, even though Seraphina had become the CEO of Thorne Enterprises, she was still surprisingly naive when it came to matters of the heart. He loved her too much, which made him riddled with anxiety and possessiveness. If he ever truly lost her, he would undoubtedly spiral into madness. And that was precisely my goal. Planting the seeds of doubt in Damon’s mind was just the first step. I figured he’d be storming over here any minute, fueled by rage. I smirked, tossed her phone aside, and walked into the bathroom, ruffling my hair. After taking off my suit jacket, I unbuttoned the top two buttons of my shirt. I splashed water on my face a few times. Finally, I pulled all the bathroom towels onto the floor, surveying the chaotic mess. I dampened one towel and returned to the bed. The woman on the bed wasn’t sleeping peacefully. The moment I leaned closer, she grabbed my wrist. I chuckled softly, not struggling, but instead switched hands, using the wet towel to wipe her face. It was no wonder Damon felt so threatened. But what I wanted wasn’t anything so crude. My gaze hardened, and I deliberately pressed harder with the towel. A red mark immediately appeared on her neck. She furrowed her delicate brows, then opened her eyes. Seeing my face, her previously hazy eyes sharpened. “What are you doing? Get away from me!” I had already composed my expression the moment her eyes opened. I shook my wrist with a hint of helplessness. “Ms. Thorne, you drank too much. I’m new to the company and didn’t know your home address, so I could only bring you to the executive lounge reserved for you.” “You kept complaining about the strong smell of alcohol while you were drunk, and you tried to struggle into the bathroom to wash up. I had no choice but to use a wet towel to wipe your face, but I didn’t expect you to grab my wrist the moment I got close.” As I spoke, I gestured towards the chaotic bathroom. Seeing my disheveled clothes and the mess on the bathroom floor, Seraphina looked embarrassed and slowly let go of my hand. Seraphina rubbed her throbbing temples; the feeling of being drunk was truly unpleasant. She casually picked up her phone and transferred ten thousand dollars to me. “Take this, then leave.” When I saw the money in my account, my smile widened. Who doesn’t love money? Especially money from Seraphina Thorne. Though not a huge sum, if used well, it would be enough to drive Damon Blackwood wild. I accepted the money, then obediently closed the door and left. But a moment later, I pushed the door open again and re-entered. “Ms. Thorne, here’s some honey water.” Seraphina paused, a thoughtful look entering her eyes as she regarded me. Of course, I knew this might make Seraphina question me, but how could I leave before the real show began? Calculating the time, Damon should be arriving soon. “Ms. Thorne, honey water can help with a hangover and ease a headache.” Seraphina slightly raised an eyebrow. She took the honey water from my hand, took a sip, and was about to say something when she was interrupted by urgent knocking at the door. 0

“Seraphina, are you in there? Seraphina? Open the door for me, Seraphina!” Perhaps because there was no response, Damon Blackwood’s tone grew angry. “Damn it, whoever’s in there, I’m warning you, don’t touch my woman!” “How dare you think about my woman? Do you have a death wish?!” “Open the door right now! When I get my hands on you, you’re dead!” Hearing that, I secretly smirked. Then I turned around, my face full of tension, and grabbed Seraphina, who was about to open the door. I whispered: “Ms. Thorne, when you open the door, could you please say that I was the one you called?” “Distrust is the bane of any relationship. We’re two single adults in one room, and while we’ve done nothing wrong, our current appearance… it’s easy for people to get the wrong idea. Of course, I know you don’t want to lie to Mr. Blackwood, but this is the best solution I can think of.” “Of course, I could hide. But if Mr. Blackwood finds me, it would only cause a bigger rift in your relationship. Besides, the job market is tough right now, and I finally found this position. Please, could you help me?” Seraphina was silent for a moment, then nodded. I smiled gratefully at Seraphina, then straightened my clothes before walking to the door and opening it. As I expected, an enraged Damon Blackwood immediately blew up when he saw my face. He swung the baseball bat, aiming straight for my head. “Damon, stop!” I ducked, covering my head, my face filled with feigned terror. Seraphina grabbed the bat from Damon’s hand, her face clearly displeased. “Put the bat down.” Damon’s eyes were bloodshot as he glared at Seraphina, then grudgingly lowered the bat. Seraphina’s expression slowly softened. She gave Damon a look, signaling him to follow her inside. As Damon passed me, he angrily kicked me several times before Seraphina’s urging made him enter the room. I wiped a trickle of blood from the corner of my mouth, my gaze fixed on Damon’s retreating back. I had intended to turn and leave, but Seraphina called out to me. “Asher, you come in too.” I had only meant to make an initial impression on Seraphina, but I hadn’t expected her to actually remember me. What a great start. I responded, then stumbled into the room, cautiously standing in a corner. “What, are you still sulking?” Seraphina asked, rubbing her throbbing head with a helpless tone. Damon stood nearby, propping himself up with the bat, his face defiant. His eyes were locked on me, refusing to speak. “Damon, I don’t feel well.” Hearing that, Damon forgot all about me. He immediately dropped the bat, sat on the bed, wrapped an arm around Seraphina’s shoulders, and asked anxiously: “Seraphina, where do you feel unwell?” Seraphina leaned against his shoulder, her eyes closed, looking a little fatigued. “I was made to drink a few too many glasses tonight. My head is throbbing, so I came upstairs to rest. I woke up and initially wanted to call you to bring me some honey water, but then I remembered you said you were going for a drive with friends today. So I asked Asher to bring me a cup from downstairs.” “I was just about to rest when you burst in, all furious. What, has someone been spreading rumors again?” Damon pursed his lips. “No, I just wanted to check in.” “After all, my Seraphina is beautiful and outstanding. She’s had countless admirers since childhood. If I’m not vigilant, what if some clueless guy tries to whisk you away… No, just thinking about it makes me upset.” “Seraphina, you have to promise me you’ll only be with me, or I’ll be heartbroken.” Seraphina looked up at Damon, a wry smile on her face. “You’re talking nonsense. I have you; where would I find the time to look at other men?” “Don’t always be so riddled with anxiety and possessiveness. We’re already engaged, aren’t we?” In front of outsiders, Seraphina was always cool and unsmiling. In all my research on Seraphina, I had never seen her so gentle and coaxing. It seemed she truly loved Damon Blackwood. I subtly adjusted my gold-rimmed glasses, my eyes fixed on Seraphina, filled with determination. No wonder high society said Seraphina Thorne was the leash on Damon Blackwood, the mad dog. With just a few words, Seraphina dispelled the suspicion in Damon’s heart. I sneered silently. The idea of a ‘mad dog’ turning into a fawning lapdog just to keep what he thought was his – that wasn’t how his story should go. He should remain a mad dog. After they shared a moment of tenderness, Damon’s eyes landed on me again. He pursed his lips, buried his head in Seraphina’s neck, and mumbled: “Seraphina, I don’t like him. Fire him.” Seraphina patted Damon’s back, then glanced at me, standing in the corner, discreetly wiping blood from my lip, my face pale. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly: “Damon, if Asher hadn’t helped take care of me today, who knows what might have happened. You know I can’t stand the smell of alcohol; I definitely would have gone to the bathroom myself. If Asher hadn’t arrived promptly after my call, no one would have found me if I’d fainted in the bathroom.” “Asher, isn’t that right?” I immediately understood that Seraphina was covering for me. I nodded vigorously, my words earnest: “Yes, Mr. Blackwood. When I brought the honey water up, I even met some hotel staff. I literally just knocked and entered when you arrived. You can see the honey water on the table is still warm.” Damon glanced at the half-drunk honey water on the table, sneered, but his expression wasn’t as dark anymore. I knew he believed it. 0

Seraphina rubbed her temples, and Damon immediately understood she wanted to rest. He gently tucked her into bed. “Since you’re okay, I’ll head back first.” “You, come with me.” The moment my eyes met Damon’s, I knew exactly what he was thinking. He wanted to teach me a lesson away from Seraphina, or worse, force me to leave Thorne Enterprises. But there was no way I’d let Damon succeed. So, I didn’t respond. Instead, I looked up at Seraphina, my eyes filled with a plea. My slightly damp, disheveled hair hung limply over my eyes, making me appear either scared or shocked. My eyes were slightly red, and my deliberately dampened clothes were still silently dripping water, revealing the faint outline of my abs beneath my shirt. Seraphina glanced at me, then averted her gaze, but her fingers on the blanket unconsciously curled. Seeing this, I subtly smirked, then lowered my head, adopting a fearful posture. Damon waited for a while, but I didn’t answer. He was about to speak impatiently when Seraphina interrupted him. “Damon, you go back first. I have some work to discuss with Asher.” Damon clearly hadn’t expected Seraphina to ask me to stay. He frowned, about to protest. Seeing Seraphina’s annoyed expression, he ultimately suppressed his anger, glared fiercely at me, and left. I flinched, then huddled further into the corner. It wasn’t until Damon had been gone for a long time that I slowly relaxed. “You’re afraid of him?” Seraphina frowned, sitting up and scrutinizing me with an unreadable expression. Of course, I knew how to leverage my advantages. I timidly looked up at her, opened my mouth, but then lowered my head again, a despondent note in my voice. “Mr. Blackwood only needs to lift a finger to undo all my hard work… Ms. Thorne, I really need this job. I can’t lose it.” As if afraid Seraphina would press further, I grabbed a bath towel and hurried to leave. “Ms. Thorne, thank you for helping me today. Please get some rest. I’ll excuse myself.” Then, I politely nodded and quickly pushed open the door, rushing out. The moment I reached downstairs, a shiver ran through me. Before I could figure out how to get home, Seraphina’s black Lexus pulled up in front of me. “Mr. Hayes has prepared some fresh clothes for you in the car. Please get in.” I paused for a second, then immediately got into the car. I had initially thought this incident would only give Seraphina a first impression of me, but I hadn’t expected her to remember me. This was truly good news. After that day, I acted as if nothing had happened, diligently performing my duties at work. Even when I saw Seraphina, I remained respectful and distant, as always. But that didn’t diminish Damon Blackwood’s hostility towards me. Because he frequently saw Seraphina and me entering and leaving together when he came to the office to bring her lunch. Seraphina had even dismissed him multiple times because of my arrival – even if I was just calling her to a meeting. Especially since I not only had good looks but also a great physique. I had never doubted my appearance; after all, it was because of this facade that my sister and I had such a smooth childhood. Thinking of the repeated frustrations he’d suffered because of me and my striking face, Damon found me increasingly irritating. Consequently, the harassment I received grew. But I never took Damon’s bullying to heart, nor would I ever mention it to Seraphina. After all, complaining would risk looking like I was trying to win her favor. But if certain people saw it with their own eyes, the meaning would be entirely different. One day, as I was reporting on work to Seraphina and about to leave, I didn’t hear her usual instruction to dismiss me. I looked up at Seraphina, only to find her staring at my face with a complex expression. Our eyes met for a second, and I immediately lowered my head as if remembering something. After a long pause, Seraphina finally spoke: “Do you have anything to say?” I inwardly rejoiced, but outwardly feigned confusion. “No, not really.” Seraphina’s expression remained complicated as she looked me over, then finally dismissed me. As I closed the door, I shot a triumphant glance at Seraphina, who had already returned to her work. The fish had nibbled the bait; time to throw in more chum. Late that night, I was at my desk, eating a cold dinner. I was fully engrossed in reviewing reports when Seraphina, who had just finished a meeting, stopped involuntarily as she saw me. Her gaze flickered for a moment, then she walked straight past me. But soon after, someone delivered a hot meal to my desk. I smiled at the food on the table. This second step in my plan was going very well. Though it came with some hardship, the seeds of discord between Seraphina and Damon were already sown. Now, all I needed to do was make that discord blossom. 0

The next day, as I walked out of my apartment complex, I was blindfolded and forced into a car. Inside a warehouse, Damon Blackwood stood, his face contorted in anger, and brutally slammed a baseball bat onto my leg. I crumpled to the ground in pain, cold sweat pouring down my face. “I knew you had ill intentions, coming into this company just to get to Seraphina!” “My woman, Seraphina Thorne, isn’t someone a pathetic nobody like you can covet! If you want a sugar mama, you’ve picked the wrong one! Today, I’m going to teach you what happens when you cross me!” I desperately dodged his blows, trying to explain: “Mr. Blackwood, I don’t understand what you’re talking about. I’m just a common employee; why are you targeting me like this?” “Targeting?” Damon, panting, handed the bat to one of his goons. He grabbed my face, pinching it. “What makes you think you’re worthy of being targeted by me?” “I don’t care what your intentions are. From today onwards, don’t let me see you anywhere near Seraphina. Otherwise… I doubt you can handle the consequences.” Seeing Damon about to leave, I immediately shouted: “Mr. Blackwood, kidnapping me off the street and assaulting me like this—aren’t you worried about bringing trouble to Ms. Thorne? She’s already exhausted with company matters lately. If you can’t ease her burden, at least don’t add to her problems!” As soon as I said that, Damon’s face erupted in fury. “You little punk, taking advantage of my kindness, are you?!” He immediately ignored his bodyguards’ attempts to restrain him and lunged, swinging the bat at me. A dozen bodyguards tried to hold Damon back, but he charged at me like an enraged bull. “What do you mean? What right do you have to say such things? You’re nothing but a low-life trash with no power or influence! I can snap my fingers and make sure you can’t survive in this city, and you dare lecture me?!” “Let me tell you, Seraphina is mine, always mine! You want to cling to her for money? Dream on!” I looked at him with disdain, but my words were cautious: “Mr. Blackwood, you’ve misunderstood me. I don’t mean that at all.” “I just want to work steadily and honestly. You’re overthinking things.” “Don’t look at me with that disgusting expression! What do you think you are?” Damon, seething with anger, threw the bat directly at my head. Seeing me fall to the ground from the impact, he shoved aside the bodyguards in front of him. He stomped on my face, his eyes wild with madness. “Go to work, fine, but why are you always parading around Seraphina? Huh? Dressed so handsomely, what, you think that’ll make Seraphina give you another glance? Let me tell you, you’re delusional!” “You look down on me? How dare you look down on me? I’m a Blackwood heir, a voice of authority in this city! How dare you look at me like that? I think you’re tired of living. I should gouge out your eyes!” My head spun, and my stomach churned with nausea. “Mr. Blackwood, you’ve truly misunderstood. I wouldn’t dare harbor any feelings for Ms. Thorne.” Seeing that I still dared to argue, Damon let out a furious laugh. He grabbed my hair, forcing my head up to look at him, and grinned maliciously: “You’ve got a tough mouth. Let’s see if your bones are as tough as your words.” Then he disgustedly released my hair, and I collapsed weakly to the ground. Soon, a pool of fresh blood surrounded me. Damon’s cold words echoed above my head. “You, beat him to within an inch of his life, until he admits his mistake.” “If he dies, it’s on me. I want to see if you still have the guts to seduce Seraphina.” The moment he finished speaking, the bodyguards rushed forward, kicking and punching me. I could only cover my head, begging for mercy. “Mr. Blackwood, please, it really wasn’t me…” “Mr. Blackwood, you’ve misunderstood…” Some bodyguards, unable to bear the sight, were about to say something, but they recoiled after seeing Damon’s obsessive glare. Just as I thought I might actually die there, a cool female voice brought an end to the brutal scene. “Stop!” Accompanied by dazzling white light, Seraphina Thorne, in high heels, walked directly towards Damon. “Ms. Thorne…” Though I said nothing, anyone with eyes could see my wretched state. Seraphina swept her gaze around with an icy expression, and the assistant behind her immediately stepped aside to call a private doctor. Before Damon could speak, Seraphina opened her mouth, her voice filled with displeasure: “Damon, have you made enough of a scene? Didn’t I explain things to you clearly before? Why did you still let your men act so cruelly?” “Are you doubting him, or are you doubting me?” Damon froze completely when he heard Seraphina’s cold voice. He awkwardly dropped the bat to the side, making a dull thud. Then, he whined, grabbing Seraphina’s hand and shaking it: “Seraphina, I didn’t mean to doubt you… I just wanted to warn him. I didn’t expect my men to hit him so hard. I’ll go teach them a lesson, alright? I’m sorry, I was wrong.” “But I was just too worried about you, too nervous. I promise I won’t do this again. Please don’t be angry with me, and don’t ignore me. I only have you.” Hearing his words, the coldness on Seraphina’s face instantly dissipated. She said nothing more, only instructing someone to take Damon away. She silently watched me, covered in wounds, then coldly told the assistant next to her: “Handle this. When he recovers, have him come to my office.” 0

That afternoon, the first thing I did after waking up was send a message to the Blackwood family’s staff. [Well done. Payment will be transferred tonight.] Yes, I had orchestrated this whole incident. Otherwise, how could I smoothly advance my next plan? I gathered my thoughts, then, in a wheelchair, knocked on the CEO’s office door. Once inside, I said nothing, simply watching Seraphina. The warm, red sunlight streamed onto me, giving me a fragile, almost broken appearance. Seraphina watched the scene before her, an unfamiliar feeling stirring within her. After a long silence, seeing that I still had no intention of speaking, she had to initiate the conversation. “What Damon did today was wrong. I apologize on his behalf. He’s not usually like this. He’s probably still resentful about past events and displaced that anger onto you. In a way, it’s my fault. Although Damon can be impulsive and heavy-handed, he doesn’t have a malicious heart. I hope you won’t hold it against him.” “Of course, mistakes require compensation. I’ll cover all your medical expenses, and during this time, you’ll be on paid leave. I’ll also give you a ten percent raise. Let’s consider this matter closed.” Closed? “Doesn’t have a malicious heart”? I scoffed inwardly, finding it utterly ironic. Damon Blackwood, with his “unmalicious heart,” had beaten me half to death in public. No wonder he, with his truly malicious heart, had done such things to my sister. Damon Blackwood was clearly born evil, an unreasonable madman. Yet, in Seraphina’s words, his evil was softened to mere “impulsiveness.” It was as if my sister’s death had nothing to do with Damon Blackwood. That was my sister, with whom I had grown up, who would rather beg to let me survive when we were starving. My sister, who went to sing in bars so I could attend college. Though we were poor, wherever Skylar was, I felt boundless warmth. But now, all of it had been destroyed by that madman, Damon Blackwood! Before, I thought these acts were solely Damon’s, and Seraphina might have been unaware. But now, it seemed Seraphina had probably been cleaning up his messes all along. With that realization, my hatred intensified. It looked like the plan needed some minor adjustments. I lowered my head, appearing somewhat disheveled, and my voice, slightly choked, reached Seraphina’s ears. “Thank you for your consideration, Ms. Thorne. Of course, I won’t blame Mr. Blackwood, nor will I blame you.” “I just hope, Ms. Thorne, that you won’t fire me because of this incident and will allow me to continue working steadily at the company.” Hearing my dedication to this job, Seraphina asked, a hint of confusion in her voice: “With your work ability and education, finding a similar job shouldn’t be difficult, should it? Why are you so determined to stay here?” I looked up, my gaze deep as it met Seraphina’s, then lowered my eyes. “Because it’s important.” After a moment of silence, I continued. “I grew up with my sister. She raised me through unimaginable hardships. But a year ago, my sister passed away. Her dying wish was for me to one day work for Thorne Enterprises, to live a good life, but I hadn’t been able to fulfill it.” “Now that I’ve finally achieved it, how can I easily give up? Besides… to put me through school, our family accumulated a lot of debt. I can’t afford to lose this job.” Seraphina pursed her lips, a flicker of apology crossing her face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize there was such a story behind it. Please stay here, compose yourself, and rest a bit before you leave.” I nodded slightly and soon fell asleep in the wheelchair. Seraphina had met many handsome men; her cool demeanor showed little change. But upon seeing my fragile face, marked with bandages, her expression softened slightly. She picked up a blanket nearby and covered me. Just as she was about to leave, I grabbed her hand. I clutched Seraphina’s hand tightly, as if I had recovered a lost treasure. “Skylar, don’t leave me…” “I miss you so much…” Seraphina saw the glistening tears in my eyes. Her gaze flickered, then she awkwardly patted my head with her other hand. Once my expression had calmed, she slowly withdrew her hand. A week later, Seraphina was invited to a corporate gala, and I, as her assistant, accompanied her. When Damon Blackwood saw me standing behind Seraphina, his expression twisted. However, Seraphina had recently warned him, so he could only feign indifference. He wrapped his arm around Seraphina’s waist, attempting to assert his claim, but after a few drinks, he became lightheaded. Left with no choice, he excused himself to Seraphina and went to a guest room to rest. Seeing my objective accomplished, I smoothly walked over to Seraphina’s side. Even though Seraphina was the CEO of Thorne Enterprises, many people still disliked her. Before long, Seraphina’s mind became hazy from the endless toasts. I helped her sit down. Out of sight of the others, I sprinkled some white powder from my sleeve into a glass of water. Seraphina took a sip, then abruptly pushed my hand away. I lost my grip, and the water spilled all over Seraphina. My eyes flickered for a moment, then I immediately grabbed some napkins from the table and began to wipe her clothes. Just as I feigned shock and was about to pull my hand away, Seraphina, her thoughts momentarily clearer, pushed me away. “Get away from me!” Seeing her clothes cling slightly to her from the water, I felt a bashful flush creep up my face. I cleared my throat, then took off my suit jacket and draped it over Seraphina. I lowered my head, stepped back, and said with regret: “I’m so sorry, Ms. Thorne. I didn’t mean to… I’ll go get you some clean clothes.” Seraphina clutched the jacket tighter, her blush deepening. Her eyes, heavy-lidded, glanced at the drinks on the table and the crowd drinking in the main hall. She was about to say something when her expression clouded over again. She bit her tongue hard, trying to maintain her clarity. “Asher, take me to the hospital.” Even though I heard her, I pretended not to. So, I leaned in curiously and asked: “Ms. Thorne, what did you say?” “To… the hospital…” I admit, I harbored a desire for revenge. But seeing Seraphina, disoriented, starting to pull off her clothes, I suddenly remembered what Skylar had once told me. “Our Asher is going to be a bright, gentle, and protective young man, you hear?” My hands, hanging at my sides, immediately clenched. After a moment of internal struggle, I cursed under my breath, then wrapped Seraphina tightly in my jacket. I picked her up and headed towards the back exit where the car was parked. Forget it. There were plenty of other ways to seek my revenge; I didn’t need to resort to such sordid methods against a woman. By the time I finally managed to carry the wildly struggling Seraphina to the back exit, I suddenly remembered I had sent the driver away. I let out a soft, exasperated sigh. I held Seraphina with one arm and pulled out my phone with the other, intending to call the driver. But the moment I pulled out my phone, Seraphina slapped it out of my hand. Her eyes hazy, Seraphina looked at me, then directly leaned in to kiss me. I stumbled, falling backward into a nearby planter. 0

Once I recovered, I immediately restrained Seraphina. “Ms. Thorne, please, try to clear your head.” Seraphina’s expression gradually became clearer. She hadn’t ingested much of the drug, and with the sudden exertion and sweat, its effects were mostly wearing off. The moment she fully awoke, she immediately realized the current situation was all wrong. In the dim moonlight, Seraphina saw me. “You!” Seraphina gritted her teeth, pushed me away, and then noticed my unresponsive state. She then picked up her phone and called her driver. Although she had been drugged, her memory wasn’t completely blank. While the situation was ultimately her fault, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t quite right. Before she could ponder further, the driver arrived. She looked at me in silence for a moment, then signaled the driver to take me to the hospital. After all, she had inadvertently caused my injuries. When I woke up, three days had already passed. During those three days, a lot had happened in the city. First, the companies that had attended the gala all suffered varying degrees of retaliation from Thorne Enterprises, while Blackwood Industries, conversely, saw its stock rise. Second, photos of Seraphina Thorne and Damon Blackwood enjoying a sweet outing once again topped the social media feeds. When I saw this news upon waking, instead of feeling discouraged, I smiled with satisfaction. Men and women are alike; once guilt settles in their hearts, they become exceptionally good to their partners, often compensating with material things. I figured Seraphina hadn’t slept well these past few days. Next, I would ensure that Seraphina’s heart slowly became solely mine. After I returned to work, I would instinctively avoid Seraphina whenever I saw her. Even during official duties, I rarely made eye contact with her. Seraphina naturally noticed I was trying to keep my distance. However, my considerate behavior actually made Seraphina less awkward. But as the days went by, a peculiar feeling stirred in Seraphina’s heart, and her attention towards me increased. One day, Damon Blackwood came to Thorne Enterprises again. But Damon didn’t go looking for Seraphina; instead, he found me. He sat at my desk, scornfully leafing through the documents on it. With a sweep of his hand, his bodyguards scattered the reports I had painstakingly organized over three days all over the floor. Then, they placed two large boxes of alcohol on my desk. “Asher, Seraphina has already reprimanded me for what I did to you before. So, I specially brought some good liquor to make amends.” Damon smiled, but his eyes were full of cold malice. “I assume you wouldn’t refuse me this courtesy, would you, Asher?” I looked at the liquor on the table, none of which was below eighty proof. Before I could speak, bodyguards pushed me down into the chair opposite Damon. Damon took a bottle of vodka from a box, examined it for a moment, then smirked at me. “Asher, how about we start with this bottle? This vodka was specially airlifted from Russia; I’ve treasured it for years. You can’t waste a single drop, you hear?” As he spoke, a bodyguard respectfully took the vodka from Damon’s hand. He opened the bottle and menacingly placed it in front of me. “Drink!” I looked at the liquor before me, then at the bodyguards and Damon, who wore a malicious grin. I knew there was no escaping this drinking session today. So, I picked up the bottle and started to drink. Soon, a deep flush spread across my cheeks, and my expression grew hazy. But there was no way Damon Blackwood would let me off that easily. Seeing me repeatedly shake my head in refusal, Damon gave a look. One bodyguard pinned me down, while another poured the alcohol directly into my mouth. Damon watched my struggles with amusement, then casually picked up an empty bottle and struck me on the head. “Asher, don’t fall asleep! You’ve only had a few drinks; keep drinking!” It wasn’t until I was on my knees, my face flushed, trying to stick my fingers down my throat to vomit the ingested alcohol, that the smile finally left Damon’s face. He kicked me hard, his voice filled with viciousness. “What are you spitting out? If it weren’t for me, you’d never get to drink such good liquor in your life!” “Swallow it, you hear me!” When he saw my veins throbbing, and me collapsing, convulsing in pain on the vomit-strewn floor, Damon finally seemed satisfied. He placed his foot on my face, playfully grinding it, then whispered: “Trash belongs in the trash can. Know your place, understand?” 0

At the hospital, I politely watched the doctor leave, then pulled out my phone and smirked. What were these few injuries? The more Damon Blackwood lost control of his actions, the more he humiliated me, the more he pushed Seraphina towards me. This was exactly what I wanted. Damon Blackwood, just wait for your public disgrace. Power, wealth, love… everything will ultimately be taken by me. I smiled, sent a few messages on my phone, and soon completed the discharge procedures. When I returned to the office, everyone seemed surprised to see me. After exchanging a few pleasantries, I carried the documents I was supposed to give Seraphina that morning to the CEO’s office door. I politely knocked, and when her cool voice answered, I pushed the door open. After forcing myself to report on the work, I turned to leave. But I stumbled, bumping into a chair, which drew Seraphina’s attention. “My apologies, Ms. Thorne, I’ll leave now.” “Wait a moment.” Seraphina walked over to me. “Are you avoiding me?” My vision swam for a moment, but I didn’t forget to keep my distance from Seraphina. I staggered back two steps, then quickly explained: “You misunderstand, Ms. Thorne, I’m not avoiding you.” Seraphina instinctively reached out to steady me. As she came closer, she noticed the mingled scent of alcohol and antiseptic on me. My body instantly stiffened, and I immediately tried to pull away. But Seraphina firmly guided me to sit on the sofa. She looked at the bruises on my face, sighed softly, then took a box of ointment from a first-aid kit. She dabbed some out and gently applied it to my face. I was forced to look up. I glanced at Seraphina, then awkwardly closed my eyes. After applying the ointment, Seraphina noticed that my hands, clenched on my lap from tension, had wrinkled my trousers. My face was also flushed from holding my breath. She sighed, a hint of exasperation in her voice. “Do I smell bad? You’ll suffocate yourself if you keep holding your breath.” Hearing that, I finally remembered to breathe. I gasped a few times, then looked at Seraphina, slightly flustered. I hastily explained: “No, Ms. Thorne, you smell wonderful… Ah, no, I didn’t mean to offend you…” I nervously stood up, bowing to Seraphina. “Ms. Thorne, I truly have no ulterior motives for you. I just want to earn a decent living…” All her life, Seraphina had heard countless declarations of love from accomplished men. This was the first time someone had been so desperate to distance himself from her. Seraphina felt a rare flicker of annoyance, but seeing my body sway from pain, unable to stand steadily, she softened and gently pulled me back onto the sofa. “Why are you so quick to deny it? My intentions towards you are professional, so whether you harbor ulterior motives or not is irrelevant to me.” “I’m just showing concern for a subordinate. Besides, these injuries on you were Damon’s doing, weren’t they?” Hearing that, I froze for a moment, then my eyes darkened. The flush on my face faded, replaced by redness around my eyes. Seraphina opened her mouth, confused about what she had said wrong. Just as she was about to ask, there was an urgent knock at the door. I frantically covered my eyes, then, supporting myself on the sofa, stumbled to my feet. “Ms. Thorne, I apologize for taking up your time. I’ll go back to work now.” Before Seraphina could say anything, I fled as if escaping. She frowned, watching me leave, and only after a long moment did she turn back to her work. By the time Seraphina finished her meeting and emerged, the sky was filled with stars. She saw me standing by the back door of the company, smoking a cigarette, my expression forlorn. She paused, then decided to approach. Just as she was about to speak, she heard a surprised male voice from my phone. “Dude, don’t tell me you still haven’t told her yet!” I took a drag from my cigarette, my voice heavy. “Tell her what? She has a boyfriend now. It would only cause trouble if I told her. I think it’s better not to.” “How can you just let it go? You’re getting soft as you get older, aren’t you? You spent all that effort getting into Thorne Enterprises, becoming Seraphina Thorne’s personal assistant, wasn’t it to spend more time with her? If you give up now, what was all that wasted time for?” “You’ve liked her for so many years. To be close to her, you defied all of us, chose to re-study, got into Eastwood University. How much hardship did you endure, how much prejudice did you face, just to work at Thorne Enterprises? Even if she rejects you, you have to tell her how you feel.” “And if you ask me, that Blackwood guy isn’t any good. The reason you’re covered in injuries now is because of him, isn’t it? Aren’t you afraid that if she marries him, he’ll abuse her?” “He wouldn’t dare!” As if speaking too quickly, I coughed violently a few times before recovering. “If he ever dared to do that, no matter what it costs me, I would fight tooth and nail to take Seraphina away from him.” “But right now, she seems happy. I shouldn’t ruin that. Besides, she’s the boss, I’m an employee. Our statuses are inherently unequal. I just want to quietly be there for her, support her. As long as she’s happy, I’m content.” “Alright, talk later. I need to bring Ms. Thorne dinner now. She hasn’t been eating properly these past few days; I don’t want her stomach issues to flare up again.” With that, I extinguished my cigarette, picked up the insulated bag of food, and turned to re-enter the building. But the next second, I met Seraphina’s gaze. “Ms… Ms. Thorne?” Seraphina slowly walked towards me, a playful smirk on her face. “Asher, is this what you meant by not having any ulterior motives for me?” Even though I forced myself to remain calm, my beet-red earlobes betrayed my inner embarrassment. “Ms. Thorne, I know I’m not good enough for you. I never dared to hope we could be together.” “I joined Thorne Enterprises to help lighten your burden, and also… also because I wanted to be near you. As long as I could see you every day, I’d be satisfied.” “Please… please don’t fire me. I promise I’ll keep these feelings hidden and won’t affect your relationship with Mr. Blackwood. I just see how tired you are and wanted to help you, even if my ability is small. As long as you can relax a little, I’ll be content.” As I spoke, I placed the takeout container in front of Seraphina. “Ms. Thorne, you probably haven’t eaten since the meeting, have you? This is from The Gilded Spoon, which I specially packed for you. It’s still warm.” Seraphina looked at the still-warm meal in the insulated bag, her throat suddenly dry. “The Gilded Spoon isn’t cheap, and you have to reserve a table in advance. You…” I smiled brightly: “But Ms. Thorne, isn’t The Gilded Spoon your favorite? After a busy day, being able to eat your favorite meal is the happiest thing I can imagine. Ms. Thorne, please eat slowly. I’ll go back to finish my proposal now.” With that, I placed the food in Seraphina’s hands. The moment the motion-sensor light came on, Seraphina saw the sweat on my face and my sparkling eyes. It wasn’t until my figure was completely obscured by the elevator doors that she slowly snapped out of her daze. As her heart pounded in her chest, a complex, indescribable emotion bloomed in Seraphina’s eyes. 0

What happened that day seemed to be tacitly brushed aside by both of us, yet during our private interactions, I could clearly feel Seraphina’s increased closeness. One day, Seraphina brought me to a gala. I noticed she seemed unwell and immediately prepared painkillers for her. During the event, someone else tried to toast Seraphina. Considering Seraphina’s health—I’d been advised by her doctor to limit alcohol and eat light—I had no choice but to bravely block each drink for her. Everyone watched Seraphina, who remained sober thanks to my protection, and couldn’t help but tease. “Ms. Thorne, your assistant is truly dedicated. Not a single drop of alcohol has touched your lips all night.” “Ms. Thorne, such a handsome and attentive assistant, Damon Blackwood isn’t jealous, is he?” Before Seraphina could respond, a wealthy lady who had clearly had too much to drink stumbled directly into my arms. “Ms. Thorne, you already have Mr. Blackwood. Why don’t you give this handsome young man to me? I can give you one percent of the profits from this deal.” My body instantly stiffened, but I couldn’t bring myself to be harsh and cause a scene. Just as the woman’s lips were about to touch mine, Seraphina’s face darkened. She pulled me sharply behind her and said in a low, stern voice: “Mrs. Albright, I think you’ve had too much to drink. My assistant isn’t one of those college boys you keep. I wonder how Mr. Albright, who’s currently away on business, would feel if he knew you were having affairs behind his back?” Mrs. Albright instantly sobered up. She glanced at me sheepishly, then waddled away. Seeing Seraphina’s rare outburst of anger, no one dared to cause further trouble. On the way home after the gala, My hand clamped around hers like an iron vice. After the call ended, I was the first to break the awkward silence. I got out of the car, and only after its shadow disappeared from my sight did I move my stiff limbs and call a ride-share home. That call had been from Damon Blackwood. I was extremely sensitive to his voice. Though Seraphina now had feelings for me, if Damon ever got into trouble, Seraphina would still decisively abandon me. It seemed this fire needed to burn even brighter. A few days later, I accompanied Seraphina on a business trip to the capital. As soon as we deplaned, a thug brandished a gun and began a robbery at the airport. Just as the thug lunged to stab Seraphina, I immediately rushed forward, shielding her, and took the knife wound myself. “Asher!” Once the chaos was under control, I was rushed to the emergency room, my face pale. When I next awoke, Seraphina was gently moistening my chapped lips with a cotton swab. Seeing this, I nervously grabbed Seraphina’s hand and asked: “Ms. Thorne, are you hurt?” “Are you alright anywhere? Did those people hurt you afterward?” Looking at my concerned face, Seraphina felt a bittersweet pang in her heart. She hadn’t expected that the first thing I would do after waking, having taken a knife for her, was to inquire about her safety. She also hadn’t expected me to value her life more than my own. Wrapped in such intense affection, Seraphina felt her eyes welling up, as if she might burst into tears. 0

Even though I was in the hospital with a caregiver, Seraphina still made time to visit me every day. She would peel an apple for me, wipe my face with a damp cloth, or simply sit in the room, working on company documents. One day, the caregiver had just left to get my meal, and I felt an urgent need to use the restroom. With no other option, I braced myself, slowly making my way to the bathroom. Since I was the only patient in the room, I didn’t bother closing the door. Then, I heard a sound from the doorway. Thinking the caregiver had returned with my meal, I quickly called out: “Mr. Jenkins, you’re back just in time, please help me.” The person at the door seemed to falter, their footsteps growing a little flustered, but then they abruptly stopped right at the entrance. I didn’t turn around, simply urging them in a low voice. After a moment of silence, I realized something was wrong. I sharply turned my head, only to see a deeply flushed Seraphina Thorne. “Ms… Ms. Thorne?!” I froze for a moment, then my face burned crimson. I stammered, turning away. “Ms… Ms. Thorne, please… please step outside.” Seraphina’s initial shyness vanished when she saw my reaction. She chuckled softly, then, ignoring my protests, helped me slowly back into the hospital bed. Then she pulled the blanket over me. “You rest and recover well. You’re on paid leave during this time. Once you’re fully recovered, you can return to work.” With that, she turned and left the room. Seeing Seraphina leave, my awkward expression instantly relaxed. The fish was about to bite. News of the airport robbery had already gone viral. Consequently, Seraphina’s repeated visits to the hospital after the incident were also captured by paparazzi. Damon Blackwood naturally knew I had shielded Seraphina from the knife. Connecting that to her frequent hospital visits, he crushed the glass in his hand. And so, as soon as I was discharged from the hospital, Damon Blackwood came knocking. Damon tossed a pile of demeaning clothes in front of me. He used his baseball bat to lift my chin, as I knelt on the ground, pinned by his bodyguards. He grinned maliciously. “I truly underestimated you. You’re the first person besides me that Seraphina has cared for so deeply.” “Didn’t you say you just wanted a good job to make money? Fine, I’ve found you a great job. Go resign from Seraphina’s company right now. The monthly salary is much higher than your current job, and you won’t have to deal with the elements or clock in. See? Aren’t I good to you?” “Tonight at eight, at the Grand View Hotel. I’ve already scheduled your interview. And of course, how can you go to an interview without proper attire? Don’t worry, I’ve already found out: these big bosses, they just love interviewees dressed like this.” “If it works out, you’d better thank me properly.” I looked at the scattered pieces of fabric on the floor, shaking my head in humiliation. “Mr. Blackwood, what are you talking about? I’m not that kind of person. I just want to work hard and earn money to live a good life. Why do you keep targeting me?” Damon’s face darkened as he listened to my refusal. He grabbed my hair, his gaze ominous as he stared into my face. “If you’re smart, you’ll go yourself. If I have to help you, well, then I can’t guarantee how you’ll end up in that room.” “If you don’t go, I can’t guarantee what rumors will spread across the city tomorrow.” Threatened repeatedly by Damon, I could only feign humiliation and agree to his demands. After changing into the clothes in the room, I surveyed myself in the mirror, looking like a packaged gift, and couldn’t help but smirk. Damon Blackwood’s intentions were truly transparent. But… it was exactly what I wanted. I draped the matching cloak over myself and sent a resignation text to Mr. Hayes. [Mr. Hayes, I apologize, but after much consideration, I’ve decided to resign. Thank you for your care during these past days. Tonight’s gala, I’m afraid I’ll have to entrust you to accompany Ms. Thorne. Thank you for your trouble.] In the CEO’s office, Seraphina Thorne, upon hearing the news, immediately swept everything off her desk. She braced herself against the table, her eyes dark as she looked at Mr. Hayes. “Find out where he is. Now.”

The sky was gloomy, as if it could rain at any moment. The atmosphere inside the car was equally tense and stagnant, as if a large net had enveloped the entire vehicle. Mr. Hayes had been with Seraphina since she came of age and took control of Thorne Enterprises. So he understood better than anyone that Seraphina was in an extremely foul mood and absolutely not to be trifled with. The car stopped at the entrance of the Grand View Hotel. As Seraphina stepped inside, she saw me, my face flushed. Seraphina’s eyes narrowed, and her chest began to heave violently. An inexplicable rage enveloped her. By the time she realized what she was doing, she was already standing between me and another person, her hand tingling. The heavily built woman in front of her clutched her red hand, glaring angrily at Seraphina. “Are you crazy?!” “Get out of my way! Don’t ruin my fun!” The woman tried to shove Seraphina, but I quickly shielded her. The woman was about to say more, but Seraphina simply shot Mr. Hayes a dark look, then grabbed my hand and turned, heading for the elevator. As the elevator ascended, the flickering lights painted shadows across Seraphina’s face, making her expression even more unreadable. “You resigned just to be with someone like…?” “No!” My previously silent eyes immediately lifted, and I denied it, looking at her. “No? Then why?” I opened my mouth, but ultimately, my gaze dimmed, and I gently pushed Seraphina away. “Ms. Thorne, please let go of me.” Seraphina, seeing me like this, grew furious. “You changed your mind so quickly? You said you’d stay by my side forever, that you’d never leave.” “Hmph, I guess I misjudged you. I thought you were different from other men, but now I see you’re no different. You’d sell yourself for money, both your soul and your body. Forget it, I’ve seen plenty of men like you. Since you’re willing to stoop so low, why should I be upset for you?” With that, Seraphina, her face icy, stepped away from me, turned to the bedside table, pulled out a cigarette, and lit it. “You can leave. Don’t ever appear in front of me again.” “Ms. Thorne, Ms. Thorne, no, it’s not like that, I was forced. I didn’t want to do this. I just… I just didn’t want to leave you.” Seraphina looked at me, my eyes red with desperation. She let out a cold, dismissive laugh and said nothing. Her impatient expression made her feelings clear. I had pleaded my case thoroughly, but Seraphina’s attitude remained unchanged. Finally, I could only lower my head in despair and, my body heavy with dejection, stood up. “Since you don’t believe me, then I’ll leave.” “Ms. Thorne, I’ll go back and draft my resignation letter now. I won’t appear in front of you or Mr. Blackwood again.” “Seraphina… Seraphina, I hope you’ll be happy every day from now on.” With that, I stumbled towards the door. The moment my hand touched the handle, I heard Seraphina mutter a curse. Then, Seraphina suddenly rushed into my arms, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed me fiercely on the lips. “Ms… Ms. Thorne, if Mr. Blackwood finds out about this, he’ll be furious…”

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I married a CEO wife who looked more alluring in her power suits than out of them. I thought I’d be living out my fantasies of a powerful woman in charge. But three months into our marriage, every time I got her into bed, just as things were heating up, Celeste would get a call from her deceased first love’s younger brother, Liam Reed, and just leave. Ever since her first love passed away, Celeste had poured all her attention and care into Liam. For seven years of our relationship, if Liam needed her, Celeste would leave without a second thought, abandoning me. Sometimes, I’d wonder who her real husband was: me or Liam. Even worse, Celeste and I had been married for years, but the outside world still didn’t know I was the husband of CEO Celeste Vance. She always claimed it wasn’t the right time to announce our marriage, always told me to just “wait a little longer.” Three months ago, Celeste finally promised me the grandest wedding. I was ecstatic, thrilled that she was finally willing to acknowledge our marriage and introduce me to everyone. But I waited for three months, only to see Celeste propose to Liam, and it went viral. Celeste explained that Liam was a celebrity, and he needed her to pull a stunt for him to grab public attention. Watching Liam look so overwhelmed by Celeste’s lavish proposal that he couldn’t speak, the last shred of hesitation in my heart shattered. I turned and made a call: “I’ve made up my decision. I’m going to study abroad in the UK.” And then, I’d finally cut ties with Celeste for good. That evening, the head of the education agency gave me some long-awaited good news. “Mr. Thorne, hello!” “Congratulations! Your study abroad application has been approved. Our agency will handle all subsequent arrangements. In one month, you can simply register at the school.” A faint smile touched my lips. This was the only thing worth celebrating in a long time. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, I hung up. Turning around, I saw a woman standing behind me. It was my wife, in name only—Celeste Vance. “Who were you just talking to? What school? What time?” She started with an interrogation, her tone icy, her expression displeased. I deflected, “Nothing, just chatting with the kids at the orphanage about school. Do you need something?” Her brows furrowed slightly, and her gaze grew deeper, as if she were scrutinizing the truth of my words. “Nothing major. I just came to tell you that what Liam and I did today was just a rehearsal. He’s still young, don’t hold it against him.” Rehearsal? I couldn’t help but scoff aloud. “A rehearsal in front of so many people, with media reporters and live streams? Do you really expect me to believe that?” “Julian Thorne, I’m here to explain this to you now, and I’ll only say it once. You’d better recognize your place and stop looking for trouble.” Celeste’s voice suddenly turned cold, and her expression grew stern. Her words were like a sharp knife, piercing my heart without warning. I suppressed the pain and met Celeste’s gaze. Celeste visibly flinched, a flicker of panic in her eyes. Perhaps she had never seen me look at her with such an expression before. Calm, numb, devoid of any emotion. But Celeste, accustomed to being in charge for so long, quickly masked her reaction, as if nothing had happened. Perhaps seeing my silence, Celeste surprisingly softened her tone. She approached me, gently took my hand, and said with a sigh, “Julian, why do you have to be so difficult with Liam? He’s still so young, and as a public figure, he needs the exposure and buzz.” “This rehearsal, although a bit…” Celeste paused, seemingly searching for the right words. As Celeste racked her brain for how to defend Liam in front of me, I pulled my hand away. “You yourself know how inappropriate your actions were. Our wedding was supposed to be *ours*, but you turned it into a stage for him. You’re truly generous.” “As for saying he’s young, don’t forget he’s only a year younger than us.” With that, under Celeste’s stunned gaze, I turned and went back to my room. Moments later, I heard the door close from outside. I knew Celeste had left. As for where she went, I didn’t even need to think to know the answer: to her “younger brother,” Liam Reed. Liam Reed was the younger brother of Celeste’s deceased first love. On his deathbed, her first love’s biggest concern was his brother, so he asked Celeste to look after him. That “looking after” had lasted nine years. Celeste and I dated for seven years, and Liam Reed was a constant presence between us for all seven of them. In the beginning, it wasn’t so bad. Liam was a trainee overseas, rarely coming back, mostly just calling. But ever since his team disbanded and he returned, he completely inserted himself into our relationship. Anytime Liam needed her, Celeste would leave without hesitation, abandoning me. At first, she would explain, saying Liam had just returned, wasn’t familiar with things here, and had no friends, so as his “sister,” she naturally had to look out for him. But as it happened more often, she stopped explaining. After countless times of being forced to choose and then abandoned, I lost all expectation for Celeste. Still, I never imagined that the wedding I’d waited three months for would end with Celeste proposing to Liam instead. In hindsight, there had always been signs. Liam’s eyes were always filled with utter contempt and disdain, and he often mocked me directly to my face. Then he’d put on an innocent act, claiming he was just “direct and honest” and hoped I wouldn’t get mad. And Celeste would always side with him, comforting Liam while ordering me to apologize, accusing me of being petty and making him feel guilty. But thankfully, my study abroad application had been approved. I would be leaving this place soon. After that, whatever they chose to do, it wouldn’t concern me anymore. As for my love for Celeste, it had already vanished with that sham proposal. Celeste seemed to know that the proposal had upset me. Today, she actually came specifically to find me, suggesting we go out shopping. I thought about it; I would be going abroad soon and did need to buy some things. We left together, driving to the downtown mall. On the way, Celeste glanced at me in the passenger seat while she drove. I just leaned back, propping my chin with one hand, my eyes fixed on the constantly receding scenery outside the window. “Let’s have a good day out. You haven’t left the house in a while, have you?” “Hmm.” My attitude was cold. I didn’t even spare her a glance. At the mall entrance, Celeste reached out to take my hand, but I deftly avoided her. I looked at her sideways, my face expressionless, and said, “Too many people outside. It’s not appropriate, not after yesterday’s news.” With that, I strode in. I hadn’t walked far when Celeste quickly caught up, grabbing my hand forcefully. My body instantly froze. I turned, looking at her with shock. “What are you doing? Let go!” I tried to shake her hand off, but she held on tight, making it impossible to break free. “You’re my husband. What’s wrong with me holding your hand?” “Yesterday’s trending topic is still online, and your face is constantly plastered across business magazines. Plenty of people recognize you.” “You proposed to Liam and went viral yesterday, and today you’re holding my hand and strolling through the mall? Are you really not afraid of being dragged online?” Celeste initially froze, then seemed to understand something. A smile touched her lips, and a hint of delight entered her eyes. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?” I closed my eyes, fighting the urge to roll them. After a moment, I said, “I just don’t want to be called a homewrecker. You two are too ostentatious. I don’t deserve to stand next to you.” With that, I forcefully pried her hand off my wrist with my other hand, without any thought of her beauty. “Julian Thorne, stop.” I paused, turning to face the woman behind me. Her face was composed, her waist-length hair styled in loose waves draped casually over her shoulders. A black bodycon mini-dress perfectly showcased her figure. Now, angered, her eyes held a hint of fury, and her voice unconsciously deepened. “Julian Thorne, if I deal with the trending topic, will you let me hold your hand?” I opened my mouth, but before I could answer, she already had her phone out, making a call. “Hello, Mr. Davison, take down the trending topic about Liam and me immediately, then clarify our relationship.” Mr. Davison on the other end sounded a bit confused. “But… Ms. Vance, what is your relationship with Mr. Reed?” I sneered inwardly. No wonder Mr. Davison was confused. Celeste had just proposed to Liam yesterday, and today she wanted to clarify? Anyone would be puzzled. “Friends. Brother.” With that, Celeste hung up. When her eyes met my complex and disgusted gaze, Celeste froze completely. But I didn’t want to get tangled up with Celeste. I was out for a reason today. Going abroad for studies, I needed to have all the essentials ready. Whatever I could take with me now meant less money I’d have to spend over there. As I was picking out clothes, Celeste’s phone, which was with me, rang. Caller ID: Liam! With a cute little emoji next to it. “Hello? What’s wrong?” The person on the other end began to sob. “Celeste, did you take down the trending topic?” Celeste softly hummed in affirmation. The next second, Liam’s wails came through the phone directly. Even several feet away from Celeste, I could hear him crying. Celeste hurriedly comforted him for a while, promising to buy him a gift before he finally calmed down. Then, she told Liam that she was currently out shopping with me. Hearing that, Liam immediately hung up and rushed over with surprising speed. In less than half an hour, he appeared before me. I was also startled, not expecting Liam to follow. Seeing that I wasn’t acknowledging him, Liam casually stepped forward and explained, “Julian, are you picking out clothes?” “Shouldn’t we just stay home and have these brands send stuff over? Then just keep what you like. Doesn’t Julian know about this service?” With that, he gasped dramatically, covering his mouth. “Oops, I forgot Julian came from the orphanage. You probably wouldn’t know about such luxuries.” “But it’s okay, Julian! If you see any brand you like, just tell me. I’ll have someone deliver it, or you can send me your size. I have brand sponsorships, so if anything suitable comes up, I’ll save it for you.” Celeste stood beside him, a faint smile on her face, her eyes fixed on Liam without blinking. “No thanks. I prefer to choose things myself.” The next second, Liam looked at Celeste with a wronged expression, timidly saying, “Celeste, did I say something wrong to upset Julian? He’s looking at me so fiercely.” I ignored him and went straight to the next store. Soon, Celeste quickly caught up, grabbing me forcefully, her voice icy. “Julian Thorne, apologize to Liam, now.” She had long nails from her manicure, and with her grip, they dug directly into my flesh. I shoved her hand away and looked at my arm. Sure enough, there were several bloody marks. I raised my eyes to the two of them, my face grim. “Apologize? Why on earth should I apologize to him?” Celeste also noticed the marks on my arm, and her lips parted slightly. I thought she would ask about my injury, but the next moment, I heard her say: “Why? Liam was kindly concerned about you, and not only did you not appreciate it, but you also said hurtful things. Shouldn’t you apologize to him?” Though it wasn’t the first time I’d heard Celeste’s blatant favoritism towards Liam, hearing it now still brought a pang of sadness. But thankfully, I was used to such things, and the brief sorrow quickly faded. “First, I was picking out things I liked, and I didn’t listen to a word he said. Second, he’s constantly buzzing around me, and it’s incredibly annoying. Whether he’s being sincere or not, his behavior is rude when unwanted.” “I was already being incredibly restrained, considering he’s a celebrity, by not telling him to get lost. So you can tell him to stay away from me and get some common sense.” With that, I turned and walked away, ignoring their mortified expressions. I was out today to buy things I needed. Clothes, daily necessities, electronics, medicine… Most importantly, various seasonings. Because there were many foods I couldn’t get used to, I felt it would be more convenient to cook for myself while studying abroad. Thinking of this, I even bought a cookbook. By the time I got home, Celeste had already arrived. Seeing Celeste sitting on the sofa as I entered, I paused. I thought she wouldn’t come back today, that she’d be with her “dear brother.” Hearing the noise at the door, Celeste turned to look. Seeing me carrying various bags, her already displeased expression grew even more annoyed. “Why are you only coming back now?” I put down my things, organizing them as I replied, “You can see for yourself, I was out shopping.” Hearing my answer, Celeste walked over and took a look. Her eyes immediately landed on the cookbook at the top. Who knows what she thought, but her expression softened a bit, and her tone became gentler. “Alright, you must be tired after shopping all day. If you need anything else in the future, just tell the staff, and they’ll get it for you.” My hands, busy tidying, paused slightly. I just felt Celeste was an incredibly contradictory woman. Today, she was the one who said she’d take me out, but then she abandoned me halfway through for Liam. Now, after I went shopping alone and came back, she was telling me to have others get what I need. And given my position in the Vance household, who exactly would listen to me? All these years in the Vance family, I was superficially her boyfriend, her future husband. But in reality, my life was worse than that of a hired hand. Everyone treated me poorly. Everyone, openly and subtly, whispered that I wasn’t good enough for Celeste, claiming if I hadn’t spent those few years with Celeste when we were kids, I’d never have a shot at a family like the Vances. At first, I was upset. It was true that I stayed with the Vance family because of Celeste, but it wasn’t because I shamelessly clung to them, as people claimed. Celeste was the one who begged me to stay. Yet, once I did stay, Celeste became incredibly distant, giving everyone the impression that I was clinging to her and the Vance family. Gradually, I became numb. After growing accustomed to their cold stares and taunts, I stopped appearing in front of others. Except for essential outings, I spent my days confined to my bedroom. Seeing that I didn’t want to talk, Celeste said nothing more. She reached out, picked up the cookbook, and casually flipped through it. “Julian, I suddenly have a craving for your cooking. Will you make me dinner tonight, please?” I turned to Celeste. Her expression seemed genuine, and there was a hint of expectation in her eyes. After a few seconds of thought, I softly agreed. “Okay. What do you want to eat? I’ll make it.” Celeste shook her head slightly. “Nothing in particular. Anything you make will be fine.” Her words instantly pulled my thoughts back to a long, long time ago. I was an orphan; Celeste was the heiress to the Vance empire. But when Celeste was little, she was maliciously abducted by people from a rival company. After several transfers, she ended up at the orphanage where I lived. We lived together for three years. From when I was seven until I was ten. Later, the Vance family found her and took her away. After learning about the orphanage’s situation, they generously funded all the children there. We met again the year I graduated high school. All the children from our batch had gotten into good universities. We collectively wrote a thank-you letter and sent it to the Vance family. Mr. Vance, a businessman, valued his reputation. How could he not boast about such a good deed? Later, at a Vance family banquet, I, as the orphanage representative, went on stage to express our gratitude to the Vance family. After I stepped down, Celeste approached me. That’s when I realized the woman in front of me was the little girl who had followed me everywhere, calling me “Star brother” for three years. Later, when we became a couple, I often cooked for her. Then, Celeste became increasingly busy. We rarely even saw each other, let alone had the chance for me to cook for her. I finished tidying up and went into the kitchen. In less than an hour, I had prepared a table full of delicious food. Celeste looked at the dishes on the table, a smile on her face. “It’s been so long since I’ve had your cooking.” I smiled back and served her a piece of fish. But before she could eat much, Celeste’s phone rang. Liam’s choked voice came through the phone. “Celeste, I fell while dancing and hurt myself. Can you come see me?” Hearing that, Celeste immediately got up and left, not sparing me a single glance. The door closed. I looked at the food on the table, suddenly losing my appetite. I gave a bitter laugh. I knew exactly what kind of person Celeste was, yet I still obediently listened to her. Celeste disappeared for a week straight. During that week, I wasn’t idle. I prepared all the necessary documents for going abroad. That night, just as I was getting ready to wash up and go to bed, the front door opened. I turned and saw Celeste entering, supporting Liam. Liam looked at me, smiling, “Julian, hello.” I didn’t speak, instead letting my gaze fall on Liam’s bandaged foot. Noticing my stare, Liam explained, “I accidentally twisted my ankle dancing a few days ago. I’m all alone at my place, so I asked Celeste to bring me back here.” “Julian, you’re not mad, are you? If you are, I’ll leave right away.” Before I could even open my mouth, Celeste spoke, “He won’t be. Anyway, it’s usually just him and me here most of the time. It’ll be livelier with you around.” As she spoke, Celeste looked up at me, her eyes full of warning. If this had been before, if Celeste had brought Liam home and said he was staying, I definitely would have been furious. But now… I wasn’t. A faint smile on my face, I looked at the two of them and said, “No, not at all. There are plenty of empty rooms. Make yourself at home.” Liam choked, seemingly surprised that I was so generous this time, and that I even smiled at him. After all, in the past, when he saw me, I either ignored him or rolled my eyes. “Thank you, Julian! But could you do me a favor and get my luggage? It’s still in the trunk of the car.” I nodded slightly and walked out the door. When I returned with his suitcase, I saw Liam sitting on the sofa, with Celeste peeling an apple for him. “Thanks, Julian.” Liam enjoyed Celeste’s service, mouthing his thanks to me, but his eyes were full of provocation and smugness. I ignored him completely, put his luggage in the living room, and went back to my bedroom. That night, Celeste didn’t come into our room, which allowed me to get a good night’s sleep. The next morning, when I woke up, I found that Celeste hadn’t gone to the company today. Liam sat beside her, very close, chatting animatedly, both with faint smiles on their faces. Seeing me, Celeste’s smile faded, and she said, “I’ll be away on a business trip for a few days. Please take good care of Liam at home. Don’t bully him, okay?” Bully him? I couldn’t help but find it amusing and asked, “Why do you think I would bully him?” Celeste’s expression stiffened. To be honest, she didn’t know why either. But she subconsciously felt I might bully Liam. After all, I hadn’t been fond of him for a long time. “Celeste, Julian isn’t like that. He wouldn’t just bully anyone.” I raised an eyebrow at the man who spoke. This guy, true to his celebrity background, was a master manipulator, always twisting words. One sentence implied I wasn’t that kind of person, the next hinted that I *was* capable of bullying, and not just casually. “Then you two should use this opportunity to get along for a few days.” Celeste stood up, preparing to leave, but I stopped her. “Wait!” I called out, “You should find someone reliable and trustworthy to look after him instead. I’m planning a visit back to the orphanage. Mrs. Albright isn’t well, and I want to see her.” At the mention of Mrs. Albright, Celeste also seemed touched. She knew Mrs. Albright wasn’t well, an old ailment from years of hard work that couldn’t be cured, only managed with rest. Liam looked a bit anxious. He had planned to use this opportunity to cause trouble and torment me, then accuse me when Celeste returned. Now that I was leaving, all his tricks were useless. I saw all his subtle expressions. I also knew that guy would definitely stir up trouble when Celeste was gone, and Celeste would definitely side with him. I just wanted a bit of peace in my last month. If I couldn’t fight him, I could at least avoid him. Besides, I really did want to visit Mrs. Albright and the kids at the orphanage before I left. Celeste and I left the house at the same time. One heading north, to the airport. The other south, to the orphanage. On the way, I didn’t forget to buy some supplements, toys, clothes, and school supplies for the kids. Every time I returned to the orphanage, I felt a sense of peace. It felt like the safest place, the place where I belonged most. Seeing me appear, a group of children in the yard gathered around, all shouting, “Julian!” Every time I saw these children’s smiling faces and heard their innocent voices, I felt happy. I distributed the items I had bought, then briefly asked about their health, daily lives, and studies before going to see Mrs. Albright. Mrs. Albright was sixty-three this year, and her frame was a little stooped. When I pushed the door open, she was organizing the children’s files. “Julian, why are you here?” “Mrs. Albright, I came to visit you and the children.” She pulled my hand and sat me down, examining me for a long time. “Oh, you’ve gotten thin. Are you not eating properly again?” Sure enough, the person who cared about me most in this world was Mrs. Albright. But to keep her from worrying, I made up a casual excuse and quickly changed the subject. I asked, “Were you organizing the children’s files just now?” “Yes, I always review their annual check-up reports. If anyone isn’t feeling well, we need to treat them early.” Talking about the children, Mrs. Albright had endless stories, as if showing off her treasures. My eyes grew a little moist. Mrs. Albright had dedicated her entire life to the orphanage and its children. After a few more minutes of chatting, I spoke. “Mrs. Albright, I plan to stay here for a few days.” Hearing that, she looked at me with a hint of suspicion. “What’s wrong? Did you have a fight with Celeste?” I shook my head, explaining, “No, it’s not that. I’m going to study abroad soon and might not be back for several years. I came to spend some extra time with you and the children.” “What about you and Celeste? Aren’t you two getting married?” I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the bitterness in my heart, and said, “Celeste and I won’t be getting married.” At those words, Mrs. Albright instantly understood. She let out a long sigh, saying resignedly, “As I expected. I knew back then you two wouldn’t last. It wasn’t about your differing backgrounds, but your personalities weren’t suited for each other.” “Most importantly, I felt she didn’t love you that much. Otherwise, she would have come back with you, and there would have been pictures of you two together online.” I lowered my head, the grief in my heart spreading once more. So, her not loving me was that obvious, obvious enough for everyone around to see. It was true. If Celeste really loved me, I wouldn’t have been subjected to the staff’s cold stares and disdain; she wouldn’t have ignored me when I was ridiculed and framed; and she certainly wouldn’t have been so ambiguous with another man. I rested my head on Mrs. Albright’s shoulder, all my grievances pouring out at that moment. She gently patted my back, just as a mother would soothe a child to sleep, with tenderness and patience. “It’s okay. Everything will be fine. My Julian is so kind, so capable; he’ll definitely find someone who loves him even more.” I don’t know how long passed before I stopped sobbing. I awkwardly touched my nose. “Sorry, to make you laugh.” “Nonsense. I watched you grow up. Don’t you think I know what kind of person you are? If you weren’t truly wronged, why would you cry like this?” I didn’t want to continue the conversation, so I stood up and said I’d go check on the children. Watching my retreating back, Mrs. Albright let out a long sigh. On my seventh day at the orphanage, I received a call from Celeste. “Where are you? Why aren’t you coming back?” she asked. “Orphanage. I’ll be back tomorrow.” Getting the answer she wanted, she hung up. That night, I scrolled through Liam Reed’s new Ins post. It turned out Celeste had returned, brought him gifts, and he was showing them off. The next day, as I packed my things, preparing to leave, I found Mrs. Albright and all the children gathered. I understood; Mrs. Albright must have told the children about my going abroad. I’m not one for sentimental goodbyes. I walked up, hugged everyone, said a few words of blessing, and then got into the car and left. When I arrived home, I immediately noticed something was off. The walls were covered with Liam Reed’s posters and many decorations. In the center, ribbons and balloons formed a huge heart. Meeting Liam’s gaze, a hint of disdain flashed across his face before he replaced it with a gentle smile. “Julian, you’re back! It’s my birthday today, and Celeste asked me to invite friends over to celebrate. You don’t mind, do you?” So that was it. No wonder such a grand display. I walked in expressionless, glancing around. Many items that belonged to me, or that Celeste and I shared memories of, were gone. It wasn’t hard to guess Liam had done this, but the fact he dared to meant Celeste, to some extent, supported him. I suddenly remembered Celeste’s call yesterday was after ten at night. That meant she returned then and found I wasn’t there. Her urgency to get back must have been to help Liam celebrate his birthday. “It’s beautifully decorated. Happy birthday.” With that, regardless of his expression, I went straight back to my bedroom. Entering the room, I found many of my belongings missing. The bed clearly showed signs of having been slept in. Even the photo of Celeste and me on the bedroom wall was gone. Liam followed me in, boasting, “Oh, Julian, I forgot to tell you. While you were away these past few days, I stayed in this room.” I turned to him, my eyes filled with disgust and repulsion. This guy, was he not repulsed by himself? So eager to be the third wheel? Seeing me finally display the expression he wanted, Liam was almost delirious with joy. But outwardly, he still put on a tearful, wronged act. “Julian, are you… are you mad? I’m so sorry, truly sorry…” He couldn’t even finish a sentence before tears started to fall. “Julian, if you mind, I’ll move out right away. Please don’t argue with Celeste because of me, I…” “What’s wrong? What did you do to upset Liam now?” Hearing the crying, Celeste rushed over, immediately pulling him into her arms and hiding him behind her. “No, Julian didn’t upset me, Celeste. You’ve misunderstood Julian.” Liam spoke in a small, wronged voice, “It’s because I took Julian’s room, that’s why he’s mad.” Hearing that, how could Celeste not understand? She first calmly and gently comforted Liam, then finally looked at me. But in the blink of an eye, her gaze had shifted from tender concern to cold indifference. “I told Liam to stay here. Anyway, you weren’t around, and the room was empty. This one gets good light and ventilation, and Liam’s ankle was still injured, so I told him to stay here to recover.” She said a lot, all of it defending Liam, taking the blame upon herself. I wasn’t an idiot; how could I not see through it? But if they wanted to act, I didn’t mind playing along. “So, you two slept together?” “Julian Thorne!” Celeste roared, looking at me as if I were dead. “I’ll say it again: I only see Liam as a brother. If you dare to spout such nonsense again, don’t blame me for turning ruthless.” So, in these seven years, she hadn’t *really* turned ruthless yet. For a split second, I actually wanted to see her truly ruthless. “This is the room we shared after we got married. This is our wedding bed. You bring him into our home, put him in our bed, and you expect me to believe you?” Hearing that, Celeste’s body stiffened abruptly. She seemed to have forgotten this was *our* marital home. Celeste knew I was an orphan, and she knew I longed for a home and family of my own. So, from the very beginning, she had told me, “We’ll be together forever, we’ll have our own home, and we’ll have our own children!” She had said it with such conviction then, but now, seven years later, it felt like she’d given me nothing at all. She instinctively wanted to explain but didn’t know how. But before she could think of anything, the person behind her reacted first. Liam suddenly dropped to his knees, his knees hitting the floor with a dull thud. Liam sobbed uncontrollably, stammering out an explanation: “Julian, you’ve misunderstood Celeste and me. Celeste and I have no romantic relationship, truly nothing at all. Please don’t argue with Celeste because of me.” “I’m so sorry, truly sorry. I didn’t know this was your marital room, and I even slept in your marital bed. I’m truly sorry!” Celeste, having recovered her composure, frantically tried to pull Liam up, but he remained stubbornly on his knees. He even said that if I didn’t forgive him, he would stay kneeling indefinitely. Hearing this, Celeste again looked at me with fury. “Julian Thorne, what exactly do you want? Do you only feel happy when everyone else is miserable?” “Liam said he didn’t know. How can you, a grown man, be so petty? Can’t you be a little more generous? You’re constantly jealous of others. Whenever a man comes near me, you act like you want to kill them.” “I thought we knew each other, but you’re truly disgusting.” Even though I no longer loved Celeste, having someone I once deeply loved say such things about me for another person still brought a searing pain to my chest. “Fine, then I’ll grant your wish. I’ll leave!” With that, I quickly packed my things and left the place I once dreamed would be my home, without looking back. On the day of my departure, I was checking the items I needed to take with me. After confirming nothing was overlooked, I closed my suitcase again. I checked the time: 9 AM. My flight was scheduled for 3 PM. If all went well, it would be daytime when I landed in the UK. Thinking I still had some time, I decided to order some food, eat, and play some games to relax. The thought of finally leaving this city made me happy, increasingly so. But before three minutes of joy could pass, a sudden phone call shattered my peace. I frowned in disgust at the repeatedly flashing contact name on my phone. After a moment’s thought, I hung up. The next second, Celeste’s call came in again. Knowing Celeste, if I didn’t answer, she would keep calling until I did. Even if I turned off my phone and hid, with Celeste’s resources, finding me would be a matter of minutes. I couldn’t mess things up at this crucial moment, so, steeling myself, I answered. “Where are you?” No contact for over ten days, and now she calls, pretending to care. She really knew how to pick her timing. I suppressed my irritation and countered, “Is there something you need?” “Have you forgotten what day it is today?” The person on the other end seemed shocked by my reply, her tone shifting from brief surprise to irritation. I glanced at the date on my phone and muttered, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. If you don’t need anything, I’m hanging up.” “Wait!” Celeste’s anxious voice came through the receiver, accompanied by a faint crackle. “Have you really forgotten, or are you just playing games?” Not waiting for my reply, Celeste reminded me, “It’s our seventh anniversary today. Where are you? I’ll come pick you up.” Seventh anniversary! I pinched the bridge of my nose. I hadn’t realized I had been entangled with Celeste for seven years. Seven years, such a distant number. But I truly had forgotten our anniversary today. From the moment I decided to leave, nothing related to Celeste mattered to me anymore. So, forgetting this anniversary was entirely reasonable. What surprised me was that Celeste remembered, and even called to remind me. “No need. I’m a bit busy today. We can talk about it later when I have time.” As I spoke, I was about to hang up when an old voice came through the phone. “Julian, there’s a small banquet this afternoon. Aren’t you coming back?” The voice belonged to Mr. Vance Sr., the most respected person in the Vance family. In the seven years I was with Celeste, I didn’t have much contact with Mr. Vance Sr.; I’d barely seen him a few times. But Mr. Vance Sr. was arguably the only one in the Vance family who treated me decently. “Decently” might not be the most accurate word; it was more like “normally.” His attitude towards me was normal—neither close nor distant. He would smile when he saw me, chat a bit, ask about my recent situation, my life in the Vance home, and most importantly, about Celeste and my relationship. What surprised me was that Mr. Vance Sr. was with Celeste right now, talking about a family banquet. But I had never attended any so-called banquets. Why were they suddenly calling me now, out of nowhere? Could it be… had the Vance family caught wind of something? If they truly decided to intervene, I would never be able to leave this city. “Hello, Grandpa. I’m sorry, I have something I need to do and won’t be able to join you. I’ll make sure to visit you specially next time I have a chance. I hope you won’t mind then.” I thought I had phrased it politely enough that they wouldn’t insist. But the next second, I heard Celeste’s icy voice say, “I’ve sent you the location. Get over here immediately. Otherwise… I don’t mind sending people to bring you.” At her words, there was no mistaking it. I had to go to this family banquet, whether I wanted to or not. After a long silence, I took a deep breath, suppressing my annoyance, and said, “Alright, I’ll be there soon.” The call ended, and I immediately received Celeste’s location. Below it was another message: [Dress formally. Look good.] Helpless, I had no choice but to reopen my suitcase and pick out a light grey suit from my neatly packed clothes. Leaving the hotel, I hailed a cab to the Vance family estate. It was about half an hour later when I arrived. I couldn’t understand why these wealthy people insisted on living somewhere so remote and secluded, as if it made them unique. With a belly full of complaints, I followed a staff member inside. The Vance family estate was built into a hillside, vast and serene. After walking through a long corridor for ten minutes, I finally saw people. Upon closer inspection, I found Celeste actually standing at the entrance, as if waiting for someone. Seeing me, a faint smile touched Celeste’s usually icy face. Whether Celeste was too busy, too tired, or had simply changed her ways after ten-plus days, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she seemed different somehow. We didn’t speak after meeting. I quietly followed behind Celeste, constantly feeling her instinctively glance back at me. I didn’t understand what Celeste or the Vance family were up to, but since I was already here, I decided to just take things as they came. As I followed Celeste into the main hall of the estate, the bustling crowd inside instantly fell silent. Everyone was sizing me up next to Celeste, and I was observing them too. Some of these people I had seen before, others were completely unfamiliar faces. Beyond that, I was surprised to see Liam Reed was also here. Celeste first led me to greet Mr. Vance Sr. Mr. Vance Sr. smiled faintly when he saw me. He gently patted my shoulder and said with a smile, “You’re finally here.” I didn’t know what the old man meant, so I just nodded obediently. Noticing my tension, he said, “It’s alright, don’t be nervous. After today, you two can live your lives well. Everything is over.” Everything is over? I silently repeated the phrase, unsure what “over” meant in the old man’s words. About half an hour later, more people trickled in. At eleven o’clock, Celeste slowly walked onto a small stage. She cleared her throat, holding the microphone, and said, “Today is the Vance family banquet, and I’m delighted you could all attend.” “Today, I have two main announcements. The first is that, starting today, I officially take over the Vance Group.” “The second thing…” She paused, looking at me, a smile touching her lips. “Is to introduce someone very important to me.” She pointed at me, openly introducing my identity to everyone. “His name is Julian Thorne—Julian, from ‘justice,’ Thorne, from ‘thorn.’ He’s been my boyfriend for seven years, and he’s my future husband.” At those words, my scalp tingled. I could feel everyone’s curious, appraising gazes sweeping over me. I looked up at Celeste and found her looking at me too. In that instant, as our eyes met, I seemed to see a completely different Celeste. No, more accurately, the Celeste from my childhood—the warm girl who was full of affection for me, who used to sweetly call me “Star brother” as she followed me around. I didn’t know what had happened to Celeste in these past ten-plus days, but I just felt she was different. Seeing me in a daze, Celeste stepped down from the stage and walked towards me, stopping about a meter away. The next second, Celeste pulled out a small box from somewhere. She opened it, looking at me with sincere eyes, and said: “Julian Thorne, will you marry me?” In that moment, it felt like something exploded in my head. What was happening? How had things reached this point? What had happened in these past ten days? What had I missed? I froze for a brief moment, and before I could even think of how to answer, I heard a “thud.” Then, Liam Reed’s startled cry rang out. Everyone turned to look and saw Liam had, at some point, fallen into the swimming pool. Celeste instinctively ran towards Liam. Despite wearing high heels and a fitted gown that made movement difficult, she stumbled and scrambled, practically throwing herself towards Liam. Finally, she jumped into the water without hesitation and pulled him out. As everyone gathered to express concern for the two, I quietly turned and left, leaving behind a solitary, resolute figure. Later, everyone rushed them to the hospital, and the banquet ended in disarray. After leaving the Vance estate, I quickly hailed a cab to the hotel. Then, grabbing my suitcase, I headed straight to the airport. The moment I boarded the plane, my heart finally settled. I looked out the window, watching the place I had lived for so many years grow distant, then blurry. It became a tiny black dot, finally disappearing completely from my sight. I, Julian Thorne, was finally free!

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**Chapter One** After five years of dating, my boyfriend, Julian Sinclair, was finally going to marry me. But at the engagement ceremony, the bride-to-be was his first love, Bella Thorne. I watched the grand engagement unfold on TV. Everyone was celebrating Julian and Bella’s wedding. “Mr. Sinclair and Ms. Thorne are truly a match made in heaven. Let’s send them our sincerest blessings, wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness.” A huge round of applause erupted. Then, the two exchanged engagement rings. The TV station even zoomed in on Bella’s ring. It was a diamond the size of a pigeon’s egg, sparkling with beautiful fire. You could tell it was incredibly expensive just by looking at it. I watched the TV, finishing the instant ramen in my bowl, seeing my boyfriend smile gently and dotingly at another woman. That ring was supposed to be mine. After our passionate night, Julian had taken the ring out to show me. “Do you like it?” I nodded excitedly, yet a little worried, “Won’t this be very expensive?” Julian chuckled, “For the Sinclair family, what’s this? Aurora, don’t worry about these things. Just prepare to marry me.” At that time, I was overjoyed that our five-year relationship was finally coming to fruition. I even fantasized about our beautiful future together. But after Bella returned, I realized I was nothing. I was just an insignificant placeholder, ready to be discarded at any moment. “Your flight is scheduled for departure on the 31st at 2:31 PM. Please make your preparations.” I finished reading the message and turned off my phone. All these years, I had given up everything to stay by Julian’s side, even abandoning my dreams. Well, it’s fine now. I can chase my dreams again. Julian didn’t come home until late that night. He fumbled his way into bed, embracing the warm person beside him. “Sleeping so early tonight? Hmm?” He woke me up, and I slowly turned over. “I’m tired.” Julian kissed my forehead, his hand beginning to roam. I stiffened and pulled away. “I don’t feel well. Let’s just skip it tonight.” Julian’s hand paused, then he let me go. “Are you upset?” I didn’t answer. No woman would be happy seeing her partner get engaged to someone else. “Aurora, don’t throw a childish tantrum. It’s just an engagement.” A bitter ache filled my heart. *Just* an engagement. I had waited five years and never even got an engagement. Julian wasn’t even willing to take me to meet his family. Yet, two years ago, at my birthday party, Julian was singing me ‘Happy Birthday’ one moment. The next, he took a call and rushed out the door without a word, leaving me embarrassed at my own party. Everyone wondered who the girl on the other end of the phone was, but I couldn’t answer. I later found out it was the dream girl he could never have from his youth. And I was merely an insignificant placeholder. His true dream girl was back, so the one he’d casually found meant nothing. Bella had only been back for three months, and Julian had already introduced her to all his friends. That took me five years to achieve. Later, Julian boldly introduced Bella to everyone, including his parents. He made it clear that with him around, no one would bully Bella. Then came the engagement, planned with the highest standards. He loved Bella so much he didn’t want her to suffer even the slightest inconvenience. It was then I truly understood that Julian had never loved me. Our relationship would never have a future. **Chapter Two** When I woke up, Julian was already gone. I got up and packed my things into a suitcase. Yesterday, Julian told me to be more understanding. He said the engagement was just to give Bella security for the future, otherwise, she’d have no one but him to rely on. But what about me? I felt like I only had Julian to rely on, too. And now, not even Julian. Today was our fifth anniversary. A sliver of hope I didn’t even know I still held lingered in my heart. Regardless, I wanted to bring this chapter to a close. So, I bought many groceries and cooked a feast, all Julian’s favorite dishes. Over the years, it had become a habit. What Julian liked, what he disliked – it was all etched into my heart. “I’ve made dinner. Are you coming back to eat?” For the past four anniversaries, Julian had always remembered. He would buy me flowers, all sorts of gifts. Only today, I waited until the food grew cold, until the sun set, and Julian didn’t come home, nor did he send me a single message. My heart felt as cold as the untouched dinner. I ate the meal bite by bite, and for some reason, it tasted saltier and saltier. “Aurora, your father’s short on cash lately. Send some money over.” No sooner had I finished washing the dishes than I received a call from my father. “I don’t have any money.” My father had a gambling addiction. I would give him small amounts, but never large sums. That would only make his addiction worse. “What about Julian? He’s so rich, tell him to give you some! I’m his father-in-law, surely he won’t refuse me?” Listening to my father’s entitled tone, my grip on the phone tightened. Every time, it was like this. Why did no one ever consider *me*? A profound weariness swept over me. “I’m breaking up with Julian, Dad. I don’t have money, and you need to stop gambling.” “Break up? Are you crazy? If you break up with Julian, where will you find someone so good again? You’ve been with him for five years, who else would want you?” If I didn’t know this man was my father, I would’ve thought these words came from an enemy. “He’s marrying someone else. I won’t give you any more money, and don’t call me again.” I didn’t want to talk to my father anymore. The phone slipped weakly from my hand. I slumped against the wall, uncontrollable. Tears soaked my sleeve. The tangle of emotions in my heart threatened to consume me. Not until Julian came home. “What are you doing sitting here?” he asked. I raised my hand to shield my eyes. Having been in the dark for so long, the light felt a bit harsh. I didn’t answer, unsure what to say. Julian pulled me up, then noticed the suitcase in the living room. He raised an eyebrow. “Packing so much? Where are you planning to go?” Only then did I slowly speak. “To clear my head.” Julian scoffed. “Go ahead and clear your head if you want. Just make sure you come back.” He said it so casually, utterly convinced I wouldn’t leave him. And why wouldn’t he be? For five years, I had taken such good care of Julian. This man seemed to be the very meaning of my life. “Aurora, don’t try this runaway drama just because you’re mad at me. You know I don’t fall for that.” “I’ve already given your father the two hundred thousand he asked for.” After saying that, Julian walked directly to the bedroom and lay down. I froze, a thick wave of humiliation enveloping me, suffocating me. **Chapter Three** Julian never offered any explanation for the anniversary incident. Not until I found Bella’s private profile. I couldn’t help but secretly check her social media, wanting to see what kind of woman Julian had fallen for. Instead, I saw that on our anniversary, Julian was spending the day with Bella at an amusement park. They wore matching headbands, smiling at the camera. Julian looked down at Bella, his gaze incredibly doting. “My fiancé treats me so well~” That was Bella’s caption. I stared, lost in thought. Bella was beautiful. Unlike me, she seemed incredibly cheerful. I was always a bit quieter, less outwardly expressive. That day, Julian had spent the entire day with Bella. I remembered going to an amusement park with Julian once. I had begged him to go. Seeing other couples take many beautiful photos, I had similar thoughts. Julian initially refused, saying he was too busy with work. But I persisted, and he eventually came. However, when I tried to put a cat-ear headband on him, he immediately took it off. “Why would a man wear something like that?” So, our photo only showed me awkwardly standing by with my cat-ear headband, and an impatient Julian. I thought Julian was just like that, so I comforted myself, thinking he treated everyone the same way. Until I saw how he was with Bella. Only then did I realize he simply didn’t love me. I turned off my phone and deleted Bella’s account. Since I had made up my mind, there would be no more lingering attachment. “If you ever ask Julian for money again, I’ll end it.” After sending that message to my father, I continued packing. “I’m hungry, Aurora. Why didn’t you bring me lunch today?” After I had finished packing everything, I received a message from Julian. He had a sensitive stomach and didn’t like outside food, only what I cooked. I had been bringing him meals for five years. I still went to buy groceries and cooked. After all, Julian had given my father quite a bit of money. I couldn’t just stop doing it. The kitchen was filled with cooking smells, and I was afraid Julian would be impatient, so after cooking, I quickly changed and rushed out. When I arrived at his company, I went upstairs, but I noticed people around me were looking at me strangely. I was puzzled, wanting only to complete my task quickly, so I naturally didn’t hear the employees behind me gossiping. “Isn’t she the one who delivers food from the restaurant?” A colleague sneered, “New around here, huh? That’s Mr. Sinclair’s ex-girlfriend. Too bad, after all these years, she never even got a proper title.” I didn’t know any of this. I went upstairs and pushed open the office door. “I brought you lunch…” Only to see Bella sitting in Julian’s lap. Her lips still glistened, and it was obvious what had just happened. Bella looked a little shy. Seeing me, she immediately stood up. Bella was wearing the latest designer fashion, and the diamond ring sparkled on her finger. Julian looked at me with some impatience. “Why didn’t you knock before coming in? Have you forgotten your manners?” Bella immediately stepped in to smooth things over. “Julian, why are you being so hard on her? She just forgot to knock.” Julian instantly fell silent. Bella walked up to Aurora Blake. She carried a faint, expensive perfume scent. Meanwhile, I had just finished cooking at home, my clothes smelling of the kitchen, and rushed out wearing an old outfit I bought two years ago at a small mall. “Hi, I’m Bella Thorne. Thank you for bringing the food.” I thought my heart wouldn’t stir anymore. But at that moment, I was still unbearably heartbroken. **Chapter Four** I don’t know how I left the company. Only then did I understand what those people had been gossiping about. It was all about how I had worked so diligently for so many years, only to end up abandoned. I went home and slept the day away, hiding under my covers until the next morning. Julian didn’t come home that day. “Aurora, come to the studio.” I received a text from Professor Davies after I woke up, and I immediately rushed to the studio. I studied design, and Professor Davies once told me I had exceptional talent, hoping I would pursue further studies abroad. But at that time, I met Julian. Like a moth drawn to a flame, I fell hopelessly in love and couldn’t pull myself away from the relationship, giving up the chance to study overseas. Professor Davies had sighed over it for a long time, so now that I decided to go abroad, she was naturally thrilled. When I arrived at the studio, Professor Davies was drawing, with a young man standing beside her. “Aurora, you’re here? This is Leo Sinclair. You two will be going abroad together, come and meet him.” I hadn’t known there would be someone else, and I felt a bit awkward. But the man extended his hand first. “It’s good to meet you, Aurora.” His hands were large, with strong, artistic knuckles. Leo looked at me and smiled, a gentle, refined warmth about him. “Hello.” Professor Davies finished her drawing and patted my shoulder. “It’s good to have two of you going together, you can look out for each other. Exchange contact info and connect more. Aurora, you really need to seize this opportunity.” Knowing Professor Davies only had my best interests at heart, I felt a rare warmth and nodded emphatically. Professor Davies had other things to do, so Leo suggested they have dinner together. His enthusiasm was hard to resist, and I couldn’t really refuse. So, we went to a French restaurant. “Aurora, this place is really good. I come here often.” I smiled. “Then I’ll eat a lot! Speaking of which, why do *you* want to go to Germany?” Leo poured me a glass of water. “The person I like is going, so I’m going too.” I looked at the young man across from me, sighing at how wonderful youth was, before love became complicated. We chatted happily, finding our design philosophies perfectly aligned. The cheerful atmosphere was suddenly broken by a voice. “What are you two doing here?” It was Julian. Bella stood beside him, and for a moment, I didn’t know what to do. Leo stood up. “Uncle Julian, I’m just having dinner with Aurora.” He spoke candidly, and my eyes widened in shock. “He’s your uncle?” Leo nodded. Julian glanced at him, then turned to me. “What good reason do you two have to be eating together?” I was about to answer, but I saw the undeniable defensiveness in Julian’s eyes. Julian’s parents had never met me. He was afraid I might tell people about our relationship through Leo, which would only embarrass Bella. Before I could speak, Leo interjected, “Aurora and I share the same professor. We’re just discussing some design issues.” I remained silent. Julian’s defensiveness eased, and he gave me a deep look. “Just discussing design, then. Aurora, you two have a *good* chat.” He deliberately emphasized “good chat,” a clear warning. I forced a bitter smile. I hadn’t planned on saying anything anyway. Julian finished, then left with Bella. “Julian, wasn’t that girl the one who delivers food from the restaurant?” Bella asked curiously. So, he had never even told Bella about our relationship. **Chapter Five** “Aurora, are the dishes not to your taste?” I shook my head. “It’s delicious, I just don’t usually eat much.” Leo drove me home. He didn’t press further, only saying, “There are plenty of good men in the world. Sometimes, there’s no need to get fixated on one person, even if that person is Julian Sinclair.” He spoke with none of the deference he’d shown Julian back in the restaurant. I looked up at him, my eyes wide. “You… you knew?” Leo chuckled. “Not just me. No one in the Sinclair family *didn’t* know. Julian just never mentioned you, so they all pretended not to know.” I fell silent. When we arrived home, as I was about to get out of the car, Leo leaned closer. A pleasant scent of cedarwood wafted over me. I froze, only to see Leo pluck a fallen leaf from my shoulder. “Aurora, I’m really looking forward to our time in Germany.” I didn’t understand what he meant, and I tried to get out of the car in a hurry. Leo calmly stepped out and opened the car door for me. “Thank you for driving me home. I’ll go now.” I don’t know what I was thinking, only that I inexplicably wanted to escape. But Leo grabbed my hand. “Have a good night, Aurora.” Then, he released my hand. I bolted upstairs. Leo chuckled, then got back in his car and drove away. Perhaps it was because so much had happened, but I was still overthinking things when I finally fell asleep. In the middle of the night, I woke up with a high fever. My head throbbed, and my throat was so parched it felt like smoke was coming out. I forced myself to get up for water, but I was dizzy and stumbled, falling to the floor. After much effort, I picked up my phone and called the first contact on my list: Julian Sinclair. He didn’t answer the first time, nor the second. By the third call, Julian’s angry voice came through. “Why do you keep calling? I’m busy.” I could hear a girl crying in the background, faintly recognizing it as Bella’s voice. “She’s clearly your ex-girlfriend! If my friend hadn’t told me, how long would you have kept it from me?” My throat was so dry, I squeezed out a few words into the phone, “I’m sick…” Before I could finish, Julian interrupted, “If you’re sick, find a doctor. I’m busy.” With that, he hung up. I couldn’t hold on any longer and passed out. In a haze, I seemed to see someone pick me up. “Aurora, I’m taking you to the hospital.” After that, I remembered nothing until I opened my eyes. The smell of disinfectant filled my nose, and the sunlight was a bit harsh. There was no one else in the hospital room but me. Not even a single message on my phone. Loneliness swept over me. I pulled the covers tighter around me, staring blankly at the ceiling. The door quietly opened. Leo walked in, carrying breakfast, and flashed me a smile. “Aurora, it’s those soup dumplings you love.” A sudden urge to cry welled up, for no reason. If I were to go abroad with Leo, maybe I wouldn’t be so lonely after all. Anyway, things couldn’t get any worse than this. **Chapter Six** Julian arrived just as Leo was feeding me. I felt a bit awkward, but Leo insisted, saying I was a patient. “I’ll do it,” Julian said, sensing something was off, and snatched the bowl from Leo’s hand. “Leo, thank you for looking after your aunt. I was busy yesterday and couldn’t make it.” Julian said, and then spoon-fed me some porridge. It almost scalded my mouth. Leo had always blown on it to cool it before feeding it to me. Seeing me flinch, Julian put the bowl aside. Leo spoke calmly. “Isn’t my aunt Bella?” Julian took a deep breath. “Bella just got back, her parents are gone. She has no one to protect her but me. The engagement is just a temporary arrangement.” “Otherwise, how could she find her footing?” Leo didn’t say anything, but the mockery in his eyes was obvious. I no longer believed those words. When I went to the office that day, they were clearly kissing. “Julian Sinclair! Is this how you treat me?!” Bella stood at the doorway of the hospital room, tears streaming down her face as she looked at Julian. She didn’t look like she had just arrived; she must have heard everything. “You promised you’d marry me! You said I was the one you loved most! You lied to me!” With that, she covered her face and ran out. Julian was rarely flustered, but he was then. He stood up, about to chase after her. But I grabbed his hand. “Julian Sinclair, you love her, and you’re going to marry her, aren’t you?” Julian’s head throbbed. “Aurora, don’t make things difficult for me right now. I’ll come back and talk to you later about this.” I immediately let go, earning an approving glance from Julian. “Leo, take care of her.” With that, Julian rushed out. Five years of shared history, so easily discarded. Leo picked up the porridge bowl again and fed Aurora. “What’s Uncle Julian thinking?” I replied calmly, “I don’t care anymore.” Leo paused, trying to restrain his trembling hand. His heart was pounding. After I finished eating, I completed the discharge procedures. Only five days were left until my departure, and I still had some things to pack. I didn’t have many photos with Julian. I figured Julian probably didn’t want them either, so I shredded everything in the paper shredder. Watching our memories turn into a pile of confetti, I suddenly felt a sense of relief. When everything was packed, Julian returned. He looked a bit tired. Seeing the three suitcases in the living room and the empty bedroom. Having just calmed Bella, a surge of inexplicable anger rose within him. “Packed so neatly, really planning not to come back?” My cold hadn’t fully cleared, and I spoke with a nasal voice. “If I don’t leave, how can you marry someone else?” The fire in Julian’s heart burned brighter. He scoffed. “Who are you trying to impress, acting like this? I told you it was just a temporary arrangement! Aurora, why can’t you be more understanding? I’m already exhausted, and now I have to come home and take care of *you*?” Julian could soothe Bella with gentle words, but I never received such treatment. In the end, *I* was the one deemed “not understanding.” I didn’t want to argue, nor did I know where to begin. Seeing my silence, Julian laughed. “Fine, fine, you really think this can threaten me? That I can’t live without you? If you leave, don’t come back!” With that, Julian slammed the door and left. My nose stung, but I held back the tears. I refused to shed another tear for Julian. **Chapter Seven** Julian didn’t come home for two days in a row, and I enjoyed the freedom. Julian hadn’t let me work all these years, so it had been a long time since I’d drawn any designs. Holding the pen in my hand, it felt like an eternity. But fate, it seemed, wasn’t ready to grant me such peace. “Aurora Blake, you think you’re so tough now, too good for your old man? And you say you’re breaking up with Julian? If you really break up, will he still give me money? I think you just don’t want to give it to me. I’m giving you one last chance. I’ll be waiting for you at the coffee shop. Bring me three hundred thousand, or I’ll go to Julian!” After blocking my father’s phone number, he switched to sending text messages. Receiving this message, I had no choice but to go. Julian and I were already in such a mess; I really didn’t want my father to go asking Julian for money again. When I arrived at the coffee shop, my father, Frank Blake, immediately asked, “Where’s the money? Cash or transfer?” I replied emotionlessly, “I don’t have any money.” “You don’t have money? Are you messing with me? And you threatened me, saying you’d end it if I asked for money again? Are you dead?” Looking at my father’s menacing glare, I didn’t want to give him any more chances. “I told Julian, and he won’t give you another penny. We’ve broken up, and he has no obligation to give you money.” Frank scoffed. “You think you can fool me? He gave me two hundred thousand last time! I’m asking you, are you going to give me the money or not?” “I don’t have money, and I won’t give it to you.” No sooner had I spoken than Frank yanked me up. “I’ll find out for myself if you two have really broken up.” Frank had deliberately chosen a coffee shop very close to Julian’s company. He dragged me all the way into the company lobby. “Where’s Julian Sinclair? I need to see him!” My clothes were askew from being dragged, and all eyes in the lobby were on us. I was too weak to break free. “I told you! He won’t give you any money! Why are you doing this?!” I screamed out loud. Frank completely ignored me. “Julian Sinclair! Your father-in-law is here! My daughter gave you five years of her prime, everything she had! And now you’re just dumping her? Do you really think us Blakes are easy to bully?” Watching the pointing and whispering eyes around us, my heart turned to ash. The commotion grew too loud, and Julian and Bella came downstairs. He frowned. “What’s going on here? All this yelling.” Frank saw him and immediately broke into a smile. “Son-in-law, my daughter was with you for so long, and now you’re just breaking up with her?” Julian started to say something, then glanced at Bella beside him. Seeing Bella’s questioning look, he finally spoke. “Yes, we broke up.” “That won’t do! Our Aurora gave you the best years of her life! How can you just break up like that?” Julian’s frown deepened. “Then what do you want?” “Give me five million, and this matter is settled. I won’t pursue it further.” The murmurs around us grew louder, and tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I was being bought and sold like a commodity by my own father. Bella said to Julian, “Julian, she’s so pathetic. Maybe just give him the money and be done with it.” I looked up, meeting Bella’s pitying gaze. I had no dignity left to speak of. Julian was still weighing his options when I slowly stood up. “Julian, we’ve broken up. You don’t need to give him another penny.” No sooner had I spoken than Frank’s slap landed squarely on my face. “Is this your place to talk? Shut your mouth!” My heart was filled with utter silence. **Chapter Eight** Julian instinctively wanted to go up and help. But Bella grabbed his wrist. “Julian, her father looks terrifying.” My face was turned to the side from the impact. I glanced at Julian, but he didn’t make a move. I gave a self-deprecating laugh. Love, it seemed, was nothing more than this. “Mr. Sinclair, have you made up your mind?” Julian was about to agree. But I spoke coldly. “If you give him a single penny, I’ll end it right here, right now.” Julian had never seen such a look in my eyes. I was always gentle, always compliant. But now, my eyes were as dead as a bottomless lake. Finally, he said, “I can’t give you the money. Security, please escort this man out.” Frank was dragged out, still yelling, “You rich people, what’s wrong with giving me some money? This prodigal daughter, she only knows ingratitude!” “Everyone back to work! What are you all staring at?” At Julian’s command, everyone dispersed. Julian looked at me with a very complex expression. He opened his mouth, as if to speak to me, but— “Julian, let’s go upstairs. I was so scared just now.” Bella stood beside him, clutching her chest, looking utterly frightened. So, he ultimately went upstairs with Bella. I, meanwhile, walked dazedly down the street, almost getting hit by a car. I found a stone bench and sat down, sobbing uncontrollably. Five years ago, I met Julian, and I pursued him for a long time. I pursued him until I felt there was no hope, until I wanted to give up, and then Julian agreed. It wasn’t that I hadn’t heard his friends mention Bella. But I was naive enough to think that was the past, that Julian had finally been moved by me. I came from a difficult background. My father gambled, and my mother had vanished without a trace long ago. Julian never said anything negative about it; he even helped me. I truly believed it was love. Even without marriage, I tried my best to play the role of a virtuous wife. But now, my heart felt shattered into a million pieces, and I couldn’t put it back together. I stayed by the roadside until late at night, then dragged my exhausted body home. Two more days, and I would be leaving the country. Now that I thought about it, this might be the best decision I had ever made—to get away from everything here and start a new life. Returning home, I pushed open the door. Julian, awkwardly wearing an apron, said, “Why are you home so late? The food’s gone cold.” I didn’t understand what Julian was doing. “I’m not hungry.” With that, I lay down on the bed, quietly processing my negative emotions. Julian leaned in to kiss me. “Not eating isn’t good for your health. Eat a little.” I pushed him away. “What do you take me for? Your toy?” Julian took off his apron. “What kind of talk is that? Wasn’t I just worried you were hungry?” “You’re worried I’m hungry, but you weren’t worried I was being hit?” Provoked by my words repeatedly, Julian’s face hardened. “That’s your father! Everything he did was to *you*! I gave him so much money, wasn’t that enough?” **Chapter Nine** I gave a bitter laugh. “It’s all my fault. Why do I have a father like this? Why do I have a lover like this?” Julian knitted his brows. “Are you serious about breaking up?” I stared blankly at the floor. “What else can I do? I’m not that shameless. You’re already engaged to someone else; should I still cling to you?” Seeing me like this, Julian felt a stinging pain in his heart. Yet, he still felt I wasn’t being understanding. I had him for five years. In those five years, Julian gave me everything he could. But Bella, after going abroad, was not only abused by her then-husband but also lost a child. Bella had no parents; she only had Julian. I, at least, had family, and five years with him. Why, he thought, was I always so discontent? “I don’t agree to the breakup,” Julian said forcefully. “Didn’t you agree back then? If we broke up, you could take good care of Bella without any worries.” Julian’s stomach ached with anger. “No matter what you say, I won’t agree.” I had been by his side for a long time. For him, it wasn’t just love; it was much more. He couldn’t accept losing me. “Breaking up doesn’t require your agreement. It’s just a notification,” I said. I had no desire to intervene in these entanglements anymore. If possible, I just wanted to live my own life peacefully. The red, swollen marks from the slap were still on my face, but Julian seemed oblivious. Having been cared for by me for so many years, Julian had come to see me as a habit. But I was a living, breathing person, not just a “habit” forever. Julian’s head throbbed as he found me impervious to reason. Meanwhile, he hadn’t visited Bella in too long, and she kept sending him messages. He resisted replying. Until Bella sent a photo of herself. Bruised knees. “Julian, I fell down by accident. It hurts so much, I can’t even walk. What should I do?” Julian started to get restless. But he also had a vague premonition. If I left this time, he would lose me forever. He paced back and forth in the living room, feeling extremely annoyed. I watched his phone vibrate non-stop, seeing him transform from calm to anxious. “If you have something to do, just go. Don’t mind me.” Julian heard me, and then Bella sent another message. “Julian, it’s so dark here. I’m scared.” Julian grabbed his jacket, ready to leave. “I’ll have Assistant Miller come take care of you.” Leaving that sentence, Julian rushed downstairs. I stood up and took out a photo from the drawer. It was the one we took at the amusement park. Even though it wasn’t a great photo, driven by a strange impulse, I had shredded all the other photos but kept this one. As a final memento. At that time, I was still happy. Julian, though busy, still accompanied me to the amusement park. I thought that counted as a kind of favoritism. Now, it just seemed I was too foolish. Picking up a lighter, I lit the photo. The firelight illuminated my haggard face. From now on, all the past would vanish into thin air. I slept well all night. **Chapter Ten** I woke up early. I watered all the plants in the house and made myself a hearty breakfast. All my belongings in the bedroom had completely disappeared. “Aurora, I’ll pick you up at 12.” It was a message from Leo. I replied with ‘Okay.’ I was going abroad. Picking up the coffee from the table, I leaned on the balcony, lost in thought. Perhaps things would finally get better? When Julian returned, this was the scene he walked into. “Aurora, please don’t be angry anymore, okay?” He embraced me from behind. “Once Bella settles in, I’ll cancel the engagement. But as her ‘brother,’ I still need to look after her.” Listening to Julian’s words, my heart no longer stirred. “Julian, do whatever you want. You don’t need to tell me.” Seeing my calm demeanor, Julian thought I had truly come to terms with it. “I’ll talk to my family about getting married then. We’ll have two beautiful babies, and everything will be alright.” With that, he took a velvet box from his pocket. “Aurora, didn’t you say you liked this one? I had someone bring back an even better one.” It was the ring I had once longed for. Julian knelt on one knee and slipped the ring onto my ring finger. “Aurora, stay with me.” I examined the ring on my hand. It was indeed beautiful, even prettier than Bella’s. But I didn’t need it anymore. Seeing my expression, Julian kissed my forehead. “I’m off to the company. I’ll be back for dinner tonight.” I didn’t answer, and Julian just gave a helpless smile. He thought I would always be easily appeased, and even if I was upset, I would just deal with it myself. Julian left, feeling reassured. I took off the ring and put it back in the box on the table. It was almost twelve. Leo came upstairs to help me with my luggage. “Thank you, Leo.” Leo, casually flexing his bicep, smiled and said, “It’s my pleasure to help you, Aurora.” We got in the car together and headed to the airport. The scenery outside the window constantly changed. The news headlines updated. “Sinclair Group CEO spotted dining with new love at梧桐树 Restaurant, sharing smiles and laughter.” Within a minute, the news was taken down. But I had still seen it. The photo showed Julian and Bella. The Sycamore Restaurant was where Julian and I first fell in love five years ago. Turning off my phone, I said to Leo, “I heard Germany is a culinary wasteland. Will we starve?” Leo chuckled. “Don’t worry, Aurora, I’m a good cook.” I laughed with him. We checked in, got our boarding passes, and boarded the plane. Before leaving, I sent Julian one last message: “Julian, we won’t be getting married.” After sending it, I deleted his contact and then turned off my phone. Julian received the message while he was out shopping with Bella. He shook his head and replied, “Aurora, I’ve already humbled myself. What more do you want from me?” But the message showed a red exclamation mark. He started calling, but her phone was off. “Bella, here’s my card. Buy whatever you want.” Bella pouted. “Julian, is it Aurora bothering you again?” Julian was anxious inside, but maintained a smile. “No, it’s just some urgent business. I’ll be back later.” Bella finally nodded. Julian rushed home. The living room was meticulously clean. Our matching cups were still on the table. He breathed a sigh of relief, then rushed into the bedroom. Only to discover that the photos we had together, my clothes, and my belongings were all gone. Julian couldn’t believe it. He frantically searched for any trace of me. But then he saw the box on the table. The incredibly beautiful ring lay quietly inside. A note beside it read: “I’ve gone abroad. Goodbye.”

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“Are you sure you want to give up control of your body through medication and let your secondary personality take over?” “You need to understand, once the secondary personality takes dominance, your consciousness will completely dissipate, never to return.” My psychologist, Dr. Evans, gazed at me, her brows furrowed with concern. I offered a bitter smile, then nodded solemnly. “Dr. Evans, there’s no need to persuade me further. I’ve made up my mind.” “Alright, I’ll prescribe the medication now. Take it for seven days to suppress your primary consciousness. If all goes as planned, in seven days, your secondary personality will fully control your body.” Dr. Evans shook her head as she wrote the prescription, a flicker of confusion in her eyes. She knew me. In her opinion, I was a woman truly blessed by fate. She still remembered the city-wide sensation of my wedding five years ago. Julian, just to marry the Davies heiress, had presented a pre-wedding settlement worth a billion dollars and even established a charity foundation in my name, supposedly doing good deeds for my blessings and good fortune. He hadn’t signed a prenuptial agreement, and he’d publicly declared that if anything happened to him, all his assets would be mine. Not to mention last year, when I was diagnosed with lifelong infertility – a major issue for elite families. Mr. Davies didn’t seem to care; he still cherished me like gold. How could anyone not envy that? But no one knew I suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder, and now, I was letting my secondary personality destroy myself. “Thank you, Dr. Evans. I won’t be coming back.” “If anything comes up, you can talk to Julian. He loves you so much, he’d surely move heaven and earth to help you.” Dr. Evans couldn’t help but add another word. I just twitched my lips, saying nothing. I rose and left the clinic. Julian used to love me, but now… As I walked out of the clinic, a familiar ringtone pierced the air. I stared at the unfamiliar number, my expression warring within me. Finally, I pressed the answer button, and an intimate, husky voice immediately filled my ears. “Julian, is my body better than your wife’s?” Serena’s smug voice was exceptionally grating. “You’re not even worthy of being compared to Iris! I’m warning you, if you dare to flaunt your victory in front of Iris, I could force you out of the country five years ago, and I can do it again!” Julian’s harsh warning was punctuated by heavy breathing. “I wouldn’t dare, Julian.” Serena’s voice was soft and seductive, and the intimate sounds grew louder, stabbing at my brain. I couldn’t help but end the call. My face felt cold and wet. I touched it—my cheeks were already drenched in tears. Distraught, I walked home and curled up on the couch, my thoughts spiraling. Julian, when you were in bed with Serena, did you ever consider: That it was Serena’s birth mother who switched me and Serena at birth, allowing Serena to steal over a decade of my life, while I struggled to survive in a hellish foster family? That it was Serena who first discovered my identity as the true Davies heiress, and fearing I’d be reunited with my real family, she led the bullying against me, pushing me to the brink of suicide? You once swore you’d make Serena pay, that she’d have no peace for the rest of her life! *This* is the price you made her pay? Letting her crawl into your bed? I stared blankly at our wedding photo on the wall, the happy smiles searing my eyes. I once believed Julian was my soulmate, my salvation. Now, it all seemed like a cruel joke. My life has been filled with hardship since childhood, my family ties shallow. And now, even the only love I had has betrayed me! I’m done with a man who’s been tainted. I’m done with this life of suffering! Carefully wiping away my tears, I removed my wedding ring, which I once cherished like a treasure, and placed it in a gift box along with the divorce papers. Then I booked an express delivery service, instructing them to send the box to Julian in eight days, at noon. **[截断点]**

Just as I finished all that, I heard the sound of an engine outside. Julian quickly pushed the door open. The moment he saw me, his cold eyes softened, becoming as gentle as a spring stream. “Iris, I’m home. Why are your eyes red?” “Crying? Who upset you?” Julian instinctively came to my side, pulled me into his arms, and tenderly kissed my cheek. When he noticed my swollen eyes, his gaze instantly turned cold. As Julian leaned in, I caught a faint scent of perfume on him—gardenia. I remembered that scent; it was Serena’s favorite perfume. He couldn’t even bother to cover his tracks after cheating? My mood instantly plummeted. I conjured up a random excuse: “The doctor told me today I’ll never be able to have children. I’m a bit sad about it.” So that was it! Julian let out a sigh of relief, then gently reassured me: “It’s alright if we don’t have children. All that matters is having you by my side.” “If you ever feel bored, we can always adopt.” “We’ll see.” I subtly moved away from Julian. I couldn’t even stand being close to him now. Six more days, I quietly told myself. Six more days until I’m free. After dinner, I went to bed early. Just as I was about to fall asleep, Julian came in with a basin of foot-soaking water. He gently helped me sit up, then cradled my cold feet and lowered them into the herbal water. “That herbalist said you were a bit frail and needed to soak your feet every night with his prescribed herbs.” “But every time I remind you, you don’t do it! You’re so lazy!” Julian knelt before me, looking up with a helpless expression. My face remained blank. In the past, I would’ve probably teased, “Don’t I have you for that?” Now, I had no desire to speak. Julian noticed my low spirits, frowned slightly, and cautiously asked: “Iris, what are you thinking about?” I looked up, staring directly into Julian’s eyes, and said softly: “I was wondering, if Serena hadn’t tried to bully me to death back then, would I have been able to have children?” Hearing Serena’s name, Julian’s face momentarily stiffened. The next second, his eyes filled with pain, and he kissed the winding scar on my right leg. “That’s all in the past, Iris.” “I promise you, Serena will not have an easy life.” Julian said earnestly. I smiled, my voice sounding distant: “Julian, remember what you said today.” “If I ever find out you lied to me, I’ll leave you forever.” “That day will never come!” Julian, seeing my cold expression, felt a surge of hidden panic and emphasized. He would never let Iris leave him! After he got into bed, he eagerly pulled me into his arms, wanting to be intimate. “I’m not in the mood.” I pushed his hand away, turning my back to him. Julian’s body stiffened, then he gently patted my back and said hoarsely: “Go to sleep.” It wasn’t until his breathing grew shallow and steady that he slowly got up, hastily dressed, and drove out. The moment he exited the bedroom, I opened my eyes. I tiptoed to the window, standing still, and watched Julian’s car drive away, hidden by the curtains. Less than three minutes later, Serena’s call came as expected. I answered calmly, and her brazen, provocative words poured through: “My dear sister, did you not satisfy your husband in bed? Making him come looking for me in the middle of the night.” “Then again, with all those scars on your body, any normal man would find it disgusting.” “You have no idea how obsessed he is with my body, calling me ‘baby’ as he holds me.” “A tainted man like that, and you still treat him like a treasure.”

I endured the sharp, stabbing pain in my heart, speaking with a detached tone. “I stole your man. Aren’t you upset? Why aren’t you upset?” Serena on the other end didn’t hear my hysterical rage; she just yelled in frustration. I clutched my chest, stating coldly: “I’m giving Julian to you. But do you dare to make this public, to tell Mom and Dad?” “Don’t provoke me. Julian still loves me right now. Be careful what I might let slip.” “Then you’ll get nothing at all.” The voice on the other end paused. Serena then said with a strange inflection: “Guess why Julian came to me in the first place?” Then, before I could respond, she abruptly hung up. Listening to her meaningful words, my mind felt chaotic. What else was I unaware of? I lay in bed, sleepless the entire night. At four o’clock, Julian returned from outside, carefully climbing into bed. The gardenia scent on him was even stronger. In the faint light of dawn, I saw two or three hickeys on his neck, glaringly red! After breakfast, Julian insisted on dragging me to the office, saying it would cheer me up. The moment I entered the company, I was met with respectful and envious glances from all the employees. When we married, Julian had given me half of the company’s shares. All the employees knew how deeply their CEO adored his wife. Before Julian left for a meeting, he specifically told Ms. Miller, his secretary, to bring a lot of snacks to my office. Fearing I’d get bored, he even had the young and lively Ms. Green, another secretary, keep me company and chat. “Mrs. Davies? Could you share your secret? How did you tame a man like the CEO?” Ms. Green asked, her eyes sparkling. I couldn’t help but recall the first time Julian and I met. He fell in love with me at first sight in college and then pursued me relentlessly. At that time, I hadn’t been recognized by the Davies family yet. The Davies family, of course, didn’t want him to fall for a poor college student like me. They cut off all his financial resources, threatening him to break up with me. But he would rather endure family punishment and deliver food than give in, determined to be with me. I was touched by Julian’s sincerity and agreed to be his girlfriend, to face everything with him. Later, when I was found by the Davies family, the biggest obstacle between us—our social standing—disappeared. I thought, with Julian’s love for me, we would grow old together. But I never expected that… Hearts change in an instant. Julian’s love for me lasted only a few years. At noon, Julian returned from his meeting. He hurried towards me and asked gently: “Sorry, I didn’t expect an impromptu meeting. Were you bored waiting?” “I’ve ordered lunch from The Grand Pavilion for you. After we eat, I’ll take you shopping.” I nodded slightly. Soon, a delivery person brought up a large, four-tiered wooden box. Despite the loose delivery uniform, I immediately recognized her as a woman. As she placed the wooden box on the table, she didn’t set it down steadily, and the box tilted, causing the soup inside to immediately seep out through the cracks. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to!” The girl, wearing a mask, apologized frantically. I stared at her intently. I would never forget that voice—it was Serena! Julian also recognized her. His face darkened, and without hesitation, he slapped her: “What are you doing here?” “Didn’t I tell you never to show your face around Iris again?” He glared at Serena, his eyes fierce, as if he wanted to kill her. Serena tumbled to the floor, her loose uniform riding up, revealing her fair, soft waist. Julian’s eyes froze for a moment.

Serena knelt on the floor, crying pitifully: “I know I was wrong, and I wanted to apologize to my sister in person.” “I’m so sorry, I’ve done so many bad things in the past. Can you ever forgive me, sister?” I looked down at Serena. Her lips spoke apologies, but deep in her eyes, there was defiance and mockery. I tugged at the corner of my mouth and said in a detached voice: “Get out of my sight!” “I’ll never forgive you!” “Get lost!” Hearing my words, Julian cursed her with disgust, even grabbing her clothes and dragging her out himself. Serena lay on the ground, looking disheveled and miserable. Her bloodshot eyes stared fixedly at me, and she silently mouthed: “Everything you have will be mine!” My expression remained calm. Anything that could be snatched away wasn’t worth my treasuring anyway. Julian returned quickly. With disgust, he told his secretary to take away the food from The Grand Pavilion, then he led me to the cafeteria. Lunch was sumptuous. Julian patiently picked out fish bones and deboned the ribs. He meticulously served me, not caring in the least that we were being watched by everyone in the crowded cafeteria. Employees eating around us cast envious glances. I calmly accepted Julian’s ministrations, mocking him internally: *Julian, you’re such a good actor!* Before we even finished eating, Julian’s phone rang twice. I recognized that it wasn’t his usual ringtone. His expression remained normal as he hung up, but I still caught the anxiety in his eyes. Sure enough, a moment later, he said: “Iris, an urgent document just came in. I need to go handle it.” With that, he rose and left without waiting for my reply. I watched Julian’s hurried back, clutching my phone tightly. Serena had just sent me a message: “Want to know why Julian lets me crawl into his bed? Follow him.” I quietly followed Julian, watching his anxious figure, and couldn’t help but mock myself. He was usually very alert; he’d notice a car following him. Yet now, someone was following him, and he didn’t even know it! How desperate was he to see Serena? I waited at the corner, and only when I heard a door close did I slowly approach. Soon, I saw the words “Storage Room.” I leaned against the wall, listening to the faint sounds coming from inside. Serena: “Julian, you’re so cruel. You dragged me out without any mercy. I just wanted to see you.” Julian’s voice was like ice: “I’ve warned you many times not to show your face around Iris. Are you deaf?” “Julian, please! Have mercy! *cough, cough, cough!*” “I’ll never do it again, don’t choke me, *cough, cough*.” Julian: “If there’s a next time, don’t blame me for being ruthless and selling you abroad!” “Julian, calm down. You can do anything you want today. My dear sister hasn’t satisfied you in days, has she?” Serena’s husky voice was seductive, followed by the sound of clothes rustling and bodies colliding. Serena seemed to know I was outside, her cries deliberately dramatic and loud. I bit my lip, listening to the commotion inside, not even noticing my lip bleeding. I felt a gaping hole tear through my heart. I’d told myself to let go of Julian, that he wasn’t worth my love. But why did it still hurt so much?! Soon, Serena’s smug voice rang out again: “Julian, you need to push harder, that way the baby will be healthy.” “Haven’t you always wanted me to give you a child?” Julian’s hoarse, impatient voice sounded: “Be quiet! Remember your place. You’re just a baby machine. If you dare…” Like a bolt of lightning, it struck my mind, leaving me dazed and disoriented.

I don’t even know how I managed to get back to the office without alerting them. Only one sentence echoed in my mind: *Give me a child?!* Disgusting. Truly, utterly disgusting! I clenched my palms, my stomach churning, the urge to vomit overwhelmingly strong. I rushed into the restroom and threw up violently into the toilet. Sitting on the floor, drenched in cold sweat, my eyes were unfocused. I was back in what I considered my hellish sophomore year of high school. Serena and her gang had cornered me in the restroom, forcing me into a humiliating kneeling position. Serena gazed at me with malicious intent, muttering: “If I destroy you, you won’t be useful even if you go back to your real family!” At the time, I had no idea how I’d offended Serena. I begged pathetically for mercy. But they still stripped me naked and forced me into ice water for five hours. By the time I was almost unconscious from the cold, a thick stick, like the handle of a shovel, relentlessly struck my lower abdomen, and then unspeakable, vile things were forced upon my body. That day, I was sixteen, and I completely lost the right to be a mother. “Hahahaha…” I let out a low laugh, the sound dripping with unspeakable sarcasm. The culprit who made me unable to have children now wants to give me a child? Julian truly loves me! And he knows how to hurt me the deepest! I stumbled to my feet and walked towards the couch. An endless weariness emanated from the depths of my soul. I wanted to sleep. Just one sleep, and everything would be fine. Preferably, to sleep and never wake up. That way, I wouldn’t have to face this bleak life. Without even changing my clothes, I curled up under the covers, wrapping my arms around my legs, and fell into a quiet slumber. “Iris, wake up!” I was awakened by Julian’s anxious voice. I opened my heavy eyes, staring blankly at Julian, whose face was covered in stubble. “Iris, you’re finally awake! You had a high fever yesterday and slept for a whole day and night.” Julian looked at me, his eyes now open, and was overjoyed. He carefully picked me up and held me, feeding me porridge. “Eat something first to warm your stomach.” I mechanically opened my mouth, obediently drinking the porridge, docile as a lifeless doll. But Julian didn’t notice my unusual state at the time. He babbled on: “Did Serena scare you? I’ve already given orders, she’ll never be able to enter Davies Company again.” “And I’ve already taught her a harsh lesson!” “Didn’t you say you liked blue diamonds the most? There’s an auction tonight, shall I take you?” “Julian, I want to go home and see Mom and Dad.” I interrupted his chatter, speaking weakly. Four more days. I wanted to see my family one last time. Since I was found, they’d always been good to me. Before I left, I wanted to spend a little more time with them. “Okay, I’ll take you home.” Julian kissed my earlobe again, saying affectionately. As he looked up, he noticed my wedding ring was gone. His eyes narrowed, and he grabbed my right hand, his voice subtly trembling: “Iris, where’s your ring?” I glanced at my bare finger and casually lied: “I got oil on it at lunch. I took it off to clean it and accidentally dropped it down the drain.” “Oh, I see. It’s fine if it’s lost.” “I’ll have a new, even more expensive one made for you with blue diamonds.” Julian’s tense nerves relaxed, and he said grandly. The Davies and Harrington homes were not far apart. An hour later, Julian took me back to the Davies estate. The entire Davies family had already received the news; they were waiting at the door to welcome me before I even arrived. “Iris, you’re back? Why are you so thin? Hasn’t Julian been taking good care of you?” Mrs. Davies looked at my frail appearance, her eyes filled with heartache.

A faint warmth flickered in my indifferent eyes. Mrs. Davies was the first person to show me kindness after I was found by the Davies family. She seemed intent on making up for two decades of missed time, indulging my every whim, even going so far as to kick Serena out of the house. Her intense maternal love had gradually healed my broken heart. “It’s all my fault, I didn’t take good care of Iris.” Julian quickly admitted his mistake, his eyes glued to me, overflowing with love. “It’s just that I haven’t had much appetite, it has nothing to do with him. Mom, let’s go inside!” I said lightly, linking my arm with Mrs. Davies’s as we walked in. But I didn’t expect to see someone who shouldn’t have been there in the living room—Serena. I froze, my hands and feet turning cold. Hadn’t Serena been ordered never to return to the Davies estate? Why was she here? “Is this where you should be? Get out!” Before I could speak, my brother, Lucas, sharply rebuked her, glaring at Serena with disgust. Serena stood up, flustered, her expression deeply upset. She bit her lip, bowed to me, Whispered “I’m sorry,” then scurried off towards the maid’s quarters. “Mr. Davies, why is she here?” Julian put an arm around me, coldly questioning Mr. Davies, looking as if he was defending me. “The Davies family needs to arrange a marriage, so we brought that wretch back.” “After all, we raised her for so long, she should be put to good use.” Mr. Davies spoke nonchalantly, his tone describing Serena as mere merchandise. He smiled kindly at me: “Don’t worry, my dear daughter.” “The arranged marriage is with a fifty-year-old man. She won’t have an easy time of it, which will serve as atonement for you.” “Whatever you arrange, Dad.” I rubbed my head wearily, speaking obediently. At this moment, I didn’t want to delve into whether what they were saying was true or false. I only had four days left and just wanted to spend them warmly and happily. Even if it was all a pretense! But it was as if I was abandoned by fate, as if heaven had never treated me kindly. After dinner, Julian and I slept in the same room. Sleeping next to him, I felt incredibly uneasy, every cell in my body resisting. I feigned sleep until Julian was deeply asleep, then quietly rose, walking barefoot and silently out. Planning to get a glass of warm water, I reached the stairwell and heard Mrs. Davies sobbing: “When will these days end?” “Just thinking of my precious Serena living like a rat, unable to show her face,” “It breaks my heart.” “Don’t cry. Once Serena has the baby, perhaps for the child’s sake, the two sisters’ relationship can mend.” Mr. Davies whispered. “She’s too stubborn. Serena has apologized, but she’s still relentlessly seeking revenge, it’s too much!” My brother Lucas complained. Listening to the three of them criticize and blame me, I quietly retreated to the room. Lying back in bed, I stared at the dark ceiling, unable to sleep for a long time. It turned out they still loved Serena the most. They even resented that I insisted on holding Serena accountable, causing me to live far away for so many years. But all my suffering originated from her. Shouldn’t I resent and seek revenge? Sleepless night. The next morning, Julian looked at my haggard face, worriedly stroking my head: “Why are you so drawn? Iris, let’s get a full physical today.” “I’m fine, just insomnia, an old habit.” I subtly dodged his touch, stood up, and went downstairs for breakfast. The three Davies family members were already waiting at the dining table. Mrs. Davies looked at the dark circles under my eyes with concern and told the maid to get a cup of hot milk: “Didn’t sleep well last night? Go catch up on some sleep later.”

Lucas also offered a gift, smiling brightly: “Sister, your reunion anniversary is in three days. This necklace is just a small token; wear it for now.” “A bigger surprise awaits in three days.” I opened it to find a beautiful butterfly hair accessory, its transparent wings poised to fly. Lucas said tenderly: “Your early life was lived in darkness. For your later life, brother hopes you can emerge from your cocoon like a butterfly, flying freely without any constraints.” “With me, your father, as your foundation, my daughter will surely have a lifetime of happiness.” Mr. Davies also declared confidently. “Mom and Dad, I won’t let Iris suffer either. Not ever in this life.” Julian gazed at me with loving eyes. My fingers, clutching the butterfly, turned white. I wore a perfect smile on my face. But inside, a huge hole had opened, and a small figure was silently weeping. What a picture of happiness: a loving family for their daughter, and a devoted husband for his wife. See how happy I am! Loved by so many! I had never doubted their love for me, which is why when I discovered their deception, it was so impossible to accept. “Thank you, Mom, Dad, and brother.” “I look forward to your gifts in three days.” My smile was sweet, but my eyes were empty. No one noticed, they all thought I was genuinely happy. After breakfast, I excused myself to my bedroom to catch up on sleep. The moment I closed the bedroom door, Serena’s call came in: “Hahahaha, you heard it last night, didn’t you!” “Mom and Dad never forgot me. The affection we shared for over a decade, how could a latecomer like you compare?” “You probably don’t know this, do you? During the years I was abroad, Mom, Dad, and Lucas came to visit me every year!” I looked at the various photos and videos Serena sent me. They had taken pictures together at famous landmarks all over the world. What a happy family! And I, happy as I was, felt utterly superfluous! My head buzzed, a cacophony of voices. I couldn’t hear anything Serena was saying, only my own distant voice: “I don’t want their love anymore. It’s all yours!” I calmly hung up the phone, feeling strangely clear-headed, excited, yet with a hint of self-destruction… I stood in the center of the bedroom, surveying it. This room was painstakingly decorated by Mrs. Davies after I was found. The large shelf against the wall was filled with gifts they had given me over the years. I had carefully kept them all. After standing before these gifts for a while, I threw all these once-treasured items into a box. As the shelf emptied, I felt my connection to this world grow even weaker. Struggling, I carried the large box out. Passing the living room, Mrs. Davies asked curiously: “Iris, what are you doing?” “Just throwing out some unnecessary things…” I gave a faint smile, walked straight out of the villa, and tossed the box into the trash, severing the last thread of familial affection. “Let’s go home.” I found Julian and said earnestly. I had once thought the Davies estate was my last haven. Peeling back the veneer of pretense, I realized, From the very beginning, I had no home. I was always a rootless duckweed, drifting through the world. “Didn’t you say you’d stay for two days? Who upset you?” “Serena? Does she dare to show her face in front of you?” Julian put down his laptop, asking gently, a fierce look flashing in his eyes. “No, she didn’t dare show her face in front of me.” I said softly. Serena only dared to provoke me from behind my back. “It’s just that I miss our little home. That’s my real home.” *Actually, I’ve never had a home.*

I finished, then silently told myself that in my heart. “Mom is personally cooking tonight. How about we stay one more day?” Julian coaxed patiently. “Alright, just one more day then.” My eyelids fluttered, my voice betraying a hint of indifference. In the afternoon, Mrs. Davies indeed went to the kitchen. I watched her busy figure, wanting to help, but she pushed me out with a smile. Mrs. Davies looked at me with loving eyes: “When you were little, your brother often ate my cooking, but you were swapped at birth and hardly had any of it.” “Now I just want to make up for that regret.” I looked at the unquestionable love in Mrs. Davies’s eyes, and my throat tightened. I wondered if I was being too demanding? *I already have this love, what am I being so dramatic about?* My mind was a mess. I went to the garden to clear my head. A distinctive ringtone sounded again; Serena had sent another string of pictures. “Look, the food Mom claims to make for you? Half of it is what *I* love to eat!” “Give up, you’ll never get rid of me! Mom and Dad will always love me!” I looked at the provocative message, and the smile on my lips relaxed a little. I gazed up at the starry sky, and my wavering heart firmed. I want love without a single impurity! I won’t settle for less! I’ll never forgive Serena, who stole my life and bullied me. Nor will I forgive Julian, who cheated, or my family, who secretly kept in touch with Serena! I don’t want any of it! At dinner, I was in a good mood, smiling and chatting throughout, appearing very happy. Julian, who had been constantly watching my emotions, let out a sigh of relief. He didn’t know why I had been in a bad mood these past few days, but now that I’d recovered, it was good. Night fell. Julian held me, his hand tentatively stroking my waist, wanting to be intimate. “I’m tired. I want to sleep.” I pressed his hand down. Julian took a few deep breaths, calming his ragged breathing, and said softly: “I won’t touch you. Just sleep.” I feigned sleep in his warm embrace, silently counting the time. Two more days! Two calm, steady breaths intertwined in the air. A soft knock on the door broke the room’s tranquility. Feigning sleep, I felt him withdraw his arm and quietly go to open the door. “Julian, you haven’t come to see me in three days. Don’t you miss me?” A sweet, cloying voice rang out. I frowned almost imperceptibly, maintaining steady breathing. “What are you doing here?” Julian’s hushed voice was laced with anger. “Julian, if I don’t come to you, when will we ever have a child?” Serena persisted. I slowly opened my eyes. Serena’s soft body was wrapped around Julian’s tall frame, an incredibly intimate sight. “Julian, don’t you want to do it right in front of your wife?” Serena’s voice was full of seduction. “Get lost! Have you no shame? *Ugh…*” Julian groaned, speaking angrily. “Julian, your body doesn’t seem as tough as your words!” “Let’s go to the balcony, okay? She definitely won’t find out…” “She didn’t satisfy you again, did she?” Julian grabbed Serena’s neck with one hand, his voice harsh: “If you make a sound, you’re dead!” Then he picked Serena up with one arm and hurried towards the balcony. In the darkness, Serena and I made eye contact for a fleeting moment. Her eyes clearly held triumph and mockery. I slowly closed my eyes, listening to the intimate sounds coming from the balcony, silently mouthing: *So dirty!*

The next day, I bid farewell to Mr. and Mrs. Davies as if nothing had happened. Mrs. Davies watched the car drive away, and thinking of my calm eyes, a dull ache suddenly gripped her heart. She clutched her chest, muttering: “I have a feeling something is going to happen!” “What could happen? Business is stable, Iris is well married. What else is there to worry about?” Mr. Davies said indifferently. “I hope I’m just overthinking.” Mrs. Davies sighed softly, still feeling uneasy. Back at Julian’s villa, my first stop was the bathroom, where I scrubbed myself until my skin was red, almost raw. I looked at myself in the mirror. My small face was a little sunken, making my dark eyes appear even more lifeless. I smiled at my reflection and whispered: “One more day. Goodbye!” After we returned, Julian was busy arranging a surprise for the next day. I was found on August 17th, and ever since, that day became my “new birth” celebration. Every year, Julian and the Davies family would host a grand celebration for me, and donate a lot of money to accumulate good fortune for me. “Iris, you’re really going to love this year’s surprise.” On the morning of the seventh day, Julian carefully picked out my outfit. It was a blue dress that shimmered with tiny specks of light. When I put it on, I looked as gentle as water. On my head was the butterfly accessory Lucas had given me, its upturned wings poised for flight. “What surprise did you prepare?” Being pulled out the door, I stood on the street, looking at the quiet road, and asked. “Just walk straight ahead. You’ll see in a bit.” Julian gently pushed me forward, his smile soft and encouraging. It was the last day, and I wanted to live it well, to keep some beautiful memories. In my twenty-plus years, there weren’t many beautiful or warm memories. I wanted to cling to every single one, no matter how small. Walking down the street, a five-year-old girl held a brilliant sunflower, smiling brightly at me: “Happy holiday, big sister! I wish you happiness for the rest of your life.” A sunflower, symbolizing hope and life. I looked into her innocent eyes, and my smile became a little more genuine. I took the sunflower and softly said, “Thank you!” Every kilometer I walked, someone would offer a blessing. There were friends I knew, and strangers I didn’t. Each sunflower represented their well wishes for me. As I kept walking, crystal tears streamed down my face. From these strangers I had never met, I felt genuine love and care. It was as if this world wasn’t so terrible after all; there were still people who loved me. Julian stood at the very front of the path, waiting for me. He looked at me with loving eyes and said softly: “My princess, it’s time for your next stop.” I smiled faintly, took his hand, and got into the car. Both sides of the road were planted with sunflowers, a dazzling golden expanse that was exceptionally beautiful. I intently admired the scenery, ignoring Julian’s constantly vibrating phone. The car stopped in front of a castle. Julian helped me out, and seeing my surprised eyes, he grinned proudly: “You once said your childhood dream was to have a castle and be a princess.” “I made your wish come true!” “My princess, please enter.” Julian made a grand gesture, and I stepped into the castle built just for me. I reveled in the fun, and my long-gloomy mood brightened considerably. After visiting the last part, the zoo, I was so tired that sweat beaded on my nose. Julian gently dabbed my forehead with a tissue. I looked at his handsome face and proactively mentioned: “Today, your phone rang several times. Is there some urgent project at work?” “No, just some minor things.” Julian answered reflexively.

“If the project wasn’t urgent, would your secretary dare to call you repeatedly?” “I’m tired of playing too, and I plan to rest for a while. You should go handle it.” I said calmly. Julian’s eyes showed internal struggle, but he finally conceded: “Mom and Dad will be here soon. Wait for me, I’ll definitely be back tonight!” “I’ll definitely wait for you.” My smile was faint. Watching his anxious departure, I knew he wouldn’t return. Just as I went to the restroom, I saw a picture Serena had sent me: A pregnancy test result. I wandered through the castle alone again. As dusk approached, the butler led me to the hillside. I sat on a rocking chair in front of a wooden cabin, a table laden with food beside me. The gifts from the Davies family and Julian were placed nearby, but I had no desire to open them. I gazed into the distance at the foot of the mountain, waiting quietly. *Ding*. It was a text from Mr. Davies: [Iris, something came up at the company. Your brother and I are handling it urgently. Your mom has already gone to the castle.] Fifteen minutes later, *ding*. It was a text from Mrs. Davies: [Iris, Mom accidentally sprained her ankle on the way. Please wait for Mom a little longer.] Half an hour later, Julian’s text arrived. [Iris, wait for me a little longer. I’ll be there soon.] I let out a soft laugh. I looked at the photos Serena had sent: My family and husband, who claimed to be delayed, were all gathered around her, their eyes filled with joy at the prospect of a new life. I lay in the lounge chair, gazing at the dark sky. The hillside at night was truly silent, only the faint sound of the wind, making me deeply aware that I was utterly alone. Time ticked by. The moment the clock struck midnight, brilliant fireworks launched from the foot of the mountain, blooming in the darkness. The beautiful fireworks illuminated half the sky. Bright yet fleeting. My consciousness was blurring. My limbs felt uncontrolled, and my awareness was slowly being swallowed by darkness. *I’m disappearing,* I thought vaguely. *Goodbye… No, never again.* *Julian!* Time slowly passed. The person lying in the lounge chair suddenly opened her eyes, her pupils obsidian black. Her eyes slowly opened, pupils black as night. Blair stood up, stretched languidly, her smile icy: “Iris, I will take over your life and live it well.” “And make those who wronged you—” “Pay the price.” The brilliant fireworks in the night sky extinguished, leaving only chaos in their wake. Blair expertly dialed a number on her phone, relaying her location to the person on the other end: “Come pick me up!” With that, she crisply hung up the phone. She walked to the table and looked at the pile of gifts, casually opening them: Luxury car keys, jewelry, property deeds… Blair scoffed at the gifts. Serena’s coming-of-age gift was five percent of the company’s shares. For Iris, there were only these “cheap” items. Love or lack thereof had long been evident in the details. Only Iris, with her craving for affection, would overlook these details and believe the Davies family loved her! She slammed her palm on the table, overturning it with a powerful shove. All the gifts scattered across the grass. Grabbing a chair, she smashed it repeatedly. Only then did Blair feel a release of her pent-up frustration. Casually dropping her phone and a photo, she walked down the mountain alone, her slender figure appearing tiny and solitary in the darkness. After waiting an hour at the castle gate, the roar of a motorcycle grew from a distance. The black, heavy motorcycle skidded to a stop in front of Blair. The man on the bike took off his helmet, revealing a flamboyant, handsome face. “Zane, long time no see!”

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I’d faced death countless times alongside Julian Blackwood for seven years. Everyone knew I was his absolute favorite. He’d even told me more than once that he’d marry me. But when I returned home, my heart brimming with joy after completing the mission he’d assigned, I walked right into his engagement ceremony with his idealized first love. Seraphina Thorne leaned shyly into his arms, asking, “Maya Shaw saved your life, didn’t she? You even said you’d marry her. Are you really sure you won’t regret this?” Julian just chuckled, utterly dismissive. “If saving my life meant I had to marry her, I’d have a long list of wives by now. Besides, a mercenary living paycheck to paycheck like her? Marry *me*? That’s a joke!” His contemptuous tone hit me like a wave of icy despair. But after I left, Why did that man, who swore he wouldn’t regret it, desperately search for me, claiming he did? It was drizzling the day I returned home after completing Julian’s mission. The sky was hazy and indistinct, making everything seem unclear. As usual, I instinctively headed to his villa. This time, I’d even brought him a birthday gift from overseas. But the moment I reached the villa, I froze. The usually quiet villa was buzzing with activity, many people coming and going. At first, I thought they were all guests for his birthday party. But as I listened to snippets of conversations from the passing crowd, I finally realized it was Julian Blackwood’s engagement ceremony today. Through the villa’s glass window, I immediately spotted him in the crowd, and the woman by his side. She had long, dark hair and was wearing a stunning, elegant deep-red gown. Both held champagne flutes, celebrating with the well-wishers. “Congratulations, Mr. Blackwood! After all these years, you’ve finally got your wish and are with Ms. Thorne!” Receiving the blessings, they exchanged a sweet, knowing smile. It hit me then – this woman was Seraphina Thorne, the idealized first love Julian had always pined for. They were engaged? What did that make me? A side piece? A fling? Or maybe just utterly disposable? A sudden urge to storm in and confront Julian flared within me. How could he get engaged to another woman when he’d promised to marry me? But just then, Seraphina leaned shyly into his arms and asked, “Maya Shaw saved your life, didn’t she? You even said you’d marry her. Are you really sure you won’t regret getting engaged to me now?” Julian just chuckled, utterly dismissive. “If saving my life meant I had to marry her, I’d have a long list of wives by now. Besides, a mere mercenary like her, wanting to marry *me*? Do you think that’s even possible?” “Even if *I* wanted to, my family would never allow someone of her standing into our elite circle!” My foot, mid-step, instantly froze. So, that’s how Julian truly saw me all along—worthless. He’d been lying to me this whole time; he never intended to marry me! It felt like I finally saw him for who he was. He’d tricked me into going overseas with a mission, all so he could have an undisturbed, peaceful engagement. And here I was, foolishly rushing back, risking injury and death, completing the mission early. All because I didn’t want to miss Julian’s birthday. “Maya, you’re back today? Well, perfect timing! You can join the young master’s birthday party and engagement ceremony!” I’d been standing outside the villa for a long time before Mr. Davies, the butler, recognized me. I used to frequent the villa, so Mr. Davies knew me well. He immediately pulled me inside. Julian, who’d been smiling, scowled the moment he saw me. He looked as if he feared I was there to cause trouble. I knew my timing was terribly off. But my feet wouldn’t move; they were rooted to the spot. Finally, Seraphina led Julian over to me. She looked at me with an air of superiority and said, “Ms. Shaw, the mission is complete, right? Please hand over the item.” I instinctively looked at Julian. He, however, impatiently urged, “What are you looking at me for? Just do as you’re told!” My nose stung, and I bit down hard, forcing myself to retrieve the box Julian had instructed me to bring back from overseas. Inside was a necklace. Seraphina eagerly had Julian put it on her. I was completely rigid. Before I left, Julian had repeatedly stressed how important this box was, telling me I had to protect it and bring it back, even if it cost me my life. Only now did I realize. The box I’d nearly died for, shedding blood and sweat to retrieve, was nothing more than a gift for Seraphina!

Julian and I met seven years ago. I’d failed a mission and was being hunted by enemies. Julian saved me. I still remember the surprise in his eyes when he rescued me. He’d said something about a woman daring to take on a suicidal line of work like being a mercenary! Because I feared leaking information, he was the one who nursed me back to health for over two weeks. Once, when I ran a high fever, Julian pulled an all-nighter watching over me. Later, he chuckled, saying he’d never cared for anyone so diligently in his entire life. He then said he wanted to hire me, as a way to “get back at me” for all the trouble. At the time, I thought it would be some incredibly difficult task. Only after I agreed did I realize they were two extremely simple missions. They weren’t torture at all; strictly speaking, it was just him handing me money. Later, as I grew closer to Julian, I became his dedicated mercenary. For seven years, I knew he secretly admired Seraphina. There was even one time when he chased after Seraphina overseas and ran into an ambush. It was I who fought desperately to get him back home safely, taking two bullets for him. That day, on the plane back home, Julian’s eyes were red from crying. He gripped my hand tightly and said, “Maya, you’re my mercenary. You can’t die without my permission!” “As long as you live, I’ll marry you!” The moment I heard those words, my heart actually fluttered with shyness. I never thought he knew about my feelings for him. It was because of that promise that my raw survival instinct dragged me through that crisis. When I woke up in the hospital, my first question was to ask Julian if he was serious. He nodded very earnestly then. “Of course, it’s true! I said I’d marry you, and I will!” But now, he’d chosen someone else. Looking at Seraphina, who was admiring the necklace before me, I could no longer control my emotions. I lowered my head and turned to leave when the birthday gift box in my arms slipped out. I bent down in a hurry, but a sharp pain from my abdominal wound made me flinch. Seraphina picked up the gift box. She opened it to reveal a rather inexpensive bracelet. It even had “JB,” Julian Blackwood’s initials, that I had carefully woven into it. “Maya, this is for Julian, isn’t it? With his initials and everything, you really put a lot of thought into it.” Then, her tone shifted, laced with disdain. “But this doesn’t look very valuable, does it? Julian wouldn’t wear such a cheap bracelet. There’s no brand logo; did you make it yourself?” I bit my lower lip so hard I tasted blood. “It’s his birthday present!” The words had barely left my mouth when a chorus of laughter erupted. Julian, tears in his eyes from laughing, seemed amused. He casually took the bracelet, glanced at it, then indifferently tossed it onto a nearby table already stained with cream and red wine. Finally, he spoke, utterly nonchalant. “Alright, I get it.” In that moment, I almost wished he’d mock me hysterically, or scoff at my foolish infatuation. But that detached, indifferent expression was like a sword piercing my heart, an unbearable pain. I looked up, asking Julian, word for word, “Don’t you have anything to say to me?” He frowned, then slowly patted his head, pretending to just remember. “Oh, right. You worked hard on this mission too. I’ll have Mr. Davies transfer the remaining payment to you later.” I forced a laugh. It was a brittle, ugly sound. The strong taste of blood filled my mouth, and the wound in my abdomen ripped open again. But no physical pain could compare to the ache in my heart.

After leaving the villa, I went to a small cottage. This was the same cottage where Julian had nursed me for two weeks after he saved me seven years ago. Later, I bought this cottage, holding it as my most cherished memory. Seven years passed, and all the decorations in the cottage remained unchanged. Not even a speck of dust could be found. I knew this was because Julian had people clean it every day. I had once told Julian. If we ever got married, I would choose this place as my bridal home. Since then, he would often come to check on it. He said he would always protect everything I cared about. But now, it seemed like my own words were coming back to haunt me. The wedding day would likely never arrive. Lying on the bed, I changed into my pajamas, preparing to clean my abdominal wound. The sound of the lock turning on the door echoed, and Julian, smelling faintly of alcohol, walked in. Seeing the wound on my abdomen, his eyes immediately filled with concern. “Maya, how did you get hurt again? This mission was just to retrieve a necklace!” Then, he familiarly pulled out the first-aid kit from the bedside cabinet, expertly wiped the wound with alcohol, disinfected it, and finally applied a fresh bandage. Julian performed the entire sequence of actions with practiced ease. It felt as though I was back in the past. I subconsciously reached out to gently caress Julian’s face. But my hand brushed against a deep red hickey on his neck. In that second, it felt like a knife was lodged in my throat, and I couldn’t utter another word. Not until Julian put the first-aid kit away, ruffled my hair, and continued, “Don’t push yourself so hard next time. You’re a woman; you don’t need to risk your life like men do. If anything were to happen to you, what would I do?” I looked up at him. Julian’s downcast eyes were full of tenderness for me. Yet this was the very man who had broken his vows to me! “Julian Blackwood, did you get engaged to Seraphina today?” After a long silence, I finally asked the question. He frowned slightly, and his voice suddenly turned cold. “That’s my private business. Why are you asking so many questions?” I pressed my lips together, stubbornly meeting Julian’s gaze. It was the first time I had ever looked at him like this. And it was the first time Julian had ever brushed me off with “private business.” In the early days of our relationship, Julian hadn’t been like this at all. He would go to great lengths to make me understand him, even sharing confidential contracts with me without reservation. Fearing I might inadvertently cause problems, I instinctively kept away from his study. One day, Julian held me close, telling me he would always be transparent with me, always have no secrets! Now I knew his “always” had only lasted a mere five years! His so-called transparency with me was, in fact, highly selective. The pressure in his eyes grew, quickly turning to cold indifference. “Come on, don’t be difficult.” “The Maya I know is a very obedient woman; she wouldn’t make me unhappy!” With that, Julian left without a second thought. A moment later, the roar of a sports car engine echoed from downstairs. I couldn’t hold back anymore; my nose stung, and tears streamed down my face. A chill of despair seeped into my soul. Now, he wouldn’t even spare me a flimsy excuse.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, I was woken by the searing pain from my abdominal wound. I’d only slept three hours, and dark circles bloomed under my eyes. I wanted to go back to sleep, but my injuries wouldn’t allow it. The pain persisted until full daylight, when Mr. Davies, the villa’s butler, arrived at the cottage with a doctor to check on my injuries. My type of gunshot wound usually requires a private doctor; it’s not something to show up at a regular hospital for. So, for the seven years I’d been with Julian, he had always secretly arranged for doctors to treat me. The doctor quickly gave me anti-inflammatory medication, re-dressed the wound, and applied new bandages. Before leaving, he specifically instructed me not to engage in strenuous activities for a while, to prevent the wound from reopening and risking a severe hemorrhage. “Ms. Shaw, you see, the young master still cares about you deeply. He called me before dawn to arrange for your treatment.” “However, sometimes, darling, there’s a clear line between us due to our different statuses. It’s best not to overthink other matters.” Mr. Davies chuckled and told me many things. I knew what he meant. He was warning me, in no uncertain terms, not to entertain any improper ideas. I remained silent, my mind a blank. I used to be so certain Julian loved me. But now, I couldn’t find any trace of his love. Perhaps there was a glimmer of it once, but it wasn’t enough for him to defy his entire family’s wishes and choose to be with me, no matter the cost. After all, I was just a low-class mercenary, living paycheck to paycheck! After the treatment, I lay idly in the cottage for the entire day. My mind was filled with everything Julian had ever told me. Lost in a hazy stupor, my phone suddenly rang. Looking at the screen, it was Julian calling. I hadn’t expected him to contact me today. “How are your injuries?” “I’m fine, nothing major.” “Then come over.” Julian asked me to meet him at a club. I hadn’t expected him to call me to a place like this. “Maya, you’re here.” He had Seraphina in his arms, looking completely calm when he saw me. Seraphina, however, walked up to me, curiously sizing me up. “They say Ms. Shaw is Julian’s most formidable mercenary, so it’s no wonder you successfully retrieved this necklace for me.” She toyed with the very necklace I had risked my life to retrieve. Then she took my hand, eagerly saying, “Speaking of which, I’ve never seen a real spar before. How about Ms. Shaw gives me a little demonstration today?” I froze for a moment. A demonstration? I’m a mercenary, not some circus monkey to be put on display. I bit my lip, my gaze fixed on Julian in the distance, hoping he would say something, anything.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299100”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic