On our wedding anniversary, my husband personally sent me into the operating room. He knew I had already died twice. He also knew I could come back one more time. So when his white moonlight needed a heart, he chose me without hesitation. “She won’t die,” he told the doctor calmly. What he didn’t know was— This time, it was my last life. Adrian Quinn carried my lifeless body into the underground room of the Search and Rescue (SAR) Team base. My internal organs had been removed, leaving only an empty shell. My face, however, was rosy, as if I were just sleeping. He skillfully opened the cryogenic equipment, his movements clean and precise. As he placed me inside, his hands were steady, without even a hint of hesitation. “Sleep for now,” his voice was terrifyingly calm. “Didn’t you say that dying doesn’t matter?” Yesterday was our wedding anniversary. I had prepared a table full of delicious food at home and bought his favorite red wine. Seeing him come home on time for once, I was as happy as a fool. When the phone rang, he had just picked up his wine glass. It was his deputy calling: “Captain, Nora got caught in a landslide while patrolling the mountain area. She’s trapped inside…” His hand trembled, and the wine glass fell to the floor, dark red liquid splashing onto my new dress. “How badly is she hurt?” His voice was already hoarse. “It’s serious, her internal organs…” He didn’t wait for the other person to finish. He grabbed his jacket and rushed out. I caught his hand, “I’ll go too. I can help.” He turned back to look at me, his eyes complex, not with concern, but as if he were calculating something. At the scene, Nora had already been rescued, but her heart was severely damaged and urgently needed a transplant. He looked at the unconscious Nora on the stretcher, his fingers trembling. It was a panic I had never seen in him before. Then he looked at me. His eyes were bloodshot. “I’m sorry,” he said. Before I could understand what he meant, I felt a sharp pain in the back of my neck. As I lost consciousness, I saw him nod to the doctor. They had prepared for this all along. Miraculously, as I was pushed into the operating room, it was as if my soul floated out of my body. I felt myself hovering in mid-air, witnessing everything. I saw him standing right next to the operating table. As the surgeon’s scalpel cut open my body, he watched without expression, his eyes showing no ripple of emotion, as if this body was nothing more than a tool to be disposed of at will. “Her organs are in good condition, and the match is compatible,” the doctor’s voice seemed to come from far away. “It’s enough to save Nora.” I watched as my heart was taken out, placed in an ice box, and sent to the adjacent operating room. He followed the ice box out, not even sparing me a final glance. After putting me in the cryogenic equipment, he sat nearby dealing with documents, occasionally looking up at me. I floated in front of him, wanting to see if there was even a hint of guilt in his eyes. But his gaze passed through my soul and fell on his phone – it was a message from the doctor: The surgery was very successful, she’s recovering well. He smiled with relief, casually tossed my medical record aside, and left the underground room. The part of the medical record that was open clearly stated: “Organ donor – voluntary donation.” He didn’t even bother to make up a lie, thinking I would wake up soon anyway. But what he didn’t know was that this time, I really wouldn’t wake up again. Because the chance that allowed me to be reborn had already been used up the last time I saved his teammate.

My ability to be reborn was real. Three years ago, before I was pulled out as the sole survivor of that plane crash, the system informed me that I had gained three lives. The first time, I used it on myself, allowing myself to survive that plane crash. Adrian was the SAR team leader who came to investigate the accident. He was tall, wearing a dark blue uniform with straight shoulder lines. Standing in front of the plane wreckage, he was surrounded by an aura of coldness, like a general who had walked out of an old photograph. I was shivering on the stretcher when he turned his face towards me, his well-defined jawline tense. When those pitch-black eyes swept over me, it felt like they could see through to my soul. “Don’t be afraid,” he said, “You’re safe now.” His voice was deep and pleasant, like warm water slowly being poured into my heart. At that moment, I was smitten. The system said that if I maintained a three-year marriage with my destined person, I could stay in this world forever. Looking at this stern man before me, I decided to take a chance. This was the first time that 28-year-old Eliza Hart had ever been so determined to want something. Adrian looked to be in his early thirties, very tall, with a lean and muscular build from years of training. He walked with a special rhythm, probably due to his military background. Every time I passed by the SAR team, I could recognize his silhouette at a glance. I started to approach him as an ordinary person. I would bring coffee to the SAR team every day and prepare late-night snacks for the team members working overtime. I knew I was like a desperate groupie, but I didn’t care. They said Adrian never accepted anything from women, but he took my coffee. He was always polite and gentle, but he always kept his distance from me. The people in the SAR team felt sorry for me, saying I couldn’t see reality clearly. “Captain Quinn never gives hope to any woman. Don’t waste your efforts.” But what I didn’t tell them was that every time I pretended to lose my balance, he would always be the first to steady me. He would tell me to be careful, but his hand would linger. Until one day, I heard him on the phone calling a woman “Nora,” his tone affectionate. It turned out to be his former deputy team leader, Nora White. They were said to be childhood sweethearts. Nora was very beautiful, and everyone said they were a perfect match. I should have known better and given up. But at that time, I still had two lives left. Young and reckless, I thought I could always make it through three years. If I had known earlier that the second life would be used to save his teammate, and the third life would be ended by his own hands, I would have stayed far away from him from the very beginning. But alas, love is blind when you’re in it.

Nora had been Adrian’s partner since their special forces days. Everyone in the SAR team knew that they were once the most outstanding sniper and spotter. On the battlefield, a spotter and a sniper need to be in perfect sync to complete their missions. So after retiring from the military, Adrian and Nora joined the SAR team together, working in perfect harmony as if they were one person. I once secretly looked through Adrian’s old photo album. In the photos, Nora wore a uniform, her eyes bright and spirited, exuding a charm that ordinary people like me could never achieve. And Adrian stood beside her, looking down at her with such gentle eyes. Later, people in the team told me that Adrian had pursued Nora for five whole years. From boot camp to special forces, from training grounds to battlefields, everyone thought they would end up together. But in the end, Nora still rejected him. “We’re not suitable for each other. You deserve better,” she said. She said this just before a mission, and Adrian still loaded her bullets for her. They remained the best partners, as if nothing had happened. But in the dead of night, Adrian would practice shooting alone on the training ground until his fingers bled. Later, Nora voluntarily applied for a transfer to a remote SAR branch. On the day she left, Adrian stood outside the airport, watching her silhouette disappear into the security check. His fingers unconsciously fiddled with the ring he had never given her. The team said that was the most lost and dejected they had ever seen Adrian. I met Adrian six months after Nora left. At that time, he was like a dead pond, even his smile was cold. But I didn’t care. Young and impetuous, I thought time would wash away all the past. “He’s never had eyes for anyone else. You think he’s being gentle? That’s just his professional habit. Not just you, even those Instagram models who send him flowers, beautiful women, he smiles and accepts them, then throws them away as soon as they leave.” That’s what an old team member once told me. They couldn’t stand seeing me running to the SAR team time and time again, kindly warning me not to embarrass myself. But I didn’t believe them. I told myself that the past was in the past. Even if I was just continuing someone else’s story, I accepted it. Even the on-duty nurse at the SAR team couldn’t bear to watch anymore: “Eliza, why don’t you understand? Adrian goes to the border to see Nora every year without fail. They may be separated by mountains and rivers, but their feelings are deeper than every day you spend by his side.” I really didn’t understand. I didn’t understand why Adrian would accept my pursuit, why he would marry me. Thinking back now, perhaps from the day I used my second life to save his teammate, he had already been planning something.

The rescue that changed everything happened in my second year of knowing Adrian. Heavy rain caused a landslide, burying an entire village. Adrian led the team at the forefront, with his lifelong friend Leo Sanders covering the rear. No one noticed the massive boulder teetering overhead. “Adrian!” Leo’s voice cut through the curtain of rain. The moment Leo pushed Adrian away, the boulder came crashing down. “No!” Adrian rushed towards the rubble like a madman, held back by three team members. Back at the SAR team compound, he knelt in the rain, his whole body shaking like a wounded animal. It was the first time I had seen him lose control. Adrian, who was always calm and composed, could actually be driven to such despair. Leo was Adrian’s brother in all but blood. They had grown up together, joined the military together, entered the special forces together, and later retired to join the SAR team together. Their relationship was closer than real brothers. When Leo was rescued, his heart had already stopped beating. The doctor said that even if they could save him, he would need a heart transplant, and the treatment would cost at least five million dollars. “Please, you must save him,” Adrian gripped the doctor’s hands, his voice hoarse. “I’ll find a way to pay, no matter how much it costs.” But he had only recently retired from the military, and his salary was mostly going towards his mortgage. His teammates pitched in, a thousand here, ten thousand there, but they only managed to gather half a million. I watched him pacing back and forth in the hospital corridor, his eyes bloodshot as if he hadn’t slept for days. “It should have been me,” he kept saying. “Why did he save me?” At that moment, I felt like I was suffocating from heartache. I couldn’t hold back anymore. “I can donate my heart,” I pushed open the door and walked in. “My tissue type is a perfect match for Leo.” Adrian jerked his head up. “Are you crazy?” His voice was raspy. “You’ll die!” I smiled at him and whispered in his ear: “Trust me, I have a superpower. I won’t die.” He still didn’t agree, but I went ahead with the surgery behind his back. Not only did I donate my heart, but also my liver and kidneys to a rich man’s daughter. The wealthy man transferred five million dollars to Adrian’s account. Three days later, I woke up. When I opened my eyes, I saw Adrian keeping vigil by my bedside. He hadn’t slept for three whole days. Dark circles under his eyes, yet he stubbornly refused to leave. “You’re awake,” his voice was hoarse as he carefully held my hand. “Does it hurt?” It was the first time I had seen him so gentle. Leo recovered quickly, and Adrian started visiting me in the hospital frequently. He would peel apples for me, help me drink water, his gaze so focused it made my heart tremble. Sometimes when I was asleep, I would feel someone gently kissing my forehead. He began to tell me his stories, about the fun times training with Leo when they were young, about the rigorous tests in the special forces, and about how much he feared losing important people. When he said these things, his eyes were gentle, but there was also something in them that I couldn’t quite understand. Later, he proposed to me. I nodded, tears streaming down my face. He kissed away the tears on my face and held me tight. After that, I applied to join the SAR team as a contract nurse, so I could be by his side. It was at this time that Nora was transferred back to the main team.

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My Christmas vacation was meticulously planned, but my boyfriend kept complaining about my spending. To save money, he actually put me up for “auction starting at one dollar” on a travel companion app. Whoever bid the highest would get my companionship for the next three days. He even called it “resource sharing.” Watching the bidding price on the app steadily climb, and seeing my boyfriend’s smug face, I just smiled. He had no idea that the top bidder on the list was someone I’d called in. It was Christmas break, and my boyfriend, Brendan, and I were on vacation in Hawaii. Standing by the ocean, with the gentle breeze blowing, it should have been utterly blissful. But Brendan, standing right beside me, was lecturing me about money for the third time. “Aurora, I just don’t get it. This Airbnb is over three hundred dollars a night. What’s the difference between this and one that’s a hundred bucks? Don’t they all have a bed and a bathroom?” “We’re here for a holiday, not a budget trip.” I stared at the distant horizon, unwilling to argue with him on our first day. “So a holiday means wasting money? Look at you, you just *had* to buy that new dress before we left. Five hundred dollars! That’s my whole month’s grocery budget!” Here he went again. Brendan’s cheapness was practically coded into his DNA. When we ate out, he’d always find the cheapest coupon deals or bargain combos. For movies, he only bought the Tuesday discount tickets. For my birthday, the gift he gave me was a thermal mug he’d won in a raffle at his company’s annual holiday party. I always tried to tell myself he was just frugal, that he still cared about me. But this trip, his stingy nature was amplified in this unfamiliar environment, turning him into a truly selfish and petty jerk. At lunchtime, I wanted to go to a popular, trendy restaurant I’d found online. Brendan’s face immediately darkened. “One hundred forty dollars for a single chicken stir-fry? They might as well just rob us!” He dragged me through the winding alleys of the old town, finally stopping in front of a grocery store. “Here, instant noodles, all kinds of flavors. Problem solved.” I looked at the instant noodles he was offering, my stomach churning. “Brendan, we’re on vacation.” “So what if we’re on vacation? Does that mean we don’t have to be responsible with money?” “Aurora, I’ve noticed you’re spending more and more lately. We’re going to get married and buy a house eventually. You’re putting a lot of pressure on me.” I yanked my hand away from his and walked straight into the restaurant. “Eat it or don’t. I’m going.” I ordered two dishes for myself. The chicken soup was fresh and delicious, the stir-fried meat sweet and tangy. Not long after, Brendan showed up anyway. He didn’t say a word to me. He just sat down and grabbed a fork. He ate faster than anyone. When the bill came, he stood to the side, fiddling with his phone, showing no intention of paying. I paid the bill. Two hundred sixty-eight dollars. He glanced at the receipt, a sarcastic smirk on his face. “How lavish, Princess.” “One meal, and you’ve blown three days of my salary. Impressive.” I couldn’t be bothered with him. I just walked straight out. Back at the Airbnb, I was exhausted and just wanted to lie down and rest. But Brendan was sitting by the window, messing with his phone. He kept glancing up at me, a strange look on his face. I couldn’t help but ask, “Brendan, what are you doing now?” He turned the phone screen towards me, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. “Aurora, I’ve figured out a great way to earn back our travel expenses.” “Look, this TravelBuds app, it’s really popular.” I leaned closer to look. The screen showed an interface similar to a dating app. He pointed to a post and said, “See this? Someone’s looking to split gas money. They could save hundreds of dollars on a trip.” “What does that have to do with us? We didn’t drive here.” Brendan’s smile widened. “We can share other ‘resources’.” He typed rapidly on the screen, then shoved the phone in my face. The screen displayed a newly published post: 《My girlfriend is too extravagant. This Christmas trip is breaking the bank. Starting bid of one dollar for three days of her companionship. Highest bidder wins. Photos included. Absolutely worth it.》 Below the post was a candid photo of me by the beach. In the picture, I was wearing my new dress, smiling brightly. All the blood rushed to my head, and my face burned. “Brendan! Are you insane?! Delete that right now!”

What did he think I was? An item to be auctioned? Brendan, however, casually pulled his phone back, even turning on the speaker, listening with relish to the constant “ding-dong” sounds from the app. Those were the notification sounds of people placing bids. “Delete what? It’s fun!” He leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs, looking like a mastermind with a brilliant plan. “It’s performance art, Aurora. You wouldn’t get it.” “Besides, if someone actually bids high, won’t we make back our travel expenses? We might even turn a profit.” I literally couldn’t believe my ears. “You’re publicly humiliating me!” I lunged to snatch his phone, but he easily dodged me. “Aurora, don’t be so dramatic! It’s just a joke.” “Anyway, people are bidding. That means you’re popular. You should be flattered.” I was trembling with rage, but he was admiring his handiwork. “Oh, someone’s already bid fifty dollars. “Not bad, not bad. Looks like you’re worth something.” He even showed me the chat logs of his friends in their group chat, practically worshipping him. “Dude, you’re a genius! How’d you even think of this?” “Aurora’s hot enough to fetch thousands, right?” “When the money rolls in, drinks are on you!” I stared at those disgusting messages, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. So, in their eyes, I was just a commodity, something to be bought and sold. “Brendan, I’m telling you one last time: delete it!” “No.” He held his phone high above his head, a defiant smirk on his face. “Unless you promise me that for the next few days, you won’t spend a single extra dollar, and all expenses will be decided by me.” He thought he had me exactly where he wanted me. But watching his smug face, the fury in my heart slowly, strangely, cooled. Getting angry over a scumbag like him wasn’t worth it. I sat back on the bed, staring at him coldly. “Fine.” “I’d like to see how much I’m worth.” Brendan froze for a second, surprised I’d given in so quickly. The smirk on his face widened even more. “That’s more like it, Aurora.” He walked over, intending to hug me, but I recoiled in disgust. “Don’t touch me.” He just shrugged, didn’t push it, and turned his attention back to the auction post. “Whoa, one hundred! This user ‘SilentBreeze’ is serious!” “And ‘MountainMist’ isn’t bad either, up to one hundred twenty!” I pulled out my own phone, opened SnapChat, and found a contact I barely ever spoke to. It was my boss, Alpha. I just sent him a message: “Are you there?” He replied instantly. “Yes. Everything alright?” I took a deep breath, sent him the link to Brendan’s auction post, along with our current location, and started typing. “Alpha, I know this is incredibly presumptuous. I’m in a bit of a bind right now.” “My boyfriend, to save money, put me up for auction on this app.” “I don’t want anything to do with him anymore. Could you do me a favor and turn this farce into a full-blown spectacle?” After sending the message, I felt a knot of anxiety. Alpha was the CEO’s son, a classic corporate heir. At the office, he was always impeccably dressed in a suit, his expression stern, radiating an aura that kept everyone at a distance. Our only significant interaction was at a company retreat, where I got blackout drunk and threw up on him. The next day, I went to apologize, terrified I’d be fired. But he just gave me a blank stare and mumbled, “Maybe don’t drink so much next time.”

After that, he seemed to pay a bit more attention to me, occasionally offering me advice on work matters. But after Brendan and I got together, we hadn’t been in touch. I wondered if he’d think I was crazy, or if he’d laugh at me. My phone vibrated. It was Alpha’s reply. “Alright. What do you need me to do?” I glanced at Brendan, still gloating over the bids, and smirked to myself. I replied to Alpha. “It’s simple.” “Bid for me at a price he can’t refuse.” “Then transfer the money to me.” Alpha was silent for a few seconds. “Understood.” “Send me your account details.” I sent him my PayPal QR code. After doing all that, I put down my phone, feeling like the pent-up frustration in my heart had finally found an outlet. Meanwhile, Brendan was still giddy over the small, steadily climbing numbers. “Two hundred dollars! Aurora, look! It’s already two hundred dollars!” “Oh my god, we’ve almost made back the cost of our Airbnb for this trip!” I looked at him coldly. “Really? Just two hundred dollars, and you’ve sold three days of my freedom. You’re quite the schemer, aren’t you?” Brendan stiffened, then retorted self-righteously. “How is this ‘selling’? This is ‘resource exchange’, ‘experiencing life’.” “Besides, the money isn’t the point. It’s the thrill of the game.” Just then, his phone’s notification sound suddenly became frantic. “Ding-dong! Ding-dong! Ding-dong!” Brendan looked down, his eyes widening instantly. “Holy crap!” He cursed, jumping up from his chair in excitement. “Aurora! Look! Someone just bid! One thousand dollars! Straight to one thousand dollars!” He shoved the phone in my face. I saw a user with the ID ‘G’ had instantly upped the price from $200 to $1,000. Brendan’s friend group chat exploded too. “Dude! A whale!” “One thousand dollars… who *is* this person?” User ‘G’ seemed to be in a personal bidding war. When others added $10, he added $500. When others added $100, he added $1,000. The price surged upwards at an insane speed. $2,000… $5,000… $10,000! When the price jumped to ten thousand dollars, Brendan was speechless. He stared intensely at the screen. His friends in the group chat started sucking up to him. “Brendan! Let me cling to your leg! This isn’t finding a companion, this is finding a millionaire!” I looked at Brendan’s wide-eyed, like he’d never seen money before, and felt only contempt. He was losing his mind over a measly ten grand. I picked up my phone and sent Alpha a message. “That’s enough. Any higher and it’ll look too fake.” Alpha replied quickly. “Not enough.” “The price for your humiliation can’t be this low.” Then, I watched as the price leaped from $10,000 to a number that made my heart pound. $88,888. Eighty-eight thousand eight hundred eighty-eight dollars. The moment that number appeared, the entire bidding page went silent. Those who had been adding tens and hundreds of dollars earlier vanished instantly. Only that glaring $88,888 remained, high at the top of the list. Brendan was utterly speechless. He held his phone, repeatedly checking the number, rubbing his eyes several times, even restarting the app. “Eight… eighty thousand dollars?” He mumbled to himself, “I… I’m not dreaming, am I?” He suddenly looked up, his face filled with wild joy. “Aurora! We’re rich! We’re rich!”

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My boss went on a business trip for a month, leaving his girlfriend in charge of the company. She immediately accused me of being late and docked my entire $100,000 commission. Even my $48 taxi reimbursement request? Rejected! When I confronted her, she threatened to fire me. Fine. If that’s how it’s going to be, I decided to take my sales team and jump ship, all of us together. It was ten in the morning, and I walked into the office right on time. I’d been up till midnight talking to a client yesterday, and my head was still pounding. I was just about to grab a coffee when I checked my phone and saw that my taxi reimbursement request had been rejected. Forty-eight dollars. That was from last week, when I met Mr. Lee to discuss a new order. We talked so late that I had no choice but to take a taxi home. The rejection note had Tiffany’s name on it. Tiffany was Mr. Harrison’s new girlfriend. She was notoriously arrogant and domineering, always snapping at anyone she didn’t like. But because she had a sweet tongue and knew how to manipulate him, Mr. Harrison usually just let her do whatever she wanted. He was away on a business trip this month, so he’d put her in temporary charge of the company. I couldn’t believe she was giving me such a hard time. I marched straight to Mr. Harrison’s office. The door wasn’t quite shut, and Tiffany’s sugary laughter drifted out. I knocked, then pushed it open. She was sprawled in Mr. Harrison’s swivel chair, glued to her phone. She looked up, raised an eyebrow. “Yes?” I took a deep breath. “Tiffany, why wasn’t my taxi reimbursement from last week approved?” She glanced at the screen and scoffed. “You took the taxi yourself, of course you have to pay for it. Is this company your personal fund? You expect us to pay for your cab rides too?” “I was talking to Mr. Lee until 10:30 PM that night. The area was pretty isolated, and public transport had stopped hours ago.” I met her eyes. “And we were discussing a three-million-dollar order for the second half of the year.” “So what?” Tiffany tossed her phone aside, her bright red nails tapping on the desk. “You need to understand, the company isn’t here just to pay for you! If everyone in sales acted like you, how would we even stay in business?” “But company policy states…” I took another deep breath. “If you work past 10 PM, the company reimburses your taxi fare.” Tiffany leaned back, crossing her arms. “Policy?” She rolled her eyes at me. “What policy? The company gives you a job; you create value for the company. Do you treat this place like your own living room, expecting us to pay for your taxi rides too?” I looked at her, enunciating each word. “Company policy is set by Mr. Harrison.” Tiffany suddenly shot to her feet, her finger practically jabbing at my face. “Riley! Get this straight! I’m in charge now! If I say no, it’s no! You’re just a salesperson; how dare you challenge me?!” Her voice was piercingly shrill. The open-plan office outside instantly fell silent. “What’s wrong with being a salesperson?” I took a step forward. “Eighty percent of this company’s current revenue comes from the sales department, from the clients I handle. Last year, the company was on the brink of collapse. I was the one who closed a five-million-dollar deal and saved it.” Back when Mr. Harrison’s company was about to go under, he accidentally hired me. And in my very first month, I generated five million dollars in sales, putting the company back on its feet. Since then, Mr. Harrison had always treated me with respect and usually listened to my advice on major decisions. Tiffany slammed her hand on the desk, her face contorted into an ugly grimace, mouth agape. “Oh, really? You’re just an employee, do you really think this company belongs to you now?” “Should I just give you my position too, then?” “Let me tell you, this company will be just fine without you! Now get out!” I stared at Tiffany in disbelief. “You’re firing me? Have you even asked Mr. Harrison?” I generated 80% of the company’s profits; how dare she fire me? Tiffany sneered, looking at me with utter contempt. “You’re just a salesperson! A dirty peddler! What’s wrong with me firing you?” “This is my boyfriend’s company! I can fire whoever I want!” “Besides, who knows if you got those sales by sleeping with old men, leveraging your looks!” She just outright slandered me. I gritted my teeth, taking a deep breath. Mr. Harrison had always treated me well, I couldn’t just walk away like this. So I sat down on the sofa. “You should really ask Mr. Harrison what he thinks first.” Tiffany rolled her eyes. “Who do you think you are?” With that, she dialed Mr. Harrison’s number directly. Mr. Harrison’s voice on the other end sounded tired. “What is it?” Tiffany, who had just been yelling at me in a shrill voice, immediately softened, speaking sweetly. “Honey, I miss you.” Mr. Harrison sighed. “Just tell me what you want.” Tiffany shot me a triumphant look. “There’s a salesperson here who’s breaking company rules! I want to kick him out.” “Whatever. I need to rest.” Mr. Harrison casually dismissed her and hung up. Tiffany then looked at me, utterly smug. “Hear that? I can fire whoever I want! Now get out!”

I let out a cold laugh, staring at Tiffany. “Are you sure about that?” “If Mr. Harrison comes back and finds out you fired me, he might get angry.” I was trying to be helpful. Headhunters had been offering me huge sums for ages, but I’d stayed out of loyalty to Mr. Harrison all these years. My leaving wouldn’t affect me one bit, but Tiffany? That was a different story. Tiffany glared at me. “Who do you think you are? Just a salesperson. I’m my boyfriend’s future wife, the lady of this company.” “Let me tell you, as long as I’m around, you’ll never get to seduce my husband!” Hearing her say that, I just shook my head. Well, if that’s how it was going to be, then so be it. I turned and walked out of the office. My colleagues outside had already heard our argument but didn’t know what had happened, staring at me intently. “Boss, what’s wrong?” Marcus asked. I efficiently started packing my things, a slight smile on my face. “What’s wrong? I got fired, that’s what.” My colleagues’ eyes widened. They looked at me in disbelief. “Fired you? Is Tiffany out of her mind? Everyone knows you’re Mr. Harrison’s favorite! Isn’t she afraid he’ll break up with her?” I shook my head, chuckling softly. “I can’t worry about that. It’s her decision; she has to live with the consequences.” “Besides, I’ve been working so many years; I’ve been wanting a good long break.” I had long saved enough money to be financially independent, but I’d never taken a break or felt comfortable asking for one. This was the perfect opportunity. Marcus was fuming. “No, seriously, why did she fire you? Did you offend her, Boss?” I frowned, thinking back carefully. “Maybe it was last time, when Mr. Harrison called me to talk about work, and I didn’t answer her call. She probably thought I was having an affair with him.” “She’s been looking for excuses to pick fights with me ever since.” Yesterday, Tiffany had posted a photo of herself and Mr. Harrison in the WhatsApp group. Everyone had replied with ‘perfect match.’ I was the only one who’d seen it but didn’t bother to reply. That was probably the final straw. “I should call Mr. Harrison right now. You’re the backbone of this company; you can’t just leave.” I shook my head, a light laugh escaping me. “No, it’s fine. Even if I were to come back, it would only be after Tiffany and Mr. Harrison break up. I really can’t stand her behavior. We’ll see about it later.” I finished packing my things and headed to the finance office to collect this month’s salary. Although I’d only worked ten days this month, I’d closed a three-million-dollar deal last month. According to my contract, I was owed a $300,000 commission. I informed Chloe, the finance girl, that I’d been fired and asked her to transfer my salary to my account. Just then, Tiffany suddenly appeared at the office doorway, glaring at me. “Riley, didn’t I tell you to get out? What are you doing here?” I gave her a bland look. She was gloating, smug and self-satisfied because she’d snagged a rich boyfriend. It was particularly nauseating to watch. Seeing I didn’t respond, Tiffany immediately got agitated, stepping forward and grabbing my clothes. “Didn’t you hear me talking to you? What are you doing in the finance office? These are important company documents! Get out now, or I’m calling the police!” I frowned, forcefully shaking off Tiffany’s hand. “Let go!” “I’ve resigned. Is there a problem with me collecting this month’s salary? You should be grateful I’m not asking for compensation.” Tiffany glared at Chloe. “How much is her salary?” Chloe nervously answered. “Three hundred thousand and five thousand dollars.” Tiffany’s face immediately soured. “How much?” After Chloe repeated the amount, Tiffany pointed at me. “You violated company policy by being late, so your entire salary for this month is docked.” I let out a cold laugh. “Being late once means a $200 deduction. How did you calculate that? Did you even finish elementary school?” Tiffany, however, looked at me with full confidence. “I just set a new rule: three lates, and your entire month’s salary is gone. Now get out!”

“What gives you the right to make rules?” Tiffany crossed her arms, shamelessly. “I’ll have a share in this company in the future, so what’s wrong with me making rules?” I couldn’t be bothered arguing with her. “Then you can expect a lawsuit from me.” With that, I stormed out. I grabbed my things and drove home. As soon as I’d put everything away, I saw Tiffany had sent a message in the company WhatsApp group, which I hadn’t left yet. “From now on, everyone must reply to my messages. Anyone who doesn’t will face the same consequences as the person who was fired today.” “Also, from now on, the company will not reimburse your taxi fares. Don’t always think of the company as your personal piggy bank!” It seemed she really did fire me because I hadn’t joined in the praise. Mr. Harrison was truly unlucky to have found such a girlfriend. Everyone below immediately replied to her message. I found it annoying, so I just exited all the groups. My phone instantly became much quieter. But since Tiffany wouldn’t let me take my last month’s salary, I had to teach her a lesson. All of the company’s important clients were stored in my personal email. So I sent a group message to all these clients, basically informing them that I had resigned and would no longer be handling business at the company. Most of these people were clients I had brought in, and they cooperated with the company largely because of me. If I left, they would most likely follow me. Sure enough, within two minutes, my former clients started flooding me with messages, asking which company I was moving to and expressing their willingness to transfer their contracts. I explained the situation to each of them, saying I hadn’t found a new job yet but would contact them immediately once I did. There were so many clients; I was still replying until it got dark, eventually falling asleep from exhaustion. When I woke up the next day, Marcus sent me a message. “Boss, a lot of our partners are saying they want to terminate their agreements and won’t be renewing their contracts. Was that you?” Looks like my plan was working. I chuckled softly. “I didn’t do anything; I merely stated the fact that I’ve resigned.” “You’re amazing. Tiffany came in this morning, heard about it, and blew up at several salespeople, demanding to know why they couldn’t retain clients. Now several salespeople are preparing to resign, saying they won’t put up with her attitude.” It seemed many people in the company were unhappy with Tiffany. I wondered how she would handle this mess. Meanwhile, I prepared to contact a lawyer to file a lawsuit and get my salary back. Even though I didn’t desperately need the money, I couldn’t let her get away with it. To my surprise, a few days later, Tiffany actually called me. I was startled, picking up the phone with confusion. “What is it?” As soon as I answered, she launched into a furious tirade. “Riley, are you even human?! Where are all the company’s client contacts? They all say they’re with you! Hand over those phone numbers right now! Those are company property! I’ll sue you, I swear!” I paused, then realized Tiffany was getting desperate. “You’re disgusting! Give me those client numbers now! Or I’ll kill you, you hear me?!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “321844”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

A month after I gave birth,, he flew overseas. Alone in the house, I was tidying his study when I found a hospital bill beside the shredder. The date on it matched my delivery date exactly. Stella’s POV A month after I gave birth, Julian flew overseas for a conference. In the sprawling mansion, I had little to do, so I began to tidy his study. Near the shredder, I noticed a crumpled piece of paper. He must have missed it. Against my better judgment, I picked it up and carefully smoothed it open. It was a hospital bill from a private clinic. The date was the same as the day I’d given birth. My eyes froze on the patient’s name at the top. Luna Evans. Luna Evans? Julian’s childhood sweetheart, the woman who should have disappeared from my life three years ago. Back then, she had harassed Julian relentlessly. She had even charged at me with a knife during our engagement party. Julian kicked her away, and his family forced her overseas. How could she be back? And why was her hospital bill in his study? My heart dropped. A cold dread wrapped around me. I forced myself to breathe, my eyes scanning down, line by line. Emergency C-section… Postpartum hemorrhage protocol… Specialized neonatal care… … Total: three hundred seventy-eight thousand dollars. My fingers turned cold. I remembered everything so clearly: Julian told me I’d given birth naturally that day. He said he’d hired the best obstetrician for me, and the total cost was just over a hundred thousand dollars. But here it was-C-section, postpartum hemorrhage. Every item on that bill contradicted what I remembered. An absurd, chilling thought began to swell uncontrollably inside me. If this bill was real…then what had really happened to me? And whose child was this, the one I had tenderly cared for all this past month? I had to see Julian immediately and get to the bottom of this. I dialed his number. His voice, as gentle as always, came through the receiver. “Stella, what’s wrong? I’m at an out-of-town conference, and the signal here is bad.” Another conference. My heart clenched, and I abruptly hung up. I didn’t believe he was out of town. Clutching the paper, I spun around and ran towards the underground parking garage. The huge mansion was deserted. I headed straight for the parking garage. Just as I reached the elevator, a familiar black Bentley glided silently in, pulling into its exclusive spot not far away. The car door opened, and Julian, who should have been hundreds of miles away at a conference, stepped out. He walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, and carefully helped a woman out. It was Luna Evans. Julian had his arm half-around her waist, his movements tender. My blood instantly froze. I yanked myself back, hiding behind a massive supporting pillar. The cold concrete pressed against my back, a bone-chilling cold. Their conversation drifted clearly to my ears. “My sweet girl,” Julian’s voice was filled with doting affection and concern. “The doctor said you had a postpartum hemorrhage. You need to rest properly. Why are you running around?” Postpartum hemorrhage?! Exactly like the bill. I clamped my hand over my mouth, desperate not to make a sound. Luna leaned weakly into his embrace, her voice soft, “I miss Leo. Julian, will Stella treat Leo well?” Leo was the nickname Julian had chosen for our baby. My heart ached painfully. Julian sighed, pulling her closer. “Luna, I know I owe you too much. But don’t worry. I arranged for her to undergo deep hypnosis and used new medication. She will only remember giving birth to Leo herself, fighting for him. She will love him more than anything. It is foolproof. No one will ever know.” Tears fell from Luna’s face. “But I hid it from you back then. I thought I was dying, that’s why I insisted on keeping the baby. I’m afraid she might break.” “She won’t.” Julian’s voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt. “From today, Leo is Stella’s son. Her only purpose is to be his mother.” I slid down behind the pillar, my stomach twisting. All the sweet words that had once made me so happy now echoed like a cruel joke. He had said, “Stella, I’ll only love you in this life.” He had said, “Stella, marrying you is the greatest fortune of my life.” He had said, “Stella, I’ll give you and our child the most perfect home.” …To use drugs and hypnosis to steal my life, to make me willingly mother his and another woman’s child. It was sickening. My hands and feet went cold as my mind slowly cleared. Then I remembered. Years ago, when Julian’s grandfather was still alive, I had helped him organize his study. I’d seen a secret file, locked deep inside his safe. He had looked at me with a complicated expression and explained it was a medical report from Julian’s teenage accident. The conclusion was clear: Julian had been left permanently infertile. To protect the family’s stability and Julian’s peace of mind, his grandfather and father had suppressed the report together. They hid the truth from everyone, even from Julian and his own mother. His grandfather only urged me to forget what I’d seen and never speak of it. Back then, I was already pregnant. I’d thought the old man was confused, or that it was someone else’s report, or a misdiagnosis. I hadn’t given it another thought. But now I knew. It wasn’t a mistake, and the old man hadn’t been confused. That was the truth. A bitter, self-mocking smile touched my lips as I made my decision. First, I would contact an immigration agency and expedite my application for permanent residency abroad. I didn’t want to stay here a moment longer. Second, I remembered that secret report on Julian’s infertility. I would package that diagnosis into the most exquisite of gifts-a parting present for him. I suddenly burned with curiosity. What expression would that man wear, so arrogantly sure of his own virility, when he discovered the heir he had schemed so carefully for was not his at all.

Stella’s POV Back at the house, a piercing cry erupted from the nursery. The sound stabbed at my eardrums. I stood at the doorway, watching the tiny life in the crib kicking its legs, a surge of repulsion swelling within me. The nanny walked out, her face full of reproach. “Ms. Stella, where have you been? You didn’t answer your messages. Leo has been crying for almost half an hour, and nothing seems to comfort him.” I ignored her, my gaze fixed on the baby’s small face. The resemblance. It was too striking. Those eyes, those brows, they were clearly Luna’s spitting image. How could I have been so blind before, never once suspecting? As I was thinking, I heard the front door open. Julian was back. He first frowned, chastising the nanny in a tone filled with protectiveness. “Stella isn’t feeling well. Why are you rushing her?” After that, he skillfully picked up Leo, gently bouncing him. In just a moment, the baby’s cries gradually subsided. He carried Leo over to me, reaching out to caress my face, his voice soft. “Stella, why do you look so pale? Didn’t you get enough rest?” My stomach churned, and I instinctively turned my head away from his touch. His hand froze in mid-air, a flicker of darkness crossing his eyes, but it quickly returned to normal. He handed Leo back to the nanny, saying softly, “You take Leo back to his room. I’ll talk to Stella.” The nanny seemed to sigh in relief, hurrying away with the baby. Only the two of us were left in the living room. Julian wrapped his arms around my waist from behind, resting his chin in the crook of my shoulder. “What’s wrong? Are you upset because I sounded rushed on the phone?” I closed my eyes, letting him hold me, my body rigid and unmoving. “I’m tired,” I murmured. “Alright, I’ve prepared some herbal tea for sleep. Drink it and get some rest.” He turned and walked to the kitchen. A moment later, he returned with a steaming cup of richly fragrant herbal tea. This was the custom sleep-aid blend he had started making for me when I was preparing for pregnancy. He said it would relax my nerves and help me sleep better. I took the cup, my fingertips icy cold. Meeting his expectant gaze, I obediently brought the cup to my lips, pretending to take a sip. While he turned to straighten the sofa, I swiftly poured the tea into a nearby potted plant. “It tastes good,” I said, putting down the empty cup, my voice calm. “Glad you like it,” Julian said, walking over and smiling with satisfaction. “Go get some sleep now.” I nodded, not looking at him again, and went back to the bedroom. Lying in bed, my back to the door, I forced my breathing to remain steady. Late at night, rustling sounds came from beside me. I snapped my eyes open in the darkness. I felt Julian lift the covers and get out of bed. His movements were extremely light, as if he was afraid of waking me. I immediately got up, stealthily following him. I watched him go to the elevator and press the button for the top floor. The top floor of this building was a penthouse apartment, not for sale to the public. My heart sank inch by agonizing inch. I didn’t follow him into the elevator, turning instead towards the fire escape. In the stairwell, the sound-activated lights flickered on and off. I walked barefoot on the cold concrete, step by step, upward. At the stairwell landing on the top floor, I stopped, slipping into the deep shadows. The elevator doors opened. Julian stepped out. And the apartment door was already ajar. Luna, wearing a sexy silk nightgown, immediately rushed into his arms. “Baby, what took you so long?” Her voice held a playful whine. “Having to wait for Stella to fall asleep every night must be so hard.” Julian lowered his head and kissed her lips. “Don’t worry, the medication I give her not only ensures deep sleep but also continuously reinforces the memories I’ve implanted in her. There won’t be any slip-ups.” “That’s good.” Luna stood on her tiptoes, pecking him on the lips. “Come in, I miss you so much.” They embraced, kissing passionately, and walked into the brightly lit apartment. The door slowly closed before my eyes. I leaned against the cold wall, my blood running cold. So, that sweet-smelling herbal tea every night was a sedative. So, my husband would wait for me to fall asleep every night before going upstairs to meet his lover. This deception was even more sickening than I had imagined. I fought back the urge to rush over and smash that door open. I turned and went downstairs. Julian didn’t return until dawn. As usual, he embraced me from behind, placing a soft kiss on my neck. “Stella, how about we take Leo to the beach for a getaway this weekend? Just the three of us.” I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting back the tears that welled up. “Sounds good.”

Stella’s POV At the private fitness club, in the indoor pool. Julian put his arm around my shoulder, pointing to a woman in a bikini not far away. He smiled as he introduced her, “Stella, this is the new swimming instructor I hired for you. She’s won several championships.” My gaze fell on the woman’s face, and my heart turned icy cold. It was Luna. She had short hair and wore exaggerated sunglasses, but I’d recognize that pitiful, delicate look anywhere, even disguised. I didn’t say anything, just nodded faintly. Luna walked over, giving me a smile. “Hello, Ms. Stella. Let’s do some warm-up exercises first.” I obediently walked to the edge of the deep end, bending down to stretch. The moment my hands touched my toes, a cold hand suddenly shot out from beneath the water, clamping onto my ankle! A tremendous force pulled me, and I instantly lost my balance, being dragged violently into the water. “Mmph!” The cold pool water instantly flooded my mouth and nose. I couldn’t swim at all, and the pain of choking made it impossible to call for help. I could only struggle desperately in the water. On the shore, Julian’s face changed drastically, and he was about to jump in. “Julian, don’t rush!” Luna, however, held him back. “I’m a good swimmer. I’ll save Stella!” With that, she dove into the water and quickly swam towards me. Julian stood at the edge of the pool, a flicker of emotion in his eyes as he watched Luna’s selfless actions. I felt Luna not only fail to pull me ashore but instead use all her strength to press me firmly down towards the bottom of the pool! Luna was trying to drown me! A strong will to survive erupted. I fought back with all my might, my nails leaving several bloody scratches on Luna’s arm. The suffocating sensation intensified. Just as my consciousness began to fade, the pressure from above suddenly loosened. Luna finally dragged me ashore. “Stella!” Julian rushed over, but his first reaction wasn’t to check on me, who was barely conscious. Instead, he knelt down, tenderly cupping Luna’s arm. Several scratches on it were beading with blood. “How did you get so hurt?” His brows furrowed, his voice full of reproach. Luna began to sob pitifully. “I was just too anxious, Julian. If this leaves a scar, it will affect my future endorsements.” Julian’s heartache deepened. Ignoring me, who was still lying on the ground, he pulled Luna into his embrace, comforting her softly. “Don’t be afraid. I’ll call the best dermatologist. There won’t be a single scar left on you.” In my hazy state, I heard their conversation clearly. Suddenly, I coughed violently, spitting out several mouthfuls of pool water. Julian finally snapped back to reality. He released Luna, quickly walked to my side, and swept me into his arms. “Stella, are you alright? I’m taking you to the hospital!” Holding me, he turned to Luna and said, “Luna, you come too. Bring Leo. We’ll meet at the hospital.” Leaning against Julian’s broad chest, I could clearly hear his steady, powerful heartbeat. How could this man, without a flicker of emotion, tenderly soothe his lover, then turn around and play the devoted husband to me? Did he have no heart at all? I closed my eyes, letting cold tears stream from the corners of my eyes. I might as well have drowned.

Stella’s POV I woke up in a private hospital room, completely alone. From the hallway, I heard two orderlies whispering. “I’ve truly seen it all. Julian was so worried about those scratches on Luna’s arm that he called in the best dermatologists in the entire hospital for a consultation. But his legitimate wife, who was unconscious from drowning, was just left with a temporary orderly, not even a single inquiry.” “You don’t know the story? That Luna is Julian’s true darling. I heard Stella is the real homewrecker, using her family’s status to steal Luna’s boyfriend. Now she’s faking a drowning to get sympathy? Serves her right!” I listened quietly, my heart feeling numb. So, in everyone’s eyes, I was the malicious homewrecker. The hospital room door opened, and a young orderly walked in-one of the two who had just been talking. She looked at me with disdain. “Awake already? Tough one, aren’t you?” she sneered. “I advise you to be smart and divorce Julian immediately. Stop occupying someone else’s lover. Luna is my best friend. Julian is deeply in love with her. A woman like you, who destroys other people’s relationships, doesn’t deserve happiness.” I was too weary to argue with her. I simply closed my eyes and said calmly, “I need to rest.” Seeing my aloof demeanor, the orderly flew into a rage. She picked up a new IV bag, hung it on the stand, and roughly jammed the needle into the IV port on the back of my hand. As she adjusted the flow rate, I caught a flash of malice in her eyes. She deliberately twisted the knob to its fastest setting. “Hmph, putting on airs,” she muttered under her breath, then turned and left the room. Not long after she left, I knew something was wrong. A cold liquid was spreading through my veins, and my heart began convulsing out of control. My breath turned ragged. The orderly had given me the wrong medication. I fought to reach the call button beside my bed. The hallway outside stayed silent-no nurses came running. I suddenly realized they were probably all in Luna’s room. My vision began to blur. My body grew colder. With the last of my strength, I fumbled for the phone on my pillow and dialed Julian. A long series of tones echoed before the call finally connected. I tried to speak, but his impatient voice cut through first. “Busy.” Then, the line went dead.

Stella’s POV When I woke up in the hospital, Julian was standing by my bedside. Seeing my eyes open, he immediately grasped my hand, his voice hoarse. “Stella, I’m so sorry. I was dealing with an urgent overseas matter, and my phone was on silent. I never thought…” The regret in his eyes seemed genuine, but I merely watched him perform, numb. “What about that orderly?” I asked. “I’ve already fired her and instructed my lawyers to sue her. There will be no leniency.” He gently stroked my hair. “Don’t worry, nothing like this will ever happen again.” I listened to his reassuring words, but my heart felt empty. After comforting me for a few moments, he quickly glanced at his watch and stood up. “I have an important meeting at the office. I really have to go. You rest well. I’ll be back to be with you as soon as the meeting is over.” With that, he leaned down and pressed a kiss to my forehead, then left in a hurry. I watched his retreating back and gently curved my lips into a slight smile. His excuse was always “a meeting.” Discharged from the hospital, I arrived home to see Julian’s mother gleefully video-calling someone on her phone, holding the baby. On the other end of the screen was Luna. “Come on, say ‘Mommy’,” Julian’s mother said, her voice full of doting affection. The baby babbled. She beamed, unable to hide her joy. When she saw me enter, her face immediately darkened. She ended the video call and coldly swept her gaze over me. “So delicate, just a little drowning, and you have to stay in the hospital for so long. How many company matters has Julian delayed because of you?” She shoved an insulated container into my hands. “Take this soup to Julian. Learn to be a supportive wife. Stop causing him trouble all the time.” I took the container, turned, and walked out without a word. Arriving at Julian’s company, I pushed open the door to his CEO’s penthouse office and, to my surprise, found Luna already there. She wore sunglasses, covering half her face, but the triumphant smile on her lips couldn’t be hidden. “Stella, here to see Julian? Bad timing, he just stepped out for a meeting.” I couldn’t be bothered with her. I placed the insulated container on the table and turned to leave. “Stop!” Luna suddenly stood up and grabbed my arm. She deliberately bumped into me, at the same time, spilling the hot coffee she was holding all over her own chest! “Ah!” She cried out in pain, and a large brown stain instantly spread across her white shirt. Her eyes turned red, and tears streamed down her face instantly. “Stella, I know you misunderstood me, but how could you lay hands on me?” Just then, the office door opened. Julian walked in. Seeing this scene, Luna cried even harder, her face stained with tears. He walked straight past the sobbing Luna, quickly came to my side, and anxiously scrutinized me from head to toe. “Stella, are you alright? Did anything splash on you?” I shook my head. He finally sighed in relief, then turned, his face dark, and sharply rebuked Luna. “Who told you to come here? Get out!” Luna froze, she seemed stunned by his reaction. Under Julian’s cold gaze, she could only sob pitifully and run out. Only the two of us were left in the office. He pulled me into his arms and whispered, “Stella, I love you. Only you. Don’t read too much into things, alright?” His voice was soft, but then it shifted. “But your emotions have been unstable lately. You get provoked too easily…you’ve hurt people.” I broke free and looked at him coldly. “I didn’t push her.” “Alright, alright, I believe you.” His reassurance was perfunctory. He glanced at his watch. “I really have to get to this meeting. You go home and wait for me.” He left in a hurry once again. I didn’t move. I just stepped closer to the door and looked out through the gap. Down the hall, he caught up with Luna. “I’m living like I’m in hiding!” Luna sobbed. “Julian, about what happened back then…I found new evidence. I can prove Stella framed me.” He pulled her gently into an embrace and promised softly. “Luna, don’t worry. I’ll clear your name. From now on, you can walk anywhere openly, proudly.” I watched them hold each other, silent. My heart had turned to ice.

The day Chloe and I agreed to move to the same city, I never showed up. She probably still can’t figure out what happened. I just went back to my hometown to pack, and suddenly I was gone, completely off the grid. A few days later, I finally called Chloe. The moment she picked up, her voice was sharp with accusation: “Leo, are you trying to ghost me?” I glanced at the stark, cold walls around me and forced out words I didn’t mean. “Yeah, that’s right. I’m heading overseas for a better life.” “Let’s just… not contact each other anymore.” Five years later, I was running a small stall at a night market in a popular tourist spot, just trying to make ends meet. I customized handmade leather goods for tourists and sold little wooden carvings I’d made myself. One evening, a light rain started to fall. Ben, the guy at the stall next to mine, packed up his things and called out, “Leo, it’s raining, aren’t you going home?” I shook my head, a bitter taste in my mouth. I hadn’t sold anything all day, and I just didn’t want to go back to an empty apartment. Ben tried to coax me. “Buddy, this isn’t how you make money. You haven’t eaten all day. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” Just as he finished speaking, two people stopped in front of my stall—a couple. “Hey, how much for this wallet?” The man casually picked one up, examining it. I instinctively lowered my gaze, wiped down the display, and eagerly introduced, “Basic cowhide is $20. For the vegetable-tanned leather, it’s $30. If your girlfriend likes it, I can even throw in a handmade wooden carving. I made them all myself.” The man didn’t even look at me. He just pointed to a classic design. “Just this one. Forget the carving. I’m not interested in street vendor stuff.” The woman beside him held an umbrella over his head, her voice full of playful scolding. “Only you would think to wander through a night market in the rain.” My hand, which was reaching for the leather, froze. It had been a long time since I’d heard that voice, but I knew I’d never forget it. Not even if I lived a hundred years. It was Chloe. I sneaked a quick glance and finally saw her. She was thinner, even more beautiful. The awkwardness of her student days was gone, replaced by a confident, polished air. In that instant, my heart felt like a leaf ripped from its branch by a wild storm, spiraling aimlessly, utterly lost. I mechanically grabbed my tools, burying my head to steady my racing thoughts, and started working on the leather edges. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Chloe pull up a chair and sit down, her arm still raised, holding the umbrella for him. I instantly remembered college, how she’d always wait for me downstairs at the library when it rained, always tilting the umbrella to cover me more. But that favoritism, that special care, no longer belonged to me. Now, she stood beside another man, sheltering him, her eyes completely focused on him. “Wait, don’t bother.” The man suddenly tossed the wallet back onto the stall, a frown on his face. My thoughts snapped back to reality. I asked, flustered, “Miss, is it… is it not the style you like?” He shook his head, his voice laced with disdain. “The edges of this leather are so rough, and there are scratches. How can you even run a stall with workmanship like this?” That’s when I noticed my own rough hands. Years of woodworking and handling leather had left my fingers and the web between my thumb and forefinger covered in calluses and tiny scars. In that moment, my face burned, and my chest tightened with shame. Chloe, beside him, suddenly chuckled and patted his shoulder, pulling her wallet from her bag. “Forget it. Just take the money. Let’s go.” She finally looked at me. That look made her hand, mid-reach for cash, freeze. I watched her expression slowly turn rigid, even the muscles in her face subtly twitching. Those eyes, once so gentle and captivating, slowly filled with a complex mix of emotions—shock, confusion, and finally, pure hatred. The man pulled out a tissue and wiped his hands, then turned to her. “What’s wrong? You know him?” She suddenly laughed. She pulled out a few extra bills from her wallet and threw them all at me. “No, I don’t. He just looks pathetic.” “Consider it charity for a beggar. Let’s go.” Those two sentences pierced me like sharp hooks, digging deeper and deeper into my heart. She recognized me. Right when I was at my lowest.

Chloe didn’t know that my lowest point wasn’t now. The year we graduated, we’d planned to move to the same city. Before leaving, I had to go back to my hometown to pack. But the moment I walked through the door, I saw a scene straight out of a nightmare. My stepfather was pinning my mother down, one hand on her head, the other viciously swinging a fist. Seeing me enter didn’t make him stop; if anything, he hit her harder. “You worthless hag! You’re just as filthy as your son! You live off my dime, drink my liquor, and now you won’t even serve me? I’ll beat you to death!” My mother’s screams and my stepfather’s curses blended together, assaulting every nerve in my body. I couldn’t take it anymore. I lunged forward and shoved him away. But I was no match for him. In just a few seconds, he was back on his feet and punched me. Mom struggled up and grabbed his leg. “Please, stop! He’ll make money in the future!” The mention of money only enraged the brute more. He broke free from my mother, then grabbed me by the throat. In that moment, I felt like I was going to die. As despair closed in, my hand found a fruit knife on the table. Without thinking, I plunged it into his chest. Barely in my twenties, I suddenly had a death on my hands. On the day I waited for my sentence, I called Chloe. Her first words were an accusation, asking why I was so heartless. I wiped away the tears that had already streamed down my face and, for the first time, spoke to her with contempt. “Chloe, to be honest, I’m going abroad in a couple of days to live a good life.” “Only a fool would stay with a poor student like you.” Those cruel, forced words, meant to devastate the then-penniless Chloe, made my whole body tremble. Her voice shaky, she warned me not to regret it, and we never spoke again. Later, I was sentenced to five years for manslaughter. My mother took her own life a week after my sentencing. From that day on, I lost not only my mother but also my freedom. I regretted it, but it was too late. Chloe was wonderful, irreplaceable by anyone in the world. And the castle I had spent over twenty years building inside myself had crumbled. I wasn’t worthy of her. Not anymore. After I got out of prison, no company would hire me. I finally managed to find a delivery job. But when my criminal record was discovered, my usually kind boss suddenly turned cold. “You kid, do you know how much trouble you’ll get me into if the company finds out? Get out! Get far away!” Who would have thought that I, a graduate of a prestigious university, wouldn’t even qualify to be a delivery driver? After that, I could only rely on the woodworking and leather craft skills I’d learned in prison, doing odd jobs, barely getting by. The money Chloe threw at me today was almost my entire month’s income. But I didn’t want to keep it. That money, hitting my body, felt worse than a slap to the face. Before bed, I got a call from Sam, my college roommate. He was the only friend I’d kept in touch with after my release. “Leo, I’ve invited Chloe to my wedding next month. My dad has a business deal with her, so I couldn’t really avoid it.” “But you have to come. We promised each other in college.” I tidied up the money I hadn’t managed to refuse earlier and replied calmly, “It’s fine. I have something to return to her anyway.” Once it’s returned, maybe I can finally let it go.

Sam’s wedding was held at his dad’s hotel. It was my first time back in this city in over five years. Even though I’d been back in society for six months, I still felt uncomfortable and out of place in crowded areas. “Leo, don’t be so stiff.” Sam patted my shoulder, trying to reassure me. I managed a dry smile and waved him off to attend to his guests. Soon, people started taking their seats. I realized I was at a table with my old college classmates, but no one recognized me. Chloe arrived with that handsome man from the other day. Before they even sat down, they caused quite a stir. “Wow, Chloe looks like she’s about to get married!” She didn’t try to hide it, openly holding hands with the man. Then she glanced in my direction, smiling as she nodded. “That’s right. Everyone’s invited to the wedding when Brandon and I get married.” So his name was Brandon. I lowered my head, wishing I could disappear. All I could do was try to be as inconspicuous as possible. But Brandon saw me. “Hey—aren’t you that guy from the night market the other day?” His words drew countless eyes to me. Finally, someone recognized me. “You’re… Leo! Right?” I nodded faintly, still not lifting my head. The person slapped his thigh. “It really is! But what happened to you? I remember you used to be so sharp, now you look so haggard.” I forced a smile, unsure how to answer. Some of Chloe’s close friends at the table started throwing veiled insults. “Well, well, looks like our brilliant Leo finally got his karma. We hadn’t heard from you in years; we thought you’d vanished in the pandemic.” The words were harsh, but I could bear them. Compared to the abuse I’d suffered in prison, what was this? Besides, this was Sam’s wedding. I couldn’t let him be embarrassed. During dinner, I just focused on the food in front of me. Chloe scoffed, serving Brandon some food while making a sarcastic remark. “Mr. Black, have you been abroad so long you can’t stand local cuisine anymore?” I mindlessly finished my last bite, then gently set down my forks. “Please enjoy your meal, everyone. I have to go.” As I said this, my gaze swept across the room, finding no eyes to meet among the table full of people. I left in a hurry, without saying goodbye to Sam, and without finding a suitable chance to return Chloe’s money. But just as I stepped out of the hotel, someone stopped me. Chloe, somehow, had gotten to the entrance before me. She dragged me to a deserted corner without a word, her face a dark storm cloud, ready to burst. “Leo, what’s your game? You said you were going overseas for a better life. Why are you back now?” My throat tightened. I looked at her, helpless. “They’re right. This is your karma for abandoning me.” “Are you jealous? I’m rich and powerful now, and my boyfriend is handsome and caring.” “Most importantly, he loves me! He wouldn’t just abandon me! You’re the one who got dumped!” A tidal wave of pent-up anger crashed down on me, making it hard to breathe. Just then, Sam rushed out, panting, and stepped in front of me. “Chloe, what are you doing? You know Leo, he…” “Sam!” I quickly cut him off. I pressed the money I’d been carrying into Chloe’s hand, grabbed Sam, and turned to leave. I didn’t want her to know. I wanted it to stay buried forever.

Later that evening, Sam found time to call me. “Leo, don’t stay cooped up in that small tourist spot. Come work at my dad’s hotel.” I felt a mix of daze and unease. “Is that… appropriate? Won’t I cause trouble for you guys?” Sam answered casually, “No big deal. It’s just a temporary maintenance job. You won’t have to be in the public eye often, and it pays better than your stall.” This time, I suddenly wanted to try. On my third day of work, someone was having a birthday party in the main ballroom. It had nothing to do with me, but I was suddenly called down by Mr. Miller, the manager, to help move equipment. When I got to the hall, I realized it was Chloe’s birthday. I’d actually forgotten. Not only were many college classmates there, but also friends she’d made in the city over the past few years. I looked around, trying to find Sam in the crowd. I didn’t want to be seen at this party. “What are you staring at? I didn’t call you down here to gawk!” Mike, the junior manager, shoved a box of liquor into my hands without asking. “Go on, hurry! The main table is waiting for it!” I didn’t have time to refuse before he pushed me. I walked like a zombie, carrying the box through the bustling crowd. Just as I reached the main table, Brandon suddenly turned and bumped my arm. My grip slipped, and the box overturned. With a crash, several bottles shattered, liquor spilling everywhere, splashing onto Brandon’s shoes and pant legs. “Hey, what are you doing?! Watch where you’re going!” “I’m sorry.” I mumbled an apology, fumbling to clean up the glass shards on the floor. Brandon was furious. “What good is ‘sorry’? Do you know how much these pants cost? Clean it up already!” I instinctively glanced at Chloe. She frowned slightly but remained silent. I knew then; she wasn’t going to intervene. “Hurry up, what are you thinking about? Is this how your staff handles mistakes here?” Fine. I pulled out the cloth I always carried and knelt to wipe the spilled liquor from the floor. In that moment, everyone was watching me. Before I even finished, Brandon’s cold chuckle came from above me. “Friends, classmates, many of you here know this guy, right? Does anyone know where he’s been all these years?” My mind exploded. He was doing this on purpose? He asked me in a mocking tone, “Leo, right? Should I help you tell everyone where you were during those missing years?” I understood instantly. Brandon had investigated everything about me. Though I didn’t know why, he was clearly determined to expose me. The room buzzed with whispers, like an annoying swarm of flies. I looked up, meeting Brandon’s triumphant gaze. He looked down at me, smiling maliciously. In that moment, I felt like an animal backed into a corner. And they were all executioners waiting for me to surrender. If I was going to die either way, I’d rather jump myself than be played by them. I stood up, looking at him, at Chloe, at the countless eyes fixed on me. I wouldn’t hide anymore. “No need for you to trouble yourself. I’ll tell everyone myself.” “Years ago, I accidentally killed someone. The time I was gone, I was serving my sentence in prison.” This confession wasn’t for others; it was for myself. I just wanted to live my life honestly. “What did you say?” Chloe shot to her feet, staring at me in disbelief, her eyes burning with a fierce fire.

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My brother and I woke up, back on the day our parents divorced. In my past life, my brother chose our mom, a corporate executive, abandoning our dad, a painter lost in his art. Mom, after remarrying, poured all her energy into her new family, treating him with extreme strictness and coldness. But the dad he abandoned unexpectedly awakened a “Predictive Investment System” and became a legend in the investment world. Jasper spent his adolescence in loneliness and suppression. When he saw me on TV, living a privileged life as Dad accumulated wealth and fame, his heart filled with regret. Eventually, he rammed his car into me. When I opened my eyes again, Jasper was already grasping Dad’s hand. “You’ve had your good life already; this time, it’s my turn.” He looked at me, a smug smile playing on his lips. But he didn’t know that the so-called investment system was both a gift and a massive trap. When I opened my eyes, my mom, Eleanor, was pointing at Dad, Arthur, and scolding him sharply. “Arthur! You good-for-nothing, broke waste of space! I slave away to provide for this family, and you dare cheat on me!” A shattered glass flew past my eyes. Before I could even react, someone beside me moved faster. “Mom! How can you say that about Dad! Dad sacrificed so much for his art, and if you weren’t constantly obsessed with work, completely ignoring this family, he wouldn’t have felt so lonely!” My brother, Jasper, shielded Dad, his handsome face flushed with indignation. “This is unbelievable!” Eleanor froze for two seconds before snapping out of her shock. She reached out in annoyance to pull Jasper, but he violently shook her off. “Don’t touch me! I’m staying with Dad!” Eleanor looked at him in disbelief, unable to comprehend why her usually obedient younger son would suddenly twist the truth and spout such nonsense. In the chaos, only I caught the fleeting, sly glint in Jasper’s eyes. Just that one look, and I understood—Jasper and I had both been reborn, returning to this critical fork in our destiny. In my past life, the scene was exactly the same. Eleanor was a high-earning corporate executive, constantly busy with her career. Arthur was a struggling artist, dedicated to his so-called art, yet unable to earn a single penny. He believed others simply didn’t appreciate his talent, so he gradually grew close to a woman who did. They met frequently under the guise of discussing creative projects, until one day Eleanor, who came home early, caught them. Eleanor was furious and immediately demanded a divorce. Back then, Jasper, eyeing Mom’s financial strength and social status, unhesitatingly chose to go with her. But he never imagined that on the night of the divorce, Dad would unexpectedly acquire the “Predictive Investment System,” capable of foreseeing stock market trends. With this ability, Dad quickly amassed astonishing wealth through stock trading, becoming known in the industry as the “Midas Touch.” And as his son, I naturally lived a privileged life, receiving the best education. In contrast, Jasper, after choosing Mom, did not find the care and freedom he expected. Eleanor soon remarried, investing most of her energy into her new family, strictly disciplining him but lacking warmth. His stepsister, Brooke, brought by his stepfather, had a strong personality and constantly clashed with him. He grew up feeling suppressed. Eventually, while wandering the streets, he saw me, celebrated and thriving at an international forum on a giant mall screen. Jealousy and regret consumed him, leading him to choose the most extreme path. I just never expected that, upon reopening my eyes, we’d both be back at this starting point. This time, due to Jasper’s persistence and uproar, Eleanor ultimately relinquished custody of him, choosing me instead. But Eleanor still felt more for her younger son. Dad, who in the previous life had left with virtually nothing, was now able to keep our spacious old house because of Jasper’s choice. Watching me quietly pack my belongings, Jasper’s face displayed unconcealed triumph. “Aria, if things don’t work out for you later, come back and beg me. Maybe I’ll throw you a bone.” I merely smiled at his words, amused by his continued naivety. He thought that by choosing the “System”-bound Dad first, he held the winning hand. He didn’t know that easy success doesn’t exist in this world. Any gift received without effort always comes with a hidden price. That seemingly unbeatable card, without the matching skill and mindset, can lead straight to ruin when played alone.

Mom and I moved into a small apartment near my school. People often say it’s easy to get used to luxury, but hard to give it up. Moving from a spacious detached house to such a cramped space, Eleanor indeed found it difficult to adjust. But deep down, she knew that if it weren’t for her favoritism towards Jasper, unwilling to let him suffer even a little, it wouldn’t be us who had to move out. “Aria, don’t worry. Once this big project is done, I’ll definitely get you a bigger place.” When she noticed my clothes and shoes no longer fit into the tiny closet, her tone was filled with clear apology. But I actually didn’t care much about these things. In my past life, after Dad’s “Predictive Investment System” was fully activated and wealth rapidly accumulated, invitations to social events and collaboration opportunities poured in. I quickly moved into a more upscale neighborhood and owned many expensive possessions. I didn’t have to devote all my energy to college applications and standardized tests like most of my peers. Because with Dad’s investment foresight, which seemed to predict the market, a brief investment seminar could earn more than an average working-class family made in a year. In the eyes of others, my life was enviable, like a movie plot. But only I knew that behind this sudden surge of fame and fortune lay immense public pressure and many unspoken rules within that circle. Dad had always lacked patience for running actual businesses. After gaining immense wealth from the system, he became even lazier, refusing to learn any solid asset management or business acumen. However, wealth growth isn’t limitless. Even with that almost predictive investment intuition, his increasingly casual spending and lack of long-term planning gradually eroded his partners’ confidence. People criticized him as merely a lucky speculator, no longer willing to engage in long-term collaborations that required trust. Most of those who had once gathered around him, calling him brother, were merely opportunists chasing profit, never genuinely caring. Seeing the tides turn, they quickly distanced themselves, disappearing without a trace. Desperate, he tried to force the core mechanics of the “Predictive Investment System” onto me, wanting me to be his puppet. To completely control me, he ignored my wishes, made me drop out of high school in my senior year, and then arranged for me to attend various social galas with unclear purposes. Finally, he pushed me into the bed of a wealthy man with particular tastes, taking photos to threaten me: “If you don’t do as I say, I’ll make these public.” During that time, I was physically and mentally exhausted, once on the verge of collapse. It was in those bleak days that I fully understood: every seemingly generous gift from fate always comes with a steep price attached. This time, I didn’t want those gifts that fell from the sky, yet came with invisible chains. I wanted to stand on my own two feet, rely on my own efforts, and firmly control my own life. I created a strict study plan for myself. Thanks to Mom’s lingering guilt, this time I didn’t have to worry about basic living expenses. I used the allowance she provided to enroll in several one-on-one private tutoring sessions. Like a knight on a grueling quest, I strictly followed my daily schedule, shuttling between home, school, and the tutoring center. These days were tough. During that initial period, I’d come home every day with my brain blank from overexertion, leaving only numb exhaustion. But I knew clearly that, as someone returning to my graduation year, I had far more catching up to do than my classmates. To earn respect and a future through genuine knowledge and skill, I had to put in several times more effort than others. Hard work pays off. With the guidance of my tutors and my own full dedication, my grades steadily climbed from the bottom of the rankings. Meanwhile, Dad, just like in my past life, quickly amassed unimaginable wealth due to his sharp investment foresight, and was suddenly highly sought after by many investment banks. When Jasper reappeared at school, he was clearly the most sought-after center of attention in the crowd. “What’s the point of studying so much? What you’ll earn working later might not even be a fraction of what I make from one investment right now.” Facing the envious glances and flattery from classmates, Jasper wore a casual smile, idly flipping through my exercise book, which was covered in annotations and markings. The guy next to him, Noah, immediately chimed in: “Exactly, what does Aria know, she just studies all the time? After all that studying, she’ll still end up working for some boss.” “Our Jasper is different; he’s going to be a rising star in the investment world… I heard that popular actress, Seraphina, is even really close to him lately!” “Don’t be silly, that’s not true!” At the mention of this topic, a deliberately veiled expression of triumph immediately appeared on Jasper’s face. His feigned resistance drew another round of teasing from those around him. A celebrity named Seraphina? My pen, mid-sentence, paused almost imperceptibly. If I wasn’t mistaken, they were talking about Seraphina, the actress whose career had been skyrocketing in recent years. In my past life, she was known for her low-key professionalism, yet she showed an unusual understanding and concern for my situation. On social media, discussions about us were quite heated, with even subtle interactions sparking widespread fan speculation. Perhaps driven by a competitive impulse directed at me, this time around, as soon as Jasper gained a little fame, he actively sought her out. And, unsurprisingly, photos of them appearing together at private events began to circulate online. “Aria, seeing someone who used to only have eyes for you now getting closer to me, doesn’t that sting a little?”

Jasper leaned into my ear, his voice a low, malicious whisper. Looking at my neat homework on the desk, he seemed to deliberately pick a fight, suddenly grabbing my pen-holding hand and scribbling several crooked, paper-damaging lines across my notebook. They say there’s a limit to how much a person can take. Especially when he just ruined homework that I had spent over two hours carefully completing. I abruptly snatched the water cup from my desk, and with my other hand, quickly grabbed the front of his shirt. Amidst his surprised yelp, I splashed the entire cup of water right in his face. “Aria! You’re dead!” He froze for a second, drenched, then erupted in a furious rage, lunging at me like a wild animal. But as he came at me, my hand, already prepared and surging with power, grabbed his wrist and yanked him back hard. “You’re the one who’s dead. Do that again, and I’ll deal with your dad too.” Under my merciless grip, he grimaced in pain. The intense pain sobered him slightly. He didn’t recklessly charge forward again; instead, he recoiled a couple of steps, his eyes filled with venomous resentment. “You just wait… you’ll get what’s coming to you!” … Jasper’s “comeuppance” arrived sooner than expected. Returning home from school that evening, I found a visitor on the living room sofa. “Aria, come meet Uncle Richard.” Eleanor stood up a bit awkwardly, her introductory tone a little dry. I looked at the sofa. It was a man with a composed demeanor, dressed impeccably but not ostentatiously. He was also the formidable individual Jasper had mentioned in my past life, the one who eventually forced him out of the house. I’d once heard Dad proudly mention that the first time Eleanor introduced Uncle Richard to Jasper, Jasper threw a huge tantrum and went on a hunger strike for days. He smashed quite a few things in the house, pointing his finger at Uncle Richard and yelling: “You, a man remarrying with baggage, you’re not even fit to tie my dad’s shoes! What right do you have to step into our home!” At that time, Dad was at the peak of his fame, a media darling. Jasper, on one hand, regretted his initial choice; on the other, he looked down on Uncle Richard’s simple lifestyle and complained that Eleanor couldn’t provide him with the same prestige and lavish lifestyle as Dad. But before he could finish his rant, a solid punch landed on his face. Brooke, Uncle Richard’s daughter, stood emotionless in the doorway, her gaze as cold as a frozen lake. Ultimately, Eleanor still chose to be with Uncle Richard. And because of that terrible first meeting, Jasper and Brooke’s family became sworn enemies. Now, looking at the man before me, who offered a gentle smile, and the girl behind him, with a calm expression and a hint of scrutiny in her eyes, I extended my hand. “Hello, Uncle Richard, I’m Aria.” Brooke’s gaze shifted slightly, her previously distant scrutiny softening a little. Eleanor visibly relaxed, a relieved smile spreading across her face. “Aria is so much more sensible than her brother. If Jasper were here, who knows what kind of scene he’d make.” Sensible? I maintained a polite, shallow smile. If given the choice, what child would willingly share their parents’ affection and family resources? Jasper naturally understood this, which was why he gloated and taunted me at school. He believed I would, like him in the past life, clash endlessly with Brooke and her dad, ultimately ending up with nothing. However, what he never knew was that Uncle Richard was the head of a national research project. Though his life was simple, his social standing and network were exceptional. Objectively speaking, when it came to his marriage with Eleanor, perhaps we were the ones who benefited more. Jasper never cared about the academic world, so he had never witnessed Uncle Richard’s brilliance at professional forums. Of course, even if he knew, he probably wouldn’t care. Because his criteria for judging people always remained fixated on outward show and flashy clothes. So, while he wished Uncle Richard would leave quickly, not wanting him to touch “his” interests. I, on the other hand, was thinking about how to absorb knowledge from Uncle Richard, understand the wider world, and build my own undeniable value through genuine learning and ability. That evening, I went to the kitchen for a glass of water. As I passed the hallway corner, I was abruptly pulled into the shadows beside it by an unseen force. Moonlight streamed in through the window, outlining a face with sharp features, and a cool, keen edge in her eyes. “Aria,” her voice was a low whisper, her gaze fixed on me, “I don’t care what you’re thinking, but you’d better not have any designs on my dad.”

I narrowed my eyes at her. Brooke, the person Jasper feared most. She was my age, yet already someone no one dared to cross at school. She marched to the beat of her own drum, with a formidable personality, and thanks to her natural talent, even the guys couldn’t beat her. In my past life, when Jasper first tried to sow discord with Uncle Richard, Brooke simply stepped forward and beat him up. Because her usual tricks of pouting and whining were completely ineffective against Brooke, Jasper feared her terribly. Even after being thrown out of the house later, it was with a ‘scorched earth’ mentality that he orchestrated a trap to have her sent to juvenile detention. Yet, this was also the person who, during my most vulnerable moments, appeared like a ray of light and protected me. This time, I didn’t want to be her enemy. “Brooke.” I looked at the girl’s stern face before me and suddenly smiled. “Do you want to keep solving problems with your fists?” Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, and even the smooth lines of her arm muscles tensed slightly. No one had ever dared to bring that up directly in front of her. Everyone knew that Uncle Richard, a renowned scholar, hoped his daughter would focus on her studies and inherit his legacy in the future. However, Brooke had absolutely no interest in academics. She was straightforward and hated roundabout empty talk and tactics. In my past life, Jasper had exploited this very trait, orchestrating a trap that landed her in serious trouble. Yet now, facing her scrutinizing and defensive gaze, I simply pulled a flyer from my pocket. “If you don’t want to keep going like this, maybe this place is worth a try.” The flyer was for a fencing club’s enrollment. Even before Uncle Richard came to our house, I had already thought about how to guide Brooke onto a different path. The respect she commanded at school wasn’t just due to her intimidating aura; it was more her exceptional athletic talent. She was tall, with long arms, and her reaction speed and explosive power far surpassed ordinary people. These two qualities were precisely what fencing needed most. Jasper saw Brooke as an untamable beast who only used violence to solve problems, so he could only feel fear, ultimately leading to mutual destruction. But I was never afraid of a challenge. To me, you can find the right way to guide any beast, and you can unlock its true potential. The moonlight was cold and clear. Brooke simply stared at me intently. After a long while, she took the flyer, turned, and left. A faint “Thank you” drifted back to me. The results for the school competition team selection were finally out. With the help of my tutors and my own full dedication, I successfully made the team. On the day the results were announced, many classmates came to congratulate me. “Aria, good luck with the competition! When you get a good ranking, don’t forget to treat us!” “If you ask me, you’re the real role model here! What you earn with genuine ability is far more reliable than all that flashy nonsense!” Amidst the chorus of congratulations, only Jasper in the corner looked displeased. Unlike my smooth progress, he hadn’t had it easy lately. Initially, after discovering Dad’s system and rapid rise to fame, he indeed indulged in the adulation of the crowd. But gradually, the troubles brought by immense public attention began to surface. First were the work arrangements. Dad, inherently clueless about business operations, had relied on others his whole life. After getting the system, he became even more engrossed in various superficial social events and indulgences. Choosing work invitations and handling business collaborations ultimately all fell on Jasper. Jasper had initially thought he could ride Dad’s coattails to skyrocket to success. Instead, he ended up transforming from his family’s pampered son into an assistant constantly cleaning up his father’s messes. He was exhausted and constantly busy, following Dad around, dealing with all sorts of trivial matters, and managing media reports of Dad flitting between different women. But even so, the situation didn’t improve. A public figure’s life is magnified infinitely. Besides paparazzi photos, even more devastating was Dad’s truly deplorable knowledge base and cultural literacy. In my past life, with me there to promptly remind him or smooth things over, many issues were barely glossed over. But now, Jasper himself was someone who disliked studying and couldn’t settle down to learn. During an art interview, the host asked Dad to offer a blessing to students about to enter university. Jasper hastily searched online for some quotes, but Dad mangled a historical allusion, making a huge joke of himself. Dad, feeling humiliated backstage, slapped Jasper hard across the face on the spot. “If only I’d brought Aria along instead, this embarrassment would never have happened!” He pointed his finger at Jasper, scolding him fiercely. But he clearly still didn’t want to give up the attention and benefits he’d gained. So Dad ultimately made the same decision as in the past life—he transferred the system to Jasper. “Aria, did you know this would happen all along?” As I packed my bag, only he and I were left in the classroom. I turned, looking at his furious face, and found it somewhat laughable. “Haven’t you already gotten what you wanted most?” My tone was calm, and I watched the expression on his face slowly stiffen. Of course, I knew why Jasper, despite having the system, was so restless and anxious. Because the “Predictive Investment System” was nothing like he imagined.

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Before our anniversary trip, my husband, Liam Hayes, ignored my protests and insisted on bringing his female assistant. His excuse? Work couldn’t wait. The first night, I’d just slipped into some seductive nightwear when his assistant called him for a meeting. The second night, we were mid-sex when she interrupted, demanding he review proposals. The third night, after he emerged from her room yet again, I told him I wanted a divorce. He exploded: “Avery, are you kidding me? You want to divorce over this small things?” I nodded. “Yes. I’m doing this for your own good. Wouldn’t want to get in the way of your precious work, would I?” “Reasons?” Liam’s eyebrows shot up. “Avery, you better explain yourself.” I leaned against the window of our hotel room, the azure waters of the Maldives stretching out below. We were supposed to be celebrating our romantic fifth wedding anniversary here, a trip I’d meticulously planned for over half a year. But now, that brilliant blue gouged my eyes out, making my stomach churn. “You’ll know the reasons soon enough.” Just then, the doorbell chimed. Liam turned. His female assistant, Chloe Davies, stood in the doorway. “Mr. Hayes, the ten o’clock conference call is about to start.” Chloe’s voice was deliberately hushed, dripping with a sickeningly sweet, humble politeness. Her gaze flickered over me, a fleeting smirk playing on her lips. My face remained calm. “Liam, we’ve been on this trip for two days, and you’ve had over a dozen conference calls with your assistant.” “Day or night, you two spend more time together than you do with me.” “Do you honestly think this marriage is worth saving?” Liam frowned. “Is there something wrong with that? You know how important this merger is to me!” “The merger?” I stepped forward, meeting his gaze directly. “For our fifth wedding anniversary trip, you packed three suitcases.” “Two of them were filled with documents.” “You didn’t pack a single outfit for me, not even your own swim trunks, but you somehow remembered to pack ten dresses for Chloe Davies.” “Care to explain why?” Liam was speechless. Chloe seized the moment, a sickeningly sweet, humble smile plastered on her face. “Miss Reed, I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault.” “I didn’t manage the meeting schedule well and disrupted your plans with Mr. Hayes.” She lowered her head slightly, her bangs falling across her forehead, making her look both innocent and incredibly wronged. “He’s been under so much pressure lately; sometimes he forgets things. Please don’t blame him.” I watched her performance, noticing how her fingers brushed against Liam’s wrist as she spoke, seemingly by accident, but I knew better. Liam didn’t flinch away. “Chloe.” My voice turned cold. “I’m talking to my husband. You’re out of line.” Chloe immediately took a half-step back. “My apologies, Miss Reed, I was wrong.” She looked up at Liam, her eyes wide and shimmering, like a drowned puppy, utterly pathetic. “Mr. Hayes, I’ll go prepare for the meeting. I won’t disturb you any further.” “Wait.” Liam grabbed her arm. He turned back to me, his eyes holding that familiar stubbornness. “Avery, don’t be unreasonable. You know my job is demanding.” I countered, “Demanding enough to be holed up with your assistant until two in the morning?” Then I pulled out my phone and opened my photo album. “Demanding enough that she can call you by your first name, while I, your wife, need to schedule an appointment just to have dinner with you?” Chloe’s face shifted, but quickly reverted to her innocent expression. “Miss Reed, you’ve misunderstood.” “Yesterday, there were just so many documents, we…” “Shut up.” I cut her off without ceremony. Liam’s brows furrowed. “Avery! How can you speak to Chloe like that? Everyone knows she’s my most indispensable assistant!” I scoffed, “If she’s so indispensable, then tell me, what significant contributions has she made to the company? How many major deals has she landed?” Liam was momentarily silent. Chloe lowered her head, putting on a show of self-reproach. “Miss Reed is right. I still have many shortcomings and haven’t been able to alleviate more of Mr. Hayes’s pressure.” Liam, seeing her act, immediately clapped her shoulder, a look of tender concern on his face, then turned to glare at me. “Avery, that’s enough!” “Chloe has been working almost non-stop on this merger. Can’t you see her dedication?” “What right do you have to question her?” “Non-stop?” I sneered. “Right, even on our anniversary trip, she’s glued to your side day and night. She must be truly exhausted.” Liam’s face flushed scarlet. He raised his voice. “Could you just drop the passive-aggressive act? Chloe is my assistant. Her job is to help me. What’s wrong with that?” “Are you seriously asking me to abandon all my work just because you’re being unreasonable?” “I’m being unreasonable?” I repeated his words, suddenly finding them utterly absurd and laughable. I pointed at Chloe. “You two shared a room until dawn last night. As your wife, I was left to sleep alone.” “She brazenly touched your hand right in front of me, and you couldn’t even bother to flinch away.” “Ever since she joined the company, no matter what happens, if she opens her mouth, it’s always my fault.” “I’m not even allowed to question her!” “And all of this, in your eyes, is just me being unreasonable?” Liam was momentarily speechless. Chloe quickly interjected, “Miss Reed, you really misunderstand. I have nothing but respect for Mr. Hayes, no other intentions whatsoever!” “No other intentions?” I scoffed. “No one in their right mind would believe that!” Liam exploded. He practically shoved Chloe behind him. “Avery, that’s enough! Chloe is my assistant, and she’s my friend. I won’t let you insult her like that!”

I stared into his eyes, searching for a hint of guilt or even a flicker of hesitation. But there was only stubbornness and anger. I suddenly felt tired, utterly exhausted. Too weary for more of his pathetic excuses, I simply turned and walked away. “Avery!” Liam called after me, a trace of panic in his voice. “Where are you going?” I didn’t look back. That evening, I sat on the terrace, sipping wine. Liam returned. “Avery.” His voice was softer than before, dripping with forced tenderness. “It’s a bit chilly out here. Come inside.” I didn’t move, just stared at the dark ocean outside the window. He sighed, walked to my side, and reached out to take the wine glass from my hand. I subtly shifted, avoiding his touch. His fingers hovered awkwardly in the air for a few seconds. “Come on, Avery.” He spoke softly. “We need to talk calmly, really talk.” Only then did I look up at him. I put down my glass, stood up, and walked past him towards the room. “Fine. Let’s discuss the divorce settlement.” “Avery!” He rushed after me, grabbing my wrist. “What do you want from me? You know how much I love you. I don’t want a divorce!” I stopped, turning to face him directly. “It’s simple if you don’t want a divorce.” “Fire Chloe Davies immediately, and promise you’ll never have any contact with her again.” “Can you do that?” The expression on his face instantly froze. He released my hand and took a half-step back. His brows were tightly furrowed. “Just because she’s my assistant, you want me to fire someone so indispensable to the company?” “Indispensable?” I scoffed. “She hasn’t closed a single deal on her own since she started six months ago. She only keeps her job because she orbits around you.” “Liam, you’re not a fool, and you’re not a child. Stop acting naive.” His cheeks flushed crimson with anger. “You’re being overly sensitive! Chloe is diligent and responsible. This merger would be impossible without her…” “Without her, it wouldn’t stop you from doing your job just fine.” I cut him off without ceremony. “But you chose to let her insinuate herself into every corner of our lives.” “Our anniversary? You brought her along.” “Our dinner dates? She’s at the next table.” “Now, even when we’re talking by our bed, you still defend her.” Liam’s chest rose and fell rapidly, a faint tremor running through him with each breath. “You don’t understand.” He still tried to explain. “That’s just how company work is. I need her assistance.” My voice grew louder. “Liam, I’m not asking for your opinion right now.” “Either she goes, or we’re done.” “There’s no third option.” His eyes widened, seemingly surprised by my unwavering stance. Suddenly, the shrill ring of his phone shattered the tense silence. Liam quickly walked to the bedside table. He glanced at the caller ID, and a visible tension seized him. I didn’t need to guess. It was Chloe. After answering, his expression quickly morphed from worry into outright panic. “What? You fell? How serious is it?” “…Okay, I’ll be right there.” He hung up, snatched a jacket, not even bothering to change out of his pajamas, and headed for the door. “Liam.” My voice was terrifyingly calm. “If you walk out that door today, we’re getting a divorce immediately.” His hand was already on the doorknob. He froze. Time seemed to stand still. I could hear the pounding of my own heart. Three seconds, five seconds. He turned, his eyes holding a look I’d never seen before, utterly alien. “Avery, don’t be like this.” His voice was pleading. “Chloe really got hurt. This isn’t back home; she’s alone with no one to care for her. She’s helpless…” “So?” I straightened up. “The hotel has doctors, staff, even ambulances. “She’s not a three-year-old, and you’re not her dad.” “Are you saying only you can take care of her?” Liam: “But she fell because she was working overtime…” “Choose, Liam.” I cut him off. “Now. Immediately.” His lips trembled, and a flicker of emotion I couldn’t quite decipher crossed his eyes. Finally, he took a deep breath, as if making a grim decision. “I’m sorry. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” The night wind swept away my last trace of hesitation. I pulled out my phone and dialed a number. “Mr. Miller, regarding the divorce settlement, let’s discuss it in detail when I return to New York tomorrow.”

Liam didn’t return all night. At four in the morning, my phone vibrated. I opened Ins and saw a new post from Chloe. In the photo, she was sitting on a lounge chair on the hotel terrace, her knee bandaged, holding a champagne flute. Liam stood behind her, leaning slightly close to her shoulder, a radiant smile on his face. “So lucky to have your company in a foreign land.” I turned off my phone and booked the earliest flight back to New York. As I boarded, a video from an unknown number popped up. In the video, a man and a woman were tangled on a bed, kissing passionately, utterly lost in each other. Though their faces were somewhat blurred, I instantly recognized the man. I pressed my lips together and powered off my phone. When the plane landed, I turned on my phone, and immediately a dozen missed calls and messages flooded in, all from Liam. I was about to turn it off again when his call came through. “Avery!” His voice was laced with obvious anger. “Where are you? Why did you suddenly come back?” “Suddenly?” My tone was calm. “I thought I made myself perfectly clear.” “Just because I went to take care of Chloe last night, you just abandoned me and left?” His voice suddenly rose, sharp and accusing. “Do you have any idea how worried I was, alone in that hotel?” I laughed sardonically. “I saw you and Chloe were having a grand old time. You even posted on Ins. Did you really have time to worry about me?” A momentary silence on the other end, then his voice came back, with a hint of guilt. “She posted?” “The photo’s really well taken, from every angle, and the mood? Flawless,” I said coldly. “Avery, do you have to be so passive-aggressive?” “Chloe fell and got hurt last night. I just went to help her with her injury!” “As her boss and her friend, I have an obligation to take care of her.” My patience evaporated. I scoffed, “Liam, don’t take me for a fool.” “You’re being completely irrational!” “Chloe and I have nothing going on. You’re just overthinking things, always jumping to the most disgusting conclusions!” “You know exactly what’s going on, Liam. Just wait for my divorce settlement.” “Avery!” A trace of panic finally entered his voice. “Are you really going to divorce me over a few trivial matters?” “Maybe it’s a ‘small matter’ to you, Liam, but for me, it’s my absolute breaking point. My non-negotiable.” I could hear his ragged breathing on the other end. He seemed about to say something else. But I didn’t give him the chance. I hung up. The next day, as if to deliberately provoke me, Liam frequently posted on Ins. Sometimes it was photos of him and Chloe at a restaurant, sometimes it was him showing off gifts he’d received, with a caption that dripped with ambiguous affection. “Thanks for the surprise, someone special. All the hard work and stress are worth it.” I swiped past it, my face emotionless, and sent him the divorce agreement with the assets clearly divided. Liam’s call came almost immediately. “Avery, what the hell is this? You actually think I can’t live without you, don’t you? You’ll regret this!” I didn’t bother to reply. I just hung up and blocked his number. Seven days later, on a stormy night, I was hanging out at my best friend’s place. A video from an unknown number popped up again. In the video, Chloe was wearing my silk slip, holding a glass of red wine, looking up at the large wedding photo of Liam and me. A sneering laugh played on her lips. On the bed, the rumpled sheets were strewn with underwear I’d bought for Liam. A cold, blinding fury ripped through me. Liam and I weren’t even divorced yet, and she’d brazenly moved into my home, acting like she owned the place. This was beyond insulting!

Half an hour later, soaked to the bone, I slammed open the front door. The lights inside were dim. Flickering candlelight cast two long shadows on the wall. Chloe was raising her red wine glass, clinking it with Liam’s. When she saw me, she feigned surprise, rising from her seat. “Miss Reed, you’re back?” “Oh, I’m so sorry, my clothes got soaked in the rain. Liam, being so kind, lent me your nightdress so I wouldn’t catch a chill.” My gaze swept to Liam. He sat at the dining table, still impossibly handsome, but his eyes were cold as ice. As if I were merely an unwelcome intruder at their dinner. “Why didn’t you say you were coming back?” His tone was indifferent, devoid of any concern. I clenched my fists, fighting down a tidal wave of fury. “This is my home. Do I need an invitation to come home?” Chloe immediately interjected, her voice laced with a calculated hint of vulnerability. “Miss Reed, please don’t misunderstand. I was just here to bring Mr. Hayes some files, and then it suddenly started pouring…” My patience snapped. I cut her off. “Delivering files requires wearing my nightdress? And a candlelit dinner?” “Get out!” Chloe took a half-step back, pretending to be terrified, her eyes already welling up. “I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault… I’ll just change out of this…” As she spoke, her fingers deliberately fumbled with the buttons of the nightdress, agonizingly slow. She stole a glance at Liam. Sure enough, Liam shot to his feet, shielding her. “Avery, that’s enough! Chloe is my guest. What right do you have to treat her like this?” “Guest?” I scoffed. “Fine. If she doesn’t leave, I will.” I turned and walked to the bedroom, haphazardly stuffing a few outfits into my backpack. Liam started to rise, but Chloe tugged his sleeve, and he reluctantly sat back down. As I passed the study, I pushed the door open, wanting to retrieve my mother’s portrait. But I stopped dead. The frame lay shattered on the floor, the glass splintered, and a huge footprint was stamped right across her face. My blood ran cold. “Who did this?” My voice was low, suppressing the rage that was about to explode. Chloe followed me, sidling up, feigning concern. “Miss Reed, I’m so sorry.” “I accidentally knocked the frame over after my shower. I’ll buy you a new one.” “Accidentally?” I slowly turned, staring at her hypocritical face. “Was it an accident, Chloe, or did you deliberately stomp on it?” Her expression froze for a moment. Then she reverted to her pathetic, helpless look. “I really didn’t mean to, please don’t be angry…” Liam rushed over, his brow furrowed. “Avery, Chloe has already apologized. What more do you want?” “It’s just a picture of your mom, Avery. We can print another one tomorrow, frame it.” “She said it was an accident. Do you have to be so aggressive?” That was it. The fuse lit, and my carefully contained rage exploded. I lunged, grabbing Chloe by the collar and slamming her against the wall. “Who the hell do you think you are, touching my mother’s memorial picture?!” A flicker of panic crossed Chloe’s eyes. But quickly, she squeezed out a few tears. “Miss Reed, I really didn’t mean to!” Liam charged forward, pulling at my arm. “Avery! Are you crazy? Let her go!” I ignored him, seizing a handful of Chloe’s hair and slamming her head against the wall. A sickening thud echoed, and instantly, a crimson bruise bloomed on her forehead. Blood streamed from her nose, dripping down her chin. “Avery! Stop it!” Liam shrieked, desperately trying to pull me away. Chloe finally dropped her facade, her face twisting into a mask of pure hatred as she glared at me. Her voice, still sickeningly sweet and innocent-sounding, whispered, “Miss Reed, you doing this… Liam will be so upset…” “Upset?” I slammed her head against the wall again. “His feelings? I couldn’t care less!” Liam rushed over and wrapped his arms tightly around her, then turned to bellow at me. “Avery, you’re completely irrational! We’re over!” “We’re getting a divorce tomorrow!” I delivered a stinging slap across his face. “Liam, this isn’t just about divorce anymore!” “You can desecrate my feelings, but you will not insult my mother!” “If I don’t finish you two two-timing cheats today, I swear on my life!”

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My girlfriend loved her bikinis. She loved them even more during her private synchronized swimming sessions with her coach, Jared. Seeing them tangled up in the water, I can’t help but ask. “Does he need to touch you like that?” Chloe’s response was a sharp slap across my face. “How else is he supposed to correct my form? It’s called coaching.” Days before our wedding, Chloe threw a positive pregnancy test at me. “We’ll get married after the baby comes.” An explanation from her was rare. “I didn’t plan this. It was just…the swimming. But Jared and I are innocent. Trust me.” I scoffed. “Chloe. Do I look that stupid to you?” She only raised an eyebrow. “Believe it or not. The baby is a fact. I’m keeping it. If you can’t handle that, the wedding’s off.” Fine. Have it your way! She was sure I’d cave. I always had. For years, I’d bent my own rules for her. She’d go clubbing, letting male models grind against her. She called that modern dancing and me old-fashioned. She’d stay out all night with her childhood friend, Jared, the car shaking. She claimed they were checking for damage. I believed her. I knew she loved to play. But I had loved that wild, free spirit in her. I  just never thought she’d use such a ridiculous excuse for a pregnancy. She thought I’d let it go again. She was wrong. I tried to stay calm, but my voice still trembled slightly. “Alright, then let’s break up.” Chloe looked surprised for a second, then scoffed, clearly not buying it. “Playing hard to get? Alex, even if you threaten to break up, I’m still having this baby!” I looked at her confident face, a bitter taste filling my mouth. “Chloe, do you think I’m stupid? Is it fun to play me with such an absurd excuse?” Jared emerged from her bedroom, a couple of fresh hickeys on his neck. I was numb to it. She always said Jared was just a friend-they’d grown up together, she insisted, so close that sharing a bed meant nothing. I used to fight about it. Then she’d threaten to leave. Once, she even made me get on my knees, bark like a dog, and apologize to Jared for “disrespecting their bond.” I compromised. To this day, the video of me on all fours, barking at Jared’s feet, still gets passed around their Snapchat group. Jared shot me an arrogant smile. “Chloe, he doesn’t believe we’re just friends…maybe he needs a demonstration?” Chloe grinned, understanding perfectly. Seeing their smiles mirror each other, a cold dread tightened in my chest. “What are you going to do?” Chloe didn’t answer. She had her bodyguards grab me, strip me, and throw me directly into the backyard pool. “Go find some street women!” Chloe shouted. “Today, I’ll prove you can get pregnant from swimming. No contact required!” My heart lurched. I stared at Chloe. “Have you lost your mind? You know I’m terrified of water.” Two years ago, in Sydney, she’d gone freediving. A shark pack circled her. I dove in after her, dragged her back to the boat. And the sharks? They turned on me. My arms and legs tore open in the churning red water. Jared and Chloe watched from the deck, their laughter cutting through my screams. Later, I learned. Jared had smeared a shark-attractant pheromone gel on my wetsuit. Afterward, I confronted Jared, but Chloe shielded him. “Jared was just playing a prank to see if you’d save me. Do you really have to be so dramatic?” A prank? I almost became a crippled mess from infection because of that prank. Since then, every time I went into the water, I’d remember almost dying in the sharks’ jaws. My body would break out in rashes, and I’d have trouble breathing. Chloe’s face darkened, her eyes filled with intense disgust and impatience. “Such a big man, just going for a swim, what’s with the act? How disgusting! Afraid of swimming? You’re such an embarrassment!” Jared shoved my head underwater. Water poured into my mouth and ears. I struggled like crazy, but Jared kicked me back into the water. Extreme fear enveloped me. I couldn’t control my trembling limbs and slowly began to sink to the bottom of the pool. Seeing me stop struggling, Chloe frantically stood up. But Jared stopped her. “Chloe, he’s just playing mind games, it’s so pathetic. The pool isn’t deep, he won’t drown.” Hearing that, Chloe glared fiercely in the direction I’d sunk. “Such an act. Throw those homeless women in.” A few women were tossed in. The once clean water instantly turned murky. I could have floated up, but these women were pulling me down with all their might. My hands, reaching out instinctively for survival, were pushed down by someone. My lungs burned as if they were exploding. Blood streamed from my nose, and my vision blurred. Jared’s voice drifted from above. “Chloe, he needs to soak for 12 hours. Only then will he believe we’re innocent.” I passed out, was pulled out, then kicked back into the pool. This went on, back and forth, for a full twelve hours. My skin was covered in wrinkles, my body so swollen I was unrecognizable. Chloe had left long ago. I was alone in the mansion. It was terrifyingly silent. Like a pathetic dead dog, I lay gasping on the poolside. After a long while, I dialed my brother, Mark. “Mark, I regret it.” He sighed. “I told you back then, you couldn’t handle her. Come home, you can’t be headstrong this time. I’ve already picked a suitable match for your arranged marriage.” “I have a meeting tomorrow. I’ll send someone to pick you up the day after.”

That night, while packing my bags, I noticed the drawer in my room had been tampered with. I opened it and gasped. Inside was a portrait of my mother. But now, it was splattered with red ink. The word “BITCH” was scrawled in bright red paint across my mother’s face. Blood surged through me, my chest heaved violently, my mind went blank. Aside from me, only Chloe had a key to that drawer! Without thinking, I called Chloe. My fingers were shaking with rage. It took me several tries to dial correctly. The call was answered quickly. Chloe’s voice was languid. “What’s wrong? Realized your mistake? Let’s see if you dare to cause trouble with me again.” My eyes bloodshot, I demanded. “Who told you to touch my drawer?” The voice on the other end sounded confused. “What drawer?” “What’s in your drawer? I gave all the keys to the villa to Jared. If you’re missing anything, ask him.” “Who would touch your junk? You’re not trying to frame Jared, are you? Let me tell you, even if you lost something, it’s your own fault for not looking after it. Don’t try to shift the blame onto others!” Buzz. My mind felt like it had been violently slammed. My chest trembled. “What did you say?” The call abruptly disconnected. Years ago, I fell for Chloe, defied my family’s objections, and ran away to be with her. My father was furious, threatening to disown me. My mother and Mark were also deeply disappointed. To teach me a lesson, my family cut ties with me. I, too, stubbornly refused to contact them. Until last year, when Mark suddenly called to say Mom was gone. He said she’d tried to call me before she died, wanting me to visit, but for some reason, I hadn’t answered. The night my mother called, I was kneeling in the snow as punishment because Chloe had gotten mad after Jared and I had a small argument. She had confiscated my phone. That night, my mother called six times. I missed every single one. After Mom passed, I had even less courage to go back home. Mark had someone secretly slip me a photo of Mom, for me to keep as a memory. I didn’t dare carry the photo on me; I felt too ashamed to face her. I hid it in that drawer, and whenever I thought of her, I’d touch the drawer. But this sole keepsake… was destroyed by Jared! Towering rage, like a fiery serpent, gnawed at me. I found Jared’s house. He seemed to have already heard the news from Chloe, sitting on the sofa, waiting for me. My hands clenched into fists, and I lunged at him. “Jared! How dare you!” He took the hit, a dark smile twisting his lips. “Why wouldn’t I dare? A bastard from a bitch. You think you’re fit to stand next to Chloe?” “You’re just figuring it out now?” He let out a low, grating laugh. “I carved ‘BITCH’ into your mother’ headstone months ago. I thought you knew and were just too much of a coward to face me!” “Tsk. What a pathetic worm. And I haven’t even started on the truly sick stuff. What if I paid your mother’s grave another visit…” My eyes were bloodshot. Rage tore through me. “Shut up!” I swung at him, a wild, furious arc. But the punch didn’t land on Jared. A high heel kicked my kneecap. It was already an old injury from the shark bite, and now, being kicked again, a searing pain spread from my kneecap. I looked up. It was Chloe. Her eyes churned with a terrifying storm, her sharp gaze like daggers cutting into me. “Alex, who told you to hit Jared?!” A flicker of triumph crossed Jared’s eyes, quickly hidden, as he clutched his chin. “Ouch, Chloe, we can’t let him off easily this time.” “He lost something and blamed me, saying I took it… I explained, but he wouldn’t listen and just rushed over and punched me twice.” Chloe leaned in, her heart aching, and blew on Jared’s chin twice. Then she turned to me, her eyes looking like they wanted to devour me. My throat was dry, my eyes red. I thought I had moved on, but my heart still felt torn in two, a deep, intense pain throbbing through me. “Chloe, do you know, he messed with my mom’s…”

Jared’s cry of pain suddenly grew louder, interrupting me. Chloe’s eyes looked like they were about to spew fire. “Alex, are you deliberately jealous because of this child, using it as an excuse to hit Jared?!” “It seems the lesson wasn’t enough. You’re still being unreasonable!” My heart felt like it was being squeezed by a hand, making it hard to breathe. Whatever I said, she wouldn’t believe me. I stopped trying to explain, resignedly closed my eyes, and waited for Chloe’s verdict. She sneered. “If you lost something, then it’s your own fault for not looking after it, not anyone else’s.” “You won’t be needing those eyes anymore.” She had bodyguards bring two buckets of chili water. They forced my eyelids open and splashed the chili water onto my face. Overwhelming pain consumed me. I knelt on the ground, crying out in agony. My eyes felt like they were burning, making my temples throb. I begged desperately, screaming for help. But the second bucket of chili water was still poured over me. Before I lost consciousness, I heard one of the bodyguards speak with reluctance. “Miss, isn’t this enough? If this continues, his eyes might not be saved…” Chloe let out a relieved breath. “That’s enough. Take him to the hospital.” When I woke up again, my eyes had been rinsed with saline solution by the doctor. The doctor warned. “Your eyes are in a dangerous state. Don’t let them get injured again during this period.” My eyes were bloodshot, and even a slight blink caused pain. I endured the pain and called Mark. “Mark, I can’t take it anymore… Can you pick me up early?” He paused. “What happened?” “Okay, I’ll send my assistant to pick you up right away.” The hospital room door suddenly opened. Chloe walked in, holding a peeled apple, and eyed my phone suspiciously. “Who were you talking to?” I put my phone away. “No one important.” She didn’t press further, just told me to eat the apple. “Jared peeled it specially for you. Eat it.” “After you finish, do him a favor.” My face went pale. “No. Please leave. I need to rest.” But Chloe yanked me up. “Jared rarely asks for your help. Don’t be ungrateful.” She had someone tie me up and put me in a car. Half an hour later, Chloe dragged me into a private room. “Jared signed a betting agreement with someone. He can’t drink, so you’ll take the punishment if he loses.” My eyes widened. I felt my insides churning with anger. “Chloe! I don’t owe you anything! I said I wouldn’t help!” “We’re already broken up!”

Everyone in the room looked our way. Chloe glared at me angrily. “Enough! Don’t threaten me with breaking up!” “Just help Jared this one time, and our wedding won’t be postponed. It’ll go ahead as planned. Is that enough?!” Jared shot me a provocative smile, then lost three rounds in a row. The others looked at me with amusement. “Jared. Three losses. Penalty’s doubled!” “That’s three cubes of ‘Deep Dive.’ Neat!” Looking at the three huge buckets of mixed liquor and beer in front of me, cold sweat beaded on my forehead. “Chloe, I took antibiotics. I can’t drink alcohol.” My eyes were still injured, and the doctor had warned me not to touch alcohol or spicy food for a while. Chloe impatiently grabbed the drink and forced it down my throat. “If you don’t drink it, Jared will have to!” “Hurry up! He gets an upset stomach if he drinks too much.” I wanted to ask if I would be fine then. But I already knew the answer. Three buckets of ‘Deep Dive.’ Not a drop spared, all of it forced down my throat. My gut ignited. It felt like I’d swallowed a live coal, the nausea immediate and violent. Stomach acid surged, and I dry-heaved by the side. I heard Jared’s mocking voice nearby. “Look at him, Chloe. Pathetic. Like a wet dog.” Chloe, embarrassed, stomped her foot and ran off. My chest felt tight, my body ached all over. My eyes rolled back, and I completely passed out. When I opened my eyes again, the room was empty. They had gone to the next venue. My phone rang. Mark’s assistant had arrived. An hour later, I was on a plane heading back home. Before boarding, I called the wedding venue and told them to cancel the reception booked for next Monday. Chloe partied until the next morning before returning to the mansion. Normally, by this hour, the lights would be on for her. The bath run. Breakfast laid out to settle the chill from her nights out. But today, there was nothing. A flicker of panic rose in Chloe, then vanished into a scoff. “Still sulking.” She knew how devoted I’d been. My money was hers. I had no female friends. I answered her calls instantly. Who’d have thought I used to have rules? No late nights, no coming home drunk. I let her erase every line. She hadn’t been pregnant, of course. It was just a test-to see how far I would bend. She never thought I would actually break up with her. Last time, her prank got me bitten by sharks. I never once threatened to leave. So why would he walk away over something as small as this? Chloe smiled as she went upstairs, planning to pick out an outfit for tomorrow’s outing. Her phone suddenly rang. It was someone from the wedding venue. “Ms. Chloe, we can’t reach Mr. Alex. He called us last night to cancel the wedding banquet, but some of the decor items have already been purchased, and that portion of the fee is non-refundable. We just wanted to confirm with him again…” “We’ve tried his phone, but it’s going unanswered…”

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Packages and food deliveries had been disappearing from the school dorms, mine included. I had no idea who the thief was. So I spiked my next order with “special ingredients.” When it was stolen too, I couldn’t help but smile. That bowl of pho contained water from a filthy bathroom mop. A week later, a police officer gave me a penalty notice. “Medical expenses are thirty-two hundred dollars. Pay by next week.” Before I could speak, Mr. Thompson, a school official, cut in. “You’ve been reported for intentional poisoning. The school has decided to cancel your first-class scholarship and financial aid.” They were trying to frame me? Interesting. I’m Lynn. The Law Department’s loophole queen. The penalty wasn’t just a fine. They were stripping me of my twenty-thousand-dollar scholarship and aid package. We’d already sold our house for my mother’s treatments. That scholarship was my last lifeline. “Sir, Can you at least tell me who filed the report?” I asked. The officer shook his head. “Procedure forbids disclosing that information.” My nails bit into my palms. My own food had been stolen seven, maybe eight times. Every report I made met the same wall: footage too blurry, perpetrator unidentifiable. So I left one out with a “special ingredient.” The thief ate it and wound up in the ER. And now I was liable? What a double standard. “Why should I pay for a thief’s bad stomach?” Mr. Thompson sighed. “Who took what first is secondary. The moment you introduced a foreign substance, the entire nature of the incident changed. A man was hospitalized. That is the primary fact.” “And the fact that he’s a thief isn’t?” I shot back, feeling utterly indignant. The younger officer beside him glanced at his notes, his tone shifting to one of condescending reason. “Listen. They’re only asking for restitution. They could have pressed charges. They’re doing you a favor.” “Can I see the other party’s medical records then? What did they find after pumping their stomach?” The officer frowned, and Mr. Thompson quickly stepped in. “Lynn, why are you asking so many questions? The school has already mediated this. Just follow the procedure and don’t make trouble for yourself.” I learned in my Freshman Orientation Week that if poor people want to live with dignity, they either need fists or brains. I didn’t have fists, so I sharpened my mind instead. For three years, I devoured legal texts. All so that when I argued, no one could push me around. Mr. Thompson mistook my silence for surrender. His tone softened. “Frankly, canceling the scholarship was due to pressure. Pay the medical fees now. Once this passes, I’ll help you apply for a hardship grant. It might cover some of the loss.” I nodded. I pulled out my phone from my pocket and opened the transfer app. “Alright, I’ll transfer it. Mr. Thompson, what are your payment details?” Mr. Thompson visibly relaxed. I typed in $3,200 and hit confirm. The screen flashed a green “Transfer Successful” message. Mr. Thompson picked up his phone, then frowned. “I haven’t received it.” “That’s impossible, mine shows it went through.” I turned my screen towards him. “Maybe there’s a network delay. Just wait a bit.” Mr. Thompson refreshed his screen a couple of times, but still nothing. I subtly reached out. “Let me see if your account has any restrictions set up?” Once people think money is within their grasp, their guard drops to its lowest. Mr. Thompson actually handed me his own phone. I took it. My eyes flew to his message history. Right at the top was a thread with a Mr. Evans. “he other side’s offer is too high. We can’t risk offending those connections.” There it was. The inside track. A jolt of pure, electric adrenaline shot down my spine. Every legal instinct I had woke up, sharp and hungry. I handed the phone back. “Maybe there was a glitch, but I’m tapped out right now. I’ll transfer it again when I get back.” The transfer slip was a fake. The money had gone straight to a shell account of my own. Just as I walked out of the office, my phone vibrated. It was Mr. Thompson. His voice was a tense, hushed rasp. “Lynn, I’ll be honest with you.” “This was a joint decision between the department and Campus Security. I’m just the messenger.” “If the funds aren’t in my account in thirty minutes… I’ll have no choice but to escalate this to Mr. Evans. Once it’s on his desk, there’s no pulling it back.” I clenched my phone, my knuckles white.

Back in Mr. Thompson’s office, I started by playing the victim. “Mr. Thompson, this isn’t fair. Why am I the only one being punished, not the thief who stole my food?” Mr. Thompson sighed, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness, but his words were clearly a threat. “Someone from higher up will eventually come to talk to you. At least you and I have some history as student and teacher.” “I advise you to accept the penalty quickly. If this escalates to the school administration level, the deans won’t be so easy to deal with.” Good thing I had a habit of collecting gossip. It looked like I needed to drop a bombshell. “If you don’t want to help me with this, then I might accidentally let slip about you and Chloe…” “Chloe clearly failed her exam, but you gave her an A…” Mr. Thompson’s eyelid twitched. Chloe. The ‘it’ girl of the Business department. Last semester, her overall assessment score was three points lower than mine, yet she ended up with a prestigious national scholarship. I’d found it strange then, but it wasn’t until last week, when I walked into the office and saw Mr. Thompson and Chloe. His hand was on her thigh, and they were kissing. Mr. Thompson was a married man with a family. I’d heard his wife was a total dragon lady, and they had two sons. “Enough! Don’t you dare!” Mr. Thompson slammed his hand on the table and stood up, his face beet red. “Lynn, listen to me. Some things aren’t what you think…” He took a deep breath, and his tone softened. “What exactly do you want?” “I’ve already put in a good word for you with the Dean. The penalty has been reduced from expulsion to just losing your scholarship.” I looked at him. “Who actually stole my food? And why is the school only punishing me?” After a few seconds of silence, Mr. Thompson finally spoke. “The Harringtons did pull some strings. Canceling your scholarship was a condition set by Skylar’s mother.” “The school’s new campus development still needs the Harrington family’s approval. What else could the Dean do?” “Just accept it. The school will consider compensating you for your losses later.” As I walked out of the office, my heart was pounding like a drum. So it was her. Skylar Harrington, the only daughter of the city’s wealthiest family. A third-year Business student, the ultimate rich girl of the entire school. Actually, Skylar’s little quirks were no secret to me, the legal shark. In Freshman year, someone on the campus forum claimed they saw her swipe a public power bank from the library. Others said her dorm closet was filled with random trinkets picked up from various places. Her roommate’s hair ties, the nail polish from the next room, even a cleaning staff’s forgotten mop from the hallway. All these incidents were inexplicably hushed up. And who would believe it? The Harringtons were so wealthy; why would their daughter steal other people’s things? I’d always been baffled myself. My voice recorder had captured every word of my conversation with Mr. Thompson. I pulled out the legal statutes saved on my phone, a small smirk playing on my lips. Skylar, you’re going to pay for my family’s new house. Later, I was at the cafeteria, standing at the end of the line with my tray. “Well, well, if it isn’t the poisoner?” Before I could turn around, a hand reached out, five fingers clamping directly onto the edge of my tray. Clang. The tray crashed to the floor, splashing braised pork sauce everywhere. I looked up. Skylar stood over me, looking down with a sneer, three stylishly dressed girls behind her. “Eating the cheapest meal in the cafeteria every day, and you still order deliveries?” “And if you do, why poison it?” Students around us started to gather, whispering. Skylar’s smirk widened. “Lynn, I advise you to just drop out voluntarily. It’ll be less embarrassing than getting expelled.” I crouched down, picking up the tray from the floor, and scoffed. “However embarrassing, it can’t be as bad as someone who eats actual crap.” Skylar’s smile froze. I sneered. “That Pho? The broth was made with water wrung from a filthy, old bathroom mop.” Skylar’s face instantly went pale. “It soaked for a whole night, and it was still foamy when I wrung it out.” I continued, “Did you taste it?” “Shut up!” Skylar shrieked, clamping a hand over her mouth. She bent over and threw up. The girls beside her also started gagging. It seemed they’d eaten my delivery too. A ripple of shock went through the crowd. “No way, could it be that she was the one who stole it…?” “Holy crap, this plot twist is too fast…” Skylar wiped her mouth, her eyes red. “Lynn! You bitch!” She lunged at me, trying to claw my face. “Do you really think Julian would like someone like you? Dream on!” I froze. Information about him flashed through my mind. The closed-door disciple of a Chemistry department academician, rumored to be the next Nobel Prize candidate. The school treated him like a treasure; even the Dean was polite to him. What was even more absurd was his incredibly wealthy background, and he was unfairly handsome. The untouchable golden boy of the campus, he’d never dated anyone. Skylar liking him wasn’t a surprise at all. But what did she mean by that last sentence? Julian… liked me? Skylar finally finished throwing up and took another step closer. “At the school’s mediation meeting, I will absolutely not let you off the hook.” A sinister smirk twisted her lips. “I’ll make sure you get kicked out of this school.”

The school called for a mediation, and only one companion was allowed into the meeting. Skylar sat beside her mother, Mrs. Harrington, who wore perfectly styled curled hair and scrutinized me from head to toe. I scanned the conference room and spotted a familiar figure by the window: Paige. With her there, I didn’t feel so alone. “I am Mrs. Harrington’s attorney. Based on the evidence we have, you deliberately put an unknown substance in a food delivery, causing my client’s daughter to be hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. This constitutes the elements of a crime of endangerment by poisoning.” “Considering you are still a student, Mrs. Harrington only requires you to comply with the following points.” He held up three fingers. “First, compensation for emotional distress: five hundred thousand dollars.” “Second, a public apology, in video format, to be pinned to the top of the campus forum for a week.” “Third, voluntarily withdraw from school.” Mr. Evans, the Dean of Students, cleared his throat. “Considering Lynn’s otherwise good performance, we can temporarily put aside the withdrawal demand.” Skylar suddenly covered her face, her shoulders shaking violently. “I didn’t steal anything!” “That day, I saw a food delivery on the table and thought my roommate had brought it for me…” “How was I supposed to know it was yours? I didn’t do it on purpose!” Mrs. Harrington lovingly put an arm around her daughter’s shoulder, her gaze cutting into me like a knife. “Exactly! Who hasn’t accidentally eaten the wrong thing before?” Skylar pointed at me, her finger trembling. “If I had actually gotten seriously sick, you would be guilty of attempted murder!” I rolled my eyes. “The elements of attempted murder require subjective intent to deprive another person of life.” “How, exactly, could I have predicted you would steal my delivery?” Skylar’s sobbing abruptly stopped. She hadn’t expected me to be so familiar with legal statutes. The lawyer waved his hand. “Even if not attempted murder, it’s intentional poisoning. The hospital report shows-” I cut him off. “High E. coli levels. That’s your poison?” “What category does mop water even fall under, Counselor?” Skylar covered her mouth, dry heaving again. Her face was white with genuine disgust. Mrs. Harrington’s face darkened completely. I pulled out my voice recorder from my backpack, ready to counterattack. “I’d like everyone to hear a recording first.” Seeing the voice recorder in my hand, the assistant behind the lawyer immediately got up and moved to my side. “Wait a minute. You’ve been talking a lot, you must be thirsty. Have some water!” She held the cup in front of me, then suddenly tilted it, spilling the entire contents directly down. Warm water seeped into the crevices of the voice recorder. I snatched the recorder, pressing the power switch. The screen lit up. Thankfully, it wasn’t broken. Just as I let out a breath of relief, a figure rushed forward. Paige bumped into my arm, and the voice recorder flew out of my hand. It plunged through the conveniently open window, smashing into two pieces on the ground below. Paige’s voice was panicked. “I saw that assistant trying to grab your stuff, I wanted to help block her…” “I didn’t mean to, I’m so sorry.” Something inside me snapped. When the assistant spilled the water, Paige was sitting on my right. If she truly wanted to help, why didn’t she speak up when the assistant made her move? Her eyes held panic, apology, and evasion. Skylar and Mrs. Harrington exchanged triumphant smiles. The lawyer tidied his documents. “If the $500,000 compensation and the apology video are not delivered within three days, we will proceed with legal action. At that point, you should be prepared for expulsion.” A strange excitement surged through me. As a legal shark, I would never back down from a fight.

An apology was out of the question. Recording that video would cement my identity as a poisoner-a permanent, indelible stain. Even washing dishes, a future boss would fear I’d spit in the soup. I had to fight. There was no other path. The Harringtons moved faster than I’d predicted, dropping all subtlety. By the next morning, I was a public villain. I opened my phone to a flood. News alerts screamed: “University Student Poisons Rival in Jealous Rage.” “Future Lawyer Turns Criminal: Twisted Plot Unraveled.” Even my forgotten high school homework was unearthed, framed as definitive proof of a flawed character. The haters were relentless, hammering their story into the comments. They painted Skylar as the girl who’d just “grabbed the wrong delivery.” They called me a monster who’d “even poison a stray dog.” A soft knock came at my dorm room door. Paige was there, her eyes swollen like walnuts. She handed me two tickets to a concert I’d wanted to see for ages, front row seats, worth thousands. She sincerely apologized. “My parents have worked for the Harringtons for ten years. Skylar threatened them.” “If I didn’t help them at that moment, my parents would lose their jobs.” In the adult world, everyone has their own difficult circumstances. I thought of our three years of friendship and decided to trust her this one time. And give her a chance. I turned around and pulled a USB drive from my drawer. “The contents of this, when the trial begins in three days, help me post it on the campus forum and Ins.” “This is anonymous. As long as it’s not illegal, your parents won’t know it was you.” Paige’s eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously. “Oh, and one more thing.” Paige lowered her voice, her expression turning strange. “That day, when Skylar took the delivery, I was in the hallway.” “She said, ‘A poor nobody, still ordering deliveries? Can’t she just eat cafeteria food every day? Why does she have to show off in front of me?’” I was stunned. Just because of that? “She also said, ‘Why do poor students get so much financial aid? I pay so much tuition, and I still have to watch poor people feast like kings in front of me.’” Paige’s voice got quieter and quieter. She didn’t finish, but I understood everything. I thought Skylar targeted me because my grades were better than hers. Turns out, she just couldn’t stand to see me do well. Even if it was just a $20 delivery. Three days flew by, and Skylar sued me. Reporters crowded the courthouse steps on the day of the trial. The case had drawn massive attention. Not only were the Dean and the Secretary present, but several major networks were also broadcasting live. The whole world seemed to be waiting to see the “poisoner” get her due. The trial began. The plaintiff’s lawyer was both eloquent and thorough. He submitted a thick forensic report and played a surveillance video. The video showed a stray dog eating the pho. Within ten minutes, it was foaming at the mouth, convulsing violently, then lying still. The courtroom erupted in gasps. The live stream comments exploded. “So vicious! What if a person ate that?” “Someone like her deserves life in prison!” “Thank god for Skylar. If the campus belle had eaten it, she’d be dead!” The judge’s gavel demanded silence. “Defendant, how do you answer the plaintiff’s charges and the evidence?” Mrs. Harrington’s smile was cold and triumphant. I stood. “Your Honor, I have a question.” My voice was calm. “The plaintiff’s case rests on me poisoning a delivered meal.” I paused, scanning the room. “But I never ordered delivery that day.”

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It was on our fifth wedding anniversary that the lawyer finally told me. “Your marriage to Mr. Thorne is not legally valid.” Elara’s POV Five years into our marriage, I was finally expecting a child. I’d scheduled an appointment with our trust attorney to set up a newborn fund as a surprise for Julian on our fifth anniversary. But when the attorney tried to access Julian’s assets for authorization, the system kept denying access. “Ms. Vance, are you certain Mr. Thorne’s marital status hasn’t changed?” After several failed attempts, a hint of professional bewilderment crossed the attorney’s face. I frowned slightly. “We’ve been married for five years, and our relationship has always been stable.” The attorney tried once more, finally projecting an encrypted file onto the screen. He pushed up his glasses with a sigh. “I suggest you verify this with Mr. Thorne yourself. According to this trust agreement, the beneficiary of all Mr. Thorne’s assets, including the legal spouse clause, is a Ms. Chloe Davies.” I walked out of the law firm, chilled to the bone. The fragile joy I’d carried as an expectant mother was utterly gone. The attorney’s words were like an ice hammer, striking over and over. “Your marriage to Mr. Thorne is not legally valid.” Our five years of marriage… was it all a lie? Julian and I had known each other since childhood. He was a golden boy, a man destined for greatness, constantly surrounded by admirers, yet he cherished me above all else, always prioritizing my needs. Everyone said Julian loved me, loved me enough to pluck the stars from the sky for me. But why, then, would he secretly care for another woman, where I couldn’t see? I barely hesitated, immediately booking a flight to Naples. Julian was there, attending a top-tier business summit. I had to get answers from him directly. When I found the private island resort hosting the summit, I walked straight into the outdoor evening gala. The Neapolitan sunset washed the scene in a soft, golden light, but I had no eyes for it. I simply pushed through the clink of glasses and the murmur of polite conversation, searching for him in desperation. My gaze swept over the man being fawned over at the VIP table, and in that instant, I felt my blood run cold. He wore a perfectly tailored white suit, tall and striking, impossibly handsome. On his face was a look of profound, unburdened happiness I had never seen before. That was my husband of five years-Julian Thorne. “Congratulations, Julian, you finally made it!” “Seriously, Julian played this perfectly. He gave Elara that fairytale wedding back home to keep her placated, while over here, he waited for Chloe to come of age, then used the family trust to secure everything for her-untouchable!” “But Julian, are you serious about Chloe? Her background isn’t exactly ideal…” Someone lowered their voice. “What about Elara? These past five years…weren’t you afraid of getting caught?” “You don’t get it, ” someone chuckled. “Julian feels guilty toward Chloe, but more than that, it’s a sense of duty. If Chloe hadn’t pushed Elara out of the way back then, Elara would’ve been the one to lose her leg. Julian says he owes Chloe for life. These five years were just a waiting game-buying time until he could make it official.” “What a brilliant move!” I froze, feeling as if I’d been shoved into the deep sea, every breath a luxury. I even wondered if I was hearing things. But the next second, Julian’s own words plunged me into an ice-cold abyss. “My commitment to Chloe is real.” His voice was calm, steady, each word a verdict. “She gave up dancing to save Elara. She’ll need a cane for life. All she wants now is security and a future-things I can give her.” So, that was it. My eyes burned. That trust fund wasn’t a mistake. It was a plan. Five years ago, at an art gallery accident, I was nearly crushed by a falling sculpture. Chloe, an art student with me, didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward and pushed me to safety. She came from nothing, parentless, but with raw, stunning talent. To repay her for saving my life, Julian and I funded her entirely: hiring renowned teachers, sending her to the best schools. Back then, Julian said Chloe saving me was like saving his own life. He was willing to give everything to compensate her. I just never imagined his “compensation” would include giving away our marriage and his entire future. The most laughable part was that for five whole years, I had been utterly oblivious. Julian’s friend asked again, “What about Elara? If she finds out…” I saw him lower his eyes, his long fingers lightly tapping his phone screen, his voice laced with the confidence of someone in complete control. “I’ll continue to treat Elara just as well; she’ll never find out.” “All of you, keep your mouths shut. Don’t let anything slip in front of her.” The next moment, my phone buzzed. I looked down at the message from Julian, my heart clutched by an invisible hand, a chill spreading from my fingertips to my bones. “Sweetheart, I miss you. This summit is so boring; every second without you is agonizing. I’ll definitely be back for our anniversary. Love, Julian.” I clenched my phone, then looked up at him, laughing and chatting amidst the crowd not far away. A dense, sharp pain pierced my heart. My vision blurred, and hot tears streamed uncontrollably-this wasn’t my Julian. My Julian was the boy who, to pick a edelweiss from a cliff for me, would smile and say “it’s worth it” even with his arm scratched by rocks; He was the man who, for my eighteenth birthday, booked an entire observatory just so I could see a star named after me; He was the man who, on my parents’ remembrance day, would put aside multi-million dollar deals to spend the entire day quietly by my side; He was the man who, after we married, spoiled me into a sheltered princess, and ceaselessly doted on me and shared passionate nights… Not this liar before me, who professed love to me with one breath, while writing another woman into the legal contract of his life with the next. My heart felt like it was being torn apart, and I bit down hard on my lip. My phone vibrated again; it was his call. I hesitated for a second, then answered. “Elara, where are you? Have you had dinner? It sounds lively on your end.” His voice was as gentle as ever, tender and affectionate. “Julian, what are you doing?” I instinctively clenched my fist, my nails digging deep into my palm. I thought, if he would just admit it, I’d give him a chance to explain. “Just dealing with a few businessmen, it’s a headache.” His voice carried a deliberately crafted weariness. “Summit dinner, you know, utterly tedious. Are you at the gallery? If you like a painting, just have the manager wrap it up.” I suddenly laughed, but the light in my eyes extinguished inch by inch. After a moment of silence, I whispered, “Okay.” He immediately sensed my distress. “Sweetheart, are you upset? Who bothered you?” “Too many people. I’ll hang up now.” The moment I hung up, I saw a girl in a white evening gown, leaning on an elegant cane, hobble towards Julian and fall into his embrace. It was Chloe. “Julian, my foot hurts a little.” “Let me see.” His voice held a tenderness and caution I had never heard directed at me. He knelt, carefully massaging her ankle, his eyes filled with heartache. “It’s my fault for letting you stand so long.” That tenderness was a cruel stab to my eyes. So, his love could be divided, and his concern could be replicated. Julian, how could your heart hold two people? I fled in a panic, hiding in the dark shadows of the hotel garden, curling up and hugging myself, letting silent tears stream down my face. When the tears finally ran dry, I rose. The last glimmer of light in my eyes hardened into something cold and absolute. This five-year farce of a marriage was over. Julian, the man, was nothing to me now. Since Chloe was the only partner he would ever claim, I would give them exactly what they wanted. In two weeks, it would be my parents’ remembrance day. After I paid my respects, I would leave. I would vanish from Julian’s world without a trace.

Elara’s POV I took the earliest flight home, and the first thing I did after landing was head straight to the hospital to schedule an abortion. “Ms. Vance, the accident five years ago damaged your uterus. It’s a miracle you even conceived. If you don’t keep this child, you may find it very difficult to have one in the future. Please reconsider and talk to your husband.” My fingertips turned cold, and my heart clenched. Julian had never told me. All these years, whenever our families asked about children, he took the blame, saying he wanted a few more years with just me. My eyes filled with tears then. He had been so thoughtful, so afraid of hurting me. But no matter how good he had been, it didn’t change the fact that he had lied. “Thank you, Doctor. I’ll think about it,” I heard myself say. I walked out of the consultation room in a daze, my steps unsteady, only to see Julian-who was supposed to be abroad-at the end of the corridor. And Chloe. Julian was carefully helping Chloe out of the obstetrics clinic, his face beaming with unconcealed joy and nervousness. His gentle gaze was fixed on her face, not willing to move away for a second. “Julian, don’t be so nervous; I’m just having some early pregnancy symptoms, it’s not like I’m sick,” Chloe said, her eyes curving into a sweet, girlish smile. Julian rarely showed a smile, but his voice was unusually tight. “This is our first child; there can’t be any mishaps.” I clutched the appointment slip in my hand, feeling the temperature being slowly drained from my body. In that moment, I distinctly heard the sound of my heart shattering, inch by painful inch. It turned out, that when pain reached its peak, tears wouldn’t come. Julian helped Chloe into the elevator. The moment the elevator doors slowly closed, I lowered my head and unfolded the appointment slip. Then, I turned and walked back into the clinic. “Let’s schedule the surgery for the day after tomorrow.” I couldn’t let my child be born into a monumental lie. As if by cruel twist of fate, I met them again in the underground parking garage. In that moment, I inexplicably started my car and followed them from a distance. Julian took Chloe to a private art gallery in the city. My heart sank completely. That gallery was one he had built exclusively for me last year on my birthday. It housed all my favorite paintings. He had personally told me it was my own private artistic sanctuary. But now, he was walking into it, hand-in-hand, with another woman. Inside the gallery, Chloe stood beneath my favorite starry night painting. Julian approached, pushing a white-draped cart laden with exquisite desserts. He elegantly took a velvet box from the cart and opened it-inside was a dazzling star-themed necklace. “To my little artist, congratulations on your promotion to expectant mother.” In that instant, I almost lost my footing. “Julian… thank you,” Chloe’s eyes reddened, on the verge of tears. “You even made desserts for me yourself.” “Go on, try it,” Julian’s voice was agonizingly tender. “Once you’re done, go back and rest. You’ve spent enough time with me; it’s time for me to go back to Elara.” Chloe blinked knowingly, forcing a hint of tears. But Julian, filled with heartache, pulled her into his embrace. “Silly girl, we’re not going anywhere today. I’m staying with you. You’re my wife now; I’ll spend more time with you and the baby.” I retreated slowly from around the corner, my back pressing against the cold wall, a chill spreading up my spine, making me tremble all over. Yes. Chloe was Julian’s wife. And I was nothing but a deceived fool, completely oblivious for five whole years. I remembered when Julian first brought me here, he also had an identical necklace for me. To make that dessert, he had secretly followed a Michelin chef for an entire month. “Elara, try my cooking. From now on, I’ll take care of all your meals.” “In this lifetime, I will only love you.” He swore these vows in my ear while putting the necklace on me. But now, this unique love and adoration, which was originally mine, was perfectly and precisely replicated for Chloe. My chest felt tight and painful. It turned out Julian’s “lifetime” was so short. I turned and fled, tears streaming down my face as I left the gallery. Immediately afterward, I went straight to my lawyer’s office to begin liquidating all my assets, stripping away everything connected to Julian. My parents’ inheritance was enough to ensure my secure and carefree life. And all I wanted was to completely sever ties with him as quickly as possible.

Elara’s POV It was dusk when I returned home. The sprawling villa was empty, only a solitary light illuminating the entryway. I practically dragged myself onto the sofa, my gaze sweeping over the artworks and books we had chosen together, my heart feeling like it was being repeatedly crushed by a giant stone. Each beat brought a clear, sharp pain. I rubbed my temples, forcing myself to stand and walk toward the massive book wall. That was the first rare art book we’d found together; he had laughed and complimented me, saying my discerning eye was unmatched. That art history book, filled with our shared notes-he had once put his arm around my waist and said we would travel the world, visiting every museum together. And that rare poetry collection he’d gone to such lengths to find for me, on its flyleaf, in his beautiful handwriting- “To my dearest Elara, my only one in this life.” … I pulled out one of the books and opened it. Then, I tore every single one of his handwritten words, page by page, into tiny pieces. The sound of tearing paper was eerily clear in the empty living room. For an entire night, I mechanically repeated the same action, systematically severing every shared thought, every passion, every piece of our combined souls. By dawn, my arms were numb, my fingertips devoid of feeling. And Julian still hadn’t returned. Today was supposed to be our wedding anniversary. At the stroke of midnight on our anniversary, Julian’s social media account updated promptly. It was a video he’d personally edited, documenting our five years together, with deeply affectionate accompanying text. It captivated the entire internet overnight. The largest outdoor screens in the city center were also looping the video. The lawn outside the villa had, at some point, been transformed into a rose garden. In the center of the garden, a drone hovered, dangling a giant gift box containing a set of rare art supplies I had long wished for. His deep, magnetic voice played on a loudspeaker- “Elara, happy anniversary. I love you, just as I did from the start.” I emotionlessly pulled the curtains closed, burying myself under the duvet, shutting out the world’s clamor. Not long after, his call came through, his voice full of apology. “Sweetheart, an urgent situation came up with the merger in Europe, so I can’t make it back today. When I return, I promise to make it up to you with an even grander anniversary celebration.” Listening to his flawless lie, I suddenly chuckled, my laugh slightly trembling. “It’s alright, you focus on your work.” “Sweetheart, you sound upset.” He keenly picked up on my mood. “Don’t you like the surprise I prepared? Don’t be angry; I’ll make it up to you tenfold in a few days.” “No, work is important,” I said, my voice calm. “I’m a little tired; I want to sleep.” I hung up, curled into a ball, and desperately tried to suppress the pain in my chest. After what felt like an eternity, the bedroom door suddenly burst open, and a blinding beam of light flooded in. Silhouetted against the light, I saw Julian standing in the doorway, his face frantic. His hair was disheveled, his face pale, and his deep eyes were filled with fear and dread. Perhaps he had sensed my unusual mood and, unable to reach me, had taken his private jet straight back. The moment he saw me, he practically rushed over, pulling me into a tight embrace, his voice hoarse and choked. “Thank goodness you’re alright! Sweetheart, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry…” His eyes were red, his body trembling uncontrollably. “I’ll never leave you alone again. When you didn’t answer my calls, my whole world collapsed.” “Nothing is more important than you; I came back to be with you.” I remained silent. He assumed I was still angry, so he knelt by the bed, softly coaxing me. “Elara, promise me you won’t ever ignore my calls again, don’t shut me out. I truly will go crazy.” His tension and fear seemed genuine. He loved me. But this love was tainted with too many lies and calculations. “You came back quickly,” I said, a ghost of a smile on my lips. His expression shifted instantly, a flash of guilt before he veered away. “Darling, you haven’t eaten all day. Let me take you to the gallery. I had your favorite made.” “No,” I shook my head. Panic tightened his features. “Then rest. I’ll make you something downstairs.” “Mm.” I gave a curt nod and turned away. He mistook my silence for petulance, drew a steadying breath, and left. The moment the door closed, I lay there, eyes wide open, staring into the darkness, my heart a barren wasteland.

Elara’s POV About ten minutes later, a commotion erupted downstairs. I went down and saw Julian’s friends crowding the living room. They were frantically trying to piece back together the torn book pages, attempting to return them to the shelves, as if restoring those fragments could somehow make everything go back to how it was. Seeing me appear, several of them spoke at once. “Elara, Julian almost tore Europe apart looking for you. Don’t scare him like that again.” “Next time you’re angry, tell us; we’ll help you beat him up. Just don’t turn off your phone again, Julian really went crazy.” “That’s right, Julian’s face turned white as a sheet when he saw the shredded paper everywhere; he almost fainted on the spot. He insisted on going through the trash, saying he’d tape every single piece back together.” “That’s enough,” Julian said, standing nearby, his face full of remorse. “It’s all my fault for upsetting Elara. I’ll accept whatever she does to me.” “Julian truly loves Elara; he has no pride in front of her. She’s so lucky.” I looked over and saw Chloe, who had arrived sometime earlier, standing in the crowd, looking envious. Julian’s expression was normal, a gentle smile on his lips. “She’s my wife, of course, I’ll spoil her.” A wave of intense nausea suddenly churned in my stomach. I spoke calmly. “No need to put the books back; I want to change the style.” Julian immediately came to my side, put his arm around my waist, his voice gentle and firm. “Alright, everyone stop. Listen to my wife.” He helped me sit on the sofa, then turned and went back to the kitchen. Soon, the dining table was laden with all the dishes I used to love. But I had no appetite. With one hand, he solicitously served me food, softly coaxing me to eat more; with the other, beneath the table, he clasped Chloe’s hand tightly. In that moment, I suddenly felt the absurdity of it all. I just wanted to escape. After dinner, Julian had arranged a fireworks display over the sea and invited my favorite jazz band. Halfway through the performance, he excused himself to go to the restroom. Impulsively, I followed him. In the yacht’s VIP lounge, I watched Chloe practically throw herself into Julian’s arms, rising on tiptoes to kiss him. “Julian, I miss you so much, just for a moment.” Julian put one arm around her waist and the other hand on the back of her head, deepening the kiss, and the room’s temperature instantly soared. After a long while, Chloe, her face flushed, pushed him away, her breath ragged. “Alright, you should go back to Elara.” “Are you sure?” Julian’s eyes, tinged with desire, caressed her red lips. Chloe lowered her gaze. “No, but Elara isn’t even answering your calls because of me. I don’t want her to be sad anymore. I can wait. You can come back to me after you’ve spent time with her.” “Your thoughtfulness always breaks my heart. Good girl, don’t think about anyone else right now, just enjoy.” Julian kissed her lips, tracing a path downward… A soft moan of pleasure escaped Chloe’s lips. “Julian, no…” It felt like being dropped into an ice bath. I bit down on the back of my hand, hard, to keep silent. I thought my heart had died, but seeing the betrayal up close-the pain was still visceral. A sharp, burning cramp twisted in my stomach. Nausea hit me like a wave. I clamped a hand over my mouth, stumbled to the bathroom, and retched until the room spun. Beneath the sickness, a familiar, dull ache pulsed low in my abdomen. I gently touched my abdomen, my eyes blurred with tears. Baby, I’m so sorry.

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