When I finally reunited with my childhood sweetheart, Alexander “Xander” Sterling, he had a “Lucky Girl” by his side. She was the kingdom’s darling, caring for him deeply, her love rooted deep. Seeing me nestled in Xander’s arms, she cursed me as a seductress, stealing her beloved. “You’re just a passing fancy for Xander. How can you compare to our five years of history?” I chuckled silently. “Sorry, darling. I’m not the new fling. I’m the one he never forgot.” Chapter 1 The day Xander brought me back to the Kingdom of Zephyr, it coincided with the Mid-Autumn Royal Banquet. The King of Zephyr led his court to welcome us at the palace gates. Xander’s black coat fluttered, his long sword dripping blood, radiating an aura that screamed “stay away.” I fearlessly wrapped my arms around his neck, a string of jade prayer beads winding through my fingers, leaving an ambiguous red mark on his porcelain-like neck. He bent down and lifted me up, submissive as a devotee. Everyone saw the person in the arms of the Duke of Sterling. Stunningly beautiful, dressed in light silk, hair soft and black, skin like porcelain. Wrapped in a white fox fur cape, half my face was hidden by the fluffy hood, revealing only my chin and exquisite lips. My entire being exuded a divine aura, untouchable, effortlessly drawing everyone’s gaze. The crowd curtsied to me, but one person didn’t bow, her tone displeased. “Where did this sickly beauty come from? Why does the King and all these powerful officials have to bow to her?” “Lady Tiffany, that is the most precious Princess of the Kingdom of Aethelgard, Seraphina. Her whole country worships her as a living goddess. She lives in a temple, sleeps on an altar, and enjoys the offerings of thousands.” “I heard the Princess can predict fortunes and summon wind and rain. She once resolved a decade-long drought…” “So what? I represent the luck of Zephyr! Everyone knows I’m the King’s lucky charm.” I lifted a corner of my hood, revealing my eyes, and looked at the speaker. She was slender, wearing a yellow silk dress. Oval face, bright eyes shifting, a golden phoenix hairpin slanted in her hair. Tiffany Tang, the eldest daughter of Zephyr’s Prime Minister. Though born of a concubine, she was the Tang family’s most presentable daughter. Rumor had it Tiffany was blessed with incredible luck. Everyone liked her. Being close to her could turn misfortune into fortune; many nobles owed her favors. She’d find silver when she stepped out, accidentally save disguised officials on the road, and businesses under her name only made profits. The most miraculous event was during the King’s autumn hunt. A stag nearly charged him, but the moment Tiffany appeared, its antlers snapped on their own. She was titled a Lady for her sheer luck and had been pampered ever since. Tiffany’s gaze fixed straight on Xander. “Xander, you’re finally back.” Xander gave her a lukewarm look. “Something the matter?” Meeting Xander’s eyes, she blushed, acting shy. “The King issued a decree yesterday for me to marry you.” Xander cast a cold, heavy stare at the King, curving his lips in a mockery mixed with indescribable ruthlessness. He scoffed lightly, his eyes sweeping over Tiffany blocking the way. “Move. The Princess gets cold.” The air froze instantly. Probably no one expected the Duke of Sterling to show zero face. Tiffany looked me up and down suspiciously. “Is she really that cold? I’ve seen plenty of girls feigning weakness.” Saying that, she reached out to lift my cape. Xander dodged her while holding me. She missed and dramatically fell to the ground. “Xander…” Xander’s cold, deep eyes swept over her, his posture holding me unchanged. “The Princess is royalty; she has no sister.” His chilly gaze moved to the Prime Minister. “Randomly climbing social ladders—is this how the Prime Minister teaches his family? Maybe you should kneel here and let the autumn wind clear your head.” With that, Xander held me and walked past Tiffany indifferently. My lips curved slightly. I pressed my forehead against Xander’s neck, lowering my lashes to look down at her. A fleeting eye contact. Tiffany’s face was pale; my eyes were full of smiles. There is a hierarchy between legitimate and illegitimate, let alone the heaven-and-earth difference between royalty and a noble’s daughter. The officials stayed silent, not daring to look back. They followed into the great hall, leaving Tiffany kneeling alone outside, the cold wind howling. Chapter 2 Xander took me straight to the head table. Behind us, gazes converged. After a while, Tiffany entered the hall wrapped in her father’s cloak, head bowed. The Prime Minister pleaded, “Tiffany offended the Princess and deserves punishment. But the autumn wind outside is piercing…” The King, pained, said, “Quick, let Tiffany take her seat.” After Tiffany sat down, I sensed her venomous stare. I didn’t care; let her look. There was a gold filleting knife on the table. I ran my fingertip along the sharp blade. Xander saw it but said nothing, only pulling my hand back and wrapping it in his palm. After a round of dishes, Tiffany said to Xander, “Xander, two years ago at the Mid-Autumn Banquet, we had this dish. I said I wanted to marry you in three years, and you didn’t object. Do you remember?” She threw a provocative look at me. I understood Tiffany’s intent. Using old history to provoke me. I tilted my head, looking at her with a “so what” expression. Xander glanced sideways. “So you like being rejected in public. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have saved you face back then.” Tiffany froze. I wasn’t surprised. Xander was never a “good” person. He didn’t worship gods; he dared to pin a goddess beneath him. Xander raised an eyebrow, mocking smile tugging at his lips. “I don’t like you. Stay away.” Too blunt. It sounded like a threat. The King couldn’t bear seeing Tiffany’s red eyes and tried to smooth things over fake-ly. “Xander, I know you’re straightforward, so I won’t blame you for your harsh words this time.” Relaying on the King’s support, Tiffany said, “Xander, did you go to Aethelgard for this Princess? We’ve known each other for five years. Does that bond really lose to her stealing you away halfway?” Xander was born incredibly handsome. Phoenix eyes slightly upturned, a languid laziness between his brows. enchanting but always unapproachable. All of Zephyr thought only Tiffany matched the Duke. Even the King thought so. Xander shot a sharp look, freezing Tiffany to the bone. She looked away guiltily. While Xander wasn’t looking, I reached for the gold knife again. A light slide. Blood welled from the cut, dripping down like red glaze on my pale fingertips. I secretly took the knife and hid it in my sleeve. Then I drank tea as if nothing happened. Just then, a mocking voice came from outside. “What nonsense is Miss Tang spouting? Don’t bind Xander with your wishful thinking. He hasn’t given you the time of day in five years. It’s not even dark yet; why are you dreaming?” A noblewoman in a deep blue official robe embroidered with gold entered. The Duchess of Sterling, Xander’s mother. I called out to her, “Auntie.” The Duchess looked at me, her gaze instantly softening. The slightly noisy banquet fell silent at her arrival. Tiffany bit her lip, pretending to be pitiful. “Then I am willing to give up the position of main wife and be a co-wife.” The Duchess scoffed. “Our Sterling household has no intention of finding two daughters-in-law.” The Prime Minister slammed the table, furious. “Duchess, that’s bullying.” The Duchess glanced nonchalantly at her bright red nails, then turned to the King on the high seat. “Xander and the Princess are childhood sweethearts. How can a latecomer compare? Though reunited after long, when the beloved arrives, irrelevant people should step aside. Your Majesty, don’t play matchmaker and stuff just anyone into the Sterling house.” Officials whispered, looking shocked. The matriarch of the Sterling house made it clear she didn’t want Tiffany. How would this arranged marriage end? The King hadn’t expected this, but his intent to matchmake was clear. “Duchess, Tiffany is Zephyr’s lucky daughter. I watched her grow up. Marrying into your house is a joyous event. Why refuse? My decree is issued; I won’t take it back.” “The Prime Minister’s eldest daughter, Tiffany Tang, will marry into the Sterling house as a co-wife on an auspicious day.” A crisp crack. The white jade cup was crushed mercilessly by Xander. Though Xander always had a smile, I knew he hated being controlled most. I looked at Tiffany. She thought she won, casting a triumphant look at me. I curved my eyes. Something to play with. Wanting to fight a royal daughter raised in schemes and plots? Tiffany, are you really ready? Chapter 3 Tiffany deliberately picked a moment when Xander left the table to say to me, “Do you really think you, the new fling, can replace me, the old love?” I chuckled softly. “What are you laughing at?” “Sorry. I’m not the new fling. I’m the old love.” I turned my prayer beads, the sound crisp, smiling lazily. “And you? You’re just something that can’t make it to the main stage.” The Duchess was my mother’s best friend. Xander and I were betrothed before birth. Later, my mother died, our countries fought, and I lost contact with Xander. Reuniting now was an opportunity I had plotted for years. A mere illegitimate daughter, where did she get this mysterious confidence to provoke me? My plain words seemed to hit a nerve, twisting Tiffany’s somewhat delicate features into ugliness. It was midnight when we arrived at the Sterling estate. On the way back, the Duchess cursed the foolish King the whole time. Xander carried me through the corridor. Passing a pear tree blooming like clouds, I tugged his collar to stop. I looked up with interest at the snowy tree. “What are you looking at?” Xander asked, looking down. I smiled and lifted my chin. Xander followed my gaze. Under the moonlight, a mottled brown snake was coiled on a branch, hissing, slowly creeping toward a clueless sparrow. Xander sighed with a smile. “You’re not cold anymore.” I coughed symbolically. Xander signaled the guard behind him. A flying knife shot straight out, piercing the snake’s head. The sparrow startled and flew away. I said somewhat sadly, “The snake could have had a full meal.” Xander’s brows were picturesque as he looked down at me. “Careful it doesn’t bite you.” Frowning, I leaned on Xander’s shoulder and instructed the guard, “Cut a cross on the seven-inch mark. It’s easier to peel the skin.” The guard looked at my retreating smiling face and shuddered for no reason. The maids lit the stove, burned silver charcoal, and lowered the layers of gauze curtains around the gold-thread bed. But curled under the quilt, I still felt cold all over. In the latter half of the night, I felt the bed dip. A hand reached under the covers, and the next moment, my cold feet fell into a warm palm. I propped myself up, but before I could speak, Xander’s addictive voice sounded. “Warming you up.” I rarely walked. My feet were well-kept, white and delicate like cold jade. A little carelessness would leave a red mark. Xander kneaded them like treasures, his palm covering my cold knees, protecting them with just the right pressure. “Princess, warm yet?” I reached out, wrapping my arms around his neck, innocent and pure. “Is the Duke seeking favor from this Princess?” Xander leaned in. The dim candlelight coated his face with a shadow, sharp and wickedly handsome. Suddenly, he grabbed my waist, one hand turning my chin. His warm breath sprayed on my neck, voice lowered. “Yes. Princess, reward your subject well.” With that, he pushed me into the bedding. For a moment, it felt like falling into soft clouds with nowhere to leverage. I closed my eyes tight. But Xander chuckled low and acted like a gentleman all night. Except for being a “bed warmer,” he did nothing. When I woke up, Xander wasn’t there. Only Anin was guarding me. She was brought from Aethelgard, serving me for five years. “Princess, the Duke prepared a hot spring for you. He said it relieves your cold sickness and helps your legs. Maybe with more soaking, the Princess can walk.” I nodded, and Anin easily lifted me in her arms. My leg disability was known to few. Being carried was something I was used to. The hot spring water misted up, red gauze floating. I crossed my arms, submerged in the steaming water. Suddenly, a noise outside. Anin got up quickly. “I’ll go check.” Not long after, the door was smashed open. Several servants barged in, and standing behind them was Tiffany. Cold air rushed in. I hugged my arms and moved deeper into the pool. Tiffany, dressed gaudily, paced in slowly. She curtsied respectfully to me, smiling with pursed lips. “I came today to move my things into the Sterling estate early. Heard the Princess was here, so I came to pay respects.” “Get out.” A wicked smile appeared on Tiffany’s lips. She sniffed the medicinal scent in the air, speaking sweetly. “Why doesn’t the Princess stand up? Can’t you?” She pulled a letter from her sleeve and waved it. “This is a letter from the Eldest Princess of Aethelgard. Turns out the Princess is a cripple who can’t walk. And you were meant to be a gift to someone else, but you tricked Xander into bringing you to Zephyr.” I looked up, my gaze turning cold. Winona… she was in league with Tiffany? Tiffany suddenly approached me. “Princess, why so distant? Why hide so far away? We need to look out for each other in the future.” Saying that, she reached out to grab me. Just as her hand was about to touch me, my eyes darkened. I grabbed her arm, my slender fingers finding a fatal pressure point through her clothes, and struck hard. Tiffany suddenly went numb, half her body twitching uncontrollably. The sharp pain from her shoulder made her crash to the ground, hair ornaments scattering everywhere. Pathetic. The sudden change scared her. Tiffany sat paralyzed by the pool, panic-stricken pupils reflecting the delicate girl behind the mist. Eyes hiding ruthlessness, with a faint smile, saying to her: “Get the hell out.” Tiffany scrambled up, grimacing. As she turned, she looked back, eyes widening as if she caught my secret. She pointed at my exposed white arm, gasping. “You don’t have a shougong sand mark!” (Note: A traditional mark of virginity). My face remained calm, but she laughed with increasing schadenfreude, shouting at me. “You lost your chastity long ago, yet you dare cling to Xander!” She shouted outside, “Someone come! Everyone get in here!” No one outside dared move. Tiffany’s voice grew harsh. “Dare you disobey me?” The servants looked at each other, heads bowed, shuffling in with eyes glued to the floor. I moved to the thickest part of the mist, sinking into the water to cover myself, arms crossed tightly. Anin had been gone for a long time. “You haven’t seen Aethelgard’s most noble Princess, have you? Come, open your eyes and look.” Tiffany smiled ambiguously. “Whoever sees the clearest, I’ll ask my father to promote you. Beautiful maids, houses, fields—you name it!” Greed stirred in the men. They looked up, gazes wandering. Behind the mist, snowy shoulders and jade-like skin were faintly visible. Someone wavered but was afraid. “This is… the most precious person raised by the power of a nation. We dare not…” “Nonsense! She’s just a high-class courtesan sent to please an enemy country! The Sterling house has strict morals. If others find out, the whole estate’s reputation will be ruined.” Tiffany seemed to think of something and smiled. How could she miss this chance? She turned to run out, shouting, “Aethelgard’s Princess is loose! Committing adultery with low-class men…” A sharp sound of a sword being drawn cut off Tiffany’s words. “You dare call this Duke low-class?” Then a loud slap. The Duchess was furious. “Bastard! Uncouth thing! What do you think my house is? Who let them in? Drag them out and execute them!” The door was kicked open, cold wind howling. Xander’s figure was tall and slender, radiating terrifying authority. The servants Tiffany brought were blinded on the spot. Three killed, one left covering his eyes, rolling on the ground screaming in blood. Xander walked slowly into the pool, placed the sword in my hand, and hugged my waist from behind. He guided me step by step back to the edge, looking down at the servant. “Princess, the fastest way to kill someone is to slit the throat.” He held me, his chest vibrating gently as he spoke. I nodded slightly. The next instant, Xander guided my hand to ruthlessly slash the man’s throat. I stared blankly at the red pool. The person behind me held my waist tight, protecting me. Wet hair outlined a graceful figure. Water droplets rolled down, dripping onto my shoulder like morning dew. Suddenly, my chest tightened. The smell of blood surged in my throat. I looked down and vomited a mouthful of black blood. Chapter 4 After Tiffany’s scene, I vomited blood on the spot, expelling the Cold Gu poison. I was sick for half a month before waking up. I remember the last time I was this sick was five years ago. My sister Winona fought me for power and personally broke my kneecaps. Later, fearing I’d regain power, she force-fed me cold medicine to ruin my body completely. Back then, Winona pinched my chin and told me a cruel truth: “You were a pawn from the start. A delicate gift raised with the highest standards by Father to pave the way for my brother.” From then on, I realized countless people around me wanted to harm me. If everyone wanted me dead, I had to fight for myself. I knew the value of biding my time. So I found a Cold Gu. After taking it, my body became weak and afraid of cold. The Wei family relatives used this to petition Father to hand over everything I had to Winona. After giving away immense power and wealth, I became fish meat on the chopping block in others’ eyes. Memories flashed by. I slowly opened my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose, propping myself up against the headboard. Anin rushed over, kneeling by my bed, sighing in relief. “Princess, you’re finally awake.” I smiled faintly at her. “Made you worry.” Anin presented a secret letter, carefully watching my expression. “It’s from His Majesty.” I couldn’t be bothered to read it and tore it to pieces. My father favored sons over daughters and was shallow and incompetent. He was an unfavored prince back then. My mother was a general’s daughter. He obeyed her every whim to gain my grandfather’s favor. Using my grandfather’s power, he seized the throne. But once Emperor, he changed. He became close to Consort Wei’s relatives. After Mother died, Consort Wei took over the harem, and her children became the favorites. I became a knife in his hand, just like he used my mother. The people of Aethelgard believed in gods. I was the god he created. Under the guise of consolidating power, he pushed me onto the altar, making me bestow divine right upon him in front of the world. He gave me supreme theocratic power above kingship in name. Whatever he wanted to do, he used my mouth. No one dared oppose him. Gradually, those wolves staring at me thought I was done for. How could a crippled princess trapped in a cold, empty temple turn the tables? They relaxed their vigilance. My chance came. I used faith to bind hearts and cultivated claws in the court. Silently growing power, eroding the unpredictable court like termites. But my methods didn’t beat the seasoned Emperor. He found my rebellious streak. So when Consort Wei’s stupid son provoked the neighbor, attracting enemy iron cavalry to the city walls, he didn’t hesitate to offer me as a gift to the enemy army. That day, when the maid told me to run, it was too late. I drank the drugged tea, legs too weak to stand, consciousness fading on the altar. Winona, with her innocent face, gloated. “Don’t blame me, sister. What if you resisted and hurt him? We couldn’t afford that.” Indeed. Nothing showed sincerity like offering Aethelgard’s most precious goddess. Before leaving, she stuffed a green porcelain bottle in my hand, giggling that if I couldn’t bear it, this poison would help me end it. I smiled mockingly at her retreating figure. She was going to be disappointed. Because I had planned this day for a long time. I was the one who encouraged my brother to deploy troops. Consort Wei’s son was pedantic and arrogant since childhood. A little trick provoked him to challenge the neighbor. But the neighbor had quietly submitted to Zephyr two years ago. So the person coming to “collect the gift” today would be a Zephyr official—my childhood sweetheart, Duke Alexander “Xander” Sterling. Through the haze, I saw a tall figure enter the temple. Footsteps approached, step by step up the high platform hung with prayer lanterns. The next moment, I was lifted. He kissed my temple, whispering, “I’m here.” I looked up, weak. “Insolent.” I felt his breath hitch. He laughed low, hoarse and bewitching. “This is insolent? What to do then? This subject wants to blaspheme the god. What is the crime?” His voice made my heart tremble. He held my waist. The next instant, we rolled onto the altar. With ancestors behind us and gods painted on the ceiling, we threw propriety and status to the wind, wantonly entangled under thousands of lights. Anin called me several times before my thoughts returned. She brought a cup of hot tea and took a porcelain bottle from her waist. “Princess, time for medicine.” “Not taking it.” Anin froze, looking up at me in confusion. I fingered my prayer beads and flashed her a brilliant smile. The whole house praised my loyal servant—it was Anin who found the Duchess and Xander to solve the crisis that day. But no one expected Anin to die the day I woke up. Those who saw Anin said she died of a slit throat, deep and instant. The room was quiet. Hearing I wouldn’t take the medicine, Anin nodded. When she put the tea back and turned around, I held the gold filleting knife to her neck. She turned, seeing me standing straight before her, and finally couldn’t help mocking, “So the Princess isn’t crippled. You’ve been faking it. Of course, how could the legitimate Princess be a weak lamb?” I hooked my lips, looking innocent. “Born in the center of power, raised on schemes, even if I wanted to be a lamb, I couldn’t.” Anin was sent by Consort Wei to monitor me. She reported my every move for five years. Not long after she fell in a pool of blood, two figures in black landed at the door. I sat by the bed, wiping the blood from the gold knife with a handkerchief. Softly: “I’ll rely on you two from now on.” The Long siblings. Famous assassins on the leaderboard. A cold female voice sounded abruptly: “Princess, that Tiffany isn’t behaving.” I laughed. “I know. I’m waiting for her new tricks.”

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While getting an IV drip in the hospital, I suddenly heard the inner thoughts of the handsome guy sitting across from me: [Oh my god, isn’t that the girl on Lucas’s lock screen?] [If I call Lucas right now, he’ll come running, right?] [She’s all alone getting an IV in the middle of the night. Lucas is going to be heartbroken.] The infusion room was crowded. I thought the handsome guy was talking about someone else. But then I realized… the person he was secretly filming with his phone was me? 1 Getting sick and having to go to the hospital alone for an IV drip is lonely. Watching the IV bag, afraid to fall asleep. Just when I was feeling most vulnerable and isolated, I suddenly heard the inner thoughts of the handsome guy sitting across from me: [Oh my god, isn’t that the girl on Lucas’s lock screen?] [She’s all alone getting an IV in the middle of the night. Lucas is going to be heartbroken when he finds out.] [If I call Lucas right now, he’ll come running, right?] The infusion room was crowded. I assumed the guy was talking about someone else. Like any nosy bystander, I looked around to see who the lucky girl was. But then I realized… the person he was secretly filming with his phone was me? I wondered if I was just hallucinating because I was sick and fragile and wanted someone to be there. But then I heard his thoughts again. He had his head down, seemingly texting: [Lucas, look who I just ran into at the hospital.] [Is she the girl on your lock screen or what?] [She’s in the infusion room all by herself. No one is with her.] [How should I know what she has?] [Anyway, she’s alone.] [She looks so sleepy. She keeps almost dozing off.] [Then she jerks awake to check the IV bag.] [Is your heart breaking yet?] [Huh? You ask which hospital?] [Information this important costs money, bro.] [Five hundred bucks. Transfer it now.] [Not a cent less.] What? Five hundred bucks? Is he robbing people? I wanted to rush over and ask if I should get half of that. Ding-dong. It seemed the money arrived. The handsome guy shifted to a more excited posture. I continued to hear his thoughts: [Wow, Lucas, you’re generous.] [I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you right now.] [City Memorial Hospital, second floor, adult infusion room.] [Hurry up. Waiting for you.] [Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on her for you.] I really wanted to go over and tell him: Instead of staring at me, why don’t you help me stare at my IV bottle? I was so sleepy. I wanted to sleep, but I was afraid no one would call the nurse when the bag was empty. If blood flowed back or air got into the tube, it would be trouble. I closed my eyes and racked my brain, but I couldn’t figure it out. Which “Lucas” had a crush on me? Until twenty minutes later. Someone suddenly pushed open the doors to the infusion room. He was wearing a black trench coat and looked incredibly handsome. His long legs were particularly eye-catching. Underneath, he wore a white shirt. His waist was snatched, radiating pure sexual tension. The most surprising thing was that face. It was too familiar! Peak visuals. Wasn’t this my best friend’s younger brother, Lucas Sterling, who had emigrated abroad? Dead memories suddenly began to attack me. 2 Six years ago, in the heat of summer. My apartment complex had a power outage. Not being able to use the AC at night was lethal. I complained on Instagram: [Is this power outage trying to kill me with heat?] My best friend, Sophia, called me from abroad and told me to go stay at her place. Since she was out of the country, her apartment was empty anyway. I drove to her place immediately. I turned on the AC and fell fast asleep on Sophia’s bed. But I woke up in the middle of the night to find someone lying next to me. I was terrified. I turned on the light and saw a face so handsome it should be illegal. Great pecs, defined abs, and even more sculpted V-lines! His skin was fair. Just looking at him could cause a nosebleed. But his face was flushed from drinking, and he wouldn’t wake up no matter how I shook him. Of course, I recognized him immediately. It was Sophia’s handsome little brother. He was only eighteen, a fresh-faced boy, but without clothes, he was built. One look made the blood rush; it was practically inducing a crime. The brat must have been drunk. He fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, completely unaware there was someone in the bed. What should I do? Sophia’s apartment was a one-bedroom. There was no other room. And the living room didn’t have AC. There was no way I was giving up the room. I wanted to kick him off the bed and make him sleep on the floor. But no matter how hard I kicked, he wouldn’t budge. I closed my eyes, angry and unsure what to do. Suddenly, the brat turned over. A pair of warm, domineering, wine-scented lips… Caught me off guard and pressed against mine. I froze instantly, my mind going blank. Who would have thought I would be molested in the middle of the night by a handsome brother five years my junior? I was about to shout and wake him up. But as soon as I opened my mouth, his slippery tongue slipped right in. I was completely stunned, my blood flowing backward. I opened my eyes wide and saw his tightly closed eyes. His eyelashes were longer than mine. With his eyes closed, they looked like crescent moons. His breath sprayed onto my face. Hot, numbing, and itching at my heart. I had never had such a huge emotional fluctuation in my life. I should have been angry and ashamed, but my heart beat faster uncontrollably. The brat swept through my mouth drunkenly. I was so scared I completely forgot how to react normally. My tongue dodged everywhere, not wanting to be caught by him. The brat wasn’t in a hurry. If he couldn’t catch it, he just sucked on my mouth bit by bit. The tip of his tongue touched the roof of my mouth. I felt like I was being electrocuted, wave after wave, unbearable. A thought actually popped into my head: This feels too good. Crazy! My mood rose and fell, my brain a mess. No matter how crazy he acted, I couldn’t let him mess around like this! I had never kissed anyone in my life. Now I was being teased by my best friend’s little brother until I couldn’t stop. I was battling myself, dizzy and flustered. Even though I couldn’t stand the soft touch… In the end, my tongue couldn’t help but touch his. My heart was about to jump out of my throat. I felt completely insane. In the quiet night, I was hot all over, sweating profusely. Later, when I thought back on it, I couldn’t remember clearly. Only the burning sensation remained vivid in my memory. Later still, the brat probably had enough of teasing me and fell asleep soundly beside me. But I— My heart was still making huge waves, unable to calm down. I stayed awake all night. At 5 AM, before the brat sobered up, I fled. 3 If only it was just that one accident. But half a month later, Sophia suddenly called me: “Chloe, did you touch the security cameras when you were at my place last time?” My head buzzed. “You have cameras in your house?” Sophia said, “I’m abroad. Of course I installed cameras in my empty apartment. I decided to check them today on a whim and found that all the recordings were normal, except for the night you stayed over. That night was deleted.” My scalp went numb. Did her brother delete it? Did he wake up the next day, check the surveillance, find out we did indescribable things, and destroy the evidence? My heart jumped into my throat. I had to clarify this. “Do you have cameras in every room?” Sophia affirmed, “Yes, everywhere except the bathroom. But that night, the footage from every room was wiped clean. I’m not blaming you, I just want to be sure. If it wasn’t you, it might be a hacker, and if they copied videos of you sleeping, that would be big trouble.” I jumped up in shock. Before her brother deleted the video, did he make a copy for himself? I wanted to find a hole to crawl into. And I couldn’t ask Sophia to ask her brother. It was truly suffering in silence. I could only brush Sophia off: “Um, ah, haha, you caught me. Not a hacker. I deleted it. Didn’t want you to see my elegant sleeping posture.” Sophia laughed on the other end. “Get out of here. As long as it’s not a hacker. I opened the video to delete it for you anyway, so it’s fine.” I was anxious for a while after hanging up. Afraid her brother would come looking for me. Luckily, nothing happened. Over time, I forgot about that night. Only occasionally, when seeing kissing scenes in dramas, would I recall the indescribable beauty of that night. Blushing, I’d secretly reminisce. Feeling ashamed, I’d quickly stop. Occasionally, chatting with Sophia, I’d inadvertently hear updates about her brother. I always paid attention carefully but dared not ask too much. I didn’t expect to see him again in the infusion room six years later. Lucas walked quickly toward me. No, accurately speaking, he walked quickly toward the handsome guy opposite me. As if discovering me by accident. His expression was surprised and shocked: “Chloe? Why are you getting an IV here alone? “Where do you feel uncomfortable? Do you want a hand warmer?” As he spoke, he took a hand warmer out of his bag and placed it under my wrist. After an hour of infusion, my wrist was frozen stiff. The sudden hot water bag was my savior. He leaned lazily on the empty seat next to me, his profile deep and handsome. Sophia said he started taking over the family business after graduating last year. Only back for a year, and the projects he took over had already doubled the company’s profits. Sophia’s dad praised his son to everyone. Truly, a newborn calf isn’t afraid of tigers. The aura of a young heir was strong, making one’s heart tingle. Especially knowing this brat had a crush on me, it added a filter. I stared straight at him, unexpectedly making his ears turn red. The black trench coat made him look noble and composed. But it couldn’t hide the chaos in his eyes: “Chloe… is there something on my face?” I held back a laugh and shook my head: “No, just thought it was too coincidental.” 4 The handsome guy opposite also greeted me with feigned surprise: “Hahaha, isn’t it a coincidence? “So this sister knows Lucas. I’m Asher, Lucas’s buddy. “Sister, I saw you were super sleepy just now. If you’re really tired, just sleep. Lucas can watch the IV bottle for you. “I called Lucas to keep me company. Didn’t expect him to meet an acquaintance here. Anyway, keeping company for one is the same as for two. “Right, Lucas?” “Mm. It’s no trouble. Chloe, go ahead and sleep.” I sneezed, and Lucas immediately took off his coat and covered me with it: “Chloe, is this warmer?” The coat, still retaining his body heat, instantly reminded me of that indescribable night six years ago. It was killing me; my heart lost its rhythm. I could only close my eyes, desperately telling myself to be calm. But I couldn’t calm down. I felt like I was on a rollercoaster, floating in the air. I couldn’t believe this brat had a crush on me. His friend’s inner thoughts came again: [Lucas, what are you being shy for? Can’t you see Chloe needs a pillow? Offer your shoulder!] [Who cares if she has a boyfriend? Why can’t the latecomer win? Just fight for it!] [So what if you’re five years younger? If you don’t pursue her, how do you know she doesn’t like younger guys? Arrogant, restrained, possessive, clingy younger brother—what sister doesn’t love that?] [Younger guys need to be sweet with their words.] [Like when her IV is done, you offer to take her home, then pin her in the elevator and say:] [Sister, you are my ideal type.] [Sister, can’t it be me?] [Sister, I only want to date you. I’m going crazy thinking about it.] [Sister, I’ll listen to you from now on.] [Sister, can I be your property?] [Sister, can I bully you from below?] [Sister, touch my abs.] Help. Who understands? I was dead tired but couldn’t sleep. My brain was filled with Lucas pinning me in the elevator, saying those lines in a magnetic, seductive voice. Nothing happened, but I was already having an intracranial orgasm. I swallowed hard. I was actually looking forward to it a little. I couldn’t imagine how good my ears would feel if Lucas really pinned me in the elevator, pressed against my ear, and said those flirting words in his deep voice. Single since birth, I couldn’t handle even a little stimulation. I peeked through my eyelids. Unexpectedly, I found Lucas staring at my face thoughtfully. Struggling with something in his eyes. Catching me opening my eyes, his gaze dodged faster than mine. But the next second, he actively closed the distance and offered his shoulder: “Chloe, I’ll lend you my shoulder to sleep on.” Before I could refuse, his long arm reached over, pressing my drowsy head onto his shoulder. His movement was fast and decisive, and very righteous: “When my sister got IVs before, she always leaned on my shoulder. “With me, you get the same treatment as my sister. “Otherwise, if she knows I met you at the hospital but didn’t take good care of you, she won’t let me off.” I tried to pretend to be calm and reserved: “I’m really too sleepy, so I won’t be polite. Thank you, Lucas.” Lucas pretended to be even calmer than me: “It’s nothing, I should do it. “I didn’t come specifically to be your pillow, just happened to meet you.” I smiled without speaking. If I hadn’t heard his friend’s thoughts. I almost believed this accidental encounter.

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I was arrested for running a late-night street stall without a permit. The police officer at the station pulled up my file and gave me a confused look. “You graduated from Harvard. Why are you selling trinkets on the street at 2 AM?” That’s when I saw it. The Social Security number on the file was mine, but the photo was of her. Bianca White. Twenty years ago, I got into Harvard! I stumbled home in a daze, only to hear my husband, Gabe Jenkins, talking on the phone. “Bianca, don’t worry. I won’t let Claire disturb your life. You can go abroad with peace of mind.” It was him! Gabe helped Bianca steal my life! Nausea roiled in my stomach. I turned to expose him and Bianca, but before I could scream, Gabe strangled me with his belt. “I’m sorry, Claire. You can’t ruin Bianca’s future…” When I opened my eyes again, I was back in high school. The homeroom teacher was handing out college application forms. This time, I’m taking back my life! Chapter 1 “Claire, have you decided which college you’re going to?” My desk mate’s voice snapped me back to reality. A second ago, I was suffocating, dying. I looked at the young, unfamiliar face of the girl next to me and realized I had been reborn. “Claire, are you okay?” Joy surged through me. I shook my head vigorously. The homeroom teacher spoke up. “Fill out these forms first. Let me get an idea of your choices.” I stared at the teacher, Mr. Jenkins. He just happened to be Gabe Jenkins’s father. Scores were already out. We didn’t need to fill out paper forms; we could just do it online at home. Mr. Jenkins was just finding an excuse to gather everyone. He was scouting for a victim to sacrifice for Bianca. I clenched my fists, remembering my past life. This was exactly when Gabe started pursuing me. I stared at the form and filled it out randomly. Maybe it was my imagination, but I felt Mr. Jenkins glance at me. Sure enough, after collecting the forms, he said, “Claire Lewis, come to my office.” Then he left with the papers. My desk mate grabbed my arm. “You did so well this time. You’ll definitely get into Harvard.” I had the highest score in the class, a perfect 1600 SAT (equivalent). Yet, I ended up rejected everywhere. I went to Mr. Jenkins many times. He said I aimed too high and messed up my application. But he was the one who suggested Pre-Law. I glanced at Gabe, who was sleeping in the corner, and nodded to my desk mate. Yes. In this life, I won’t make the same mistake. I pushed open the office door. Mr. Jenkins looked at me. “Claire, you did great. Why did you pick these community colleges?” I had filled in random vocational schools. “High employment rate,” I said, enunciating every word. Mr. Jenkins fell silent, then spoke earnestly. “Don’t fill it out randomly. Law is a better path for a girl.” As he spoke, he opened his computer and pulled up the application portal. I stared at the screen, sarcasm in my eyes. Seeing I wasn’t cooperating, was he planning to force me? To eventually swap me with Bianca? “No thanks, Mr. Jenkins. I just really want to drive a tractor.” With that, I turned to leave and bumped right into Gabe walking in. “Claire, if you have any questions about colleges, you can ask me. I’ve always wanted to study Law.” Hearing this, my alarm bells rang. So that’s how it was. Both father and son were hinting at Law. But this time, I wouldn’t let them have their way. I nodded. “Thanks, but no need. I have a major in mind.” Gabe looked down and smiled. “Okay.” I ran out of the office, saw Gabe close the door instinctively, and doubled back to eavesdrop. “Dad, if Claire doesn’t cooperate, can’t we choose someone else?” My heart skipped a beat. Gabe wanted to harm another student! Mr. Jenkins’s voice was cold. “Claire has the best grades. She’s the safest bet. Our family owes Bianca. You understand that.” I turned and left, sneering internally. They owed Bianca, so they had to pay with my life? In my past life, after I got together with Gabe, I worked day and night preparing to retake the exams. Gabe said he’d help me register, but “failed.” He claimed they weren’t allowing retakes anymore, that regulations were strict. I believed him. Later, I wanted to take adult education exams. He said it was useless, but I insisted. But on the day of the exam, my alarm didn’t go off. I was late. I asked Gabe if he turned it off. He looked innocent and said he was worried about me not getting enough rest. I trembled with rage. Gabe hugged me and said, “Claire, let’s get married. Whether you pass or not, I’ll always love you.” I cried in his arms for a long time. Even in my dreams, I was solving math problems. How could I accept this? Later, Gabe said his business owed a huge debt. Love-struck me worked three or four jobs a day to pay it off. Thinking back, Gabe only got with me to control me. He was afraid I’d affect Bianca’s future. That’s why he blocked my path at every turn. Back in the classroom, I packed my bag and left. When I got home, my desk mate texted me saying Gabe was looking for me everywhere. I replied casually. He hadn’t given up yet. My parents worked out of state all year. After hearing my scores, they sent me money and ordered a cake, saying they’d be back next month. I understood. They worked construction. A day off meant a day without pay. I wasn’t worried about the application. I had two days left. But while I wasn’t anxious, someone else was. That evening, I went for a walk and bumped into Gabe. Gabe smiled at me. “Claire! What a coincidence.” “I remember you live on the west side.” Gabe looked natural. “Here for some business. Where are you going? I’ll walk with you.” I said coldly, “No need. Stay away from me.” Gabe froze, looking hurt. “Do you… hate me?” I stared him down. “Yes, I hate you. Stay away from me.” Gabe’s breath hitched. Maybe he couldn’t understand why the popular Prom King was so detested by me. If it weren’t illegal, I would have stabbed him right there. I wanted him dead. “Claire, if you hate me, give me a reason.” Gabe’s voice was low, his eyes fixed on me. He did have a good face. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have fallen for him in my past life. Suddenly, a voice came from nearby. “Gabe? What are you doing here?” Bianca jogged over and hugged Gabe’s arm. I saw him stiffen. This was the first time I saw Bianca up close—the person who stole my future. “Who are you?” Bianca looked at me warily. I smiled. “Claire Lewis. Gabe’s classmate.” Bianca’s face changed slightly. “Didn’t you say you were buying me snacks?” So it really was a coincidence. Gabe reacted smoothly. “Forgot. You go home first; I have something to do here.” Bianca raised her voice. “Gabe, what do you mean?” Gabe pushed Bianca away. I don’t know what he whispered to her, but he came back. “Claire, she’s the daughter of my mom’s friend.” I asked back, “Why tell me?” Gabe sounded serious. “I like you. I don’t want you to misunderstand.” Hearing this, I felt sick to my stomach. Here we go again. “I don’t like you. Seeing you makes me nauseous,” I said coldly. Gabe’s face turned visibly pale. He clenched his fists. “What did I do wrong?” I stared at him. “You’re too ugly.” And despicable. Gabe’s mouth opened slightly. I didn’t want to engage further and kept walking. “Claire! I won’t give up!” Gabe shouted behind me. I sneered internally. Two days left. What can you do? I’ll submit my application at the very last second. They won’t have a chance to swap anything. Chapter 2 The next day after school, I found a pile of roses at my door. Gabe stood in the hallway, tall and elegant. He stared at me intently. “Claire, yesterday was too hasty. I want to be serious now.” I said coldly, “No matter how serious you are, I won’t like you.” “Then who do you like? Is there anyone better looking than me?” Gabe sounded urgent. I took out my key to open the door, but Gabe blocked me. “Claire, I really like you. I want to go to Law School with you.” I looked at him strangely. When did I ever say I wanted to study Law? I laughed. “Sorry, your scores aren’t high enough. Give it a rest, garbage.” Gabe’s tone leveled out. “Claire, can you stop being so mean?” I stared at him silently. “Since you’ve decided on Law, you should fill out the application soon.” A sudden urge to tease him rose in me. “No. I want to drive a tractor.” I saw a vein throb in Gabe’s temple. I opened the door, stepped in, and slammed it shut, almost hitting his nose. The next day, I received tons of texts. The Prom King confessed to me, and the whole school knew. Gabe spread the news, obviously. Mr. Jenkins called me many times. I didn’t answer. Seconds later, he called again. He cut to the chase. “Claire, you’re a good kid. I have no objection to you dating Gabe.” He had no objection in my past life either. Back then, I was happy he didn’t mind that I “failed” getting into college. “My son has always wanted to study Law and become a great lawyer. I hope you can work hard together.” I smiled, a glint in my eyes. “Sure.” Mr. Jenkins paused, then his voice filled with smiles. “It’s great that you agree.” I hung up, almost laughing maniacally. Just now, I changed my mind. Playing them would be fun. I want to make sure Bianca never goes to college. Without me, I worry there will be another victim. Knowing I agreed to date him, Gabe came to find me immediately. He asked, “Did you submit the application?” “Not yet. Tomorrow.” Gabe breathed a sigh of relief. “Want to hang out? My friends are having a dinner party.” I nodded. “Okay.” Gabe looked at me, still uneasy, not understanding my sudden change. But so what? He was the one running out of time. Bianca was there too. She rolled her eyes hard when she saw me. I said bluntly, “Bianca, is your eye twitching?” “What?” Bianca was stunned. Me: “Why roll your eyes at me? Do it again, and I’ll poke them out.” Bianca stood up abruptly but was pushed down by Gabe. “Bianca, behave.” Bianca’s eyes turned red with anger. “Gabe, how can you talk to me like that?” I raised my hand and slapped her. The room froze. Bianca covered her face. Gabe’s expression changed. “Claire! You dare hit me!” Bianca lunged at me like a madwoman but was blocked by Gabe. “Bianca! Calm down! Endure it!” Gabe’s words calmed her down. She glared at me viciously. “Claire! Just wait! You’ll cry soon enough.” I smiled and sat down to eat, ignoring everyone else’s stares. I told Gabe to peel shrimp for me. He obeyed obediently. Bianca couldn’t stand it and excused herself to the restroom. Gabe followed shortly after. “Valedictorian, how did you make the Prom King so devoted to you?” a classmate asked. I looked up. “Score high enough, and he’ll suck up to you too.” The person laughed awkwardly, not believing me. Sometimes I wonder, if Bianca and I were both boys, would Gabe sacrifice himself for college? I put down my chopsticks and walked to the restroom. Bianca was leaning in Gabe’s arms, crying. “Gabe, why are you always taking her side?” Gabe held her. “Bianca, endure it. It’ll be over tomorrow.” “I’m doing this for your college dream. I’ll get you into Law School.” Bianca finally smiled, but her expression froze seconds later. Our eyes met. Bianca scrambled out of Gabe’s arms. She said dryly, “Claire, you misunderstand. He was just comforting me.” Gabe saw me and went blank for a few seconds. “Claire…” “Listen to your explanation?” I looked mocking and sneered. “Let’s break up.” Agreeing to date him was just to play him. Gabe begged immediately. “I love you! I don’t want to break up!” He wasn’t sure how much I heard, so he didn’t dare say more. I feigned hurt and pointed at Bianca. “Then why were you hugging her?” Sure enough, Gabe breathed a sigh of relief. He walked slowly toward me. “She was upset just now. I was comforting her.” Bianca chimed in. “Yes, he was just comforting me.” Even if she hated me, she had to win me back right now. I covered my face to stop myself from laughing. “No. I want to break up. I don’t want dirty things.” Gabe’s expression twisted. I left the restaurant and walked straight into the police station. I looked troubled. “Officer, I don’t have a computer at home. Can you help me submit my college application?” The female officer was very helpful and let me use their computer immediately. She asked, “What was your score?” “1600.” The officer was shocked and smiled. “That high? You must be going to Harvard.” I nodded. “I want to study Finance at Harvard.” After submitting, I received several small gifts. The officer said, “Let us know when you get your acceptance letter. We’ll celebrate.” Tears welled up in my eyes. “I will.” What I longed for in my past life, I must get in this one. When I got home, I saw Gabe squatting at my door. Seeing me, he ran over. “Claire, listen to me. There’s nothing between me and Bianca. She’s just my mom’s friend’s daughter.” I took a step back. “Stop harassing me. I’ll just consider myself unlucky to meet a scumbag, okay?” “No…” Gabe put on a soulful face. Suddenly his phone rang. He saw it was his dad and wanted to hang up. I smiled. “Answer it.” Gabe stared at me and obediently answered. He instinctively turned his back to me. The volume was low; I couldn’t hear. But I knew what Mr. Jenkins would say. I spoke up from behind him. “I already submitted my application.” Gabe held the phone. The other end went silent. I smiled. “Are you guys still coveting my score?” Gabe’s expression changed. “What are you talking about?” “Want Bianca to go to my college?” My voice was light. “No way.” Gabe hung up. “You’re overthinking it.” Seeing him play dumb, I slapped him hard. “Gabe, you’re shameless. Trying to use my future to please Bianca? Disgusting.” Gabe’s cheek reddened. He stared at me. “Claire, you misunderstand.” “I applied to Harvard, not Law School. Your sweetheart can’t be a lawyer now.” Gabe finally panicked. He grabbed my shoulders. “Claire, I beg you. Give this college spot to Bianca.” “I’ll give you whatever you want.” I shook him off violently. “Give me ten billion dollars.” “What?” “Give me ten billion, and I’ll give her the spot.” Gabe froze. I laughed. “Can’t afford it? Then don’t ask. Shameless.” Gabe seemed indifferent to the insults now. He said bluntly, “Claire, Bianca’s parents died saving me. I owe her this.” I kicked him hard, raising my voice. “Your family owes her! What does that have to do with me? Why should I pay your debt?” Gabe tried to grab me. I screamed, agitated. “Get out! Don’t touch me! You people are nauseating!” Gabe looked hurt. “I’m sorry, Claire. I beg you to change your application…” How could he say such disgusting things? “Get lost. If you want to repay her, trade your own future.” I took out my key and opened the door. Gabe hugged me, begging incessantly. “If you give it to her, I won’t go to college either. I’ll stay with you forever.” I backhanded him across the face. “Get off! Filth!” Not satisfied, I kicked him repeatedly. Gabe dodged and begged, his thick skin appalling. Finally, I kicked him in the stomach, sending him rolling down the stairs. I stood at the top, watching coldly as Gabe struggled to stand up in pain. I turned and went inside. I wasn’t afraid Mr. Jenkins would secretly change my application; I had changed the password long ago. Maybe Gabe gave up. He didn’t come to harass me again. Chapter 3 I waited half a month but didn’t receive an acceptance letter. I realized my college spot was stolen after all. So, Bianca gave up on Law School and decided to go to Harvard. Anger surged in my heart. I forced myself to calm down. I dialed 911, crying, “My college admission was stolen.” The same female officer responded. She asked, “Are you sure?” I nodded. “I didn’t get a letter, but Bianca did.” “I scored 1600. She only got 900 something.” It was obvious. Something was wrong. The officer and her partner went to Mr. Jenkins’s house. I followed. Mr. Jenkins looked panicked seeing us. I cried, “It’s him! He replaced me!” Mr. Jenkins feigned calm. “Claire, what are you talking about?” “I didn’t receive my acceptance letter.” I stared at him, enunciating clearly. Mr. Jenkins argued, “Is it possible you aimed too high? You can’t blame me for replacing you if you just didn’t get in.” The officer spoke up. “Claire submitted her application right in front of me. Her score is enough for Harvard.” Mr. Jenkins’s face changed. He looked sharply at me. I gave him a sly smile. I knew what you were doing all along. At this moment, Bianca and Gabe walked out. Seeing me, Gabe panicked. I raised my voice. “Bianca! Where is your acceptance letter?” Seeing the police, Bianca realized something was wrong. “Acceptance letter? I haven’t received it yet.” I stared at her. “Impossible.” The officer patted my back gently to comfort me. “It’s okay, Claire. We’ll solve this.” Mr. Jenkins straightened his back. “Claire, if you suspect me, you need evidence.” I wiped my tears. “The letter is evidence.” It has my social security number on it. Back then, online verification wasn’t as robust. If it were, identity theft wouldn’t be possible. Bianca turned pale, looking at Gabe instinctively. Gabe hung his head silently. The officer walked in. “Bianca, please bring out your acceptance letter.” Bianca looked panicked. “You have no right to see my letter.” The officer smiled and showed her badge. Bianca finally broke down crying. “Dad, what do I do…” Mr. Jenkins closed his eyes. Hearing “Dad,” Gabe asked blankly, “What did you call him?” Bianca shut up, shaking her head frantically, just crying. I looked at Bianca, then at Mr. Jenkins. They did look alike. I realized they were likely biological father and daughter. “Mr. Jenkins, is Bianca your daughter?” As soon as I said it, Gabe’s voice cracked. “Dad, Bianca is your daughter?” He stared at Mr. Jenkins fiercely. “Dad! How could you do this to me? To Mom?” “You cheated on Mom with that woman!” Mr. Jenkins took a deep breath, his face gray, offering no explanation. Bianca cried, trying to grab Gabe’s hand, but he flung her away violently. Bianca fell to the ground, sobbing. “Get away! You make me sick!” I never expected Gabe to say Bianca made him sick. In my past life, Gabe lit up whenever he mentioned Bianca. If I got jealous, he’d say he used to like her, but it was in the past. Sometimes he celebrated her birthday. I fought with him about it. He said Bianca was like a daughter to his dad, that he went for social reasons. When I asked to go with him, he always found excuses to keep me away from her. I suddenly remembered Bianca used my identity, and nominally my name too. Now that Bianca was really Mr. Jenkins’s daughter, why wasn’t Gabe happy? Gabe kept screaming, “Get out! You disgust me!” Bianca crawled up, crying, trying to touch him. “Gabe, I…” Gabe laughed, eyes bloodshot. “No wonder! No wonder you rejected me when I confessed! You’re my dad’s bastard daughter!” I leaned against the door, enjoying the chaotic scene. The police took Bianca, Mr. Jenkins, and Gabe away. Investigation revealed Mr. Jenkins was a repeat offender. Suddenly, my case became the small one. After giving my statement, I walked out of the police station. Gabe followed me. He looked terrible. He called out to me. “Claire.” I turned to look at him. “I’m sorry. Are you satisfied now?” Gabe looked ready to cry. I looked at the living Gabe and shook my head. “No. I’ll only be satisfied if you die.” Gabe looked hurt. I was confused. Why keep pretending at this point? “Claire, I liked you. Since a year ago, I’ve been watching you.” Hearing this, I felt disgusted. I exposed him mercilessly. “You just picked me as the sacrifice.” Gabe shook his head violently, crying. “No! I really liked you! You like the food from the last window in the cafeteria. You memorize vocab while looking out the window. I know so many of your habits.” I realized past-life Gabe really did know me well. If he liked me, why kill me? I didn’t think he liked me. “Do you want me to forgive your dad and Bianca?” My tone was subtle. Gabe paused. “No, I don’t mean that.” “Why do you always think the worst of me?” I laughed. “I know people like you too well. Despicable, shameless, low.” “Others like you because they’re deceived by your mask. You look human, but inside you’re dirtier than a public toilet.” Maybe my words were too harsh; Gabe’s expression shifted constantly. Finally, he asked, “Can we still be together?” I looked at him like he was mentally challenged. Psycho. My parents rushed back when they heard the news. Just like in my past life, they listened to me firmly. Even without money, they scraped together tuition. Dad sat aside smoking, sighing. Mom kept crying, terrified. I comforted her softly. “Mom, I got into college.” Mom broke down, hugging me. “It’s been hard on you. Your dad and I don’t know anything; you had to solve this yourself. I don’t know how to be a parent.” I patted Mom’s hand. Dad finished his cigarette, eyes red. I knew they blamed themselves, but this was all because of Gabe and his family. In my past life, I didn’t know how broken they were when they heard I died. To stop me from hindering Bianca’s future, he went that far. In this life, would he still love Bianca that much? After calming my parents, I went back to the station. Several reporters were waiting outside. This kind of news naturally attracted media. They stopped me. “Are you Claire Lewis?” I said calmly, “I am.” “How do you feel about your college spot being stolen?” I twitched my lips. “Anger. Because my teacher conspired with his son to deceive me, trying to use my future to compensate someone else.” “Is that someone your teacher’s illegitimate daughter?” I nodded and was pulled away by the officer. I wanted Bianca’s whole family to be shunned by society. The college entrance exam is sensitive. This scandal would be remembered for years. I learned the truth about Bianca’s parents saving Gabe from the officer. The Jenkins house caught fire because Mr. Jenkins was with Bianca’s mom and forgot the stove. Bianca’s dad discovered the fire and ran in to help. Mr. Jenkins had to flee out the window to avoid being seen. Young Gabe was napping inside. Bianca’s dad saved Gabe, then went back for his wife, but it was too late. Both of Bianca’s parents burned to death. Hearing this, I sighed. When I got my actual acceptance letter, a tear rolled down my cheek. In this life, I finally made it to college. Chapter 4 After the media reports, the Jenkins family became notorious. People cursed them daily. With the internet, the spit of the public almost drowned them. But the sentences for Mr. Jenkins and Bianca hadn’t come down yet. I relaxed, thinking the dust had settled. I didn’t expect Gabe to find me again. He blocked me on my way to buy groceries. He looked haggard, head down, blocking me silently. I gripped the butterfly knife in my pocket, alert. “What do you want?” Gabe looked up, eyes complex, voice hoarse. “Claire…” I didn’t speak. Did he want me to forgive them? “You were reborn, right?” My expression changed drastically. I turned to run. “I… I won’t hurt you!” Gabe said urgently. I stopped, staring at him. “Gabe, you’re disgusting.” He accepted my abuse. “I’m sorry. I regret it. I really loved you…” I stared at him with hatred and slapped him hard. My palm stung. Gabe knelt before me, covering his face and crying. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened that day. I really regret it…” I stood there, looking down at him, my heart a barren wasteland. “After you died, I turned myself in. I loved you…” “For so many years, I was held hostage by that debt of gratitude. I couldn’t breathe. Turns out I was the biggest joke.” “I used to like Bianca, but I moved on long ago. Every minute with you, I was happy.” He couldn’t accept that Bianca was his half-sister. He couldn’t imagine his gentle father had betrayed his mother long ago. How much his mother must be suffering in the afterlife. My tone was flat. “Why should someone else pay for your debt of gratitude?” “What about my ten years of deception?” I couldn’t find a decent job. Even if I got into a bigger company, I’d get fired for inexplicable reasons. It turned out it was all Gabe’s doing. Gabe burst into tears. He said he didn’t expect forgiveness anymore. He asked what he could do to make me feel better. I smiled. “Get lost. I never want to see you again.” Gabe’s face turned white, shattering. I returned home. The class group chat was buzzing daily. Everyone was shocked by Mr. Jenkins’s actions. They were terrified their spots might have been stolen too. Someone asked how I was doing. I replied simply: Everything is good. My parents made a big meal and stayed a few extra days before leaving for work. After that, gifts appeared at my door daily. All from Gabe. Annoyed, I threw them all away. Did Gabe not understand human language? Just stay away. In this life, I want to shine. I don’t want to deal with trash people. Maybe because I threw them away every time, Gabe stopped sending them. The verdict came down. Bianca got five months detention. Mr. Jenkins got three years. Hearing this, I smiled. Bianca, who wanted to study Law, finally paid for her actions.

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To save Liam Walker, who fell from a high place while working on a power line, I disregarded my own safety and used my body as a cushion to break his fall. He ended up with just a few scratches, but the impact left me with serious internal injuries and a shattered right arm. Later, pressured by the town’s gossip about how he owed me his life, he was forced to marry me. But Liam never loved me. Once, when he was drunk, I heard his true thoughts. “If I knew I’d be shackled to Grace Harper for the rest of my life, I would have been better off falling to my death!” I felt like I had been plunged into an ice bath. Only then did I realize that for all those years, Liam never forgot his “one true love.” He even told our children about their epic romance behind my back. Even my own kids thought I was the villain who ruined their father’s true love, using a debt of gratitude to trap him. They dumped me in an empty nursing home to die of depression. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Liam climbed the utility pole to start work. This time, I didn’t save him. instead, I stood far, far away. In this life, I’ll let him get exactly what he wished for. Chapter 1 “Liam, this job is dangerous. Make sure your safety gear is secure!” “Yeah, Liam, that pole is over thirty feet high. Falling off would be no joke.” “Better slow than sorry!” Liam Walker was fully geared up, safety belt on his waist, climbing spikes on his boots, slowly making his way up. I was jolted awake by the shouting around me. It was like a fog clearing from my brain. Villagers stood all around. Unknowingly, I had walked to the base of the utility pole, staring at Liam who was already halfway up. My palms were sweating with nervousness. Seeing this incredibly familiar scene and hearing the familiar chatter… I quickly realized: I was reborn! I was back forty years in the past, back to the day I risked my life to be Liam’s human cushion! In my past life, to save Liam when he suddenly fell, I willingly used my body to catch him. With me as a cushion, Liam only suffered minor scrapes. But I had internal bleeding and a fractured right arm. Thanks to a timely rush to the hospital, I survived. Because of this life-saving act, a huge stir went through our small town. The neighbors knew Liam and I were childhood sweethearts. We grew up together, close as can be—a match made in heaven. Everyone gossiped, joking that “saving a life can only be repaid with marriage.” Under the pressure of public opinion, Liam chose to marry me. Only after marriage did I learn that he never loved me. On our wedding day, he hid in the power plant and called Sophia Vance on the landline, crying his heart out. “I’m sorry, Sophia. I can’t marry you in this life. If there is a next life, I will never let you down again.” I buried this secret deep in my heart and told no one. Although I knew he was forced to marry me, I believed that love could grow over time. I didn’t believe that decades of living together wouldn’t touch his heart. For forty years, I took care of Liam’s life with all my might. To let him work without worry, I took on all household matters, big and small. But it wasn’t until that drunken confession that I woke up from my dream. You can’t warm a stone. He had mentioned his love story with Sophia countless times to our children behind my back, never mentioning my sacrifices. This led the children to grow up blaming me for using a debt of gratitude to ruin their father’s true love. Thinking about it now, it’s ridiculous and pathetic. My thoughts were interrupted by a shout. “Hey everyone, look! Why is Liam coming down?” Chapter 2 Just then, Liam, who should have been climbing higher, suddenly turned back. In moments, he climbed down the pole. Seeing me standing below, he frowned slightly, looked at me with disgust, and instinctively distanced himself. “Supervisor, this gear is old. It was about to snap. Luckily I noticed in time, so I came down!” Before I could think, the crowd erupted in noise. Liam pulled with both hands, and the safety rope snapped. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, shaken. “Good thing I found it in time, or I would have really fallen!” He glanced at me, seemingly unintentional but full of sarcasm. “And then someone would have gotten a bargain again!” My heart skipped a beat. I knew exactly who “someone” was. It was laughable. In my past life, I nearly died saving him. And in Liam’s eyes, I “got a bargain”! It seemed I wasn’t the only one reborn. I sneered. “Then you better pray nothing else goes wrong!” I turned to go home, wanting to leave this troublesome place. Unexpectedly, Liam called out to me, ordering me to stay and watch him. Clearly, he was spooked by my comment. He stared at me with an ugly expression. “Grace Harper, where are you going? The work isn’t done. You stay under the pole. If something happens, it’s convenient for you to save me.” I turned around abruptly, staring at Liam’s self-righteous command, and laughed coldly. Having lived with him for forty years, I knew his psychology. In our past life, after that accident, Liam developed a phobia of heights. He was quickly transferred to a desk job at the plant and never climbed a pole again. Now, he was afraid something else would go wrong. If he fell again, having me there meant having a cushion! “There are so many people here, what is a grown man like you afraid of?” “If something really happens, there are plenty of people to save you. Do you really expect a small girl like me to catch you?” The crowd laughed, urging him to hurry up and restore the power. “Liam, we’re watching. You’ll be fine. Hurry up and fix the line, everyone’s waiting to start work!” Liam’s face turned extremely ugly. In the forty years of our past life, I never refused a single request of his. Now, reborn, the first time he opened his mouth, I mocked him mercilessly. As the town’s famous electrician, Liam had been respected his whole life. He had never been ridiculed like this. Frowning, he gritted his teeth and stared at me. “Fine, Grace. If you leave, don’t ever think of begging me to talk to you again in this life.” I acted like I didn’t hear him and walked away without looking back. He probably couldn’t imagine that right now, I wished for nothing more than to stay far away from him. Seeing me disappear into the crowd, Liam could only fume impotently. Finally, under the pressure of the crowd, he climbed the pole cautiously. After leaving, I rushed to the town post office. In my past life, I had successfully passed the college entrance exam. But because I saved Liam, I was in a coma for seven days and then recovering in the hospital. By the time I remembered, I rushed to the post office to get my admission letter, only to be told I had missed the enrollment deadline and was considered to have forfeited. And the spot had already been filled by someone else; it couldn’t be restored. In the end, I could only work as a temp at the power plant, mocked by Liam daily. Meanwhile, Sophia, who returned from college, quickly gained a foothold in the plant and was seen everywhere with Liam. I even knew many people secretly lamented that this golden couple was ruined by a useless weed like me. I argued and fought in my past life. In the end, Liam told me contemptuously: “If it weren’t for my connections, could you even be a temp at the plant?” “You want to compare yourself to Sophia? Are you worthy?” From that day on, I knew Liam never let go of Sophia. Even though I poured my heart out for him, it wasn’t enough. This time, I will fulfill his “true love” and let him have what he wants! Chapter 3 Arriving at the post office to claim my admission letter. The postmaster praised me to the skies. “You’re the only college student from our town this time. You’ve really done us proud!” He practically escorted me out on a pedestal. But I had a doubt in my heart. In my past life, wasn’t Sophia a college student too? How come I was the only one? But I didn’t dwell on it. When I got home and told my parents the good news, my dad was so excited he lit incense to thank the ancestors. Mom immediately prepared a feast and invited the neighbors in our alley. Liam’s house was in the same alley, less than twenty yards away. When he came back, he was still wearing his work clothes. His hand had a large gash, still bleeding. Mom saw it and told me to go home and get some styptic herbs and a towel. I really didn’t want to go. But I couldn’t resist Mom’s stern look. She was a doctor and ran a small clinic. She treated all the minor injuries and illnesses in the neighborhood. Reluctantly, I mashed some herbs in a mortar and applied them to Liam’s hand, wrapping it with a towel. Liam looked at me with a complicated expression. “I heard you got into college and got your admission letter?” I didn’t speak, just nodded. A look of nervousness and unease seemed to flash in Liam’s eyes. I thought he had found a conscience and recognized my excellence, but he immediately shouted: “You can’t go! Grace, I order you to give up this opportunity.” I stared at Liam like he was an idiot for a long time. He must still think we are living in the past life, in those forty years where I obeyed him blindly. I looked at him sarcastically, smiling coldly. “Why can’t I go? I worked hard to get into college, why should I give it up?” “Because Sophia has been waiting for this chance for a long time. As long as you give it up, I can push Sophia into the spot during the supplementary admission!” In that instant, I froze, trembling with rage. I have to say, once again, Liam’s words cut me to the core. So it was him. In my past life, he was the one who made me lose my chance at college. And I foolishly thought it was an accident and took care of him for a lifetime. All the emotions in my heart churned. I was such a fool. I should have guessed. In the past life, his salary was sixty dollars a month. He brought home less than half for living expenses, which wasn’t enough. Later, to lighten his burden, I worked as a temp. Only then did I learn that more than half of Liam’s money was sent away every month. Now it seems, most likely it was sent to Sophia, who was in college at the time. My voice squeezed out through clenched teeth. “Liam Walker, in the past life you caused me to miss college. This time you want me to give it up again? Keep dreaming! I won’t give this chance to anyone!” He kept a cold face, threatening me. “I am ordering you, not discussing with you. Grace, if you obey, I don’t mind marrying you again in this life.” “But if you insist on going against me, don’t blame me for disregarding our past life’s bond!” I bit the inside of my cheek until it was raw. The taste of blood filled my mouth. Forty years of marriage meant absolutely nothing. In his eyes, there was only Sophia! “Don’t worry. In this life, even if I never marry, I won’t marry you!” With that, I turned and left. Behind me, Liam kicked a chair in fury. “Fine! Grace, if you have the guts, don’t come crawling back to me!” I returned home with red eyes. Mom knew immediately I had fought with Liam. “Grace, don’t cry. Did you fight with Liam? I’m telling you, if you want to marry Liam later, you have to tolerate his temper now.” “No! I will never marry Liam in this life. Once I go to college, there will be plenty of men better than him!” In my past life, I was trapped by Liam. In this life, I won’t make the same mistake. Chapter 4 For a while after that day, I didn’t run into Liam. Sometimes if I saw him on the street, I would subconsciously dodge. I thought Liam would give up the stupid idea of making me drop out. But unexpectedly, he couldn’t persuade or threaten me, so he started playing dirty tricks behind my back. If I hadn’t gone to the post office to mail herbs for my mom, I wouldn’t have discovered Liam and Sophia’s scheme. They had just come out of the post office after mailing a letter. Sophia clung to Liam’s arm, blinking her big eyes, looking touched. “Liam, thank you so much. Otherwise, I would have really missed out on college this time.” Hearing this, my face went pale. I didn’t understand Sophia’s meaning at first. Wasn’t the admission spot mine? But listening to her, it sounded like Liam did something to give it to her? Liam smiled, speaking lovingly to Sophia. “Sophia, don’t worry. With me here, you will definitely go to college.” “But aren’t you afraid Grace will make a scene?” A sneer curled on his lips. “Why would she make a scene? A little kindness keeps her happy for days.” “Besides, worst case, I’ll just marry her. But Sophia, rest assured, the person I love most is definitely you!” “Even if I marry Grace, I’ll find a chance to divorce her when you finish college and come back!” Sophia was moved beyond words. They started kissing right there, oblivious to others. Hiding in the corner, I closed my eyes weakly. The grievances of the past life merged with the tears of this one. The bitter taste spread on my tongue. It turned out that forty years of devotion meant nothing to him. I could be dismissed with “a little kindness.” To let Sophia fulfill her college dream, he was willing to “sacrifice” himself to marry me! I watched them embrace and leave the post office. After a long while, I walked out of the alley carefully and went straight into the post office for answers. Luckily, many staff members recognized me from picking up my admission letter. As soon as I walked in, they spoke with regret. “Miss Harper, this is such a great opportunity. Why give up enrollment?” I froze for a second, then quickly replied. “I didn’t. I’ve been preparing for college.” “But someone just came with your household registry (Social Security/ID documents), claiming family reasons to forfeit your admission on your behalf. They mailed back the waiver and the recommendation for the supplementary spot.” At this moment, I finally knew what Liam was up to. As my husband in the past life, Liam knew my ID number. With his ability, forging documents was easy. Thinking of how he helped me drop out in the past life, he was undoubtedly familiar with the process in this one. As long as I “voluntarily” withdrew, he could use connections to recommend Sophia for my spot, smoothly taking my admission quota. The realization hit me like a club. Panicked, I grabbed the staff member’s hand. “That mail cannot go out! I want to go to college!” “And I have no relationship with him. He can’t make decisions for me. My documents are at home; his are forged!” Hearing that it involved forging government documents, the staff were terrified. They immediately intercepted the mail and called the police. Fortunately, the mail was stopped in time. When the police arrived, they asked me about the situation. Soon, sitting in the station lobby, I saw Liam and Sophia being brought in by officers. Sophia’s face had lost all color. Seeing me, Liam rushed over, practically pointing at my nose and scolding. “Grace, have you no shame? What did Sophia do to offend you that you accuse her of breaking the law?” I finally saw through this man. He really went to great lengths for Sophia. I snorted. “Whether laws were broken or not, the police will give us an answer. Saying more now won’t cover your guilt!” “Liam, don’t treat me like a fool!” His face changed instantly, eyes darting, fingers trembling. Seeing Sophia being taken in for questioning, he started playing the emotional card. “Grace, we can discuss things privately. No need to blow this up!” It was laughable. Accusing me one second, asking for private discussion the next. “Did you discuss privately with me when you forged my documents and forfeited my admission?” “Now you say no need to blow it up? On what grounds?” Almost simultaneously. The police called Liam’s name. “Liam Walker, please cooperate with the investigation.”

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My husband, Logan Cole, never wanted children with me. Then suddenly, he became relentless, taking me for three days and three nights without any protection. I thought he had finally accepted me. Blushing, I took the pregnancy test to his office to share the good news, only to hear him laughing in the lounge with his childhood sweetheart, Ivy, and his two best friends. “You guys spoil me too much! I was just curious whose baby she’d end up with if we did that. You three really treated Scarlett like a ragdoll. Will she be mad if she finds out the father is unknown?” My husband, Logan, scoffed. “Mad? I was rewarding her! You have no idea how happy she was when she heard we were trying for a baby.” “But seriously, Logan, Scarlett is naturally seductive!” “Only you, Logan, would be generous enough to share!” “Why don’t we make a bet? Who’s going to hit the jackpot? The loser has to buy Ivy a piece of jewelry at the auction, no less than ten million!” With their male pride at stake, the three men eagerly raised the stakes. Ivy watched them argue with flushed faces, laughing delightedly. through the blinds, she cast a dismissive glance at me. Chapter 1 “Logan, what if Scarlett finds out the baby isn’t yours? What then?” Logan sneered contemptuously. “Carrying another man’s seed just proves she’s a slut. Cheating and getting knocked up? Even if she finds out, would she have the face to tell anyone?” “Besides, do you think I don’t cover my tracks?” He pulled a stack of photos from his pocket and threw them on the table. “Damn, you didn’t even blur her face! If anyone sees these, her reputation is toast, hahaha.” “Just like those magazines from overseas. You can feel the slutiness through the photos!” Ivy picked one up, looked at it with disgust, and tossed it aside. The photo slid precisely through the gap under the door, landing right in front of my eyes. My breath hitched. I threw myself to the floor, grabbing my dignity and face, stuffing the photo desperately into my sleeve. Tears wouldn’t stop flowing. Logan was forced to marry me by his parents. For years, he barely touched me. I thought I had finally moved him. So, even knowing the wine was drugged, I drank it obediently, letting my reason be stripped away bit by bit. To have a child, to please him, I spent those three days shamelessly welcoming him, responding to him. I didn’t even know when they switched places, or when the photos were taken. All of this, just because of one sentence from Ivy, the childhood sweetheart they held in their palms. I ran out of the office building as if for my life. Even though I was fully clothed, I felt everyone’s gaze was stripping me naked, like in those photos. The immense shame almost crushed me. I ran with my head down, a few minutes’ walk feeling like a century. Back home, I rushed to the shredder, destroying the photo again and again. I wished I could shove my dirty self in there too. A loud slam of the door made me jump. It was Logan. “Did your period come this month?” I didn’t react for a moment. “W-what?” He smirked, a teasing lilt in his voice. “My little cream puff, it was three whole days. I’m pretty confident in my abilities. Come downstairs, I’m taking you to the hospital for a checkup.” Logan grabbed me and dragged me to the garage. Seeing me sitting dazedly in the passenger seat, he sighed and buckled my seatbelt. I grabbed his hand, blurting out: “Going to the hospital to check if I’m pregnant? Logan, do you really want a child with me?” He ruffled my hair, his eyes so gentle they could drip water. “What nonsense. Of course I do. A girl like you, a boy like me. Perfect.” He acted so well. If I hadn’t heard their conversation at the office, I would have believed him. When we arrived at the hospital, Logan’s two friends and Ivy were already waiting. They looked me up and down maliciously. The naked, sticky gazes of the two men gave me goosebumps. Logan pulled me behind him. “They heard you might be pregnant and came to congratulate you.” The blood test was quick. Just like my home test, I was pregnant. Logan held the report. I couldn’t read his expression, but Ivy was visibly unhappy. He looked up at the doctor. “Can we do a paternity test now?” The doctor looked back and forth between me and Logan. “It’s only been three weeks. It’s possible, but generally, we don’t recommend—” He interrupted in a low voice. “Just do it. Do it now.” The doctor quickly added, “We can only do chorionic villus sampling right now. It’s risky for the mother and fetus, and we can’t use anesthesia. It will be very painful. Sir, maybe reconsider?” He frowned, impatient. “No anesthesia means no anesthesia. Do you not understand English?” The doctor turned to ask me. I gave a bitter smile. “Do it.” The paternity test takes a week. They couldn’t wait to open the prize. Any later and they’d miss Ivy’s auction. They didn’t care if I got hurt. In the crowded waiting area, people started pointing at me. After the doctor took samples, Logan dropped another bomb. “Collect samples from my two friends too. Test them all together.” The crowd exploded. “What’s going on? This woman plays hard? With three men?!” “Why else would a husband bring his newly pregnant wife for a paternity test? He doesn’t know whose seed it is!” “Her husband is tall and handsome, yet she cheats. Ungrateful. If I were him, I’d beat her to death!” The doctor, who had just pitied me, felt deceived. Without anesthesia, his hand was heavy. A sharp pain shot through my abdomen, blinding me. Tears rolled down my face. I walked out holding the wall. Logan strode forward, ready to hug me. But then Ivy ran off with red eyes. Logan’s two friends chased after her. The man who had just put his arm around me froze, then let go. I fell hard onto the floor. “Go home yourself. I need to check on Ivy.” He turned and ran towards Ivy. Look, he runs when he goes to her. The onlookers, seeing my pathetic state, gloated. “A bus anyone can ride. Deserves to have her husband run off!” “Hey beauty, got a number? How much for a night? I can definitely afford you.” “She charges? Free! Just call and she’ll jump in your bed!” I crawled up using the handrail, head down, staring at my toes as I shuffled out. By the time I cabbed home, it was dark. Panting, I grabbed the doorknob. As soon as I opened it, a humid, ambiguous smell hit me. The sounds of Ivy and Logan entangled almost pierced my eardrums. I slammed the door shut, slid down the wall, and held my head. Enough! Really enough! I don’t want to hear it! I don’t want to hear anything! I don’t know how much time passed before the door opened again. Ivy was dressed skimpily, her face flushed, red marks dotting her slender neck. The sound of a shower came from the bathroom. She leaned against the doorframe arrogantly, looking down her nose at me, her voice vicious. “Shamelessly seducing Logan every day to have a baby with you. Where do you get the nerve?!” “You love breeding so much? Are you happy now? Just one word from me, and all three of them will take turns on you again. Maybe next time we’ll toss you in a homeless shelter?” She stepped closer as she spoke, forcing me back. “Even if you made Logan marry you, so what? His heart is only with me. Did you ever see the way he looked at me just now, so serious and passionate? You pathetic wretch, you’re just a tool for venting lust!” Ivy’s red lips moved, but all I saw was jealousy written all over her face. I smirked internally. Being used by three men, ruined… was she envious of that too? No, she envied the one-third chance I had of carrying Logan’s child. Thinking of this, I instinctively touched my lower abdomen. But this small movement made Ivy explode. “A bastard with an unknown father! What are you proud of? Do you deserve it?!” Worried Logan might hear, I played dumb. “Ivy, what are you saying? I don’t understand. I don’t know why Logan took me for a paternity test, but it’s definitely his child!” She was frantic with jealousy. “Who allowed you to carry his child? Who allowed it! I can’t give him a child, and neither can you!” With that, she shoved me hard. My heels caught on the stairs, and I fell backward. The world spun, pain everywhere, especially in my stomach. Hearing the noise, Logan rushed out. Ivy threw herself onto the floor, screaming: “I call you sister-in-law, see you’re pregnant, come to help clean up, and you hit me?!” “Why did you throw yourself down? Are you trying to frame me? I didn’t push you! Scarlett, why are you doing this to me!” Then, pretending to just see Logan, she sobbed in my defense: “Logan, don’t worry about me, check on Scarlett. She fell down accidentally.” Logan saw the red marks on Ivy’s exposed skin, guilt flashing in his eyes. He quickly took off his jacket and covered her. “Ivy, are you hurt? I’ll take you to the hospital!” “I’m fine, just my leg hurts a bit. Scarlett looks worse…” He gave me a cold look, picked Ivy up, and yelled at me, “Don’t think I didn’t hear! Ivy came to help out of kindness. I didn’t know you were so ungrateful!” Lying on the floor, feeling my eyelids heavy, I trembled out an explanation: “No, I didn’t, she pushed—” “Stop playing the victim! Framing Ivy? You can’t even lie well. She’s frail, can’t even open a bottle cap. Could she push you? Besides, Ivy is kind-hearted. What reason would she have? Scarlett, when did you become like this?!” He carried Ivy downstairs, kicking me like a dog as he passed. “If you like lying there, stay there! Just don’t block the way!” Ivy turned her head and gave me a provocative smile. The sound of the car engine faded. My vision went black. But I couldn’t sleep. The pain in my stomach wasn’t normal. Logan wouldn’t come back for me. I had to save myself. After a long while, I gathered enough strength to grab the railing and stand up. Afraid of what might flow out, I didn’t dare call a cab. I walked to the hospital. The night nurse saw blood on my lower body and my pain, quickly registering me. Looking at my chart from the day, the doctor sighed. “Miss, who does a puncture at three weeks? The fetus wasn’t even stable! Your uterus contracted from the trauma, plus the fall… the baby probably won’t make it.” After the exam, the doctor scolded me anxiously. “You can really tolerate pain. Delaying so long with heavy bleeding? Do you want to die?!” I let out a long breath and laughed. “Doctor, just give me the abortion surgery.” From the moment I knew the truth, every second I felt nauseated by the unresponsive fetus in my belly. Gone. Good. This pregnancy was like a dream. Waking up, it’s all over.

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I was being bullied. My bullies threatened to come to my house. I begged them not to. Because they didn’t know that I am the only normal person in my family. My father is a serial killer. My mother is a psychopath. My brother is a sociopath. And me? I’m just a delicate, innocent little flower. 01 I returned home with a heavy heart. My father opened the door. He was wearing an apron, smiling gently. “Hungry? Dad made you some snacks.” The smile on his face deepened. But I felt a chill run down my spine. Dad’s apron was splattered with mottled bloodstains. Fresh blood. Clearly, it had just sprayed onto him. Dad followed my horrified gaze downwards, then laughed: “Ah… accidentally got the apron dirty again. Your mom is going to scold me later.” Trembling, I took off my shoes and walked inside. Tied to a chair was a young woman. Her hair was messy, her face covered in blood and grime, and her lips were sewn together with thread. Seeing me enter, she made excited whimpering sounds, casting a pleading look my way. I shuddered and looked away. “This lady left her five-year-old daughter outside while she went fooling around with men. “That poor child was crushed by a car into a bloody mess. Imagine how painful her last moments were?” Dad said softly. I sat stiffly on the sofa, not daring to look in that direction. Soon, shrill screams rang out. The woman’s agonized screams lasted for over ten minutes before gradually fading. Dad took off his glasses, wiped the blood from the lenses, and smiled at me: “Lily, Dad is going to chop this lady into pieces now. It might be a bit unappetizing, so go to your room.” With permission, I ran to my room as fast as I could. Behind me, I heard Dad sigh. I heard him mutter, “Why is this child’s personality nothing like ours?” At this moment, my legs were weak and trembling. I was covered in cold sweat. This wasn’t the first time I’d seen Dad kill someone. The first time was when I was five. Dad slit a man’s throat right in front of my terrified eyes. He said the man had abused his wife for years, driving her to jump off a building. But the man received no punishment. So, Dad decided to punish him personally. I took a deep breath, finally managing to calm down. But what made me most nervous was tomorrow night. The group who bullied me everyday was coming to my house. Just thinking of their faces made my stomach cramp in pain. I had begged them many times not to come. But they grabbed my hair, slapped me a few times, and laughed, saying they wanted to see what kind of family raised a bug like me. But they had no idea… no one who entered my house ever came out alive. 02 There was a knock on the door. I opened it to find my mother standing there. Mom had a very innocent, beautiful face, but only I knew how terrifying she was. Mom smiled and stared at me: “Take off your clothes.” “Mom…” I looked at her pleadingly. But I still tremblingly took off my clothes, revealing a body covered in bruises and scars. “Who did this? Hmm?” Mom’s smile deepened. But only I knew that Mom was very angry right now. When she got angry, she liked to do terrible things. When I was five, a boy in kindergarten pulled out a handful of my hair. The next day, that boy went missing. The news said he accidentally fell from a building and died. But only I knew about the lollipop clutched in the boy’s hand when he died. It was the brand Mom liked to buy for me. In elementary school, a female teacher thought I was poor and often mocked me. Even though my desk mate and I shared cleaning duties, she always assigned the dirtiest, most tiring tasks to me. Watching me slip and fall in the bathroom while carrying a heavy bucket of water, the teacher laughed loudly. I didn’t dare tell my family. Although I hated that teacher, I didn’t want my family to do bad things. But Mom, being sharp, found out anyway. Not long after, I saw the news of that teacher’s death. She was tortured to death by several thugs on her way home at night. Her arms and legs were broken while she was alive. When I saw the photos of those thugs, my blood froze. Because I had clearly seen Mom chatting and laughing with them near our house. 03 Mom’s cold fingers touched my wounds. My thoughts were pulled back, and I shivered violently. Mom sighed softly: “Sometimes I really doubt if you are my child.” I looked at her face, silent. Because I knew, I really wasn’t their biological child. 04 I had been soft-hearted and prone to tears since I was little. I remember when I was young, my cat accidentally ran out when I opened the door. When we found it, it had been tortured to the brink of death by someone. One of the cat’s legs was sawed off, and an eye had been gouged out. I cried until I couldn’t breathe. My brother couldn’t stand it. He looked at me coldly and said: “You don’t want it to continue suffering, right?” I nodded tearfully. The next second, I saw my brother snap the kitten’s neck. The sound of bones breaking was clear. But I clearly remember the corners of my brother’s mouth turning up slightly. Later, Dad checked the surveillance footage and saw that the cat was tortured by two boys in the same neighborhood. We found the parents of those two boys. They said lightly: “It’s just a stray cat, isn’t it? We’ll pay you whatever it costs.” “Call the police? Don’t be ridiculous, our kids are only fourteen. And honestly, you let the cat run out. I haven’t even complained about your cat scaring my kids yet…” One boy peeked out from behind his mother, smiling arrogantly and maliciously: “Mom, that cat scratched us first!” “Did you hear that? I haven’t asked you for money yet, and you come looking for us first. Who knows if your cat has rabies?” The woman sneered. I was so angry that tears fell: “I saw on the video that they deliberately stepped on Mimi’s tail, that’s why Mimi scratched them!” The boy said without any guilt: “Who said I did it on purpose? It was an accident! Cats that scratch people deserve to die!” I rushed up to argue with him but was pushed to the ground by the boy’s mother. My brother helped me up and said lightly: “True, animals that scratch people should be killed…” There was an extreme coldness in his tone. Mom and Dad didn’t speak, just smiled at the woman and her children. The woman seemed to have never encountered parents like mine. She stopped arguing, her expression unchanging. She chased us away guiltily. A few nights later, I woke up crying and went to the kitchen for water. The front door opened. I saw my brother walk in. In the dark, his face was obscured. I smelled a faint scent of blood. There was a glaring crimson stain on my brother’s jacket. “Brother… what did you do…” I asked tremblingly. Although I already had a terrifying suspicion in my heart. He grinned: “Brother went to deal with some animals that scratch people.” The next day, many police officers came to our neighborhood. It turned out those two boys were disemboweled alive last night, their intestines spilling all over the floor. This is my family. They seem to spoil me, love me, but they make me… Feel terrified.

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My mother gave us two choices. Go with her to the Sterling mansion, attend the best private high school with the young master, but be restricted to domestic universities. Or stay in our hometown for school, with the promise of studying abroad after graduation. My sister snatched the first option. “Mom, I want to go to the Sterling mansion with you.” Mom smiled with relief and turned to me. “As the older sister, you should yield to your sister. Sending you abroad later will fulfill my duty as a mother.” Seeing my sister clinging to Mom with a look of anticipation, I knew. She had been reborn too. Unfortunately for her, Liam Sterling would never fall for her. Chapter 1 “Maddie, the employer has a lot of demands. Your sister and I are leaving today. Take care of yourself at home.” After packing, Mom left with Chloe immediately. It was completely unlike my past life, where she stayed ten extra days just to persuade Chloe to go to the Sterling mansion. In our past life, after Mom presented the choices, Chloe also rushed to choose. But back then, she chose to study abroad. After my parents divorced, I was awarded to my dad. For ten whole years, Mom never visited me once, yet I missed her every day. It wasn’t until Dad passed away and the police took me to Mom’s place that I had a mother again. When Chloe chose to go abroad, I was overjoyed. I could finally be with Mom day and night. But Mom wanted to take Chloe with her. She stayed for ten days, constantly trying to persuade Chloe to go. Chloe firmly believed the grass was greener on the other side. She didn’t budge until the employer urged Mom to return. So, I went to the Sterling mansion with Mom and met Liam Sterling. He was handsome, aloof, noble, and a top student. He was the Prince Charming in every girl’s heart. I couldn’t help but fall for him too. I knew the gap between us was like heaven and earth, so I buried that affection deep in my heart. Until after the college entrance exams, Liam, drunk after a party, pinned me against a wall. “Maddie, come study abroad with me, okay?” I turned my face away, restraining myself. “I don’t have the money.” Liam smiled, lighting up the entire basement. “I’ll pay for you.” In that moment, I knew. The person I had secretly loved for three years liked me too. Immeasurable happiness hit me. Excitedly, I told Mom that the young master wanted to take me abroad. What I got was a heavy slap across the face. “You’re not going! When you chose to come to the Sterling mansion, you gave up the path to study abroad. The money I saved is for Chloe.” I covered my face and explained. “The young master said I don’t need to pay; he’ll cover my tuition.” Mom scoffed, looking me up and down with disdain. “Shameless. Climbing into bed for money. weigh yourself properly—look at your status, look at his. “Someone like him is just playing with you. When he gets bored, I’ll be the one stuck with the bill. “Don’t even think about going abroad. If you dare disobey, don’t call me Mom ever again. “And stay far away from the young master. Don’t jeopardize my job.” Perhaps because I lacked maternal love growing up, my biggest fear was losing my mother. Heartbroken, I rejected Liam. But Liam told me solemnly. “Distance isn’t a problem. I can afford plane tickets.” In college, we started a long-distance relationship. He flew back every month to see me. The sweetness of love filled me with hope for the future. When Mom found out we were really dating, she went behind my back and asked Liam to take care of Chloe, who was also abroad. Liam, unaware of our family dynamics, naively looked after Chloe as her brother-in-law. Unexpectedly, one day in my senior year, I received a message from Chloe, along with a photo. Chloe, topless, arms around Liam’s neck, lying in a hotel bed. [Sis, Liam and I are together now. Stop pestering him.] I had been with Liam for three years. I knew he wouldn’t betray me. My first thought was that Liam had been set up. I furiously called Chloe. But I didn’t notice the truck rushing towards me. As my soul left my body, I heard Mom and Chloe talking. “It’s good your sister died. You need to grab the young master’s heart. You’ll be the mistress of the Sterling family.” Chloe laughed triumphantly. “It was smart of you, Mom, to have Liam take care of me abroad. That gave me the chance to take that photo when he was drunk. “I wanted Maddie to give up on her own, but her dying directly is even better. God has eyes. “Once Liam gets over his grief, I’ll make my move.” I always thought that even if Mom was biased, she still saw me as a daughter. I never expected she wouldn’t even shed a tear over my death. Devastated, I floated to find Liam. Only to find him in a bathtub, holding my photo, having taken his own life. Only then did I know. Liam loved me more than life itself. I went mad, using all my strength to trip Chloe as she walked down the stairs. Watching Chloe fall to her death, my soul finally dissipated. I didn’t expect to return to the day we chose our fates. This time, Chloe chose the Sterling mansion. She thinks going there will make Liam fall for her. Too bad she’s wrong. Liam won’t like her. And I will make them pay for what they did in our past life. Chapter 2 As soon as Mom and Chloe left, my aunt used “renovating the room” as an excuse to send me to boarding school early. Before, when Mom worked as a maid at the Sterling mansion, she let us stay at my uncle’s house and paid my aunt a monthly living fee. In my past life, after Mom and I went to the Sterling mansion, Mom increased the fee and asked them to take good care of Chloe. Chloe lived well at my uncle’s house. Now it seems Mom stopped the payments. I didn’t argue. I packed my things and left. Before school started, I had one more place to go. After leaving my uncle’s, I went to the bank. Dad used to deposit a small sum for my birthday every year. Only I knew about that account. I withdrew the money and took a long-distance bus to a remote cemetery. It was stormy that day. I wrapped myself in a raincoat and waited behind a tree. Near dusk, sixteen-year-old Liam rushed in through the rain, followed by several bodyguards. Liam was soaked, his narrow eyes cold, but his steps firm. He walked to a grave and frantically clawed at the grass. “Young Master, the rain is too heavy. It probably got washed away. Let’s look when the rain stops.” Liam acted like he didn’t hear. Just as he was exhausted and despairing, I walked out from behind the tree. “Excuse me, are you looking for this?” I pulled a necklace from my pocket. Liam’s eyes lit up, and he walked over quickly. Seeing him soaked, I raised my umbrella to shield him from the rain. Liam took the necklace with trembling hands, his expression softening. “How do you have it?” In my past life, after we got together, he said his biggest regret was losing the necklace he made with his mother in the summer of his sixteenth year. So, I came to the cemetery. To fix his regret, and to meet him. I shrugged, shrinking into my coat. “The rain washed it down. I picked it up and saw you searching, so I thought it might be yours.” “Thank you. This necklace is very important to me. What reward do you want?” Liam said thanks, but still kept people a thousand miles away. I shivered and said, “Treat me to a cup of instant noodles. I’m cold and hungry.” Liam froze, then burst out laughing. “Deal!” Half an hour later, at my insistence, Liam ate his first cup of instant noodles with me. “I didn’t know instant noodles were this good.” When we were together before, his favorite was instant noodles. After eating, Liam wanted my contact info to thank me properly. I smiled and refused. “If it’s fate, we’ll meet again.” The moment I turned around, I couldn’t hold back my tears. I wanted to rush over, hug him, and tell him everything about our past life. Tell him I missed him like crazy. But that would make me look insane. I didn’t leave my contact because I knew his every move in high school. We would meet again. Liam would think it was fate. Not a plan. Chapter 3 School finally started. The high school curriculum was too easy for me. I began plotting my second meeting with Liam. During the October break, I got a part-time job cleaning at the ice hockey rink. On the third morning, Liam came to practice. I watched secretly from the back. When he was done, I whispered. “You should twist your wrist when passing.” Liam spun around. I couldn’t see his eyes under the helmet, but I felt his shock. “It’s you! You can see my weakness?” How could I? He told me himself. I played dumb. “Just a little bit. Do we know each other?” Liam took off his helmet, eyes sparkling with surprise. I opened my mouth in exaggerated shock. “It’s you!” At noon, we ate together. “You’re a minor, how are you working here?” “Shh! Don’t let the boss know. I’m pretending to be an adult.” “Do you really need money?” “My dad died in a car accident. Mom took all the money and left with my sister. If I don’t work, what do I do?” Liam was silent for a moment. “Practice hockey with me later.” I hesitated. “I still have to sweep.” “Five thousand an hour.” “Yes sir, boss!” Liam laughed again, almost spitting out his rice. After playing in the afternoon, Liam asked me to dinner again. I was about to agree when I saw Chloe watching from outside the rink. “Next time! I have to go.” When paying me, we exchanged contacts. Back at the hotel, Liam texted. [Home safe?] I couldn’t help smiling. But I only replied with a “Mm.” Chapter 4 After the break, I started preparing for the debate competition. In my past life, although I knew Liam, at school he was in Class 1 and I was in the last class. At home, he lived on the top floor, I lived in the basement. We were two parallel lines. It was a debate competition that made Liam see me. This time, I was going to shine even brighter. But when I got the materials ready, I found my high school didn’t plan to sign up. Furious, I took my bedding and slept in the hallway of the principal’s house. The principal couldn’t beat me and finally agreed to let me form a team, but we had to pay our own expenses. Luckily, many students wanted to participate. We prepared and competed together, busy and happy. Liam sometimes texted me. Every time, I would stop and read every word multiple times. Finally, suppressing my eagerness, I’d reply with just a few words. Before winter break of freshman year, I led the debate team to the finals. Liam spotted me immediately. “Another part-time job?” I flashed my school badge. “I’m here for the finals.” Liam glanced at the badge, eyes widening. “You’re the legendary debater from Maple Leaf High.” “Legendary?” Liam looked moved, eyes burning. “For your school to make it to the finals, it’s like a miracle. “Half the audience today is here for your captain. Introduce me later.” Just then, a teammate ran over. “Captain, our seats are over there. Let’s go!” Liam froze, his look changing. I punched the air, smiling confidently. “See you in the arena, Student Liam!” There were four teams in the finals. We played against another school first. Having done this in my past life, I knew the topic and the opponent’s weaknesses. Unsurprisingly, we crushed them. Throughout the process, I felt a familiar gaze getting hotter. When Liam competed, I sat in the audience opposite them. Just like in the past life, he was calm and composed, dismantling the opponent’s arguments methodically. After he won, I saw him looking for me, so I dragged my classmates away. Feelings—the more you can’t have them, the more you crave them. When Liam texted, I only replied “Busy.” The next day in the grand finals, Liam and I sat opposite each other. In the past life, he was first speaker, I was second. I knew his style and used to cover his flaws. Now, his flaws became my points of attack. An hour later, Liam stood up and extended his hand. “Congratulations!” Familiar warmth came from his palm. I bit the inside of my cheek to stop the tears. Leaving the venue, Liam was surrounded. Even losing, he was still the star. But Liam squeezed out of the crowd and walked toward me with his long legs. He smiled, eyes full of complex emotions. “Maddie, can I buy you dinner this afternoon?” The aloof god actively inviting a girl to dinner. The scene was silent for a second, then erupted in screams. “Am I blind? Liam is smiling at that girl.” “Buying her dinner too? OMG! I can’t imagine eating with Liam.” “She’s pretty too, and she won.” Teammates pushed me forward. “Captain has time, go eat!” “You two eat, we’ll sit at the kids’ table.” I looked up, about to nod. Suddenly, someone rushed out of the crowd. “Maddie! Impossible, how could you…” Chloe’s twisted face magnified. Just as she lunged to push me, Liam blocked me with a dark face. Whispers rose from the crowd. “That’s the daughter of the maid at Liam’s house. Always following him.” “Says Liam will love her, but he doesn’t even look at her.” “A toad wanting swan meat. Doesn’t know her place.” Exactly! Even swapping fates, Liam would never like Chloe.

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On every wedding anniversary, my husband, Christopher Kane, brings home a woman he picked up from the streets, claiming it’s for me to “train.” On our tenth anniversary, Christopher brought home a cocktail waitress from a cheap club, dressed in a skimpy bunny suit. “She doesn’t have a gown. Give her your wedding dress. And that set of jewelry I gave you last time, give her that too. As for shoes… the ones on your feet look fine.” “Oh, right. She’s young and inexperienced. Teach her well, especially about… bedroom matters.” Everyone waited for me to become a joke again. Instead, I fulfilled their expectations by saying I wanted a divorce. Christopher snorted, looking at me with contempt and mockery. “Sarah, how many times have you said you want a divorce? I’m sick of hearing it. It’s even more annoying than your moans in bed!” “If you really divorce me, I’ll give you a hundred million dollars!” The crowd roared with laughter again, whispering that I was just playing hard to get, that I didn’t know my place. What they didn’t know was that this was the 100th time I said I wanted a divorce. And it was the only time I truly meant it. Chapter 1 All eyes were on me. Even the cocktail waitress covered her mouth, giggling along. “Come on, place your bets! I bet a million she regrets it before she even walks out that door.” “I’m in for three hundred thousand!” Betting on whether I would divorce Christopher had become a stale tradition at every anniversary party. Many people hated me for losing money on me, and those who won didn’t necessarily like me either. I shook my head with a light laugh, scolding myself internally for being so spineless. It took ten years to finally decide to leave Christopher. “I bet she leaves!” A deep voice came from the crowd. Others tried to dissuade him from throwing his money away. I looked toward the sound but couldn’t see who it was. “Christopher, I’ll send the divorce papers to your office. Remember to sign them.” I had threatened divorce hundreds of times, but this was the first time I mentioned papers. Christopher straightened up, ash falling from the cigarette in his hand. I ignored him, squatted down, unbuckled my high heels, and placed them at the girl’s feet. Her name was Lily. She was in her early twenties, very pretty. “These shoes pinch a bit. You’ll get used to them after a while.” “As for the dress and jewelry Christopher mentioned, I’ll have the housekeeper bring them to you.” “Before you, Christopher brought back nine other girls. If you have any questions, ask them. They live on the third floor. Your room is the last one on the right.” In ten years of marriage, the women Christopher brought home could fill a harem. Tall, short, curvy, thin, innocent, glamorous, aloof, lively—he had them all. Rumor had it he wanted to collect a full set of “Twelve Beauties.” But I wasn’t blessed enough to be one of them. I brushed invisible dust off my bare feet, stood up, and walked toward the main door. Before I could step out, a strong force yanked me back. “Sarah Vance, if you want to leave, leave clean. Is there a single thing on your body that wasn’t bought with my money?” My bare feet felt like they were stepping on blades of ice. Even my breath trembled. “You want me to strip?” Christopher raised an eyebrow, his gaze light as if seeing right through me. “When your family went bankrupt, didn’t your mother strip you naked and shove you into my bed? Leave the same way you came!” “Or do you regret it? That’s fine. Kneel down and put the shoes on for her, and I’ll forgive you.” The crowd behind Christopher laughed so hard they doubled over. Years ago, shortly after Christopher and I started dating, the Vance family went bankrupt. My father jumped off a building and ended up in a vegetative state. Afraid the Kane family wouldn’t help, my mother drugged both Christopher and me. Afterward, she did everything she could to blow the incident up, forcing the Kane family to take responsibility. That night was the beginning of all my humiliation. It also completely destroyed the love Christopher and I had shared since we were teenagers. Christopher was forced to marry me. On our wedding night, he brought a woman home to humiliate me. He did everything in front of me. I even had to open the condom wrapper and hand it to him. I spent the next day on my hands and knees, cleaning up the mess. I lived this servile life for ten years. Now, I couldn’t do it anymore. “I’ll strip.” Before anyone could react, I undid the clasp of my shawl. It was deep winter. The heating inside was strong, but I was standing by the door. Cold wind poured up my skirt, raising goosebumps on my exposed arms and shoulders. I reached back and unzipped the dress. The thin fabric slid down. Shoulders and skin were exposed to the air. “Oh my god!” Some timid people covered their eyes. The men watched with keen interest. Only Christopher’s eyes were dark as ink, his thin lips pressed tight. The only sign of his agitation was the slight tremor in the fingers holding his cigarette. As the dress fell, I stood almost naked before the crowd. The cigarette burned Christopher’s fingers. He threw it down, ripped off his jacket, and covered me with it. “Sarah, you must have a death wish!” “Everyone close your damn eyes! If anyone says a word about what happened today, you won’t see the sun tomorrow!” “Get out! All of you!” Christopher rarely lost his temper, especially in public. Those present were old acquaintances who knew when to leave. The nine other girls Christopher had brought home scurried upstairs. Only Lily remained standing there. “Christopher, are you satisfied? Can you let me go now?” I looked up at him stubbornly. Tears swirled in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I had cried for Christopher too many times. I didn’t want to cry for him anymore. “Sarah, quit these hard-to-get games. It disgusts me.” Christopher still didn’t believe me, warning me not to embarrass the Kane family. I took a deep breath. “Christopher, I really want a divorce this time.” Christopher looked at me like he’d heard the world’s biggest joke. He grabbed the back of my neck and forced me to bend over. “Do you dare to divorce me? Can you afford your father’s daily hospital bills? Can you pay for your mother’s shopping sprees?” “Sarah, your mother would be the first to kneel before me and beg me not to divorce you!” Christopher’s loathing for my mother and me had nowhere left to hide. He hated my mother for the drugs, and he hated me for my inaction. “Even if your mother hadn’t drugged us, I would have married you. I would have helped you. But you used the methods I despise the most!” “Sarah, you destroyed our feelings with your own hands!” No matter how many times I explained, Christopher would never believe me. Seeing my silence, Christopher frowned deeper. He dragged me over and forced me to kneel in front of Lily, pressing on my neck to make me put shoes on her. “Put them on her. You’ve done this for ten years. You should be an expert by now!” For ten years, I not only took care of Christopher but also served those nine girls. Things I should do, things I shouldn’t, things forced, things voluntary—I did too many things I despised myself for. But now, I just wanted it all to end quickly. So, I obediently put the shoes on the girl again. Perhaps my obedience bored Christopher. He angrily dragged me into his room and stripped Lily in front of me. I had seen this scene many times. Sometimes Christopher even demanded I join in to “teach” them. Like before, I tore open a condom wrapper and handed it over. But this time, Christopher pushed it away. “Not needed this time.” My hand trembled as I pulled it back. Christopher didn’t stop his movements, but he glanced at me—something he rarely did. I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t be bothered. Christopher got angry again. He locked me in the bathroom. That night, the snowstorm outside was heavy, and the noise inside was loud. I sat there listening all night. In a daze, I was awakened by an urgent phone ring. “Is this Miss Vance? Your mother was in a car accident. She’s in critical condition. Please come to City Memorial Hospital immediately.” My heart suspended in mid-air. “Christopher!” I started pounding on the door, trying to interrupt the sounds outside. Christopher opened the door wrapped in a bathrobe, his loose collar revealing hickeys. The woman in his arms clung to him. “What?” “My mom was in a car accident. Can you take me to the hospital? Please?” I knelt and begged him, tears streaming down, terrified he wouldn’t take me because he was unhappy. “Sister, do you even draft your lies? It’s 3 AM and snowing heavily. Normal people are at home. Did a car crash into your mom’s house?” Lily sneered, pointing at the dark, snowy night outside. Christopher laughed along, not even lifting his eyelids. “Sarah, you’d lie about this?” “What? Can’t stand the noise anymore?” Christopher locked the door again. The louder I shouted, the louder the noise outside became. Desperate, I picked up a stool and smashed the window, climbing out. Sharp glass sliced my leg, blood flowing instantly. Because it was late and snowing, I couldn’t get a cab. I ran forward like a zombie, leaving shocking red trails in the snow. Beep beep. A black Cayenne stopped beside me. “Get in.” Inside the dim car, the man in the driver’s seat never looked back at me. I kept thanking him, but he didn’t say another word. As I got out, I heard him say: “Sarah, you have other choices besides Christopher Kane.” “If you figure it out, find me.” He handed me a gold-stamped business card. I took it with both hands, thanking him profusely. My mind was entirely on my mother; I put it in my pocket without looking. I stumbled into the ER. Before I could ask, I saw nurses pushing a gurney covered with a white sheet out of the operating room. “Where is the family of Susan Vance?” “The patient is dead, and the daughter still isn’t here. Unbelievable.” The nurses’ whispers pierced my heart effortlessly. I rushed over and lifted the white sheet. The face, usually so exquisitely maintained, was covered in cuts. Her body was broken. Regarding Christopher, I had resented my mother every minute for ten years. I had even viciously wished the whole family would die. But now that she was truly dead in front of me, I only felt heartache. With no family left, there was no funeral to plan. I sat by my father’s bedside for a while, talking about Mom, about myself. I spoke intermittently until dawn. Before leaving, I looked at my father, who hadn’t moved in ten years, and spoke with a sob: “Dad, I’m tired.” My mother was cremated early the next morning. I put her urn in a box and took it home. I also brought home the divorce agreement I had commissioned. Walking in, I bumped into Christopher and his Tenth Beauty chatting and laughing at the dining table. “Sign it.” I slammed the divorce papers on the table, my voice cold. “So you snuck out last night just to get these papers?” “Sarah, you really are rebelling!” I hugged the urn tightly, head down. “Christopher, let’s let each other go.” “I don’t love you anymore.” In the past, I would argue with Christopher. When tempers flared, we even got physical. I would point at his nose and ask if his declarations of love back then were just a joke. Most of the time, I held onto a sliver of hope, hoping he would forgive me, hoping we could salvage the marriage. So if he liked wild, I learned to please him in bed. If he liked pure, I wore his favorite clothes to make him happy. But as woman after woman moved in, my heart grew silent bit by bit. Those tricks to please him became my shame, and his outlet to humiliate me. “What fell out of your pocket, sister…?” “Adrian Sterling?” Lily picked up the card I dropped and read the name. It was Adrian Sterling. Christopher’s lifelong nemesis, the one who had been across the ocean, unseen for years. The next second, a dark-faced Christopher slapped me. “You say you don’t love me because you found someone else?!” “Do you know what kind of person Adrian Sterling is?!” My ears rang. I couldn’t stand steady. The urn in my hands fell and shattered. Watching the dust fly, I stood there, paralyzed. I instinctively knelt, trying to gather the ashes. But no matter how I scooped, it was useless. Lily poured a glass of milk on the floor. The others followed suit, pouring drinks. The powder turned into a sticky mess. “Ah!” In that moment, something snapped. I grabbed a stool like a madwoman and smashed it at Lily. Christopher couldn’t react in time. Lily was on the ground, clutching her head. “Christopher…” “It hurts.” Someone called an ambulance. Christopher grabbed my hand, forcing me to watch at the hospital. “If anything happens to her, you’re going down with her!” That day, I was forced to give blood to Lily. Again and again, until the doctor refused to take more. Only then did Christopher let me go, saying I deserved it. For those few days, I hid in my father’s ward, never leaving. “Sister is hiding here! Thanks to your hit, Christopher treats me so well now.” “Is this your dad? Why doesn’t he move?” Lily, now favored, walked and talked arrogantly. She flicked my father’s oxygen tube, asking curiously what it was. “Don’t touch it!” I pushed her away. She stumbled back, clutching her head. The next second, she yanked the tube out, playing with it in her hand, smiling. “Do you think Christopher will blame me for this?” Then Christopher walked in. He froze at the scene, looking back and forth between us. After a long pause, he said: “Lily is young, she doesn’t know better. Your dad was hopeless anyway. Ending it early is a mercy.” “I’ll just send your mom more money in the future.” The monitor flatlined. The sound announced my father’s death. I stood there, frozen. Beyond sadness, I felt a sense of relief. Christopher didn’t care about me anymore. He picked up Lily and left. Collapsed on the floor, I kept apologizing to my dad. But I didn’t know who in this world had ever done right by me. I took out the card and dialed the number. “Mr. Sterling, pick me up tonight.” Same cremation, one more time. This time, I left my father’s ashes in the columbarium at the funeral home. When I returned to the Kane house, Christopher wasn’t back yet. The Nine Beauties kept buzzing in my ear that Christopher was angry, that I was finished. I turned a deaf ear. They relentlessly asked if I was really divorcing. I didn’t answer. I just opened my bedroom door. “Choose. Everything in here is yours.” At my words, they swarmed in, emptying the room instantly. Only a few photos of Christopher and me from our youth lay scattered on the floor, ignored by everyone. I locked myself in the room until nightfall. Christopher sent the housekeeper to check on me. I only asked her to deliver the divorce papers. “Divorce again.” “A hundred times. Sarah, aren’t you done playing?” Christopher tore the papers to shreds. “Starve her! Bring her food when she stops acting up!” Christopher thought my divorce talk was fake. He thought my saying I didn’t love him was fake too. But love really can run out. Ten years. I really couldn’t love anymore. Now that I was utterly alone, what couldn’t I let go of? That night, I climbed out the window and got into Adrian Sterling’s car. Chapter 2 The next day, Christopher woke up and didn’t see my busy figure in the kitchen. There were no wontons he loved on the table, no hand-brewed coffee, no ironed and matched clothes on the rack. Christopher rushed upstairs in a panic and opened my door, only to find it empty. He picked up the photos from the floor, flustered. “Martha! Where is Sarah?!” The housekeeper ran over, spatula in hand, looked at the empty room, and shook her head. “I’ll call her mother.” Martha paused, asking instinctively: “Young Master, didn’t Miss Sarah’s mother die? She was cremated the next day.” Christopher flashed back to me holding the urn that day. His breath hitched. He bent down to pick up the photo, pupils dilating, looking like the life had been sucked out of him. In ten years, he never thought I would actually leave him. The photo in his hand was us in our early twenties, taken on a street in Paris. Back then, just starting out, he didn’t even dare put his arm around my shoulder in the photo. But seeing his nervousness, I had leaned my head on his shoulder. Christopher carefully wiped the dust off the photo. He tried hard to smooth the creases, but it was futile. “Martha is making wontons today, we gotta get downstairs fast.” “This dress is beautiful. Designer stuff really is different.” “This hairpin is nice too.” “Do these shoes look good?” Chattering voices came from outside. Christopher frowned and looked out. At a glance, he saw Lily wearing a pink maxi dress. He had bought that dress in Italy for me. It was our one-month anniversary gift. “Stop!” Christopher rushed out, shouting sternly. He saw things he had given me scattered on everyone—scarves, coats, skirts, bags, shoes. One of them was even wearing our wedding ring. “Who told you to wear her clothes! Take them off!” “Who told you to wear that ring!” “Take off everything that doesn’t belong to you!” Christopher’s gaze lingered briefly on each person, but he couldn’t remember their faces. He didn’t even remember their names. Normally, to provoke me, he indulged them in everything. This was the first time they saw him so angry. Terrified, they stripped off the items. Lily, inexperienced, muttered a refusal. Red-eyed, Christopher marched up and tore the dress off Lily. “I give you five minutes. Put everything you took from her back where it belongs!” Christopher had Martha watch them while he rushed downstairs to check the surveillance footage. Security showed him the footage from the past few days. Christopher saw me running in the snowy night, the shocking red blood trail behind me. He saw me get into Adrian’s car. Twice. Both times Adrian. “Damn it!” “I shouldn’t have let that bastard attend!” Christopher cursed and returned to the house. As soon as he entered, he saw the women chatting in the living room. In the past, seeing me surrounded by them, daring to be angry but not speak, he felt a secret pleasure. But now without me, he only found it noisy. “Without Sarah, life feels meaningless.” “Usually she’d be washing our socks by now, and making snacks later.” “You know, I kinda miss her!” Christopher stood at the door, eyes icy. Even though he had tacitly allowed all of this. Hearing it with his own ears, every word felt like a cut. Telling him that he forced Sarah away. “Martha!” “Tell them to pack their things and get the hell out!” Christopher’s sudden roar scared everyone in the living room. They apologized involuntarily, promising not to gossip anymore. But Christopher wouldn’t listen. He ordered Martha to supervise their packing. Lily, bold as ever, stood in front of Christopher, blocking him. “I’m pregnant.” Lily touched her flat stomach, a smug look on her face. But she was surprised to see the other sisters’ faces change. They rushed upstairs, packed in minutes, and fled the Kane house. Lily was confused. Shouldn’t pregnancy give her leverage over Christopher? Why were they so panicked? The next second, Christopher grabbed her and threw her into the corner. Pain shot through her back. Christopher stood there, composed and cold. When he spoke, the words were lethal. “Martha, call Dr. Chen to come over for an abortion.” A simple sentence proved this wasn’t the first time in the Kane household. What Lily didn’t know was that I used to handle this for him. Christopher never let any woman bear his child. Including me. In the second month of our marriage, I found out I was pregnant. Afraid Christopher would hurt me and the baby, I tried to run. But no matter how I ran, he caught me. During the struggle, I miscarried. That day, Christopher’s red-rimmed eyes were full of hatred for me. He called me cruel, heartless. To this day, I don’t understand. He caused the miscarriage, why was I the cruel one? Lily didn’t understand either, just like I hadn’t. So she knelt and begged: “No, I don’t want an abortion.” “Mr. Kane, didn’t you say you loved me? You said I was your favorite. Why can’t I have it?” Christopher looked down, contempt and disdain flashing in his eyes. “Love?” “You think you deserve it?” Lily looked into those deep eyes and trembled with fear. Christopher ordered Martha to clean Lily up, then drove away. He had more important things to do. Martha sighed, coaxing Lily to wait for the doctor.

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My evil stepmother is a national sweetheart. She plays the innocent flower on the outside, but she used public opinion to drive me to my death. My soul floated in the air— I saw Dad weeping bitterly, while my stepmother took my shares. I saw some netizens celebrating that the “homewrecker” was finally dead! I was utterly despairing, but… when I opened my eyes again, it was the day Dad brought his celebrity stepmother home. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. This time, I’m going to live my life to the fullest! In my past life, just because I called her “sister,” she gave me a stern warning. This time, when she stood in front of me and asked me to call her “Mom,” I immediately burst into tears. Dad immediately came over and picked me up. “Sweetheart, what’s wrong?” I asked timidly, “Dad, Auntie insists I call her Mom, but she’s not my mom. Can I not call her Mom…?” Mom’s death has always been a pain that Dad couldn’t forget. When I mentioned it, Dad remembered her again. His face fell as he scolded, “Bella, we just got married. If the child doesn’t want to call you Mom, she doesn’t have to. Why do you have to force her?” My stepmother’s face stiffened for a moment, but she quickly adjusted her expression. She gently hugged me. “I’m sorry, honey. I was too impatient. I just wanted to be accepted by Sweetheart so badly.” Her words sounded wronged, and Dad’s expression softened. Unexpectedly, slap! I slapped my stepmother’s hypocritical face. Both of them were stunned. Dad immediately scolded me, “Ice! What are you doing?” “Dad…” I cried, feeling wronged by his scolding. “Auntie pinched my waist, it hurts…” Chapter 1 My stepmother’s face flashed with panic as she hurriedly explained, “No, I didn’t, honey…” Dad lifted my shirt to look, and sure enough, there was a bright red mark. His face changed instantly. My stepmother couldn’t explain herself and broke out in a cold sweat. “Sweetheart, I’m sorry. Auntie was too rough just now.” I sneered internally. Did she secretly pinch me any less in my past life? Dad suppressed his anger, his eyes filled with complex emotions as he carried me away. That night, my stepmother slipped into my room and stuffed a card into my hand. “Sweetheart, your dad and I are going on our honeymoon. Auntie heard you’ve wanted to go traveling for a long time, haven’t you? Auntie is giving you this card. When we leave, you can secretly go wherever you want.” Trying to get rid of me already? Because of my weak health, Dad never allowed me to travel alone, nor did he allow me to have money for travel. In my past life, I listened to her and secretly went traveling alone, only to end up nearly dying of a high fever on the road. This time, I still took her card and obediently said, “Thank you, Auntie.” The next day, I brought it up at the dinner table. “Dad, I want to go traveling by myself.” Both of their faces changed. “What travel? Try mentioning it again!” Dad’s face turned red with anger. I retorted, “I want to go! Auntie gave me the money, why should you control me!” Dad immediately lost his temper at Bella. “Bella, are you out of your mind?! Didn’t I tell you about her health condition? Are you trying to kill her?!” “Honey, I was just afraid Sweetheart would be bored home alone.” She cried as she spoke, looking aggrieved and weak. Dad always fell for this. His anger subsided. “Dad, just let me go. You and Auntie are going on your honeymoon, and I’ll be really bored home alone,” I acted coquettishly, pulling Dad’s hand. “Besides, I’ve prepared all my medicine, nothing will happen.” At the mention of my fragile health, Dad got angry again. “Nobody’s going!” he said to Bella. “What honeymoon?! Cancel it all!” My stepmother’s face was as black as coal. Even though she was a national sweetheart, marrying my dad was still considered climbing the social ladder. This marriage was too high-profile. When the news spread that Dad didn’t even take her on a honeymoon, everyone speculated whether Dad really loved her. She was eager to show that her relationship with us was good, so she insisted on taking intimate photos with me. At first, I cooperated with her, but later she got the idea of live streaming, thinking it would better reflect the mother-daughter interaction and establish her image. That night of the live stream, she hugged me intimately, calling me Sweetheart, and wanted to rub cheeks with me. I “accidentally” bumped my head against her face, knocking her nose crooked. I was so scared I quickly covered her crooked fake nose— “I’m sorry, Mom! I’ll put your nose back for you!” Chapter 2 I held back my laughter and reached out to adjust her nose. She was so scared that she immediately turned off the live stream. After all, the national sweetheart debuted as the “bare-faced goddess,” known for never getting plastic surgery and rarely wearing makeup. How could that be? In my past life, she spent millions of my dad’s money every month just to maintain her face. Now she’ll have her hands full. Bella hated me to the core, but she was busy with PR for the next half month. It wasn’t until my dad helped her calm the public opinion that her reputation didn’t completely collapse. Knowing this made me feel uncomfortable again, because my dad was willing to help her calm the public opinion, but in my past life, I was killed by public opinion! Maybe, even my dad didn’t believe me about that incident. As expected, two years later, Bella suggested to my dad that I should be sent into the entertainment industry. “Honey, Sweetheart isn’t cut out for studying anyway, and she’s always wanted to be a big star. Why don’t we arrange some resources for her and send her to act?” In my past life, I really did want to be a big star, so I adored my stepmother and begged her to take me into the entertainment industry. At that time, I was about to take the college entrance exam, but disregarding my dad’s objections, I threatened suicide to go film a movie. Unexpectedly, the famous director my stepmother introduced me to often sexually harassed me in private. Finally, I couldn’t bear it anymore and beat him up. Who knew he would intentionally film it and post it online? He and my stepmother played good cop, bad cop online, implying that I framed him. I was crushed by public opinion, like a rat crossing the street, everyone shouting to beat me. My dad was disheartened with me at the time. Although he withdrew the public opinion, he couldn’t control the rumors in school. Under the pressure of public opinion, I lived a life worse than death every day, with no mood to review for exams. Eventually, unsurprisingly, I failed to get into university and was completely abandoned by my dad. The last straw that pushed me to jump into the river was the news of my stepmother’s pregnancy. She hugged my dad and smiled sweetly. “Sweetheart, you’re going to have a younger brother.” At that time, I felt like I had been struck by lightning, as if I were outside of this family. This was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. I never thought my dad would have other children. He clearly promised me that he would only love me as his daughter… That night, I jumped from the Zhangjiang Bridge and died in the icy cold river water. Chapter 3 Now, in this life, my stepmother proposes again to pull me into the entertainment industry. “Bella, why are you talking to the child about this now? She’s taking the college entrance exam next year. Do you want to distract her?” My dad was unhappy as soon as he heard it. “I’m just planning for Ice. Besides, Ice has always begged me to take her into the entertainment industry. With our family’s strength, can’t we make her famous?” Seeing that my dad was about to get angry, I immediately cut in, “Yes! I just want to be a big star! Auntie told me that being a big star allows you to know many people and make a lot of money. Given our family’s situation, why take the college entrance exam!” “What good people are there in the entertainment industry for you to know!” My dad’s words slapped my stepmother hard in the face. Seeing her face turn bad, he realized he had also scolded her. “Bella, do you really mean well for her?” My dad finally sensed something this time and became suspicious of my stepmother. “Honey! How can you think of me like that! I’m just doing it for her own good, to help her fulfill her dream! Boohoo…” This time, my stepmother’s pitiful crying did not arouse my dad’s sympathy. I innocently pulled my dad’s sleeve from the side and persuaded, “Dad, don’t quarrel with Auntie. I’ll study hard from now on.” My dad was distressed and angry. “You speak for her. I think she has many schemes!” A rift of suspicion arose between my dad and stepmother, and I was happy to see it succeed, watching my stepmother pretend to be pitiful while studying hard. Because I had fallen behind too much, later I even took the initiative to suggest to my dad to hire a tutor to come to the house specifically at night. My stepmother was afraid I would get into a good university. Because my dad said that as long as I got into a prestigious university, he would hand over the company to me in the future. Her stomach hasn’t moved yet, how can she be willing!? So she often ordered people to bring in food during tutoring sessions. It was all ice cream, milk tea, potato chips, cakes, and other things kids like to eat to distract me. I ate them all, but I was never distracted by these little things. Later one day, my dad found out I didn’t go to class and pulled me out of bed. “Sweetheart! Why are you sleeping in again?! Don’t you have school today?” I clutched my stomach, sweating profusely. “Dad, my head is dizzy, my stomach hurts so much.” My dad immediately became worried. “What’s wrong? Dad will call the doctor to see you right away!” The doctor examined me and said I had eaten something bad, causing gastroenteritis and a slight fever. My body has been weak since childhood, and my dad forbade me to eat indiscriminately. When asked, the auntie said my stepmother gave me so much junk food, and he was furious! “You ate three ice creams yesterday?” he questioned me. I nodded timidly. He was about to go settle accounts with my stepmother, but I stopped him. “Forget it, Dad. Stepmother isn’t my biological mother, it’s normal for her not to understand these things about me.” My dad’s face immediately darkened. He thought of my mother again. My mother died due to difficult childbirth, leaving me behind as soon as she gave birth. My dad wanted to give me a complete family, and he married my stepmother after hearing that she was a breath of fresh air in the entertainment industry. He thought—the national sweetheart is certified by the people nationwide, how bad could she be? But now he finally felt regretful. I asked him, “Dad, if you and Auntie have children in the future, will you not want me anymore?” “Dad doesn’t plan to have any more children. Don’t worry, Dad will only have you as his child in this life.” I instantly became suspicious—then what was the deal with the child in my stepmother’s belly in my past life? Chapter 4 There were six months left until the college entrance exam. To prevent my stepmother from affecting me, my dad asked me to move back to the old mansion, and his relationship with my stepmother became increasingly strained. I thought, with their relationship like this, it was impossible for my stepmother to still get pregnant, right? As a result, the news of my stepmother’s pregnancy came one month before the college entrance exam. My dad only said it was an accidental pregnancy, but since she was pregnant, and my stepmother tried her best to keep the child and wouldn’t allow an abortion, my dad had to give up. When I returned home after the college entrance exam, I saw my stepmother sitting on the sofa, glancing at me with pride. “Sweetheart, you’re back?” I nodded. She touched her small belly and showed off to me with a smile like in the past life, “Sweetheart, you’re going to have a younger brother.” In my past life, I hated this sentence the most. It was this sentence that drove me to desperation! I smiled and pressed a fruit knife against her belly, pressing her down and whispering, “Okay, as long as you dare to give birth, I will definitely treat my younger brother well.” She screamed, dodging backward as if seeing a ghost. “What are you doing! Are you going to kill me!?” “Auntie, don’t shout so loudly. I just wanted to peel an apple for you.” I shrugged helplessly. Since then, my stepmother was terrified that I would do something to her child, wishing I would get out. I immediately suggested, “Auntie, does the thing about sending me to film before the college entrance exam still count?” My stepmother’s eyes lit up. She looked at my dad’s face before nodding. “You’re not allowed to go,” my dad objected directly. “Dad, the college entrance exam is over. Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything.” After all, none of the people who killed me in my past life can escape! My dad initially refused to relent until the college entrance exam results came out. The phone screen displayed—623 points! I was so excited that my hands were trembling. “Dad, I got in! I finally got in!” My dad had never imagined I could score so well! As the calm and self-composed president of Yu Corporation, he was so excited that his eyes turned red, and holding me, he called my biological mother’s name— “Tang Yuan, do you see this? Our Sweetheart is promising!” My heart was filled with sorrow. It took two lifetimes to get this ending. “Dad, let me do what I want to do. I won’t let you down again.” After persuading my dad for half a month, he finally relented. Before I left, he urged me repeatedly to be careful of anyone in the entertainment industry. Stepping onto the filming island again, director Jiang Tao walked towards me amiably, “Miss Yu, nice to meet you!” He asked me to hand over my phone, but the phone accidentally slipped into the ditch. I looked embarrassed, “What should I do, Director Jiang? If you want the phone, come pick it up yourself.” Everyone on the set went silent. Jiang Tao always set up a generous and kind persona. Even after losing face, he pretended to laugh and asked someone to fish up the phone, but a trace of darkness flashed in his eyes. Sure enough, later he bullied me overtly and covertly. He wouldn’t let a scene pass even after dozens of takes, and later he couldn’t even help but curse at me. People on the set had rarely seen him like this, only saying that I wasn’t professional enough and made Director Jiang angry. I turned a deaf ear to his reprimands and swallowed my anger. Until one night, he finally came to my room to “explain the play” to me. In my past life, when he wanted to sexually harass me, I bit off a piece of meat from his ear, while he picked inconspicuous places to hit when he attacked. I was beaten half to death by him, but the next day when I lifted my clothes to check, the marks were gone. Instead, he actually took a picture of his ear injury and posted a Weibo— “Your kid did this, you have to give me work injury money@Actor Bella(cry-laugh)” Bella is my stepmother’s name, and she replied to the producer— “@Jiang Tao, sorry sorry, Ice is still young, used to messing around at home (sticking out tongue).” After this incident fermented, for a time my name was on the trending search #Who is Ice?##Yu President’s only daughter plays big shot##National sweetheart marries into wealthy family and gets bullied# Netizens were certain that the incident of me hitting people was just the tip of the iceberg, and they didn’t know how I bullied Bella at home. The internet’s abuse of me, who had just come of age, began from this time, and even my birth date and eight characters were dug out. Will I let him get his wish in this life? Jiang Tao’s face was covered with grease. Seeing that I didn’t refuse, he took off my clothes as soon as he entered my room, his eyes revealing obscenity. “Come, let Uncle Jiang properly explain the play to you.” “You’re always not good. Today Uncle will teach you a good lesson!” I showed a frightened and panicked expression to the invisible camera connected to the live broadcast room. “Director Jiang, why are you taking off my clothes to explain the play?”

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When I was 20, my husband, Liam Sterling, lost his first love, Sophia. She died saving my life. From that moment on, he clipped my wings, turning me into a useless bird in a gilded cage. Today, my grandfather’s heart condition relapsed, and I begged Liam for the money for surgery. He just smiled, pointing to the frozen lake outside the penthouse window. “Sure. Jump from here, and I’ll consider it.” When my body was pulled from the icy water, his “dead” first love was officially reinstated to the police force. Chapter 1 Liam is my ex-husband. Our marriage lasted all of a month and a half. Despite the divorce, I still lived in his house. He made me work as a maid and fulfill “marital duties.” If I refused, he would cut off my grandfather’s medical expenses. He said it was a debt I owed. I didn’t know anyone else in New York who could help. Desperate, I had to beg him. “Are you serious? If I jump, you’ll save my grandfather?” Liam swirled the red wine in his glass, indifferent. “You can try.” This was the 12th floor. I looked down at the thin layer of ice on the lake below. I was a strong swimmer, but fear still gripped my heart. Seeing my hesitation, Liam mocked, “Scared? Guess your grandfather isn’t that important to you after all.” He stood up to leave. I immediately took off my coat and leaped. “Mr. Sterling, will Miss Harper be okay?” Liam didn’t even glance back at his assistant’s concern. He headed straight for the office. “Tell my secretary, Ms. Grant, to contact the cardiology specialists.” The moment my body smashed through the ice, I knew I was done for. My legs went numb instantly, and I sank into the darkness. Soon, I saw my own body settle at the bottom of the lake. Christmas was coming. Grandpa would have to eat Christmas dinner alone this year. “Liam, remember your promise.” Chapter 2 Liam returned to the office and buried himself in work. He once dreamed of being a police officer, but now he was just a workaholic CEO. He worked until the early hours every day. Unless he was on a business trip, no matter how late, he always went home. Ms. Grant, his secretary, resolved the hospital matter and walked in with a stack of files. “Mr. Sterling, the situation in Boston needs you to personally oversee it.” Liam didn’t look up, flipping through documents. “Book the earliest flight. Pack your things; you’re coming with me.” Ms. Grant’s lips curled into a faint, imperceptible smile. “Yes, sir.” When Liam returned from the business trip, the first thing he did was look for me. “Chloe.” The master bedroom was empty. His face darkened. “Not replying to texts, not answering calls. I’ve spoiled you too much!” He swept his arm across the dresser, sending everything crashing to the floor. He glanced at the mess indifferently, then stomped heavily on a pink notebook lying on the ground. He knew it was my diary. It was an act of pure spite. Furious, Liam called Ms. Grant. “Stop all treatments for her grandfather.” Then he texted me. [Disappearing without reason has consequences. You have one hour to get back here, or your grandfather’s life is no longer my concern.] His usually obedient pet had suddenly rebelled. Liam was in a foul mood all night. Chapter 3 I had been at the hospital with Grandpa the whole time. Since the payments stopped, he was kicked out. The old man could barely walk, carrying his own bag, trying to call me over and over again. No answer. “Grandpa!” I reached out to support him countless times, but my hands passed right through him. He looked so sick that no taxi would pick him up. It snowed heavily that night. I walked home with Grandpa in the storm. The next day, his condition worsened. I watched him put on his glasses, trembling as he dialed Ms. Grant’s number. “Ms. Grant, have you seen our Chloe?” The woman’s voice on the other end was arrogant and cold. ” haven’t seen her.” “Sorry to bother you. I know I don’t have long, I’m not asking for money. You don’t need to worry about me clinging to you. “I just can’t find Chloe. I heard she’s close with Mr. Sterling. Could you ask him where she is? “Or could you give me Mr. Sterling’s number? I’ll ask him myself.” “Mr. Sterling is very busy.” She hung up. It was the first time I saw Grandpa cry. As he wept, his lips turned purple, gasping for air. I knew it was a heart attack. I reached for the phone to call 911. But my hand passed through the table. I knew then that I could do nothing. I could only watch helplessly as the old man died. The first night after Grandpa passed away, I went to find Liam. He was working late at the office, as always. I wanted to kill him, but I couldn’t even touch him. “Liam Sterling, you bastard! Why did you do this to me?” Chapter 4 Three days later, Liam arrived at the office to find the lobby crowded with people. Seeing Ms. Grant arguing with someone, he frowned. “What’s going on?” Before she could explain, a man rushed over and grabbed Liam by the collar. “You killed him! Why did you stop my dad’s treatment? Now he’s dead, are you happy?” Liam froze. “What did you say?” I stood beside him, watching coldly. The man was my father, a gambler. He probably went home to steal money, found Grandpa dead, and came to extort compensation. In this moment, I wished my father had a knife to stab Liam! But I knew my dad just wanted money to gamble. In the five years I was with Liam, this day was the most frequently he tried to contact me. Ms. Grant, having been hit, was indignant. “Mr. Sterling, why should we pay compensation?” Liam glanced at her with cold eyes. “Regarding Chloe’s grandfather, did you forget to report any details to me?” Ms. Grant was too scared to speak at first, then stuttered, “Four days ago, her grandfather called, asking you to help find his granddaughter. I refused…” Just as I wanted to slap her, a cold voice spoke from behind. “Impressive. Even her grandfather didn’t know where she was.” Liam closed his eyes briefly. “Your bonus for this year is gone. Get out!” Hearing the door close, he opened his eyes, looking out the window with hatred. “Chloe Harper, you really are cold-blooded. Can’t handle even this? How dared you take Sophia’s token to ask my father for money back then?” Chapter 5 I laughed sarcastically. Even now, he wasn’t worried about my safety at all. And my grandfather’s life was worth just a year-end bonus to him. But for what happened with Sophia, he took half my life. Christmas Eve. Liam’s grandfather insisted he bring his “wife” to the family mansion for the holidays. Liam still couldn’t reach me. He started losing his temper. The quiet assistant driving the car suddenly remembered the lake incident from long ago. “Mr. Sterling, could something have happened to Miss Harper? Jumping from the 12th floor in winter…” Liam cut him off without thinking. “Impossible. She won a swimming championship in college! She’s deliberately hiding to get my attention. She’s vicious and cunning! Forget her. Turn around, go to the mansion.” The assistant wanted to say more but was silenced by a glare. I sat next to him, my heart sinking to the bottom. But thinking about it, my life meant nothing to him anyway. So whether I was dead or alive didn’t matter. Maybe dead was better. Grandpa Sterling was disappointed to see Liam arrive alone. “Chloe hasn’t come back?” Liam’s face went cold. “Doesn’t answer calls, doesn’t reply to texts. Like she’s dead!” I am dead. Liam, you should be happy! Grandpa Sterling slammed his hand on the table. “Why didn’t you help with her grandfather? That was your wife’s grandfather’s life! “She’s not home now, aren’t you worried? Did you go handle the old man’s funeral?” “She doesn’t even care about her own grandfather, why should you worry for her!” Liam was annoyed too. He left without eating dinner. Chapter 6 Grandpa’s funeral was eventually arranged by Grandpa Sterling. It was grand. But few people came. Even my dad didn’t show up. Just Grandpa Sterling and the funeral staff. After everyone left, I stayed by Grandpa’s tombstone. I didn’t know what I was waiting for. Liam didn’t show up anyway. Grandpa was gone. Maybe it was a release for him. I went back to the lake house where I jumped. My only wish now was for Liam to find my body soon. Only when my body was recovered and put to rest could I leave this place completely. I wanted to be reincarnated. I never wanted to be human again. While I was wishing to be a seagull in my next life, Liam arrived. He drank a lot. As soon as he entered, our eyes met. My heart raced. “Liam? Can you see me? Hurry, go fish my body out!” But he quickly looked away. I knew it was my illusion. He stayed there for a long time, standing right where I jumped. Staring at the lake… I don’t know if it was my imagination, but I saw a flash of grief on his face. I had wondered how he would react when he saw my body. But I knew in my heart, I was just a toy for his atonement. But I clearly remember, the only person I wronged was Sophia Vance. Near dawn, Liam made a call. “Send someone to drag the lake.”

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