“Professor Evans, I’ve made up my mind. I accept the invitation from the Austrian Orchestra.” Over the phone, Mr. Evans’s delighted laughter was unmistakable. “Finally came to your senses? I’ll arrange everything immediately. My students should know how to choose between love and future. You have a week to say your goodbyes.” I murmured a soft reply, then hung up. A final farewell to the Davidsons, the family I’d lived with for over 20 years, and to my fiancée. I hung up the phone and instinctively touched the watch on my wrist. Beneath the leather strap was a jagged, centipede-like scar. It wasn’t that I’d finally made a choice; it was that love and family had chosen to abandon me. A soft knock came from outside the lounge door. “Asher, can I come in?” Before the words fully left his lips, Liam Miller pushed the door open. His wide, innocent eyes, like a lost puppy, were full of a carefully cultivated vulnerability as he looked at everyone. And on his shirt collar, there was a lipstick stain. Noticing my gaze, he deliberately tugged at his collar, a smirk playing on his lips. “Oops, it’s all Isabella’s fault. She just *had* to tease me.” I couldn’t bring myself to give him a pleasant look. The “Isabella” he spoke of was once my fiancée. Now, she was Liam’s. I still remembered when Liam first returned. Isabella had taken me to the rooftop, swearing beneath a canopy of stars that she’d only ever marry me. No matter who came back, her love would always, *only*, be for me. Sadly, that blatant, passionate love lasted just one year and three months. One year and three months later, on another star-filled night, Isabella and a disheveled Liam knelt in the Davidsons’ grand living room. They pleaded with the Davidsons to change the name on her engagement contract to Liam Miller. What kind of filth and cunning lay beneath that innocent face? Good thing I was leaving. I had just agreed with Mr. Evans to go abroad and accept the consultant position with the Ryan Orchestra. After completing my final farewell performance here, I would never disturb this sweet couple again. “Asher, can you let me be the principal performer this time? Please, please, please?” Liam tugged at my hand, pouting. How many things had he stolen from me over the years using that trick? I was tired of it. I pulled my hand back forcefully. “Get out!” “Asher.” Liam stumbled backward, falling to the floor, clutching his slender hand, looking utterly wronged. Isabella Stone, who had just pushed the door open, rushed forward in two steps, shielding Liam in her arms as if he were a precious treasure. Her beautiful brows furrowed as she gently asked where he was hurt. Liam shook his head pitifully. “It’s okay, Asher didn’t mean it. I just lost my footing.” His voice was choked, not sounding “okay” at all. I instinctively frowned. I hadn’t pushed Liam. I’d only pulled my hand away. Who would believe such shoddy acting? But Isabella did. She looked at me, her eyes icy. “Asher Davidson, I thought you were just a spoiled master of the Davidson family. Even with a bad temper, I thought you at least had some integrity.” Hearing the commotion, the three Davidson sisters also rushed in. They surrounded Liam, doting on him, while their gazes at me were filled only with blame and disappointment. “Liam suffered for so many years because of you, why can’t you just let him have this? Don’t perform at this concert, let Liam do it.” Charlotte Davidson, the eldest sister, always spoke with the most authority. My heart, already simmering in pain, had its last drop of affection squeezed out by her words. This was my farewell performance. I just wanted to put a period on the music I loved and say a proper goodbye to everyone. After all, once I left the country, I wouldn’t be coming back. **Chapter 2** “You still have injuries. It’s just one time. When your injuries heal, you can play as many shows as you want.” Victoria Davidson, my second sister, frowned. Ruby Davidson, my third sister, always the most outspoken, added, “Asher, if you insist on competing with Liam, you won’t be allowed to play the piano ever again.” A bitter taste filled my mouth, but I still wanted to fight for myself this one last time. “Sisters, this performance is very important to me, I…” “You know the Davidsons’ influence. We are your family. If we don’t approve, no one will dare let you play.” Before I could finish, Charlotte cut me off with another warning. I forced a wry smile. Was the Davidsons’ most feared power play finally coming for me? “Liam, come on. Don’t you like LEGOs? Ruby finished building the set for you.” Surrounded by the comforting women, Liam finally smiled, looping his arm around Isabella. “Ruby’s the best!” “Then don’t be sad anymore, okay?” The four women left, circling Liam as if he were the sole star in their universe. I felt disoriented. These past twenty years felt like a long dream. In that dream, I, too, was once cherished by my sisters and Isabella. Back then, I was the Davidsons’ only little prince, adored by my three sisters. And my fiancée, engaged to me since childhood, revolved around me. Every morning, four plates of breakfast would be placed before me, as the four women watched me with eager eyes. I would sigh, vexed, and my parents would just laugh. Everyone told me that the Davidsons’ young master deserved all this affection. When I was six, I fell in love with a pianist performing on stage. My parents didn’t want me to suffer, so my four sisters scrimped and saved to pay my tuition and help me fulfill my dream. Ruby even took on the most ridiculous side hustles at school, even selling her cherished belongings, just to earn money for my piano lessons. Isabella rallied all her classmates to organize my first-ever concert; anyone who clapped could copy their homework. My parents and Isabella’s parents were both furious and amused when they found out. Later, as they grew up, Isabella, whenever she drank too much, would force me to repeat, over and over, that I only loved Isabella, forever and ever. I truly fell for her. I thought that among all arranged marriages, mine would be the happiest. Until Liam Miller appeared. The day I stood at the Davidsons’ doorstep with the DNA test results, Liam was skinny and small, wearing faded, worn-out clothes, looking utterly pathetic. That day, my world crumbled. I learned that I wasn’t the Davidsons’ biological son. Everyone told me that nothing would change, I would just have another younger brother. But my three sisters no longer cherished me as carefully as before. Just a pout and a few words from him, and everything instantly became his. Charlotte, usually calm and composed, would book the most luxurious hotel for him. Victoria, angelic and aloof, would fuss over him in a panic. Ruby, mischievous by nature, would spend hours building a LEGO set for him. Even my fiancée, who once backed herself into a corner, repeating over and over “I love Asher the most,” fearing she’d lose me. She now knelt with him in the Davidsons’ living room, demanding to change the name on the engagement contract. Everything I had was completely taken. Now, even my final farewell performance in this country was taken from me. I forced a bitter laugh, twisting the watch on my wrist. I should have known better. From the moment, three months ago, when the Davidsons chose to rescue Liam from the kidnappers and abandoned me, I should have known. I shouldn’t love Isabella anymore. Nor should I harbor any illusions about the Davidson sisters. I was tired. My heart was cold. In a week, I, the outsider, would leave the Davidsons forever, no longer disrupting their loving family. **Chapter 3** I closed the door, shutting myself off. Inside the lounge, I organized my belongings. Ten years in the orchestra, and the accumulated items filled the entire center of the room. I stared blankly at the expensive figurines and rare collectibles. I loved these models since childhood. Whenever a new one came out, my sisters and Isabella would find ways to buy it for me. Then they’d pat my head and say, “Our Prince Asher deserves to have everything.” Later, Liam came. New things stopped appearing in my room. Even I, it seemed, had become an old item. Now that I was leaving, these old possessions held no meaning. I called a disposal service to come pick them up for destruction. While waiting for the truck, I went to resign from the theater. The theater management, in a tacit understanding, didn’t mention the farewell concert. I didn’t say anything either. Outside these walls, the Davidsons’ influence was too formidable to challenge. I no longer wanted to bother with them. My farewell concert? I’d consider it my final payment to the Davidsons, and an apology to Liam. Leaving the theater, Isabella’s car blocked my way. “Mr. Davidson, Ms. Stone would like you to come to the Hyatt Hotel.” “No.” I turned to walk away. “Mr. Davidson, please don’t make this difficult for us.” Four bodyguards blocked every escape. I knew each of them. These were the people Isabella used to protect me. Now, they were used to coerce me just the same. I lowered my head and squeezed myself into the spacious car. Isabella’s voice, vowing she’d never force me, still echoed in my ears. But I was no longer Ms. Stone’s fiancé. I no longer had the privilege of her special affection. Good. Leaving this way, with a clear conscience, clean. The car stopped at the Hyatt Hotel. The banner in the banquet hall, “Celebrating Liam Miller’s Triumph as Principal Performer,” was particularly glaring. The private room door was open. Four women shielded Liam in the center. Liam stood exactly where I once stood, smiling sweetly. I let out a low, mocking laugh. The word “Triumph”? Truly fitting. “Asher!” Liam was the first to spot me. He ran towards me from inside the room. “I thought you wouldn’t come. It’s all my sisters and Isabella. I told them not to organize it, but they were afraid I’d feel wronged. They insisted. Asher, if you have to blame someone, blame me.” Liam looked at me timidly. I had done nothing, yet it felt as though I had bullied him. Isabella walked out from inside, shielding Liam behind her. “Liam said he’s never had a banquet before. We just found an excuse. You don’t have to blame him.” The four women stared at me as if I were a formidable enemy. Liam was incredibly good at eliciting sympathy. If it were before, I would have gone ballistic. I wouldn’t have been able to stand my honor being stolen, then flaunted in front of me. Even less could I have stood my three sisters’ and Isabella’s affection shifting to someone else. Everyone told me nothing would change, but why did *everyone* change? But now, I just offered a detached smile. “Then congratulations, little brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law.” I strode out of that suffocating circle. Since Liam enjoyed being surrounded, I would let him have it. From now on, my relationship with the Davidsons would simply be that of debtor and creditor. Once I repaid their kindness for raising me, we would be strangers. **Chapter 4** My sudden calmness made the four women uncomfortable. They wanted to call out to me, but then realized that the name “Asher” had, at some point, become bitter on their tongues. “Isabella, let’s go inside too.” Isabella snapped back to reality when Liam hooked his arm through hers. She forcefully suppressed the unspeakable emotions in her heart, then softly whispered to Liam, “Okay,” her actions intimate, like lovers whispering sweet nothings. “Isabella! Asher is still here!” Liam deliberately raised his voice. I understood his intention, but I couldn’t be bothered to respond. The banquet, from start to finish, unfolded exactly as I expected. Because for over twenty years, this was how they had organized banquets for me. My three sisters, true to their word, were giving Liam everything they had once given me, one item at a time. “Liam, look at Victoria’s gift.” Victoria opened a box. Inside was a music stand decorated with dazzling jewels. Each gem was priceless, as if a skilled artisan had secretly brought them into the human world from a fairy’s treasure chest. I stared at the familiar music stand, my fingertips unconsciously digging into my flesh. This was the one Victoria had made by hand for me two years ago when I won the Golden Award, spending months on it. At the awards ceremony that day, Victoria had told everyone that this music stand could only be used by the Davidsons’ young master. That statement had once gone viral, with netizens playfully calling them “obsessed with their little brother.” Watching Liam now, holding the sparkling, jewel-encrusted music stand, I gently pressed a hand to my chest. I thought that if I just left, if I just forgot, the pain would cease. But the dense, stabbing pain that flared in my chest was impossible to ignore. “Asher, Isabella says this music stand has a matching box. Can I borrow it from you?” “Even though I grew up away from home, I want to be the best musician, just like you, Asher.” Liam playfully extended his hand, his eyes full of unspoken accusations. Accusations that I was the thief who’d stolen his life. Accusations that my Golden Award was only because of the Davidsons. “Give it to him.” Isabella’s voice was firm, her icy gaze filled with intimidation. Her stare pierced me, leaving me feeling utterly exposed once again. That exquisite box was something Isabella had privately given me, custom-made by her own hands, engraved with both our names. My gaze fell on each of them, but not one person looked back at me. “Fine.” Since I had decided to leave, I wanted a clean break. I had intended to return the box to Isabella anyway, but hadn’t found the right opportunity. Her asking for it now was even better. I placed the box on the table. Returning what belonged. I wouldn’t cling. “I’m not feeling well, I’ll be leaving now.” I stood up. This was their family dinner, after all. As an outsider, once I’d served as a backdrop, I should discreetly leave. But I couldn’t get out of the room before my three sisters surrounded me. “Asher, what’s wrong? You’ve always had a weak constitution since childhood. Why are you still not taking care of yourself at this age?” Charlotte naturally reached out, touching my forehead. Since I was little, whenever I fell ill, Charlotte would always feel my forehead first. “You’re sick again and not going to the hospital? I’ll take you.” Victoria naturally took my wrist. To look after my health, my second sister had specifically studied traditional medicine. Even Isabella stepped forward, her face cold but filled with concern. “Don’t try to hurt yourself to get my attention. Now, go to the hospital immediately!” Seeing their concerned expressions, I forced a bitter smile. They were the ones who abandoned me, the ones who left me scarred and torn. Yet now they rushed to show concern. I sharply pulled my hand away. Before the words “No need” could escape my lips, Liam suddenly grabbed Isabella. “It must be because of me. I was too happy, I stole Asher’s spotlight, that’s why he’s sick. I won’t have the banquet, I don’t deserve it. Let’s take Asher to the hospital.” **Chapter 5** The four women instantly moved away from me. Isabella’s icy gaze softened into tenderness and pity when it fell on Liam. “Asher, you don’t seem seriously ill. How about we accompany you after the banquet? Occasionally having fun is good for your health.” Victoria delivered her verdict. Between Liam and me, they ultimately chose him. “No need.” I turned and left. I didn’t need their charity. After leaving the hotel, my phone buzzed several times. It was my three sisters, reminding me to go to the hospital, and Isabella’s hospital appointment confirmation. Looking at each word of concern, I just wanted to laugh. What were they trying to do? Isn’t it because of them that I’ve become this way? Three months ago, the ones who kidnapped Liam and me were the Davidsons’ sworn enemies. Everyone knew those people were desperate and that Liam and I wouldn’t fare well. The kidnappers left two addresses, aiming to make the Davidsons split their forces to rescue us. But they miscalculated. Everyone went to rescue Liam; not a single person came for me. The kidnappers unleashed all their rage on me. I was dragged across cold concrete, my skin sliced inch by inch with a small blade. My hands, meant for playing music, had their fingers broken one by one. From hope to resentment, then to absolute despair—it only took half a month. But that half-month felt like a lifetime to me. Half a month later, the police rescued me from the kidnappers. By then, I was tortured beyond recognition. Yet when I returned to the Davidsons’ home. Everyone was gathered around Liam, who was unharmed, merely frightened. No one even noticed I was gone for half a month. No one cared that I’d lost my chance to play the piano. I felt a sticky warmth on my face. When I reached up, I found my cheeks streaked with tears. I’d failed myself. Months earlier, I still held onto hope for Isabella and the Davidsons. But with Liam’s return, a rift had formed between us. Many coveted Isabella, but no one had made a move before because I was always by her side. Then, after a concert, Isabella drunk-dialed me. When I arrived, she was semi-conscious on the floor. The person who drugged her used something potent; there wasn’t even time to get her to a hospital. Isabella clung to me, repeatedly calling my name, repeatedly saying she loved me. I couldn’t bear it. I held Isabella’s face, and for the only time, I forced her to say: “Isabella, always love… me.” Isabella looked up, her expression hazy: “Isabella loves Asher. Always. Only. Asher.” That night, we were both completely reckless. She almost drained me. I fantasized that she would withstand all the pressure and marry me. But later, Isabella and Liam knelt in the Davidsons’ living room, saying she wanted to marry Liam. Yet I always remembered how she’d professed her love. I couldn’t believe Isabella would lie when her consciousness was hazy. I thought she had some unspeakable difficulty. Until three months later, Isabella was found to be pregnant. Judging by the timing, this child should be mine. I went to the hospital alone to get the report, overjoyed, and called her. With this child, we could marry and start our family naturally. But Isabella didn’t answer. I stood on the street, making countless calls. Until the kidnappers abducted me, my phone fell to the ground, still on the dialing screen. But when I returned, the baby was gone. Aborted. **Chapter 6** I’d never believed in ghosts, but I heard that unborn children, those who never saw the light of day, could be tormented. I pricked my fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall, and stitched a tiny protection charm thread by thread. In three days, I would leave. Before I left, I wanted to take the protection charm to the church and pray for the baby. I didn’t leave my room all day. I didn’t want to see any of the Davidsons. I also didn’t have time to go out until late at night, when I finally finished the protection charm. The next morning, I got up early. I didn’t want to disturb anyone in the Davidson household. I walked from the villa community to the subway station, then to the Administrative Services Office. The staff were just starting their day. I picked up my passport. Just as I was about to leave, someone patted my shoulder. “Asher! You’re here too!” Alex Hayes, my best friend, had two dimples when he smiled. He lived right across from the Davidsons. “Why did you cancel your farewell concert? I’d already bought tickets and was planning to cheer you on!” Alex casually slung his arm around my shoulder. We always told each other everything. But now, I didn’t know how to explain. The Davidsons had raised me; I couldn’t throw my sisters under the bus. Seeing my silence, Alex’s smile faded. “Is it because of *him*?” I gave a small smile, not replying. Alex instantly understood, his indignation rising. “I knew he was no good the moment he arrived! Claimed to be a poor, struggling kid, yet he somehow got the Davidsons’ DNA? Your Davidsons…” “Forget it.” I took Alex’s hand. “How the Davidsons choose is their business. I have my own choices too.” As for the Davidsons’ affairs, I no longer wanted to meddle. It was *their* Davidson family. It had nothing to do with me. Alex also fell silent. Big family drama was never something they could truly control. “Asher, you haven’t shown up lately, and everyone’s missed you. Our whole circle? We’re all on your side, Ash! Just say the word if you need anything.” Alex opened his arms. I accepted his hug. We patted each other’s backs, and my eyes welled up. “Don’t be sad. No matter what, I’ve always got your back.” Alex punched me lightly on the shoulder. We looked at each other and both laughed. Alex used to joke with me like this all the time. It always made Isabella fume, which was why she’d never had a pleasant word for him all these years. But now, things were different. After saying goodbye to Alex, I walked alone down the street. Isabella’s car silently followed behind me. Watching my solitary figure, Isabella felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity. She felt I had changed, in a way that made her uneasy. After much hesitation, she called my number. “Get in.” I was surprised when I saw her caller ID. How long had it been since Isabella initiated a call to me? Hearing her voice from the phone, I turned around. Through the car window, Isabella waved her phone at me. At eight in the evening, the streets were bustling with people. I didn’t want to end up on social media. I walked over. As I reached for the back door, Isabella pushed open the passenger door. This used to be my exclusive seat. But now, should I still sit there? “Don’t let Liam misunderstand.” I closed the passenger door and got into the back seat. Isabella fell silent for a moment, looking at the empty passenger seat beside her. “Where to?” “The church.” **Chapter 7** Neither of us spoke during the drive, as if we were already strangers. After waiting for a red light, Isabella pressed the accelerator. “What are you going to the church for?” “To pray,” I said. Isabella asked again, “Who are you praying for?” I looked up, meeting Isabella’s eyes in the rearview mirror. I really wanted to ask her if she truly didn’t remember that night. Did she truly not care that we once had a child? “Do you remember, a few months ago, at the Royal Hotel?” Isabella frowned. She remembered. She only remembered that a small supplier had hosted the event. If it weren’t for an old family referral, she would never have gone to that party. It was also that day that Liam had supposedly “slept with her,” and out of a sense of obligation, she’d proposed changing the engagement. But why was I suddenly bringing up that day? “That day I called off the engagement, it was because of my personal issues, not you. You don’t have to…” Isabella’s phone rang mid-sentence. It was a special ringtone Liam had set on her phone. After just one ring, Isabella answered. “Isabella, are you busy right now? Can you come here? I got scratched by a Chihuahua. I’m sorry, I always mess things up and bother you.” Liam’s pathetic voice came through the phone. Isabella instinctively looked at me. “Isabella, I also have something I want to tell you. Will you listen?” My hand tightened on the protection charm. Isabella frowned. “Later. Liam’s hurt.” “Okay.” In that instant, I truly despaired. I opened the car door and got out without a word, no clinging, no argument. This, paradoxically, made Isabella uneasy. She felt that this time was different from before. It felt like I was truly about to disappear from her world. This feeling was indescribable. Isabella wanted to ask why I had suddenly brought up that day. But a thousand words reached her lips, only to turn into a single, “I’m sorry.” The black car peeled out, kicking up a cloud of dust. By the time the dust settled, I had long since left that spot. The church was on the city’s outskirts; Isabella dropped me off where no cabs would go. I walked the rest of the way to the church. After lighting the incense, I reached for the protection charm, but my whole body froze. The protection charm was gone. I was certain I hadn’t taken it out at all during the journey. If it wasn’t on the road, then it had to be in Isabella’s car. That was the only thing I could do for my unborn baby. I called her several times. Just like the day I was kidnapped, no matter how many times I tried, the calls never connected. I vaguely remembered hearing Liam say on the phone that he was injured at the Davidsons’ house. Along the way, I gave the driver countless tips, begging him to get to the Davidsons’ as fast as possible. “Isabella, give me your car keys, my…” I pushed open the garden gate. Liam was squatting on the ground, teasing a dog. The toy he was using to tease it was the very protection charm I had made for our child. “Asher, you’re back.” Liam looked up. In that moment, the challenging smile in his eyes — I didn’t believe he didn’t know what it was for. “Give it back.” I trembled, reaching out my hand to him. “It’s just a toy, Asher, why are you so tense?” “Unless… this protection charm is for some bastard child of yours?” Liam’s voice dropped to a whisper for the last few words. Seeing me rush forward, he deliberately “missed,” and the puppy bit into the protection charm, shaking its head violently. **Chapter 8** My heart clenched. I lunged for the puppy, desperate to snatch the protection charm. But my foot caught on Liam’s outstretched leg. “Ah!” The culprit behind me fell, and my hand hit a stone, a sharp, piercing pain shooting through me. Thankfully, I got the protection charm back. Baby, I’m so sorry… I clutched the protection charm tightly in my hand, pressing it against my chest. I didn’t even notice my palm was cut, blood staining the fabric. “Liam Miller!” Seeing this scene, Isabella didn’t even have time to put down her phone. She rushed over, embracing Liam who was on the ground. The phone accidentally switched to speaker, and her assistant’s voice came through. “Ms. Stone, the leads from the Royal Hotel have been compiled and sent to your email.” But at that moment, none of the three were in a state to listen. Isabella anxiously checked Liam’s injuries. Liam leaned against Isabella’s shoulder, looking utterly wronged again. “Isabella, why does Asher hate me so much? Is it because I took Asher’s place? But I didn’t want to!” “No, it’s not.” Isabella tenderly rubbed the bruise on Liam’s leg. The intense pity in her eyes turned cold and grim when she looked up at me. “Apologize.” Huh! He was the one who stole my things. He was the one who tripped me. Couldn’t Isabella see? I offered a bitter smile, looking at her deeply. For some reason, seeing me, on the verge of breaking, made Isabella’s heart clench in unbearable pain. I ultimately said nothing, just turned and walked away. “Isabella.” Just as Isabella was about to say something, Liam called out to her. “Asher Davidson, apologize!” “If you just walk away like this, you’ll never see each other again!” My steps faltered for a moment. Then so be it. Never again. I lifted my foot, walking away with even greater resolve. Watching my retreating figure shrink in the distance, Isabella suddenly felt a surge of panic. She had a sudden feeling that something precious was slipping away from her, forever. After leaving the Davidsons’ home, I only belatedly realized the piercing pain in my palm. The protection charm was soaked in blood, stuck to my wound. When I peeled it off, the wound was raw and bleeding profusely. Compared to Liam’s bruised leg, my injury was utterly insignificant. But only children who are loved have the right to cry. I just gritted my teeth and roughly treated the wound myself. Then I went back to the church. I hoped my unborn child could find peace and safety, free from harm. On my last day before leaving, I packed all my luggage and the things I intended to return to the Davidsons. It was ironic. From childhood, my Davidson sisters and Isabella had given me enough gifts to fill an entire warehouse. Yet, the things that truly belonged to *me* could be packed into a single small suitcase. I placed the warehouse keys and my bank card into a drawer. The card held all the money I’d earned playing music over the years. I wasn’t sure of the exact amount, but it was easily over ten million dollars. That should be enough to repay the Davidsons’ kindness for raising me. I stood at the doorway, looking at the spacious, luxurious bedroom. This had once been the best room in the Davidson house, aside from the master bedroom. It was originally meant for Charlotte, but my three sisters, doting on me, had secretly decorated it as my bedroom. After Liam came, he’d hinted and outright asked for it countless times. This was the only space I hadn’t lost, and to protect this one last inch of my territory, I’d been branded as unforgiving. Now, all of it. As they wished. The sky lightened. Downstairs, things were lively for a while. Today was Liam’s first time performing as the principal. My three sisters and Isabella revolved around Liam. Once it quieted down downstairs. I pulled out my suitcase and handed the bedroom keys to the housekeeper. I gave her instructions to handle everything once my sisters returned. From now on, the Davidson household would still have its three masters. No more, no less. I, the outsider, would no longer be there to disrupt their happy family. Closing the door. I didn’t look back.

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On our fifth wedding anniversary, Julian finally gave me a bouquet of roses for the first time. The moment their fragrance hit my nose, I nearly collapsed from the allergy. When I got home after getting my allergy shot, I found Seraphina, wearing my nightgown, curled up in Julian’s arms. Their faces were unnaturally flushed, a clear sign of what I’d interrupted, and they just looked at me with disdain. “My sister didn’t know you were allergic to pollen. She was being sweet, trying to surprise you. Shouldn’t you be grateful?” “Let’s get a divorce.” The words hung in the air. I threw the drafted divorce papers at Julian. “Just because of a bouquet of roses?” His eyes were filled with disbelief. I nodded coldly: “Yes, just because of a single rose.” “I’m hungry, go make some food.” Julian came home a month later. I thought the first thing he’d do after I suggested divorce was to actually go through with it. Instead, he placed a set of skincare products in front of me: “A gift for you. I picked them out myself.” I’d already seen those so-called gifts all over Seraphina’s SnapChat story. After all, he’d spent the entire month traveling and living it up with Seraphina. I even noticed Julian had carved Seraphina’s name into some of the gifts. They were just the leftovers Seraphina didn’t want. Just like me, I was merely what Julian had left over. Julian and I had been happily married for five years, until his father married Seraphina’s mother. Step-siblings with no blood relation, they gradually developed a bond that everyone mistook for a romantic relationship. Julian always insisted they were just family. And because they were “just family,” he’d abandon me in the middle of the night to go to Seraphina. I sat on the sofa, giving him a lazy glance. I didn’t rush towards him with a delighted cry, like I used to, nor did I immediately scramble to the kitchen to cook him a meal. Julian frowned when I didn’t move for a long time. “I said I’m hungry, didn’t you hear me?” “I’m not your chef. What do you expect me to do if you’re hungry?” My voice was steady, devoid of any emotional upheaval after so long apart. Julian’s face instantly stiffened. “Are you still being ridiculous? It’s just because Seraphina caused your allergy, isn’t it? I even bought you a gift while I was away on a business trip. Haven’t you calmed down at all in the past month?” Clearly, he didn’t understand why I was truly upset. He thought that a month was enough time for me to endure his coldness, then toss aside my dignity and resume catering to him like a desperate doormat. After all, Julian was a master of the cold shoulder. If he’d truly been on a business trip, neglecting me for work, why wouldn’t I try to win him back? But he didn’t know that Seraphina had shared their entire month’s itinerary on social media. She’d even personally sent me her social media account details from an unknown number. While they were living it up, I was alone in the hospital, suffering through my illness. I suddenly remembered that in those photos, Julian wasn’t wearing his wedding ring. Instead, he had a matching couple’s ring with Seraphina. My gaze fell on Julian’s finger. There was still a faint mark on his middle finger. He must have taken it off not long ago. “I’m not angry.” Julian looked at me twice, realizing I was genuinely calm, without any resentment. He pulled me into his embrace with his long arm. “Alright, go make dinner. We’ll just have a proper anniversary next year.” As he leaned close, the faint scent of Seraphina’s perfume on him made my breathing difficult. It was her favorite. I covered my nose and slowly said, “If you’re hungry, figure it out yourself.” Julian, who had been kneading my waist, stopped.

Julian released me and turned to throw the skincare products from the table onto the floor. Bottles shattered on the hard surface, fragments scattering everywhere. Just like our fragile marriage. He looked down at me, then asked coldly, “Last chance. Are you sure you’re not going to make dinner?” He was giving me an easy out, a chance to back down. Normally, I would never have pushed him this far. I was known in his circle as his little doormat, always ready to serve. I used to accept that incredibly sarcastic and insulting title. Julian and I were once so in love, and I honestly didn’t care about those labels back then. But now, I refused to throw away my self-respect. I glanced at Julian, who was on the verge of exploding, and quickly shook my head. “You can ask Seraphina to cook for you.” That remark lit the fuse. Julian grabbed the iced tea from the coffee table and aggressively splashed it on me. “Audrey, I think you need a wake-up call.” The cold liquid dripped down my chest, and my soaked sleeves felt extremely uncomfortable. As I rolled up my sleeves, Julian’s face froze for a moment, then erupted in fury. “Are you sick in the head? You even put scar makeup on your arm? My son’s birthday is in two days. Are you trying to use such cheap tactics to gain sympathy?” So that was it. He hadn’t come home because he was tired of Seraphina; he remembered he had a son whose mother he didn’t even know. His harsh voice made my eardrums throb, almost bursting. Or perhaps it was my heart aching, making my whole body hurt. The man who once cradled me and worried over a tiny red burn mark from cooking for him was gone. His love for me had vanished along with him. I calmly picked up a tissue and gently wiped the water from my body, wincing and drawing a sharp breath as my fingers brushed against the wound. “I don’t need anyone’s sympathy, especially not yours.” My flat statement landed in Julian’s ears like sarcastic venom. “Fine, Audrey. You want to make a scene, do you? Then you won’t be attending Leo’s birthday party.” He always did this, using our son to threaten me after a few harsh words. Leo and I had a deep bond. His cheap tricks wouldn’t work on us. “I raised that boy myself; you don’t get to make decisions for him!” It didn’t matter if Julian didn’t love me anymore. I knew Leo would want to celebrate his birthday with me. A mother’s tender affection involuntarily softened my face. Perhaps my smile was too triumphant, because Julian poured a bucket of cold water over my head. “Did you forget, Leo has nothing to do with you!” Years ago, he was set up, drugged and taken to a hotel, then extorted for a huge sum of money. He had just taken over the company and dared not investigate. A year later, an anonymous sender dropped off a baby. A paternity test confirmed it was his child. The scandal caused his company’s stock to plummet, and he lost everything. He was on the rooftop, contemplating jumping, when he ran into me taking a breather. I confessed my feelings for him, gathering the courage to hold his hand and face the public storm together. Even after we married, I poured my love for him into Leo, treating him as my own biological child. But my love and acceptance for him and Leo had now become the very weapon he used to hurt me! Was he mocking me for being so desperate to be a stepmom? “You’re right. Since we’re getting divorced anyway, why don’t you find Leo a new mom? Or better yet, find his biological mother!”

Perhaps he hadn’t expected such a fierce, sarcastic outburst from me, leaving Julian stunned. If he was going to stab at my heart, I would make him squirm. That incident from years ago was a dark stain on his past! All these years, I had carefully protected him, nurtured him with love, and never once brought it up. Now that I’d hit him where it hurt, he would surely be furious enough to divorce me on the spot. I had already imagined the storm that was coming, but Julian just bit his lip, motionless. I pointed to the divorce papers on the table, hopefully offering him a pen. He didn’t take it. He just walked towards the kitchen, annoyed. After ransacking the fridge and finding no food, Julian’s anger finally spilled over. “Audrey! What have you been doing for the past month? The fridge is completely empty! Are you deliberately trying to sabotage this marriage?” I found it a little funny. Did he still think we had a marriage to salvage? “I’ve been waiting for you to come back and finalize our divorce!” To ensure he always had food despite his busy work schedule, I used to keep the fridge fully stocked every day. Just now, when I hit a raw nerve, he didn’t divorce me. But now the fridge is empty—simply because I withdrew a tiny bit of my love—and he’s furious and disappointed. My words echoed in the silent living room. Surely, his arrogance would lead him to sign the papers now, right? Under my expectant gaze, he angrily grabbed the pen, but then hovered over the signature line for a long time. I even felt like joking, “Once we’re divorced, you can get even closer to your sister.” Julian abruptly tore the divorce papers to shreds. “So, you want a divorce because you’re jealous, huh? I’ve told you countless times, Seraphina and I are just family with no blood relation!” Just as I regretted opening my mouth, Julian’s FaceTime started ringing. “Daddy, I want a birthday present!” Hearing Leo’s sweet, soft voice, my heart instantly melted into a puddle. I craned my neck, eagerly trying to see Julian’s phone screen, but he shot me a glare and turned the phone completely away from me. During the month I was sick, I was afraid of scaring Leo, so I hadn’t dared to video call him. Now, just hearing his voice, I couldn’t resist the urge to go pick him up immediately. “Anything you want, sweetheart, Daddy will get for you!” “Daddy, I want Aunt Seraphina to be my mommy! She’s way more fun than Mom!” My soft heart instantly hardened. I almost forgot that Seraphina was the daughter of Julian’s father’s new wife. Technically, Seraphina and Julian were family. And my son was currently being raised at the Sterling mansion. Not only was Seraphina stealing my husband, now she was trying to steal my son too! “Sweetheart, you can’t just pick any mommy! In a couple of days, your real mommy and I will celebrate your birthday with you, okay?” Hearing Julian mention me as his mommy, my already wounded heart came back to life. I eagerly anticipated Leo’s joyful shout. But Leo yelled back, “No! I don’t like Mom anymore! Grandma Sterling said Mom doesn’t love me anymore, that’s why she left me with her.” I had only let the Sterling family take care of Leo while I was in the hospital for surgery, making up an excuse so I wouldn’t scare him. Now, after just one month, he didn’t even recognize me. “So, I want Aunt Seraphina to be my mommy!” Innocent words from a child, yet they froze me to the core. Sure enough, blood is thicker than water, after all. No matter how much you raise a child that isn’t yours by blood, they’ll never truly become ‘yours’. What stung even more was Julian’s smiling agreement to Leo’s request: “Since sweetheart likes Aunt Seraphina so much, then we’ll let her be Leo’s godmother!” My emotions were on a rollercoaster. And at that moment, I felt like I had crashed and burned. Julian’s peripheral glance at me was full of defiance.

After hanging up the phone, Julian crossed his arms and began to interrogate me. “Did you hear that? Even a child knows Seraphina treats him better!” “Confess, what were you doing for the past month? Why did you make Leo feel like you abandoned him?” I frowned, looking at him. For the first time, the man I’d loved for years felt so utterly unfamiliar! “Can’t you tell I had surgery?” I lifted my shirt, allowing Julian to see every scar. I wasn’t doing this to make him feel guilty, but to make him understand that I wasn’t like him. I wouldn’t abandon Leo just to go have fun. When I looked up, Julian’s hand was already reaching for my head. “I… I thought you were faking it.” “I actually received a message about your surgery from the hospital, but I thought you were just being dramatic to get attention…” I coldly pushed his hand away. Faced with my coldness, Julian suddenly changed his tone. “Does it hurt?” I nodded, then shook my head. When the doctor asked me to call family to sign the consent form, I couldn’t reach Julian no matter how hard I tried. Yet, I saw photos of him and Seraphina eating barbecue on her social media. Barbecue was something Julian always disdained as “dirty.” In the past, he’d only given me a disgusted look if I suggested it. But he could eat and drink heartily with Seraphina. He was too busy, of course, to sign my papers. He didn’t know that the reason I needed surgery was because an old wound, suffered when I saved Leo from drowning years ago, had flared up again, pressing on a nerve. “I don’t have any family. Can I sign it myself?” At that time, my head ached, but my heart ached more. My signature on the surgery consent form was like an illegible scrawl. “Audrey, do you want anything to eat?” “No, I’m not hungry.” My stomach suddenly rumbled, and Julian chuckled. I couldn’t bring myself to smile. Because at that moment, his phone rang. Julian glanced at it and hung up immediately. That simple action told me exactly who was calling. The phone kept ringing, relentlessly. Julian’s face finally changed. “You should take it.” He looked at my expressionless face, unable to discern any emotion. Finally, he hesitated, then nodded and answered the phone. He sounded a little flustered, but he took the call right in front of me, not giving Seraphina a chance to speak. “Why do you keep calling? Even if the sky is falling, it can wait until I’m free! I’m with Audrey right now!” After saying that, Julian hung up before Seraphina could say anything else. “Audrey, would you like some chicken soup?” It was the first time in almost a year that he had offered to cook for me. In the past, I would have happily dragged him into the kitchen to mess around together. Now, those cherished memories were distant, unreachable. Seeing that I wasn’t acting as intimately as usual, Julian took my hand, a gesture of great familiarity. But Seraphina was relentless, her phone still ringing persistently. His eyes were glued to the vibrating phone. Even his hand unconsciously started rubbing mine. He was rubbing the back of my hand, causing me sharp pain, yet he didn’t notice at all. This was his subconscious habit when he was anxious. He was worried about Seraphina! I pulled my reddened hand from his grasp and considerately answered the phone for him. “Julian, I’m at the hospital, I’m so…” “Hospital? What happened? I’m coming right now!” Julian’s concern was written all over his face. After hanging up, he grabbed his car keys and hesitantly asked me, “Audrey, why don’t you come with me?” I vaguely heard “OB/GYN department” from the phone. Julian was bold enough to want me to personally care for his mistress. “I won’t go. Just sign the papers before you leave. It’ll only take two seconds.” I wasn’t so pathetic as to fawn over my rival. “Audrey, can’t you be more understanding? Technically, Seraphina is your sister-in-law.” “Are you really that heartless? You’re getting angry at me and threatening divorce over your sister-in-law?” Sister-in-law? Was he referring to the “sister-in-law” who shared his bed? Did he really think I didn’t know that he and Seraphina had been staying in the same suite for the past month? Under the barrage of Seraphina’s intimate photos, my heart had died. I clearly realized that Julian and I could never go back. Julian didn’t look at me again, storming out and slamming the door behind him.

Two days later was Leo’s birthday. No matter what he thought of me as a mom, I still considered him my own. Even if we divorced, I didn’t want to hurt the child. Unexpectedly, when I went to pick Leo up for his birthday, the Sterling house was filled with laughter and joy. Seraphina was holding Leo, playing games with Julian, who was gently wiping sweat from Seraphina’s face. Leo hugged Seraphina and planted a kiss on her cheek. To anyone watching, the three of them looked more like a family. The two elder Sterlings were lounging in rocking chairs, smilingly watching the scene unfold. I felt like a voyeur peeking into someone else’s happiness, standing under the scorching sun for half an hour. Julian had already noticed me, but he pretended not to see me. Looking at the carefully chosen gift in my hand, I hesitated, then pushed the door open and walked in. “Leo! Look what Mom bought you!” Hearing my voice, Leo remained nestled in Seraphina’s arms, showing no intention of running to me. When he saw the superhero action figure set I’d bought, something he used to covet, he pouted. “Mommy Seraphina already bought me something much better.” Then, he turned away from me with a pout. Like father, like son. Their attitudes towards me were exactly the same. Even a dog you raise for years develops a deep attachment. Not to mention pouring my heart and soul into raising a baby from infancy. In that moment, Leo’s betrayal hurt more than Julian’s lack of love. For Julian and Leo, I pretended to be pregnant for ten whole months, never leaving the house during that time. Even later, when my own mother offered to help me with Leo, I politely refused, saying it was common for young parents nowadays to raise their own children. Every time I think of it, I feel guilty towards her. It seemed Grandma Margaret’s wish would be dashed today. Leo wouldn’t be coming home with me to see her. I put down the gift, attempting one last try. “Leo, Grandma Margaret misses you. Do you want Mom to take you home?” “No! Grandma Margaret’s house is so shabby! I want to stay with Mommy Seraphina!” Julian’s face was a mix of embarrassment and anger. He whispered something to Seraphina, then came over to me. “Leo is just a child, don’t hold a grudge against him.” “Seraphina even prepared an apology gift for you. When we go inside, don’t be angry and refuse to speak, or my father will be uncomfortable.” I didn’t expose the truth: that Leo not recognizing me as his mother after just a month was because someone was deliberately manipulating him. I didn’t believe Julian couldn’t see through it. He was just playing dumb. This was probably the last birthday I’d spend with Leo. At the dinner table, I felt completely like an outsider. Seraphina even held Leo, constantly interacting with him to provoke me. Several times, as they played, Leo spilled hot soup on me.

After dinner, I endured the burning on the back of my reddened hand and tried again. “Leo, come home with Mom, okay?” Leo, engrossed in his superhero play with Seraphina, didn’t even hear me. A bitter taste spread through my mouth. “Leo, give Mom a hug, okay?” Seraphina raised her chin, her eyes filled with a hidden triumph as she looked at me. “Audrey, what are you doing? Leo doesn’t seem to want to go with you. Don’t make it hard on the child.” “Some people are such failures as mothers!” Mr. Sterling had appeared beside me at some point, his words chilling. He always believed I was the one who set up Julian years ago, thinking Julian was forced to marry me because of his illegitimate child. Later, he resented me for making Julian a disgrace in his social circle. In that moment, I no longer wanted to keep Julian’s secret. “Dad, actually, I’m not Leo’s…” “Audrey! We’re going home!” Julian’s face was filled with panic. His panicked gaze wasn’t on me, but on Seraphina. How laughable. Was he afraid Seraphina would find out Leo was an illegitimate child with an unknown mother? But had he considered other possibilities? Julian held my hand until I stepped out the front door. But only I knew his grip was so tight it felt like he was crushing my hand, terrified I’d say another word about the past. As soon as we were in the car, Julian dropped the pretense of being loving. “Audrey, what were you about to say?” “What do you think?” My direct gaze made Julian’s chin retract inch by inch. “Didn’t we agree back then that we’d pretend it was your scheme?” “What good would it do to expose it now?” “Expose it, and I can divorce you!” My all-or-nothing attitude towards divorce made Julian heartbroken, as if he’d been betrayed. “I was wrong, okay? I swear nothing happened between me and Seraphina! If you really don’t like it, I’ll bring Leo back immediately. You’re his mother, and that will never change!” Yes, besides me, no one else would be willing to shoulder this burden! Except for his biological mother! “If you don’t want me to expose it, then just sign the divorce papers!” “Audrey! I’ve already apologized to you, what else do you want? Why are you escalating a small matter to divorce?” “Leo isn’t your biological child anyway. I know you’re upset that he’s suddenly not close to you, but shouldn’t you reflect on your own issues?” I pointed at myself, incredulous. “I’m a stepmom. I raised him as my own from birth, doted on him. If you hadn’t indulged Seraphina and her mother in filling his head with bad ideas, would he not recognize me?” I questioned myself. My conscience was clear when it came to Leo. Julian, on the other hand, had always been somewhat distant from Leo because of his parentage. The more he avoided Leo, the more I doted on him. And in the end, I was the fool who got stabbed in the back. “Don’t wrongly accuse innocent people! Kids are smart; do they really need us to tell them what to think?” After saying that, Julian caught himself and covered his mouth. “Audrey, that’s not what I meant. I’m not blaming you, I just… don’t want to divorce you…” “Thanks for the reminder. Otherwise, I might forget that there’s such a thing as family bond! Blood is thicker than water, after all. No matter how much you raise a child that isn’t yours by blood, they’ll never truly become ‘yours’.” With that, I opened the car door and got out, hailing a taxi. “Where are you going! I said I was wrong, okay?” Julian’s shouts echoed behind me, but I didn’t look back.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298879”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

The moment the exam bell screamed, my admission ticket vanished. In the pouring rain, the help my mother offered me was, unbelievably, my twin sister’s ID! “Use her identity for the exam!” She pleaded, her words—laced with the supposed unbreakable bond of family—tightening around my throat. Five years of my life’s dedication instantly became a mere stepping stone for my sister! In the heavy rain, an icy chill pierced me to the bone! But this time, I wouldn’t be a pawn in their game any longer. If they wanted to steal my future, then with this stolen identity, I would personally lift them to the highest heights. And then… watch them shatter into a million pieces. 1 The admission bell for the National Board Exam for Licensed Architects echoed sharply through the torrential rain. I stood under the eaves outside the exam hall, body numb with cold. My heart, however, felt like it was being roasted over an open flame, so anxious it threatened to explode. Both my exam permit and ID card were gone! Just completely vanished! That clear file folder, holding five years of my relentless effort and countless sleepless nights, had disappeared into thin air. I frantically rummaged through every pocket on my person, but came up empty. Rainwater dripped from my hair, mixing with the tears blurring my vision. “Don’t panic, don’t panic…” I mumbled to myself, my hands trembling as I borrowed a phone from a kind student nearby and dialed my mom’s number. On the other end, my mom’s voice sounded even more panicked than mine: “What? It’s gone? Aurora! How could you lose something so important… Wait there, I’ll bring it right over!” Hanging up, I stared at the bright red countdown clock by the exam hall entrance: 3:00 PM. Only fifteen minutes left until the exam ended. I studied architecture. This exam would determine the trajectory of my entire professional career. For it, I’d turned down every project at my company, locked myself in my room for a whole year, sketching drawings that piled higher than I was tall. A taxi suddenly tore through the rain curtain, screeching to a halt at the roadside. My mom rushed out, heedless of her appearance, her hair plastered to her face in wet strands. She clutched a file folder tightly to her chest, as if protecting a priceless treasure. “Aurora, hurry! Take it!” She shoved the folder into my hands, panting. I was so grateful I almost cried. But when I shakily opened the folder and pulled out the exam permit and ID card, my entire body froze. The person in the photo had a face identical to mine. But the name was Celeste. My twin sister, Celeste. “Mom… you made a mistake, this is Celeste’s.” My voice was as dry as sandpaper. My mom’s eyes flickered for a second, then she quickly pulled me aside to a more secluded corner. Her voice dropped to a near whisper, laced with an undeniable plea: “Aurora, there’s no time left, just use Celeste’s identity to go in and take the exam.” I stared at her in disbelief: “What did you say?” “Your sister…” My mom’s eyes instantly welled up, “Her heart condition has worsened again. The doctor said she can’t handle any more stress, she needs complete rest, and more importantly… hope. She registered too, but with her health, how could she possibly endure such a high-pressure exam?” The rain was heavy, but every word my mom spoke felt like a poison-tipped needle, accurately piercing my heart. “Aurora, just help your mother, help your sister. Your grades are always so good; you can definitely pass if you retake it next year. But Celeste is different. She needs this certification to prove herself, it’s her motivation to live!” Parents and students sheltering from the rain nearby vaguely overheard our conversation, casting sympathetic glances our way. Someone even whispered in admiration: “What a wonderful mother, such deep sisterly love.” Sisterly love? An icy chill shot from my feet straight to the top of my head. My whole life, whatever Celeste wanted, I had to give up. She liked my new dress, and my mom would say: “Celeste isn’t well, wearing something pretty will lift her spirits, just let her have it.” She admired a painting I’d won an award for, and my mom would say: “It’s just a painting, let your sister hang it by her bed, it’ll bring more life to her room, don’t be so petty.” Now, even my entire professional future, which I’d gambled everything on, had to be given to her. Because she wasn’t well. That reason, like a shackles, had bound me for twenty-five years. “Mom, this is the exam I’ve been preparing for five years.” I practically squeezed the words out through gritted teeth. “I know, I know you’re upset.” My mom gripped my arm tightly, her nails almost digging into my flesh: “But your sister… she might not have another five years! Can’t you sacrifice just this once for her?” “Ding—” The final admission bell rang. My mom abruptly pushed me, propelling me towards the exam hall entrance: “Quick, go in! Aurora, I beg you! Your mother is begging you!” Mr. Harrison, the invigilator, glanced at “Celeste” on the admission ticket, then looked up at me. We were identical twins; we looked exactly alike. He didn’t suspect a thing, waving me inside. I numbly walked into the exam hall, sat in “Celeste’s” assigned seat, my mind a complete blank. My future, my life, in that moment, had been stolen by my own mother’s hand. The moment the exam-ending bell rang, I was practically the first person to rush out of the hall. The rain had stopped, and the sky was a dull gray, matching my mood. I borrowed a phone again and called my mom, wanting to ask her where she had put my admission ticket. The call connected, but the other end was noisy. My mom’s voice was light, as if a huge burden had been lifted: “Oh, Aurora, are you done with the exam? I’m with Celeste at the hospital right now; she said she felt a bit of chest tightness, so I rushed her here. You can just take a taxi home yourself, okay.” The call was abruptly cut off. I stood alone in the empty plaza, feeling like a joke abandoned by the whole world. I hailed a taxi and rushed home. The moment I pushed open the door, a wave of eerie silence washed over me. Celeste’s bedroom door was slightly ajar. I walked over and saw her leaning weakly against the headboard. She was holding an architecture atlas, her face as pale as paper. My exam permit and ID card lay quietly on her desk, next to her almost untouched study materials. Seeing me, she flinched, her eyes filled with fear and a hint of almost imperceptible triumph: “Sister… you’re back.” “Why didn’t you tell me?” I stared at her, my voice trembling with fury, “This was *my* exam!” “I… I was scared…” She bit her lower lip, wronged tears instantly welling up, “Sister, I didn’t mean to, Mom… she said… she said this was the best gift for me…” Just then, my phone vibrated. It was a message from Mom. I thought it would be a greeting, even a fake one. But the screen starkly displayed a line of text: “Aurora, was the exam hard? How did you do? Make sure Celeste passes, this is her only hope for the rest of her life.” Her only hope… I looked at my phone screen, then at my sister on the bed, feigning vulnerability, and suddenly I laughed. One of them planned, the other enjoyed. What did they take me for? A tool to fulfill their wishes? What about *my* hope? Who would fulfill *my* hope? I clutched my phone, my knuckles turning white from the force. A crazy idea, for the first time, sprouted in my mind. You want “Celeste” to pass the exam? Fine. I’ll grant your wish. 2 I decided to grant their wish. Back home, I didn’t cry, nor did I throw a tantrum. I simply walked calmly into Celeste’s room, retrieved my exam permit and ID card, and put them back in my wallet. My composure seemed to scare them more than any hysteria could. Celeste struggled to sit up from the bed, timidly tugging at my sleeve: “Sister, don’t be angry…” My mom also came in, cautiously observing my expression: “Aurora, Mom knows you’re upset. But think about your sister, she…” “Stop.” I cut her off, my gaze slowly moving from her face to Celeste’s. “You want me to take the exam using your identity? Fine.” I saw a spark of surprise simultaneously erupt in their eyes. “But,” I changed my tone, my voice as cold as a surgeon’s scalpel, “From today onwards, neither of you is to ever mention those three words to me again: ‘Celeste isn’t well.’ I don’t want to hear it.” Celeste’s face turned pale. My mom immediately nodded repeatedly: “Alright, alright, we won’t mention it. Aurora, you really are Mom’s good daughter!” She moved to hug me, but I instinctively sidestepped. The hug missed, and my mom’s arms hung awkwardly in mid-air. I didn’t look at them again, turning and returning to my room, closing the door. Outside the door, I heard my mom let out a long sigh of relief, followed by her hushed words of comfort to Celeste: “There, there, it’s okay, your sister agreed. Celeste, now your life has hope.” I leaned against the cold door, smiling silently. Yes, Celeste’s life had hope. Hope bought with my future. For the next two months, I became a precise studying machine. I meticulously re-organized everything I had learned in five years: all my painstaking notes, every rejected drawing, every summarized exam point. I wasn’t doing it for myself, but to give “Celeste” an impeccable, perfect score. I wanted the name “Celeste” to become a legendary overnight sensation in the architectural design world. A perfect lie, built with my flesh and talent. The day results were announced, my mom was even more nervous than I was, refreshing the computer screen again and again. When the words “Celeste, Total Score 288, National Top Scorer” popped up, my mom was so excited she almost fainted on the spot. 288 was the highest score ever recorded in this National Board Exam for Licensed Architects. She hugged Celeste, crying and laughing, and the phone at home immediately started ringing off the hook with congratulations from relatives and friends. Celeste became the pride of our family, and even the entire extended family. And I, Aurora, because I hadn’t taken the exam, had a blank space in my results column. I became a deserter who abandoned the exam, a dim shadow under my sister’s dazzling halo. No one asked me why I didn’t take it. They were all too busy fawning over Celeste, the lucky one crowned “genius prodigy.” At the celebratory family dinner, my mom, her face beaming with pride, boasted to everyone: “Our Celeste, you know, she’s been talented since childhood, and her health isn’t good, we were always worried about her, but who would’ve thought, this child is so remarkable! She just went and got national first place!” Celeste nestled beside her, displaying a shy yet graceful smile. Occasionally, she would cast a complex look my way, containing guilt, boastfulness, and a hint of condescending pity. I felt like an outsider, coldly observing this celebration meticulously planned for me, yet not belonging to me. The red wine in my glass tasted like bitter blood. September arrived in a flash, and Celeste was off to Northwood University – the country’s most prestigious architecture school. Of course, using my achievements and her name. In the VIP lounge at the airport, my mom kept fussing over Celeste: “Northwood City can be chilly, did you pack enough clothes? Make sure you take your heart medication on time, and never push yourself too hard, okay?” She turned, finally remembering me, but her tone was like instructing a servant: “Aurora, what are you standing there for? Go buy your sister a hot drink, her stomach is sensitive, she can’t drink cold things.” I nodded, turning without a word. Just as I was heading towards the coffee bar near the lounge entrance, a clear, somewhat uncertain voice sounded behind me. “Aurora?” My footsteps froze in place, as if nailed to the ground, and all the blood in my body instantly turned to ice. That voice… I stiffly turned around, seeing a face I would never forget. Liam Thorne. He was dressed in a well-tailored casual suit, dragging a minimalist suitcase, standing not far away. His handsome brows were slightly furrowed, his eyes filled with surprise and confusion. He had been the star student during our university days, and my only true rival. We had competed in our major for four years; from design drawings to models, every time we were neck and neck, impossible to tell who was better. He was the person who knew my abilities best. He had also taken this exam. Why was he here? Liam’s gaze swept past me, landing on the group behind me. Celeste, like a princess, surrounded by my mom and several relatives. He heard the excited conversations of the relatives. “Celeste is such a genius! National top scorer for the architect’s exam!” “Yes, and she’s off to Northwood University now, unlimited future!” Liam’s eyes snapped back, focusing on me once more. The surprise and confusion in his gaze instantly deepened into a more profound scrutiny and suspicion. That look seemed to ask: Aurora, the national top scorer they’re talking about is your twin sister? What about you? With your abilities, how could you not have won anything? What in the world was going on? 3 Liam’s eyes were like two sharp probes, trying to peel back my calm facade and peer into the truth that had already festered within. I couldn’t let him see it. “Long time no see, Liam.” I forced a smile, trying to keep my voice as light and natural as possible, “Are you going to Northwood City too?” “Yeah, my company has a project there.” He nodded, but his gaze didn’t leave my face. That scrutiny made me feel like I was under intense observation. “Aurora, I checked the exam results; your name wasn’t there. Did you… drop out?” This question, like a bullet, accurately hit my weak spot. I lowered my eyes, avoiding his overly sharp gaze, and mumbled a vague “Mm.” “Something came up, so I couldn’t make it.” “Is that so?” Liam’s tone carried a hint of imperceptible doubt, “I thought this year’s top scorer was going to be you, without a doubt.” My heart gave a violent lurch. “Sister, who are you talking to?” Celeste’s voice cut in at just the right moment. She swayed over, naturally linked her arm through mine. She gave Liam a sweet, harmless smile: “Hello, I’m Aurora’s sister, Celeste.” Liam’s gaze swept back and forth between my identical face and Celeste’s, his brow furrowing deeper. “Hello, Liam Thorne. Your sister’s college classmate.” He introduced himself simply, but his gaze returned to Celeste, carrying a professional scrutiny, “I hear you’re this year’s national top scorer?” “Y-yes… that’s right.” Celeste’s smile stiffened slightly, and she instinctively tried to hide behind me, “Just lucky.” “Lucky?” Liam chuckled softly, his laugh carrying a hint of mockery, “Miss Celeste, are you also an architecture student? Which university did you graduate from, if I may ask?” At that question, Celeste’s face instantly went white. She had studied nursing in college. Because of her heart condition, my mom had said it was an easy major, convenient for taking care of others, and for being taken care of. Her knowledge of architecture was limited to looking at a few pretty atlases; she didn’t even understand basic architectural mechanics. My mom immediately sensed her daughter’s predicament and quickly stepped in to smooth things over: “Oh my, sir, why are you asking so many questions? Our Celeste has always been smart since she was little, isn’t it alright if she’s self-taught? We’re about to board, so let’s not chat anymore, alright?” With that, she pulled Celeste, almost fleeing towards the boarding gate. Before she was pulled away, Celeste glanced back at Liam, her eyes extremely complex. There was panic, embarrassment, and even a trace of… imperceptible admiration. My heart sank. Only Liam and I were left in the waiting room, and the atmosphere instantly turned heavy. “Aurora,” Liam stepped forward, closing the distance between us, his voice low, carrying an unquestionable dominance, “Tell me, what’s going on?” I was cornered, my back against the cold glass wall. “Nothing, it’s just as you see it.” I turned my face away, not daring to meet his eyes. “As I see it?” Liam suddenly scoffed, “You expect me to believe that the Aurora I’ve known for four years—the one who would go three days and three nights without sleep for a single model, who had every code and diagram memorized backward and forward like a maniac—would hand over the national top score to a sister who’d spout nonsense like ‘self-taught genius’?” Every word he spoke felt like a heavy hammer, pounding on my heart. He knew, after all. “Aurora, look at me.” He cupped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze, “I know a bit about your family situation. Are you in financial trouble? If so, I can help you. You don’t have to sacrifice your future for it.” His eyes were so sincere, with a hint of urgency I’d never seen before. For a moment, I almost broke down, wanting to tell him all my grievances and frustrations. But reason ultimately triumphed over impulse. What good would telling him do? Let him pity me? Feel sorry for me? Or would it make him expose this lie, turning my family and me into an utter joke? I took a deep breath, pushed him away forcefully, my eyes hardening into a cold, distant gaze once more. “Liam, this is my family’s business, it has nothing to do with you.” He stumbled back a step, his eyes filled with disbelief. I didn’t give him a chance to question further, turning and walking away. “Aurora!” He called out behind me, “If you ever need help, you can always find me. But if you dare use your talent to do something against your conscience, to uphold a lie, I will never let you off the hook!” My steps faltered, but I didn’t turn back. I was afraid if I did, all my pretense would disappear. Leaving the airport, I walked aimlessly through the streets like a lost soul. Having sent Celeste and my mom off, for the first time, I didn’t want to go home. My phone rang. It was Mrs. Davis, my landlady. “Aurora, when are you coming back to move your stuff out? The new tenant is moving in this afternoon.” I was stunned: “Mrs. Davis, what are you talking about? Didn’t we just pay the rent?” “Pay what?!” Mrs. Davis’s voice was loud, “Your mom came by this morning, got a refund for the remaining rent, and said she wasn’t renting anymore, that she was going to Northwood City to accompany your sister for school and wouldn’t be coming back! She also said all your things weren’t needed and told me to dispose of them as I saw fit!” *Boom!* I felt like my entire world had exploded around my ears. Not coming back? All my things weren’t needed? I had been abandoned. After I personally put them on that plane, sending them towards a bright future paved with *my* efforts, they ruthlessly cut off all my escape routes. They wouldn’t even leave me a home. I hung up the phone, standing on the bustling street, and suddenly felt a dizzying wave of lightheadedness. Just then, a black Bentley slowly pulled up in front of me. The window rolled down, revealing Liam’s sharply defined face. His eyes looked at me with a complex expression, as if he already knew everything. He spoke softly, his voice quiet, yet it struck me like a thunderclap. “Aurora, get in. I just acquired the design firm where you interned. From today on, I’m your new boss.” 4 I stood there dumbfounded, staring at the familiar yet strange face in the Bentley, my brain completely overwhelmed by the information overload. Liam… acquired the design firm where I interned? He became my new boss? This was even more surreal than the landlady telling me I’d been kicked out. “Get in.” Liam’s voice was devoid of emotion, yet carried an undeniable command. I mechanically pulled open the car door and got in. The warm air conditioning and the scent of premium leather enveloped me, creating a stark contrast with my terrible predicament. I felt like a clown who had stumbled into high society. The car moved forward smoothly. Liam didn’t ask why I was standing in the street, nor did he mention what had happened at the airport. He just focused on driving, the lines of his profile appearing somewhat rigid in the city’s flowing lights and shadows. “Where to?” He finally spoke. “I…” Only then did I remember, I had nowhere to go. The place I had lived for over twenty years had completely expelled me. Seeing that I couldn’t speak for a while, Liam seemed to understand. He didn’t press further, but drove the car into the underground garage of a high-end apartment complex. “Stay here for now.” He handed me an access card, “Building 3, Apartment 1801. The password is your birthday. It’s a company-provided apartment for director-level employees, and it’s currently vacant.” I clutched the cold card, feeling as if I were holding a hot iron. “I can’t…” “Why not?” He cut me off, turning his head, his dark, deep eyes looking straight into mine. “Aurora, put away your pathetic pride. You don’t even have a place to live right now. What position are you in to bargain with me?” His words were like knives, accurately piercing my most vulnerable spot. “What do you want?” I looked up, meeting his gaze. I didn’t believe in selfless kindness in this world, especially from Liam. He quirked his lips, revealing a meaningful smile: “Simple. I need you to complete a project for me, one… that only you can complete.” “What project?” ” ‘The Palace on the Clouds.’ ” At these words, my pupils suddenly contracted. “The Palace on the Clouds” was the most anticipated architectural project in the country for the past decade, located at the city’s highest point, touted as creating a sky garden suspended among the clouds. The project was extremely difficult, with almost苛刻 requirements for designers. Even when I was an intern, I’d heard that countless top domestic and international designers wanted to win it, but ultimately failed because their proposals couldn’t meet the investors’ demands. The investor had only one requirement: it had to be stunning, disruptive, and create an unprecedented marvel. “This project… didn’t it stall a long time ago?” I murmured. “That’s because they hadn’t found the right person.” Liam’s gaze was fervent, “And now, I have.” He looked at me, saying each word distinctly: “Aurora, I know you harbor a true ‘Palace on the Clouds’ in your heart. Your university graduation project, which your professors deemed ‘too idealistic to be realized,’ I still keep it to this day. Now, I want you to make it a reality.” My heart skipped a beat. That graduation project was the starting point of all my dreams, and the culmination of all my talent. I had named it “Floating Light,” a truly integrated aerial building. Everyone at the time said I was a whimsical dreamer, but only Liam, after the defense, said to me: “Your idea is very bold, but in the future, it might not be impossible to achieve.” I hadn’t expected him to remember. “Why me?” I asked. “Because the current investor for this project is the Dean Emeritus of Northwood University’s Architecture School.” Liam slowly uttered the last crucial piece of information, “And your sister, ‘Celeste,’ with the title of national top scorer, has already become his most favored student.” I understood instantly. He wasn’t helping me; he was using me. He wanted to use my design to challenge Celeste, who was basking in my glory. He wanted to tear apart this massive lie on the most authoritative stage. It was an open conspiracy. He was certain I would agree because I wanted to prove myself more than anyone. “Fine.” I took the access card, my nails digging deeply into my palm, “I agree. But I also have a condition.” “Speak.” “The designer for this project must be credited as Aurora.” I looked at him, my eyes firm, “I want everyone to know who designed ‘The Palace on the Clouds.’ ” Liam smiled, a hint of approval in his expression: “Deal.” Over the next month, I moved into the apartment Liam had arranged for me. It was a large, flat apartment with a spectacular view, huge floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city’s twinkling lights. Even when my mom suddenly called, I barely paid attention. I locked myself in the studio, drawing and building models day and night. I painstakingly refined the raw “Floating Light” proposal from my student days, making it more mature, more breathtaking. Liam gave me maximum authority and support; his company’s resources were mine to command. He often came over late at night, staying up with me until dawn to discuss the plans. It was as if we were back in university, two equally obsessed individuals working together towards a common goal. I almost forgot about my mom and Celeste, until late one night, an unknown number called. The moment I answered, my mom’s hysterical cries came through the receiver: “Aurora! You need to come to Northwood City right away! Your sister is in trouble!” My heart sank. “What happened to her? A heart attack?” “No!” My mom’s voice was filled with terror and despair, “She… she assaulted someone at school! She broke a male student’s leg! Now they’re pressing charges, and the school wants to expel her! She… she’s run away, no one can find her! Aurora, please, help me find her! If anything happens to her, I won’t live either!” I held the phone, feeling a wave of absurdity. Celeste? That delicate girl who couldn’t even twist open a bottle cap and would get winded after just a few steps? She broke someone’s bone? How was that even possible? Before I could think it through, Liam’s call came in, his voice unusually grave. “Aurora, something’s happened.” “The design proposal for ‘The Palace on the Clouds’ has been leaked.” 5 Two pieces of news, like two bombs detonating simultaneously, sent huge waves through my mind. Celeste had assaulted someone and run away. The design proposal for “The Palace on the Clouds” had been leaked. Could these two things be a coincidence? I forced myself to calm down, my brain working at lightning speed. “Liam,” my voice was unusually calm, “Who was the proposal leaked to?” Liam on the other end of the phone was silent for a moment, then uttered a name I hadn’t expected: “Northwood University’s Architecture School, Celeste.” Of course! I closed my eyes, and everything clicked into place. My mom hadn’t simply come to see me. Celeste hadn’t assaulted anyone and run away; she had taken my design proposal to curry favor! She knew her own capabilities, knew she couldn’t fool the Dean Emeritus. So she stole my proposal, hoping to use this perfect blueprint to solidify her “genius prodigy” reputation and strengthen her standing with the Dean. As for the supposed “male student with a broken leg,” that was likely just a charade she cooked up to lure me to Northwood City, with my mom playing along! What a perfect lie. That mother and daughter duo truly had lying etched into their very bones. “Where are you? I’ll come to you.” Liam’s voice pulled me back from my furious thoughts. “No need.” I opened my eyes, my gaze cold, “I know what I need to do.” Hanging up, I immediately booked the earliest flight to Northwood City. I didn’t tell my mom, nor did I contact Celeste. If you two like to act, then I’ll make this play even more spectacular. Two hours later, dragging my suitcase, I stood beneath the grand archway of Northwood University’s Architecture School. I didn’t look for Celeste, but went directly to the Academic Affairs Office. “Excuse me, Professor, my name is Aurora. I’m Celeste’s twin sister. My sister suddenly went missing this morning, and I can’t reach her on the phone. I’m very worried about her. Could you please help me check her class schedule for today?” I fabricated a plausible reason, a perfectly timed worried expression on my face. The responsible professor, seeing my face which was identical to the one in the student records, had no suspicion. He quickly pulled up Celeste’s timetable. “…3 PM this afternoon, in Building C, Room 301, is the Dean Emeritus’s public lecture.” That’s it! I thanked the professor, checked the time – 2:45 PM. Perfect timing. I arrived at Building C, and from a distance, I could see a crowd gathered at the entrance of the lecture hall, Room 30

Clearly, the Dean Emeritus’s public lecture was extremely popular. I didn’t rush in, but found a corner and dialed my mom’s number. The phone was answered almost immediately. “Aurora! Where are you? Have you found Celeste?” My mom’s voice was still filled with urgent anxiety. “Mom,” I lowered my voice, my tone tinged with tears and panic, “I just got to the university. I heard the place where Celeste had trouble was Building C. I’m scared to go alone, can you please come with me?” “Okay, okay, okay! Don’t be afraid, I’ll be there right away! Wait for me at the entrance of Building C!” My mom agreed without thinking. Hanging up, I looked at my phone screen, a cold smile curving on my lips. The bait had been cast. Now, it was time to reel them in. I entered Room 301. The massive tiered lecture hall was packed. On the podium, an energetic, stately elderly man was speaking; he must have been the Dean Emeritus. And in the very center of the first row sat my dear sister, Celeste. She was wearing a tasteful white dress today, with delicate makeup. She was listening attentively to the lecture, occasionally exchanging a few words with the Dean beside her. She looked every bit the brilliant, highly esteemed student. On the table in front of her, conspicuously displayed, was a roll of blueprints. It was “The Palace on the Clouds,” the design I had poured countless sleepless nights and all my heart and soul into. I found a seat in the back row, near the door, and waited quietly. As the public lecture drew to a close, the Dean smiled at Celeste, his voice full of admiration: “…Finally, let’s give a warm round of applause to our most outstanding freshman this year, the national top scorer of the architect’s exam, Celeste Sterling, as she presents her brand new conceptual design for ‘The Palace on the Clouds’ project!” Thunderous applause erupted, and all eyes focused on Celeste. Celeste stood up, a confident and proud smile on her face. She walked to the podium, ready to unfurl the blueprints that belonged to me. Just then, the back door of the classroom was violently pushed open. My mom rushed in, breathless, her face still streaked with fresh tears. She spotted Celeste on the podium at once and cried out: “Celeste! You… you didn’t run away? What are you doing here!” The entire room instantly fell silent, everyone staring in confusion at the woman who had suddenly burst in. Celeste’s smile instantly froze. She looked at my mom in horror, her face turning ashen: “Mom? You… why are you here?” My mom also froze. She looked at Celeste on stage, then instinctively scanned the crowd for me. I slowly rose from the back row, meeting the bewildered gazes of everyone, and walked, step by step, towards the podium. I walked up to Celeste, and under her terrified gaze, took the blueprints from her hands. Then, I turned to face the bewildered Dean and hundreds of teachers and students below. And I showed them a smile identical to Celeste’s, yet a hundred times brighter. “Hello everyone, my name is Aurora, and I am Celeste’s twin sister.” My voice, amplified by the microphone, clearly resonated throughout the entire classroom. “I apologize for the interruption. My sister is not feeling well today and seems a bit disoriented, so the following presentation of the proposal will be delivered by me, the true designer of these blueprints.” ###截断点 6 My voice wasn’t loud, but it detonated like a depth charge in the silent classroom. Everyone’s gaze flitted between me, Celeste, and my mom. Their faces were etched with shock, confusion, and scrutiny. Celeste’s face, in an instant, went from white to green, then to a deathly gray. Her lips trembled; she couldn’t utter a single word, her body swaying precariously. My mom finally realized she’d been tricked by me. She rushed forward, trying to snatch the blueprints from my hand. She babbled incoherently, trying to explain: “No… it’s not true! Dean, professors, don’t listen to her nonsense! She… she’s my older daughter, she’s jealous of her sister’s success, she’s lost her mind!” “Lost her mind?” I sneered, unfurling the blueprints across the podium. The exquisite design was instantly revealed to everyone. “Then I must ask my dear mother, how could someone who’s ‘lost her mind’ design this ‘Palace on the Clouds’?” I ignored them and turned to face the Dean, calmly beginning my presentation. “I’ve named this design ‘Floating Light,’ inspired by mirages. My core concept is to utilize the latest photosensitive suspended materials and holographic projection technology to create a dynamic building that truly integrates with the clouds and light, an architectural wonder…” I didn’t refer to any notes; all the structures, data, and material parameters were already etched into my mind. From design philosophy to structural mechanics, from material application to ecological cycles, I spoke flawlessly. That inherent confidence and professionalism, ingrained in my very being, was something Celeste could never imitate. The entire classroom was silent; everyone was captivated by the architectural marvel I described. The Dean’s eyes, from initial confusion, gradually turned to astonishment, and finally to undisguised admiration and excitement. As for Celeste, she stood aside, like a clown stripped of her fine garments, utterly mortified. My mom collapsed onto the floor, her face ashen. When the presentation ended, the applause was ten times more enthusiastic than before. The Dean walked up, gripped my hand tightly, and said excitedly: “Aurora! You are the true genius! This is precisely the design I’ve dreamed of! I announce that the ‘Palace on the Clouds’ project will be entirely under your charge!” Just then, Celeste, who had been silent, suddenly let out a piercing scream. She stared intently at me, her eyes filled with venom and madness: “Aurora! Why are you destroying me! I worked so hard… everything I worked so hard to get! It’s all you! You ruined me!” With that, she suddenly lunged at me like a madwoman, trying to tear up the blueprints on the table. I instinctively protected the blueprints, pushing her away. She stumbled back a few steps, then suddenly clutched her chest, her face contorted in extreme pain. Then she fell straight backward. “Celeste!” My mom screamed, scrambling to her daughter. The scene instantly descended into chaos. An ambulance arrived, sirens wailing, taking Celeste and my mom away. I stood on the chaotic podium, clutching the blueprints that had vindicated me, but felt no joy of victory. Instead, I was gripped by an unsettling premonition. I saw Celeste’s eyes clearly the moment she fell. Her gaze wasn’t one of pain from a sudden heart attack, but more like… triumph. By the time everything was handled, it was late at night. Liam drove to pick me up. The Dean personally escorted me to the campus gate, repeatedly urging me to rest well and not rush the project. Getting into the car, Liam handed me a bottle of warm water. “Well done.” He said simply. I leaned back in the seat, closing my eyes tiredly: “I just have a feeling things aren’t that simple.” “Are you saying your sister faked it?” “I don’t know.” I shook my head, “But my gut tells me she has another trick up her sleeve.” No sooner had I spoken than my phone rang. It was the hospital. A cold, formal voice came through the receiver: “Is this Celeste’s next of kin? The patient suffered acute heart failure, and after resuscitation efforts failed, she was pronounced deceased five minutes ago.” Deceased? I held the phone, completely stunned. How could… how could this be? Wasn’t she faking it? Liam saw the change in my expression, immediately pulled the car to the side of the road, Took the phone from my hand, and after listening for a few moments, his face also instantly darkened. “Aurora,” He hung up the phone, looking at me, his tone unusually serious, “Your sister is dead. And, the police just received a report. The caller is your mother, and she’s accusing you… of deliberately pushing and provoking Celeste during the public lecture, leading to her heart attack and death.” “She… she’s accusing me?” I looked at Liam in disbelief, a chill shooting from my feet straight to the top of my head. My mom, she was actually going to accuse me of killing her daughter? “That’s not all.” Liam’s face grew even uglier, “At the exact same time your sister was pronounced dead, Northwood University’s Dean Emeritus’s computer was hacked. An identical copy of ‘The Palace on the Clouds’ design proposal you submitted was sent, via anonymous email, to all the bidders for the project.” I was completely dumbfounded. Celeste was dead. My mom was accusing me of murder. My design proposal had been leaked to all my competitors. All of this, had happened within a few short hours. One linked to the next, each move deadly. I finally understood what Celeste’s triumphant gaze meant when she fell. She used her death to engineer a conspiracy against me. She wanted to ruin my reputation, leave me with nothing, and even… send me to prison. How ruthless. Truly ruthless. I looked at the city lights outside the car window, feeling utterly cold. Could someone who was already dead really lay such an intricate trap? Or was there another mastermind, hidden behind her, pulling the strings?

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My boyfriend Julian claimed he loved me to death, yet he’d run from our wedding 99 times. To stall the wedding, he even staged a car accident, causing me to lose our baby. Heartbroken and devastated, I overheard Julian laughing with his best friend. “Seven years of dating was just a revenge plot I cooked up for my goddess, Chloe.” My body went cold, my mind reeling. He never loved me. But thankfully, it wasn’t too late to turn things around. I slowly regained my composure, adjusted my mindset, and then I turned around and accepted another man’s proposal. The hundredth time Julian planned to escape our wedding, I was marrying gloriously in a neighboring city. On the way to register our marriage for the 99th time, Julian, desperate to escape, drove us directly into the back of a large truck. The scene was chaotic, and we were both rushed to the hospital. Minutes later, covered in blood, I lay unconscious on a cold operating table, as doctors performed an induced termination of my seven-month-old fetus. When I awoke, the surgery was over. I quickly learned that our baby was gone, and tears streamed down my face. The doctor told me I needed to rest, but I was so worried about Julian that I secretly snuck off to his room. But as I reached the door, I heard laughter spilling out from inside. “Julian, you’re something else! You almost got yourself killed just to skip the wedding. But Stella did carry your child, and the doctor said it was a boy. Don’t you regret it?” Julian scoffed. “Regret? Don’t forget, I only got involved with Stella to help Chloe get her revenge. Forget one kid; I wouldn’t regret it even if it cost her life.” His eyes were cold, that handsome face devoid of the tenderness and affection I’d once known. My breath hitched, my slender shoulders trembling. I rubbed my eyes, trying to confirm the faces of the speakers. No matter how much I doubted, I had to admit, the two men talking were my own brother, Dominic, and the boyfriend I’d loved for seven years. “Exactly,” Dominic’s expression hardened. “If she hadn’t insisted on coming back to the Kingston family seven years ago, Chloe wouldn’t have had to study abroad and be separated from us! She’s nothing but trouble.” “Good thing Chloe said she’s coming back soon.” Mentioning her, Julian’s tone unconsciously softened. “Once I’ve escaped the wedding 100 times, I’ll break up with Stella, then bring Chloe back! Don’t worry, bro, Stella loves me to death right now. If she finds out these past seven years were all a lie, she’ll be so heartbroken she’ll never show her face again!” Hearing this, my body went limp, tears flowing like a flood. I stumbled out, leaning on the wall, and sat on a garden bench, sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard was true. I had never been lucky. I got lost as a child and was only found by my biological parents at 18. When I returned, I found my family loved their adopted daughter, Chloe, more than they loved me. The moment I stepped through the door, my own brother, Dominic, warned me fiercely: “Chloe is my only sister. You are not allowed to call me ‘brother’!” I was sent to sleep in the smallest maid’s room, forced to wear Chloe’s hand-me-down clothes, and eventually sent to work at a questionable late-night establishment to earn my tuition. After school started, many men posted revealing photos of me on the campus forum. Slut-shaming whispers spread everywhere, and I even tried to take my own life after being cornered and harassed in an alley by a perverted creep. In my darkest hour, completely despondent, I wanted to hit my head against a wall and end it all. It was Julian who appeared and saved me. He took off his jacket and gently draped it over me, arranged my transfer, and confronted those who bullied me. He sent me countless beautiful gowns, protecting me under his wing, doing everything he could for me. He slowly healed my wounds and even gave me a grand proposal ceremony. I always thought Julian was the light that pulled me out of the abyss. But only now did I understand that it was all a lie. Julian was with me because I took Chloe’s place as the Kingston family’s eldest daughter, which supposedly caused Chloe pain and made her leave the country. He had no love for me; seven years of companionship was just a twisted game of torment and revenge. First, pull me out of the abyss, then cruelly push me into an even deeper one. I sobbed, gasping for breath, finally understanding why there were always “accidents” every time we went to register our marriage. Julian never intended to go through with it. I touched my flat stomach, trembling as I dialed a number.

“Mr. Harrison, you wanted me to marry your son to bring him good fortune, didn’t you? I accept.” A surprised voice came from the other end of the line. “Good, good! Give me five days to wrap up my business abroad, then I’ll send someone to pick you up in Capital City.” “Stella, don’t worry. Whether my son wakes up or not, all of the Harrison family’s assets will be left to you!” I hummed in agreement, then hung up. The money didn’t really matter. Marrying a man in a coma didn’t matter either. I just wanted a place to call my own, a place where I could find peace. I looked up at the blue sky and white clouds, exhaling a long breath. I finally did something that everyone would be happy about! I wouldn’t cling to the Kingston family anymore. This position of “eldest daughter” — I’d give it back to your precious Chloe! The diamond engagement ring on my finger sparkled. I gritted my teeth and slipped it off. I raised my hand, intending to throw it into the nearby trash can, but Julian suddenly rushed over, panicked, to stop me. “Stella, don’t throw the ring away.” He pulled my slender body into his embrace. “The car accident was an accident. If we can’t register this time, there’s always next time.” Julian’s eyes showed concern, and his embrace was still as gentle and strong as before, but all I felt was coldness. “An accident?” I forced a bitter smile. “Counting this time, it’s your 99th time trying to escape the wedding, isn’t it?” “The first time, you said you weren’t ready, and we turned back halfway.” “The second time, you faked a stomachache and made me go to the hospital with you. The third time, you said you were tied up with company business…” I clenched my fists, recounting Julian’s “accidents” one by one. “It’s already the 99th time. When will it be the 100th? Julian, you never intended to register our marriage at all, did you? You just wanted to play a trick on me.” Julian’s pupils contracted, flustered that his plan had been exposed. “How… how could you say that? Stella, don’t you know how much I love you?” I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “But your love… couldn’t even save our child.” My face was pale, my delicate hand resting on my stomach, as if bidding farewell to my lost baby. “We’ll have other children,” Julian said, his face full of heartache. “Once you’ve recovered, we’ll register our marriage again.” The concern he showed now was a stark contrast to the Julian in the hospital room earlier. I could barely tell them apart. I looked up, tears welling in my eyes. “If you really want to register, then let’s go now.” Julian paused. He sensed something was off with me today. “Not now… your body hasn’t fully recovered. Next time.” “No ‘next time’. Now.” I stared directly at him, hoping to see a hint of sincerity. Julian frowned, not understanding why I, who was usually so docile, was being so stubborn. Was it just because I lost the baby? Just as Julian was at a loss, his phone rang in his pocket. He let out a long sigh of relief and released me. “I’ll take this call first.” “Chloe? What do you need… You’re back in the country! Good, I’ll send you the address right away.” Julian hung up, delighted. He gripped my shoulders. “Chloe heard about our car accident and rushed back from abroad because she was so worried! Aren’t you happy to have such a great sister?” My mouth twitched. I had just lost my baby; I really couldn’t bring myself to smile. But Julian was too caught up in his excitement to notice my distress. He pulled me back to the hospital room, eagerly sharing the news with Dominic. The two men laughed together. “We finally get to see Chloe!” After their excitement, Julian realized he had ignored me. He quickly came to my side to comfort me. “Good girl, we can talk about registering later. We’ll have more children too.” He said it so casually, as if I hadn’t had an induced termination of pregnancy, but had simply tripped and fallen. I lowered my gaze, a bitter smile playing on my lips. “Later? I’m afraid there won’t be a ‘later’ for us.”

Dominic frowned. “What’s with the long face? Whose fault is it that you couldn’t protect your own child?” “Bro, don’t talk to Stella like that. I’m sure she didn’t mean it!” Julian stepped in front of me. “Just keep spoiling her,” Dominic sneered. “Stella is my fiancée; of course, I’ll spoil her.” Julian turned and gently stroked my head. For a moment, I was dazed. Julian had offered this kind of protection countless times before. It had always been Dominic who played the bad guy, tormenting and scolding me, then Julian would step in to protect me. But now that I thought about it, if Julian had truly protected me, how could Dominic, as his best friend, have been so brazen in scolding me every single time? There could only be one reason: they had colluded all along, using this method to torment and get revenge. Suddenly, I felt utterly sickened. I forced a weak smile. “I’ll go back to my own room to rest first.” I slept for a long time. In between, I knew Chloe and Julian had visited, but I didn’t want to deal with them, so I kept pretending to be asleep. It wasn’t until I heard the clicking sound of a camera and various mocking laughs that I abruptly sat up. “Who are you people?” I pulled the blanket up to cover my body, my voice filled with panic. Standing before me was a group of strangers, their intentions clearly malicious. “Don’t remember us?” They raised their eyebrows and laughed loudly. “We were classmates back in the day, and we often came to patronize you at the club!” My brow twitched. I tremblingly reached for my phone, wanting to call someone for help. Unexpectedly, a short-haired girl snatched it away. “Don’t even think about calling Julian to save you. He belongs to Chloe!” “You were sent by Chloe?” I asked, incredulous. The short-haired girl slapped me hard across the face. “Pah, you little slut, you don’t deserve to say Chloe’s name!” I forcefully threw back the covers, staring at my flat abdomen. “Had an induced termination, did you? Who told you to be so cheap, going to clubs to hook up with old men, and then stealing our Chloe’s sweetheart!” The others chimed in. “Serves you right for losing the baby!” “No, I didn’t.” My face was deathly pale, and I shook my head desperately. But the short-haired girl wasn’t satisfied. She clenched her fist and punched my stomach several times. “It’s all your fault for making Chloe sad. Your womb deserves to rot, you’ll never be able to have children!” Pain surged through my entire body. I desperately tried to press the call bell, but at that moment, Chloe walked in. She was wearing a white dress, elegant and beautiful. “Stop it, Stella is my sister! I won’t allow you to bully her.” Chloe chased the group away. She walked to my bedside. “Are you okay? They were truly awful!” I curled up, weakly saying, “How awful could they be without your orders?” Chloe’s eyes welled up with tears, looking hurt. “Stella, I know you just lost your baby and then went through this, so you’re emotional. But I truly know nothing about it; how could I ever do such a thing to you?” “Seeing you like this breaks my heart. Stella, don’t worry, I’ll make sure you get justice.” As she spoke, she reached out to take my hand. “Don’t touch me!” My throat was terribly dry. I used every ounce of remaining strength to slap Chloe’s hand away. Unbeknownst to me, Julian and Dominic walked in at that exact moment and witnessed the scene. “How dare you lay a hand on Chloe!” Dominic slapped me furiously, then pulled Chloe behind him. Julian also looked at me with a cold expression. “Stella, you disappoint me greatly. Chloe traveled all this way back to care for you, and you’re so ungrateful.” My heart sank, my whole body trembling slightly. “She’s the one who had people beat me first; that’s why I wouldn’t let her touch me.” I pointed to the bruises on my stomach. “If you don’t believe me, you can check the security footage.” “Check what? Chloe would never do such a thing.” Dominic gritted his teeth. “I think you just can’t stand to see Chloe happy and don’t want her to come back!” With that, he took Chloe’s hand and walked out resolutely. Julian sighed. “Honestly, Stella. It’s one thing to dislike Chloe. But to make up such a clumsy excuse… you have no idea how much Chloe cares about you.” He pulled out a box of pastries. “She just asked Dominic and me to buy your favorite crab paste pastries for you. How could she possibly have someone hit you?” I gave a bitter laugh. I’m allergic to seafood; I’ve never eaten crab paste pastries. So this was the man I’d loved for seven years. Not only did he not know what I was allergic to, but when trouble arose, he immediately sided with someone else. I mustered what little strength I had left, got out of bed, and pulled Julian to the monitoring room. “See for yourself.” The screen displayed footage of me being beaten by a group of people, and the name “Chloe” mentioned in their mouths was clearly audible.

Julian clenched his fist, a hint of heartache in his eyes as he looked at me, yet his tone remained harsh. “This doesn’t prove Chloe hired them. Besides, she was the one who saved you.” “Stella, you should reflect on why they came to beat you, instead of blaming everything on Chloe!” The truth was right in front of him, yet Julian still protected Chloe. I found it utterly ridiculous. My heart was cold to the extreme; I was too weary to struggle. “Fine, I’ll reflect.” Julian frowned, a flicker of pain crossing his eyes. He opened his arms and embraced me. “Alright, Chloe said she’s having a family dinner with us tomorrow. Just apologize to her then, and everything will be fine. She’ll forgive you.” I rested my head on his shoulder, my nose burning, and forced back my tears. Anyway, I was getting married and moving to Port City soon. This dinner would just be a farewell meal for everyone. The next day, before being discharged, Julian carefully noted down the doctor’s instructions for my post-operative recovery. He held up the notebook, shaking it at me as if showing off. “Stella, see how much I care about you.” I nodded, saying nothing. They packed their things and went to the upscale restaurant Chloe had chosen. As soon as we entered, everyone was already there. Julian’s mother, Mrs. Thorne, was also present. “Julian, you’re here! Come, sit down!” Mrs. Thorne waved Julian to sit beside Chloe. As for me, his fiancée, she had always pretended I was invisible. It was Dominic who noticed me. “What are you standing around for? Help order food and serve everyone. A junior with such bad manners!” I had expected Julian to say something on my behalf. But to my surprise, his gaze was fixed on Chloe, not even sparing me a glance. “Okay,” I lowered my eyes, having no choice but to obey Dominic, humbly pouring water and ordering dishes for everyone. As I walked past Chloe, a foot suddenly shot out and tripped me. The drink in my hand accidentally spilled, splashing Chloe’s dress. “Ah!” Chloe gasped, and all eyes in the room instantly focused on me. “Stella Kingston, what are you doing!” This time, Julian was the first to scold me. “This dress was custom-made for Chloe by my mother. No matter how much you dislike her, you can’t keep laying your hands on her!” My eyes reddened, my hands at a loss. “I didn’t mean to.” Julian snorted coldly. He pulled Chloe up. “Come on, I’ll take you to the restroom to clean up.” After they left, it was Dominic’s turn to rage. “I told you not to bring this troublemaker along.” He grabbed my hair, forcing me to fall forward onto the table. In an instant, a large bump appeared on my forehead, and a few trickles of blood seeped out. I cried out in pain. “Dominic, I really didn’t mean to.” Dominic’s eyes were cold. He kicked my chest. “I told you, you’re not allowed to call me ‘brother.’ Chloe is my only sister!” I bit my lip tightly, tears welling up in my eyes, finally overflowing and streaming down my face. “Stop trying to gain sympathy, go clean yourself up in the restroom.” Dominic looked at me with utter disgust. I clenched my fists, my fingertips trembling slightly, and quickly ran out. I wasn’t familiar with the place and wandered for a long time before accidentally stumbling into a restroom. But as I stepped inside, I heard intimate sounds coming from within. “Chloe, your body is still as soft as it used to be…” Julian’s voice was deep, rich, and incredibly magnetic. I froze, not daring to take another step inside. “Hmph,” Chloe purred playfully. “You say that so sweetly, but you still slept with her all those years I was gone.” “I have no feelings for her!” Julian anxiously vowed. “Being with her was just to help you get revenge. Sleeping with her was just practice, so I wouldn’t hurt you later. Chloe, my sincerity to you is as clear as day and night!” Chloe curved her lips into a smile, leaning against Julian’s chest. “You really just ‘practiced’ with her? You never felt anything for her?” “Forget feeling anything, her body didn’t even attract me,” Julian declared confidently. My face was ashen white. At that moment, all my hopes shattered into dust. I remembered the first time we were intimate; Julian, surprisingly, shed tears. At the time, I thought it was because he loved me too much or was too nervous. But now, looking back, those tears weren’t for me. They were tears of regret, believing he had betrayed Chloe. So what did all those nights of desperate entanglement mean? Were they just practice? Minutes later, Julian and Chloe emerged from the restroom. Seeing me standing at the door, my face stained with tears, Julian instantly panicked.

“Stella, what are you doing here? How long have you been here?” He quickly let go of Chloe, striding over to anxiously grab my hand, his heart pounding. My lips trembled slightly. I tried hard to control my tears, not letting them fall. “I accidentally bumped my head and wanted to clean up in the restroom, but this place is so big, it took me forever to find it.” My voice was choked, my fingers weakly clutching the hem of my clothes. If anyone had been observant, they would have noticed my distress. But Julian merely sighed in relief and didn’t press further. He gave Chloe a meaningful look, signaling her to leave, then led me to the sink. “I only walked away for a moment; how did you manage to hurt yourself like this?” Julian gently cleaned my wound, then found a band-aid from the shelf and carefully applied it, his eyes full of concern. “It looks like I’ll have to stick to Stella like glue from now on. How else can I feel at ease?” He gently kissed my lips. “Come on, we’re not eating this meal. I’m taking you home.” My eyes were clouded. I desperately wanted to ask Julian if it wasn’t exhausting to act so convincingly. But the words died in my throat. Since I was leaving soon, I decided to just muddle through these last three days. Back at the apartment, Julian suddenly gently cupped my face. “Stella, your birthday is in three days. I want to register our marriage on that special day with you.” I paused, surprised. So, the day I was leaving was my birthday. Julian saw my silence and anxiously added, “Stella, are you worried something might go wrong again, like before? Don’t worry, it’s your birthday this time; I promise there won’t be any accidents!” I pressed my lips together, my heart heavy with bitterness. Registering on my birthday—so this was Julian’s plan for his 100th escape. I forced a smile, my heart filled with sorrow. “Okay.” “Then it’s settled. You should get ready.” Julian smiled, then carried me to the bedroom to rest. I didn’t resist. The next day, I organized my luggage and realized I had left the farewell gift from Director Miller, the orphanage director, at the Kingston family’s house. If Director Miller hadn’t taken me in when I was lost as a child, I probably wouldn’t be alive today. I was leaving Capital City soon, and that gift was my last keepsake. I hailed a cab and went to the Kingston mansion. As I arrived at the entrance, I ran into Chloe. Chloe looked displeased as soon as she saw me. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready for your wedding registration tomorrow? What are you doing here?” I sidestepped past her into the mansion, not wanting to argue. “I’m just picking up something of mine; I’ll be quick.” “I didn’t agree to let you in!” Chloe angrily chased after me, her peripheral vision accidentally catching something on the third floor. Hearing the faint laughter from upstairs, a plan instantly formed in my mind. “Ah!” Chloe faked twisting her ankle and lunged towards me. We both tumbled down the stairs, and I landed beneath Chloe, becoming her human cushion. Dominic and Julian, hearing the screams from the third floor, immediately dropped what they were doing and rushed down. “What happened!” Chloe cried, “Stella was upset with me, she wanted to pay me to leave, and when I refused, she pushed me down the stairs.” Dominic’s veins instantly bulged. He kicked me hard in the chest, sending me flying three meters away. Then, he clenched his fist and roared, “Chloe just wanted to come home and stay here; how did she ever offend you?” “I didn’t push her…” I lay on the cold floor, feeling as if all my bones were shattered. Beside me, Julian frantically helped Chloe up, carefully checking her for injuries. Seeing no severe external wounds, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. “Didn’t I say I’d marry you on your birthday? Why would you still bully Chloe? She’s no threat to you at all.” Julian walked up to me, his eyes full of anger and disappointment. “She pushed me. I didn’t touch her.” I clutched my chest, in so much pain that my face was pale and covered in cold sweat. “You’ve learned to lie now too!” Julian raised his hand and slapped me. At that moment, I felt like I had been struck by lightning. This was the first time in seven years that Julian had ever laid a hand on me. I looked up at him in disbelief, tears streaming from my eyes. Julian’s heart tightened, the hand that had just struck me now trembling slightly. “What are you crying for? Go reflect on your terrible actions! Otherwise, I won’t register our marriage with you.”

He forced himself to be calm, cruelly turning around to help Chloe to the hospital. Dominic followed, his face worried, leaving me alone in the mansion, gasping for breath from the pain. “Why… don’t you believe me?” I stammered, my chest heaving violently. I was clearly the one more seriously injured, yet neither my fiancé nor my own brother had shown me the slightest bit of concern. I shed tears of despair, wanting to pick up my phone to call an ambulance for myself, but as soon as I tried to get up, my vision went black, and I collapsed forward weakly. I don’t know how long I was unconscious. I woke up in a pool of dried blood. The mansion was silent, and the sky had turned completely dark. My burning body told me I needed to get to a hospital immediately. “Ugh…” I struggled to get up, every step pulling at my injuries, eliciting a heavy groan. I staggered forward, but as soon as I opened the mansion’s front door, I saw a group of people rush in like mad. “Miss Stella Kingston, are the indecent photos circulating online really you?” Reporters, carrying cameras and thrusting microphones, flashed their lights at my face, again and again. “As far as I know, you’re a socialite. But why are you engaging in power-for-sex transactions with others?” “I heard you were forced to have an induced termination by your sugar daddy a few days ago. Do you have any explanation for this?” The media’s sharp words pierced deeply into my heart, one after another. But the more terrified and panicked I became, the more excited these people got. “We heard you got lost as a child and grew up in an orphanage, and after returning to your parents, you abused their adopted daughter. Is this true?” I was pushed down into the crowd. I could only curl up, clutching my head with both hands, to avoid further harm. “We heard Director Miller, who watched you grow up at the orphanage, died of a heart attack because of the rumors about you. Do you feel any guilt about that?” My eyes suddenly widened. I grabbed a reporter’s pant leg. “What did you say? Director Miller passed away?” No one answered me. Reporters only heard what they wanted to hear. Gradually, more people gathered around. I lost count of how many times I was stepped on. Just as I was on the verge of despair, Julian rushed over, shouting loudly at the crowd. He brought bodyguards to disperse the reporters, then anxiously picked me up from the ground. “Stella, I’m so sorry I’m late. I’m taking you to the hospital right now.” I trembled, holding onto him. “Julian, they said Director Miller died. That’s not true, is it?” My body was freezing cold, my clothes stained all over. A flicker of pain crossed Julian’s eyes. He didn’t answer, only nodded with difficulty. “How could this be?” My voice choked, tears rolling down my face, one after another. The dual blow of physical and mental trauma made me faint once again. Julian arranged for the best specialist doctors to treat me. He stayed by my bedside, sleepless. “Why isn’t she waking up!” He turned and roared at the doctor, his fists tightly clenched. “Julian, why get so angry?” Dominic walked in from the doorway, speaking leisurely. “Didn’t we agree on this? Use the media to provoke her, ruin her reputation, and get revenge for Chloe.” Julian suppressed his anger. “Provoking is one thing, but look at her now. Look at how badly she’s hurt.” “Accidents happen. Nobody can guarantee absolute safety.” Dominic frowned slightly, as if realizing something. “Julian, you haven’t fallen for her, have you?” Julian’s heart sank, as if struck by something. Dominic’s tone instantly became anxious. “Don’t forget why you got together with her seven years ago! Now Chloe is still in the hospital, unable to get up because of her. If you dare to like her, don’t ever set foot in my Kingston family again!” Julian bit his lip hard. He forcibly pushed away the strange feeling in his heart and said firmly, “Being with her was just for revenge. How could I possibly like her?” “Chloe is the only one in my heart, always!” Dominic was half-convinced. “You really never developed feelings for her?” “Never,” he looked up defiantly. At that moment, no one noticed a single sparkling tear roll down my face as I lay on the hospital bed. “That’s good,” Dominic sighed in relief. “Tomorrow is her birthday. After you escape the wedding one last time, you can break up with her.” “And don’t let her go to Director Miller’s funeral either. Let her truly feel how painful it is to lose someone important!” “Don’t worry, I know better than you how to maximize the damage.” Julian stood up, his voice cold. “Let’s go outside first, otherwise she’ll wake up soon.” After the two left, I slowly opened my eyes.

Pain surged through my entire body. I licked my cracked lips, my face filled with bitterness. So, the scandalous photos circulating online and being ambushed by reporters were all Julian’s doing. Even when Director Miller, who had watched me grow up, passed away, he wouldn’t let me say my final goodbyes. He truly never had feelings for me… Soon after, Julian came in again. Seeing me awake, he immediately put on a joyful expression. “That’s great! I was worried you wouldn’t wake up in these two days and it would delay our marriage registration.” I lowered my head, a cold laugh in my heart. Delay the marriage registration? More like delay your escape plan. I took off the diamond ring and placed it in Julian’s hand. “This is the engagement ring you gave me. I’m returning it to you now… After we register tomorrow, you can put it back on me.” Julian paused slightly, then smiled. “Okay, whatever Stella wants.” I took a deep breath and asked, “Do you remember how happy you were the day I accepted your proposal? My feelings for you never changed, but I want to ask, do you still have any genuine feelings for me?” “My love for Stella is unwavering, to my dying breath,” he answered without hesitation. Suddenly, I found it all so pointless. I hummed in agreement and lay back down on the bed. “I’m tired. You can go home and rest; you don’t need to stay with me.” “Then get a good night’s sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow at the registry office.” Julian tucked me in, then placed a cup of warm water by the bed, acting unbelievably gentle. The next day, I was woken by a bucket of ice water. The biting cold made me sneeze three times. I looked up in panic, seeing my own brother, Dominic, standing before me. My whole body instantly tensed. “Today, I’m sending you off to be married.” He looked down at me with a condescending gaze. “This bucket of water is to wash away your past sins. If you treat people kindly from now on, there will still be a place for you in the Kingston family.” He called two makeup artists in and produced a pristine white wedding gown. “As your older brother, I feel responsible for you. I specially prepared these things for you. After you’re done with your makeup, a driver will take you to the registry office.” I froze. He knew all about Julian’s 100-time escape plan, yet he was still pretending to send me off. “What, too happy to speak?” Dominic raised an eyebrow. “Don’t just sit there, start your makeup. Julian is waiting for you at the registry office, and Chloe and I will be there to witness your happiness.” I gave a bitter laugh internally. Witness my happiness? More like watch my humiliation. “Okay, thank you… brother.” I quietly agreed. I was too tired to expose Dominic’s lies; anyway, I would be leaving soon. Dominic frowned slightly. Normally, he would get angry and scold me if I called him ‘brother,’ but today was different. He had to let me taste some sweetness first; only then would the subsequent revenge be more effective! “Hmph,” Dominic suppressed his disgust and nodded, then turned to leave. Seeing his back completely disappear, I shivered and got out of bed, holding my soaking wet body as I spoke to the two makeup artists. “How much did he pay you? I’ll double it. You can leave now, but please keep it a secret for me.” After dismissing the two makeup artists, I gently caressed the beautiful wedding dress. “So soft, what a pity.” I picked up the dress and ruthlessly threw it into the trash can. Then, I wrote a statement of severance from my family and entrusted a lawyer to publish it. Finally, I drafted a scheduled SnapChat message to Julian, set to be sent a few hours later: 【Seven years of youth and an unborn child. Your revenge was a complete success.】 Having done all that, the people sent by the Harrison family to pick me up arrived. A valiant-looking short-haired woman stepped out of the car. She saw my sorry state but asked no questions, simply taking off her own jacket and wrapping it around me. “Miss Stella, if you’re ready, please come with me.” I nodded, thanked her softly, and followed her into the car. I didn’t look back, nor did I feel a hint of longing. Because in this city, there was no one left worth loving. In a private dining room at the restaurant, Julian was embracing Chloe, whispering how much he missed her. He was still completely unaware of my departure.

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The message from the overseas private medical facility arrived when I was glued to the live broadcast of the Global Film Awards. “Clara Davis, are you absolutely sure you want to proceed with the heart transplant for Rhys Kingston? If you change your mind now, we still have time to bring him in.” “Miss this chance, and if you regret it later, we won’t offer you any other options.” I casually typed back, “I’m sure,” and continued watching the screen, where two people who looked like a couple stood together. The award was mine, but the one on stage was my twin sister, Seraphina Davis. At that moment, the host held a microphone, questioning the tall, handsome man beside her. “Mr. Rhys Kingston, as today’s youngest Best Actor, and the lead in the film ‘The Bully,’ who do you feel you owe your greatest thanks to?” “Also, why is the lead actress not Clara Davis herself, but her sister? Is there a deeper meaning behind this?” Rhys’s deep-set eyes stared intensely at the camera, his voice low and hoarse. “The person I need to thank most for this film is Clara Davis.” The host seemed surprised, about to press for more, when Rhys suddenly shifted his tone, an oppressive fury radiating from him. “Years ago, I was the one who provoked the thugs at school. My then-girlfriend, Clara Davis, terrified of retaliation, stole her sister’s chance to study abroad.” “As a result, her sister, Seraphina Davis, looking exactly like her, was bullied at school for three agonizing years!” “Back then, I repeatedly promised Clara Davis that I would protect her, even if it cost me my life, to keep her safe from those people. But Clara Davis left without a single backward glance.” “If it weren’t for Clara Davis, this film, adapted from Seraphina Davis’s real experiences, would never exist.” “Clara Davis is one of the perpetrators! She doesn’t deserve to stand on this stage! The true victim should be the one to accept this award!” The entire studio erupted in an uproar. My body instantly stiffened. Just then, my phone rang. Rhys’s mocking voice came from both the big screen and my phone simultaneously. “Clara Davis, when you abandoned me all those years ago, desperate to gain a foothold with the Leo Corporation abroad, did you ever imagine you’d end up like this today?” “I made you act in this movie precisely so you could personally experience the pain your sister has endured all these years.” It took me a long moment to find my voice. I even managed a hollow laugh. “Rhys, did you call just to tell me all this, hoping I’d regret it?” “I wasn’t the one who bullied you two. I just went abroad. Even if I had to choose a million times again, I’d make the same choice.” My words were defiant, but my heart still throbbed with an involuntary ache. Substituting my heart for Rhys’s? No regrets. Enduring three years of physical modifications abroad for the right match? No regrets. Even being hated by Rhys like this now? I was willing to bear it all. Because my departure led to my sister being hurt, it was indeed my fault. So, whatever revenge they sought, I deserved it. I averted my gaze from the TV screen, hanging up the phone, waiting for Rhys to humiliate and punish me in front of Seraphina, just as he always did. Sure enough, a moment later, Rhys returned. But this time, he wasn’t with Seraphina. I instinctively braced myself to kneel, but he roughly pulled me up, grabbed my throat, and pressed me against the wall. His alcohol-laced kiss attacked, consuming me. Vaguely, I felt moisture. Rhys’s voice, full of resentment and powerlessness, whispered in my ear. “Clara, are you truly so heartless? Not just towards me, but even towards your own sister’s life or death.” “Today at the awards ceremony, I really wanted to ask if you felt any remorse. Now, I’m giving you one last chance.” “Seraphina is so kind; she never truly blamed you. Just say you regret it, and we can go back to how things were.” Back to how things were… such a warm phrase. I weakly turned my head away, avoiding his bloodshot eyes. Only I knew that day would never come. Even if Alistair Leo didn’t need any of their hearts, after three years of physical modifications, I wouldn’t live much longer. Chapter 2 Time ticked by, and Rhys’s expression gradually calmed. He released his grip on me, looking at me with intense sarcasm. “If you truly believe you did nothing wrong, why do you stay here, letting us torment you?” “Clara, do you have a masochistic streak?” I toyed with my hands, letting out a soft laugh. “A movie role pays tens of millions, and the only cost is being ostracized by the entire crew, occasionally kneeling, and watching you two being affectionate. Rhys, you don’t actually think this can hurt me, do you?” “Every time we filmed, you’d deliberately let others hit me hard, then secretly applied ointment to my wounds, like some persistent stray. Just seeing your ridiculous expressions is enough to make it worth my while. How could I feel like I’m being tortured?” Rhys’s face completely changed, humiliation pushed to its limit. He violently slammed a fist into the wall, his other hand, gripping my collar, trembling. “Yes, I’m a fool. To actually harbor fantasies about someone like you.” He took a deep breath, then shoved me out the door, his voice utterly cold. “Get out. I never want to see you again.” I forced a bitter smile. Just moments ago, Alistair Leo’s assistant had sent a message, giving me one month to return and prepare for the heart transplant. Now, I didn’t even need to find an excuse. I gazed deeply at Rhys, as if trying to engrave his image into my memory. “Alright, I won’t bother you again.” “I have one last request: please take care of my sister, okay?” Rhys looked at me with immense disgust. “Even now, why bother with such feigned concern?” “Don’t worry, Seraphina and I are engaged. The wedding is next month. From now on, no one will ever bully her again.” I froze. Ever since I learned that the Leo Corporation was targeting Rhys’s heart and had tried to harm him multiple times, I had resolved to replace him with my own. At that point, I had also mentally prepared myself for Rhys to spend the rest of his life with someone else. But I never imagined that person would be Seraphina, my own sister. Seeing my pained expression, Rhys’s eyes filled with even more mockery. “What, did you really think I’d keep my promise from back then? That if it wasn’t you, I’d rather die alone?” I stared blankly at Rhys’s face, my mind involuntarily drifting back to that summer. It was our two-year anniversary. He hadn’t even reached the legal marriage age, yet he couldn’t wait to plan a grand proposal. The twenty-year-old stood amidst a sea of flowers, holding a ring he’d spent three months crafting by hand. Even with a crowd surrounding us, his eyes, brimming with love, held only me. He said that even though we hadn’t officially registered, in his heart, we were already married, and I was his one and only wife. He said that once he won Best Actor, he would put me in his acknowledgments as his spouse, revealing our relationship to everyone… But now, Rhys had indeed won Best Actor, and I was in his acknowledgments, but as the enemy who had supposedly bullied his sister. And his rightful wife… was about to become someone else. I lowered my head, hiding the complex emotions in my eyes, and spoke with the same carefree tone as always. “Seraphina? You’re not just marrying her because she looks like me, are you?” “You’d better truly be good to her.” Without waiting for Rhys’s reply, I turned and walked away. I couldn’t quite make out what Rhys said behind me. I was afraid to see if Rhys genuinely had feelings for my sister, and even more afraid to see if he still held any hope for me. His hatred for me was better than his sadness, or him having his heart transplanted. Chapter 3 Rhys’s mansion was in the suburbs. It was nearly one in the morning, and I couldn’t find a taxi, so I aimlessly walked the streets. A cold gust of wind blew past, triggering a violent coughing fit. When I finally stopped, I saw my palms were covered in fresh blood. Because my heart wasn’t a perfect match for Alistair Leo’s, if I wanted to replace Rhys, I had to undergo continuous surgeries to meet the standard. Now, my body was a wreck. But thankfully, it would all be over soon. As soon as I returned to the country, Rhys had forced me into the film crew. After filming wrapped, I was kept under house arrest in his mansion. Now, suddenly free, I didn’t know where to go. After agreeing to the heart transplant, Alistair Leo had given me a staggering five hundred million in compensation. But most of that money, under different names, was sent to Seraphina and Rhys, as capital for their ventures. Rhys was arrogant and couldn’t stand the mercenary nature of the entertainment industry. When he first started, he’d signed with several crews only to break his contracts. So I gave him three hundred million, letting him invest in and star in his own films. The remaining money, I planned to give to Seraphina as a dowry on her wedding day. So, I had only bought a very small, dilapidated house nearby. I picked up my dreams again, using my remaining days to paint many canvases, each one of Rhys. Even the times he forced me to kneel before him, shining his shoes, I meticulously recorded with my delicate brush, cherishing each memory. This day, as usual, I picked up my brush, ready to paint Rhys from my memory, when the doorbell suddenly rang. A face identical to mine appeared before me. I instinctively turned sideways, trying to shield the paintings, but Seraphina sneered, pulling at the corner of her mouth. “Sister, I guessed right. You still haven’t given up.” Seraphina ignored my protests, forcefully pushing her way in. She looked at each painting one by one, then picked up the one I had poured my heart into, the one I treasured most. —The scene of Rhys proposing to me. Seraphina’s fingers dug into the painting, almost tearing the paper. She stared at me with intense resentment. “You painted this with such devotion, Sister. You truly are deeply in love.” “But no matter how much you fantasize, Rhys will only marry me! All these years you abandoned him, I was the one by his side!” I nervously looked at the painting, quickly responding. “I know, I won’t disturb you two.” “Even if it’s a fantasy, it’s just in this room. No one else will know, Seraphina, please put the painting down, okay?” Seraphina scoffed, then pulled out a lighter. “Put it down? You sounded so resolute before, and now this? Who knows what tricks you’ll try to play with these paintings?” With that, Seraphina moved to light the painting on fire. I frantically tried to stop her, but my already weakened body was easily pushed to the ground by Seraphina. I could only watch helplessly as the flames roared, instantly devouring the young man in the painting. “No… don’t…” I watched in despair, coughing up blood directly. Ignoring my inability to stand, I lunged forward, using my body to put out the fire. But immediately, Seraphina lit other paintings. With so many paintings in the room, the flames quickly spread. Without Seraphina needing to do anything further, all the other paintings were lost. The burned areas stung fiercely, but I felt as if my entire being had been emptied, staring blankly at it all. Chapter 4 Seraphina stood at the doorway, watching it all with malicious pleasure, shouting loudly: “Sister, back then I took on so much for you, I was almost surrounded and assaulted by those people! If Rhys hadn’t protected me, I might not even be alive!” “You owe me all of this.” “Rhys, he can only be mine.” The fire grew larger, and outside, people gradually noticed, a commotion beginning. Hearing familiar footsteps outside the staircase, Seraphina instantly transformed. She recklessly rushed into the flames, pulling me out. By the time Rhys arrived, Seraphina was sprawled over me, unconscious. “Clara! What did you do to Seraphina!” Rhys anxiously pushed me away, cradling Seraphina in his arms. Due to the force, my head slammed into the corner of the wall, blood pooling on the floor, yet I remained completely unresponsive, my eyes blankly staring at the blazing house. Amidst Rhys’s frantic shouts, Seraphina slowly stirred. Tears streamed down her face as she looked at me with immense disappointment. “Sister… what did I do wrong… for you to set me on fire…” “Surely this would hurt you too, wouldn’t it?” Rhys finally spared a glance for me, but by then, I had already lost consciousness. Seeing the wound on my forehead and the blood on the floor, Rhys’s furious roar caught in his throat. A terrible premonition welled up in his heart. He rushed over, intending to check on my condition. But before he could touch me, several tall, agile bodyguards swiftly arrived, pulling out sophisticated first-aid equipment to administer aid. Rhys watched the conspicuous Leo Corporation insignias on their uniforms, his heart slowly growing cold. He stepped back, helped Seraphina up, and cast an incredibly sarcastic look at me, surrounded by the bodyguards. “Let’s go. Your dear sister has quite the connections; she’s hooked up with the Leo Corporation. No need for us to worry about her.” “But Seraphina, rest assured, I will make her pay for this.” When I next awoke, I found myself in a hospital room. I instinctively touched my chest. Only when I felt the familiar touch did I breathe a sigh of relief. All the paintings that held my beautiful memories were gone. Now, the only thing I had left of Rhys was this ring, given to me during his proposal. Though the ring itself wasn’t worth much, Rhys had spent three months making it by hand; its significance was extraordinary. Noticing I had woken, Rhys, who was standing by the window, turned, his gaze fixed on me, colder than ice. Even when Rhys had trampled and humiliated me under the guise of directing a scene, he had never shown such a heartless look. Seeing Rhys like this, I felt a little lost. My heart began to throb with pain again. “Clara, are you still the Clara I once knew?” Rhys asked, his voice full of disappointment. “No wonder you dared to recklessly set fire; you had the Leo Corporation backing you up.” “But did you ever think about Seraphina? I was foolish enough to want to save you! Haven’t you hurt her enough already!” I began to cough violently again. My mouth filled with a metallic taste; without needing to check, I knew it was blood again. But Rhys was still here, so I could only endure the discomfort and swallow the blood. “Since the Leo Corporation’s people are here to save me, why are you here?” I knew the Leo Corporation’s people were only concerned I might die prematurely, compromising the effectiveness of the heart for transplant. But why would Rhys come? He seemed to hate me so much now. Rhys slowly paced over, his intimidating presence filling my vision. “I came to get an explanation for Seraphina.” “Seraphina was badly injured trying to save you. You must apologize to her and compensate her.” I numbly closed my eyes. Seraphina had burned my last sanctuary, yet I couldn’t say a word in my own defense. Because, as they said, I owed Seraphina. Even though I had anticipated all of this when I chose to return, I still jumped into the fire for a chance to see them one last time. I thought I was indestructible, but in this truly desperate situation, I was still in too much pain to breathe. But I couldn’t blame anyone, because everything was my own choice. “How do you want me to apologize?” Rhys’s deep gaze fell upon me. “Since you said my previous punishments were laughable and had no effect on you.” “Then this time, you decide.” “Starting tomorrow, you’ll return to the mansion. Use every method you can think of to appease Seraphina, until I’m satisfied.” With that, Rhys turned and left without a shred of mercy. But just as he reached the door, he collided with the doctor, who was rushing over, frowning deeply, holding test results. Chapter 5 “Utter nonsense! In your condition, even with proper rest, you wouldn’t live for six months! And you dared to throw yourself into a fire!” “If it weren’t for prompt rescue, you would have died this time!” Rhys’s departing footsteps faltered. He looked at the doctor in disbelief, his voice somewhat ethereal. “…What did you say?” I couldn’t stop it in time; the doctor tossed the report directly at him, then continued lecturing me. Rhys stared blankly at the thick stack of reports in his hand, his heart sinking with each page he turned. By the time he regained his composure and looked up, the doctor had already left. He spoke in a hoarse voice, unprecedentedly shaky. “When… when did this happen? Why didn’t you tell me?” I looked at the man before me, identical to the one in my memories, and my nose involuntarily stung. For a moment, I desperately wanted to pour out all my grievances. But… it was too late. Telling him now would only add to his troubles, without any meaning. I could only grit my teeth, using every ounce of acting skill I possessed to conjure a sarcastic expression. “Rhys, I told you, you’re just a persistent stray.” “No matter how fierce you act, I just beckon, and you obediently come running.” Rhys frowned, still reeling from the shock. “At a time like this, why are you saying such things?” I burst into laughter, tears streaming down my face, until I gasped for breath and started coughing. Only then did I stop. “Rhys, did you forget? This is the Leo Corporation’s facility. The doctors are also their people.” “My sister’s apprehension of me isn’t without reason. After all, with just a little trick, I could make you forget everything that happened.” It was only then that Rhys finally reacted. He looked as if he had been slapped hard, his bloodshot eyes filled with humiliation and rage. Rhys furiously grabbed my neck, his voice trembling from being suppressed. “You’re playing me! The medical report is fake!” Even as the air was stolen from my lungs, I continued to laugh. “Rhys, if you have the guts, then truly strangle me.” “But would you dare? Admit it, you’re just a dog by my side!” The rage threatened to consume Rhys’s sanity, but he was still Rhys; he quickly regained control. Rhys stood up, looking down at my disheveled form, his cold eyes like he was staring at an irrelevant stranger. “I won’t kill you, because Seraphina is waiting for me, and I still have my career to pursue.” “I won’t waste my time on you again, or jeopardize my future.” With that, Rhys turned and walked out. This time, nothing unexpected happened. Rhys’s back receded further and further from me. I stared blankly in the direction Rhys had left, too much in pain to breathe. Just then, I heard familiar voices outside. —My biological parents. I knew they must be here to see Seraphina. But… I was about to undergo heart transplant surgery. Soon, I would no longer exist in this world. Although my family hadn’t contacted me since I went abroad, they were still the relatives who had raised me for so many years. I knew my father’s company had been under immense pressure and hidden dangers in recent years. While the Leo Corporation still needed me, I wanted to do one last thing for my parents, as a farewell. So, I forced my broken body to the door, calling out to the two people anxiously waiting for the elevator. My parents saw me and instantly froze. Tears welled up in my eyes too. But before I could step closer, my mother, who had once showered me with smiles and affection, stormed over, pointing at me and launching into a furious tirade. “You ungrateful monster! How dare you show your face to us again!” Chapter 6 “You went abroad without a care in the world! Causing Seraphina to be bullied at school for so long! Do you know, Seraphina was almost assaulted back then!” “Now that your sister is finally getting married, you actually set fire to her! Are you really that intent on seeing your sister unhappy?!” I covered my face, my heart throbbing with pain again. It was one thing for others to falsely accuse me, but this time, it was my own parents! I wiped away the tears from the corners of my eyes, unable to stop myself from defending myself. “Dad, Mom… this time, it really had nothing to do with me! I never intended to set fire to Seraphina…” “I know the company isn’t doing well right now, and I came here not to argue, but to help…” Before I could finish speaking, another gust of wind whipped past my ear. A slap, harder and heavier than the last, landed on my face! This time, it was my father. He looked at me with sharp eyes, as if I were an enemy with whom he had a blood feud. “Not only do you hurt your own sister, but to lie, you actually bring up the company!” “Don’t you know, the reason our company is being suppressed is because of a subsidiary of the Leo Corporation! And now you’re staying in a hospital room prepared by the Leo Corporation, and you’re talking about the company with me!” Of course, I knew. It was precisely because the company involved was the Leo Corporation that I was confident I could help the Davis family! But before I could explain, the elevator doors opened. Seraphina sat in a wheelchair, her face pale, looking at me. She hugged her head as if startled, shrinking backward. “Sister… I’m sorry…” “If you didn’t like Rhys and me together, you could have just told me, I wouldn’t have fought you for him… Why did you…” With that, Seraphina started crying piteously. My parents immediately crowded around her, showering her with concern, and at the same time, their anger towards me intensified! Mr. Davis grabbed my hair, throwing me down in front of Seraphina, forcing me to kneel, and coldly told me: “Apologize to Seraphina!” Seraphina, seeing this, feigned fright and frantically tried to help me up. “Dad! What are you doing? Sister is about to be announced as the spokesperson for Alistair Leo’s new series. How can she kneel on the ground?” “I heard Sister is also the designer of this series. The Leo Corporation is investing heavily in its promotion.” “It’s always been my dream to represent a clothing line completely my own, but unfortunately, I’m not as capable as Sister…” As she spoke, she subtly curved her lips into a meaningful smile, visible only to me. My heart sank. A terrible premonition welled up. Just as Seraphina said, this new series by Alistair Leo was entirely designed by me, stroke by stroke, during my isolated period of modifications abroad. They were more than just clothes; they were the art I left behind to fulfill my career regrets before my departure! As if to confirm my inner uneasiness, Mr. and Mrs. Davis exchanged a look, then cornered me. “Don’t you want to help the Davis company overcome its difficulties?” “As long as you let Seraphina replace you as the face of this Leo collaboration, and help Seraphina achieve her dream. With Seraphina at the Leo Corporation, the company’s problems can be easily resolved.” My inner panic grew, and with nowhere to retreat, I shouted: “I can give the endorsement to my sister, but can the design credit remain mine!” “I can give up everything else, I just want the design credit!” The movie I had acted in had already had its award given to Seraphina due to Rhys’s public announcement of the bullying incident at the awards ceremony. Now, the only work I had left was this clothing series—three years of my heart and soul! Only with my name attached could I leave something in the world, proving I had truly existed. “Don’t worry, I’ll talk to the Leo Corporation and ensure the Davis family is safe! Just leave the design credit to me!” But my parents didn’t give me that chance. “Me! How can you be so selfish? You know perfectly well that the main selling point of this promotion is the designer herself endorsing it! If we only change the endorser to Seraphina, how will netizens curse me then?!” “When you went abroad, you caused Seraphina so much injustice! Now you set fire and hurt her, this is what you owe her!” I looked at them in disbelief, feeling utterly estranged. Because of one incident where Seraphina was hurt, all subsequent harm she experienced was blamed on me, no matter how I tried to compensate or explain, it was useless. It was then that I belatedly realized that the parents I cherished and wanted to help, perhaps had never loved me at all. I laughed through my tears, and for the first time, I clenched my hands firmly. “I can accept any way you want me to compensate Seraphina, but on this matter, I refuse!” Suddenly, “Thwack!” A document landed on my head. Rhys walked over, holding an inkpad, his expression indifferent. Chapter 7 “The transfer contract is ready. Whether you agree or not, you have to.” With that, Rhys grabbed my hand and pressed my thumb onto the inkpad. I desperately tried to struggle, but my parents held me so tightly I couldn’t move an inch. I could only watch helplessly as my fingerprint was left on the contract. Having done all this, Rhys sneered, like a demon, whispering in my ear: “I told you, Seraphina’s suffering, I will make sure she gets her revenge for it.” Then, the few people who had successfully stolen my hard work immediately moved away from me, encircling Seraphina. Rhys, treating her like a precious treasure in his palm, gently handed her the document. “Seraphina, we will fulfill all your wishes. You’re not inferior to anyone.” I looked at the warm and harmonious scene before me, feeling nothing but immense irony. I had actually considered saying goodbye. Now it seemed, only my death could satisfy them all. I staggered towards the hospital room. Suddenly, a sharp pain tore through my chest. I clutched the wall, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and my body weakly slid downwards. Seeing this, the people around me quickly called a doctor, and I was rushed into the emergency room. When I awoke again, I was so weak that my breathing was barely audible. The assistant next to me frowned. “Your current physical condition is extremely poor, we can’t delay any longer! As soon as your condition stabilizes, you must immediately fly abroad to prepare for the heart removal surgery!” I numbly nodded in agreement. For me now, death was the true liberation. During my hospitalization, news of Rhys and Seraphina’s wedding spread like wildfire. The wedding preparations proceeded at a frantic pace, with daily trending topics about their wedding dress choices and venue decorations. Like a masochist, I zoomed in on each picture, examining them carefully. Finally, I couldn’t resist asking the assistant for a drawing board and design paper. I still wanted to leave something behind, even if no one would ever care. I drew the wedding dress I had fantasized about countless times in my mind when Rhys proposed to me at eighteen, and I designed a suit for Rhys. Then, on the paper, I drew the imaginary wedding scene for them, back when they hadn’t reached the legal marriage age. After finishing the drawings, I called Alistair Leo’s assistant and asked them to keep these things safe for me, ensuring no one saw them. “Make sure to burn them for me only after I’m gone.” Soon after the assistant left, the hospital room door opened. Seraphina, wearing a pure white dress, sneered. “Sister, no wonder you suddenly started talking about breaking up; turns out you really weren’t going to live much longer.” My heart tightened, and I instinctively looked behind Seraphina. Thankfully, Rhys wasn’t there. I breathed a sigh of relief, then almost pleaded. “Please, don’t tell Rhys about this.” Seraphina let out a light laugh. “If you don’t want me to tell him, then give me the ring around your neck.” I frantically clutched the ring with my hand, my eyes full of apprehension. This ring was my last keepsake; I couldn’t give it away. But… what if Seraphina really told Rhys the truth? I dared not gamble with Rhys. As I hesitated, Seraphina reached out, snatched the string from my neck, and grabbed the ring. “Sister, Rhys and I are getting married soon. Why are you still keeping the ring he gave you before? What do you intend to do?” I quickly reached out, trying to snatch the ring back, but Seraphina deftly dodged me. “Seraphina! I won’t ruin your wedding! I’ll leave! Please, give me back the ring!” Seeing how much I cared about the ring, Seraphina’s eyes filled with resentment. She directly extended the ring out the window. And beneath it, was a lake! Chapter 8 “Since Sister is so reluctant, I’ll help you break free completely.” The red string of the ring slipped little by little from Seraphina’s hand. In a moment of desperation, I lunged at her. We both fell to the ground, my head hitting the bedside, blood streaming down my forehead, a shocking sight. Thankfully, I got the ring back. Just then, Rhys, hearing the commotion, rushed in, pushing me away and cradling Seraphina in his arms. “Seraphina! Are you okay? What happened?” Seraphina shed tears, full of grievance. “Rhys, our wedding is almost here, and rather than something store-bought, I prefer something you made yourself, so I came to ask my sister for it.” “But who would have thought, she actually attacked me directly.” Hearing this, Rhys’s expression froze, and his body involuntarily stiffened. “You still have this ring?” Sensing the glimmer of hope in Rhys’s eyes, I gritted my teeth and cruelly threw the ring on the ground. My venomous words fell with the pain in my heart. “It’s just a piece of junk made of scrap metal. Seraphina can take it if she wants.” No one noticed that my hand was already bleeding from where I had gripped it so hard. Rhys gave a self-mocking laugh, putting the ring back in his pocket. “Yes, what’s this piece of junk worth?” “Seraphina, don’t worry, I’ll buy you the most dazzling diamond ring in the world, and you’ll be the happiest bride.” Seraphina was moved to tears. He helped Seraphina up, checked carefully to make sure she wasn’t hurt, then said in a deep voice. “You should be grateful Seraphina wasn’t injured this time. Otherwise, if you ruined our wedding, I would make you pay the price!” With that, he put his arm around Seraphina and left without a backward glance. I watched their retreating figures, my heart numb with pain. I just wanted to leave quickly, to accept death and end all of this. I told Alistair Leo my intentions, and after getting his approval, I began to pack my bags. My belongings were pitifully few; a small bag was enough to hold everything. I was leaving completely tomorrow, and my heart was filled with mixed emotions. Just then, I received a message from Rhys. “Tomorrow is Seraphina and my wedding day. As her sister, you should offer your blessings. If you attend the wedding, all the things you did to hurt Seraphina before will be forgiven.” I didn’t reply. Their wedding, I wouldn’t and couldn’t go. I handed the card, which still had two hundred million on it, to the assistant. “Please give this to Seraphina tomorrow. Consider it my wedding gift to her.” “From now on, I owe nothing.” With that, I deleted all my contact information in the country. The next morning, I boarded Alistair Leo’s private jet. At the wedding venue, the ceremony was about to begin, but my figure was nowhere to be seen. Seraphina said, somewhat plaintively. “Rhys, Sister hasn’t arrived so late; could it be that she’s still angry with me and isn’t coming?” Rhys frowned slightly, squeezing her hand. “Don’t worry, she wouldn’t dare. She’ll definitely come.” With that, he walked aside and sent me several texts, none of which received a reply. Annoyed, he directly dialed my number, but it went unanswered. Rhys felt an inexplicable panic, as if something was slipping from his control. The emcee beside them urged the couple to come on stage. Seraphina, holding his arm, suggested they go on stage first. Rhys could only agree, intending to deal with me after the wedding. Just as they were about to exchange rings, the assistant pushed open the grand hall doors, his voice trembling. “Young Master, it’s bad! Miss Davis… she’s been taken by the Leo Corporation!” Chapter 9 Rhys’s heart leaped, but he quickly regained his composure. “The Leo Corporation’s partner has already been switched to Seraphina. Why would they take her?”

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In this world, every human turns eighteen and gets to choose a Beastkin. In my last life, my parents always favored my older sister. They brought her a Merman whose tears could turn into pearls. I, on the other hand, chose an utterly ordinary white cat Beastkin. Then, the high-temperature apocalypse hit. The entire world was plunged into chaos, resources became scarce, and everyone fended for themselves. The Merman’s pearls, no matter how many there were, couldn’t buy a single cup of ice water. But my white cat Beastkin had nine lives. He braved the scorching heat, venturing out to find supplies for me. My sister, Blair, hated me with a vengeance. She killed both me and my white cat Beastkin, devouring our flesh and drinking our blood. When I was reborn, Blair immediately snatched the white cat, leaving the Merman for me. But she didn’t know this: A cat might have nine lives, but with each death, its hatred for humanity grows stronger. “I want the white cat Beastkin!” The moment my eyes fluttered open, I heard my sister Blair’s voice. Hearing her choose something completely different from my last life, I knew she had been reborn too. Last time, at the Beastkin Selection Center, Blair had her eyes fixed on the exceptionally handsome Merman. Merfolk were beautiful; they could differentiate their gender according to their owner’s wishes, their tears turned into pearls, and their scales were worth a fortune. My parents knew how many people wanted Merfolk, so they pulled some strings at the selection center, just to ensure Blair could successfully bring a Merman home. As for me? My parents didn’t even spare me a glance. In the end, I chose a white cat Beastkin nobody else wanted. Right after we’d chosen our Beastkins, the high-temperature apocalypse struck. Global temperatures soared, reaching up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius). Our entire family was trapped indoors, and Blair’s prized pearls became utterly worthless. They couldn’t even buy a single glass of ice water. Moreover, Merfolk needed to live in water. Under the extreme heat, rivers dried up, tap water stopped flowing, and the Merman became nothing but a burden. Just as Blair was on the brink of dying from thirst, she discovered I was enjoying ice water and popsicles. That’s because my white cat Beastkin had nine lives. He could endure the scorching heat outside to scavenge supplies for me. She lured me and the white cat Beastkin back home, drained our blood, guzzling it down, then carved off our flesh to eat. “Why would you pick that cat? It’s useless,” my parents said, confused. Blair, however, clung to my parents’ arms, pouting playfully. “I want that white cat! Look how pathetic he is; nobody else is choosing him.” Hearing this, my parents’ faces softened with a complacent smile. “My darling is so kind-hearted.” Then, their tone shifted. “But the Merman is what we specifically chose for you, honey. Are you sure you don’t want it?” The money they’d spent pulling strings was already out. If Blair didn’t take the Merman, that money would be completely wasted, like throwing it into the ocean without even a splash. “Then give the Merman to Alice,” my dad, Richard, declared. “She hasn’t chosen yet anyway.” I quickly waved my hands. “How can I? The Merman is an S-tier Beastkin! I couldn’t possibly accept it.” Beastkins also had tiers. Rare species like Merfolk and White Tigers were S-tier, while common ones like cats and dogs were B-tier. Blair, like me, was reborn. Right now, she was probably gnashing her teeth in hatred, determined to get her revenge this time. So, today, I *had* to take that Merman. “How can you be so stupid? The best Merman, and you don’t want it? What do you want then? What if someone else snatches it away? What will you do then?!” My dad quickly chimed in. Given that, I stopped pretending to refuse and chose the Merman. Blair and I took our respective Beastkin ID cards to the registration office. A flicker of madness crossed her eyes. “Sister, this Merman is all yours. It needs a massive amount of water every day, or it will die.” I smiled and nodded. “Of course, Blair. I’ll take good care of it.” After registration, we returned home with our Beastkins. The Merman hadn’t differentiated its gender yet. It lay in a glass tank, bored, blowing bubbles. Its long, dark hair was like smooth, lustrous satin. When it saw me approach, it quickly flipped over. “Are you my owner?” I shook my head. Neither in my past life nor this one did I like the term “owner.” Even though they were Beastkins, they spoke and communicated just like us humans. Their lifespans were also much longer. In some ways, they were even more advanced than us. “Don’t call me owner. Just call me Alice. From now on, we’re friends, companions.” To survive the apocalypse, I needed a companion.

Lumi, the Merman, nodded, seeming to understand and yet not. Its beautiful fishtail reached out of the tank and hooked my hand. “Okay, Alice.” “Give me a name from your human world, please. Also, I haven’t differentiated my gender yet. Do you want me to be male or female?” I gently stroked its tail. Under the light, its scales shimmered with a pale golden glow, like the most exquisite jewels in the world. “You can be Lumi. As for gender, you decide. I won’t interfere.” In my last life, under Blair’s command, Lumi had differentiated into a female Merman. Lumi nodded emphatically at my words. “Alright, I’ll be Lumi.” Lumi retracted its tail and, pulling off a scale, offered it to me. “I see you humans have welcome gifts. This is for you.” I smiled and accepted the scale. Merfolk were rare, and their scales were priceless on the black market. However, I had no intention of selling this one. I took Lumi home. Merfolk could leave water, but they needed to stay fully hydrated and ideally shouldn’t be out of water for more than four hours. As I reached the front door, I saw my belongings strewn outside. Blair opened the door, holding the awards and certificates I’d earned from school over the years. “Oh, sister, you’re back!” A mocking smile played on her lips as she raised her hand. “Mom said your room is for Snowball now. You and your Merman can move out.” With that, she ripped all my certificates into tiny pieces. I pushed past her, my face emotionless, and walked inside. The room I lived in at home was already the smallest storage room. Now, they were taking away even my last bit of living space. And it was perfect timing, too. I was eighteen now. Even if I called the police, no one would stand up for me. Blair was clearly dead set on making me die. I walked up to my dad, Richard. “You want to kick me out? Fine. But you need to give me money for rent.” Richard looked at me indifferently, as if I were a stranger. “Want money? You’re eighteen now, you should be out making your own way.” I glanced at my mom, Susan, who was sitting on the other end of the sofa. “Is that what you think too?” The two people on the sofa, my biological parents, felt more distant than strangers at that moment. After everything that happened in my last life, I thought I wouldn’t feel pain anymore. But right now, my heart still ached. I pinched myself hard. This wasn’t the time for sentiment. “Sister, you’re an adult now. Why are you still asking Mom and Dad for money? They’ve already worked so hard to raise us. You can’t be an ungrateful wretch!” “We only had you because Blair said she wanted a little sister to play with. Otherwise, why do you think you were born? We gave you life, you should be grateful!” my dad said dismissively. How ridiculous. A human life, spoken of as if it were a toy found on the street. So my existence was merely for Blair’s amusement. “If you don’t give me money, I’ll go cause a scene at your office.” Time was tight, so there was no need to argue. My demand was simple: money. My dad had a stable government job and valued his reputation above all else. If I wrote a complaint letter, he might face far greater consequences. Thinking this, he turned back into the house, pulled out his wallet, and threw all the banknotes onto the floor. “Take the money, and get out!” I knelt down and quickly picked up the cash, not missing a single coin. The front door slammed shut with a “bang!” and I left that place with Lumi. The high-temperature apocalypse was coming soon. I needed to find a place to stay first.

I immediately found a real estate agent. The apartment didn’t need to be big, but it absolutely had to have a bathtub. Because I was in a hurry, the agent promptly took me to view properties. Since I didn’t have much money, the agent eventually showed me a top-floor apartment. The place was fully furnished, and the bathtub was large, but the price was significantly cheaper than others in the same building. I knew there was something fishy, so I kept pressing. Finally, the agent reluctantly revealed the reason: “The previous tenant had some issues with her boyfriend. She killed him and put him in the fridge. But don’t worry, the landlord has replaced the fridge. This one is brand new.” So, it was a haunted house. I understood now. I immediately put on a troubled expression. “My God, someone died here! Why didn’t you say so earlier? Are you trying to rip me off?!” I said, feigning to walk out. The agent quickly stopped me. “We just found out ourselves a while ago. The landlord even kept it from us. If the neighbors hadn’t said something, we’d still be in the dark. Now, this place has had over a dozen showings, and nobody wants it. If you rent it, I’ll go back to the landlord and negotiate the price for you.” A haunted house? What was that compared to my sister, Blair, who in my last life dared to eat human flesh and drink human blood? The most terrifying things aren’t the dead, but the living. The landlord originally wanted a security deposit equal to three months’ rent, but thanks to the agent’s gift of gab, I ended up renting it with just a security deposit equal to one month’s rent. Watching the agent breathe a sigh of relief, he collected the money and immediately left the apartment as if a ghost were chasing him. It was getting late. I filled the bathtub with water and gently placed Lumi inside. I squatted down, looking into its beautiful blue eyes. “Lumi, you might have a tough night tonight.” The little Merman nodded obediently. “What do you want me to do?” I walked to the living room, brought over a small stool, and sat beside the bathtub. “Don’t worry, I’ll stay with you. Your only task tonight is to cry.” Mermen’s tears turned into pearls. Merman pearls were different from ordinary pearls—they were richer in color, much larger, and naturally, far more valuable. The little money my dad gave me was already spent on rent. Before the apocalypse arrived, I had to save enough money, or else I’d still face a dead end. I found a few movies that had made countless netizens cry and started playing them. Lumi and I began watching. The movies brought tears not only to the Merman’s eyes but to mine as well. All night long, we watched over a dozen movies, crying harder and harder. By dawn, my eyes were swollen to mere slits, and the bathtub was filled with Merman pearls of all sizes. “Alice, do you still need tears?” After watching movies all night, Lumi was exhausted but still managed to ask, summoning its last bit of energy. “Not for now. If you’re tired, go ahead and sleep.” I splashed cold water on my face to wake myself up. “Actually, if you need money, you can take my scales. My scales are very valuable.” Saying this, it reached out to pull a scale from its tail. I immediately stopped it. “No. Unless they fall off naturally, I won’t take them.” Pulling a Merman’s scale was like tearing human muscles and stripping bones. I wasn’t that desperate for money yet. “Okay. Just tell me if you need more tears, I can still…” Before it could finish the word “cry,” Lumi rested its head on the edge of the tub and fell asleep. I found a black bag, put all the Merman pearls inside, and headed to the jewelry district. Just as humans had police departments, Beastkins had their own Protection Agency. If I suddenly produced so many Merman pearls, it would certainly cause unnecessary trouble with the Beastkin Protection Agency. Fortunately, Merman pearls were in such high demand on the black market that the supply couldn’t meet demand. They had their ways of making these items bypass investigation. The burly man with the tattooed arm, Big Mike, was inspecting the Merman pearls I brought. To prevent counterfeiting, he meticulously examined each one. “I have a Merman at home. I’ll be selling pearls frequently in the future. Just take them all right away, I won’t compare prices. I’ll only work with you from now on.” Saying this, I pulled out my ID, which showed my Beastkin was indeed a Merman. Big Mike laughed heartily. “Alright, I like straightforward people. I’ll take all these pearls. Come back to me with more.” “However, I see that Merman scale around your neck is even more valuable. Interested in working something out for that?” I had strung the scale Lumi gave me onto a necklace and was wearing it. “Big Mike, scales grow back much slower than Merman pearls. Besides, if I somehow killed my Merman, my loss would be much greater.” Seeing I wasn’t interested, Big Mike weighed the pearls and transferred the money to me.

With the money, I headed straight to the used car market and bought a car. I actually couldn’t drive before, but my parents had enrolled Blair in driving school. Blair complained about the heat, so she made me go learn instead, while she stayed home enjoying the air conditioning. Now, it worked out in my favor. Back in the car, I started thinking about the supplies I needed to prepare. Even though I’d exchanged Merman pearls for a good amount of cash, it was still a bit tight for one person and one Merman. With the high temperatures coming, water was the most important thing. In my last life, the power never went out until I died, so as long as I stayed home and kept the AC running, it shouldn’t be a big problem. But just in case, I still bought a diesel generator for the apartment. I drove straight to the wholesale market, telling the owner I was opening a convenience store and needed to buy a lot of inventory. I compared prices everywhere in the wholesale market and finally found a supplier who gave me the biggest discount. I bought a hundred cases of bottled water in one go, arranging to pick them up over five days. My neighbors knew that someone had died in my apartment, so they usually tried to avoid me. A hundred cases of water was far too much for the apartment, so I moved them to the rooftop terrace. I also replaced the lock on the rooftop door; no one but me could open it. I was busy from dawn until dusk, finally returning home. Hearing me, Lumi happily climbed out of the bathtub. It spoke first. “Alice, why did you buy so much water?” I was a bit surprised. “How did you know I went to buy water?” Lumi, with a hint of pride, tapped its tail. A water mirror suddenly appeared in the air, reflecting my face. I suddenly understood. In my last life, when the apocalypse came, I was also kicked out of the house. But because I had the white cat Beastkin, my survival wasn’t an issue. I’d always wondered how Blair knew I had supplies. It turned out the Merman told her. With this, I could keep tabs on Blair’s movements at any time. “In a while, the temperature will gradually rise. Rivers will dry up, and there’s a high chance the water supply will stop. So, we need to be prepared now.” Hearing that rivers would dry up, Lumi frowned. “Do you still need pearls then? Maybe we should buy more water.” I stroked its head. “I’ll tell you when we need them. I bought some small fish you like. Let’s eat first.” Merfolk lived in the sea and liked fish. They could also eat regular human food. While I could still get live fish, I bought a good amount. Soon, Lumi would have to eat human food just like me. Lumi took the opportunity to rub its head against my palm, like a kitten. “Alice is the best to me.” For the next few days, I was out early and back late, stockpiling supplies. My small apartment was filled with all sorts of provisions. At the same time, I didn’t forget to use Lumi’s water mirror to observe Blair’s side. Having experienced the last life, Blair had also become smarter. She started stockpiling supplies with our parents. But since my parents still had to work, they just gave her money and left the task to her. I watched as she took Mom and Dad’s cards and went to the supermarket with Snowball. She bought whatever she saw, a chaotic assortment of items, then made Snowball carry all the heavy bags back. “Hurry up! You can’t even carry this much? Why do I even keep a useless Beastkin like you?!” Blair stood on the street, barking orders at Snowball. The white cat Beastkin, small and slender, struggled with over a dozen large and small bags, barely keeping up with her pace.

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Ever since Asher Vance learned that a mermaid heart could cure all illnesses, he had my heart surgically removed nine times to treat his beloved Blair. The ninth time, I wept and begged him. “Please, no, I’ll die.” But he kicked me aside like I was nothing more than a stray dog, his eyes brimming with undisguised contempt. “Don’t mermaids have infinite healing? You bounced back the last eight times. Who are you putting on a show for now? And if you dare run to Grandpa Edward, you’ll regret it.” With that, he glared at me in warning, then wrapped an arm around Blair and turned, walking away, utterly uncaring if I lived or died. When Grandpa Edward found me, my entire body was slowly beginning to fade, becoming translucent. I looked up weakly at the trembling old man and whispered, my voice faint: “Your ancestors saved me nine times. I promised to protect your family for nine generations. But now, my power, built over nine lifetimes, is completely depleted, and my life is fading fast. Please, let me go.”

“Coralia, you can’t leave us! If something happens to you, what will become of our family? How will we survive?” Grandpa Edward Vance watched my body, swaying unsteadily. He immediately summoned all the family’s private medical team, instructing them to cure me at all costs. But after the last doctor finished examining me, he sighed and shook his head. “I’m sorry, Mr. Vance, but her heart has been removed. There’s nothing more we can do. It’s best to prepare for the worst.” As he spoke, Grandpa Edward looked at me as if struck by a heavy hammer, stunned. Then he fell to his knees, pleading. “Coralia, I know my wretched grandson is a monster, but please, for the sake of our family’s history, forgive him this once. You promised to protect the Vance family for nine generations, and this is only the third!” “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to rein in that ungrateful grandson of mine. As for that conniving woman, I’ll kick her out as soon as possible. I’ll set things right for you.” Listening to him, I slowly raised my arm, which was already beginning to fade. I gave a bitter laugh, Asher’s face flashing in my mind from the first time he spoke such cruel words to me. His eyes had been full of resentment and disgust. “You monster, it’s an honor for your heart to save Blair. Otherwise, I would have tossed you back into the ocean ages ago.” “Someone! Quick, put Coralia back in saltwater!” Seeing my body begin to fade, Grandpa Edward hurriedly ordered them to carry me into the water. I am a mermaid, and saltwater helps me recover. But the moment I entered the water, I felt a searing, tearing pain course through my entire body. The intense agony made me let out a suppressed moan. I knew this was freshwater. Staying in freshwater for too long would surely kill me, but I didn’t intend to call for help. Perhaps it would be better to simply die like this. I was born from the water, and I would die in the water. With that thought, I stopped resisting, letting the freshwater burn my limbs. On the shore, Grandpa Edward saw no reaction from me after a long while, and a pained expression flickered across his pale face. He suddenly felt something was very wrong. He stirred the water with his hand, then cried out in horror: “Who on earth would replace the saltwater with freshwater?! What monster did this?!”

He quickly ordered his men to pull me out of the water, but it was too late. While saltwater was a sacred balm for mermaids, freshwater was a deadly poison to me. Just a short time submerged in it, and my body’s fading had become significantly worse. I probably only had two or three days left. “Hahaha, this is fun, really fun!” A cheerful, bell-like voice drifted from not far away. Blair was skipping happily, her face alight with excitement. Asher stood beside her, stroking her head, his gaze full of doting affection! At last, Grandpa Edward knew who had swapped the water. He leaned on his cane and stormed over, slapping Asher across the face, looking at him with a mix of fury and crushing disappointment. “You ungrateful son! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Coralia is the protector of our family! If she’s gone, do you know what the Vance family will face? Even you…” But before Grandpa Edward could continue, Asher turned his head, his eyes burning with resentment. “Even I was saved by her? Enough! I don’t know how many times I’ve heard that pathetic lie. If it weren’t for Blair, I’d still be in the dark. Blair saved me, not this ugly monster mermaid.” Towards the end, Asher grabbed Grandpa Edward’s shoulders, roaring: “Grandpa, the Vance family’s success today is thanks to the blessings of our ancestors, not her, Coralia! She’s just a monster! When will you wake up?!” Finished, Asher pulled Blair and walked away. As he left, his eyes flickered towards me, full of disgust. Watching Asher’s retreating figure, Grandpa Edward wanted to say more but ultimately couldn’t. He glanced at me, his body trembling slightly, almost losing his balance. At the same time, a silent decision seemed to form in his heart. That night, Grandpa Edward had Blair tied up and placed her on a hospital bed next to mine. Blair, bound and gagged, struggled violently, but the doctors showed no intention of stopping. I finally understood what Grandpa Edward meant by “setting things right for me.” He intended to return my heart. Lying on the bed, I calmly accepted everything. But before the doctors could do much, the door was kicked open. Asher burst in, his face grim. Before the doctor could speak, Asher slammed him to the ground and cradled the terrified, unconscious Blair in his arms. “Blair, are you okay?” Seeing no wounds on her, Asher finally exhaled in relief. Then, his eyes turned terrifyingly cold as they fixed on me. “Coralia, I really underestimated you. Blair’s kidneys have been acting up; this is a good opportunity. We’ll just take yours. You won’t die, anyway!” He ordered the doctors to begin immediately. Seeing his demeanor, they dared not disobey and quietly complied. I felt the cold blade slice into my body. The excruciating pain made me cry out, then my vision went black, and I passed out. When I awoke, I found myself lying in saltwater. The soothing water gradually made my pain disappear. Then, a large hand suddenly pulled me from the pool. I looked up and saw it was Asher. But at this moment, Asher’s eyes were chillingly fierce. He gripped my neck, glaring at me savagely. “Tell me, what did you do to Blair? Why did she faint?” The intense suffocating sensation made it impossible for me to speak. I calmly looked at him, not struggling at all. This stillness made Asher pause. Then, he noticed my hand, already semi-transparent. His face instantly changed, and he gently lowered me. “Coralia, your hand…” But before he could inquire further, urgent shouts from the family’s private medical team came from outside. “Mr. Vance, Mrs. Vance’s rejection symptoms are getting worse!” Those words made Asher’s face darken again. He grabbed me and threw me into the main hall. He pressed me onto a blood-drawing table and urgently told the doctors: “Since it’s *her* heart, then use *her* blood. Keep drawing! You stop only when Blair’s rejection symptoms disappear!” Following Asher’s command, a doctor rolled up my sleeve and began drawing blood. As they continued, my blood was barely more than a pale trickle. I lay on the table, my clothes drenched in sweat. “Mr. Vance, we can’t draw any more! She’ll be in danger!” The doctor quickly stood up to dissuade him, but Asher merely glanced at me, his impatient voice coming from above my head. “Mermaid blood is regenerative. Who are you trying to fool? I said, keep drawing. Don’t stop until Blair’s rejection symptoms are gone.” Seeing Asher’s resolve, the doctor resumed. As my consciousness gradually blurred, my vision went black, and I fainted. In the last moments before my awareness dissolved, I saw a trace of panic in Asher’s eyes. “How can this be? Isn’t mermaid blood regenerative? Why is she fainting?”

When I woke up, I found myself lying on the floor. Asher was carefully holding a bowl of porridge, personally spoon-feeding Blair, his movements so gentle, afraid of scalding her. Noticing I was awake, Asher merely glanced at me, his cold voice coming from the side. “Awake? There’s porridge on the table; go eat it. You’re getting off easy.” Smelling the fragrant porridge on the table, I tried to get up but immediately lost my balance and fell to the floor. The loud crash startled Blair, and she fearfully shrank behind Asher. Asher’s face immediately darkened. “So what if we took a little blood? You gave your heart for Blair. A bit of blood and you’re acting like you’re dying? You’ll heal anyway. Who are you putting on a show for?” “Don’t worry, the Vance family is vast and prosperous; we’ll provide for you for the rest of your life.” I ignored his words, my eyes fixed on my feet. They were even more translucent than before. I probably had only one more day before my life would truly end. Seeing my lack of reaction, Asher’s face grew even uglier. He started to rush over to scold me but tripped, falling to the ground with a yelp of pain. “What’s wrong?” He stood up and touched his forehead, discovering a large gash that was bleeding profusely. Before he could speak, a violent coughing fit wracked him for a long moment. I knew. This was the Vance family’s luck running out, a karmic debt coming due. This was just the beginning. The Vance family built their fortune on the ocean, and over the years, they had plundered countless marine lives. Their luck should have run out ages ago. Asher’s previous brush with death was an example. Back then, Asher, young and impulsive, insisted on going out to sea alone but encountered an unprecedented storm and was trapped at sea for half a month. In the end, it was Grandpa Edward who begged me to save Asher’s life. At that time, I was at a critical stage of my transformation, but I still agreed to save him. When I found Asher, he was already unconscious, his boat nearly capsized by the waves. I used my nine lifetimes of accumulated power to fight the storm and ultimately brought Asher back. But because of that, I was never able to complete my transformation, remaining in this half-human, half-fish form. When Asher awoke and learned that I had saved him, he didn’t scorn my mermaid form. Instead, he knelt before me and declared: “No matter if you are human or mermaid, Coralia, I will marry no one but you in this life.” I looked into Asher’s resolute eyes, and an inexplicable emotion arose within me. It was the first time I’d felt such a thing since the day I was born. Later, I learned it was called love.

In the beginning, Asher was wonderful to me. We spent every moment glued together, and I felt that a lifetime like that wouldn’t be bad at all. But when Blair appeared, Asher’s attitude did a complete 180-degree turn. He personally tore the sweater I’d knitted for him to shreds and glared at me fiercely. “Blair was the one who saved me, but you stole all the credit for yourself. How can your heart be so malicious? A monster truly is a monster.” From that day on, Asher ignored me more and more. Blair’s health was fragile, and he somehow heard that a mermaid’s heart could cure all illnesses. That was when Asher started targeting me. For her, he had my heart removed nine times! “I hope this isn’t your doing. Otherwise, don’t blame me for what I do next.” Asher’s thoughts pulled me back to reality. He took Blair’s hand and left the room. As he went, he glanced at me, the warning in his eyes unmistakable. Watching their retreating backs, I looked at my current state. My feet were almost transparent, and even my body was slowly becoming translucent. Asher, I’m like this, and you’re *still* suspicious of me? This sudden ache in my heart was more painful than all the nine times he took my heart. I painfully crawled to the bathroom and filled the tub with freshwater. Gazing at the calm water, I knew what awaited me, but I didn’t hesitate. I plunged in. The intense burning sensation tore at my body, but my mind and soul felt an unprecedented sense of peace. I even saw my mother, who had already ascended, waving to me, a serene smile on her face. As mist rose, my body gradually dissolved into foam. The moment my body completely turned to foam, dark clouds gathered above the Vance family estate. Bolts of lightning surged within them. In a nearby wing, Grandpa Edward’s face instantly turned ashen. As if sensing something dire, his dragon-headed cane clattered to the floor. “It’s here. The Vance family’s reckoning has come.” He rushed out with a group of bodyguards, desperately searching for Asher, who was outside, asking him where I was. Asher initially didn’t want to tell him, but seeing Grandpa Edward’s face, dark as a pot bottom, he finally led them to the room. But by then, the room was empty. Asher’s face fell. Just then, the sound of water from the bathroom caught everyone’s attention. A dreadful feeling surged in their hearts. Pushing open the door, they saw the last trace of my body dissolving into foam. At this sight, Grandpa Edward collapsed to his knees, clutching the bathtub, crying out in anguish. Asher, meanwhile, stood rooted to the spot, muttering: “No… Mermaids can heal, can’t they? How could she die? This can’t be real!” At the same time, Grandpa Edward’s phone began to ring. He answered, and his secretary’s frantic voice came through—a Vance family property had suddenly faced catastrophic financial ruin, losing hundreds of millions.

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My life changed course at sixteen when I met Leo Hayes. By twenty-four, I was his wife. On our wedding night, we left traces of our passion everywhere—the living room, the kitchen, the bay window. My throat went raw from screaming, but he only pushed harder, refusing to let me go. For three years, Leo couldn’t get enough of me. Until one day, he was caught in a sudden fire, leaving me utterly alone. Heartbroken, I mourned him fiercely. Yet, a month later, at a grand banquet, I saw my supposedly dead husband! I’d only stepped away to use the restroom, but from inside a stall, I heard a woman’s soft moans. Peeking down, I saw men’s dress shoes and women’s high heels intertwined beneath the door. “Leo… seeing how frail Alice looks… are you regretting faking your death to run off with me?” It was meant as a question, but her low groans laced it with a seductive charm. “Baby… what are you even saying?” Leo chuckled softly, whispering, “She’s nowhere near as adventurous as you, nowhere near as uninhibited. She doesn’t have your wild, intoxicating charm.” My pupils constricted sharply, my breath caught in my throat. I stood rooted to the spot, my mind a blank. Only after they finished did the horrifying truth finally sink in. That night, I erased every trace of Leo from our home. Then, I knocked on the door of Alexander Sterling, the heir to one of the country’s most powerful empires. “I’m completely over Leo. Marry me.” The next day, news of my impending marriage to Alexander Sterling spread like wildfire across the city. The ‘dead’ Leo, upon hearing it, went absolutely insane, calling me a thousand times.

My legs felt like lead as I slowly dragged myself out of the restroom. From a dim corner, a voice I knew all too well echoed, tinged with faint mockery: “Alice still crying every day?” The man’s figure was hidden in the shadows, indistinct. Yet, the moment Jake Morgan, Leo’s best friend, spoke, I knew it was Leo—the man who had ‘died’ a month ago. “Leo, Alice has been heartbroken this past month. If we hadn’t stopped her, she probably would have followed you to the grave!” “Are you… really going to abandon Alice for Chloe Miller?” Leo’s tone was casual: “Just keep comforting her for me for now…” Another friend, Mark Evans, whispered from beside him: “Leo, you haven’t actually fallen for Chloe, have you?” “You faked your death just to chase her back from abroad, and made us all go along with your charade.” I clenched my hands tightly, my body trembling uncontrollably. Leo’s voice cut through the air again. “Whether I’ve fallen for her or not is none of your business. Just keep it from her.” Jake frowned: “But Alice, she…” “She relies on me too much,” Leo interrupted. “It’s not good for her in the long run.” Mark tentatively asked, “So when are you planning to tell Alice the truth?” “No rush,” he said, turning, his voice languid. “I’ll tell her when I get bored of Chloe.” “It’s not every day I get an opportunity like this. It would be a waste not to have some fun, wouldn’t it?” The three men exchanged knowing smiles. A chill seeped from the top of my head straight to my core, making me tremble uncontrollably. I had prayed countless times for Leo to come back to life. But never in this twisted way. I didn’t rush out to confront them. Instead, I turned and discreetly walked away. But at the corner, I accidentally bumped into a woman. She caught me before I could fall, asking softly, “Madam, are you alright?” At the sound of her voice, my body stiffened. It was her. The woman who shamelessly engaged with Leo in the restroom, the same Chloe Miller that Jake and Mark had mentioned. The moment I looked up, she visibly faltered. Then, she subtly sized me up, a faint sneer playing on her lips. I knew she recognized me. Feigning ignorance, I offered a quiet thank you and left. Back home, I stared at the woman in the mirror. Dark circles under my eyes, bloodshot gaze, utterly ravaged. I splashed water on my face, trying to wake myself up. A month ago. Leo’s company building was suddenly engulfed in flames. When I arrived at the scene, glass shards rained down from the inferno, the entire building a giant torch. I clung to the barrier in front of the blaze, watching firefighters rescue survivors batch after batch, but Leo was nowhere to be found. When Jake and Mark were finally carried out, their faces were etched with grief as they clutched my hands: “Leo… he’s dead… it’s all our fault. If he hadn’t saved us, he wouldn’t have… gone.” I tried desperately to rush into the fire, but firefighters held me back firmly. Even when they told me Leo had perished, a sliver of hope still clung to my heart. Hours later, firefighters finally found a body in the rubble. It was burned beyond recognition. But the diamond ring on its ring finger, a symbol of our love, confirmed it was my Leo. In that moment, I felt my world collapse. Overwhelmed by grief, I fainted. Now, they tell me it was all a charade. My heartbreak, from start to finish, was just a cruel joke. How utterly ironic!

Late that night, my phone suddenly rang. I stared at the unfamiliar number, already knowing the answer. But I answered anyway, and immediately heard his familiar, cloying voice. The man demanded that the woman on the other end admit he was her most beloved. Her voice grew more excited, each cry louder than the last. I listened in a daze, until after what felt like an eternity, the woman’s syrupy voice asked Leo, “Leo, who do you truly have in your heart—me or Alice?” Leo panted, “Of course it’s you… I faked my death and ran off with you, isn’t that proof enough?” My heart clenched. Even though I knew the whole truth, it was still shattered into a million pieces. Leo and I had known each other since we were sixteen. Back then, my parents had already found a suitable match for a strategic alliance: Alexander Sterling, the heir of the powerful Sterling family. But I didn’t want to marry him. My parents’ marriage had always been transactional. Growing up, I watched them feign affection in public, only to bring different partners home in private. Their rare moments together were filled with endless arguments and mutual accusations. I was sick of such a hypocritical and broken family dynamic, so I strongly resisted any arranged marriage. That year, Leo transferred to our class and became my deskmate. During my lowest moments, he approached me like a happy puppy, wagging his tail, full of boundless energy. So, when he confessed his feelings, I didn’t hesitate to say yes. We went from high school sweethearts to husband and wife, becoming an enviable couple in everyone’s eyes. They all said we were a real-life campus romance, and I immersed myself in those words, believing I had found true love. Little did I know, the person I thought would never betray me had, at some point, started another life, another home, with another woman. He even faked his death to run off with her. Sleepless through the night, I mercilessly discarded all of Leo’s belongings. Those things I once cherished now felt like garbage. Every corner of the house was meticulously cleaned, scrubbing away every trace of his existence. I used the phone number to search for Chloe Miller’s SnapChat account. Unsurprisingly, she accepted my request. Browsing her posts, I realized she had often been right under my nose. Chloe used to be Leo’s secretary. Her latest SnapChat update was from a month ago. The photo showed a pair of lovers, windswept and weary, embracing on a foreign street. The caption read: [That year, he chose true love, willing to throw everything away just to run off with me.] Jake Morgan and Mark Evans had both commented below: [Cheers to Chloe and Leo, forever and always!] [Chloe, Leo made huge sacrifices for you. You better make it up to him, big time~] Leo replied to Mark’s comment: [Her ‘repayment’ is beyond amazing, fills me up every single day.] Chloe replied with two words: [You’re awful.] The further I scrolled through her SnapChat, the more I glimpsed the intimate details of their life together. Leo often held Chloe, softly singing her to sleep. Despite a hint of reluctance on his face, his eyes were full of doting affection. His so-called business trips always included Chloe. Those nights I thought he was working late were actually spent in another woman’s embrace. Once, I’d urged him not to work so hard. He just said firmly, “I don’t want anyone thinking I’m just living off my wife’s money. I’m going to make so much money that everyone will envy you for having such a capable husband!” Five minutes before the ‘accident,’ Leo had sent me a message: [No matter what happens, I will always love you.] That message had brought me to tears every time I read it over the past month. Now, all of it burst like a bubble, gone in an instant.

I listed this house, which held countless memories of Leo and me, for sale. Less than an hour after it went up on the real estate platform, Jake’s call came through. “Alice, I heard you’re selling the house?” His voice was laced with surprise, but in the background, I faintly heard Leo’s voice: “Ask her why she’s suddenly selling… that’s our marital home.” I took a deep breath, my voice surprisingly calm: “Leo’s dead. I have to move on with my life.” A few seconds of silence followed on the other end, then I heard Jake’s voice, hushed: “What about Leo? Alice says she’s moving on.” Leo nonchalantly replied: “She loves me too much. How could she ever move on?” “If she sells the house, she sells it. We’re not short on property anyway.” Jake said, “Alright, I won’t try to persuade her then.” I heard it all, clenching my fists. Leo, I don’t need you! Jake cleared his throat, raising his voice: “Alice…” I hung up immediately. After packing my belongings, my best friend, Lucy Sterling, called a moving company for me. “Alice, are you really okay?” she asked cautiously. She still vividly remembered my heart-wrenching sobs from a few days ago. I shook my head gently. “I’m fine. I just hope to find a new place soon and get out of this dreadful house.” Suddenly, she remembered something. “My brother has a house. He hasn’t lived in it since he went abroad. Why don’t you stay there for a while?” I frowned slightly: “Alex Sterling’s house? No, thanks.” Lucy shook my arm, persuading me: “Come on. My brother went abroad after you married Leo. He hasn’t been back in years, what are you afraid of?” I looked down slightly, embarrassed to tell her. Actually, Alex had texted me a month ago. But I was so consumed by Leo’s death that I hadn’t replied. After a moment’s thought, I politely responded to his message— [The dead can’t come back to life. Take care of yourself.] [Thank you.] He replied instantly: [Don’t be too sad. He’s not worth your tears.] I paused, then suddenly remembered the day Leo proposed to me. He’d asked me to meet under the cherry blossom tree near the school building. The wind was particularly strong that day. As I brushed the hair from my face, I saw Alex. He stood in the hallway, his deep eyes fixed on me. I glanced at him, then smiled and accepted Leo’s proposal. When I looked back in his direction, he was gritting his teeth, glaring furiously at Leo, before turning and storming away. Shaking off the memories. My packing was almost done. On the bedside table sat a photo of Leo and me. I ripped it without hesitation and threw it in the trash. He might not be dead, but in my heart, he was. When Jake and Mark arrived, my last box was already loaded onto the truck. “Alice, if you ever need anything, just say the word.” I remained expressionless. “No need.” Jake and Mark argued in hushed tones. Finally, Mark spoke: “Actually, Alice, you might be right. Leo might still be alive…” “The police still haven’t confirmed that body was Leo’s. Maybe if we wait patiently, there will be good news.” I scoffed inwardly. Did Leo really think I’d be desperate enough to die for him, and send his friends to give me false hope? How ridiculous! I knew Leo’s petty games. All he wanted was for me to pine for him forever. Dream on.

I actually owned a few properties myself, but they were all currently rented out. I couldn’t just kick out tenants because I needed a place to stay. So I accepted Lucy’s suggestion and temporarily moved into Alex Sterling’s vacant house. When Lucy handed me the keys, I asked again, still a little worried, “Your brother won’t suddenly come back, will he?” “No, he won’t. I just asked him recently, and he said he has no plans to return for now.” “Besides, if he does suddenly come back, you can just move in with me back at the Sterling family estate.” That evening, Lucy invited me for a drink at a bar. A few drinks in, I spotted Jake and Mark. Chloe was with them. As for Leo, I wasn’t sure where he was hiding. I pretended not to see them and turned my head. But out of the corner of my eye, I caught Chloe raising an eyebrow, a faint, mocking smirk on her lips as she stared at me. “What’s wrong? See someone you know?” Lucy asked, following my gaze. I took a sip of my drink, calmly replying, “Nothing. Just someone I’d rather not see.” Feeling the alcohol, I rushed to the restroom. Right at the entrance, I bumped into Chloe. Her chin was slightly lifted, her eyes filled with obvious disdain, and she let out a cold snort. I walked past her without a word, but she suddenly flashed a knowing smile. As I was about to leave the restroom, the scene reflected in the crack under the door made me freeze instantly—Chloe was wrapped tightly around Leo from behind, her hands tracing over his body. “Leo, don’t be in such a hurry to leave.” Her voice was laced with seduction. Leo’s brow was furrowed: “This isn’t appropriate. Let’s go somewhere else.” But Chloe paid no mind. Instead, she took his hand, guiding it to her intimate parts. A smirk played at the corner of her eye as she stood on tiptoe and whispered hotly into his ear. “Leo, it’s much more exciting here. Don’t you want to try?” Leo’s eyes glazed over, succumbing to the irresistible temptation. In the dim light by the restroom, their entwined figures flickered in and out of the shadows, the air thick with their intimacy. Chloe savored Leo’s rising passion, her gaze occasionally flicking towards the restroom door. She caught a glimpse of my silhouette, and a triumphant smile curved her lips. I bit down hard on my lower lip, trying to compose myself. It’s just a quick fling, it’ll be over soon. Just a minute or two, I can handle it. After their footsteps faded, my phone suddenly vibrated. The screen lit up, and a line of text pierced my eyes like a needle: [He loves me so much. Can you feel it?] My heart still ached, but Chloe’s provocation, ironically, became the remedy that ripped Leo from my heart by the roots. It was excruciatingly painful, yet incredibly effective. My sorrow was slowly replaced by disgust. After a few more drinks at the bar, I returned home late. The alcohol briefly numbed my brain, making me miss the subtle changes in the house. My head spinning, I walked up to the second floor. After washing up, I was so tired I could barely keep my eyes open. I pushed open my room door and dove straight into bed. But the temperature under the covers felt off. Instinctively, I reached out and touched a scorching hot body. I shot upright. “Who’s there?” *Click*. The lights came on. The man squinted, his eyes adjusting to the sudden brightness. When he saw me, his gaze lingered. “Alice?” My mind felt sluggish. It took me a long moment to respond. “Alex Sterling? What are you doing here?” I rubbed my throbbing temples, trying to clear the fog from my thoughts. “This is my room,” he said, his tone flat, yet with a hint of subtle concern. “Drinking?” I nodded, explaining, “Sorry, I drank too much. I must have walked into the wrong room.” With that, I fumbled to get out of bed. But Alex suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist, his voice low: “Since you’re here, don’t be in such a hurry to leave.” “We have some scores to settle.” Hearing his words, the image of Leo and Chloe together flashed in my mind. A strange impulse surged through me, overriding my reason. “Alex, marry me.” ———-此处为截断点———- Alex’s eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting such an abrupt proposal. The grip on my wrist eased slightly, but he didn’t let go. “You’re drunk,” he said in a low voice, a hint of scrutiny in his tone.

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### I was kissing my brother-in-law, Liam Sterling, on the bathroom counter when Mrs. Sterling called, saying she wanted to set me up with a husband. “Ivy, Owen has been gone for so many years now, and you’re still so young. You really should find a good man and remarry. Mom knows you’re a good girl, but you can’t ruin your future waiting.” On the other end of the line, Mrs. Sterling earnestly urged me to remarry, to stop staying a widow for a husband who’d been dead for years. Liam lightly kissed my neck, and several times I almost cried out, unable to control myself. Afraid Mrs. Sterling would notice something off, I quickly mumbled an “Mhm,” and hastily hung up the phone. Liam gripped my waist, leaned down, and bit my ear, his voice teasing. “My mom is setting you up with *that* CEO this time? Not planning to go meet him?” I played along. “Sure, I’ll go meet him in a bit.” “You wouldn’t dare!” The man behind me spoke possessively. “Ivy, you belong only to me.” I knew how possessive he was, so I laughed, feigning sadness. “I’m already thirty. I’ve been a widow, living at the Sterling family home for years. Now not only are your parents pressuring me to get married, but even my own parents are pushing me. And you keep dragging your feet, refusing to make us public. If I don’t go on blind dates, should I just wait to grow old alone?” Liam’s movements faltered. He hugged me tighter, kissing my shoulder, and said softly, “How could I ever let you grow old alone? Just wait a little longer. I’ll personally tell my parents about us, and I’ll plan a proper proposal for you.” Hearing his words, I felt much more at ease, and nodded. After several intimate moments, Liam finally seemed satisfied a good while later. Once we’d cleaned up, he mentioned he was meeting friends in the next VIP room. He kissed me, then left. I straightened my clothes and prepared to leave, but just as I was about to go, I saw his phone on the bathroom sink. Without a second thought, I picked it up to take it to him. As I neared the VIP room, I heard laughter coming from inside. “Liam, our sister-in-law’s screams just now were so intoxicating, they made our bones melt!” “Seriously, Ivy usually looks so graceful and elegant. Who would’ve thought she’d be so wildly different when she’s intimate? Liam, you’re a lucky man. But didn’t you say you’d just play with her for a bit and then dump her? After all, you only got together with her to get back at her because you blamed her for your brother’s death.” Revenge? I froze. Liam and I… he wasn’t with me because he *liked* me? It was for *revenge*? “Liam and Owen used to be so close back then. If Ivy hadn’t married in and, well, *caused* Owen’s death, Liam wouldn’t have been so heartbroken.” “Exactly! So, Liam, when are you going to break up with Ivy? We heard your childhood sweetheart, Daisy, is back in the country. You spent so much effort going abroad to be with her all these years. Now that she’s back, it’s time for you two to finally make things official.” “Break up?” Liam’s nonchalant voice sounded. After a long pause, he said, “Once I’m bored, I’ll break up, naturally.” Listening to the voices from the VIP room, I felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over me, chilling me to the bone. My chest tightened, I felt dizzy, and I almost collapsed. “Miss, are you alright?” A waiter came forward, concerned. I shook my head, handed Liam’s phone to him, and asked him to take it inside, telling him not to mention I’d been there. I stumbled away, hastily leaving. It was March, and I stood outside the club, the cold wind howling. Tears streamed down my face, uncontrollable. Liam and I were brother and sister-in-law. When I was twenty, I married his older brother, Owen, in an arranged family marriage. But less than two years later, Owen passed away due to illness. Because I was so young at the time, and my parents had moved abroad, I stayed at the Sterling family home after my husband’s death. Liam had been studying abroad and only returned four years ago. We hadn’t met many times before then; we weren’t close. We became familiar four years ago at a party a friend hosted. I accidentally drank a spiked drink. Someone tried to take me to a hotel, and something awful almost happened. He happened to be passing by, beat up the creepy guy, and took me to the hospital. Later, to thank him, we became closer. Then, another time, I was followed home, and he appeared out of nowhere, giving me an immense sense of security. He took me back to the Sterling home. Over time, we grew closer. Plus, my parents-in-law loved to travel and were often away, sometimes asking him to look after me. Before long, we became a couple. I don’t remember who made the first move, but for four years, we were perfectly in sync, physically and emotionally. Every time we were intimate, he told me he couldn’t live without me, that he loved me fiercely. I truly believed that as soon as he told his parents about us, we would naturally get married and settle down. But I never imagined that I was just a twisted experiment for him to see if I truly brought bad luck or was “cursed,” a temporary comfort when he was lonely, a toy he’d discard once he got bored. The person he cared about, from beginning to end, was never me. I somehow made it home, curled up on the bed, tightly wrapped in my duvet, but nothing could warm my icy body. After an unknown amount of time, Mrs. Sterling knocked and came in. Seeing me lying in bed, she said, “Ivy, what have you decided about the blind date?” Touching the crystal bracelet Liam had personally strung for me on my wrist, I took a deep breath. “Yes, Mom, please arrange it for me.” Mrs. Sterling smiled upon hearing this. “Alright, then I’ll ask my friends to send me the profiles of suitable young men. You can carefully pick through them then.” Mrs. Sterling was happy and didn’t notice anything amiss with me. She excitedly went to call her friends. I got up and went to the bathroom, washing away the tears on my face. Looking at my haggard reflection in the mirror, I took a deep breath. Since Liam’s childhood sweetheart was back. It was time for me to plan my own future. If I was in a dead end, it was time to turn around. ###

That night, I was forcibly woken by a powerful suffocating sensation, waking in a daze. I felt lips gently biting mine. After a while, I realized there was a person on top of me. Suddenly awake, I instinctively pushed him away, crying out in alarm, “Liam Sterling!” “Shh, too loud and you’ll wake Mom and Dad next door. Be a good girl, Ivy,” the man’s low, hoarse voice whispered, alluring and provocative. My heart tightened for a moment. I quickly pressed down on his wandering hand. “Don’t…” “What’s wrong? I kept you satisfied all day, and now you don’t care about me at night?” The man’s breath was hot, subtly laced with displeasure. Normally, I wouldn’t resist, but now… Forcing down my emotions, I shifted my body, lowered my gaze, and lied. “My period started before bed, so we can’t.” The man on top of me clearly frowned, but after a moment, he lay beside me, holding me tightly. He gently rubbed my lower abdomen. “Does it hurt, Ivy?” Before, hearing him call me “Ivy” felt like a private endearment, but now the name felt grating. Closing my eyes, I mumbled a response, pretending to be overcome with sleep and already asleep. My phone vibrated beside me. Almost instantly, Liam picked it up and went out to the balcony. Although his voice was very low, the bedroom was silent, and his slightly panicked voice was still clearly audible. “Daisy, don’t be scared, I’ll be right there, wait for me…” A few seconds later, as the bedroom door opened and closed, complete silence returned to the room. I opened my eyes, staring at the crystal chandelier hanging above, my heart involuntarily clenching. Daisy, the childhood sweetheart Liam’s friends talked about, she was back in the country. I didn’t sleep well that night. Half-asleep, half-awake, I developed a high fever. By morning, cold sweat had almost soaked the bed. When Liam returned, he saw me delirious with fever and hurriedly rushed me to the hospital. When I groggily woke up and found my surroundings unfamiliar, I vaguely asked him, “Where am I?” His face was filled with concern. “Did the fever mess with your head? We’re at the hospital. You’re a grown woman, why didn’t you say anything when you got sick?” As he spoke, he reached out and felt my forehead. Seeing my temperature had dropped a bit, he sighed slightly in relief. He stood up and said, “The IV is almost done. I’ll go call the nurse to change it for you. Just lie still, alright?” With that, he stood and left. I looked at the almost empty IV drip bag in front of me, somewhat dazed. Could such urgent, genuine concern really be faked? “Miss, you have blood flowing back. Do you need me to call a nurse?” Someone next to me pulled me out of my thoughts. I then realized the IV was almost finished, and a good portion of blood had flowed back into the tubing. Seeing no sign of Liam, I could only get up, holding the IV pole, and dizzily went to find a nurse. Seeing the blood almost filling the bag, the nurse’s face went pale. “What’s wrong with your family member? I told them to keep an eye on it! How could they…” I didn’t hear the rest of the nurse’s words. I just stared blankly at Liam not far away, whose face was filled with tender concern as he embraced a young girl. “Liam, it doesn’t hurt, I just accidentally cut myself while peeling fruit,” the young girl’s voice was soft and delicate, her face beaming with happiness. “Don’t touch sharp objects again,” Liam frowned and pursed his lips, his voice possessive as he rushed her to register, get checked, and pick up medicine. The nurse, seeing me watching the two of them, changed my IV bag while grumbling, “Young girls nowadays are so delicate. That cut would’ve almost healed if she came any later. It’s different when someone truly cares, isn’t it?” I lowered my gaze, looking at my swollen, purplish hand from the blood flashback, and couldn’t help but want to laugh. Yes, it certainly was different. Back in the infusion room, the nurse was afraid I might get drowsy from the medication and have another flashback. She asked, “Where’s your family member? Or a friend or relative to watch you? Otherwise, another blood flashback could be very dangerous.” I lowered my eyes and said calmly, “I can manage on my own.” The nurse paused, about to speak. Liam rushed in. “Ivy, is the IV done?” Seeing him, the nurse frowned. “Are you the patient’s family member? Don’t run off like that. The patient almost had a dangerous blood flashback earlier.” Perhaps seeing my bruised and swollen hand, Liam quickly took my hand, his face etched with concern. “I’m so sorry. Something came up, and I completely forgot for a moment. The second I remembered you, I rushed over.” I pursed my lips, didn’t mention what I’d just seen, just hummed in response, and said nothing more. The nurse gave her instructions and left. But a few minutes later, a soft voice sounded from the doorway. “Liam.” It was Daisy. Seeing her, Liam quickly stood up and went to meet her. “Why aren’t you resting in your room?” Daisy smiled faintly. “The doctor said I’m fine, no need to stay overnight. I’m heading back now.” “I’ll take you,” he said, almost without hesitation. Daisy paused, her gaze turning to me. “And who is this?” “My sister-in-law. She’s getting an IV here. I just came to check on her. Come on, I’ll take you home.” With that, he grabbed his jacket, looked at me, paused for a few seconds, then said, “I’ll come back for you in a bit.” I watched them leave, not saying a single word the entire time. My chest felt constricted, making it hard to breathe. I had my IV for three hours at the hospital. When it was finished, Liam never came back. I couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry. Dragging my weak, groggy body back to the Sterling home, I finally couldn’t hold on any longer and fell asleep. It took me several days at home to recover. During those days, Liam never returned. Mrs. Sterling asked me several times, wondering why he hadn’t been home for so many days straight. I just stayed silent, not saying anything, remembering how anxious and concerned Liam had looked with Daisy at the hospital. I couldn’t help but find it ironic. After fussing about him, Mrs. Sterling pulled me aside. “After you agreed to the blind date last time, Mom already set things up. I’ll invite him to come over to the house for a chat later, so you two can get to know each other?” Since I had already agreed, I nodded and accepted. That afternoon, he arrived. ###

I froze when I saw who it was, my breath catching for a moment. Julian Sterling. Liam Sterling’s uncle, the man who controlled half the economic lifelines of the city. I had been married into the Sterling family for years, and I’d heard countless stories about his legendary achievements, but his whereabouts were always mysterious. I’d only briefly seen him once at my wedding with Owen. How could a man who stood at the absolute pinnacle of society come on a blind date with me? Looking at his flawless face, even though he didn’t say a word and simply sat there, his noble and aloof aura exuded an intense sense of pressure. I walked forward, involuntarily speaking with deference. “Uncle Julian.” In truth, Julian was only in his early thirties, not much older than me. By age, I should probably call him “Brother.” Hearing me call him, Julian looked up, his thin lips parting. “Sit.” His voice was beautiful—deep, cool, rich, and magnetic, carrying a pleasantly tingling penetrative power. I was genuinely curious how Mrs. Sterling had thought to set me up with him for a blind date. Julian was as much a man of few words as the rumors claimed, but thankfully, he wasn’t as cold as I’d imagined. Being with him wasn’t as difficult as I’d thought; in fact, there was a strange sense of ease. My tightly strung nerves relaxed considerably because of this comfort. I smiled and said, “The first time I saw you, Uncle Julian, I actually thought you were already married.” After I spoke, Julian didn’t say anything for a long time. I looked up and saw his gaze fixed on my hand. Curious, I was about to ask when I suddenly heard him ask: “What happened to your hand?” My hand? I paused for a moment. Realizing he was asking about the still-fading purple bruise on the back of my hand, I smiled. “I was sick earlier and had a blood flashback from an IV. It’ll be fine after a while.” Julian glanced at me, his thin lips pressed together, lost in thought. I was about to change the subject when a voice came from the doorway. “What are you two chatting about? Sister-in-law is laughing so happily?” The smile on my face froze. I turned and unexpectedly met Liam Sterling’s narrowed dark eyes. He was smiling, but it somehow sent a chill down my spine. “Liam, you’re back! Come quickly and say hello to your Uncle Julian, you naughty boy.” Mrs. Sterling, who had disappeared somewhere, emerged when she heard the commotion. Seeing Julian, Liam paused, then dutifully stepped forward to greet him. “Uncle Julian.” Julian didn’t look at him, simply giving a faint hum. Liam raised an eyebrow and brazenly sat down next to me, picking up his phone and starting to play on it. With another person suddenly sitting down, the atmosphere in the living room became strangely awkward. Julian and I didn’t know what to talk about for a moment. In the midst of the awkwardness, Liam looked at me, his voice strangely demanding. “Sister-in-law, I want some fruit. Can you wash some for me?” Seeing his dark expression and cold gaze. After a few seconds of hesitation, I nodded and got up to go to the kitchen. As soon as I took the fruit out of the refrigerator, I was suddenly grabbed from behind, my waist embraced, followed by an overwhelming, suffocating kiss. In a panic, I forcefully pushed away Liam, who had a dark look on his face, and frowned. “There’s a guest outside, what are you doing?” Liam raised an eyebrow, leaned down to hook my chin, his large hand caressing my waist, and said in a husky voice, “Wouldn’t it be even more exciting if he heard? Or have you fallen for him?” I froze, realizing what he was trying to do. I instinctively wanted to push him away, but then Liam’s phone rang in his pocket. I seized the opportunity to break free from him, grabbed the fruit, and hurried out of the kitchen. But after a few steps, I remembered the fruit wasn’t washed, so I had to turn back to clean it. “You better have something important to say, interrupting my good time,” Liam’s voice came from inside as he answered the phone. He had put it on speaker and was washing his hands. On the other end were clearly his friends, who started teasing. “Good time? Bro, in broad daylight, you’re not getting intimate outdoors with our sister-in-law, are you?” Before Liam could speak, another voice guessed, “Outdoors? Liam’s done that before. I bet they’re in the kitchen, and there’s definitely someone else outside. Didn’t Liam say he’s been wanting to see our sister-in-law’s submissive yet alluring silence for ages?” “Enough with the nonsense. You’ve ruined everything. Get to the point,” it was Liam’s voice. … Just a door separated us. Listening to the voices inside, I clutched the fruit platter, biting my lip hard, my heart tearing into a million pieces. Outdoors. Yes, under Liam’s persistent coaxing, we had done that before. But how could he talk about such things with his friends? And the kitchen… Disgust, anger, heartache – all emotions swirling, almost suffocating me there and then. Thankfully, it wasn’t too late. My heart could still be saved. ###

When I came out of the kitchen, Julian Sterling had already left, leaving behind only a sleek, black business card. Seeing me looking down at the card, Mrs. Sterling asked, “So, how was it? Are you satisfied?” I said hoarsely, “Mom, you should ask Uncle Julian that, not me.” For a golden boy like Julian Sterling to come on a blind date with me, he was likely doing it out of respect for Mrs. Sterling. Leaving a business card was probably his way of not being too direct, avoiding awkwardness for both of us. Liam finished his call and came out. Hearing my words, his face darkened as he looked at Mrs. Sterling. “Mom, if Ivy is going to marry, she should at least have a lot of options to choose from. I’m taking her to a party tonight so she can meet more guys and compare.” Perhaps seeing Julian’s ambivalent attitude, Mrs. Sterling thought Liam’s idea made sense. She didn’t say anything more and agreed. Liam took me out. Liam’s “party” was a camping trip with a group of rich kids deep in the mountains. When he and I arrived, the tents and BBQ grills were already set up. Everyone was sitting around drinking, and when they saw us, they all turned to look. But the excited chatter died down a bit as a few people noticed me. I also froze for a moment when I saw a beautiful, striking girl in the crowd. Daisy, Liam’s childhood sweetheart who had just returned to the country. Unlike me, Daisy looked fresh and innocent, exuding a delicate, pure, almost ethereal aura. Perhaps he saw her too. Liam quickly let go of my hand and walked towards the group. Seeing this, I pursed my lips, let out a silent, soft laugh, and slowly followed. After we sat down, everyone started playing games. After a few rounds of drinks, someone, clearly drunk, started egging Liam on. “Liam, you’re always looking for thrills, aren’t you? There’s a grave in the woods behind us. Do you have the guts to check it out?” Liam casually took a sip of his drink, his gaze landing on me. He smirked. “Why wouldn’t I? But my date is a bit timid. Wouldn’t want to scare her.” Everyone started to tease. Someone joked, “Oh, look at that, he’s worried about our sister-in-law. Liam really knows how to be considerate.” “Of course! Our sister-in-law might be wild, but Liam is caring. He wouldn’t want to hurt her…” They kept calling me “sister-in-law,” their tone teasing and frivolous. I clenched my hands, my chest tightening with a suffocating ache. I looked at Liam. His gaze was on Daisy’s slender form. A few seconds later, he took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. He covered Daisy’s ears and smiled. “Those dirty words, they’ll just pollute your ears. Don’t listen.” Their actions were so overtly intimate that everyone suddenly looked at them. Someone, slurring from too much alcohol, blurted out, “Liam, Daisy lived abroad for so many years, and I hear things are pretty open over there. I wonder if she…” *Crash!* The man didn’t finish his sentence. Liam suddenly picked up a bottle from the table and smashed it into him. Then came Liam’s chilling warning, “She’s not someone you can talk about so casually.” The “she,” of course, referred to Daisy. No one had expected Liam to lose his temper so violently over a casual remark about Daisy. Suddenly, the atmosphere became dead silent. Everyone’s faces were pale, their drunkenness mostly gone. Daisy pursed her lips, her face pale, and stood up, saying, “I’m a bit sleepy. I’m going back to my tent to sleep.” With that, she left. Liam shot a dark look at the man who had spoken out of turn, then stood up and followed her. Once they both left, everyone exchanged glances for a moment, then suddenly started talking. “Liam is really protective of Daisy, isn’t he? He didn’t even say anything bad, why such a strong reaction?” “Exactly! He was fine when they were talking about our sister-in-law just now. Why can’t they talk about Daisy?” “Idiots! Daisy is the apple of Liam’s eye. He wouldn’t even dare lay a hand on her himself. How could she be the same? He’s only with our sister-in-law to gain experience, fearing he might be too rough with Daisy when he eventually marries her. Otherwise, why do you think Liam has been faking such deep love for our sister-in-law all these years?” “Alright, stop comparing Daisy and Ivy. They’re not the same.” It was Liam’s voice. Not the same! Biting my lip hard, my chest felt heavy and suffocated. I wanted to laugh, but no laughter would come. Ha, people truly are different. Liam wouldn’t dare lay a hand on Daisy, so he could trample and disregard me in every possible way? Heh, these four years, I really was stupid and oblivious. As night deepened, I sat for a long time, only belatedly realizing that everyone else had gone into their tents. I was the only one left, with nowhere to go. Liam and I arrived late, so I didn’t know how the tents were allocated. It was March or April, and the nights were still quite cold, especially late at night; the chill was biting. I went to look for Liam’s tent. As I approached, I heard voices from inside. “Liam, are you and Ivy really dating?” The soft voice was clearly Daisy’s. For a moment, I stopped short of entering the tent. “Don’t listen to their nonsense. She’s my sister-in-law. My parents just asked me to look after her. There’s nothing going on.” Liam’s voice was incredibly gentle, his tone even hinting at a soft coaxing. It was a tone I had never heard before. I lowered my head, suddenly feeling ridiculous. It seemed there was no tent for me tonight. Turning around, I walked towards the parking area. The mountain at night was silent, even eerie. As I neared the car, I tightened my clothes and quickened my pace. But I hadn’t walked many steps when a sudden, inexplicable force pushed me from behind. I panicked, my foot slipped, and I lost my balance, falling directly down the hillside. After a bout of dizziness, it took me a while to regain my senses. The surroundings were pitch black, and I seemed to be surrounded by thorny bushes. I tried to move slightly, but the pain made me gasp. It seemed I had injured my leg. “Help…” I called out in the direction I had tumbled from, but after several shouts, there was no response. Thinking everyone must be asleep, I could only try to drag myself upwards. However, after a short while, I saw someone approaching in the distance with a flashlight. “Liam, is that you?” My heart leaped with joy, and some of my fear dissipated. I struggled to move towards the approaching figure. But the next second, as I clearly saw who it was, I froze. The two men holding flashlights were neither Liam nor his friends. They were strangers. ###

“Holy cow, in the middle of the night, there’s actually a woman here, and a real beauty at that! Bro, we’re in luck tonight.” The man holding the flashlight spoke, his sticky gaze fixed on me. The other man was already somewhat impatient and walked straight towards me. “What are you talking about? Let’s go! We’ve been patrolling these mountains daily, checking power lines, and haven’t seen a single female. This one’s just handed to us, why wouldn’t we take it?” Listening to their strange words, a chill ran through me. Most likely, I had run into some power line workers from the mountain. But these two had ill intentions. Instinctively, I wanted to run, but after my fall, I couldn’t even take a step, nor did I have a chance to speak. My mouth was covered. The two men dragged me to a nearby cave. To prevent me from making any noise, they completely gagged me. Then, like hungry wolves, they began to tear at my clothes, while excitedly muttering obscenities and threatening me to cooperate. Otherwise, they said, they would kill me and abandon my body in the cave, assuring me that no one would ever find me in this place. I didn’t want to die. I kicked and struggled with all my might, but they were like madmen. After tearing off my clothes, they pinned me to the ground. The moment my skin was exposed to the cold air, my stomach churned with nausea, and I felt utterly desperate. Listening to their sneering laughs and panting breaths, an endless wave of unwillingness surged within me. Just as I was about to struggle free from the two beasts and bash my head against the wall to end it all, A violent, bloodthirsty voice roared, “What are you doing?!” Then, through my blurry vision, I saw Liam, who had found me. His face was dark and terrifying, his eyes blood-red. He rushed forward, grabbed the man on top of me, and slammed his fist into him. The other man, seeing an outsider, grabbed a tool and swung it at Liam. Liam dodged, then his fists fell. Neither man was a match for him. His eyes blazing, he beat both men to the ground, almost to death, his punches lethal. I cowered in the corner, trembling all over. When Liam looked at me, before he could even get close, I couldn’t hold on any longer. My vision went black, and I passed out. I woke up again in a hospital bed. Mrs. Sterling was by my side. Seeing me awake, she called the doctor to check on me. I learned from the doctor that I had only fainted from fright and was fine now. I asked Mrs. Sterling to handle the discharge papers, ready to leave. Mrs. Sterling mentioned that Liam had hurt his hand helping me beat up those two animals and was getting his wounds treated in the surgical department. Thinking about Liam in the cave, almost like a madman, fiercely attacking those two men. My heart was a mix of emotions. After a moment of hesitation, I still got out of bed and went to the surgical department to see Liam. Outside the department, just as I was about to push the door open, I heard the voices of Liam’s friends. “Liam, those two workers were just caught up in the moment. Weren’t you a bit too harsh, trying to kill them?” “Yeah, and besides, you personally pushed our sister-in-law down the hill, planning to leave her to freeze and get scared overnight so she’d become even more dependent on you and wouldn’t agree to any more blind dates arranged by your parents. Later, even if you broke up with her, she’d still be grateful and available whenever you called. Even though those two workers messing up your plan, they actually helped you stage an even better hero rescue. It’s a win-win.” “Exactly! The effect is way better than Liam’s original plan. Our sister-in-law saw you appear out of nowhere to save her with her own eyes. From now on, she’ll give you her life if you ask, let alone those ‘thrilling things’ you want to try, Liam.” I froze outside the door, my hands and feet turning instantly cold. At first, I thought that moment I was pushed, falling down the hill, was just my imagination. It turned out Liam had pushed me. My nails dug into my palms, but the conversation inside continued. “But those two men deserved it. Good thing Liam reminded us to protect Daisy at the campsite. If Daisy had accidentally run into those two, forget about them treating her like they did our sister-in-law – Liam would have torn them to shreds just for looking at her.” “Nonsense, can our sister-in-law and Daisy be compared? Putting everything else aside, Liam wouldn’t even dare push Daisy. He’s treasured Daisy like a baby all these years. He was only risking the bad luck he believed I brought, using me to gain experience, fearing he might be too rough with Daisy when he eventually marries her. Otherwise, what do you think Liam has been faking such deep love for our sister-in-law all these years?” “Alright, stop comparing Daisy and Ivy. They’re not the same.” It was Liam’s voice. Not the same! Biting my lip hard, my chest felt choked, I wanted to laugh, but couldn’t. Ha, from beginning to end, it was all a scam. Four years of “loving me fiercely” was an act. The so-called “hero rescue” was a deliberate plot. Taking a few steps back, I didn’t hesitate for a moment. I turned and walked away. ###

After being discharged, Mrs. Sterling and I went straight back to the Sterling home. Over the next few days, Liam was very attentive to me. In his words, it was because he hadn’t protected me, which was why I got hurt. His hand was badly injured, and Mrs. Sterling urged him to rest, but he stubbornly insisted on personally looking after me. Making porridge, washing fruit – he was practically meticulous. Even his friends, seeing this, privately wondered if he had truly fallen in love with me. But I felt no joy at all, only a sense of bitter irony. Having no interest in his performance, I took the opportunity while he was out to tell Mrs. Sterling I wanted to move out of the Sterling home. Mrs. Sterling didn’t object. After all, I had been a widow living in the Sterling home for many years, and now that I was getting married, it would be more convenient to live on my own. She only asked me to wait until after her birthday banquet to move. “After the banquet, I’ll have Liam help you move,” Mrs. Sterling said. As her words fell, a low voice came from the entryway. “Move what?” It was Liam. His brows were tightly knit, and his face looked grim. I froze for a moment, then quickly interjected, “We bought some furniture for the house, Mom wants you to find time to move it.” He stared fixedly at me with his dark eyes for a few seconds before humming in acknowledgment and going to his room. I didn’t let Mrs. Sterling tell him about my plan to move. After all, as a widowed sister-in-law, my affairs were none of his business. Seeing that I didn’t want Liam involved, Mrs. Sterling agreed. … For Mrs. Sterling’s birthday banquet, the Sterling family invited many guests. I followed Mrs. Sterling, greeting guests, and because I was poised and graceful, I received many compliments from guests, who told Mrs. Sterling she had a good daughter-in-law. As Mrs. Sterling also praised me along with everyone else, I inadvertently caught a glimpse of Daisy staring directly at me from a distance. Our eyes met, and she immediately put on a sweet smile for me, then turned to chat with the man next to her. I paid no mind. After greeting the guests, I turned to go to the restroom. After a few steps, I unexpectedly bumped into someone, and a large splash of red wine from their hand drenched my expensive gown. Just as I was about to react, I heard an apology. It was Daisy. She was a guest, after all, so I didn’t say much and headed back to my room to change my dress. I was in a hurry and didn’t notice someone following me. As soon as I opened the door, I was suddenly shoved. I stumbled into the room, and the man from earlier, the one Daisy had been chatting with, followed me in. My face went cold. “What do you think you’re doing?” The man raised an eyebrow, revealing a lewd smile. “Daisy said you’re a widow, desperate for a man, and asked me to ‘comfort’ you so you wouldn’t keep eyeing her man.” I frowned. Daisy! Her man, he meant Liam Sterling? After saying this, the man took a few steps towards me, lunging directly at me, intending to forcefully assault me. The fear from the cave hadn’t even fully faded, and now I saw this man tearing at my clothes again. Instinctive fear and anger filled me with intense hatred. My hand brushed against a flowerpot in the corner. Without thinking, I smashed it directly against the back of the man’s head. *Thud!* The man’s face contorted in pain, then he slumped motionless on top of me. I violently pushed him away, scrambled off the floor, and tried to call for help, but the door was pushed open. It was Daisy. Seeing the man on the floor, her eyes widened as she looked at me. “Ivy Sterling, you dared to hurt him?” After being subjected to multiple schemes, even the most timid person would bite when pushed too far, and I was certainly not timid. Remembering what the man had just said. I didn’t hesitate for a second. I raised my hand and slapped her hard across the face. “Daisy, I not only dare to hurt people, I dare to kill them.” Having been slapped, Daisy’s eyes glinted with malice, completely shedding her fragile, innocent facade. She sneered, “Ivy, it seems one man was too little for you. A slut like you deserves ten or eight to satisfy you, to be ridden by thousands, day and night…” Listening to the vulgar words coming from her mouth, my eyes went red with rage. I grabbed her by the hair and dragged her into the room, raising my hand to slap her face again. But my hand was stopped before the slap could land. Red-eyed with anger, I turned my head and unexpectedly met Liam Sterling’s grim face. Seeing that the person she seemed to be waiting for had arrived, Daisy’s malicious expression instantly transformed into one of pitiful distress. She threw herself into Liam’s arms, tears streaming down her face. “Liam, save me! I just accidentally saw Ivy getting intimate with a man, and she slapped me out of nowhere, even said she wanted to kill me. I’m so scared…” Liam looked at the whimpering girl in his arms, his face terribly dark. His black eyes swept towards me. “Ivy, are you that desperate? Caught messing around with a random man, you show no remorse and even try to hurt someone? You’ve completely disgraced the Sterling name.” I was so angry I couldn’t breathe, my whole body trembling. “Liam Sterling, you didn’t even ask, you just immediately believed everything she said? *Me* messing around? Look at the man lying there – does he look like someone I’d be messing around with? I hit her because that man…” “Enough! Still trying to argue? I knew you were this cheap. In the cave, I shouldn’t have saved you, shouldn’t have interrupted your little fun.” Liam’s words struck me like lightning. All the explanations I wanted to give were stuck in my throat, unable to come out for a long time. Seeing my face turn ashen, he glanced at me, then frowned. “If you apologize to Daisy for this, we can just let it go.” Apologize? Clutching my aching chest, I wanted to laugh, but couldn’t. Looking at him, I spoke each word distinctly. “In-your-dreams!” Seeing my defiance, Liam still wanted to force me to apologize, but Daisy, noticing the man on the floor showing signs of waking up, was afraid of being exposed. With tears still glistening on her face, she pulled Liam. “Liam, don’t argue with Ivy. It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have seen what I shouldn’t have. I just won’t appear in front of Ivy again.” Saying this, she started to leave, but Liam lovingly pulled her back into his arms. He must have pulled something wrong, because she cried out in pain. Liam grew even more concerned, not bothering to say another word to me. He picked her up and rushed to the hospital. Watching them leave, I forced down the pain in my chest, then glanced at the man on the floor who was starting to stir. Without much hesitation, I immediately called the police. The moment the call went through, my phone was suddenly snatched away. The man had woken up, glaring at me, his face menacing. “You damn bitch, still daring to call the cops? You’re asking to die!” “Help!” I gasped, breaking out in a cold sweat, screaming as I ran. But I hadn’t run far before my mouth was suddenly covered again. The man dragged me back to the bedroom balcony.

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**Chapter 1** “Ms. Reed, you’re not serious, are you? You’re actually buying a burial plot for yourself? You’re a Thorne family daughter-in-law. As far as I know, the Thornes have a private family mausoleum.” I managed a faint, self-deprecating smile. “The Thornes do have a private mausoleum, but I doubt Marcus Thorne would want me to taint their sacred ground.” Marcus Thorne, my husband. The man I loved more than anyone in this life. But he married me, never out of love, but to… torture me. Lost in thought, my phone suddenly vibrated. It was a text from Marcus: “Used them all up. Buy a new box.” A sharp pang twisted in my heart. I knew exactly what “that thing” was, and he never, ever used them on me. We’d been married for five years. Marcus brought different women home almost every night, never bothering to hide it. Sometimes, he’d even deliberately get intimate with them right in front of me… I bit my lip. Though I already knew what was coming, I still did as he instructed, buying what he needed. When I got home, the bedroom door was wide open, and a syrupy-sweet voice drifted out from inside. My steps faltered, my face instantly paling. That voice was far too familiar. I recognized her almost immediately. — Chloe Davies, my half-sister. Fifteen years ago, my father abandoned me, fresh from losing my mother, for Chloe’s mother. From that day on, I changed my name, dropping my father’s surname and taking my mother’s instead. I never imagined that fifteen years after her mother slipped into my father’s bed, Chloe would now be in my husband’s… I stood there, frozen. The sounds from the room stopped. Marcus emerged, wrapped in a towel. “Go clean up in there,” he commanded, his voice cold, not even bothering to glance at me. “Then go make some nourishing broth. Your sister is ovulating and feeling a bit delicate.” A spasm of pain ripped through my lower abdomen. In our five years of marriage, he’d touched me barely a handful of times. And after each time, he would watch me swallow the birth control pill right in front of him. He didn’t allow me to bear his child. But now, during Chloe’s ovulation period, he’d spent the entire night with her… It was utterly chilling. “Marcus, I’ve never asked about the countless women you’ve had over the years. Even my close friends, one by one, ended up with you… You’ve turned me into an island, Marcus. Because of you, all my friends stopped contacting me, and my family slowly distanced themselves…” “I’ve accepted all of it. Maybe I truly deserve this… But Chloe… How could you not even spare Chloe?!” My voice trembled, my face deathly pale, my thin frame so fragile, as if I might shatter at a touch. Marcus’s pupils flickered. A hint of emotion crossed his eyes, but it vanished instantly. His face hardened again, his tone glacial: “That’s *your* sister, not mine. I don’t have a sister anymore.” Every word was a direct stab to the heart. I used to be an undercover detective with the narcotics unit. Five years ago, my partner went deep undercover, infiltrating a drug cartel. Only I knew his true identity, and he only contacted me. During his undercover mission, he gathered a vast amount of evidence. We were on the verge of dismantling the entire organization. But somehow, word leaked. The drug lord, K, found out he had an informant within his ranks. He just didn’t know who. After his investigation, he tracked me down. He intended to kidnap me to interrogate me for information, but he got the wrong person. They kidnapped Marcus’s sister, Scarlett Thorne. It was a gray, sunless afternoon when K’s call came through. “Darling, I just need one name. Give me the name of the informant, and I’ll let your sister go. Otherwise… hehe, my pack of mad dogs haven’t had a taste of a woman in far too long.” The laughter on the other end of the line was chilling to the bone. I bit down hard on my lip, drawing blood, but I barely felt it. I couldn’t speak. If I gave up his name, not only would my partner die, but the entire law enforcement operation of the past few years would be ruined. “K, let Scarlett go. I’m willing to come over. You release her, and I’ll take her place as a hostage.” I bargained with him, trying to buy time for the police to pinpoint Scarlett’s location. But K was cautious. He hung up. When the police finally found Scarlett, she was lying naked in an abandoned factory, her body covered in countless wounds… Scarlett died in the most brutal and humiliating way, forever haunting my nightmares. Even more cruelly, K filmed the entire process of their assault and murder of Scarlett and sent the video directly to Marcus. All of it, my fault. I caused Scarlett’s death. I would never forgive myself. “I’m sorry…” The memories blurred, and when I came back to myself, tears were streaming down my face. “I’m sorry…” I repeated those two words over and over, but the guilt in my heart remained as heavy as ever. “Shut up!” Marcus suddenly roared, slamming his fist against the wall, his eyes blazing crimson. “I don’t need your apologies.” He was right. What good were apologies? Even if I knelt and begged a thousand times, said “I’m sorry” a million times, it wouldn’t bring Scarlett back. How I wished it had been me who died that day. Just as I was sinking into an abyss of grief, a startled cry came from the bedroom. Chloe ran out excitedly, holding a pregnancy test stick, cheering joyfully: “Marcus, I’m pregnant!” **Chapter 2** I had always wanted a child. I had pleaded with Marcus countless times, hoping he would allow me to get pregnant. But his answer was always the same, a cold, harsh sentence: “You don’t deserve one.” And now, I was dying. Chloe Davies, the woman who had taken everything from me, was carrying my husband’s child… The irony was crushing. But what came next from Marcus was even more twisted. He said, his voice cold, “Evelyn Reed, since your sister is pregnant, from today onwards, you will be responsible for her every need, from meals to comfort.” “Take good care of her and the baby. If there’s the slightest slip-up, I won’t let you off!” I said nothing. I knew resistance was futile; this house was no longer a place where I had any say. Over the next few days, Chloe started finding every possible way to torment me. During a storm, she deliberately sent me to a narrow, pedestrian-only alley in the city’s old quarter to buy specialty pastries. You couldn’t drive there; I had to walk, shielding myself with an umbrella. When I returned home, I was soaked to the bone, but the pastries were perfectly intact, not a single drop of water had gotten in. She didn’t even glance at them, her voice sickly sweet: “Why didn’t you bring an insulated carrier? These pastries are cold now, and cold food upsets my stomach.” The pastries were tossed into the trash. Marcus shot me a chilling look. “Go buy more.” I had no choice but to run out again. The next time, she didn’t want the meat-filled ones, she wanted vegetarian… It went on, again and again. Each time, Chloe had a new excuse, sending me running errands all night, drenched in the pouring rain. The last time, I was completely exhausted. Leaning against a wall, I coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood. Rainwater mixed with blood, and my vision began to blur. Just then, my phone rang. The caller ID showed an unfamiliar number. I seemed to realize something. To stay conscious, I drew a small knife from deep inside my boot and, without hesitation, sliced open my palm. The searing pain jolted me awake. Then I pressed the answer button. “Evelyn, it’s me.” A deep male voice came from the other end. I immediately recognized him: Logan Hayes, my partner from the drug cartel bust. “Captain Miller told me this morning that I need to expose your current identity and location to K… He said this was your request. Is that true?” “Yes,” I replied calmly. “I asked him to.” “Are you insane?!” Logan snapped. “K hates you. If he knows where you are now, he’ll stop at nothing to kill you!” When the operation finally closed in, K’s network was busted, but he slipped away. Scarlett died for nothing, and I hadn’t even been able to avenge her. Now, I was dying too. My only wish before I died was to personally avenge Scarlett and my comrades who died tragically at K’s hands. “Logan,” I said, a faint smile on my lips, “I’m dying. Stage-four stomach cancer, with a dismal prognosis. Before I go, I want to settle things with K myself.” “So, leak my location. If this life of mine can force him to show himself, at least my death won’t be in vain.” With that, I hung up. One hand bleeding profusely, the other carrying the insulated carrier, I limped back home. Marcus’s eyes flickered when he saw my blood-stained hand, but they quickly returned to normal. “Evelyn Reed, I sent you out for errands, and you somehow managed to injure your hand. Are you deliberately playing for sympathy?” he said coldly. “If you’re trying to gain sympathy, that little cut isn’t enough.” I didn’t speak. It was Chloe who stepped in, her voice attempting to smooth things over: “Marcus, don’t be angry. I’m hungry too. Luckily, my sister brought back the pastries. Let’s eat together.” As she spoke, she took the insulated carrier from my hand. However, the moment the first pastry touched her lips, Chloe clutched her stomach and cried out, “Ah! My stomach hurts so much! Sister, what did you put in these pastries?” **Chapter 3** Chloe’s acting was terrible; I could see right through her charade. But Marcus believed her. He scooped Chloe into his arms and glared at me fiercely. “Evelyn Reed, if anything happens to Chloe or the baby, I swear I won’t let you off!” With that, he carried Chloe to the hospital. I followed, still holding the remaining pastries, wanting to have a food toxicity test done right in front of him to clear my name. But at the hospital, no matter how much I tried to explain, Marcus’s face remained cold, refusing to listen. Just as I was losing all hope and about to leave, Marcus’s parents arrived. Mrs. Thorne immediately slapped me across the face. “You wicked woman! Haven’t you done enough, after what you did to my Scarlett? Chloe finally got pregnant, and you actually tried to harm my unborn grandchild!” My face burned, and my eyes welled up involuntarily. “Mrs. Thorne, I didn’t…” “Don’t call me Mom! I don’t have a cruel daughter-in-law like you!” Mrs. Thorne shrieked hysterically. “You’re a jinx! You killed Scarlett, my only daughter, and now you want to harm my unborn grandchild!” “Get out! Get away from me! I never want to see you again!” Mrs. Thorne shouted, repeatedly slapping me. I used to be an undercover detective, highly trained in combat; I could have easily dodged her. But I didn’t. I just stood there, taking more than a dozen slaps. It wasn’t until my lip split and bled that Marcus finally intervened. “Enough!” “Enough? Marcus, she killed your own sister, and you’re defending her?” Mrs. Thorne cried. “My poor Scarlett! Have you forgotten how terribly she died? It’s all her fault!” Mrs. Thorne sobbed heartbrokenly. But in reality, it was the drug traffickers who killed Scarlett. My entire family, we were all police officers, dedicated to bringing down criminals, ready to lay down our lives. My mother, stepfather, and two brothers all died in the line of duty. Now, I was the only one left in my family. And I was dying too… “Mrs. Thorne, I’m sorry.” I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth. Daring not to call her “Mom” again, I politely addressed her as “Mrs. Thorne” and forced a faint smile. “Don’t worry, Scarlett’s death won’t be in vain.” The murderers who killed Scarlett—I wouldn’t let a single one of them go. I’d drag them all to hell. Including myself. With that, I turned and walked away. If I didn’t leave now, I wouldn’t be able to hold on. I was about to collapse. Just as I reached the hospital entrance, Marcus caught up, blocking my path. “Evelyn Reed, what did you mean by that?” he asked, frowning. “Scarlett’s death won’t be in vain? Are the drug traffickers who killed her back? What are you planning? Tell me!” Marcus was sharp, indeed. I inwardly acknowledged his keen deduction; he’d almost guessed the truth from a single sentence. But Marcus, I’m sorry, I can’t tell you. This is a debt I owe Scarlett, one I intend to pay with my life. Your mother has already lost a daughter; I can’t let you fall into danger too… So I smiled and said, “Marcus, I resigned ages ago. I’m just a civilian now. I don’t know anything about the drug traffickers. I just heard from a friend that K might be caught soon.” “A friend?” Marcus’s eyes darkened. “That friend… wouldn’t happen to be the one you were willing to sacrifice Scarlett to protect, would it?” **Chapter 4** When K sent Marcus the video of Scarlett’s brutal murder, he included a message: “You’re pathetic. Your wife sacrificed your own sister to protect her childhood sweetheart.” But in reality, my protection of Logan Hayes was purely out of duty, with no personal feelings involved. Yet Marcus didn’t believe me. It became a festering wound in his mind, and no matter how much I explained, I couldn’t remove that thorn. “Marcus, I never wanted to sacrifice Scarlett,” I whispered. “If I had a choice, I would have rather it been me who died that day.” However, in Marcus’s ears, those words twisted into me being willing to sacrifice myself for that childhood sweetheart… Consumed by rage, he slammed his fist against the wall behind me. “You want to sacrifice yourself for your childhood sweetheart and become his eternal, idealized love? Evelyn Reed, when you did all this, did you ever consider my feelings?” “I didn’t…” I tried to explain. But the next second, he cut me off. “Of course, you didn’t. After all, you’d sacrifice anyone for your little childhood friend!” “Evelyn Reed, I’ll never forgive you for what you’ve done, and I won’t let you off easily.” “Don’t try any tricks. Stay by my side obediently and spend your life atoning for what you did to Scarlett!” He finished speaking, shoved me away, and stormed out. I collapsed into the corner, sobbing uncontrollably. How I wished it had been me who sacrificed myself that day… That way, perhaps I wouldn’t have become Logan’s idealized love, but at least in Marcus’s heart, I would forever be the true love of his life. Instead of now, where for two people who once deeply loved each other, only hatred and torment remained. After a thorough examination at the hospital, Chloe was found to be fine and was discharged the same day. Meanwhile, my stomach cancer grew increasingly severe. I started vomiting blood frequently, and the stomach cramps felt like knives twisting inside me, almost causing me to black out. But as soon as Chloe was discharged, she dragged me along to a business dinner. “Gentlemen, I’m so sorry, but I’m pregnant and can’t drink,” Chloe said with a smile. “However, I brought a helper. My sister is a strong drinker; she’ll drink with you all night!” No sooner had she spoken than many people came over, eager to propose toasts. I subtly pushed away a glass. “I don’t drink.” The next second, Marcus slammed his glass down. “Chloe brought you here to make a scene for everyone? Drink it yourself, or let them force it down you. Your choice!” I looked at him deeply, then smiled. “Fine. I’ll drink!” With that, I picked up a glass and drained it. One glass after another, the bitter liquid slid down my throat, and my heart bled. I’ve always had a sensitive stomach, and Marcus knew it. In the past, he wouldn’t even let me drink cold beverages, let alone alcohol. “Be good. This is too cold, it’ll hurt your stomach. I’ll get you something warm. Just wait for me, okay?” In the dead of winter, he ran several blocks just to buy me a hot cocoa… But now, he and Chloe were together forcing me to drink an entire table’s worth of alcohol. By the end, my stomach couldn’t take it anymore. I rushed to the restroom, leaning against the wall, painfully retching. My vision turned scarlet, dizzy and disoriented. I realized that what I was throwing up wasn’t alcohol, but large gushes of bright red blood! Just then, Marcus walked into the restroom. I must have been truly drunk. Wiping the blood from my mouth, I smiled and asked, “Marcus, is this enough blood for my pity party?” **Chapter 5** When I woke up, I was in the hospital. A tall, handsome man stood by the bedside, but it wasn’t Marcus Thorne. It was my partner, Logan Hayes. “Are you insane? Drinking that much alcohol with stomach cancer?” Logan looked at me, a mix of anger and concern in his eyes. It was then I realized I had mistaken him for Marcus before I passed out. It wasn’t Marcus who came for me at all; it was Logan. I gave a bitter smile, but also felt a secret relief: Thank goodness it wasn’t Marcus. Otherwise, my secret might not have stayed hidden… “You’re undercover. You shouldn’t be out in the open,” I said coolly. “Don’t make such amateur mistakes again. You’re a professional; you know any small slip-up on a mission can cost lives.” Logan looked furious. “I don’t care about that right now!” Then, huffing, he poured me a cup of hot water. His contradictory behavior made me chuckle. Just then, Marcus walked to the doorway of the hospital room. What he saw was Logan’s angry expression and my radiant smile. He was fuming, and I was laughing. Marcus’s eyes were wide with fury, his teeth grinding so hard they almost shattered. He punched the wall, then turned and left. It was only then that I realized Marcus had been there, but it was too late. That afternoon, Chloe Davies was also admitted to the hospital. Marcus spared no expense, booking an entire VIP floor for Chloe, afraid that the “sick vibes” from other patients might affect her. He even arranged a grand fireworks display for Chloe that night, just to make her happy. The nurses gossiped privately: “Mr. Thorne is so good to his wife.” “I know! If my husband treated me like that, I’d die on the spot.” In reality, Marcus’s actual wife was me. And I was in the most basic hospital room. The grand fireworks show outside my window wasn’t for me either. Marcus hadn’t even come to see me in my room. Even though my room was just one floor below Chloe’s… I forced a bitter smile: It’s fine, this is better. He doesn’t love me anymore, so he won’t be sad when I die. Kill K, avenge Scarlett. A life for a life… Marcus, then our love and hatred will be balanced, right? After a few days in the hospital, I checked myself out. Time was running out; I couldn’t waste it in a hospital. But as I was leaving, Chloe blocked my way. “Evelyn Reed, you have some nerve, clinging to the title of Mrs. Thorne after all this,” she sneered. “You know, Marcus hates you so much, he wishes you’d just drop dead and pay for his sister’s death in hell.” “Evelyn Reed, why don’t you just die? Everyone would be happy if you did.” “The unloved one in a marriage is always the outsider. You’re just like your pathetic, unwanted wife of a mother—both of you are pitiful, unloved creatures.” I could have endured it, but she mentioned my deceased mother. “Shut up!” In a fit of rage, I grabbed Chloe by her collar, my patience snapped. “Don’t you dare use your filthy mouth to talk about my mother, you don’t deserve to!” Chloe, however, smirked triumphantly. The next second, she suddenly leaned back. “Ah—” She shoved me hard and tumbled down the stairs! **Chapter 6** Blood stained the staircase, and Chloe lay in a crimson pool. Thankfully, being in a hospital, doctors and nurses quickly arrived, carrying her away on a stretcher. My eyes widened in disbelief. Chloe, just to frame me, would even sacrifice her unborn child! Falling from such a height, the baby likely wouldn’t survive… As it turned out, Chloe miscarried, lost a lot of blood, and needed an immediate transfusion. Chloe and I were half-sisters, sharing the same blood type. “Evelyn Reed, you caused this. Don’t think you can always get away with it,” Marcus said coldly. “It’s time you paid the price. However much blood Chloe needs, that’s how much you’ll give!” I was willing to save a life, but Chloe’s? Absolutely not! I refused without hesitation: “I won’t donate. She fell herself; it has nothing to do with me.” “So many people in the lobby saw you push her. How can you still deny it?” Marcus snarled, suppressing his anger. “I’m not wasting any more words on you. You’ll donate that blood whether you want to or not!” “Guards, take her downstairs to draw blood!” The large needle pierced my vein, and I began to tremble involuntarily. I was already a bit anemic, but the doctors ignored it, drawing bag after bag of my blood. As the blood drained, I felt cold all over, my consciousness blurring. I couldn’t help but wonder: Is this what death feels like? Temperature fading, awareness blurring, the world seemed to hold only me. So cold, so lonely… The taste of death was truly bitter. Scarlett, were you this cold, this lonely back then? No, you must have felt even worse than me. I’m sorry, I caused your death. Cold tears streamed down my face, and I completely lost consciousness. When I awoke, it was already dark. I was alone in the darkened hospital room. At some point, Marcus had stopped keeping vigil by my side. I had no friends, no family, and even Marcus, the man I loved most, had abandoned me… After lying there all night, I sent Marcus a message early the next morning: [Marcus Thorne, let’s get a divorce.] The message had some shock value. In less than ten minutes, he appeared in my hospital room. “Why are you alone?” Marcus sneered. “I thought your lover was here too, which is why you dared to bring up divorce.” I felt weary. I closed my eyes and said softly, “There’s no lover, there never has been. I just think there’s no love left between us. Let’s divorce and let each other go.” The usually calm Marcus suddenly became frantic. He grabbed my chin, anger reddening his eyes: “Let you go? Evelyn Reed, don’t even think about it!” “You caused Scarlett’s death. You owe me a life, and that life is mine. Everything about you belongs to me!” “As long as you’re alive, you’re mine! No love? Who cares? Hatred is enough.” “After all… hatred lasts longer than love!” With that, he shoved me away, turned, and left. My tears broke free at that moment. Marcus, is it only when I die that I can repay everything I owe you? If so, congratulations, because I’m dying soon. I hope that when you see my grave, you can continue to hate me, and not feel regret.

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