On the day Ethan proposed to me, I broke up with him. Our friends were baffled. He knelt on the ground, pleading that he had been planning this proposal for a month. Roses everywhere, the scent filling the garden—it was indeed thoughtful. But… what a coincidence. I had made up my mind to leave him exactly one month ago. 1 I said the words before Ethan could even pull the ring out of his pocket. The friends who were cheering us on suddenly went silent, as if someone had hit the pause button on the world. A gentle breeze carried the rich scent of roses to my nose. The proposal setup was truly beautiful. Back when we started dating, I told him that if he ever proposed, it had to be in Napa Valley, under an arch of white roses, and I wanted to be wearing a white vintage dress. He remembered everything. He even did more than I asked. “Why? Don’t you love me anymore?” It took Ethan a long moment to react. His face turned beet red. I looked quietly at this face, the man I had loved for ten years. He was still handsome, still capable of making my heart skip a beat. But… I helped him up and gently patted his shoulder. “Ethan, it’s you who doesn’t love me anymore.” 2 Ethan and I met in high school. He was the captain of the debate team; I was the editor of the school paper. Our main activity was competing over GPAs. During senior year, we often stayed late at the library. Sometimes, we’d quiz each other before AP exams. He would poke my shoulder with his pen. “Summer, how did you do? I only missed one question on the History mock exam.” I wouldn’t back down either. We competed like that all the way to graduation. On the night of our graduation party, things went late. Ethan drove me home. For some reason, we got stuck in traffic on the 405. Amidst the honking of cars, I heard his voice. “Summer, I really like you. Will you go out with me?” I heard him clearly, but I pretended I didn’t, turning back to ask, “What did you say?” The night was dark, but I saw his ears turn bright red instantly. He stammered, “Nothing.” He walked me to my front door. Just as I was about to go inside, he suddenly closed his eyes and shouted. “Summer, I like you!” “I heard you. Summer likes you too.” I stood in front of him, grinning. He stepped back, startled. “I thought you went inside?” “Because I heard someone say he likes me, and since I like him too, I came back out.” His face turned completely red. That night was the beginning. The summer wind was hot, his white dress shirt was thin, and his bright laughter echoed in my mind for the next ten years. Back then, even holding hands made us blush for hours. We held hands, and we didn’t let go for ten years. In those ten years, we traveled everywhere. We went to New York, walking through Central Park, getting soaked by a sudden thunderstorm and failing to hail a cab; we went to San Francisco, haggling with a vendor at Fisherman’s Wharf for fresh crab; we went to New Orleans, leaving a note in a crack of a jazz bar wall that read: Hope everyone finds happiness; we went to the Grand Canyon, taking silly photos of each other on the rim… The internet says if a relationship lasts more than five years without marriage, it likely never will. I scoffed at that. Marriage felt like a natural progression to me. When the time was right, it would happen. I believed that. Until this year, when we went to Chicago. While watching the lights on the riverwalk, I accidentally saw his phone. 3 The Chicago skyline was breathtaking. I took a picture and turned to show him. But I saw him smiling, his fingers flying across the screen. Even though he locked it quickly, I saw the contact name and the profile picture. The name was “Zoe,” and the picture was Lotso the Bear from Toy Story. I couldn’t convince myself that a guy would use Lotso as a profile pic. Nor could I convince myself they were just friends. I had never checked his phone before. But that night, after he fell asleep, a gut feeling urged me to look. My hands trembled as I unlocked his screen. Zoe was a pretty girl. Her Instagram was vibrant. Selfies with Lotso. Funny memes. She posted daily updates about her life, full of emojis. Much livelier than my feed, which was mostly reposts of financial news. I didn’t want to scroll up their chat history, but I couldn’t stop myself. I scrolled to the very top and found they had added each other back in college. Her first message was: “Hi Senior, I’m Zoe.” Zoe. Ethan. Their names sounded good together. I read their chat logs like a masochist. When did it cross the line? It seemed to be this year. Zoe shared a playlist; he said it was great. Zoe said it was her birthday; he Venmoed her $100 and sent a plush toy. Zoe said, “I’m so tired today, Ethan.” He said, “Get some rest, don’t stay up late.” Zoe said, “I miss seeing you.” He replied with “…” and then, “Don’t think about it.” Zoe said, “Ethan, I’m lost.” He said, “Stay there, I’ll call a friend to pick you up, or I’ll come myself.” … These countless messages screamed that boundaries had been crossed. If I hadn’t been holding Ethan’s phone, I would have thought I was reading a romance novel. It turned out that while he was baking me cakes, replying to my texts, and buying me gifts, he was also messaging someone else. Did I make Ethan too comfortable? So comfortable that he never deleted a single message. I couldn’t even lie to myself if I wanted to. That night, I sat on the hotel sofa, looking out at the Chicago River. The water was beautiful under the moonlight, but in the reflection of the glass, I saw a pathetic, tear-streaked Summer. 4 I didn’t know how to face Ethan. So I booked the earliest flight back to D.C. My thesis advisor sent me a pile of research papers, and I buried myself in work. I rejected Ethan’s texts, calls, and requests to meet, using my thesis as an excuse. When he came to my campus, I lied and said I was on a research trip with my professor. I didn’t know why I was being so difficult. It felt like there were two little people in my head. One said: Summer, it’s ten years. Not ten days, not ten months. Ten years. The other said: Summer, he emotionally cheated. They tortured me day and night. Combined with the pressure of my PhD, I barely slept. During that time, I didn’t contact Ethan, and he thought I was genuinely busy, so he didn’t disturb me. One day, after a dinner with my cohort, we discussed research methods. Someone mentioned you could find data on Twitter by searching keywords. I don’t know why, but I searched for Zoe’s handle. One account popped up with the exact same profile picture. She had 1,323 tweets. I read every single one. She was full of energy. She donated to charity monthly, volunteered at animal shelters. She complained about her workload but finished it anyway, then tweeted a “Good job, me!” If she hadn’t intruded into my life, I would have liked her. But she chose to intrude. She even started a thread: My journey chasing the dream guy. Did she not know Ethan had a girlfriend? Ethan’s Facebook cover photo was of us. Or did she just think I wasn’t a threat? I found the answer quickly. That day, while walking to the cafeteria after reading papers, I checked Twitter. She had a new update: Confessed to him after the movies and got rejected. But it’s okay, he likes me. I just need to try harder. There was a screenshot attached. I clicked it. The person with Ethan’s profile pic said: “I’m sorry, I have a girlfriend. She’s been with me for ten years. I need to be responsible for her.” I dropped my tray. Silverware clattered loudly on the floor. A student asked if I was okay. I waved them off calmly. I didn’t cry this time. There was nothing to cry about. I was free. His reason for rejecting her wasn’t that he didn’t like her. It was because he had to be “responsible” for me. Not because he loved me, but because he felt guilty for wasting my years. In other words, Ethan gave her the confidence to compete with me. He made me—someone who was agonizing over whether to give him a chance to explain—look like a joke. I was the obstacle in the way of his true love. The villain in a soap opera. Funny. That girl had only been in the picture for a few months, yet she outweighed our ten years.

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After recovering his memories and resuming his life as the scion of an Old Money dynasty, everyone assumed Julian Sterling would divorce me. Now, a single cufflink on his wrist is worth millions. And I, holding our daughter’s hand, am just the “shampoo girl from the trailer park” in the eyes of his elite friends. We look like we belong to different species. But the man looked at me with indifferent eyes and said only, “Stay by my side.” I thought our marriage still counted. I thought I was still his lawful wife. Later, news of his engagement to an heiress spread through the entire Upper East Side. As for me, he said with certainty: “Nora is still here. She won’t leave.” I simply smoothed the hem of my dress and went to his mother: “I want to leave.” Later, I went south alone. I didn’t take the child. I didn’t take him. 1 “Mommy, is Daddy going to marry someone else?” When Sunny asked this, the spoon in my hand clinked against the porcelain bowl. I turned around to meet her innocent, confused eyes, filled with layers of grievance. I stroked her hair, instinctively forcing a laugh. “How could Daddy marry someone else? Where did you hear such nonsense?” She picked at her fingers, her small mouth trembling. “Ms. Higgins said it. She also said… Sunny is a bastard child. Mommy, what is a bastard child?” A child’s voice is crisp and sweet, but those words hit my chest like a sledgehammer. I didn’t have time to think. I just hugged her tight, comforting her, but mostly trying to keep myself sane. “Sunny will always be Daddy and Mommy’s treasure. Ms. Higgins is just… sick lately.” I tapped her nose with a smile. “You know how people get confused when they’re sick, right?” She pursed her lips and smiled a little, scrunching her nose. “Confused heads talk nonsense.” I smiled back. “Exactly. You’re so smart.” The little girl hugged her stuffed rabbit and rested her head on my hand. “Mommy, don’t be sad.” My palm burned. My eyes stung. It took everything I had not to cry at her clumsy attempt to comfort me. I stared at her, my gaze moving from her face to the stuffed rabbit in her arms. The rabbit was grey and plain, with droopy ears. It looked like nothing special, but it cost $12,000. She had a room full of toys like this. Who would have thought that a year ago, the best we could give her was a $10 toy from Walmart? The room was carpeted with plush wool, silencing my footsteps. I no longer needed to tiptoe out of her room like I used to in our thin-walled trailer. Ms. Higgins was the nanny Julian brought from the Sterling estate to take care of us. I always knew she didn’t like me or Sunny. Later, I found out she had a daughter who had been in love with Julian for years. The villa’s security cameras were high-definition. I heard every word clearly: “The mother has no title, no ring. If the kid isn’t a bastard, what is she?” I looked down, clenching my fists until my nails dug into my palms. 2 The day Julian suddenly recovered his memory, he got into a car accident. When I rushed to the hospital with Sunny, he was sitting up in bed. Hearing us, he turned his head slowly. He was still wearing the faded clothes he left the house in that morning, but his eyes were so unfamiliar that I froze. Before, whenever Sunny called him “Daddy,” no matter what he was doing, he would squat down to answer her. But that day, Sunny’s voice grew quieter with each call. It wasn’t until the seventh time that he gave a faint acknowledgment. I was terrified by his strangeness, but also relieved he was alive. In a person’s life, no matter how much love a newcomer gives, the soul always seeks its origin. Only then is one complete. I just didn’t know then that between him and me, between his world and our trailer park, lay a canyon a thousand miles wide. I thought about it countless times. If fate hadn’t played a trick, our lives wouldn’t have crossed for generations. When the Sterling family came to pick him up, they were swift and discreet. They didn’t even alert the neighbors. Even with my limited understanding of the world, I knew in that moment: I couldn’t stop him from leaving. And once he left, we would never meet again. I looked at our empty, unfinished house. The money we saved over the years was only enough for the frame. The walls were bare concrete. We needed to save for a few more years to finish it. We always said Sunny was still small; we could finish it later. In the chaos of my thoughts, I made a rational decision. I reached out to him. “You can go. But for saving your life, for our time as husband and wife, and for your duty as a father, you should give me a sum of money. I need to raise Sunny.” I couldn’t keep him, but logic dictated I should keep what I could. Under the dim light of a naked bulb hanging from a wire, Julian looked at my outstretched hand for a long time. No one knew what he was thinking. I only remember him grabbing my cold hand, his voice lazy and detached. “What are you thinking? You and Sunny are coming back with me.” So that day, a black SUV drove straight onto a private ferry, leaving the island. Until we boarded the private jet, no one knew who was inside. Maybe I was too greedy, using the excuse of giving Sunny a complete family to step into a completely alien world. Everyone thought Julian brought me back just for show, that we would divorce soon. But for a year, no matter how busy or late, he came back to this villa. Earlier, I heard him come in. I needed to discuss Sunny with Julian. He needed to handle this. We had a marriage license, a wedding. Sunny was born of love and expectation. She was never a bastard. Julian promised that once things settled, we would register our marriage under his real identity. If he knew Sunny was being called names, he would be furious. Walking down the stairs, I rehearsed my words, trying to be tactful. The villa was so big it felt empty. I checked a few rooms but didn’t see him. At the turn of the stairs, a voice came from a slightly ajar door. 3 “Julian, the Madam says you’ve picked a date for the engagement?” Engagement? I thought I was hearing things. The word “engagement” and Julian didn’t belong in the same sentence. He had a child. He had a wife. How could he get engaged to someone else? Through the crack, I saw a man in a bespoke suit, looking impatient as he loosened his tie. His cufflinks gleamed under the light. “My mother told you?” He lit a cigarette, smoke curling around his sharp nose. “Stop prying. And keep your mouth shut in this house.” “Everyone knows, Julian. I didn’t need to ask your mother. I’m happy for you. Marrying the heiress of the Vanderbilt family is the right path.” “Your father let that illegitimate brother of yours into the house while you were gone. He almost took your place.” “You are the legitimate heir. A legitimate marriage should be with a proper family.” “It’s just… that Miss Ning. How do you plan to settle her? Send her back to the countryside?” Julian glanced at her. “Are you joking? She doesn’t need to leave. And she won’t. Sunny is here. Where would she go?” The old nanny laughed. “True. Just keep her as a mistress. It doesn’t matter.” From my corner, I clearly saw the indifference in his eyes. Power and privilege truly reshape a person’s soul. In the past, his eyes never held this cold, god-like detachment. He used to stand awkwardly in front of a flower stall, smiling humbly, haggling patiently for a bouquet I liked. It wasn’t until this moment that I truly woke up. The man named Nathan, my husband, died the moment he became Julian Sterling again. I clutched my phone, my heart a hollow cavity. I desperately needed something to fill the void. I looked around, suddenly desperate to see my daughter. I quickened my steps, shutting out the voices from that room. “And,” he stubbed out the cigarette, “how many times do I have to say it? Call her by her name or Mrs. Sterling. What is this ‘Miss Ning’ nonsense?” “The food on the table, did she not touch a bite?” I hadn’t eaten. She deliberately didn’t clear the table. “She’s hard to serve. Why don’t you eat some? It’s all your favorites.” “Ms. Higgins, you better remember why I let you in here. It’s been a year, and you still don’t know she’s allergic to eggs? If you can’t do simple things, go back to the estate. Plenty of people can do your job.” Julian rarely lost his temper with her. She had been with his mother for decades. A man born into privilege, after years of hardship, had lost his temper but learned to treat everyone with polished grace. Seeing her bow apologetically, he offered no comfort. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey and walked out. 4 I pushed open the door to Sunny’s room. Seeing her sleeping face, my breathing slowed. If anything had kept me from collapsing under the gossip this past year, it was her. From a barren village to the neon metropolis, the world had opened a new door for me. Behind this heavy door lay a dazzling world I had never touched and was destined never to belong to. For a year, I was lost in a fog, thinking true love conquered prejudice, that life would be brilliant forever. But now, I needed to think. A warm hand touched mine. I looked down. The sleeping girl was frowning, gripping my hand tight. I wiped my tears, took a deep breath, straightened my back, and held her small hand. “Don’t be afraid. Mommy is here.” “Why aren’t you asleep?” A slightly hoarse voice came from behind, accompanied by the scent of whiskey. I didn’t turn around. I tucked the blanket in. “Julian, when are we going to get our marriage license?” It wasn’t a conversation for a bedroom. We walked down the hall to his study. I crossed my arms, keeping a distance, adopting a negotiating stance. He glanced at me. Perhaps he didn’t care, so he didn’t question my sudden seriousness. He chuckled lightly, taking off his watch, his posture relaxed. “The books I gave you, did you finish them?” How did I not see this obvious evasion before? It was different. It was all different. Julian was just Julian. I turned away, silent. When he made that decision to engage, he knew how helpless I would feel. But now, he ignored that helplessness. I looked at the desk on the left. It was piled high with books—art appreciation, economics, management theory. For the past year, he had been like a farmer forcing a crop to grow, trying to transform me overnight. I thought it was because I embarrassed him. But he never hid me. He introduced me to his friends openly. But I had nothing to talk about with them. They talked about stocks, global economics, tariffs, billion-dollar deals. So when I came back from the restroom and heard them call me the “shampoo girl from the trailer park,” I couldn’t find a reason to be sad. I never mentioned it to Julian. I learned etiquette quickly. Even if I didn’t, people wouldn’t dare embarrass me to my face because of him. When he first told me to take the SATs and go to college, I thought it was absurd. I was anxious to prove something. “College is for getting a job to make money. I can make money.” “Degrees don’t make billionaires. I don’t think skipping college stops me from earning.” “Remember when I met you? I owed five grand. In a few years, I paid it back, built a house, and opened two salons.” “I’m good at making money. My salon is still number one in town…” Under Julian’s helpless gaze, my voice trailed off. I smiled lonely. “I forgot. Your family doesn’t need money.” He said casually, “Just study. If you get in, we’ll get the license.” I looked at him seriously. “Really? If I get in, will your mother like me?” He paused, silent for a moment. “She will.” I had good grades in high school. If not for bad luck, college would have been easy. When I got the acceptance letter, Julian donated a building to the university, as was the Sterling custom. I was supposed to start in September. But now… I looked at Julian. Under the lamp, he was flipping through my notes.

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After starting high school, my mom gave me a monthly allowance of $50,000. My desk mate was green with envy and engineered a soul swap with me. She excitedly ran towards the luxury limo: “Woohoo! The rich mom is mine now!” I silently shouldered her tattered backpack, hopped onto her mom’s little electric scooter, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Great, I finally escaped my mom. 1 Before school let out, Chloe handed me a cup of boba tea: “This is the first time I’m treating you. I saved up for half a month to buy the most expensive one, please don’t turn it down.” I hesitated for a moment, but eventually took it politely and took two symbolic sips. It was strawberry, my favorite flavor: “Thanks, it’s delicious.” As soon as I finished speaking, a white light flashed before my eyes. When I opened them again, I was shocked to find that I had swapped souls with Chloe. “Chloe, you…” “Shh, you are Chloe now. From today on, I am Summer. The rich mom is mine!” 2 Looking at the excited Chloe, I suddenly understood. Not long ago, she borrowed money from me to buy boba tea and accidentally saw my seven-figure balance. She was so shocked she counted the digits several times. “Summer, how do you have so much money?” “My mom gives me $50,000 a month. I just saved it up.” “Your mom… is so rich. What does she do?” “She runs a few companies.” “Wow, that’s amazing! You’re so lucky!” Chloe complained while drinking her tea. “My mom is a stay-at-home mom and she’s stingy as hell. She only gives me $15 for lunch every day. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have to borrow money from you.” I listened quietly, swallowing as I looked at the boba tea in Chloe’s hand. Actually, I envied her too. Because after I turned ten, I never drank boba tea again, nor did I ever taste happiness. 3 After that day, Chloe often told me she was fed up with her mom and wanted to be my mom’s daughter. I thought she was just saying it on a whim. I didn’t expect her to actually swap souls with me to steal my mom. “Summer, accept your fate. You and I will never swap back in this lifetime.” While I was distracted, Chloe drank all the drugged boba tea in her hand and ran towards the black luxury van that came to pick me up every day after school. Watching her cheerful retreating figure, I slowly put on her old backpack, found her mom’s electric scooter in the crowd, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Great, I finally escaped my mom. 4 “Chloe, did something good happen today?” Chloe’s mom handed me a helmet. She wasn’t wearing makeup, wore a pair of dirty slippers and a black jacket. She looked a bit thin and her complexion wasn’t great, but her eyes were incredibly gentle when she looked at me. “Yeah, a difficult problem I couldn’t solve before suddenly got solved.” I answered while trying to put on the helmet. Being unfamiliar with it, I got the strap stuck inside. Seeing this, Chloe’s mom immediately parked the scooter and helped me put the helmet on properly. Instead of scolding me, she affectionately pinched the tip of my nose: “You’re acting like a little kid. Sit tight now.” I obediently sat on the electric scooter. The tip of my nose, where Chloe’s mom had touched, suddenly felt a bit tingly. From the age of ten, I started living alone. My mom was very busy, flying all over the world. She never picked me up or dropped me off at school, nor did she allow me to waste time acting spoiled with her. We hadn’t touched each other in a long time. Our communication was like boss and employee: she gave orders, I executed them. If I did well, she transferred money; if I did poorly, there would be punishment. Thinking of the various punishments I had experienced, I suddenly shivered. The fear engraved in my bones instantly spread throughout my body. I quickly comforted myself in my heart: Don’t be afraid, you are Chloe now, not Summer. You won’t die. 5 Returning to Chloe’s home, it was even smaller than I imagined. The living room was a bit messy, with children’s picture books and toys piled on the sofa. Right, Chloe mentioned she had a younger sister who was not yet three years old. “Chloe, are you still angry with Mom?” Chloe’s mom took out a shoe box and put it on the coffee table: “Mom saved up and bought you the shoes you liked. Look, are these the right ones?” I opened the shoe box. Inside was a pair of fake Loro Piana shoes. I was certain they were fake because just last week, my mom bought me a real pair and required me to wear them to school on the 15th of every month. Although I didn’t like those shoes at all, I numbly obeyed her order and wore the Loro Pianas to school on the 15th. Chloe noticed the new shoes, specifically checked the price, and then sulked for a whole day. “Chloe, did Mom buy the wrong ones?” Chloe’s mom’s gentle and cautious inquiry pulled me back to reality. Looking at her expectant eyes, a warmth surged in my heart: “No, it’s just that my classmate has these shoes too. Can I choose another pair?” “Of course. Here’s the phone. Add the ones you like to the shopping cart. Mom is going to pick up your sister from the neighbor’s house first.” Chloe’s mom handed me the phone and turned to leave the house. It turned out she had to leave her younger daughter with a neighbor every day to free herself up to pick up her older daughter. But a seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl could have taken the bus to and from school by herself long ago. She didn’t actually need to pick her up every day. Was it to save the $4 bus fare? I stared at her phone. It was an old model from three years ago, with two cracks on the screen. Both the wallpaper and lock screen were photos of Chloe and her sister together. It was evident that Chloe’s mom was very frugal and loved her two children very much. It’s so good. Such a good mother is mine from now on. 6 Because I chose a cheap pair of shoes and patiently read picture books with my sister, Chloe’s mom specially made a large plate of sweet and sour pork to reward me. That night, for the first time, I ate according to my own preferences, picking whatever I wanted and eating as much as I wanted, instead of eating at fixed times and quantities according to my mom’s requirements. Those nutritional meals and body-shaping meals that spanned my entire adolescence were perfect but also cold. The sweet shrimp air-freighted directly from Argentina lacked a trace of motherly warmth, far inferior to the dishes carefully cooked by Chloe’s mom in my bowl. “Chloe, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” “No, it’s just that the sweet and sour pork Mom made is so delicious, I can’t bear to eat it.” “Silly girl, if you like it, eat more. Mom will make it for you again tomorrow.” Saying that, she put all the sweet and sour pork from the plate into my bowl, not leaving a single piece for herself. My eyes felt a bit sour. The broken bones and emotions in my body suddenly began to heal bit by bit. So being loved by a mother feels like this… Like a spring breeze, like the warm sun in winter. But just when I thought I would slowly pull myself out of hell in this warm family, Chloe’s mom got into a big fight with her husband because of me. 7 Two in the morning. The sound of the door lock turning came from the living room. Chloe’s mom got out of bed quietly. I was a light sleeper and woke up in a daze, just in time to hear the man’s roar from outside the door: “She’s a girl, isn’t $15 enough for a meal? Why increase the food allowance?” “Chloe loves meat. Now a meat dish costs seven or eight dollars alone. Sometimes she buys stationery or something, it really isn’t enough.” “If she spends so much, she might as well stop studying and go sell herself sooner!” The room fell silent, and my heart pounded. Go sell herself sooner… he couldn’t mean that, right? I couldn’t believe a father could say such vicious words. “Husband, three years ago, you asked me to quit my job to have a second child. You agreed to give $5,000 a month for household expenses. Two years ago, you said the pressure was high and reduced it to $3,500. This year, you only give me $2,000 a month. Then make up the $3,500, and I’ll increase our daughter’s food allowance.” “Bang!” It sounded like a vase breaking. Chloe’s dad exploded: “You three females only know how to ask for money all day long! You can’t even give birth to a son, why should I spend $3,500 to support you? With $3,500, I could raise a chicken outside and it would still lay eggs!” Another suffocating silence. I thought that after being humiliated like this by her husband, Chloe’s mom would definitely propose a divorce. But she said nothing, just returned to the room in disappointment. I quickly closed my eyes. She didn’t notice I was pretending to sleep. She tucked me in, sat beside me, and wept silently. At that moment, I suddenly understood why Chloe wished she had a rich mother so much. 8 In the morning, Chloe’s mom apologetically told me that the neighbor had something to do and couldn’t help watch my sister, so I had to take the bus to school myself. “Mom transferred $24 to your WeChat. $4 for the fare, $20 for lunch.” “Wasn’t it $15…” Last night, Chloe’s dad clearly refused to increase the food allowance. “You are still growing, you can’t skimp on food money. An extra $5 a day is only $130 more a month. Mom will add it for you.” Chloe’s mom touched my face: “Chloe, don’t mistreat yourself at school. Buy whatever you want to eat.” The thin calluses on her fingertips gently rubbed against my skin, a little ticklish and a little painful. I couldn’t help but hug her: “Thank you, Mom.” Chloe’s mom clearly paused. She gently patted my back and muttered: “You child, it’s like you’ve changed into a different person.” I instantly sobered up. I didn’t expect her to notice the anomaly so quickly. I ran out of the house as if escaping, taking out the phone I hadn’t taken out at home yesterday. Unlocking the screen with my fingerprint, Chloe’s messages popped up one after another. 9 [The etiquette teachers just praised me, saying I’ve improved a lot compared to before.] [I got three A’s in oral English class. If it were you, would you get none?] [The psychology teacher is so cute, hahaha. She actually seriously advised me to feel the sunshine more. My life is so happy, even if it rains every day, it won’t get me wet.] [Hehe, did you know? The butler just reported to Mom that I successfully completed all the goals for Tuesday. My mom was very satisfied and casually bought me a haute couture dress.] Haute couture? What’s there to be happy about? There were more than ten haute couture dresses in the cloakroom. Those expensive and luxurious clothes were not as comfortable as school uniforms to me. Because once I put on those haute couture dresses, my name became “President Su’s Daughter.” In those suffocating occasions, even my emotions and expressions didn’t belong to me. “Chloe, your mom can’t take you to school again today?” Jasmine from the next class called out to me. Her sympathetic voice pulled me out of bad memories. I paused slightly and smiled at her: “Yeah, Mom has to take care of my sister.” Jasmine tilted her head and naturally took my arm to walk together: “Why aren’t you angry today? Didn’t you hate your sister?” Hate my sister? Chloe’s sister was like a soft little dumpling. When she blinked her big eyes and called me “sister” in a milky voice, my heart melted. Why would Chloe hate her? Was it because of money again? 10 Sitting on the bus, I continued reading the messages sent by Chloe. [Mom is returning to the country next week. I’ll tell her then that I want to go back to a private school and then study abroad.] [Desk mates for three years, we are somewhat fated. As long as you keep my high school experiences a secret for me, I can give you a hush money before I leave.] In the early morning, she sent a photo of the brilliant night view outside the bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling window: [Envious? Chloe, this is the top floor of a mansion you will never reach, and a life you will never have.] The last two messages were from five minutes ago: [Princess transferred $100 to you.] [Chloe, just saw you waiting for the bus. Your mom left you alone for your sister again, right? So pitiful. Take a taxi to school quickly. I’ll wait for you in the classroom.] I clicked to receive the money and turned off the screen. It seemed Chloe adapted very well to the identity of “Summer.” She could accept those tasteless nutritional meals, accept the tense and oppressive three-on-one tutoring sessions, and accept the empty home without any relatives or vitality. She was simply the perfect daughter tailored for my mom. My mom always wanted a daughter who obeyed her instructions precisely like a robot. Seeing Chloe’s performance yesterday, she must finally be satisfied. Wait… I suddenly realized something and gripped the phone tightly, but my palms still sweated from fear. Chloe made three fatal mistakes!

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On the day Sebastian proposed to me, I broke up with him. Our friends looked confused. He knelt on one knee, eyes red, telling me he had been planning this proposal for an entire month. Red roses, flown in from Ecuador, covered the ground. The scent was intoxicating. He really had put his heart into it. But… what a coincidence. I had made up my mind to leave him exactly one month ago. 1 I said the words before Sebastian could even take the ring out of the velvet box. The cheering friends around us seemed to hit a pause button. The evening breeze blew gently, carrying the rich scent of roses into my nose. The proposal scene he prepared was exactly as perfect as I had once fantasized. During the year we were madly in love, I told him that if he ever proposed, it had to be at a vineyard in Napa Valley, with an arch of roses and a white dress like a princess. He had all of that. He had prepared even more. “Why? Don’t you love me anymore, Violet?” It took Sebastian what felt like half a century to react. His usually arrogant face flushed red. I looked quietly at this face. The man I had loved for ten years. He was still as handsome as a fallen angel, still capable of making my heart skip a beat. But… I helped him up and gently patted the shoulder of his expensive suit. “Sebastian, you stopped loving me first.” 2 I was the most invisible “wallflower” on the college campus. My roommate, Serena, was the dazzling sorority queen. She looked down on me, despised me, and humiliated me for fun, treating me like her sidekick. Until the man she was crazy about returned to the States. At his grand welcome party, she threw a dusty, gray dress at me. “Put this on. Go do your makeup. Use a darker foundation shade; it’ll hide that pale, sickly look of yours. You’re coming with me.” “I have a shift at the library tonight…” Serena pulled a stack of cash directly from her Prada bag and threw it in my face. The edges of the bills scratched my cheek, stinging slightly. But I numbly squatted down and picked them up, one by one. It was a few hundred dollars. Enough to cover my medical bills for the week. Today, she acted out of character. She didn’t dress up like a peacock spreading its tail. Instead, her makeup was light, her blonde hair straightened. She wore a pearl-white, Audrey Hepburn-style dress. She looked elegant and noble, like a white swan. And I, wearing a foundation shade that didn’t match and exaggerated eyeliner, was the control group for the white swan. An ugly, ridiculous ugly duckling. 3 I knew tonight’s party was crucial to her. I heard that the man from the top tier of Manhattan’s elite, the one she had a crush on for years, was back. Serena was nervous as hell. She barely spoke in the Uber, constantly checking her makeup in a compact mirror. When getting out of the car, she was so flustered she almost twisted her ankle in her red-bottom heels. Habitually, she pinched my arm. “Watch where you’re going! Are you blind?” The hangers-on around us laughed and persuaded her, “Alright, Serena, calm down. Sebastian will be here soon. It won’t look good if he sees you like this.” Inside the private club, Serena was busy touching up her makeup and taking selfies. I sat in the corner, calculating how to use those few hundred dollars. I raised my hand and gently rubbed my left eye, which was becoming increasingly blurry. My heart was filled with a sense of lost direction. I didn’t know how long I had to endure those dark part-time jobs to save enough money to fix my eye. Maybe, before I saved enough, this eye would go completely blind. Just then, the carved wooden doors were pushed open, and the crowd suddenly erupted. “Sebastian is here!” Serena screamed, “Oh my god, my lipstick!” She scrambled to fix it. I didn’t move. The excitement of the elite class had nothing to do with me. I was just curious. What kind of man could make the arrogant Serena humble herself like this? Through the crowd, I saw the young man. Superior height—the kind of physique built from years of equestrian sports and sailing clubs. The impact of that face was enough to suffocate any woman. But I only dared to glance once before lowering my head. 4 The atmosphere in the room was as hot as a champagne tower overflowing. Cries of “Bash” or “Sebastian” never stopped. Serena shed her usual arrogance, acting like a trained socialite. No one noticed me, the gray blur in the corner. I quietly stood up, wanting to go to the restroom for some air. But just as I stood, the man surrounded by the crowd suddenly looked at me. I lowered my head in panic, my limbs feeling awkward and misplaced. The terrible makeup on my face made me want to crawl into a hole. “Is that your classmate?” A deep, magnetic male voice rang out. Serena paused, then laughed, her tone contemptuous. “Ugh, I didn’t want to bring it up. That’s my roommate.” “She insisted on tagging along to see the world.” “Sebastian… you know me. I’m too soft-hearted to say no.” “But I get it. Who doesn’t want to social climb a little?” A thunderclap exploded in my ears. Sebastian… How could his name be Sebastian? No, maybe it’s just a coincidence. He’s not the only Sebastian in the world. I pinched my palm hard, desperately trying to stay calm. But my blood felt like it was on fire, cold sweat breaking out in layers. I couldn’t help but lower my head further, yet I could still feel that burning gaze. I couldn’t hear what else Serena said mockingly. My left eye throbbed painfully, and tears uncontrollable welled up. Just as I was about to wipe them, the room suddenly went quiet. A moment later, Serena’s sharp voice trembled in the air: “Sebastian, what did you just say?” 5 Sebastian lifted his eyes lazily. He leaned back on the leather sofa, legs sprawled comfortably. His gaze swept lightly over the meticulously dressed Serena and landed on my face with its ruined makeup. Then, he lifted a slender finger and pointed at me. “I said, she is better looking.” The room went dead silent. Sebastian added, unhurriedly: “Considering she’s my first love, of course she’s better looking than you.” The crowd looked at each other, not daring to breathe. I could even hear Serena’s furious, rapid breathing. The next second, Serena lost it completely. She turned around, grabbed a glass of cranberry juice, and splashed it onto my face. “Bitch!” She completely forgot her disguise. “Trying to seduce my man right under my nose?” Serena grabbed my hair, about to slap me. But her wrist was caught in a vice-like grip. “Sebastian!” Serena cried out in anger. “Before you hit someone in front of me, I suggest you weigh your own importance.” Sebastian threw her hand aside, his eyes cold as the Hudson River in winter. Serena covered her face, daring not to make a scene, and ran out crying. The others tactfully left, even though they were dying of curiosity. “Violet.” Sebastian spoke, calling my name. In that instant, I felt like I was sentenced to death. The sticky juice dripped down my face, staining the cheap dress. I stared at the dark water stains. They seemed to merge with the red blood on the infirmary sheets at boarding school years ago. “Violet, don’t always look down. You’re not ugly at all.” “Really?” “Of course. They just don’t have taste.” Eighteen-year-old Sebastian was the king of our private boarding school. He gradually became unsatisfied with just holding hands and hugging. That restless summer night, in the abandoned music room. He coaxed me, unbuttoning my school shirt. When I was nervous and scared, he promised: “Trust me, babe. We are in love. This is natural.” “Sebastian, will we be together forever?” “Of course. Forever.” “But I’m scared… scared of getting pregnant…” “You won’t. Trust me. I’ve got you.” That night, white sheet music was scattered all over the floor. I remember he wouldn’t stop even when the sky turned light outside. He kissed me, biting my earlobe, whispering, “Violet, seeing you… I knew you were the one.”

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Three years chasing Lucian, and he finally said yes. But everyone knew he was still hung up on his ex. After our first fight, I drove off into the night in a fit of pique. A car crash later, I woke up with my memory wiped. In the hospital room, Lucian handed me a phone number. “This is your boyfriend, Sebastian’s number.” I believed him. He let out a breath of relief, like a weight had been lifted. But later, he crashed my wedding to Sebastian. He gripped the hem of my Vera Wang gown, refusing to let go: “Don’t marry him. Please.” 1 On my fifth day in the hospital, Lucian came again. Unlike the previous days, today he handed me a slip of paper with a number on it. “This is your boyfriend, Sebastian’s number.” Lucian didn’t even blink. “Before the accident, you two had a fight. You deleted all his contacts.” “Did we break up?” If we didn’t, why hadn’t he visited me once in five days? Lucian shrugged. “That’s between you two. I’m just an outsider.” Before I could reply, the door swung open. A tall, imposing figure walked in. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, legs that went on for days. His bespoke suit screamed money and power. He was walking testosterone. I stared blankly as he leaned in close to my face. “Heard you knocked your head loose?” Excuse me? “Who are you?” “Sebastian.” My feelings were complicated. I turned to Lucian. “Is he really my boyfriend?” Sebastian paused, looking at Lucian. Lucian stared back at him intently, but spoke to me: “Yes. He is your boyfriend.” Sebastian narrowed his fox-like eyes. A moment later, he let out a scoff. “Indeed. I am your boyfriend.” Maybe it was my imagination, but after Sebastian said that, Lucian seemed to exhale a heavy sigh of relief. “When are you discharged?” Sebastian asked. “Tomorrow.” Sebastian’s eyes danced with amusement. “Then I’ll pick you up tomorrow, girlfriend.” The last word curled up at the end, lingering with infinite suggestiveness. My face heated up, heart pounding. “Chloe…” I turned to see Lucian’s displeased gaze. I stopped smiling. “What?” He pursed his lips. “I have my engagement party in a few days. I can’t pick you up tomorrow…” I nodded, understanding. “My boyfriend is here. You go do your thing.” 2 The next afternoon, Sebastian picked me up. He packed my bag, handled the paperwork. Ideally attentive. He took me home—to his home. I looked at the brand-new toiletries in the bathroom, confused. “Why is everything new?” He answered slowly, methodically. “The day we fought, I threw out everything related to you.” My mouth twitched. “Are you still mad?” He nodded, then shook his head. “What does that mean?” He looked up lazily. “You’re in this state. I have no choice but to forgive you.” I froze. “I started the fight?” He didn’t answer, just looked at me silently. His gaze made me guilty. I couldn’t meet his eyes. I coughed lightly and turned to the walk-in closet. “Let’s put it behind us. We’ll be good from now on.” I opened the closet doors and found rows of clothes with tags still on. From lingerie to coats, everything was brand new. An entire wardrobe, untouched. I couldn’t hold back. “Sebastian, why didn’t you throw yourself out too?” He looked confused. “What?” “You threw out everything I touched. I touched you. Why didn’t you throw yourself away?” It took a second for it to click. He turned his face away unnaturally, a flush creeping up his ears. After a long pause, a aggrieved voice floated over: “You haven’t touched me.” I shook my head immediately. “Impossible.” He was exactly my type. I had amnesia, not a lobotomy. With a man this gorgeous in front of me, there was no way I kept my hands to myself. The more I thought about it, the weirder it got. “Sebastian… do you have ED?” “What the hell!” Sebastian grumpily pulled a set of pajamas from the closet and shoved them at me. “Go shower. I’ll make food.” He walked out before I could react. That night, bedtime arrived. I waited and waited, but Sebastian didn’t come to bed. I walked out and found him in the guest room! When I pushed the door open, he was just unbuckling his belt. Our eyes met, and he yanked his pants back up, wrapping a robe around himself like a shield. Tsk. We were living together, and he was guarding himself like a virgin. I walked over silently, lifted the duvet, and crawled in. Sebastian’s eyes popped. “You… you…” I patted the space beside me. “Come here.” He didn’t move. “Aren’t you sleeping?” I asked. He stared at me, opening and closing his mouth. “Are you scared? Or do you really have a problem down there?” Sebastian finally moved. He marched over, wrapped me in the duvet like a burrito, and carried me back to the master bedroom. When the door clicked shut, I realized: My boyfriend might actually be impotent. In the middle of the night, half-asleep, Sebastian came into my room. He lifted my nightgown, doing everything but the main event. He teased me until I was dry-sobbing, but refused to give me release. I cried out in frustration, “Sebastian, I’m breaking up with you! I’m finding a man who can actually do it!” He bit my shoulder hard. “You dare!” “Just watch me! Get off!” I kicked out, but hit empty air. The jolt woke me up. Sunlight streamed in. I stared at the ceiling. Just a dream. Outside, Sebastian knocked. “Breakfast.” Ten minutes later, I sat at the island. His shirt was buttoned to the very top. He looked like a puritanical librarian. But I remembered the previous times—he never buttoned it properly, showing off hints of pectoral muscles. I couldn’t let it go. “Sebastian, maybe I should make you an appointment with a urologist.” Sebastian choked on his coffee, coughing violently. I handed him a glass of water, speaking slowly. “Don’t worry. As long as it’s treatable, I won’t leave you.” He coughed until he was red in the face. I patted his back, gave him water. Finally, he stopped. “I am perfectly healthy.” Before I could question him, he added, “It’s Lucian’s engagement party today. You’re coming with me.” 3 We arrived late. Sebastian insisted I dress to the nines. I should have listened to my gut. The moment we walked in, every eye in the ballroom landed on me. I felt uneasy. “Sebastian, why is everyone staring?” He smirked. “Because you’re stunning.” I wasn’t used to this attention. I excused myself to the restroom. As soon as I entered a stall, voices drifted in. “Can’t believe Sebastian brought Chloe. Isn’t that a slap in Lucian’s face?” “It was supposed to be Chloe and Lucian’s engagement. Who knows what scene she’ll make when she gets her memory back.” “What can she do? Lucian doesn’t love her. He wouldn’t have switched fiancées last minute otherwise.” “Just bad luck for Chloe. Getting brain damage right when Seraphina came back.” “But why is Sebastian with Chloe? They’ve been enemies since kindergarten. Now she gets amnesia and they’re dating?” “Who knows? Maybe Sebastian is just playing with her.” “Probably. Sebastian once said he wouldn’t marry Chloe even if she was the last woman on earth.” “Shh, someone might hear.” Silence fell. I stayed in the stall for a long time. When I came out, I saw Lucian. His eyes were dark. “You just got out of the hospital. Why aren’t you resting?” “Thanks for the concern. I’m fine.” I tried to walk past him, but he blocked my path. “Chloe, did you hear anything today?” “You mean about me and Sebastian being enemies? Enemies can make peace. Besides, I quite like him now.” “You don’t like Sebastian.” I frowned. “You aren’t me. How do you know?” Lucian realized he slipped up and tried to recover. “I didn’t mean that. It’s just… before the accident, you told me you didn’t like him anymore.” “Chloe.” Lucian’s brow furrowed. “You don’t remember the past. As a friend, I suggest you break up with Sebastian while you have the chance.” Before I could speak, a scoff came from the shadows. “Lucian, that’s low.” Sebastian stepped into the light, reaching my side in two strides. “Haven’t you heard? Bad karma to break up a happy couple.” Lucian: “You aren’t married.” Sebastian took my hand. “Matter of time.” He checked his Patek Philippe. “We have places to be. Oh, happy engagement. Hope you two stay together forever.” He dragged me away. In the car, buckled in. Sebastian said, “I’m taking you for a ride.” He floored it. We hit the highway doing speeds that were definitely illegal. I gripped the handle, terrified. I should never have gotten in this car. Sebastian looked relaxed, like he was pedaling a bike in the park. An hour later, the car slowed and stopped on a deserted beach. I scrambled out, gasping for air. Sebastian walked over, smirking. “Car sick? Weak.” I ignored him. He pulled two beers from the trunk and sat on the sand, waving at me. “You drove like a maniac just to drink here?” “Alcohol helps the mood. Didn’t you know?” After a moment of silence, I sat next to him. I reached for a beer, but he snatched it away. “You just got out of the hospital. No drinking. I’ll drink for you.”

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Chapter 1 When I was fifteen, I “lent” my good luck to my foster sister, Madison. Six months later, her wealthy biological parents found her at the group home and took her back. They adopted me, too. When I was eighteen, I stopped her from dating the school’s star quarterback, Liam, ensuring she got into an Ivy League university. Later, Liam died in a car crash. Madison blamed me for everything. She shredded my SAT admission ticket, making me miss the test. She convinced our foster parents to kick me out and blacklisted me from every job in town. When I was homeless and begging on the streets, Madison still wasn’t satisfied. She locked me in an oil drum and left me to suffocate. I woke up gasping for air, back on the day her romance with Liam began. This time, I won’t stop her. And I’m taking my luck back. “I’m so hungry.” I leaned weakly against a dumpster. People walked by on the busy street, wrinkling their noses and steering clear of me. “Starving, aren’t you?” Madison stood behind me, her voice cold. “What game are you playing this time?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. Since Liam died, Madison had engineered my expulsion from the family. She made sure no restaurant would serve me and no one would hire me. She toyed with me slowly. When I was on the brink of starvation, she’d propose a game. She livestreamed me scrubbing public toilets for two steamed buns. She put a collar on my neck and walked me down the street like a dog, rewarding me with a bowl of plain rice if I let people mock me. Madison sneered and signaled the bodyguards behind her. “Take him.” They grabbed my arms roughly and dragged me toward a van. Passersby pointed and whispered, but no one dared to intervene. Who would mess with the unpredictable heiress of the Vance family? The last person who tried to help me was still in the hospital with broken limbs. So I stopped hoping. I didn’t want anyone else to get hurt for me. I stared blankly at Madison, standing in the sunlight. She was no longer the girl whose eyes used to light up when she saw me. Back at the group home, when the director starved us, Madison would sneak into the kitchen to steal buns for me. I remembered crouching in a corner, devouring the food with tears in my eyes. “Are you a starving ghost reincarnated? Slow down,” she’d say, patting my head gently. I wasn’t crying because of hunger. I was crying because she had been caught and beaten with a stick. She had protected the buns with her body, presenting them to me while covered in bruises. That was the first time anyone had been kind to me. So I lent her my “Koi Luck”—my innate good fortune. After that, she never got caught stealing again. Everything went smoothly for her, and eventually, her biological parents found her and took us both into their mansion. A cramp in my stomach pulled me back to reality. I was thrown into the van. Consciousness faded in the bumpy ride. When I woke up, I was in a dark, cramped, cold space. “Let me out! Let me out!” I had severe claustrophobia. Madison knew that! Panic surged like a tidal wave. I pounded on the walls. A small speaker crackled to life. Madison’s icy voice filled the space. “Ethan, this is what you deserve. If it weren’t for you, Liam wouldn’t be dead.” I couldn’t hear the rest. The suffocation grew stronger, and my consciousness began to scatter. I was the one who tried to save Liam. You were the one who killed him, Madison! Why am I the one suffering? Darkness swallowed me. My last thought was of endless cold and despair. Chapter 2 “Hey, weirdo! Are you deaf?” An arrogant male voice rang in my ear. My brain buzzed. The fear of the oil drum hadn’t faded, but the scene before me suddenly sharpened. Madison stood there, her face younger, still carrying baby fat but already showing her trademark haughtiness. Thinking it was a hallucination before death, the accumulated resentment exploded. I swung my arm and slapped her hard across the face. Smack! The crisp sound silenced the surroundings. She clutched her cheek, staring at me in shock. The boy who had spoken—Liam—gasped and shoved me to the ground. “Are you crazy? I’m talking to you, and you hit Madison? You wanna die?” Liam helped Madison up, checking her red cheek nervously. “Maddy, are you okay? I told you this foster brother of yours is psycho. You didn’t believe me, and now look!” He glared at me, raising his foot to kick. I rolled away agilely. “You dare dodge?” Seconds later, Liam’s cries of pain filled the air. I pounced on him like a feral animal, grabbing his hair and slamming his head against the ground, raining punches on him. It’s you! You and Madison ruined my life! It’s all your fault! By the time Madison reacted, I had beaten the star quarterback into the dirt. His lip was bleeding. She rushed over, pushed me away, and helped Liam up, her hands trembling. I frowned, finally feeling the stinging pain in my knuckles. I looked at my hands, then at the scene—Madison and Liam in their school uniforms, the familiar campus path… I realized I had been reborn. Back to the time when their secret romance was just beginning. Watching them glare at me, I slowly stood up. A cold smile played on my lips. My fingernails dug into my palms, drawing blood, but I felt no pain. Chapter 3 Liam was a genuine trust-fund baby. I was just the adopted charity case of the Vance family. And I had just beaten him up in public. The school didn’t dare cover it up. Parents were called. “Mr. and Mrs. Vance, look what he did to me!” Liam pointed at me, a bandage on his face. “People like him shouldn’t be allowed in this school!” Liam’s father, Mr. Summerfield, saw his precious son’s bruised face and looked ready to kill. Madison stepped forward, bowing slightly to the Summerfields. Her tone was apologetic but protective. “Uncle, Auntie, I’m so sorry. I didn’t watch my brother closely enough. It’s my fault Liam got hurt.” She turned to me, her eyes complex. “Ethan, apologize to Liam. Now.” I stood my ground, meeting her gaze. I refused. In my past life, the first time I caught them making out in the woods behind the school, I merely reminded them to be careful. Liam felt humiliated and beat me until my mouth bled. Madison just watched coldly. The school gave Liam a slap on the wrist. I complained to Madison at home. She frowned and said, “Ethan, stop provoking Liam. He’s a Summerfield. We can’t afford to offend him. Can’t you just behave?” Later, when I caught them again, I heard Liam panting, asking her, “Your cheap brother is so annoying. Doesn’t he bother you?” Madison’s voice was impatient. “Ignore him. He’s just a stray dog my parents picked up.” After I lent my luck to Madison, my own luck plummeted. Liam’s bullying got worse. I’d come home bruised and dirty. Madison would look at me with disgust. “I told you not to mess with him. You deserve it.” Back in the principal’s office, I looked at the aggressive Madison and spoke, my voice full of grievance. “I saw a guy pinning Madison against the wall. I thought she was being assaulted, so I rushed to help. Who knew they were…” I paused deliberately, watching the adults’ faces change. Liam went pale. “Ethan, shut up!” I continued loudly. “I didn’t know they were kissing! I thought I was saving my sister! But Liam got mad and started pushing me, calling me names. If you don’t believe me, check the security cameras! See who started it!” Liam’s face turned ashen. He looked at his father in terror. Mr. Summerfield was known for being strict. He hated his son messing around during critical school years. “We’ll talk at home!” Mr. Summerfield roared, dragging Liam out. Mrs. Summerfield followed awkwardly, shooting a complicated look at us. The tables had turned. Now it was Madison’s turn to face her parents. Mr. Vance’s face was grim. “Madison, what is this? Didn’t you promise no dating until graduation? And is what Ethan said true?” Madison bit her lip, tears welling up. “Dad, Mom, it’s not like that. Ethan misunderstood. Liam and I are just…” Mrs. Vance sighed. “Let’s talk at home.” Chapter 4 At home, Madison and I were made to stand in the living room. I was punished for fighting; she was punished for lying and dating. She had sworn to prioritize her studies and help with the family business. Mr. Vance was furious. “If you don’t rank in the top three in this month’s exams, I’m cutting off your allowance and sending you to an all-girls boarding school in Switzerland!” It was an ultimatum. Mrs. Vance tried to mediate but signaled Madison to agree. Madison turned pale but nodded. “I promise, Dad. Top three.” Standing in the shadows, I smirked. Top three? Good luck with that, Madison. Your luck was borrowed from me. Life at the Vance manor wasn’t as easy as outsiders thought. Mr. Vance had high standards. He expected academic excellence and business acumen. Madison, having grown up in a group home, lacked the educational foundation of her peers. Without my “Koi Luck,” she wouldn’t have breezed through school or won those competitions. In my past life, when she cried over difficult homework, I would pat her back and say, “Don’t worry, sis. As long as I’m here, you’ll be fine.” Physical contact + the intent to give = transferring luck. I never told her this secret. I didn’t want to hurt her pride. She happily attributed her success to her own talent and effort. Now, I’m cutting off the supply. Let’s see how you get into the top three.

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At eighteen, my family “gifted” me to Sebastian Vance. He indulged in me, silently allowing my presence in his life. I stayed with him for three whole years, yet remained his dirty little secret. Driven by pride, I told him: Publicly claim me, or I walk. Sebastian leaned back, a lazy smile playing on his lips. “Suit yourself.” So, I cut all ties and vanished. Three years later, I met Liam Vance. He fell for me at first sight and insisted I meet his family. “My uncle runs the family business. His approval is all that matters.” I nodded and followed him quietly. But when the heavy mahogany doors swung open, I froze. 1 I never imagined that Liam’s uncle would be Sebastian Vance. Before I could react, Liam pulled me into the banquet hall. He walked towards Sebastian, introducing me with a bright smile. “Uncle Seb, this is my girlfriend, Chloe.” Sebastian’s gaze drifted from the clinking champagne glasses to me. I gripped the hem of my dress, heart pounding. He gave me a cursory glance, offering a noncommittal “Hmm.” His face was calm, his tone indifferent. Like he was looking at a stranger. “Uncle Seb is just reserved. Don’t mind him,” Liam whispered to me. He pulled out a chair for me, seating me directly to Sebastian’s right. The plates were already set. On each one lay a massive prawn. Word was, Sebastian caught them himself off the coast of Maine and cooked them personally. “Chloe, try it.” Liam expertly peeled the prawn for me, removing the vein. I stared at the pink flesh, frowning. Liam knew I was severely allergic to shellfish. One bite, and I’d be covered in hives. That’s how we met—I accidentally ate shrimp, and he rushed me to the ER. I pressed my lips together and shook my head slightly at Liam. “I can’t eat…” Before I could finish, Liam lowered his voice, interrupting me. “Chloe, everyone is eating. It’s rude if you don’t.” “This is your first time meeting my uncle. You need to make a good impression.” “If you get a reaction, I’ll take you to the hospital immediately. Don’t worry.” He poured me a glass of champagne. “Toast to Uncle Seb first, then eat the prawn. Compliment his cooking.” “Be good.” I pressed my lips together, silent. Although Liam and I were dating, our relationship wasn’t pure. When I met him, I was broke, working three jobs a day. So when a wealthy heir like him pursued me, I said yes quickly. Not out of love, but out of necessity. Liam was generous. Gifts were expensive, dinners were my choice, and holidays came with fat checks. In a way, he was more like my sugar daddy than my boyfriend. I looked at the bubbling champagne and finally nodded. Turning to Sebastian, I raised my glass, my voice steady. “Uncle Seb, a toast to you.” Sebastian’s eyes were dark pools. His expression was unreadable as he watched me down the drink. Liam’s chopsticks, holding the prawn, moved towards my lips. Just as it was about to touch my mouth, Sebastian, who had been sitting still, suddenly reached out and swatted the chopsticks away. The prawn fell to the floor. He leaned back, looking at Liam. “Didn’t I tell you? Seafood tastes fishy when it gets cold.” “Clear the table.” 2 After Sebastian spoke, Liam didn’t push me further. But a man sitting down the table stared at me, then let out a soft “Huh.” “Liam, your girlfriend looks exactly like Seb’s old flame.” The table went quiet. Curiosity ignited instantly. “Just an old story,” the man continued. “Years ago, there was this girl. Chased Seb like crazy. Shameless. Even stripped naked to climb into his bed.” “I forgot her name, but I remember her face. Looks just like Liam’s girl.” He chuckled, “Seb, take a look. It’s not the same person, is it?” Everyone turned to stare at me, whispering. Liam held my hand, frowning in displeasure but staying silent. It was Sebastian who spoke. His cold gaze fixed on the man. “Are you blind?” Then, he grabbed a wine glass and splashed the contents onto the man’s expensive suit. “Guests, I treat with respect.” “Troublemakers? Get out. Don’t dirty my floor.” Two security guards appeared instantly and dragged the man out. Only then did Liam pat my head soothingly. “Don’t worry. I know you’re not like that.” “Chloe, let’s dance. I’ll lead.” I didn’t want to stay under Sebastian’s watch, so I agreed. He led me to the dance floor, one hand on my waist, the other holding mine. He had taught me the waltz, rehearsing twice before we came. But for some reason, my steps were messy today. I kept stepping on his toes. I felt a gaze, heavy with suppressed anger, burning into my back. Like it was trying to X-ray my soul. But when I turned, everything was normal. Sebastian was talking to a friend, not looking my way at all. In my daze, Liam pulled me closer, his hand tightening on my waist. “Chloe, you’re distracted.” “Did my uncle scare you?” He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. “Don’t be afraid. He looks fierce, but he’s actually quite nice.” “Especially to my future aunt. He listens to her. If she says go east, he won’t go west.” I froze slightly. “He’s married?” “No, engaged. But the wedding is soon.” Liam smiled, his fingers tracing the edge of my backless dress, slowly dipping lower. That gaze was back. Thick, sticky, displeased. I turned my head slowly and looked at Sebastian. This time, his eyes met mine. But the next second, Liam shifted, blocking him from my view completely. He smiled at me. “Chloe, focus on the dance I taught you.” I rested my hand on his shoulder, silent. Liam didn’t know that I already knew how to waltz. Sebastian taught me himself, step by step, years ago. 3 My family used to be well-off. Not “Vance wealthy,” but comfortable. Everything changed when I was eighteen. My stepfather’s business was on the brink of bankruptcy. He begged everyone, but no one helped. So, he turned to me. He showed me photos of four men and told me to pick one. I chose Sebastian Vance immediately. He had great bone structure, handsome features, and at twenty-something, he kept fit. Compared to the middle-aged men with beer bellies, he stood out. My stepfather nodded. Knowing Sebastian was going on a yacht trip, he pulled strings to get me into his cabin. That night, I was terrified. But I had no choice. If I failed, my stepfather would send me to someone else—maybe someone married, maybe someone cruel. So, I took off my clothes and, trembling, wrapped my arms around Sebastian’s neck. He resisted at first, trying to throw me out. I cried and begged him, kissing his lips, his neck, clumsy and scared. He had never been with a woman before. He froze. After a long pause, he cupped my face, wiping away my tears with his thumb. “Stop crying. I’ll try to be gentle.” I still remember that night vividly. He wanted me again and again, pushing aside my sweaty hair, placing soft kisses all over my skin. The next morning, I woke up in his arms. He had already investigated me. He knew I was the foster daughter of the Wei family, and he knew why I was there. He asked calmly, “Chloe, do you want to be with me?” “For three years. In return, I’ll invest in your stepfather’s company. Enough to save him.” I had no reason to refuse. I just sighed in relief, forgetting that his phrasing was “be with,” not “date.” Those three years with Sebastian were actually good. We were compatible, in bed and out. He liked to blindfold me with his tie, leaning down to bite my ear. Every time he returned from a business trip, he brought luxury gifts and kept me in bed until dawn. Once, he was invited to a gala. I begged him to take me. Reluctantly, he agreed, practicing dancing with me in front of the floor-to-ceiling windows late into the night. I went to the gala, wearing a gown that matched his suit perfectly, holding his arm. But when people asked, he introduced me as his “dance partner.” Just a partner. That night, I threw a tantrum for the first time. Sebastian didn’t get angry. He lounged on the sofa, looking at me calmly. “Chloe, what are you mad about?” “You know how you came to me. Did you really expect to be my girlfriend?” By then, I had been with him for three years. A lot had happened. My stepfather died in a car crash, the Wei family fell apart, and I lost contact with them. I was young and proud. I told Sebastian I wanted a title. If he wouldn’t acknowledge me publicly, I would leave. He looked surprised, then nodded indifferently. “Stay or leave. Suit yourself.” So, I cut all contact, moved to a new city, and started over. I grew up rich. Leaving the Wei family and Sebastian taught me the value of money. I lived in a damp basement. I faced rejection and bullying. My pride was ground down by poverty. That’s why I accepted Liam so easily. In many quiet nights, I thought of Sebastian. I asked myself, if I could do it over, would I leave him? Yes. Whatever the beginning, the result was that I fell in love with him. Because I loved him, I was strict with the relationship. I had delusions I shouldn’t have had. Liam’s voice broke my reverie. He looked at me with a smile, sighing softly. “Chloe, you look so beautiful tonight.” Ignoring the guests, he grabbed my chin and kissed me. The music swelled. The crowd noise vanished. Then, cheers erupted. Liam was usually polite. Tonight, he was aggressive, holding my head, prying open my lips, biting until I tasted blood. In the suffocating kiss, I opened my eyes. I locked eyes with Sebastian. He sat a few feet away, watching us coldly. His face was calm, but the veins on his hand gripping the glass bulged. He turned away, stood up, and left amidst the cheers. 4 I didn’t know how long Liam kissed me. He only let go when I was gasping for air. He had to socialize. He couldn’t stay with me all night. “I need to say hi to some people. I’ll find you later.” I nodded and sat in a corner. People nearby were discussing Sebastian’s fiancée. Victoria Vanderbilt, a blue-blooded heiress. Sebastian was very satisfied with her. They appeared together often. Elders said the wedding would be by the end of the year. I felt bored and suffocated. I got up to walk in the hallway. The air was fresher outside. As I passed a room, the door opened. A hand grabbed my wrist and dragged me in. The room was pitch black. He pinned me against the door, looking down at me. His bangs brushed my forehead. His voice was cool and familiar. “Chloe.”

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Everyone knew I had a System. That’s why no one wanted to be “captured” by me. On Christmas morning, I gave my mother a gift. She threw it into the trash without even looking. “Don’t waste your efforts on me. It won’t work.” When my father was attacked by a radical activist, I shielded him with my body. He pushed me into the knife. “Aren’t you trying to capture my affection? Taking a blade for me is the least you can do.” I spent six months coding a VR game for my brother. He loved it, but bragged to his friends: “Of course it’s good, the System made it. Do you think Aria could code something this complex?” Later, I gave my secret diary to my childhood sweetheart, the boy I grew up with. He flipped through the pages, sneering. “What, you think a notebook is enough to capture me?” Time ran out. I failed to capture anyone. The System coldly reclaimed my life. Just when I thought I had truly failed, that no one cared, that no one loved me… That cold System used its last reserve of energy to broadcast my memories across every screen in the city. 1 “She’s dead…” My mother touched my nose, her hand trembling. She stumbled back a few steps and collapsed onto the floor, disbelief written all over her face. “No, impossible. How could she die?” My father and brother couldn’t accept it either. They checked my pulse and breathing multiple times. Even though I had fallen from the balcony hours ago and my body was cold, they refused to believe I was gone. Because everyone knew I had a System. How could someone with a System die? “This isn’t our fault!” My brother pushed my corpse away, his eyes red. “She failed her mission. The System took her life. It has nothing to do with us!” My father nodded frantically. “Right, right. She failed to capture us. It’s not our fault. We just didn’t want to be manipulated.” “Blame her for being a monster. Blame the System!” My mother covered her mouth, sobbing, but nodded in agreement. “Aria, don’t blame us for being cruel.” “Your love was fake. You just wanted to complete your mission and go back to your own world.” “Maybe it’s better this way. At least now… you’re still here. You’re still my daughter.” My soul floated in the air, finally understanding why I had failed. They all knew I had a System. So they rejected my love, thinking it was just a calculated move to gain points. My heart ached to the point of suffocation. Despair filled me. Before I transmigrated here, I was an abandoned orphan. I thought being born into this world meant I would finally have a family. Turns out, they just saw me as a monster hosting a parasite. For twenty years, they never loved me. They guarded against me like a thief, played with me like a clown—giving me a sliver of affection only to stomp me into the mud. I really was a failure. “Host.” The System’s cold mechanical voice rang out. “You are not a failure. And you are not unloved.” A ball of blue light floated beside me, flickering. “Reading Host’s memories…” I froze. “0518, what are you doing?” “Stop! I order you to stop!” The light ball pulsated, and a smiley face appeared on its surface. “Host, 0518 is returning to HQ. Let me do one last thing for you.” The light exploded, blindingly bright. “Memory projection successful.” The light scattered into millions of pixels, raining down on every electronic device below. “No, don’t! Please…” I cried uncontrollably. It had used all its energy to broadcast my memories. 2 “Mom, Merry Christmas.” The TV in the living room turned on by itself. On the screen, ten-year-old me held a gift box, handing it timidly to my mother, who was getting a manicure. My inner voice played over the speakers: [I made these glass rabbit earrings myself. Mom will definitely like them.] The System’s cold voice retorted: [Host, she is not a target. Why waste your effort?] I huffed: [You don’t understand. She’s my mom. She gave birth to me.] [I didn’t have a mom in my last life. Now I do, and I’m so happy.] The System rolled its virtual eyes: [Sure, even though this woman never treated you like a daughter.] As soon as the voiceover ended, my mother on the screen waved her hand, knocking the gift box into the trash. “Don’t waste your efforts on me. It won’t work.” Her eyes were devoid of warmth. “Go play somewhere else. Don’t disturb me.” The manicurist looked at me awkwardly, then wiped off a smudge on my mother’s nail. I stood there, stunned. Then, tears began to fall. [See? I told you not to waste time on her. She’s cold-blooded.] “No! I’m not!” Outside the screen, my mother screamed. “Who turned on the TV? Turn it off! Turn it off!” She yanked the power cord, but the TV kept playing. “Mom, what did I do wrong? Why do you hate me so much?” Little me couldn’t help but ask. Why? I remembered when I was born, she loved me. She said she’d give me the best of everything. But something changed. Her love vanished, replaced by hatred. [Host, stop wasting time on this woman. She’s not worth it.] “Shut up! I didn’t! I’m not…” My mother’s face was a mix of colors. But I noticed something—she was more angry than guilty. Probably because the System said she wasn’t a “target.” She was proud. She couldn’t accept being irrelevant to the mission. “What is going on?” My father’s face was dark. He grabbed a vase and smashed the TV screen. It finally went black. Just then, his assistant called. “Mr. Vance, it’s bad. A video is being broadcast across all platforms.” “Views have already hit 100 million!” Such high views weren’t just because of the System. My mother was a famous retired actress. People cared about her life. “What? Impossible!” My father’s eyes filled with murderous intent. “Aria was so dependent on her mother. How could she do this after death?” “Find out who is behind this!” My mother found her phone. It was blowing up with calls from her agent and PR team. Her social media was flooded with hate comments. Wow, the great actress acts like a diva even at home? Speechless. That’s her own daughter. Even if it’s scripted, that’s too cruel. “Ahhh!” “Aria, I want you dead!” The mother I relied on, seeing her reputation crumble, grabbed a vase and smashed it onto my corpse. My heart seized in pain. Mom, I’m already dead. Even if you smash me into paste, I won’t die again. “Enough.” My father pulled her away. “You’ve been retired for years. It doesn’t matter.” But he didn’t expect the video to cut to him. 3 When I was sixteen, my father was targeted by a radical activist with a knife. In the video, my father was pushed to the ground. The man stabbed him in the leg. My mother and brother screamed and ran, trying to get as far away as possible. It was me. I was shaking with fear, but I rushed forward and pulled the attacker away. “Dad, are you okay?” My face was young, streaked with tears and snot as I called 911. “Ambulance! My dad is…” Before I could finish, my dad used his good leg to kick me. I stumbled right into the attacker’s path. The knife went through my shoulder. My father’s pupils constricted as he watched the screen. He muttered to himself, “Aren’t you trying to capture me? Taking a blade for me is only right. Yes, it’s only right.” I ignored his mumbling. I only heard the System’s panicked voice. [Host!] [Quick! Use points to buy the healing spray!] I endured the pain, sighing in relief only when the attacker was subdued. [No.] I said: [Points are low. Save them for Dad’s leg.] The System was furious: [The points he provides aren’t even worth the cost of the spray! You are wasting resources!] In the chaos, I sprinkled the healing powder on my dad’s wound, my face pale. [0518, you don’t understand. He’s my dad.] He was my dad. My hard-won family. What child doesn’t love their parents? I always believed they didn’t like me because I wasn’t good enough. Because I was weird. So I tried so hard. Not for the mission. But because they were my blood. I never imagined they hated me enough to wish me dead. Just because I had a System, they treated me with the utmost malice. The comments were exploding. The incident where the CEO of Vance Corp was stabbed had been huge news. Everyone realized this wasn’t CGI. It was real footage. WTF? He pushed his own daughter into a knife? Is he human? As a mother, I can’t watch this. He’s an animal. She gave him the only medicine she had, and he did that? Even a stranger deserves better. So what if she has a System? The family benefited from it! These people should rot in hell! My father threw his phone to the ground. “Haven’t you found the source yet?!” Even now, he was just angry, not panicked. Until the video cut again, showing a sweet, cute girl. My father’s face changed instantly. “Quick! Pay them whatever they want! Take the video down!” He looked at my corpse with red eyes, wanting to kill me all over again. I could mess with them, but touching their precious darling? They would fight me to the death. Even though I knew this, my heart still ached. My parents weren’t incapable of love. They just didn’t love me. They loved someone else’s child. In the video, the girl skipped into my mother’s arms. “Auntie, Bella missed you so much!” My stoic father smiled. “Oh, so Bella doesn’t miss Uncle? Guess I can’t give you this sapphire bracelet then.” Bella’s eyes lit up. “I miss Uncle the most!” My brother pulled out a gift box. “Oh? You miss Uncle the most? Then this limited edition LV bag…” Bella turned and hugged my brother. “Ethan! Bella misses you every day!” My mother giggled. “This child is incorrigible.” I hid in the corner, like a stray cat watching a house cat’s happiness. Bella was my cousin. And the protagonist of this world. 4 The internet went wild. That’s Bella Summers when she debuted! Didn’t she say she came from a humble background? She’s the niece of the richest family in the city? Is anything real anymore? Bella was from a humble background. In the original plot, Bella’s mom married a commoner. My mom, ambitious, married into money and cut ties with her sister. Originally, Bella’s mom would die of illness, and she would suffer under a stepmother before meeting the male lead and growing strong. The Vance family and the male lead’s family were rivals. My family would suppress Bella, leading to a torturous romance. But I thought Bella shouldn’t suffer. In the book, she was strong and optimistic. A lotus in the mud of the entertainment industry. So I changed the plot. I reminded Bella’s mom to see a doctor before her illness became fatal. Because of this, her mom lived. Bella started visiting the Vance family. She won over my parents and thrived in the industry. But she was jealous of me. In the video, Bella saw me hiding and smirked. “Cousin Aria, why are you hiding? Aren’t you going to welcome me?” “The Vance family is elite. Don’t you think looking so timid embarrasses Auntie and Uncle?” My mom scoffed. “I don’t know what sin I committed to give birth to her. If only she was half as sensible as Bella.” My dad looked at me coldly. “What are you staring at? Get out here.” My brother sneered. “Dad, forget it. She dresses so ugly. Don’t let her ruin our appetite.” Bella’s parents and her agent were there too. Seven or eight pairs of eyes judged me. Back then, my face burned with shame. Now, floating in the air, my soul felt transparent from the pain. I was their flesh and blood, but they loved another. They trampled my dignity into the dust. The internet was in an uproar. My family was frantic. “Why can’t we shut it down?! What is the IT department doing?!” Mom was tearing her hair out. “I knew Aria was evil! She recorded everything!” “Good thing she’s dead. Otherwise, we’d have no privacy!” Dad roared, “It’s your fault! You insisted she stay. I said send her abroad!” Mom retorted, “She’s weird! If she was outside, who knows what trouble she’d cause with that System!” Brother nodded. “Mom’s right. With that System, she’s dangerous.”

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When I was desperate and penniless, I took a forged betrothal contract and scammed my way into the wealthy Vanderbilt family. I had their youngest son, Asher, wrapped around my finger. He’d say, “You’re so annoying.” I’d press against his lips and threaten, “Say that again and I’ll kiss you until your mouth is sore.” He’d turn his face away: “You’re bothering me.” I’d pin him down: “Believe it or not, I’ll punish you again!” He’d turn bright red, and I’d tease, “Oh, such an innocent boy~” He’d ignore me, leaving behind a proud back, and I thought he was just playing hard to get. Later, when the truth came out, I realized he truly didn’t like me. So I packed my bags overnight and fled the country. Five years later, we met by accident. I thought he was out for revenge. Before I could speak, tears fell from his eyes: “You little liar…” “Coax me,” he said, gripping my hand, his voice trembling. “Just coax me a little, and I’ll forgive you.” 1 Originally, the girl betrothed to the Vanderbilt family was Serena Thornton, the heiress. But her heart belonged to someone else. Her father, desperate, found me—a look-alike—and asked me to take her place. I was thrilled. God knows how broke I was. So, clutching the forged contract, I flew north to New York alone. Grandpa Vanderbilt arranged for me to get engaged to his grandson, Asher, when I turned 20. He let me live in the Vanderbilt estate and covered my tuition at NYU. Even better, Asher was rich and handsome. I hit the jackpot! But he didn’t seem too happy with me. He even knelt in the study, defying his grandfather, calling arranged marriages “archaic feudal nonsense.” He said he would absolutely never marry me. I panicked. This was cutting off my income! Unacceptable! So, thump, I knelt beside him, crying even louder than he was arguing. “Grandpa Vanderbilt, it’s okay. Although I like Asher very much, if he’s unwilling, I can’t force him.” “Please don’t be difficult. I’ll leave right now.” Before getting up, I looked at Asher with teary eyes: “It doesn’t matter if you don’t like me. It’s enough that I like you.” He froze. He pursed his lips, looking incredulous: “You… like me?” “Yes. Do you believe in love at first sight?” After all, he was an 18-year-old boy. Being confessed to in front of elders made him flush. “I…” His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he turned his head away. Grandpa Vanderbilt stood up with his cane: “It’s decided! Asher, you are both young and in the same university. Feelings can be cultivated.” Asher remained kneeling but didn’t object further. I thought this was a good start. As long as I coaxed Asher, everything would be fine. I didn’t expect chasing someone to be this hard! 2 For two whole years, I didn’t even touch the hem of his shirt. Fortunately, my coursework was heavy. I was either working part-time or in the lab. So I only made my presence known to him whenever I could. It wasn’t until three months before the engagement that I started to panic. I heard the queen bee of the Arts School was pursuing Asher like crazy. My roommate comforted me, saying it didn’t matter, since I was the beauty queen of our Science School anyway. Asher would reject everyone equally. Great comfort. Don’t do it again. But this did cause huge damage to my fragile soul. I was fired up. At least I had the advantage of proximity! So I started my campaign, showing extreme concern for Asher and pestering him relentlessly. Finally, on the night of our engagement, I forced myself on him. I admit, I was gambling. After all, feelings grow over time. Since the result was me marrying him anyway. The process didn’t matter, right? It was just a bit awkward in the moment: “Um, I didn’t expect you to have no experience.” Although I was a blank slate too. But my theoretical knowledge was rich. Asher knelt on the bed with his back to me, leaving me a proud back and ears red as blood. After a long while, he mumbled: “Did you think I was a player?” Not really. But with his looks, body, and family background, I assumed he would be… you know? Sure enough, prejudice is a mountain in people’s hearts. I apologized immediately. I poked his firm shoulder, trying to comfort him: “It’s okay. One minute for the first time is already great.” Asher gritted his teeth so hard I could hear it: “Maya, you have a dirty mouth.” “?” I looked it up!! He criticized me, so I tackled him again in anger. He turned his head away, gripping the sheets, looking like he was facing death. But he was really delicious. I admit I’m lustful. But it’s human nature. Who can resist a 6’2″ gorgeous college boy? So, possessed by a hungry wolf, I kissed him. Then I started messing around. Asher grabbed the back of my head and pulled me away a bit. Breathing unsteadily, he frowned: “You are so annoying.” I immediately pressed against his lips and threatened: “Say that again and I’ll kiss your mouth until it’s sore.” “Don’t say things I don’t like. I am your lawful fiancée now!” Then I gave him a quick peck. He pursed his lips tight, trying to reason with me: “Maya, that’s not how you kiss…” I leaned in and smacked him again: “So what?” His face was redder than a cooked shrimp: “How do I tell you? You have to do that, not this.” “What are you saying? Can’t understand.” I held his face and kissed him again. Asher covered his mouth, so angry he got out of bed and hid in the bathroom. 3 But our intimate life improved. Asher replaced theory with practice, frequently breaking his one-minute record. He wouldn’t be outdone in frequency either. It was a bit too much for me. After all, I had experiments and studies during the day. So I Googled: “How to make a boyfriend abstinent?” A sister replied: “Try a style he hates?” Epiphany. That night I bought a small whip. Asher said he hated the feeling of being controlled. Then I’ll annoy him! Sure enough, we straight-A students are smart. That day, after studying and showering, I changed into a dominant outfit. Because I observed he probably didn’t like the Lolita style either. Hiding the prop under the pillow, I waited for him to finish showering and enter the room, then stood up and ordered: “Come here and give me a massage.” His eyes darkened, and he walked over with a cold face. When his warm hands touched my calf, I shivered. Don’t panic. I pretended to be calm: “Asher, didn’t you eat?! Is that all the strength you have?” “Oh?” His tone held a dangerous note. “Oh what! Haven’t you heard? Girls like guys with strong service awareness!” His hand moved up and pinched me, not too light, not too heavy. I jumped. Asher narrowed his eyes: “What’s wrong?” His voice was hoarse. My eyes darted around, remembering my persona today was a Queen. So I immediately took the thing from under the pillow and swept it over his lower body. He grabbed it, making me almost fall into his arms. A chuckle came from above. I arched up, stood firm, and kicked his abs. Circling, rubbing. His breathing heavied, and he turned his face away: “You are annoying.” Annoying, right!! Success, sisters! So I pushed my luck, pinning him down: “Believe it or not, I’ll punish you again!” I have plenty of strength and means. The tips of his ears turned red with anger. I smiled playfully: “Oh, innocent boy~” But who can tell me why I was flipped over again? Today’s Asher was like a mad dog. I could barely keep my eyes open, kicking him: “Aren’t you tired? I can’t do this anymore.” “We’ve barely started.” “Didn’t you say you wanted to serve me well? Hmm?” I glanced sideways at my torn clothes and sighed secretly. Who said he didn’t like it? He liked it too much. In the end, he even made me hold the whip and brought his face close to mine: “Want to hit me?” “?” I had screamed all my strength away. If my roommate Vivi hadn’t urgently called me to watch a show at Asher’s college. I would have almost forgotten that the Arts School queen was still vigorously pursuing him. 4 The queen bee was said to be a wealthy heiress from the South, beautiful and from a good family. Honestly, she looked quite compatible standing next to Asher. Devastatingly beautiful. Vivi and I even discussed if her skin was so white because of some beauty treatment. So much so that when the crowd chanted for them to get together. We both forgot ourselves and applauded along, chanting: “Get together! Get together!” Vivi stopped abruptly: “Wait, she’s your rival. We shouldn’t do this!” What else? Should I act like a jealous wife? But the girl was just confessing with roses. I couldn’t run up to Asher and say “He’s mine, don’t touch him,” right? That’s too cringe. And… Before I could finish “and,” I saw Asher push her away with a dark face and walk towards me step by step. I instinctively took a step back. He grabbed my waist and pulled me back. I don’t know why, even though he was smiling, I thought his smile was scary. Amidst the surprise of Vivi and everyone else, he slowly said: “Sorry, I have a fiancée.” “An arranged marriage from childhood.” Then, ignoring everyone’s gaze, he dragged me away. Asher had an apartment near the school. We usually lived there. He was practically dragging me to fly. Finally, when I couldn’t walk anymore, he threw me over his shoulder. He pinned me against the door, held the back of my head, and kissed me. I could clearly feel the intensity of his movements and the invasion between my lips and teeth. It carried a hint of punishment. He didn’t want to give me any air at all. Kissing me until I almost suffocated. I reached out to push him away, but he grabbed my hands and pinned them above my head. His lips moved away a few centimeters, allowing me a breath of air. “Should I praise you for being generous? Fiancée?” Asher’s eyes were terrifyingly red, his expression obscure, gritting his teeth. The atmosphere was intense back there. But I couldn’t say that; it would make him angrier. So I softened my voice and kissed his dimple: “Not at all. I like you the most, the most.” “Cut it out.” He turned his face away. Looking like he couldn’t be coaxed. I broke free from his restraint and hugged his neck instead, acting coquettish: “It was my fault. How about I grant you one wish?” “Anything?” He raised an eyebrow. “As long as it’s not too excessive, anything.” “Save it,” he said. “Because right now, I have more important things to do.” Then he bent down, picked me up, and walked toward the bedroom. ???

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Before my dad took his last breath, he left me a huge surprise. He told me my mom wasn’t dead. She had remarried, taking my two older sisters with her. I left our small trailer park to find her, only to discover I didn’t just have two sisters anymore. I had… One, two, three, four new siblings. The eldest sister, the CFO of the family empire: “Pick a gem, Leo. Can’t decide? Just take them all.” The second sister, Hollywood’s new “It Girl”: “I got you VIP tickets to my concert, front row center! It’s all yours.” Even the stepsister who isn’t related by blood… “Little brother, drink your milk. You need to grow taller. Eat more, okay?” And the formerly arrogant, rebellious stepbrother… “Who bullied my little brother? Get out here, I’ll kick your ass!” Me… I guess I’m just going to lie down and enjoy the ride! 1 My dad died. Before he croaked, he told me to find my mom. With no idea where to start, I embarked on the journey to find her. Mrs. Miller from the trailer next door tearfully stuffed homemade biscuits into my tattered backpack. “Leo, honey, don’t go hungry.” I hugged her and took the water bottle from old Mr. Henderson. “Leo, stay hydrated.” Finally, Uncle Bob, the mechanic, rubbed my head and threw me onto the Amtrak heading to Boston. He said, “Your mom married rich. If she doesn’t want you, use your secret weapon.” I carried my small backpack, tears in my eyes, feeling like a lost puppy. I shouted into the wind, “Uncle Bob, what… is… my… secret… weapon?” No one answered. Only the echo from the canyon replied. Scared as I was, I eventually stood shakily at South Station in Boston. Clutching the address, I rang the doorbell of a massive villa in a wealthy suburb. The woman who opened the door was dressed impeccably. She looked me up and down. “Who are you looking for?” I fidgeted with my fingers. “I… I’m looking for my mom. Her name is Elizabeth.” “Come in.” Although suspicious, she let me in and made a call. “Mrs. Sterling, there’s a young boy downstairs. He says he’s looking for you.” Before long, a woman walked down the grand staircase. I marveled at the place. It was like a palace. They even used an intercom to talk. “Leo?” The woman was beautiful, with barely any wrinkles under her eyes. She wore a silk robe and pulled me into a tight hug. I froze, feeling the softness and the strange sensation. Is this… Mom? “It’s Mom, it’s Mom. Leo, I missed you so much.” The beauty wept, tears rolling down like crystal beads. “Mom?” I tentatively asked. “Yes!” She hugged me tighter and rubbed my hair. “Quick! Call Victoria and Chloe back!” My beautiful mom started giving orders. “Who are they?” I asked, confused. “Your sisters.” She held my hand and led me upstairs. “Your dad had a gambling problem back then, and you were too young. I could only take your sisters and run. I planned to come back for you later, but you found us first.” I whispered, “Dad died.” Maybe it was my imagination, but she paused for a second before bending down. “Mom will treat you better. I’ll be so good to you, Leo.” “Stay here, okay?” Her eyes were gentle. I widened my eyes and nodded obediently. Soon, she cleaned me up and led me downstairs. Just as we reached the steps, someone pushed the front door open. The woman seemed to carry a cold wind with her. Her gaze was sharp. She put her briefcase aside and started unbuttoning her coat. I instinctively stepped back. Mom led me down. “Leo, this is your eldest sister.” Mom explained gently. “Hi, big sis,” I lowered my head, sneaking glances at her. The woman squatted down, her eyes full of smiles. “Leo, you’ve grown so much.” She pinched my cheek, her smile deepening. “I’m back! I’m back! I’m back!” Someone shouted, rushing through the door. “My brother is here?” “Where is he?” The moment our eyes met, we both screamed. “Ahhhhh! Chloe Sterling!” She vaulted over the sofa with one hand. The next second, a beautiful face was magnified in front of mine. I almost stopped breathing. Even in my remote trailer park, I had seen her commercials on TV. America’s Sweetheart, Chloe Sterling! She’s my second sister! I started to suspect this was all a dream. “Leo, did you miss me?” Chloe pinched my cheek too. Not satisfied with one, she pinched both sides. “Leo was too small back then,” the eldest sister crossed her arms, stating a fact. I nodded unconsciously. “Yeah.” “It’s okay, you’ll remember later. Chloe loves you the most! I saved a ton of fun stuff for you!” Chloe grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the stairs. “Let’s eat first. Leo traveled a long way. He’ll see the stuff later,” Mom said gently. “Madam, Mr. Sterling says he’ll be back soon. Miss Harper and Master Ethan… said they aren’t coming home tonight.” A trace of helplessness flashed across Mom’s face. “I know.” “Harper and Ethan aren’t coming back again?” The eldest sister sat aside, flipping through a file, her voice cold. “They’ve been acting out lately. Maybe Uncle needs to talk to them,” Chloe said, twirling a lock of my hair. Mom sighed and called me over, showing me a photo. “Leo, this is your Uncle Richard, my current husband.” The man in the photo was handsome and sharp. “This is Harper, Uncle Richard’s daughter.” The girl in the photo looked a bit disgruntled. “Her eyes are blue!” I exclaimed. “Yes, her mother was French,” Mom explained. “Oh, okay,” I nodded obediently, earning a round of head rubs from my sisters. “This is Ethan, Uncle Richard’s son.” The boy had great hair, but the corners of his mouth turned down. He looked full of angst. “He’s handsome,” I praised sincerely. “Our Leo is the best looking!” Chloe puffed out her cheeks and muttered. I pursed my lips and shook my head. “Haha, let me see the handsome boy!” A hearty male voice came from the door, footsteps heavy. I looked up. The man was tall; I had to crane my neck to see him. He was strong, completely different from my sisters. He looked… safe. He half-squatted and reached out. “Come here, let Uncle see.” I moved from Mom’s arms, curiously observing him. “Hello, Uncle.” “Hello, Leo!” “How old are you?” He let me look at him, asking softly. “Eighth grade,” I answered obediently. He rubbed my face, grinning from ear to ear. Suddenly, he lifted me up and placed me on the dining chair. He rubbed my head. “Let’s eat!” Mom smiled and sat down. My sisters sat beside me. “Eat up. After dinner, I’ll show you something cool!” Chloe whispered. “Chloe, less talking, more eating!” Mom interrupted. “It’s fine. She can talk to Leo,” Uncle Richard said warmly. My sisters both looked up, surprised by his words. Mom paused for two seconds before saying, “Oh, okay.” “Which room does Leo want?” Uncle Richard asked while putting food in my bowl. “Victoria works late, don’t disturb him. Chloe is rarely home, but when she is, she’s loud. The room behind theirs is a storage room, you can’t stay there.” “Uncle Richard!” Chloe pouted, looking annoyed. I shook her hand under the table, signaling I’d see her toys later. “You are loud!” Victoria nodded in agreement and offered a suggestion. “Leo can stay in the room next to mine. Good lighting.” Uncle Richard thought for a moment. “Okay, that one. If Harper and Ethan have complaints, tell them to come to me.” I wondered why they would complain. I found out when I moved in. We were neighbors. 2 Chloe opened the door and introduced me. “My room is at the end of the hall. Victoria is opposite me.” She opened the room next to Victoria’s. “This is yours! Great sunlight during the day. The peach tree branches touch your window!” I rolled on the bed, overjoyed. “Next door is Ethan. Opposite him is Harper.” Chloe looked around unnaturally. “Don’t talk to them if you don’t have to.” “Huh?” I didn’t hear clearly. “What did you say?” Victoria walked in with milk and kicked Chloe as she passed. “Don’t talk nonsense.” She turned to me. “Leo, drink your milk.” “Okay.” I drank it all, amused by their loving gazes. “I finished!” “Okay, bedtime now.” Victoria tucked me in and dragged Chloe out. “Wait, wait! Leo, I have toys to show you!” Victoria grabbed her by the scruff of her neck. “Tomorrow. It’s rest time.” “Sleep? What time is it?!” Chloe protested. “Your schedule is unhealthy!” Victoria ignored her struggles, turning off the light for me at the door. “Goodnight, Leo. Toys tomorrow.” I laughed and shouted okay. I yawned. I was tired. But I didn’t sleep well. In the middle of the night, I met… Harper. I screamed when she kicked the door open, instinctively turning on the lamp. “You! What are you doing!” She was swinging a baseball bat, destroying my room. Bang! Crash! “Yo, this is the new brother?” “Harper, what are you doing!” Victoria arrived quickly, shielding the shivering me. “Just teaching the new kid a lesson. Letting him know who runs this house.” Harper shouldered the bat, chewing gum loudly. “Leo is young! You’re scaring him!” Victoria trembled with rage. “Why waste breath on her!” Chloe appeared and tackled Harper. Victoria joined the fray. I was left alone, circling them helplessly. Mom and Uncle Richard were on the third floor; they couldn’t hear the commotion. Luckily, this seemed routine. Soon, the three of them stopped, panting. I worriedly circled Chloe. “Don’t worry, Leo. I’m fine.” I waved my hand. “Chloe, take care of your face. I like your face.” Chloe froze. Harper stood up shakily behind her, sneering. “Brother, we’ll clash plenty in the future!” I saw her stumbling and reached out to steady her. “Oh, okay. Goodnight, Harper.” Harper’s look changed. She stared at me like I was an idiot. Her gaze was fierce, almost making me cry before she looked away. “Scared stupid.” “Watch your mouth!” Victoria and Chloe spoke in unison, ready to fight again. I stopped them and ushered everyone out one by one. After a quick tidy, I slept until noon. 3 I had met Victoria, Chloe, and Harper. Only Ethan was missing. I played with a small, exquisite action figure. “Like it?” Chloe sat beside me, eyes full of expectation. “Yeah!” I nodded, but hesitated. “Chloe, you saved… this many?” The entire storage room was filled with figures. Chloe twisted the hem of her shirt. “When you were little, you said you liked them.” I blinked. I had no memory of my sisters. Mom said she left when I was born. When did I say I liked figures? Seeing me stare, she said awkwardly, “I was holding you, walking around. A guy teased you with a figure. You wanted it, he wouldn’t give it! You cried.” I was surprised. “I don’t remember.” She said anxiously, “I remember! I knew then I wanted to give you everything good in the world. But…” I patted her shoulder. “Okay, okay! Don’t think about the sad stuff.” I stood next to a life-size figure. “Chloe, am I as tall as this one?” She rubbed my head. “Our Leo will grow tall!” We spent the afternoon organizing the room. It became my playroom. Besides figures, there were expensive toys. Uncle Richard even sent a slide when he saw us. If Mom hadn’t stopped him, he would have sent a ball pit. Well, he sent it anyway. After playing, I opened my door to find Victoria sitting at my desk. “Victoria,” I called obediently. “Hmm. Like the playroom?” She wore gold-rimmed glasses tonight, looking gentle. I sat on a small stool next to her. “Yes! Chloe played with me for a long time!” Victoria pinched my cheek. “Chloe is the fun one. Leo must like her more. You said you liked her face yesterday.” I sensed something wrong. I moved my stool closer. “I like you just as much, Victoria!” “Really!” “Victoria is great too!” Just a bit scary looking. I swallowed that thought. She looked like an abandoned puppy. “Victoria~” I tried to act cute. “Okay.” Victoria pulled me up to sit on the desk. She stood behind me and produced three boxes like magic. “Look at these. Like them?” The first box had loose diamonds, sparkling under the light. “Wow!” The second had a ruby watch. Exquisite. “Pretty!” I couldn’t take my eyes off it. The last box had a pearl necklace. Each pearl glowed. “This is too expensive, sister.” I pushed the boxes back. “I don’t need expensive jewelry!” Victoria rubbed my head lovingly. “I might not be able to play with you like Chloe, but I can afford these. If you want anything, I can get it for you.” I bit my lip. “I know. I’ll pick one.” I felt it was too flashy for a kid. “Can’t decide?” Before I could answer, Victoria decided. “Keep them all. By the way, the ruby is the cheapest.” Watching her leave, I suddenly understood why she stopped Chloe yesterday. The gems sparkled, pure as a sister’s desire to make up for lost time.

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