After closing a deal worth over a hundred million dollars, I was thrilled. I pulled out my cherished heirloom pottery tea set, ready to prepare tea for our esteemed client. But my girlfriend’s male secretary, Jason Vance, abruptly flipped the table over. He pointed a finger at my face, seething with rage: “Are you out of your mind?! Using this trash tea set to serve a client?” Watching the shattered pieces scatter across the floor, I was so furious I slapped him. “Do you have any idea how many lifetimes it would take you to pay for this set?!” But my girlfriend, Serena Hayes, rushed to shield him, glaring at me. “You lunatic! It’s just some broken junk, what’s the big deal? Jason saved your butt, he stopped the bleeding! How could you hit him?!” “Don’t even think about this project anymore. From now on, Jason will take over!” I laughed, a cold, bitter sound. These two idiots had no clue. The client had signed the contract out of respect for *me* and *this tea set*! I glanced at the scattered fragments and felt a strange sense of release. “Fine. It’s all yours.” … I stared at the broken pieces, my heart bleeding. This pottery tea set was my great-grandmother’s legacy. My great-grandmother was a renowned ceramist and tea master; her tea set was so unique and priceless, it had no real market value. And Mrs. Sterling, the client we’d just signed with, held immense admiration for my great-grandmother’s character and her tea ceremony expertise. It was precisely because of this that she had placed so much trust in our partnership. Now, the symbolic item that maintained that trust had been destroyed by these two ignorant fools. I took a deep breath, turned around, and couldn’t stand to look at them for another second. Whoever wants to clean up this mess can have it! But Serena was clearly displeased with my attitude. She interpreted it as a silent protest, a direct challenge to her authority. “Liam Montgomery, stop right there! What kind of attitude is that? You’ve messed up, and you’re showing no remorse.” “You’ve completely embarrassed the company! Luckily, Jason and I discovered it in time, otherwise, you would have completely messed up this deal!” Jason, hiding behind her, looked incredibly wronged, his voice laced with a slight sob. “Ms. Hayes, don’t blame Liam. It’s my fault for speaking out. I was just worried that this cheap tea set would reflect poorly on you and the company…” “What does he know about image?!” Serena’s gaze grew even more disdainful. “All he cares about is his own so-called achievements. He’s never once put me, the General Manager, in my place!” I finally understood. None of this today was about the tea set, or the client. This was simply Serena’s long-simmering resentment, finally exploding, with Jason as the fuse. She was the young heiress of this company, its future successor. I was her most capable executive, personally recruited by her. Yet, I held ninety percent of its core operations and connections. Her role as General Manager was, frankly, a figurehead position. I had never looked down on her. In fact, to spare her ego, I always maintained her authority in public. But it seemed my efforts to support her were interpreted as me looking down on her. She didn’t need a highly capable boyfriend. She needed a yes-man like Jason, someone who would constantly look up to her and feed her need for control. But I would never be a yes-man, and I had no respect for a woman like that. Understanding this, the suffocating anger in my chest began to ease. I looked at her flushed face and said calmly, “Serena, get your head straight before you talk to me. I don’t deal with idiots.” “So, we’re done.” Serena froze for a moment, then roared: “Liam Montgomery, you think you’re so tough now? Fine, break up then! Guys line up for me from Paris to France! I don’t need you!” I almost laughed out loud. Her brain truly was empty. Paris *is* in France. She continued to yell, “You think you’re so hard-headed? Then you’re out as project lead! From now on, Jason is fully in charge of The Pinnacle Project! Now get your ass to the logistics department and reflect on what you’ve done!” As she finished, a smug grin crept onto Jason’s lips. I smiled. Trying to sideline me? Pfft. Typical move for a bunch of incompetents. I looked around at the stunned colleagues who had fallen silent, and raised my voice: “Alright then. From this moment on, all profits and losses for The Pinnacle Project have nothing to do with me.” “Ms. Hayes is truly a visionary leader, and Mr. Vance’s talents are simply unparalleled! I’m confident they’ll lead you all to new heights of glory.” With that, I picked up my ID badge from the desk and snapped it cleanly in two. “I quit! I’m out of here!” My decisive actions clearly took Serena by surprise. She stood frozen, her face pale. Seeing this, Jason quickly patted Serena’s back, trying to calm her, and urgently pleaded, “Ms. Hayes, please don’t be angry. Liam must have acted on impulse. It’s all my fault! How about I go apologize to Liam? As long as he calms down…” “Apologize for what?!” Publicly defied by me, she was mortified and enraged, shoving Jason away. “He’s digging his own grave, nobody can stop him! It’s better if he leaves! I’d like to see if he can survive without the company!” I couldn’t be bothered to watch their farce any longer. I turned and walked back to my desk, starting to pack my things. My thoughts drifted back. Serena had personally recruited Jason, claiming she was impressed by his quick wit. From that day on, everything changed. She would remember the limited edition sneakers Jason casually mentioned, going out of her way to have someone queue up to buy them. Yet she would forget our anniversary. She would stir up trouble and jeopardize partnerships when a client spoke harshly to Jason. But when I worked through consecutive all-nighters for a project, suffering from stomach problems, she would impatiently say, “What successful man isn’t working hard?” The most heartbreaking incident was my birthday last month. I eagerly booked a restaurant, waiting for her, but she called to say she had a sudden urgent matter and told me to eat without her. That very evening, I saw Jason’s Ins Story. A photo of a luxury car’s steering wheel, with an exquisite gift box on it, captioned: **[Thanks, boss, for the birthday surprise! New ride, acquired!]** In the corner of the photo, a woman’s hand was visible. The watch on her wrist was the one I’d given Serena for her birthday. Turns out, her “urgent matter” was celebrating another man’s birthday. At that moment, my heart died. The only reason I’d maintained the relationship was to avoid letting personal issues affect the company’s stability. But now, I realized how ridiculous I’d been. My so-called consideration for the big picture was, in their eyes, nothing but weakness and gullibility. “Liam…” My colleague, Mark, walked over, handing me a cardboard box, his eyes full of worry. “I’ve packed your things for you. Are you really leaving?” “Ms. Hayes is too biased! Jason, a male secretary, what does he know about project management? That’s a hundred-million-dollar contract!” I smiled at him, taking the box. “It’s fine. Just a couple of clowns. Their act won’t last long.” Serena, that incompetent rich kid, only saw the immediate flattery. She thought closing deals was about drinks and gifts, or having a sweet-talking, proactive secretary. She didn’t understand that truly top-tier business was about relationships, networks, and cultural understanding. He turned pale with worry. “But what about the project? Something’s bound to go wrong without you!” I patted his shoulder, lowering my voice: “A mess like this naturally attracts people who can clean it up. Just stay out of it and enjoy the show.” I said no more, carrying the box and heading straight for the elevator without looking back. Just as the elevator doors were about to close, I heard Jason’s fawning voice. “Serena, about Mrs. Sterling… what do we do now?” Serena’s voice was full of arrogance: “We show her our true strength, of course!” “Contact Mrs. Sterling’s assistant immediately. Tell her I’m hosting a grand welcoming dinner tonight! Remember, make it a lavish affair, let her see who the real owner of this company is!” The elevator doors slowly closed, and a cold smile touched my lips. Serena, you’re walking into your doom and you don’t even realize it. The first thing I did after leaving the company was to go to Eatonwood. I wanted to see if I could find a suitable artisan to repair the shattered tea set. That tea set was crafted and gifted by a legendary pottery master to my great-grandmother during one of their profound discussions. It was not just priceless but also a testament to a legendary friendship. I had just settled into a familiar tea shop when Mark’s call came through. His voice was barely a whisper: “Liam, something’s happened! That idiot, Jason, held a project follow-up meeting today. He was pointing fingers at your data model, saying your design concept was too conservative and needed to be completely overhauled, with more modern commercial elements added.” “And Ms. Hayes kept praising him for his ideas and boldness!” “Let him go ahead.” I said calmly, “The core selling points of The Pinnacle Project are its Eastern Zen philosophy and humanistic touch, discreetly integrated into the bustling city. If he changes it into a commercial complex, do you think Mrs. Sterling will throw him and the contract out?” “But I’m worried…” “Don’t worry,” I cut him off. “Just wait and watch. In less than three days, they’ll be crying and begging for me.” After hanging up, the owner of the tea shop, Grandma Elsie, walked over with a smile. “Liam, still worrying about company matters?” “Grandma Elsie,” I quickly rose, “Not at all. I just heard a funny story.” Grandma Elsie was a lifelong friend of my great-grandmother’s and is now the undisputed authority in the world of fine pottery. I carefully took out the tea set fragments and placed them on a velvet-covered table. Grandma Elsie took one look and sighed deeply, her eyes filled with sorrow. “Oh, a masterpiece by a renowned pottery artist, destroyed by some clueless fool?” “I didn’t protect it well enough,” I said, feeling ashamed. Grandma Elsie put on her reading glasses, picked up a fragment, and examined it closely. After a long moment of contemplation, she said: “Repairing it is possible, but it won’t ever be the same. And there are only a handful of people in the country who can do this kind of work, and they’re all notoriously eccentric.” “Money is no object,” I stated firmly. “Whatever the cost, as long as it can be repaired, I’m willing to pay any price.” Grandma Elsie nodded. “I’ll contact an old friend of mine. If she’s willing to take it on, there’s still hope for this teapot. You can stay here with me and wait for news.” “Thank you, Grandma Elsie.” Meanwhile, Serena and Jason were frantically preparing for the welcoming dinner. Jason imperiously ordered the finest wines and an exorbitantly priced gift, supposedly air-freighted from Switzerland. “Jason, you’re always so thoughtful.” Serena watched his busy figure, nodding with satisfaction. “Unlike some people, so petty, always clutching that old junk tea set, absolutely no class!” Jason laughed heartily: “Liam and I are definitely different, aren’t we? For a distinguished guest like Mrs. Sterling, we should show the highest level of courtesy. That truly shows our sincerity.” As the two complimented each other, the front desk called. “Ms. Hayes, Mrs. Sterling’s car is downstairs!” Serena’s spirits lifted, and she said to Jason, beaming with pride: “Let’s go, we’ll welcome our VIP client! Let her see what true professionalism looks like!” The two, along with several department heads, grandly proceeded to the company’s main entrance. A black Rolls-Royce slowly pulled up, the driver opened the door, and a distinguished-looking elderly woman stepped out. It was Mrs. Sterling. “Mrs. Sterling! Welcome, welcome! I’m Serena Hayes, the General Manager of this company, and this is my secretary, Jason Vance. You must be tired from your journey!” Serena greeted her with a broad smile, extending her hand. Mrs. Sterling merely gave her a brief handshake, her gaze scanning the crowd. She slowly spoke: “Where is Liam? I came today specifically to collect the tea set I reserved with him.” The smiles on Serena’s and Jason’s faces instantly froze. Serena forced a smile: “Mrs. Sterling, it’s just a tea set. No need for you to trouble yourself to pick it up personally. I’ve prepared a humble dinner for you; let’s eat and talk…” “I don’t drink.” Mrs. Sterling cut her off directly, her brow slightly furrowed, clearly displeased. “I am here today for only one reason: to retrieve that stoneware tea set. It was an arrangement I made with Liam long ago.” Mrs. Sterling’s firm attitude about the tea set left Serena feeling unsettled. As Serena’s mind raced, trying to figure out how to deflect, Jason, in a misguided attempt to show off, spoke first. With a slight, ingratiating smile, he said: “Mrs. Sterling, are you referring to that old, worn-out pottery set Liam had? Oh, please don’t misunderstand! Liam just doesn’t know any better. We would never think of entertaining a distinguished guest like you with some cheap, flea-market junk!” He then smugly glanced at Serena. Serena, seeing her cue, immediately rushed to agree: “Mrs. Sterling, Jason is right! Liam Montgomery is so petty and has no class! Thankfully, Jason discovered it in time and got rid of that old junk. Otherwise, it would have been a huge embarrassment for our company!” Jason, praised by Serena, grew even more arrogant. He turned and took an exquisitely packaged gift box from an assistant, presenting it with both hands to Mrs. Sterling, his face full of fawning: “Mrs. Sterling, this is the gift we meticulously prepared for you! It’s a handmade silver tea set fit for royalty, specially commissioned from Switzerland, one of only a hundred sets worldwide! Only this can truly match your distinguished status!” The two of them, in perfect sync, anticipated Mrs. Sterling’s praise and approval. However, Mrs. Sterling’s expression grew colder with each passing second. She fixed her gaze on Jason, her voice icy, asking, “What did you say? You *got rid of it*?” Jason felt a chill run down his spine under her stare but still forced a smile. “Yes, that kind of low-grade item was just taking up space.”

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I was reborn. In my last life, I only lasted three days before a zombie bit me. This time, with foreknowledge of the zombie outbreak, I sought out the tall, stoic security guard in my apartment complex, determined to build a safe house just for him and me. “Alice, I’m sorry, please don’t blame me…” Kyle shook off my hand and shoved me hard, pushing me directly into the horde of zombies behind me. Before I could even react, a sharp bite tore into my arm. *Crunch*. My arm, already bony, instantly revealed a section of white bone. But I couldn’t even feel the pain. The zombies, drawn by the smell of blood, swarmed me, tearing at my flesh. My vision blurred, slowly drowning in a sea of red. The man who’d told me he loved me since high school, the one I’d been with for six years, didn’t even turn his head to give me a second glance… I woke up with a jolt, finding myself lying on the bed in my shared apartment. I checked the time. The zombie outbreak was still a month away. I understood. I had been reborn. My phone buzzed. The push notification was about reports of people having violent outbursts and inexplicably biting others in public parks. People wouldn’t realize that this seemingly trivial local news story was the precursor to the upcoming zombie apocalypse. My phone rang. The number was unfamiliar, but I knew who it was. Because in my previous life, I’d received the exact same call today. It was a lawyer, informing me that my grand-uncle had passed away, leaving a will that bequeathed me a property in an upscale apartment complex in the city and ten million dollars in cash. I was an orphan. My grand-uncle had left our hometown to seek his fortune when I was very young, and we hadn’t been in contact since. I was raised by my widowed grandma, who peacefully passed away the day I received my university acceptance letter. From then on, I moved to the city alone to work. Besides Kyle, my boyfriend since high school, I had no one else in the world to care about. So, in my last life, when I first received this call, I even thought it was a scam, and I hung up immediately. Fortunately, my grand-uncle’s lawyer, Mr. Davies, was very dedicated. A week later, he found me at my workplace, presenting various documents. Only then did I realize that a plot twist straight out of a novel was actually happening to me. Because I had grown up without support and was always cautious, the inheritance process in my last life was handled very carefully, which inevitably took a lot of time. By the time all the paperwork was finally complete, there were only three days left until the zombie outbreak. After years of drifting, I finally had a place of my own. I eagerly moved into the apartment my grand-uncle left me. Kyle even proposed to me on moving day. At the time, I thought I was the luckiest person in the world. Kyle and I sweetly planned our honeymoon and our wedding… Until three days later, when the zombies attacked the city, and in the last moments of my life, I finally saw that man’s true colors. They say couples stick together through thick and thin, but when disaster strikes, it’s every man for himself. Even if he had abandoned me to save himself, I wouldn’t have hated him this much. But what did he do? He used me as bait. And to ensure I attracted all the nearby zombies, he even slashed my arm with a knife before ditching me. “Hello? Ms. Reed, are you there?” The lawyer’s voice on the phone pulled me back to reality. “Yes. Let’s start the inheritance process immediately. The sooner, the better.” I replied. This time, it only took five days for me to receive the cash and the keys to the apartment my grand-uncle left me. The apartment was located in an upscale complex in the city — a spacious penthouse-style apartment with a private elevator, one unit per floor. The population density was low, and the building quality was excellent. For the impending zombie horde, it was a perfect sanctuary. Of course, I knew this was far from enough. The day I got the keys, I contacted a renovation company and began modifying the apartment. I replaced the entrance door with a bulletproof one, installed stainless steel security grilles on the windows, soundproofed the entire apartment, installed a solar power system, and converted two of the rooms into cold storage. The renovation workers didn’t understand why I was installing security grilles on a high-rise apartment and even asked if I had children. I didn’t explain much; after all, I was just an ordinary person, unable to stop the approaching apocalypse alone. If I said too much, they’d just think I was crazy. All I could do was protect myself and try to survive. I paid double the price, and the renovation company expedited the work, completing all modifications in just one week. Next, it was time to procure supplies. Kyle, who hadn’t contacted me for days, suddenly called. I scoffed inwardly. I was so foolish in my last life, not noticing his coldness until I inherited my grand-uncle’s property, at which point he suddenly came begging to propose. Looking back now, his intentions were crystal clear. I only blamed myself for being blinded by love. “Hello, Alice? Where have you been these past few days? Why haven’t you called me?” Just then, I reached the complex entrance and saw the tall, reserved security guard on duty today. A small smile touched my lips. “Kyle, we’re breaking up.” “What? Alice, how can you…” I couldn’t be bothered to hear another word from Kyle and hung up immediately. “Good afternoon, Ms. Reed.” The property management in this upscale complex was top-notch. The security guard nodded slightly as I approached. I glanced at his name tag clipped to his chest. It read: Mark Davies. So, his name was Mark Davies. In my last life, when he was bitten by zombies trying to protect me, I didn’t even know his name. “Can you do me a favor?” I asked, smiling as I looked at the man’s handsome features. But a voice in my heart was saying— Mark, this time, I will make sure you survive.

In my last life, without any preparation, Kyle and I were trapped in this apartment. By the third day, we ran out of food and were forced to risk going out to find supplies. We ended up encountering a zombie horde, and Kyle pushed me out as bait to save himself. So, for the next three weeks, my main task was to acquire living essentials. To avoid drawing attention, I didn’t plan to buy in bulk from a single place. Instead, I targeted several large wholesale supermarkets, purchasing items in smaller quantities from various locations. This was a massive undertaking, and I needed a helper. “I live here, and I need to buy a lot of things from the supermarket. Could you come with me?” As a resident, such a request was a bit out of line, and Mark visibly hesitated. I lowered my eyes and slowly said, “I just moved to the city alone not long ago, and I don’t have many friends…” Mark used his walkie-talkie to hand over his duties to a colleague and eventually agreed to accompany me to the supermarket. I bought a seven-seater SUV, removed all the seats, and used it for hauling goods. Mark paused when he saw the vehicle but didn’t ask any questions. He was just as I expected: silent, unflappable. This made my impression of him soar. We visited three large chain supermarkets, and by the time we returned, the car was packed with rice, flour, and cooking oil. Mark helped me carry everything upstairs, not asking a single question the entire time. The temperature wasn’t low today. He’d taken off his security uniform jacket while moving things, wearing only a white shirt. The shirt was damp with sweat, vaguely showing the outline of his muscular physique. I offered him a towel to wipe his sweat, but he didn’t take it, politely excusing himself to leave. “Mark.” I called out to him. Perhaps it was rare for a resident to call a security guard by his first name. The man’s expression subtly shifted, and he finally looked at me directly. In that moment, I saw his eyes were deep and bright. “I might need your help with shopping again tomorrow…” “Ms. Reed, if you have a lot of things to move, I suggest hiring professional movers,” Mark subtly declined. I leaned against the door, smiling at him, and pulled out my pre-planned excuse. “I’m a streamer, preparing for a three-year ‘no-going-out’ challenge. It’s still under wraps, so I can’t let too many people know I’m buying a lot of supplies. Since you kindly helped me today, I’m afraid I’ll have to keep bothering you.” Mark’s usually expressionless face finally showed a hint of disbelief. I wasn’t sure if he was surprised by my brazenness and unreasonableness, or if this so-called three-year ‘no-going-out’ challenge sounded utterly ridiculous and utterly pointless. “Don’t worry, I’ll clear it with property management, and I’ll pay you an extra service fee.” Seeing he still wasn’t speaking, I added, even resorting to a playful threat, “Of course, if you don’t agree, I’ll complain about you.” Mark pondered for a moment, seemingly suppressing something. “Alright, Ms. Reed. As long as property management approves, it’s no problem. The service fee isn’t necessary.” I knew he was a veteran, and finding this security job wasn’t easy, so he could only compromise in the face of my ‘coercion and temptation’. Over the next few days, I continued to purchase essential condiments like oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar, as well as long-lasting foods like instant noodles and canned goods. After bringing all these items home, we were about to head to the pharmacy when we ran into Kyle at the complex entrance. Finding me here meant he already knew about the inheritance. “Alice, who is he?” Mark wasn’t wearing his security uniform jacket, so Kyle naturally couldn’t tell his identity. I turned to Mark and said without batting an eye, “I don’t know this man.” “Alice!” Kyle stepped forward and grabbed my wrist. “What are you doing! Let go of me!” I struggled fiercely. Mark pushed Kyle away, shielding me behind him. “Sir, please show some respect.” “Who the hell do you think you are…” Kyle tried to push back, but his scrawny frame was like a twig next to Mark’s. He was no match. Mark protected me as we got into the car. On the way to the pharmacy, he finally couldn’t help but ask, “Is that man your boyfriend?” “He’s a scumbag. He cheated on me and broke up with me. Now that he sees me making money as a streamer, he wants to get back together.” I spoke concisely, slandering him without any psychological burden. Mark was silent. We practically emptied the pharmacy. Watching me panting as I loaded the last box of medicine into the car, Mark said with a complex expression, “It seems your line of work is pretty tough.” I wiped away some sweat, smiling at him. “It is, which is why I need to guard my wallet tightly and not let any jerks get their hands on it.” Back at the apartment complex, Kyle was still standing at the main gate. As soon as he saw my car, he immediately ran up and knocked on the window. “Alice, Alice, what did I do wrong to make you deliberately find a security guard to spite me? Alice, get out, let’s talk properly.” I couldn’t be bothered to deal with Kyle anymore, so I rolled down the window. “Kyle, I already know what you did.” Kyle froze, a hint of guilt appearing on his face. I scoffed inwardly. I was just bluffing, but judging by his reaction, he must have done something awful to me a long time ago. “Let’s break up. Let’s both keep some dignity.” I told Mark to drive into the complex. But Kyle wouldn’t give up, clinging to the car window, trying to stop us. “Alice, I don’t believe it! You must still love me! How could you break up with me?!” “Really? How can I make you believe it?” I pulled Mark, who was in the driver’s seat, toward me and kissed him deeply for over ten seconds. Kyle’s face turned ghastly. I released Mark and looked at Kyle provocatively. “Do you believe it now?”

Over the next two weeks, I continued my frantic stockpiling, from toilet paper to skincare products, from hazmat suits to hand warmers. Everything I could think of, I bought, including generators, gas tanks, inflatable protective suits, and seeds for various vegetables and fruits… Since I kissed Mark that day, he had barely made eye contact with me, probably angry. He seemed like a conservative man, and I knew in his mind, I was probably already labeled “easy.” But it didn’t matter. I was about to do something even more outrageous to him. Initially, there were many news reports about people inexplicably biting others, but gradually, no related information could be found online. Uninformed people thought the situation had passed, but having lived through the last life, I knew a city-wide lockdown was coming soon. That morning, I was woken by a scream from outside my window. I gently pulled open a sliver of the curtain and saw a man on the roadside suddenly convulsing on the ground. A kind driver got out to help him, but the man grabbed the driver’s neck and bit him. Although I was mentally prepared, seeing this familiar scene still sent a ripple of panic through me. I called Mark’s phone. It rang for a long time before he answered, and before I could speak, he said, “Ms. Reed, I can’t accompany you today…” “Help! I’m dying! Mark, save me…” I hung up after saying that. Sure enough, five minutes later, there was a knock on my apartment door. “Ms. Reed, are you alright? What happened?” I felt like a hunter whose trap had worked, a smirk playing on my lips. He wasn’t someone who would stand by and watch others die; I knew that better than anyone. I opened the door. Mark was covered in sweat, as if he had run all the way. He saw me standing there perfectly fine, realized he’d been tricked, and looked angrily as if to leave. But I pulled him straight into the apartment, closing the door behind me and locking it with the keypad. “Ms. Reed, what are you doing?” he frowned. I leaned against the door, giving him a smile. “Nothing much. Just want to be with you.” From Mark’s expression, he definitely thought I was crazy. “Ms. Reed, please don’t joke around. I’m very busy today.” Mark tried to open the door, but I stood in his way, refusing to move. He seemed to lose his patience, closing in on me and pressing me against the door. “Ms. Reed, locking yourself in with a stranger like this is actually very dangerous.” The intense masculine scent made my heart pound. His arms and chest were firm and hot. With our bodies pressed together, I felt my heart beating wildly. “Oh? What danger? I don’t see any.” I retorted, putting on a brave face. Mark lowered his head, his lips almost brushing my earlobe. “I’m a man. Aren’t you afraid I might do something to you?” I looked up, meeting his gaze. “I’m not afraid, because I trust you.” Mark froze. He took a deep breath, then silently took a step back, returning to his usual serious and distant demeanor. However, his flushed face betrayed him, revealing his momentary loss of control. “Ms. Reed, please open the door. I’m really busy today.” Just then, sirens wailed outside the window. A drone circled in the sky, its loudspeaker broadcasting repeatedly— “Please do not panic, all citizens. Stay indoors and do not go outside. Please trust that we will resolve this crisis as quickly as possible…” It had finally begun. I took out my phone. The news could no longer be suppressed; all ten trending topics on Ins were about zombies. I showed my phone to Mark. “Now, you can’t leave even if you wanted to.” Day one of the zombie outbreak. After more than half a month of preparation, I finally achieved my goal— To build a safe house, stocked with supplies. Then, to lock myself in with a security guard named Mark Davies.

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My wife, Chloe, and I were both swamped with work, so my mother-in-law, Brenda, offered to help out. To show our appreciation, I took her out for dinner. During the meal, Brenda turned to me. “Alex, you work way too hard. Why don’t you just quit your job and move back home with me?” I frowned, “Mom, I’m still young. This is my time to build something. And honestly, I really like my job.” “Plus, I’m used to my own place. I don’t want to move.” To my surprise, Brenda got agitated. “That’s your brother-in-law’s apartment! Kyle’s getting married soon, so you can’t hog it anymore.” My mind raced. *What?* This apartment was mine, bought before we even got married. When did it become Kyle’s? … I figured Brenda had some kind of misunderstanding, so I patiently explained. “Mom, I bought this apartment before the wedding. My name is on the deed. How could it be Kyle’s?” Brenda scoffed, “What’s ‘yours’ and ‘mine’ between family? Since you married into our family, everything you have belongs to the Davis family!” Chloe and I had fallen in love and gotten married. When did I “marry into” their family? Besides, what kind of man who “marries into a family” buys his own wedding apartment and pays an engagement gift? I felt speechless and looked at Chloe, who was sitting beside me. Chloe scooped a bowl of chicken soup and gently placed it in front of me. “Alex, Tiffany won’t marry Kyle without an apartment. Mom’s just thinking about Kyle.” “Why don’t we move out and rent for a while? Just to help Kyle out.” My heart sank. I remembered her telling me before how Brenda doted on her youngest son, Kyle. I thought it was just Brenda, but it turned out Chloe was just as obsessed with her brother. Brenda saw my lack of reaction and pressed on. “Don’t forget, we gave you ten thousand as wedding funds back then.” “That money was meant for *your* apartment.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “Mom, you think ten thousand can buy my downtown apartment? You’ve got some nerve.” “First off, I gave you twenty thousand as an engagement gift. And that ten thousand you supposedly gave us? Didn’t you have Chloe transfer it back to you the day after we signed the marriage papers, saying you ‘needed money to buy Kyle a car’?” “A total of thirty thousand, and not a single cent stayed with us.” Chloe’s face instantly went pale. She probably never expected me to bring that up in front of her mom. Brenda jumped up as if stung, pointing a finger at my nose. “You ungrateful brat! You eat our food, you listen to our rules!” “Don’t forget, you’re all alone here. If you cross us, things will get ugly for you!” Hearing Brenda say that, Chloe looked uncomfortable. She snapped at her mom, “Mom, don’t talk like that.” But Brenda only got more fired up. “Talk like what? He’s an outsider! Why should he hog Kyle’s apartment? Kyle is our precious jewel of the Davis family!” “Look at him, that broke loser! You marrying Chloe was a miracle, and now you have the gall to make demands?” I instinctively glanced down at my clothes. Before coming here, my sister, Victoria, had told me to keep a low profile, so I usually picked out inexpensive-looking outfits. I guess Brenda had completely underestimated me. “Mom, what are you saying?!” Chloe finally flared up. “Am I wrong?” Brenda said, self-righteously, “If he’s rich enough to buy Kyle another apartment, then maybe I’d consider ‘lending’ him this one to live in.” At this point, Chloe didn’t try to stop her mom. Instead, she quietly pleaded with me, “Alex, don’t take it to heart. Mom just cares about Kyle.” *Cares about Kyle?* *What about me?* For her, I left everything familiar behind, coming alone to this place where I knew no one. To spare her hardship, I bought an apartment outright near her company. Didn’t I deserve some care too? Seeing Chloe’s attitude, Brenda seemed to gain confidence. She stated firmly, “Anyway, this apartment has to be vacated!” “Move out tomorrow! I’ve already told Kyle, he’ll be coming to see the place the day after tomorrow!” I didn’t want to argue with Brenda. I just tossed out, “This is my apartment. No one touches it,” then got up, paid the bill, and left. Completely ignoring Brenda’s shouts and curses behind me. I had just sat down at home when the doorbell rang. I opened the door, and it was Kyle. I didn’t expect him to show up so soon. He leaned against the doorframe, a cocky smirk on his face. “Hey, bro-in-law, don’t be so stingy. I need a place to live when I get married, right?” Before I could say anything, Brenda squeezed in past him and headed straight for my bedroom. “What are you doing!” I tried to follow her, but Kyle grabbed me. “What else? Looking for the property deed, of course! This apartment rightfully belongs to our family!” My heart seized. How did Brenda know where I kept the deed? Did Chloe tell her? As I was thinking, I saw her emerge from the bedroom, holding my property deed. I shook off Kyle and rushed forward to snatch it back, but Brenda dropped to the floor, clutching the deed, and began to wail hysterically. “Oh my God! What kind of world is this?! My son-in-law isn’t just disrespectful, he’s bullying his poor mother-in-law!” “He married into our family just to bleed us dry! The Davis family is so unlucky!” Just then, Chloe came home. Seeing the scene, she immediately pulled me aside. “Alex, calm down. Mom’s not feeling well!” I glared at her. “Your mom is rummaging through my stuff in my own home, and you’re stopping *me*?” “Mom’s just stressed. Tiffany’s really pushing for the wedding…” I never expected her to say that. My voice trembled. “Stressed enough to just grab my things?” “Chloe, this is *my* apartment!” Brenda cried even louder. “Hear that?! Hear what he’s saying?! ‘His’ apartment? He married into our family, he’s one of us now!” Kyle chimed in, adding fuel to the fire. “Exactly, bro-in-law, you’ve got the wrong idea. We’re family, there’s no ‘yours’ or ‘mine’.” My blood pressure felt like it was skyrocketing. Waves of nausea washed over me. “I’m telling you, I’m not giving you this apartment!” I pointed at the door. “Give me back the deed right now, and get out of my house!” Brenda didn’t get up; instead, she started rolling on the floor. “Everyone, look! This is our wonderful son-in-law, who married into our family, isn’t just unfilial, he’s trying to kick us out of *our own home*!” Because of the commotion, several neighbors had already gathered in the hallway, watching the show. Hearing Brenda’s words, some uninformed people started whispering, pointing fingers at me. Chloe, seeing this, quickly knelt down to help Brenda up. “Mom, please don’t do this.” “Alex, please don’t say such harsh things.” My heart went completely cold. She was worried about her mom rolling on the floor, but not about me, being unjustly pushed to this point. I sneered, “Fine, Chloe. You go get that property deed back right now. Otherwise, tomorrow, I’m calling building security to kick your entire family out.” I turned, went back into the bedroom, slammed the door shut, and locked it. Immediately, even sharper wails and screams erupted from outside the door. “You’re so shameless! You’ve barely been married and you’re already bullying your wife’s family!” Kyle started kicking the door. “Bro-in-law, open up! Let’s talk this out!” The banging rattled my head. “Alex, come out. Let’s sit down and discuss this.” Chloe was also knocking. I put on my earbuds and curled up on the bed. My head throbbed faintly. I wasn’t sure if it was from anger or something else. After a while, the noise outside stopped. Feeling unwell, I didn’t think much of it and drifted into a deep sleep. The next morning, I was jolted awake by the piercing sound of an electric drill. I heard Brenda’s voice giving orders from outside the door. My heart pounded. What was that old lady up to now? The moment I opened the door, I froze. Brenda had actually called a locksmith, and they were forcibly changing the locks on my front door! “What are you doing! Stop it!” I rushed forward to intervene. Kyle shot forward, blocking me, and shoved me hard. Caught off guard, my head slammed against the wall. “Chloe!” I clutched my head, my voice trembling. “My head really hurts!” Chloe rushed out of the kitchen. Seeing me like this, she yelled at Kyle, “Kyle! How could you push him?!” I felt a slight sense of relief. This time, she was finally on my side. But the next second, she turned to me, her eyes filled with impatience. “Can’t you just give them a break? Do you have to make such a scene?” *Me? Make a scene?* I was just protecting my own apartment. Is that “making a scene”? While we were talking, the locksmith had already finished changing the lock. Brenda took the new key, tossing it in her hand triumphantly. “See? This apartment is my son’s now.” “Either you don’t leave the house from today on and just stay here and reflect.” “Or you get out now, and only come back when you’ve seen reason!” Kyle stood beside her, his grin even more arrogant. “Bro-in-law, if you hadn’t made such a fuss, we wouldn’t have wasted money on this.” I leaned against the wall, feeling the throbbing pain in my head. I looked at the three people in front of me and suddenly smiled. I said each word slowly, “Fine, I’ll go.” Brenda’s eyes flickered. She hadn’t expected me to agree so readily. Chloe’s face changed. “Alex, don’t be impulsive…” “Impulsive?” I cut her off. “I’m just trying to get my own apartment back. You call that impulsive?” “Well, let me tell you, the *real* impulse is yet to come.” With that, I turned and went back to the bedroom to pack my things. Brenda yelled from the doorway, “Don’t bother with the act! If you’ve got the guts, don’t come back!” Kyle echoed, “Good riddance. I’ll bring Tiffany to see the apartment tomorrow.” Only Chloe stood there, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn’t. I didn’t take much, just my phone and a bag. Walking to the door, I glanced back at her. “Chloe, remember today.” “Remember how you stood by and watched your mother and brother kick me out of my own home, all for an apartment.” She opened her mouth, but ultimately said nothing. I finally understood. In this family, there was never any place for me. Just as I was about to leave, Chloe suddenly grabbed my arm, a look of fake concern on her face. “Alex, why don’t you go stay at a hotel for a few days? I’ll try to talk to Mom…” Before I could shake her hand off, Brenda snatched my bag, roughly unzipped it, and dumped everything inside onto the floor. She picked up my bank card, saying viciously, “Think you can just walk away? All of this was given to you by the Davis family!” “You’re not taking a single cent with you!” Kyle kicked at my scattered belongings, stomping on my fallen phone. *Crunch.* The screen shattered. “Bro-in-law trying to call for help, huh?” I turned to look at Chloe. She said nothing, turning her head away, afraid to meet my eyes. In that moment, the last bit of warmth in my heart completely vanished. The three of them shoved me out the door and slammed it shut. I stood in the hallway, dressed in thin loungewear. From inside, I heard their celebratory noises. Kyle laughed loudly, “Finally, some peace and quiet!” Brenda also yelled from inside, “Let’s see if he dares to fight us now!” Only Chloe’s voice sounded a bit hesitant: “Isn’t this a little too…” “Too what?!” Brenda cut her off. “He deserves a lesson!” I leaned against the wall, my head still throbbing. The elevator door opened, and I walked in, my steps unsteady. Downstairs, the night wind was biting. I shivered, pulling my neck into my collar. Suddenly, I remembered that my sister had said she was coming here for a business trip two days ago. I hurried towards the convenience store near the apartment complex entrance. The owner, a man in his fifties, looked at my disheveled state, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. I asked in a hoarse voice, “Excuse me, could I borrow your phone to make a call?” He nodded, pushing the phone towards me. I shakily dialed the most familiar number. The moment the call connected, all the accumulated grievance overwhelmed me. My voice was choked with emotion. “Sis…” “Someone’s trying to take my apartment.” My sister’s low voice immediately came through the phone. “Tell me the address.” “I’ll be right there.” Half an hour later, five black Rolls-Royces lined up in front of the apartment complex. My sister, Victoria Miller, stepped out of the lead car, followed by two bodyguards in black suits and a man carrying a briefcase. She strode towards me, taking off her tailored suit jacket and draping it over my shoulders. Seeing my lips turning blue from the cold, the chill in her eyes was enough to freeze. “Who did this?” I pointed upstairs, “They’re up there.” Victoria turned to the man behind her. “Mr. Hayes, you know what to do.” “Five minutes. I want them and their belongings out of my sight.” Mr. Hayes, with the two bodyguards, headed straight upstairs. Less than three minutes later, the Davis family, who had been smugly discussing renovation plans, were interrupted by urgent knocking. The moment the door opened, before Brenda could even react, Mr. Hayes presented the property deed. “This is Mr. Alex Miller’s private residence. You are to vacate immediately.” “Who are you? This is my home!” Brenda tried to throw a tantrum. Without a word, the two bodyguards grabbed her and dragged her out. “Let go of me! How dare you! Help!” Brenda struggled, her screams shrill and piercing. The bodyguards ignored her, tossing her out the door like a piece of trash. Kyle tried to lunge at them, but one bodyguard used a quick hold, lifting him into the air like a chicken. “Ow, ow, ow! Let go of me! Do you know who I am?!”

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My own mother sent me to a correctional academy, telling me it was to cure me of “love addiction,” just like you’d cure someone of internet addiction. But how could she have known that place was hell on earth, tormenting me until I was practically dead? Finally, Thanksgiving break arrived, and I could go home. Yet, my mother pushed me into the path of a car, almost killing me. And my mother, she sobbed inconsolably by my bedside… The night I left the correctional academy, my mom came to pick me up. Thanksgiving was coming, and I was finally being released from that living hell. She pulled up in her car, waving at me from beneath the shade of the trees. To escape that nightmare, even though I was terrified of my mother—the very person who’d sent me there—I gritted my teeth, enduring the agonizing throbs from the steel needles still embedded deep within my body, and got into the car. Soon, we were home. My stepfather was already waiting at the door. “Willow’s back! Come on, sweetheart, dinner’s ready. You must’ve had a tough time in there, you look so thin.” His hand reached out to take mine, but I flinched back. I was terrified of touching men. I couldn’t even look at my stepfather, who had always been so good to me, the man I once depended on. Because, In the academy, any unauthorized contact with a male was a grave sin. I only remembered that one time, I just glanced at the delivery guy at the gate. The staff dragged me into a special punishment room. They shocked my body repeatedly with an electric device, asking, “Will you still dare to peek at men?” until I was so shocked I lost control of my bladder. Only then did they let me go. From then on, I learned to walk with my head down. My mom took the groceries out of the car and looked at me. “What did you learn in that bootcamp for months? You’re so slow now. What, blaming me for stopping your early romance? I’m doing this for your own good, understand? Come on, get inside, quickly.” She rattled on, juggling bags of groceries. I didn’t dare say a word. The ‘training camp’ my mother believed was preventing early romance and boosting my studies had only taught me obedience. In that hell, disobedience meant immense suffering. How could my sweet mother have known that my timidness, my fear, was forged through needle jabs, iron brands, knife cuts, and club beatings? I kept my head down, trying to avoid my stepfather, and slipped into the house. In my bedroom, I changed into dark clothes. Bright colors made me feel disoriented; in the academy, we were only allowed to wear black uniforms—yes, we called them prison uniforms. We were prisoners. My mom called me for dinner. The table was laden with food, including my favorite pot roast. The old me would have dug in with gusto. But now… I couldn’t eat. I took a few tiny bites, and my stomach churned, a wave of nausea washing over me. My mother, who had been smiling just moments before, watched her expression slowly darken. “What’s wrong? Is my cooking that bad? Or are you still thinking about Alex, blaming me for breaking you two up? If you don’t want to eat, then don’t.” She snatched my bowl away, fuming. “Day in, day out, you can’t focus on your studies, always chasing after boys. If it weren’t for that early romance, would your grades be such a mess? Now you’re back, and you’re throwing a fit at the dinner table. Looks like that training camp didn’t teach you enough. **After the holiday, you’re going straight back there and staying until you’ve learned your lesson.**” Back? That word hit a raw nerve! I’d rather eat until I puked than go back to that hell! It was a hundred, a thousand times worse than eating and throwing up! No, I couldn’t go back. I had to eat! “I’ll eat, I’ll eat! Mom’s cooking is delicious! I don’t want to go back!” I snatched the bowl back from my mom and shoved rice into my mouth. Less than two seconds later, I vomited all over the table. I’d forgotten. My stomach had already been largely removed. The staff at the academy punished me by force-feeding me sewage; my stomach was already in ruins, and they secretly operated on me so my parents wouldn’t find out!

The table was covered in filth. I scooped up the food and forced myself to swallow more. After only a couple of mouthfuls, my abdomen twisted with excruciating pain. I collapsed weakly onto the floor, clutching my stomach as if a pile driver was mercilessly pounding it. I writhed in agony. My stepfather looked worried. “Willow, what’s wrong? Are you sick? Quick, let’s go to the hospital.” My mom glanced at me, a flicker of remorse in her eyes. My stepfather held her hand, trying to reason with her. “Did she eat something bad at the academy? Maybe we should call them and ask.” Call them? I hadn’t forgotten the Director’s warning. “If you dare to say the wrong thing, you know the punishment, don’t you?” Her words were a nightmare, twisting tightly around my brain. I trembled all over, my limbs twitching with anxiety. The Director would surely punish me double if she found out! The call went through. My mom, trying to sound reasonable, asked the Director. “Counselor, did Willow eat something bad at the academy? Why is she in so much pain she’s writhing on the floor?” The phone was on speaker. The Director replied with feigned righteousness, “Willow’s mother, that’s unfair to us! The academy cafeteria is perfectly fine!” “It’s just…” The Director hesitated. My mom, sensing something, quickly responded, “Counselor, please speak openly. We’ll make sure to discipline her!” Then, the Director spun a believable lie. “We’ve seen boys from outside the school bringing her food a few times! We’ve already disciplined her severely!” My mom hung up. My stepfather tried to interject, but my mom shoved him away. Her fingers trembled with rage. “Hospital? Why bother? Still flirting in there? She deserves to hurt!” “Mom, I didn’t! The Director is lying!” I cried, ignoring the pain, and hugged my mom’s leg, explaining frantically through tears. My mom slowly knelt down. Disappointment flickered in her eyes. She slapped me. “Willow Grace, if you haven’t broken up with that Alex boy, don’t even think about coming back to school. Go straight back to the correctional academy for another six months!” My cheek burned from the slap. I begged, terrified, amidst the vomit. “Mom, I really didn’t! Please don’t send me back!” That place truly wasn’t fit for humans. The staff would beat you at the slightest provocation. Getting a full meal was even harder. Sometimes, I’d be so weak from hunger that I’d deliberately provoke the staff to get locked in solitary, just for a mouthful of sewage to fill my stomach! And during my time in that ‘rehabilitation,’ I had come to loathe men from the bottom of my heart. How could I accept a boy bringing me food? I couldn’t even look at one glance without being plunged back into the nightmare of punishment. I couldn’t forget! How could my mom know what I went through in there? She simply believed the Director’s story, unwilling to listen to my explanations. The hatred and resentment seared through me! I wanted so badly to confess everything to her, even to fight back. But the scars all over my body reminded me: I couldn’t disobey my parents or the staff. So, all I could do was kowtow again and again, admitting fault. “Mom, I won’t do it again! Please don’t send me back!” My head hit the tiled floor, leaving dark bloodstains. My mom stayed angry for a while longer, then finally spat out, “If I ever catch you having an early romance again, I’ll disown you and send you back!” My forehead was covered in blood. My mom finally softened and helped me up. Her eyes were red, brimming with tears. I knew she must have remembered something. The reason she reacted so strongly to “early romance” was because she herself got pregnant with me from an early romance, and my biological father abandoned us! Given my mom’s temporary forgiveness, I broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, a mix of relief and despair. God knows how pathetic it was that I was innocent, she didn’t believe me, and I had suffered so much, only to gain her sympathy through my misery!

Soon, the drama ended. I dared not tell my mom about the tearing pain in my stomach, enduring it in silence. Days passed uneventfully. My mom was pleased with my habit of staying in my room, diligently working on my assignments. She even suggested I go back to school in a couple of days. To celebrate, she enthusiastically dragged me out to make me a delicious meal. Of course, I didn’t dare object. In truth, I didn’t want to go out at all. I was terrified of seeing men in public. At the supermarket, my mom carefully picked out my favorite ingredients, while I silently followed her, keeping my head down, a silent shadow, just nodding along to keep her happy and satisfied. After we paid, she suddenly remembered we were out of soy sauce. She told me to wait by the supermarket entrance, so I stood in a corner, head bowed, waiting for her. Just then, someone tapped my shoulder from behind. I instinctively turned around. Alex!? What was he doing here? No, no, I couldn’t look at him. I shuddered all over, retreating several steps, drenched in a cold sweat as if I’d fallen into a pool. Alex didn’t know what was wrong with me. He continued to approach, familiarly resting a hand on my shoulder. I violently shrugged it off. He looked puzzled. “Willow Grace, what’s up? Heard you were sick, are you better? When are you going back to school?” Before I could say anything, I felt a strong pull, yanking me forward. It was my mother. She shoved me hard towards the backseat, then jammed the key in the ignition and sped off. We shot out of the parking lot so fast I was caught off guard, stumbled backward, couldn’t hold on, and tumbled clumsily to the ground. My mom slammed on the brakes. She glared at me, gritting her teeth. “You disappoint me so much. I sent you to that academy to stop you from dating and to focus on your studies. But it seems the Director was right; you’re still sneaking around with Alex. You’re going back for another six months!” “No, no, Mom, it’s not like that, please listen to me…” I was terrified. I never wanted to return to that hell. “Hmph, I can’t trust you anymore. I’m sending you back this afternoon.” She reached for her phone. Right there on the street, I dropped to my knees. Passersby pointed and whispered, and the men’s voices ringing in my ears made me dizzy. “Mom, no… it’s not like that!” I shook my head wildly, frantically trying to grab her phone. No, I couldn’t go back to that hell that drove people mad! I snatched the phone and smashed it against the pavement. It shattered into pieces. My mom stood frozen, staring at my crazed expression in disbelief. I trembled, my voice shaking, but I spoke to her seriously. “Mom, I told you, I’m not in an early romance. I just happened to run into him!” “I didn’t say a single word to him, you…” I hoped she would finally believe me, just this once, but she didn’t listen. A slap, harsh and stinging, landed on my face. It shattered the last sliver of hope I had for her. “Willow Grace, you’re getting bolder now! Dating, lying, and now you’re smashing my phone!” “Hmph, that correctional academy’s discipline is too lenient. When you go back, I’ll make sure to tell the Director to really take care of you. Even if they have to beat you, let’s see if you’ll finally behave.” Every word she spoke felt like a stab to my heart. Beatings. Ha. If only it were just beatings. The pain in my bruised and battered body was less than a thousandth of the hurt caused by her disbelief. I no longer trusted her. Desperate to avoid returning to hell, I had to run. The steel needles deep in my feet tore at me with every step, an agonizing pain. The staff had hammered them in while I was fully conscious. The needles were fine, but there were so many. But I couldn’t stop. I had to escape. Escape hell, escape the nightmare, escape the mother who, like a devil, had sent me to that inferno. “Willow Grace, stop running! Get back here!” My mom chased after me. I sprinted across the road. Maybe she wouldn’t catch me there! I charged forward heedlessly, not noticing the surging traffic. “Willow—” “Screech—” Along with my mom’s scream and the deafening sound of brakes, My body was flung several feet by the car, tumbling twice like a broken doll before landing on the ground. How wonderful. I looked up at the sky, a void. Finally, there were no annoying men in my sight! But then, a red haze quickly covered my vision, and I could no longer see the blue sky. I heard my mom screaming my name beside me, “Willow, don’t scare me! Mom will take you to the hospital right away!” I could almost hear her hysterical, panicked cries, “Quick, someone help me! Save my daughter!” I smiled. After all this time, I finally felt a sliver of warmth. Dying like this wouldn’t be so bad. To feel a bit of her motherly love before I died, I was content! I fell into a warm embrace, wanting to drift off to sleep completely. Was it Mom? Mom, your embrace is truly warm. I quietly closed my eyes, my lips trembling. “Mom, I won’t go back. I’ll be tortured… tortured to death…” The hand gripping mine grew cold, and I no longer had the strength to say anything more… And my mother, seeing me struck down, the skin exposed beneath my torn clothes, had lost her voice entirely. She couldn’t believe what her daughter had endured in just half a year. Beneath my frail body, the marks of needle jabs and iron brands were dense and scattered everywhere. From my broken arm, several pencil-thin steel needles protruded. “Willow… Willow, my daughter! Your mother is to blame! Wake up! Mom won’t force you anymore, I won’t send you away again…” In a daze, I heard her heartbroken sobs, and a tiny warmth emanated from the hand she clutched tightly. I wished I could feel that warmth a little longer, but I couldn’t hold on anymore. My eyelids were heavy, and I slowly closed my eyes.

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My S-class companion beastman doesn’t like me. He only wags his tail for my sister. Later, I brought home a stress-relief beastman. And my little wolf almost cried. “Anya, you can only keep me, your one and only wolf!” I was drunk. Sitting outside a bar, chain-smoking to sober up. A shady vendor sidled up to me, his voice a low whisper: “Miss, you look stressed. Need a beastman’s service? I’ve got a stress-relief beastman who can help you unwind.” I waved my hand, clearing the smoke. “What?” The vendor nervously scanned left and right, confirming no one was watching before he beckoned to a shadowy figure nearby, calling the beastman over. It was a wolf-beastman, tall and lean, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. When he stopped, he blocked the bar lights, casting a long shadow over me. Before I could react, the vendor yanked the crude collar around his neck, forcing the wolf-beastman to his knees. He removed the rusty muzzle. Then, he tugged the wolf-beastman’s hair, pulling his head back to reveal his full face. Pale skin. A high, prominent nose. Thin lips pressed into a tight line. Bruises adorned his brow bone and the corners of his mouth. His narrow, feral eyes locked onto me, unblinking. The vendor patted his face roughly. “See, Miss? With a face like this, you’ll feel good just hitting him, won’t you?” I swallowed, a flutter of interest in my chest. He was exactly my type. And my doctor had said I had a hormonal imbalance, I really did need to de-stress. But… I already had a wolf-beastman at home. Would Jax mind? Seeing my hesitation, the vendor kicked the beastman. “Get up. Show the lady your muscles.” The beastman rose slowly. Chains wrapped around his body, he could only use one hand to pull off his black T-shirt, instantly revealing sculpted, pale muscles. But his body was covered in scars and bruises. The vendor quickly reattached the muzzle and patted his powerful bicep. “See, Miss? Great stamina, astonishing recovery rate.” “Two hundred dollars for two hours of service. Just for stress relief, as long as you don’t do anything too extreme, the little wolf will recover.” “Too extreme?” I gasped, shocked. Had people’s tastes really gotten that twisted nowadays? Seriously messed up. Whatever. The one at home wouldn’t let me touch him anyway. This one was cheap, and if he was obedient, I’d just buy him. I stood up, a little tipsy, and asked, “How much to buy the little wolf outright?” “Hehe, that won’t be cheap,” the vendor rubbed his hands. “The little wolf is our best merchandise.” “Name your price.” “Then I’ll give you a lucky number: fifty-eight thousand, eight hundred and eighty-eight.” I paused. My companion wolf-beastman, Jax, had cost my parents millions. This one was actually so cheap. “Too expensive?” “How about we just round it down? Fifty-eight thousand.”

In the end, I bought Kael for five thousand dollars. I didn’t really feel like going home. So I took the little wolf to a hotel. Before leaving, the vendor gave me stern warnings. Never take off his muzzle until he was fully trained. And best not to remove the chains either.

Inside the hotel suite. Kael stood silently by the entrance, eyes downcast. Like a silent stone statue, quietly awaiting his fate. I came out of the bathroom wrapped in a towel, not daring to remove his restraints. “You should take a shower too.” He stared at me for a few seconds, then turned and walked into the bathroom. The sound of trickling water began. A few minutes later. I knocked on the door. “I left my phone in there.” The little wolf hadn’t locked the door. So, the door simply opened. Kael froze, his back to me. His tall, powerful body was completely bare. His skin was bloodless white, making the scars even more striking. Water streamed down, washing over the rusty chains, black grime mixing with bloodstains on his forearms, flowing down his spine, across his waist, and pooling at his calves before slowly draining away. His tail hung low, trembling slightly. His fur wasn’t as sleek and shiny as Jax’s, but dry and dull. It made him seem both fragile and wild. I was utterly captivated. I moved closer, embracing the little wolf from behind, gently kissing the bruises on his spine. Kael’s whole body shuddered. He asked stiffly, “What are you doing?” It was the first time I’d heard the little wolf’s voice. Low, dry, magnetic. “De-stressing,” I answered him. The little wolf’s hands, hanging at his sides, clenched into fists. “No, this isn’t…” “Hmm?” The little wolf let out a few muffled groans. “This isn’t how you de-stress.” “I don’t have much experience. Just bear with me.” I pushed the little wolf onto the bed, gently kissing each of his scars. With his muzzle on and chains binding his hands and feet, the little wolf obediently let me do as I pleased. His body remained tense, as if he didn’t know how to react. At the most crucial moment, the little wolf suddenly reached out and gripped my waist. “Are you sure?” “Hmm?” The little wolf looked at me, his voice growing huskier. “I’m just a low-grade beastman.” My impatient movements were my answer. The little wolf groaned, closing his eyes, his long lashes trembling slightly. …

Morning. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, warm and soft on my skin. I lay with my face against Kael’s firm arm, reaching under the pillow for my phone. I saw a message from my best friend. “Where did you go? Did my introverted bestie secretly run home by herself again?” I typed: “No, I bought a new stress-relief wolf-beastman. Was busy de-stressing last night.” Chloe: [?] “Anya, what kind of person are you!?” “I know your beastman at home is disobedient and has upset you, but you can’t just go out and buy a stress-relief beastman to hit!” “You’re telling me you won’t hit your S-class beastman, but you’ll beat up a stress-relief beastman? If you weren’t my friend, I’d call the cops right now! I completely misjudged you!” Her scolding left me speechless. “No, I didn’t hit him! How could I possibly hit the little wolf?” Chloe paused for a few seconds. “Then how did you ‘de-stress’?” “Exactly how you’re thinking… de-stressing.” Silence fell between us. Then Chloe explained: Stress-relief beastmen are part of an illegal trade. They steal or abduct young beastmen, or buy low-grade, inferior ones cheaply. Then, through abuse, they select beastmen with good physical condition and strong recovery abilities to be stress-relief beastmen. Those who pass the selection sometimes become living punching bags for humans. For people to beat and torment to relieve stress. Others end up in underground beast-fighting arenas for death matches. These beastmen, though pitiable, are known for being wild and untamable. Even when rescued by official agencies, they’re offered for free adoption. Those unclaimed are scheduled for humane termination. “If you regret it, I know where he lives.” A low voice came from behind me. I jumped, hastily dimming my phone screen, and rolled over to meet Kael’s shadowed eyes. The little wolf lowered his gaze, avoiding my stare. “But he’s part of an organization. He probably won’t be willing to give you your money back.” “If he’s alone, I might be able to…” “I don’t regret it,” I cut the little wolf off. “As long as you’re obedient.” “Only obey me.” “Mm.” The little wolf agreed softly. His expression remained unchanged, but his ears twitched. His fluffy ears had a few shallow scars. I couldn’t resist reaching out, wanting to touch the little wolf’s beast ears. The little wolf’s ears immediately sprang up and backward in alarm, flinching away. I pulled my hand back, a little disappointed. Why wouldn’t this one let me touch him either? “Sorry, I’m used to it.” The little wolf tried to relax his ears slowly, lowering his head slightly. “You can touch them now.” “If you still want to,” the little wolf added. I didn’t hold back. I rolled over and straddled the little wolf’s waist, hands braced on his chest, freely kneading his ears. Silvery-white, soft, warm ears. Kael’s breathing grew heavier, and his body grew hotter. The little wolf tilted his head back slightly, his narrow eyes flushed at the corners, staring at me unblinkingly. I swallowed. “Can we de-stress again?”

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At first, everyone thought it was just like in the movies or TV shows – some virus or parasite, causing zombie-like creatures to genuinely appear in our world. But the truth was far grimmer. This was a brutal massacre, one race against another. (1) It was the fall of 2075, and I was a junior in college. I sat alone in my dorm room, idly scrolling through random webpages. Reports popped up about several similar malicious assault incidents across the continent. No clear pictures of the attackers or victims, just a few blurry, chaotic shots of the aftermath. The comments were filled with eyewitness accounts describing terrifying scenes, but still, these stories failed to genuinely alarm the general public. A heavy feeling settled in my chest, and I couldn’t help but remember the letter my parents left behind. A cool draft swept in, making me shiver. I shoved my hands into my pockets. My fingers brushed against a sharp little corner, and an image flashed in my mind: a red and black striped five-pointed star brooch, resting beside my parents’ letter. My parents were top-tier scientists, working on classified projects. I rarely saw them. They never spoke to me about their research. But sometimes, sneaking outside their door, I’d faintly catch snippets of their conversations. They seemed to be chasing after “God’s” very presence. Overall, though, the door was soundproofed too well; I barely caught anything. “Creak.” The dorm room door was old; it always made a grating sound when it opened and closed. My roommates, Britney and Tiffany, were back. Their conversation quickly turned to my ex. “Britney, Chad is so good to you,” Tiffany said to Britney, but her eyes flicked to me. And I, hearing Chad’s name, reflexively looked at Tiffany. As our gazes met, Tiffany’s eyes filled with disgust, her expression a sneer. Britney, however, paid no mind to the silent battle between Tiffany and me. She was focused on the new luxury brand bracelet on her wrist – a birthday gift worth at least three months of a typical college student’s living expenses. “He really is flawless. Kira, did he ever show you even a fraction of the care he showed me?” Britney seemed not to find the question offensive at all, her eyes fixed on me, determined to get an answer. “No,” I said, deciding to give Britney what she wanted to avoid further arguments. Chad? I never really cared about Chad, or Mark, or Tom, or anyone, for that matter. I just had this pathological need to get validation from others, to fill the void left by my parents, who were always too busy with their research to give me any. Back then, Chad pursued me, forcing his way into my world. After that, I would agree to almost anything he asked, reasonable or not. (2) Have you ever seen a proud hunting dog, once so formidable, reduced to a cowering puppy? It tries so desperately to please everyone, but all people seem to want to do is kick it, just to feel superior. (3) The dorm was quiet for only about ten minutes. “Kira, hand me your tablet. Mine’s dead,” Tiffany demanded, as if it were her right. But I still passed her my tablet. I knew she was going to secretly send herself all my summarized study notes, then delete the sent records. Too bad she never cleaned them up perfectly. Of course, she could just ask me for the notes, and I’d give them to her. But she didn’t want to admit she wasn’t as good as me and needed my summarized key points. Tiffany had long since grown tired of me being first and her second, of the days I won awards and she was always just the runner-up. “Kira, I just told Chad what you said.” Britney gave me a contemptuous smirk, slinging an arm over Tiffany’s shoulder. Both of them started shamelessly scanning through the contents of my tablet. As they scrolled, Britney continued, “He said you’re just a thankless opportunist, that no matter how good he was to you, it was useless. He even said it’s no wonder your parents don’t bother with you; they saw through you a long time ago.” I hate it when people talk about my parents… A voice suddenly roared in my ears, repeating, “Kill them, kill them!” The voice grew louder… I suppressed the urge, only managing to rush over, snatch the tablet back, and smash it onto the floor. Their expressions were stunned – confusion, blame, but no… regret. It wasn’t enough, not enough… The voice grew even louder, “Kill them, kill them!” I keenly realized that all of this seemed to be because of that striped five-pointed star. The striped five-pointed star felt like it was heating up, growing agitated. I clutched it tightly in my hand, both restraining it and soothing it. Suddenly, a massive explosion echoed in my ears, a sound that pierced the heavens, making it impossible to distinguish reality from illusion. Then came screams, roars, cries, the pounding of running feet, and gunshots… (4) “Bang!” The dorm door burst open, slamming against the wall. I caught a glimpse of the girls’ dorm hallway now. The zombies, so often seen in TV shows, had truly arrived. They were tearing at the beautiful girls. Even worse, several zombies were tearing apart one girl, and the weaker ones, unable to compete with the bigger ones, ripped off an arm and moved aside to enjoy their dinner alone. “Bang!” The door slammed shut again, this time locked. All of us in the dorm were finally together. The last one to rush in was Chloe, who loved being involved in all sorts of campus organizations, and was a pretty big deal there. “You idiot, why are you just standing there? Get your little first-aid kit!” Chloe had a clear gash on her leg, probably from the broken railing in the hallway. I quickly scanned her for any bite marks. Luckily, there were none. Chloe grew impatient and yelled again, “Kira, the first-aid kit!” I obediently handed my small kit to Chloe, as if I wasn’t the one who had just furiously smashed the tablet. Tiffany and Britney stared at the kit I gave Chloe, their eyes suddenly filled with greed. My first-aid kit was stocked with almost all standard medications: painkillers, antibiotics, fever reducers, and external treatments for bruises, bleeding, and pain relief. They regretted not demanding it from me earlier, as Chloe had gotten to it first. They knew getting that little kit back from Chloe wouldn’t be easy. But after their regret, Britney and Tiffany quickly realized that we were now living in the literal apocalypse, trapped in our dorm. Not only were medicines crucial, but solving the problem of food and water was also a critical emergency. “Kira, bring out all your food and drinks,” Britney ordered, her tone almost a command. “Yeah, Kira, bring out all your food and drinks, and we’ll bring out ours too. Then we’ll divide it equally among the three of us. We’re not trying to bully you; we’re roommates, and at a time like this, aren’t we supposed to support and help each other?” Tiffany, remembering my initial “tablet-smashing” outburst, spoke in a much softer, more pleasant tone. I couldn’t help but smile at that. Honestly, Tiffany’s suggestion was exactly what I wanted. I brought out a box of instant noodles, a case of bottled water, and several loaves of bread. It piled up on the table like a small mountain. And what did Britney bring? Some dried fruit snacks and a few jellies. Tiffany was even more ridiculous; she only brought a single pack of probiotic drinks. Under Tiffany’s idea of “equal sharing,” my “little mountain” was reduced to one packet of instant noodles, three small pieces of bread, and one probiotic drink. “Tiffany, are you sure this is *equal* sharing?” I looked at the farce, suddenly using the old nickname I used for Tiffany a long time ago. “S-s-sure,” Tiffany stammered, clearly uncomfortable with the nickname now. “Okay, fine.” Meanwhile, Chloe, who had witnessed the whole charade, let out a scoff and continued to clean her wound. I turned my head and watched Chloe meticulously applying antiseptic to her cut. (5) By the time this zombie crisis fully erupted into public view, I had already known it was coming. It all stemmed from the letter left by my “parents.” They vaguely mentioned that their research team, having accidentally discovered the existence of “Gods” in this world, had tirelessly pursued their presence for years, striving to unveil their mystery. When the “Gods” became aware of this, they were enraged, and thus, the apocalypse began… The striped five-pointed star they left behind was something they’d acquired during their years of chasing “Gods” – likely a small accessory that had fallen from one of them. They said that when the apocalypse arrived, the “Gods” would open the boundary between humans and “Gods,” allowing “God’s punishment” to descend upon humanity. But at the same time, humans could also obtain “God’s power” from this “divine punishment”… When the physical striped five-pointed star brooch vanished and a striped five-pointed star tattoo appeared on my wrist, I knew I had gained the so-called “God’s power,” and also recovered my original memories… (6) Five days after the zombies infiltrated the campus, all the food and water in our dorm were gone. My own stash had been eaten a day earlier. Tiffany started loudly suggesting we all discuss a plan. “We’re out of food and water in the dorm, shouldn’t we all put our heads together and figure this out?” “What’s there to think about? Someone just needs to go out and find some. The four of us can take turns going out to scavenge for food, and then we share it,” Britney said, talking about four people taking turns, but her eyes were glued to me. “Whatever you three do has nothing to do with me. You figure it out yourselves,” Chloe scoffed, rummaging through her locker. “Chloe, what do you mean? Aren’t we roommates? Shouldn’t we be helping each other out right now?” Britney cried. “What I mean is, for the past three years, you two have been going around saying that a slacker and socialite like me doesn’t deserve to be in your dorm, always messing up your chances at winning ‘Outstanding Dorm’ and all that stuff. I know all about it,” Chloe said, pulling out a baseball bat. Seeing the baseball bat, Tiffany and Britney involuntarily huddled closer, clutching each other’s arms. Their posture showed that, subconsciously, they both wanted to push the other in front of them to shield themselves from harm. “Don’t act so wronged. The way you two usually behave, in a world like this, it’s completely normal for you to get hurt by anyone,” Chloe swung the bat a couple of times. Suddenly, a knock came from the door. Britney and Tiffany completely clung to each other. Chloe, unfazed, slowly unlocked both bolts. She opened the door to find her usual crew, the “sketchy friends” Tiffany often complained about. “Later!” Chloe slung on her already packed small bag, grabbed her baseball bat, and sauntered out. Tiffany, realizing what had happened, rushed to close the door and lock it. “What do we do now?” Britney asked. “How about this, Britney, you and Kira go out to find food first this time. Next time, Kira and I will go. We’ll take turns,” Tiffany suggested. “What if Kira goes out alone and just runs off with the food?” “No way! You and Kira go first. Tiffany, you said it yourself! You promised you’d listen to me after I helped you steal Kira’s boyfriend!” Britney, upon hearing she had to go out first, completely lost all reason, spilling their dirty dealings. “Slap!” Tiffany slapped Britney across the face. “Are you crazy? What are you saying?!” Britney looked like she was about to slap her back, but I stopped her. “Enough, stop fighting. The first time, and every time after, you two go out,” I said. “Are you crazy, Kira, you… Ah!” Britney shrieked, but a sudden sharp pain in her stomach made her shut up, clutching her abdomen and groaning. Tiffany was the same. I sat in my chair, watching them both. One was crouched on the floor, gasping in pain, the other sprawled on the ground, brows furrowed, tears even welling in her eyes. “What did you do to us?” Tiffany squeezed out with all her might. “I told you, you have no choice now. Go get supplies. Scavenge this floor. You must bring everything back to me within an hour.” I raised my wrist, focusing on the striped five-pointed star tattoo there. “Don’t get any stupid ideas about leaving and not coming back. You wouldn’t want to experience this kind of excruciating pain again out in a world full of dangers, would you?” No sooner had I spoken than the intense pain in Tiffany and Britney vanished. Their eyes were full of confusion, unable to understand why they were suddenly in a situation where I completely controlled them. Of course, I had no obligation to enlighten them. “Now. Immediately. Get out. Do it.” But seeing their overly frightened faces, I offered one last cold, sarcastic smile: “Don’t worry. Chloe and her crew probably cleared out a lot of the obstacles for you.” Sure enough, the two opened the door and peered into the hallway. There wasn’t a single zombie, just bloodstains everywhere and some scattered body parts. Trembling, the two of them eventually swallowed their fear and left the dorm. (7) Let’s call the power stolen from “God’s punishment” an ‘ability’ for now. As I felt my ability, a saying came to mind: Every gift fate bestows comes with a hidden price tag. From now on, whoever receives my favor will be bound by me, repaying my kindness a thousand times over. (8) Britney and Tiffany returned with supplies thirty minutes after leaving the dorm: some crackers, small bread, bagged instant noodles, and self-heating rice. It was a big bag. They grudgingly handed all the supplies to me, their eyes filled with resentment. I wasn’t in the mood to fight them over such trivial matters. At a time like this, the immediate priority was to fulfill the last wishes in my “parents’” letter and pave a way for human survival. The sudden disaster, highly aggressive monsters, and crumbling government institutions – everything felt like the end of the world, shattering humanity’s spirit. When humanity completely collapses mentally, that’s when the true apocalypse will arrive. While waiting for Tiffany and Britney to return, I had been waiting for news from someone. And just as Tiffany handed the bag to me, my phone screen showed: *You received a message from Chloe.* I clicked it open: *—At the East Gymnasium.* There was still a full-length mirror in the dorm. Before leaving, I meticulously tidied myself up. Seeing that I was about to head out, Tiffany and Britney also wanted to follow me. They seemed to realize, a little late, that I had acquired some extraordinary power during this special time. But of course, I wouldn’t give them what they wanted. “Tiffany and Britney, you won’t be able to move freely for another three hours. Until then, stay in the dorm.” My words instantly took effect. Britney broke down, screaming, “Kira, we’re classmates! Don’t be so cruel! Why can’t you take us with you? If we stay here with no food or water, aren’t we just waiting to die?!” “Britney, don’t you think Chloe was right? Given how you usually behave, whatever happens to you now is to be expected. Why would you think I’d have an ounce of sympathy for you?” “You’re just mad I stole your boyfriend! Tiffany made me do it! She was the class monitor; if I didn’t listen to her, I wouldn’t have any hope for academic excellence or scholarships!” “Maybe. Stealing someone’s boyfriend wasn’t your original intention, but were you forced to spread rumors about me with Chad? Were you forced to tear me down in front of the whole school, making me seem worthless just to boost your own ego?” I didn’t want to hear any more of Britney’s victim-blaming and ‘she’s the most innocent in the world’ nonsense. I walked straight out of the dorm, leaving Britney and Tiffany still tearing at each other inside. “Britney, aren’t you pathetic? You got scholarships, you got poverty certifications, you got plenty of honors – all because of me! And now you think I’m the culprit behind your failed life? You’re sick! If all this blows over, I’m telling you, you’re done. You’ll have nothing, absolutely nothing!” “Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah!” (9) Out of the dorm and turning a corner, I immediately ran into three zombies right at the stairwell of our building. Perhaps Chloe’s group had been gone for a while, and Britney and Tiffany’s racket in the dorm was too loud, drawing these scattered zombies. This also meant that the number of zombies on campus had significantly increased over the past five days. I looked at the three zombies. One’s face was half-torn off, revealing only sharp teeth still capable of tearing flesh. Another was missing an arm but still swung its stump to grab at bits of flesh on the wall. The third still retained human characteristics, wearing decent clothes, waiting for its prey. My exit had already attracted the attention of the three zombies. They all looked at me, then lunged forward simultaneously. They were getting closer. This wasn’t right. They were supposed to be “God’s” messengers; they shouldn’t attack ability users. After all, ability users were half-“Gods.” Before I could think too much, I had to dodge with all my might. The most active one was the most “decently dressed” one. I kicked it hard in the chest several times, but it just flopped back up and lunged again. “Growl!” Without thinking, the half-faced one almost got close again. It lunged to my left. My subconscious told me to quickly grab a broken wooden board from the ground and block it. The board blocked its body, but not its guttural “growls” and the putrid stench it emitted… The three zombies attacked in turns. I had been too confident they wouldn’t attack me, so I hadn’t brought any sharp tools. In an instant, I was cornered, on the verge of becoming zombie food. A sharp pain shot up my leg. Something had scraped my calf—a nail. Because I hadn’t noticed the nail at all, the scrape was quite severe, blood oozing out in a small puddle. The zombies, which had been attacking, suddenly stopped about half a meter from me. They paused. After only four or five seconds, they all carefully moved away, hugging the wall, clearing the path for me. The scene before me confirmed my suspicion: ability users who inherited the “Gods’” power would make zombies avoid them, but only after shedding some “hot blood” first. Ignoring the self-quarantined zombies, I headed straight for the East Gymnasium. When I arrived, the East Gymnasium was no longer as it had been. Three of its four main doors were tightly shut, piled with all sorts of debris, and the doorknobs were tightly bound with chains as thick as wrists. The only door with an opening was its west gate, but the area in front of it was also stacked with many sandbags, and beyond that, circles of dense barbed wire. Looking closely at the barbed wire, it was also laced with electrical wires. While it might not stop a zombie, no ordinary person could easily force their way through. All the external defenses of the East Gymnasium seemed designed to prevent ordinary people from entering. And what was preventing zombie intrusion… I keenly noticed the striped five-pointed star flag hanging from the flagpole in the center of the East Gymnasium. I silently thought, *This must be what keeps the zombies away.* A striped five-pointed star flag and a striped five-pointed star brooch. I stood in front of the camera hanging at the west gate of the East Gymnasium and raised the bag in my hand. “I’m here to join you. This food is my offering.” (10) Inside the gymnasium, many tents had already been set up. I was led in through the west gate by a person who was dressed exactly as they would have been before the apocalypse, looking perfectly clean and at ease. They must have awakened an ability to live so comfortably.

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It was the third year of my marriage to Alexander. He was 35. I was barely 21, just a senior in college. I hadn’t even decided if I wanted to be a full-time housewife. That’s when I overheard him chatting with a bunch of industry big shots: “Chloe brings nothing to the table besides her youth. “Compared to her, Serena is so much more sophisticated and sharp. I’m actually starting to regret getting married. Keeping a young mistress costs next to nothing, but divorcing now? The financial hit would be massive.” Without a word, I turned and handed him the divorce papers. When he saw the white paper with black ink stating I’d walk away with absolutely nothing, he let out a long sigh of relief. Then, feigning generosity, he said, “I’ll transfer twenty million to your account. Consider it compensation.” I smiled and politely refused. “I’m still young. I can afford to play the game.” What he didn’t know was that my brother, Julian, was a titan in the business world, a force to be reckoned with. Alex had only ever climbed his way into that elite circle thanks to Julian’s unwavering support. Divorcing me? His losses had only just begun. 0

During my senior year internship, I made a decisive move. To catch an extra glimpse of my handsome husband every day, I went straight to Alexander’s company. As a low-level intern, I kept such a low profile that Alex himself didn’t even know I was there. I was afraid of being a bother, of distracting him. Occasionally, I’d overhear other interns discussing Alex. I’d listen closely, never speaking up. “Mr. Alexander is so dreamy! Thirty-five is the prime age for a man.” “Too bad he’s married. His wife is apparently just some obscure young girl.” “Ugh, why couldn’t I be that lucky…” When I was 18, Alexander, wanting to make his intentions clear, declared on the very first day of chasing me that he was in it for the long haul, aiming for marriage. He even gave me a wedding ring right then and there. I responded with an overwhelming passion. We dated for a year before getting married. It was impulsive, intoxicating. Sweet and blissful. He gave me a dream romance beyond my wildest imagination. His love, the kind you read about in romance novels, was intense, direct, and consumed me whole. It left me breathless, my head spinning, unable to find my bearings. If I hadn’t come to intern at his company, I might never have discovered his secrets. Serena. Alexander’s secretary. Sexy, beautiful, the quintessential mature woman. She was always with Alex on business trips and at client events. She handled all the company’s big and small affairs, understanding the business even better than Alex himself. So, before anyone knew Alex was married, everyone in the company assumed Serena was the real boss lady. In the cafeteria, I’d even hear old employees who’d worked alongside Serena grumble. “Mr. Alexander must be blind not to appreciate a beauty like Serena right under his nose.” “And Serena even gave up a high-level executive position at a public company to be his secretary.” “Mark my words, once the initial spark dies down, Alex will ditch his wife and finally be with Serena.” There were so many rumors. I never paid them any mind. After all, the passion between Alex and me was a nightly routine. Until one evening, at a corporate event, Serena got drunk and declared her feelings for Alex in front of everyone. It was less a confession and more of an ultimatum, forcing Alex to choose. Serena asked if he had feelings for her. Alex remained silent for a long moment. Serena pressed, “If you don’t have feelings for me, then why won’t you approve my resignation letter?!” Alex’s face was grim. He finally uttered one word: “I do.” Then, he gazed at Serena with what looked like deep affection. “I do have feelings for you. I can’t do without you, so I can’t approve your resignation. Can you understand that?” Serena smiled, downed a shot glass of strong liquor, grabbed her bag, and walked out. The air solidified for two seconds. Then Alex chased after her. Everyone at that gathering was a long-time colleague who had built the company with Alex and Serena. I hadn’t attended. But Maya, a bubbly friend who loved gossip, filmed the whole scene and sent it to me privately. Maya asked me: [Do you think something will happen between Mr. Alexander and Serena tonight?] I replied: [Probably not… right?] [They’re adults, Chloe. They’ve known each other for ages, clearly have deep feelings, and they’ve been drinking and confessing? You really think nothing’s going to happen?] I typed back firmly: [Alex is married, he knows better, and Serena is too classy to be a ‘side chick’!] [You make a good point. But we’ll know for sure tomorrow what went down.] I didn’t understand what Maya meant by “we’ll know for sure tomorrow.” But the moment I exited our chat, I knew the answer. Alex’s message popped up. He said he wouldn’t be home tonight; he had an unexpected client event. My heart skipped a beat. I immediately called him. At first, there was no answer. I called several times. Finally, Alex picked up. “Baby, my phone was on silent, didn’t hear it. What’s wrong?” I bit back my emotions, my fingernails digging into my skin. “Honey, you’re really not coming home tonight?” “Nope, a get-together. Everyone’s here, can’t leave. Baby, please understand.” I clenched my jaw and continued, “Are there any women at your get-together?” He paused, then chuckled. “No, why? Since when do you check up on me? Want to video call? I can prove I’m innocent.” As he spoke, I heard it – a soft rustle, the unmistakable sound of fine fabric against hotel sheets. In the past, when our love was wild and passionate, I’d often heard that sound. “Mmph…” A low, guttural groan escaped Alex’s lips. And in that instant, the knot of doubt in my chest unraveled. Three years with Alex, countless nights of intimacy – I knew exactly what that sound meant. It was the raw, uninhibited release of someone giving themselves over to pure, unadulterated pleasure. It was a detail he probably didn’t even notice himself. Well, good. I didn’t even need to stop him from cheating. He already had. I forced a bitter laugh. “No need for a video call… I might go blind.” “You have fun. I’m going to sleep.” My heart was dead. I was about to hang up. Then Alex spoke again from the other end. His voice was hoarse and low. “Baby, we closed a huge deal tonight. Everyone needs to work extra hard starting tomorrow. I’ll probably be working late, so don’t wait up for dinner anymore.” Was it working extra hours? Or spending extra hours with Serena? To me, it no longer mattered. 0

The call disconnected. I didn’t sleep a wink all night. Sporting dark circles under my eyes, I dragged myself to the office. My mind was still blank when Maya sidled up to me, eager to continue last night’s gossip. “Something definitely happened between Mr. Alexander and Serena last night.” I frowned slightly. Then she continued, “Mr. Alexander’s clothes were all wrinkled this morning, and… he was wearing the same outfit as yesterday. Doesn’t that mean he didn’t go home at all last night?” I nodded, too drained to praise her for her keen observation. She went on, “Serena was late this morning too, and she looked like a woman utterly blissful, almost glowing. She’s usually so sharp and decisive, but today she seemed completely transformed.” I asked her, “Transformed how?” She thought for a moment. “Brighter, sexier, and… almost delicate. See for yourself.” I looked up. I saw Serena walk in, wearing a figure-hugging dress. I’d seen that dress before. I’d spotted it when I was out shopping with Alex. But they didn’t have my size, so I paid for it and pre-ordered it, asking them to ship it to Alex when it arrived. Now, it seemed the dress had arrived. But it seemed the intended recipient of the gift had changed. Serena was in a great mood. She walked in and immediately asked everyone what they wanted to drink; her treat. Everyone cheered excitedly. I sat in my corner, a mix of emotions churning inside me. I tried to numb myself with work. But it didn’t help. I drifted through the morning until noon. I sat at my desk, eating my takeout lunch. Serena, meanwhile, carried several large, exquisitely packed lunch bags into Alex’s office. She stayed in there all afternoon. She didn’t emerge until late afternoon, almost closing time. Maya, sitting beside me, ‘tsk-tsked’ twice, sighing, “Seriously, what has this world come to? Of all the people Serena could fall for, it had to be a married man. Little Jane, who sits closer to the CEO’s office, said Serena practically threw herself into Mr. Alexander’s arms the moment she walked in. They nearly turned the office into a hotel!” After that, Maya even sent me a photo Jane had secretly taken. Serena was sitting on Alex’s lap, feeding him. The intimacy in their expressions and body language was undeniable. “I wonder how Mr. Alexander’s wife would feel if she saw this scene,” Maya whispered with a soft sigh. Mr. Davies, sitting across from us, frowned. “They’re clearly smitten with each other. Why are you two getting involved?” Maya didn’t catch Mr. Davies’s meaning and playfully added, “Oh, absolutely! A mistress, without a doubt!” Mr. Davies looked annoyed. He tossed a stack of audit reports at Maya. “Since you’re so idle, finish these. No going home until they’re done.” Maya’s face fell. I quietly sent her a SnapChat message: [Mr. Davies and Serena go way back. He’s definitely on her side, so don’t say things like that anymore.] Maya sent back a crying emoji. I comforted her: [I’ll help you with that report. Let’s finish it quickly and get out of here. I’ll treat you to some lobster.] She brightened up immediately. Later that evening, just as we finally finished our overtime tasks and were about to head out for lobster, Mr. Davies called out to us again. “Hard work, you two. How about we all grab some supper together?” Mr. Davies didn’t even give us a chance to refuse. He turned and led us to a restaurant near the company. After dinner, we were then dragged to a KTV. We were reluctant. But there was nothing we could do. Interns had little say. Huddled in a dark corner, we started playing some mobile game instead. We were so engrossed. We didn’t even notice several people slowly entering the private room. Until I heard a familiar voice. Then I saw Alexander, surrounded by a group of industry big shots, seated at the head of the table. At first, everyone talked about projects. Later, the conversation shifted to personal lives. About kids, wives, in-laws… and of course, mistresses. “I saw Serena’s Ins post, something about true love finally finding its way. What’s up? Did you finally come to your senses and officially make Serena yours?” someone asked. I unconsciously perked up my ears. Alex said calmly, “You guys don’t understand the situation that day. I had no choice. Serena was forcing my hand. If I didn’t want her, she’d resign. And you know, Serena has been with the company for so many years; the company can’t function without her. Of course… you could also say I can’t function without her.” “But Serena is okay with being a mistress? Alex, don’t mess this up for yourself later.” “Right, how much effort did you put into marrying that young girl? We all saw it. Never mind if your ‘side chick’ is stable, but if your wife back home finds out, she’ll tear the place apart!” “It’s not like that. If Serena doesn’t mind, why should the other girl?” “You’ve spoiled that girl for years, Alex. How could she go back to an ordinary life? Even if she found out about the ‘side chick,’ she wouldn’t dare make a fuss. She’d at least hold onto the ‘Mrs. Alexander’ title. It guarantees her a comfortable life, a life of privilege.” Everyone chimed in, one after another. Ultimately, they concluded that as long as Alex kept Serena happy and quiet, his wife wouldn’t be able to cause a stir. They even congratulated Alex on having the best of both worlds. Maya listened, her face crumpled in disgust. She couldn’t help but whisper to me, “Disgusting.” Then she added, “Even though Alex is a total jerk, what they’re saying isn’t completely wrong. That girl probably hasn’t even graduated yet, no family connections, no capabilities. Making a fuss wouldn’t do her any good. What do you think…?” I nodded. “There won’t be any fuss. In this day and age, everyone wants to be civil.” All matters could be discussed calmly. Even divorce. Just then, Alex put down his drink and spoke: “Yes, Chloe brings nothing to the table besides her youth. Compared to her, Serena is so much more sophisticated. “But with Serena’s proud nature, I wonder how long she’ll put up with it. “I’m actually starting to regret getting married. It barely costs anything to keep a young girl on the side, but a divorce now? That’s a huge financial hit.” So, he was calculating his losses. Right, Alex and I were legally married. A divorce would mean splitting his marital assets. Fine. If that’s what Alex wanted. I’d walk away with absolutely nothing. But the price he’d pay for my departure… that was a debt he would absolutely have to settle. *** 0

Until everyone dispersed, Serena took a wine-soaked Alex away. I watched from afar as they embraced, lips pressed against lips. Perhaps they had restrained themselves for too long. Once they got into the car, it began to rock and sway. I silently recorded everything that had just happened. Then, I made a FaceTime call to my brother. “What’s up, little sis? What makes you call me so late?” My brother’s voice instantly touched the softest part of my heart. A sob escaped me, and tears streamed down my face. “Hey, kiddo, what’s wrong? Are you crying?” I was so choked up I couldn’t speak. My brother immediately asked where I was. I mumbled an address to him. Half an hour later, he appeared before me. I was huddled on a street curb, trembling. My brother took off his jacket, draped it over me, and sat silently beside me. “Where’s Alex?” “He cheated.” My brother froze, his jaw clenched tight. “Where is he? I’ll kill him.” I grabbed his hand, shaking my head. “No need. You’d just get your hands dirty.” My brother stomped his foot hard on the ground in frustration! But he wasn’t satisfied. He asked me, “Are you going to divorce him?” I nodded without hesitation. “Could it be a misunderstanding?” I showed my brother all the videos and photos stored on my phone. Even though I said nothing, my brother had already made his decision. He immediately pulled out his phone and made a few calls. One was to his lawyer friend, asking him to draft a divorce agreement for me. The other was to several suppliers connected to Alex, telling them not to sign any recently negotiated contracts, not to renew expiring ones, and to revoke discounts on existing ones, charging market rates. After making the calls, my brother took my hand. “Come on, let’s go home.” I shook my head, tears still clinging to my eyelashes. “Before we go home, I want to move out.” My brother didn’t hesitate. He drove us to the marital home Alex and I shared. Alex had bought the house. I had nothing to be nostalgic about. It was just that I had lived there for three years and never expected to leave this way. “If you want this house, I’ll get you the best lawyers to help you get it.” “No, Julian, thank you. Anything that touches Alex just feels dirty to me now.” 0 After moving out of that villa, I waited for Alex to contact me before confronting him. But sadly, a week went by. He hadn’t even realized I’d moved out. He’d just send me routine messages saying: [Working late today, don’t wait up for me.]

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Julian and I? Our breakup was brutal. I betrayed him when he loved me most. Years later, when I was forced to beg him for help, he pointed to the skyscraper’s rooftop. “Chloe,” he sneered, “jump from there, and I’ll consider it.” Later, I really did die. The moment I saw Julian again after five years, my mind went completely blank. Julian was at St. Jude’s Medical Center with his girlfriend, Eleanor, for their pre-wedding health check-up. I, meanwhile, was stuck in the hospital lobby’s registration line, arguing with a middle-aged man. I told him off for cutting in line. He, in turn, yelled at me for being young and disrespectful. But he couldn’t have been more than fifty, and looked perfectly healthy. People around us started whispering, as if *I* were the problem. My mood was already shot today, so I refused to back down. As I argued with him, I felt like I was making a complete scene. I was just about to loudly call for a manager when, I looked up and suddenly saw Julian not far away. Five years had passed, and he looked much more mature. Gone was the bright, arrogant boy; now he was in a sharp suit, his eyes sophisticated and cold. The girl beside him had long, wavy hair, fair skin, and a sweet, docile look. She was holding his arm, shyly asking the hospital receptionist, “Excuse me, which department should we go to for a pre-wedding check-up?” The receptionist nurse happened to be walking towards me, stopped, and answered her, “For the bride, it’s Gynecology. For the groom, Urology.” Eleanor blushed, nodded, and thanked her. The nurse then approached me and persuaded the middle-aged man to go to the back of the line. Mr. Henderson grumbled unhappily, muttering a few things. I didn’t catch what he said, my hands and feet were freezing, and my mind was utterly empty. I didn’t even realize I was staring at Julian. Julian noticed me too. His gaze met mine, cold and indifferent. It was as if he barely remembered me. Eleanor sensed something was off, tilted her head, and asked him, “What’s wrong? Is that someone you know?”

Julian pulled his gaze away, his eyes softening as he looked down. “Just a classmate from back in the day, not really close.” Eleanor nodded, then glanced at me again. That’s when I snapped back to reality, awkwardly averting my eyes. Julian tightened his grip on Eleanor’s hand. “It’s lunchtime. Let’s grab a bite, then come back this afternoon for the queue.” My face burned, as if I’d been thrown into a fire. Luckily, the crowd was thick and noisy, allowing me to almost disappear into it. My body was stiff until Liam, in his white coat, walked over. He raised a hand and patted my shoulder. “Grab your dad and come with me. You won’t get a morning slot at this point.” Then, mindful of others around, he pulled me aside and lowered his voice. “I’ll figure something out.” I jolted, quickly thanking him repeatedly. My dad was still sitting on a bench behind me, his face drawn and pale. When I walked over to call him, he looked like a child caught doing something wrong, fidgeting nervously. I tried to sound casual, joking, “We couldn’t get a morning appointment, so Dr. Spencer is pulling some strings for us.” My dad stood up awkwardly, licking his dry lips. “Chloe, maybe we can skip a few dialysis sessions. “Doing too many makes me feel uncomfortable.”

I knew he was worried about the money. With kidney failure in his current state, he needed dialysis two or three times a week. Each session, including medication, cost over a thousand bucks. He was sick now, couldn’t earn money, and knew I was struggling. But this illness was brutal, and more dialysis sessions, however painful, could ease his suffering a little. I hugged his arm tightly, saying seriously, “You just follow the doctor’s orders, okay? “I’m about to close a major deal. Once that contract’s signed, I’ll be promoted to lead manager. “A thousand bucks? That’s barely enough for a decent dinner for me these days!” Truth be told, even as a lead manager, I’d barely make ten thousand a month. But at least, I wouldn’t have to borrow money for my dad’s medical bills anymore. Liam walked up to us, smiling as he helped my dad with his other arm. His voice was gentle: “Mr. David, just focus on your treatment. “Chloe is a powerhouse at her company; you don’t need to worry about money.” My dad loved me dearly, but a flicker of pride still shone in his eyes when he heard that. “My girl has always been capable.” After completing the procedures, my dad lay in the ward, undergoing dialysis. It was almost 1 PM, and I went downstairs to the cafeteria to buy him food. Stepping out of the elevator on the first floor, I found my path blocked by Julian.

Eleanor, Julian’s girlfriend, was nowhere in sight. He looked at me with cold eyes, his voice thin and laced with sarcasm. “Congratulations, Chloe. So, you two finally made it official, huh?” My palms were sweating, and I desperately tried to walk past him. It had been five years since our breakup. And even now, I couldn’t muster the courage to have a proper conversation with him. Every time I thought about what happened, it was like an unhealed wound being ripped open again. From head to toe, I felt a sharp ache and a chilling cold. Julian reached out and grabbed my arm, refusing to let me go. “What’s wrong, Chloe? Did you do too many shady things back then? Now you can’t even look me in the eye?” My face went ashen as I tried to push his hand away, my voice trembling uncontrollably. “Mr. Sterling, we’re over. Please, have some respect.” Julian chuckled as if he’d heard a hilarious joke. “Respect? Chloe, how do *you* even have the nerve to talk about respect with me?” I shoved his hand away, almost stumbling as I fled in a panicked rush. I ran a long way before daring to stop. Looking back, he hadn’t chased me. Julian was right. To this day, the one person least qualified to talk about “respect” with him was me.

Five years ago, when Julian loved me most, I betrayed him. I still remember, during that month when I suddenly disappeared, Julian searched for me like a madman, turning the world upside down. Until he saw a video shared in the university group chat. In the video, I was in bed with a man. I was actively hugging the man’s neck, my face relaxed, my eyes filled only with him. The man’s face was blurry, just a vague profile. But my face in the video was crystal clear. The video only appeared in the chat for less than ten seconds before an admin deleted it. But many had saved it, and everyone who needed to know, knew. Rumors spread through the university that I was involved in illegal activities. Julian didn’t believe it, until a month later, I appeared before him. Liam was with me. That day, I stood before Julian, in a long silence. Julian’s eyes were red, his face trembling. “Chloe, explain this to me.” He pressed me, then watched me pull out a marriage certificate. “I’m sorry, Liam and I have been together for years. “I used you. Besides ‘I’m sorry,’ I should also say ‘thank you.’” Julian looked as if he’d been struck by lightning. He stood frozen, staring at me intently. I thanked him for helping me get into my dream university. I thanked him for giving up his overseas study spot for Liam, whom I loved most. I don’t remember what else I said. I only remember that until the very end, he never opened that marriage certificate to look at it. He raised a hand at me, his eyes filled with an anger I’d never seen before. That gesture lasted a long time. But finally, his palm slowly fell on top of my head. His voice was filled with the deepest hatred, yet tears streamed down his face in front of me. “Chloe, you’re cruel.” “Don’t ever let me see you again in this lifetime.”

After taking my dad home from dialysis, I spent the evening there. I’d taken two days off to look after him. The next morning, I received a call from a colleague. Her voice had a hint of gloating concern. “Chloe, you don’t know yet, do you? Tiffany stole your deal!” I only had one deal I was currently working on. As soon as it was signed, my promotion to lead manager was guaranteed. Everything for that deal was already settled; it was just a matter of scheduling a signing with the other company. I rushed to the office. Immediately, I saw Tiffany, arm-in-arm with Julian, walking out with a smug smile. Tiffany saw me and immediately smiled apologetically. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Chloe. Julian took me out to dinner last night. “Mr. Carlson was there too, and when the deal came up, he insisted on signing with me.” Julian let out a dismissive, cold laugh. “What’s there to be sorry about? In business, it’s every man for himself.” My temper flared instantly, and I blurted out without thinking. “Every man for himself? Or ‘every woman for herself’ using her bedroom skills?!” Before Tiffany could react in anger, Julian spoke first. “Chloe, if you had *those* skills, you could have had it too.” My fists clenched tight, and I glared at him. “I don’t need them!” Julian’s face was full of mockery. “Oh? Then what exactly are you doing right now?” Tiffany, still clinging to his arm, walked away. I turned, raised my phone, and snapped a few pictures of them. “Julian, I bet your fiancée doesn’t know about this, does she?” Julian stopped in his tracks, turning to look at me. I couldn’t afford to miss this promotion opportunity again. My family had a mountain of debt, and my dad still needed money for his treatments. Thinking Julian, being the kind of person he was, would care most about his reputation, I clutched my phone, deciding to go all out. “If you don’t make my life easy, I’ll send these pictures out!” Julian’s eyes held a faint smile. “Oh, really?”

The moment he finished speaking, my phone was unexpectedly snatched away. Julian’s lawyer, Mr. Thorne, stood behind me, having recorded the entire exchange. Mr. Thorne then took pictures of the photos on my phone, speaking calmly. “Ms. Clark, unauthorized photography is illegal and can lead to detention. “As for blackmail, it carries a sentence of up to three years. “In severe cases, it can be three to ten years.” He waved his own phone. “Witnesses, physical evidence – the proof is solid.” “Ms. Clark, should I call the police, or would you prefer to come to the station with me?” I was stunned, completely unable to react. Julian looked at me with amusement. “What’s wrong, don’t you recognize me?” His demeanor wasn’t a joke; he was serious about pressing charges. If I really went to the police station, even if I wasn’t sentenced for three to five years, I’d at least be detained for a few days. But my dad’s condition was unstable now; I couldn’t be away even for a day. My bravado instantly withered. “I… I was just talking.” The smile vanished from Julian’s face, his gaze burning into me. “Chloe, adults always have to pay the price for every word they’ve spoken.” I knew he was talking about the things I’d said years ago. I’d said I wanted to be with him, I’d said I loved him. Then later, I’d said thank you, and I’m sorry. Julian left with Tiffany in his car, and his lawyer stopped me. Mr. Thorne called the police, and before long, I was taken to the station. Julian accused me of two crimes. One was illegal photography, the other was blackmail. The blackmail charge would await verification and judgment. As for illegal photography, the police department gave me five days of detention. That evening, confined in the detention room, I finally lost my composure. My dad was alone at home, unable to reach me. If he had a medical emergency, no one would be there to help him. I could only plead with the police, my voice thick with tears, “Please, could you help me contact Julian? “I can explain. My dad is home alone, and he’s not well. I’m scared something might happen.”

The officer listened to me for a long time. Finally, he went out and called Julian. It was a full two hours before Julian leisurely arrived. He brought with him a strong scent of perfume. There was a small red mark on his shirt collar, whether lipstick or something else, I couldn’t tell. I quickly glanced and then awkwardly looked away. I clenched my hands and managed to speak, “What I did was wrong. I apologize.” Julian sat across from me, his gaze falling on my wrist. There was a bracelet there, covering a scar. That scar was from when I was severely depressed, left during a moment of disorientation. I subconsciously lowered my hand, then said anxiously, “Just let me go home. Whatever you want, just name it.” Julian looked at me indifferently. “Go home where?” I didn’t quite understand what he meant, but I still explained, “My dad and I are living in a rented apartment right now. “He’s alone at home, and his health hasn’t been good these past few years.” Julian’s voice was mocking. “So, you and Liam haven’t even bought a wedding home yet?” I remained silent. Julian’s gaze fixated on me. “Chloe, if you like staying here, then keep talking nonsense.” It wasn’t that I hadn’t thought about explaining everything to him. But when I considered that he was about to get married, with a fiancée, what was the point of bringing up those old things again? Still, I was tired. I didn’t want to repeat the same lies to him either. After a long silence, Julian finally stood up and spoke again. “Come on. My stomach isn’t feeling well. Cook me a meal, and we’ll call it even.” I couldn’t refuse and immediately stood up to follow him. Julian explained to the police that it was a misunderstanding and said he wouldn’t press charges, then took me away. My phone was with the police, and Julian ended up with it. He still hadn’t given it back to me by the time we reached his place. I figured he didn’t know the password anyway and couldn’t see anything, so I just let him keep it. Julian sat on the living room sofa, casually tossing my phone onto the coffee table. He leaned back on the sofa like a king, ordering me, “Go make dinner.”

For a moment, I felt like we were back in our old days together. When we rented a place in college, he’d sometimes act like this too. But I’d always end up dragging him by the ear into the kitchen to cook himself. He once indulged me without limits. He’d stay up all night organizing notes to help me get into the same university. In college, he gave up his study abroad slot because he saw me secretly crying. That slot later went to Liam, my best friend. I pulled myself out of memory lane, seeing Julian still sprawled on the sofa, unmoving. He really did have a stomachache. I’d noticed on the way back that his脸色 didn’t look good. His stomach issues were hereditary, something he’d had since childhood. He was also very particular about what he ate, needing bland, nourishing food. I went out and bought some groceries. He didn’t stop me, probably because he had my phone and wasn’t afraid I’d run. I bought millet, jujube seeds, and some herbs. A soft, comforting millet porridge, paired with jujube seed soup – good for appetite and digestion. All these years, I still remembered them clearly. Porridge takes time to cook, and jujube seed soup is also complicated. I spent nearly three hours in the kitchen. It was deep into the night when both the porridge and soup were finally ready. Midway, Julian came into the kitchen, leaning against the doorframe, teasing me. “Chloe, are you deliberately trying to spend the night here?” I remembered some past things and couldn’t help but blush. I stammered a bit, “Are you hungry? Maybe I can make something else first, just to tie you over?” Julian just dropped a curt “Not hungry” and went back to the living room. He seemed to be in a better mood. But when I brought out the porridge and soup, his face was stony again. He was still sitting on the sofa. A pet dog he owned sat beside his feet. I cleared the dining table and set everything out. Julian walked over, the dog following him. He reached the table, picked up the large pot of soup, and directly poured it into the pot of porridge. I was startled. “They’re supposed to be drunk separately, you can’t mix them!” As I said it, I suddenly remembered: this wasn’t the first time he’d eaten these. I used to make them for him often; he couldn’t possibly not know. Julian mixed the two items together. Then he casually picked up a pair of forks, expressionlessly stirring the mess. I watched three hours of my effort turn into a disaster in his hands. He picked up the porridge pot, dumped it on the floor, and beckoned to the dog. “Here, eat.”

The dog wagged its tail and trotted over, sticking its head into the pot. After a moment, the dog pulled its head out and walked away. Jujube seed soup has a medicinal taste; dogs wouldn’t eat it. Julian looked at me, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “See? Even the dog knows it’s disgusting.” My face instantly went ashen. How could I have thought that, after all this time, Julian would genuinely ask me to cook for him? Julian took a step closer to me. “Chloe, you’re having a tough time, aren’t you? You really want my help?” I thought of the lead manager position, almost within my grasp, now snatched away. I thought of my dad in the hospital, guilty and self-reproaching, saying, “Maybe we can skip a few dialysis sessions.” My hands were clenched tight, unable to utter a single word. Julian reached out and moved a decorative item on the dining table closer to him. It was a model of his company’s skyscraper, forty-five stories tall. His long fingers tapped the very top of the model. Then, simulating the arc of something falling from a great height, his finger gently descended to the table. His voice was cold and cruel. “It’s not impossible for me to help you. “My company building has a rooftop above the forty-fifth floor. “Chloe, jump from there, and I’ll consider it.” My eyes were bloodshot, seeing nothing but red. I turned around, my body numb, and walked out.

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“Child, if you stay, I’ll give you a billion.” “No, two billion!” In the grand study of the Thorne family estate, Mr. Sterling Thorne sat on an ornate mahogany armchair, practically begging the girl in front of him. But I, sitting opposite him, just shook my head. Then, I gently pushed the massive check back across the table. “Grandpa Sterling, I’m sorry. Our agreement was for six years, and now that time is up. My debt of gratitude is repaid. It’s time for me to go.” My voice was soft, yet utterly resolute. Seeing my resolve, Mr. Sterling Thorne could only sigh. “These years have been hard on you. Before you leave, tell me anything you want.” I was silent for a long moment before finally speaking: “I want you to… approve of Alexander and Scarlett being together.” “You asked me to get close to Alexander to make him let go of Scarlett. But six years have passed, and you’ve seen it. Perhaps true love truly cannot be broken.” Hearing this, Mr. Sterling Thorne let out another heavy sigh, his eyes filled with weariness and helplessness. “Alright, alright, I’m old. I won’t meddle in their young people’s affairs anymore. Let them do as they please. As for the divorce, child, you’ll have to tell Alexander yourself.” I nodded, bowing respectfully to the elder, then stood up and walked towards the main door. Once in the car, I took one last look at the old estate. The first time I came to this grand house, it was to repay a debt. I was a child from an orphanage, destined to drop out of school like the others. But I was lucky. Mr. Sterling Thorne noticed me, and with the Thorne family’s sponsorship, I had a chance at an education. I was gifted and hardworking, skipping grades and graduating with a PhD from Harvard at just 22. The year I finished my studies, I specifically came to the Thorne estate to thank Mr. Sterling Thorne in person. He sat above me, looking weary, and made a request. “Child, the Thorne family lacks nothing in wealth. If you wish to repay your gratitude, grant me one request. From today, for the next six years, you will get close to Alexander, the heir of Thorne Industries, and bear him a child, to make him let go of… his adoptive sister.” It was then I learned that Alexander Thorne, the heir to Thorne Industries, had fallen for his adoptive sister, Scarlett. He was willing to give up his position as heir and defy all taboos to be with her. He had always been the perfect heir, the golden boy, but for this woman, he became so rebellious. The entire Thorne family was in a frenzy. To quash his intentions, they even sent Scarlett abroad. But after that, Alexander fell into a deep slump, drinking heavily day after day. To repay my debt, I agreed. Afterward, I started pursuing Alexander relentlessly, playing the role of a woman madly in love with him. Finally, I got what I wanted: we married, and I bore him a child. For six full years, I worked diligently and without complaint. But when Scarlett returned recently, his long-suppressed love immediately reignited. Even our son, Leo, often taken to visit Scarlett, grew fond of her and began to resent me, his birth mother. It turned out that his idealized first love, the one he never spoke of, he had never forgotten. Thankfully, from now on, none of this would concern me. The Thorne family’s contract with me was only for six years, and the child was already born. Finally, I could leave. My sprawling thoughts reeled back, and my gaze shifted back inside the car. The next second, I saw an out-of-control truck speeding towards us. Then, a series of crashing sounds. “Bang!” The moment the sensation of falling hit, my forehead slammed against the hard seat. Excruciating pain ripped through my consciousness. My vision went black, and I passed out completely. When I woke again, the pure white ceiling and the sharp smell of disinfectant reminded me where I was. The nurse on rounds, seeing me awake, asked for some basic information before remarking, “You’re really lucky. Just a mild concussion. We had over a dozen patients brought in from that multi-car pileup on Shoreline Drive, and you’re the only survivor.” The nurse checked me again and sighed in relief. “Nothing serious. Just need your family to sign some papers, and then you can leave.” I sat up with difficulty, still reeling from the shock of surviving such a close call. After a long moment, I nodded, picked up my phone, and dialed Alexander’s number. The ringing sound went on and on, but he never answered. Finally, perhaps annoyed, he simply hung up. One call, two calls, three calls… I made over a dozen calls, but he never picked up once. I lowered my eyes and tapped another number – our son, Leo. Time ticked by. The call was hung up again and again. Finally, a message popped up on the screen: **[Can you stop bothering me? I have important things to do. Oh, and make some BBQ ribs at home.]** The impatient tone, the imperious attitude. If no one told you, who would guess the sender was the son I carried for nine months?

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Julian, the campus’s most notorious rich kid, posted a job ad on the university’s student forum. “My girlfriend has a terrible temper, so I need to find her a personal assistant. Duties include getting her meals, picking up packages, and keeping her happy. Pay is ten grand a month.” As soon as the post went up, girls from all over the school swarmed it. Some wanted the cash, others hoping to snag him for themselves. When it was my turn, Julian squinted at me, looking a bit tired. “Always be at her beck and call, handling everything without a single complaint – can you do that?” “Oh, and one more thing,” he added, “make absolutely sure you don’t get any ideas about me.” I agreed. But later, the night I went public with my new boyfriend… He cornered me against the wall, asking, word by word, “Is he richer than me? Is he better to you than me? You *really* want to be with him?” Julian paid me three months’ salary in advance. Thirty thousand dollars in total. He didn’t even blink. He just said, “I did my research. I heard your family’s been going through a rough time. Take this for now.” He was right. My parents passed away young, and my grandma raised me. But recently, Grandma was in a car accident and is still in the hospital. The hospital bills were a crushing weight, pressing down on me every single day. I pursed my lips. “Thank you. I’ll make sure to do a good job.” He raised an eyebrow, a casual, almost flippant tone in his voice. “Of course, you will.” “Chloe is practically my queen. Take good care of her, and you’ll be well rewarded.” I nodded. “Okay.” Honestly, I couldn’t believe such a lucky break landed in my lap. After all, I wasn’t particularly outgoing, and my presence in class was pretty much nonexistent. Of course, I later learned from Chloe herself what Julian had actually said. He’d told her, “This girl’s looks are average, her social life is average, and she seems pretty quiet. Kind of like… a humble, unassuming assistant type. Someone like that can actually put up with your terrible temper.” So, from that day on, I became Chloe’s shadow. One phone call, and I’d be there. In less than two months, I’d visibly slimmed down. Her temper was explosive. She’d call me stupid constantly, and when her emotions got out of control, she’d even slap me in front of everyone. When my roommate Brooke found out, she felt it was completely unfair. “That money doesn’t seem easy to earn at all.” “She doesn’t even treat you like a human being.” “I really envy Chloe. Just with a pretty face, she can get Julian to be so completely devoted to her.” I’d actually heard some stories about Julian and Chloe. They were high school sweethearts. Chloe came from an average family. After they started dating, Julian covered all her tuition and living expenses. When she went to college and didn’t want to live in the dorms, he bought her an apartment in the complex right across from campus. You could say that half of Chloe’s temper was Julian’s doing, he’d spoiled her rotten. At this point, Brooke suddenly took my face in her hands and looked closely. “Harper, go put on some makeup and brush your bangs back.” “You’re definitely prettier than Chloe.” “Find yourself a wealthy boyfriend too, then you wouldn’t have to put up with this crap.”

Of course, I didn’t see it as “crap.” That was thirty thousand dollars! I’d never seen so much money in my life. If I had one wish right now, it would be for Julian and Chloe, that golden couple, to stay together. But the very next day, I got some bad news. They had a fight. Chloe smashed everything in her apartment. Then she called me over: “Clean all this up, and then make me something to eat.” I immediately got to it. Halfway through, my phone rang. I picked it up. It was a SnapChat message from Julian. [You there? How is she?] I glanced at Chloe, not far away. She had just showered and was now sitting on the couch, applying a face mask, watching a popular romantic drama on her tablet. I pondered for a moment. Then I replied. [Maybe you should come and make up with her?] I really hoped they’d reconcile. Otherwise, I was at constant risk of losing my job. Unless Julian’s next girlfriend was just as delicate and needed someone running around catering to her every whim. Julian didn’t reply again. After another twenty minutes or so, the warm meal I’d been preparing was ready. I ladled it up, about to place it on the dining table. Chloe suddenly stood up from the couch, ran past me, and bumped right into me. The bowl shattered, and the meal spilled all over my wrist. It was so hot, I couldn’t help but hiss. Chloe glanced at me. “Oops, how clumsy of you.” “Clean that up yourself. I need to go change. Julian will be here soon.” With that, she went into her bedroom. I gritted my teeth against the pain, squatting on the floor, cleaning up the mess piece by piece. About fifteen minutes later, the doorbell rang. Chloe emerged, wearing a pure white dress and a touch of light makeup, looking like a princess. And I was the princess’s maid. Standing inconspicuously in the corner, waiting for her next command. The door opened, and I saw Julian. Every time he saw Chloe, he brought her a gift. All sorts of jewelry, bags, and roses. Each one staggeringly expensive. Tonight was no exception. Chloe eyed the luxury item in his hand, then sniffed. “So you finally decided to show up, huh?” Julian stood in the doorway, coaxing her, smiling as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. “Of course. No matter what, I can’t let you sulk, can’t I?” His voice was incredibly gentle, completely different from the Julian I knew at school.

I’d seen Julian a long time ago. I heard his family wasn’t just rich; they were incredibly powerful. He was always surrounded by friends, an entire entourage. Back when freshman year just started, we actually had a very brief interaction. I was working a part-time job at a club back then. All sorts of people showed up at places like that. Someone was grabbing my arm, insisting I have a drink. It was Julian who stepped in front of me, his voice cold. “Harassing a young girl? Are you even a man?” I never expected him to be so incredibly gentle with Chloe. Soon, Julian came inside. Chloe saw me and spoke up. “You can go home now. I don’t need you here anymore.” Then, she linked her arm through Julian’s, resting her head on his shoulder, and pointed to the food on the nearby table. “I made all of this myself. What do you think, looks good, right?” I stood there, gently pinching my palm. The truth was, I was used to it. In these past two months, Chloe had had me knit scarves, bake desserts, and write love letters. And in the end, when Julian was around, all of it would become something she had personally done. Julian looked up, his gaze falling on the spread of food. He stroked Chloe’s hair. “Hmm, looks great.” At that moment, I felt like a third wheel, like a super bright lightbulb. “I won’t bother you two. I’ll head back to school now.” Chloe couldn’t wait for me to leave. “Good.” I nodded, then walked past them. Halfway to the door, Julian suddenly spoke, calling out to me. He said. “Hey, you.” “Wait downstairs, I’ll drive you back.” Chloe froze, looking a bit angry. “What do you mean? Aren’t you staying with me?” Julian coaxed her. “I have something else to take care of. Be good, I’ll take you for seafood tomorrow.” Chloe gave Julian a mock-reproachful glance, then stood on her tiptoes, leaned in, and whispered something in his ear. I knew enough to make myself scarce and headed downstairs first. After about twenty minutes, Julian came down. His collar was slightly undone, and there was a small red mark on his neck. It looked… intimate. I saw it for just a second, then looked away. Once we were in the car, Julian sent Chloe a few more SnapChat messages. After that, he put his phone down, then turned his head, glanced at my wrist, and subtly raised an eyebrow. “I noticed it earlier.” “Tell me, what happened?” I froze. He actually noticed. But I couldn’t possibly tell him, ‘Your girlfriend did this.’ He wouldn’t believe me, and he certainly wouldn’t take my side. I might even lose this job. I said, “Nothing, just an accidental burn.” Julian didn’t keep pressing. He sighed. “I’ll take you to the hospital.” Hospitals are such money pits, and with my current financial situation, I absolutely couldn’t afford to go. I quickly spoke up. “No… no need.” Julian frowned. I waved my hand in front of him. “Really, it doesn’t hurt. No need to go, let’s just head straight back to school.” “Tomorrow, I still need to get Ms. Chloe her breakfast.” Chloe was very picky. She loved the pastries from that specific artisanal bakery downtown, and the smoothies from the trendy smoothie bar on Main Street. Both places were quite a distance from school. Every morning, I had to wake up at least an hour early to satisfy this demanding lady’s palate. I heard Julian used to do this himself. Hearing that, Julian narrowed his eyes. After a long moment, he said, “Alright, fine.” Then, he took out his phone and tapped on the screen. “I transferred you some money. Get some ointment when you get back.” I checked. Twenty thousand dollars. This injury was definitely worth it. All the way back, Julian’s phone kept buzzing. He casually tapped it open and listened to a few messages. The last one was from a man. His voice was a bit deep, with a hint of laughter. “Isn’t your little queen’s birthday next month?” “How are you planning to celebrate this year? I’ll help you organize it, buddy.” Julian clicked his tongue. “It’ll be a huge celebration, of course.” “And while we’re at it, I’ll have Chloe bring her friends. You can see if anyone catches your eye.” “Ryan Miller, you’re twenty-two. It’s time you started dating.” Soon, we arrived at the school gates. I got out of the car and started walking towards the main entrance. But I hadn’t taken two steps when a voice called out from behind me. His tone was slow and easygoing. “You’ve worked hard these past few days.” “If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, you can tell me directly.” I froze. I was twenty years old. To survive, I’d washed dishes in restaurants, delivered food, and worked hotel front desks, grinding day after day until I was almost numb. I’d met all kinds of employers, but no one had ever been as kind as him. I didn’t look back. “Okay.” “Thank you.”

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