At a banquet, my father Wyatt Roberts arranged for me to marry Julian Ortiz, the financial talent he had personally mentored. At that time, I didn’t know Julian already had someone he loved. Later, Wyatt’s company was exposed for product fraud. The stock price plummeted, and they faced criminal prosecution. Julian immediately brought his first love, Natalia Hall, back home and told me right to my face that he wanted to marry Natalia. Then Julian’s mother, Luna Ortiz, scolded me too. She said, “Your family is bankrupt now, and you can’t even have children. What right do you have to stop my son from marrying another woman?” Julian pushed the divorce papers in front of me and said with contempt, “If you sign obediently, I might still let you stay in the house and live with Natalia.” I simply booked a plane ticket to leave this place. In seven days, I would be going south with Wyatt and my mother, Eloise Roberts. ***** Right after my family went bankrupt, Julian couldn’t wait to bring Natalia home. He pushed a divorce agreement in front of me and said, “In five days, I’m marrying Natalia. I’ve wronged her for too many years already—I can’t let her down anymore. If you behave, I might still let you stay in the house and live with her.” My family had just gone bankrupt, yet Julian was in such a rush that he wouldn’t even wait one more day. I looked at him quietly. Julian’s eyes were ice-cold, looking at me like I was a complete stranger. We’d been married for five years, and I hadn’t touched his heart even once. I hurriedly lowered my head, fighting back the trembling in my body, and took out a pen to sign the divorce papers. I said softly, “Okay.” Anyway, I wouldn’t be staying here much longer. From now on, whoever Julian chose to be with had nothing to do with me. Julian raised an eyebrow, clearly not expecting me to be so straightforward. He picked up the agreement, glanced at it to make sure I’d signed correctly, then stood up. Then he said, “Fine. When I have time, I’ll take you to finalize the divorce.” After saying that, Julian walked away without looking back. He never wasted words on me. Once his figure disappeared, I took out my phone and booked a flight south for five days later. Once we got the divorce certificate, we’d be completely separated, never to bother each other again. Five years ago, at Wyatt’s company Christmas party, I fell in love with Julian, whom he had personally cultivated. The next day, Julian got my WhatsApp through Wyatt. Within half a year, we were smoothly married. I thought it was a perfectly matched, happy marriage. Later, Natalia posted photos of her wedding online. That day, Julian got very drunk. I was worried he felt sick, so I ended the remaining events early and brought him back to our room. But I never expected that as soon as I helped him onto the bed, he shoved me away hard. I crashed heavily into the table behind me. The vase on the table wobbled, then rolled off and shattered beside me. My heart jumped, and I didn’t dare move. Julian, who was usually so gentle, looked at me with bloodshot eyes. He roared, “Isabella, I hate you!” Isabella Roberts is my name. After a pause, Julian continued, “If you hadn’t liked me, if I hadn’t been forced to listen to your father just to escape my situation, how would I have been forced to marry you and watch Natalia marry someone else?” Julian’s gaze was as cold as if he were looking at an enemy. So all the sweet romance I thought we had was fake. I took a deep breath but felt suffocated, unable to catch my breath. We stared at each other for a long time, and his look scared me into tears. Julian sneered, then stood up unsteadily and threw the towel I’d used to wipe his face at me. He said, “Who cares? I want to divorce you and go find Natalia.” Julian’s eyes were unfocused, his cheeks flushed red—he was obviously very drunk. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have said such things. My voice trembling with tears, I said, “You’re drunk. Let’s talk about this when you sober up.” Julian ignored me and stumbled out of the room. I was stunned, then sat on the floor and cried my heart out. After crying myself exhausted, I went back to bed and fell asleep. When I woke up the next day and opened the door, Julian and I locked eyes. Then, with perfect understanding, we both turned our heads away. He didn’t mention divorce again, and I pretended he’d never said it. I pushed down the unease in my heart, thinking, “It’s okay. Natalia is already married. Someday I’ll be able to win Julian’s heart.”

Natalia’s husband had been abusing her. Starting three months ago, Julian helped Natalia gather evidence and eventually got her husband sent to prison. Later, when Julian saw Natalia covered in bruises and limping as she walked, he immediately arranged housing for her nearby. Now, he’s brought Natalia back to our home and says he wants to marry her. When Julian brought Natalia to my room, I was inside packing my things. Back then, Wyatt was worried I wouldn’t be well taken care of at Julian’s house, so he gave me a lot of money along with many wedding gifts. Even though Julian refused to share a room with me, I still used that money to decorate the room according to his preferences, hoping for the day we could live together. Now, I need to liquidate all these decorations and valuables to pay for Wyatt’s legal fees. Julian said coldly and firmly, “This room will be Natalia’s from now on.” This room had the best natural light and its own private balcony. Natalia stood behind him, looking toward the balcony with excitement in her eyes. This was the first time I ever refused Julian. I said, “I don’t agree. There’s another guest room downstairs. Why can’t she stay there?” Julian’s expression darkened. He said, “Because Natalia likes it here. She’s not well and needs to recover somewhere with plenty of sunlight. Besides, the room’s decor perfectly suits her taste.” Looking at the rich oil painting-style decorations throughout the room, I said nothing. Natalia wore a pink dress and smiled at me, looking just like a girl from an oil painting. So that was the truth. Seeing me staring at Natalia, Julian blocked my view with his body. He said, “I’m not asking for your opinion. Have your things moved out by 3 PM.” Then Julian’s tone softened slightly. He said, “Just be good, okay?” I lowered my head and said, “Okay.” Since my family went bankrupt, I’d lost my biggest source of support. Julian no longer needed to consider my feelings or pretend we were a loving couple. Before 2 PM, I had moved my luggage to the guest room downstairs. This guest room had no balcony. With trees blocking the windows, I had to keep the lights on even during the day. Afterward, I took out all the expensive jewelry Julian had given me over the years, planning to sell them. Chloe Gray, the jewelry store owner, knew me. When she saw me, she smiled and welcomed me into the back room. I laid out all the jewelry pieces in front of her, one by one. The first was the black pearl necklace Julian gave me when he confessed his feelings. Back then, he had just gained Wyatt’s trust and spent all his savings to buy it. The second was the blue diamond ring he placed on my finger with tears in his eyes at our wedding. He had just been promoted by Wyatt then and had someone buy it from downtown. The third was his apology gift after his last drunken episode—a pair of deer-shaped earrings. I loved those earrings because he once said I was as lively and cute as a little deer, like a little sprite. Watching me take out each piece of jewelry, Chloe straightened up. She asked, “Aren’t these all gifts Mr. Ortiz gave you? They’re all quite valuable now and hard to find. Are you sure you want to sell them?” I nodded and said, “Yes.” Chloe carefully examined each piece. After confirming their authenticity, she transferred the money to my account. I didn’t haggle and left the jewelry store as soon as I received the payment. As I walked out, I saw Julian holding Natalia’s hand as they browsed the shops. Julian bent down to listen to Natalia whisper in his ear, the two of them standing very close. He asked Natalia, “Do you like this bracelet?” Natalia smiled and nodded, “It’s beautiful.” Julian immediately had the clerk wrap up the bracelet. When he looked up, our eyes met, and surprise flashed across his face. Then he instinctively looked at my hands. The blue diamond ring I always wore was gone. Julian immediately walked over and grabbed my wrist, asking, “Where’s the ring?” I looked at him quietly and lied for the first time. I said, “I put it away when I was packing.” Julian clearly didn’t believe me and gripped my hand tighter, causing me pain and making me struggle. Natalia hurried over in panic and tugged at Julian’s sleeve. She said softly, “Julian.” As if suddenly snapping back to reality, Julian released my hand. Then he said quietly, “I’m sorry.” Chloe watched this scene with disbelief. Feeling humiliated, I lowered my head and quickly left.

The day before I was set to leave, Luna called asking me to handle Julian and Natalia’s wedding arrangements. I had other unfinished business to deal with, so I declined outright. However, Luna, who usually appeared gentle, instantly flew into a rage. She screamed at me: “Your family is bankrupt now, and you can’t even bear children. What gives you the right to stop my son from remarrying?” I didn’t argue with her, instead responding calmly: “He can remarry. I’m just busy lately and don’t have time to deal with wedding arrangements.” Julian never asked for my opinion before deciding to divorce me and marry someone else. Why should I help them prepare their wedding? Not wanting to hear Luna speak anymore, I hung up directly. When I returned home, I encountered Julian again in the front yard. He was wearing light gray casual clothes, chatting with Natalia, his face full of relaxed smiles. He laughed while pouring coffee for Natalia. Natalia wore a pair of exquisite pearl earrings that sparkled in the sunlight. The flowers in the yard swayed gently in the breeze. Against the backdrop of the blooms, their gazes appeared particularly intimate. Julian had left the Wyatt company the second year after our marriage to start his own business. All these years, he’d been busy—so busy that he never had a proper conversation with me, let alone spent time with me in the yard enjoying the sunshine. I froze for a moment, then immediately turned around and fled back to my room like I was escaping. The intimate image of the two of them kept flashing before my eyes. I shook my head desperately, trying to dispel these scenes. That fondness I had for Julian at the Christmas party years ago had trapped me until now. Only today did I finally understand—he had never loved me. His heart had always belonged only to Natalia. I ran to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face, forcing myself to stay alert. After calming down, I began systematically checking the wedding gifts Wyatt had originally given me. However, after counting repeatedly, I found one item was still missing. I took out the list Wyatt had originally given me and compared it item by item, finally discovering the missing piece was a pair of pearl earrings. I had seen those earrings on Natalia’s ears. I immediately rushed into Natalia’s room. She had just returned, holding a diamond tiara in her hands, the smile still lingering at the corners of her mouth. Natalia and Julian’s wedding was in three days. I had assumed Julian had prepared everything long ago. I never imagined he would simply take my tiara for Natalia. I angrily snatched the tiara from her hands. Then I saw the pearl earrings on Natalia’s ears. I pinned her against the table with one hand while reaching for her earrings with the other. Natalia’s ear was injured because I used too much force. She cried from the pain, saying: “Let me go first. If you want the earrings, I’ll take them off myself.” I clutched the earrings and tiara to my chest, staring at her coldly. Natalia straightened up awkwardly, looking completely wronged. She said: “If you wanted them, you could have just asked me. Why did you have to treat me like this?” I snorted coldly and said: “You stole my things, and you still expect me to be nice to you? Dream on!” Natalia looked at me with innocent wide eyes, saying pitifully: “I didn’t steal anything.” Just then, I heard footsteps behind me. Julian suddenly pushed me aside and rushed forward to embrace Natalia. I crashed into the wall, my grip loosened, and the tiara rolled to the floor with a crack appearing in the center diamond. Julian stared at me, his eyes full of disgust. He said: “It’s just a tiara. I’m the one who gave it to her to wear. Now you’d rather break it than let Natalia wear it? Your family is already bankrupt. If you keep making trouble, I’ll throw you out.” Natalia cried heavily in his arms. When she looked at the tiara on the floor, she frowned with obvious disdain. Julian held her close, comforting her. He said: “Don’t cry. I’ll have someone make a new one right away. We’ll definitely have it ready for the wedding.” I wiped away my tears, then coldly bent down to pick up my tiara and earrings again. My heart felt torn in half, with pain spreading through my limbs. I just needed to wait a few more days. Once I got the divorce papers, once the plane took off, I could leave this place.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “398289”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #B×G #Cheating #Divorce #FirstLove #RichPoor

The day I was exposed as the fake daughter of the Anderson family, the real daughter Anna Anderson burst through the front door and stabbed me multiple times in the abdomen, causing me to lose the ability to become a mother forever. My fiancé Weston Thompson was furious about this incident, and my adoptive parents Robert Anderson and Maria Anderson urgently declared that they would never acknowledge Anna as their daughter. To comfort me, Weston proposed to me as quickly as possible, while Robert and Maria immediately wrote a formal document severing ties with Anna, telling me to rest and recover peacefully. Later, they told me that Anna had fled abroad and been sold into trafficking. She deserved it, and I believed their words. Until our sixth Christmas after marriage, I actually saw Anna, who was supposed to be suffering abroad. She was leaning against Weston’s embrace with a pregnant belly. Anna said with emotion, “If I hadn’t lost my temper and made that mistake six Christmases ago, Harper wouldn’t have had the chance to marry you.” Harper Anderson is my name. She paused, then continued, “Fortunately, you and Mom and Dad all sided with me. Otherwise, that imposter would have sent me to prison long ago. She probably never imagined I’ve been living around her all this time, and I’m even carrying your child. “Once I give birth, you can find some excuse to adopt the child, then make her spend her whole life as my nanny. Thank you for these Christmases, Weston.” Anna looked at Weston with loving eyes, and Weston’s cheeks flushed red. He said, “Don’t say that! Only by marrying her could I let you continue living with a clean reputation. As long as you’re okay, everything I do is worth it.” So it turned out that Weston, who I thought loved me deeply, had been deceiving me all along. Robert and Maria were just covering up for their biological daughter Anna’s crimes. Since they all treated me this way, I no longer wanted these so-called “family” and “lover.” ***** After seeing Anna at the maternity hospital—a sight I’ll never forget—I stood frozen in place, feeling all the blood in my body flowing backward. The pain of that Christmas knife piercing my abdomen still lingered in my mind, while Weston, who once cried saying he felt sorry for me, was now tenderly holding Anna and gently stroking her belly. Even from a distance, I could feel the fatherly love radiating from him. It turned out that the marriage I had always considered my salvation was nothing but a complete fraud from beginning to end. Robert and Maria told me they would always stand by my side, but they had long ago secretly destroyed the evidence of Anna’s assault and forced Weston to marry me. They did this only to provide Anna with an extra layer of protection, ensuring she wouldn’t go to prison for intentional assault. How ridiculous! I suppressed my grief and avoided Weston’s gaze. Just then, my phone rang—it was Robert and Maria calling. The urgent ringtone seemed to hint at how anxious the people on the other end were. I calmed myself down and answered the call. Robert said over the phone, “Harper, where did you go? The housekeeper told me you left at noon. Did you go to the hospital? Why are you so disobedient? Your mother and I have told you many times that with your poor health, you must have someone with you when you go out. What would we do if something happened to you on the road?” I dug my well-manicured nails into my flesh, trying to stay alert. Was he asking these questions at this moment because he was truly afraid something might happen to me, or because he was afraid I might discover the truth? Robert continued, “Harper, did you hear what I said? Where are you now? Your mother and I are already at the hospital. We’ll come find you right away.” His caring inquiry cut into my heart like a knife. I thought for a moment, then responded in a gentle voice, “I’m in the restroom at the obstetrics department. Dad, you and Mom are just too worried. I’m just here for a check-up. What could happen to me? Besides, I’m an adult now—I can’t keep troubling you all the time.” I deliberately complained in a relaxed manner, which made Robert and Maria on the other end of the phone breathe a sigh of relief. A few minutes later, Maria rushed into the restroom. She grabbed my hands and looked me up and down, asking, “Nothing happened to you, right? Did you get your check-up done?” Her eyes were full of unease. Thinking about Weston and Anna who had hurriedly left earlier, I immediately understood. Robert and Maria following me around constantly wasn’t because they were afraid something might happen to me—they were afraid I might run into Anna and ruin their plan. I said to Maria, “Mom, I’m fine. I felt nauseous as soon as I got to the hospital, so I was delayed for a while and haven’t had time to get the check-up yet.” Maria instinctively responded, “That’s good.” Soon, she realized her reaction was inappropriate and immediately turned to look at me seriously. She continued, “Your father and I are both here. How could we let you face those cold machines alone? Let’s go together.” Standing at the restroom door was a kind-looking middle-aged man—Robert. Although I wasn’t his biological daughter, I had grown up surrounded by his love. I always thought he was the person who loved me most in the world. Only today did I realize that in the face of blood relations, all the love I had felt before meant nothing. Since they treated me this way, it was time for me to give them a “gift” in return.

Robert walked over to me, naturally positioning himself on my left side as he chatted with me. “Why did you come here alone? Are you okay?” Maria shot Robert a playfully reproachful look, then rested her head on my shoulder. She said, “Harper’s fine. She’s grown up now and knows how to care for us.” Robert pretended to be annoyed and gently pinched my cheek. “Either way, you can’t come to the hospital by yourself. Do you hear me?” Taking advantage of this moment, I slipped my phone, which I’d already set to record, into Robert’s pocket. I said, “I know I was wrong. I need to go for my checkup now. Dad, can you hold my phone for me?” This was something we did regularly, so neither Robert nor Maria thought anything of it. When we reached the gynecology office, I walked into the examination room alone. Robert and Maria waved at me eagerly from the doorway, their eyes full of concern. In the past, I would have felt grateful for having the best family in the world. But now, I only felt afraid. It was like countless venomous snakes were crawling all over my body, ready to deliver a fatal strike at any moment. After I finished all my tests, Maria immediately took the reports to consult with a specialist. She asked, “How is Harper doing?” Meanwhile, Robert pulled out the notebook he always carried with him. The notebook was filled with details about my preferences and dietary restrictions. If I hadn’t discovered the truth, I would have thought they were parents who deeply loved their child. I said to them, “Dad, Mom, I need to use the restroom.” I playfully retrieved my phone from Robert, then walked into the bathroom with trembling legs. Before playing the recording, I had mentally prepared myself countless times. But when I heard the first sentence, my heart still felt like it was being stabbed with needles. The recording captured my attending physician’s voice: “Mr. Robert Anderson, Mrs. Maria Anderson, Miss Anderson has been recovering quite well these past few months. All her wounds from that time have healed. As long as she takes care of herself, she should be able to get pregnant soon. Should we stop the medication she’s currently taking? “I’m afraid if she continues taking it, she really won’t be able to have children. Isn’t that too cruel to her?” He sounded somewhat guilty. Depriving a woman of the right to become a mother was inherently cruel. But the next second, Robert cut him off directly. He said, “I didn’t hire you to worry about these things. The medication cannot be stopped! “It’s just a child. We can adopt one, and it’ll save her from the pain of childbirth.” Maria chimed in, “Harper’s health has never been good anyway. Not having children is what’s best for her. We don’t need an outsider telling us what to do. You’re just a doctor. Just do what you’re supposed to do. Do you understand?” Their tone was particularly harsh, so the doctor quickly agreed. He said, “I didn’t mean to overstep. Mr. Robert Anderson, I’m just reminding you that at this dosage, I’m afraid Miss Anderson might overdose. Not only will she be unable to become a mother, but it could also harm her health.” This sounded like a serious problem, but Robert didn’t care at all. He said, “I understand. That’s not something you need to worry about. Just make sure her wounds heal properly. Everything else is none of your business.” The doctor replied, “Yes, sir.” The recording ended there. I felt cold all over. All these months, I had been feeling incredibly guilty about not being able to give Weston a child. Robert and Maria always comforted me, saying it wasn’t my fault and that having children couldn’t be forced. It turned out they were the ones in the wrong all along. My inability to conceive was fake. They simply didn’t want me to have Weston’s child. In their eyes, I wasn’t worthy of bearing Weston’s children—only their biological daughter Anna was. No wonder after all these months, I was still taking medication. Everything had been a lie. The doctor was fake, and their claims of “doing this for my own good” were fake too. Tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably. My body trembled, and I felt completely drained of strength. Just then, there was a knock on the door. Maria had noticed I’d been gone for a long time. “Harper.” Maria was particularly anxious, knocking on each bathroom door one by one, terrified that something had happened to me. I answered, “I’m in here.” After wiping away my tears, I walked out to Maria with red-rimmed eyes. Seeing me in this state, Maria was shocked. She reached out to touch my face and asked, “What’s wrong? Who upset you? Why were you crying? Talk to me, okay?” The face before me looked no different from the past, yet I felt a wave of nausea in my stomach. I told her, “I’m fine, Mom. I probably ate something bad, so my stomach’s a bit upset.” I leaned against Maria’s shoulder, hiding the hatred in my eyes. She helplessly ruffled my hair and took me back to Thompson Manor. Weston had already learned I was home, so he was waiting at the door. This man who had been touching another woman’s belly just two hours ago now tenderly embraced me, gently rubbing my stomach. He said, “I heard from Maria that your stomach was bothering you, so I rushed back to make you some soup. It’s almost ready. Have some and then rest.” Only then did I notice he still had an apron tied around his waist. If I hadn’t witnessed everything at the hospital today, I never would have believed that Weston, who took such thoughtful care of me in daily life, had always loved someone else in his heart. When we got married, he even moved near Anderson Manor specifically so I could be closer to home. Even in his midnight dreams, he would call out my name, yet he still didn’t love me. The person Weston loved was Anna. For Anna’s sake, he was willing to marry me and go through the motions with me for all these years. I truly admired his acting skills. I said to Robert and Maria, “Dad, Mom, come in and have dinner with us.” After helping me sit down on the sofa, Weston returned to the kitchen to continue his work. Robert and Maria kept remarking how lucky I was to have found such a wonderful man. But I found myself staring at a painting on the wall. I had never understood why Weston insisted on hanging this ugly-looking painting in the most prominent spot. Now, seeing Robert and Maria’s eyes drawn to this painting as soon as they entered, and noticing the letter “A” on it, I finally understood. Because the person who painted it was important to them, this painting had to be displayed in the most visible place. Weston emerged from the kitchen, saying, “Dinner’s ready.” After all the dishes were served, I suddenly realized that throughout all these years, the food Weston cooked wasn’t what I liked to eat at all. For the past six years, I had kept this question buried in my heart, thinking, “These are dishes Weston loves. He works so hard taking care of me, so accommodating his tastes at mealtime is the least I can do.” But now I realized something. Were these really dishes he liked? Or were they what Anna liked? Seeing my pale complexion, Weston worriedly placed some food on my plate. “Harper, what’s wrong?” Maria paused, her tone becoming stiff as she said, “Seeing you two so happy puts your father and me at ease. It’s just that I don’t know…” Her unfinished words referred to Anna. Throughout all these years, she would inevitably bring up Anna during happy moments. I had always been grateful that they gave up their biological daughter for me, so whenever I heard her mention Anna, I felt too guilty to speak. Robert continued, “I don’t know how that child is doing now either. After all, she’s still your mother’s and my flesh and blood. We hope she’s not suffering too much abroad and that she’s at least alive. Harper, don’t blame your mother. She is, after all, a child your mother gave birth to. She’s already paid the price for what she did. What’s past is past. You should let go of the past too.”

Robert sighed and echoed Maria’s words. In their view, Anna had already paid a terrible price, and I shouldn’t be so petty about it. So I deserved to nearly lose my life? I lowered my eyes, expressing my displeasure through silence. Weston sensed my thoughts and showed me a cold expression for the first time. He said, “Harper, Maria’s getting older, don’t be angry with her. It’s been six years since what happened. You were the one who took Anna’s place from the beginning, enjoying over twenty years of a life that wasn’t yours. You shouldn’t blame Maria. After all, blood ties create deep emotional bonds. “No matter what, a mother can never let go of her love for her child. What’s more, Robert and Maria owed Anna from the start. “Didn’t we prepare that suburban villa for Anna back then? I’ll take Robert and Maria to see it this weekend as another way to honor her memory. If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to, okay?” Though Weston’s tone sounded like he was asking for my opinion, it carried an undeniable firmness. I looked up at the three people around the table. Weston’s face was dark, and while Robert and Maria said nothing, the heavy atmosphere they radiated revealed their thoughts. Their expressions seemed to say that if I didn’t agree, I’d be an unforgivable villain. I answered calmly and obediently, “Sure. You should go. Anna was Mom and Dad’s biological daughter, after all. As for what happened back then, I bear some responsibility too. It’s right that you make this trip.” Seeing my agreement, Weston immediately brightened up. He said, “I knew my wife was the most gentle and kind-hearted. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to prepare all your favorite foods first before going out with Robert and Maria.” Maria wiped her tears with one hand while hugging me with the other. She said, “Harper has been kind since childhood. I thank you on Anna’s behalf. We failed Anna as parents.” Maria’s burning tears fell into the hollow of my neck. I trembled, burying my head in Maria’s embrace, my whole body going numb. They had wronged Anna, so they’d been brainwashing me for these six years. Now I almost believed that Anna stabbing me with a knife was justified. In my subconscious, I actually felt like I owed her, which was why she stabbed me. But the hospital mix-up wasn’t my choice. It wasn’t my sin. My biological parents, Daniel Gomez and Mia Gomez, hadn’t intentionally switched children either. I had indeed enjoyed over twenty years of a life that wasn’t mine. If Anna had wanted, I could have left the Anderson family at any time. I never wanted to compete with anyone for anything. What exactly had I done wrong to deserve their manipulation? A sharp pain shot through my chest, and I couldn’t help but dry heave before rushing to the bathroom. Weston followed closely behind, frightened, patting my back. He asked, “What’s wrong? Didn’t you just have a checkup today? What did the doctor say? Is there something wrong with your stomach? You really need to get treatment if you’re sick—don’t put it off.” Weston’s tone was gentle and caring. I couldn’t help wondering, “Is he worried about my discomfort, or afraid I might be pregnant?” Suppressing the uneasiness in my heart, I clung to Weston’s arm playfully. I said, “Weston, I’m pregnant. “You’re going to be a father soon. The doctor said it’s a blessing that I could conceive. Are you happy? We’re finally going to have a child of our own.” Weston’s smile instantly froze on his face. He stared at my expression, searching for any trace of a joke, but found nothing. He said, “Harper, don’t joke around. You can’t joke about something like this. Didn’t the doctor say your body wasn’t suitable for pregnancy?” Weston’s voice trembled, his eyes filled with panic. This was my husband. I smiled and said, “I’m not joking. Aren’t you happy?” Holding onto my last bit of hope, I waited for his answer. Weston composed his panicked expression and looked at me seriously. He said, “Honey, the doctor already said your current physical condition isn’t suitable for having children. You should get an abortion. If something happens to you, what would I do?” His “Honey” made me feel sick to my stomach—I nearly threw up. I asked, “What if I don’t want to?” Weston didn’t even blink before deciding to kill my child. I suddenly thought that maybe losing my fertility was actually lucky for me. At least my child wouldn’t have to be born into such a terrible family. Weston said, “Honey, I…” I smiled and cut him off, burying my head in his chest. “I was just kidding. The doctor said I can’t have children. Honey, thank you for staying with me all these Christmases.” In my heart, I thought: “And thank you for all the terrible things you’ve done to me these Christmases.” The weekend came quickly. Weston got up early, kissed my cheek, then made me lunch as fast as he could. Then he whispered to me, “Harper, I’m taking Robert and Maria out. Stay safe at home. If anything happens, you must tell me.” I nodded. Then I opened my phone while tears streamed down my face. Anna was right downstairs from my house. Before Weston even woke up, I’d received a photo from Anna. In the photo, Anna was sitting in a car. She kept sending messages to show off: [Harper, so what if you married Weston and became his wife? I’m the one who can give him children. You don’t really think they’re going to the villa to remember me, do you? Don’t be so naive. I’ve been living in that villa all these Christmases. Today is the day I’m going for my prenatal checkup.] [I just casually mentioned wanting the whole family to come with me for the checkup, and Dad, Mom, and Weston all agreed.] [Just like what happened six Christmases ago—I just pretended to be pitiful and shed a few tears, and Dad and Mom sacrificed you to preserve my reputation. Your life is truly pathetic.] Besides the messages, Anna also sent a bunch of photos. Over these six Christmases, Weston would always make time to travel with Anna. Sometimes they’d even bring Robert and Maria along, playing around like a family of four. But I was such a fool—I used to get happy over the little gifts Weston would casually bring me. Endless despair left my heart numb. I closed the chat window and bought a plane ticket for tomorrow. Given Anna’s temperament, she wouldn’t let Weston, Robert, and Maria come back tonight, which gave me the perfect opportunity to use the remaining time to leave this place. At noon, after eating just a few bites of food, I started organizing evidence. I really should thank Anna. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have gotten so much evidence proving how they schemed against me. With these things, I could not only divorce Weston without him getting a single cent, but also completely expose their true intentions before leaving. By the time I finished everything, it was already ten at night. Sure enough, just as I expected, Weston had no intention of coming back. He video-called me. The camera was blurry so I couldn’t see the background clearly, but I could definitely sense Anna was right beside him. But I didn’t call him out on it—I just smiled and promised him I’d take good care of myself. The next day, I got up very early. Many people came to the house—they were the renovation workers I’d called. For all the things I couldn’t take with me, I had them tear everything down. As for those little trinkets Weston used to give me, I’d seen identical ones on Anna’s Instagram, and mine were obviously the freebies. I certainly didn’t want things that others had discarded. Two hours later, the renovation workers left with all the dismantled items. I took out photos of me with Weston, Robert, and Maria from all these Christmases, then pulled out a lighter and burned them all. The fire alarm in the house went off with a piercing wail. I grabbed my suitcase and walked out the front door. This was my final “gift” to Weston. By the time he rushed back, I’d be long gone from this city.

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On the fifth Christmas of my husband Liam Lopez’s affair, the system that had been unreachable finally appeared again, telling me I could go home. In those final seven days, I stopped fighting and arguing with Liam, stopped caring about him going out with his mistress and not coming home at night, and stopped caring about him giving my precious belongings to other women. The day I left was our fifth wedding anniversary. Liam burst into the house with Emma White, knocked over the meal I had prepared, then grabbed me by the throat and pressed broken glass against me, demanding to know why I had hurt Emma and his child. Liam also said, “How did you become so vicious? You even make me sick.” I smiled and didn’t defend myself at all, only saying, “I did all these things. I am that vicious. Are you only realizing this now? So, I wish you two will be together forever.” Then, under his gaze, I viciously slashed the artery in my neck, ending everything I had in this world. ***** The first time the system appeared, Liam and I had just finished fighting. The bedroom floor was in complete chaos, covered with paper scraps and glass shards. Liam had just returned home from a trip with his kept mistress, and the first thing he wanted to do was have sex with me. He held me tightly, kissing me all over my body, his hands wandering everywhere. My eyes were filled with disgust as I pushed him away, but he became like an enraged beast, his eyes turning red. Liam glared at me viciously and said, “Do you know how those women outside please me? What are you pretending? Didn’t you used to say you’d do anything just to be with me? Now you’re playing the pure woman?” I looked at him in disbelief. I never thought he would compare me to those women. Moreover, he was the one cheating, yet he still had the audacity to blame me for not cooperating with him. I couldn’t bring myself to please Liam while feeling disgusted. When he was out playing with other women, did he ever think of me? I said, “I just find you disgusting. Don’t touch me.” I was extremely emotional, resisting his advances, even wanting him to disappear from my sight immediately. Liam sneered coldly, forcefully grabbed my hands, and pressed me against the mirror on the vanity. He also reached out and squeezed my face hard, his eyes full of contemptuous mockery: “Look at yourself now, completely different from before. Do you still think you’re that most beautiful girl in school that everyone chased after? Scarlett, face reality. You’re just an old woman now, with nothing to keep me interested. Besides your body, what else is worth a second glance?” Scarlett Stewart is my name. I looked at myself in the mirror—clothes disheveled, fine lines appearing on my once-beautiful face, eyes full of sorrow. I really couldn’t compare to his young kept woman. After all, she was young and obedient, knowing how to make Liam happy. While I was like a thorny rose, unable to say sweet words, unable to please him, always making him uncomfortable. But I had always been this way from the beginning. Back then, he said he loved me just like this. Liam’s voice was like a demon’s whisper: “You’re now just a bad-tempered woman who loves to make a scene, exactly like your mother.” This last sentence Liam said shattered all my self-respect, humiliating me thoroughly before trampling me underfoot. I broke free from his restraints like a madwoman and slapped him with all my strength. Then my tears kept falling to the ground. Liam was stunned by my sudden action. He gritted his teeth wanting to hit me, but seeing me cry so heartbrokenly, he froze. I was a very strong-willed person who had never cried in front of Liam before. This was the first time he’d ever seen me cry so heartbroken. Liam and I had been together for five years, and though I’d endured countless grievances, never had there been a moment that made me feel he was this cruel. Through my sobs, I asked him, “Liam, do you dare repeat what you just said?” But Liam remained silent. I pressed him again: “Say something!” I was consumed with hatred. I hated how he ignored all the wrongs I’d suffered, hated that he’d fallen for someone else, and most of all, I hated that he said I was just like my mother. He knew perfectly well this was the one thing I never wanted to discuss, my only boundary. Yet to mock me, he’d casually thrown it in my face. Perhaps he’d been wanting to say these things all along, and now, in his emotional state, he’d finally let it all out. Liam let out a cold laugh, completely dismissing my breakdown. He thought I was just throwing a tantrum. He said, “There’s nothing left to say between us. Scarlett, what I said today wasn’t because I was emotional. Is there any difference between how you look right now and what I described?” My throat felt blocked, unable to swallow or breathe, the pressure making my chest ache. My vision began to blur, my nails digging into my palms, yet I felt no pain. The suffocating sensation threatened to drown me like a rising tide. I could no longer make out what he was saying after that. I asked him, “So what? Liam, is this your excuse for cheating? Why? Why are you treating me like this?” As I spoke, I couldn’t help but picture Emma’s youthfully vibrant face. Her eyes sparkled with life and barely concealed ambition. She truly was beautiful, radiating vitality and an irresistible charm that couldn’t be ignored. It was only a matter of time before Liam would be drawn to her. Then Liam said, “Isn’t this enough? Scarlett, if you just behave yourself, I can continue maintaining this marriage with you. After all, besides me, you have no one else to depend on. Emma may be better than you in every way, but I’m just having fun with her. She won’t affect your position. What are you worried about?” Liam moved closer, whispering gently in my ear while patiently wiping the tears from my face. He continued, “So don’t do anything excessive.” My heart felt like it was being crushed in a giant fist. Liam was such a bastard! He’d been playing with people’s emotions all along! Liam added, “Besides, being seen with her makes me look better.” After saying this, he looked me up and down, then suddenly burst into laughter. He said, “As for you? You’re not young anymore. You only embarrass me.” I kept my head down, saying nothing. Finally, just as Liam was losing patience and preparing to leave, I found my voice, hoarse and ugly. I asked, “Liam, do you really love me?” Liam paused for a moment, then without hesitation, slammed the door shut. The room fell silent. After a long while, I let out a short, mocking laugh. Even I found myself ridiculous. Finally, the emotions I’d been suppressing for so long completely erupted. I lost control, screaming and smashing many things in the house. I collapsed alone on the floor, staring at the chaos around me, letting my heart be consumed by grief and pain. Just then, the System that had been absent for so long appeared. Its voice sounded like both beautiful music that could save me and a devil tempting me to sin. It said, “Host, it’s time to go home. Your mission is complete.”

I sat on the floor, numbly cleaning up the mess around me. Even when glass shards cut my fingers, I refused to stop. When Liam and I first got together, everyone said we were a perfect match, and our relationship was the envy of everyone around us. His family background was so privileged that ordinary people wouldn’t even dare to dream of it—a height I could never reach no matter how hard I tried. I once couldn’t believe that someone as outstanding and brilliant as Liam would actually fall for a girl like me from such humble circumstances. But back then, his presence truly rescued me from my difficult situation. For someone as proud as Liam to be willing to do anything for me was more beautiful than all the love letters in the world. When I first arrived in this world, I didn’t want to pursue him as a target. I didn’t want a beautiful relationship to begin with calculation. Growing up, I was surrounded by nothing but lies and deception. I hated that world, yet I had to compromise because I wanted to survive. I locked my heart away tightly, wearing a fake mask every day. I despised myself like that, and I was sick of everything in this world. But Liam was different. He genuinely liked me, encouraged me, and gave me the love I had always craved but never received. I once looked forward to building a family with him. In this world where I had no one to rely on, I finally had a place to call home—a home filled with love. But now, the house was in complete chaos, just like my relationship with Liam—nothing but trouble. Our wedding photo still hung on the bedroom wall. In that picture, my face was filled with a happy smile, and the way he looked at me wasn’t filled with the disgust and disdain I see now. When exactly did our relationship start falling apart like this? I was consumed by anger and resentment. I slowly stood up, staring at the wedding photo on the wall, then grabbed the glass in my hand and hurled it at the picture. In an instant, the photo shattered, and along with it, my dream of spending a lifetime with Liam. I asked the system, “How much longer until I can go back?” The system replied, “Seven days. Host, you have seven days left to say goodbye to this world.” I lowered my head, understanding clearly. Though I didn’t like my original world, I had no other choice now. Liam’s betrayal made me realize that no one in this world was more reliable than myself. Rather than placing all my hopes on others, I should seize the opportunity myself. Just then, a hashtag quietly appeared on Twitter. It contained a video of Liam and Emma vacationing together in France, captured by someone. In the video, they were incredibly intimate, like newlyweds, their faces glowing with happiness. Liam’s expression was so tender, his eyes full of adoration as he watched Emma throw a tantrum beside him, unable to help but coax her gently. I don’t know what Liam said, but Emma’s angry face gradually broke into a smile, then she hugged him intimately, looking absolutely delighted. After watching the video, I felt nothing but irony, and my heart ached in waves. Once upon a time, he treated me the same way. But now, he had given all the love that was once mine to another woman. And now, I no longer expected his affection. Shortly after, Liam called me, demanding that I clarify the situation online. Liam was the company’s CEO. This kind of cheating scandal would significantly impact his company’s stock value, so he wanted me to come forward and minimize the negative impact. How ridiculous! Only when it affected his interests did he think of me. Liam said over the phone, “I already told you. Emma and I are just fooling around. If there are problems with the company’s stock, you won’t be able to live the lifestyle you have now either. I need you to help clear Emma’s name as soon as possible. She’s been crying nonstop. Remember, don’t do anything unnecessary.” His tone was still filled with impatience. Liam must be exhausted—he just finished fighting with me and now he’s off to find another woman. I replied, “I understand.” Perhaps it was because my emotions were too calm now, or maybe it was the first time I mentioned Emma without arguing with him, but he was unusually stunned and didn’t say anything. After a while, Liam said, “It’s best that you can do this. You should be sensible like you are now. If you had been this sensible earlier, I wouldn’t have fought with you. Scarlett, you should please me, just like you’re doing now.” His tone was full of smugness and satisfaction. I hung up the phone myself, not wanting to get entangled with him anymore. Now, just hearing his voice made me involuntarily think of how he looked when he was cheating, and I found it particularly disgusting. After Christmas and I got together, Liam announced our relationship to everyone. When we got married, he even gave me a sensational, grand wedding. This made many people think Liam was a rare good man—both devoted and deeply affectionate. Even I thought so. But on our first Christmas as a married couple, Emma came to find me. She looked at me smugly, with a charming smile on her face, but her eyes were full of provocation as she looked at me. She smiled and said, “Hello, I’m Mr. Lopez’s assistant. He said he left a document in the study and asked me to come get it.” Emma’s gaze looked me up and down. I frowned, then led her into the study, but she asked me to wait outside the door. She said, “Mr. Lopez said this document is confidential and can’t be seen by outsiders. Please wait outside for a moment. I’ll come out as soon as I get the document. Mr. Lopez is in a hurry.” Emma’s words made me feel a sense of crisis. When Liam came home, I couldn’t help but complain to him about this incident. He smiled and explained, “She’s the daughter of a business partner. He asked me to take extra care of her. If you mind, I can have her go back.” Liam spoke very sincerely, and since our relationship had always been good and he had never done anything excessive outside, I thought about it and shook my head. I said, “It’s okay. Replacing a business partner’s daughter might affect your business. I don’t mind.” But what I didn’t expect was that this was my first time meeting the mistress Liam was keeping outside. Later I discovered that the two of them often went out behind my back. It wasn’t until I saw them kissing passionately in the underground parking garage that I realized how foolish I had been. I had believed Liam’s lies without any doubt and even thought he was working hard for our family. That night, Liam came home drunk. When he held me tightly, he whispered in my ear, “Emma, why have you lost so much weight? Did you change your perfume?” I was tremendously shocked and couldn’t believe it. The person who once truly loved me was now intimately holding me while calling out another woman’s name. That was our first fight, and we fought so fiercely that I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life. After I discovered his affair, Liam seemed to deliberately oppose me, often texting Emma right in front of me, and he stopped hiding it afterward. He looked at me mockingly and said, “If you were as obedient as Emma, as passionate toward me as she is, I wouldn’t have cheated.” From then on, Liam completely pushed me into the abyss of pain.

Knowing I’d soon be leaving this place, I couldn’t care less about Liam’s attitude toward me, and I stopped obsessing over whether he loved me. I didn’t want to know the answer anymore. He and Emma were probably together now—he hadn’t come home in four days. Three more days until our fifth wedding anniversary on Christmas, which would also be the day I left this world. I didn’t have much stuff, and I couldn’t take it with me anyway. I still hadn’t cleared up the online scandal as Liam demanded, instead leaving it for the system to handle. When Liam left earlier, he took the necklace he’d given me for the first time. It was something I treasured deeply. When he confessed his feelings, he took me to an amusement park. Under a sky full of fireworks, he pulled out that necklace. Liam said, “Scarlett, I haven’t officially taken over the family business yet, so I can only use my allowance to buy you something that’s not too expensive. But I’ll get you better, more expensive gifts in the future. Will you be my girlfriend? “I promise I’ll treat you well and love you even more than I do now.” Back then, his eyes were sincere, full of love. That necklace had once been my comfort during the pain of betrayal, the only hope that could save my miserable life. But now, hatred spread like wildfire. All our beautiful memories had turned into thorns that wounded me. When Liam took the necklace, I said nothing. He said, “Emma likes this necklace. You know that. She doesn’t ask for much. Whatever I can give her, I will. You’ve worn this necklace for a long time, and you have better necklaces to wear.” I nodded, and the hope in my eyes completely died. Liam smiled and said, “You’re being so understanding today. I love it when you’re like this.” All my years of devotion and companionship had earned me nothing more than being called “understanding.” He claimed he didn’t like Emma, but his actions clearly told me he’d fallen for her long ago. That necklace meant everything to me. Did he really not know that? Just then, the system told me the online scandal had been cleared up. It also asked, “Do you really love Liam? When I first contacted you, you didn’t seem to want to leave this place.” The system’s words made me smile bitterly. I really didn’t want to leave back then. The feelings between Liam and me were real. The experiences we shared might not have been memorable enough to last forever, but every emotion and detail in those experiences was genuine. I’d depended on him for so many years—my life was filled with his presence. In my original world, I had no one to rely on. So I clung to the warmth he gave me. I used to deliberately ignore the problems, thinking that even if life was this miserable, I had to hold onto the little bit of happiness he’d given me in our youth. But things developed beyond my control. I cared. I really, deeply cared. If I had to live like this for the rest of my life, I would truly die. When Liam called again, his voice was furious. “Scarlett, I never thought you could be this vicious. Just you wait! If anything happens to Emma, I’ll never forgive you. “You’re just as disgusting as your mother. What good could come from someone who crawled out of the slums? Especially someone who came from your mother’s womb. “Bitch! I should have seen through your true nature long ago. When you were with me, you acted so pure and innocent, but I never realized how petty you are. “Your mother was a woman who sold her body for money—vicious and scheming—and you’re exactly like her.” I froze, my whole body trembling uncontrollably. All I could manage was a soft, “Liam.” But Liam wouldn’t listen, only saying, “Scarlett, I’m telling you—you’ll bear the consequences of this alone.” After Liam hung up, I sat there stunned for a long time before snapping back to reality. His words were like sharp daggers, piercing deep into my heart. There wasn’t an ounce of affection in them—just pure insults directed at me. I couldn’t understand why someone who once cherished me so deeply would now curse at me with such vicious words. That unbearable pain crashed over me like waves, hitting me again and again. From the System, I learned that Liam and Emma had encountered an accident while out together. Emma had been hit by a car. The driver was drunk and completely unaware of what had happened. But Emma insisted that I had bribed the driver, trying to harm her and the child in her womb. This accident had made Liam furious. Blinded by rage, he called to blame me without a second thought. The crushing blow left me dizzy and disoriented. I had been unwilling to admit that Liam’s feelings for me had long since vanished through his repeated betrayals. So I could only try to maintain this crumbling marriage through such means. I kept lowering my standards, silently accepting everything he did. I used to hate deception more than anything. But to hold onto this warmth I had longed for, I began deceiving myself and hurting myself. But now, I didn’t want to continue like this anymore. Liam had been staying out for the past couple of days and hadn’t come home. I spent time at home packing up many things. All those photos that once captured our sweet moments were thrown into the trash. My clothes and luggage were all packed. Finally, I was the only one left in the villa. Over the years, Liam had been transferring money into my bank account, but I rarely used it. Since I wouldn’t be in this world much longer, I wouldn’t need the money anyway. I donated all the money to an orphanage under Liam’s name. I had done this before. I simply hoped the children could live a little better, and that it might help his career. This would be the last thing I’d do for him. On our fifth wedding anniversary, I calmly prepared a whole table of dishes for myself. These were dishes I had specifically learned to make for Liam. I knew he sometimes had to attend cocktail parties, and I worried about his stomach, so I wanted to learn to make him some stomach-soothing food. But now, I sat alone at the dining table, eating by myself. Before I could even start eating the elaborate dishes on the table, the front door was kicked open. I saw Liam standing in the doorway with a dark expression. Seeing the food on the table, he let out a cold laugh, then flipped the entire table over. All the plates crashed to the floor, glass shards scattered everywhere, some cutting my feet. Liam grabbed my throat tightly, making it impossible for me to breathe. Behind him, Emma watched me with a smug, provocative look. He leaned in close, saying viciously, “Because of you, Emma and I lost our child. How can you be so evil? “Scarlett, if it weren’t for me, how would you have your current life? How could you have escaped your humble origins? “How did you become so vicious that you make me sick?” His grip on my throat was suffocating. I opened my mouth but couldn’t say a word. Emma smiled contemptuously and said, “Scarlett, no matter how much you hate me, you can’t take it out on a child. This was mine and Liam’s only child. Do you know how much I treasured him? “I don’t want status or money—I just wanted to give birth to Liam’s child. That was my only wish.” Emma spoke with such grievance, and I could feel Liam’s grip on my throat tightening. Just as my face turned red and I was about to suffocate, he finally let go. I coughed violently, gasping for air. It took me a long time to recover. Liam said, “Scarlett, you hurt Emma. I want a divorce.” Those words felt like being pushed into hell. I had never imagined that Liam would be the first one in this marriage to want to give up. I looked at Liam, my eyes filled with despair. I said, “You’re right. I did everything. I am that evil. You’ve known me long enough. What’s wrong? Are you disappointed? “When you first got together with me, why didn’t you notice?” He had probably long forgotten the promises he once made to me. Liam, consumed by rage, slapped me hard across the face. I suddenly felt dazed. Liam had once said, “Scarlett, no matter what you become in the future, I’ll love you. Don’t worry—I’ll take care of everything.” But now, watching him defend someone else and call me evil, I suddenly laughed—a wild, crazy laugh. I said, “Liam, my biggest regret is falling in love with you, marrying you, and believing your words.” I picked up a glass shard from the floor and pressed it against my throat. I said, “Since you love Emma so much, I wish you two eternal happiness. “Liam, wasn’t the life where I trapped you boring? “Now, you’re free.” With that, I sliced through my artery with force, blood spraying all over Liam. Emma screamed in terror. In the final moment before consciousness faded, I seemed to see eighteen-year-old Liam running toward me with a smile. He said, “Scarlett, let’s go home together.” I thought, “Yes, I want to go home.”

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My Boss Tried to Frame Me… But I Can Hear Thoughts?! I collapsed at work, my heart seizing up, dying right there. Not a single colleague bothered to call 911. They just watched, cold-eyed, as I faded away. In my last moments, a familiar voice echoed in my ears. “I can control everyone to hear my thoughts. What makes you think you can compete with me?” “Ashley, a poor girl like you should just stay in your village. This isn’t where you belong.” Even as I died, I had no idea how I, a small-town girl who’d put herself through college with scholarships and the tight-knit support of my community, and then worked tirelessly to land my dream job, had ever offended anyone so deeply. When I opened my eyes again, I was back. Back to the day I’d exposed the expired pre-packaged meals in the conference room, just before my last life’s sudden demise. I was still reeling from the strange, familiar voice I’d heard right before I died. Then, a voice popped into my head. *{Should I tell the Director that Ashley intentionally changed the packaging dates? If it comes out, the entire team’s year-end bonus will be forfeited.}* I spun around, staring in disbelief at Brittany, my supposed best friend, sitting beside me. She was smiling at me, her face innocent and sweet. But she didn’t know that this time, I could hear her thoughts too.

I couldn’t believe it. The girl who had looked out for me so meticulously since I joined the company was actually the one who’d caused my death. I remembered my last life. The Director had heard Brittany’s thoughts and wrongly assumed I’d changed the dates myself, just to claim credit. He’d immediately announced that our team’s year-end bonuses were canceled. Afterward, the entire team isolated me. They were too scared to oppose the Director, so they unleashed all their anger on me, ostracizing me completely. I regretted it then, blaming myself for being too tongue-tied to explain things clearly to the Director. I carried that guilt, always feeling like I’d let everyone down. And that was exactly what set the stage for my eventual heart failure. I snapped back to the present. The Director was scrutinizing the photos of the expired pre-packaged meals I’d submitted earlier. A moment later, his eyes widened, as if he’d noticed something, and he looked up at me. “Ashley, did you take these photos during your store visit?” I slowly stood up, my gaze sweeping across everyone in the conference room, especially my closest friend. As expected, the next second, Brittany’s thoughts echoed in my mind. *{No wonder I saw her editing the dates on those photos in Photoshop yesterday. She was fabricating evidence.}* *{The Director keeps looking at her. He must have realized the photos are off.}* I pulled my gaze away from Brittany’s feigned innocence. When I looked up, the Director was frowning at me. Then, he slammed the photos onto the table, stood up, and strode towards me. Knowing the truth, I faced the situation with an unsettling calm this time. The Director quickly reached my side, his voice sharp with anger. “Ashley, there are hundreds of employees at Eastbay Group. How is it that *only you* could find expired pre-packaged meals?” “Are your eyes better than everyone else’s?” “Or are you saying everyone else in the company is blind except for you?” I lowered my head, my voice barely a whisper. “Director, I didn’t. I truly found these during my store visit.” The Director sneered. “I’ve played all the games you’re trying to pull. I’ve seen countless people like you.” “Today, I’ll show you what happens when you try to be a hero! The year-end bonuses for Ashley’s entire team are canceled!” “Anyone who has a problem with it, come talk to me. Grab your termination papers, and I’ll ensure you get every penny of your severance.” Everyone in the conference room stared at me. My teammates’ eyes were practically spitting fire. “Who the hell does Ashley think she is? What’s with her trying to act so smart?” “She’s a menace! Our whole team was counting on those thousands for the holidays, and she just ruined it all!” Instead of returning to my seat, I silently moved to a corner. I secretly sent a SnapChat message to Leo, the store manager of the location with the expired food. ‘I can’t help you anymore. The Director won’t accept this. It’ll probably go to the General Manager sooner or later. I advise you to confess to the GM yourself.’ The Director caught my small movement from the corner of his eye. He swiftly walked over and snatched my phone. “Ashley, you’ve got some nerve.” “You ruined the entire team’s year-end bonuses, and you’re still shamelessly playing on your phone? Aren’t you ashamed?” I bit down hard on my lip, saying nothing. Just then, Mr. Davies, my manager, also came up to me. “Ashley, are you freaking mute?” As I slowly released my bleeding lip, about to speak, the conference room door suddenly swung open. Sarah, the secretary, rushed in, whispered something to the Director, and then quickly left. With the Director gone, I instantly became the common enemy. A torrent of insults rained down on me.

A few minutes later, the conference room door opened again. The General Manager’s secretary called me and the rest of the team out. As soon as I stepped into Mr. Thompson’s office, he rushed over, taking two steps at a time, to apologize to me. “Ashley, Mr. Davies unfairly accused you in this matter. I’ll have him apologize to you right away and clear your name.” Mr. Thompson spoke, his eyes filled with resentment as he glanced at the Director standing behind him. I kept my head down. “General Manager, an apology isn’t necessary. I’d like to transfer departments.” He had doubted my integrity and suspected me of fraud based solely on Brittany’s word. Such a person didn’t deserve to be my leader. Mr. Thompson nodded, readily agreeing. Then he continued, “Mr. Davies, if this expired pre-packaged meal incident isn’t handled properly, do you know how much damage and loss it could bring to the Group?” “I don’t think you should continue as Director.” My heart lurched. I had thought the Director would, at most, face some penalties or a fine. I never expected him to lose his job. Mr. Davies was in his forties; being fired at his age meant his future was over. He realized this too, and the light in his eyes instantly faded. But he dared not blame me, and certainly not the General Manager. He turned, searching for something, and when he spotted Brittany hiding behind the crowd, he lunged forward and grabbed her collar. “You b*tch, if you hadn’t said Ashley fabricated evidence, why would I have accused her?” “You ruined my future!” Brittany struggled, her face filled with terror. “I… I don’t know what you’re talking about! You disgusting old man, let go of me!” Mr. Davies yelled hysterically. “You’re still lying, damn it! From the first day you joined the company, I noticed you constantly looking at Ashley like a resentful woman! Do you dare deny you deliberately provoked me to lash out at her?” His words sent a jolt through everyone in Mr. Thompson’s office. Those who could hear Brittany’s thoughts believed him implicitly. A few team members mumbled, “No wonder we always heard her badmouthing Ashley. She was just jealous.” Hearing this, Mr. Davies’s bloodshot eyes widened, and he clamped his hands around Brittany’s neck. “You b*tch! I’ll f*cking kill you!” The General Manager’s office erupted into chaos. Mr. Thompson frowned, signaling Sarah to call security. The security guards arrived swiftly, dragging the Director out. Until the very last moment, as he was dragged from the office, Mr. Davies’s venomous gaze remained fixed on Brittany.

Brittany’s hateful glare lingered on me for a few more seconds before she quickly concealed it. Then, as if nothing had happened, she walked over to me. “Ashley, don’t listen to the Director’s nonsense. We’re best friends, you have to believe me…” Before she could finish, I excused myself to the General Manager and left. Brittany was left standing there awkwardly. Once my team colleagues understood the truth, they all sincerely apologized to me. Brittany, who had once been the group’s darling, was now thoroughly despised by everyone. That afternoon, as I packed up my belongings, preparing to transfer to another department, I saw Brittany still hunched over her desk, sobbing alone. A cold snort escaped me internally. She can’t handle this already? The pain she caused me in my last life, it’s time for her to experience it herself. The expired pre-packaged meals incident eventually quieted down. A few days later, while on a routine store visit in my area, a boy started vomiting uncontrollably right after leaving a restaurant. His reaction was exactly like the food-poisoned boy I’d saved in my previous life. Seeing his grandfather’s helpless, bewildered eyes, I decisively scooped up the boy and, speeding through at least ten red lights, rushed him to the hospital. The final diagnosis confirmed the boy was poisoned due to excessive aflatoxin from expired pre-packaged meals. If I hadn’t gotten him to the hospital in time, his life would have been in danger. The incident quickly caught the attention of various media outlets, and all Eastbay Group stores were subjected to investigation. Thankfully, no other expired products were found. Mr. Kingston, the Group Chairman, specifically instructed the General Manager to publicly commend me at the company. At the commendation ceremony, just as I stepped onto the stage, Brittany’s thoughts rang out in my head. *{First, she finds expired food, now she saves a kid just in time? How could it be such a coincidence?}* *{She probably hired that kid as an actor. She’s just vain, trying to get fame and money this way. She thinks the General Manager is an idiot.}* Next to me, Mr. Thompson’s face suddenly stiffened, and he looked at me with suspicion. A wave of murmurs rippled through the colleagues in the audience. Seeing everyone’s reaction, a bitter smile touched my lips. Brittany, why are you trying to ruin me, again and again? The terrible plight of my last life flashed through my mind. In that commendation ceremony, swayed by Brittany’s manipulations, the General Manager had believed her. He canceled the ceremony, citing disruption to the month-end workflow. Hearing his words, everyone directly chased me off the stage. My pre-existing heart condition, exacerbated by emotional stress and pressure, flared up, and ultimately, no one called 911. I died filled with resentment. But now, I had a plan to deal with it. I snapped back to reality, Brittany’s thoughts hadn’t stopped. She continued: *{There are so many intersections on the way to the hospital. How could she have gotten there so smoothly if she hadn’t rehearsed it beforehand?}* *{It must be Ashley, that b*tch, who staged this.}* *{Oh god, if the company praises such a calculating girl, won’t it discourage everyone else?}* On stage, Mr. Thompson’s face completely changed. Just as I was about to speak, the General Manager cut me off directly. “Ashley, the company recognizes the positive impact you’ve brought to the Group.” “However, could you please explain in more detail what exactly happened at that time?” I let out a long breath. Grateful that the General Manager still retained a shred of rationality. I glanced at Brittany below the stage and recounted the entire incident in detail. Finally, I pulled out my phone and projected my Google Maps activity history onto the large screen. “General Manager, ever since I transferred to the new department, the first thing I did was familiarize myself with all the stores in my jurisdiction and the surrounding routes.” “I believe this is a basic professional quality for every Eastbay Group employee.” Mr. Thompson nodded approvingly. Brittany’s thoughts resurfaced. *{What can a broken map prove? With how advanced the internet is, all this can be faked.}* *{I think she’s just avoiding the crucial points, being vague about the poisoned boy and his grandfather from start to finish. There must be a hidden agenda.}* *{And what about Mr. Davies, who was suddenly demoted? Who knew this young girl had such deep schemes? Who knows if the General Manager is next on her list?}* *{I also heard Ashley already approached the Chairman, expressing her desire to become a department General Manager.}* Mr. Thompson’s previously softened expression clouded over again. He considered it carefully. It was true that Ashley had just been reprimanded by the Director, and then, immediately afterward, the expired pre-packaged meals incident had been brought directly to him. His gaze at me became complicated. The quiet murmurs from below the stage turned into open whispers and hisses. Mr. Thompson looked at me and said, “Ashley, doing good and being a good person are inseparable.” “Some things, if you don’t want others to know, then don’t do them.” “This commendation… think carefully, do you really deserve it?” With that, Mr. Thompson walked off the stage, saying coldly as he went, “It’s month-end, and everyone’s rushing to meet their deadlines. This commendation ceremony, in my opinion, can wait until next month.” “Everyone, get back to work. Disperse.” I stood there, stunned. Below the stage, several burly men approached. Disregarding my struggles, they simply dragged me off the stage. In an instant, I was the biggest mistake again. “Pfft, what a piece of trash. Someone like her is a menace to Eastbay Group.” “Just get lost already. I feel sick being her colleague.” I never imagined Brittany would be so ruthless, so utterly without a bottom line, just to discredit me. Brittany slowly walked toward me from a distance, her face full of mocking amusement. “What’s wrong with these people? They’re really going too far, leaving an excellent employee alone here, like this.” “Ashley, what exactly did you do that was so shameful?” “If it were me, after something like this, I’d be so embarrassed I’d quit.” I looked at Brittany, a cold laugh forming in my mind. I hadn’t even gone looking for you, and you delivered yourself right to my doorstep. “My dear friend, I’m returning the General Manager’s words to you, exactly as he said them.” “Some things, if you don’t want people to know, don’t do them.” Brittany’s eyes flashed with a hint of panic. “What do you mean by that? I don’t understand.” A sneer played on my lips. “The entire Group strictly ordered a crackdown on expired pre-packaged meals. How is it that no other store had them, but a store in *my* area did?” “You never expected things to blow up this big, did you?” “You must have wanted the company to fire me, right?” Brittany’s gaze changed completely as she listened to my words. “You… Ashley, what nonsense are you spouting? We’re best friends!” I slowly leaned in close to Brittany’s ear. “I’ve already found evidence that you arranged for someone to secretly place expired pre-packaged meals in the kitchen.” “If I’m not mistaken, Mr. Kingston should already know about this by now.” Brittany recoiled several steps, muttering, “No, this can’t reach Dad’s ears.” My brow suddenly furrowed. Dad? Mr. Kingston is Brittany’s dad? Just then, a panting young man wearing an Eastbay Group catering uniform walked up from the stairwell. “Excuse me, where is the General Manager’s office?” The young man’s appearance drew some colleagues’ attention. The moment Brittany saw him, her triumphant expression instantly turned to terror. She rushed forward to block him. “What are you doing here?” The young man’s eyes darted nervously. He whispered, “Ms. Evans… the famous fraud investigation team has already uncovered everything.” “If I keep covering for you, I’ll go to jail.” With that, the young man ignored Brittany and hurried straight towards the General Manager’s office.

Hearing this, a flicker of unease crossed Brittany’s face, then she looked at me. “Ashley, is there some misunderstanding between us? We’re best friends!” I just gave her a cold smile and said nothing. Brittany pressed on. “Ashley, don’t forget how you were when you first joined the company. If I hadn’t helped you every step of the way, would you be so secure in this position?” “Just because you overheard the Director and some other colleagues talking nonsense in the General Manager’s office a few days ago, are you going to be so ungrateful to me?” I looked at Brittany with a detached gaze. “Brittany, you hypocrite. I genuinely thought you were my best friend, and you’re still trying to fool me like I’m an idiot?” Brittany realized her lie had been exposed and staggered back a few steps. Her gaze lingered darkly on the General Manager’s office, then she turned. “Ashley, do you really think you can beat me like this?” With that, Brittany turned and walked away, heading straight for the General Manager’s office. I looked around. This was where I’d died from a heart attack in my previous life. But this time, I would begin my new chapter right here. Brittany still didn’t know I could hear her thoughts, and that would be my ultimate weapon against all her schemes. A moment later, the General Manager’s assistant called me into the office. Inside, Mr. Thompson looked at me with a complex expression. The young man who had rushed into the GM’s office earlier had already left. Only Mr. Thompson, I, and Brittany were in the room. Mr. Thompson looked at me and said, “Ashley, Brittany just told me that you submitted some information to Mr. Kingston that’s unfavorable to the Group’s internal harmony.” As he spoke, Mr. Thompson gestured for me to sit on the sofa. “The Group fully acknowledges your heroism in saving the child. However, the media is closely watching the Group right now.” “I think, at this juncture, we should set aside personal conflicts, shouldn’t we?” I understood Mr. Thompson’s meaning. Clearly, Brittany had used some tactic to get him on her side. But I was already prepared for the worst. If it came down to it, I’d take everyone down with me. Having experienced death once, many things I couldn’t let go of in my past life, like my job, now seemed insignificant. “I don’t understand the General Manager’s words. It sounds like everything is my fault?” Mr. Thompson hadn’t expected me to reject his flattery. He gave a dry laugh and continued, “Ashley, I know you’re still angry. As for the details of the incident, you must have seen, the young man who came to report to the company has already told me everything.” “This whole thing, it was Brittany’s rashness. She’s already recognized her mistake.” “As for your commendation ceremony, I will certainly reschedule it for you.” “Not only that, but I’ll also submit an application to the Group headquarters to promote you to Manager.” “As long as you…” Mr. Thompson didn’t finish his sentence. I cut in. “As long as I tell Mr. Kingston that the information I submitted about Brittany’s unauthorized placement of expired pre-packaged meals was all false, then everything will be fine, right?” Mr. Thompson exchanged a knowing smile with Brittany. I stood up and scoffed. “You two are truly shameless.” “Brittany, I’m going to tell you plainly today.” “I am determined to expose this matter of an internal Group employee placing expired pre-packaged meals in stores to Mr. Kingston.” “Want to coerce or entice me into compromising? No way!” With that, I walked directly out of Mr. Thompson’s office. For the next few days, perhaps Brittany realized that her mind-reading abilities were useless against me, so I enjoyed a rare period of peace. Although some colleagues still misunderstood me, occasionally glancing at me with disdain, I didn’t care. I simply continued diligently with my work, visiting stores, organizing documents—everything proceeded as usual. One day, as I went to the underground parking garage to dispose of trash, I unexpectedly stumbled upon Brittany complaining tearfully to a stranger. I slowly approached. “Brother, you know Mom has always been good to me since I was little, but Dad has always been so stingy with me. Even during my internship, he wouldn’t let me do any management work, saying I needed to be down-to-earth.” “Am I really that much less in his eyes than that worthless child his ex-wife gave him?” The man sighed deeply. “Brittany, you know Mom came into the picture later. Dad’s feelings for Mom were never as strong as they were for his deceased first wife.” “Plus, Mom intentionally made sure the child his first wife left behind went missing back then.”

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My Family Tossed Me Aside, But I Came Back to Reclaim Everything When I was little, my brother Brandon and his first love, Leo, were kidnapped. The kidnappers were ruthless. They specifically demanded that I, a small girl, deliver the ransom. Brandon and Leo were safe, but I was taken as a hostage and eventually sold into a brothel. My parents were heartbroken, so they adopted a girl to replace me. Ten years later, relying on hazy memories, I finally found my way back to the house I once called home. My family hugged me, weeping floods of tears. Not wanting to make things difficult for me, they didn’t hesitate to send the adopted girl away. But the day before Penelope was supposed to leave, Brandon cruelly pushed me down the stairs. “Sometimes I wish she’d just died ten years ago.” “But she’s your sister, your *real* sister. She risked her life for you back then.” “Does being ‘real’ even matter? I only see Penelope as my sister.” Mom and Dad didn’t argue. Maybe that’s what they secretly thought too. I slowly opened my eyes, deliberately feigning confusion. “Who… who are you people?” I wasn’t welcome here. So, I’d take everything back to square one. My fake family? I didn’t need them. And everything that was rightfully mine? I’d take it back with my own two hands.

My head still spun, and I tried to sit up. A voice, laced with fury, crashed down on me: “Don’t pretend you’re still asleep now that you’re awake!” It was my own brother, Brandon Albright. He stood by the hospital bed, his brows furrowed, his tone dripping with impatience. “You hit Penelope, and we haven’t even settled that score yet. Now you’re playing the victim?” Before I could even open my mouth, Leo Davis, my childhood sweetheart, suddenly stood up from the corner, his voice filled with urgent concern for Penelope: “Penelope? What happened? Is she hurt?” His face was etched with worry, and his gaze towards me carried an added layer of blame. But Penelope knew perfectly well this was all her made-up story. Yesterday, I caught her secretly tossing the new dress my mother bought me into the trash in the living room. Afraid I’d tell, she deliberately cried to Brandon, claiming I pushed and insulted her. And now, somehow, it had become *my* fault. Leo quickly walked to the bedside, his voice firm and unyielding: “Chloe Albright, you apologize to Penelope right now! She’s so kind; how could you lay a hand on her?” I rubbed my throbbing temple, my face cold as I looked at Penelope, who was standing behind Brandon. “I don’t remember anything. Did I… do something to you?” Penelope’s eyes instantly flickered with panic. She didn’t dare speak, just shrank further behind Brandon. Brandon immediately shielded Penelope, glaring at me with a harsh reprimand: “Don’t you dare try to scare my sister! You’ve clearly been in that brothel too long; you can’t get rid of that wild streak!” “Chloe, if you still consider me your brother, then apologize to Penelope right now!” Watching him protect someone else, the last shred of hope I had for my family crumbled. I forced a smile, my voice icy: “Who wants to call *you* brother? I don’t even know you.” “You’re faking it! Keep faking it!” Brandon was enraged by my words. He reached out, grabbing my arm. “Mr. Albright, please calm down.” The doctor quickly intervened, seeing the situation. “When the kidnappers took Ms. Albright ten years ago, they detonated a bomb to deter police pursuit.” “Ms. Albright’s head sustained an impact, leaving a lasting sequela. This fall down the stairs likely stimulated those nerves. It’s highly probable she’s genuinely suffering from amnesia right now.” The kidnapping of the eldest sons of the prominent Albright and Davis families had been a widely known scandal back then. As soon as the doctor spoke, Brandon, who had been so aggressive just moments ago, froze. His outstretched hand hung awkwardly in mid-air. He looked at me, the anger on his face slowly fading, replaced by a flicker of undeniable embarrassment and guilt. Mom rushed to the bedside, sobbing, her voice choked: “Chloe, you really don’t remember anything?” I nodded gently, pulling my hand away. A perfectly timed look of confusion crossed my face: “Ma’am, may I ask who… you are?” Mom’s tears flowed even harder. She opened her mouth, her voice trembling: “Chloe, I’m your…” “She’s your owner!” Brandon suddenly cut off Mom’s words. He stepped forward, blocking Mom from me, his eyes cold as he stared at me, speaking each word distinctly: “She’s your owner. And you, you’re just a servant we took in out of pity when we found you, a long time ago.”

Brandon’s cold words momentarily confused Mom. But Leo was the first to react. He took half a step forward, as if convincing himself: “That’s right, you’re just a servant of the Albright family.” “Mr. and Mrs. Albright kindly took you from that remote place and raised you, but you’re so ungrateful. You’re jealous of their real daughter, Penelope Albright, and you even attacked her. That’s just too much.” His words pierced me like a needle. I looked at him—Leo Davis, who used to cling to me so much as a child, the person I risked my own safety to save. Now, for another girl, he was saying such insane things to me. Ten years really could change so much. Mom’s eyes slowly shifted. Perhaps, deep down, she’d long wanted to get rid of me, this burden. I’d spent ten years in isolation, a world away from Penelope, whom she had carefully groomed to impress her high society friends. Before, guilt might have made her hesitant, but now, this was her golden opportunity to finally shed me. Still, she hesitated, her lips moving as if she wanted to say something. Just then, Penelope hugged Mom’s arm, her voice soft and tearful as she comforted her: “Mom, don’t be sad. You still have me; I’ll always be your daughter.” Penelope’s words melted away Mom’s last bit of hesitation. She hugged Penelope: “Penelope, Mom knows, I only have you, my good daughter.” I couldn’t stand to watch this sickening display of a loving mother and daughter. I turned my gaze to Dad, who had been silently standing in the corner. I spoke softly, “Excuse me… is what they’re saying true? Am I really a servant the Albrights adopted?” The words had barely left my lips when Brandon exploded: “What do you mean by that? You don’t believe what I’m saying?” “You’re a servant who saw my kind and easily bullied sister, and you wanted to take her place!” “Yesterday, you tried to harm Penelope, but you accidentally tripped and fell down the stairs yourself. You brought this on yourself, serves you right!” “Let me tell you, the Albright family doesn’t owe you anything. Don’t think you can play the victim and fish for sympathy here!” *I* tripped and fell down the stairs? I sneered internally. It was *him*, the brother whose life I saved, who personally shoved me down the stairs. If I had truly lost my memory, as they believed, I might have actually fallen for his lies. But I hadn’t. I waited for him to finish yelling everything before I slowly spoke. “I wasn’t even asking you. Why are you explaining so much? Is it because you have something to hide?” “You!” Brandon choked on my words, his face instantly turning scarlet. I watched his exasperated expression, still wanting to provoke him further. Then, Dad, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. “You are indeed a servant the Albright family took in, all those years ago.” I froze. I thought Dad would at least show a flicker of doubt, But I never imagined that even he would so readily deny our blood ties.

I looked at Dad’s face, recalling childhood memories. I was his favorite child, but now, the way he looked at me held no trace of his former warmth. Instead, it was as if he was looking at an Albright family possession that didn’t belong to him, something that could be discarded at any moment. I steadied myself, slowly nodding. “Alright, I understand. Thank you to the Albright family for taking care of me all these years. The money spent on me, I will pay back every cent.” Mr. Albright looked at my expressionless face and actually showed a hint of imperceptible sadness. He opened his mouth, seeming to want to say something more, but Brandon’s cold scoff interrupted him. “Pay back? Look at yourself!” Brandon crossed his arms, his face full of disdain. “A day’s stay in this fancy hospital would probably wipe out a year’s worth of your wages. What are you going to use to pay us back?” I met his gaze, my tone still flat: “Is that so? If I can’t afford it, then I’ll leave right now.” With that, I started to throw off the covers and get out of bed. Seeing this, Mr. Albright quickly stepped forward, his voice tinged with a hint of pity: “Don’t be impulsive, you’re not well yet. Why don’t you come home with me first? The family will continue to look after you.” I stopped, turning to him and giving a slight nod, my voice distant: “Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Albright. I will repay the Albright family in the future.” Hearing that address, Mr. Albright’s face blurred for a moment. He looked at me with complex eyes, as if remembering something, or regretting something. Brandon, however, couldn’t hold back. He stepped forward, blocking me, warning fiercely: “Who needs your repayment? Just don’t cause trouble! You can come home with us, but if you dare to bully Penelope again, I swear I won’t let you off!” I ignored him, just looked at Mr. Albright, silently waiting for him to decide. Finally, Mr. Albright took me back to the Albright house. Mrs. Albright instructed Maria to prepare dinner. The ingredients were already ready, and soon the dishes were served. I didn’t move, instead turning and walking towards the small room where the staff ate. Mr. Albright, seeing this, opened his mouth in confusion: “Where are you going?” I looked back at him, calmly asking in return: “Mr. Albright, didn’t you say I was a servant the Albright family adopted?” “How can a servant sit and eat with their employers in the dining room?” The single sentence froze everyone present, all of them looking awkward. Penelope’s eyes suddenly reddened. She tugged at my sleeve, softly saying: “Sister, don’t be like this. I’ll give you my seat; I can stand and eat.” Mrs. Albright immediately pulled Penelope close, her voice gentle and pained: “Penelope, you’re our precious daughter. How can you stand and eat? Come, sit with Mom.” Penelope immediately leaned into Mrs. Albright’s arms, whining playfully: “Mom, you’re so good to me.” Another dazzling display of a loving mother and daughter. Seeing this, Brandon and Leo immediately jumped to Penelope’s defense. “Look at you, Penelope is being so accommodating, and you’re still so relentless!” Brandon glared at me. Leo also frowned, saying: “Chloe, you’re being far too aggressive. How could you treat Penelope like that?” I shrugged nonchalantly. “She offered her seat herself. I didn’t force her.” “If there’s nothing else, I’m going to eat.” With that, I no longer looked at their displeased faces and walked straight into the staff room. Early Monday morning, I was carrying my faded backpack, ready to go to school, when Brandon stopped me just as I reached the door. “Don’t go causing trouble at school, and don’t tell anyone you know us. You’ll just embarrass the Albright family.” “Also, don’t bother me or Leo unnecessarily. We’re not in the same league as you.” Leo stood beside him, tacitly agreeing with Brandon’s words, though he cast a complicated glance at me before quickly looking away. I didn’t reply. I opened the door and walked directly to the bus stop. Since they declared me a servant, the family car had never once taken me to school.

At school, Penelope and her clique of friends always tried to cause me trouble. But I never paid them any mind, treating them like annoying dogs barking in my ear. This morning, as I reached the school gate, Penelope and her friends blocked my way. I had an old-fashioned MP3 player plugged into my ears. I didn’t have the chance to go to school when I was in the brothel, and I always wanted to study properly. Now that I was back in the city, I could finally slowly catch up. “Chloe Albright, what is that piece of junk you have plugged into your ears?” One of Penelope’s friends reached out and yanked off my headphones, her voice full of mockery. “What century are you living in? Still using a prehistoric MP3 player. What a total geek!” “What kind of lame music are you listening to? Let us hear it, huh?” She turned on the speaker. Penelope, hearing it, immediately covered her mouth and laughed: “Oh, you’re studying English? With your pathetic level, what’s the point?” Her friend chimed in: “Exactly! Penelope’s English is way better than yours. She’s going to an Ivy League university abroad with her grandmother after she turns eighteen!” “Chloe, you could study English your whole life and never surpass Penelope!” Penelope listened to their words, her face beaming with pride. I hadn’t even opened my mouth when an elegant old lady, with silvery hair, walked up, carrying a suitcase. She wore a well-fitted trench coat, her face showing a hint of urgency. It turned out she was Grandma Eleanor, a wealthy matriarch who had lived abroad for decades and was not fluent in the local language. She asked for directions in English, and I understood enough to communicate with her and point her the way. Penelope scoffed at me: “Chloe Albright, your English accent is so embarrassing, you’ll make everyone laugh.” I rolled my eyes at her, speaking flatly: “Didn’t you say your English was so good? Then *you* help her with directions.” Penelope adopted a haughty posture: “Why should I help her? An old lady, it’s none of my business if she falls and dies.” With that, she dragged her friends into the school. I ignored her. I turned back to the old lady, offering a polite smile, and conversed with her fluently in English. The old woman looked at me with an admiring gaze. Only after her back disappeared down the road did I pick up my MP3 player from the ground and head into school for class. Time flew by, and soon it was Penelope’s eighteenth birthday gala. The Albright family hosted a grand party, with everyone fawning over Penelope, who was the center of attention. No one remembered that today was also *my* birthday. Just then, the ballroom doors opened, and a distinguished old woman walked in – it was the Albright family matriarch, Grandma Eleanor. She usually lived abroad and had returned specifically to take her chosen grandchild overseas to further her career. Mrs. Albright’s eyes lit up. She immediately nudged Penelope forward: “Penelope, quickly go help Grandma and sit with her.” Penelope instantly put on a sweet and innocent act. “Grandma, you’re back. What a tiring journey for you.” But as her hand just touched Grandma Eleanor’s sleeve, she froze. Grandma Eleanor was staring at her with an icy gaze. The next second, Grandma Eleanor brushed her hand away, her voice as cold as ice: “I don’t need your help. It’s none of your business even if I fall and die.” Penelope’s face flushed with embarrassment, her hand suspended awkwardly in mid-air. I stood in the corner, barely holding back a laugh. Wasn’t that the matriarch I met at the school gate that day? Turns out, she’s *my* grandmother. “Chloe Albright! What are you laughing at?!” Brandon immediately yelled at me. “This has nothing to do with you! Get out of here right now!” I was about to turn, but Grandma Eleanor called out: “Wait, child.” She quickly walked to my side, grabbing my hand, her voice instantly softening as she showered me with concern: “How have you been? Are you eating properly? Come, sit with Grandma.” Mrs. Albright quickly stepped forward to intervene, a forced smile on her face: “Mom, this isn’t proper. She’s just a…” Her words were cut short by Grandma Eleanor’s sharp interruption. “Just a what?” “Regardless of her status, *I* feel a connection with this girl. She feels more like my granddaughter. Do any of you have an issue with that?”

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My Face Reconstructionist husband, obsessed with restoring his first love’s ruined face, dove headfirst into researching facial transplant techniques. His method? Flaying mine. Every time Anya Petrova craved a ravishingly beautiful face, my own skin was brutally flayed from me. As it peeled away, my blood pooled into a crimson river on the floor, leaving my raw flesh exposed. Yet, he would casually say: “Cover up those wounds. Don’t let Anya see you like this; you’ll scare her.” “You ruined Anya’s face. Even a thousand flayings won’t be enough to pay for what you did. You deserve every bit of it.” I was the one who had supposedly harmed Anya, so I bore no resentment. But the 101st time I awoke from the agonizing pain of a flaying, I overheard his conversation with his subordinate: “Damian, Ms. Davies’s face can’t take any more. If we continue, she won’t survive… Besides, Ms. Petrova’s facial defect was congenital, Sera didn’t cause it.” Damian Thorne’s fingers idly spun a surgical scalpel, his expression chillingly blank: “She doesn’t need saving. Once Anya has a perfect face, I’ll grant her a dignified death.” So, I wasn’t guilty after all. I was merely kept alive as Anya Petrova’s human face-growing vessel. Tears streamed down my face as I laughed. If that’s the case, then I’ll simply erase my identity, cross the vast ocean, and vanish where no one can ever find me.

The familiar, excruciating pain flared again. Blood on my face blurred my vision, crimson tears tracing paths from the corners of my eyes. The scalpel was pressed down mercilessly, my face flayed right off me. Damian swiftly severed nerves and blood vessels. “You disfigured Anya. I’ll make you pay a thousand times over for her pain!” My face was placed in a special medicinal solution Damian had concocted. Every time Anya voiced the slightest dissatisfaction, another one of my faces would join the others in the sterilizer cabinet. I couldn’t suppress a cry of agony. Damian sneered, “It’s just a surgery without anesthetic. Can’t you handle even that?” My blood flowed like a river on the floor, my raw flesh exposed. He merely said, his tone dismissive: “Cover your face. Don’t let Anya see that horrifying sight.” I turned my head. Anya’s face contorted into a shriek, “Damian, her face is so scary!” Damian soothed her, his gaze filled with adoration, “Don’t be afraid, my Anya. You’ll have the most beautiful face in no time.” His words struck me like a physical blow. He used to call *me* his Anya when he was affectionate. My name, Seraphina, sounds similar to Anya. I thought it was a tender nickname for me, but it turns out he was never truly calling *my* name. Damian brought a mirror. Anya looked at me, a defiant smirk playing on her lips, “What a truly beautiful face!” Damian turned and went to the blood pool, retrieved a flower, crushed it, and applied it to Anya’s face. “Damian, what kind of flower is this? It smells like blood.” Damian was still adjusting it for her, “This is a Bone Bloom. It will help accelerate your wound healing.” Our Lumina Clan is born with innate regenerative and healing powers. Even after death, our bones and blood can transform into Bone Blooms. I never imagined that even after my parents were gone, Damian still wouldn’t spare them. Desperate to get closer, I tumbled off the operating table. Damian’s voice was low and stern, “Since you enjoy kneeling so much, go kneel on the broken glass outside the door.” Through the half-open door, I heard Anya’s sweet, seductive voice, “Damian, try this one, won’t you? Morbid curiosities made from dead people’s bones, just thinking about it is thrilling…” From the operating table, through to where I knelt outside the door, Anya’s soft cries for mercy echoed, “Damian, please, spare my ears.” Blood from my face trickled into my ears. I remembered how, on our wedding night, Damian had also teasingly played with my ears. It was just him recreating the sensations he shared with Anya, using me as a substitute.

A bone, covered in some foul substance, struck my face. My thoughts were jolted back to the night a year ago when our entire clan was consumed by fire. Damian pushed open the door, his boot crunching ruthlessly over the charred remains of my family. His voice was filled with a perverse satisfaction, “Tell me where your remaining family is, and I’ll give you some pain relief, make it a little less agonizing for you.” I gave a bitter laugh, the wound tearing painfully. A warm liquid, whether blood or tears, traced a path down my face. “My family, they’re all gone.” Damian paused, suddenly remembering that he had given Anya free rein to do as she pleased with them, just to appease her. “They died serving their purpose, atoning for your sins. If it weren’t for you, how would Anya’s face be like this? This is all on you!” I collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath, enduring double the pain. My Lumina bloodline is potent, granting me powerful regenerative abilities. Damian had used forbidden magic to transfer Anya’s pain directly to me. I applied medicine to my face, put on a mask, and prepared to lay my mother’s remains to rest. As soon as I stepped out of the operating room, Damian’s subordinates seized me and dragged me to the reception hall. On an exhibition platform, blinding lights shone on my face. Damian’s voice was devoid of any warmth, “She caused Anya’s disfigurement. Anyone who performs a hundred acts of punishment on her will earn a voucher for a facial reconstruction.” His smile was dangerous, “Since she has regenerative powers, as long as her face remains untouched, you can do whatever you please.” The moment he finished speaking, the crowd surged forward, punching and kicking me. My clothes were shredded, and countless hands ravaged my body. Men lined up, one after another, eager to drag me into private rooms. When the brutality finally ended, there wasn’t a single unbruised spot on my body. By the time I was finally brought before Damian again, I was barely recognizable as human. His appointments were booked solid for the next fifty years. Anya leaned into Damian’s embrace, “Damian, you must be so tired. Is this too much for you? Sera didn’t mean it.” Damian glanced at me on the floor, “Her disfigured face startled you and upset you, which might affect your recovery. This is just a small punishment for her!” Damian’s assistant stepped forward to report, “Damian, Leo has been clamoring to see his mother. I couldn’t stop him, so I brought him.” Damian snapped, “Useless. Can’t even control a child. Go take your punishment.” At that, Leo bounded in, jumping into Anya’s arms. My voice was hoarse as I called out his name, “Leo, my sweet Leo, *I* am your mother…” My mask had fallen off nearby. Leo looked at me, then shrieked, “Monster! Mommy, I’m scared, Daddy, get this monster away!” His piercing scream merged with the memory of an infant’s cry. It brutally pierced my eardrums. For years, I was only granted a few photos of him when a flayed face of mine pleased Anya. Seeing that I couldn’t harm him, Leo ran over and brutally stomped on my hand. When I struggled, he pointed at me and said, “Daddy, I want to see this monster perform some tricks! It’ll be hilarious!” Anya chimed in: “Damian, I want to see it too. Make her perform for us.” Damian gently stroked her face, “There’s no refusing you.”

Anya’s smile was malicious, “Leo told me he really wants a puppy.” Leo clapped his hands in delight. My legs were broken with an iron bar, a pet collar was fastened around my neck, and the leash was held in Leo’s and Anya’s hands. “Mommy, let’s have a tug-of-war! See who can pull her!” The collar choked my neck, close to suffocating me. Bones in my broken legs churned in the bloody mess. Every movement felt like countless steel needles piercing me. “Why is she so lifeless? She resisted so fiercely when I was… on her!” “Right? Don’t let her scary face fool you, her body is actually better than those professional escorts!” I never imagined that the child I desperately brought into this world would be the sharpest knife to wound me. Nails Anya scattered on the floor pierced my body and face. I felt all my blood draining, slowly losing warmth. Scenes from childbirth flashed like a movie in my mind. All because of Anya’s single complaint about feeling insecure. Damian had stormed into the delivery room, ignoring my heavy post-birth hemorrhage. He ordered his men to keep me alive with drugs, then forcibly began the facial transplantation surgery. Wave after wave of tearing pain crashed over me. Blood poured from my face and between my legs. My thoughts snapped back. Leo climbed onto my back, demanding a piggyback ride. The steel nails dug deeper into my body, pulling my consciousness back. A second before I completely lost consciousness, I heard Damian’s words, “Drag her out, give her some medicine and water. Don’t let it affect the next facial transfer.” When I saw daylight again, I was back on the operating table. This time, the facial transfer wasn’t as painful as expected. Damian, uncharacteristically, had given me medication before the procedure. I fell into a long, terrifying dream. I could faintly hear voices nearby, “Damian, did you give Sera a fear-inducing serum?” Damian’s cold, sharp voice pierced my eardrums, “She ruined your face and made you suffer daily. This serum will stir her deepest fears; it’s just an appetizer.” Lumina Village. Our clan had lived in seclusion for generations. The first time I brought Damian home to meet my parents, I unknowingly brought the wolf to the door. Anya had followed us. She coveted our clan’s legendary artifact, the Mirage Bloom, a flower rumored to shift appearances. But the curse of the Mirage Bloom backfired, leaving her severely injured and spitting blood. My parents caught her red-handed. Damian arrived, pretending indifference, but that very night, he drugged our food. My parents were seized, locked in a dark room, and subjected to endless torture. Their blood was drained, their bones dug up to cultivate the Bone Blooms. I desperately begged him to spare the rest of my clan. Anya, however, cried and claimed she was traumatized by the false accusations. Damian left his men behind, letting Anya direct their actions. That night, a sea of fire erupted in the forest, consuming everything. All the clan members screamed and scrambled in the flames, but ultimately, they were reduced to ash and charred bones. I tried to save them. But I couldn’t reach them. I couldn’t change anything.

A bucket of ice water splashed over me, jolting me awake from the nightmare. I gasped for air like a fish flopping on the brink of death. Damian looked down at me from above: “Anya is entering a beauty pageant. You will be the morbid spectacle for the show, building hype for her.” He ordered coldly, “Someone, take her and administer a silencing draught. Don’t let her voice interfere with the competition.” My hand was seized, and I signed a liability waiver. On the beauty pageant stage, Anya was dressed in dazzling splendor. I was locked in a cage. Anya announced her act: dragging me with an iron chain to leap through flaming hoops. If I moved too slowly, a barbed whip, soaked in brine, cracked against my flesh. The audience below roared, “Whip her! Whip her harder!” “Beasts need to be broken to obey! She’s so ugly, why is she even out here? Serves her right!” After the grotesque show, Anya’s popularity soared, and she was voted first place. Anya, clutching her trophy, threw herself into Damian’s arms, “It seems everyone really loved my performance, Damian!” Damian’s lips curved into a smirk, “She owes you this!” Anya said casually, as if just thinking aloud, “My sister is so resilient, many people must be interested. She’d make excellent collateral for a wager!” Then she tugged Damian’s sleeve, “Damian, you’ve already spent so much money supporting my pageant. Why don’t you let my sister…” Damian responded with action, “Drag her to the underground casino.” At the underground casino, I was masked and placed in the center. The host began to announce the rules, “Tonight, our casino owner, Mr. Thorne, has devised a new game. Everyone, bet on how long it will take for this woman’s blood to fill the tank, once the game begins!” He paused dramatically, feigning mystery. “The rule is, you guess a specific time. If you’re wrong, you lose nine dollars and ninety-nine cents to our boss. If you win, well, you get to spend the night with her.” The gamblers’ eyes gleamed with a crazed, bloodthirsty excitement. Looking at the rows of knives stuck into the ground, I instinctively wanted to retreat. Anya leaned into my ear, “Sister, this has all been carefully prepared just for you. Go on!” She shoved me forcefully, sending me stumbling. My foot was savagely pierced by a knife. The sharp blade protruded from the top of my foot. Unable to bear it any longer, I collapsed to the ground. The surrounding knives deeply embedded themselves in my thighs and arms. A single movement, and blood poured out. I gritted my teeth through the piercing pain, pulling out the knives from my feet and arms. With every step I took, a new gash opened on my body. The gamblers, their eyes bloodshot, shouted, “I bet 20 minutes!” “30 minutes!” “A foot won’t bleed that fast! When I punished a traitor from my gang, it took over an hour for him to bleed out!” Due to severe blood loss, my consciousness was fading. “I guessed it right! I guessed it right!” A raggedly dressed beggar shrieked in excitement. The beggar greedily tore the mask from my face, “A ghost! A ghost! A demoness come to claim my life!” He stumbled back, falling onto the floor, terrified. “I thought it was a beauty, but it’s a terrifying monster! She’d scare you awake in the middle of the night, ha-ha-ha!” The beggar, initially startled, felt his fear curdle into malice upon hearing the laughter. He stood up and began to kick and punch me. “You ugly witch! You scared the hell out of me! Let me properly teach you a lesson!” After venting his rage, he called out to his fellow beggars, “Waste not, want not! Quick, help me carry her back. Once I’m done, you can all have her.” As they passed Damian, I desperately clutched his sleeve. He stopped them. I looked up, thinking he might finally release me. Instead, he slowly rolled up his sleeve and said, his voice flat, “You can do whatever you want with her, just don’t damage her face. And try not to kill her.” My heart turned to ash, instantly plummeting into a deeper hell. In a squalid shack in the slums, water dripped from the tattered roof onto my naked, violated body. My head thumped against the wall with every movement. Men came and went, an endless procession.

As my consciousness drifted in and out, a straw mat was thrown over me. A man’s voice, cold as ice, said, “Take her to the hospital. Her face is still useful!” Opening my eyes, Leo stared at me with wide, curious eyes. A pang of bittersweet emotion, a mix of sorrow and a flicker of hope, shot through my heart. “Leo, did you come to see me? I’ve missed you so much.” I reached out a hand, still hooked to an IV drip, to touch his face, but he slapped it away. Leo’s face contorted in disgust, “Liar! My mommy is the most beautiful woman in the world! You’re just an ugly monster!” With that, he turned and ran out. Soon after, he came back, holding Anya’s hand. “You ugly monster, stop lying to me! *This* is my mommy! You’re not even fit to lick her shoes!” Anya stroked his head, coaxing him, “Leo, if you pull out that tube from her face, you won’t have to see her anymore.” Leo asked, confused, “Really? I hate her, I don’t want to see her!” I closed my eyes in despair. The person I fought so hard to bring into this world wanted to kill me. How pathetic, how ironic. In the end, a nurse rushed in and saved me. From that moment on, I decided I had never given birth to this child! Damian pushed open the door and ordered expensive imported medicine for me. I had no expectations left for him or his son. Sure enough, his next words were, “Anya has had too many facial transfers recently and needs to recuperate. No more transfers for now. You are to be on call 24 hours a day, ready to appear the moment you’re needed.” He then added, “Anya won first place in the beauty pageant. She said it was all thanks to you. As a reward, she’s granting you a chance to visit your parents’ graves.” I gave a bitter laugh. When did visiting my own parents’ graves require someone else’s permission and reward? The ninety-ninth time I woke from the agonizing pain of a flaying. “Damian, Ms. Davies’s face can’t take any more. Her Lumina bloodline is too weak; if we continue, she won’t survive! Besides, Ms. Petrova’s facial defect was congenital, Ms. Davies didn’t cause it.” Damian idly spun a surgical scalpel, his expression chillingly blank, “She doesn’t need saving. Once Anya has a perfect face, I’ll grant her a dignified death.” So, from the very beginning, he only approached me for my face. I was merely Anya Petrova’s human face-growing vessel. Tears streamed down my face as I laughed. If that’s the case, then I’ll simply erase my identity, cross the vast ocean, and vanish where no one can ever find me. To help Anya recuperate, Damian took her to a famous spa town in France. Seeing vast fields of lavender, a strange stirring pulsed within Damian’s heart. His first encounter with Sera Davies had also been in a field of flowers. As a Face Reconstructionist, her striking beauty immediately captivated him. Later, he found the little girl who had always comforted him in his childhood. He had promised her that when his skills were perfected, he would give her the most beautiful face. When he saw Anya lying on the ground in the village, her face covered in blood, he was consumed by a raging fury. From then on, Sera Davies lay on the operating table countless times, and Anya Petrova’s face was transformed again and again. Later, he vaguely sensed that Anya wasn’t as innocent as she seemed. But what did it matter? Sera Davies’s face was merely a natural professional attraction to him. He still loved the little girl who had once told him she believed he would become the greatest Face Reconstructionist. “Damian, what are you staring at? Come take my picture!” Damian rubbed his temples, feeling a surge of irritation. Sera Davies never behaved like this. She always gazed at him with gentle eyes, meticulously handling every detail. Damian suddenly remembered that Sera Davies’s favorite color was purple. Damian called Mr. Jenkins, “Jenkins, arrange for 999 bouquets of lavender to be air-shipped back home.” “Damian, isn’t Ms. Petrova here with you? Are you planning a surprise? Should I send them to the old estate or the villa?” Damian’s face darkened, “Is that any of your business? Send them to the villa, addressed to Sera Davies.” Overhearing at the manor entrance, Anya’s face twisted with jealousy and rage. At the vineyard estate. A phone rang, breaking the afternoon silence. Damian was unusually quiet today, idly swirling a wine glass in his hand. He drank cup after cup. “Damian, Ms. Davies’s blood pool is almost empty. The wound medicine we sent hasn’t been used, and the guards haven’t seen Ms. Davies in a long time!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298946”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

My husband, a Chief Physician, desperately tried to stop me from operating on Maya, Director Thompson’s daughter, who had fallen four stories. All so his ‘precious’ first love, Veronica, a surgical specialist fresh back from overseas, could take the lead. It was the same in my previous life. She knew absolutely nothing about actual surgery, only theory, no practice. We almost missed the optimal window for the operation. I was the one who fought tooth and nail, insisting on the initial treatment plan, pulling Maya back from the brink. But Veronica felt humiliated. She actually jumped from the hospital rooftop, ending up with high paraplegia. In retaliation, my husband banished me to a tiny rural clinic for “training,” even arranging for people in the village to torment and humiliate me. I tried to hide and call for help, but his voice on the other end was ice cold. “Scarlett, it’s just one surgery. Do you *really* have to hog all the glory from Veronica?” “Then you should taste what it’s like to be tormented.” My location was exposed because of that call, and I was ultimately humiliated to death. When I opened my eyes again, the emergency gurney was already being wheeled in front of me. This time, I didn’t rush. My hands were in my pockets, just waiting to see how his beloved first love would handle all of this. .

“What’s taking this overseas doctor so long? We’re racing against death here!” “The patient’s body temperature is already rising, and her limbs are swelling.” “If she starts convulsing, we might not be able to save her.” Everyone in the operating room was behind me, frantic. But no matter how anxious they were, how much they urged, all they got was Derek’s angry shouting. “What’s the rush? Do you honestly think any of *you* can save this patient?” “Veronica graduated from the best hospital overseas. As long as she’s operating, there’ll be no problem.” Derek’s yelling left the surgical team disoriented. But he always had full control over major surgeries, and no one dared question him. Chloe, a neurosurgeon from my university days, who was standing behind me, couldn’t hold back. “If we wait any longer, we might not save her. Let’s just get her into surgery, intubate her, at least that’ll buy us some time.” Every department in the hospital had rushed to the consultation, desperate to finalize the best surgical plan and save her life. But Chloe’s words didn’t sway Derek; they only made him more irritated. “This entire operation is under my full authority! You neurosurgery folks just wait for my orders.” Chloe got angry. “How are you talking to me? All departments are equal here!” “Besides, I’m giving you advice!” But Derek’s face was cold. He looked at the Chief of Neurosurgery. “Replace her. Send her back to Neurosurgery. We don’t need her here!” Chloe turned away furiously, glaring at Derek before she left. Then, Derek’s eyes landed on me. “Scarlett, what do *you* think?” Chloe was my college roommate. Derek had just yelled at her and sent her away, only to ask me after she’d gone. His meaning was crystal clear. I looked at him and smiled faintly. “You’re the Chief of Surgery and the one in charge of this operation. Of course, I’ll follow your lead.” Derek hadn’t expected me to be so compliant today. He gave a satisfied laugh, then looked at the consulting doctors behind him. “See? *This* is the kind of obedience a doctor should have.” I stood calmly behind him, watching it all unfold. In my previous life, I chose to fight him to the bitter end, and in return, he had me killed in the countryside for Veronica. This time, I wouldn’t be that foolish.

Just as everyone was anxiously waiting, Veronica finally arrived, fashionably late. She had a perfectly made-up face and strolled in without a hint of urgency. Maya’s body temperature was steadily rising. Veronica walked up to the patient, looking around. “Did you take X-rays? How am I supposed to pinpoint the fracture without X-rays?” Nurse Reynolds immediately handed her the imaging films. The nurse’s swift action cut Veronica’s pretentious speech short. But Veronica still didn’t admit she couldn’t do the surgery. “Just images aren’t enough. I also need to know the amount of blood loss, whether it’s suitable for an incision.” Nurse Reynolds finally lost her patience. She looked at Veronica, her eyes full of disdain. “Dr. Veronica!” She emphasized “Doctor” with a hint of thinly veiled sarcasm. “You’re supposed to be a *doctor*! Are you even capable of performing this surgery?” “This isn’t the time to assess blood loss! We need to get her into the operating room immediately. Every second counts; every minute she’s out here increases her risk exponentially!” Veronica bristled. She looked at Nurse Reynolds and spoke coldly. “Am I the lead surgeon, or are you?” “You’re just a Head Nurse; how dare you speak to me like that!” Nurse Reynolds had worked in this hospital for over twenty years, accumulating as much knowledge and experience as any doctor. Veronica, utterly arrogant, then turned to Derek, whining slightly. “Derek, darling, since they all look down on me so much, maybe I should just leave.” Derek quickly stopped Veronica, then looked at me. He whispered conspiratorially in her ear. I didn’t hear what they said, but Veronica finally conceded. “Fine, let’s get her into the operating room.” Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief, quickly wheeling the patient into surgery. But then came another long wait. Everyone in the operating room looked at me, hoping I would take charge. I looked at the girl’s increasingly faint heartbeat on the cardiac monitor, feeling a wave of helplessness. “Scarlett, please, at least stabilize her breathing, get the airways clear. We can prevent further lung damage to the child.” I hesitated for a moment, just about to nod. Veronica, dressed in surgical scrubs, strode in. Everyone’s eyes fixed on her, filled with an unspoken resentment. If this precious life were to be lost because of this imbecile, they’d tear Veronica limb from limb. But Veronica remained oblivious. She walked forward arrogantly, glanced at the girl’s body, and spoke indifferently. “It’s not as serious as I thought. To call me here for *this*? I hadn’t even finished my facial mask yet.” Nurse Reynolds gritted her teeth in anger but held back. Then Derek walked in. Veronica huffed, then went to Derek’s side. “Derek, darling, with you here, this surgery is bound to be a success.” Derek tenderly brushed her cheek. “Of course, you’re the best doctor in the world.” Their intimate display made the other doctors in the operating room exchange glances, their gazes involuntarily drifting to me. My mask hid my face, but it couldn’t hide the simmering resentment in my eyes. Not for their private affair, but for the life on that table. I finally couldn’t hold back. “Can we start now?” Veronica rolled her eyes at me, then scoffed. “What, you want to do it?” “Ordering me around now, are you? *I’m* the lead surgeon!” “Go get an overseas doctorate if you’re so capable.” I didn’t speak, but the cardiac monitor suddenly shrieked. Nurse Reynolds yelled in a panic. “Oh no, the patient’s heart is in ventricular fibrillation!”

The atmosphere in the operating room instantly became frantic. “Quick! Get the defibrillator ready!” “Asynchronous defibrillation, 200 joules!” “One! Two! Three! Clear!” The nurses were a flurry of motion, everyone passing the torch to extend a life. Veronica, however, was terrified by the commotion. She ran into Derek’s arms, whimpering dramatically. “Oh, Derek, darling, this is too scary.” “I don’t want to stay here. I want to leave.” No one in the operating room had time to deal with her sickening display, and neither did I. Derek, however, guarded Veronica like she was precious cargo. “It’s alright. Just let them resuscitate her, and then you can continue.” Finally, after more than two minutes of CPR, the girl’s heart resumed beating. But there was little time left to waste. Nurse Reynolds was barely able to control her inner anxiety. “Dr. Veronica, can you or can you not operate on this patient?” “If not, then get out of here!” Veronica shot her a venomous glare, then looked at me. “This kind of surgery isn’t worth my time.” “You.” She raised her hand and pointed at me. “You do it.” I frowned. A shiver of surprise ran through me. I had been hiding my presence, waiting until the last moment when I absolutely *had* to step in. But not only had Derek singled me out earlier, Veronica, too, seemed to have a tracking device on me. She had zeroed in on me. I pressed my lips together. In my moment of hesitation, Derek also spoke. “Scarlett, since Veronica wants you to do it, then you do it.” Derek’s expression was calm, making it impossible to guess what they were truly planning. And everyone else in the operating room, hearing Veronica pick me, ask me to do the surgery, felt like a ray of hope piercing through the storm clouds. Nurse Reynolds quickly ushered me to the operating table. “Dr. Scarlett, we really can’t let them mess around anymore.” “This is a human life! They’re wasting precious time like this!” I reassured Nurse Reynolds with a glance, then began preparing for the surgery. Incision, intubation – a seamless, practiced flow. Nurse Reynolds stood beside me, handing me the surgical tools. I didn’t need to speak; I’d just extend my hand and receive the exact tool I needed. Though I had performed this very surgery once before in my previous life, I still couldn’t afford any mistakes this time. Maya was severely injured. She had fallen from five stories, sustaining skull damage and comminuted fractures in both arms and legs. I had to proceed methodically, step by painstaking step. My forehead was already glistening with sweat. After the neurosurgeons finished with the skull, I would take over the arms and legs. The skull work was done, and the neurosurgeons handed the reins over to me. I nodded, ready to pick up a tool and begin on an arm, when Veronica, who had been silent, spoke again. “Derek, darling, I want to learn from Scarlett how to perform surgical procedures.” I looked at Veronica, puzzled. Her face was alight with a challenging smile. Derek didn’t hesitate. “Of course, darling. Veronica can go wherever she wants, see whatever she wants.” “Scarlett, you don’t mind, do you?” I couldn’t refuse, nor could I afford to. Veronica came to my side, pushing Nurse Reynolds away. “Scarlett, dear, let me be your assistant.”

I knew that the person beside me wasn’t truly interested in watching my surgery, despite what she said. But I looked at the monitors; the patient’s vitals were steadily worsening. There was absolutely no time to waste. I forced myself to focus all my attention on the surgery. “Forceps.” I spoke coldly, reaching my hand to the right to grab the tool. But I waited and waited, and no tool came. Veronica’s shrill voice cut through the silence. “Oh, Scarlett, dear, there are so many forceps here! Do you want toothed forceps, or non-toothed forceps?” “Non-toothed.” Only after getting a definitive answer did she place the forceps in my hand. And that was just the beginning. After that, anything I asked for wouldn’t be provided immediately. Finally, on the fifth time, she asked me. “Scarlett, dear, do you want a laser scalpel or an ultrasonic scalpel?” I swept a cold gaze over her. The triumphant look on her face made me want nothing more than to plunge the scalpel in my hand straight into her cold, manipulative heart. How could anyone be so careless with a human life? “Do you know how to do this or not? If not, just stand aside and watch.” I spoke calmly. “Nurse Reynolds, please take over.” I had no time to argue with her. Now that this surgery was in my hands, I *had* to complete it and save this child’s life. Veronica scoffed dismissively. She stomped angrily to the other side, then watched my every move, incessantly chattering. “Scarlett, dear, if all the doctors in this country were as professional as you, wouldn’t our national medicine already be far ahead in the world?” “Scarlett, dear, why don’t you teach me? I’ve only studied these things, I haven’t gotten any hands-on experience.” I frowned, not looking at her. “If you haven’t gotten hands-on experience, go watch videos and practice.” She felt the sting of rejection, bit her lip, then huffed contemptuously. “Fine, don’t teach. What’s with the arrogance?” “You’ve just been stuck in this hospital longer. You’re nowhere near as capable as Derek.” “He’s a Chief Physician now, and you’re just a lowly surgeon.” I completely ignored her, which only fueled Veronica’s indignation. She raised her hand and shoved me. “Hey, I’m talking to you! Why aren’t you answering?” The push itself wasn’t the problem; it was *when* she pushed me – just as I was about to remove the necrotic tissue. Her shove made my hand falter, and the scalpel sliced through an artery. Blood instantly began to spray, throwing everyone in the room into a panic. “Quick, stop the bleeding!” “Oh no, the patient’s blood pressure just dropped to 60! We need to stop the bleeding immediately!” Even Veronica hadn’t anticipated such an accident. She froze, unable to move. It was then that Derek finally spoke up. “It’s alright, as long as you stop the bleeding.” Veronica seemed to draw comfort from his words. She continued her boorish chatter in my ear. “Oh, Scarlett, dear, how could you make such a huge mistake!” “If Director Thompson finds out you’ve caused his daughter more injury, what kind of punishment do you think you’ll get?” I finally stopped being indifferent, glaring at her with wide eyes. “What do you mean?” Just then, more bad news came from the anesthesia team. “Dr. Scarlett, bad news! The patient’s blood oxygen is dropping rapidly! We need to stitch the wound immediately!” Veronica bent closer to me, whispering in my ear. The blaring warning from the monitors and her words were like a demon’s whisper from the very depths of hell. “I don’t think this child is going to make it.” “But it’s fine. Even if the surgery fails, you’ll be the one to take the fall.”

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My Savior Stole My Life** I was the envy of the entire metropolis. My billionaire husband adored me, holding me as the very core of his being, and my newly wealthy brother cherished me down to my very soul. Three years ago, I was diagnosed with a rare illness. They swore they’d give their lives to see me well again. And they made good on that promise. My husband halted several crucial projects, pouring billions into the global search for a kidney donor. My brother, too, canceled all his social engagements, and was by my side at the hospital every single day. Three years later, my health had largely recovered. I could finally come back to the city. I didn’t tell them, wanting to surprise them. But I was stopped at the familiar villa gates. The security guard’s voice was sharp with警惕: “Who are you looking for?” “This is my home, I’m Julian Thorne’s wife.” I smiled. The guard paused, then his face twisted into a look of pure disgust, like I was some low-rent gold-digger. “Mrs. Thorne doesn’t look like you.” As he spoke, the guard pulled out his phone and opened his gallery. The woman in the photo looked incredibly similar to me, even down to the two faint dimples when she smiled. I knew her. It was Seraphina Hayes, the woman who had donated her kidney to me years ago.

I stumbled back, my phone nearly slipping from my grasp. The guard’s disgusted glare intensified. “See? If you had an ounce of dignity, you’d know better than to come here and make a spectacle of yourself.” “Mr. Thorne treats his wife wonderfully, we all see how much they love each other. Don’t you go living in a fantasy.” With that, the guard shoved me hard. I wasn’t steady on my feet, and after a long, restless journey, I fell heavily. My head hit the ground with a sickening thud, and my mind spun. Just then, the guard’s walkie-talkie buzzed. A familiar voice crackled through— “What’s all that noise outside?” The guard’s attitude instantly turned fawning. “Mr. Thorne, just some crazy woman claiming she knows you.” “Get her out of here immediately. Mrs. Thorne just fell asleep, don’t disturb her.” I heard Julian’s voice clearly. It was arrogant, impatient, yet filled with a deep, protective affection for the “Mrs. Thorne” he spoke of. So, Julian and his “wife” were living in this villa now. In the home we built together, our matrimonial haven. My blood ran cold, solidifying in my veins. How many beautiful memories did we share within those walls? How could he let another woman live there? My blood boiled, and a sickeningly sweet, metallic taste flooded my mouth. “Julian, who is it?” A woman’s sleepy voice drifted from the walkie-talkie. Then came Julian’s voice, soft to the point of melting. “It’s nothing, darling, just a minor issue. Go back to sleep.” “Stay with me, though.” “Alright, alright, you always get your way, don’t you?” “Tomorrow, I still need to see my brother…” The walkie-talkie went silent. My heart felt as if it were being squeezed in a vice, the pain stealing my breath. That gentle voice, brimming with love. Before, he only spoke to *me* like that, adoring me as if I might melt right there in his hands. And my brother… Could Cameron know about this too? Of course. How could anything happening here be kept from my brother? I don’t remember how I left. I stumbled along the street, my phone vibrating incessantly. A message from Julian popped up. 【Darling, are you feeling better today?】 【Did you take your medicine? When is your surgery scheduled?】 My brother’s message arrived at the same time. 【My sweetest, most adorable little sister, do you miss me?】 【Brother’s been swamped with work lately and couldn’t visit you abroad. Are you mad at me, sis?】 Looking at those messages, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. They seemed to love me so much, but why? Why would they let someone else take my place? Seraphina Hayes was the kidney donor Julian and Cameron found for me. She had a face strikingly similar to mine. The first time I met her, I even joked that we might be alternate versions of each other from a parallel universe. Back then, my brother had cupped my face and said: “My sister is one of a kind. No matter how much she looks like you, she can’t compare to even a fraction of your beauty.” Julian, from beginning to end, hadn’t spared Seraphina a second glance. Julian’s assistant spoke with Seraphina about the compensation after the kidney donation. That’s when I learned Seraphina’s family was extremely poor. She was forced to donate her kidney to pay for her seriously ill mother’s treatment. I still remember Seraphina back then, wearing a faded T-shirt, looking at me awkwardly. “Ma’am, I will take good care of my body and cooperate fully with the surgery.” I looked at her, my heart softening a little. I handed her a card: “Take this for your mother’s treatment first.” But she refused to take it, saying she wasn’t accepting charity. 2. The memory abruptly cut off. I suddenly looked up, towards the brightly lit villa in the distance. On the second-floor balcony, Julian held a petite woman tightly in his arms. On a whim, I called him. The next second, he hung up. I called again. He hung up again. My heart ached, and I squatted on the ground, gasping for air. About ten minutes later, he lifted the woman into his arms and carried her inside. Then, he reappeared on the balcony. My phone rang. “Hey, darling, what’s wrong? I was just on a video call.” I wanted to expose him right then and there. But the words caught in my throat, bitter and dry, unable to escape. “Darling?” Julian sounded confused. I still didn’t speak, biting my lip hard to keep from crying out loud. Julian finally sensed something was wrong and his tone turned worried: “Did someone upset you?” I wanted to say, *the ones upsetting me are you two.* I managed a bitter smile: “Julian Thorne, do you remember what day today is?” The other end fell silent for a moment, then he chuckled. “Oh, you’re mad because I forgot our wedding anniversary. My little princess is angry again.” “I’m sorry, darling, I’ve just been so busy today. I’ll come visit you abroad in a few days and make it up to you, alright?” Just then, I saw Seraphina come out again. She stood on her tiptoes and kissed Julian on the lips. The wet, sticky sound of the kiss was clearly audible through the phone. A wave of disgust washed over me. My voice was already hoarse: “No need. If you’re busy with work, then focus on that. Don’t worry about me.” “Okay, darling, you’re becoming so understanding.” The call ended, and the two figures on the second-floor balcony embraced under the moonlight, truly a loving couple! Tears instantly welled in my eyes. Was this what betrayal felt like? Eighteen-year-old Julian Thorne and Aurora Sterling could have never believed that twenty-five-year-old Julian would become a betrayer. He had loved me so fiercely. That summer, a boy held a basketball, dazzling under the sun. The wind brushed my cheek, carrying the eighteen-year-old’s voice across the years— “Aurora, I love you, and I’ll only ever love you. If I ever betray you, Aurora, may I drop dead on the spot!” The night wind made my entire body tremble uncontrollably. I slowly stood up, leaning against the wall, then turned and walked away. I hailed a taxi. The place I went was the small apartment my brother had given me for my eighteenth birthday. My hand trembled as I inserted the key into the lock. The moment the door opened, a suffocating wave of stale air and dust assaulted me. Clearly, no one had lived there in a long time. The furnishings inside were exactly as I’d left them three years ago. On the desk was a photo of my brother and me. Cameron wore a black suit, and I, standing next to him with a high ponytail, smiled joyfully. Cameron and Julian learned of my return the next day. Both of them gathered at my small apartment. Two powerful men, now facing me, their faces showed surprise and a touch of awkwardness. Julian was the first to step forward, reaching out to take my hand as he always used to. “Aurora, you’re back? Is it… is it all clear now?” I subtly avoided his hand. My brother’s eyes were moist, his voice choked. “Sister, this is wonderful. It’s great that you’re alright.” Julian’s hand froze in mid-air, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. Then, an even deeper tenderness softened his gaze. “Are you perhaps too tired from the long flight?” Hearing that, my brother hurried to my side, already worried, and reached out to touch my forehead. I didn’t move, my body stiff. Cameron checked carefully, “No, your temperature’s normal.” I forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m probably just a little tired.” Julian smoothly took over the conversation. “In that case, you should stay here for now, don’t run around. “This place is close to the hospital, it’ll be convenient for your follow-up appointments.” My lips curved into a bitter smile. Was this his way of preventing me from discovering he was keeping his mistress hidden away? How absurd. His wife was living outside, while his lover brazenly moved into our home. It seemed I was the one who looked like the ‘mistress.’ I smiled bitterly, “Whatever.” It wasn’t like I’d be staying long anyway. Julian’s brows unfurrowed, his tone imbued with his usual doting affection. “Such a good girl. Rest well here, I’ll come visit you often.” Cameron also visibly relaxed: “Okay, I’ll have Mrs. Olsen come tidy up. Tell me if you need anything, sis.” “Mm-hm.” I played along with their charade. 3 Julian’s phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the screen, then uncomfortably looked at me. He walked to the balcony, his voice deliberately lowered. Yet, blurred words still drifted into my ears. “Be a good girl, I’m busy right now, can’t come back yet… I’ll be done soon… Mm, I’ll bring you a small cake…” When he hung up and turned around, the tenderness hadn’t yet faded from his face. Julian walked back, a hint of apology in his eyes as he looked at me. “Something urgent came up at the company, I need to handle it. I’ll be back later for dinner.” I nodded, saying nothing. My brother looked at Julian with concern. “Is something wrong?” “Minor issue.” They were putting on a show, talking in veiled terms in front of me, thinking I didn’t know. Cameron eventually left with Julian. At the door, both of them turned back to look at me. Julian’s gaze was lingering: “Aurora, wait for me. I’ll be back tonight.” Cameron also looked at me dotingly. “Sister, get some sleep. I’ll take you to the hospital for your follow-up tomorrow.” I smiled and nodded. The next second, the door gently closed. The door separated me from them, and it severed my last shred of hope. In the empty living room, only I remained. The wall clock ticked, each beat seemingly echoing in my shattered heart. It felt like Cameron and Julian were slowly, agonizingly destroying me, all in the name of ‘love.’ That night, Julian didn’t return. He only sent me a message: 【Company business is demanding. I’ll have to stay at the office tonight. Get some rest, darling.】 And the next day, my brother, who had promised to take me for my follow-up, didn’t show up either. I took a taxi to the hospital myself. As I was leaving after my check-up, a commotion suddenly broke out nearby. I instinctively looked up. Just one glance, and my blood instantly turned to ice. Julian was carefully supporting Seraphina, his face full of tenderness and concern. My brother walked on the other side, his tone cautious and worried. “Slow down. The doctor said you have a threatened miscarriage. You can’t overexert yourself right now.” I froze. Seraphina was pregnant… Seraphina pouted at Julian, her voice sickly sweet. “It’s all your fault. You didn’t come back to be with me all night, that’s why I almost miscarried.” “Yes, yes, it’s all my fault.” Julian looked down, one hand supporting her shoulder, the other stroking her belly. The doting in his eyes was impossible to hide. “I’ll stay with you from now on, alright?” “My husband is so good to me.” Seraphina broke into a smile through her tears. My brother chimed in: “As long as you’re well, we’ll do anything for you.” The three of them stood there, backlit, their figures searing my eyes. Seraphina leaned against Julian’s chest: “Husband, will you always be good to me?” “Of course, you’re my wife, and you’re carrying my child. Of course I’ll be good to you.” Julian looked at her, his profile unbelievably soft. My brother joked from the side. “You spoil her too much.” But there was no hint of blame in his tone, only doting affection. Seraphina giggled. That sickeningly sweet taste flooded my throat again. I covered my mouth, forcing myself to swallow the blood. Shortly after leaving the hospital, my phone vibrated a few times. It was a message from my brother: 【Sister, how were your follow-up results?】 【Brother’s a bit busy here and couldn’t get away. I’ll definitely go with you next time.】 I looked at the text message and laughed, tears streaming down my face. After returning home, I took a cold shower. It finally cleared my head a little. Julian’s words to Seraphina, “You’re my wife…,” kept echoing in my ears. I sent a message to a contact with a completely black profile picture. “Marcus, my senior researcher, help me look into Julian Thorne…” About ten minutes later, he called me back. “Aurora, I found out you and Julian Thorne divorced six months ago.” “Julian Thorne’s current wife is Seraphina Hayes.” I clutched my agonizing stomach, laughing and crying on the sofa. It was so absurd, so ridiculous. I was nothing but a joke. In three years, someone had completely taken my place. The person on the other end of the line sounded very concerned. “Aurora, are you okay?” “I’m fine, Marcus, I’m fine. And—I agree to marry you.” “What? Really?” “Yes.”

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My husband, Mark, was a renowned psychologist, a master of hypnosis, never having failed a single session. Yet, when he was treating my mom, his hypnosis went disastrously wrong. Her condition relapsed, and she plummeted from the rooftop. I held my mom’s bloodied body, tears streaming down my face. He, however, casually told me, as if it were the most natural thing in the world: “Psychological treatments often have a high relapse rate, and hypnosis errors are common. I truly did my best.” A few hours later, a post from his junior protégé, Luna, on Ins struck me like a sledgehammer. “First time doing hypnosis, and I got stuck with an older woman in her fifties. Failed miserably. Luckily, my senior brother stepped in to clean up my mess.” “To comfort my wounded little heart, my senior brother even hypnotized me. In the dream, we got married on the beach. Is that a hint, perhaps?” The intertwined hands in the photo felt like a jagged, barbed blade, piercing deep into my heart. I gritted my teeth, almost shattering my phone screen. “It’s a hint, alright. You’re about to get exactly what you wished for.” The next second, a phone number, previously switched off, flashed across my screen. “Anya, what is wrong with you now?! Luna’s upset because she failed her first hypnosis session. What’s wrong with me, as her senior, comforting her?” “Therapists are under a lot of pressure, you know. What if your post makes her overthink and get depressed? Delete it, now! And apologize to Luna!” I hung up the phone, looking at a photo of Mom and me. I whispered. “Mom, I’m going to make them feel your pain too, okay?”

This photo was taken when Mom was feeling better; we went to the park together. Back then, Mark had solemnly promised me that Mom had overcome her psychological trauma and would soon be completely healed. But within a mere week, Mom’s smile was forever framed in that picture. At the funeral home, relatives and friends looked around, asking me. “Anya, call Mark and tell him to hurry. If he doesn’t come soon, your mom will be buried.” My expression blended with my black attire, making me look like Mom’s tombstone. “No need. He won’t come.” My relatives were all astonished. “How can that be? Mark is so devoted, and your mom always praised him.” I didn’t explain further. It wasn’t until the burial, the sealing of the tombstone, and the end of the ceremony that Mark finally arrived, rushing in. He was driving so fast that he even ran over Mom’s funeral wreath. Yet, he showed no trace of remorse. Dressed in a blue suit, he walked up to me and sighed. “This was an accident. People in her age group have weaker psychological defenses, and relapses are common. I poured all my knowledge into helping Eleanor, but I only stepped away to get a glass of water, and she jumped.” “Eleanor lived longer than many other patients with depression. Try to see the brighter side. Now, Luna is being gossiped about because of your words. You should find a time to apologize to her on Ins.” “Long-lived,” he said. If I hadn’t seen Luna’s Ins post, I might have actually believed his nonsense. It turned out he rushed here just to make me apologize to his mistress. Meeting his blaming gaze, I let out a sarcastic chuckle. “When my mom jumped, it took you all day to walk down three flights of stairs. But when your lover felt wronged, you rushed from the city to the suburbs in minutes.” Mark instantly flared up, but guiltily avoided my eyes. “Anya, can you stop being so harsh?” “I’m just stating facts! Failures in psychological treatment are a dime a dozen. If every family member acted as unreasonably as you, then therapists might as well quit!” He put his hands on his hips, scanning the funeral arrangements. “I’m sad Mom’s gone too, but you’re making such a grand display. Do you want everyone to know she died of depression and be judged even after death? Clean this up quickly. She’s dead, what’s the point of putting on a good show?” There was no remorse in his tone, only blame and resentment. The relatives and friends who had kindly stayed to help me clean up all froze, shocked by his words. He snapped back to reality, clearing his throat to save his reputation. “Alright, I know you and Mom relied on each other, and you’re heartbroken that she’s gone. But it’s done. You just have to accept it.” “Don’t dwell on it. At most, we’ll pick a more expensive burial plot, and we can visit it every year…” *SMACK!* A five-finger print quickly appeared on his face. I had put all my strength into it, and my hand was red and throbbing. Mark and I met when Mom was undergoing psychological therapy. Back then, to pursue me, he had solemnly promised that he would restore Mom to her old self. Mom had been through two marriages, suffered multiple domestic abuses, and faced endless societal judgment. As a child, I didn’t know the reason for Mom’s quiet demeanor was depression. By the time I realized it, she had already started self-harming to cope with her trauma. I took her to countless renowned therapists, but the effects were minimal. Only Mark gave me hope. Under his guidance, Mom’s mental state steadily improved. He used this as an opportunity to ask me out repeatedly, launching an intense pursuit. Once, I asked him: “Are you working so hard to treat my mom because of me?” He shook his head: “In my heart, Eleanor is first and foremost my patient, and only then your mother.” It was because of that sentence that I felt safe enough to wholeheartedly be with him and marry him. Just six months ago, he told me that Mom no longer had self-harming tendencies and her condition was much better. I could start trying for a baby with peace of mind, and by the time the child was born, Mom would surely be fully recovered. And now, standing before Mom’s black and white photo, he casually offered a more expensive burial plot in exchange for Mom’s life. How sanctimonious, how utterly disgusting! Mark snapped back, roaring at me. “Anya, are you insane?!” With that, he raised his arm to strike me. Chloe, my friend closest to me, grabbed his hand. “Mark, are you really going to hit Eleanor’s daughter in front of her memorial picture?!” My relatives and friends immediately stepped in front of me, sticking up for me. “Anya’s mom worked so hard to raise her. Now that her mom is dead, aren’t you intentionally trying to provoke her with those words?!” “Exactly! Don’t you know how much Anya loved her mom? How could you hit Anya in front of the deceased? How heartbroken would her mom be if she saw this from heaven!” “I must have been blind! I was just comforting Anya, saying you must have been delayed. But what you just said, it chills me to the bone!” Mark violently shook off Chloe’s hand, pointing at me with a sneer. “Seriously, like mother, like daughter!” A sudden ringtone pierced the air. He irritably pulled out his phone, his fury instantly extinguished, his voice softening. “What’s wrong?” Luna’s plaintive and dependent voice echoed through the empty funeral home. “Senior brother, a patient just came in, and I failed the hypnosis again. He called me incompetent and threatened to complain about me.” “Please come back quickly, I’m so scared…” “Don’t worry, I’ll be right there to back you up.” He quickly said his piece, turned, and left. Suddenly remembering something, he looked back and warned me. “Anya, when I’m done, I’ll come back and settle things with you. You’d better not try to deliberately smear my name in front of our relatives again!” With that, he walked out without looking back. Once in his car, he floored the accelerator, deliberately running over the wreath he had knocked down earlier, as if to vent his frustration. When Mom was alive, Mark always said she was like his own mother. Now that Mom was dead, he not only ran over her wreath but didn’t even light a single stick of incense for her. I bit down on the flesh of my cheeks, using the pain and blood to restrain my heartache. It was late when I left the funeral home. Luna had already deleted her previous posts. Her latest one was posted an hour ago. “Oh yeah, senior brother makes me feel so safe! He not only cleaned up another one of my messes, but he hypnotized me again! This time the hypnosis was a little naughty. I even had a baby with senior brother in the dream, and his ears turned red when he found out. If he weren’t married, I’d really think he was some innocent college boy.” Even knowing it was fake, a strong wave of physical nausea surged from my stomach, making me dry heave on the spot. Therapists don’t easily use hypnosis because during the process, patients reveal their deepest, most private secrets. Many therapists, after learning too many secrets, can’t bear the inner pressure and become depressed. Even Mark, with his strong psychological defenses, didn’t easily hypnotize people, and his hypnosis sessions were incredibly expensive. Before, because of Mom’s condition, I had almost fallen into depression myself and asked Mark to hypnotize me to help process my emotions. He had flatly refused me, saying he’d worked all day and didn’t want to expend more mental energy when he got home. But now, in less than a day, he had hypnotized Luna twice. He even used the hypnosis to have a dream-relationship with her. The urn in my arms was chillingly cold, and my last shred of self-deceiving fantasy shattered. I made a call. “Withdraw all funding from Serenity Mind Clinic. Have hackers infiltrate Mark and Luna’s therapy room computers.” It’s standard practice for therapists to record audio and video sessions, to protect themselves if a patient causes trouble. I needed to know: what exactly happened to Mom? What made her relapse and jump? After arranging everything, I returned home. Mom’s bedroom still held her scent. I collapsed onto her bed, instantly feeling small again, as if back in her warm embrace. The immense grief and exhaustion caused me to hallucinate. “Anya.” Mom’s voice sounded above me. Opening my eyes, she was gently stroking my head. “Anya misses Mom, doesn’t she? Mom’s right here, I won’t leave.” Her warm breath was so close. I was enveloped by a sudden wave of happiness. I hugged Mom’s waist tightly, terrified she would disappear the next second. “Mom, don’t leave me, don’t…” Before I could finish, Mom’s pained voice echoed. “Anya, I hurt so much, save me, Mom!” “Mom doesn’t want to leave you, but she said it was Mom’s fault, Mom deserves to die…” “Anya!” I looked up. Mom’s face cracked open, and blood dripped into my eyes. “Mom!” I screamed, jolting awake from the nightmare. Cold sweat instantly chilled me, and I shivered, suddenly terrified by Mark standing at the doorway, my pupils trembling. “You’re awake? Did you have a nightmare? I heard your scream from far away.” My heart still pounded. As I came to, he had already turned on the light. The light stung my eyes, as did his condescending words. “Anya, I know you’re sad, but the dead cannot be brought back. Eleanor’s spirit wouldn’t want to see you looking like a ghost. Can’t you pull yourself together?” I heard no genuine concern, only saw a wolf in sheep’s clothing. My throat was dry and sore. I slowly sat up. I didn’t want to see him. I pointed to the door, telling him to get out, not to be in Mom’s room. Suddenly, Luna’s figure appeared at the doorway. She was wearing a couple’s bathrobe that I had bought for Mark on our anniversary. She had nothing on underneath, her body pressed intimately against Mark’s bathrobe. Meeting my gaze, she gave a playful greeting. “Sister-in-law, I’m here to visit! You don’t mind, do you?” Mark instinctively stepped in front of her, offering a strained explanation. “I forgot to tell you, there were police in Luna’s building, and she’s on a lower floor. I was worried something might happen to her, a girl living alone, so I asked her to stay here for a few days.” Just a few days? Wearing my husband’s bathrobe, in the middle of the night, right after my mom’s burial, standing before me like the lady of the house. Whether it was a temporary stay or a permanent move, it was obvious to anyone with eyes. I hadn’t even spoken when Luna casually walked into Mom’s room, looked at Mom’s memorial photo, and sighed. “Eleanor, really. Any hurdle can be overcome. Why jump because of a little depression, leaving you all alone, Sister-in-law?” Hearing her condescending tone, I forcefully pushed her away, roaring with red eyes. “Get out! You killed my mom!” A flicker of guilt crossed Luna’s eyes, then she tearfully snuggled closer to Mark. “Senior brother, is sister-in-law misunderstanding something about me?” At her words, Mark shielded her, his face turning foul. “Anya, stop being crazy! Your mom’s death has nothing to do with Luna. Spreading rumors has consequences!” I grabbed a nearby decorative item and threw it. “You get out too!” Mark instantly flared up and started arguing with me. Seeing this, Luna, behind him, pouted. “Sister-in-law, whatever you have, direct it at me. Speaking like that will hurt senior brother’s feelings.” “Don’t worry, I won’t stay for free. I’ll help with cleaning. This box looks dusty, I’ll wipe it for you…” “Don’t touch it!” Just as I shouted, Luna seemed startled by me, bumping into the cabinet. Mom’s urn fell with a crash. *BANG!* The urn shattered, and Mom’s ashes scattered across the cold floor. My blood ran cold, my breathing and heartbeat stopped. Luna’s tearful voice in my ears grew shrill. “I’m sorry, Sister-in-law, I didn’t mean to. Senior brother, please explain for me, I just wanted to help clean up…” Mark’s face was troubled, but he still defended her. However, before he could open his mouth, I, with bloodshot eyes, lunged at Luna. “Who told you to touch it?! I’ll kill you!” Luna’s face turned pale with fright, and she cowered behind Mark. “Ah! Senior brother, save me!” Mark didn’t budge, grabbing my hands firmly. “Anya, didn’t you hear Luna say it was an accident?! Don’t make such a big deal out of it!” “She did it on purpose! Mark, you’re an accomplice, both of you deserve to die!” I cursed loudly, kicking and punching Mark without mercy. He was enraged by me, violently shoving me away. “Have you caused enough trouble?!” I was sent stumbling backward by his sheer force, falling hard onto the shards of the urn. Cuts appeared on my arm and waist, making me break out in cold sweat from the pain. Mark looked down at me from above. “I don’t think you *seem* crazy, I think you *are* crazy!” “Every time, you just cling to those small mistakes, never looking forward! You and your mother are exactly alike!” “I’ll tell you this right now. Eleanor’s depression was her own fault. She didn’t work every day, lived so comfortably, yet still clung to old issues. It’s a miracle she even got better! Even if she hadn’t died now, she would have sooner or later dug her own grave!” Those words, “dug her own grave,” struck me like thunder. I froze, as if plunged into an icy wasteland. I stared at Mark in disbelief. He knew… He knew how much injustice my mom suffered in her youth. Because she was a girl, she was denied an education. She was forced into an abusive marriage as a teenager, and nearly beaten to death when she bravely divorced to protect me. Fate had been so cruel to her. I had tried every way to make money, to give her a good life. But still, she withered day by day like a flower in autumn. Every time I saw the cuts on Mom’s wrists, I felt a helpless, agonizing heartache. So many times, it was Mark who stood by me, comforting me. And it was Mark who, time and again, told Mom. “Pain cannot be compared; there’s no such thing as ‘big’ or ‘small’ suffering.” Now he was saying Mom dug her own grave! I slowly slid to the floor, tears silently streaming down my face. Mark realized his words had gone too far. He rubbed his temples, softening his tone. “Alright, stop acting like you’re dying. She’s dead. Ashes are just a keepsake. We’ll clean this up and buy another urn tomorrow, that’s all.” This wasn’t about the urn! This was my mom, the only family I had! Mark lost all patience. He protected Luna and walked out. “I apologize to you on your sister-in-law’s behalf. It’s late, you should rest.” A moment later, I knelt on the floor, gathering Mom’s ashes, piece by piece. Then, I calmly left the house. At the hotel, my assistant sent me the video of Mark’s last therapy session with Mom. After watching the entire video, I broke down, smashing everything in the hotel room, vowing to make the culprits pay for their blood debt! I didn’t sleep all night, my eyes bloodshot. When my phone rang for the ninety-ninth time, I finally answered. Mark’s furious roar immediately filled my ear. “Anya, how dare you withdraw the funding?! Do you have any idea how much effort I poured into that clinic, how many patients are waiting for treatment? Are you really going to make all those patients suffer because of an accident involving your mother?!” An accident? I scoffed coldly. “Whether it was an accident or not, you know perfectly well yourself!” Mark clearly didn’t want to get tangled up in that question with me. “I’m warning you, you’d better reverse your decision, or we’re getting a divorce!” Luna’s panicked voice chimed in. “Senior brother, don’t rush! Sister-in-law is definitely mad at me. I’ll go apologize. Don’t let me be the reason you two divorce…” “I won’t divorce.” Luna instantly fell silent, and Mark seemed to regain his composure. “Anya, if you don’t want to make things ugly, do as I say…” I hung up the phone. Not only would I divorce him, but I would also make him and Luna pay for their blood debt! Opening my eyes again, I caressed Mom’s photo, my gaze firm.

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My Fiancé Filmed Our Bedroom for His Mistress The day before my wedding, my fiancé installed four cameras in our marital bedroom, all pointed directly at the bed. I warned him that these internet-connected cameras weren’t safe and posed a huge risk of privacy leaks. But he just brushed it off, accusing me of paranoia. “You’re marrying into *my* family, so you’ll listen to *my* decisions. Stop questioning me.” I thought it was just one of his little quirks, until I caught him talking to the cameras: “Serena, I did everything you asked. Please, don’t be mad, take me off your block list.” “I’ll keep them on during our wedding night tomorrow too. I’ll do anything for you.” A wave of disgust washed over me. I immediately dialed his father. “Mr. Davies, it seems your son is quite keen on… filming. In that case, let’s just forget about him getting any share of my family’s assets, shall we?” … I can tolerate my partner having a few quirks, but loyalty is my absolute bottom line. Less than two minutes after hanging up with Mr. Davies, Damian stormed into the study, furious, to confront me. “What did you tell my dad?! When did I ever say I was making a movie?!” I lifted my eyes, giving him a flat look. “Your dad misunderstood. What I meant by ‘filming’ was, you know, adult films. You’re so eager to put on a show for others, but don’t drag me into it.” Damian clearly thought I was just bothered by the cameras in the bedroom. A flicker of disdain crossed his face. “You’re so naive. Bedroom cameras are pretty common now.” “You should count yourself lucky you’re even marrying into our family at your age.” “I advise you to stay in your place. Otherwise, if I break off the engagement, you might regret losing the fifty million I’m giving you.” I paused, completely stunned for a few seconds. What was he talking about? That fifty million was clearly *my* money, which I was providing *him*. How had it become his money to give *me*? Seeing my silence, Damian curled his lips into a sneer. “What, speechless now that you might have to give the money back?” “Typical gold-digger. If you don’t want to lose the cash, you’ll behave. You don’t get to call the shots in this house.” With that, he spun around and left. Outside, the housekeepers, who had been secretly watching, whispered amongst themselves: “Fifty million still isn’t enough for her? She dares to defy the Young Master?” “Exactly! Fifty million! What’s wrong with a few cameras? It’s not like it’s her first time, so why is she so shy?” I frowned, glancing towards the door. Damian’s father had practically *begged* for this marriage arrangement, relying on his long-time friendship with my dad to save his company from bankruptcy. I’d bought the house and the car. And to ensure Damian would be comfortable after the wedding, I’d even hired his family’s old housekeepers to serve him. I never imagined… goodness is truly taken for weakness. 2. Seeing Damian’s arrogant expression, I made up my mind to break off the engagement. I immediately called contractors to come and dismantle the cameras. If I was calling off the wedding, he should take all his junk with him. Halfway through the job, Damian rushed in and halted them. “Who gave you permission to tear these down?!” “Each one of these cameras costs over a hundred grand! If you break them, can you afford to pay for it?!” The workers exchanged nervous glances, unsure what to do. Hearing the commotion, I followed them into the bedroom. “I told them to. This is *my* house. I have the right to decide what stays and what goes.” But Damian scoffed as if I’d told the funniest joke, pointing at me. “Every brick in this house belongs to the Davies family!” “You haven’t even walked down the aisle yet, and you’re trying to take over? I guess I need to teach you the Davies family rules.” With that, he ignored my protests and the presence of outsiders, pushing me directly under a camera. He brutally ripped at my clothes. Then, he ordered the housekeepers to bring a whip and saltwater. Two female housekeepers, catching me off guard, kicked the back of my knees, forcing me to the ground. They held me down tightly. “Damian! What right do you have to punish me like this?!” Damian took the whip and snapped it, the terrifying crack echoing through the room. He smirked coldly. “The right of a man whose family put up fifty million! I can discipline you however I see fit!” As the whip was about to descend, I trembled and quickly cried out to stop him. “Damian, you have no idea about our engagement!” “I advise you to calm down now and immediately call your dad to clarify everything!” But Damian didn’t care. He coldly poured saltwater onto the whip, his eyes frigid. “Whatever it is, you can talk about it after you’ve endured your punishment!” Just as he raised the whip, poised to strike, an urgent report came from the security guard outside the door: “Young Master! Ms. Serena is here for you!” 3. The moment the words left his mouth, Damian’s face immediately lit up with a smile, and he quickly exited the bedroom. Once they were gone, I shakily leaned against the wall to stand, quickly grabbing another piece of clothing to cover myself. I instructed the contractors to continue their work. After sorting that out, I went downstairs as well. Damian was holding a pretty girl’s hand, surveying the villa with her. My brows furrowed as I watched housekeepers carrying in luggage. “You’re letting her move in?” Damian gave me a cold look, tightening his grip on the girl’s hand. “This is *my* house, so of course, I can have anyone I want live here!” “Serena is the love of my life. If you want to keep your place as my wife, you’d better treat her with respect!” Not only had he installed cameras in our bedroom to please his mistress, but he dared to bring her to live in our marital home! I took a deep breath, reining in my emotions, forcing down the urge to kick him out right then and there. “Regardless of whose house this is, are you really so brazen as to bring your mistress home? Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell my dad and yours?” Damian heard me invoke our elders, but his face remained indifferent. “Trying to scare me? That won’t work on me!” “With fifty million, I could have ten mistresses, and you’d just have to put up with it.” Serena pouted, batting her eyelashes. “Is this the ugly woman you spent fifty million to marry? She doesn’t look like much to me!” Seeing this, Damian quickly adopted a gentle tone, echoing her. “Exactly. She’s old and a gold-digger. How could she ever compare to you?” “If you weren’t so curious to see her reaction in bed, I’d be disgusted to even touch her.” “Perfect, I’ll take you to see the cameras I installed in the bedroom. Let’s check how clear the footage is.” I was fed up with this farce and was about to turn and go upstairs when Serena suddenly grabbed an apple from the table and hurled it squarely at my head. “Did I say you could leave?! Get over here and toast me!” 4. I rubbed my throbbing forehead, a surge of anger rising within me. “Toast you? Who do you think you are to demand a toast from me?” Serena linked her arm through Damian’s, looking at me with her nose in the air. “Because Damian dotes on me! If you make me unhappy, I’ll livestream your wedding night for the whole world to see tomorrow!” “And who knows, your dad might even be secretly watching, getting off on it…” *Smack!* I’d had enough. I rushed forward and slapped her across the face. “If you ever disrespect my dad again, I promise you’ll regret it!” Serena was stunned by my sudden outburst, covering her face and mumbling for a long moment. Damian, seeing his beloved at a disadvantage, pulled her behind him, shielding her. “Anya Blackwood! A woman with no upbringing like you doesn’t deserve to enter our Davies family’s door!” “Go back and tell your dad, I’m not going through with this wedding!” I nudged the suitcase beside my foot, casting a meaningful glance between their faces. “Are you sure you want to call off the wedding?” Given the Davies Group’s current financial situation, without my family’s support, they’d be bankrupt in three days, at most. Serena jumped in before Damian could speak. “Scared now, are we? Too late!” “Just leave! See who’d want a used goods like you after being rejected!” Serena was incredibly eager, as if my departure would immediately clear the way for her. I looked at Damian. He nodded, tacitly agreeing with Serena, so I saw no need to say more. “Fine, then. Let’s annul the engagement.” The contractors who were dismantling the cameras had just finished and came downstairs. The foreman held up a camera, asking me what to do with it. Serena suddenly flared up, kicking him. “Why are you asking *her*? We’re the owners of this house! So clueless, you’ll all be out of a job!” The workers broke out in a cold sweat, looking to me for help. I opened my phone and generously tipped them fifty thousand dollars through an app. “Don’t worry, you did nothing wrong.” “After all, the property deed for this villa is in my name.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298942”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn