My husband is sick. Almost everyone in the upper-class circle of Manhattan knows about it. Men in the Sterling family lose their memories for fifteen days every six months after getting married. And during these fifteen days, they fall madly in love with other women, turning their wives into the most pathetic laughingstocks. The first time Ethan Sterling lost his memory. He fell in love with my nemesis at the TV station. For “true love,” he kidnapped me on the day of my most important live broadcast and broke both my legs. The broadcast had a gap, and I was blacklisted by the entire industry. In contrast, my nemesis skyrocketed, becoming one of the top news anchors in New York. But as soon as the fifteen days were up. Ethan, having recovered his memory, cried and fainted right in front of me. Then he sent people to dismember my nemesis. She remains missing to this day, life or death unknown. The second time he lost his memory. He fell in love with a little maid who climbed into his bed. The maid demanded a status and wanted him to divorce me. When I disagreed, Ethan threw me into the red-light district to be humiliated, filming videos to spread all over the internet. On the fifteenth day. He recovered his memory at the City Hall. The man knelt down with a thud, holding a knife to mutilate himself to apologize! As for the maid, naturally like the previous nemesis, she was sold to Southeast Asia as a doll, tortured into a ghost in less than three days. The cruelest time. For my adopted sister, he personally cut out my six-month-old baby, almost killing both of us. When his memory returned. Ethan hanged himself directly. It took three days and nights of rescue to save his life. And this time, it’s the twelfth memory loss. Looking at my best friend who successfully climbed into his bed, I sighed wearily. “Ethan Sterling, if you’re sick, can you just die sooner? I want to be a widow and inherit the family fortune!” …… “Chloe, I know you’re sad, but love can’t be forced.” “The person Ethan loves is me. You should accept this reality instead of cursing your husband to die.” My delicate best friend, clinging like a vine to the half-naked man. The silk nightgown she wore was an old style I was about to throw away as trash. I took a deep breath. My eyes, cold and clear, almost unable to stir up any emotion for Ethan anymore, glanced faintly at the calendar on the wall. Today is the first day of memory loss. “If condoms aren’t enough, there are more in the second drawer.” “If you want to have a baby, please notify me in advance. I have a lot of interviews recently, need to clear time to go to City Hall for the divorce certificate.” “Oh, and Bella, did you buy accident insurance?” I said the last sentence with deep meaning. Bella paused, looking at me like I was a fool, mocking. “Chloe, are you crazy from sadness? For a man, is it worth it?” “Being love-brained is not advisable at all~” That good best friend who used to jump with rage because of Ethan’s repeated cheating and wanted to fight for justice for me. Now like a victorious fighting cock. Arrogantly snuggling in the arms of a married man, triumphant! I curled my lips indifferently and shrugged. “Nothing, just a friendly reminder. Good luck after fifteen days.” With that, I turned and left. From the master bedroom that originally belonged to me and Ethan. Minutes later, sounds of旖旎 and wanton moans rang out. The man gasped heavily and laughed: “Chloe Vance is just a tool for business marriage. Why be angry with her? My heart is all yours.” Heh, this illness of the Sterling family is interesting. Once memory is lost, I’m treated as a tool for marriage, quite self-justifying. Walking out of the villa. I called my lawyer directly and ordered calmly. “No matter what method, how much money, within fifteen days, I want to see the divorce certificate for me and Ethan Sterling!” And as the party at fault, he must leave with nothing! Of course, there is a bigger surprise waiting for Ethan to appreciate personally after he recovers his memory. Picked a random place among my more than a hundred properties. Slept comfortably until I woke up naturally. But as soon as I opened my eyes, the silenced phone had basically exploded with calls. “Chloe Vance, where did you hide Bella?” “Just because I don’t love you, you have to be vicious enough to hurt my treasure?” “Forced melons are not sweet. Even if something happens to Bella, I, Ethan Sterling, will never love you in this life!” The roaring made my ears hurt. I rolled my eyes speechlessly, about to hang up. The apartment door was suddenly violently smashed open. Ethan, holding his phone, rushed up in a stride. Without a word, he slapped me directly with full force. Half of my face went numb, and the corner of my mouth cracked open, oozing blood. “Ethan Sterling, you hit me for Bella Miller?” I collapsed weakly on the ground. Even though I couldn’t squeeze out a single tear, I still pretended to be in agony, covering my face, teetering. In the corner, the red light of the camera flashed. Seeing this, the man put one hand in his trouser pocket, looking down at me. He sneered, “Love me this much? Chloe Vance, you are pathetic!” Before his voice fell, he waved his hand. The bodyguards got the signal and immediately stepped forward to pin me to the ground, rough and cruel. “But kidnapping Bella is crossing my bottom line.” “Do it! Teach the madam a good lesson. Stop when she’s willing to tell Bella’s whereabouts.” Fists fell like raindrops. Suddenly, I thought of Ethan’s tenth memory loss affair. He almost gouged out one of my eyes. As soon as the fifteen-day countdown ended, seeing my bloodied face. He was like a trapped beast, locking himself in the villa basement, torturing himself for a whole week. Breaking both hands and feet. If I hadn’t stopped him, he might have really gouged out his eyes with his bare hands to get my forgiveness. The last punch fell. My throat tightened, spitting blood all over the floor. Suddenly, Ethan’s phone vibrated. He glanced at the caller ID and answered excitedly immediately. “Bella? Good good good, I’m coming right away. Don’t be afraid, don’t cry, my heart will ache.” The man left in a hurry. In the empty apartment, only I remained, lying on the ground in a mess, taking out my phone. The camera video synced to the cloud in real-time. I edited, saved. Note: [Gift No. 1 for ex-husband after fifteen days!] Bella’s self-directed and self-acted drama ended perfectly. To further punish me, Ethan cut off all my cards directly and even notified the TV station to suspend me temporarily. The TV station director looked at me, smiling awkwardly, comforting. “Chloe, anyway, Mr. Sterling will recover his memory in fifteen days. You two have weathered storms together until now.” “We all see that the person he truly loves is you.” Love? But this love that has to be staged bloodily every six months. I’m really tired. The director wanted to say something more. But I just closed my eyes and asked abruptly, “Do you know how Ethan’s parents died?” “What?” “When his father lost his memory for the seventy-eighth time, he accidentally killed his wife for a mistress. Then he recovered his memory, jumped from the twentieth floor holding his lover, and died miserably.” I don’t intend to follow the same old path! Dead silence in the office. Leaving with the suspension notice. Just out of the TV station building. Bella’s WeChat messages came one after another. Dozens of photos. The high and mighty King of Manhattan. At this moment, for true love, was on all fours on the ground, letting the woman ride him like a horse. Kneeling to wash feet, kissing toes. Even if Bella said she wanted a mountain of gifts. He could empty all major luxury stores in Manhattan within an hour just to make the beauty smile. ——【Chloe Vance, being your best friend, I can only be a background board for comparison forever.】 ——【But it’s different now. The man you love most belongs to me.】 ——【I, Bella Miller, will soon step on your head and possess all your wealth and happiness.】 ——【Jealous? Hateful? But no! Hahaha…】 Looking at those contemptuous words, the arrogance was about to spray out of the screen. I sneered, then screenshotted. Also uploaded to the cloud. Note: [Gift No. 2 for ex-husband after fifteen days!] Back to the villa to get something. My grandmother, an inheritor of Su embroidery, gave me the family heirloom pattern passed down for generations before she passed away. That pattern has weathered storms for generations. It is the witness and glory of their entire family extending to this day. Ethan said, “Wife, give me something very important to you. I’ll treasure it so I can feel at ease, ensuring you won’t leave me.” Now, I’m tired and don’t want to continue being tormented by this damn illness with him. Take back Grandma’s pattern and cut ties completely! Just stepped into the entrance hall. I saw Bella holding a dirty stray dog that was still leaking urine. She was teary-eyed, reaching out to Ethan who was accompanying her, clearly allergic to dog hair but enduring it. “Ethan, the little doggy is so pitiful. Hurry bring me that broken rag, I’ll wipe it.” The broken rag Bella pointed to was the Su embroidery pattern framed and hung on the wall. My heart sank fiercely. Just wanted to step forward to stop it. Ethan moved faster. Crisply smashed the picture frame, took out the pattern inside, and handed it over. His thin lips moved, mocking. “Is Chloe Vance sick in the head? Framing a broken rag and hanging it here to embarrass herself?” And when he didn’t lose his memory. This “broken rag” was the only existence that could make him feel at ease, treated like a treasure! “Good doggy, sister will wipe you clean.” Saying this, Bella used the pattern symbolizing the entire family to wipe shit and urine. My eyes cracked, pouncing like crazy, raising my hand to hit. Who expected. I didn’t even touch a hair of Bella. Ethan grabbed my back collar like throwing some dirty object and flung me away. My thin body slammed heavily onto the floor-to-ceiling glass window. The window shattered, sharp glass fragments cutting clothes, piercing tender skin, blood gushing out. In an instant. The man who was originally protecting Bella and fuming with rage. Seeing the blood all over the floor, his frowned sword eyebrows stiffened involuntarily. His handsome face turned pale, as if remembering something… “Boohoo, Ethan, Chloe is so scary, the puppy is scared too, I’m so afraid, I don’t want to stay here anymore~” The woman’s slightly coquettish crying sounded. Ethan, whose mind was churning with complex memories, suddenly snapped back. He shook his head vigorously, muttering to himself. “Impossible! How could I be desperate for a marriage tool like Chloe Vance? I love Bella, it’s Bella!” Before I completely fainted from pain, I snorted coldly. It seems that the closer to the fifteen-day node. The memories forgotten by Ethan become clearer. Body numb from excessive blood loss. I crawled on the ground like a maggot, trying to grab the pattern covered in filth. And Bella, leaning in the man’s arms passing by me. She mouthed, mocking, “Chloe Vance, you are just like this rotten rag. As long as I want, Ethan will give me anything, hahaha…” Under the silent laughter. Bella deliberately let go of the hand holding the wild dog. The dog smelled the scent of shit and urine, instantly excited, baring dirty teeth, barking and biting randomly on me. The severe pain of torn flesh made me lose consciousness completely. Woke up again. Still clutching that dirty pattern, lying in the VIP ward. The little nurse changing the dressing muttered pitifully. “Miss Chen, your husband is really a big scumbag, a beast with a wolf’s heart and dog’s lungs!” “Last night you almost didn’t make it. The chief surgeon called your husband to come sign.” “But guess what he said? Said he was busy coaxing his lover, no time, let you live or die on your own!” Live or die on my own… I turned my head. The rising morning sun sprinkled on my body, warm and comfortable. The lawyer sent a message. ——【Miss, seven more days, and you can get the divorce certificate and leave.】

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I was born with Epidermolysis Bullosa, my skin as fragile as a butterfly’s wings. After my family went bankrupt, I asked my billionaire husband for a loan. Lucas Sterling took me to a tattoo parlor, raising an eyebrow at me. “One million dollars for one tattoo. How much do you want to borrow?” I knew this was his revenge, that I shouldn’t touch his canary. But I nodded anyway. The first succubus tattoo landed on my private parts; I bit my tongue until it bled. The second tattoo, the word “Harder” on my lower back, bled profusely. By the time ten tattoos were done, a systemic infection blurred my consciousness. Lucas casually threw a few bills at me. Ten million Vietnamese Dong, less than five hundred US dollars. But this time, I didn’t cry or make a scene. I picked up the money and smiled at him. “Thank you, Mr. Sterling. This is enough.” Enough to buy a decent urn for myself. 1 Bending down to pick up the last bill, Lucas’s leather shoe stepped on my hand. “What did you call me?” He reached out and pinched my cheek. “You usually love calling me Hubby. Why the change?” Blood seeped from my skin more and more, stinging like needles. I lowered my eyes, bowing my head to him for the first time. “Lucas Sterling, give me the divorce papers. I’ll sign.” In the past, if I shed a single tear, his heart would ache for a long time. But there was no longer any pity in Lucas’s eyes. A faint smile curled his lips. “Want a divorce? I spent so much effort nursing you back to health, why would I let another man benefit?” He ordered unquestionably, “From now on, give the master bedroom to Sarah. She’s weak and afraid of the cold.” I didn’t resist anymore and nodded. Walking out of the tattoo parlor, my thin body trembled with pain. I counted the money in my hand. He gave a hundred extra. Just as I was about to go back in to return it to Lucas. I heard the excited voice of the tattoo parlor owner. “Mr. Sterling, a total of ten million people watched the live stream just now!” The string in my brain suddenly snapped. The shame of having my private parts seen by others almost crushed me. Every word on my skin pierced my body with a hundred times the pain. Because I was born with Butterfly Disease, a slight touch could cause my skin to crack and bleed endlessly. It was Lucas who knelt at the door of a famous doctor for three days and three nights, begging for an ancestral prescription. At his most vigorous age, he suppressed his desire and didn’t touch me for eight years. Until my condition was under control, we exchanged our first times in bed. Lucas held me in his arms and swore, “I will protect you with my life in this lifetime.” But later he met Sarah Miller, a college athlete, while playing ball. She was young, loved to smile, and full of vitality. A person from a different world than me. Lucas said to her in bed again and again, “Sarah, I wish I could give you my life.” Now hearing the tattoo parlor owner’s words, Lucas seemed to think of something. He narrowed his eyes, “Did you capture her face just now?” “As per your instructions, Mrs. Sterling’s face was blurred the whole time.” I hurriedly opened my phone. It turned out the words tattooed on me were voted by netizens in the live stream one by one. “Sewer,” “Must-Eat in NY,” “Master Please Fxxk”… Filthy words covered my whole body. Screenshots of the live stream were going viral online. Now, all of New York was guessing who this faceless female streamer was. Lucas’s shoulders relaxed, his voice indifferent. “If Nina Gu were a bit more obedient, I wouldn’t have treated her like this.” “Sarah should calm down after seeing the screenshots and talk to me.” The cold wind outside was biting, but it couldn’t compare to the chill in my heart. Just because I didn’t allow my husband’s initials to appear on another woman. A few days ago, I arranged for bodyguards to forcibly remove the tattoo on his mistress Sarah’s chest. However, Lucas retaliated against me tenfold. Covering the filthy words on my neck with my coat. I left the tattoo parlor as if escaping hell. My husband of ten years probably knew better than anyone. Tattoos were the limit of my body; I couldn’t bear the pain of removing them. And these disgusting words would become the shame of my life. Instead of returning to the Sterling mansion, I asked the taxi driver to turn around. After my family went bankrupt, my mother moved from a villa to a slum. A single room less than 50 square feet, New Yorkers call it a coffin home. Getting out of the car. I saw an ambulance parked by the road. Two paramedics rushed over carrying a stretcher. The person on the stretcher was covered tightly from head to toe by a white cloth. Unease rose in my heart. With trembling hands, I dialed my mother’s number. The next second, the exclusive ringtone I recorded for her came from under that white cloth. 2 Ignoring the obstruction of others, I lunged forward and lifted the white cloth. The middle-aged woman’s eyes bulged, as if she had seen something extremely terrifying at the last moment. I shook my head desperately, tears flowing non-stop. “My mother has always been healthy, how could this happen!” The paramedic glanced at me, “Your mother drank Paraquat to commit suicide.” No, impossible. Mom loved me as her life, I didn’t believe she would leave me easily! I opened the chat app on her phone. A stranger’s account had sent her a live stream link. I knelt heavily on the ground, pain and hatred surging in my chest, tears uncontrollable. It was me, I killed my own mother! In the memo were the last few words she left for me. “Nina, don’t stay with someone who doesn’t love you for my sake.” “My butterfly baby, leave New York, pursue your freedom.” Kneeling beside my mother’s body, I cried like a child. Growing up, my skin often bled because of my illness. Even oozing yellow pus. Classmates looked at me with contempt, as if I were some disgusting monster. Only Mom would hold me and tell me again and again. “You are different from others, you are Mom’s butterfly baby.” “If you don’t want to go to school, Mom will be your teacher.” But I refused to bow to fate and insisted on continuing my studies. In junior high, Lucas, who had just transferred, became my deskmate. It was he who fought off those who bullied me time and again. Even if it meant a detour, he insisted on escorting me to school every day. Looking at him then, my eyes were full of light. It turned out that besides Mom, there was a second person willing to protect me. After graduating from college, I secretly invested the money Mom saved for me into Lucas’s startup. This time, I won the bet with fate. On the day the company went public, Lucas put the key to a luxury car worth millions in my hand. Countless reporters swarmed in, pointing microphones at him. “Mr. Sterling, why are you willing to buy such an expensive car for your girlfriend?” In front of the camera, he was elegant in a suit, smiling gently. “She was the one sitting on the back of my electric scooter, accompanying me through the startup. At that time, I swore that one day, I would make her the woman in the back seat of a Rolls-Royce.” “From now on, you should call her ‘Mrs. Sterling’.” After speaking, he took out a ring, knelt on one knee, and proposed to me. Lucas interpreted the saying “A worthy wife supports my lofty ambitions, I repay her with ten thousand taels of gold” with actions. At that time, everyone said we were a textbook wealthy romance in New York. I stayed in the morgue all afternoon. Until the staff’s words pulled me out of my memories. “Mrs. Sterling, this card payment failed again.” The one I just handed over was the last card on me. The man who once bought me luxury cars and mansions now froze all my bank cards to vent anger for his little lover. I suppressed the bitterness in my heart. Took out all the cash and begged the staff bitterly. “I only have this much on hand, can you arrange my mother’s cremation first? I will definitely make up the fee.” But the staff shook his head at me. “This isn’t even enough for the deposit.” He looked at me with a hint of sarcasm, “Just bow your head and soften your attitude to Mr. Sterling, what is this money to him?” I closed my eyes and took off the gold bracelet on my wrist. “It’s worth at least $15,000. Please, make an exception.” He took it greedily and bit it lightly. But soon, he slammed the bracelet heavily on the table. “Calling you Mrs. Sterling is giving you face, how dare you give me this fake!” 3 The bracelet Lucas bought me with his first month’s salary was bent by me at this moment. Tears couldn’t stop flowing down. Drops of tears fell on the gold-plated iron bracelet. The thin layer of gold leaf seemed to mock my ten years of love. It turned out his sincerity was worthless from the beginning to the end. Picking up the bracelet, I used the remaining money to take a taxi back to the Sterling villa. At the door of the master bedroom. My husband’s lazy voice came from inside. “Every time I do it with her, I don’t enjoy it. If I use a little force on her, the bed gets covered in blood.” “You are still better, I can pose you however I want.” I clenched my fists tight and pounded on the door heavily. “Lucas Sterling! You murderer, you killed my mom!” The man’s voice carried a slight pant. “Nina Gu, I won’t advance money for your family’s company. Don’t use this kind of thing to sell misery.” My face was full of tears, crying uncontrollably. “I never lied to you, but what about you?” “Even the gold bracelet you gave me was fake. What between us is real?!” Lucas hesitated for a few seconds, speaking with doubt. “Nina Gu, what are you talking about…” Inside the door. Came the sound of clothes friction when getting up. But it was interrupted by the woman’s kissing sound. “Lucas, do it for another half hour, I haven’t had enough yet.” “Mm, whatever you say.” No matter how I pounded on the door or cursed next, it didn’t affect their mood. My anger seemed to become their aphrodisiac. The movements inside became more intense, and the screams higher. Tears couldn’t help falling one by one. Curling up on the ground, I murmured my husband’s name. Lucas… Can you return the him who loved me before to me? Don’t know how long passed, the door finally opened. I saw two wet handprints on the wedding photo at the head of the bed. One left and one right, landing on the smiling faces of me and Lucas. I instantly understood what pose they just used. Lucas saw the tears bursting from the corner of my eyes, an unknown emotion crossing his eyes. He reached out, wanting to support my teetering body. But Sarah suddenly pulled his hand over. Placed it on her lower abdomen. “Lucas, you are too capable. My belly is full of your stuff.” “I’m only 22, I can get pregnant soon. Unlike Sister Nina who can’t even have a child, what kind of woman is she then?” After speaking, Sarah looked at my belly with contempt. I couldn’t accept everything I saw. Trembling, I said, “You clearly had a vasectomy…” Lucas glanced at me from the corner of his eye, indifferent but enough to pierce my heart. “Nina Gu, I had a reversal surgery. Now that my business is big, I need a child to inherit the billion-dollar fortune.” My heart, riddled with holes, was pierced again. If not for the initial capital I provided, where would his big business come from? Our first child was lost because my body wasn’t suitable for pregnancy. It was Lucas who knelt and bowed before the Buddha statue, swearing never to want children. It was also he who sought a protective talisman for me, praying for my safety in this life.

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My best friend and I were daughters of wealthy families in ancient times, but accidentally traveled to modern America, becoming ordinary female college students. My best friend, Clara, was bubbly and unconventional. Free from the constraints of ancient etiquette, she vowed to date 100 men before getting married. But until graduation, when I got engaged to my boyfriend in this world, I never saw her get close to any man. Just when I thought she would be single forever, she collapsed into my arms, drunk, holding a marriage certificate. “Eleanor, three years ago he rejected my confession, but I didn’t give up. Today, I finally got him.” Seeing her happy face, I was genuinely happy for her. After all, Lucas was gentle and considerate to me, and today was our wedding. My best friend’s flash marriage was simply a double happiness. I carefully helped her onto the sofa, but as I got up, I knocked the marriage certificate out of her hand. I picked it up and opened it. The moment I saw the photo, my whole body stiffened violently. This man with a sunny smile was my boyfriend. The Lucas who cried with excitement after putting the wedding ring on my finger. … My mind went blank, and I blinked hard. It must be because Lucas and I just got married, I was too excited and saw him in everyone. He said he would get the certificate with me after finishing the art exhibition, how could he have time to get a certificate with someone else? But Clara’s drunken and sweet voice came clearly into my ears: “When I came to this world, I fell in love with Lucas at first sight, but he liked my best friend, so I could only silently move him.” “Luckily, the process was hard, but the ending is good.” I squeezed the marriage certificate in my hand tightly, its sharp edges pricking my hand, feeling real. Lucas and I had known each other for five years, but they loved each other for three years where I couldn’t see. I turned my head mechanically to look at Clara giggling on the sofa. She was still talking drunkenly. “Lucas got the certificate with me and keeps Eleanor outside. He must love me the most.” Tears flowed out uncontrollably. I closed my eyes: “Aren’t you afraid Eleanor Shen will find out?” Clara shook her head with a smile: “Eleanor and I grew up in ancient times. If she knew, we would bring her to live with us.” “Just… just like a co-wife. We are like sisters, she won’t mind.” She finished speaking and remembered something, getting up to snatch the marriage certificate from my hand. Then she giggled foolishly, stuffing it into her coat pocket like a treasure. On my wedding day, my husband got a certificate with my best friend first. And wanted to use ancient rules to make me a concubine as charity. The huge shock made my hands and feet cold. I wanted to question, but the sound of the door opening rang out. Lucas’s gentle gaze fell on my face. He didn’t see Clara on the sofa, stepping forward to hug me coquettishly: “I finally sent those unreliable childhood friends away. Next is our world for two.” Saying this, he excitedly picked me up horizontally. But when he saw Clara out of the corner of his eye, he suddenly threw me on the floor. Caught off guard, I fell, and the back of my head hit the corner of the table, making me black out from pain. Meeting my face distorted with pain, Lucas panicked and pulled me up. “Sorry Eleanor, I didn’t mean to. I was startled by your best friend.” “She knew tonight was our important moment, why is she sleeping here like a third wheel? I’ll send her away now.” He let go of me, pulling Clara up with a look of disgust. “Clara Song, go back to your house to sleep. Don’t be an eyesore here.” I stood there, watching his seemingly rough but actually careful movement of supporting Clara’s waist, my heart aching. Lucas didn’t notice my abnormality, still complaining: “Eleanor rented an apartment for you nearby, yet you still crash here. How can you be so thick-skinned?” Clara opened her eyes from his pulling. Meeting Lucas’s face, she smiled and was about to speak when he covered her mouth. Lucas looked at me guiltily: “Your best friend has a sharp mouth when drunk. I’ll send her back now, you wait for me at home.” Before I could speak, he supported the mumbling Clara and walked out. Not noticing at all that my head was bleeding from his throw just now. I felt dizzy and nauseous, but still mustered the courage to hail a taxi and follow them. The car stopped downstairs at Clara’s apartment. They were pulling and pushing by the roadside, no one noticed me. “Lucas, you are mine tonight. I want you to accompany me.” Clara hooked her arms around Lucas’s neck coquettishly. Lucas looked at her hesitantly. Just when I thought he would remember tonight was our wedding night and refuse, my phone rang. It was a message from Lucas. [Eleanor, I’ve sent Clara home safely.] [A big client suddenly wants to see the paintings. I won’t go back tonight, you sleep early.] My blood surged. I called Lucas in disbelief. But several calls in a row got no response. I wanted to smash the phone and rush in front of them, shouting: “Why betray me?” But I froze when I saw Lucas cupping Clara’s face, kissing her fiercely and passionately. My stomach churned, and I couldn’t hold it back anymore, vomiting on the other side of the tree. One was the man I entrusted my life to, the other was the best friend I treated as a sister. They actually gave me a heavy blow at the happiest moment of my life. I leaned against the tree trunk in despair. Carried by the wind were the voices of Lucas and Clara. “Lucas, thank you for willing to get the certificate with me. Although we can’t be together openly, just thinking that I am your wife makes me feel so happy.” “I know this is unfair to Eleanor, but I really love you so much.” Clara seemed sober. Her voice choked, making Lucas wipe her tears with heartache. “Silly, we are the legal couple.” “Eleanor is busy with work, sometimes staying at the gallery. We’ll be like before, she won’t find out.” Clara cried even more pitifully, throwing herself into his arms: “You’ve done too much for me. When grandma’s health improves, we’ll get a divorce.” “Return you completely to her.” Their words pierced my ears like steel needles, hurting so much I could barely stand. So they got together while I was working hard to earn tuition and startup funds. My heart ached densely. I couldn’t bear it anymore, stumbling and running home. This was the fifth year Clara and I traveled here. When we first arrived in these strange bodies, Clara and I were both lost. No maids to serve us, poor family background, and had to relearn survival skills. Clara didn’t like studying before, and the original body had a sick grandmother. Facing survival pressure, she cried all day wanting to go back. Fortunately, I was proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and knew how to appraise antiques. After figuring out how to make money in this society, I became an appraiser for rich people who loved collecting antiques. Then used the money earned to support me and Clara’s studies and life. After Clara stopped suffering, she hugged my neck and cried: “Eleanor, thank goodness for you. You are simply my reborn parents.” Later, because I identified a fake for a client, causing the seller’s plan to fail, I was retaliated against. It was Lucas who suddenly appeared, crashing his car into the van that kidnapped me. Finally carrying an iron rod to fight with the other party, covered in blood, he saved me. Since coming to this strange world, he was the first man to stand up for me. Looking at his handsome face, my heart almost exploded. Later, after he pursued me passionately for two years, I broke through traditional concepts to be his girlfriend and brought him to Clara. After accumulating startup funds, I paid to open a gallery for Lucas. Every painting I painted could earn a lot of money for the gallery. Consequently, Lucas became a famous upstart in the industry. My heart ached like it was hollowed out, making me tremble all over. I couldn’t understand why I gave them my heart. They often accused each other of monopolizing me, even arguing until their eyes were red, yet they could roll together behind my back? Vision blurred, I squeezed the jade pendant that could only let one person go home. Since they love each other, I’ll fulfill them. I don’t want either of these two hypocritical people anymore. A strong light flashed. Bang! I was hit by a car and sent flying. Chapter 2 When I woke up again, I was in the hospital. “Eleanor, didn’t I tell you to sleep at home? Why did you run out?” Lucas held my hand tightly, his burning body temperature transmitting to my limbs. This was the gentleness I cherished most in this world, but now it was the existence I found most disgusting. I withdrew my hand, looking straight at Clara, who was deliberately keeping a distance by the window but rushed over when I woke up. “I was worried about Clara, so I followed to check.” The atmosphere suddenly became quiet. Guilt flashed in both their eyes at the same time, but neither looked at the other. “Pity, I got hit by a car before I arrived.” I finished calmly. Both breathed a sigh of relief at the same time, their tacit understanding making my heart ache. “You really don’t trust me. Although I don’t like Clara Song, she is your best friend. No matter what, I would send her safely.” Lucas’s tone was doting, raising his hand to rub my hair, but I dodged. His hand froze in mid-air, staring at me in surprise. Seeming confused why I didn’t rely on him like before after getting hurt. Hearing his words, Clara looked dissatisfied: “Who cares about you sending me? If you weren’t busy working and going to the gallery, Eleanor wouldn’t have been hit by a car.” They started arguing because of me again. If I hadn’t caught them kissing inseparably, I would definitely have stepped forward to stop them. Then coaxed them both. Now I watched them act coldly, without any reaction. Noticing my abnormality, they exchanged a secretive glance. Lucas stood up first: “I’ll go get you something to eat first.” He didn’t look at me, only his flustered back revealing some uneasiness. Only Clara and I were left in the ward. After a long silence, she looked at me tentatively. “Eleanor, I didn’t talk nonsense at your place when I was drunk last night, did I?” Compared to Lucas’s cheating, Clara’s betrayal hurt me more. We knew each other since childhood and came here together. She actually deceived me for a man. I knew she always wanted to go back and be the county princess held by everyone. So, when I found the jade pendant that could let one person go back, I planned to give it to her and let her go back. Who knew she prepared such a big gift for me. Only when Clara looked uncomfortable did I withdraw my gaze: “You didn’t say anything.” “I’m tired, you go back first.” I didn’t want to talk to her anymore, but she lingered. “Eleanor, are you thirsty? I’ll pour you a glass of water.” Before I could refuse, she poured a glass of water and handed it to me. I felt irritable. Just as I reached out to push it away, Lucas’s voice suddenly sounded. “Eleanor, I brought your favorite Sweet and Sour Pork.” Clara’s hand shook, and the boiling hot water in the cup poured all over the back of my hand. “Ah!” Sharp pain made me scream. Lucas immediately threw away the food in his hand and ran towards me. He grabbed my hand with heartache, but when he saw Clara pinching her red finger, he said anxiously: “Eleanor, I’ll call the doctor for you.” After the doctor came in, he grabbed Clara by the collar and scolded loudly: “It’s all your fault Eleanor got hurt. Get back now.” As he spoke, he anxiously pulled Clara away. I lowered my head, looking at the transparent blister on the back of my hand, my heart aching as if being pulled. The man who used to have only me in his eyes didn’t care even knowing I was hurt. After treating the wound, I walked out of the ward. Seeing Lucas holding Clara’s hand, applying medicine carefully, my heart completely died. But I wasn’t willing to leave just like this. They deceived my sincerity, so I will take away everything they care about. For the next few days, the two of them took turns accompanying me during the day, but at night they were always called away by phone. “Eleanor, a mysterious client insists on seeing the paintings at night…” “Okay, go ahead.” Before he could finish, I interrupted him considerately. He looked at my calm face, his smile stiff: “El… Eleanor, I really have business.” “Mm, I know. Go quickly, don’t keep her waiting.” The excuse he used to leave was always the same. A trace of panic flashed across Lucas’s face, then he bent down and kissed my forehead. “Eleanor, wait for me obediently, I’ll be back soon this time.” “And the milk, remember to drink it.” Maybe due to guilty conscience, this time he left hurriedly without watching me finish it. After he left, I followed. Only to find he actually booked a couple’s hotel with Clara. As soon as he walked to the room door, he was grabbed by the tie and pulled in by Clara. They were in such a hurry they didn’t even close the door tightly. Heavy breathing drilled into my eardrums. Through the crack in the door, I saw two entangled figures tearing at each other’s clothes impatiently. “Will drugging Eleanor every day to stop her from finding you affect her brain?” “Your gallery needs her, and I need her to support me. I’m really afraid of making her silly by accident.” Clara’s voice revealed worry, but she worried about my inability to make money. Lucas was on the string, sweating anxiously: “No, I control it well. I hold the wedding with her because I need her, won’t harm her.” Their noise got louder, but my heart trembled. I thought they just betrayed me but still had feelings for me. Didn’t expect they just treated me as a money-making blood bag. My heart felt like it was cut by a knife. I bit the flesh in my mouth until I tasted blood before leaving. Today was the night of the full moon, also the day I leave. I froze all cards given to Clara, and donated all assets under my name. And that gallery I founded single-handedly, I didn’t plan to keep. Lucas became famous selling my paintings, so I will destroy it with my own hands. Unexpectedly, as soon as I arrived at the gallery, two fierce-looking men were waiting at the door. “Are you Eleanor Shen?” Before I could answer, that man stepped forward and grabbed my hair. My scalp hurt from being pulled, but I heard the man say viciously: “You borrowed our money but hid without repaying, do you want to die?” After speaking, he slapped my face. My face burned with pain instantly. Hearing their curses, I realized Clara borrowed a huge amount of usury in my name. “Not me, I never took out a loan.” My hands trembled with anger. I raised her for so many years, why did she harm me on purpose? But before I could figure it out, the man grabbed my hair and smashed me against the wall. I couldn’t resist, my forehead banging against the wall. “If you don’t admit it, we’ll kill you!” Pain came mixed with blood, vision turning red. Resentment accumulated. I grabbed an iron rod beside me randomly and greeted the face of the man holding me. Caught off guard, the man covered his face and let go. I dared not relax and continued to hit, but was kicked hard by another man. I was kicked flying in a parabola, fainting directly on the ground. They thought I was dead and fled in panic. When they went far, I struggled to stand up with my last breath. Thinking of Lucas and Clara’s faces, tears mixed with blood streamed down my cheeks. I raised my head and laughed loudly, finally spitting out a mouthful of blood. Gasping, I called a reporter. “New York upstart Lucas Sterling is soliciting prostitutes at the Hua Yue Hotel.” I called the police again: “I report with my real name, Clara Song is engaging in prostitution.” Our wedding was live-streamed. As long as Lucas dared to take out the marriage certificate, he committed marriage fraud. Clara’s reputation would also be ruined. After doing all this, I walked into the gallery and ignited every painting I painted with heart. In the raging fire, I clutched the jade pendant and closed my eyes. Chapter 3 … Lucas lay in bed holding Clara, thinking of my recent abnormality, and spoke deeply. “Clara, let’s divorce after your grandmother has surgery.” Clara looked dissatisfied, but just as she was about to say something, the room door was kicked open violently. “Police, don’t move!” Lucas looked up abruptly, facing the reporter’s camera directly. “Ah!” Startled by the people suddenly appearing, Clara hurriedly pulled the quilt tight to cover herself. Lucas was also pale. They were wearing nothing. Why did the police appear here out of the blue? But the police ignored them, asked them to dress, and started questioning. Reporters pouring in took photos non-stop, clearly recording the embarrassed side of Lucas and Clara. Lucas is the owner of a famous gallery. Every painting from the gallery is worth millions. Compared to the authentic works collected by the rich, except for the age gap, others are completely comparable. Moreover, he just held a wedding with Eleanor Shen a week ago. Being exposed for soliciting prostitutes now will definitely become the most explosive news recently. The reporter’s photos and the police’s strict questioning finally made Lucas react from shock. “Misunderstanding, all misunderstanding.” He hurriedly took out his ID card; “I didn’t solicit prostitutes.” The reporter showed no mercy: “You just got married a week ago, marrying the painter Eleanor Shen. Instead of accompanying your wife at home at this time, you came to a couple’s hotel. If not soliciting prostitutes, what is it?” Clara was furious. The police handcuffed her as a fallen woman. Hearing the reporter’s words, she spoke even more recklessly. “Who told you coming to a couple’s hotel is soliciting prostitutes? Can’t couples come together?” Clara had no talent and was not a famous person. Reporters didn’t know her. Seeing her so arrogant even after being caught, they were even less polite: “You say you are not a fallen woman, but knowing Lucas Sterling is married, are you rushing to be a mistress?” Not giving Clara a chance to argue: The reporter asked Lucas sharply again: “Mr. Sterling cried with excitement for marrying Eleanor Shen at the wedding, and your wife is hospitalized due to an accident. So you are cheating regardless of your wife’s safety?” Lucas panicked from the repeated questioning. Police and reporters, such a big scene, Eleanor Shen will definitely know. At this moment, rather than being afraid of losing face, he was more afraid that Eleanor Shen would leave him knowing he was messing with Clara Song. More importantly, he and Clara Song haven’t divorced yet. If Eleanor really leaves him, he will definitely go crazy. Clara Song didn’t know his thoughts. Being caught from bed by police and reporters was a great humiliation to her. In ancient times, these people in front of her were not qualified to stand before her at all. Anger rushed to her head. She stood up abruptly with handcuffs, anger distorting her features: “What nonsense are you talking about? Even police and reporters have to manage the fun between us husband and wife?” The police stood still, staring at her seriously. The reporter seemed to smell gossip, eyes curious: “But the person who held the wedding a week ago wasn’t you.” Lucas guessed what Clara wanted to say, stepping forward in panic: “Let’s talk at the police station if there’s anything.” The marriage registration time and the wedding were the same day, but the brides were two different women. If exposed, not only will he lose Eleanor Shen, but his career will also suffer a heavy blow. But how could the humiliated Clara think so much. Ignoring Lucas’s wink, she opened her mouth and said: “We are a legal couple. There is a photo of the marriage certificate in the phone.” The police quickly found the marriage certificate in her phone. The reporter looked surprised, picking up the camera to shoot frantically. Misunderstanding resolved, the police didn’t make it difficult for them, unlocked the handcuffs and left. But the reporter published the matter online after leaving. Lucas saw the constantly rising hot search, his brain blank. He took out his phone to call Eleanor Shen. The call connected but heard a strange voice. “The owner of the phone has been buried in the sea of fire…” Lucas looked even uglier hearing this: “Who are you? Stop talking nonsense here. Let my wife answer the phone quickly.” “We are firefighters. The South Frost Gallery caught fire. Surveillance shows the phone owner went in and never came out.” “What did you say?” Lucas muttered to himself, hands and feet cold as if exhausted, unable to even hold the phone, letting it fall to the ground. He didn’t believe Eleanor Shen would go to the gallery from the hospital, but what happened tonight was too strange. He had to go to the gallery. And the gallery was crucial to him, he couldn’t ignore it. But just as he left, Clara grabbed his arm tightly: “Lucas, where are you going?” Lucas panicked in his heart, didn’t control his strength and flung her away. “Something happened to Eleanor, I have to go see.” Clara looked unbelieving: “How is it possible? Didn’t you feed her milk? And the police just came, I’m still a bit scared, you can’t go.” Hearing her say this, Lucas suddenly panicked. He suddenly remembered Eleanor Shen might not have drunk that glass of milk. He remembered the police and reporters present tonight, and connected her recent abnormalities. A terrible thought suddenly rushed to his head. He stared wide-eyed, clamping Clara’s shoulders with both hands. “Did you tell Eleanor about us getting the certificate?” Clara was startled, a flash of guilt quickly passing through her eyes: “No… no. You got the certificate with me to fulfill my grandma’s wish.” “And we will divorce. Didn’t we agree not to let Eleanor know? Of course I wouldn’t say.” Lucas stared at her face, still seeing something wrong from her face. But he had no time to pursue it. Thinking of the firefighter’s words, his throat hurt like it was stuffed with cotton. He threw off Clara. “Better if everything has nothing to do with you.” Clara wanted to stop him, but was pushed away vigorously by him. Previously he thought Clara was pitiful. Every time she said in front of him that she missed her distant relatives and had to take care of her seriously ill grandmother, he couldn’t help but feel distressed. But thinking she might not be as pure and kind as on the surface, he felt a burst of disgust in his heart. Ignoring Clara’s obstruction, he rushed to the gallery. When he arrived, the firefighters had extinguished the fire and walked out. Lucas looked at the gallery burned to ruins, blood coagulating all over his body, eyes full of disbelief. He stopped the firefighter: “Is there really someone inside?” At this moment he really hoped Eleanor Shen drank that glass of milk. But the firefighter’s words made him completely give up hope: “A female body was found inside. Preliminary investigation shows the fire was ignited from inside. The deceased should be suicide.” Lucas sat paralyzed on the ground like his spine was removed. He still didn’t believe it, but didn’t collapse and cry until confirming with the hospital that Eleanor Shen really left. “Eleanor, I was wrong, please don’t scare me.” He sat at the fire scene crying until dawn, then returned to their wedding room lost in soul. Only to see Clara staying at his house. Looking at Clara, his face sank instantly: “What are you doing here?” Clara was startled, looking aggrieved: “Heard something happened to Eleanor, I came to see.” Lucas looked at her hypocritical face, suddenly feeling disgusted: “Aren’t you her good sister? Why knowing something happened to her, you don’t care at all?” “And isn’t your grandmother seriously ill? Why do you rarely visit her? are you hiding something from me?” Clara was asked guiltily by his series of questions: “I hid nothing from you.” Lucas wanted to question more, but saw a letter on the coffee table. He picked it up with trembling hands and opened it, seeing the content, eyes full of doubt. “What does ‘ancient person’ mean?” Clara’s eyes widened, immediately snatching the letter from his hand to read. When seeing Eleanor Shen mention she found that jade pendant to go home and had left this time and space, she instantly lost all reason and disguise. “Ah! Bitch!” Clara tore up the letter in her hand in a breakdown, “Why did she leave me alone to go back.” “Saying we are good sisters, but she found a way home without taking me.” Clara’s sudden madness scared Lucas. Lucas slapped her hard on the face. Clara calmed down after being slapped onto the sofa. Only heard Lucas ask: “What does ‘ancient person’ mean?” Clara’s chest heaved with anger, not wanting to hide anymore, revealing her true colors. She sneered: “Eleanor Shen and I traveled here from ancient times, on that very ordinary full moon night.” From her words, Lucas understood everything. Eleanor Shen had a way home, so she abandoned him. Before leaving, she burned the gallery clean, leaving him nothing. But intuition told him Eleanor Shen must have known something, otherwise she wouldn’t have left so simply. He subconsciously looked at Clara: “Did you tell Eleanor about our marriage?” Clara didn’t hide this time: “Yes, I pretended to be drunk on the day of getting the certificate, let her see the marriage certificate.” “I thought she would question me and then break up with you. Didn’t expect she pretended to know nothing, but planned to sneak away.” Thinking of Eleanor Shen’s betrayal, Clara was full of resentment. Lucas was shocked by her distorted face, scalp tingling. He grabbed her collar and pulled her up: “Eleanor treated you so well, paid for your studies, rented you a house. Why were you so cruel to her?” “And you said your grandmother was seriously ill and wanted to see you get married to leave without regrets. Was this also a lie to me?” Clara smiled sarcastically: “Yes, I have no feelings for that old woman at all. How could I care about her.” “As for Eleanor Shen, I hated her at the time.” “She was better than me in everything before. Coming to this strange world, she is still better than me in everything.” “Yet I, a noble county princess, still have to rely on her support and owe her favors.” Looking at Lucas’s dull face, Clara’s smile widened: “But there is one thing she can’t compare to me.” “I snatched you. You got the certificate with me. According to current terms, she is the unacceptable third party. In ancient times, she would also be an unpresentable concubine.” Lucas looked at her crazy face, heart trembling: “So you designed me just to beat her, and finally made her leave sadly?” “Yes, her life had no stains, so I took out a loan in her name. Pity those people haven’t done anything to her yet, she ran away.” Lucas couldn’t listen anymore, slapped her again. “What a lunatic. Now we are completely done. I don’t love you. She’s gone, I won’t care about you either.” Clara panicked in her eyes: “I am your wife. Why won’t you support me?” Lucas sneered, throwing her a phone: “Go see the hot search yourself. Everyone knows I got the certificate with you on the day of my wedding. You are the shameless mistress, I am the fraud scumbag.”

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I was dining at a high-end bistro. I ordered two courses. The bill should have been eighty bucks. At the table next to me, four guys in tailored suits were feasting like kings—lobster, wagyu, bottles of vintage wine. When I asked for the check, the server handed me a leather folder. Inside was a bill for $1,850. I stared at him. “I just had the steak and a salad.” The server pointed to the empty table beside me. “Sir, your friends already left. They said you were picking up the tab.” I didn’t know them. I had never seen them before in my life. Later, the security footage showed the ringleader pointing at me on his way out. The server nodded, and the guy walked out with a smirk, free as a bird. The restaurant manager sneered at me, “Don’t try to weasel out of this. You came in together.” I pulled out my phone and dialed 911. That was the moment the manager’s face went pale. Chapter 1 My phone screen lit up. 7:00 PM sharp. A text from Sarah popped up: “Babe, traffic is a nightmare. I’m gonna be thirty minutes late. Go ahead and grab a table.” I typed back a quick “No worries,” and slid the phone into my pocket. Today was our third wedding anniversary. Sarah had made reservations at The Summit, a rooftop restaurant with a view of the skyline. She said the ambiance was perfect and the food was exquisite—we needed to celebrate properly. I was seated at a two-top by the window, the table set with crisp, white linen. A server poured me a glass of sparkling water. I opened the menu. The prices were definitely steep. I decided to keep it simple while I waited: a Sea Bass and an appetizer of grilled asparagus—Sarah’s favorites. The total would be just under a hundred dollars. After ordering, I gazed out the window. The city lights were flickering on, the traffic below flowing like a river of red and white diamonds. “Server! Another bottle of the Cabernet! The expensive stuff!” A booming voice shattered the restaurant’s quiet elegance. I frowned and looked over. At the large round table next to me sat four men in expensive suits. They looked to be in their forties, hair slicked back, gold watches glinting under the chandeliers. Their table was groaning under the weight of the food—seafood towers, Tomahawk steaks, and several empty wine bottles. The leader, a guy the others kept calling “Mr. Sterling,” had a face flushed red from alcohol. He was waving his phone around, bragging loudly. “I told the Board, if the valuation is under fifty million, don’t even waste my time! They started pouring my drink right then and there.” The other three immediately chimed in. “You’re a legend, Sterling!” “We’re just lucky to be on the ride with you, boss.” I turned away, losing interest. Just another group of guys who thought they were the center of the universe. My food arrived quickly. The fish was seared perfectly. I didn’t touch it, deciding to wait for Sarah. The noise from the next table was getting louder. Sterling seemed to notice me. He raised his wine glass, his eyes drifting over to my table, a smirk playing on his lips. He leaned in and whispered to his buddies, loudly enough for me to hear. “Look at the kid. Comes to a place like this, orders a salad and water. Probably just wants to take a picture for Instagram to act like he’s somebody.” The words were meant to sting. I didn’t even blink. I kept my eyes on the city view. Engaging with people like that only drags you down to their level. They finished another round of drinks and finally looked ready to leave. Sterling stood up, swaying slightly, and walked toward the host stand. The other three followed, stumbling a bit, arms draped over each other’s shoulders. As they passed my table, one of them “accidentally” bumped the back of my chair. I didn’t say a word. The host stand wasn’t far. I watched Sterling say something to the server, then he casually pointed a finger in my direction. The server nodded. Then, just like that, Sterling and his entourage strutted out the front door. Chapter 2 I watched them disappear out the door, feeling a vague sense of unease, but I shrugged it off. Maybe he was just giving instructions about his own bill. Ten minutes later, Sarah texted: “Parking now! Be up in five.” My mood lifted instantly. I signaled the server to bring the warm bread. A young waiter walked over, holding a black leather bill folder. He placed it gently on my table. “Sir, here is the check. The total comes to $1,852.” I froze. I opened the folder. The receipt was a mile long: Vintage Cabernet, Filet Mignon, Lobster Tails, endless sides… It was exactly what the table next to me had consumed. I looked up at the waiter. “You made a mistake. I only ordered the Sea Bass and asparagus.” The waiter maintained his professional smile, but his eyes were cold. “Sir, there is no mistake.” He gestured to the empty table beside me. “Those gentlemen who just left were your friends, correct? They informed us on the way out that you would be covering their tab.” Friends? I had never seen them before in my life. I felt a surge of anger, but I kept my voice low. “I don’t know them. Get your manager.” The waiter’s smile vanished, replaced by a look of bureaucratic boredom. “Sir, please don’t joke. Mr. Sterling was very clear. He said you were all together, he had an emergency, and you’d handle it.” “I’ll say it one more time. I don’t know them.” My voice dropped an octave. “Get. The. Manager.” The waiter, clearly not used to pushback, muttered into his headset. Moments later, a middle-aged man in a sharp black suit approached. His name tag read “Manager Reynolds.” He had slicked-back hair and a look of practiced arrogance. “Sir, I’m the General Manager. Is there an issue?” I slid the bill toward him. “This isn’t mine. My bill is eighty bucks. This two-thousand-dollar tab belongs to the table next door. They left, and your staff is trying to pin it on me.” Reynolds glanced at the bill, then at me, a sneer curling his lip. “Sir, I verified with the front desk. Mr. Sterling explicitly stated you were paying. Look, we’re all civilized people here. There’s no need to make a scene over a little money.” His tone was heavy with insinuation, as if I were some broke grifter trying to dine and dash. “Civilized?” I scoffed. “Strangers eat on my dime and that’s civilized? Is this how you run a business?” Reynolds’ face darkened. “Sir, watch your tone. We operate on trust. We have every reason to believe you are together. Trying to skip out on the bill now? That’s not going to fly.” He spoke loud enough for the surrounding tables to hear. Heads turned. Eyes filled with curiosity and judgment drilled into me. I felt my face heat up. Not from shame, but from pure rage. Chapter 3 “I’m not skipping out on my bill. But I’m not paying a cent for theirs,” I said, staring Reynolds dead in the eye. “Where is the proof?” I demanded. “Show me proof we were together.” Reynolds crossed his arms, looking down at me. “Proof? My staff heard Mr. Sterling say it. You came in around the same time, sat next to each other. Now you claim you don’t know him?” “So because we sat near each other, I’m liable for his debt? Does this restaurant assign seating based on financial liability?” My voice dripped with sarcasm. Reynolds dropped the polite act. “Sir, I’m telling you for the last time. You settle this bill right now. Or we do this the hard way.” “What’s the hard way?” “We have the right to detain you for theft of services until you come to your senses.” He signaled toward the entrance. Two bouncers, built like linebackers in tight black shirts, stepped out of the shadows and flanked my table. Whispers erupted from the nearby diners. “Look at him, probably maxed out his credit cards.” “Yeah, who pretends not to know their friends?” “Embarrassing. If you can’t afford The Summit, don’t come.” The comments felt like needles. I’ve lived thirty years and never been humiliated like this in public. Under the table, my hands clenched into fists until my knuckles turned white. I took a deep breath. Getting physical would only help them. They wanted me to lose it. “I want to see the security footage,” I said. Reynolds laughed, a short, sharp bark. “Footage? Sure. But I’m warning you, when the camera shows you’re lying, it won’t just be about the bill anymore.” “And if it shows we aren’t together?” “Then the meal is on me, and I’ll apologize to you in front of everyone,” Reynolds said confidently. He was bluffing, or he was sure he had me. “Fine,” I stood up. “Let’s go.” Reynolds led me through the dining room, the two bouncers marching behind me like I was a convict on death row. I felt dizzy with anger. This was supposed to be a romantic anniversary. Now it was a crime scene. Chapter 4 The manager’s office smelled of stale coffee and expensive cologne. Reynolds sat behind his mahogany desk, gesturing to a small wooden chair. “Sit.” I remained standing. “The footage.” He took a slow sip of his coffee, making me wait. “Don’t be in such a rush, kid.” He tapped a few keys on his computer, swiveled the monitor around, and pressed play. “See for yourself.” It was a clip from the host stand camera. I saw “Mr. Sterling” walk up, talk to the server, and then, clearly raise his hand and point directly at my table. The video froze there. Reynolds leaned back, a smug grin plastered on his face. “Well? He points at you. He tells my staff, ‘My friend over there has it.’ What more do you want?” I stared at the frozen image. My mind was racing. This was a setup. First, no audio. It was his word against mine. Second, the angle was too narrow. It only showed him pointing. It didn’t show the server’s reaction or the wider context. Third, why only this clip? Where was the footage of the entire meal? “I want the full tape,” I said. “From the moment they sat down to the moment they left. All angles. And I want audio.” Reynolds’ smile faltered for a fraction of a second. “Sorry. To protect the privacy of our other high-profile guests, we don’t record audio. And I can’t show you the full tape without a warrant. Privacy laws, you understand.” Bullshit. I realized then that Reynolds wasn’t just incompetent; he was in on it. He wasn’t trying to solve a dispute; he was enforcing a scam. Seeing my silence, Reynolds stood up and patted my shoulder condescendingly. “Look, son. Take some advice. Reputation is everything. It’s just two grand. Call it a stupid tax. Pay it, learn from it, and walk away. If you keep being stubborn, this is going to get ugly.” His tone was like a mobster offering “protection.” I brushed his hand off and stepped back. “I told you. Not my debt. Not my money.” Reynolds’ patience snapped. His face contorted into a scowl. “You want to play tough? Fine. Boys, take him back to the table. Watch him. If he tries to leave, break his legs.”

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My husband has Bipolar Disorder. Every time he beats me, he guilt-trips himself into wiring me five grand. I never fight back. I take the money in silence and cover the bruises with heavy foundation. My best friend calls me pathetic. She tells me to divorce him. I just count the balance in my offshore account, a cold smirk touching my lips. “Don’t rush,” I whisper to myself. “This pig isn’t fat enough for the slaughter yet.” Until one day, he punched me in the stomach, and I lost the baby. Or so he thought. Chapter 1 Ping. “Transfer received: Five thousand dollars.” The automated notification from my banking app echoed in the empty living room. It sounded sharp, almost mocking. I spit into the sink. The saliva was pink, tasting of iron and rust. Caleb sat on the opposite sofa, head in his hands, fingers digging into his scalp. His hair was a mess—he’d torn at it himself during the episode. “I’m sorry… Audrey, I’m so sorry… I couldn’t control it…” His voice cracked, trembling like a dead leaf in a storm. I didn’t speak. I just picked myself up from the floor. My knee had slammed against the marble coffee table. It was throbbing. Definitely going to bruise. I walked to the hallway mirror. My left cheek was swollen. Five distinct finger marks, turning a dark, angry purple. Caleb hadn’t held back this time. The “sick” version of him wanted me dead. I picked up the concealer stick and began layering it on. The liquid foundation felt cold against the burning skin. The temperature difference helped clear my head. Heavy footsteps approached from behind. Caleb wrapped his arms around me, burying his face in the crook of my neck. Hot tears dripped onto my collarbone, making me flinch. “Audrey, hit me back. Scream at me… I’m a monster…” “It’s okay.” I looked at my reflection in the mirror, pulling the corners of my mouth into a perfect, forgiving, saint-like smile. “I know you’re sick, Caleb. I don’t blame you.” Caleb wept harder, like a child who broke a vase. He pulled out his phone again. Ping. “Transfer received: Five thousand dollars.” Plus the previous one, that’s ten grand. One slap, ten thousand dollars. Worth it. I make four thousand a month at my day job, dealing with a micromanager boss and entitled clients. Here, I take a few minutes of pain, and I make nearly three months’ salary. The math always works out in my favor. Caleb comes from old money. His family owns half the real estate in the city. Money is just a number to him. To me, it’s my lifeline. Chapter 2 Caleb finally fell asleep. Violence is exhausting work, especially when you’re as hysterical as he is. I tucked him in, staring at his face. Even in sleep, he looked moody. When he wasn’t having an episode, Caleb was handsome. High cheekbones, straight nose, eyes that looked like they could drown in love. Who would guess there was a beast hiding under that skin? I closed the bedroom door and stepped out onto the balcony, lighting a cigarette. I don’t usually smoke. Only when the pain keeps me awake. My phone screen lit up. It was Harper. “You still alive?” I sent her a screenshot of my bank balance. Silence for a moment. Then, a long voice memo. “Audrey, are you insane? Do you have a death wish? Ten grand bought your dignity? Domestic violence only escalates. One day he’s going to go too far, and you won’t be able to spend that money in the grave.” Harper was harsh, but she was the only one who knew. I blew a smoke ring into the night air. I typed back: “Almost there.” “Almost what?” “The pig is almost fat enough.” Harper sent a string of ellipses. She probably thought I was beyond saving. I wasn’t crazy. I was lucid. clearer than anyone. I touched my stomach. Flat. Soft. Empty. But I needed it to be full. Caleb’s episodes were getting worse. First, it was breaking things. Then shoving. Now, punches. The frequency went from monthly to weekly. I knew the breaking point was coming. If I stayed much longer, I might actually die. But I couldn’t leave yet. Current Caleb was guilty, but not guilty enough. His guilt account hadn’t reached the balance I required. I didn’t just want his pocket money. I wanted everything. Or his life. Chapter 3 The preparations were complete. I bought the blood bag online—special effects grade. Realistic texture, even smelled metallic. As for the “fetus.” I acquired a medical specimen through some dark channels. Tiny, palm-sized, unformed tissue. Just looking at it made my skin crawl. I kept it in the back of the freezer, triple-wrapped in black opaque plastic. Every time I reached for the almond milk, I felt its cold energy staring at me. It was madness. I knew that. But to hunt a beast, the hunter must become a monster. Friday was Caleb’s birthday. Usually, he’d drink. Alcohol is forbidden for Bipolar Disorder, especially with his meds. But I bought him a bottle of Screaming Eagle anyway. It cost a chunk of my “bruise savings.” Investments require capital. 7:00 PM. Caleb came home. He looked happy, holding an orange Hermès bag. “Happy Birthday, babe,” he said. I paused. “It’s your birthday.” Caleb smiled, kissing my forehead. “I know. But I wanted to get you a gift. If you’re happy, I’m happy.” For a second, I faltered. Ignore the violence, and Caleb was the perfect husband. Rich, romantic, gentle. Too bad he was crazy. I opened the bag. A limited-edition Birkin. “Do you like it?” He looked at me with puppy dog eyes. “I love it.” I nodded. “Let’s eat. I made your favorite roast.” Candlelight flickered on the table. Caleb drank one glass. Two. Three. His eyes grew hazy, his cheeks flushed, his voice rising in volume. The “seasoning” I added to the wine was kicking in. It wasn’t just the alcohol. It was a neuro-stimulant designed to amplify aggression. Caleb had been taking Lithium prescribed by his doctor. I swapped them out. They were now identical-looking Vitamin B pills. The real heavy stuff was in the wine. “Audrey…” Caleb slammed his glass down. Red wine splattered on the white tablecloth like a gunshot wound. “Do you look down on me?” His eyes changed. That familiar, violent, murderous glaze returned. Showtime. Chapter 4 I feigned terror, shrinking back in my chair. “Honey, what’s wrong? Why would I look down on you?” “You do! You think I’m a lunatic! You think I’m useless without my trust fund!” Caleb stood up abruptly, knocking his chair over. He stalked around the table, closing in on me. I didn’t retreat. instead, I instinctively covered my stomach. That motion triggered him exactly as planned. “What’s in your stomach? Huh? Is it some bastard child?” I hadn’t predicted he’d go straight to infidelity, but paranoia works in my favor. “Caleb! Are you crazy? It’s your child! I’m three months pregnant!” I screamed, my voice piercing the air. “My child? Hah! I can’t have kids! I’m defective! I’m a psycho! Psychos don’t breed!” Caleb roared, animalistic and raw. He grabbed my hair and slammed me against the wall. Thud. It hurt. I took the fall, curling into a ball on the floor. “Don’t… please… not the baby…” My pleading only acted as a catalyst. “Die! Everyone just die!” Caleb raised his foot and stomped hard on my abdomen. Once. Twice. I felt a rib crack. I waited for the hardest impact. Now. I crushed the blood bag hidden under my dress. Warm, viscous liquid flooded out, soaking my skirt and pooling on the white tile. Crimson spread rapidly. It was visually shocking. I let out a final, gut-wrenching scream and pushed the thawed specimen out from under my skirt. It lay in the puddle of red. A small, dark, unrecognizable lump of flesh. The room went silent. Caleb froze. He was panting, eyes locked on the floor. On the red pool. On the thing in the middle of it. His pupils contracted to pinpoints. He looked like he’d been struck by lightning. I “fainted.” But before my eyes closed, I saw Caleb’s face crumble. Total horror. Not because he hit me. But because he realized—he had just become a killer.

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Ten years into our marriage, Declan finally stopped calling me by the wrong name in his sleep. When his “first love” called, he didn’t immediately abandon me to run to her. Even our son started treating me like a mother, instead of begging for “Auntie Serena” to be his mom. Friends and family congratulated me. They said my patience had finally paid off, that the clouds had parted. Even my best friend, who had cut me off years ago because she couldn’t stand watching me degrade myself for him, sent a text: “After all these years, Declan actually started loving you. I guess you win.” Yes, he finally started loving me. He even canceled a major business trip to stay with me for New Year’s Eve—a first. But I couldn’t find it within myself to be happy. When he presented me with the vintage diamond necklace I had admired months ago as a New Year’s gift, all I could manage was a stiff, polite smile. Declan finally snapped. “Isn’t this everything you’ve ever wanted? Elara, what the hell is wrong with you?” Chapter 1 Declan furrowed his brow, looking at me like I was a business crisis he needed to mitigate. “Is it me? Did I do something wrong? Is Leo acting up again?” I shook my head. For the past six months, Declan had cut contact with Serena. He reported his schedule to me. He actually started paying attention to my likes and dislikes. Compared to the hell of the last decade, he was currently a model husband. Even our son, Leo, was behaving. No more screaming at me, and his teachers actually sent home a good report card. Declan’s confusion turned into irritation. He drummed his fingers on the mahogany table. Tap, tap, tap. “If everything is perfect, why are you acting like this?” “Elara, what game are you playing now?” “You have one hour to give me a valid explanation, or I’m not spending New Year’s Eve with you.” He knew that was the ultimate threat. Since I was seventeen, my biggest wish was to kiss him when the ball dropped in Times Square—or at least, in our living room watching it on TV. Now, at thirty-two, I finally had the chance. But the joy wasn’t there. I couldn’t figure it out myself. Was I depressed? Did I just not believe him? Declan didn’t get the answer he wanted. Instead, he got a phone call from Serena. He hesitated for two seconds. Then, perhaps to punish me for my silence, he broke his six-month streak and answered it. Serena’s voice, trembling and fragile, drifted from the speaker. “Declan… you finally answered.” “I fell in the shower… I can’t stand up. Please, you have to come save me.” Declan said “Okay.” Then he watched me, gauging my reaction. The old Elara would have been hysterical. I would have smashed vases. I would have knelt on the floor, hugging his legs, begging him not to go. But since six months ago, I had lost the energy to compete with Serena. I just said calmly, “Falling in the bathroom can be dangerous. You should go.” The darkness in Declan’s eyes deepened. He let out a cold laugh. “You’re so generous now. Fine. Since you’re so worried, come with me to help.” He drove like a maniac. We arrived at Serena’s apartment in record time. Declan waited in the living room while I went into the bathroom. Serena was lying on the tile floor, naked, posed in a way that accentuated every curve. Her voice was like honey. “Declan, I missed you so much… especially your touch…” But when she turned her head and saw me, the seduction died instantly. Her eyes shifted from lust to hatred. “What are you doing here? Did you come to mock me?” “Let me tell you, Elara. Declan only pities you. He’s only nice to you because you’ve been pathetic for so long. The one he really loves is me!” I didn’t care to argue. I stepped forward to check if she was actually injured. Suddenly, Serena lunged, snatched my phone from my pocket, snapped several photos of her own naked body, and then threw the phone across the room. She screamed, blood-curdling and shrill. “Don’t take photos of me! Help!” Declan burst in, panic written all over his face. “Serena! What happened?” Serena covered her chest with her hands, tears streaming down her face as she pointed at me. “She took nude photos of me! She threatened to leak them online and ruin my career if I didn’t stay away from you!” Declan picked up my phone. He saw the photos in the gallery. His expression instantly shifted from concern to terrifying malice. He grabbed my jaw, squeezing hard enough to bruise. “Elara, I thought you had changed. I guess it was all an act.” “You are still the same despicable, vicious, manipulative woman.” Those adjectives made me freeze. Declan had been so nice lately. I had almost forgotten that in his heart, this was who I really was. Chapter 2 They say first impressions are impossible to kill. When we were seventeen, the first time Declan “met” Serena, she was slipping money into his locker. He thought the person who had been anonymously helping him—the poor scholarship student—was her. Pure and kind Serena. But I was the one who put the money there. I had a crush on him. I didn’t want to watch him work three jobs and study until he passed out. I wanted to protect his pride, so I did it anonymously. The day he caught Serena, she wasn’t putting money in. She was stealing it. The first time Declan actually saw me, I was the rich, arrogant girl in the hallway, slapping Serena across the face. Serena was on her knees, begging. “Please, don’t have me expelled! I need this scholarship to change my life!” So, Declan decided I was a bully. A monster. He didn’t know Serena had stolen my late mother’s ring—a ring worth thousands—and sold it to a pawn shop for twenty bucks. I slapped her in a rage. Declan shoved me to the ground. “What do you think you’re doing?” My friend tried to defend me. “That thief stole Elara’s heirloom!” Declan looked at me with pure disgust. As a poor student, he’d been accused of stealing too many times. The scene triggered him. He threw the love letter I had placed in his locker that morning—along with the cash—at my feet. “Elara Vance, right? Let me tell you something. I will never, ever like someone like you.” He helped Serena up and walked away. Later, he put Serena on a pedestal. They went to the same college. He planned to propose. But the night before his graduation, at a party, both he and I were drugged. One night. That was all it took. I got pregnant with Leo. Declan was forced to break up with Serena and marry me. He was convinced I drugged him. At our wedding, he looked at me like I was his worst enemy. I had hope back then. I thought, eventually, he’ll see the real me. But ten years of marriage taught me otherwise. He abandoned me for Serena over and over. He sided with her every time she framed me. He whispered her name in our bed. I was done. Standing in that bathroom, listening to his accusations, I felt nothing but fatigue. “Apologize to Serena,” he commanded. I pushed his hand away. “Only people who do wrong need to apologize. I don’t.” I looked him in the eye. “If you feel so bad for her, go ahead and carry her to bed. She was just saying how much she missed your touch.” I had never spoken to him like that. “Get the hell out!” he roared. As I turned to leave, he yelled, “Elara! Don’t you dare regret this!” I regretted a lot of things. Leaving that room wasn’t one of them. I walked out into the cold night. The next morning, headlines exploded. Tech CEO Declan and Actress Serena: A Steamy New Year’s Eve Reunion. Declan didn’t come home. I was the laughingstock of our social circle again. Leo reverted to his old ways, crying that he wanted to sleep at Auntie Serena’s house. Worse, the internet “detectives” started digging. Since Declan never publicly acknowledged me, they assumed I was the mistress interfering with true love. Serena’s crazed fans cornered me in an alleyway behind the grocery store. Panic set in. I dialed home. Leo answered. “I’m making a birthday gift for Auntie Serena! Don’t bother me!” Click. I called Declan. Before I could scream for help, he cut me off. “Unless you are calling to apologize to Serena, don’t call me.” His voice was so cold it made me forget the baseball bat swinging toward me. I let out a bitter laugh. “What if I’m about to die? Can I call you then?” Declan paused, his breathing heavy. Then, fueled by anger: “Then go ahead and die.” The line went dead. The bat connected with my ribs. I closed my eyes. I collapsed in a pool of my own blood. Chapter 3 I woke up in a hospital bed. Declan was sitting there, looking uncharacteristically disheveled and anxious. I tried to move, but my body felt shattered. Especially my chest. “Don’t move,” Declan said, pressing my shoulder gently. “You have three broken ribs.” He licked his dry lips, looking guilty. “I’m sorry. I… I didn’t know you were in danger that day.” “Did they catch the people who did this?” I asked, my voice raspy. Declan looked away. “Karma will get them.” I almost laughed. Even Serena’s violent fans were protected by him? Seeing my expression, he mumbled, “The ringleader is close to Serena. She… she’s in a delicate condition right now. I can’t upset her by having her friend arrested.” Delicate condition. I looked at his eyes and I knew. Serena was pregnant. He forgot about my “delicate condition” years ago. He brought Serena to our house and slept with her on top of the baby clothes I bought. He claimed he had no money for my prenatal vitamins, then funded Serena’s acting career. When Serena tripped me and sent me into early labor, nearly killing me, he blamed me for being clumsy and hurting Serena’s ankle. The rage should have burned me alive. But Declan, oblivious, took my hand. “I know you’re upset, but you wronged Serena first.” “That day… if you hadn’t provoked me, I wouldn’t have slept with her.” “Elara, if you promise to change, I’ll give her a settlement once the baby is born. I’ll cut ties. And then…” He looked down, his ears turning red. “Then I will love you properly. More than I have these past six months.” My eyes widened. He said he would love me. The words I had waited fifteen years to hear. But instead of joy, my heart sank like a stone. In that moment of clarity, I finally understood why I hadn’t been happy for the last six months. Because by the time he started loving me, I had stopped loving him. It was such a simple answer. Loving him had been my survival instinct. Even when he destroyed me, I couldn’t turn it off. But now? It was gone. I wouldn’t accept crumbs anymore. I wouldn’t accept pain in the name of love. The invisible chains around my neck shattered. “Declan,” I said clearly. “Let’s get a divorce.” He froze. Then, the anger exploded. “Elara, are you threatening me?” “Do you want me to force Serena to get an abortion? Is that it?” “Are you so cruel that you’d kill an unborn child?!” Just then, Serena walked in, holding her stomach. She dramatically fell to her knees. “Elara, please! Spare my baby!” Behind her, my son, Leo, rushed forward. He had a hard plastic toy in his hand. He slammed it down onto my broken ribs. “Bad woman! Don’t bully my Mommy Serena! Don’t hurt my baby brother!” Chapter 4 The pain in my chest was blinding. It rivaled childbirth. Declan pulled Leo back, scolding him, but Leo just glared at me with pure hatred. This was the boy I almost died birthing. The boy I nursed through postpartum depression. He used to cling to me. But at three years old, Declan started “educating” him. Don’t be like your mother. Be kind like Auntie Serena. He turned my son against me. Just minutes ago, I was debating fighting for custody. Now? I was free. When the pain subsided, I whispered, “Have the baby. I was joking.” Declan relaxed. “I knew you wouldn’t be that heartless.” “When you get discharged, you can help take care of Serena at the house. She can’t be seen in public with the bump right now.” I agreed to everything. Inside, I was planning my escape. I had lost my family, my friends, and my career for this marriage. I had hit rock bottom. But I wasn’t going to die there. A month later, I discharged myself while Declan took Serena to an ultrasound and Leo was at school. I went home, grabbed my passport and ID—which I had to hunt for—and packed one suitcase. I took one last look at the house I had been imprisoned in for ten years. On the desk, I saw Declan’s open journal. The last entry read: I forgive her for her despicable past. I have made peace with loving her. I scoffed. I picked up a pen and wrote one line beneath it. I placed the signed divorce papers next to the journal. And then I walked out the door. … After the ultrasound, Serena picked a fight with Declan. “You’re distracted. Are you rushing back to see Elara?” “Do you only feel guilty toward me? Do you love her?” Declan didn’t answer. He didn’t know the answer. He just felt a frantic need to see Elara. He sped to the hospital, but the bed was empty. He raced home, ready to scream at her for leaving without permission. But the house was silent. The closet was open. Her things were gone. He stumbled into the study and saw the papers. He saw the note in the journal. He read it once and collapsed to the floor.

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When I decided to move across the country to Minneapolis for him, my mother chased me out of the house with a broom, screaming. “That broke kid has nothing! You’re going there to suffer. If you marry him, I don’t have a daughter!” For six years in the freezing north, Caleb Hayes swallowed every hardship. With hands covered in chilblains and calluses, he built us a home, brick by brick. On New Year’s Eve, I was searching through the homemade ravioli for the one I’d marked—the one hiding the custom engagement ring I bought for him—when the police called. They said my boyfriend had been in a bar fight. It was bad. I needed to go to the precinct. I braved the blizzard to get there. After bowing and apologizing profusely to the other party, I signed his release papers. Caleb reeked of cheap whiskey, his face bruised and purple. A young woman was clutching the hem of his coat, crying like a tragic heroine. “Caleb, thank you for standing up for me. My ex-husband is violent and has a temper… he’ll definitely keep harassing me. My son and I can’t hold on much longer.” “Little Oliver loves the ravioli you make. He waits every day for ‘Daddy Caleb’ to come keep him company. Caleb, please… give us a home.” I lost my mind. I smashed my phone right there in the station precinct and screamed at Caleb. It was the biggest fight we’d ever had. I questioned him hysterically. He called me heartless. Finally, he surrendered. He promised to transfer his female colleague to another department and never speak to her again. After that, Caleb never mentioned Tanya Brooks again. Their chat history showed nothing but professional exchanges. Until I discovered the second user profile on Caleb’s phone. They hadn’t stopped talking. They just moved from the light into the shadows where I couldn’t see. They moved from Caleb’s main account to a private one filled with close friends and relatives. Every photo he posted of him and that mother-son duo was met with sincere blessings from his family. I scrolled back to the chat logs from New Year’s Eve. Tanya: I found a ring in the ravioli. Was your girlfriend planning to propose? I should bring it back to you. Caleb: No need. Just pretend you didn’t see it. I don’t want to get married right now anyway. Fine. Let it be as he wishes. I’ve been away from home for six years. It’s time to go back. Chapter 1 Caleb was busy in the kitchen. “Summer, I’ve reheated the food three times, it might not taste great anymore.” “I can order takeout if you want, or we can go out. That Japanese place down the street is still…” He turned around and met my red-rimmed eyes. Caleb’s expression instantly softened. “Come on, babe, stop pouting.” “You’re always the understanding one, right?” I dodged his touch and said coldly: “Get the ravioli back.” Caleb’s smile froze. He untied his apron, balled it up, and threw it hard at my feet. He pointed a finger at my face, shaking it a few times, before gritting his teeth and saying, “Fine.” The call connected. Tanya said her son had already eaten the ravioli. “I’m so sorry. How much were they? I’ll pay you back.” Caleb looked humiliated. A plate of pasta, a never-ending farce. “It’s fine, Summer is just being childish. I’ll buy her more…” “Caleb, it’s not the same,” I interrupted. Suddenly, Caleb smashed his phone. The screen shattered, glass shrapnel flying. A piece grazed my arm, drawing blood. His voice boomed: “What the hell is your problem today?” “It’s just a damn plate of pasta, Summer. You’re being way too obvious with your jealousy against Tanya.” I stood there, stunned. Caleb pulled a wad of cash from his wallet and threw it in my face. The bills fluttered down, mixed with three ticket stubs to Six Flags. “Is that enough?” He pulled out a credit card. Threw it. “Is that enough!” “I’ll pay for her!” My eardrums throbbed. In six years, this was the first time Caleb had ever exploded at me. He looked vicious, like he wanted to devour me. My chest ached so badly I couldn’t speak. I could only fumble through my phone gallery, desperate to find the video from five years ago where he promised he’d marry me on this exact date. He was the one who forgot. “Fine. Let’s both cool off tonight.” Caleb pushed my phone away. “Summer Vance, you need to reflect on your jealousy.” The door slammed shut. I began to dry heave uncontrollably. I clutched the fabric over my chest. It was the only way to relieve the suffocation. When I was done crying, done gasping for air, I picked myself up off the floor and started packing my meager belongings. Six years ago, I came here with nothing but courage. Six years later, I was leaving with nothing but loneliness. Tanya updated her Instagram Story. The caption: The happiest New Year. The background was a high-end steakhouse. Caleb was holding the child, and Tanya was leaning intimately against his side. While I was packing, they went for a feast. The table was full of food. The “dinner” Caleb was reheating in the kitchen earlier? It was their leftovers. It included shrimp—Tanya’s favorite, but a deadly allergen for me. He didn’t even think to pick it out when he was heating it up for me. Caleb’s assistant commented on the post: “Wow, that was fast. Tanya’s charm is no joke.” “Caleb preaches about being a bachelor at the office, but look at him bowing down to Queen Tanya.” The screen went black, reflecting my pale, ghostly face. My hands shook as I packed the last item. At the bottom of the suitcase lay the Greyhound bus ticket I bought six years ago to come to Minneapolis. Thirty-two hours on a bus. But my six years? To Caleb, they weren’t even real. Chapter 2 It’s laughable, really. After living in Minneapolis for so many years, I had no friends, no job, and the only money I had was what Caleb threw at me last night. I only learned how to revolve around him. I learned to make soup, to put him first, to empty my savings account just to buy him a $5,000 watch to see him smile. I was truly stupid. Stupid enough to hand over my heart without reservation, letting him bruise it. “One ticket to Austin, Texas, please.” The lady at the counter suddenly spoke up. “Hey? Aren’t you that girl from six years ago?” I looked up. My gray face finally regained some color. “You remember me?” The lady smiled. “Who wouldn’t remember you two?” “That boy waited outside the station for a day and a night. The snow piled up on his shoulders, he looked like an ice sculpture, but he wouldn’t leave, terrified he’d miss you.” “We told him to come inside and have some hot tea. The kid smiled awkwardly and said he was starting a business and had spent all his money on a gift for you. He couldn’t even afford a bus ride; he walked five hours to get to the station.” I listened, entranced. My chest felt tight and sour. From a condemned basement to a rental apartment, to the luxury condo we had now. The boy swallowed his suffering alone. With hands scarred by the cold, he picked up one brick at a time, building happiness, building a home. He had said, “We won’t fear the winter anymore.” “Summer, I was scared you’d come, but scared you wouldn’t.” “I was afraid you’d suffer with me.” “But I was more afraid you didn’t love me.” He cried that day. He held me so tight he almost rubbed me into his own body. I cried too. We were happy then. How did we flow from that happiness into this river of pain? “Miss? Your ticket.” My fingertips trembled. It felt like I wasn’t taking a ticket, but a knife to sever the past. “Don’t cry.” The ticket lady glanced at the expensive jade bangle on my wrist and seemed to relax a bit. “When you accompany a man from nothing to everything, don’t talk about feelings. Talk about money. Talk about whether he’s willing to be good to you.” I nodded. I crinkled the ticket in my grip. Before I could board, Caleb chased me down. Just like six years ago, he sprinted toward me and crushed me into a hug. I could hear his chaotic breathing, his rapid heartbeat, and his voice shaking into pieces: “Don’t go…” “Summer, I was just mad, I wasn’t kicking you out…” Caleb tore up my ticket, scooped me up into his arms, and shoved me into the passenger seat of his car. “You care about me seeing Tanya, right?” “I transferred her to a different team. I’ll keep my distance.” I stayed silent. I stared blankly at the car ornament dangling from the mirror—a gift from Tanya. The car smelled entirely of citrus—Tanya’s perfume. The glove box, which should have been filled with my things, was stuffed with snacks her kid liked and lipstick shades that weren’t mine. I blinked, my eyes feeling incredibly dry. Caleb didn’t notice anything wrong. He was rambling about taking me to Aspen for a vacation after the holidays. I sighed softly. I didn’t even have the energy to nod. Chapter 3 Caleb never mentioned Tanya again. Their texts were strictly business. Clean cut. “Summer, I’m running for Vice President, work is going to be crazy.” His voice came through the phone receiver. It didn’t feel real. “I wired money to your account. Go shopping, buy whatever you like. Don’t focus all your energy on me.” Every day he came home, I was asleep. When he left in the morning, I was still dreaming. The microwave held the breakfast he prepared. The dirty clothes I wore were washed and hung on the balcony. Caleb’s traces were everywhere in the house. I could see them. But I couldn’t touch them anymore. I could feel us drifting apart. The relationship had rusted. If you scrubbed off the rust, it might look the same as before. But it had lost its weight. It floated in the air, wobbling uncontrollably with the slightest breeze. I had planned to take the money and leave, but the biggest variable was that I got pregnant. At first, I was lethargic, had no appetite, and threw up constantly. I told Caleb. The next day he bought a huge bag of medicine and told me to take it, then rushed off without even a warning to check the labels. It wasn’t until I took the pills and felt awful that I went to the hospital and found out I was pregnant. “Whether we can keep the baby depends on further checks,” the doctor said, frowning. “You took a lot of antibiotics. There’s a risk of birth defects.” Two nurses had to carry me out. I spent the most agonizing six hours of my life outside that exam room. The back of my hand was bruised from pinching myself. My eyes were open, leaking moisture and guilt. I blamed myself for not realizing I was pregnant sooner. Why didn’t I check before taking the medicine? Why did I just swallow whatever Caleb handed me without a second thought? “For now, it looks okay. Come back next month for a checkup.” Relief washed over me. My mood improved, and I even ate an extra bowl of rice that night. Caleb didn’t come home until midnight. He reeked of alcohol. His cheek was cut and bleeding, and one eye was black and blue. “Did you get into a fight?” He mumbled something unintelligible and went straight to the bathroom. He threw his work phone on the bed. It pinged. Tanya: Caleb, thank you so much for standing up for me today. Otherwise, my ex would have kept harassing me. Tanya: I felt so helpless. If it weren’t for your company these past weeks, my son and I wouldn’t have made it. Oliver loves you. He waits for ‘Daddy Caleb’ every day. Caleb, please… give us a home. The text hit my nerves like a sledgehammer. It hurt. My insides felt like they were exploding. Daddy Caleb… Then who should my child call Daddy? Give them a home. What about my home? The home I had longed for since I was a child, the shelter from the storm—gone. Caleb tore it apart with his own hands. I bit the tip of my tongue, using the pain to force clarity, and scrolled through the entire chat history. They hadn’t stopped talking. They just moved from the open into the dark. I had been left behind again. Tanya: I found the ring in the ravioli. Was your girlfriend proposing? I’ll bring it back. Caleb: No need. Pretend you didn’t see it. I don’t want to get married right now. I couldn’t maintain my dignity anymore. Shaking, I typed a reply: You love being a homewrecker that much? You can have the trash, I don’t want it. “Summer Vance! What are you doing with my phone?”

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I sponsored Caleb Vance for ten years. From a trailer park nobody to Hollywood’s A-list heartthrob. Tonight was his big night—Best Actor at the Golden Screen Awards. I sat in the shadows of the mezzanine, genuinely happy for him. The host asked about his journey to fame, prompting him to thank someone special. Caleb gripped the golden trophy, his gaze sweeping the audience with laser precision until it landed on me. The spotlight hit me instantly. I blinked, blinded and flustered. But Caleb looked into the camera, his handsome face twisted in disgust. “I want to thank that woman up there,” he said, his voice dripping with venom, “for teaching me what harassment looks like.” “She claims to be my sponsor. For ten years, she has bombarded me with letters and stalked me to every event.” “Today, I just want to tell her: your delusions make me sick.” “I, Caleb Vance, earned this award myself. It has absolutely nothing to do with you.” The audience gasped. Twitter blew up instantly. Millions of insults flooded my notifications. But on the massive screen behind him, the credits for his production company began to roll. Founder & CEO: Victoria Sterling. That is my name. Chapter 1: Public humiliation “Omg, that’s her? She looks normal, but she’s a psycho stalker?” “Ten years? Yikes. Caleb is a saint for dealing with that.” “Gross. Keep that creep away from me.” I sat frozen in my seat. My phone vibrated violently in my clutch. I didn’t need to look to know that my face, tagged as “The Stalker,” was trending #1 nationwide. On stage, Caleb basked in the applause. He looked down at me, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of revenge. Security guards approached me as the ceremony awkwardly continued. I stood up. Under thousands of gazes filled with judgment and morbid curiosity, I walked toward the exit. As I passed the VIP row, a starlet in a pink haute couture gown suddenly stuck out her foot. I tripped, lurching forward and slamming my knees hard onto the carpeted floor. “Oops! Sorry about that… ma’am.” It was Bella Rose, the new “it girl” my company had just started promoting. She covered her mouth in mock surprise, but her eyes were curved into crescents of pure malice. “I didn’t mean to. Why were you walking so fast? Rushing to stalk someone else?” A ripple of suppressed laughter ran through the crowd. I pushed myself up, sharp pain shooting through my knees. A pair of polished dress shoes stopped in front of my face. Caleb. He looked down at me like I was a pile of garbage on the sidewalk. “Done making a scene?” His voice was low, but every word was a dagger. “Ms. Sterling, you’re embarrassing me.” I looked up. Under the stage lights, his face was flawless, but his words were colder than ice. “I warned you. Stop showing up in front of me.” Bella immediately clung to his arm, staking her claim. She whispered in a frightened, baby voice, “Caleb, don’t get mad. It’s not worth it. She’s so scary… what if she has a knife?” Caleb patted her hand gently. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.” He looked back at me, his gaze freezing over. “Security, throw her out.” “From now on, this woman is banned from any event I attend.” Two burly guards grabbed my arms, their grip rough and humiliating. I was half-dragged toward the backstage exit. As we passed an empty dressing room, Caleb’s voice rang out from behind. “Wait.” The guards stopped. Caleb walked over and waved them away. The door clicked shut. In the narrow room, it was just the two of us. He dumped a heavy cardboard box at my feet. “These are those trash letters you wrote.” “I’m giving them back.” “I never read a single word.” Spilling out of the box were hundreds of letters I had written over the last decade. Every single one carried my hopes and encouragement for him. Now, he called them trash. He leaned down, his lips brushing my ear, whispering so only I could hear: “You know what? Every time I see your self-righteous face, I want to vomit.” “You think throwing some money at me makes you my savior?” “Let me tell you, Victoria. The thing I hate most is people looking at me like I’m a stray dog.” “Your cheap charity was the biggest insult of my life.” My body went rigid. He knew my name. He had known all along. “You…” “Surprised?” He straightened up, smiling cruelly. “I investigated you ages ago. You’re just a nobody running a small agency. Did you really think you were someone important?” He raised his hand as if to pat my face, then stopped mid-air as if touching me would dirty him. Instead, he flicked my collar with a finger. “Stop dreaming.” “We are not in the same world.” He turned and opened the door. Bella was waiting right outside. Seeing me, a flash of triumph crossed her eyes before she switched back to her innocent mask. “Caleb, let’s go. The after-party is starting.” “Yeah.” Caleb walked away without looking back. The door closed slowly in front of me. I looked at the letters scattered on the floor. The pain in my knees mixed with the pain in my chest. My phone finally stopped vibrating. I pulled it out. A text from my assistant, Leo. “Boss, the company website… it’s been hacked.” Chapter 2: The Truth I didn’t go home. I had the driver take me straight to the office. The skyscraper was empty at midnight, save for the lights in my corner office. Leo was pacing anxiously at the door. Seeing my torn dress and bruised knees, his eyes instantly reddened. “Boss, you…” “I’m fine.” I pushed the door open. “What does PR say?” “It’s useless.” Leo’s voice trembled. “It’s a coordinated attack. The bot farm is massive. Our statements get buried instantly. The whole internet is destroying you. They even doxxed the office address; people are threatening to protest tomorrow.” I walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the traffic below. “Where is Caleb?” “The after-party… is still going. He and Bella are trending #1. The headline is ‘A Match Made in Heaven’.” Ironic. I built his throne with my own hands, and he climbed it just to hold another woman while trampling on my bones. Leo knelt to clean the wounds on my knees. The sting of the alcohol wipe snapped me back to reality. “Boss, let’s call the cops. This is defamation!” “Won’t work.” I shook my head. “He’s smart. He only said ‘that woman.’ He never named me. If I defend myself now, the public will just see it as a guilty stalker lashing out.” “Then… what do we do?” I didn’t answer. My gaze fell on a framed photo on my desk. It was ten years old. A scrawny boy in ill-fitting clothes, lips pressed into a stubborn line, eyes wild and fierce like a wolf cub. That was the first time I met Caleb. No, back then, his name was Cletus Miller. In that forgotten, poverty-stricken town in Appalachia, he had been cornered by a shopkeeper for stealing a sandwich. The man was beating him with a broom handle. Everyone called him “white trash,” the son of addicts, a thief. Only I walked over and paid the man. I asked him, “Why did you steal?” He didn’t speak. He just clutched the dirty, squashed sandwich to his chest. I learned later it was his little sister’s birthday. She hadn’t eaten in three days. I took him out of that hellhole. I gave him a new name: Caleb Vance. A name that sounded strong, clean, successful. I sent him to the best private schools. I paid for his life, his sister’s medical bills, everything. I wrote him letters telling him to stand tall, to read, to see the world. The day he got into drama school, he called me for the first time. His voice shook with excitement: “Vic! I got in! I’m going to make so much money. I’ll pay you back, I promise!” That nickname, “Vic”… I remembered it for years. When he entered Hollywood, to protect his ego and image, I established this agency. I used every connection I had to pave his road. I retreated behind the scenes, becoming the mysterious “Ms. Sterling.” I thought I was the person he trusted most. Turns out, it was just a one-woman show. My phone pinged. A DM from a verified account. It was Bella Rose. “Auntie Victoria, are you asleep? Sorry about tonight. Caleb is just so… honest. He hates liars.” “He says people like you, trying to hijack his life with a little charity, are disgusting.” “Oh, and Caleb said those letters you wrote made him feel dirty just looking at them. He burned the rest in the trash can backstage.” “Auntie, you should have some self-awareness. Don’t covet things that don’t belong to you. Right?” Every word was a poisoned needle. I turned off the phone and looked at Leo. “Notify Legal and PR. Mandatory board meeting. Tomorrow morning, 9:00 AM.” Leo paused. “Boss, are we…?” I looked at the black sky outside. “We are taking back everything I gave him.” Chapter 3: The Counterattack 8:50 AM. I arrived at the lobby. It was swarming with paparazzi. Flashbulbs went off like strobe lights. “Ms. Sterling, do you admit to stalking Caleb Vance?” “Is it true you used your money to harass him?” I put on my sunglasses, kept my face stone cold, and let security wedge a path to the executive elevator. As the doors closed, I heard someone scream, “Don’t let her run! Expose the pervert!” 9:00 AM. I pushed open the conference room doors. The entire executive team, Legal, and HR were present. My seat—the head of the table—was empty. But sitting right next to it were Caleb, his agent Mark, and Bella Rose. Seeing me, Mark’s face darkened. “How did you get in here? Who let her in?” Bella let out a dramatic gasp and hid behind Caleb. “Caleb! She… she followed us to the company! Is she going to hurt you?” Her voice was sugary sweet, painting me as a monster. Caleb patted her back, then lifted his eyes to me. Pure disgust. “You again. What the hell do you want?” “Was humiliating yourself on national TV not enough? Now you chase me to my agency? Have you no shame?” I ignored him and walked straight toward the head of the table. Mark jumped up, blocking my path, chest puffed out. “Ma’am, this is a private board meeting. Get out before I call the cops!” “Yeah, throw her out!” Bella peeked out, grinning viciously. “She’s insane! The CEO, Ms. Sterling, will be here any minute. You don’t want her to see this trash!” “Ms. Sterling?” I repeated the name softly, a dry laugh escaping my lips. I scanned the room. The executives looked down or stared at their iPads. They knew who I was, but nobody spoke. Cowardice is human nature. Caleb was the company’s cash cow. I was currently the most hated woman in America. Caleb leaned back, crossing his legs, looking at me with charity. “Look, you helped me a few times back in the day. I won’t press charges for last night.” He pulled a black Amex card from his wallet and flicked it onto the table. “There’s a hundred grand on this. Take it and vanish. Don’t let me see you again.” A hundred grand. That wouldn’t even cover one month of his sister’s dialysis treatments I paid for years ago. Bella squealed. “Wow, Caleb, you’re a saint! She stalked you, and you give her money? You’re too kind!” She picked up the card and tried to shove it into my hand. “Hear that, Auntie? A hundred grand. Enough for a nobody like you to live on for years. Take it and roll.” I didn’t take it. Her hand froze in mid-air. “What? Not enough? Don’t be greedy.” Caleb lost his patience. “Security!” he barked. “Get this woman out of my sight! Now!” Two guards rushed in. The room watched in silence. In their eyes, I was a dead dog being kicked to the curb. I finally lifted my eyes, looking past the circus to Leo. “Leo.” My voice was calm. Leo nodded, picked up the conference phone. “Get Mr. Henderson from Legal and Director Lee from HR up here. Also, tell security to remove these trespassers.” I pointed at the guards who had just rushed in. The room went deadly silent. Chapter 4: Identity Revealed The silence was suffocating. The guards stood confused, looking between Caleb and me. Mark laughed, a nervous, barking sound. “You? Who do you think you are? Summoning legal? Do you think you’re the boss?” Bella giggled, her body shaking. “Caleb, did you hear that? She’s roleplaying CEO now! She’s totally lost it!” She turned to Leo, snarling. “And you! A little assistant playing along with a psycho? You’re fired! Get out!” Leo went pale but stood his ground behind me. Only Caleb didn’t laugh. He narrowed his eyes, studying my calm face, looking for a crack. “What game are you playing?” I didn’t answer. I looked at the head of security. “Did you not hear me?” My voice wasn’t loud, but it carried authority. The head guard exchanged a glance with his partner, then nervously stepped toward me. “Ma’am, please don’t make this difficult…” The doors swung open. Mr. Henderson, the chief counsel, and Director Lee walked in. Mark beamed, rushing to them. “Henderson! Lee! Thank God. This crazy woman broke in. Get rid of her!” Bella ran to Director Lee. “Director, fire that assistant too! He’s helping the stalker!” The two executives ignored them completely. They walked straight to me. In front of everyone, they bowed slightly. “Ms. Sterling. Sorry we’re late.” Those two words hit the room like a bomb. Mark’s jaw unhinged. Bella’s smug smile froze, then shattered into pure terror. She began to tremble. And Caleb… The disgust, the arrogance, the pity—it all vanished. His face went blank with shock. His pupils dilated. He stared at me like he was seeing a ghost. The world seemed to stop spinning. I walked slowly, step by step, to the head of the table. Mark, who was blocking the chair, stood paralyzed. I stopped in front of him. “Move.” His knees buckled. He practically crawled out of the way. I touched the cold leather of the CEO’s chair. Then, I sat down. I slid a file across the mahogany table toward Caleb. The title was bold and clear: NOTICE OF CONTRACT TERMINATION. Caleb’s eyes locked onto the signature line at the bottom. The printed name. Victoria Sterling. He started to shake. Sweat beaded on his forehead. “Ms… Sterling?” He choked the name out. “You… you are Victoria?” I leaned back, lacing my fingers together, looking at him like a stranger. “Mr. Vance. Is there a problem?” “No… impossible…” He shook his head like a madman. “Impossible… you’re just…” “Just what?” I cut him off, ice in my voice. “The stalker? The delusional fan? The ‘disgusting’ woman you threw a hundred grand at?” Every word drained more blood from his face. Bella had collapsed into a chair, unable to speak. I turned to Director Lee. “Director, announce the personnel changes.” Lee cleared his throat, opening a folder. “Effective immediately, Mark Davis is relieved of his duties as Talent Director. Bella Rose’s contract is terminated for breach of morality clauses and damaging company reputation. We will be suing for damages.” “As for Mr. Caleb Vance…” Lee paused, looking at me. I tapped the termination notice. I smiled at Caleb. It was the first time I smiled in three days. “Caleb. You said your success had nothing to do with me, right?” “Good.” “Now, give back everything you took from me. With interest.”

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On New Year’s Day, I received a document titled: Year-End Performance Review Regarding Me and Your Husband. Item 1: Annual KPI: Sleep with your husband 150 times. Status: Exceeded target. Item 2: Convince your husband to buy me a villa and a luxury car. Status: Completed. Item 3: Get your son to call me “Mom” ten times a day. Status: Exceeded target. Item 4: Bravely stand before you and fight for my happiness. Status: Achieved today. “Mrs. Sterling, I serve your husband in bed and take care of your son. Are you going to give me a year-end bonus? or are you going to step down gracefully?” She attached a photo labeled “Family Portrait.” In the picture, Lucas Sterling is holding her waist, and my seven-year-old son stands happily in front of them. This woman is my son’s piano teacher. Lucas came home and saw this unique year-end summary on my iPad. He looked nervous but quickly pivoted to defense: “Don’t go after her. I fell for her first. She didn’t do anything wrong.” “You can punish me however you want. I can give you any compensation.” My blood ran cold. I stared into his eyes and said: “I just want you to go back to how you were.” Back to the broke, unloved boy with nothing to his name. He misunderstood completely. He let out a sigh of relief. “Even with her, I won’t neglect you, Evelyn.” … He paused, then added: “Since you know about Chloe and me, let’s have her spend the holidays with us this year.” He said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world. I froze, unable to believe this was the man I had loved for fifteen years. How could he be this entitled? In his eyes, my silence was interpreted as gentle compliance. Lucas raised his hand, trying to ruffle my hair affectionately like he used to. I stepped back in disgust, my eyes stinging. I swallowed the bitterness and said: “Do whatever you want. I have experiments to run over the holidays.” From this moment on, neither father nor son would appear in my life ever again. Outwardly, I was calm and rational. Inside, my heart had shattered beyond repair. I turned and walked upstairs. Behind me, I heard Lucas muttering sourly: “You always put your experiments first. I’m always ranked behind your lab work.” Suddenly, he raised his voice, adopting a joking tone directed at my back: “Honey, were you secretly hoping I’d cheat so you’d have more time for work?” I stopped and looked back at him. He was smiling. When I didn’t respond, he added: “I thought you’d make a huge scene. I didn’t expect you to still be thinking about your experiments at a time like this.” I asked him, “If I asked you to cut ties with her completely, could you do it?” His smile vanished, replaced by seriousness: “Do you want the truth or the lie?” “The truth.” He answered without hesitation: “I can’t. Just like you can never give up your experiments.” He paused, a look of regret crossing his face: “If you hadn’t poured all your energy and time into the lab and ignored my needs… Chloe wouldn’t exist between us.” Ha. So his cheating is my fault? I spend my days in the lab developing new products for his pharmaceutical company, making him a leader in the industry, and that’s my sin? Since he has forgotten where he came from… I will personally send him back there. I immediately texted my lawyer: “Draft the divorce papers.” “Also, regarding all my patents and research findings—Sterling Pharmaceuticals is prohibited from using them effective immediately.” Living too comfortably really does make a man lose himself. His phone rang. Although he lowered his voice, I could hear it was Chloe Summers. He was coaxing her: “It’s fine. She didn’t make a scene. Her mind is on her experiments; she doesn’t care about me.” “Don’t send things like that again. No more pranks.” “Yes, you can come over for the holidays. I’ll satisfy you… from the living room to the bedroom.” Chapter 2 Every word was a dagger to the heart. Yet, as much as it hurt, I didn’t cry. Only my trembling hands, my suffocating throat, and my churning stomach told me I was enduring inhumane psychological torture. My lawyer replied: “I need seven business days. Please give me a little time.” Seven days. Usually, when I’m immersed in the lab, seven days feels like a blink of an eye. Now, it felt like years. I looked at my hands, bleached pale from chemicals, and my eyes, highly myopic from straining over microscopes. And the tinnitus caused by lab equipment noise. All this desperate sacrifice felt like a joke. I remembered ten years ago when the company was founded. He had no money to buy patents and no way to produce drugs. He was so anxious his hair started turning gray. As a pharmaceutical research grad, I buried myself in the lab so he would have products to sell. Years of grueling research gave him the empire he has today. He used to say I was the vital artery of his life. Hilarious. Since he doesn’t cherish the sweet fruit of our labor, I’ll just have to sever that artery. I went to the lab in the middle of the night and dismissed the entire team. Looking at the empty lab, I felt a mix of emotions. Ping. The notification sound cut through the silence. It was a provocative message from Chloe. The photo showed her bare shoulders in bed next to Lucas, who was asleep. “Mrs. Sterling, I took care of your husband for you again.” “Lucas said you support us being together. So, big sister, how about that year-end bonus?” “After all, serving a man is physical labor. Lucas acted like he’d never seen a woman before.” “You have no idea how hard he goes on me.” “Sister, I worked so hard. Send me a little bonus, won’t you?” Blood rushed to my head. I used a burner phone to record a video of the messages as evidence and sent it to my lawyer. My silence was interpreted by Chloe as weakness. Then, my son, Leo, was suddenly hospitalized with a fever. When I rushed to the hospital, Chloe was opening a bowl of steaming porridge. She said to Leo, “Good boy, listen to me. Even if you have no appetite, you have to eat a little to get better.” Lucas stood aside, hands in his pockets, shifting his adoring gaze from Chloe to Leo. “See? Look how much your mom loves you.” It felt like a knife twisting in my gut. We weren’t even divorced yet, and he was telling our son to call another woman “Mom.” “Yeah, Mom loves me the best!” Leo’s voice, full of happiness, delivered the fatal blow. My blood froze. Hearing my son call Chloe “Mom” made my breath catch in my throat. Chloe saw me. Her eyes flashed with defiance before she switched to a gentle, natural tone: “Evelyn, you’re here. You feed him.” Leo didn’t give me a second glance. He whined to Chloe: “I want you to feed me, Mom. I like it when you do it.” He glanced at me, his tone filled with disdain: “She only knows how to do experiments. She doesn’t know how to take care of people.” “Dad and I like it better when you take care of us.” My expression turned cold. I stared at Leo. “What did you call her?” Chloe pretended to be understanding, trying to trigger me: “Evelyn, don’t hold it against Leo. He’s only six.” “It’s just a title. He’s just babbling. Don’t take it to heart.” Chapter 3 Lucas stepped between Leo and me to mediate. “The boy isn’t feeling well today. Don’t make him more miserable.” He reached out to touch my back, guiding me toward the door. “Alright, go back to your lab. Chloe is here to take care of him. You don’t need to worry.” A wave of nausea hit me. I shoved Lucas’s arm away. “Don’t touch me!” He froze, surprised that I lost my temper. I was always the emotionally stable one. I rarely got angry. Leo was scared by my outburst and started wailing. Chloe fake-comforted me: “Evelyn, you scared Leo. If you’re mad, take it out on me.” “The child is innocent. Don’t hurt him, okay?” I held onto one obsession. I stared at the crying Leo and asked him: “Who do you call Mom?” I had bargained with myself a thousand times. If he said he wouldn’t call Chloe “Mom,” I would forgive him. I would take him with me when I divorced. But what I heard was Leo crying and accusing me: “You are Mom, and Auntie Chloe is Mom too.” “I like her. She treats me well. She takes care of me and teaches me piano.” “Unlike you. You only care about your experiments. This Mom is just better than you!” I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. Tears rolled down my face uncontrollably. Lucas dragged me out into the hallway and yelled: “Why are you taking it out on the kid?!” “What does a child know?” “We don’t need you here. Go back to your lab!” With that, he turned and went back into the ward, locking the door from the inside to stop me from making a scene. That night, my mother-in-law came to lecture me. “Evelyn, you are a good woman and a good daughter-in-law. I’ve always approved of you.” She held my hand, patting it gently, her tone softening. “But men… which one doesn’t have a wandering eye?” “Chloe can help you take care of him, and she can take care of Leo.” “Actually, if you open your mind, you’ll see this is a good thing.” “You don’t have to serve your husband or look after your son. You just need to focus on your research. Isn’t that wonderful?” My heart was colder than ice. I showed no emotion as I pulled my hand away. “Fine. I won’t interfere with them.” My mother-in-law’s eyes lit up with joy, thinking she had successfully brainwashed me. She laughed and patted my back. “I knew it. You are absolutely a reasonable, good woman.” She was delighted and immediately ordered the maid to clean out the guest bedroom next to mine for Chloe. She didn’t even try to hide it when she called Chloe: “Chloe, move in tonight. The room is ready.” “The holidays are coming up. The sooner you move in, the livelier it will be. With you here, I’ll finally have someone to go shopping with.” Chapter 4 When Lucas brought Chloe home, I was just heading out. Seeing my grim expression, Chloe feigned embarrassment and pity. “Evelyn, you look unhappy. Maybe I shouldn’t live here.” I said coldly, “This is the Sterling house. Live here as long as you want. I won’t interfere.” I quickened my pace. Lucas chased after me and grabbed my wrist. “Do you really have no objection? If you mind, I can live elsewhere with Chloe.” I pulled my hand back. My heart was dead ashes, yet my voice remained calm. “I just have some work to handle. Regarding you and Chloe, I really have no opinion.” He sighed in relief, his tone softening. “Okay. You go get busy. Call me when you’re done, and I’ll pick you up.” He really thought he was a master of balancing act. After leaving the house, I never went back. On December 20th, Lucas’s company held its annual holiday gala. He invited everyone. Except me. It just so happened that I was running errands and passed the venue. I saw Lucas holding Chloe’s hand, and Chloe holding my son’s hand, walking onto the stage to give a speech. In everyone’s eyes, they were a happy family of three. Lucas held the microphone, his tone joyful and sincere: “This year, the company and I personally have gained so much.” “Here, I want to thank my wife. She has given me so much support and warmth.” My eyes felt like they were being pricked with needles. Even though my heart was dead, seeing this made it ache all over again. She is his wife? She gave him support? These words were like heavy slaps to my face, one after another. The microphone was handed to Leo. He smiled innocently and happily at Chloe: “The person I want to thank most is also my Mom.” “Thank you, Mom, for giving me so much love. I love you, Mom.” He hugged Chloe. The applause below was thunderous. The whispers about the “happy family” boiled like water. Only Chloe, up on stage, saw me. When I turned to leave the banquet hall, she ran out alone to confront me. “Evelyn Vance, you really can endure, can’t you?” “Even this, and you didn’t crash the party?” “I know you don’t dare to tear off the mask because you’re afraid of leaving the Sterling family and losing this luxurious life.” “Do you think just by enduring, you can keep the position of Mrs. Sterling?” I sneered and said to her: “Just wait and see.” She looked triumphant, mocking me. “Wait and see? Bring it on!” “Your son, your husband, they’ve announced my identity to the world!” “I’d like to see what you have to fight me with!” I ignored her and walked faster. Soon she would know that what she was fighting for was nothing but a pile of mud. On Christmas Eve, the Sterling house was decorated vividly. Every year, I personally cooked the holiday dinner. Lucas finally remembered to call me, but no one answered after several attempts. He felt inexplicably anxious. Chloe, ever the understanding one, said: “Honey, it’s my first Christmas at home. Let me show off my cooking skills.” “Evelyn is probably busy in the lab again. Once I’m done cooking, you can call her to come back and eat.” Lucas looked normal on the surface, but panic was rising in his chest. By the time Chloe finished a table full of food, Lucas still hadn’t gotten through to my phone. The butler brought him a courier envelope. “From the Madam.” Lucas opened the file. The words DIVORCE AGREEMENT struck him like lightning. At that moment, his assistant called, voice trembling with panic: “Mr. Sterling, it’s bad. The Madam has revoked the rights to all her patents. Without these patents, the company can’t operate.”

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It was the end of the year, and bonus season had just hit. I decided to splurge and sent a surprise gift to my boyfriend’s office. The tracking notification popped up on my phone: Delivered. Yet, hours passed, and he didn’t say a word. It wasn’t until the next day that he finally sent a hesitant voice note. “…Babe, did you buy me a gift?” He sounded incredibly unsure, almost nervous. A sudden instinct to test him bubbled up. I half-joked, “No. Why? Did someone else buy you a gift?” He laughed it off awkwardly. “Maybe it was sent by mistake, or from another friend… I’ll ask around.” My heart went cold. Ask around? Who else would be sending him a set of couple’s rings? 1 Realizing something was off, I pressed him intentionally. “What kind of gift was it?” Ethan stammered. “…Nothing expensive. Just a pair of sneakers.” He was lying again. My heart trembled. The line went dead before I could say anything else. I was restless all day. I knew this wasn’t simple. When he came home that night, he acted perfectly normal. It was as if the afternoon’s conversation never happened. I brought it up on purpose. “Where are the sneakers? Let me see them.” He froze for a second. “What sneakers?” Then he recovered. “Oh, those. It was a colleague’s order sent to my desk by mistake. I already gave them back.” He immediately changed the subject. “I’m going to take a shower. We can talk later.” He walked into the bathroom, gripping his phone tightly in his hand. Even when we went to bed, the phone never left his side. He had a privacy screen protector, so I couldn’t see a thing. I swallowed my anxiety and waited. Finally, I heard the soft rhythm of his snoring. Holding my breath like a thief in my own home, I slid his phone out from under his pillow. I used his thumb to unlock it. In eight years together, this was the first time I had ever checked his phone. His texts and WhatsApp were clean. Too clean. I trusted my gut. I swiped up to see his recently used apps. Aside from the usual social media, I saw an app he hadn’t used in years—Discord. driven by some invisible force, I opened it. The chat list was empty. He had cleared the history. But I knew Discord’s search function could sometimes pull up cached logs. I typed “Ring” into the search bar. A recent chat log appeared immediately. …Found it. My fingertips trembled as I clicked on it. My heart felt like it had been stabbed. Right after Ethan asked me about the gift this morning, he immediately messaged a user named “Chloe_XO”. Because I denied sending it, he assumed the gift was from her. Ethan: Babe, the gift arrived. Chloe_XO: …What gift? Ethan: The couple’s rings. Chloe_XO: What rings? What are you talking about? Ethan didn’t reply for a long time. He must have realized that if neither I nor Chloe sent them, he was in trouble. He started spinning a lie to cover his tracks. Ethan: My project bonus came in. I bought us a pair of couple’s rings. It’s my surprise for you. She replied instantly. Chloe_XO: Thank you, hubby! <3 She added a cute sticker of a bear hugging a heart. I felt dizzy, the room spinning around me. Ethan was cheating. He had a mistress. But a few seconds later, I clicked on Chloe's profile picture, and that theory crumbled. Her profile picture was a wedding photo. And the groom was Ethan. They... were already married? I wasn't the girlfriend being cheated on. I was the mistress. 2 I didn't sleep a wink. I didn't confront Ethan immediately. instead, I pretended I knew nothing. After he left for work, I called in sick. I drove straight to the address mentioned in their chat history history—a house in the suburbs. I stood at the door for a long time, building up the courage to ring the bell. A little boy, maybe five or six years old, opened the door. He looked at me curiously, then turned back and yelled, "Mom... someone's here." My heart was in my throat. Chloe finally appeared. She looked just like her wedding photo, though tired. She wore loose loungewear, no makeup. Her belly was visibly rounded. She was at least six months pregnant. In her hand, she held a bunch of unwashed vegetables. She looked like the quintessential wife waiting for her husband to return. My gaze drifted down to her hand. On her finger sat a diamond band. It was the female ring from the set I had sent Ethan. "Can I... help you?" she asked, looking confused as she pulled her son close. My throat felt like it was filled with sand. "Do you know Ethan Miller?" Before Chloe could speak, the little boy chirped up. "Ethan is my Daddy! Do you have work stuff for my Daddy?" Chloe smiled politely. "Ethan is my husband." The sky crashed down on me. I could barely stand. "...How long have you been married?" Chloe frowned slightly. "Who... are you?" "I..." Before I could answer, my phone rang. It was Ethan. I declined it. He called again. And again. When I finally answered, Ethan's voice was dark and terrifying. "Sarah, leave my house right now!" I gritted my teeth. "Why should I? I'm going to get to the bottom of this today!" "I'll tell you everything you want to know," he hissed, panic seeping in. "Just don't stress Chloe out. She's pregnant. If anything happens to the baby, you can't handle the consequences." His voice was full of threats. He sounded like a stranger. In front of me, Chloe still looked confused. "Do you need something from my husband? He's at work. He won't be back until seven." "Are you a friend of his? Why don't you stay for dinner? I made extra." She smiled warmly. It felt like someone had stabbed me in the chest. She was pregnant. Innocent. If I caused a scene now, and she miscarried... I don't remember how I left. As soon as I got downstairs to the parking lot, I saw Ethan sprinting toward me like a madman. He had been watching me through their doorbell camera. "You... you didn't say anything to Chloe, did you?" "She's carrying my child, Sarah. I'm begging you, don't hurt her, okay?" "If you have anger, take it out on me." His face was full of pleading. He looked like he was about to cry. To maintain a shred of dignity, I said, "Let's go back to my place." The moment we walked through my door, he dropped to his knees. Thud. "Sarah, I'm sorry. Hit me, curse at me, just please calm down!" "...So the child is yours? Chloe is really your wife?" He wept, nodding his head, his face buried in his hands. I swayed on my feet. "So, which one of us is the mistress?" 3 He was silent for a long time. Finally, the truth came out. We had been together for eight years. In our second year, he started sleeping with Chloe. "You were sent to London for that assignment... eighteen months. We were apart. I'm a man, Sarah, I have needs." "Chloe was an intern at my company. She confessed to me first..." "The first time, I was drunk. I pretended she was you. I didn't think one time would result in a pregnancy." "You know my parents were pressuring me to settle down. I knew you were focused on your career, and because of your parents' divorce, you were terrified of marriage. I didn't want to force you... and Chloe was pregnant, so..." I laughed. A dry, humorless sound. "So you married her?" He nodded silently. "Sarah, but I love you. Chloe is just a responsibility... you have to believe me!" He tried to grab my hand. Nausea rolled in my stomach. I shoved him away. This man was a stranger. While I was in London for a year and a half, we FaceTimed every day. He reported his location constantly. Whenever he had a holiday, he flew to see me. I remember one Valentine's Day. He had a 102-degree fever but flew across the ocean just to stand under my apartment building and surprise me. I stood there in the snow, moved to tears by his pale face and his declarations of love. But that same year... He not only cheated, but he also started a whole other family. He played me like a fool. For the next six years, every "business trip" or "overtime" was spent in that suburban house. Earlier this year, he and Chloe conceived their second child. The happiness I thought I had was more fragile than a soap bubble. It was all fake. "Sarah..." Ethan was hyperventilating from crying so hard. "Please forgive me. I really can't live without you!" I looked at him, feeling nothing but irony. "You still want to be with me?" He nodded frantically. "What about your wife and kids?" "I already discussed it with Chloe. We have an open marriage. She won't interfere with my life." "As long as you don't go to her, don't bother her, she won't trouble us." I smiled. Then I yanked my hand away. "Ethan, do you think this is the 1800s? You want a harem?" "Get out!" I grabbed a heavy glass ashtray from the table and smashed it on the floor. "Get the hell out of my house!" I used every ounce of strength to shove him out the door. He pounded on it for a while, begging. Then, silence. Followed by a dry, awkward voice through the wood. He dropped the act. "Sarah, my son has a fever. He needs his dad. I have to go..." And then, he was gone. My head spun. I broke out in a cold sweat. I checked my temperature. 104 degrees. I collapsed onto the sofa and passed out. When I woke up, it was the next morning. Ethan hadn't come back. I was fully awake now. The fever had burned away the delusions. I couldn't stay in this sick triangle. I needed to cut Ethan out like a tumor. I remembered seeing Chloe's user ID on Discord. I sent a friend request. I got straight to the point: [Do you know Ethan is living a double life? We need to meet.] A long time later, she replied: [Okay.] I went to her house again. This time, as soon as I walked in, I asked her to unplug the security cameras. I laid it all out. "He lied to both of us. We are both victims here. We need to team up and make him pay." Chloe listened quietly, her expression bland. "Are you done?" "Sarah, did you really think I didn't know you existed?"

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “388751”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel