I transmigrated into a spicy romance novel as the hot, young stepmom. I didn’t expect my sworn enemy to transmigrate too. He ended up as my sleeping husband. The thought of cuckolding my enemy thrilled me. That night, I leaned against the doorframe in a silk slip dress: “Hubby, I’m going to tuck the kid into bed. Don’t wait up.” My enemy shot up in bed: “Don’t you dare!” 1 “Dad.” The male lead, Roman, walked in wearing his varsity jacket and slinging his backpack over one shoulder. He greeted Ryan with a voice like ice. Ryan sat in the living room, his face even darker than Roman’s. I was the only one in the room grinning. I bent slightly to pour tea, using the opportunity to check out Roman as he changed his shoes in the entryway. Tall, long legs, full of youthful energy, and devastatingly handsome. The corners of my mouth crept higher and higher. Roman seemed to sense my gaze, his deep, dark eyes turning toward me. Ryan suddenly stood up, blocking the line of sight between us. “What are you looking at your mother for? Go to your room and do your homework!” Roman didn’t speak, just stared at him coldly. If this were a cultivation novel, I’m pretty sure they’d be shooting eye-daggers at each other. After a tense standoff, Roman let out a low laugh. “Fine.” He went up to the second floor but didn’t go straight to his room. Instead, he leaned against the railing, looking down at me. “Stepmom.” His tone carried a hint of teasing flirtation. “Bring me a glass of milk later, okay?” “Huh?” Being addressed by the male lead for the first time made me nervous. “Sure, I’ll bring it up in a bit.” Ryan looked even more pissed off. “Mom is Mom! What the hell is ‘Stepmom’? Where did you learn that sleazy way of addressing her? Call her Mom!” Roman ignored him and sauntered back to his bedroom with that lazy, arrogant swagger. “Pfft—hahahaha.” I clutched my stomach, laughing so hard I almost fell over. “There is justice in this world! Ryan, I never thought I’d see the day you’d be this helplessly furious! Hahahaha!” 2 Ryan is my sworn enemy. We transmigrated into this book together. He aged ten years, now 37, and gained a 17-year-old son. Great son, really. Very filial. Prays for his dad to die every day. I, on the other hand, am his young, beautiful wife. The kid’s stepmom. According to the plot, Ryan is responsible for being on business trips all year round, working hard to support the family. When he comes home, he’s exhausted, collapses into bed, and snores away. Roman and I could be cooking in the kitchen, the living room, or right next to him, cooking until we don’t know which way is up, and he wouldn’t wake up. Currently, since the male lead is still a minor, we are just in the “secret crushing” phase. 3 I was curled up on the sofa, clutching my stomach and gasping for air from laughing so hard. Ryan walked over with a face like thunder, reaching out to pull the strap of my slip dress back onto my shoulder. “Can’t you pay attention to your image in front of the kid?” “How am I not paying attention to my image?” I retorted. “Did you have to wear this silk slip? When you bent over to pour tea, your chest was…” He stammered for a while, his own face turning red first. “Couldn’t you at least… wear a bra?” “…Dammit, I did!” I stood up, grabbed his arm, and dragged him toward the bedroom. “What are you doing?” Ryan struggled symbolically, his words stiff. “You really think of yourself as my wife? Seduction won’t work on me. I’m not fulfilling any marital duties with you!” That’s what he said, but his feet were moving faster than mine. I dragged him into the walk-in closet, flung open all the wardrobe doors, turned to him and asked, “You tell me, which one is appropriate?” The closet was filled exclusively with low-cut, super-short silk slip dresses. The occasional “outdoor” outfits were all skin-tight, low-cut numbers with garter belts. Basically, clothes no normal person would wear outside. Pure sleaze. Ryan froze, his face turning crimson. I wasn’t done with him. I yanked open a drawer, grabbed a handful of colorful fabric scraps, and threw them at his face like confetti. He examined one puzzledly. Narrow front, wide back, just a few strings. You couldn’t even tell what shape it was supposed to be. “What are these?” He picked up a pendant that looked like an earring. “Underwear! Didn’t you say I wasn’t wearing any?” I grabbed another handful and threw it at his head. “The house is full of this stuff that’s basically wearing nothing. What do you want me to do, huh?” “You wear this kind?” “Ugh—” He dropped the fabric like it burned him. He slammed a hand over his nose and spun around, turning his back to me. His voice was thick when he spoke. “I… I get it. I’ll buy you new ones tomorrow. Just don’t go out for now.” I picked up a piece of fabric from the floor and handed it to him. “Here.” He turned his body further away, hiding his face. “What for?” “Your nosebleed is dripping on the floor. Plug it.” 4 “Tilt your head back a bit.” Ryan sat on the bed while I stood next to him holding tissues, wiping his nosebleed. But the more I wiped, the more it bled. He squeezed his eyes shut and took a deep breath. The blood flowed backward… “Please stop wiping. If you keep going, I’m going to die of blood loss. Can you just stay away from me?” he groaned, sounding broken. “Like I want to wipe it.” I tossed the tissue onto the bed and turned to heat up milk for Roman. 5 “Roman?” I knocked on the bedroom door. “Come in.” Roman’s voice sounded breathless from inside. I pushed the door open gently. Roman was leaning against the headboard smoking, looking satisfied. The room smelled… post-coital. There were wads of tissues next to his hand, and a few scraps of fabric similar to what I’d just thrown at Ryan’s face. He was making sure I knew exactly what he’d just been doing. “Stepmom.” Our eyes met, and he gave me a predatory smile. Even with my usual boldness, this was overwhelming. I felt a little awkward. “I… I brought your milk.” “Thanks, Stepmom.” He took the glass from me, his cool fingertips brushing against the back of my hand. “No problem. Go to sleep early.” I turned to leave. “Wait.” “Hmm?” I looked back. He downed a mouthful of milk. My gaze involuntarily drifted to his bobbing Adam’s apple. “I can’t finish it. Help me drink it, Stepmom?” “Huh? I don’t really want to…” Before I could say “drink,” he pressed the glass against my lips. “Be good. Drink it.” His voice was hypnotic. “…” If I hadn’t just brought this glass in myself, I’d really suspect there was something weird in it. He poured too fast, and milk trickled down the corner of my mouth onto my chest. I protested mumbled, “Mmh, no more, it’s spilling…” BANG! The bedroom door was kicked open. Ryan stormed in, holding a down jacket, and roared at us: “WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!” “…” “What’s wrong, Dad?” Roman looked completely unbothered. “Stepmom is drinking my milk.” He looked down at me, a wicked smirk on his lips. “Is it good, Stepmom?” I wiped the milk from my chest and mouth, mumbling, “It’s okay.” With a question that loaded, how else was I supposed to answer? “Good my ass.” Ryan grabbed me, wrapped me in the down jacket. “Pour your own damn milk from now on. Stop ordering your mother around!” He pushed me out of the bedroom and slammed the door. We walked a few steps, then he seemed to remember something and stopped. “Wait here.” He rushed back into Roman’s room. When he came out, he was clutching a ball of fabric scraps, shoving them into my hand with a red face. “Keep your… stuff safe.” “…” I took it and stuffed it into the pocket of the down jacket. “You’re the one who should keep your son safe.” He slapped away my hand as I tried to take off the jacket. “Anyway, you are not allowed in his room alone from now on.” “?” I looked at him, baffled. “Bro, it’s summer. It’s like 100 degrees outside. You can’t expect me to wear this all the time?” “Isn’t the AC on?” He sounded self-righteous. He glanced nervously behind him. “Take it off when you get back to our bedroom. Tomorrow… tomorrow I’ll buy you new clothes.” “…?” I stared at him suspiciously, a thought suddenly popping into my head. “Ryan, you big dummy, you’re so nervous… do you like me?” “??” Ryan’s eyes widened instantly, like a cat whose tail got stepped on. “Summer Lin, what kind of fever dream are you having? “Me, like you? If I liked you, I’d be…” “Be what?” I pressed. He held it in for a long time before barking out, “I’d be your son!” I clearly didn’t believe him, pointing at the heavy jacket. “Then what’s this about?” “I just don’t want you distracting my son from his studies,” he said. “Do you even believe that yourself?” He was silent for a few seconds. “Fine, fine. I just don’t want to be cuckolded by my own son. Is that wrong?” “Let me tell you, Summer Lin,” he said with a stern face. “No one puts a green hat on me.” “NO! ONE!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387076”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My husband’s “best female friend” went into premature labor and specifically asked for me to deliver the baby. When she needed a blood transfusion and required a family member’s signature, Logan gripped my shoulders, his nails digging into my skin. He screamed: “You must save my wife and child! Or I’ll tear this hospital apart!” I am his wife. Yet he was calling another woman his wife. “Mr. Rhodes, calm down! Dr. Miller is doing her best!” the midwife yelled. “And… isn’t Dr. Miller your wife?” Logan froze for a split second. But only a second. Immediately, he reverted to his frantic state, his grip tightening until I thought my bones would snap. “Lexi means everything to me. If anything happens to her or the kid, I swear I won’t let you off the hook!” he threatened. The midwife tried to defend me. “Mr. Rhodes, how can you treat your actual wife like this for a friend?” Logan’s eyes were bloodshot as he roared, “A wife is worthless to me! I can replace a wife any day, but Lexi is my partner, my soulmate! She is more important than my life!” A sharp, stinging pain spread across my chest. We were married. We had the ceremony, the prenup, and lived together for over a year. But we never signed the official marriage license. He said we’d do it after a two-year “trial period.” I waited patiently for over four hundred days, only for it to boil down to “I can replace a wife any day.” I took a deep breath and slapped him across the face. Hard. His handsome, cold face swelled instantly. His bodyguards rushed forward, but Logan stopped them, glaring at me with red eyes. “You’re a doctor, Susan. Don’t forget your duty.” 1 Logan threatened the hospital’s reputation, so the Chief of Staff forced me back into surgery. In the end, Lexi delivered a baby boy. Logan and Lexi’s actual husband were ecstatic. When I did my rounds wearing a mask, Logan’s younger sister, Lola, was holding the baby, smiling at me. “Thank you for saving Lexi for my brother. You don’t know how much she means to him.” Logan never told his family about my job, so Lola didn’t recognize me behind the surgical mask. She innocently told me the story of Logan and Lexi. She talked about how they’d known each other since they were thirteen, how Lexi was his right hand in business. She even mentioned how depressed Logan was when Lexi got married, and how he “gave up” and married some random woman just to fill the slot. That random woman was me. For the first time, I realized that in everyone’s eyes, Lexi was the indispensable light of his life. I was just the consolation prize he settled for. I let out a low, uncontrolled sob, interrupting Lola. As everyone in the ward turned to look, I pulled off my mask. “Susan? Why are you so loud? Don’t you know Lexi needs rest?” Logan didn’t explain himself. Instead, he stared at me coldly, his voice dripping with disgust. “With that attitude, how are you even a doctor? Come here and apologize to Lexi!” I didn’t respond. I clenched my trembling fingers and turned around. It wasn’t that I was afraid to face him. I just suddenly didn’t want this anymore. Trying to sustain a relationship alone is exhausting. Watching me walk away seemed to anger him further. He turned to his assistant. “Tell the Director to suspend Susan. She can come back to work when she learns how to apologize.” Then, his voice softened as he looked at Lexi. “Did she scare you? Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, no one can bully you.” 2 Luo’s call reached the Director’s office before I did. But I had already printed my resignation letter. The Director frowned, sighing. “Susan, just apologize to Mr. Rhodes. You’re our most promising OB/GYN. A suspension will hurt your record.” I placed my resignation letter on his desk. “Director, I’m resigning. I’m going abroad for my fellowship.” He paused, then nodded. “You should have gone years ago. Logan held you back.” I met Logan at an alumni mixer. He needed a wife to secure a contract; I needed a marriage to give my terminally ill mother peace of mind. We hit it off. I asked to make it legal immediately. He said his company was unstable and didn’t want his potential debts to affect me. I believed him. I signed the agreement and gave him my heart. Later, I found out his company was massive. After he used me to secure that project, he never mentioned our relationship publicly again. To the world, Lexi, who was always by his side, was his partner. I used to fight with him about it. He never comforted me. Instead, he’d grab my face, eyes full of disdain. “You only know how to hold a scalpel. You can’t help me in business. Lexi is different; she has vision. She doesn’t care about titles. While you’re being petty, she’s helping me build an empire. Instead of being jealous, go read a book.” I had angrily shown him my acceptance letter for a PhD program at Harvard Medical School. He had hugged me tight, dominantly declaring, “You’re not going. I forbid it.” I missed my first chance to go because I thought his possessiveness meant he loved me. But in the end? I was just a disposable object. 3 I was finishing my handover. As I saw my last patient out, I ran into Logan picking up Lexi. I looked at them indifferently and didn’t say a word. But Lexi dragged Logan over to me, speaking in that soft, sugary voice. “Susan, thank you so much. Without you, my son and I would have been in danger. I heard Logan lost his temper with you. He’s just like that—he loses control whenever it concerns me. Don’t be mad at him, I apologize on his behalf.” Then, her gaze dropped to my stomach. She adopted the tone of a wise elder. “But really, a woman needs a child to stabilize a family. You should stop working and go home to focus on getting pregnant. Logan, you love kids. Let Susan give you one.” Logan pinched her nose affectionately, smiling teasingly. “She doesn’t have your good fortune.” I knew Lexi baited him into saying that. In the past, I would have fought back. Now, watching their PDA, I just felt tired. I waved my hand dismissively. “I can’t afford that kind of fortune. Mr. Rhodes, please save it all for Miss Lexi.” I walked into the elevator without looking back. Maybe the cold “Mr. Rhodes” triggered him. As I walked out of the hospital, he grabbed my wrist. He tried to drag me into his car, but I slammed my hand against the door, refusing. “Susan, haven’t you made enough of a scene?” “I’m not making a scene.” He frowned at my blank expression. “Lexi’s husband was there. What you said could cause a misunderstanding.” I laughed, disgusted. I pushed him away. “If you were actually afraid of her husband misunderstanding, you wouldn’t have acted like the father in the delivery room, and you wouldn’t be holding her waist right now.” “She’s my best friend. Physical contact is normal,” Logan insisted, arrogant as always. “Is asking her to have your baby normal too?” I scoffed. Logan lost his patience. “If you want to think that way, I can’t stop you.” He got into the car. “You’re emotional. I won’t come home for a few days. We’ll talk when you calm down.” He rolled up the window and drove off. The black sedan disappeared from my sight, just as he completely disappeared from my heart. 4 My visa was processed quickly. The day I booked my flight, Lola found me. Lola was different from her brother. She was innocent and rarely interacted with me, which is why she had praised Lexi that day in the hospital. Once she found out the truth, she stopped associating with Lexi. When I told her I was leaving, she looked sad. “You were with my brother for so long. Can you really let go?” I nodded. “I can.” When you give everything and get nothing but coldness in return, even the strongest heart eventually shatters beyond repair. Seeing I was serious, Lola started crying. She was pregnant by accident. She wanted to tell Logan, but Logan, taking Lexi’s advice, was planning to marry her off to some business partner she hated. She wanted to keep the baby and escape the arranged marriage. She asked if she could come with me. I was surprised. Logan was willing to sacrifice his innocent sister just because Lexi suggested it? It turned out, Lexi really was the only person he wouldn’t sacrifice. Lola cried pitifully, and I agreed. I used my connections to get her into a auditing program at Harvard and used my ID to get her prenatal checkups done. Once the baby was cleared, we flew out. As soon as we landed in Boston, we found our bank accounts were frozen. It was Logan’s classic move. Starve us until we crawl back. He underestimated us. Lola sold her designer bags and watches. I had already secured a waitressing gig at a restaurant near campus. The neighborhood wasn’t the safest at night. One evening after my shift, I noticed a shadow following me. I gripped the pepper spray in my pocket, walking faster toward the main street taxi stand. Just as I reached the curb, a hand grabbed my shoulder. My heart sank. I spun around, aimed the can, and sprayed. “Hiss—!” A man covered his eyes with one hand. In the other, he held up a wallet with a Kuromi sticker on it. In fluent Mandarin, he gasped, “Student… is this your wallet?” 5 The man was Julian Grey, an actor. He was filming on campus, found my wallet, and followed me to return it. I treated him like a stalker. My pepper spray was the heavy-duty kind. His eyes were swollen shut instantly. He held my hand, looking pitiful. “Sister… is all medical student pepper spray this spicy?” I turned beet red. Out of guilt, I brought him back to the small townhouse I rented. Lola was asleep. As I washed his eyes out, I told him not to hyperventilate. His eyes were like a galaxy—deep and starry—now overflowing with tears and saline. “Sister, if I don’t breathe, I’ll die.” Feeling terrible, I worked faster. When I finished, I noticed his face was flushed, his lips turning blue. I touched his forehead. “Julian? What’s wrong? Answer me.” Julian gasped for air like a drowning puppy. “Sister… can I breathe now?” Pfft. He had actually held his breath the entire time because I told him not to hyperventilate. I couldn’t help but laugh, patting his shoulder. “Are you stupid?” Julian shook his head, looking at me seriously. “Sister, you finally smiled. Do you know you look beautiful when you smile?” I froze. It was the first time anyone cared if I smiled. 6 After my parents divorced, I lived with my mother, who had severe OCD and was a perfectionist. She was rigorous in life and work, and she demanded the same of me. I never dared to laugh freely like other girls. When she got cancer, she forced me to date. I chose the calm, mature Logan to please her. On her deathbed, she held my hand and said maybe Logan was different from her—that I should try to be myself. But in the year I lived with Logan, he was just as strict as my mother. He compared me to Lexi constantly. If I relaxed even a little, he’d scold me: “Susan, you’re a married woman and a medical professional. Can you be more mature? If you’re going to laugh like a schoolgirl, don’t come home!” I didn’t want to fight, so I became the person he wanted: serious, cautious, unsmiling.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387075”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

On the day his fiancée returned to the country, I confessed my feelings to him. He frowned, rejecting me cold: “Coco, you will only ever be my sister.” Heartbroken, I agreed to go on a date with someone else. Who would have guessed I’d run into my brother and his fiancée at the mall? I steeled myself and introduced the man beside me. “This is my boyfriend.” My brother’s expression instantly turned icy cold. Later, inside a dressing room at the mall. My brother grabbed my waist, pinning me against the mirror. He narrowed his eyes, enunciating each word clearly. “Didn’t you say the one you liked was me?” 1 When I was nine years old, my adoptive mother took me from the orphanage, and I became the adopted daughter of the Pierce family. “From now on, your last name is Pierce. You are Coco Pierce.” They treated me incredibly well. They taught me etiquette, sent me to school, nurtured my talents, broadened my horizons. They raised me like a true heiress. The staff would respectfully call me “Miss Coco.” Everyone said I was lucky, transformed overnight from an ugly duckling into a swan. But all these years, I’ve hidden a shameful secret. I’m in love with Liam. Liam Pierce, the eldest son of the family, my brother in name. He doted on me, practically holding me in the palm of his hand like a princess as I grew up. Living together, growing up together, I fell hopelessly in love with him. I secretly buried these dirty thoughts deep down, terrified anyone would see. 2 Serena was coming back to the States. Liam told me the news while I was eating breakfast. “When?” “Tonight.” I gripped the cup in my hand tightly. Tonight. No wonder he booked out the entire five-star hotel early this morning; it was a welcome party for her. I took a sip of milk, pretending to be nonchalant: “When is she leaving this time?” Liam was silent for a moment: “She finished her studies. She probably won’t leave again this time.” I didn’t make a sound, my fingers gripping my chopsticks turning white from the tension. Sensing my mood, Liam lifted his eyelids, his tone indifferent. “I know you don’t like her, but you’re not a child anymore. She’ll be your sister-in-law sooner or later. Tonight, do you want to come pick her up with your brother?” I didn’t answer. I lowered my head, burying my face almost entirely in the plate in front of me. A long time later, I whispered a response. “Whatever you want.” I’ve never been able to refuse or go against his decisions. Because he is my brother. At LAX. Liam and I waited for almost an hour before picking up the long-overdue Serena. She wore a pink down jacket and a cute, small rabbit fur hat. She looked adorable and playful. Seeing us, she jumped up and waved. “Liam! Coco!” Like a little winter elf. Four years passed in a blink of an eye, and she seemed to have become even more beautiful. I smiled and returned her greeting, but my fingers curled inside my sleeves, digging into my palms. She is the eldest daughter of the Wright family. A darling pampered since childhood. The incredibly prestigious Miss Wright in our social circle. But the reason I was jealous enough to go crazy… Is because she is Liam’s fiancée. On the way back to the hotel, Serena recounted interesting stories from her years abroad. Liam occasionally responded with a sentence or two. They talked and laughed; the scene was very harmonious. I pulled up my scarf to cover my face. Seeing Liam’s smiling face annoyed me. Separated for four years, barely contacting each other. Suddenly they have so much to talk about? The more I thought about it, the more annoyed I got. I pulled down my scarf and offered a “friendly” reminder. “Bro, stop smiling. You’re getting wrinkles.” The sound in the car stopped abruptly, and the atmosphere instantly dropped. Liam glanced at me sideways, his expression unreadable. I pulled my scarf back up to cover my face. Mmm, much better. 3 The welcome banquet was prepared for Serena. Most of the people Liam invited were from our circle, and they all knew Serena. They started flattering her immediately. “Oh my, Miss Wright is finally willing to come back from abroad?” “You came back this time to get married, right? You must invite me for a drink at the wedding!” “Congratulations, congratulations! A match made in heaven!” “Congrats to you two! Wishing you a happy union and a baby soon!” It was supposed to be an ordinary welcome dinner, but some blabbermouth started it. Everyone began congratulating them on the “wedding.” Liam and Serena were surrounded by the crowd and couldn’t move. Annoying. So annoying. My eyes swept over the red wine on the table. Gritting my teeth, I tilted my head back and downed half the bottle. By the time Liam extricated himself from the crowd to look for me… I was already slumped on the sofa, drunk. I heard a very faint sigh by my ear, and then I was scooped up into his arms. Today was a welcome banquet, drinking was inevitable. Liam had booked rooms upstairs early on. Drunk people could just go up and sleep. Who would have thought the first one drunk would be his sister. He carried me all the way to the room. After my butt hit the bed, I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly and wouldn’t let go. Liam’s voice sounded displeased: “Coco, you tricked me?” I slowly opened my eyes. I did drink half that bottle of wine. But because I drank too fast, it hit my gag reflex, and I spat most of it out. As if I’d get drunk. Liam’s eyes were very dark, looking at me with a hint of helplessness. “Making a scene like this, what is it for now?” I lowered my eyes, pausing for a long time before whispering: “Bro.” “After you marry Serena, will you not want me anymore?” Liam sighed, reaching out gently to tuck a stray hair behind my ear. “Coco, you will always be my sister.” I gritted my teeth. I know. I’ve been his sister since I was brought home by Mom at age nine. I was still his sister when he got engaged to Serena at eighteen. Even after he marries Serena in the future, I’ll still be his sister. I curled my fingers tight. Liam frowned slightly, his expression probing. “Coco, what is wrong with you?” I gripped the bedsheets. My heart felt like a tangled mess of hemp rope, twisted and knotted, impossible to sort out. Liam waited a long time but I didn’t speak. He pressed his lips together and straightened up. “Have a good sleep. Tomorrow, brother will take you to eat something good.” With that, he turned to leave. I reached out, grabbing the hem of his coat before my conscious mind could catch up. “But I… I don’t want to be your sister anymore.” “I like you, Bro.” Time seemed to stop at that moment. The room fell into a deathly silence. After a long time, Liam turned his head to look at me. I gripped the corner of his clothes tightly, like a condemned prisoner awaiting sentencing. He lowered his eyes, his gaze pitch-black, like the endless dark night outside. “Coco.” “You will only ever be my sister.” It felt like falling into the deep sea. I struggled desperately to swim up, but my limbs were entangled in seaweed, unable to break free or escape. They dragged me down continuously, to the abyssal depths. Pitch black, endless. Swallowed whole. The hand gripping his coat tightened and loosened, loosened and tightened. Until it ached so much, I slowly let go. Bit by bit, I forced the corners of my mouth up into a smile uglier than crying. “Just kidding with you, Bro.” “I lost a game of Truth or Dare. I had to confess to the first person who hugged me tonight.” “Didn’t expect that person to be you.” “Haha, don’t take it seriously, Bro.” Liam was silent for a long time before raising his eyes to look at me. Neither angry nor annoyed, his voice was cool and clear. “Don’t play that kind of dare again.” I kept smiling. “Okay.” He turned and left, the door slowly closing. Completely cutting me off. 4 It seemed like an insignificant little episode. I said it was a dare, and Liam believed it. We both tacitly chose to forget this incident. I was still the sister he spoiled and pampered. But I was terrified inside. I started gradually avoiding Liam’s kindness, deliberately avoiding being alone with him. I told myself ten thousand times a day he is my brother, I am his sister. We are impossible. I also started trying to accept new people and things. When Julian asked me out for dinner for the 12th time, I agreed. People say the best way to get over a relationship is to start a new one. I tried it, and felt people were right. Julian is a gentleman. He and I got along well in all aspects. We did everything little couples do. Movies, dinner, dates, shopping. Once, while Julian was accompanying me to buy luxury goods, we ran into Liam doing the same. The man’s features were cold and sharp. He looked incredibly noble. Beside him stood Serena in a black long dress. Looking at them like this, they seemed to be wearing couple outfits. I subconsciously wanted to leave. But Serena called my name: “Coco!” I turned around, steeling myself to meet Liam’s gaze. “Bro? Serena.” His gaze shifted to Julian beside me, asking calmly: “Who is this?” I quickly introduced him. “This is my brother, this is my sister-in-law.” “This is Julian, he is my… boyfriend.” Liam’s expression suddenly turned extremely cold at that moment. Run! My brain frantically transmitted this message. But Liam stopped me first. “There’s a small business mixer at the company tomorrow. Mom wants me to take you to see the world.” “Just as well, go into the store and pick a dress to wear tomorrow.” I wanted to say I had one at home, but stopped myself when I met his indifferent gaze. “Okay.” Liam picked the dress. A bright red strapless gown, the color exaggerated and flamboyant. I looked at Liam strangely many times. In Liam’s eyes, there were other colors? Wasn’t he always black or white! In the second-floor fitting room, after changing into the dress, I was about to call the assistant to help me zip up. The door was pushed open from the outside. I turned around, meeting Liam’s pitch-black eyes. Eye to eye, I was so shocked I forgot to scream. By the time I remembered, Liam had already covered my mouth and pinned me against the mirror behind me. Long fingers brought a cool touch. “Bro, what are you doing?” My voice was trembling. Liam narrowed his eyes: “Boyfriend?” “Coco Pierce, you’ve gotten bold?” Can’t I date? Just as the thought popped into my head. Liam grabbed my waist, pulling me hard into his arms. He enunciated word by word, a hint of gnashing teeth in his tone. “Didn’t you say the one you liked was me?” I froze on the spot. In that instant, I even forgot to breathe. “What do you mean?” Liam lowered his eyes. “Literal meaning.” I curled my fingers tight. Does this mean if I like him, I can’t like anyone else? He can get engaged to someone he likes. But I don’t even have the right to like someone else? I pressed my lips together tight. The fitting room was small, Liam’s aura overwhelming. Pressing down on me so hard I could barely breathe. I didn’t speak, he didn’t speak. Just staring at me. In the stalemate, Serena’s voice came from outside. “Coco, are you done changing?” I jolted back to reality. Pushed Liam away. “Done, I’m coming out right now.” Liam kept his eyes lowered, two cold words popping out of his mouth. “Break up.” I turned my head, saying spitefully. “Fine, when you call off the engagement, I’ll break up.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387074”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I’m a journalist who specializes in the minds of monsters. There was this one serial killer, call sign “X.” He’d butchered seven sex workers, gutted them like fish, and harvested their organs. Interviewing him was my white whale. I dreamed about it. Then the news broke: X was dead. Murdered. The guy who killed him? Ethan Vance. Here’s what I know about Ethan: We were classmates in elementary school. He’s a Ph.D. in Criminal Psychology. The guy was a genius, damn near perfect SAT scores back in the day. His girlfriend is an escort. His little sister vanished in the red-light district years ago. 1 I flew a thousand miles from Chicago to Seattle today just to sit across from Ethan Vance. Ethan is currently being hailed as a hero for taking out “X,” the twisted psycho who terrified the West Coast for five years. X was a copycat, modeling himself after Jack the Ripper. He’d carve an “X” into the victim’s face after removing an organ. Over the last decade, I’ve hit every major penitentiary in the country. I’ve sat down with hundreds of killers. They usually fall into three buckets: lust, vengeance, or passion. Then there’s the fourth bucket: The Deviant. Simple translation: I killed you, and I don’t need a reason. I still remember my first interview. The kid was 19. He killed a runaway foster kid in his rural hometown. I asked him why. He told me: “I was curious. I wanted to see what a human face looks like when the lights go out. What would he say? Would he twitch? Would he claw at the dirt like a dying cat, or whimper and cry like a puppy? I had to know. He was weak, alone. No mommy or daddy to save him. I lured him into the cornfield and shanked him right in the kidney. The look in his eyes… humans are different than animals. More pathetic. He held his side and ran, leaving this long, bright red trail through the stalks. I just walked behind him. Watching him stumble was hilarious. When he bled out and collapsed, I flipped him over. He didn’t look hateful. He looked begging. His last words were, ‘Please, save me.’ I carved my initials into him. I wanted to thank him for being my first. I wanted to be with him forever. To commemorate the occasion, I gouged out his eyes and hid them in the root cellar of my old abandoned house.” That interview stuck with me. But after a decade, the stories got stale. Same old motives. I needed something fresh. I needed a monster like that 19-year-old again. Then X showed up. The first body was missing a heart. An “X” carved on the cheek. The police thought it was a crime of passion. They wasted months looking for ex-boyfriends with “X” in their names. Three months later, another city. Another escort. Liver gone. “X” on the face. Six months later. Another city. Kidney gone. This time, the killer posed her. Legs together, arms crossed over her chest, eyes shut. He painted colorful wings on the pavement around her waist. From above, she looked like she was ascending to heaven. The victim had a brother who never showed up to ID the body. Later, a monk reported her ashes stolen from the temple. Victims four, five, six, seven. All escorts, all orphans. X started getting artsy. He nailed one girl’s palms to a wooden cross. He posed another like “The Thinker.” Then, silence. For three years, X vanished. Until recently. A body appeared in a dumpster. “X” on the face, heart missing. No art, just trash. The cops caught the guy in three days. The media cheered. But while everyone was celebrating, a drunk stumbled down a dark alley in Portland. He saw a woman framed inside a giant picture frame mounted on the wall. Her lips were stapled into a smile. It was a macabre Mona Lisa. Left breast removed. “X” on the face. A note was tucked in the corner: Dear Officers, I am X. I will not let some amateur take credit for my life’s work. The surveillance state makes it hard, but I had to come out to tell you: You will never catch me. – Oct 6, 2017. The handwriting was elegant. He punched a hard dot after the date, showing his rage. Surveillance footage from a dark corner caught a glimpse of him. One leg didn’t bend. He walked with a limp. Experts analyzed the gait. Eight out of ten doctors said the limp was real, likely an injury between the calf and thigh. Fast forward to 2020. October 6th. X is dead. And my old pal Ethan Vance held the smoking gun—or rather, the flower vase. I pulled strings. The Chief in Seattle loves my book, The Anatomy of Murder. He told Detective Ramirez to give me the green light. 2 Ramirez led me to the interrogation room. Ethan looked at me with genuine shock. “You? You’re the reporter?” “Surprise, buddy,” I laughed. “I’m kind of a big deal in the true crime world now. You’re a hero, Ethan. You took down X. I flew a thousand miles for this scoop. You got a lawyer? I know some sharks.” “No need,” Ethan said calmly. “I don’t need one.” “Fair enough. The internet wants you getting a medal, not a prison sentence.” I played it cool. Started with small talk to loosen him up. We talked about 5th grade. How he was the smart orphan kid everyone loved. How I shared my mom’s dumplings with him. We reminisced about catching cicadas in the woods by the graveyard. He used to have this stray dog, a mutt named Buster. I was so jealous of that dog. My mom wouldn’t let me have one because they were “dirty.” “I loved that dog,” I said. “Whatever happened to him? He live a long life?” “No,” Ethan said, his voice flat. “Summer of 6th grade. He didn’t come home. found him by the road with his skull cracked open. Adults said a car hit him.” “That sucks,” I said, shifting gears quickly. “Remember Old Man Jenkins? The guy with the limp? We used to steal his watermelons. I’d distract him, you’d grab the melon. He couldn’t chase us with that bad leg. He’d hobble around, shoulders bobbing up and down. Funny as hell.” We both laughed. The ice was broken. “So,” I leaned in. “How did you kill X?” “I already told Ramirez.” “I want to hear it from you. For the book.” Ethan sighed. “Fine.” Here’s his story: He went to check on Chloe (formerly known as Fang Xinyun), the girl X was targeting. He knocked, no answer. But he heard glass breaking inside. Worried, he kicked the door in. He found Chloe on the floor, an “X” drawn on her face in red marker. As he went to help her, a shadow moved across the floor. Sunlight hit it. He turned around. A masked man lunged with a knife. They fought. Ethan grabbed a heavy flower vase and smashed it over the guy’s head. The guy went down hard. Ethan called the cops. The guy was dead. One hit. Later, Chloe woke up in the hospital. She told the police the attacker was a regular client who was obsessed with her. He wanted to run away with her. When she refused, he snapped. He screamed at her: “I’m X! The police haven’t caught me in ten years! Since you won’t come with me, you’ll be my next masterpiece.” He knocked her out. Then Ethan arrived. 3 “That’s it?” I couldn’t hide my disappointment. “What do you mean?” “It’s so… basic. No offense, but I wanted X to be caught alive. I wanted to pick his brain. But he died from a vase to the head? It lacks flair.” “Life isn’t a movie, Jack. You have a weird fetish for ‘flair’.” “Maybe.” I wrapped up the interview, but something smelled off. The narrative was trash. Serial killer falls for hooker, gets rejected, tries to kill her, gets bonked by a nerd with a vase. It wouldn’t sell books. And wait—Ethan is a prestigious Ph.D. Why is he hanging out with an escort? I needed to talk to Chloe. I went to her apartment. She slammed the door in my face. I slid ten $100 bills under the door. Money talks. She let me in, but her story was identical to Ethan’s script. When I asked about her relationship with Ethan, she snapped. “What, a Ph.D. can’t date a girl like me? You men are all the same.” “Chill, I’m just asking.” “Get out! Take your dirty money and get out!” She threw the cash at my face. I crouched down to pick up the bills. That’s when it hit me. Like a lightning bolt. I stood up and looked around. The windows faced North and South. They were covered with frosted paper. It was the exact time of day Ethan claimed the fight happened. There was no shadow on the floor. Not a distinct one. Ethan lied. 4 Why did he lie? And is X really dead? I rushed to the precinct and told Detective Ramirez. Ramirez smirked. “Not bad, reporter. We knew he was lying. Honestly? We suspect Ethan might be X.” “What? No way. Why?” “His travel records. Over the last few years, Ethan has been in every city where X killed a girl, right around the time of the murders.” “Coincidence? He’s a profiler.” “Maybe. But when you stare into the abyss, right? Plus, his sister. Her file has been cold for years. We think she’s dead.” I went back for a second interview. “What is your relationship with Chloe? Really.” “She was my patient,” Ethan said. “Then my girlfriend. I was testing a new hypnosis therapy. Long-term, slow-burn suggestion. I needed a volunteer who would let me reshape memories.” “Hypnosis? You serious?” “It works. Chloe was scared of someone. She told me under hypnosis that a man wanted to cut her heart out. She wouldn’t give me a name. We grew close during the sessions. I fell for her. I went to her place that day to confess my feelings, and I walked in on the attack.” “Did the experiment work?” “No.” “Okay. Next question. Ramirez thinks you’re X. Your travel history matches the murders.” “I’m a criminal psychologist. I study X. I track him. I go to the crime scenes to profile him. I felt like I knew him. I never expected to be the one to kill him.” “Right. One more thing. You said you saw X’s shadow on the floor. I went to Chloe’s apartment. The lighting, the frosted glass… you couldn’t have seen a sharp shadow. Why lie?” Ethan froze. He opened his mouth, but Ramirez burst in and dragged me out. 5 Ramirez looked grave. “No more interviews. We found new evidence.” They found a shrine of X’s photos in Ethan’s house. The dead guy’s real name was Caleb. Caleb didn’t die from the vase. He died of poison. Caleb sent a text to Chloe before he died: “Run. Ethan is X.” They found microscope slides of human tissue in Ethan’s apartment. “I can’t let you talk to him anymore,” Ramirez said. “But if you want to investigate on your own… be my guest. Just don’t print those four points yet.” I went back to the hotel, buzzing. But something didn’t add up. Ethan said he met Chloe six months ago. I went back to Chloe’s. I harassed her until she slipped up. “What hypnosis? I’ve known Ethan for three years!” She slammed the door again. Ethan lied about the timeline. I needed to know about Caleb. The dead “X.” I went to Caleb’s apartment. The landlord was clearing it out. “He was a quiet guy,” the landlord said. “Had a girlfriend once, then she stopped coming. He got skinny. Looked like a skeleton recently. No way he killed people. He didn’t have the strength to open a jar.” The room was empty. Just a bed and a desk. I looked around, frustrated. Then I saw a picture frame on the wall. It wasn’t a painting. It was a slide puzzle. I started sliding the tiles. Head. Torso. Legs. Wings. Click. It formed the image of X’s third victim—the “ascending angel.” The frame popped open. A notebook fell out. I opened it. It was a list of phone numbers and cities. I called the first one. “Hello?” A woman answered. “Hi, um…” “Look, it’s $200 for an hour, $500 overnight. Condoms mandatory.” I hung up. Called the next. “I told you, I haven’t seen any customers with a limp! Stop calling!” I froze. The notebook was a directory of sex workers across the country. A photo slipped out of the back pages. It was a group shot: St. Jude’s Home for Boys – New Year’s Eve. I recognized the kids. It was Ethan. His little sister, Lily. And a third boy holding her hand. That boy must be Caleb. Ethan and the “Killer” grew up together.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387073”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After realizing I was the designated “Evil Villainess” of this story, I decided to stay far away from the gloomy, brooding antagonist. Why? Because for the next five years, we were destined for a toxic, love-hate train wreck. He was supposed to hate me for forcing myself on him, and I was supposed to resent him because I was in love with someone else. But just when I thought I’d successfully ghosted him… The introverted, socially anxious villain suddenly grabbed the hem of my shirt. His ears were burning red, and he stammered: “Hannah… c-can I… sleep with you? If I don’t… I’ll die…” Suddenly, a stream of live-chat comments floated across my vision: [LMAO, the villain has a condition where he needs physical contact with the villainess to survive! Who’s forcing whom now?!] [I declare this the greatest illness ever for an introvert! He never talks, but when he opens his mouth, he wants to bang!!!] [Bang or die trying! Such a yandere setting!] 1 I met Liam Thorne at a club. At the time, I was heartbroken because my childhood crush, Julian, didn’t like me back. When I saw Liam, I mistook him for a new host the club had hired. Without a word, I dragged him into a private VIP booth. The people inside started catcalling and whistling, while Liam stood there, completely frozen. He struggled, trying to break free, his brows furrowed in genuine anger. “Let… let me out!” I cornered him, slamming my arm against the wall beside his head. My other hand touched his chest ambiguously. The person under my hand trembled. His fake aloofness dissolved into fine, terrified shivers. “I’m not…” I pulled out a Black Card and pressed it against his lips, silencing him. “Drink with me. The money is yours.” My friends cheered from the sofas. “Hannah, you really are something. Even in heartbreak, you’re chasing tail.” “Hey handsome, our Hannah just got dumped. Take care of her, and we’ll tip you extra.” I found them annoying, so I kicked everyone out. I pushed Liam onto the sofa. His hair was thick and black, falling obediently over his eyes. A pair of thin-rimmed black glasses hid a gaze that was usually sharp, now panicked. I grabbed Liam’s collar and pressed a bottle of wine to his lips. Just as I was about to force it down his throat… A row of glowing text suddenly appeared before my eyes. [Here we go! The evil villainess is about to force herself on the Big Bad.] [This wine is drugged. It was meant for the male lead, but the villain gets it instead. Tonight, sparks fly. Later, it’s a pure hate-drama: she forces, he resists; she’s cruel, he’s vengeful.] [I love this toxic trope! Too bad they have a tragic ending—one dead, one crippled. Fits the character design though.] [The villain is the unloved illegitimate son of the Thorne family. Due to his environment, he’s currently a withdrawn mute. The humiliation he suffers today will be repaid tenfold in the future.] Wait. Drugged? I would never do something like drugging someone! I have standards! I sobered up instantly. My hand shook, and the red wine poured all over Liam’s collar instead of into his mouth. His breath hitched from the cold liquid. His deep eyes glared at me with stubborn humiliation. He bit his lower lip hard. His pale neck was stained deep crimson. His thin white shirt turned transparent, sticking to his skin. I scrambled off of him and coughed awkwardly. “Uh, um… I’m drunk. You can go.” 2 After Liam left, I sorted through my thoughts. Since our future ending was so tragic, I needed to stay the hell away from him. But you know how it is—once you notice someone you never cared about before, you start seeing them everywhere. Later, I found out he and Julian (the Male Lead) were in the same major. Since I was always following Julian around like a lost puppy, I kept bumping into Liam. “What are you looking at?” Julian leaned on the edge of the pool, following my gaze. Liam was soaking in the corner at the far end of the pool, alone. He seemed to see me. Although it was far, I felt his calm, deadpan eyes tremble slightly before he looked down again. College swimming classes were slack; everyone huddled in groups to chat. Because of Liam’s withdrawn personality, no one went near him. I looked away. “Nothing.” Julian narrowed his eyes, his gaze landing on Liam with disdain. “Him? The Thorne family’s bastard. Unloved. Heard you messed with him at the bar the other day? Nothing happened, right?” “N-no, nothing.” Julian looked at me inquisitively, then smiled that charming smile that used to make my knees weak. He brushed my fingers resting on the pool edge. “Come down and play.” [Ahhh stop flirting, Julian! You belong to the Heroine!] [It’s okay, even though the Male Lead and the Villainess are childhood friends, Julian hasn’t realized his feelings yet. He’s flirting without knowing it.] [Male Lead is for the Heroine. Hannah, just go lock yourself up with the Villain!] So, Julian was the Male Lead. In the plot flashes I saw, Julian wavered between me and the Heroine, flirting ambiguously with both. Our love quadrangle came with a heavy price. I retracted my fingers. “No thanks.” I needed to stay away from Liam and Julian. 3 I got up to swim elsewhere. But I heard a commotion near the deep end. “Yo, isn’t this the Thorne bastard? Why are you in class today?” “Did you do what I told you the other day?” “Why aren’t you talking? Mute?” A few guys surrounded Liam. Liam clenched his hands by his side, eyes cold and unapproachable. His back was slightly hunched, like a thin sapling trying not to snap in the wind. “Move.” The guys sneered. “Or what? Do you know who you offended?” They pushed and shoved. Suddenly, a look of agony flashed across Liam’s face. Before being pushed into the water, his gaze seemed to linger on me for two seconds. He didn’t seem to know how to swim. He thrashed a couple of times before sinking like a stone. The guys on shore laughed, not realizing the severity. Seeing the surface calm down, I dove in. I grabbed Liam underwater. His eyes were closed, his face cold and proud, like a sleeping prince frozen in ice. His upper body muscles were lean and tight, mesmerizing me for a second. Feeling someone grab him, he opened his eyes slightly, then closed them again. He looked in extreme pain, probably from lack of oxygen. He thrashed weakly, his whole body pressing against mine. No time to think. I pinched his chin, pressed my lips to his, and slowly gave him air. Liam’s eyelids fluttered. His withdrawn nature made him want to pull away, but instinct made him cling to me. I held the back of his head and gave him a full breath. We surfaced, gasping. Liam coughed, wet eyelashes drooping, chest heaving violently. Whether from anger or shame, I couldn’t tell. The guys on shore gathered around. “Hannah, are you okay? Why save him?” I climbed up, furious. “What’s your problem? If he died here today, none of you would get away with it.” “It’s not like he can’t swim. Why come to class if he can’t?” “Shut up!” Liam barely moved. Maybe he really was a terrible swimmer. Besides, with his personality, if he could climb up himself, he wouldn’t let someone save him. Let alone let me kiss him like that. But… his lips were soft. I rubbed my lips with my knuckles, lost in thought. [Ooh ooh ooh, reminiscing already?] [Wait, the plot changed? I remember in the original, Liam climbed up pathetically, and Hannah stood on the shore mocking him.] [Yeah, and nothing happened at the bar either.] [Liam CAN swim! What happened to him just now? Why did he sink?] [What’s with the Male Lead? Why is Julian looking at Hannah like that? He looks… dark.] I turned around and saw Julian staring at me. His eyes were calm, but strangely eerie. 4 I left immediately, putting distance between myself and Julian. Ten days later. Late at night, friends called me out for drinks. Before entering the booth, I heard Julian’s voice. “Jules, what’s going on with you and Hannah?” “Nothing. I was just mad she risked herself to save a random guy and left without a word.” “So concerned… seems like you care.” “Tsk, don’t talk nonsense. She’s just a little sister to me.” “Real sister or step-sister? We outsiders can see clearly.” “Shut up, I’m not an animal.” [See? I told you. Julian is just worried. He doesn’t like Hannah.] [Of course, Julian belongs to the Heroine forever. Hannah, go away.] The bullet comments were right. I turned and left. I went back to campus. Bored, I wandered around the track. Unknowingly, I walked to the outdoor basketball court. Someone was playing alone. Slow movements, long shadow. Jump, shoot, three-pointer. Swish. It was Liam. Makes sense. He hates people, so he plays at night. He didn’t play with the usual swagger of a teenager. His movements were precise but restrained. He stopped, took off his glasses, and lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat from his face. The glimpse of his lean waist was not only slightly erotic but also kind of cute. Remembering the spicy scenes from the original novel involving that waist, I shook my head violently. I stepped on a soda can. Crunch. “Who?!” Liam looked over alertly. “Just passing by! Leaving now!” “Wai—” We spoke at the same time. Liam seemed to be preparing to say something, looking at me nervously. Suddenly, he fell to his knees. He clutched his chest, his face twisting in agony. Eyes half-open, blurred with pain. Breathing rapidly like a dying fish. I ran over. “Liam, what’s wrong?” He leaned into my arms, sweat rolling down his cheeks. His wrist lay limply on my shoulder. He stared at me for a moment, as if gathering every ounce of courage he possessed. He choked out: “S… sorry.” Then he pulled my neck down, and his lips pressed against mine. A very clean, wet, hot kiss. Liam stayed obediently pressed against me, panting lightly, until his breathing steadied. I was stunned. Before I could react, I heard voices nearby. “Holy sh*t!” I looked up and saw a group of people… and a dark-faced Julian. “What are you doing?” Julian’s gaze was pitch black. His words weren’t sharp, but they carried a heavy pressure. “Little Hannah didn’t come to the party so she could make out here…” someone teased. Liam gripped my sleeve tightly. He turned his head, avoiding everyone’s gaze, but burrowed closer to me. His ears were bright red. I frowned. “You guys scared him.” [LMAO, the villain has a condition where he needs intimate contact with the Hannah to survive! Who’s forcing whom now?] [He learned to force a kiss without a teacher! But he kissed so obediently, scared and shy, hiding in her arms.] [Usually, it’s the guy holding the ‘innocent’ girl saying ‘You scared her.’ This reverse operation is so satisfying! Boss lady energy!] Liam and I stood up. He looked at Julian through his lenses. Amidst the timidity, there was a possessiveness I hadn’t noticed before. “Hannah, he’s an illegitimate…” Julian paused. “Even if you mess around, don’t mix with him…” “I don’t care.” I felt my hem being pulled tighter. Julian looked shocked. “You don’t care? Do you not care about me either?” I was confused. “Aren’t you my brother? Why should I care about you regarding who I date?” Julian choked. “I just… don’t want to see you with someone like him. Uncle Han wouldn’t agree either.” “You’re overthinking it. My dad respects all my wishes, Brother.” Leaving Julian pale-faced, I dragged Liam away.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387072”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I am the long-lost daughter of the richest family in the city. The day my biological brother brought me home, I had mud on my hands from sculpting. My foster sister, upon seeing me, immediately pushed me to the ground in disgust. Before I could even react, my biological mother slapped her across the face. “Who do you think you are? An adopted daughter dares to hit my own flesh and blood!” Damn! I like this mom. She’s cool. I’ve decided right then and there—I’m staying. 1 I am the daughter of the city’s wealthiest man, lost for twenty years. When my brother, Liam, found me, I was knee-deep in clay, working on a sculpture. He waved the fresh DNA test results in the air, hugging me excitedly. “Serena, you really are my sister! I knew I wasn’t wrong! Come with me! I’m taking you home.” I actually had an important mission to complete, and getting into the richest family would make things a lot easier. So, going back to “claim my birthright” and check out my new family was killing two birds with one stone. I got into the car with Liam, still a bit dazed. On the way, Liam briefed me on the family situation multiple times, terrified he’d miss a detail. He said the family had more money than we could ever spend, with businesses in fashion, food, real estate, and transportation. Mom called the shots at home, and she was a big deal in the business world too. Honestly, it sounded like he was just humble-bragging and hyping up Mom. “Besides Mom and Dad, there’s just me and you. Oh, and the staff—maids, cooks, drivers.” “Wait, there’s also the daughter of one of Dad’s friends. But she doesn’t matter. Just pretend she doesn’t exist.” My brow furrowed. I’d heard stories about lost heirs returning home—the first step is usually a power struggle. Life in a billionaire’s family is never simple. I looked down at my clothes, still stained with clay. Walking into a mansion looking like I just rolled in the mud? What kind of welcome was I in for? Thinking about it, I felt a strange sense of anticipation. From what I knew, this foster sister wasn’t just some random girl. 2 As soon as we walked in, a girl dressed head-to-toe in designer brands came running towards us. She beamed at Liam. “Liam, you’re back!” This must be the foster sister Liam mentioned, Chloe. Believing in the principle of “don’t slap a smiling face,” and considering we’d be living under the same roof, I put on a sweet smile and raised my hand to greet her. “Hi, I’m…” Before I could finish, she took a step back and shoved me hard. Caught off guard, I lost my balance and fell. Sharp pain shot through my ankle. “Liam, is she the new cleaning lady? Eww, she’s so dirty! Make her leave!” Liam rushed to help me up, looking at my swollen ankle with distress, then turned to Chloe, shaking with anger. “Chloe! She is not a cleaning lady! She is my sister, Serena! Show some respect!” “And you just pushed her for no reason! Apologize to her now!” Chloe’s eyes widened. She looked me up and down with disdain. “Sister? Her?! Liam, you’ve only known her for a few days. Who knows if she’s a scammer!” “Not just anyone can walk through our front door!” Liam helped me stand and shielded me, his gaze sharp. “She is my biological sister. I don’t hit women, but if you don’t apologize today, don’t blame me for being rude.” Chloe stomped her foot, indignant. “Liam! You’re yelling at me for her? I’m telling Dad!” What? What kind of logic is that? She was rude first, and now she’s playing the victim? I was pissed. Growing up, my adoptive dad never even raised a hand against me. Before I left, he told me I didn’t have to endure everything. Being a little feisty would actually fit my cover better. Nothing a good fight can’t solve. I steadied myself, rolling up my sleeves, ready to slap her. But a fierce figure rushed past me. Before I could react, Slap! Slap! Chloe took two hard slaps to the face. “Who do you think you are? An adopted daughter dares to hit my own flesh and blood!” My own flesh and blood? Is this my biological mom? Her swift, precise movements were cooler than an action movie star. Even cooler than my adoptive dad. I almost applauded. “Mom!” I blurted out. 3 “Aye!” She responded instantly, her face transforming into a loving smile. As if the fierce warrior from a second ago wasn’t her. She put her hands on my shoulders, looking me over again and again. Then she pulled me into a tight hug, tears welling up in her eyes. “Serena, you look just like me! Baby, Mom has been looking for you for so long!” “You’ve suffered all these years. Don’t worry, Mom will make it up to you.” Liam said I was lost when I was three. Mom and he never gave up looking for me. Finally, their efforts paid off. I was found and raised by my adoptive dad. He was a workaholic bachelor. Since I could remember, I never knew what motherly love felt like. I used to envy classmates who said “My mom said this” or had moms picking them up from school. Now, suddenly having a biological mom felt… amazing. Maybe it was blood instinct, but I didn’t reject her. I felt warm inside. Liam turned away, secretly wiping his eyes. I patted Mom’s back, comforting her. “Mom, Liam, I’m back. Thank you for not giving up on me.” Liam hugged both of us. “It’s good you’re back. We’ll never be separated again.” This scene triggered Chloe. Her face twisted in anger, muttering: “You’re all bullying me! I’m telling Dad!” Mom laughed, hearing this. She grabbed Chloe’s chin, looking at her with disdain. “Oh? Really? Go ahead. See who calls the shots in this house!” Just then, noise came from the door. A voice preceded the person: “I’m home.” Hearing this, Chloe ran to welcome him, throwing a glare at me before she left: “Dad’s back. You’re in for it now!” 4 Chloe threw herself into Dad’s arms, sobbing. “Dad, you’re finally back! Mom and Liam are bullying me!” Dad, let’s call him Richard, looked at Chloe’s face. “Chloe, what happened to your face? Who hit you?” “Come, let’s get some medicine. It won’t look good if it swells up.” He tried to take Chloe to find the first aid kit, but the three of us blocked their way. Chloe lowered her head, sniffing. Mom crossed her arms, staring them down. “I hit her.” Liam stood in the exact same pose as Mom. I looked at their expressions, a bit confused, and decided to stay silent. Liam spoke, his tone cold: “Dad, this is my biological sister, Serena. She came home today.” As soon as he finished, Richard pushed Chloe aside and trotted over to me. He squinted, looking me up and down with an expression weirder than an old man reading a phone screen on the subway. Then he looked disgusted and conflicted. “Th-this is my daughter? For real? Is she another gold digger coming out of the woodwork?” “And why are you all bullying Chloe? Don’t you know how pitiful her background is?” Huh? What? What kind of twisted logic is that? What does Chloe’s pitiful background have to do with me? I didn’t make her pitiful. Isn’t being separated from my mom for twenty years more pitiful? I was speechless at his reaction and looked at Liam for help. Liam shielded me, giving me a reassuring look. “Serena, don’t be scared. Just watch Mom.” Before I understood what he meant, Mom exploded. She grabbed a baseball bat and started chasing Richard around the living room. “Richard! Did a donkey kick you in the head today? Did you forget your meds?” “Gold digger? Liam personally handled the DNA test!” “Even without the test, look at her face! Anyone with a brain can see she’s my daughter!” “And you! Your daughter comes back and you don’t even care? You side with an outsider? Looks like you need a beating to straighten you out!” My jaw dropped. I could fit two eggs in there. Liam looked like he was used to it, signaling me not to worry. Richard was begging for mercy in no time, looking absolutely pathetic. It was hilarious. But I didn’t miss the flash of malice in his eyes when he looked down, or the venom in Chloe’s gaze. My suspicion was confirmed. These two were not as simple as they seemed. 5 That night, after updating my adoptive dad on the situation, I went downstairs to find some food. I heard rustling outside my door. Looking through the peephole, I saw someone lurking. As I walked down the stairs, I deliberately didn’t turn on the lights. I pretended not to see the stuff scattered on the steps or the person hiding in the corner. My foot slipped. Instinctively, I reached for the handrail. But a sudden push from behind sent me tumbling down the stairs. Shutterstock When I opened my eyes, I was in a hospital room with Mom and Liam looking anxious. “Serena, you’re awake! How do you feel?” “Does it hurt anywhere? You scared us to death!” Mom’s eyes were red as she hugged me. Liam was calmer. “Serena, do you remember how you fell?” I didn’t answer, but asked, “Where are Richard and Chloe?” “They said there was an emergency at the company and would come later.” I paused before speaking. “Mom, Liam, my fall wasn’t an accident. It was deliberate.” “What?!” they exclaimed in unison. I pulled out my phone and showed them the surveillance footage. “I was worried about conflicts with Chloe, so I installed a micro-camera at my door just in case.” The video clearly showed Chloe scattering beads on the floor. And when I slipped, she pushed me from behind. Mom and Liam were furious. “Chloe is evil! We can’t keep her in the house. She has to move out.” I held Mom’s hand, looking serious. “Mom, Liam, listen to me. Chloe isn’t as simple as she looks.” “Moving her out is just step one. She needs to be removed from the company too.” “This involves another reason for my return, but I can’t reveal too much yet. Please understand.” “Use our conflict as a reason to kick her out first. When I recover and join the company, I’ll slowly strip her of her power.” “There’s more to my disappearance years ago. I’m still investigating. Let’s not alert the enemy yet.” Mom and Liam exchanged a serious look. In the end, they agreed to my plan.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387071”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Ten years after high school graduation, an old photo of me and my first love went viral online. In the picture, we were in our school uniforms, fingers interlocked, smiling brightly at the camera. Smitten netizens started searching for us, only to be disappointed. We had broken up amicably years ago. He became the youngest rising star on Wall Street. I was forced to return to my hometown, working odd jobs to pay off debts, just another ordinary person struggling to survive. Aside from one class reunion, our lives never intersected again. That night, an anonymous question trended: “How are things with your high school sweetheart now?” A familiar username caught my eye— His answer was a single, cold sentence: “Seeing her doing poorly puts my mind at ease.” 1 My gaze lingered on those words for a long time. I was the one who helped Julian register this account back in the day. I even picked the username. And the profile picture was of our matching promise rings. The internet sleuths quickly identified him and pushed his comment to the top. “Holy crap, the guy from the photo showed up.” “Bro, you’re successful now, no need to be so petty, right?” “Didn’t you guys break up peacefully? Why the animosity?” Julian didn’t reply again. It was as if he couldn’t be bothered to explain a past relationship. I didn’t comment either. Holding my phone, I silently liked his comment. 2 The photo’s popularity lasted longer than I expected. Soon, media outlets reached out for interviews. No face reveal, just three questions. But they offered $3,000. I didn’t refuse. “How do you feel seeing that photo?” The host asked gently, “Do you have any regrets?” “No,” I said honestly. If not for this photo popping up out of nowhere, I hadn’t thought of Julian in a long time. A high school crush, no matter how deep, is hard to remember for a lifetime. Especially when I’m working 18 hours a day for corporate overlords. I don’t have time for nostalgia. “What was the specific reason for the breakup?” I was silent for a moment. “I gave him up for my future.” The host paused, instinctively asking, “Do you regret it?” I shook my head without hesitation. “Last question,” the host’s voice softened. “You both attended the class reunion last year.” “Did you speak to each other?” My heart trembled. 3 Last year, Julian came back to town. It coincided with our high school’s centennial celebration. He was invited and casually donated five million dollars. The class reunion was held around the same time. Halfway through the dinner, Julian pushed the door open. The big shot arrived, and the whole room cheered. Only I sat in the corner, feeling like I was on pins and needles. Without the school uniform, the boyishness had faded from him. Standing there with ease, his slightly smiling gaze swept calmly over everyone. Unreadable. Julian had other engagements and didn’t stay long. He symbolically drank a few glasses, didn’t even glance my way, paid the bill, and left. The dinner ended early. I found my electric scooter outside, wanting to deliver a few more takeout orders. It rained heavily that night. Rushing to deliver an order that was about to be late, I turned left before the red light and accidentally hit a car going straight. Seeing the Bentley logo, my heart went cold. The car door opened. Julian stepped out with an umbrella. “How are you driving? This is a straight lane; you’re fully responsible for turning. A scratch on a car this expensive means a full repaint at the factory, tens of thousands in repairs…” The driver looked at the scratched paint, furious and trying to deflect blame. A few steps away, Julian leaned lazily against the car, well-dressed, expression cold. His gaze swept over me occasionally, devoid of emotion. I apologized profusely. Desperately bowing my head, burying my remaining dignity under the heavy, oversized helmet. “What happened?” A pleasant female voice hit my ears. There was a third person in the car. A woman lifted her skirt and jumped out. Seeing my disheveled state, she frowned impatiently. “Mr. Rhodes, forget it. Don’t waste time on this small matter.” Julian didn’t speak. He lowered his eyes silently, lost in thought. The woman’s voice revealed a hint of difficulty: “You have to take me home to meet your parents tonight. If we waste time on this, what about your parents?” The sound of rain was clear. Then someone seemed to laugh. Julian looked at me, his tone cold and mocking: “Yeah, what about them?” 4 I was dazed for a moment. “What about them?” or rather, “What do I do?” I used to ask Julian this question all the time. What do I do if I can’t finish my homework? What do I do if I fail the exam? What do I do if the corner store is out of popsicles? Julian would laugh and mercilessly tap my forehead: “Mia, can you not survive without me?” It seemed so. Julian and I met in kindergarten and had never been apart. Whenever I encountered a problem, my first reaction was to find him. Because he would always fix it for me in the end. Before we broke up, I had never tied my own shoelaces. Julian often called himself my excellent manservant. Mine alone. Classmates joked that I was a keychain on Julian’s backpack. He took care of me wherever he went. Julian didn’t deny it. He just held my hand in his, playing with it while looking down. Thinking of something, he sighed softly: “Mia, actually, if we separate…” “I’m the one who won’t be able to survive.” 5 The woman speaking was named Sophie. She was Julian’s secretary and had been with him for years. Thanks to her, Julian not only didn’t make me pay but also arranged for the driver to take me to the hospital for a checkup. I breathed a sigh of relief. I have a sister who just started middle school this year. School is expensive, and it’s time to spend money. My mom’s health isn’t good; she’s always running to the hospital. After working for a few years, my savings were meager. Going into debt now would be adding frost to snow. While waiting for the checkup results at the hospital, the driver gossiped with a friend nearby: “Yeah, Mr. Rhodes took Secretary Sophie back to his hometown to meet his parents.” “Former colleague, future boss’s wife… sigh, some people are just lucky. Both from humble beginnings, but she’s about to fly up the branch and become a phoenix.” “It’s sudden though. I could tell Secretary Sophie liked Mr. Rhodes, but because of his first love, he never looked at other women… I don’t know how he accepted it.” “Yeah, maybe he moved on.” I got home very late that night. Exhausted, I fell asleep immediately. In my dream, I went back to the year after high school graduation. The acceptance letters arrived. I got into D University. It was in the south, while Julian’s school was in the north, thousands of miles apart. But getting into the same university was our goal since the beginning of senior year. Our SAT scores were only a few points apart. Without any accidents, we could have easily gotten into the same school. “How did this happen, Mia?” Julian’s eyes were red as he forced a smile: “You must have slipped when filling out the form, right? It’s okay. I’ll take a gap year and reapply. I’ll go to D University as your junior. It’s better than being apart for four years.” How could I have slipped? We checked each other’s applications repeatedly, terrified of making a mistake and being separated. I pulled my hand away and stepped back: “Stop lying to yourself.” Contrary to his pain, I was calm, almost cruel: “I changed my application on purpose.” The tall figure in my peripheral vision went pale instantly: “Why?” “To get away from you.” “Julian, I approached you just because I wanted you to tutor me and improve my grades.” “The person I really like is the class president next door. He got into D University with me. I lied to you until today because I was afraid you’d cling to me and fight for the limited spots.” “Julian, I beg you, don’t reapply to find me. Let me go.” I lowered my eyes: “I really don’t like you.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387070”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I work the night shift at the Red Moon Hotel. The base salary is $5,000 a month, and the tips are unlimited. On my second night, the hotel hosted a group event for a niche community of enthusiasts. I kindly handed each guest a copy of the hotel’s rules and regulations, only to have them laugh and toss them into the trash. At 9:30 PM, I heard their voices coming through the security monitors at the front desk. “Do we have enough this time? If we want one each, we’re still one short, right?” “It’s fine. Isn’t there a girl at the front desk? She looks like she’ll do.” “Yeah, we’re all going to try her eventually anyway. Don’t fight me for it! I get first dibs!” What they didn’t know was… The guest I checked in on my first night was already dead. 1 A few hours before my shift, I got a text from the manager about overtime. Hey Lin, we’ve got a group booking tonight. Please come in two hours early~ Don’t worry, you’ll get overtime pay~ If this were any other job, I’d be cursing my boss under my breath while pasting on a fake smile and replying, “Got it.” But this job is different. Base pay: $5,000. Tips: sky’s the limit. My first night, I walked away with over $20,000 in bonuses. But money isn’t even the most important thing. The most important thing is that this hotel is haunted as hell. Call me a coward. But if you were in my shoes, you wouldn’t even dare to curse in your head. I didn’t waste a second. I threw on some clothes and headed downstairs. That familiar, pitch-black hotel shuttle was already waiting for me. I got in silently, muttered a quick “hello” to the driver, and then kept my mouth shut. My shift runs from 10 PM to 6 AM. Tonight was overtime, so I had to be there by 8 PM. I wasn’t worried about being late. As long as I was in this damn car, the driver would get me there on time. I took a deep breath and started reciting the Red Moon Hotel Employee Handbook in my head. Rule 1: Employees must not be late or leave early. Rule 2: Employees must not leave their posts unauthorized. Rule 3: Front desk staff have the right to refuse any unreasonable requests from guests after check-in, but cannot refuse any requests from guests wearing VIP badges. Rule 4: Employees cannot refuse any request from any manager. Rule 5: Monthly staff meetings are mandatory. No exceptions. As you can see, only five rules. But these five rules are vital. Please remember, if you’re unfortunate enough to step into the Red Moon Hotel. If you’re unfortunate enough to work part-time at the Red Moon Hotel like me. Memorize these five rules. Never forget them. They could save your life! The black car stopped smoothly in front of the hotel. I got out and checked my phone. 8 PM on the dot. It was July. Even at 8 PM, it shouldn’t be completely dark. But within the grounds of the Red Moon Hotel, darkness had already swallowed everything. Only the hotel interior blazed with a blindingly bright light. The hotel manager stood at my station, smiling like a lifeless statue. She had a face on the back of her head. Her skin was ghastly white, even her lips were pale. Her whole face looked like a piece of waterlogged bread. Goosebumps erupted all over my body. I hurried over. “Lin, you’re here. We have a group event tonight. It’s going to be busy, so I’ll need your help.” I shook my head vigorously. “No trouble at all, Manager. It’s my job.” The manager pointed to the front desk, where a stack of bright red Red Moon Hotel Guest Manuals sat. “When you check the guests in later, remember to give one to each of them. Don’t miss anyone.” I nodded, a question popping into my head. “What if they don’t want it?” 2 A smile finally cracked the manager’s flawless, porcelain face. The corners of her mouth lifted at a steady pace until they froze at the highest point, forming a perfect, eerie grin. Her pitch-black eyes seemed to glint with an excitement that didn’t match her demeanor. Yes, excitement. “It doesn’t matter. You just need to hand them out. If they don’t want it, that’s their problem.” There it was again. That bone-deep chill wrapping around me. I immediately shut down my curiosity and asked no more questions. I went to the staff locker room and grabbed my uniform. As I took off my jacket, I felt two Hell Bank Notes in my pocket. A special reward from the hotel for getting two five-star reviews last night. Very ominous. But weirdly enough, right now, in this hotel, they gave me a sense of security. Like possessed, I slipped them into my uniform pocket. When I returned to the front desk, the lobby was empty and quiet. It felt like I was the only living person in the hotel. The Red Moon Hotel Guest Manuals on the desk drew me in. Driven by curiosity, I picked one up and started reading. Red Moon Hotel is honored to host your group event. Please observe the following rules. Rule 1: Please do not leave your room after midnight. Rule 2: If you need to leave your room or require assistance, please call the front desk. Rule 3: Please respect all hotel staff. Staff have the right to refuse unreasonable requests after check-in, but cannot refuse requests from guests with VIP badges. Rule 4: The hotel refuses all dine-and-dash, scamming, and freeloading behavior. Please pay for every service requested. Rule 5: You must check out before leaving the hotel, or face the consequences. Knock, knock, knock— “Hi there! We booked a group event. The name’s Lee. Could you check us in?” I looked up to see a girl with a round face, square glasses, and a long white dress. Like a little cream puff. I stood up and flashed my professional smile. “Of course. Happy to help. Could I have your IDs, please?” The girl, Lee, pulled out a stack of IDs. Sixteen in total, but they needed seventeen rooms. Sixteen standard rooms and one massive suite that took up an entire floor. “Lee, did you get scammed? A hotel this nice, seventeen rooms for only $900? Don’t play us!” A guy with green hair behind Lee looked around and spat on the floor. “I didn’t! It was a group buy online, used a coupon. If we need more money, I’ll pay for it.” Lee had a good temper, her dimples never fading. But Green Hair wasn’t letting it go. He looked at me with a sleazy grin. “Hey beautiful, tell me, is this hotel so cheap because someone died here or something?” My heart skipped a beat. A chill ran down my spine. He knew!!! 3 “Hehe, big hotel, just you at the front desk? Bet you’re scared, huh? How about I stay and keep you company? Ghosts, monsters, I ain’t scared of nothin’!” Green Hair reached out to touch my face. I frowned and stepped back. Just a pervert. “Roy, stop bothering her! I checked, this hotel has deals sometimes, and the reviews are all good. Keep messing around and if you get kicked out, don’t expect us to help you.” Lee’s face turned cold as she slapped Roy’s hand away. “F*ck! You think you can boss me around? If it weren’t for you…” Roy shut his mouth abruptly and slunk back into the group. Lee smiled apologetically at me. “Sorry about him. He’s got a foul mouth, but he’s not a bad guy. Sorry for the trouble.” Of all the customers I’ve dealt with, Lee was my favorite type. Reasonable, and keeps her friends in check. I warmed up to her a bit, my smile becoming more genuine. “It’s no problem. Please keep your IDs safe. Your room numbers are on the manuals. You can use your ID cards to unlock the doors.” As she took them, I added, “Please read the manual carefully. We hope you have the best experience.” Lee nodded and put everything into her large bag. I handed out the manuals to the rest of the guests. Unfortunately, not everyone was as patient as Lee. Roy didn’t even open his. He shoved it straight into the trash can by the elevator. “What a sh*tty hotel, giving guests rules. The customer is God! I ain’t reading this crap!” I stood there meekly, not reacting. Whatever. I didn’t even know if I’d make it out of here alive tonight. Warning them was the best I could do. Through the hotel system, I could see the occupancy rate. Just these sixteen guests. Or rather, probably only these sixteen guests tonight. Bored, I started snooping on their group activity. Normally, I don’t have this kind of fetish. But in this hotel, I couldn’t help it. I hate team building with a passion! But these people looked excited, not a hint of displeasure. I guess hobbies really do give you energy? I watched them enter the suite that took up the entire top floor. They methodically took out infrared detectors from their bags and swept every corner of the room. What the hell? Why so cautious? Something shady? No, no, that Lee girl didn’t look like that kind of person. I shook my head, clearing the dirty thoughts. “Hmm, no cameras. Lee found a good spot. We can come here for future events.” “Yeah, finally we can play freely. You guys don’t know how hard it is to hide usually.” What they didn’t know was that the Red Moon Hotel’s cameras were undetectable. Even the hotel itself was magical. I let my mind wander. Then, a conversation from the monitor chilled me to the bone. “Do we have enough this time? If we want one each, we’re still one short, right?” “It’s fine. Isn’t there a girl at the front desk? She looks like she’ll do.” “Yeah, we’re all going to try her eventually anyway. Don’t fight me for it! I get first dibs!” Me? They were targeting me? I frowned. What this group didn’t know was… The guest I checked in on my first night was already dead. 4 Beep beep beep— A white van pulled up outside the hotel, the door slamming shut so hard it almost fell off. The driver hauled out two large black sacks and walked straight towards me. “Miss, I’m leaving these here for a bit. Guests ordered ’em. Gotta run, but I’ll call ’em to come get it.” The sacks were wriggling, but silent. Seeing me stare, the honest-looking driver grinned. “Don’t be scared, nothin’ dangerous. Just some…” He was cut off by the manager, who appeared out of nowhere. “Alright, you can leave them here. We respect our guests’ privacy.” The man clicked his tongue, answered his phone, and walked out. “Take them to the back for processing, then help Lin deliver them upstairs.” The man behind the manager was also wearing the hotel’s black uniform. Unlike the manager who filled hers out, this man was tall and gaunt. He looked like a skeleton rattling around in his clothes. He wore a black mask, revealing only a pair of cold eyes. “Lin, this is the Logistics Chief. You two will deliver this to the guests.” “The Chief can’t speak to guests, so communication is on you. Also, if there’s any mess, contact cleaning immediately. The hotel must remain spotless. It’s how we respect our guests.” I nodded. I wouldn’t dare call it trouble. The Logistics Chief picked up a sack in each hand, gave me a cold look, and signaled for me to follow. We walked down the hall, past the locker room, to the Logistics Office at the end. The door opened, and a bone-chilling cold spilled out, wrapping around my ankles. “Wait here.” Leaving me with that, the Chief slipped inside and shut the door, sealing whatever was inside. Before I could think, the door opened again. The Chief was back. “Let’s go. Delivery time.” Was that even a minute? Probably not. What could he do in that time? The Chief’s voice was raspy and dry, calm like the manager’s. But for some reason, I heard a grit in his teeth when he said “delivery.” I’m smart. And I value my life. I didn’t say a word. Not a peep. I just followed him into the elevator. The group was on the 11th floor, rooms 1101 to 1116. The suite was on the 12th floor. This layout was different from my first night. But honestly, if the Red Moon Hotel disappeared tomorrow, I wouldn’t be surprised. The elevator went up. The Chief and I stood in silence. The two sacks of living things had been quiet since leaving the Logistics Office. Ding— 12th floor. This time, I walked out before the Chief. Knock, knock, knock— I knocked three times. “Hello guests, your delivery is here. Please open the door.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387069”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

After my divorce from Liam, I announced my retirement from the entertainment industry. The internet cheered, congratulating him on escaping his “misery.” Finally, he was free from the “bloodsucker” ex-wife. #LiamFree trended at number one. I gave a bitter smile and deleted all my social media accounts. I completely vanished from the public eye. Later, my diary accidentally appeared on a variety show. Only then did everyone realize. The only mistake I made in my life was loving Liam. 1. Four years after divorcing Liam, his fame was bigger than ever. As his ex-wife, I seemed to have been forgotten by the public long ago. On a talk show, responding to requests from netizens, the host brought up Liam’s new relationship. On camera, Liam looked gentle, a smile playing on his lips. He radiated happiness. The live chat was flooded with “OTP” and “perfect match.” Then, the host shifted gears. “Everyone knows Liam once had a failed marriage. I’m curious…” “Do you have anything to say to your ex-wife, Chloe?” At the mention of my name. Liam’s smile froze. After a few seconds of silence. He spoke calmly. “I’m grateful my ex-wife stopped harassing me, allowing me to find true love.” The chat exploded. “Does the host know how to do her job? Why bring up that jinx?” “Is Chloe trying to make a comeback? Such a clout chaser.” “The internet never forgets. I won’t let anyone forget that toxic woman.” In their narrative. I was the “cancer” of the entertainment industry. The host glanced at the comments and suddenly smiled. “A while ago, an anonymous netizen sent us Chloe’s old diary.” “Liam, do you mind if I read it?” Liam sneered, “Anonymous? She probably sent it herself because she’s broke and wants to whitewash her image to get back into showbiz.” His eyes were full of contempt. But he had no reason to refuse. The host slowly opened the diary— 2. August 12, 2018 Dear Diary, Tomorrow, I’m officially going to be Mrs. King. I’m rolling around in bed. Too excited to sleep. Since I can’t sleep, I’ve decided to do something meaningful. I’m going to write down the story of me and Liam. If I don’t record it while we’re young, how will I tell our kids about the good old days when we’re old? Dear Diary. Do you believe in love at first sight? Liam said the first time he saw me, he almost forgot to breathe. In that moment, the whole world stopped. He could only hear his own heartbeat. He mustered up the courage to ask for my number. His ears were as red as a tomato. Hmm. That description ruins the vibe. They were like the most vibrant sunset. To pursue me. He did a lot of silly things. He listened to his roommate’s advice and bought a book called “High EQ Responses.” You wouldn’t believe how funny it was. I told him I had a pimple. He quoted the book: “Wow, you’re bubbling over with beauty.” I laughed and told him he was amazing. He quoted the book again: “If I wasn’t amazing, how could I be friends with you?” There’s so much more. When we have kids. I’m definitely going to tell them about the embarrassing things their dad did. Liam’s arrival added so much color to my life. Most importantly. I was chosen. I remember my junior year. My scholarship grant was stolen by the class president. Helpless, I hid in the stairwell and cried. When Liam found out, he dragged me straight to the administration office. He shielded me behind him. He single-handedly debated the class president and the counselor. He left them speechless. He listed over ten pieces of evidence proving the class president didn’t need the money. He fought for me. And got me the grant. So this is what it feels like to have someone in your corner. My parents divorced when I was four. My dad hated that I was a girl. My mom blamed the failure of her marriage on me being a daughter. Thankfully, my grandma was willing to take care of me. I knew how hard it was for Grandma, so I never wanted to cause trouble for her. Even when I was treated unfairly, I tried to swallow it. Because of my family situation, I was often bullied by other students. I endured it for so many years. Suddenly one day. Someone told me he would protect me. Who wouldn’t fall for that? Liam remembered everything I liked. He knew I loved tomato hot pot but hated tomato-flavored snacks. He knew I liked my milk tea with 50% sugar but my fruit tea with only 30%. He knew I was allergic to eggs, so my breakfast crepes couldn’t have eggs. Even my grandma said, “Little Liam, with him by your side, I can rest easy.” With him, I didn’t need to compromise. I just needed to be myself. Dear Diary, you won’t believe it. As soon as Liam was legally old enough, he dragged me to get our marriage license. Right after we got it. He tore it up right in front of me. With a smug, mischievous grin, he said, “Chloe, without the license, we can’t get divorced.” “I’m stuck with you for life.” That childish fool. But I loved that childish fool to death. Attached is a love letter. Liam wrote it the day he confessed. When we’re old, I’ll make him read it to me again. After reading this page. The chat slowed down. No one expected this. That Liam and I had such memories. In everyone’s mind. Our relationship was always me clinging desperately to him. No one knew. We truly loved each other once. The host turned to look at Liam: “Liam, reading the diary, it seems you two were truly in love.” Liam stared unblinkingly at the diary. Countless complex emotions flashed through his eyes. After a long while. He said, “That was years ago. What’s the point of talking about it now?” Yeah, years ago. Back then, our love burned brighter than fire. 3. June 17, 2019 Dear Diary. Long time no see. It’s been super busy lately. Things are looking up for me too. One small role after another. Of course. My Liam is even more amazing. He recently landed the lead role in a small web series. The company forbids us from exposing our relationship. But I still snuck onto Liam’s set to see him. I wore sunglasses and pretended to be a fan. Unexpectedly, a crew member muttered, “Even this nobody has fans?” I was so mad I memorized his face. Wait until my Liam gets famous. I’ll slap him in the face with success. Liam saw me. The moment the director yelled “Cut,” he winked at me. That childish fool. Attached photo: Liam on set today. Standing in the snow, wearing blue and white robes, a black sash around his waist. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. But filming this show is hard on Liam. The budget is tight, so they can’t afford stunt doubles. He has to do all the fight scenes himself. He’s often covered in bruises. Before he can even apply ointment. He has to film rain scenes. It breaks my heart. I need to make sure he eats well lately. Liam is working so hard for our future. I can’t drag him down. Tomorrow I’m auditioning for the third female lead in the web series “Dreamlike.” Life is really looking hopeful. After this page was read, the chat went wild. “Sob, Liam’s path to fame was really not easy.” “My poor Liam.” “Wait, Chloe auditioned for ‘Dreamlike’? Thank god she didn’t get it, or she would have ruined the character.” The host saw the confusion in the chat. She asked Liam, “Liam, did you know Chloe auditioned back then?” He squinted in thought. A moment later, he nodded. “I remember she not only auditioned but passed.” This statement stunned everyone. Everyone knew. Although “Dreamlike” was a low-budget web series, it was a sleeper hit. Almost everyone in the cast got a career boost. And I wasn’t in it. The host pressed on, “Since she passed, why didn’t she take the role?” “For Chloe back then, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” “What could be worth giving up her future for?” Liam frowned. After a while. He shook his head. He really didn’t remember. Of course he didn’t remember. Because he was the beneficiary. 4. June 18, 2019 Dear Diary. It’s a small world. I went to the audition today. The director paired us up for scenes. The person reading with me was the girl who bullied me in high school. One look, and I felt like all my strength was drained. My legs trembled uncontrollably. Over the years. I’ve imagined countless times. The miserable state she might be in. Maybe broke and destitute. Maybe a failed career. Maybe tasting what it feels like to be bullied. I told myself this kind of person would definitely get karma. But she didn’t. She was still vibrant and beautiful. Wearing an expensive Chanel suit. The arrogance in her eyes was even worse than before. I fled to the bathroom. Splashed cold water on my face. I tried to force myself to calm down. But my brain uncontrollably replayed her hideous laughing face. My scalp started to tingle. Just like the feeling when she used to yank my hair. “Chloe, your grandma picks up empty bottles at the south side stadium, right?” “Do you think if we stole her sack, she’d die of anger?” “Ew, does your bra not fit? Want me to help you rip it off?” … For a long time, she was my nightmare. And the reason she bullied me. Was simply because I refused to help her cheat on a test. Seeing that face again. My instinct was to run. I even wanted to give up the audition. Hiding in a stall, I trembling video-called Liam. Hoping for a shred of comfort. The call connected quickly. I saw Liam’s swollen, red face. It looked painful. But Liam squeezed out a smile, “Chloe, what’s wrong?” My throat choked up. Suddenly I didn’t know where to start. Sensing my gaze. Liam covered his right cheek. Acting relaxed. “It’s nothing. Just took a few extra slaps in the last scene. Doesn’t hurt.” The actor next to him couldn’t help complaining, “That resource hog is the worst. Can’t act to save her life, making you suffer.” “Saying she hasn’t slapped anyone before so she can’t find the feeling.” “Bullshit, what is she pretending for? I see her hitting her assistant every day…” Liam stared at me lovingly, eyes bright. “Don’t listen to his nonsense.” He was always like this. Reporting good news but not the bad. Getting cut by wires but gritting his teeth through it. If I hadn’t. Seen his back while he was showering a few days ago. I wouldn’t have known how hard he went for the action scenes. Realizing I was about to cry. I quickly hung up. In that moment, I suddenly woke up. Liam. He doesn’t back down no matter how hard acting gets. How can I give up an opportunity because of fear? Right? Dear Diary. I can accept failure. But I can’t run away. During the reading, she obviously recognized me. I overcame my instinct. And won the role of the third female lead in “Dreamlike.” When the results were announced, my arm was rammed hard: “Well well, Chloe, you’re moving up in the world.” Meeting those dark eyes that once terrified me. I rammed my arm back. Hmph. Dear Diary. I, Chloe, am not afraid of her anymore. She told me to watch out. Bring it on. After this page, the chat was shocked. “For real? Who? Bullying? Who?” “Holy crap, is the ‘resource hog’ the female lead in Liam’s drama?” “My poor brother, sob.” “Wait, so Liam was right, Chloe really passed the audition?” “Then why didn’t she take the role?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387068”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Chapter 1 Five years into our marriage, my husband, Liam, fell madly in love with a college student. The girl was poor but proud. She rejected the black card Liam handed her, saying, “I won’t be anyone’s trophy bird in a gilded cage.” That single sentence made Liam obsessed. He chased after this college girl, causing a scandal all over the city, completely forgetting he had a wife at home—a wife he had wooed with ninety-nine love letters before she finally agreed to marry him. I didn’t cry or make a scene. Instead, every time he hurt me for her sake, I burned one of those love letters. When all ninety-nine letters were ashes, that would be the day I left him for good. The day the first letter burned was our wedding anniversary. He stood me up to sit in the boba shop where she worked, waiting all day just for her shift to end. The day the thirty-sixth letter burned was a stormy night. I had a fever of 104, and he dumped me on the highway because she was afraid of thunder and needed him. The day the seventy-second letter burned was when he took down our wedding photo from the living room wall and replaced it with a doodle she had drawn, just to make her smile. … The ninety-fifth letter burned on the day of an auction. Liam had accompanied me to bid on my mother’s necklace, the sapphire one she loved most before she passed. It was her legacy. But as soon as the auction started, he saw the college girl working there as a server. She glanced at the necklace twice. Liam immediately lit the sky lantern, bidding an astronomical price to win it, then gifted it to her in front of everyone. “I saw you liked it, so I bought it for you,” he said, his voice low and seductive. “Do you like it?” She was wearing a server’s uniform, pushing his hand away self-righteously. “Sir, I told you, I’m not interested in wealth, and I don’t want to be your mistress. No matter what you give me, it’s useless. Please take the necklace back and let me work.” With that, she turned and walked away with her empty tray. Liam wasn’t angry. Instead, he chuckled and chased after her, leaving everyone—including me—behind. My heart seized. I stood there, stunned for two seconds, then ran after them. On the windy deck, Liam was still pestering her. seeing she really wouldn’t accept it, he casually flicked his wrist… And threw the priceless sapphire necklace into the ocean. “If you don’t like it, I’ll pick another one,” he said, his voice impossibly tender. “I’ll keep picking until you’re satisfied.” He walked away with her without looking back, completely oblivious that… I was climbing over the railing, jumping into the dark, freezing ocean without hesitation. As the seawater flooded my nose, I suddenly remembered that five years ago, he proposed to me on a cruise ship just like this. He said, “Paige, from now on, even if you want the stars in the sky, I’ll pluck them for you.” But now, he could toss my mother’s legacy into the sea like it was trash. It took me all night to crawl out of the freezing water. I clutched the necklace in my hand, the metal gleaming from the saltwater, but my fingers were frozen stiff. On the way home, I scrolled through my feed. All the rich kids were posting about it… “Liam is really gone this time, chasing a waitress and making headlines.” “He didn’t make this much noise when he chased his wife, did he?” My finger paused. My heart felt like it was being strangled by a thin wire. Yeah. When he chased me, he wrote 99 love letters and confessed 99 times before I nodded. We went from high school sweethearts to walking down the aisle. Our marriage was sweet once. Everyone said Liam was crazy about me. Until the fifth year. He was at the hospital getting an IV, and he met a clumsy intern. She missed his vein several times, turning his hand blue, but he didn’t get mad. Instead, he stared at her flustered face and smiled. Later, he threw money, cars, and houses at her, trying to make her his mistress. But she rejected him with a face full of integrity: “Mr. Luke, I’m not interested in your money. Please have some self-respect.” She even came to me and said, “Please control your husband. Don’t let him harass me anymore.” Anyone else, and Liam would have exploded. But with her, he wasn’t angry. He chased harder. I confronted him, and he said nonchalantly: “She’s interesting. I’m just playing. When I’ve had enough fun, I’ll come back.” “Paige, I love you, but loving one person for a lifetime is too hard. You have to allow me a moment to wander.” I was in agony, but I couldn’t bear to leave him. So, I took out those 99 love letters and decided to give him 99 chances… Every time he hurt me, I burned one. When the letters were gone, I would be done with him. Right now, I flicked my lighter and burned the ninety-fifth letter. As the flames devoured the paper, I thought: He only has four chances left. When the car arrived at the villa, I saw Liam standing on the stairs, looking down at me as soon as I walked in. “You’re back? I need to talk to you.” I nodded and walked up the steps, defenseless as always. But just as I reached him, he suddenly reached out and shoved me hard! “Ah…!” I tumbled down the stairs, the back of my head slamming against the steps. Warm blood trickled down my forehead, blurring my vision. I was shaking from the pain, looking at Liam in disbelief. He walked down slowly, crouched in front of me, and wiped the blood from my face. “Paige, bear with it.” “She’s looking for a caregiving job… Only if you’re injured do I have a reason to let her move in.” Chapter 2 I never imagined Liam would go this far for Jenny. To chase her, he would hurt his own wife. I tried to speak through the agony, but darkness swallowed me. When I woke up, a sharp pain radiated from the back of my head. I struggled to open my eyes, seeing an unfamiliar ceiling, disoriented. “Mrs. Luke, you’re awake.” A cool voice drifted over. I turned my head and saw Jenny standing by the bed, holding a medical kit. She wore a simple white t-shirt and jeans, a high ponytail, no makeup, radiating youth. “I’m your caregiver, Jenny,” she said calmly, her tone detached. “Even though I moved in, please control Mr. Luke. If he crosses the line again, I’ll leave immediately.” My chest ached. How ironic. This girl moves into my house and tells me, the mistress of the house, to “control my husband.” “I want a different caregiver,” I rasped. Jenny acted like she didn’t hear me, pulling out a syringe. “I’m giving you an anti-inflammatory shot now.” First attempt, couldn’t find the vein. Second attempt, missed, causing a bump on my hand. Third attempt, she poked right through, drawing blood. “If you can’t do it, get someone else,” I said, my voice trembling with pain. Hearing this, Jenny’s eyes reddened instantly. She retorted stubbornly, “What do you mean? If my grandma wasn’t sick, you think I’d want to be here?” She reached for my hand again, and this time the needle scratched my skin deeply. Blood ran down my pale wrist. I couldn’t take it anymore and shoved her away. “Enough! Don’t touch me!” Jenny stumbled back, knocking over the tray. Glass vials shattered on the floor. At that moment, the door burst open. Liam strode in. “What happened?” His gaze darted between us, finally landing on Jenny sitting on the floor. His face darkened. “If I’m not welcome, I’ll leave!” Jenny scrambled up, red-eyed, heading for the door. Liam grabbed her. “Who said that?” Jenny struggled. “Your wife! I was kind enough to give her a shot, and she pushed me! I’m just inexperienced, didn’t you guys know that from the start?” Liam looked at my swollen, bleeding hand. A flash of pain crossed his eyes, but when he turned to Jenny, it turned into compromise. “What will it take for you to stay?” he asked softly. Jenny lifted her chin. “I hate rich people acting high and mighty. I want her to apologize.” “Paige,” Liam turned to me, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Apologize.” I looked at him in disbelief. “She butchered my arm, and I have to apologize?” Liam’s eyes darkened. “If you don’t want to, think about your parents’ company.” I went cold. “You’re threatening me… for her?!” “Paige, it’s just an apology,” Liam frowned impatiently. “You won’t lose a piece of meat. Do you really want to watch your parents go bankrupt?” In that moment, I felt a thousand arrows pierce my heart. I bit my lip until I tasted blood. Seeing Liam’s expression turn colder, realizing he was serious, I forced myself up. Enduring the humiliation, I bowed deeply to Jenny. “I’m sorry.” Jenny frowned. “Do rich people apologize so quietly?” My nails dug into my palms. I bowed again, raising my voice. “I’m sorry! Are you satisfied now?” Seeing Jenny nod reluctantly, Liam’s face softened. He carefully coaxed her to go get bandaged. The moment the door closed, I couldn’t hold on anymore. I collapsed on the floor, weeping silently. I pulled a yellowed love letter from under my pillow and lit it with trembling hands. As the fire consumed the ninety-sixth letter, I remembered sixteen-year-old Liam writing it. Under the cherry blossom tree on campus, the boy with red ears shoved the letter into my hand and said, “Paige, be with me, okay? I’ll treat you well forever.” The flame died out, and the door suddenly opened. “What are you burning?” Chapter 3 I clenched the charred remains of the letter in my palm, the residual heat stinging my skin. “Nothing. Just burning some trash.” Liam frowned at the scraps, seemingly recognizing something, but before he could think, Jenny’s voice came from the hall. “Mr. Luke, are you going to the party or not? If we don’t leave now, I’m not going!” I looked up. “What party?” “I want to introduce her to the circle.” He paused. “But she says she’s your caregiver, so she’ll only go if you go.” “Paige, just come with me.” I felt like I’d been hit by a sledgehammer. I laughed bitterly. “Liam, what am I to you?” He seemed stunned for a moment, then finally said, “Paige, I already explained. I’ve never met a woman so hard to conquer before, so I’m interested. You don’t need to be jealous. Once I get her and get bored, I’ll come back and live a good life with you.” I closed my eyes. My heart felt numb. In the end, he forced me to go. In the car, Jenny suddenly pulled out a few white pills. “Mrs. Luke, these are antibiotics. You’ll heal faster if you take them.” I stared at the pills, not reaching out. “Are you sure these are antibiotics?” Jenny’s face changed. “If you don’t trust me, I have nothing to say.” “Paige,” Liam frowned, immediately defending her. “Take the medicine.” Under his cold stare, I felt exhausted. I closed my eyes and swallowed the pills with water. In the VIP box at the club, Liam’s boys were waiting. Seeing them enter, everyone started cheering. “Liam finally brought Miss Jenny out!” “So this is the girl Liam dreams about? Truly unique!” I sat in the corner, watching these people who once cheered for us, my heart throbbing with pain. “Miss Jenny, Liam really loves you,” one guy laughed. “Ask for the stars, he’ll get them!” Jenny didn’t believe it. “Really?” They egged her on to test him. “Then… give me the most expensive car in your garage?” She pointed at one of the guys. Liam didn’t hesitate. He smiled and tossed the keys over. Everyone cheered. She tested him a few more times. Watches, houses. He indulged her. The atmosphere in the room peaked. “See? Liam is serious about you. Just give in and agree to be his bird!” Jenny looked stubborn. “Impossible! I will never be a kept woman! Say that again and I’m leaving!” Afraid she’d actually leave, they changed the subject and started playing games. Every round, they let Jenny lose on purpose. The dares were sitting on Liam’s lap, or holding hands. The tenth time Jenny lost, the dare was to kiss the opposite sex on her left for three minutes. Cheers erupted. Liam was sitting on her left. Her expression froze. She stood up abruptly. “Are you guys doing this on purpose? I’m not playing anymore.” “It’s just a game, don’t be so serious.” “Yeah, how could we cheat? Liam is worth billions, is he that childish?” I gripped my glass, watching the smirk on Liam’s lips. Why wouldn’t he? To create a chance to get intimate with Jenny, this billionaire would absolutely play childish games with his frat boy friends. The last time I saw him like this was when he was chasing me. My heart felt like it was being sliced by a dull knife. But what was worse was that my breathing was getting harder. I clutched my chest, realizing my arms were covered in a terrifying rash. It was an allergic reaction. But I was always careful with food. I couldn’t breathe. Hazy, I remembered the pills Jenny gave me. Amidst the jeering, Jenny quickly pecked Liam on the cheek. He clearly wasn’t satisfied. He grabbed the back of her head. “Call that a kiss? Let me teach you what a real kiss is.” The next second, I watched them lock lips, his fingers tangling in her long hair. He didn’t notice his wife breaking out in hives, gasping for air. “Liam…” I struggled to grab his arm. “Take me to the hospital… I’m having a reaction…” “Stop it.” He pushed me away without looking, his other hand still holding Jenny’s neck. “Please…” I tugged at his shirt again, my voice hoarse. This time he shoved me hard, pinning Jenny to the sofa to deepen the kiss. Kissing harder, addicted, intertwined. As he lost himself in the game, my vision blurred. I stumbled and crashed into the champagne tower. Through the sound of shattering glass, I finally heard Jenny scream. “She fainted!” Chapter 4 When I woke up, I was in the hospital. Jenny was sobbing outside the door. “What do I do… I didn’t mean to mistake the sleeping pills for antibiotics…” “If something happens, it’s a major medical accident…” Then came Liam’s gentle comfort. “Don’t be scared. I’m here. I won’t let anything happen to you.” “Even if they investigate, I can sign the waiver as family.” I bit my lip until I tasted iron. After a while, the door opened. Liam walked in. “What happened to me?” I asked, trembling. “Why did I faint?” “Low blood sugar.” Hearing those three words from his mouth, I heard my heart shatter. I remembered when we first got married, a socialite tried to force drinks on me. The next day, Liam tanked her company’s stock. When she knelt to apologize, he held my waist and said, “Paige, as long as I’m here, no one touches a hair on your head.” Now, I almost died because of Jenny’s “mistake,” and he was protecting the culprit! Liam, oh Liam. How could you hurt me like this? I was shaking with pain, but Liam didn’t notice a thing. Seeing I was “fine,” he stood up impatiently. “Jenny was scared all night because of you. I’m taking her home. I’ll come back later.” But for the next few days, I never saw him. I only saw on Instagram that he took Jenny to the beach, to concerts, to all the places we promised to go but never did. The day I was discharged, Liam finally appeared. He leaned against the car holding a bouquet of chrysanthemums. Seeing me, he handed them over. “Been busy with work. Today is your mom’s death anniversary. I’ll go with you.” I took the flowers silently, then realized Jenny was in the car too. I sat in the back, ignoring them, watching the scenery fly by. I remembered my mom’s last words: “Paige, I just hope you find someone who truly loves you.” I touched the three remaining love letters in my bag and thought bitterly: Mom, I think I picked the wrong guy. At the cemetery, before I could even pay my respects, I got hit with bad news. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Carter. The recent rains caused landslides. We need to relocate the graves in this section…” I gripped my bag, knuckles white. Mom loved peace and quiet. Now she couldn’t even rest in death. Liam appeared behind me, signing the paperwork the staff handed him. “Paige, go bring the urn down. I’ll handle the relocation procedures.” I nodded and walked up the hill. Rain soaked the stone steps. I dragged my weak body up, every step like walking on knives. Staff had already opened the grave. I knelt in the mud and lifted out the urn. A simple sandalwood box carved with her name… Eleanor Carter. “Your mom must have been beautiful,” Jenny said suddenly, reaching out. “Mrs. Luke, let me help you carry it.” “No need.” I turned sideways to avoid her, carefully walking down the hill with the box. But then, Jenny screamed. “Ah! A bug!” In her panic, she slammed into me. I was caught off guard and tumbled down the stairs. I hugged the urn tight, my back slamming against the stone steps. Pain blinded me. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to!” Jenny ran down frantically. “Let me help you pick it up!” She reached for the urn. Before I could stop her, she slipped… Smash! The urn hit the ground hard and shattered. Grey ashes spilled everywhere, instantly soaked by the rain. “I’m sorry! I… I’ll clean it up!” Jenny scrambled to scoop up the ashes, but she only made a bigger mess. Washed away by the rain, my mother’s ashes disappeared into the mud. I shook violently. I couldn’t hold it back anymore. I slapped her. “Enough! You did that on purpose!” Jenny clutched her face, tears flowing instantly. “I didn’t! I just wanted to help! I’m clumsy, but I had good intentions! Why did you hit me? I’m poor, but I won’t let you humiliate me like this!” “You just lost your mom’s ashes, but I lost my dignity!” Despair rushed to my head. I raised my hand again, but a strong grip stopped me. Liam appeared out of nowhere, grabbing my wrist. “Paige! What are you doing?” Jenny finally spoke, crying like a pear blossom in the rain. “I just tried to help her move the urn… I accidentally spilled it… and she hit me…” “If you guys can’t tolerate me, I’ll just leave.” She took a step, and Liam pulled her into his arms. “Don’t go. I’ll get justice for you.” Then, he looked at me coldly. “Apologize!” Rain mixed with tears on my face. I watched him tenderly wipe Jenny’s tears while yelling at me to apologize. It felt like someone carved a piece of my heart out. I stared at him, lips trembling. “Liam, did you hear me? She smashed my mother’s urn!” “That’s no reason to hit her!” Liam’s voice was colder than the rain. He grabbed Jenny’s wrist. “Don’t be scared. Since she won’t apologize and she hit you, hit her back.” My pupils shrank. Before I could react, I saw Liam’s large hand guide Jenny’s, slapping me with thunderous force. Slap! This slap was ten times harder than mine. Chapter 5 I stumbled back, the world spinning. My lower back hit a tombstone, knees slamming onto the stone steps. Sharp pain exploded through my body. But it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. The tearing agony made it hard to breathe. Liam didn’t even look at me. He just wiped the rain from Jenny’s face. “Feel better?” Only when he heard her sob a “Yeah” did he sigh in relief. He wrapped his jacket around her and picked her up. Turning away, his leather shoes crushed the scattered ashes into the mud, leaving a glaring footprint. I sat in the rain, shaking with pain. I reached out with trembling hands, trying to scoop up the grey powder, but the rain washed it away too fast. Just like my love for Liam. Slipping through my fingers. “Mom, I was wrong…” I choked out. “I married the wrong man. I shouldn’t have married him…” After collecting what little ash remained, I took the ninety-seventh letter from my bag and lit it with shaking hands. As the fire ate the paper, I remembered Liam promising my sick mother: “Don’t worry, I’ll protect Paige with my life. I won’t let anyone bully her.” Liam. So helping another woman beat me is your way of protecting me? I regret it. I regret loving you so much. I had a fever all night. I dreamed I was sinking into the cold ocean. My mother’s ashes fell like snow around me. I tried to catch them, but I couldn’t. “Paige… Paige…” Someone was calling me. I struggled to open my eyes. I wasn’t in bed. I was in a speeding car. Outside, the scenery blurred. Liam gripped the steering wheel, his face grim. “Liam…” my voice was wrecked. “Where are you taking me?” He didn’t look at me. “Jenny was kidnapped.” I froze. My brain slowly rebooted. “So?” “The kidnapper asked for you.” He finally glanced at me. “It’s Zeke.” Zeke. That name was a knife. The psycho who stalked me until Liam ran him out of town. “You… you’re trading me for Jenny?” My voice shook. Liam tightened his grip on the wheel. “Zeke used to like you. He won’t hurt you.” I felt like I fell into an ice cave. I struggled to open the door, but my hands were tied under the seatbelt. “Liam!” I screamed. “Are you crazy? You know what kind of person Zeke is!” “Paige, calm down.” His voice was terrifyingly calm. “Once I get Jenny back, I’ll come save you immediately.” The car stopped at an abandoned warehouse. “I brought her.” Liam pushed me forward. “Where’s Jenny?” Zeke snapped his fingers. Two goons brought Jenny out. She was messy, tear-stained. Seeing Liam, her eyes lit up. “Mr. Luke!” Liam let go of me instantly and rushed to hug her. “It’s okay. I’m here.” I stood there, freezing. I watched him check her for injuries. I watched him wipe her tears. I watched him not give me a single glance. “Liam!!!” I screamed. He finally turned back. “Don’t be scared. I’ll come back for you soon.” Then, he put his arm around Jenny and walked away. Without looking back. I tried to run after them, but Zeke grabbed my wrist. “Long time no see, Miss Carter.” His breath on my ear made me shudder. Zeke shoved me into a car and drove straight to a hotel. The moment the door closed, he threw me onto the bed. Chapter 6 “Liam is generous,” he loosened his tie. “Hand-delivering a beauty like you.” I fought, but he overpowered me easily. He pressed down on me, tracing my cheek. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted you?” “Get off me…” I shook. “Don’t touch me…” Seeing my fear, Zeke laughed. “Tell you what. I’ll give you a chance. Call Liam. If he answers, I’ll let you go.” Trembling, I dialed Liam’s number. Once, twice, three times… Over a hundred calls. None answered. “See that, Paige? You’re worthless to him now.” “Be with me. I’ll make you happy.” Zeke grinned and leaned in, tearing at my dress. Just as he was about to violate me, I snapped. I grabbed a vase from the nightstand and smashed it over his head. He grunted and collapsed. I ran. It was pouring rain. I stumbled home. Soaked, bruised. Pushing open the door, I saw Jenny crying in Liam’s arms. “Did you really risk your wife’s life for me?” Liam wiped her tears. “Yes. You’re the most important thing to me.” Jenny cried harder. He cupped her face helplessly. “Baby, you’re safe now. Why are you still so scared?” “Who wouldn’t be scared after being kidnapped…” Liam smirked. “I know a way to make you not scared.” “I don’t believe you…” “Let me try?” He smiled. Then, Liam kissed her, pressing her onto the sofa. I watched, feeling my heart being carved out. I turned and walked back into the rain. I ran until I reached the old house. This was where we grew up. Our families were close. We lived in neighboring villas. Rain dripped from my hair. I walked to the old oak tree in the backyard. I remembered when we were eighteen, we buried a time capsule here. We promised to dig it up in ten years. “Paige, in ten years we’ll definitely be married.” Teenage Liam smiled brightly, putting a letter in the tin box. “I wrote a letter to my future self, telling him to love you forever.” I knelt in the mud, digging with my bare hands. My nails broke, fingers bled. I didn’t feel it. The box was rusty, but the letter was intact. I unfolded the paper with trembling hands. Teenage Liam’s neat handwriting jumped out: “To 28-year-old Liam: If you dare stop loving Paige, 18-year-old me will never forgive you. Remember, she is your life.” Rain blurred the ink. I pressed the letter to my chest and sobbed. I missed the boy who blushed giving me love letters. I missed the Liam who swore to protect me. “He broke his promise… he broke his promise…” I cried to the air, as if the boy could hear me. I sat there until the rain stopped. Then, I took the ninety-eighth letter from my bag and lit it.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “387067”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel