My wife’s younger brother was trapped in a deep pit, and I risked my life, tied to a rope, to rescue him. Just as I secured the rope around his waist, the tension above us suddenly gave way, and we both plummeted, hitting the bottom hard. I looked up, only to see my wife, Seraphina, slashing through the rope. Her childhood friend, Damien, grinned arrogantly: “Do it!” Black-clad bodyguards rushed to fill the pit with quicksand, intending to bury us alive! I quickly used my walkie-talkie to contact my wife: “Seraphina, your brother and I are still down here!” Seraphina scoffed: “Three years ago, during the earthquake, you abandoned Damien’s brother in the rubble for five whole days just to save others. Now it’s your turn to pay the price!” Damien instantly forced out tears: “Seraphina, thanks to you, my brother’s revenge is finally done.” The quicksand was already covering our feet. I screamed at the top of my lungs: “Seraphina, that’s really *your own brother* down here!”

“Alex, you’d say anything to save your skin, wouldn’t you?” “My brother’s at Disneyland with his girlfriend today. I just helped him with the plans last night. Next time you lie, at least try to make it believable.” Damien’s voice crackled through the walkie-talkie: “Karma’s a bitch, Alex! You murdered my brother, and now you’ll both die the same way!” I moved away from my wife’s brother, fearing I was blocking Seraphina’s view, wanting her to get a clear look at him. But his face was injured, and he’d been trapped here for a day and a night. He was already unrecognizable. “Seraphina, you’ll regret this!” After shouting that, I immediately cut the connection on the walkie-talkie. We were running out of time! If we didn’t get out before the quicksand reached our lungs, we’d really be dead. My wife’s brother gasped for breath, clinging to my hand, unwilling to let go. “Alex, what’s wrong with Seraphina? Does she really want to kill me? I’m her own brother!” He finally burst into tears after that. My heart ached for him, but there was no time to comfort him now. If I didn’t make a decision immediately, even a second of hesitation would mean our death. The quicksand rose higher and higher, slowly covering our ankles. “Hold on tight, don’t let go!” I tied us together with a rope and started digging footholds with a small shovel I carried. The next second, a boulder the size of a sandbag grazed my ear and tumbled past. My wife’s brother yelled hoarsely at the top of the pit: “Seraphina! Are you crazy? Why are you trying to smash Alex?” I covered my ears to avoid excessive bleeding. Seraphina grabbed a megaphone, her voice echoing with arrogant authority. “Still got a big mouth when you’re staring death in the face? You’re just begging for it!” Stones rained down like bullets. I was forced to stop digging and huddle with my wife’s brother, dodging the onslaught. Meanwhile, the quicksand continued to pile up, already submerging our calves. The next moment, the bodyguards suddenly stopped shoveling. A package was tossed down. I opened it. It was a cell phone and a document. The phone was on a FaceTime call with Seraphina. “It’s not too late to give up. Just agree to this document, and I’ll have them pull you out immediately.” I opened the document, desperate to see what could make her so hell-bent on killing me. What I saw made my blood run cold.

The document demanded that I turn myself in to the police. It stated I had to confess that the building collapse during the earthquake was my fault, trapping Damien’s siblings in the rubble and causing one death. But I was hiking that day. All company matters had been handled by Seraphina. She was the one who cut corners, using shoddy materials, which is why the building couldn’t withstand the earthquake. That’s what caused the casualties. Now, she wanted me to take the blame for everything and transfer all company shares to Damien. If I signed that contract, I’d probably spend the rest of my life in prison. My wife’s brother read the document, then angrily tore it to shreds: “Seraphina, you’re despicable!” He snatched the phone, his voice choked with tears as he spoke to Seraphina on the video call: “Seraphina! Open your eyes! I’m your brother!” “Didn’t you promise to take care of me forever? Please, come down and save me! I won’t let Alex sign that thing!” My heart ached. After five years of marriage, my wife’s brother and I had become close friends, telling each other everything. Seraphina spat at him. “You look like a ghost and you think you can impersonate my brother? That’s not how you beg.” “My brother, Caleb, is tall and handsome! How could a disgusting freak like you even compare!” “Alex, my patience is limited. Sign it, or die!” The bodyguards at the pit’s edge suddenly sped up, shoveling mud and sand over our heads. Someone’s keys, mixed in with the dirt, fell and their sharp edge sliced open my wife’s brother’s arm. “Decide quickly, or next time I’ll throw knives down!” “Caleb!” I quickly tore off part of my shirt to bandage his wound. I cast a cold glare at Seraphina above. “Do you really think this plan is foolproof?” Seraphina scoffed. “So what if I do? No one can save you now.” I pointed to Damien beside her. “Can’t you see someone’s using you to kill us? You think you’re some noble warrior fighting for love, but you’re nothing but a puppet in someone else’s hands.” “Who are you calling a puppet?” “You know who. Keep this up, and you’ll regret it, sooner or later.” Damien suddenly picked up a rock and threw it at us. “Seraphina, don’t listen to him. He’s just trying to buy time for backup.” “Bury him faster!” Seraphina immediately stopped thinking, her patience gone. “Didn’t you guys eat breakfast? Shovel harder!” A dozen bodyguards frantically swung their shovels, and our thighs were almost completely submerged. I immediately pulled out a spray bottle from my bag. I used every ounce of strength I had and hurled it upwards, hitting the lead bodyguard’s feet. Seraphina burst into laughter. “Pepper spray? Hahahaha…” “Alex, you’re supposed to be a brilliant university graduate! Can that stop one guy? Ten?” The sand buried us higher and higher, already reaching our stomachs. My wife’s brother had his arms wrapped around my waist, his tears soaking my back, filled with despair.

I watched as the nozzle on the spray bottle automatically opened, dispersing a cloud of mist. “Seraphina? Do you know how many times concentrated chili extract I put in there?” Seraphina’s brow furrowed slightly; before she could answer, The ten bodyguards at the edge of the pit suddenly collapsed, writhing on the ground. Two even tumbled down. On the video call, the previously arrogant Seraphina suddenly coughed violently. Damien’s smile vanished. “Seraphina? Why did those guys faint?!” Seizing the opportunity, I quickly pulled my wife’s brother upwards. Ten years of mountain climbing experience made it less difficult for me. But Seraphina’s enraged voice came through the phone. “Alex, do you think you’re so clever?” The video feed on the phone shook. Seraphina retrieved a water bottle from her car and capped my spray bottle. Then, she picked up a military shovel from the ground and violently swung it down towards us. I couldn’t let go. If I fell from this height, my wife’s brother would be crushed to death. My wife’s brother was on my back; there was no time to dodge. The shovel slammed directly onto his arm, accompanied by a scream, a bloody mess. My wife’s brother passed out from the pain. “Bastard, daring to provoke Seraphina and stop Alex from signing! Let’s see how many shovels you can take.” Seraphina swung two more shovels our way. I endured the searing pain in my hands, barely dodging them. My wife’s brother wouldn’t be in this miserable state, trapped in this pit, if he hadn’t been trying to help Seraphina stabilize the company and comfort the disaster victims. I roared into the phone: “Seraphina! At this rate, Caleb will really die!” Seraphina calmly took a puff from a cigarette, slowly exhaling a smoke ring. “Still lying to me when you’re on the verge of death? If you really want to save him, sign the document.” “Fine! I’ll sign it. I admit it’s my fault.” Without a moment’s hesitation, I quickly descended to the lowest level to retrieve the document and pen that had been thrown down. “I’ve signed it! Now get us out!” My wife’s brother, roused by the jostling, saw my signature and couldn’t help but curse. “You’re not human, Seraphina! I’m your own brother!” Seraphina used a thin string to pull the document up. After reading it, she drew a throwing knife from her belt. “Still daring to curse me at a time like this? You two need a lesson.” She aimed for my head, and just as we relaxed our guard, she threw it with all her might. My wife’s brother, on my back, saw her move and lunged forward, blocking the knife with his hand. “Ah!” With a sickening thud, his hand was directly severed. “No!” I went insane, frantically pulling emergency bandages from my bag, trying to stem the bleeding as calmly as possible. “It’s okay, it’s okay…” “Alex, keep begging me. Why didn’t you save Damien’s brother when he begged you?” Damien’s head popped out, a gleeful smile on his face. “Seraphina, quickly! Kill them! Just get rid of them all!” My wife’s brother was completely numb from the pain, staring at his severed arm, unable to even cry out. But Seraphina didn’t stop. She and Damien began to fill the pit with quicksand again. I quickly tied my wife’s brother tightly to my back. This time, I *had* to reach the top. I climbed step by step, trying to match their shoveling speed. Seraphina suddenly stopped. “Alex, I’m done playing with you.” She suddenly pulled a handful of throwing knives from a bag, aiming them at us. Damien, tired, immediately dropped his shovel and began to massage her shoulders. “Go, Seraphina! Stab those two bastards through!” There was a slope halfway up the pit. If we could just reach it, we’d have cover and could hold out until rescue. Just one more step… A sharp pain shot through my back. I gritted my teeth and pushed my wife’s brother onto the slope. Then I fell heavily, letting the quicksand engulf my body.

“Alex!” My wife’s brother, whom I had just pushed onto the slope, saw me being swallowed by the sand and, without a second thought, jumped back down with me. He dug me out of the sand with one hand, forcing me upright so I wouldn’t suffocate. I knew this couldn’t go on. I no longer had the strength to climb back to the halfway point. “Caleb, I won’t make it out alive.” “You stand in front of me. You survive, and then go find Victoria.” Victoria was the true matriarch of the Hayes family, and with her, my name could surely be cleared. My wife’s brother hugged me tightly with his one hand. “No, Alex. If we die, we die together! I don’t want to see that monster again!” Even injured, I was stronger than a pampered, one-armed young man. Ignoring his struggles, I tied him securely with the rope. If only one of us could live, I would make sure it was him! Under my despairing gaze, my wife’s brother stopped resisting. “Alex, it’s okay. I still have one hand…” “I don’t hurt anymore. If she does anything else, I’ll block it with this hand.” I didn’t contradict his naive words, only felt pathetic for myself. After marrying Seraphina, I worked tirelessly for the Hayes family, only to be killed by my own wife. Just as I thought I would be riddled with knives, Seraphina suddenly appeared directly above us. A knife hovered directly over my wife’s brother’s head. I had no strength left to move, no better ideas. I had no choice but to turn the camera towards my wife’s brother, frantically shouting. “Seraphina, please believe me one last time, okay?” “This really is your brother! I’m not lying! It’s your own brother!” Seraphina on the FaceTime call impatiently rolled her eyes. “Alex, you’re about to die and you’re still trying to trick me?” Damien’s simpering voice joined in. “Seraphina, he’s just trying to play on your soft spot. Your brother is the young master of the Hayes family; how could he look like some poor, raggedy freak?” “Exactly! I personally picked out my brother’s Disneyland outfit last night, and your brother can just go to hell with you!” “No!” Knives rained down from the sky. My wife’s brother lunged over, shielding me. “Alex, live on for both of us.” Dozens of knives, from head to toe, pierced his body. Scalding blood flowed onto me. I met my wife’s brother’s eyes, and they were filled with concern, for me. Even in his dying moments, he was thinking of me, his brother-in-law. Damien laughed hysterically: “Oh, what brotherly love!” “You’ve got company for your death, you won’t be lonely. Damien’s brother died all alone!” The bodyguards, having regained consciousness, began to shovel sand into the pit again. I stared blankly at Seraphina above, the wife who once promised to stay with me forever. The demon who had killed her own brother. She looked down at me from above: “Kneel and beg me, and I might leave you a whole body, bury you two brothers together.” Damien pulled her hand: “Seraphina, you help dig too. One more look at him, and all I can think of is my poor, dead brother.” I watched the sand rise quickly, already burying my chest, about to engulf my neck. My wife’s brother’s corpse was right before my eyes, one hand still gripping me tightly. “Seraphina, even if I die, I’ll turn into a vengeful ghost and tear you to shreds!” Seraphina clapped her hands. “Typical husband of mine, so dramatic. Well, now you can die!” Just as the quicksand was about to swallow me, the roar of dozens of SUVs echoed from all directions. Seraphina’s voice trembled as she questioned the woman getting out of a vehicle. “Victoria… why are you here?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299021”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #玄幻Fantasy #重生Reborn

From eighteen to twenty-three, I was his. Five long years. We were intimate more times than I could count, but he never gave me a proper title. Because he had a dating standard that was almost obsessive— Height 5’6″, weight 105 lbs. Naturally dark, long, straight hair, fair skin, a beauty mark near her eye, dimples when she smiled… Thirty-seven points in total. Every single one had to be met. He said: “If I haven’t found my ideal partner by the time I’m twenty-three, then I’ll be with you.” I didn’t believe such a girl existed, so I agreed. I waited year after year, until his twenty-third birthday. He tagged everyone in our SnapChat group: “Seven tonight, at The Grand Gala Lounge. You guys are finally meeting my girlfriend.” My Ins exploded instantly. Everyone was congratulating me: “Five years! You finally made it official!” “Alice, you finally succeeded!” I put on a full face of makeup, changed into his favorite white dress, and arrived at the private room half an hour early. The moment the door opened, he walked in, his arm around a girl’s waist. 5’6″, dark, long, straight hair, fair skin, a beauty mark near her eye… perfectly matching his ideal partner criteria. He looked down at her, his gaze so gentle it stung: “Let me introduce you. This is my girlfriend.”

The private room fell into a terrifying silence. All eyes were on me. My knuckles were white from gripping my wine glass, my throat felt squeezed by an invisible hand, and even breathing became difficult. Finally, someone broke the hush. “Alex, you’re serious?” Alex leaned back lazily on the sofa, then lowered his head to kiss Bethany’s hair: “Of course, I’m serious. Those thirty-seven dating standards? Did you think they were just for show? I declare, I will marry no one but Bethany in this life.” “You’ll marry no one but her? What about Alice?” Someone couldn’t help but ask, “She’s been with you since she was eighteen…” Alex seemed to smile, lifting his gaze slightly to look at me, his eyes so unfamiliar it made my heart tremble: “I never asked her to wait.” “My dating standards were always public. If she didn’t meet them, is that my fault?” Hearing that, my heart felt like it had been brutally stabbed, the pain almost making me double over. But I knew, all eyes were on me, waiting for my reaction. So, I forced myself to straighten up and raise my wine glass, my fingertips so cold I could barely feel the temperature of the glass. “You’re right, you never made me wait. I chose to, so I have to accept the consequences of my own choices.” I forced a smile, “Alex, congratulations on getting what you wished for.” Alex raised an eyebrow, lifting his glass in a gesture: “Thanks.” He took a sip of his drink, his Adam’s apple bobbing, “There are plenty of other guys out there. Don’t waste your life on me, Alice. Try to like someone else.” I closed my eyes, my heart felt like it was being sawed open, instantly mangled and bleeding. I was only five years old when I first met Alex. He looked like a prince from a fairy tale, playing the piano in a little suit. From then on, I became his inseparable shadow. They grew up together. At their high school graduation party when they were eighteen, they both got drunk and shared their first intimate moment. Waking up the next day, I was nervous, thinking years of liking him had finally come to fruition. But he just handed me a piece of paper. He said these were his ideal partner standards. The paper was densely packed with thirty-seven requirements, from height and weight to hair color and skin texture. It even specified a beauty mark near the eye and dimples when she smiled. “Last night was an accident.” He lit a cigarette, saying casually, “Alice, you have two choices.” My fingers gripped the bedsheet tightly, my heart slowly growing cold. “First, pretend nothing happened.” He exhaled a smoke ring, “Second, we both enjoyed last night. We can be bed partners, and if I haven’t found my ideal partner by the time I’m twenty-three, we’ll be together.” I tremblingly took the paper. Thirty-seven standards, like thirty-seven knives, each piercing my heart. Not a single one described me. “I choose the second option.” I heard myself say. Because I didn’t believe such a girl truly existed in this world, and that Alex would happen to meet her. Because I liked him too much. So, even if there was only a one in a million chance, I was willing to bet everything. For these five years, I was with him, kissing in the back rows of classrooms, passionately entwined on rooftops, indulging in changing rooms. Everyone knew I was his, but he never admitted it. Just yesterday, he was clutching my waist, saying: “Alice, so soft. I never want to let you go.” But now he casually said: “You go try to like someone else…” Just because he was afraid I’d cling to him. My heart felt violently squeezed. I tilted my head back and drained the glass, the burning liquid searing my throat. “Don’t worry, I won’t cling.” I heard myself say, my voice so faint it was almost inaudible, “I’ll keep my word. I’ll make a clean exit.” I turned to leave, but then I saw Alex gently helping Bethany drink some milk. A little milk stained her lips, and he leaned down to kiss it away: “Silly girl.” That scene felt like a knife twisting in my heart. I stumbled out of the private room, only to be blocked by a few drunk men in the hallway. “Hey beautiful, wanna exchange SnapChat IDs?” The heavy smell of alcohol washed over me. Someone’s hand touched my waist. Someone from the private room shouted: “Alex! Alice is in trouble!” Through the gap in the door, I saw Alex, his head still down, his voice lazy: “I have a girlfriend now. Her business has nothing to do with me.” As he spoke, he pinched Bethany’s cheek, “If I go help another girl, would you get mad, sweetie?” “Of course I would!” Bethany pouted playfully. Alex smiled, dotingly: “Then I won’t help.” “After all these years, you really didn’t like her?” Someone asked, unwilling to give up. Alex chuckled softly, his voice clear, each word like a knife piercing my heart: “She didn’t meet a single one of my dating standards. How could I like her?” Those words completely shattered my last shred of dignity. I violently pushed past the drunk men in front of me and stumbled out of The Grand Gala Lounge. The cold wind on my face, tears finally broke free like a dam. I didn’t call a taxi. I walked home for two hours against the wind. When I got home, I looked at my disheveled self in the mirror— My makeup was smudged, my dress was wrinkled, my eyes were swollen like peaches. This wasn’t me, nor should it be. Mechanically, I took off the ruined white dress and tossed it into the trash. Just as Alex had coldly discarded our five years of shared history. Then, I picked up my phone and dialed a number. “Mr. Davies, I’ve thought about it. I accept the London Symphony Orchestra’s offer.”

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds before Mr. Davies’ surprised and delighted voice came through: “Why the sudden change of heart, Alice? You said before you wanted to stay in the country for someone you liked very much, and didn’t want to go abroad…” “He doesn’t need me anymore.” I cut him off, my voice so calm it even surprised myself, “And I don’t need him either.” Mr. Davies was perceptive enough not to ask any more questions: “In that case, once you’ve sorted out the paperwork, come over. The orchestra always welcomes talent like you!” After hanging up, I gazed out at the gradually brightening sky. A month ago, when that long-dreamed-of invitation arrived, I was so excited I didn’t sleep all night. I’d been playing the violin since I was a child, and getting into the London Symphony Orchestra was practically every music student’s dream. But when I went to Alex’s family estate and saw him leaning alone on the sofa, smoking, looking lonely. The words “I’m going to London” simply wouldn’t come out. When Alex was sixteen, his parents died in a plane crash. I was in a neighboring city participating in a violin competition at the time. After hearing the news, I rushed back overnight. At the funeral, Alex stood there all alone. The first thing he said when he saw me was: “Alice, from now on, I’m all alone.” I cried and hugged him: “No, you’re not. You have me. As long as you need me, I’ll always be by your side.” Since childhood, girls who liked Alex could line up from the school gate to the city center. But I was the only one who truly grew up with him. I’d seen him with his eyes red in the practice room, I knew he hated rainy days because they reminded him of his parents’ funeral… So, I went nowhere, staying by his side day after day, year after year. But now, they would go their separate ways. As dawn broke, I started to organize everything related to Alex. They grew up together, shared the same glass of milk. Read the same comic books, napped in the same bed… I had carefully cherished everything related to him. Like preserving the most precious dream of my youth. Now, I pulled all of it out, item by item, and placed them into a cardboard box. Including the hair clip he gave me when I was eighteen. The cake mold he handmade for his twentieth birthday. The hand warmer he bought me last winter because he thought my hands were cold… Everything, along with my love for him, bundled up, ready to return to him. When I arrived at Alex’s family estate, Mr. Henderson, the old butler, opened the door. He saw the box in my hands, and his eyes immediately darkened. “Ms. Alice, Mr. Alex has taken Ms. Bethany shopping.” I froze for a moment, then smiled with a sense of relief: “Please, could you give this to him for me?” The butler took the box, looking as if he wanted to say something but held back: “Ms. Alice, is there really no possibility for you and our young master? After all these years…” “No possibility,” I said softly, “He’s found his true love, and I’ll find mine too.” With that, I turned and left, without a single trace of regret. After processing my visa, I remembered London’s damp climate and decided to buy some warm clothes at the mall. I walked into a high-end clothing store and spotted a beige trench coat. Just as I was about to ask the clerk to wrap it up, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind me— “I like this one too! Sister, our taste is so similar! Both in clothes and in men, we’ve fallen for the same thing.” I turned around and saw Bethany standing behind me, smiling sweetly. Before I could even speak, Alex’s voice came from beside her: “What if your taste is similar? Whether it’s clothes or people, they only belong to you.” He walked over, pulled out his black card, and told the clerk, “I’ll buy this coat for ten times the price. Also, wrap up all the new arrivals in the store in my girlfriend’s size.” The clerk was overjoyed and quickly agreed. They no longer cared that I had been the first to pick it out, turning to arrange the purchase. “Alex, that’s too extravagant!” Bethany clung to Alex’s arm, pouting playfully. Alex looked down at her, his eyes full of adoration: “A man’s money is where his heart is. I’m just happy when you spend my money.” Bethany looked up, asking: “Will you always be this good to me?” Alex pinched her cheek: “Of course. Not just this life, but the next life, and the one after that, too.”

I watched the scene quietly, my heart throbbing slightly. This was the first time I’d seen Alex like this. It seemed he truly loved this girl who perfectly matched his ideal partner criteria. I knew Bethany was deliberately trying to take the coat. And I knew that as long as Bethany was around, no matter what clothes I looked at today, Alex would buy them for her at an inflated price. So I didn’t want to argue with them, nor did I want to watch their intimacy. I turned to leave. But just then, the piercing fire alarm suddenly blared throughout the entire mall. “Fire! Run!” Thick smoke instantly filled the air. The crowd erupted into chaos, screams rising from all directions. I was shoved by the crowd, unable to stand steady. I looked up, only to see Alex instinctively shielding Bethany in his arms, running towards the emergency exit without a backward glance. He didn’t look at me, didn’t even check if I was safe. “Ah—!” I was pushed to the ground, my elbow slammed hard against the marble floor, the pain so intense my vision blurred. Before I could even get up, I was trampled several times by the panicking crowd. A crisp “snap” came from my right wrist bone, the excruciating pain almost making me faint. Even worse, I was pushed towards the escalator. Losing my balance, I tumbled down the moving stairs! “Thud!” The back of my head hit a step hard. Warm liquid trickled down my forehead, blurring my vision. I curled up on the ground in agony, my ears filled with chaotic screams and footsteps, yet no one stopped to help me. In a haze, I saw Alex holding Bethany, gently comforting her at the emergency exit. She seemed to say something, and Alex shook his head, his voice clearly carrying over: “I’m your boyfriend. Whether something happens to me or not, it has nothing to do with me. Now that I have you, I need to keep my distance from other girls.” With that, he scooped Bethany into his arms and left without looking back. I watched their retreating figures, my vision gradually blurring. My last thought before losing consciousness was that he hadn’t lied. He truly had never had any feelings for me. When I woke up again, I found myself in the hospital. I lay in the hospital bed, my left arm in a cast, my right arm hooked up to an IV. The chaos at the mall had resulted in a broken right hand, a mild concussion, and multiple soft tissue contusions. The doctor said I needed at least two weeks of rest. My phone screen suddenly lit up; it was an update from Alex’s Ins. Before this, his Ins profile was blank, even his profile picture was the default gray. But ever since he got together with Bethany, he’d changed to a pink couple’s profile picture. The background was Bethany’s selfie, and his feed was updating like crazy. The latest post, from ten minutes ago: “Peeling shrimp for my darling, she complained I was too slow [pouting emoji]” The picture showed Bethany pouting, a plate full of peeled shrimp on the table. The comment section exploded: “OMG, is this Alex? Did he get possessed?” “Remember how the campus belle brought you breakfast for a month, and you didn’t even remember her name? Now you’re peeling shrimp?” “Turns out he wasn’t aloof, he just hadn’t met the right person!” Alex replied uniformly: “Only for her.” My finger hovered above the screen. In the end, I didn’t tap ‘like’. I quietly exited Ins and locked my phone. *** **截断点** Three days later, I was ready to be discharged. The sunlight outside the window was bright, shining on the pristine white sheets, making my eyes sting. The nurse pushed the door open: “Ms. Alice, your discharge procedures are complete.” I nodded, slowly propping myself up. My right hand was still weak, so I clumsily used my left hand to pack my things. Just as I reached the hallway, I heard a commotion. Alex rushed in, carrying a blood-soaked Bethany, followed by a group of medical staff. “Save her!” Alex’s voice was hoarse and unrecognizable, “Quick, save her!” I’d never seen Alex like this. His white shirt was stained red with blood, a cut on his forehead was still seeping, and his eyes were bloodshot. He was frantic, vulnerable, hysterical… Clutching Bethany tightly, as if holding the most precious treasure in the world.

“Mr. Alex, please calm down. We’ll do everything we can to save her…” Alex’s voice trembled, then he roared: “Get your director here! I want the best doctors, the best equipment! Money is not an issue!” Soon, the entire floor was cleared, and top medical teams rushed in from various places. I stood at the corridor corner, watching Alex pace like a trapped beast outside the operating room. “Alex, you’re hurt too. Go get your wounds treated first.” Alex’s friends tried to persuade him. “Get out!” Alex shook them off, his voice trembling, “I’m not going anywhere until Bethany is out of danger.” “Alex, this car accident was an accident. If she hadn’t insisted you speed on that winding mountain road…” “Shut up!” Alex slammed his fist against the wall, “It’s my fault for not protecting her.” The operating room door suddenly opened, and a nurse hurried out: “The patient has a ruptured kidney and needs an immediate transplant, but there’s a shortage of donors…” Alex immediately rolled up his sleeve. “Take me for a compatibility test now.” “Alex! Are you crazy?!” His friends were shocked and stopped him, “You’ve only been with Bethany for a few days? Is it worth it?” Alex’s gaze was frighteningly cold: “If something happens to her, I won’t be able to live either. Not just a kidney, if it saves her, I’d even give my heart.” Those words pierced my heart like a knife. I staggered back two steps, accidentally knocking over a potted plant in the hallway. With a loud crash, Alex turned his head and finally saw me. The moment our eyes met, Alex’s expression stiffened for an instant, but quickly returned to normal: “You… what are you doing here?” I raised my right hand, which was still in a cast, “The day of the mall fire, I fell down the escalator.” Alex’s expression was momentarily strained, but he quickly recovered: “Oh. Well, get some good rest then.” With that, he turned and followed the nurse for the compatibility test, not sparing me another glance. I watched his retreating back and suddenly remembered when he was fifteen. Alex had a persistent high fever, and I snuck off campus overnight to buy him medicine, resulting in me breaking my leg. At the time, Alex held me and said: “Alice, from now on, I’ll protect you.” But now, he couldn’t even bother to ask “Does it hurt?” The compatibility results came back quickly: a perfect match. Alex signed the consent form without a word and entered the operating room that same afternoon. Through the glass window, I watched the two people lying side by side on the operating table. Alex turned his head and gently kissed the forehead of the unconscious Bethany. This scene finally broke my last line of defense. The difference between love and not loving could really be this stark. It took me eighteen years to try and get into Alex’s heart, and Bethany took only a few days to get all of him. I gave a self-deprecating smile. The last bit of admiration I had for him finally vanished completely.

Back home, I dialed the real estate agent. “I want to sell the villa on Willow Creek Drive, as quickly as possible.” That was the house my parents left me. During college, my whole family immigrated to Canada, but I insisted on staying behind. My father was so angry he smashed his coffee mug: “For that Alex boy, you’re abandoning your own parents?” I was so naive back then, thinking that as long as I stayed by Alex’s side, he would eventually turn to me. Now Alex had found the love of his life, and it was time for me to completely let go. The house quickly found a buyer. The day I signed the contract, I received an unknown call. “Ms. Alice, I’m Bethany.” The voice on the other end was soft and sweet, “Could we meet?” At the coffee shop, Bethany was wrapped in thick bandages, her face pale but still delicate. She got straight to the point: “Alex was already injured, and he donated a kidney to me. His appetite has been really poor recently, which is slowing down his recovery. I want to cook something for him…” “So?” I stirred my coffee, not looking up. “I heard he used to love the chicken soup you made.” Bethany bit her lip, “Could you… teach me how?” My hand paused. I remembered Alex always wanted my ginseng chicken soup whenever he was sick. Once, I had a high fever but still forced myself to cook a pot for him, only to faint in the kitchen afterward. “He likes you so much now, he’d be happy with whatever you buy him.” I said faintly. Bethany shook her head: “I just want him to taste his favorite flavor.” She clasped her hands together, her eyes watery, “Please. I know I was wrong for taking your coat before. Please be the bigger person and don’t hold it against me. Just teach me.” In the end, I agreed. I stood at the kitchen entrance, watching Bethany clumsily handle the ingredients. She cut her finger while slicing ginger, scalded her hand while pouring hot water, but stubbornly kept starting over. “Why are you so insistent?” I couldn’t help but ask. Bethany wiped the sweat from her forehead, a sweet blush coloring her cheeks: “Because he’s worth it.” She began to recount all the good things Alex did for her. Driving at three in the morning to buy her a strawberry cake she suddenly craved. Planting twenty cherry trees in the yard just because she casually mentioned liking cherry blossoms. Staying up all night when she had a fever, taking her temperature every half hour. She vaguely woke up to see his eyes red from lack of sleep… “Compared to how good he is to me, making a bowl of soup is nothing,” Bethany’s eyes sparkled, “He said I was his ideal partner, the one he’d waited twenty-three years for, the only person he wants to marry in this life.” I listened quietly, my heart feeling like it was being slowly cut open by a dull knife. I remembered how I used to pour my heart and soul into Alex. When he had a high fever, I went out in the rain to buy him medicine; When he was in a bad mood, I stayed up all night drinking with him; On his birthday, I ran all over the city just to buy him his favorite limited-edition sneakers; But Alex was always distant with me, even吝啬 a simple “thank you.” I thought it was just his nature and foolishly believed that with time, I could warm his heart. Now I finally understood. Alex wasn’t incapable of love. He just didn’t love me. When he met his true ideal partner, he loved more passionately and deeply than anyone. After the soup was done, Bethany looked at the scalds on her hands, biting her lip in annoyance: “I need to go treat my hands first, otherwise Alex will worry about them for ages.” She handed me the insulated container, “Could you please take the soup over?” The chicken soup in the container was still steaming hot. I stood at the hospital room door, hearing Alex’s gentle voice from inside: “Bethany? Where did you go? Why aren’t you coming in?” The moment I pushed the door open, the smile on Alex’s face froze. The expectation in his eyes turned to surprise, finally settling into coldness. “What are you doing here?” I lowered my gaze, trying to maintain a calm expression, and placed the soup on the bedside table: “This is…” “Take it away.” Alex interrupted me coldly, “I won’t drink anything you’ve made.” He leaned back in the hospital bed, his face still a bit pale, but his eyes as sharp as knives: “Alice, I have a girlfriend now. I don’t want any involvement with other girls, especially since we used to have that kind of relationship.” “You can say I wronged you, or that I’m heartless, but I just want to give Bethany a sense of security.” I closed my eyes: “You misunderstood. This soup isn’t mine. I just…” Before I could finish, Alex interrupted again, his gaze falling on the familiar insulated container, “I made myself very clear. Bethany is the only one in my heart. I won’t even glance at other girls’ attempts to show affection.” He reached out, grabbed the insulated container, and without looking, tossed it into the nearby trash can. The “thud” echoed, as if it had landed directly on my heart. “Alex, what are you doing!” Bethany’s voice suddenly came from the doorway. She rushed in, bandages still on her hand, “That’s the soup I begged her to teach me to make all day!” Alex’s expression instantly changed: “What?” “I can’t cook at all. I wanted to make you something nutritious, so I specially asked her to teach me.” Bethany’s eyes welled up with tears, “I even cut my hand chopping vegetables…” Alex immediately sat up from the bed, disregarding the pain from his wound, and bent down to retrieve the insulated container from the trash. He fumbled to open the lid, scooped out a bowl, and was about to drink it.

“Don’t drink it! It’s dirty!” Bethany quickly stopped him. “It’s not dirty.” Alex shook his head, his eyes incredibly gentle, “How could something you made with your own hands be dirty?” He gulped down the soup, praising how delicious it was, as if he hadn’t been the one to disdain it just moments before. I stood by, watching Alex’s happy expression. I suddenly remembered a time when I had a fever and, despite feeling weak, cooked a bowl of noodles for Alex, who was staying up late playing games. But because I was so hungry, I took a bite myself. As a result, he threw the bowl and noodles into the trash right in front of me. Back then, Alex had severe潔癖, and he would disdain anything I touched. But now, he was actually eating something he picked out of the trash. Just because it was “handmade” by Bethany. I gave a self-deprecating smile, unsure if I was laughing at him or at myself. As I turned to leave, I heard Alex’s gentle voice from the hospital room: “Sweetie, don’t do these things anymore. You getting hurt hurts me more than my own injuries…” I closed my eyes and quickly left the hospital. In the days that followed, I stayed at home packing my luggage. I folded my clothes one by one into my suitcase. Each item I packed felt like sealing away a memory from the past. My phone screen occasionally lit up with notifications from our mutual friends’ group chat. He took her to various galas, introduced her to family and friends, eager to announce to the world that he had found his ideal partner. The pictures in the group chat, one after another, displayed their intimacy. Alex with his arm around Bethany’s waist, his eyes so gentle they could drip water. Alex leaning down to adjust Bethany’s skirt, his movements careful and tender. Alex publicly kissing Bethany’s forehead at the banquet, drawing cheers and whistles… Everyone said Alex was truly in love this time. I scrolled through them quietly. Strangely, the pain in my chest gradually grew fainter. Like a wound that had scabbed over; it might still throb faintly, but at least it was no longer bleeding. Two days before my departure, I met a few close friends at The Grand Gala Lounge for a farewell. “Alice, are you really leaving?” My best friend, Chloe, held my hand, “Not coming back?” “No, I won’t be back.” I took a sip of wine, “The London Symphony Orchestra is my dream. From now on, I’ll focus on my career.” The private room suddenly grew quiet. My friends exchanged glances, hesitating to speak. “That’s good too,” Chloe finally broke the silence, “A change of scenery, a fresh start.” I smiled, raising my glass: “To new beginnings.” After a few rounds of drinks, I got up to use the restroom. Passing by the adjacent private room, a familiar voice made me pause. “Alex, are you crazy? You’ve only known her for less than a month and you want to propose? Didn’t you used to say people who rushed into marriage were idiots?” I instinctively stopped, peeking through the half-open door. I saw Alex leaning back in his chair, a rare, gentle smile playing on his lips. “That was before I met Bethany. When Alice was chasing me, I thought she was crazy too. How could anyone be so fixated on another person?” My fingertips dug into my palm. “Until I met Bethany.” Alex’s eyes suddenly softened, “The first time I saw her, I knew I wanted to spend my life with her. When she smiles, I’m happy; when she cries, my heart aches. My emotions are completely tied to her. My gaze always follows her involuntarily…” He paused, then pulled a velvet box from his pocket: “I’ve been planning this proposal since the first day we got together. I’m so afraid she’ll belong to someone else. I have to make her my wife as soon as possible.” The private room erupted in gasps. “It’s normal for hormones to be running high, but you’re too deep! At least spend another six months together…” “I can’t wait a day.” Alex’s voice was firm, “I’ve never longed for marriage and a family so much.”

I stood outside the door, feeling as if all the blood in my body had frozen. So, more than a decade of companionship really couldn’t compare to their one month of knowing each other. I turned to leave, but accidentally bumped into a waiter carrying a tray. The sound of shattering glass startled the people in the private room. Alex pushed the door open. Seeing me, his face instantly changed. “Alice? You heard everything?” He asked, frowning. I nodded frankly. Alex’s expression grew complex: “Since you know, then you should understand how much I like Bethany.” “Don’t try to ruin this proposal. You can’t stop it…” “Don’t worry.” I cut him off, a faint smile gracing my lips, “I won’t be there the day you propose.” I paused: “Because…” That day was also the day I was leaving the country. Before I could finish, Alex’s phone rang, Bethany’s exclusive ringtone. He answered, his tone instantly tender: “Honey, I’m with my friends. I’ll be right back…” I took advantage of his call to turn and leave. My back was perfectly straight, my steps steady, as if I had finally shed a heavy burden. After Alex hung up, he realized I was gone. He looked down the empty hallway, vaguely remembering me saying something earlier. But his mind had been entirely focused on Bethany’s call, and he hadn’t heard clearly. Never mind, it probably wasn’t important anyway. He didn’t dwell on it and re-entered the private room. The day Alex decided to propose to Bethany was also the day my visa paperwork came through. Back at the villa, I contacted the agent again and signed the sales contract with the buyer. After completing all the handover procedures, I boarded the car with all my luggage. On the way to the airport, my phone vibrated. It was a message from our mutual friends’ SnapChat group, live-streaming Alex’s proposal. 【Look, Alex rented out the entire amusement park!】 【The fireworks show is so thoughtful, it’s Bethany’s favorite Disney theme!】 【I heard the ring is custom-made, a full five carats!】 I exited the group chat and opened my conversation with Alex. The last message was from a month ago, when he said to me: “Alice, I miss you.” My fingers hovered over the keyboard for a long time. Then, I slowly typed a line of text. “Alex, I wish you a successful proposal. I will fulfill your wish and never see you again.” The moment the message was sent, his status immediately showed “typing…” Alex replied quickly: “Just don’t bother me in the future, that’s all. As for seeing each other, how can we avoid it if we’re in the same city? I’ll treat you to dinner after the proposal.” I looked at the message and suddenly laughed. He still thought I would cling to him, even now. I didn’t reply. I just blocked his account. A boarding announcement sounded. I took out my phone’s SIM card and gently snapped it in half. The small card that had been with me for years broke into two pieces and was tossed into the trash. Inside the cabin, the flight attendant smiled and guided me to my seat. “Madam, this flight is bound for London Heathrow Airport, estimated flight time eleven hours and twenty-five minutes.” I nodded and fastened my seatbelt. The plane slowly taxied, accelerated, and finally lifted into the sky. Outside the cabin window, the city I had lived in for twenty-three years grew smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing beneath the clouds. I suddenly remembered when Alex was sixteen, after his parents’ funeral. He stood there in the setting sun and said to me: “Alice, from now on, it’s just the two of us.” I slowly closed my eyes. Alex, from now on, I won’t be by your side. From this day forward, our paths diverge, and we shall never meet again.

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At a class reunion, Jessica Stone, the former high school beauty queen, posed a question to the girls. “After ten years of marriage, what would you do if you found out your husband was cheating?” Most of them declared, “Divorce!” Jessica’s gaze then landed on me. I declared boldly: “I, Sarah Miller, would rather be widowed than divorced! Period.” Everyone laughed, but Jessica’s face paled, her eyes holding a strange glint. Seven days prior, Jessica had called me, inviting me to a junior high reunion. It had been almost twenty years since we graduated high school. The thought of reuniting was genuinely exciting. I have a peculiar habit: excitement makes me lose sleep. The first night, I tossed and turned, unable to drift off. My husband, Mark Davis, sleepily pulled me close, his arm wrapping around me. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” “Jessica’s organizing a high school reunion. I’m a bit too excited to sleep.” “Silly goose.” He gently patted my back, as if soothing a child. “Let’s count sheep together.” Lulled by his comforting presence, I slowly drifted into dreamland. It’s no exaggeration to say that my husband was the most gentle and understanding man on earth. But at that reunion, Jessica Stone, the former school beauty, asked all the women a question. “After ten years of marriage, what would you do if you found out your husband was cheating?” Most of them shouted, “Divorce!” Jessica looked at me. I proclaimed with certainty: “I, Sarah Miller, would rather be widowed than divorced! Period!” Everyone chuckled, but Jessica’s face changed dramatically, a peculiar look in her eyes. I just thought it was a playful moment during the reunion, and I had complete confidence in Mark. Yet, Jessica’s eyes never left me the entire evening. When our gazes met, she’d quickly look away. Later, when I went to the ladies’ room, I cornered Jessica in the stall area. “Jessica, we’ve been classmates for years. If there’s something on your mind, just say it.” Jessica awkwardly denied everything. I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I could spot such petty tricks a mile away. “Tell me!” Jessica stared intently into my eyes, speaking with gravity. “You have to promise me you’ll stay calm!” A bad premonition washed over me, but I took a deep breath and nodded. Jessica pulled out her phone and opened her photo album. It was like my mind hit a landmine and exploded. The pictures were of Mark with various different women. If they were just ordinary photos, I wouldn’t have cared—I’m not that kind of person. But Mark’s poses with each woman were incredibly intimate, even more so than with me, and his eyes were brimming with undeniable flirtation. “These… you?” Noticing my confusion, Jessica offered a bitter smile and pulled up another photo. “Look.” It was a picture of Jessica and Mark together. I felt like I was going insane. The nerve of that homewrecker! “He told me he was single!” Jessica quickly explained. “I was completely fooled by that scumbag!” “Why should I believe you?” Jessica scrolled through her SnapChat messages with Mark. They were disgustingly mushy, filled with flirtation, and discussed money. “He told me he was single and took over a million from me. I was completely naive, dreaming of marrying him and starting a family. Then, one day, Chloe Peterson sent me a photo of his family, and that’s when I realized I’d been duped.” “Who’s Chloe Peterson?” My head was spinning. “Another woman that scumbag cheated.” Rage and confusion swirled inside me. I hadn’t even processed Jessica, and now there was Chloe. I made an excuse and left the reunion before it ended. I needed to go home and confront Mark. What was going on? What had he been doing behind my back? How many women was he involved with? Jessica ran after me. “Sarah, don’t do anything rash!” Rash? If she weren’t an old classmate I hadn’t seen in years, I would have slapped her silly! “Sarah!” Jessica grabbed my arm, and I violently yanked it away. “Get your hands off me, don’t you dare touch me!” Jessica’s eyes immediately welled up. That bitch, trying to play the victim with me now? Pfft! 2. I jumped into a cab and sped away. As I was pondering how to confront Mark, how to unleash the anger raging within me, my phone rang. It was Mark. That bastard actually had the nerve to call me? I answered, about to unleash a torrent of curses, when my daughter’s soft voice came through. “Mommy, what time are you coming home? I miss you.” My nose stung, and tears threatened to fall. After ten years of marriage, I’d finally managed to get pregnant and have our daughter. This five-year-old child was my entire world. If Mark and I had a huge fight, what would happen to Lily? If Mark was prepared, I might not even get full custody of our daughter. I remembered my earlier declaration: “I’d rather be widowed than ever get divorced!” I swallowed back the tears, forcing them down. I wouldn’t let Mark get away with this unscathed. For this devil, only hell awaited! Back home, Mark was as attentive as ever, fetching my slippers and running a bath. Normally, I’d be so touched I’d shower him with kisses. But now, just looking at him made me feel nauseous. Turns out, all that charm was just an act. “Sweetheart, did you drink too much?” Seeing my pale face, Mark didn’t seem suspicious. It was true; my straightforward personality was like an open book to him. With his two-faced act—a Casanova outside and a devoted husband at home—I’d clearly been outmaneuvered. As a woman, facing her husband’s betrayal, it’s impossible not to feel panicked, confused, and furious. But what could I do now? The only thing I could do was force myself to calm down! I had already lost so much, I couldn’t afford to lose everything! Playing along with his comment, I feigned drunkenness. I rushed into the bathroom, forcing myself to make retching sounds, letting the tears I’d been holding back finally stream out. “I need to shower.” I pushed Mark out of the bathroom, turned on the shower, and cried my heart out. Carrying Lily back to her room, she quickly fell into a deep sleep. Mark quietly pushed open the door, carefully tucked us in, and then silently left. Everything had happened so suddenly, making me genuinely believe Mark was cheating. But as I calmed down, and Mark was being so gentle and considerate, I started to doubt the authenticity of those photos. Jessica and I hadn’t seen each other in over ten years. If she knew Mark was my husband, why would she make a big show out of organizing a class reunion? And why would she so openly tell me she was with my husband? I suspected she had another motive! Was her goal to force me out and take my place? Highly possible! Jessica called again, saying she wanted to talk. I said: “I don’t want to talk. If you think this can stir up trouble in my marriage, I’m sorry, but you’re barking up the wrong tree!” There was a long silence on the other end, then the call disconnected. I sneered. Did she think being pretty gave her a free pass? Pretty faces don’t make up for brains. Pathetic. Unexpectedly, Jessica wasn’t giving up. She actually showed up at my office. “Sarah!” Jessica grabbed me without explanation and pulled me into her car. “What do you want?” I demanded, getting agitated. “Is breaking up other people’s families fun?” Jessica didn’t say much. She just drove me straight to an unfamiliar place. The place was teeming with men and women, filled with intoxicating music. Since I got married, I’d never been to a place like this. Especially after having my daughter, my routine revolved around work, home, and later, the daycare. 3. I believed that a married woman should be a good wife. Jessica seemed to be a regular here; she led me expertly to a secluded corner. “There’s a show about to start here. I hope you can watch it calmly.” It certainly was a show. I watched Mark walk in with another woman. Their behavior was intimately affectionate, the whole scene oozing with flirtation. “That’s Chloe Peterson,” Jessica said, watching me closely. “According to our investigation, besides you, his wife, he has two other girlfriends: me and Chloe.” Watching Mark’s frivolous behavior, then thinking of his tender attentiveness at home… My mind spun even more. Should I believe Jessica, or should I believe Mark was innocent? The three women eventually sat down together. There was me, Sarah Miller, Mark’s wife, a business executive at a private company. Jessica Stone, the owner of a chain of beauty salons, who had been cheated not only emotionally and physically, but also financially. And Chloe Peterson, a second-generation heiress with inheritance rights to two private hospitals, who had suffered the same fate as Jessica. The atmosphere was awkward. Jessica asked me again what I planned to do. I was Mark’s legal wife. If I was willing to forgive him, they would withdraw and try to salvage my marriage. “We’re old classmates!” Jessica said earnestly. “I hope you live well, otherwise I wouldn’t have told you directly.” A pang of sadness hit me. My marriage actually needed third parties to save it. “We can step aside,” Chloe spoke up. “But can you guarantee that scumbag will settle down and be a faithful husband?” Who could guarantee that? No one! And even if I saved this marriage, could I truly go back to before, enjoying Mark’s care and affection with peace of mind? Could I sleep without reservation next to a man whose mind and body were so defiled? I couldn’t! But if I chose divorce, what would I get? The legal owner and boss of my current company was Mark’s aunt, but the real boss, the unofficial one, was Mark. The reason I’d worked so hard on business deals all these years was because I always believed it was our family business. Now, I finally realized Mark had calculated everything meticulously. The house was in both our names. What good would half the property do? If I divorced, I’d face unemployment. Ten years of hard work would have been for nothing. I’d have nowhere to go, because Mark had the capital to buy out my half of the property. At worst, I’d lose my daughter, whom I practically gave my life for. In short, divorce would leave me with absolutely nothing! I remained silent. I seemed to be the biggest loser now. Jessica and Chloe were smart women; they naturally understood my predicament. Jessica gently clasped my hand. “Sarah, don’t worry. We’ll teach that scumbag a lesson together!” My demands weren’t greedy. I just wanted to reclaim what was mine. For example, the profits I’d generated for the company over the years. Chloe laughed, calling me weak. “If it were me, I’d take ten times that amount!” I offered a faint smile. This was the difference between being married and unmarried. For them, their relationship with Mark could be resolved with a simple breakup. But I had my daughter to consider. So I didn’t want to burn my bridges and jeopardize my chances of winning custody of Lily. They say three women can put on a whole drama series. Our grand show was just beginning. The company’s legal representative and boss were both in Aunt Carol’s name. This meant that if Mark and I divorced, the company would have absolutely nothing to do with me. 4. Yet, over the past decade, the profits I’d generated for the company were in the tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions. Leaving with nothing was not my style. As the business executive of the company, and the unofficial ‘boss’s wife’ among employees, I was intimately familiar with all the company’s operations and finances. Of course, the most important thing was not to let Mark suspect anything. So I had Jessica anonymously report the company for tax evasion. Sure enough, the tax authorities soon arrived to investigate. While this had a significant impact on the company, it was the only way I could think of to force Aunt Carol out. Mark’s aunt, Aunt Carol, was a seemingly shrewd middle-aged woman. She had a relatively stable nursing job of her own. On top of that, she received a monthly consulting fee and a year-end profit share from the company’s net earnings, pocketing money faster than anyone. But if anything went wrong, she’d bolt faster than anyone too. Tax evasion could be a big deal or a small one. If you had a good attitude, proactively paid back taxes and fines, it would blow over. But for someone like Aunt Carol, taking money out of her pocket felt worse than losing a limb. Of course, she wouldn’t have to pay these sums personally. But Aunt Carol received a profit share based on the company’s earnings. If taxes and fines were paid, how much of her profit share would vanish? Would she agree to that? I knew she wouldn’t. Otherwise, our report would have been pointless. Now, with the tax authorities investigating daily, she, as the boss and legal representative, had to be present. But she played completely dumb, claiming to know absolutely nothing. So she pushed me forward, saying I was the real boss and she was just a figurehead. How could she say such things? The investigators’ faces darkened immediately, and they asked me what was going on. “I, I’m just an employee!” I explained, flustered. Aunt Carol wasn’t having it. She pointed at me and yelled, “This company was opened by her husband! He didn’t want to use his own name, so he used mine. He promised back then that he wouldn’t hold me responsible for anything, and now he wants to push the blame on me? Dream on!” The investigators told me to call Mark immediately. I cried as I called Mark, telling him the company was in trouble and he needed to come quickly. As soon as Mark entered the door, Aunt Carol grabbed his shirt and started wailing, “Mark, Mark! I knew something was up when you didn’t register the company in your name or your wife’s name! Turns out you two were scheming to scam your poor aunt!” “You only gave me a tiny management fee every month, and a little bonus at year-end just to shut me up. You two were living the high life, evading taxes, while I was just a pawn! You really are my wonderful nephew!” Still wailing, she threw herself onto the ground, then started gasping dramatically. Mark’s face was livid. I stood to the side, feigning panic. If I hadn’t been trying so hard, I might have burst out laughing. Mark finally managed to soothe Aunt Carol and get her to leave, only to face further questioning from the investigators. His handsome face was twisted in a grimace. After seeing the investigators out, Mark sat in the office, staring blankly ahead, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “If I find out who reported the company, I swear I’ll make them regret it!”

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My father, for the sake of family gain, forcibly made Seraphina and me swallow the Shifter Elixir. Seraphina became a plump, docile white rabbit, engineered for fertility. I, on the other hand, transformed into a seductive, bewitching Siren. After our transformations, my strong-willed sister was sent to the King’s opulent court, reduced to nothing more than a breeding vessel. Unable to navigate the treacherous intrigues, she was murdered during her pregnancy. As for me, introverted and fragile, I was thrust into the city’s notorious pleasure dens, a mere disposable plaything for wealthy men. I was tormented, used, and utterly broken until my last breath was stolen. When I next opened my eyes, we were back. Back to *that* day. The day we were forced to swallow the Shifter Elixir. Seraphina and I locked eyes. One word. An unspoken question: *’Change?’* I nodded. *This* time. This life, it was *our* turn to dictate our destiny. Our turn to rule. 1 Once again, my father called my sister and me into the room and took out two pills. “Wan ‘er, Rou’ er, don’t blame Father. If you want to blame anyone, blame yourselves as the most useless women. For the sake of Father and your brother’s future, obediently eat this Beast Transformation Pill!” In order to maintain our family’s glory, we will select women with special constitutions from our clan. On the day of adulthood, he drank the secret medicine of the family and transformed them into orcs in exchange for benefits for the family. The present king has poor fertility, and for many years only one maid gave birth to the eldest prince. The desire for children was very strong. If a rabbit girl could enter the palace, she would definitely be able to give birth to children. In our previous lives, we were beaten up and forced to take Beast Transformation Pills. My sister became a naturally pregnant rabbit girl, and I became a siren who charmed men. But my father never noticed my sister’s and my sister’s personalities. Sister’s personality is strong and cold, and she is not suitable for turning into a weak rabbit girl to enter the palace to please the king. And I am introverted and weak, and I am not suitable to become a seductive siren to ingratiate myself with so many men. Looking at the two Beast Transformation Pills in front of us, my sister and I took the initiative to reach out and pick up each other’s pills. I knew we were all born again. This time, let me bear the suffering of your previous life for you! After eating the pill, my sister and I felt pain all over our bodies as if we were being burned by fire. After a long time, two lights flashed in the room, one green and one white. Sister’s legs into a thick long tail, and my head forcibly grew out of two white rabbit ears. After we sisters told each other all kinds of details about our previous lives, my sister officially entered the red light district. And I got on the carriage to the palace. After entering the palace, the king liked me very much and let me accompany him every day. My first priority is to prepare for my first night. I asked someone to prepare a milk petal bath, wash the whole body white and tender fragrance, and then change into a hot dress. After incarnating as a rabbit girl, probably in order to facilitate better pregnancy, my figure has become a lot more beautiful. In my previous life, when I was a siren, I was forced to practice a secret recipe to please men. Although I became a rabbit girl in this life, everything I learned is still in my mind. What men liked was mostly those methods. That night the king came to my chamber and his eyes lit up when he saw me. The tight dress on my body perfectly outlined my good figure now. The two rabbit ears on his head moved, and he was cute and tender. No one can say no to someone who is sexy and cute. The king went straight up and picked me up horizontally. I softened and leaned into his neck. The king’s breathing stopped and his eyes turned red. My magic can stimulate people’s thoughts, and the hot air from my mouth hits the most sensitive part of his neck. “King ~” The king couldn’t help but touch my rabbit ears, and I blushed. Blinking her rabbit eyes like glass beads, she stared at him obediently. “As expected of a rabbit girl. She’s indeed interesting. I wonder if she can really give birth to children for me.” I smiled and untied my belt. The king’s breathing suddenly became heavier. “Won’t you know if you try?” In her previous life, her sister was arrogant. Even if the king was curious about her sister’s identity as a rabbit girl, he took the initiative to get close to her that night. Her sister remained indifferent, as if she didn’t care about the king at all. The king felt ashamed and never came to his sister’s palace again. Everyone in the palace was snobbish. Without the king’s favor, they treated their sister more harshly. Although the elder sister was happy to be quiet and concentrate on her cultivation, the rabbit girl’s good pregnancy constitution made her pregnant only once. 2. King Alaric, nearing forty, had only one recognized heir: Prince Kael, born from a concubine and adopted by his childless Queen Isabella. Eager for more legitimate heirs, King Alaric showered my sister with gifts, especially once her pregnancy was confirmed. But Queen Isabella and Eleanor saw my sister as their bitter enemy. They feigned kindness, constantly visiting her, while secretly plotting her downfall. The ‘tonics’ Queen Isabella sent were laced with abortifacients, and Eleanor’s ‘gifts’ of fine fabric concealed sharpened needles. Even with her remarkable fertility, my sister couldn’t withstand their relentless, insidious attacks. In the end, she died a gruesome death, her unborn child perishing with her. I wasn’t as strong-willed as my sister. When I entered the palace, my first priority was to make King Alaric see me favorably. King Alaric roughly tossed me onto the bed, his impatience blazing as he lunged towards me, his desire raw and undeniable. A maid from my chambers, Maeve, then ‘timidly’ glided in from the doorway, her flimsy, almost transparent gauze dress revealing more than it concealed. King Alaric’s brow furrowed slightly in annoyance. “Who’s out there?” “It’s me,” Maeve whispered, her voice barely audible. “I… I was just worried she might not know the rules, serving the King for the first time, so I waited outside…” A chill ran through me. While it was a palace custom for maids to attend the King, they were *always* supposed to be assigned by the lady of the chambers. This Maeve was actually a spy sent by Vivienne, one of King Alaric’s most favored consorts, specifically to sabotage my chances of gaining his affection. In my previous life, after my sister’s tense, unsatisfactory encounter with the King, Maeve had brazenly stepped in, stealing his favor. Once she became one of the King’s women, she shamelessly insulted my sister, calling her ‘half an animal.’ This time, she would be my first target. I lifted my eyes, still glistening, feigning a look of profound, helpless hurt. “King Alaric, Maeve is betraying me! Just this morning, she bullied me, calling me a country bumpkin and saying I was completely unworthy of being your woman.” Maeve’s eyes widened in horror. “Why are you slandering me? I never said such a thing, Your Majesty! I’m innocent!” Maeve’s face paled, trembling as she stammered explanations. I nestled deeper into King Alaric’s embrace, feigning fear. After all, I was just a fragile, helpless little bunny, how could I possibly falsely accuse someone? The King was already furious at being interrupted. Now, seeing this fool Maeve daring to bully me, a murderous glint immediately sparked in his eyes. “Guards! Drag this treacherous maid away and have her beaten to death!” Watching Maeve, gagged and dragged away, I curled into King Alaric’s arms, a cold smirk playing on my lips. In my previous life, perhaps King Alaric, facing my sister’s cool indifference, might have taken a fleeting interest in a common maid like Maeve. But now, all he craved, all he obsessed over, was me. After that night, King Alaric was clearly more than satisfied with me. He not only showered me with rare jewels but also gifted me a fortune. Perhaps Maeve’s death the previous night made everyone realize I wasn’t as weak and easily bullied as I appeared. The other maids became much more respectful. In my chambers, I originally had four personal head maids. Besides Maeve, who was executed, there was Rosalind, Queen Isabella’s spy. Aspen was a spy for the King’s mother. Every single one of them had bullied my sister in the past. Only the quietest one, Willow, truly belonged to no one else. She was fiercely loyal and kind-hearted; in my previous life, she had even died alongside my sister when she was murdered. I immediately declared that I preferred quiet and didn’t need so many attendants. I kept only the most unassuming Willow to serve me closely, sending the rest outside to handle cleaning and other rough chores. I didn’t miss the flicker of disdain in some of their eyes, but no one dared openly question my decision. For seven consecutive days, King Alaric seemed utterly enchanted by me, spending every night in my chambers. This morning, after breakfast, I noticed that several maids, besides Willow, were nowhere to be seen. I knew they were off reporting back to their masters. I gently stroked my stomach, already plotting how I’d use this pregnancy to deliver a very special ‘gift’ – of revenge – to everyone. Yes, as a Leporid – my people – our pregnancies progress at an incredibly rapid pace. However, given the complex situation in the palace, I didn’t intend to carry this first child to term. I sat on my bed, deep in thought, when suddenly, Eleanor burst in, radiating raw fury. Her palm connected with my cheek, the sharp, stinging pain instantly flaring across my face. 3 “Bitch, Rose is my distant cousin. How dare you incite King Arthur to kill her, just because you’re King Arthur’s new toy?” I smirked, covering my face. Talk about perfect timing – an idiot just walked straight into my trap. “If she’s your cousin, then why was she serving as a maid in my chambers? It seems Your Highness is just bitter and jealous that King Arthur spent the entire night with me, aren’t you?” Alice hadn’t expected me to be so direct; her composure shattered. “When King Arthur truly cherished me, you weren’t even a whisper in the palace halls! You’ve only shared his bed a few times, and now you dare to speak such insolence? I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t forget!” Alice brandished her whip and lashed out at me. Terrified, I transformed into my white rabbit form, leaping several feet away and landing perfectly in a broad, firm embrace. Seeing me trembling nervously in his arms, King Arthur’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Alice. “Lily is just a naive, fragile little bunny girl. What do you think you’re doing?” Alice had always been pampered by King Arthur. It was the first time she’d been questioned by him in such a harsh, demanding tone. And it was all for another woman. Alice’s eyes welled up with tears from the injustice. “My King, I was merely trying to discipline an insolent concubine.” I seized the opportunity to transform back into my human form, pointing at the crimson, throbbing handprint on my face as I sobbed: “She’s so cruel, Your Majesty! She told me I wasn’t allowed to be near you, that you belong only to her, and she threatened to kill me! I’m so scared!” King Arthur flew into a rage, instantly slapping her back. He then confined her to her chambers for three months and halved her monthly stipend. Alice, accustomed to getting her way, covered her face, a look of utter disbelief etched on her features. “My King, I’ve been wronged!” Queen Guinevere, her flawless makeup perfectly applied, rushed over, playing the role of the benevolent queen. “All the consorts adore King Arthur, so a little friction is inevitable. But you know her temperament best, my King; surely she wouldn’t be so aggressive. There’s no need to be so upset, my King.” She then turned to me. “Since King Arthur favors you, you must not let pride go to your head and bully others. You need to get along with the other ladies of the court, and don’t play your little games in the palace. This bracelet is one I pray with day and night before God. I’m bestowing it upon you now; I hope it helps you learn to find inner peace.” The Queen’s cunning was on another level, indeed. Her spies must have informed her of the situation here. Queen Guinevere, dressed impeccably, had clearly come prepared. Her seemingly kind words immediately sowed seeds of doubt in King Arthur’s mind about me. But I had already planned my counter-strategy. The malicious Queen couldn’t have possibly foreseen that by stepping into my chambers today, she was sealing her own fate – right into my trap. I’d only planned to severely harm Alice, but the Queen, that fool, practically threw herself into the fray. Two problems solved in one go. I knelt, accepting the bracelet, and reverently placed it on my wrist. “Thank you for your generous gift, Your Majesty. I love it, and I’ll wear it every day.” A subtle smile played on Queen Guinevere’s lips. King Arthur, having processed Queen Guinevere’s subtle jab, was now fully aware. After all, Alice and Queen Guinevere had been by his side for years; a certain level of trust still remained. His gaze on me hardened with displeasure. “It’s a good thing you intervened, my Queen, or I might have been utterly deceived.” I feigned ignorance, an innocent, wide-eyed expression on my face, and vigorously rubbed the bracelet with my hand. The bracelet immediately emitted an unusual, potent fragrance. I lowered my head and took a deep breath. “Oh, what a lovely scent…” Queen Guinevere saw my actions, and her face instantly paled. I didn’t give her a chance to react. I collapsed to the ground, and a vivid crimson stain blossomed beneath me, spreading rapidly from between my legs. “Ah, my stomach, it hurts so much…” 4. Everyone was stunned, barely believing I could show signs of pregnancy after being with the King only a handful of times. But they didn’t know the truth about my rabbit lineage – a full reproductive cycle for us takes mere weeks, often as little as forty days. Seraphina, emboldened by the King’s initial doubt, immediately turned her venom on me. “You wretched creature, your schemes are truly disgusting! You just framed me, and now you’re trying to frame the Queen? We may not have conceived, but any woman knows it takes at least a month to show symptoms. Your little act is far too crude.” The Queen, despite her disbelief that I could be pregnant so quickly, knew deep down that the bracelet was indeed a problem. Her adopted son, Prince Alaric, might be a good-for-nothing, but he was still the King’s only heir. Seraphina couldn’t stand me taking the King’s favor, and the Queen certainly couldn’t tolerate the possibility of me bearing a child. Wishing to quickly cover up the matter, the Queen hastily spoke up: “Indeed. The Royal Court has always been peaceful and serene, yet ever since your arrival, it has been nothing but turmoil. A rabbit-kin is still a rabbit-kin; she doesn’t belong in these refined halls. For the sake of your subjects, Your Majesty, she should be executed.” The King stared at me, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. He might dislike my cunning, but this body of mine truly brought him unparalleled pleasure. Seeing me clutching my stomach, groaning in genuine agony, he called for the Royal Physician. The Royal Physician took my pulse, his face freezing in shock, utterly speechless for a long moment. A look of disappointment clouded the King’s face. He opened his mouth, “Spreading lies, tainted character. Execute her.” It was then that the Royal Physician finally spoke, his voice trembling with excitement: “Your Majesty, she is not faking! She truly is pregnant!” The Queen and Seraphina both blanched. “Impossible! Did this hussy bring a bastard into the palace from outside?” Seraphina shrieked. The King was also greatly startled: “No, that can’t be! Elara’s first night with His Majesty, she was clearly a maiden. But how could she be pregnant so quickly?” The King looked down at my sweating face, frantically using his sleeve to wipe the beads of perspiration from my forehead. Guilt washed over him as he apologized: “Elara, I was mistaken. How could a naive, pure young woman like you be as despicable as they claim?” The Royal Physician explained: “She is a rabbit-kin, different from ordinary humans. I have heard that a rabbit-kin’s gestation period can be as short as a single month. However, I regret to inform you, Your Majesty… she couldn’t keep this pregnancy…” The King exploded in a furious rage, his hands clamping around the Physician’s throat: “What did you say? What happened? Why couldn’t she keep her pregnancy?!” The Royal Physician pointed to the bracelet on my neck. “I dare not deceive Your Majesty. The moment I approached her, I smelled a peculiar, potent fragrance from her bracelet, like a meticulously blended perfume, intensified and swift in its effect. Furthermore, Her Lady’s face bears wounds, and her mood is filled with fear, which would certainly have affected the unborn child.” The King ripped the bracelet from my wrist, the string snapping as he did. The Queen watched, terrified, and crumpled to the floor. The Royal Physician picked up one of the beads, examining it carefully, then nodded. “Indeed. These beads have all been soaked in musk. Their surface was sealed with a layer of wax, making them undetectable for a short time. But over prolonged exposure, they not only harm the fetus but also damage the mother’s body. This type of musk is extremely rare; I wonder where she obtained it?” The King kicked the Queen, sending her sprawling. “You viper! What do you have to say for yourself now?!” The Queen desperately tried to defend herself. “I’ve been framed! I truly don’t know why this happened! Someone is trying to incriminate me!” The King scoffed, a cold smile on his lips . “Oh? Then tell me, who could possibly commit such a heinous, capital offense right under the Queen’s nose?!” The Queen gritted her teeth, then pointed to Mina, who stood behind me. “That wretched servant! A few days ago, she was caught pilfering in my chambers and I scolded her. I never imagined that after being reassigned here, she would dare to commit such a vile act!” Mina immediately dropped to her knees. “Your Majesty! I—” One of the Queen’s attendants quickly struck Mina, knocking her unconscious. The King snorted. “Seraphina, for your insolence toward a favored lady, you shall suffer twenty public lashes. As for you, Queen, for your gross negligence in managing your household, you are stripped of all authority over the Royal Court, and further punished…” Suddenly, a voice echoed from beyond the door. “Father, are you truly going to punish Mother? She is your wife!” As my eyes landed on the newcomer, a chilling dread swept through me, raising every hair on my body. I was plunged into a deep, primal fear. 5. The newcomer was Crown Prince Lucien, King Theron’s only son. He was born to a low-ranking concubine, whom the King disfavored, so he had been raised in a secluded palace wing since birth. But no one had expected that the King would seem to lose his fertility after that, unable to sire any more children. He was then brought back and raised under Queen Victoria’s name. In my previous life, he was a frequent patron of the forbidden establishments where I was forced to entertain. He had suffered endless humiliation as a child, growing into a man with a twisted, sadistic personality. Every time, he would use a sharp dagger to slice at my tail, leaving it bloody and raw. After he was officially named Crown Prince, in his excessive joy, he had tortured me to death. But just now, I was too terrified to notice, only calming down enough to realize that Lucien’s complexion was sallow, and his spirit seemed utterly drained. A faint, greenish mist clung to his aura, dimming his royal presence. It seemed my sister’s plan was clearly working. The King’s expression softened slightly. Even if he disliked this son, Lucien was his only male heir, and potentially the next in line to the throne. “Lucien, since you’re here, I’ll spare your mother this time. She is, after all, your mother, and she’ll have a role to play when you are formally named Crown Prince next month.” Lucien was overjoyed, quickly kneeling to express his gratitude. “Thank you, Father. But Father, the beast-women are not truly human. They are not our kind, and their loyalty can never be trusted. It would be wise not to overly favor her.” The King mused for a moment, then said, “I know what I’m doing.” Rose took the fall for Queen Victoria and was dragged out to be beaten to death. My sister had mentioned that in our past life, Rose secretly poisoned her. Getting rid of that threat now was a good outcome. Lucien noticed me standing nearby, his eyes gleaming with a predatory interest. He always wore that look when he was about to torture me in our previous life. I thought to myself, if he truly became the Crown Prince, he would never let my sister and me live in peace. I would never give him that chance again in this lifetime. Once I recovered, I immediately sought out the King’s affections, drawing him to my chambers repeatedly. The King was preoccupied with preparing for Lucien’s formal investiture as Crown Prince, leaving him no time for his concubines in the royal harem. Soon, rumors of my fading favor began to spread like wildfire. But no one knew that I had secretly conceived again, carrying another child of the King. When Queen Dowager Isabella learned of my forced miscarriage – which almost fractured the King’s relationship with Lucien – she berated me, calling me useless. She even sent over a holy scripture, having Seraphina supervise me daily, forcing me to kneel and pray, atoning for the child I couldn’t save. My sister had warned me that Queen Dowager Isabella was a ruthless old hag, but her heart was solely focused on the royal lineage. She spoiled Lucien unconditionally. Anyone who dared to displease him would swiftly find themselves facing her wrath. But this weakness could be sharpened into a powerful weapon in my hands. I knelt, praying with a submissive posture, while Seraphina proudly munched on a slice of imported watermelon beside me, not forgetting to subtly taunt me. “I’ll admit, you’re cunning. But in life, luck matters too. Since you’re clearly not blessed enough to bear the King a healthy heir, and you’ve managed to offend the Queen Dowager, the Queen, Crown Prince Lucien, and Alice all in one go… well, you’ll surely fall from favor soon. And then, where will you find a handmaiden as capable as me?” Seraphina was practically floating on air. The King hadn’t visited in ages. Backed by the Queen Dowager, she brazenly tried on my gowns and adorned herself with my jewelry. She’d sit at my vanity, dreaming of the Queen Dowager arranging for her to become the King’s new favorite. Finally, the day of Lucien’s investiture arrived. I dressed plainly, my face pale and drawn. I went to the grand hall, accompanied by a dazzling Seraphina and a similarly plainly dressed Willow. Everyone who saw me quickly averted their gaze. Queen Victoria and Concubine Willow sat on either side of the King, both sneering when they saw me. The triumphant Crown Prince Lucien initially only glanced my way. But after that single look, he seemed utterly possessed, striding directly towards me. I could feel my sister’s serpent magic already controlling Lucien, and I braced myself internally. Under the shocked gaze of the entire court, Lucien actually began to tear at my clothes! I was quick to understand my sister’s intention. I shrieked, collapsing dramatically onto the marble floor. “Oh no, blood! Help me! My baby! Prince Lucien, no, please, not my baby!”

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It wasn’t until I saw my son slip something into my bowl with my own eyes that I truly understood how much he hated me. “Daddy, if I tell everyone Mommy is with Mr. Miller, can Seraphina really become my mom?” To make sure I’d leave the divorce with absolutely nothing, my husband had coached our son to accuse me of having an affair with our neighbor. He’d then turn around and marry his first love. What he didn’t know was, I was just as terrified of him taking half of *my* hundreds of millions. “Daddy, if I tell everyone Mommy is with Mr. Miller, can Seraphina really become my mom?” Waking up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, I heard those words and instantly sobered up. The ‘Seraphina’ Leo mentioned was our new tutor. A while back, Leo had whined about wanting a tutor, and Arthur had been unusually eager to find him one. Her name was Seraphina. She was a business school graduate who’d also studied overseas. She’d been a senior executive at a prestigious company; her resume was beyond impressive. It seemed odd that someone so accomplished would take a tutoring job for us, but seeing how well she got along with Leo, I didn’t give it much thought. Seraphina had told me: “Chloe, I don’t really have any family or friends here. I’m not picky about salary, just as long as you provide me with a place to stay.” At the time, I had no idea she was Arthur’s first love. Before we got married, I knew Arthur had a first love. He claimed it was a naive college romance. She’d apparently dumped him for being poor and left the country. He said he hated her guts. On our wedding day, he knelt before me, eyes red-rimmed. “Chloe, you’re the only one who’s ever truly cared for me. I, Arthur, will only ever love you. If I break this vow, may I die a miserable death!” His family was dirt poor, and his relatives barely tolerated him. I was the one who stood by him, helping him build his career. Now, he’s the Regional Director for Europe, earning a multi-million dollar salary. “Leo, if you just do what Daddy says, then your mommy won’t be able to tell you what to do anymore. Isn’t that great?” “Yeah!” Seraphina was nestled in my husband’s lap, gently stroking Leo’s head. This whole scheme was Seraphina’s idea. Arthur wanted a divorce, but he was afraid I’d take half his fortune. So, he plotted to frame me for infidelity and make me leave with nothing. Once Leo was asleep. My husband and Seraphina were passionately kissing, right there on Leo’s study desk. Their clothes were half-undone. Even through the screen, I could almost *feel* their heavy breathing. Expressionless, I recorded the video and sent it to my lawyer. “Is this enough to make him leave with nothing?” What he didn’t know was, I was just as terrified of him taking half of *my* hundreds of millions.

My family is seriously loaded. My parents own properties and investments all over the country, and the passive income alone means we’re set for life. I mean, we could literally just chill and never run out of cash. When I first met Dean, he *despised* the wealthy. Absolutely loathed them. He claimed his first love dumped him for a rich life overseas, and ever since, he’s sworn off anyone with money. Which is why I could *never* tell him the truth: I was practically swimming in cash. To keep up his facade, I wore clothes from the discount racks and only bought generic brand groceries on sale. Anything to seem ‘normal.’ He had a ridiculously fragile ego. Unemployed, he’d just lie around the house, drinking daily, whining that there wasn’t a single job on earth good enough for him. To protect his precious ego, I secretly pulled some strings with Mr. Hayes. I offered a major investment in his company if he’d just give Dean a job. Mr. Hayes didn’t hesitate; he personally called Dean right away, practically begging him to come in. The very first day he landed the job, he came home with a huge cake. He kissed me with such force, promising he’d make tons of money to take care of Leo and me. Now, for a couple million bucks, he’s actually trying to team up with the other woman to frame *me* for cheating. The audacity! He’s pathetic. If he’d ever paid any real attention to me, he would’ve noticed the multiple sets of keys on my nightstand. The next morning. As Dean was about to head out, he leaned in for a kiss. I pretended to look down, just barely dodging him. He froze for a split second, then chuckled. “Honey, I’ll pick you up after work tonight. Make sure you look extra gorgeous.” Today was my birthday. He’d been promising a “big surprise” for me since two weeks ago. If I hadn’t walked in on them last night, I’d still be clueless that his “surprise” was actually a trap, all set for me. I gave him a sickeningly sweet smile. “Okay.” You want a show, huh? You just don’t know whose show it’s going to be. “Leo, come on.” Chloe lifted Leo down from the table, speaking in an unnaturally sweet voice. “Say goodbye to Mommy.” Leo obediently told me, “Bye, Mommy.” Then Leo took Chloe’s hand and walked out the door with Dean. Leo used to *dread* school. Mornings were a nightmare: he’d refuse to get up, wouldn’t eat breakfast, and no amount of patient coaxing from me ever worked. It was always tears and tantrums. Chloe suggested, “I go out every morning too. How about I just drop Leo off at school? It’s on my way.” And Leo, he’d actually listen to her and go to school without a fuss. It saved me a ton of stress. A few days later, Dean chimed in, “My office is on the way. I can just take you all.” And ever since, they’d all leave together. I ate my toast, watching Chloe and Dean, hand-in-hand with Leo, get into the car. Chloe was in the passenger seat, laughing and chatting with Dean, while my son sat quietly in the back, swinging his feet, looking perfectly happy. It was like a picture-perfect family.

Julian didn’t take Leo to school. Instead, he dropped Leo and Chloe off at a huge mall. Chloe went straight for the luxury stores, buying clothes and handbags. She took Leo to the kids’ play area on the ground floor. She bought him a mountain of fried food and fizzy drinks, telling him to sit there and eat by himself. When Leo was little, he was a bit wild and got into an accident that resulted in half his spleen and stomach being removed. Doctors strictly advised a bland diet for him, so I’ve always forbidden him from eating that kind of junk. He tried protesting a few times, even went on a hunger strike. But after a few days of being hungry, he always calmed down. He knew I wouldn’t budge, so he never dared to act up again. I called Leo’s teacher. “Ms. Davies, was Leo not in school today?” “Leo’s mom, Leo has been absent for a few days. His father called to request the leave. He said the child’s maternal grandmother passed away. We were afraid of upsetting you, so we didn’t call to confirm.” *Heh.* So Julian is lying about *my* parents now. My parents always looked down on Julian, called him a “poor nobody.” They were totally against us getting married, even saying I dressed like I was begging for scraps just to be with him. They never invited Julian to our family home. When we ate out, they’d choose a restaurant they felt matched *his* station. If it weren’t for Leo, they wouldn’t have bothered seeing Julian at all. For years, I’d asked them to keep a low profile, and we managed to keep the truth about our family under wraps. Now that Julian’s made a fortune, he looks down on my parents with utter contempt. “My mother is perfectly fine. He must have gotten confused. Maybe *his* mother passed away. Please don’t mention this call to Leo’s father for now.” Ms. Davies nervously hung up the phone. The luxury items Chloe bought weren’t for her. They were a gift for another woman. And I know that woman. It’s Serena, my next-door neighbor. The man she was with, however, wasn’t her husband, Mark. It was a young, muscular guy. No wonder Chloe tried to frame me for having an an affair with my neighbor! Turns out *his* wife already had a man on the side. Serena and Chloe must have instantly found common ground, deciding to frame me for having an affair with Serena’s husband. That way, Serena could get a “legitimate” divorce and secure her assets. After they parted ways, Serena and the young guy went to a hotel. I backhanded her husband the room number. They wanted to watch *my* life fall apart? Not happening.

I was sipping my tea, calmly watching Serena make an agitated phone call outside. She must have been calling Tiffany. The party was about to start. She needed Tiffany to bring her husband over to continue with her plan. From what I knew, Damien was a boxer, an international boxing champion. Tiffany was probably getting beaten up right about now. I was in a beautiful gown, having made an effort to dress up for once. “Adam, aren’t we leaving yet? What are we waiting for?” Adam shot Serena a quick glance, then smiled at me and replied, “Right, let’s head out.” Serena forced a smile. “Scarlett, I still have something to take care of. I’ll be there a little later.” They were so obvious. Had I really been that blind before? I got into the car, and the passenger seat was reclined way back. “Adam, has someone been sitting in the passenger seat?” Adam’s face paled. “Maybe Leo was just playing there earlier.” Leo lied without batting an eye. “I reclined it to take a nap.” He didn’t know I’d already taken out the dashcam’s memory card. Adam and Serena couldn’t keep their hands off each other in that passenger seat. And my son was just sitting in the back, playing video games. Adam had booked a high-end banquet hall. Our wedding photos and family portraits were plastered everywhere. He wheeled a five-tier cake to the center of the stage, looking at me with what he wanted to be deep affection. “My dear wife, thank you for being by my side for the past ten years, through all our struggles. I couldn’t have achieved what I have today without your quiet support all these years. In the future, let’s continue our journey together, happy and loving! We’ll have many more decades, growing old together. I love you!” The audience erupted in thunderous applause. He’d really pulled out all the stops. He’d invited the entire company to witness our love. The more he acted like he adored me, the bigger the bombshell it would be when he exposed my “affair” later, with everyone as a witness. Ever since I’d seen his true colors, everything he did just made me sick to my stomach. Leo came up to me, holding a glass of juice. “Happy birthday, Mom.” He seemed so well-behaved, so considerate. To outsiders, I was living the dream: a loving husband, a devoted son. Only I knew that juice was spiked.

Daniel and I, we were once so deeply in love, weren’t we? I first met him during summer vacation. I was back at our family’s rental property, looking after things for my parents, and he was one of our tenants. He had the highest electricity bill in the whole building, always burning the midnight oil, lights blazing all night long. Back then, I thought he was such a diligent and ambitious young man. He was handsome too, so well-mannered, studious, and seemed incredibly dependable. I’d see him several times a day, descending the stairs in an ill-fitting suit to take out the trash. He later confessed he’d been smitten with me at first sight, saying I was adorable and that his whole routine was just to get my attention. And he certainly did. He was good-looking, and his grades were excellent. Every time he returned, he’d bring me a dessert. He’d say my smile was even sweeter than the treats. My family was wealthy, but I was naive, perhaps a little sheltered. I was completely captivated by a man like him. My parents wanted to send me to study abroad, but I flat-out refused. I happily lost myself in his tender embrace. But looking back now, once we were together, he didn’t even have to pay rent anymore. And I frequently gave him money to support his graduate studies. He resented the wealthy, yet had no qualms spending *my* money. He’d whisper, holding my hand: “Darling, once I make it big, I’ll buy us the most beautiful home.” He always thought that old, humble rental property was the extent of my family’s wealth. Later, he did make good on his promise, buying a spacious apartment in the city. And that felt more exhilarating than when my mom gifted me two mansions in Los Angeles. I actually considered telling him the truth about my family’s wealth, but later, he started using ‘work’ as an excuse, rarely coming home. After Leo was born, my entire world revolved around him. He was often sick with colds and fevers, and taking care of him meant I barely got four hours of sleep a night. To see my own son, the one I had nurtured and raised with such devotion, personally trying to poison me… it ripped my heart out. “Leo, Mom doesn’t want juice today. Can you get Mom something else?” Leo is only ten years old, and I knew it must be the adults, corrupting his young mind, that made him do this. I decided to give him one last chance. If he just swapped out the juice, I could forgive him, keep him with me. “Mom, I’ve already poured it for you, just drink it, everyone’s watching us.” Leo, probably thinking he’d soon be rid of me, couldn’t hide his impatience. He was turning into a carbon copy of his father, using the eyes of others to corner me. The first time I caught Daniel lying about working late, he was out to dinner with colleagues. When I confronted him, he gave me a grim look and retorted, “What’s the big deal? Everyone’s here, it’s just a work dinner, I’m not doing anything else!” Those words became his go-to excuse, used with increasing frequency. I just never imagined my own son would use them on me. I picked up the glass and downed the juice in one gulp. Scarlett rushed into the banquet hall, her expression suggesting she had successfully ‘arranged’ my supposed affair partner. Leo nervously looked up at me, clearly waiting for the drug to take effect so they could proceed with their plan. “Mom, are you dizzy? Let me take you to rest!”

Of course, we live in a society governed by law. We wouldn’t dare break it. Our method? Psychological warfare. Since Chloe’s family essentially runs this hospital, it wasn’t long before Mark’s legs and lower body were put in a cast. The doctor told him his bones were fractured and he’d need a good month of bed rest. Mark was in so much pain he couldn’t even close his legs, so he naturally believed every word. During his hospital stay, we continued with the next phase of our plan. Chloe had promised Aunt Karen she’d help her get a plum government job, but then went silent. Aunt Karen waited three days. By the fourth, she clearly couldn’t hold back anymore and called me: “Ashley, has your friend called you back? Does she need any documents?” “Aunt Karen, you know how these things go. If it were easy, we wouldn’t need help. Chloe’s waiting for the perfect timing too.” “Right, right. I’ll keep waiting then. Please keep pressing on your end.” A week later, Aunt Karen called again. This time, her patience was definitely gone: “Ashley, if there’s any kickback needed, your uncle says we’ll pay it. Just as long as it gets done.” “Aunt Karen, I told you not to worry about money.” I feigned annoyance. “If you keep treating me like some stranger you’re trying to bribe, I’m dropping this entirely.” “No, no, no!” Aunt Karen let out a strained chuckle. “How could I let you go through all this trouble and expense? Just tell me what’s needed.” In the meantime, Mark’s “accidental” fall and hospitalization had allowed us to vent a little bit of our anger. So, Aunt Karen’s matter needed to be resolved quickly too. Chloe called Aunt Karen, asking if she was listed as the owner or director of a company. She said she’d tried to pull strings for the government job, but when they ran a background check, they found a company listed under her name, and that was an immediate red flag. They rejected her on the spot. “Aunt Karen, so you’re a big shot businesswoman! With your status, you’re asking me to get you a government job? You made me look like an idiot and I got chewed out by my connections! Aunt Karen, even if you’re my cousin Ashley’s aunt, you can’t screw over your own niece like this, can you?” Aunt Karen was desperate to explain, but the more she tried, the more tangled she got. Finally, she had to call me: “Ashley, you need to tell your friend that company is Mark’s and yours, not mine!” “Aunt Karen, the company is officially under *your* name. No matter how much I explain, it won’t matter. They only look at what’s in black and white; they won’t listen to my word-of-mouth testimony.” “Then, then!” Aunt Karen fumed. “What about Mark? Tell him to get my name off that company *now*, or don’t blame your aunt for cutting him off completely!” Looking at Mark, lying in bed, drowsy and half-asleep, I offered a faint smile. “Mark, Aunt Karen doesn’t want to be the company’s official director anymore. What do you think we should do?” Mark lifted his eyes to me, then shook his head. “Wife, I’m so sleepy. You handle it.” We’d been adding sedatives to his IVs these past few days, plus the calming scents I diffused in his private room. It would have been a miracle if Mark *wasn’t* sleepy. Since Mark said that, what else could I do? Taking Mark’s ID and the documents I’d already prepared, I took Aunt Karen straight to the city’s Business Registration Office. The process went smoothly. In about 20 days, Mark would officially become the new director and owner. And I, well, I would own half of the company’s shares. Mark’s legs were finally well enough for him to walk again. I used the excuse that company matters were overwhelming – after all, I was now the *real* boss’s wife. I couldn’t come to care for him every day, so I specifically hired a nurse to look after him. Mark didn’t say anything, looking somewhat dazed and out of it.

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With just a month left until our wedding, Olivia and I found ourselves trapped in endless arguments. The reason for every dispute was always the same—she wanted to have a child with her mentor’s son. “It’s just IVF, I won’t have any physical relationship with him,” Olivia explained. “Professor Wilson is critically ill, and his greatest wish is to see Adam happy with a child of his own. He has no one else to turn to, so he asked me.” I had long since moved past the initial shock and anger upon hearing this absurd request. Now, all I felt was helplessness. “We’re getting married in a month, and you want to have a child with someone else. Don’t you find that ridiculous?” I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer, letting them silently roll down my cheeks. Olivia was stunned. This was the first time she had ever seen me cry. Just as she was about to say something, her phone chimed. She glanced at it, and when she looked back at me, all the complex emotions in her eyes had vanished. “I need to leave for a while. Take some time to calm down,” she said. As I watched her walk away, it suddenly dawned on me that in all the years we’d been together, I had always been the one watching her back. In college, Olivia was known as the ice queen, the most sought-after girl on campus. No matter how many guys pursued her, she rejected them all. She even publicly declared that she wasn’t interested in dating during college. Her cold and distant demeanor deterred many suitors, but I persisted relentlessly. Eventually, I won her over and became her boyfriend. Even after years together, she remained aloof, but I never gave up. I was always like a warm sun, trying to melt her icy exterior. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine she would disregard my feelings so completely and make such a request. Suddenly, my phone buzzed. It was a message from Adam with a screenshot attached. The screenshot showed a conversation between Olivia and Adam. Adam: [Olivia, Dad’s not going to make it. Can we go ahead with the IVF without telling James? Please!] Olivia’s reply was: [Okay, I’m on my way.] I felt as if I’d been struck by lightning. Now I understood why Olivia had left in such a hurry. I couldn’t describe how I felt at that moment. All my emotions seemed to be compressed inside my chest, making it hard to breathe. I wanted to scream, to cry uncontrollably, but I had no strength left. I couldn’t release any of it. I looked up at the mirror in front of me and barely recognized myself. I used to be different. Everyone who knew me said I was sunny and spirited. But now, the worry between my brows was as dark as an indelible ink stain. How could anyone see my former self in this reflection? For the sake of loving Olivia, I had become unrecognizable. It hadn’t earned me her companionship or understanding, but instead led to her planning to have a child with another man just before our wedding. A reckless thought crossed my mind. If she held our relationship and marriage in such low regard, why bother with any of it? With this in mind, I took a deep breath, picked up my phone, and typed out a social media post. After blocking Olivia, I hit send. “Getting married in a month. Looking for a new bride. Any takers?” Perhaps thinking I was joking, most people just left playful comments under the post. No one took it seriously. Just as I was feeling dejected, a call came in. Sophia Thompson! Seeing those three words, I froze for a moment. Sophia and I were childhood friends. In school, she was the beauty queen, and I was the heartthrob. Ironically, we were sworn enemies, constantly bickering from kindergarten all the way through high school. It only stopped when we went to different colleges in different cities. Later in college, I fell for Olivia at first sight and spent almost every holiday pursuing her instead of going home. After graduation, I settled in Bay City for Olivia and never saw Sophia again. Our only contact was when I recently posted about finally marrying the woman I loved, and she unexpectedly commented, “Can you not get married?” I thought she was just stirring up trouble and ignored her. I never expected her to be the first one to contact me now. When I answered the phone, I had already prepared myself for her mockery. But as soon as the call connected, she got straight to the point without asking anything, “If you’re looking for a new bride, how about me?” Her words were followed by dead silence. I wasn’t sure of her intentions, but I knew she was indeed the most suitable candidate for a sudden change of bride. We were from similar backgrounds and knew each other well. After a long silence, I finally spoke, “Alright. What are your conditions?” “Nothing much. Since we’re getting married, just change my contact name in your phone from ‘Pain in the Ass’ to ‘Wife’.” The simplicity of her request surprised me. I double-checked, “That’s it?” “Oh, and I want everything other married couples have.” This request caught me off guard even more. I had thought she might be agreeing because her family was pressuring her to get married. All these years, I had been chasing after Olivia. Seeing that she had no intention of getting married, I didn’t push it either. Having won over this aloof beauty, I didn’t dare ask for too much. But in recent years, my grandfather’s health had been declining, and he had been waiting for me to get married. So I had no choice but to propose to Olivia. Now, with the wedding date approaching, she had come up with this absurd request. I gripped my phone tightly, “I never intended for this to be a fake marriage. If we’re getting married, it’s for real.” She chuckled lightly on the other end, “In that case, I’ll come to Bay City to pick you up now. Shall we discuss when to get the marriage license and have the wedding?” I was silent for a moment, “Give me two weeks to sort things out properly.” She didn’t ask what things, but we both knew. She meant Olivia. Since this was going to be a real marriage, naturally, everything from the past had to be cut off completely. So Sophia didn’t say anything more. After hanging up, the first thing I did was change her contact name. Looking at the phone number now labeled “Wife,” I couldn’t help but smile sardonically. Olivia, since you’re secretly going to have a child with someone else, fine. I’ll secretly change brides. ##

For the next few days, Olivia didn’t come home, and I didn’t ask about her whereabouts. I quietly contacted my friends to retrieve the wedding invitations I had sent out earlier. When we first planned the wedding, she said she didn’t like fuss, so we hadn’t prepared for a big ceremony. We had only invited a few close friends. My friends were surprised when I suddenly told them the wedding was canceled and asked for the invitations back. “Why the sudden cancellation? Wasn’t your relationship always stable?” Hearing their questions, I felt only bitterness. Stable relationship? Was it stable that I chased after Olivia while she remained cold towards me? I suppose that was indeed stable. In this relationship, the only stable thing was my love, never hers. She was always like a distant goddess, coldly watching as I fell hopelessly in love with her. But now, I no longer wanted to love her. In the end, I decided to be honest: “The bride has changed.” This statement didn’t elicit much shock, mostly just playful banter among friends. Clearly, no one took my words seriously. But thinking about it, it made sense. I had loved Olivia so deeply before, never minding her cold demeanor. If someone else who had done all this suddenly said they didn’t want to get married, I wouldn’t believe it either. It didn’t matter. I would prove to everyone with actions that this time, I had truly given up. After retrieving all the invitations, I returned home. Not long after, Olivia finally came back. Her usually pristine white shirt was wrinkled, her eyes were bloodshot, and she looked exhausted. I could tell at a glance that she wasn’t in a good state. When she saw me, her first words echoed my thoughts: “Cancel all the wedding invitations we sent out. My mentor has passed away, and I need at least six months to mourn. We can’t have the wedding during this time.” As she spoke, Olivia expected me to argue or fight with her. After all, I had been the one pushing for marriage, and she knew my grandfather had been waiting for me to get married. So she thought I would be anxious too. She had even prepared her arguments, but I just remained calm. “I understand. My condolences.” Olivia felt a slight shock, vaguely realizing that ever since that night, I seemed to have become a different person. Although my attitude towards her was strange, she didn’t have the energy to dwell on it now. She rubbed her tired brow and spoke again. “The professor’s memorial service is today. He mentioned you in his last moments. I’d like you to come with me to pay your respects.” I didn’t like Adam, but I had no issues with the kind Professor Wilson. Moreover, he probably never imagined that his son would do something like asking someone to have a child just to fulfill his wish. Out of respect for the deceased, I nodded and agreed. After Olivia freshened up and changed clothes, she took me to attend Professor Wilson’s funeral. As soon as we arrived, we heard a tearful voice, “Olivia…” I looked in the direction of the voice and saw Adam, dressed in black, collapsing to the ground with tears streaming down his face. “Adam!” Olivia exclaimed in shock, rushing over in three quick strides. She gently cradled him in her arms and, without looking up, said to me, “You go pay your respects first. I’ll stay here with him.” Watching her tender, caring, and worried expression, anyone who didn’t know better might think Adam was her boyfriend. In the past, seeing them so intimate would have made me cause a scene. But now, I just glanced at them once, said nothing, and turned to walk towards the main hall. ##

Olivia seemed surprised by my quick acquiescence. She looked up at me briefly, that strange feeling washing over her again. But the man in her arms softly called her name, drawing her attention back. She helped him to a nearby seat and comforted him carefully. I paid my respects to Professor Wilson solemnly, bowing three times before approaching the pale-faced woman nearby. “Mrs. Wilson, my condolences,” I said. Mrs. Wilson looked up at my words and nodded in acknowledgment. She took my hand and said, “You must be Olivia’s boyfriend. Thank you for coming to see the professor. I heard you were about to get married. Olivia is a loyal girl; she volunteered to observe a six-month mourning period for her mentor. I’m sorry for the trouble this has caused you.” I listened quietly without commenting, nor did I mention the outrageous thing Olivia and her son were planning to do. Mrs. Wilson seemed to sense my inner turmoil and sighed deeply. “Olivia is like our own child. The professor was her mentor from undergrad through her Ph.D. She’s a sentimental person, which is why she made this decision. Please don’t blame her.” Now that I had changed brides, I naturally wouldn’t blame Olivia. “I understand,” I said. Seeing my understanding demeanor, Mrs. Wilson spoke again, unable to hold back certain things, “Please don’t mind Adam either. Although he’s always clinging to Olivia, I can tell she doesn’t have those feelings for him. She… she really likes you.” Hearing this, my body tensed slightly. Likes me? I hadn’t noticed. Seeing my disbelieving expression, Mrs. Wilson couldn’t help but elaborate, “I’m not lying to you, son. The professor and I always thought she was too focused on her medical research to have anyone she liked. But then you appeared. Although she didn’t show it much, she often mentioned you to us casually. She’d say things like how she bumped into you somewhere yesterday, or how you made her something delicious, or what silly thing you did to pursue her that day… Although it sounded like she was complaining, we knew she was just in love without realizing it herself.” As Mrs. Wilson recounted instance after instance of Olivia’s unspoken care that she had never shown me, I felt only irony. Perhaps in the past, hearing these words would have made me happy. But now, I truly felt nothing but sarcasm. If Olivia really loved me, why couldn’t I feel it at all? Why was it always me chasing after her, while she never once stopped to wait for me? If she loved me, how could she agree to have a child with another man? The moment she agreed to have a child with Adam, everything became irreparable. Between us, it was already completely over! Throughout the entire memorial service, Olivia stayed by Adam’s side. It wasn’t until the service ended and rain started falling outside, with guests gradually leaving, that she finally appeared in front of me in her car, tossing out two emotionless words, “Get in.” I was about to step forward when the window slowly lowered, and I realized Adam was already sitting in her passenger seat, with Mrs. Wilson in the back. Before I could say anything, Adam’s choked voice came out, “Olivia, I want to visit Dad’s grave, just the three of us—you, me, and Mom. Is that okay?” At these words, Mrs. Wilson was the first to frown, “Adam, don’t be like this.” But those six words seemed to hit a sore spot for Adam, who immediately burst into loud sobs, “It’s Dad’s funeral today. Can’t he just take a cab?” Mrs. Wilson was about to persuade him further, but Olivia had already made her decision. “I’ll come back for you later,” she turned to me, her voice brooking no argument. Then she started the car and drove away. Left alone, I had anticipated the outcome from the moment Adam spoke. Now, standing there, I showed no sign of hurt at being left behind. I just waited silently for several hours. But she never came. As the rain grew heavier, I knew she wouldn’t be coming. The funeral home was in a remote location with no taxis nearby. I had no umbrella, so I had to walk in the rain. The downpour intensified, blurring my vision. After two hours of walking in the rain, I finally reached a place where I could hail a cab and return home.

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I’m reborn! Staring at my youthful, wrinkle-free face in the mirror and my still-pale knuckles, after a moment of stunned silence, I quickly grabbed my phone to check the time: June 26, 2024. This was the time after my high school graduation when I was applying to colleges. And it was also… the period in my previous life when my two childhood friends, Seraphina and Kendall, began fiercely pursuing me! A flash of surprise sparked in my eyes. Without another thought, I grabbed my phone and rushed straight to the office. “Ms. Hayes, I want to change my college application. I want to switch Yale to Harvard!” Ms. Hayes’s face lit up with a relieved smile. “You finally came around? You’re a perfect SAT scorer, the top in the city. While Yale is excellent, Harvard is, after all, a top Ivy League university. It would be a shame to miss this opportunity.” A bitter smile touched my lips, a painful echo of past mistakes. “I was too stubborn before, I apologize, Ms. Hayes. Now I want to change it back.” Changing a college application didn’t take long. Soon, it was done. When I returned home, however, a few uninvited guests had already arrived. It was my two childhood friends, Seraphina and Kendall, and my so-called best friend, Asher. “What are you all doing?” Seeing me return, Seraphina, usually so composed and distant, looked at me with tender eyes and smiled. “Did you forget? We agreed to have dinner at your place today to celebrate all four of us getting into the same university!” Kendall, always a bit wild and headstrong, took a few steps forward, walked up to me, and lightly tapped my head. “You big dummy! We knew you’d be busy preparing for your valedictorian speech these past few days, so we’ve been setting everything up. You just have to show up and eat.” I was about to speak when my phone suddenly rang. It was Ms. Hayes. “Julian, you left in a hurry just now. There’s something I forgot to tell you. You were originally scheduled to give the excellent student speech in three days, but suddenly two influential board members intervened and changed it to Asher…” Ms. Hayes’s voice held a hint of regret. It was clear that, by all accounts, I, a perfect SAT scorer, was more suited for the speech. She wondered what connection Asher had with those board members that they would personally demand a change. But unlike Ms. Hayes’s confusion, I glanced at Seraphina and Kendall, who were right in front of me, and understood perfectly. Weren’t the fathers of my two childhood friends on the school board? “I understand. Thank you, Ms. Hayes.” I nodded calmly, accepting the news. Ms. Hayes seemed surprised by my calmness. “You’re a perfect SAT scorer; it definitely makes more sense for you to give the speech. It’s an honor. Are you really going to let Asher have it?” I remained calm, even managed a small smile. “Yes, I am.” Not just this time, but Seraphina and Kendall too, I was letting Asher have them. After all, I never wanted to experience the torment of my previous life again. In my past life, Seraphina and Kendall had pursued me just like this, eager to offer their hearts to me. The first time, I married Seraphina. But in the third year of our marriage, Seraphina died in a car accident protecting Asher. It was then that I discovered she had never loved me; her love had always been for Asher! I was completely shattered by this double blow and couldn’t recover. It was at this time that Kendall reappeared in my life. She helped me through my grief, encouraged me to embrace a new life, and told me that I still had her. So, the second time, I married Kendall. After our marriage, I was as gentle with her as ever, yet our relationship, though gentle, felt strangely distant, like we were polite strangers, devoid of true intimacy. At first, I thought love had simply evolved into a familial bond. But then, Asher, already an old man, was diagnosed with a severe heart condition, and without a second thought, she donated her own heart, ignoring my protests. That’s when I realized that Kendall’s love was also for Asher! I couldn’t understand why. If both my wives loved Asher, why did they marry me? It wasn’t until the funeral that Asher graciously revealed the whole truth. “Why did they marry you? Because I planned it all, of course! I told them if they didn’t follow my instructions and pursue you, I would disappear from their lives forever. They were both terrified, which is why they scrambled to chase after you.” “Oh, and did you know why you never had any children your whole life? It’s because they both willingly had an IUD inserted for me! They told me that even though they were married to you, their hearts would always belong to me, and they would never have children with you! Hahahaha!” I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. I screamed, demanding to know why Asher would do such a thing, and his reason was just as ridiculous. “Why? Because I envied you, of course! You were born a privileged heir, never wanting for anything. Everything I fought tooth and nail for, you got effortlessly. Of course, I couldn’t stand it. I just wanted to see you suffer. I wanted to show you that the happiness you cherished was merely an illusion I granted you!” With that, Asher triumphantly walked away, and I, consumed by rage, choked on my own blood and died. Now, Heaven had taken pity on me, giving me a chance to start over. This time, I would never get entangled with them again, not even for a second! #### Chapter 2 “What’s wrong?” After the call ended, Asher curiously leaned closer. My expression was normal, as if I were talking about something completely unrelated to myself. “You’re giving the speech in three days instead of me.” “Me? But I didn’t score as well as you, and I’m not as excellent. Why would it suddenly be me? Oh, then I can’t eat! I need to rush back and prepare!” His eyes were filled with delight. He finished speaking and hastily ran out. Seraphina and Kendall didn’t try to stop him, but their gazes lingered on his retreating figure, their love so evident it couldn’t be hidden. They wished they could leave with him that very second. I took in their expressions and spoke flatly, “You can go with him if you want.” “What are you talking about? You’re still here, why would we go with him?” Seraphina instantly snapped back to reality. She looked at me again, letting out a small, unintentional laugh. After a pause, she feigned comfort. “It’s just a speech spot. Don’t be sad.” “Exactly! Our Julian is so brilliant; the school just has poor judgment to replace you,” Kendall echoed Seraphina. I just twisted my lips, saying nothing. In my past life, they had comforted me like this too. But, in reality, it was them who had arranged for the switch behind my back. I was about to say something, but before the words could leave my mouth, Seraphina and Kendall interrupted me again. “Julian, we’re taking you somewhere.” They mysteriously pulled me outside. It wasn’t until we reached our destination, and I saw the abundance of flowers and colorful balloons, that I realized it was a proposal setup! Seraphina pulled out a bouquet of white roses from somewhere, adopting a deeply affectionate demeanor. “Julian, you must be clear about my feelings for you these past few months. Now, I want an answer.” Seeing this, Kendall wasn’t willing to be outdone. She quickly pulled out a bouquet of red roses from behind her back and presented them to me, her voice also full of tenderness. “Julian, I liked you first! I’ve been preparing this confession for three months, you have to choose me! If you agree to be with me, I’ll go through hell and high water for you!” Looking at these two kneeling before me, I felt a momentary daze. If I hadn’t known the truth, seeing their affectionate expressions, I might actually have believed they loved me. We used to be the closest childhood friends. I never knew before that they had such a talent for acting. Just as I was about to speak, our phones simultaneously vibrated. It was a message from Asher, who had left earlier, in our shared group chat. **Asher:** My lightbulb broke at home, and I don’t know how to change it. 🥺 It was followed by a pitiful emoji. In an instant, Seraphina and Kendall’s expressions changed. Seraphina forgot all about her confession and stood up first. “Asher’s home alone, and the lightbulb is broken; he must be scared. How about I go help him change it?” “I’ll go with you!” Kendall quickly followed suit, standing up. After speaking, she seemed to remember I was still there, her expression awkward. “Julian, it’s almost dark now, and Asher can’t wait. As for who you’ll finally choose… maybe you can tell us tomorrow.” With that, neither of them waited for my reaction. They rushed off. Watching their retreating figures, I could only find it somewhat amusing. They claimed to have meticulously planned this confession for three months, yet Asher merely encountered a small problem, and they immediately cast me aside? The evidence that Seraphina and Kendall didn’t love me was everywhere, yet in my past life, I was so blinded I never saw it. I lowered my gaze to the two bouquets of flowers and gift boxes they had left behind. A smile played on my lips, but it didn’t reach my eyes. I picked up the flowers and gifts, and without a moment’s hesitation, threw them all into the trash. Seraphina, Kendall, this lifetime, I won’t choose either of you! With two months until college started, to minimize my interactions with the three of them, I simply blocked Seraphina, Kendall, and Asher’s contact information and went on a solo trip for a month. When I finally returned home after my travels, I saw two figures squatting by my door. It was Seraphina and Kendall. The sound of my suitcase caught their attention. When they saw it was me, they immediately rushed over like madwomen and hugged me tightly. “Where have you been this past month? You didn’t answer your calls or reply to messages. Do you know we’ve been frantic looking for you?!” The worry in their eyes didn’t seem fake. It was clear they hadn’t rested or taken care of themselves for who knew how long; their eyes were bloodshot. In their disheveled state, you could hardly tell they were the two most popular figures in high school. I looked at them, and it inexplicably reminded me of when I was thirteen. My parents, unable to endure their constant arguments, finally decided to divorce. But when it came to my custody, they started pointing fingers, neither willing to take on the responsibility of raising me. In the end, they left me a property and a bank card with enough living expenses to last until I was an adult, then both walked out of my life. The night my parents left, I didn’t cry or fuss. But later that evening, I quietly slipped out alone. Seraphina and Kendall had searched frantically for me that entire night, finally finding me by the lake. TThey held me tightly then too, just as anxious, saying, “Your aunt and uncle might be gone, but you still have us. If they don’t want you, we do. We’ll always be with you. Never leave alone again, we really would go crazy…”

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Because my CEO husband always prioritized his first love, I came to the registry office, ready to file for a forced divorce. But the clerk took my documents and looked at me with disdain. “Miss Hayes, your marriage certificate is fake…” I thought I’d misheard, checked again and again, my heart sinking with every agonizing inch. Six years of dating, 2,190 days. I thought I’d finally gotten what I wanted. Turns out, this marriage was nothing but a complete scam. Suddenly, the clerk’s eyes held a hint of pity and reluctance. The system showed that my CEO husband had already registered his marriage with a woman named Willow Grant half a month ago. The moment I saw her picture, I froze. It was his first love. I tucked the fake marriage certificate back into my bag, then sent a message to Amelia, my mentor. “Amelia, I’m coming to New York with you to start a business.” She seemed busy on the other end, no immediate reply. I slipped my phone into my pocket, hailed a cab by the roadside, and gave the driver an address… It wasn’t until late evening that I finally got home, exhausted. As I pulled out my keys, I heard a “ding” behind me. Liam Walker stepped out of the elevator, a smile on his face. “Scarlett, where have you been?” I stared at his smile, momentarily stunned. “I went to the place where we got our certificate. I wanted to take a few more photos for memories, but I found it’s an empty lot now. Do you know why?” As I spoke, my eyes were fixed on Liam, trying to catch a flicker of guilt on his face. But the man only stiffened for a second before regaining his usual calm demeanor. “You must have gone to the wrong place. We already have the marriage certificate, we can take photos later when we have time. I brought you macarons, a new flavor from your favorite shop. Try them later and see if you like them.” With that, Liam handed me the bag and walked straight into the bathroom, pushing the door open. I lowered my head, a weak, cynical tug at the corner of my mouth. “Liam, there is no ‘later’ for us.” I silently walked into the study and put the fake marriage certificate back in the safe. Three days ago, after getting the certificate, Liam had only shown it to me once before quickly locking it away. At the time, I naively thought it was a sign of how much he valued our marriage. It wasn’t until last night, when I got up for water, that I accidentally overheard him on the balcony talking on the phone. “Liam, how are you back with Willow Grant again? You chased her for three years, and she agreed to you one moment, then eloped abroad with someone the next. She betrayed your feelings like that, don’t tell me you still like her?” Liam was silent for a few seconds before he slowly spoke. “Willow and I registered our marriage half a month ago. Her parents were forcing her to marry an old man, and I couldn’t bear to see her suffer that kind of injustice…” I froze, feeling as if I’d been plunged into an ice-cold abyss. Both I and the person on the other end of the phone knew it wasn’t just “couldn’t bear” for Liam. He had never stopped loving Willow Grant. Six years. I thought I had finally achieved my dream, to spend the rest of my life with the man I loved. But in the end, I discovered. I had never truly entered Liam’s heart. The marriage certificate was fake, and these six years of ‘love’ were all fake… How ridiculous, how pathetic. Since Liam had already married Willow, there was no need for me to stay here and humiliate myself. From now on, I would move towards a future without Liam. Liam’s phone, left on the coffee table, suddenly rang. The specially set ringtone for a specific contact was glaringly obvious in the silent living room. I hesitated for a moment, but decided to walk over. However, before I could reach the coffee table, a figure, still damp from the shower, bumped into me. My calf hit the sharp table corner hard, the intense pain instantly bringing tears to my eyes. Yet Liam, the cause of it all, didn’t notice a thing. He grabbed his phone and turned back into the bathroom. I limped to the sofa, enduring the pain. Just as I sat down, I heard his voice from the bathroom, full of tension yet feigning calm, gently reassuring someone. “Don’t be scared, hide in your room and don’t come out. I’ll be right there.” A wave of bitterness washed over me. In our six years together, Liam had always been calm and rational around me. But seeing him flustered over a phone call today. I finally understood there was no such thing as innate coldness; it was simply because he didn’t love me. Liam walked out of the bathroom, his expression anxious. He didn’t stop as he passed me, only tossing out, “Something came up at the office, don’t wait for me.” And because of that, he missed the fact that I, who always handed him his jacket and told him to come home early, didn’t ask a single question or even look up at him this time. I sat alone on the sofa for a long time. Only when the pain in my leg slowly subsided did I stand up and return to the bedroom, starting to pack my things. Couple’s mugs bought long ago but never used by Liam; Couple’s rings I made myself but hadn’t given him yet; A bouquet I made by hand for our wedding; A meticulously drawn painting celebrating our new marriage; Now, all of them were thrown into a trash bag without a second thought. After two whole hours, the room was half-empty. Just as I breathed a sigh of relief, my phone suddenly rang. Amelia’s voice was filled with excitement. “Scarlett! I’m on a business trip abroad right now, and I just woke up to this great news. Welcome aboard! I’ll be back in the country in a week, then I’ll pick you up to go to New York. But… didn’t you say you were getting ready to marry your boyfriend? Will he agree to you going to New York?” I fell silent for a moment. Even though Liam and I had been together for six years, he disliked showing off, so very few people knew about our relationship. It wasn’t until three days ago when Amelia asked if I wanted to join her new studio in New York. That I told her I was getting married. But who would have thought, only a few days later, L

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**Chapter 1** In the quiet coffee shop, my friend looked at me, utterly stunned. “Liam, are you really just leaving Aria and moving abroad?” I set down my spoon, my voice flat. “We’re already divorced.” “Divorced?!” My friend, Leo, was completely blindsided by such explosive news. The next second, he was already rushing to my defense. “Aria actually agreed? You were so good to her these past three years, you could have melted a stone! Does she really have no feelings for you at all?!” I gave a small smile, my eyes flickering. Honestly, I don’t even know if she agreed. Half a month ago, when I handed her the divorce papers, she was on the phone, signed them without even listening to me, and just rushed off. She never even asked about it afterward. Now, I just need to wait another two weeks, and I’ll get the final divorce decree. Then I’ll be free. Just as I was about to speak, a soft female voice came from behind us. “Are you two done chatting?” Both guys turned around to see Aria, dressed in a sleek black skirt suit, her long legs striding towards us. Leo, still seething, was about to confront her. “Aria, Liam just said you two were divor…” “What are you doing here?” I gently patted Leo’s hand, shaking my head at him, cutting him off just in time. “Looks like it’s going to rain later. I just happened to be passing by and thought I’d pick you up.” Only then did I manage a small smile. After bidding Leo goodbye, I grabbed my bag and left with her. On the drive back, the rain softly pattered against the car, but inside, it was eerily quiet. Facing me, the husband she’d married by a twist of fate, Aria’s lips parted slightly a few times, as if she wanted to speak, probably to find some topic of conversation. But then she must have remembered she hadn’t been home in half a month. After a long silence, she finally spoke, as if something just clicked. “Liam, what was that document you had me sign half a month ago?” It took her this long to ask? Right, she’s been so wrapped up with Caleb lately, why would she care about such minor things? I gave a wry smile, about to speak, when Aria’s phone rang again. “Aria, I drank too much, my head hurts so bad. Can you come pick me up?” Hearing the slightly whiny, almost flirtatious tone from the other end, Aria’s long, slender knuckles tightened on the steering wheel, turning white, and her expression immediately darkened. “Caleb, I’ve told you many times, I’m married.” A brief silence, then, “So what if you’re married? I was supposed to be the groom at that wedding, remember?” That careless tone clearly infuriated Aria. For three years of marriage, I’d only ever seen her cool and composed. This was the first time I saw her lose control. She slammed on the brakes, the car screeching loudly against the pavement. “So, where were you?!” The other end of the line immediately went silent. A moment later, the voice on the phone sounded choked, “I’m sorry. I won’t bother you again.” The call ended abruptly, but Aria’s face didn’t clear; it grew even darker. Her fingers drummed on the steering wheel. After a long pause, she finally gave in completely, typing out a few words with a resigned air. “Send me the address.” After getting the address, she looked at me, her face full of apologies. I knew what she was going to say, so I cut her off. “Go on, you have something to do. I’ll just grab a cab home.” Seeing me open the car door and put up my umbrella, Aria still felt a little guilty. She said softly, “I’ll come back to you once I’m done.” I nodded. Standing in the rain, watching her drive away, complex emotions swirled in my eyes. This was my seventh year of loving Aria. I still remember the first time I fell for her at first sight in the dance studio. She was wearing a practice skirt, her body swaying gracefully, single-handedly becoming the provincial dance champion, a true icon who captivated the entire audience. Beside me, a fanboy screamed, eager to tell a newly arrived classmate about her. “That’s Aria Hayes from the Computer Science department! Total campus celebrity, from the prominent Hayes family in the city!” Too bad this campus queen only had eyes for Caleb Davies, her childhood sweetheart. They’d been together for years. She would spend a fortune for Caleb, booking an entire amusement park just to surprise him for his birthday. She’d humble herself, begging him to get back together in front of the whole school, just because someone had confessed to her and Caleb, being childish, had intentionally blocked her on SnapChat. She’d wait in the snow until her hands were frostbitten, even if Caleb had ditched her to play basketball with his buddies, and she’d never complain… Throughout my four years of college, I heard countless stories of Aria and Caleb’s romance. I always thought I’d be like an NPC in a romance novel, just witnessing their happily ever after. Until two years ago, when Aria, fresh out of college, was eager to marry Caleb. I wasn’t invited, but I went to that “wedding of the century” anyway, as a classmate. The ceremony had already begun, but Caleb still hadn’t shown up. Aria was frantic, calling him ninety-nine times, only to receive a text from Caleb saying he didn’t want to get married so early and had already left the country. That day, Aria’s patience finally ran out. She no longer tolerated his tantrums; she simply grabbed the microphone. “Today, I, Aria Hayes, have decided to choose a new groom. Is there any single gentleman interested in stepping forward?” I, usually quiet and unnoticeable, felt my heart pound in my chest. I knew too many people liked Aria, so the moment those words left her lips, I immediately stood up. That day, I put on that ill-fitting suit and married the woman who couldn’t even remember my name. For the next three years, we lived together respectfully, without incident. Until a little over a month ago, when Caleb returned. Watching Aria, resisting him yet drawn to him, I knew my grand delusion was over. I had to give that position back. Fulfill her undying devotion. And finally free myself. In the pouring rain, I sent Aria a text message. “That document you asked about? It’s in the glove compartment on your passenger side. If you want to know what it is, just open it.” **Chapter 2** It was half an hour later, and I was already home, when Aria finally replied with a single sentence. “No need. Whatever you had me sign, it wouldn’t be anything to harm me, naturally.” That meant she wasn’t going to look. Right, she was in a hurry to pick up a drunk Caleb; how could she have time to read it? Even if it was within arm’s reach. The rain poured all day, only stopping the next evening. I stayed home, silently deleting all our “couple” posts from every social media platform. After cleaning out my SnapChat stories, I exited the app and immediately saw Caleb’s new nine-photo grid on Ins. They were photos of him relaxing on a yacht, each angle perfectly chosen to show a woman’s slender hand. I knew it was Aria, and I knew Caleb was doing it on purpose. But now, I didn’t care about such trivial things. I turned off my phone, got up, and went into the kitchen to make myself a salad. Just as dinner was ready, Aria suddenly came home. Seeing the cake in her hand, I paused for a moment. “You don’t usually like desserts, do you? Why the sudden cake?” Aria walked over, saw my dinner, and frowned slightly. “It’s your birthday today, did you forget? Why are you eating something so simple?” I froze. My parents divorced when I was four or five, leaving me with my grandmother. When I was fifteen or sixteen, Grandma passed away, and I was on my own; I never celebrated birthdays again. But in the three years I’d been married to Aria, she remembered every single year, always rushing back to celebrate with me, no matter how busy she was. When I traveled, she’d worry about my safety and even pick me up from the airport. If there was a thunderstorm, she knew I was scared and would gently hold me close… I thought these unintentional acts of care and affection meant she loved me. Then, on our wedding anniversary a month ago, Aria canceled our pre-booked candlelight dinner, claiming something came up at work. Feeling disappointed, I was called to a bar by Leo to bring him a jacket, and that’s when I unexpectedly ran into Caleb. He was completely drunk, clinging to the person who was supposed to be working overtime at her company, refusing to let go. Aria’s face was grim as she angrily pulled him off. “Caleb! Stop being such a pain in the ass and let go! What do you think I am? Some toy you can pick up and toss aside whenever you feel like it?” Caleb wasn’t listening to a word she said. Stubbornly, he used the hands she’d just pushed away to wrap around her waist again. Over and over, tireless. Finally, Aria gave in, defeated. She stood there, her gaze lowered, filled with a suppressed love as she looked at him, her voice dripping with surrender. “Caleb, what am I ever going to do with you?” In that moment, the bag in my hand dropped to the floor. So many images flashed through my mind: those hands tightly clasped through a crowded street, the umbrella tilted in the heavy rain, the figure kneeling in a graduation gown, proposing… Every scene was proof of Aria’s singular love for Caleb. I had witnessed those moments myself, so I couldn’t deny the truth. Even after three years of marriage, even after I became her husband, even after I’d had a tiny bit of her favor. I couldn’t deny it. To be precise, whatever kindness Aria showed me was just something I’d stolen from Caleb while he was temporarily out of the picture. I clutched at that tiny bit of sweetness, convincing myself I had everything. But in reality, I’d never truly had her, not for a single second. So, looking at the number 24 on the cake, my heart felt nothing. I just bowed slightly and politely said, “Thanks.” Aria lit the candles and gave a soft smile. “Liam, we’re married. Don’t use such formal words as ‘thanks.’ Make a wish.” I nodded, about to get up, when Aria’s phone rang. Seeing her subtly trembling eyes, I guessed who was calling and sat back down. And just as I expected, a minute later, the call ended, and Aria left. Listening to the car’s engine fade into the distance outside the window, a bitter smile touched my lips. The room was dark, and the flickering candlelight cast my lonely shadow onto the wall. I pressed my hands together and made my twenty-fourth birthday wish. “In this new year, I will no longer love Aria Hayes.” **Chapter 3** Three days later, it was the college reunion. I arrived and found Aria there too. She was surrounded by everyone, but the moment she saw me, she walked straight over and sat beside me. With the two of us sitting together, the atmosphere in the private room became a little strange. I knew it was because of me. After all, in the eyes of these college classmates, I’d only married Aria to climb the social ladder, so they all looked down on me. But I didn’t care about their malicious speculation. I just sat there quietly, poker-faced. The class president, who arrived late, carried a large cardboard box and greeted everyone. “Today’s reunion is for two reasons: first, to catch up, and second, that ‘Letters to Your Five-Years-Ago Self’ activity we did? Well, it’s time to open them up and see what we wrote!” Everyone immediately swarmed forward, chattering excitedly. “Let’s make it interesting! Everyone randomly picks one to read aloud!” “Great idea! Let me go first!” The most outgoing guy in class squeezed into the crowd and was the first to draw a letter. A few people who didn’t know what was going on urged him on. He quickly tore open the envelope, cleared his throat, and unfolded the letter. “ ‘To my future self, five years from now, how are you? I’m writing this letter to you under the sunlight right now. I don’t know what scene or mood you’ll be in when you read this, but I want to convey my current feelings to you.’ ” After the first paragraph, the entire room fell silent, and everyone’s gaze shifted to me. Aria, who had been on her phone, also looked up, her expression one of surprise. My usually impassive face, thinking of the letter’s contents, instantly dropped. The guy glanced at me, then continued reading with a smirk. “ ‘This year, you’re 19, a sophomore, and you’ve fallen for Aria Hayes. But she doesn’t know, and even if she did, it wouldn’t matter, because she already has someone she loves. Your secret affection is destined to be unrequited.’ ” “ ‘You might ask me, if it’s destined to go nowhere, why won’t I give up? I want to tell you that what I love is her fearless youthful charm, amidst the cheers of thousands. It’s her unintentional kindness when she picked up my fallen book in the evening breeze. It’s her polite and sincere demeanor, even when she’s turning down a confession.’ ” “ ‘It was me whose neck ached from secretly turning to look at her during every weekly morning assembly. It was me who braved a thunderstorm to secretly put medicine in her drawer when I heard she was injured dancing. It was me who filled an entire diary page with her name. Maybe she’ll never remember me, not even once, but that’s okay. Because unrequited love is always a private battlefield.’ ” After the letter was read, the entire room was silent. Aria, in particular, stiffened. Suddenly, she remembered that unforgettable wedding, and the figure who had stood up without hesitation amidst a sea of strange glances, walking resolutely to her side. Only now did she finally understand why I had married her. It wasn’t to climb the social ladder, as others had claimed. It was simply because I had secretly loved her for many years. In that instant, her long-dormant heart inexplicably began to race. On impulse, she wanted to ask all the questions that had been suppressed deep within her, but before she could, Caleb’s phone call came through. “Aria, I’m stuck downstairs at the club, blocked by a few creditors…” Before he could finish, Aria’s face changed. She bolted up and rushed downstairs. The moment she saw the menacing group of men, she immediately started swinging. Fueled by anger, she hit them hard and heavy, knocking one out cold with just a few punches. The group who had followed her quickly shielded Caleb behind them. He cried, claiming the tattooed man had touched his hand. Hearing this, Aria grabbed an iron bar from nearby and brought it down on the thug’s hand. A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the air. I rushed downstairs and witnessed that scene. Seeing the right hand, bleeding profusely and almost certainly broken, I froze. Instinctively, I looked up at Aria, but only saw her shielding Caleb as they left. The person who had just been so fierce and decisive now wore a gentle expression, softly cooing to him. This was a level of concern I had never received. I lowered my eyes, hiding my emotions, and gave a self-deprecating laugh. Then I quietly turned and went home. Aria didn’t return until dawn. Seeing me sitting silently on the sofa, she finally remembered to offer a brief explanation. “Liam, today… they’re all classmates. I couldn’t just ignore Caleb’s situation.” I had no desire to call her out. I just softly hummed in response, grabbed my pajamas, and went into the bathroom. Half an hour later, I came out, drying my hair, and saw Aria holding my phone, her expression slightly odd. “Liam, why did you buy a plane ticket?”

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It was the third year of my marriage to Ryder Vance when he was reported dead, killed in action during a mission. His twin brother, Archer Vance, brought back a blood-stained dog tag, his voice hoarse as he told me, “Mia, Ryder… he’s not coming back.” I fainted on the spot. When I woke up, I frantically tried to go find him, but my mother-in-law, Eleanor, held me back with all her might. Later, I swallowed sleeping pills, slashed my wrists, jumped into a river—three attempts to end my life, and three times I was saved. Everyone whispered, “Colonel Vance and Ms. Stone had such deep feelings for each other…” Yes, deep. So deep that it took three months after his “death” for me to discover the truth— He wasn’t the one who died at all. **Chapter 1** The night I was saved from my third suicide attempt, I stumbled into my in-laws’ house, my face pale, hoping to find some of Ryder’s old belongings for solace. Instead, I heard hushed voices from the inner room. “Ryder, how much longer are you going to keep this a secret? Mia has tried to kill herself three times for you!” My fingers dug sharply into my palms. Ryder? Why was my mother-in-law calling my deceased brother-in-law, Archer, “Ryder”? “Mom, just a little longer,” the voice replied. It was clearly Archer’s voice, but the gentle tone was eerily similar to how Ryder used to comfort me. “My brother, Archer, entrusted me with looking after his wife before he died. But she’s delicate, and hearing the news of his death would surely kill her. I could only pretend to be him, give her a child. With a child as an anchor, she can keep living.” My blood ran cold. I could barely believe what I was hearing. So, it was Archer who died, not Ryder. My husband was alive, but he was living as his brother, sleeping next door every night—with Scarlett Hayes! “But what about Mia?” Eleanor’s voice grew more frantic. “You’re sleeping in Scarlett’s room every day. Haven’t you thought about Mia’s feelings?” “I’m stronger than your average woman…” That sentence pierced my heart like a dagger. I stumbled backward, accidentally knocking over a broom leaning against the wall. The room fell silent instantly. But I turned and ran, as if a monster was chasing me. As I ran, I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my hand. Opening my palm, I saw that the dog tag, clutched too tightly, had cut into my skin, and blood was flowing. For three months, I had held this dog tag every night as I slept, waking up countless times in tears. But now, it suddenly felt so ridiculous. My husband wasn’t dead. He just chose to let me believe he was, all to “comfort” his sister-in-law! Five years ago, Ryder and I first met at a military gala. He was a commanding officer in an elite unit, and I was a dancer for the armed forces performance group. Many women pursued him, and I had my share of admirers. But that night, he stood in the audience, his gaze fixed on me as I performed a powerful military dance. Afterward, he strode onto the stage and, in front of everyone, draped his military jacket over my shoulders. “Madam,” he said, “it’s getting chilly. Please stay warm.” I blushed, wrapped in his jacket. After that, he began to court me. Before every mission, he would make a special detour to visit me at the performance group. The day I agreed to officially be his girlfriend, he was ecstatic, drinking until he was utterly intoxicated. He spun me around in the courtyard, swearing solemnly, “Mia, you are the only woman I, Ryder Vance, will ever cherish in this life.” After we married, everyone said Colonel Vance doted on his wife to the extreme. I truly believed he treasured me like a precious gem. But now? He was impersonating his brother, sleeping in his sister-in-law’s bed, and even planning for her to conceive his child, all for “her comfort.” And I, like an idiot, cried for him, tried to die for him, was consumed by grief for him. Did he ever stop to think that I would hurt too? When I stumbled home in a daze, Ms. Jenkins, the matchmaker, paid another visit. “Amelia, Colonel Dawson is being transferred to the island in two weeks. This is the seventh time he’s asked me to come… He said if you still don’t agree, he won’t ever come back.” Liam Dawson, Ryder’s comrade. Since I was confirmed a widow, many men had approached me, expressing interest in dating or marriage. I had refused the first six times. Because I believed I would only ever love Ryder Vance. But now… I looked up and calmly said, “Alright, I’ll marry him.” Ms. Jenkins stared, stunned. “You, are you serious?” “Absolutely,” I smiled. “Please tell Liam Dawson that in two weeks, I’ll marry him and go to the island with him.” The door swung open abruptly. Ryder stood there, his face shadowed with anger. “Sister-in-law, who are you marrying?” I looked at him, and suddenly, it all felt so ridiculous. “Brother-in-law,” I said softly, emphasizing the title, “that’s my business.” He spoke to Ms. Jenkins but grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it hurt. “My sister-in-law has me to care for her. She doesn’t need to marry anyone else. Besides, you loved Ryder so much, you couldn’t possibly marry another. Ms. Jenkins, don’t come back here again, or I’ll be forced to send you away!” Ms. Jenkins looked bewildered. “But Amelia already agreed…” She was cut off mid-sentence as I quickly grabbed her arm. “Ms. Jenkins, weren’t you planning a trip to the local grocery store? You should hurry; it’ll be closing soon.” Ms. Jenkins’s attention was diverted. She nodded quickly, agreeing, and then hurried off. Ryder finally breathed a sigh of relief when Ms. Jenkins left. He took a half-step closer, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Sister-in-law, even though Ryder is gone, don’t worry. I’ll take care of you. From now on, just send people like that away…” At that moment, I found him utterly laughable. He was secretly sleeping in his sister-in-law’s room every day, yet he was afraid I would run away, afraid I would remarry? What kind of logic was that? But I didn’t expose him. I just nodded. Anyway, in half a month, I’d be married to someone else, leaving this place forever. He wouldn’t be able to control me then. That night, as I packed my luggage, I suddenly heard the creak of a wooden bed from next door. Before, hearing that sound, I would have just thought my brother-in-law and his wife had a good relationship. But now, every muffled groan was like a blunt knife twisting in my gut. It was unmistakably Ryder’s deep hum, the sound he used to make only in my ear when we were intimate. “Ah—!” A piercing scream cut through the night. When I rushed out, I saw Ryder carrying a disheveled Scarlett Hayes, running outside. In the moonlight, a stark red stain spread on her white sleep shorts. The residential area immediately erupted in whispers. Mrs. Peterson, my neighbor, peeked her head out, asking, “Oh dear, what’s going on?” “I heard she got a little too excited during intimacy, causing some bleeding…” “I can’t believe it, Archer always seemed so serious, but he’s so attentive to his wife…” I stood among the crowd, feeling utterly cold. Just as I was about to turn and leave, Mrs. Peterson grabbed my arm. “Amelia, as Archer’s sister-in-law, you should go with them and check on her!” To avoid any more gossip, I quickly grabbed a jacket and rushed to the hospital. In the hospital hallway, the sterile scent of disinfectant stung my eyes. Ryder was pacing anxiously. He visibly froze when he saw me. “What are you doing here?” I forced a faint smile. “As Archer’s sister-in-law, I should naturally come see her.” The operating room door suddenly opened, and a doctor emerged. “Mr. Vance, please don’t worry. Your wife is fine. She’s just pregnant and needs to avoid strenuous intimate activity for a while…” **Chapter 2** I stood in the hospital hallway, my ears ringing. The doctor’s words, “She’s pregnant,” hit me like a blunt instrument. I instinctively looked at Ryder, who first froze, then his eyes exploded with wild joy. He murmured, “This is great… Everything is going back on track.” I knew exactly what he meant. Scarlett was pregnant, so he could finally shed Archer’s identity and return to me. But I didn’t need him anymore. “However, the patient is a bit anemic and needs a blood transfusion,” the doctor’s words interrupted my thoughts. Ryder immediately rolled up his sleeve, but the doctor stopped him. “Your blood type doesn’t match. We need B-type blood.” I was B-type. His gaze shifted to me. After a moment of hesitation, he walked over. “Mia, your sister-in-law is pregnant. This child… we’ve been waiting for a long time.” He paused. “Would you mind donating some blood? When the baby is born, I promise I’ll make it up to you.” Make it up to me? I scoffed internally. His idea of “making it up to me” was to come back to me as if it were a favor? “I can donate blood, but there’s no need for compensation.” I said calmly, then turned and followed the nurse to the blood donation room. As the needle pierced my vein, I watched my crimson blood flow into the bag. I suddenly remembered the year we were newly married: I had a high fever, and Ryder carried me for miles through the night to the hospital. That day, a similar needle was used, and he squeezed my hand tightly, saying, “Don’t be scared, wife, I’m right here.” Now, my blood would flow into another woman’s body, nourishing their child. For the next few days, I recuperated at home. Through the window, I watched Ryder, who didn’t even go to the base, shuttle between home and the hospital daily, carrying an insulated food container. One day, it was chicken soup; the next, boiled eggs… Once, when I was sick in bed with a cold, he would stand in the kitchen like this, making all sorts of nutritious meals for me. The day Scarlett was discharged, the entire residential area was filled with the sweet scent of candy. Ryder carried a jar of celebration sweets, distributing them house to house. His usually stern face held an undisguised smile. “Scarlett’s pregnant. Have a sweet.” “Oh, congratulations!” “Finally, a baby is on the way!” He smiled and nodded in agreement, his eyes beaming with the joy of an expectant father. Finally, he came to me, his hand hesitant as he offered the candy. “Sister-in-law…” “Congratulations, Brother-in-law,” I said, taking a candy and smiling just enough. “I wish your family of three happiness and fulfillment.” Ryder’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Such a perfectly polite blessing made him uneasy. Since “Ryder’s sacrifice,” I had either cried or thrown tantrums. When had I ever been so calm? But before he could ponder it, Scarlett walked over and linked her arm through his, chirping, “Ryder, didn’t you say you’d treat Mia to dinner?” To thank me for donating blood, Scarlett insisted on treating me. I refused repeatedly but was eventually pulled into their car. At the restaurant, a waiter greeted us warmly. “Right this way for three!” Her gaze flickered between Ryder and Scarlett, and she smiled. “You two make such a handsome couple!” Then she looked at me. “Is this your sister? She’s quite striking.” Ryder flinched, but before he could speak, I had already responded softly, “Yes, I’m his sister.” Those words stabbed him like a knife. But looking at Scarlett’s slightly swollen belly, he ultimately didn’t correct her. **Chapter 3** When ordering, he rattled off a string of dishes with practiced ease: “No cilantro, light on oil and salt, make it sour and spicy…” All of Scarlett’s preferences. It wasn’t until the waiter asked, “What would your sister like?” that he seemed to remember me, turning his head in my direction. “Anything is fine,” I said, lowering my head to drink my tea, the steam blurring my expression. When the dishes were served, I mechanically picked at my rice, grain by grain. Suddenly, my throat constricted. I looked down and realized the dumplings in my bowl were sesame-filled—I was allergic to sesame! Ryder used to remember all my allergens; he would even specifically remind people not to use sesame during group gatherings. Now, he had ordered an entire plate of sesame dumplings. “Amelia?” Scarlett noticed my pale face. “What’s wrong?” Ryder finally looked up. Seeing my flushed cheeks, he shot to his feet. “Did you eat sesame?!” My breathing grew increasingly difficult, and my vision blurred. In a haze, I saw Ryder rushing towards me, but he was stopped halfway by Scarlett’s cry of pain: “Ah… my stomach hurts so much…” Time seemed to freeze at that moment. I watched Ryder stand rigid, his gaze torn between me and Scarlett. Finally, he picked up Scarlett, and as he left, he hurriedly told the waiter, “Please send my sister to the hospital.” “Madam? Madam!” The waiter’s frantic shouts grew distant. My consciousness faded, and I completely passed out. The sterile scent of disinfectant stung my eyes. I opened them to see a nurse changing my IV drip. “Madam, you’re awake!” The nurse breathed a sigh of relief. “Luckily, the restaurant staff brought you here in time. Anaphylactic shock can be fatal.” I tried to speak, but my throat was burning. Ryder’s silhouette, carrying Scarlett and leaving without hesitation, wouldn’t disappear from my mind. I closed my eyes, but tears streamed down my temples. For three days in the hospital, I lay alone in my bed, the allergic rash making me itch all over, my throat so swollen I couldn’t even swallow water. At my worst, I overheard nurses outside whispering: “The pregnant woman in Room 308 has frequent fetal movements; her husband is frantic, like something’s possessed him.” “Unlike the patient in Room 302, whose allergy is so severe, yet her husband hasn’t even visited her, as if she were dead…” I buried my face in the pillow. Yes, my husband had died long ago. He died in that mission, he died three months ago, he died… the moment he chose to become another woman’s husband. The day I was discharged, the sun was shining brightly. As I reached the hospital entrance, I suddenly saw that familiar military-issue jeep. The next second, Scarlett Hayes walked out of the hospital doors. The car door *thudded* open, and Ryder rushed over, carefully supporting her waist. “Slow down, the doctor said you need more rest…” His voice was dripping with tenderness, exactly how he used to coax me. I stood there, watching the jeep drive away, the exhaust fumes blowing onto my pale face. He didn’t even spare me a glance. … The evening wind carried a chill. I pushed open my front door. From afar, I saw a tall figure standing at my doorstep. Ryder Vance held several shopping bags filled with supplements, and at his feet were several mesh bags containing nutritional drinks, candy, and canned goods. “Amelia,” he quickly walked over. “Are your allergies any better?” How ironic. During the day, he acted as if I were invisible, but when no one was around, he came to pretend affection. “Thank you for your concern, Brother-in-law. I’m much better.” I bypassed him, reaching for the doorknob. Ryder grabbed my wrist. “Take these to help you recover…” “No need—” “Ryder! Something’s happened!” Scarlett suddenly rushed into the yard, tears streaming down her face. “I, I’ve been reported for illegally obtaining special permits!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299012”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn