It was the thousandth time I’d spent the night with my childhood best friend, Liam, and he was as wild and passionate as ever. The next morning, I woke up covered in hickeys. Every movement sent a jolt of pain through my aching back. The intimate scent of the night still clung to the room. Liam’s long arm wrapped around me, pulling me closer, his voice casual. “Dress formally tomorrow. Come home with me.” My head shot up, a spark of hope igniting in my chest. “Are you finally going to… tell everyone about us?” Liam raised an eyebrow, a dismissive glance in my direction. “Tell them what? I have a blind date at my place tomorrow. I want you to come help liven things up, so the girl doesn’t feel awkward.” Each word landed like a thunderclap. My heart seized, my mind a blank. “You’re going on a blind date? Then what am I?” Liam was already up, pulling on his clothes. He spared me a lazy look. “You? You’re just my various buddies. My dinner buddy, my gaming buddy, and, of course, my bed buddy – someone to satisfy our physical urges.” A chill spread through me, draining the color from my face. My lips trembled. Seeing my expression, Liam’s smile slowly faded. He leaned closer. “No, Scarlett. You didn’t actually think, after all these years, that we were a couple, did you?” His playful tone was a dagger straight to my heart. I fought back the stinging in my nose, my voice breaking. “W-what are you talking about? I’m going to shower.” I scrambled off the bed, my steps unsteady as I stumbled into the bathroom. The moment the door clicked shut, all strength left me, and I collapsed onto the cold tile floor. His words echoed in my ears. I stared at the dense array of hickeys Liam had left on my body, and tears streamed down my face. We’d known each other for over twenty years, grown up together. We drank from the same juice box, read the same comics. And when we were eighteen, a drunken night led to us sleeping together. Once led to twice, then thrice… At night, our bodies fit together perfectly. During the day, we did everything couples did. We’d hold hands strolling through crowded streets, kiss at New Year’s Eve, promising to face the next year together, and spend hours on FaceTime every day, keeping that spark alive… I always thought we were together, just not officially public. Now, Liam was telling me we weren’t a couple? The pain was suffocating. My hands shaking, I turned the shower on full blast before finally letting out a sob. I don’t know how long I cried until my tears ran dry. Only then did I compose myself and step out. Liam was already dressed, sitting on the couch talking on the phone. “There will be a lot of people tomorrow, so make sure the restaurant private room is large enough. The lady prefers light, elegant dishes, so a modern European menu. For the cake, Black Forest, with pink and white roses for flowers. Send me pictures when it’s set up for approval. Also, prepare a dozen suits for me to choose from, all black. Izzy only likes black.” My heart clenched at the name. Involuntarily, I looked over and saw Liam’s sweet smile. Isabelle? His blind date was Isabelle Collins? The light in my eyes dimmed. If it was Isabelle, then I understood why he was so happy. In high school, Liam had a huge crush on Isabelle, mentioning her name a dozen times a day. Unfortunately, before he could confess his feelings, Isabelle moved abroad. After that, I never heard him bring her up again. When we became intimate after that wild night, I thought he’d long since moved past Isabelle. But I was wrong. That elusive dream girl, his ‘white moonlight’—he never talked about her, but he never forgot her either. The heartache, which had briefly subsided, surged back, so intense I couldn’t hold onto my phone. *Bang!* Liam turned at the sound, a playful smile on his face. “All showered? Good. Can you check out later? I already paid for the room.” He grabbed his jacket, heading for the door. Just before leaving, he turned back, a half-smile playing on his lips. “Scar, I’ve always seen you as a buddy. Don’t give me that heartbroken look. I might think you’re getting some wrong ideas about me. I know you inside out; you can read my mind with just a look. Don’t you think a relationship like that would be boring? It’d be over before it even began.” His words faded with his footsteps but echoed in my heart. I sat on the cold bed, then started to laugh, tears streaming down my face. So, all these years, that’s what Liam really thought. I sat alone until late into the night before heading downstairs to check out. A heavy rain was falling outside, but I barely noticed, drifting home in a daze. Seeing me drenched, my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Miller, rushed over with dry towels, their voices filled with concern. “Such heavy rain, why didn’t you take a cab?” I looked at them blankly, my eyes vacant, my voice hoarse. “Dad, Mom, you’ve always wanted to emigrate because of the changes in the group’s business, right? I’ve thought it through. Let’s emigrate. Let’s never come back.” My parents had been trying to convince me for months, so they were surprised to hear me finally agree. “Are you really serious? Did you break up with that boyfriend?” Remembering Liam’s words, my heart ached. I forced a bitter smile and shook my head. “There was no boyfriend. Never. I just made it up so you wouldn’t pressure me to get married.” Though they weren’t sure if I was telling the truth, Mr. and Mrs. Miller were overjoyed. They immediately started preparing the immigration paperwork, urging me to pack. I hummed in agreement, went to my bedroom, and threw out everything related to Liam. Years of carefully preserved photo albums, all the jewelry, dresses, and handmade figurines he’d given me… All of it went into the trash. “Miss Scarlett, all these nice things? You don’t want them?” The maid’s eyes were full of pity. I nodded softly, my voice barely a whisper. “No, I don’t.” Not just these things, but this relationship, and Liam himself – I didn’t want any of it anymore. The next morning, I was woken by Liam’s SnapChat messages. He’d sent dozens, asking when I was coming over. A bitter taste filled my mouth. *Liam, do you even realize how cruel you are?* My hands trembling, I typed a short reply: “Not feeling well today. Can’t make it.” Soon after, my parents knocked on the door. “Scarlett, even if you’re upset with Liam, this isn’t the time to act out! Hurry, get dressed and go to his house. You don’t know how much Liam cares about this blind date. He’s liked that Collins girl for years, and as soon as he heard she was back, he asked your father to set it up.” “That’s right,” my mom added. “Isabelle studied piano with me for a while. I personally arranged this meeting! From the gifts to the dinner, everything is so formal. He wants you there to liven things up. With another girl your age, Isabelle won’t feel awkward. Liam is really serious about this, and you two are so close, how can you not help him?” Liam had called my parents when I didn’t respond! Listening to their earnest pleas, Scarlett could only fight back tears, wash up, and head downstairs. Their houses were close, and ten minutes later, I stood at the Hayes’ front door, opening the shoe cabinet in the entryway. It was empty. I didn’t see my little bunny slippers. I searched everywhere, eventually finding them, along with my water cup, toothbrush, towel, pajamas, and other personal items, in the trash can outside. All of it belonged to me. “Miss Miller, the young master threw these out. Please use the shoe covers for now.” I stared at the trash can, silent for a long time. Because the Millers and Hayes families had always been close, I used to visit almost daily and often stayed over. Liam had even prepared a room just for me, filled with everyday items, specifically picking out the little bunny designs I liked. He said his house was my house, no need to be polite. We’d kept it a secret from our parents, embracing and kissing at the front door, holding hands under the table during dinner, and sharing intimate moments in his study. Now Isabelle was here. He was afraid his crush would misunderstand. So he threw out everything connected to me. Scarlett took a long moment to compose herself before putting on the shoe covers. The moment I stepped inside, I saw Liam, peeling fruit for Isabelle, both of them laughing and chatting. He sat on the sofa, impeccably dressed in a tailored satin suit, his hair perfectly styled, a subtle cologne scenting the air. He had this sharp, almost too-perfect allure that screamed “sophisticated bad boy,” a vibe that could make you forget anything else. I remembered girls at school always saying he was handsome enough to make a burlap sack look good, and if he actually dressed up, he’d put all those celebrities out of business. But Liam was naturally carefree, usually just casual tees and shirts, never bothered with dressing up. So even *he* would preen for the one he liked? The man who’d been tangled with me in bed just yesterday now acted like he didn’t know me. He spared me only a fleeting glance before turning his full attention back to Isabelle. They talked about everything from hobbies to the weather, from work to jewelry brands, from childhood anecdotes to school memories. Watching Liam enthusiastically keep the conversation flowing, I lowered my gaze, a self-deprecating smile on my lips. So, *this* is how he acts when he genuinely likes someone. “It’s funny, in high school, you were a year above me, and we weren’t even in the same building, but we’d always run into each other. What a coincidence.” Hearing Isabelle laugh as she recalled the past, I looked at the faint flush on Liam’s ears and smiled silently. A coincidence? No. Liam deliberately orchestrated every single one of those “chance” encounters. Back then, I followed him around, watching him pull out all the stops for the girl he liked, my heart aching. Later, when Isabelle went abroad, I thought I finally had him. But now, it seemed Liam was the one getting his wish. Scarlett was lost in thought when she suddenly heard her name. “I heard in high school you had a very close childhood friend. That must be Miss Miller, right?” I froze, looking up to meet Isabelle’s probing gaze. Before I could speak, Mr. and Mrs. Hayes jovially chimed in. “Oh, they’re more than close! They’ve been inseparable since childhood, practically grew up in each other’s pockets! We even used to joke about them getting married one day…” Halfway through, Liam’s face darkened, and he abruptly cut them off. “Mom, Dad, stop talking nonsense. I wouldn’t like Scarlett even if she were the last person on Earth.” I lowered my eyes, hiding my disappointment, and forced a smile. “Me neither. Out of everyone in the world, Liam is the last person I’d ever be with.” Liam’s expression froze for a second, then quickly returned to normal. He slung an arm around my shoulder, like he would a brother, feigning indifference. “Exactly! We’re just pure friends.” The tension in the living room immediately lightened. I joined in the laughter, and vaguely heard Liam sighing in relief, whispering, “Nice one. You really saved me there. Thanks.” I didn’t say anything, just subtly shifted a few steps away from him, creating distance. Saved him? No. What I said was the truth. As evening approached, the Hayes family arranged a car to take them to the restaurant. The three of us young people rode in one car. Throughout the ride, Liam, sitting in the middle, showered Isabelle with attention – adjusting the AC, getting her a blanket, twisting open her water bottle. On my left, I watched them chatting animatedly, and quietly turned to look out the window. Halfway there, a torrential rain began to fall. The road was dimly lit. The car in front flashed its high beams, blinding our driver as we went downhill. He swerved, failing to make the turn, and crashed directly into the guardrail. In that split second of danger, Liam instinctively pulled Isabelle into his arms, shielding her. *CRASH!* The car windows shattered, glass flying everywhere. I, on the inner side, was slammed against the impact, my body bleeding profusely. A searing pain spread through me; I felt like I was coming apart. My consciousness blurred, but I saw the right passenger door open. Liam, frantic, carried Isabelle out of the car, calling the hospital while gently comforting her. He seemed to have completely forgotten there was another person in the car, showing no concern for me whatsoever. When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics suggested tending to the more severely injured first. But between me, lying in a pool of blood, and Isabelle, dazed with shock in his arms, Liam hesitated for only a few seconds before choosing to take Isabelle to the hospital first. Watching the car disappear into the distance, my vision blurred, and tears streamed uncontrollably down my face. Liam, Liam… Twenty years of friendship, and it still couldn’t compare to one glance from her! My eyelids grew heavy, the relentless pain fading like smoke. I didn’t wait for the next ambulance. Everything went black, and I lost consciousness. I don’t know how much time passed. I heard a muffled clamor of voices. Opening my eyes, I saw my mom, Mrs. Miller, patting her chest, her voice a mix of worry and relief. “Thank goodness, Scarlett, you’re finally awake! We were so scared! It’s a miracle the ambulance got here so fast; you lost so much blood, the hospital almost ran out. You three were in one car, how did Isabelle only get a scratch on her hand while you’re so badly hurt?” My dad, Mr. Miller, sighed with relief, taking a sip of water. “Well, that’s because Liam protected her, of course. True love shows in times of trouble. That girl was incredibly touched. I just went to visit her next door, and Liam was feeding her soup. Just seeing the loving glances between them, I’d say they’re practically official.” Scarlett listened quietly. After they finished gossiping, I spoke, my voice hoarse. “How long have I been asleep? Are the immigration papers ready?” “You’ve been asleep for two days! You scared us half to death!” “Don’t worry about the paperwork. It’ll be finalized in about twenty days. Just focus on recovering.” Hearing it was less than a month away, a sense of relief washed over me. Over the next two or three days, Scarlett occasionally heard from the nurses about all the things Liam was doing for Isabelle. He stayed by her bedside day and night, worrying for ages even if she coughed in her sleep, then going to find a nurse for hot water; He personally tested the temperature of all her medicine, and had candied fruits ready, terrified the girl would find it bitter; Fearing she’d be bored in her hospital room, he went to great lengths to find all sorts of entertaining toys to cheer her up. Scarlett listened in silence, not saying a word. When a nurse wheeled me for a follow-up, I heard a commotion in the hallway. Passing the room next door, I glanced over and saw Liam, holding a huge bouquet of roses, confessing his love to Isabelle. “Izzy, I fell for you eight years ago the moment I saw you. All those ‘chance’ encounters were me deliberately trying to get close to you. I remember all your favorites, and I know your dreams. I never got to confess back then, but now, will you give me a chance?” Hearing the anticipation and nervousness in his voice, Scarlett couldn’t help but remember that Liam had already been preparing this confession a month before Isabelle moved abroad. Even though it had been missed due to a twist of fate, it was only a few years late. When I heard Isabelle say “I do,” I smiled softly and walked towards the examination room. The moment I turned, the surrounding crowd erupted in applause. Liam turned at the sound and saw Scarlett’s lonely, desolate figure. His smile froze, a flicker of something unsettling in his heart. This discomfort lasted only an instant before being swallowed by an overwhelming tide of joy. He reached out, openly and confidently, pulling Isabelle into his embrace. That night, I opened a ticket app and searched for flights from Miami direct to Madrid. Just as I completed the payment, Liam arrived with Isabelle. “Scar, I have great news! Izzy said yes! Pretty cool, huh? You’re the first to know, buddy.” Looking at their clasped hands, I nodded, my voice neutral. “Congratulations.” Isabelle’s eyes sparkled with happiness, and she smiled shyly. “Thank you for your blessings. Mrs. Miller said you were seriously injured. Are you feeling better recently? I brought some fish soup; you should have some.” As she spoke, she urged Liam to quickly serve the soup. Seeing him obediently comply, Scarlett froze for a moment before reacting. “Thanks, but no need for the fish soup.” At my words, Liam’s face instantly hardened, and he looked at me with displeasure. “This soup was homemade by Izzy, and I was reluctant to even let you have any. It’s because Izzy cares about your injuries that I reluctantly agreed to bring you some. How can you be so ungrateful?” As he spoke, he poured a bowl and pressed it into my hand, insisting I drink it now. Scarlett tried to explain, but he gripped my wrist. In the struggle, the bowl was knocked over, and the hot soup splashed all over my wound. “Ah!” A sharp pain made cold sweat bead on my forehead, my face crumpling and turning ashen. Isabelle gasped, her face filled with remorse, as she pulled out a tissue to help wipe it away. Liam, fearing she’d get burned, quickly pulled her behind him. “Izzy, this has nothing to do with you. She’s been tough as nails since she was a kid; it’s no big deal. Don’t blame yourself.” Scarlett’s hand, holding the tissue, trembled several times, her heart seizing.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298813”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

I followed Jaxson Reed for ten years, all for just one sentence: “Marry me.” Yet, on our wedding day, he abandoned me to rescue his secretary, Sera Davies, who’d been secretly crushing on him for years. For his safety, I swallowed my heartbreak and chased after him. When I finally reached the scene, I saw Sera, trying to protect Jaxson’s confidential documents, thrown from a building by his rival. She became a vegetable. Overwhelmed by guilt, Jaxson sent her to the best hospital, ensuring she received top-tier medical care. I, too, obeyed Jaxson, spending two years looking after Sera’s mother, who suffered from mental illness, enduring her malicious insults every time she had an episode. Until she had another one, tearing up everything in my bag, including our marriage certificate. Dragging my exhausted body, I went to get a replacement, only to be stopped by the clerk. “Ms. Hayes, your marriage certificate is fake. Our records show your marital status as single.” My head spun, as if struck by lightning… I don’t remember how I walked out of the Civil Affairs office. I just recall the pity and sympathy in everyone’s eyes. “Did you hear? Her husband registered his marriage with someone else and gave her a fake certificate. I wonder if she’s the mistress, or the other woman is!” “Don’t be stupid! The one without the real papers is obviously the mistress! Is that even a question? A real certificate makes you legally married; anything else is just a sleazy affair, back in the day they’d call it scandalous.” I stumbled into my car, trembling like a leaf. The conversation with the clerk at the Civil Affairs office kept replaying in my ears. “How is that possible? We’ve been married for two years. Could there be a mistake? Please check again carefully!” The clerk looked a little helpless, turning the computer screen towards me. “No mistake, Ms. Hayes. You truly are single. But your husband, he is married. His spouse’s name is Sera Davies. Do you know this woman?” I sat in the car, laughing one moment, crying the next. Sera Davies. How could I not know her? She was the secretary recovering in the hospital. The woman who had loved him for so many years, never getting a response, yet never giving up hope. My head buzzed, and I floored the gas pedal, speeding home. The front door hadn’t been properly latched, so no one inside noticed my arrival. Jaxson and his buddies were in the study. Laughter and the clinking of glasses occasionally spilled out. “Jax, you’re the man! Two women, one on each arm, living like a king! We’re all seriously jealous, man. Both ladies are absolutely stunning!” Jaxson heard him and playfully kicked him with his foot. He chuckled, “What nonsense are you spouting? It’s fine to say it in front of me, but outside, never let Willow hear it, understand?” “Jax, you’re that scared of Willow finding out? Then why are you still hiding the fact that Sera woke up? And seriously, Sera told you to marry her, and you didn’t even bat an eye. If you say you don’t have feelings for her, we brothers genuinely won’t believe you!” Jaxson didn’t answer immediately. He just sat on the leather sofa, leaning his head back slightly, eyes half-closed, an unreadable expression on his face. “Willow has been with me for twelve years. Her temper is like a ticking time bomb; she explodes at the slightest thing. Sometimes, she’s so fiery, she doesn’t even seem like a woman.” “Twelve years. Touching her body is just… routine now, like touching my own. Where’s the thrill in that? It’s not that I don’t love Willow; quite the opposite, I can’t imagine living without her.” “But Sera is different.” His eyes suddenly lit up, a hint of reminiscence. “She’s gentle and shy, her skin so delicate it flushes at my touch. I gave my love and the chance to stand proudly by my side to Willow. Sera can only be my secret woman. Besides, she almost died saving me. Giving her security is the least I can do. Other than that, there’s nothing else I can offer.” I pressed myself against the wall, supporting my trembling body. “Jax, what if Willow finds out? You even tricked her into looking after Sera’s mentally ill mother for so long. If she knew, she’d absolutely hate you!” Jaxson’s gaze dropped, as if lost in thought. He sat up straight, crossing his hands in front of him. “Don’t worry. I’ll never let her find out!” A sharp pain shot through my chest, as if something had violently struck it, and my breath hitched. Tears streamed down my face, like pearls from a broken string. Twelve years. I had chased his shadow for twelve years. No wonder there was no real wedding. No wonder he was always on business trips. No wonder he worked late into the night and wouldn’t come back to our room… Right now, I felt like a complete and utter joke. The laughter from inside continued. I wiped away my tears, then turned and walked to a quiet corner to make a call. “I agree to come back, I agree to the arranged marriage…” “Really? You’re not lying to me?” The excited voice on the other end of the line was jarring to my ears, stirring only disgust. “But I have a condition.” “Name it. As long as you agree to marry into the Thorne family, darling, your mother will agree to any condition.” A mocking smile touched my lips. “I want a helicopter to pick me up, I want you to erase all my records here, and finally, I’ll give you a design. Find someone to make this… this wedding dress.” A confused voice came from the phone. “The Thorne family has already prepared everything. You don’t need to get your own wedding dress. Besides, why would a bride prepare her own gown?” My eyelashes fluttered slightly. I didn’t want to waste any more time talking. I spoke with a flat voice: “Just do as I say. Bring the things. I’ll keep my promise and marry Julian Thorne.” Just as I was about to hang up, my mother’s voice came through again. “Before you get married, remember to get a divorce. The Thorne family doesn’t care if you’re divorced, but if you’re going to break it off, it needs to be clean!” I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Don’t worry. I’ve been single all along.” My arm fell numbly to my side. “What? What single—?” My mother’s confused questions faintly echoed from the phone. But I ignored her and hung up. “Single? Who’s single?!” A familiar voice suddenly came from behind me. I slowly turned around, seeing Jaxson Reed with a stiff face and a strange, forced smile. He strode over, grabbing my wrist tightly. It hurt, but I didn’t cry out. My face was calm, my eyes fixed on his. “I’m single.” Jaxson’s eyes stared intently at me. Suddenly, a smile tugged at his lips, and he pulled me close, his large hand resting on my shoulder. “Wife, if you’re single, then what am I to you? Don’t joke around. You’ll never get rid of me in this lifetime!” A kiss landed on my forehead. But I felt a chill run from my head to my toes. Yes, Jaxson Reed. I’m single. So who are you to me? I bit down on my tongue, tasting blood, my nails digging into my flesh. A scream surged in my throat, desperate to escape, but I clenched my jaw, biting my lower lip until it hurt, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. Seeing me like this, Jaxson looked flustered and reached out to wipe my tears. How long had it been since he’d seen Willow cry? This vulnerable side of me instantly ignited his protective instincts. He looked at me with a serious expression. “Wife, who hurt you? You never cry. What’s wrong with you today?” My brow twitched a few times. Was I crying? I instinctively reached up to wipe my face, and indeed, it was damp. Looking at Jaxson, whose eyes were filled with concern. I chose to just laugh it off with a self-deprecating smile. “I just got my period. It’s just period cramps. I’m tired and want to sleep.” Jaxson picked me up as I turned to leave. Seeing him and me enter, the group of friends who had just been joking about me. Suddenly changed their tune, praising us as a heavenly couple. Jaxson playfully cursed at them and shooed them away. Then he carried me to bed. He lay beside me fully clothed, his warm hand gently stroking my lower abdomen, rubbing it in circles. “Wife, does that feel good?” Every month during those few days, the cramps would torment me, making me feel worse than death. Jaxson would drop everything, rush home, and just lie beside me, keeping me warm until I fell asleep. He loved to hear me, half-asleep, murmur back that it felt good. He said that tone of mine. It reminded him of the past… In the past, I was Willow Hayes, the heiress of the powerful Hayes family, timid yet stubborn. After my father died, my mother became a notorious socialite, known for sleeping her way to endless wealth. I loathed my mother, absolutely detested her. To maintain a glamorous facade, she constantly slept with men to obtain inexhaustible riches. Rebellious, I started going to bars, learning to drink. Because of my mother, I almost got sexually assaulted! In that critical moment, it was Jaxson Reed, a street thug, who saved me. From that day on, I followed Jaxson. I learned he was the illegitimate son of the notoriously influential Reed family. I learned of his difficult background. I learned of his fierce pride. I accompanied him when he secretly went overseas, and I helped him build his power in this foreign country. He complained I was too delicate. So I became strong. He complained I only knew how to cry. So I learned to grit my teeth and swallow the pain, even when bullets tore through my shoulder, never shedding a single tear. I followed Jaxson for ten years, transforming from the timid, weak Willow Hayes into “Sister Willow,” a name feared within the organization. Only then did I finally crack open Jaxson’s heart. And he finally uttered the words: “Willow Hayes, marry me.” But only now did I realize. Everything was a lie. Jaxson waited for a long time, but I didn’t respond. His phone buzzed on the pillow beside him. He quickly pulled his hand away and picked up the phone. In the dim room, the screen illuminated his smiling face. His fingers flew across the keyboard. The warmth on my lower abdomen slowly faded. The next morning, I got out of bed with a pale face, feeling weak. I wanted to pack my things in advance so I could leave directly when the plane came to pick me up. As I opened the door, I nearly bumped into Jaxson, who was carrying a bowl of brown sugar ginger tea. Jaxson frowned, placing the bowl on the table. “Wife, why are you up? Why didn’t you sleep more?” I looked at his face with indifference. “Aren’t you supposed to be on a business trip? Why are you still home?” Jaxson always had various reasons to go on business trips every month. Before, I thought he was genuinely busy. Now I knew. He was indeed busy, but not with work; he was busy accompanying Sera Davies. Jaxson reached out and pulled me into his arms, tapping my straight nose with his index finger. “You’re feeling so bad, why would I go on a business trip?” “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere today. I’ll stay home and keep you company!” His warm words, in the past. I would have been so touched, I’d have wanted to cry. I loved Jaxson so much that even the smallest bit of warmth he offered made me feel happy. Looking at Jaxson, whose eyes seemed to hold only me. I only felt a needle-like pain in my heart. My trembling lips hadn’t had a chance to speak. His phone rang. Seeing the caller’s name, Jaxson subconsciously glanced at me. “Wife, it’s Mitch’s call. I’ll go answer it.” He didn’t wait for my reply, turned, and strode into the study. I heard the sound of the door locking, clear as day. I hadn’t realized that Mitch had changed his name to Sera Davies. I didn’t touch the bowl of brown sugar ginger tea on the table, turning instead to walk outside. The study door soon opened again. Jaxson, changed into different clothes, walked out in a hurry, a joyful expression on his face. For a moment, he forgot about me. Until he almost reached the front door. “Where are you going? Weren’t you going to stay home with me?” Perhaps he was too happy, Jaxson didn’t even detect the intense sarcasm in my voice. He pulled me by the waist, excitedly planting a kiss on my lips. “Wife, a big deal just closed, but I have to be there personally to sign! You wait here patiently for me to come back and buy you your favorite little cakes!” I gave him a fake smile. After he left, I followed him out the door. Sure enough, Jaxson wasn’t going to sign any big deal. He drove his car to the airport, and soon after, I saw Jaxson emerge, embracing a woman with a slightly bulging stomach. He pulled out a bouquet of pre-prepared flowers and presented them to the woman. And that face, I was already too familiar with it. It was Sera Davies, who had been a “vegetable” for two years. My heart suddenly constricted. So, Sera hadn’t just woken up early; she was also pregnant. I trembled all over, my heart bleeding. Sera bounced happily and hid in Jaxson’s arms. Jaxson took off his sunglasses and lightly tapped her nose with his index finger. From a distance, my eyes suddenly narrowed. That gesture. Jaxson always made that gesture when he was passionately affectionate with me. It turned out that even that gesture wasn’t exclusively mine. Sera couldn’t wait and pressed Jaxson to kiss her. At first, he seemed a bit hesitant, glancing around. But as Sera persistently stood on tiptoes, wrapping her arms around his neck, continuously demanding a kiss. Her嬌嗔 (coy) expression, too, used to be his favorite. Jaxson’s lower body warmed. He bent down, picked up Sera, and walked towards a secluded corner of the airport. I numbly followed them, but I couldn’t keep up with their pace. When I finally reached the spot, I realized it was a mother and baby room. The door was locked, and inside, I could hear the wet sounds of intimate kissing. “Why did you suddenly come? Why didn’t you bring Maria? You alone, do you want me to worry myself to death?” Jaxson’s voice, I was all too familiar with it. Right now, he was firing questions at the woman inside like a machine gun. Seeing him anxious, Sera only giggled. “So many questions, which one should I answer first?” “Answer them all! I want to hear them all—!” Sera suddenly made a loud smacking sound as she kissed his lips. Smiling, she looked at his face. “To answer them all: ‘Honey, I missed you!’” Jaxson breathed heavily, his eyes instantly burning with desire. The next second, he clutched the back of her neck and kissed her back fiercely, forcefully. “You little minx, I’m going to make sure you can’t walk out that door!” “Ah! No… not there… Honey! Honey! I… I was wrong!” “Heh, know you’re wrong? Too late!” His voice was low and husky, but it pierced me, standing outside the door. The woman’s shy cries and the sound of splashing water continuously came from inside. My eyes were vacant and lifeless, my heart felt hollowed out and bleeding. I numbly walked in the opposite direction. But those sounds, I couldn’t shake them off no matter what. Maria was a housekeeper I had employed for a long time. But two years ago, shortly after Sera’s accident, Maria suddenly quit. Jaxson told me Maria had to return to her country to take care of her grandchildren. I couldn’t get used to the food in this foreign country, and with Maria gone, I became so thin it worried Jaxson. He made overseas calls, personally asking Maria to teach him how to cook. His serious and focused expression back then was still vivid in my mind. But now, thinking back, it all seemed so ridiculous. I don’t know how I left the airport or how I got back to my car. The phone suddenly rang. I numbly pressed answer. “Sister Willow, we found the person who attacked you at the mall!” My face instantly turned cold. “Wait for me.” When I arrived, the person had already been put through the wringer. A few days ago, Jaxson and I went to the mall to buy clothes and accessories for a banquet. But inside the mall, I was attacked by an assailant. My subordinates all thought it was Jaxson’s rival, so they focused on protecting him. But to my surprise, the attacker was aiming for me. A bullet grazed my calf. I was forced to rest in the hospital for half a month, and the banquet was canceled. The attacker, who was hanging, looked at me with disbelief when he saw me. He was barely breathing, but he grew enraged and cursed at the top of his lungs: “You kidnapped me?! Where’s Jaxson Reed! Get him out here! We clearly agreed he wouldn’t pursue this, so what is this? Are you messing with me?!” My head suddenly buzzed, and my mind went completely blank. The subordinates surrounding me instantly changed their expressions, raising their feet and kicking him hard. “Dare to talk nonsense again, and I’ll tear your mouth off!” They started punching and kicking him until he couldn’t speak. Leo, a subordinate, frowned and walked to my side. “Sister Willow, don’t believe anything he says. Maybe he’s just trying to sow discord.” I was in a daze for a long time before I finally found my voice. A pale smile appeared on my face. “What if what he said is true?” Leo looked at me in shock. “Sister Willow—” “Leo, I have something to ask him. All of you, leave.” Leo was hesitant to leave, but seeing my firm gaze, he waved his hand, signaling the others to retreat. Before he left, I called out to him. “Not a word about today’s incident to anyone.” Leo felt Willow had changed, but she had saved his life. He was more loyal to Willow than to Jaxson. The door closed, and I calmly walked over to the man on the ground. “Tell me everything you know.” The man spat out a mouthful of blood, along with some broken teeth mixed in the foamy blood. He sneered, “Your man’s little mistress paid me to cripple you, and your man knew the truth and paid me to keep my mouth shut. It’s that simple. What else do you want to know?” My nails dug deep into my flesh, but my face remained outwardly composed. The man on the ground’s eyes became eerie. The next second, taking advantage of my distracted state, a wire suddenly tightened around my neck. Leo had been guarding the door. Hearing the commotion, he kicked the door open. He saw blood marks appearing on my neck! His eyes widened in horror. To save me, he had no choice but to let the man escape. The doctor had just finished dressing my wound, and my neck was wrapped in layers of gauze. That’s when Jaxson burst in. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and his eyes were bloodshot and terrifying. His gaze landed on my neck, and he violently kicked over a nearby chair. “Who was it? Who dared to hurt you? Where is he?” My gaze slowly shifted to him. I used all my strength to try and see the man in front of me clearly. When he first came overseas, he couldn’t even stand steadily. Not to mention, his half-brother wanted to hire someone to kill him. The most severe incident was when he was stabbed four times, blood gushing from his back like a leaky faucet. It was I who carried him on my shoulder, disregarding the danger. It was I who desperately brought him to the hospital barefoot on a cold winter night, saving his life. When Jaxson woke up, he grabbed my head and kissed me deeply. He pressed his forehead against mine, his voice hoarse, “Willow, it turns out that when you’re close to death, you realize what you can’t live without.” Jaxson couldn’t live without me. But just a few years later, his heart found room for another woman. My chest felt hollow, as if something had been scooped out. My eyes held a calm, detached expression. “It’s nothing. I’ll handle it myself.” Jaxson looked at me in shock. “Handle it? How are you going to handle it yourself?” He was furious. “Like this? Willow, why do you always have to be so stubborn? I’m your husband. Why don’t you ever tell me anything before you do it? Do you want me to just stand by and watch you get hurt?!” He was breathing heavily with anger, taking a large stride forward to stand before me, but his movements suddenly softened. He frowned, his tone not exactly kind, “Does it hurt?” I slowly lowered my gaze. What was the pain of a wound compared to the pain in my heart? My husband? How could Jaxson be my husband? During the time I was recovering in the hospital, Jaxson practically moved his life into my room. He bustled around, solely focused on me. Until one night, a woman dressed as a nurse, wearing a mask, gently pushed open the door and sat on Jaxson. He was instantly jolted awake, his face changing dramatically as he saw Sera on his lap. He pulled her into the adjoining suite, and before closing the door, he specifically glanced at me, seemingly sound asleep in the hospital bed. “Who told you to come here!” His voice was laced with anger. But Sera wasn’t afraid at all, and reached down towards him. “Honey, the baby misses Daddy! He wants you to touch him… touch his mommy—” Her voice was soft and seductive. Jaxson’s eyes grew dark, his throat bobbing. Until all the blood rushed to his head, and he could no longer control himself. “Sera Davies, you truly are a slut!” The man’s low growls and the woman’s deliberately provocative,娇柔 (coy and delicate) cries echoed from the other room. Sweat beaded on Jaxson’s forehead. He clamped his hand over her mouth. “Shut up!” But she insisted on making noise, wanting the woman in the sickbed outside to hear. I had actually woken up much earlier. The moment Sera stepped into the hospital room, I was already awake. I trembled all over, my heart feeling as if it were being squeezed and kneaded, the pain making my fingertips tremble uncontrollably. Jaxson, how dare he? How dare he humiliate me like this! After he, insatiably satisfied, sent Sera away, he crept quietly back to me. He carefully pulled the blanket up over me. He tried to touch my cheek with the same hand that had just touched Sera’s body. The next second, I pretended to turn over, dodging his touch. Jaxson sheepishly withdrew his hand. Only after I heard his footsteps leave did I open my eyes again. My phone vibrated. “The wedding dress has been mailed. In one week, prepare to leave.” I didn’t reply. I just clutched my phone and squeezed my eyes shut, two lines of clear tears tracing paths down my cheeks. Just one more week. Then I could say goodbye to these twelve years for good. And I would never, ever see Jaxson Reed again in this lifetime! The next morning, my favorite breakfast was laid out on the table, but Jaxson was nowhere to be found. It seemed he knew exactly when I would wake up. A message popped up on my phone. “Wife, urgent organization matters to handle. I’ll be back later, love you!” I scoffed and deleted our conversation. It seemed Jaxson had long forgotten that I was also a member of the organization. He used to report all his actions to me without exception. But starting two years ago, Jaxson had already learned to hide and deceive. I discharged myself from the hospital and took a cab home. I packed all my belongings, leaving nothing related to Jaxson behind. I numbly packed, organizing item by item. My phone suddenly rang. It was Sera’s mentally ill mother. Sera had abandoned her in this foreign country, while she herself was enjoying her good fortune. Her mother’s condition was always unpredictable. I had suffered a lot from her torment over the past two years. But every time I thought Sera became a vegetable because of Jaxson, I would grit my teeth and swallow the pain, never uttering a single complaint to him. I never imagined that I was foolishly sacrificing here. While those two were freely conceiving a new life over there! I answered the phone with a cold face. Through the receiver, I heard Sera’s mother’s enraged shouts. “Willow Hayes! You shameless slut! Did you forget I have a follow-up appointment today?! Are you hoping I die so you can get rid of me, get rid of your sins?!” “Bah! I’m telling you, you wish!” Ugly, insulting words kept pouring out of the phone. I remained eerily calm. I didn’t hang up; instead, I agreed to take her to her appointment. When I arrived at the hospital, Sera’s mother wasn’t waiting for me in the neurology department, but in obstetrics and gynecology. Before I could speak, she glared fiercely, pointing her finger at my nose and cursing. “It’s all your fault! Because of you, I got so angry I came to the wrong place!” Throughout it all, I merely watched her performance. It wasn’t until a young couple walked out of the obstetrics and gynecology department that her cursing suddenly stopped. “Wife!!”

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It was our third year of marriage when Liam found the scorecard I’d made for him. My heart leaped into my throat when he casually pulled that piece of paper from his study drawer. It read: “He flew to Australia to see his ex-girlfriend on my birthday, -5 points.” “He abandoned me on the highway to pick her up from the airport, -10 points.” “He lost our wedding ring while making soup for her, -10 points…” Line by line, the deductions were listed, with a small note at the bottom: “Once I’d deducted 100 points, I’d file for divorce.” But his gaze didn’t linger on it. He didn’t even glance at it, just nonchalantly handed the paper back to me. “I keep many important things in this study. Please don’t put your stuff in here anymore.” His bookshelves were neatly lined with books Chloe gave him in college, the glass cabinet locked away letters she wrote him back then, and even the photo frame on his desk held their high school graduation picture. Those were the “important things” he spoke of. He meticulously treasured them, looking at them countless times a day. As for my things, he wouldn’t even spare them a glance. So, he didn’t know I was leaving him soon. I clutched the scorecard tightly and nodded. Just as I was about to leave, Liam’s phone suddenly rang. It was one of his friends. “Liam, something’s happened! The villa at Clearwater Bay seems to be on fire! Isn’t Chloe staying there?” At that news, Liam’s face instantly contorted in panic. He grabbed his car keys and bolted out the door. I stared at his retreating back, stunned for a few seconds, then flagged down a cab and followed. All the way there, he blew through a dozen red lights, driving like a maniac. The cab driver nearly lost him. When we arrived at the fire, seeing the towering flames and black smoke, I was shaken. Learning that Chloe hadn’t been rescued yet, Liam charged towards the flames like a man with a death wish, determined to go in. Firefighters and a few of his friends quickly held him back. “Sir, the fire in the villa area is too fierce. If you rush in like that, your life will be in danger.” “Liam, calm down! Being a pilot is your life’s dream! If you get hurt in there, your career will be ruined!” Liam didn’t hear a word. He pushed them away with force, leaving a single sentence behind as he plunged into the inferno. “If it’s ruined, it’s ruined. As long as Chloe is safe, I don’t care if I never fly again.” Seeing his figure swallowed by the thick smoke, his friends stood frozen, remorsefully blaming each other. “I told you not to tell Liam about this, but you wouldn’t listen! Every time Chloe is in trouble, he loses control!” “If you hadn’t called him, and if anything had happened to Chloe, he’d tear the whole city apart, believe me. Don’t you remember when Chloe was harassed by a teacher in high school, and he stormed into the office and beat the guy senseless? And before, when Chloe went missing for ten hours, he was so frantic he had his bodyguards scour the entire city for her…” Hearing their stories, I finally understood that the man who always seemed so cold and calm in front of me could also lose his mind when he loved someone. A whirlwind of emotions, each one a fresh stab of pain, churned within me. His friends, still arguing, noticed me and looked somewhat awkward. “Avery, you… you came with Liam? He’s just going… to rescue a friend. Don’t misunderstand.” “Yeah, yeah. He and Chloe have known each other since childhood, over ten years of friendship. They’re like siblings, that’s why he’s so worried.” I knew they were just trying to smooth things over. I managed a weak smile, but then a metallic taste filled my mouth. I realized I’d bitten my lip so hard it was bleeding. Half an hour later, Liam emerged, carrying an unconscious Chloe. A crowd rushed forward to meet them. His face was covered in soot, and his white shirt was scorched in places, but Chloe was unharmed, perfectly protected. When the medical staff took Chloe, Liam finally collapsed and passed out. The ambulance sped to the hospital. I sat on a long bench, looking at my trembling hands, remembering the first time I saw Liam. I was a sophomore in college then. My father was an aerospace engineering professor, and Liam was his most brilliant student. In his sharp uniform, full of youthful vigor and confidence, standing on the podium demonstrating flight principles, even the sunlight seemed to favor him. I fell in love at first sight and followed him around constantly. Many girls chased him, but he always kept his distance from women, turning everyone down. It wasn’t until just before graduation that my father fell critically ill. On his deathbed, he made Liam promise to take care of his only daughter. He agreed. After the funeral, he proposed to me directly. I asked him, “Is it because of my father that you agreed to marry me? You don’t have to…” He looked at me and said, “No, it’s because I want to marry you.” I thought I had finally won his heart. Until one day, he got drunk. I went to pick him up and accidentally overheard his friends’ drunken chatter. “Avery’s so naive, Liam kept her in the dark all these years, thinking he truly cared for her, pouring her heart and soul into their marriage. But Liam only married her because his ex-girlfriend married someone else, and he was so heartbroken that he married Avery just to distract himself.” In that moment, my blood ran cold. So, all these years, he hadn’t kept everyone at arm’s length because he was naturally aloof, but because his heart had long been occupied by the ex-girlfriend who broke up with him. He was like a stubborn tomb-keeper, guarding a love that had died long ago. His pride wouldn’t let him swallow his ego to win her back, and his self-respect kept him from admitting he missed her. So he could only stand still, waiting for her to return. But what he waited for was news of her marriage. Chloe, a name etched onto his very soul, along with all the restraint and waiting of those years, had since become a persistent thorn in my heart. But I loved Liam too much, so I couldn’t let go. So, I secretly made a scorecard. Once I’d deducted 100 points, I’d leave him. Over the years, the points were deducted sporadically. Sometimes it was my birthday, but he’d fly to see her because of one of her SnapChat posts. Sometimes it was our wedding anniversary, but he’d spend the whole night chatting with Chloe. And after Chloe divorced and came back home… The points were deducted more and more frequently. My heart was slowly turning to ice.

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“Miss Skylar, as the heiress of the Su Corporation, are you really going to marry someone with absolutely no standing?” I nodded firmly, completely unfazed by the matchmaker’s bewildered stare, as if I’d lost my mind. “It’s the only way the Su Corporation won’t go bankrupt.” The matchmaker sighed regretfully, unable to comprehend why I was throwing myself into such ruin. “Before, every elite daughter in this city envied you. You were showered with love from the moment you were born.” “Who would’ve thought that now, the Su family would marry you off to an outcast, all for the sake of a driver’s daughter?” I remained silent, simply signing my name on the marriage contract. By the time I returned to the Su family home, dusk had already fallen. I wanted to tell everyone that the Su Corporation’s problems had been resolved. But before I could utter a single word, my brother, Liam, slapped me across the face. “Skylar, how dare you show your face here again!” “You actually forced Chloe to marry an outcast, just so *you* could continue to enjoy a life of luxury and comfort!” “And what’s this about the ‘head of the Outcasts’? This isn’t some old-school gangster flick!” “You’re truly heartless, literally throwing Chloe to the wolves!” My ears buzzed from the blow, and my heart ached fiercely. Ever since Dad died in the car accident, the Su Corporation had been targeted by malicious rivals, plunging us into crisis. Dax, the head of the Outcasts, was not to be underestimated; only he could save the Su Corporation now. But when I went to him for help, Dax’s expression was utterly unreadable. “You want me to save the Su Corporation? Only if one of you—you or Chloe—marries me and becomes mine to do with as I please.” I knew he was intentionally trying to mess with our family. And I knew Liam and my fiancé, Noah, couldn’t stand to see Chloe suffer such humiliation. So, without consulting anyone, I took matters into my own hands and agreed to Dax’s terms. I was about to explain, but Chloe, who had been sobbing quietly, suddenly knelt before me. “Sister, I know you hate me, but I’ve done everything you asked. Please, don’t hit me anymore.” With that, she pulled up her sleeves, revealing angry red marks on her arms for everyone to see. She continued to sob, tears streaming from her large, innocent eyes. Liam gazed at Chloe with aching tenderness, and Noah stepped forward, pulling her into his arms to comfort her softly. Before I could explain, Liam had the bodyguards drag me to the gloomy basement. “Skylar, you’ve always been spoiled and bossy. I used to turn a blind eye when you bullied Chloe, but now you’ve become truly malicious.” “As the eldest, I’m practically your father now. I’ll punish you, my ungrateful daughter, in Dad’s stead!” He then grabbed a wooden paddle from a nearby table and mercilessly struck me. I struggled, desperate to explain, but they wouldn’t give me a chance to speak. Gradually, my vision blurred, and the pain in my body faded into a dull throb. In a haze, I remembered a time when I hated learning the violin as a child, and Mom would hit my legs with a ruler. But back then, Liam and Noah would watch my injuries, their eyes welling up with tears. “Skylar, you don’t need to learn these things. You were born to a life of luxury.” “Before marriage, you’re the Su Corporation’s heiress; after marriage, you’ll be the lady of the Chengs. Trust us, you’ll never suffer a day in your life.” Yet now, the very two people who once promised I’d never suffer were the ones causing me the deepest pain. They only stopped when I was on the verge of being beaten to death. I gasped for air on the floor, forcing myself to endure the pain. They, meanwhile, crowded around Chloe, as if afraid she’d been hurt. Noah gently held Chloe, his voice filled with tenderness. “Chloe, I know all about your feelings for me.” “Don’t worry. Once this storm passes, I’ll convince my father to break off my engagement with Skylar, and then I’ll marry you openly and honestly.” Liam chimed in, “Exactly. All the dowry Father prepared for Skylar? It’s all yours.” Watching the three of them, so deeply in love and united, I swallowed my bitterness. There was no point in saying anything now. My clothes were in tatters, and the house staff, seeing my state, whispered and pointed. Noah noticed their gazes on me and realized I was barely covered. He quickly took off his jacket and started walking towards me. But before he could offer it, Chloe’s soft sigh reached his ears. He didn’t hesitate, immediately placing the jacket over Chloe’s shoulders. “Chloe, go back to your room and rest.” “Mrs. Davis, please make Chloe a cup of ginger tea to help her calm down. She must be shaken by all this.” A wave of bitterness washed over me. *That ‘someone else,’ was that me?* To think that the two men who once treasured me like gold now feared I might upset another woman. Seeing their disregard for me, none of the Su family staff paid me any mind. I forced a wry smile, my steps faltering as I made my way back to my room. I don’t know how much time passed before Noah came to my room, carrying a cup of ginger tea that had long gone cold. “Skylar, we’ve been betrothed since childhood, but your character is no longer fit to be a Cheng. “I remember our past affections. As long as you promise not to cause trouble for Chloe, I’ll still provide for you.” I looked at Noah, suddenly realizing I’d never truly seen him. Our past affection now felt like a cruel joke. I was the eldest daughter of the Su family, and he was suggesting I become his mistress, hidden from sight. Before my father passed, Noah was just an executive in the company. What made him think I’d agree to such a degrading proposal? Was it based on the last vestiges of our relationship, which had long withered away? I suppressed the anger bubbling within me. “Get out!” Noah remained motionless, but then Chloe gracefully walked in. “Sister, are you still angry?” She cooed delicately. “Both my brothers just couldn’t stand what you did to me, so they’re standing up for me.” “We’re family, why are you being so petty?” I looked away, ignoring her. “Sister, to apologize, let me feed you this ginger tea.” Chloe took the tea from Noah’s hand and, ignoring my protests, brought it to my lips. I struggled to pull away, and a few drops of the tea spilled onto Chloe’s hand. Her eyes immediately welled up. “Sister, do you dislike me that much?” “I know my father was just a driver, and I don’t deserve to be called your sister, an heiress.” “But I’m about to marry for the Su family’s sake, so I won’t be any threat to you. “Even then, you still can’t stand the sight of me?” With that, her tears streamed down her face. “Skylar, that’s enough! Chloe is already so pathetic, why do you have to be so cruel?” Noah, heedless of my injuries, violently pushed me. I stumbled and fell, shards of the bowl digging deep into my flesh. Blood welled uncontrollably from my hands. As I looked up, my mother stood in the doorway, a storm in her eyes.

The long-suppressed bitterness overwhelmed me the moment I saw my mother. I sobbed, shouting, “Mom…” “Shut up! I wish I never had a daughter like you!” My mother entered my room, her face cold, her eyes frightening. She picked up the ice water from my bedside table and splashed it directly on my face, her voice a harsh warning. “Chloe has always been so careful and timid, already pitiful enough, yet you still bully her like this.” “If outsiders knew about your disgraceful behavior, where would the Su family put its face?” “Did my teachings mean nothing to you?” My blood dripped onto the floor, each drop eroding the last shred of hope I had for the Su family. I stared at Dad’s portrait on the wall, lost in thought. Back then, everyone envied me. My brother cherished me since childhood, and my childhood sweetheart adored me. The only hardship I’d ever known was a severe illness at the age of twelve. At that time, Liam and Noah, hoping for my swift recovery, went to a secluded monastery in the mountains to pray for me. They kneeled at every single step, each bow a prayer for the illness to leave me. When they returned, Noah placed a blessed amulet around my neck. “I never believed in superstitions, but if it means you’ll recover, I’ll make an exception.” “You must wear this amulet from now on, as if we’re always by your side.” “We prayed before the Buddha that all your pain would be ours to bear, and you would only know happiness.” But such promises ceased on the day Dad died in his car accident. Chloe’s father, trying to protect my father, was severely injured. In the intensive care unit, he entrusted Chloe to the Su family. But my father still passed away. Without his support, the Su Corporation was on the verge of collapse. Chloe, with her innocent facade, won everyone’s sympathy. They all pitied Chloe, and the downfall of the Su Corporation. But no one pitied me. “Skylar, why aren’t you apologizing to Chloe?” Liam and Noah looked at me with expressions full of blame. When they saw the pool of blood on the floor, they froze. Noah frowned deeply. “Skylar, why are you bleeding so much?” “You’re hurt, why didn’t you say anything? Let me see!” He stepped forward to take my hand. I hid my hand behind my back, avoiding his touch. “No need.” Noah hadn’t expected me to be so cold. He furrowed his brows, looking at me with displeasure. “You’re still so stubborn at your age! The Su Corporation is facing a major crisis right now, we don’t have time to coddle you!” “Fine, I’ll go buy you some caramels. Eat them, and don’t cause any more trouble.” Ever since I was little, whenever I got angry, he would buy me caramels. Because I loved him, I would stop being angry with him. Now, everything had changed. I glanced at the caramels in Chloe’s hand and shook my head. I returned to my room and quietly packed my luggage. The magnificent ivory gown in the closet was particularly eye-catching. This was Mom’s coming-of-age gift to me. She had commissioned dozens of artisans, painstakingly crafted over three sleepless nights. The pearls on the tiara were rare South Sea gems, personally sourced by my father and Liam at great expense. The earrings beside it were specially brought back from abroad by Noah. Back then, all the society girls in the city marveled at my bridal gown. “Miss Skylar is truly so blessed.” But now, the gown remained, yet the hearts had changed.

“Skylar, quickly move out of your bedroom and let Chloe have it.” “She’s about to get married, so in her last few days at the Su family home, she deserves the best treatment.” Liam’s voice pulled me back from my memories. Before I could speak, the maids began clearing out my belongings. Chloe stared intently at my bridal gown. “This gown is so beautiful. It’s a shame I’m not a Su family daughter, so I don’t deserve to wear it…” Her words trailed off, and Chloe began to sob. Her eyes misty, she looked at Noah, her expression full of grievance. “Noah, can you let me have a wedding ceremony with my beloved before I get married?” Hearing Chloe’s words, Liam immediately handed her the gown. “Chloe, quickly, try on this gown.” “No!” I cried out, stopping them. “You can have anything else you want, but not this gown!” I looked at them with pleading eyes, clutching the gown’s sleeve tightly. I refused to let go, refusing to release the last bit of my attachment to the past. “Skylar, it’s just a dress. What’s the harm in letting Chloe try it on?” “Why are you so petty? Chloe is sacrificing her entire life’s happiness just so you don’t have to suffer.” Liam and Noah shielded Chloe, as if I might devour her. Meeting their eyes, blazing with hatred, my last shred of hope dissolved. I pushed past their obstruction, snatched the gown, and took scissors, slashing a huge gash in it. Fine, then I don’t need it! “Skylar, what are you doing! Do you know how expensive these things are?” Liam roared furiously. But then he saw me pick up a photo album nearby and immediately snatched it away, his expression panicked. “Never mind, if it’s ruined, it’s ruined. I’ll buy you new ones later, but this album can’t be destroyed.” Liam treasured the album like gold, carefully wiping it before placing it back in my hands. This album documented every single moment of Liam, Noah, and my childhood together. Only the photos of Noah and me getting married were missing to fill it completely. But fate had other plans; ultimately, we walked down opposing paths. After they all left, I shredded every single photo in the album. Our past affection, like the album, was shattered beyond repair. The next day, as I went to buy a gift to curry favor with Dax, I overheard people discussing Dax’s impending marriage. “The Su family, a century-old dynasty, is actually marrying off their daughter to an outcast.” “I hear Dax is known for his cruel ways of tormenting people. That Miss Su is probably in for a hard life.” Hearing these words, a ripple of emotion stirred within me. *Could it be harder than now?* It was merely jumping from one hellhole to another. The Su family had long since stopped having room for me. The day came for my scheduled meeting with Dax. As I was about to leave, I saw the three people I least wanted to see. Chloe was sobbing in Noah’s arms. “Noah, I don’t care what happens to me, but I can’t drag the Su family down.” “But I already have someone I love in my heart. After I help the Su family through this crisis, I’ll take this love with me to the grave.” Liam and Noah huddled around her, comforting her softly. One declared his eternal love for her, the other cursed Dax as a beast. I remained silent, organizing the ties I had bought a few days ago. I had stayed up all night embroidering Dax’s name on a discreet part of one tie, hoping he would see it and feel a flicker of affection for me. I was no longer the once carefree Miss Su who could act on impulse. Naturally, I had to learn how to curry favor. Noah turned around and finally noticed me. He frowned, glaring at me disapprovingly. “Skylar, how can you still be in the mood to buy ties!” “Don’t you know what people are saying about the Su family?” “Chloe values her reputation above all else. How can she endure such insult?” *Yes, Chloe values her reputation above all else.* The Su and Cheng families were intertwined by interests, sharing prosperity and downfall. Only I was insignificant. Seeing that I remained silent, Liam snatched the tie from my hand. The tie’s pin tore open the scab on my palm’s old wound. Instantly, crimson blood stained the tie. Watching my carefully chosen tie get soiled, and my overnight embroidery ruined, tears of grievance flowed uncontrollably. I looked up at them. “If I were the one marrying the outcast, would you two be so heartbroken?”

“Skylar, what time is it now, and you’re still trying to compete with Chloe!” “Do you think buying a tie as a gift will win us over?” “We’ll never forgive you for everything you’ve done to Chloe…” Their words stopped abruptly. They had clearly seen the name embroidered on the tie: Dax. Their faces instantly lost all color. “Skylar, what do you mean by this? Just because you’re jealous of Chloe, you’re trying to seduce the outcast too?” They were the first to parade me around. And now they were the ones calling me a disgrace. It was their mismanagement that led the Su and Cheng families to the brink of bankruptcy. Yet now, they insisted on pinning the blame on me. If that’s how it is, then I’ll leave. And never come back. As soon as I walked out of the mansion, Chloe chased after me. She looked at me with a smug grin. “Skylar, what if you’re the Su family heiress? You still couldn’t beat me.” “Everything you owned is about to be mine!” With that, she let out a sudden scream and stumbled, falling into the rose garden nearby. Liam and Noah, hearing Chloe’s cry, rushed out. Chloe cried in their arms. “It’s all my fault, it has nothing to do with Sister Skylar.” “Please, don’t blame her. It really has nothing to do with her.” Anyone would suspect me after Chloe’s thinly veiled accusation. Sure enough, Liam and Noah stared at me, their faces filled with shock. “Skylar, Chloe is sacrificing her happiness for you, what more do you want!” “Are you only happy if she dies?”

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My parents were big on splitting everything, even when it came to us kids. Eleanor was in charge of Seraphina, Richard took care of Marcus. I was stuck in the middle, and anything I needed meant another awkward negotiation to split the bill. The result? They both ignored me. That hungriest year, I practically begged them for five bucks to buy a savory flatbread, and they just took turns guilt-tripping me. Eleanor played dumb. “Five bucks? That doesn’t split evenly, honey. Go ask your Dad.” Richard, annoyed by the noise, sent me a SnapChat link. “You want money? Fine. But from today, you’re joining the ‘Filial Contribution Settlement System,’ just like your brother and sister.” “We’ve raised you for seventeen years and three months. Even our own flesh and blood needs to settle accounts!” I wolfed down the flatbread, nodding furiously. But when the day of reckoning actually came, my whole family knelt before me, crying and begging for mercy. …….. My stomach growled, a hollow ache. As I reached the front door, the sound of laughter spilled out from inside. I pushed the door open, and the laughter instantly died. All eyes swiveled to me. Seraphina was holding a bracelet up to the light, exclaiming, “Oh my God, this is an antique diamond, fit for royalty. With this, I’ll definitely snag Liam Sterling at the gala!” Marcus held a card, grinning. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll study really hard.” Eleanor, propped up against her giant teddy bear, blinked a few times before clearing her throat awkwardly. “Aria? What are you doing back?” I didn’t answer, my eyes fixed on the steaming meat buns on the table. Seraphina, thinking I was eyeing her bracelet, quickly hid it behind her back and dragged Marcus away. The moment they left, my parents’ faces instantly turned cold. Richard frowned. “Didn’t you have evening classes? How are you back so early?” My heart sank. I glanced at my watch – it was already nine-thirty. Early? As far back as I could remember, my parents had treated parenting like a business expense, strictly splitting everything down the middle. Eleanor was responsible for Seraphina, Richard for Marcus. Money flowed like a river for them, but for me, it was a dried-up well. Seraphina and Marcus went to elite private schools from a young age, with the best clothes and allowances. I, however, was stuck in the run-down public school in the worst district, often going hungry. Finally, my Grandpa Arthur couldn’t stand it anymore. Just before my senior year, he forced Dad to transfer me to my siblings’ elite private school. Seraphina and Marcus were terrible students. One had to repeat a year, the other two. So, when I transferred, we all ended up in the same senior year. But while their monthly allowance alone was a fortune, I didn’t even have money for food. From then on, hunger became a part of me. I stared at the buns, swallowing hard for a long moment. “I can stay out late, Mom and Dad. But can you please give me five bucks a day so I can at least buy a savory flatbread from the school gate at night?” The words were barely out when Eleanor’s eyes darted away. “But your Dad and I always split everything, and five dollars doesn’t divide evenly! Go ask your Dad.” Richard’s face grew darker. He shot me a disgusted look. “Come to my study.” Inside the study, Dad got straight to the point. “You want money? Fine. But from today, you’re joining the ‘Filial Contribution Settlement System,’ just like your brother and sister. Are you sure you want this?” A glint of cunning flashed in his eyes, his expression hinting at a shrewd calculation. My heart ached, but my stomach was rumbling. I could only agree for now. I opened my phone and found it was a digital system launched by the Family Court, designed to ensure children fulfill their financial obligations to their parents, a “gratitude” system, they called it. I was carefully reading the terms when Dad impatiently snatched my phone, bypassed the fine print with suspicious speed, and quickly signed the online Filial Contribution Agreement with me, as if afraid I’d back out. Once he confirmed I was bound to the system, Richard’s expression visibly relaxed. He immediately transferred five dollars to me, then practically shoved me out. Soon, I heard the sound of a cabinet being opened and hushed, intermittent talking from inside the study. I didn’t need to guess. Dad was definitely on a FaceTime call with his relatives, bragging about Marcus and Seraphina’s ‘achievements’ while dramatically listing all the ‘expenses’ I’d incurred. Though I was bound by this system, I wasn’t overly worried. After all, from birth until now, the money they’d spent on me could be counted on one hand. My baby formula was always on the verge of expiring, my clothes were Seraphina’s threadbare hand-me-downs, and my school bag was Marcus’s discarded junk. And now, even if I didn’t have much cash, at least all my classmates were trust-fund babies. I was the poorest one in this elite private school. But being poor had its advantages. They were too lazy to do homework, so I’d do it for them. Ten dollars a pop, and I could make a decent amount. No sooner said than done. After class, I finally mustered the courage, eyeing the group of spoiled rich kids who never studied, and slowly spoke. “Does… does anyone need help with their homework? It’s… it’s only ten dollars a piece.” The rich kids, who were busy showing off their latest designer bags and watches, stopped their antics and stared at me in shock. A moment later, shouts erupted. “Ten dollars? Who do you think you’re insulting? Ten thousand! You do mine first!” “A hundred thousand! Dollars!” I nervously swallowed. Just as I was about to hesitate and refuse, Seraphina’s rival, a girl draped in Chanel, slammed a wad of dollar bills onto my desk. “I’m going all in! Let’s see who dares to challenge me for the top spot today!” I looked at her with immense gratitude, because I knew that from this day forward, I would finally no longer have to starve. In the quiet campus, under the corridor’s night lights, I wolfed down a savory flatbread with double egg and sausage, all while concentrating on homework. Both my stomach and my mind were incredibly satisfied. That day, during math class, my phone buzzed. The first bill had arrived. **[Aria: Due payment $50,000]** **[Seraphina, Marcus: No payment required]** I gasped in surprise, earning a frown from Ms. Albright. “Aria, what are you yelling about?” I frantically shook my head, quickly saying, “Nothing!” Suppressing my anger, I screenshotted the bill and blasted it into the family SnapChat group, tagging Mom and Dad. “I only asked for five bucks for a flatbread. How did it become fifty thousand?” After a moment of silence, the group exploded. **Richard:** That’s just how the system works. All the money your Mom and I spend now, you have to help split. It’s your filial contribution. **Eleanor:** I bought your sister a new bag, and your Dad bought your brother some sneakers. Those things cost money. **Seraphina:** Just pay up already, or the system will mark your record. **Marcus:** Yeah, don’t drag us down. Seeing them gang up on me like that, my chest felt like it would explode. As I was trying to figure out how to deal with this system, my phone chimed again. It was a notification from the hidden camera I’d secretly installed in the living room. I tapped it open and instantly froze, my head spinning. At this time, only Mom was home. I watched as Mom’s giant teddy bear suddenly stood up. It hugged Mom, spinning her around, then dancing with her. Mom looked utterly delighted. Deep in their play, the teddy bear abruptly stopped, then ripped right down the middle! A man emerged from inside, a smirk on his face as his hands moved over Mom’s body, lower, and lower… I couldn’t bear to watch the rest of the footage. That teddy bear was part of Mom’s dowry. Since I was little, it had been her most prized possession, untouchable by anyone. But then, Marcus and Seraphina’s bloodline… My heart thumped. The thought sent a jolt of fear through me. If it were true, then according to the system’s “Illegitimate Child Compensation Clause,” not only would they face penalties from the system, but my parents would also have to pay me a huge sum for secretly raising illegitimate children. From the looks of it, Dad probably had no idea. At that thought, my heart pounded with excitement. The show was about to begin. In the study, Richard saw my payment record and slapped me across the face. “So, you lied to me! You couldn’t even afford a five-dollar flatbread, but you suddenly have fifty thousand dollars? How?” My cheek stung, burning. I turned my head away, not looking at him, my voice eerily calm, flat as a placid lake. “It’s money I earned myself.” Richard scoffed, like I’d just told the funniest joke he’d ever heard. “You eat my food, live under my roof, I even pay for your school fees. Where would you get money?” He paused, his eyes narrowing with a vile insinuation. “Did you… sell yourself?” “Whatever. I can’t be bothered with you. Just make sure you pay on time.” I stared at him in disbelief. As a father, how much hatred must he hold for his own daughter to utter such words? But Dad, if you hate me so much, why did you even have me? As I left the study, I quietly clenched my fist. While he wasn’t looking, I’d managed to snag a few strands of his hair. My suspicions coiled and grew like ivy, compelling me to send the samples for a paternity test. The day the results came back, I stared at the report for a full thirty minutes. Marcus shared blood with Richard, but not Eleanor. Seraphina was blood-related to Eleanor, but had no connection to Richard. And after all this time, it turned out I was the real Sterling heir. For a moment, I didn’t know whether to be happy or sad about the result. All the favoritism and coldness I’d experienced growing up suddenly made sense. Mom and Dad’s marriage had always been a facade; Richard never let Eleanor into his study, and Eleanor wouldn’t let Richard touch her teddy bear… Wait, Dad’s study? A thought suddenly flashed through my mind. But before I could dwell on it, my phone chimed again with a system notification. **[Aria: Due payment $200,000]** **[Seraphina, Marcus: No payment required]** Almost simultaneously, the family SnapChat group stirred. Seraphina posted a photo of a crocodile-skin Hermes bag, captioned: “Thanks for the love, Mom!” Eleanor immediately tagged me, her message blunt. **Eleanor:** Aria, pay up. I stared at the screen, a cold smirk touching my lips. Without a word, I screenshotted it as evidence, then slammed the $200,000 payment bill into the group. The group instantly fell silent. In the days that followed, my parents’ spending became even more frantic.

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I was in the middle of an important international conference when my sister’s call suddenly came through. On the other end of the line, she was sobbing uncontrollably: “Amelia, I’m being held at the mall! They’re insisting I ruined a dress and want me to pay a million dollars…” I immediately drove to our family’s mall. My sister was surrounded by several store employees at the entrance of a high-end couture boutique. Her eyes were red and swollen, her body trembling, and her clothes were ripped in several places. A haughty girl stood with her arms crossed, looking down at Chloe with an imperious gaze: “Let me tell you, I’m Brittany Vance, heiress of the powerful Vance Corporation in Sterling City! Forget a million dollars – even if I made you kneel here and apologize today, my dad would just cheer me on!” The Vance family from Sterling City? Since when did my dad have a third daughter besides Chloe and me? I was about to call my dad when that girl pointed at me and shrieked: “What are *you* doing here, you pathetic home-wrecker?!” … “Home-wrecker?!” I frowned, wondering if I’d misheard. I’d lived twenty-six years, dedicating myself to my studies and career. I hadn’t even had a proper relationship, so how could I be someone else’s mistress? I looked at the girl. Her name tag read “Store Manager – Brittany Vance.” A store manager claiming to be the heiress of the Vance family, then calling me a home-wrecker. Where did this person come from? I suppressed my anger and calmly explained, “You’re the store manager, right? You might have me mistaken for someone else.” Brittany suddenly exploded. “Store manager? I’m the owner and head designer of this high-end boutique! Clearly, a bumpkin like you wouldn’t know!” I almost burst out laughing. It seemed I’d stumbled upon a huge phony. Brittany looked me up and down disdainfully. “Let me tell you, Dylan Hayes is *my* man! I’ve seen plenty of old ladies like you, throwing a few measly bucks at him to keep him around! If you know what’s good for you, get lost and stop harassing him!” Dylan Hayes? That name was certainly familiar. He was the scholarship student I’d personally sponsored since high school. He was an excellent student, handsome and clean-cut, always wearing worn, faded shirts, his eyes clear yet stubborn. I sponsored him all the way through college. After graduation, seeing how hard it was for him to find a job, I even brought him into our family’s mall, starting him from an entry-level position. He was charming, a smooth talker, and incredibly efficient, quickly rising through the ranks. Six months ago, he confessed his feelings, claiming he’d admired me for years. He said he knew there was a gap between us, but he didn’t care. He’d be my rock, my supportive partner, allowing me to fully immerse myself in my career without a single worry. His gentle, considerate demeanor genuinely swayed my heart. I had even started seriously considering his pursuit. But I never imagined that while he was completely devoted and agreeable to my face, behind my back, he was twisting the narrative, painting me as some desperate, clinging old woman. I must have been completely blind! How could I have been so utterly foolish?! *** At this point, I had no desire to waste another word on Brittany Vance. I took off my blazer and draped it over my trembling sister, speaking softly: “Chloe, don’t be scared. We’re going home.” “Going home?” Brittany lunged in front of us, blocking our path, hands on her hips, utterly unreasonable. “You ruined my store’s clothes, and you think you can just leave without paying? No way!” She pointed at the torn dress on the floor, snarling, “Unless you pay a million dollars, neither of you is leaving here today!” I glanced at the dress. There was indeed a noticeable tear in the hem. More and more onlookers gathered, pointing and whispering about us. My sister was so angry, tears streamed down her face. “I didn’t! You guys grabbed me, that’s how the dress got torn!” “Who saw it? Does anyone have proof for you?” Brittany arrogantly scanned the crowd. “I call the shots here!” I forced down my surging anger and slowly spoke, “What kind of dress costs a million dollars?” Brittany scoffed. “Poor people always have the most excuses!” She sneered. “My boutique isn’t some cheap, run-of-the-mill clothing store you see on every street corner! Every piece I design is custom-made. Your sister, with her penniless self, dared to touch it, and her ‘poor’ vibe probably soiled my clothes!” “This dress was already ordered by someone else, and now it’s unsellable. Asking you to pay a million dollars is me being merciful!” I almost laughed at the absurdity. I hated it when phonies talked like this; even a retort felt like stooping to their level. Just then, Chloe tugged at my sleeve, her face filled with worry. “Amelia, maybe we should just pay. I have some money on my card…” Seeing my sister like this, my heart ached even more. She was introverted; even when it was someone else’s fault, she always blamed herself. I looked coldly at Brittany. “My sister says you accidentally bumped into her. Since you both have different stories, let’s pull up the surveillance footage and let everyone see clearly.” Brittany’s face instantly changed. “Surveillance? What surveillance? I say she ruined it, so she ruined it!” “Besides, even if I did bump her, so what? It’s her good fortune to be touched by a commoner like me!” This illogical, thuggish statement made some of the onlookers frown in disapproval. She yelled, her bravado clearly masking fear, “Who do you think you are? You think you can just demand to see footage? This mall is managed by my boyfriend, Dylan Hayes! I can do whatever I want!” I smirked. “Are you sure Dylan Hayes calls the shots in *this* mall?” Brittany froze for a moment, then became furious. “Stop trying to change the subject! Just pay up!” Too lazy to argue with her anymore, I pulled out my phone and dialed Dylan Hayes’ number directly. I wanted to hear how he planned to explain himself. When the call connected, Dylan’s impatient voice came through. “Hello? I’m in a meeting. Can we talk later?” With that, he hung up. Brittany listened to the dial tone and laughed, shaking with glee. “Oh, look, does Dylan even want to talk to you? Still pretending, it’s hilarious!” Then, she pulled out her phone, dialed a number, and her voice instantly turned tearful and wronged: “Mom! I’m being bullied at the store! It’s just a poor student and her home-wrecker sister, and they don’t want to pay! Please come quickly, bring some people, and teach them a good lesson!” After hanging up, Brittany’s arrogance intensified. “My mom will be here any minute! I advise you to bring your poor sister, kneel down, and apologize to me right now! Maybe if I’m in a good mood, I’ll let you pay a little less.” “My mom is Vanessa Price, wife of Richard Vance, Sterling City’s richest man! When she gets here, you two are going to be stripped naked and thrown out of this mall!” My pupils constricted sharply. Richard Vance’s legal wife was my mother, Eleanor Reed. Could it be…? While I was feeling uneasy, Brittany impatiently urged, “What are you standing around for? A million dollars! Hand over the money now! Otherwise, when my mom arrives, it won’t be just a million dollars that can solve this!” I took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil of emotions in my heart. Now was not the time to investigate my father’s messy affairs. The immediate priority was to get Chloe out of this troublesome situation. “I won’t give you the money. And I’m taking my sister with me now.” My voice was firm as I pulled Chloe, ready to leave. “Stop them!” Brittany shrieked. Several security guards immediately surrounded us. The head security guard, Captain Miller, looked at me sternly. “Ma’am, you cannot leave until this matter is resolved.” I looked at his unfamiliar face, my heart sinking. The mall’s head of security was someone I’d personally recruited from the special forces, and I knew most of his team by sight. These people, however, were clearly new faces. It seemed Dylan Hayes had replaced a whole new team of management with his own people without my knowledge. Was he trying to usurp my authority? What incredible audacity! Just as we stood in a stalemate, the click of high heels approached from a distance. A woman adorned in jewels, surrounded by a group of burly men, strode in, full of bluster. She was well-maintained, but her eyes held a hint of pettiness and shrewdness. “Who dares to bully my precious daughter?!” The moment Brittany saw her, she immediately burst into tears and rushed into her arms. “Mom! You’re here! It’s them! They’re bullying me!” The woman lovingly embraced her daughter, but when she saw me, a flicker of discomfort crossed her eyes, quickly masked. She sharply ordered the bodyguards behind her, “Grab this pathetic girl and her sister! Beat them within an inch of their lives!” “I’ll take responsibility for whatever happens! Let them know what happens when you offend my daughter!” The burly men, clearly paid to do a job, lunged at us without hesitation. “What are you doing! Stop!” I yelled, shielding Chloe tightly behind me. But how could two girls possibly stand against a dozen grown men? Soon, Chloe and I were roughly pinned to the ground. Fists rained down on us. I desperately protected my head and vital organs, holding Chloe close in my arms, taking the brunt of the attacks on my back. My bones felt like they were being crushed inch by inch; searing pain shot through every part of my body. Chloe was trembling in my arms, her cries turning into desperate whimpers. “Stop… Please, just stop…” Enduring the pain, I struggled to sit up and roared, “Think carefully! This is a lawful society, and there are surveillance cameras everywhere in this mall!” The burly men’s actions indeed hesitated. Seeing this, Vanessa Price sneered. “Little girl, you’re still too naive.” “You think I’d bring people here if I was scared of that?” She clapped her hands, and Captain Miller immediately understood, running to a nearby electrical box and pulling a lever. The lights on the entire floor instantly went out, plunging the area into dimness. The crowd gasped. Vanessa’s triumphant voice echoed in the darkness. “Now there’s no surveillance! What are you going to threaten me with now?” “Attack!” Chloe clung to me, terrified and trembling. My heart sank to the bottom. I never imagined that in broad daylight, in my own family’s mall, I would encounter such lawless thugs! “Stop!” a furious shout rang out. Emergency lights flickered on, and Dylan Hayes’ figure appeared before us. My heart stirred. Did he still have a shred of conscience? As soon as he appeared, Brittany immediately rushed to him, tearfully complaining: “Dylan! You’re finally here! Look at them, they not only ruined my dress, but that old woman even tried to hit me!” Dylan immediately put his arm around her, comforting her softly. “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.” He turned to me, his face twisting into one of annoyance. “Amelia Reed, what exactly do you want? “I’ve already made it clear to you that I don’t like you. Are you incapable of understanding plain English?” I looked at him, feeling utterly disgusted. I spoke each word distinctly, “Dylan Hayes, I sponsored you for seven years, from your high school days until you graduated college. I even brought you in to manage this mall, and I never asked for anything in return.” His face stiffened, his eyes darting away. Brittany, however, wasn’t pleased. She pinched him hard. “Dylan, why are you wasting your breath on her? She gave you that money because she wanted to sleep with you, didn’t she? Everyone knows what her real intentions are!” At her words, the murmurs from the crowd grew louder. “So it’s a sugar mommy keeping a pretty boy, and the pretty boy found true love.” “Tsk, tsk, this woman is something else, buying affection. There’s no sincerity in that.” “Serves her right, she brought it on herself.” Dylan’s posture instantly straightened. He looked at me, a cruel smirk playing on his lips. “Amelia Reed, I like sweet, innocent girls like Brittany, not manipulative old women like you!” I was trembling with rage. “Fine. Just fine.” I laughed in my fury. “Dylan Hayes, remember what you said today!” I didn’t want to waste another second with that despicable pair. I pulled Chloe and turned to leave. “Stop right there!” Dylan blocked our path, his face a picture of smug triumph. “Pay for Brittany’s dress before you go!” He ordered the security guards, “Keep them here! Don’t let them leave until the money’s paid! I’ll take responsibility for whatever happens!” I looked at his smug, arrogant smirk and said coldly: “Dylan Hayes, have you forgotten who actually owns this mall?” He froze for a moment, then burst into maniacal laughter. “Amelia Reed, are you awake? You don’t actually think that because you sponsored me, this mall belongs to you, do you?” I looked at him, finding it ironic. Dylan only knew I was wealthy, but he had no idea this mall was *mine*. When I initially had him manage the mall, it was my assistant who conveyed the instructions. I had been too low-key, which gave him the opportunity to run wild. Seeing this, Vanessa Price pointed at the dress on the floor and made an outrageous demand: “That dress is a million dollars, plus emotional damages for my daughter, and my lost wages… Let’s round it up to five million dollars! Hand over the money now! If you can’t, then your sister will kneel down and lick the floor clean!” “You’re dreaming!” My chest heaved with fury. Vanessa’s eyes turned cold, and she told the bodyguards, “Pin the little one down! Make her lick it!” Two bodyguards immediately stepped forward, roughly grabbing Chloe’s arms, about to force her to the ground. “Let her go!” My vision blurred with rage. I lunged forward to push them away, but two other bodyguards held me firmly. “Amelia! Help me! Amelia!” “Let my sister go, you bastards!” I struggled frantically, but the disparity in strength between men and women was too great; I couldn’t break free. Dylan Hayes stood to the side, watching all of this coldly, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. Brittany was even more excited, clapping her hands. “Mom, push harder! Make her lick it! Make her lick it clean for me!” Just then, my phone suddenly slipped from my pocket and fell to the floor. The screen lit up, showing the emergency call I had frantically dialed. One of the burly men, sharp-eyed, saw the numbers on the screen, his face changing, and he subconsciously loosened his grip. “Damn it, she called the police!” The three on the opposite side were also startled. Seizing the moment the bodyguards relaxed, I violently broke free and lunged to pick up my phone. “I’ve already called the police! They’ll be here any minute! None of you will get away!” I held up my phone, screaming at them. In truth, I hadn’t even had time to dial out, but it was enough to deter them. Brittany, her voice betraying her fear, shrieked, “So what if you called the police? My dad is Richard Vance! The police will still have to show *him* some respect!” Dylan Hayes, meanwhile, rushed forward, trying to snatch my phone. “Amelia Reed! Are you crazy?! Hang up the phone now!” There was no way I’d let him succeed; I clutched my phone tightly. Failing to grab it, in a fit of desperation, he slapped me hard across the face! My face burned, my ears rang, and I tasted a metallic tang of blood in my mouth. I looked at him in disbelief. This man, whom I had sponsored for seven years, who had recently sworn to protect me, had just hit me. Dylan Hayes was also startled by his own actions, his hand frozen in mid-air. But seeing the hatred in my eyes, he hardened his heart, deciding to go all in. “You forced my hand!” He said viciously, “Let me tell you, if you dare to blow this up today, I’ll make sure you can’t survive in Sterling City!” “Oh really?” A cold, authoritative voice suddenly cut through the crowd from outside. “Who has such big talk, daring to make my daughter unable to survive in Sterling City?” I looked towards the sound. A distinguished-looking middle-aged man walked over. It was my father, Richard Vance. The moment he appeared, my tightly strung nerves finally relaxed a little. Although I harbored resentment about his possible infidelity, it could also be that Brittany and her mother were lying; nothing was confirmed yet. I was about to step forward, but Brittany ran past me, intimately linking her arm with his. “Dad, you’re here just in time! Look how they’ve bullied me!” Richard Vance’s face immediately broke into a doting smile, and he affectionately stroked her head: “Brittany, darling, with Daddy here, no one can bully you!” I froze on the spot. Vanessa Price also swayed her hips over, complaining coquettishly: “Richard, you’re finally here. Brittany and I were almost bullied to death by these two little girls.” Richard Vance patted her hand reassuringly, speaking softly, “You’ve worked hard, Vanessa.” His gaze, from start to finish, never once fell on Chloe or me. As if we were strangers. My heart sank, little by little. Chloe whispered from behind me, “Daddy…” Richard Vance’s frown deepened, and he reprimanded us sharply: “Who are you two? What are you making a scene about here? And who’s your dad? Don’t go around claiming relations! I, Richard Vance, don’t have such unsophisticated daughters!” My blood instantly ran cold. Chloe couldn’t accept this fact. She rushed out, tugging at Richard Vance’s sleeve, crying and asking: “Daddy, why won’t you acknowledge us? It’s Chloe! Don’t you want me and Amelia anymore?” A flicker of unbearable pain crossed Richard Vance’s face, but he quickly shook off Chloe’s hand in disgust, sending her stumbling and falling to the ground. “Get lost! Don’t touch me!” He said mercilessly, “I’ll say it again, I don’t know you!” Seeing this, Vanessa Price and Brittany Vance laughed, shaking with glee. “Did you hear that? My husband doesn’t know you! You two liars, trying to impersonate the Vance daughters, how delusional!” Brittany even squatted down, poking Chloe’s forehead with her finger, utterly humiliating her: “Little poor thing, did you hear? My dad said he only has one daughter, me! You and your home-wrecker sister, just get lost!” Dylan Hayes also stepped forward, looking down at me. “Amelia Reed, I’m giving you one last chance: pay up and apologize. Otherwise, one word from Mr. Vance, and you two will completely disappear from Sterling City!”

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My husband has a female director who’s not just highly capable, but also incredibly devoted. From her early twenties to her thirties, she stood by Julian Hayes’ side, helping him conquer the business world. And she’s still unmarried. Meanwhile, I stepped back years ago to focus on our daughter’s education, choosing to stay out of his business entirely. My friend was outraged: “Celeste Miller acts like she’s the lady of the house, the main woman! How can you just sit there, unbothered?” I just smiled. “What’s there to be afraid of?” It’s just a low-cost form of exploitation. There’s a term for it online that hits the nail on the head. It’s called—a loyalty acquisition strategy. I had just finished dinner at home with my daughter when Marcus Sterling was on a corporate cruise with his team. My best friend, Megan’s, SnapChat notifications started buzzing relentlessly. Over a dozen photos flooded in. Her call followed immediately, and I could hear the dull thump of waves against the boat through the phone. Her voice was laced with anger: “Audrey, why didn’t you come to the retreat?” “That Chloe, she’s practically glued to Marcus!” Megan’s husband was a business partner of Marcus’s company, and this retreat was co-organized by both. As for the photos… I had already seen them on Chloe’s Ins Story. One was particularly glaring. On the deck, with the vast sky and sea as a backdrop. Chloe wore a sheer, bright yellow bikini, minimal fabric perfectly highlighting her proudly flaunted curves. She clung tightly to Marcus’s arm, while he had an arm around her waist, their skin pressed together. She raised a champagne glass, smiling brightly and confidently. In almost every photo, she and Marcus were front and center. Her posture screamed ‘lady of the house.’ She hadn’t even bothered to set her SnapChat story to a private group or ‘visible to me only.’ So, the comments section, filled with a chorus of compliments and blessings, was also visible to me. Yet, beneath these almost provocative, brazen photos, she selectively replied to a few comments like “future Mrs. Sterling!” and “Couple goals!” with a transparent attempt to deflect: “Oh, don’t say that!” “Audrey might get upset.” They were out there enjoying the sea breeze and champagne, while I was here. Our nanny had taken time off. Leaving me to handle various chores myself. I was peeling an orange for my daughter, Lily, after dinner, and a splash of juice seeped into my nail beds, leaving a crisp, tart sting. At the same time. A new message from Chloe popped up on my screen.

She sent two photos. One was an intimate shot, the other a screenshot of the comments section on her Ins Story. She clearly desperately wanted me to see them, yet feigned an explanation: “Audrey, the sea breeze was too strong, Marcus just helped me to steady myself, don’t overthink it!” Seeing the photos, Marcus also messaged me with the same excuse. I smiled, replying: “No worries, stay safe.” I put an orange segment to my mouth, my voice even as I replied to Megan: “Until Lily goes to college, I won’t get involved in company matters, not even a bit.” She shrieked in protest on my behalf: “Not involved? She’s practically acting like the lady of the house already!” “I remember she used to be just your assistant.” “She’s clearly getting way too close to your husband, and you’re just going to sit there?” She had just returned to the country, so she wasn’t fully aware of everything. For instance, Chloe and Marcus’s relationship had been going on for over ten years. I let out a soft laugh. Megan was exasperated with me. “You’re laughing? She doesn’t even see you! Audrey Montgomery!” She wasn’t wrong. Chloe’s attitude toward me had followed a clear, discernible trajectory. From the initial reverence she showed when she joined the company as my assistant. To her tentative assumption of my work when I went home during my pregnancy. Then, to an air of equality after she and Marcus successfully completed several major projects. Finally, during my pregnancy, my dad passed away, and Marcus took full control. She began to treat me with an unconcealed, victor-like disregard. I wiped my hands, placed the phone on the kitchen counter, and continued slicing apples for a fruit platter. “Megan, tell me, what’s the most efficient, lowest-cost reward for a loyal, exceptionally capable subordinate?” “A promotion? A raise? Shares?” “None of those,” I said softly. “It’s to show them favoritism, to make them feel special, so they willingly dedicate everything to you, and still believe they’re getting the better deal.” The other end of the line fell silent. I slowly wiped my hands clean, walked to Lily’s study to give her the fruit as she did her homework, then closed the door and continued: “All of this, I tacitly allowed.” “Because from a corporate management perspective, it’s the lowest-cost way to control subordinates.” “Only, Marcus always thought…” “He was the one in control.”

I never imagined I’d marry Marcus Sterling. No particular reason, just simply didn’t dare to. When we were teenagers, we attended the same international high school. But the financial disparity between our families was immense. I still remember the Sterling estate at its peak. In a prestigious area of the city, the private road leading up to their mansion alone took a full eight minutes to drive, and their gardens were easily ten times the size of ours, complete with a dedicated enclosure for blue peacocks. High-profile guests and dignitaries were constantly coming and going. My parents had to pull strings through multiple connections just to get an invitation to a Sterling family gala. Marcus was so dazzling, and I was merely a backdrop in his circle of friends. Yet, prosperity inevitably leads to decline. That year, during my sophomore year, a major financial scandal hit, and regulators launched a sweeping crackdown on related industries. Overnight, the Sterling family’s properties and funds were frozen, and Mr. Sterling Sr. was imprisoned for white-collar crimes. Former friends and relatives vanished like fair-weather birds. Soon after, Marcus’s mother also died of depression. Just when everyone was avoiding him like the plague. I sold my eighteenth birthday gift from my aunt—a limited-edition designer bag. I scraped together three hundred thousand dollars to cover his overseas tuition fees. He was astonished. I smiled and told him: “I applied to the same university as you.” “So, we’ll still be classmates.” The unspoken implication was that I could help him in the future. But teenage boys’ pride is sky-high. With red eyes and a stubborn chin, he said: “I’ll pay you back.” Subsequently, he cobbled together some other small loans, and managed to work part-time and study his way through university. Oh, and he didn’t even forget to date me during that time. The year we graduated, he actually managed to save up three hundred thousand dollars and repaid me, with interest. Unfortunately, after repaying the money, Marcus Sterling had nothing left. He knew he wanted to marry me. My parents, naturally, disagreed. But Marcus was very smart. Though his family had fallen from grace, the taste and insight from his early privileged life remained. He knew how to appreciate wine, play golf, was impeccably polite in daily life, and shrewdly decisive in business. He secured several major clients for my dad’s company through various business dealings and networking events. Later, my dad reluctantly agreed to our marriage but still refused to relinquish control. Even when he fell ill, company control remained firmly in my hands. He was like a shrewd patriarch, only willing to see Marcus as his most capable, yet utterly replaceable, employee. The turning point came when I became pregnant.

My father’s health rapidly deteriorated, and my uncles and aunts eyed the Montgomery family’s assets like vultures. I suffered from severe morning sickness and lacked energy, so I reluctantly began handing over core projects to Marcus. Marcus’s business acumen seemed innate. The projects he spearheaded brought unprecedented profit breakthroughs for the company. But the more outstanding he became, the more my father worried. He wanted a guarantee. A guarantee that Marcus could never shake the foundations of the Montgomery family. So, after our daughter, Lily, was born, Marcus proactively suggested that our daughter carry *my* family name, Montgomery – an unheard-of concession for a man in his position. This was the condition my father had initially set, for which he would exchange his blessing. I still remember Marcus’s words in the hospital, as he held our newborn daughter and spoke to me on the bed. His eyes held humiliation, ambition. Only the clarity of his youth was gone. His face pale, he said to me: “Audrey, I’ve done this much for you and the Montgomery family. Your father should be at ease now.” I understood that a man deprived of the right to pass on his own family name, to truly establish his lineage, would always seek to compensate elsewhere. More money, more women – these were his avenues for regaining what he felt he had lost. I gave him power, tacitly allowing him to cultivate his own loyalists. And Chloe, it was after that, that he personally promoted her from her assistant position. It wasn’t until my father passed away when Lily was seven years old. The moment my father closed his eyes, a certain balance was completely broken. Marcus’s era began. Or rather, what he *thought* was his era. These past few years, I retreated behind the scenes, ostensibly caring for my husband and daughter, but in reality, observing with a cold eye. I watched how Marcus drastically reformed the company, and how he step by step promoted Chloe to a high-ranking director position. Chloe was indeed capable. She was like a sharp, unwavering weapon, striking wherever Marcus directed, always achieving victory. She secured several key domestic and international projects for the company, was decisive at the negotiation table, and charming and persuasive in social settings. She was his most capable right-hand, his most understanding comrade, and his most intimate lover. Everyone in the company knew. Only I. Audrey Montgomery-Sterling, the mistress of the Montgomery family. Like a porcelain doll living in the past, enshrined at home, unheeded. Megan’s call merely peeled back the thin veneer of what was already an open secret. Over these years, every unusual fund flow, every abnormal personnel change in the company, arrived promptly in my private inbox each week, in the form of encrypted emails. I hung up the phone and glanced at Lily’s focused back in her study. Lily’s high school career was about to end. And that meant. Audrey Montgomery’s era was about to begin anew.

Soon after my daughter graduated high school, the company’s thirtieth anniversary celebration arrived. Having been a stay-at-home mom for many years, I had long been out of touch with company affairs. But I decided to attend the gala nonetheless. The moment Marcus and I stepped into the ballroom, I knew this evening was Chloe’s main stage. I wore a custom champagne gold gown, an elegantly reserved statement. Chloe, however, wore a midnight blue gown that perfectly echoed the color of Marcus’s tie. As if they were the meticulously matched couple. “Mr. Sterling, Mr. Miller and the others have been waiting for a while.” She familiarly handed Marcus a drink, practically ignoring my presence. He gently patted my hand in reassurance, took the glass, and hurriedly instructed: “You find a seat for a bit, I’m going to say hello.” Then he was led by Chloe into the swirling center of clinking glasses and chatter. I was left standing there. Before long, whispers like a tide surged around me, undisguised. “Is that Mr. Sterling’s wife? She just seems… completely outmatched by Director Chloe.” “Shhh! Keep it down. But honestly, look at Director Chloe and Mr. Sterling together, *that’s* what you call a perfect power couple, a strong alliance.” “Right, I heard she’s been a stay-at-home mom for ages. She knows Mr. Sterling likes Director Chloe but doesn’t dare make a scene.” “No kidding, Chloe practically built this empire alongside Marcus for at least fifteen of those years. If I were a man, I’d pick Chloe too!” I maintained a faint smile, pretending not to hear. A short while later, a young woman wearing an intern badge, holding a drink, with eyes full of fervent adoration, walked directly towards Chloe, but was blocked by a passing guest right in front of me. She impatiently turned sideways, and her gaze furrowed as it landed on me. “Excuse me, ma’am,” Her tone carried a hint of condescending scrutiny. “This is the main table area for VIP guests. To avoid disturbing Director Chloe and our distinguished guests, it’s best if unauthorized personnel don’t linger here.” After she spoke, she even pointed her chin towards Chloe, a blatant attempt to impress. Chloe glanced at the scene, her smile deepening, showing no intention of helping me out of the awkward situation. Everyone around us was waiting to see me embarrassed. Before I could speak, Marcus’s assistant rushed over, his voice grave: “Brittany, this is Mr. Sterling’s wife, Ms. Montgomery-Sterling.”

The intern’s face went ashen, and she apologized profusely. Marcus turned to look at me, signaling that he was aware and handling it. But if he hadn’t deliberately avoided family and marriage in interviews for the past decade, if he hadn’t deliberately enhanced Chloe’s presence in the company, why would I be treated with such disdain? He walked directly to the main table, pulled out the chair next to him, and motioned for me to sit down. Only then did I realize how bizarrely the main table seats were arranged. Marcus was at the head, and Chloe and I were seated on either side of him, forming a stable yet awkward arrangement. He calmly unbuttoned his jacket, and added, a little too quickly: “Don’t overthink it, Chloe always helps me navigate networking and takes the brunt of the social drinking, so she habitually sits beside me.” When it was time for the speeches. Chloe, as one of the company’s long-standing directors, stepped up first. She raised her glass to everyone, but her gaze was locked on Marcus’s face. “For the past decade, I’ve dedicated all my youth and passion to this company. The person I want to thank most is Mr. Sterling.” Her voice was slightly choked up, laced with boundless affection. “Thank you, for shielding me from the storms and for giving me boundless opportunities. All these years, the company has been my home, and Mr. Sterling, you are my family!” She heavily emphasized the last two words. All eyes, like searchlights, were simultaneously fixed on my face.

I finally looked up, met Chloe’s gaze, and smiled as I spoke: “Director Chloe, that was beautifully said. Marcus and I have always considered you family.” I paused, then my smile deepened as I changed the subject: “Just like our whole family loves Patches.” “After a while, you just grow fond of them, don’t you?” Chloe’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she asked curiously: “Patches? Which department is that from?” Marcus’s assistant quickly whispered: “Patches is Mr. Sterling and his wife’s Ragdoll cat.” The color drained from Chloe’s face instantly. I curved my lips and raised my glass, lightly clinking it against hers: “When we first picked it up, it was so skinny, rubbing against people for food.” “Now its fur is sleek, it’s plump, and occasionally it scratches the couch, acting like it owns the place.” The air seemed to freeze. The guests who had been whispering moments before now wore expressions of exquisite amusement, wanting to laugh but not daring to. Marcus suddenly turned his head, uncharacteristically lowering his voice and asking coldly: “Audrey, do you really have to humiliate her in this setting?” I leaned my head towards him, feigning an affectionate couple, and whispered slowly, word by word, into his ear: “You know, our daughter has graduated high school.” “Or has the glory of the past decade made you forget whose name the company bears? Is it Sterling? Or Montgomery?” I had never spoken harshly to him. This was the first time. He was shocked by my bluntness. For Lily to have a harmonious family environment, so as not to shatter her filtered image of her father. And to make Marcus truly believe my sincerity about returning to domestic life, so he would work harder. I had never punctured the illusion he had diligently built for himself over the past decade. Now, with a gentle poke. Marcus froze, his face turning pale as he asked: “You… what do you mean?” “Nothing, don’t be nervous!” I raised my voice. “I just wanted to use this occasion to announce that next week, I will be officially rejoining the company.” “At that time, I hope everyone present will give me their full support.”

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I had an online ‘puppy’ boyfriend, the sweetest guy. He was always showering me with sweet talk and pet names, spoiling me with gifts and cash daily. He was so attentive and adorable, I was absolutely smitten. We finally set a date to meet in person. But before our big date, my best friend, Chloe, invited me over to her place. That’s where I met her infamous, super rebellious cousin, Jax. The guy had a shock of white hair, a glinting lip piercing, and this utterly cocky smirk on his face. His edgy vibe was so intense, it practically screamed ‘stay away,’ and I instinctively recoiled. I somehow managed to twist my ankle, stumbling right into his arms and knocking his phone out of his hand. He frowned, clearly annoyed. “Ma’am! Watch yourself. I have a girlfriend!” Apologizing profusely, I bent down to help him pick up his phone, only to see the most painfully familiar chat logs on the screen. My online ‘puppy’… it was *him*? My vision blurred, and my entire world just imploded.

My phone buzzed again. I didn’t even need to look to know who it was. “Hey, sis~ Miss me today?” I tapped it open, and there was a voice message, with a deliberately drawn-out, incredibly sweet tail end to his words. Right after, a generous cash transfer, enough to make my heart flutter. My lips stretched into a wide grin. I replied, “Love you, baby, but keep the money for yourself. Don’t always send it to me.” “My money is for my sis to spend!” “When we meet, I’m gonna take you shopping for bags and pretty clothes too.” He was *too* good. Even my best friend, Valerie, said I’d hit the jackpot. Where did I find such a golden retriever boyfriend? So adorable and sweet, he spent money without batting an eye, constantly doting on me, calling me ‘sis’ every other word. It was like he wanted to shout to the world how much he liked me. Honestly, chatting with him made me feel five years younger. Every day, I was living in a sweet bubble, my heart did a little happy dance every time my phone buzzed. He was just so perfect. I loved it. Even through the screen, I could picture him perfectly. He had to be a clean-cut guy in a white shirt, with a bright, innocent smile. We’d planned to meet up in person next Monday. I’d mentally rehearsed what to wear and how to do my makeup countless times. It had been so long since I felt this mix of anticipation and nerves. “Ahhh, sis, we’re finally meeting so soon! I’m so nervous!” “Sis, I might look a little different in real life than online. Don’t be scared when you see me, I’m still me, okay?” “And whatever you like, sis, I can change for you!” Jaxon was clearly more nervous than I was, which actually made me feel less anxious. The day before our IRL date, Valerie called and invited me to her place for dinner. She said her parents missed me and it would help me relax before the big meet-up. She lowered her voice, “Oh, I almost forgot to warn you, my troublemaker cousin, Jaxon, is staying with us for his college break.” I was picking out an outfit as I asked her, “What’s up with him?” “You have no idea. His family is super influential, and my parents spoil him rotten, like the apple of their eye. He’s completely unruly, got white hair and a lip piercing, and walks around acting like he owns the place. His whole vibe is just… beyond normal comprehension!” I chuckled, reassuring her, “Okay, I’m prepared. It’s just dinner, what could possibly go wrong?” “True. And lately, I don’t know what’s gotten into him. He’s not even riding his precious motorcycle. He just sits there, glued to his phone, grinning like he’s under a spell!”

When I arrived at Valerie’s house, her aunt and uncle greeted me warmly. The food was exquisite, and the atmosphere was lovely. Mid-meal, there was a commotion from the entryway. I instinctively looked over. A tall figure walked in, long legs striding with an effortless cool. His striking silver hair, glinting lip piercing, and a black and red biker jacket accentuated his lean, tall frame. His expression was cold and aloof, jawline taut, giving off that undeniably cool vibe that makes young girls shriek and go crazy. But for “seniors” like Valerie and me, our first reaction was to unconsciously shrink back a bit. Valerie lightly kicked me under the table and mouthed, *See?* I nodded in agreement. He was too trendy, trendy enough to give me a chill. Unexpectedly, despite his rebellious appearance, the boy actually showed some manners. His gaze swept over us, and he gave a slight nod, a silent greeting. His voice was cool and distant, “Uncle, Aunt, Valerie.” When he sat down to eat, his table manners were surprisingly impeccable, completely at odds with his attire. Aunt Valerie smiled throughout, constantly filling his plate. “Jaxon, eat more. Are you tired from riding your motorbike today?” He grunted, his voice deep, “I’m okay.” Hmm, his voice was quite nice, and a little familiar? I shook my head internally. Impossible. His voice was much deeper and colder than my online golden retriever boyfriend’s. My guy could make “Goodnight, sis” sound like eighteen syrupy sweet melodies. After dinner, Valerie energetically started organizing the pool area, talking about shooting her first big swimwear photoshoot of the year and told me to wait. Aunt Valerie, worried I’d be bored, suggested, “Why don’t you wander around the garden? It’s beautiful at night when the lights are on.” I readily agreed, strolling into the garden. The evening air was pleasant. Finding a long bench, my first move was to pull out my phone. My golden retriever boyfriend had, predictably, sent a string of messages. “Sis, are you done with dinner?” “Did you miss me? [Puppy cuddle.jpg]” “I’m so bored, sis, talk to me~” My heart melted into a puddle, and I quickly replied, “Just finished dinner. Staying at my best friend’s tonight, and of course, I miss you!” He replied instantly: “Aww! Sis, I miss you too! So much I can’t sleep!” Then another generous cash transfer came through, with the note: “For sis’s late-night snack!” I bit my lip, suppressing a smile, typing back about who eats so much late at night, but my heart was bubbling with sweetness. Lost in this cloyingly sweet atmosphere, my cheeks burned. I got up and slowly walked along the garden path, my fingers flying across the screen, sharing the evening’s fun with him. Of course, I left out the part about the super trendy cousin. Rounding a thick azalea bush, a tall, dark shadow suddenly flashed out from behind the rockery. I gasped in surprise, my foot slipped, and my high heel twisted sharply. I lost my balance, falling straight forward— The expected crash to the ground didn’t happen. I collided into a cool embrace, smelling faintly of cedar and the night breeze. Panicked, I tried to stand up, my hand instinctively grabbing onto something. It was a hard, muscular abdomen. “Tch.” An annoyed voice came from above my head. I was awkward and flustered. As I quickly released my grip, my hand knocked his phone, and it hit the ground with a *thud*. Once I regained my balance, I apologized profusely, “I’m so sorry! I didn’t know anyone was here. Are you okay?” The light from the streetlamp outlined his handsome, sharp face and that striking white hair. It was Valerie’s cousin, Jaxon. His brows were tightly furrowed, his face clearly showing annoyance and irritation at being disturbed. He stepped back extremely quickly, putting distance between us, as if I were a source of contagion. His gaze swept over me, cold as ice, and his voice was full of mockery and warning: “Ma’am, watch where you’re going.” I froze. *Ma’am?* Before I could react, his next sentence followed, like a bucket of cold water poured over my head: “And please, have some self-respect. Don’t go around grabbing people. I have a girlfriend!” My head buzzed, and I felt a rush of blood to my temples. *Grabbing? Self-respect? He has a girlfriend?* Absurdity and anger exploded in my chest, but what little reason I had left made me swallow it back down . It was true, I hadn’t been watching where I was going, and I had bumped into him. I was in the wrong. I forced down my anger, trying to keep my voice steady, “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to. Your phone…” I bent down to pick up his phone, which had fallen into the grass. The screen was facing up, still lit, displaying a Snapchat chat interface… My pupils constricted. That familiar, cute cat avatar I’d seen countless times. And the familiar chat history and contact name— **[Baby ]** My fingers froze mid-air. Time seemed to stand still. I clutched the cold phone, slowly lifting my head. I looked at the displeased boy in front of me, his lip piercing reflecting a cold glint under the streetlamp, looking utterly rebellious. My online golden retriever boyfriend, who texted me sweet nothings every day, sent generous transfers, recorded syrupy voice messages, was incredibly clingy, and was supposed to meet me tomorrow… It was *him*? My head spun, and it felt like my entire world just imploded.

I lay draped over the edge of the pool, my mind a tangled mess, but on my face, I had to pretend everything was fine. Valerie swam over and poked my waist. “Babe, what’s wrong? You’ve been totally distracted all night.” “Nothing, just a little tired.” I feigned nonchalance. There was no way I could let her know that my sweet online boyfriend was actually her cousin. If that got out, it would be social suicide. I grabbed my phone from the poolside. The moment I unlocked it, message notifications exploded. Holy smokes, 99+ unread messages, all from [Golden Retriever Boyfriend]. I tapped it open. The latest few messages were: “Sis, please talk to me (*꒦ິ⌓꒦ີ)” “Sis, I was wrong, I was really wrong. Just one word, please, just one…” Scrolling up further, there was a string of rambling apologies: “Sis, tonight some lady bumped into me. I didn’t mean to have physical contact with anyone else, you have to believe me, sis (╥﹏╥)” “Sis, why aren’t you replying to my messages? Do you think I’m dirty now?” “Sis, I messed up, I swear I won’t let anyone touch me ever again! I promise!” “Sis, don’t leave me!” I stared at the messages, my feelings a swirl of conflicting emotions, like a messy palette. I was angry, speechless, and just a tiny bit soft-hearted. Online, he was ‘sis, sis,’ all sweet and doting. In real life, it was ‘Ma’am, have some self-respect’? Okay, fine. Very well. Little punk, two different personalities online and off, huh? This “Ma’am” was about to teach him a lesson. A mischievous, vengeful idea suddenly sparked in my mind. I took a deep breath, then turned to Valerie, who was busy with her camera, getting ready to take my pool photos. “Valerie, didn’t you say you had one of those… really hot, super figure-hugging swimsuits?” Valerie’s eyes instantly lit up. “Oh yeah, I do, sis! Wait right here, I’ll go grab it for you.” A moment later, she returned, holding a tiny scrap of fabric, presenting it like a treasure. I gasped. It was a barely-there red bikini, incredibly daring in design, held together by just a few thin strings. “Isn’t this… a bit too much?” I hesitated. “Too much for what, babe? It’d be a crime not to show off that body! You’ve got the chest, the waist, the legs! You’ve been hiding it all away, it’s a tragedy! Come on, let me touch!” She pounced, grabbed a quick feel of my chest, and exclaimed, “Wow, the feel of this! Ugh, tomorrow, that lucky jerk is in for a treat!” I gave a dry laugh, not responding. If only you knew who that jerk was, you wouldn’t be saying that. Under Valerie’s expert photography skills, a set of sizzling, sexy poolside photos was fresh out of the camera. Water droplets rolled down my skin, disappearing into alluring curves. Under the lights, my skin glowed, every shot filled with temptation. I picked out the sexiest one, cropping out my head. With a sense of vengeful glee, I opened [Golden Retriever Boyfriend]’s chat, and hit send. I wondered what expression that cool, arrogant boy from earlier would have when he saw this photo. I clutched my phone, my heart racing, a little excited at the thought of my prank succeeding. However, time ticked by, and it just kept showing “Jaxon is typing…) but no message came through. Just as I was wondering what was up, Valerie’s phone rang. She casually put it on speaker, “Hello? Mom, what’s up? We’re taking pictures…” On the other end, Aunt Valerie’s voice was frantic, almost tearful: “Valerie! Come down quickly! Something terrible has happened!” Valerie jumped. “What is it, Mom? Tell me slowly!” “Your cousin, your cousin suddenly got a nosebleed! It’s gushing, won’t stop at all, we’ve gone through so many tissue packs, it’s terrifying! Come see him, quick!”

Valerie and I exchanged glances, both stunned. We threw on our robes and hurried downstairs. Downstairs was a total mess. Aunt Valerie was clutching a tissue box, helplessly circling Jaxon. Uncle tried to apply an ice pack to Jaxon’s neck. A few blood-stained tissue wads lay scattered on the floor; it did look a bit alarming. And the cool guy himself was leaning back on the sofa, head tilted, nose plugged with blood-soaked tissues, brows tightly furrowed, looking utterly miserable . Jaxon grumbled, his voice muffled and thick with a nasal tone, “I’m fine! Leave me alone!” Aunt Valerie was almost in tears. “How can you be fine? You’re bleeding so much! Oh, and your face is so flushed, are you running a fever? Robert, hurry, start the car, we’re taking him to the hospital!” “No hospital!” Jaxon reacted dramatically, sitting up abruptly. With that movement, the nosebleed seemed ready to gush out again. He quickly leaned back, his voice even more muffled. “I’m fine, it’s just… I’m just a little overheated. Some cold water will fix it!” A thought flashed through Valerie’s mind. “Mom, are you feeding him too many rich foods lately? Young people have such strong constitutions…” She looked suspiciously at Jaxon. “Jaxon, have you been looking at anything… inappropriate?” Jaxon bristled. “Nonsense! It’s not ‘inappropriate’ stuff, it’s just that I—” He turned red, unable to finish his sentence, only letting out a frustrated grunt. The truth was out. It was my bikini photo that caused all the trouble. My eye twitched. My feelings were complex, a mix of guilt and a slight urge to laugh. Seriously, was he *that* starved? One bikini photo almost turned him into a blood-spitting warrior. Was that even rational? After nearly half an hour of frantic activity, the nosebleed finally stopped. Aunt Valerie, still worried, forced him to drink a large glass of herbal tea before letting him return to his room. The drama finally ended. Valerie also breathed a sigh of relief, pulling me upstairs. “Come on, come on, it’s fine now. Let’s get some rest.” Back in the guest room on the second floor, I walked onto the balcony and opened my phone. Another string of messages popped up. No need to guess who they were from. “Sis, I didn’t ignore your message on purpose, I just had a little emergency to deal with! [Puppy apology.jpg]” “Waaah, Sis is so beautiful, I’m so happy ahhh! [Puppy rolling.jpg]” Another long string of cash transfers. “Sis, you worked so hard taking photos! For sis to buy beautiful clothes! [Puppy wagging tail.jpg]” I sat on the balcony lounge chair, the night breeze gently blowing, but it couldn’t disperse the turmoil in my heart. After much thought, I decided to rip off the band-aid. “Let’s break up. I suddenly feel like we’re not a good fit anymore.” After hitting send, I guiltily blocked him right away. Ugh, I really felt like a heartbreaker. Online romance was wonderful, but reality was just too shocking. He was my best friend’s cousin, and his ridiculous online-to-offline contrast… This relationship just screamed ‘bad idea’. The world went quiet. But my heart felt strangely empty. Suddenly, a dull thud came from the room next door, like something had fallen. Then, stifled, broken sobs drifted faintly over. My face changed. It was Jaxon’s voice. The balconies were connected, was he staying right next to me?

The crying grew louder, turning into unabashed wailing, full of deep injustice. “…Why…why would she break up with me just like that…we were fine this afternoon…we were supposed to meet tomorrow, boohoohoo…” “…Waaah…my love is dead…” “…Sis, you’re so heartless…” He cried like a lost child, rambling incoherently, his voice filled with the sadness and confusion of being abandoned. His sobs drifted into my ears, gnawing at my conscience. He sounded utterly pathetic. I couldn’t resist. I quietly walked over. The balcony door next door was also open. I cautiously peeked around. I saw Jaxon with his back to me, sitting on the floor, head buried in his knees, his shoulders shaking. “Um…” I hesitated, speaking softly. He flinched violently, turning his head as if startled. Under the dim light, his eyes were red and swollen, streaks of tears still on his face. His silver hair seemed dull. He looked disheveled and miserable, completely lacking the arrogant swagger he’d had earlier today. “What are you doing here?” He frowned, wiping his face, trying to maintain his composure, but his thick nasal voice betrayed him. “I… I heard noises, so I came to check.” I felt a little awkward. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine!” His tone was stiff, laced with pique, but he couldn’t help but let out a choked sob. ” Just got dumped, no need for you to care!” I sighed, trying to comfort him. “Maybe, maybe your girlfriend… she had a reason? Or… maybe she’s actually a bad person? Not good enough for you?” I didn’t even know what nonsense I was spewing. Jaxon glared at me, his eyes red, like a cat with its tail stepped on. “You’re not allowed to say bad things about her! She’s the best person in the world, she’s not bad, she’s gentle and cute, and she even sends me—” He abruptly stopped, his face flushed. He stuck out his neck and yelled, “Anyway, she’s the best! You don’t know anything! You’re a cold-blooded bitch! Go away!” His words stunned me, especially that “cold-blooded bitch.” My guilt vanished instantly. A surge of anger made me blurt out, “I’m a cold-blooded bitch? If I were a cold-blooded bitch, I shouldn’t have broken up with you. I should have just played you like a dog!” The moment the words left my mouth, the room fell into a dead silence. Jaxon stared at me blankly, as if he hadn’t quite grasped the meaning of my words. I realized what I’d said and wanted to bite off my own tongue. Before he could react, I turned to run back to my room. But my movement was too quick, and the tie of my robe was loose. As I turned, the tie caught on the balcony door handle— *Swish!* My robe fell to the floor, without warning, pooling around my feet. Revealing the incredibly familiar, sexy red bikini underneath. Time seemed to stop. I froze, my mind blank. Jaxon’s gaze slowly drifted from my face, down to my body, to that swimsuit… His eyes instantly widened, his mouth slightly agape, big enough to fit an egg. His expression shifted from shock, to bewilderment, to disbelief, then to sudden realization, finally settling into extreme horror and absurdity. He raised a trembling hand, pointing at me, his voice a hoarse, distorted whisper: “Is… is that you?!” Busted. Social suicide. I was *so* screwed! While he was still frozen in shock, I snatched up my robe and *whooshed* back into my room. I slammed the balcony door shut, even fumbling to lock it. My back pressed tightly against the cold door panel, I could hear my heart pounding like a drum, about to leap out of my throat. The adjacent balcony was utterly silent. After a long while, a faint, disbelieving whisper drifted over: “…Damn.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298806”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

The night I finally clinched the Best Actress award, the tabloids exploded with a video of me, undeniably pregnant. The whole room erupted. Every single reporter swarmed me, shouting, “Ms. Miller, who is the father of the child?” I turned my head, my gaze landing on Leo Vance, his face a mask of shock. The man who was always so composed, so detached, lost his composure in public for the very first time. I forced a smile, turning back to the reporters. “I don’t have a child.” The moment Leo left me for his childhood sweetheart, it sealed our fate. There was no way anything real could ever exist between us. Before stepping out of the car onto the red carpet, Brenda, my agent, warned me repeatedly: if I ran into Camilla, pretend I didn’t see her. Absolutely no more conflicts. Who could blame her? Camilla’s backer was Ashton. The Ashton family basically owned half of Hollywood. There was an old saying circulating in the industry: “Want to make it big? Sleep with Ashton.” Though crude, any woman connected to Ashton seemed to find their way effortlessly in the entertainment world. Except for me. I was the only one who had publicly dated Ashton, only to end up almost blacklisted. All because I offended his childhood friend. For six years after that, no matter how hard I worked, no matter how much the public loved my acting, I never won a single award. Repeatedly being nominated, yet never winning, had stripped me of all my fire. I started avoiding sharing stages with Camilla. Any script she showed interest in, I’d politely decline, citing scheduling conflicts. Maybe my silent surrender finally got through to her, or maybe, with her and Ashton about to marry, she just didn’t want me to stir up any more drama. So this time, they grudgingly allowed a single trophy to fall into my lap. Brenda nearly cried when she heard the news. “Skylar,” she’d said, “the hard times are finally over.” Ashton was finally willing to let me go. Even if the breakup wasn’t my fault, I simply couldn’t fight Ashton. I’d given up a long time ago.

Brenda had just finished warning me not to clash with Camilla, when Camilla deliberately invited me to walk the red carpet with her. The Ashton heir’s new flame and old flame. Just the two of us standing together would be a social media explosion. I knew she wanted to humiliate me in every possible way. Not just because she was Ashton’s current girlfriend, but also because we were wearing dresses from the same brand tonight. Hers was the latest collection. Mine was last year’s. I could already imagine the trending topics later: her fans and my haters would tear me apart, mocking me for being cheap. But it didn’t matter. I never cared about competing with her in fashion. And I certainly never dreamed Ashton would come back to me. If she wanted to be the star, I’d just be the backdrop, playing the supporting role. But Camilla still seemed unsatisfied. She lowered her voice and asked, “Skylar, do you know Ashton is coming tonight?” I didn’t. Ashton and I had cut ties completely the day we broke up. But hearing his name still made my steps falter for a beat. Camilla noticed, a mocking smile playing on her lips. “Don’t overthink it. He’s here for me, not you.” “I know.” Even though the Ashton family controlled most of Hollywood, Ashton himself had never attended any entertainment events before today. Not even when we were at our best, did he ever show up for me. Camilla then added, “Ashton and I are getting married soon.” I nodded, turning to offer her a genuine smile. “I wish you both happiness.” Perhaps my soft demeanor tonight left Camilla with no desire to tease me further. Or maybe she was just eager to find Ashton. The moment the red carpet ended, she ditched me and disappeared. I posed for the photographers and answered a few questions. The reporters were surprisingly cooperative; no one mentioned Ashton. Our past relationship had been tumultuous, but the ending was truly humiliating. Ashton, one of the parties involved, had found out about being dumped from a trending news headline. During that interview, everyone expected me to spill details about our relationship. But I simply looked into the camera and calmly said five words: “We’ve broken up.” No warning, no explanation.

Ashton called me later. He offered no explanation, no apology, and didn’t even ask why. He just confirmed, “Are you sure about this?” I softly hummed in affirmation. He was silent for a second, then hung up. I expected him to be furious. After all, he’d grown up pampered and adored, no one ever dared defy him. But I not only dumped him, I made sure he wasn’t the first to know. The hashtag #AshtonDumped stayed trending for three days. Ashton never had it removed. My agency, terrified of offending the Ashton family, tried to take it down, but it would reappear less than a minute later. That wasn’t Ashton being shamed; that was his warning to me. Sure enough, my career took a brutal nosedive after that. Six years passed. Six years for Ashton’s anger to fade. Six years, until he and Camilla were about to marry. Memories flashed, my mind drifting. The host called my name twice before I snapped back to reality. Everyone around me was celebrating, the applause thundering. Through a gap, I glanced at the first row. Camilla was sitting there. The seat beside her was empty. No name tag, but everyone knew it was Ashton’s seat. He hadn’t arrived yet. Better this way, avoiding a mountain of awkwardness. But as I stood on stage, looking up to give my acceptance speech, Ashton was suddenly sitting there, perfectly composed. Years hadn’t dulled his presence; his aura was even more stable and distant. The moment our eyes met, he looked at me like a stranger, his expression utterly blank. I steadied myself and began my speech, speaking clearly and confidently.

Mid-speech, a commotion erupted in the audience. “Whispering” was too soft a word for it. Everyone was trying to restrain themselves, but the shock of the gossip was too overwhelming, making voices involuntarily rise. It turned out my haters had leaked a video of me, heavily pregnant, from six years ago. That was shortly after Ashton and I broke up. I’d intended to numb myself with work, but before starting the new project, I suddenly discovered I was pregnant. After that, I dropped out of the show and disappeared from the public eye for a whole year. The video was from the surveillance cameras of my old apartment complex. I forgot what I was going out for that day. But I wasn’t wearing a mask, so my face was clearly visible. As I walked off stage with my trophy, Brenda and Chloe immediately rushed over, trying to escort me out of the venue. But it was too late. Reporters swarmed forward. Cameras and microphones were practically shoved into my face, everyone asking the same question: “Ms. Skylar, who is the father of the child?” I was trapped in the crowd, unable to move. A short distance away, no one dared approach Ashton. If Ashton and I were still together, maybe the reporters would have been a little more polite. I saw Ashton’s face filled with shock, his fingertips, resting on the armrest, unconsciously clenched tight. He knew who the father was. That’s why he, usually so composed and aloof, was so visibly flustered in front of everyone for the first time. I didn’t answer the reporters directly. Instead, I smiled and denied, “I don’t have a child.”

No Best Actress winner had ever left an awards ceremony as humiliated as I did. My dress was stained, and one earring was lost in the chaos. A huge crowd of reporters chased after me; it didn’t look like I had just accepted an award, but rather was fleeing for my life. Brenda and Chloe were utterly terrified. After we got into the car, it took them a while to calm down before Brenda asked: “What the hell happened? You have a child? Ashton’s? Where is the child now?” There were so many questions, I gave a wry smile, unsure which to answer first. Brenda and Chloe weren’t the ones who started with me. So, they only knew about Ashton and me from online rumors or overheard conversations. During the year I disappeared from the public eye, everyone initially thought I’d been blacklisted. When I returned to Hollywood, people then speculated I’d been too heartbroken from the breakup and had gone away to heal. No one in the industry knew what truly happened that year. Brenda and Chloe didn’t either. Until they saw that video today, they, like everyone else, assumed I’d gone to have a baby. A year’s time fit perfectly. Brenda even sounded a little excited: “If Ashton comes looking for you because of the child, you should seize this chance to get back with him! You’ll be drowning in awards after that!” I shook my head. Brenda froze for a second, then nearly sprang up and hit the car ceiling. “You’re not planning to offend him again, are you?” How could I dare? My head shake meant: “There is no child.” There had been one, but I didn’t keep it. Brenda looked skeptical; a year was too coincidental. She was about to ask more, but Chloe handed her phone over. “Brenda, look.” “Blacklisted trending topics again? Those vultures!” Brenda snatched the phone, but after a glance, her expression turned strange. “What… what’s going on?” There wasn’t a single negative trending topic about me, not even an unflattering photo. Yet, I had been utterly humiliated leaving the venue earlier. This was Ashton’s doing. It was easy for him to make someone’s life difficult. And just as easy for him to protect someone. Brenda looked stressed. “You really didn’t keep the child? Then how do you plan to explain it to Ashton?” Why should I explain anything to him? He didn’t love me. And he and Camilla were about to get married.

I knew Ashton would come looking for me. The video had surfaced so suddenly, and it concerned a child. He’d have to get to the bottom of it. I just hadn’t expected him to come so fast. He was already waiting when I arrived downstairs at my apartment building. Against the night sky, his tall, slender figure looked exactly the same as six years ago. Except six years ago, Ashton would open his arms for me, waiting for me to rush into his embrace. Now, he just stood there, radiating a coldness that dared no one to approach. Brenda was a bit worried. As I got out of the car, she pulled me aside. I turned back and smiled at her. “It’s fine. If he wanted to hurt me, he wouldn’t do it himself.” “True,” Brenda sighed, then reminded me to talk to Ashton properly. “You’ve been through so much. Good days are ahead. Don’t make your life harder again!” I smiled and nodded. Once they left, I walked toward Ashton. My steps were calm, as if I were meeting an old friend. But only I knew that in the last two steps before reaching Ashton, my heart rate quickened uncontrollably. After all, we had loved deeply once. Because I loved him too much, when the earthquake hit, when he abandoned me without hesitation to find Camilla, I almost lost the will to survive. Ashton knew why I dumped him. But he never offered an explanation afterward. And because I publicly announced our breakup, humiliating him, he let me endure cold sneers and ridicule in the industry for years. Who could blame him? He was rich and powerful. Even now, knowing whose fault it was, I was still the one to break the silence. “Mr. Ashton.” Ashton frowned, his voice low. “I’m still used to you calling me by my name.” I had called his name so many times before. *Ashton, I’m almost done with work. I’m coming to find you for dinner!* *Ashton, you’ve been on a business trip for a week. When are you coming back?* *Ashton, I miss you so much.* Six years had passed, yet the tone with which I used to flirt with Ashton, to pour out my longing, was still so vividly clear. A surge of inappropriate regret welled up inside me. I smiled and shook my head. “Ms. Camilla said you’re getting married soon. It’s not appropriate for me to call you by your first name anymore. Congratulations to you both.” Ashton said, “Do you think I can still get married now?” Even if Camilla was still willing to marry him, willing to instantly become a stepmother, her family elders would still care about appearances and would certainly object. I had ruined his plans again. “I’m sorry,” I quickly apologized. “Where’s the child?”

Ashton finally brought up the main topic of the night. The child, suddenly exposed, but never seen. He sounded annoyed, his tone much deeper than before. “Why didn’t you tell me you were pregnant back then?” Because I didn’t know at first. By the time I knew, we had already broken up. “I didn’t want to affect you and Ms. Camilla because of the child.” Ashton scoffed. “You kept it a secret for six years, and it still got out, didn’t it? Did it make any less of an impact?” “I’m sorry.” I didn’t know what else to say besides those three words. When Ashton and I first started dating, someone warned me that he liked obedient girls. But I couldn’t pretend to be obedient. I was young then, thinking one relationship would last a lifetime. Who could pretend for a lifetime? So, in front of Ashton, I would throw little tantrums and act petty. He wasn’t great at coaxing, but he never held it against me. I usually felt better after I’d vented my frustrations. The Skylar from back then was vibrant, passionate. Not like the Skylar Ashton saw now: poised, reserved, stripped of my true self. He asked again, “Where’s the child?” “There is no child.” From the moment I found out, I never considered keeping the baby. A man who didn’t love me wouldn’t love a child I bore for him. And I never wanted to be a single mother. So I had an abortion. A light exploded in Ashton’s eyes, tearing through the dark, heavy ocean I’d come to associate with his gaze, finally letting me see the surge of his emotions. He actually cared about the unborn child. That was something I hadn’t expected. Did he care about his own flesh and blood? Or had he, perhaps, truly loved me, even just a little, back then?

Ashton was angry. Even though we’d been apart for six years, his habit of closing his eyes when he got angry hadn’t changed. I looked at him, feeling a bit lost. I didn’t understand what he was angry about. If anyone had a right to be angry, it was me. Before our breakup, Ashton and I each squeezed out five days for a fun trip. But because he told Camilla our itinerary, she showed up the very next day. I was a little upset then. However, Camilla said their families were old acquaintances, and she and Ashton had grown up together, like siblings, practically family. And Ashton didn’t tell her to leave, so I had no choice but to tolerate it. Who knew that the very next day, an earthquake would hit the area? I still remember, as I was running out, I tumbled down the stairs. My thigh was covered in bruises, and my ankle was severely sprained. Most importantly, I hit my head, and my vision became a bit blurry. Ashton initially wanted to carry me out, but then he heard Camilla’s cries— “Ashton! Ashton! Come save me!” “Ashton, where are you? Help!” Ashton looked at me, then turned and went to find Camilla. He left me there. It was as if he didn’t care if I could get out, or if I would die there. Even later, when I announced our breakup publicly without telling him first, he never explained why he did what he did. But today, Ashton asked me, “Do you want to hear an explanation?” I paused, surprised. That earthquake had almost become my nightmare. Every time I thought of it, my chest would involuntarily tighten, and breathing would become difficult. Two years ago, in a show I was in, there was a scene related to an earthquake. The director praised my performance then, saying he’d never seen anyone portray the terror of an earthquake so realistically and naturally. But I wasn’t acting; I was genuinely terrified. Afterward, it took me a long time to recover from that emotion. That night, I dreamt of the past, dreamt of being abandoned by Ashton again. I woke up drenched in cold sweat, again and again. My mind was clear, but my body wouldn’t obey, unable to get up. The next day, when Chloe saw I wasn’t getting out of bed, she pushed open the door and found me delirious with fever. She immediately rushed me to the hospital.

Whether before or after publicly announcing our breakup, I never asked Ashton for an explanation. Because I believed actions spoke louder than words. In a life-or-death situation, the person he wanted to save was Camilla. So, no matter how much he claimed to love me, his words were empty. But I also didn’t want to be tormented by that nightmare anymore. Since he brought it up, I would listen. Ashton said the Camilla family originally had two children. Camilla had an older brother. He and Ashton had been best friends since childhood. When they were thirteen, the two boys snuck out to play and were targeted by kidnappers. Someone wanted to abduct Ashton. The two teenagers ran for their lives, trying every possible way to save themselves. But in the end, only Ashton returned. “Back then, to scatter the kidnappers, we decided to run in separate directions.” “Before we split up, the last thing her brother told me was that if he didn’t make it back, I should take good care of his parents and Camilla.” So, in that moment of life and death, when he heard Camilla cry out “brother,” he went to save her. He didn’t want his best friend to die with unfulfilled wishes; he didn’t want to break his promise. Friendships forged in youth were the most precious. Especially when that person died because they were implicated by him. These old memories were Ashton’s deepest pain. It seemed understandable that he wouldn’t want to bring them up before. But I still wanted to ask, “What if I had died that day?” He owed the Camilla family; he went to compensate them. That was right. But I didn’t owe the Camilla family. Why did I have to pay the price, even the price of my life? Ashton didn’t speak. Perhaps he couldn’t be bothered to answer such a hypothetical question. After all, I was alive and well, and now I’d brought him trouble. I didn’t press further, just told him, “Don’t worry, I truly didn’t secretly have a child. I have no idea about the video either, but I certainly didn’t want it to be exposed.” Ashton looked at me. A flash of something akin to sadness passed through his eyes. Then he spoke, calmly confronting me, “I asked a doctor. For a body shape like in the video, someone who doesn’t ‘show’ easily would be five months pregnant. Even someone who ‘shows’ easily would be four months.” So— “Skylar, you did keep the child, but you resented me for abandoning you back then, so you hid it for so many years and are now deliberately denying it, aren’t you?”

No, I really didn’t. The younger I was, the more stubborn and proud I became. Even though I loved Ashton very, very much, I also loved myself just as much. From the moment Ashton abandoned me to find Camilla, it was destined that there would be nothing between us. Even if he explained now, and I understood, it didn’t mean I accepted. But Ashton tonight was different. He, who was always so decisive, kept pressing the same question again and again. It was as if he wouldn’t stop until I admitted to keeping the child. I had no choice but to tell him the truth: “I didn’t get rid of the child right away because I was sick.” At the same time I found out I was pregnant, I also found out I was ill. I had to delay the abortion due to treatment issues. And because of the medication, I gained a lot of weight, making my stomach look bigger than a normal pregnant woman’s, but the actual gestational age wasn’t that far along. That year, I experienced heartbreak, unemployment, illness, and a miscarriage. I also lost my mother. No one was more dependable than my mom, and no one cared for me more deeply. So, when I found out I was pregnant and sick, I called her. She rushed from our hometown to take care of me, staying by my side night after night. It was my fault that I was so caught up in my own emotions back then that I didn’t notice her increasingly frail body or her paler complexion. The day I was discharged from the hospital, Mom was joyfully planning to take me home. But as we stepped out of the elevator, she suddenly collapsed in front of me. Those few seconds of memory are blank. I’ve replayed it many times since, but I still can’t remember what I was thinking in those initial moments after Mom fell. Was I too scared? Or was my brain, still recovering from a serious illness, just too slow to react? “Ashton.” I finally couldn’t help but call his name again. He softly hummed in response. I told him, “I can understand your guilt towards Camilla’s brother. So, about what happened that year, I don’t blame you.” “And then?” He asked something I hadn’t expected. I looked up at him, a little confused. “And then what?” “Skylar, shouldn’t we start over?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298805”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

The year I turned 27, my family started hounding me about getting married. So, I abruptly broke things off with the guy I’d been practically worshipping for three years, and moved back to my hometown, ready to let my family set me up with someone. My friend, Chloe, asked, “You were so crazy about Julian. Are you really over him?” I scoffed. “Please. I’m not an idiot. He’s fine for a casual fling, sure, but marry him? I’d be absolutely miserable for the rest of my life.” A low, chillingly familiar voice suddenly cut in from beside me. “Oh, so *that’s* why you dumped me?” Dragging my luggage home, I bumped into a girl opening the door and walking out. She was wearing an oversized black sweater that showed off her delicate collarbones, giving her that ‘no pants’ look, paired with YSL goblet heels. I recognized her as the bassist from Jax’s band, Lily, I think her name was. She looked barely in her twenties, very pretty. I instinctively paused behind the hallway door, not stepping out. A moment later, Jax emerged from behind her, wearing only jeans, lazily leaning against the wall to light a cigarette. His upper body was bare, his sculpted abs and obliques still glistening with water. After a beat, he casually tossed a Chanel tote bag her way. “Here, take it.” Lily’s eyes lit up. She turned and threw herself onto Jax, screaming: “Ah, I’ve wanted this bag forever! Where did you get it?” “Picked it up on my last trip to Hong Kong.” “I totally love it, thanks, babe!” Lily still wanted to linger, but Jax was already getting impatient, a slight frown creasing his brow. “Alright, hurry up and go.” The girl slid off him, half-pouting, half-coquettish: “So heartless. Just called me ‘babe,’ and now you’re kicking me out.” She didn’t seem mad, though, happily slinging the bag over her shoulder and blowing Jax a kiss. “See ya, tomorrow!” After she left, I stepped out from behind the hallway door. Jax didn’t seem to expect me back so suddenly; he froze for a second, but his expression quickly returned to normal. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?” I watched him for a while. “It was late. I didn’t want to call and disturb your rest.” The fresh hickeys on Jax’s neck were still very visible, but he showed no guilt. He just wrapped an arm around me and led me inside. “I’m hungry. Fix something to eat.” He sat on the couch and turned on the TV as if nothing had happened. Seeing me not move for a while, he frowned. “What’s wrong?” Then he seemed to realize, a lazy smile playing on his lips. “Missed me?” He got up and came behind me, wrapping his arms around me. His warm breath swirled ambiguously on my neck, and his hand slowly slipped under my top. “Then let’s eat you first, then dinner—” He’d played guitar for years, his fingertips calloused and rough, causing a prickly sting and itch as they brushed my skin. I closed my eyes, tiredly pulling away from him. I was definitely into Jax’s body. Honestly, I’d mostly pursued him because of his killer looks. But maybe it was the long flight I’d just finished, or maybe it was that woman, but right now I just felt exhausted, completely not in the mood. Jax was rarely rejected by me; he paused, then his face darkened slightly. “What’s up?” I looked down and saw a crumpled black mass on the carpet. It was a pair of torn Balenciaga logo tights, utterly ruined. Jax clearly saw the tights too. He let out a “Tsk,” and his expression turned sour. The living room fell into an anxious silence. He pulled a cigarette from the pack and lit it, the menthol capsule crackling as he bit into it. “Her lease was up, and she had nowhere to stay, so I let her crash for a night.” “It was nothing.” I looked at Jax, our intersecting gazes separated by the white smoke. We couldn’t quite make out each other’s expressions. But we both knew how utterly lame that excuse was. This wasn’t the first time Jax had cheated. He was probably a born philanderer; he was like this the first time I met him. Back then, my best friend wanted to take me to see a pretty famous rock band perform, raving about how hot the lead singer was and how hard it was to get tickets. I wasn’t really into rock music, always pretty unenthusiastic. Until Jax stepped onto the stage. He strummed his guitar, head bowed. His dark hair, free of gel, fell casually across his pale forehead, occasionally revealing thin, pink eyelids. He was the most casually dressed person there, just a simple black T-shirt and jeans, yet he instantly became the focal point of the crowd. That face was the most expensive luxury item. He lifted his eyes, the hazy stage lights reflecting in his amber pupils, carrying a faint, elusive smile. It was my first time at a band performance. My best friend and all the girls in the audience were screaming like crazy, their shouts almost piercing the roof. His gaze swept over the roaring crowd, and our eyes met for a fleeting second before he looked away. The songs that night were beautiful, but I didn’t hear any of them clearly. Because at that moment, all was silent, and I only heard the thunderous beat of my own heart. After the show, countless girls swarmed backstage to ask for his contact info, and I was among them. I’d been single my entire 23 years; that was probably the bravest thing I’d ever done. Jax never refused anyone. Every girl who asked for his SnapChat that day got his QR code, including me. A year later, all the girls flocking after him had eventually given up; only I was still persistent. I don’t know if it was out of pity, or being touched, or something else, but Jax tacitly accepted our relationship. I became his girlfriend, and we’d been together ever since. But I knew that in all these years, Jax had never truly liked me. Or maybe he did like me—he liked my understanding nature, my generosity, and how I never made a fuss. He’d cheated on me many times, but each time, as long as he gave me a halfway decent excuse, I’d forgive him. He’d told me many times that I wasn’t his type, and he was only with me because I was good to him. He even joked that the day he found his true love, he’d dump me. Our relationship had only survived because of my constant compromise and sacrifice. “You promised me you wouldn’t cheat again.” My voice was low, as I looked at the ruined Balenciaga logo tights on the floor. A flicker of sarcasm crossed Jax’s eyes; he had no intention of sweet-talking me. “You actually fell for that?” He hooked a corner of his mouth, leaning closer and blowing mint-scented smoke into my face, his expression utterly malicious. “Can’t handle it?” “If you can’t handle it, then break up.” He’d said words like this to me countless times before. Each time, the ending was me clinging to him, begging him not to leave. Over time, he’d learned how to push my buttons. He knew that when he said those words, I was powerless. I turned my head. “I’m tired. I’m going to rest.” Jax grabbed my wrist. His prominent brow ridge always gave him a formidable intensity when he was expressionless. “Skylar, that’s enough.” I pulled my hand free and went into the bedroom. Soon after, a thunderous slam of the front door echoed from outside. Jax was gone. He was angry, I knew. After all, I was always fawning over him, always trying to appease him, and I’d never once acted defiant towards him like this. I rolled over and checked my phone. In the family SnapChat group, my mom had sent a message tagging me. “Your mom has never pressured you before, but you’re 27 this year, it’s about time you thought about marriage, don’t you think?” “My colleague’s son has great potential, and I think he looks decent. How about you come back this holiday and meet him?” Then I opened a message from my boss. “Skylar, the branch office is really understaffed right now. With your capabilities, being a deputy department manager is frankly an underuse of your talent. Are you interested in going to the branch office as a manager? It’ll definitely be harder to open up new business at first, but it’s up to you.” My mom was calling me home for a blind date. The company had just opened a new branch office, right in my hometown. All the stars aligned. It seemed I truly had no reason to stay here. I sighed. Honestly, I really did like Jax. He was handsome enough, had a great body, and we were incredibly compatible in bed. Most importantly, he was enough of a jerk. Being with him was easy because I didn’t have to worry about being responsible for him, or about our future together. When I first started working, I was swamped and desperately wanted someone to relieve the stress. But I was just average-looking myself, yet a total sucker for good looks, so I couldn’t find anyone suitable until I met Jax. He’d spent his prime years with me, and while I was busting my ass for my career, he was a great stress reliever in bed. And even though he had a messy love life, he was careful about it. Before we got together, I heard that any woman he dated had to show a health certificate from within three days. I always used protection, so I wasn’t worried about getting sick. It would probably be hard to find such a satisfying man again. But there was nothing for it. Dating was one thing; settling down and getting married was another. I liked Jax a lot. But I also knew clearly that he wasn’t the right partner for me. Now, it was time for me to make a choice.

Jax didn’t come home that night. He didn’t show up for the next few days either. My messages and calls to him all went unanswered. When I tried again, I just got a red exclamation mark. He’d blocked me – his usual passive-aggressive silent treatment. This had happened a few times before. Jax was a master of the cold war, and each time I’d have to swallow my pride and coax him for ages before he’d even look at me. But this time, I was too busy with work transfers to sweet-talk him. That evening, as I was buying a plane ticket back to my hometown, my phone rang. It was one of Jax’s friends. The other end of the line was noisy, with men and women laughing and shouting, and music so loud it was grating even through the phone. “Skylar, Jax is totally drunk. Can you come pick him up?” Jax loved clubs. His family was rich; the band was just a hobby, not how he made money. I once asked him why he didn’t join the family business. He scoffed, saying his half-siblings were fighting tooth and nail over it, and he wasn’t interested in squabbling over table scraps. Anyway, his grandfather’s inheritance and his mom’s would both go to him. He wasn’t short on cash; he just wanted to do what he liked in life. Jax seemed to have zero career ambition, and we had nothing in common on that front. Whenever I landed a big project at work or got a promotion, he always acted completely uninterested. He once scoffed, “What’s the point of busting your ass for a paycheck that barely covers one night’s bar tab for me?” I knew, deep down, we weren’t the same kind of people. Aside from physical compatibility, we had no common ground. I didn’t care about his soul; I just liked his body. He ignored my inner self, just accustomed to my understanding nature. It was fine, really. This way, when we broke up, neither of us would be sad. I thought for a moment, then said okay. Hanging up, I looked out the window. The city at night seemed even more magnificent than by day, with endless lights and bustling traffic, all woven together, obscuring the light of every star in the sky. I glanced at my plane ticket – 8 AM the day after tomorrow. I sighed. Honestly, I hadn’t wanted to break up so soon. Jax and I were really compatible in bed, and changing jobs had been pretty stressful these past few days. I’d actually wanted to have one last fling with him. I clicked my tongue, a little regretful, but since the opportunity had arisen, there was nothing for it. When I arrived at the club, Jax was surrounded by a gaggle of girls. Beautiful women of all shapes and sizes, all pretty, their heavy makeup couldn’t hide their youthful faces, practically brimming with youth. No wonder girls liked him. Jax was rich, generous, and handsome. His philandering almost seemed to add to his charm. I touched my own face, remembering Jax’s critical words from before. “You’re 27 now, get facials if you need them, can’t you put some effort into your appearance?” No wonder he looked down on me, surrounded by girls barely in their twenties. I said nothing, standing outside the crowd. My eyes met Jax’s. But he acted as if he didn’t see me, quickly shifting his gaze. Lily’s face was flushed, her body pressed tightly against him, her voice sticky-sweet. “Just one more drink, Jax.” Jax smiled. Under the lights, his eyes curved beautifully, yet utterly devoid of warmth. “Drinking like this is boring. How about you feed me?” “How?” Jax said nothing, just lowered his gaze to her. Half a second later, Lily understood. A flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, and she tilted her head back, downing the caramel-colored whiskey in her glass! Then Jax abruptly hooked her chin and kissed her fiercely. His kiss was utterly devoid of tenderness, seemingly a pure release of emotion. Lily tilted her head back, enduring it, her eyes gradually moistening from lack of oxygen. Liquid spilled from the corners of their mouths, shimmering under the lights, stretching into a long silver thread when they finally broke apart. The atmosphere around us instantly exploded; everyone was screaming and cheering. I knew he was doing it on purpose. He was punishing me. Punishing me for acting defiant that day, and for not sweet-talking him afterward. It wasn’t until I walked up to Jax that everyone finally noticed me, and the noise gradually quieted. Jax looked up, his expression distant. “What are you doing here?” I stared at his face, vaguely recalling our intimate days, when we’d whispered words of love in the throes of passion. Did it hurt? A little, I suppose. But not excruciatingly so, since I’d always known Jax was like this. Promiscuous, constantly seeking thrills, unable to say no. Selfish, probably spoiled from childhood, always self-centered, never considering others’ feelings. My voice trembled as I said, “Jax, you’re going too far.” Jax looked up at me. He was sitting, and I was standing, yet I felt as though he was looking down on me. His expression remained distant, a faint, scornful smile on his lips. “Going too far? You can break up. Nobody’s stopping you.” I said nothing, just watched him. I couldn’t count how many times he’d threatened to break up with me. Fifty times? Or a hundred? One of his friends beside him seemed to think he’d gone too far. After all, everyone had seen how I treated him over the years. He whispered to Jax: “Jax, don’t be mad at Skylar. Look, she’s almost crying.” In fact, I was crying. If you’re going to act, you might as well go all out. When that tear hit the floor, I clearly saw Jax’s expression change. The hand holding his cigarette twitched, but he still said nothing, just watched me coldly. The next second, I softly said, “Okay, Jax.” “Then let’s break up.” Jax’s face instantly turned incredibly ugly. For a moment, I almost thought he was going to explode! Yet, instead of raging, he laughed, though the laugh looked like he was grinding his teeth. “Damn, Skylar. Fine, but I’m not someone who goes back on his word.” “Just don’t come crawling back to me like a dog later.” “Okay.” I nodded, wiping away the tears from my eyes. Then I turned and left, not looking back at him once. Jax didn’t come home that night. I deleted all his contact info and everything related to him, then packed my bags. The next morning, I caught the earliest flight back to my hometown. As the plane flew above the clouds, I removed my SIM card and tossed it into the trash bag.

I didn’t contact Jax again. After posting a few late-night emo statuses on Ins to cultivate a wounded persona, I promptly forgot about him. Life back in my hometown resumed its regular pace. I quickly adapted to the new company’s operations and met the men my parents set me up with. The 28-year-old programmer, already showing signs of balding, babbled on: “I think women should prioritize family after marriage. What I mean is, you shouldn’t work after marriage. Don’t be too career-focused; take good care of the home. Every successful man should have a woman behind him…” He prattled on, and I smiled at my coffee cup, thinking I absolutely had to resist dumping it on that insufferable pig. Finally, he finished speaking and peered at me. “Did you hear everything I just said? Do you have anything to add?” I maintained my smile. “No, but Mr. Jenkins, I don’t think we’re a good match. Perhaps we shouldn’t continue meeting.” Then, amidst his rambling about “women over 25 losing their value, what are you being picky about, old woman…” I turned and left. It had been weeks since I returned home, and my mom had set me up with quite a few dates, some of whom were actually pretty good catches. However, once you’ve seen the ocean, it’s hard to be impressed by a mere stream. After being with someone as exceptional as Jax, I genuinely couldn’t bring myself to accept these average guys. This feeling persisted until a company meeting. Everyone arrived early, sitting silently around the conference table, the atmosphere tense. I quietly asked the VP next to me, “What’s going on? Is something wrong with the company?” The VP leaned closer. “The old chairman’s son is being parachuted in. I hear he’s starting with our branch office to get some experience, then he’s taking over the whole group.” “This Mr. Kingston supposedly went to Harvard, worked at Goldman Sachs for a few years after graduating, then went out on his own in finance and made billions overnight. If the old chairman hadn’t been coercing him all these years, he wouldn’t have come back. He’s a truly formidable individual, so be extremely careful when talking to him!” Soon after, a young man in a black suit walked in. He wore a black wool coat draped over his shoulders, and as he entered the office, someone behind him respectfully took his coat. His leather shoes stopped. I looked up. Not just me, but everyone’s gaze was instantly drawn to him. The first thing that struck me was the man’s aura. It was the air of someone who had long been in a position of power, accustomed to control. He wasn’t overtly arrogant, yet everyone in the room, including me, felt an irresistible urge to lower their heads and avoid eye contact with him. It was only then that I noticed his exceptionally clear eyes, his dark hair slicked back with gel, revealing a strong brow ridge. I’d heard that the chairman’s wife was French. The elegant blonde hair and blue eyes combined perfectly with Eastern aesthetics in him, a typical Western bone structure with an Eastern complexion. This man was incredibly handsome, on par with Jax, but his overwhelming presence made you overlook his looks at first glance. “Apologies, my flight was delayed. I’m late.” He first admitted his mistake, then took the head seat and immediately got to business. “My name is Declan Kingston, and I will be your General Manager from now on. I’ve already reviewed the company’s basic information and financial reports. Now, starting with the VPs, everyone will give me a brief report on their work achievements over the past year and the projects they are currently handling.” The managers one by one nervously went up to report. Mr. Kingston was indeed the elite everyone said he was, pointing out every detail of anyone trying to be vague. “I don’t like vague statements, and I don’t like being strung along. I hope to communicate well with all of you, but if my communication isn’t effective, I’ll consider other methods.” He didn’t curse or yell at anyone, yet everyone broke out in a cold sweat. Even my palms were faintly damp when I stood up. Thankfully, I was well-prepared, and my work performance over the past year had been excellent. The more I spoke, the more eloquent I became. My education and career were my pride, and the most important things in my life; I never cut corners on them. Mr. Kingston didn’t interrupt me. I saw a hint of appreciation in his eyes. A moment later, I stopped, indicating I was done. He nodded. “Skylar Stone, correct? Excellent.” “From now on, all work reports should meet this standard.” Ever since Mr. Kingston arrived, everyone’s workload had surged. He cleared out a lot of redundant tasks and bad assets, and also secured many high-quality projects. Everyone worked longer hours, but their salaries also increased. My colleagues, especially the younger female ones, were all very interested in Mr. Kingston. Two new junior employees, high on some rom-com fantasy, tried the “dominant CEO falls for innocent intern” routine. One openly argued with him in a meeting. The other spilled coffee on his three-thousand-dollar shirt and then tried to wipe it with her hand. The first one was fired the next day. The second one was fired that very day. The female colleagues all learned their lesson, but during breaks, they still gathered in the break room to gossip about him. “I heard he’s never had a girlfriend. Could he still be a virgin?” “No way, you watch too many dramas. A guy like him? So many women are after him, how could he still be a virgin?” “I’d pay a year’s bonus to spend one night with him, he’s absolutely divine! Did you see him in his suit pants the other day? Oh my god, he’s seriously packing!” Listening nearby, I suddenly found myself intrigued. Without Jax, Declan seemed like an even better option. This man, I wanted to try.

I started appearing regularly in front of Declan. He arrived at work half an hour early every day, and three days a week, I’d catch the same elevator as him. Usually, it was just the two of us. I wouldn’t say much, just a simple greeting, pressing his floor, then standing quietly to the side. Then, unfailingly, I’d go for a coffee refill at noon every day. He usually came for coffee around that time too. I’d make sure never to actually meet him in the break room, leaving before he finished, but making sure he saw me. Occasionally, I’d work late, and he’d pass my desk on his way out. Finally, on the 17th time he saw me working overtime, he paused and walked over to my desk. “I’ve seen you working late often lately. Are you running into any problems?” I looked up, feigning surprise. After a moment’s hesitation, I handed him the documents I was holding. “I just took on a new project, but there are some assets in this company whose risks I’m not entirely sure about, so I’m trying to research them more.” Declan naturally sat down at the workstation next to mine. “Let me see.” He carried a faint, woody scent, which, mixed with my subtle rose perfume, created an indescribable, intoxicating aroma. “I think this project is viable. Look at their company’s 2023 financial report; their financial situation is pretty good, and…” He spoke eloquently, and I nodded attentively, occasionally asking highly professional questions. After he answered each one, I’d show a look of sudden realization. “Oh, I see! Thank you, Mr. Kingston. I’d never thought about it from that angle before.” “Your professional abilities are already excellent; you just lack a bit of work experience. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.” “Go home early,” he said, making a rare joke. “Don’t let people think I’m some kind of evil boss, forcing employees to work overtime all the time.” I nodded, gathered my documents, and went downstairs with him. As we exited, raindrops, driven by the wind, brushed against me. I hesitated, stepping back. Declan, who was about to leave, turned back when he saw me. “What’s wrong?” I waved my hand. “Nothing, Mr. Kingston, you go ahead. I… I just remembered something I need to do.” He didn’t ask further, nodded, and left. Five minutes later, his car pulled out of the underground parking lot. I was still standing at the company entrance. Declan lowered his window. “Did you not drive?” I looked a little embarrassed. “No, I didn’t. It’s raining, so it’s hard to get a ride. It’s fine, Mr. Kingston, I’ll just wait a bit longer, and one should show up.” He said, “Get in. I’ll give you a ride.” On the way, I talked a lot with Declan. He seemed a little surprised to find our interests aligned so well. Even a niche movie I liked, *The Holy Mountain*, turned out to be his favorite too. Declan’s initially reserved demeanor gradually became more talkative. When we reached my apartment building, he actually didn’t hit the brakes and drove past it. I pursed my lips, about to remind him, when he realized his mistake. “Sorry, I wasn’t looking at the GPS.” After the car stopped, I thanked him again for the ride home. Declan just nodded, his lips parting slightly as if to say something, then closing again. “What is it, Mr. Kingston?” I looked at him. “What perfume are you wearing? It smells nice.” The words were out, and he seemed to regret them a little, but saying anything more would only make it more awkward, so he simply lowered his head, silent. I smiled inwardly. “Penhaligon’s The Coveted Duchess Rose. Well, Mr. Kingston, see you tomorrow.”

I stood behind the curtain, watching Declan leave. Then I picked up a notebook from the table. To catch this opportunity, I hadn’t driven to work in ages. Luckily, today’s weather forecast was accurate, and I really did get that rain. I opened the notebook, filled with notes on Declan’s preferences. Information about him was scarce; I’d painstakingly found his old social media accounts from his school days, meticulously recording every detail, which was how I’d learned about his likes. Even *The Holy Mountain*, I’d only watched last night. There was no other way. For an average girl like me to land an exceptional man like him, I had to put in extra effort. I curved my lips, sitting on the bed, just about to rest, when my phone rang. It was an unknown number, but a familiar voice answered. Jax’s tone was indifferent. “You left a lot of your stuff at my place. Come get it.” “Otherwise, I’m throwing it all out.” I had indeed left some things behind when I moved out, but they were all things I didn’t need and that took up space. I thought, knowing Jax’s personality, he’d just toss them, so I was surprised he called to tell me. “Just throw them all out. I don’t want them.” I said, flipping through my notebook on how to win Declan over, my voice a little dismissive. Jax on the other end was clearly displeased. After a long silence, he hung up directly. He was always like that, moody, always needing to be coaxed. But now, I no longer had an obligation to humor him. After blocking the number, I put the matter out of my mind. After interacting with Declan yesterday, I couldn’t use the same approach today. I left work early for once and went to a bar with a friend for a few drinks. After three rounds, we were both a little buzzed. My friend squinted at me. “You used to be so crazy about Jax. Now that you’ve suddenly broken up, are you really over him?” When I was with Jax, my friends always used to scold me, frustrated that I was such a doormat, so pathetic. But I didn’t think much of it. Since I was using Jax for his body, I had to give something in return. Besides, whether I was fawning over him or not was my choice; how was that pathetic? I put down my glass. “Someone like him is only for dating. I’m not stupid; messing around when you’re young is one thing.” “If I actually married him, I’d be miserable my whole life, wouldn’t I?” My friend gave me a thumbs-up. “Awesome. Your perspective is on another level. You’re right, Jax was at his best when you were ‘playing’ him, you were actually the mastermind all along—” She suddenly stopped talking, her expression horrified as she looked behind me. “Am I effing hallucinating from all this booze?!” A faint, chilling laugh came from behind me, instantly sobering me up! “Oh? So that’s why you dumped me?” I stiffly turned around. Jax, wearing a silk white shirt, was leaning against the wall, watching me coldly. My friend, being utterly disloyal, snuck off. Jax yanked me into an empty hallway, looking down at me. I seriously thought he was about to murder me. “What are you doing here?” I preempted him. “You didn’t come specifically for me, did you?” Jax lazily tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Skylar, get real. Did you honestly think I came here for *you*?” “I’m here with the band for a gig. But if I hadn’t bumped into you by chance, I just found out I’d just been your convenient plaything all this time.” “I was just kidding with my friend, you know. You hurt me so deeply, and I have my pride too.” I turned my head away, refusing to look at Jax, but he grabbed my chin and forcibly turned it back. He bit down on one side of his jaw. “Skylar, have you always taken me for an idiot?” Yes, I silently answered, forcefully freeing my throbbing chin from his grip, maintaining a calm demeanor. “Jax, no matter what, I was dedicated to you these past few years. Honestly, tell me, how did I treat you?” “I’ve done nothing wrong to you; rather, it’s always been you who hurt me. Even if I did ‘play’ you, it wasn’t for nothing. Doesn’t my youth count for anything?” “Since we’ve come this far, let’s just part ways amicably. After all—” I paused, unable to say “love.” “After all, we did have something.” Jax watched me for a long time. Just when I thought he was about to get angry again, he suddenly smiled. Under the lights, his eyes were as beautiful as ever, but my heart no longer stirred. No matter how handsome a person is, after seeing them for over a thousand days and nights, you eventually get enough. “Skylar, you think too highly of yourself.” Jax curled his lips. “Of course we’ll part ways amicably. Did you think I’d cling to you?” “Just remember, you didn’t dump me; I, Jax, dumped you.” With that, he turned and left, as if I were some kind of repulsive dirt behind him. I watched his retreating back and silently sighed. Jax had indeed never been dumped in his life, so maybe being dumped by me made him feel incredibly annoyed. But if thinking that made him feel better, I didn’t care.

I maintained my usual frequency of working overtime, and Declan also started leaving later each day. Occasionally, he’d give me a ride. The late autumn, early winter air carried a crisp chill. In the stream of car lights, pedestrians huddled in coats, the coldness making everyone feel a little more distant, yet instinctively wanting to draw closer. We’d talk about company projects, discuss what we’d both been up to recently. I’d vent to him about people from partner companies, and sometimes he’d agree. “Yeah, I think that guy’s a complete jerk too.” Then we’d both laugh. Over time, I could feel his interest in me gradually growing. So, on the day of the first snowfall, I decided to take a bolder step. I asked him for leave, and when he asked why, I hesitated, then replied, “Something came up at home.” Logically, he shouldn’t have pressed for details, but Declan frowned. “Did something happen with your family? Is there anything I can do to help?” I gave an awkward laugh. “No, it’s not that. My mom is forcing me to go on a blind date.” Declan froze. It was rare to see that expression on his face. I added, “I’m 27 now, and my family keeps pressuring me. I’ve put it off before, but this time I can’t avoid it.” After a long silence, Declan looked down. “Alright, but you know the company is pretty busy right now, so I can only approve you for—” He pretended to check his watch, “—two hours. I think that’s enough for a blind date. Alright, you now have one hour and fifty-nine minutes left.” I hadn’t lied to Declan; I really was going on a blind date. My recent blind dates hadn’t gone anywhere, and my mom was practically frantic. This time, though, the blind date was surprisingly good quality: he’d returned from overseas, worked at a major tech company, was 6’0”, and seemed well-mannered, speaking respectfully, with no mansplaining comments whatsoever. I was intrigued and ended up chatting with him for quite a while. Mid-conversation, my blind date went to the restroom. I looked down at my phone, then felt someone sit across from me. I was about to speak, but stopped. Sitting in front of me was none other than Jax. He was nearly 6’3”, and the couch, perfectly sized for my blind date, felt a bit cramped for him. His long legs had nowhere to go, so he leaned as far back as possible. Jax fiddled with my blind date’s Volkswagen car keys left on the table, scoffing. “You dumped me just to come back and go on blind dates with this kind of loser?” The smile faded from my face. “Didn’t you say you were here with the band for a gig? Why haven’t you left yet?” “The band’s schedule changed. You think I want to stay in this godforsaken place?” I said sternly, “I hope you’ll respect my blind date. He’s a good person. Please leave immediately and don’t disrupt my date.” Jax’s face instantly darkened, the smile vanishing from his lips. My blind date returned, looking confused at the scene. “Excuse me, who are you?” Jax didn’t even glance at him, his presence radiating low pressure. “I’m her boyfriend. If you know what’s good for you, get lost.” I quickly explained, “No, he’s not, I—” But Jax stood up and grabbed my wrist. “What, do we need to kiss right here for you to believe it?” By the time I wrestled free from his grip, my blind date had already left, his face red with anger. I exploded. “Jax, what is wrong with you?! We broke up!” Jax leaned back on the couch, the smile on his lips looking utterly punchable. “That was your unilateral decision. I didn’t agree.” “Dating isn’t like marriage; it doesn’t need mutual consent! And you clearly said you’d never go back to exes!” “I changed my mind,” Jax said as easily as if discussing what to eat for dinner, completely unburdened. “I realized you’re pretty good at taking care of people. You made me feel pretty comfortable when we were together. I don’t want to break up anymore.” When people are speechless, they sometimes laugh. I twitched my lips. “But *I’m* not comfortable.” “My prime years were wasted on you! What’s so uncomfortable for you?” He raised his voice, causing others to look our way. I wanted to crawl into a hole and bury myself. I leaned forward to cover his mouth. “Shut up—” Jax grabbed my hand. I watched him flash a mischievous grin. “You haven’t met any good men since we broke up, have you? Skylar, you know deep down, I’m the best you’ll ever get.” “And we were so compatible in bed. Instead of being with those losers, how about we—” His words cut off because a hand pulled me away. I looked up. Declan was still wearing his black suit from the office, his brows deeply furrowed. “Didn’t you say you were here for a blind date? Why is there a physical altercation? Is he harassing you?” I was completely dumbfounded. My original plan was to make Declan jealous, but then Jax had unexpectedly shown up. And just when Jax was acting completely bonkers, Declan had arrived! “I’m her boyfriend. Who are you, interfering?” Jax stood up, annoyed, the two tall men facing each other. “I’m Skylar Stone’s boss,” Declan said calmly. “And as far as I know, Skylar Stone doesn’t have a boyfriend.” “Does she need to report her relationship status to you?” Jax turned to me, a smirk on his face. “Oh, no wonder you dumped me so readily. So, this is your new guy, huh?” “Skylar, does he know what a manipulative person you are? Are you planning to use your usual manipulative tactics on him too?” Even though I usually kept my emotions in check, I was furious now. Just as I was about to retort, Declan spoke. “So, you’re the ex-boyfriend who got dumped. If Skylar dumped you, it means she doesn’t like you anymore. Clinging on won’t help.” Jax’s face darkened. Declan then looked at me. “Your leave time is up. There’s a meeting waiting for you at the company. Let’s go.” Ignoring everything else, I frowned at Jax. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you, but Jax, what do I owe you after all these years? We got together willingly; I never forced you.” “I’ll say it again: I hope we can part ways amicably. Please, don’t bother me again!” Jax wanted to say more, but after my words, his eyes clouded over, and he said nothing further. Declan grabbed my wrist and led me out. “Was that really your ex-boyfriend?” In the car, Declan’s arms rested on the steering wheel, his voice heavy. “Weren’t we supposed to go back to the company for a meeting?” “Was that man your ex-boyfriend?” he repeated. “Yes,” I rubbed my face, giving a bitter laugh. “We were together for three years. I used to really like him, but he cheated on me again and again, and I just couldn’t take it anymore.” “My reason for coming back to my hometown this time was because of our breakup. I was so deeply hurt, and I was just starting to feel better these past few days with you—” I glanced at Declan’s expression, then said sadly. “I was doing so much better, and then I didn’t expect him to come back and harass me again.” Declan looked at me. “He doesn’t deserve you. Don’t be soft-hearted.” “Cheating is either once or a hundred times. His infidelity shows he can’t overcome his animal instincts; he hasn’t evolved. He’s a man with no self-control, and he doesn’t love you enough.” “You should find a responsible man.” My lips involuntarily curved upward, but I quickly pressed them down, saying sadly, “But good men like you are so rare. Where am I supposed to find a man like that?” Declan’s earlobes slowly flushed red. He coughed. “Well, I suppose only I could be worthy of you.”

Three days later, as I was drinking at a bar, Declan sent me a message. He asked when I was coming back to work. That day, when he said those words that were almost a confession, I was truly stunned. I hadn’t expected him to be so direct. But I didn’t say anything either. I was serious about Declan. After getting to know him these past few days, he truly exceeded my expectations in every aspect for a partner. So, we couldn’t just stumble into a relationship like that. Not like with Jax. A muddled beginning always led to a muddled ending. Conveniently, using the excuse of a broken heart, I took my annual leave and went out with friends to relax. This bar was unique in the city for being high-end, not too rowdy, and the band played great music. I enjoyed watching the handsome men and beautiful women on the dance floor while drinking with my friend. Then, at some point, the music stopped. After a moment, guitar strings strummed again. “I found a love for me Darling, just dive right in and follow my lead Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me ‘Cause we were just kids when we fell in love Not knowing what it was I will not give you up this time …” A magnetic, slightly hoarse voice began to sing. My drinking hand paused, and I opened my eyes wide, looking at the stage. Jax, in a black shirt, sat on a high stool, strumming his guitar. A silver chain gleamed at his neck. In an instant, the rowdy crowd and the hazy lights vanished. I could only see the faint glimmer in his eyes as our gazes met. The young girls below were going wild, all discussing going to ask for his SnapChat later. Everything was just like the first time we met. Except this time, I wasn’t the one walking towards him. Jax, still holding his guitar, slowly walked off the stage and smiled at me. “Can I add you on SnapChat?” The whole place erupted in cheers. I, who always thought my heart was calm as still water, felt a genuine ripple. I looked at Jax with a complicated expression. “What’s the point?” It wasn’t false modesty. I could tell Jax genuinely liked me. But how much of his liking was for *me*, for who I truly was? Or was it just because I took such meticulous care of him when we were together, because I was the “understanding” one who never argued about his infidelity? I felt that perhaps everything he was doing now was because, in his subconscious, I had always been the weaker party, and he had full control over our relationship. Now, he couldn’t accept being dumped by *me*, his former doormat. The crowd slowly dispersed. Jax gave a nod to the stage, the music resumed, and he sat down next to me, leaning back against the booth sofa, sighing. “What you said that day, I went home and thought about it. You were right.” “All these years we were together, you never did me wrong. You gave a lot, and it was always me hurting you. I can understand why you’d leave.” His expression was a little strained, as if there were words he really didn’t want to say but had to, spoken with a clumsy unfamiliarity. “Um, if I change from now on, I’ll be good to you, and I won’t get out of line with other women, can you—” As if remembering his earlier vow to never go back on his word, his face flushed. He seemed to steel himself. “Can you get back together with me?” “I’m sorry, everything before was my fault!” I stared at Jax in surprise, half-convinced he’d been possessed. Jax, who had always looked down on me, was actually apologizing and asking to get back together. “Who put you up to this?” I knew this wasn’t his usual style; someone had to be advising him. Jax pursed his lips. “…My buddies. After we broke up, they all told me I’d been a total jerk and if I wanted to win you back, I had to swallow my pride—” At this point, his embarrassment seemed to hit its limit. “So, do you want to get back together with me?” “I’m way better than those blind dates of yours. After dating me, you must find them all annoying, right? And that boss of yours the other day, he looks like a boring elite, only talking about work. We’ve had three years to get comfortable with each other; we’re the most suitable.” I answered evasively, “How did you get the owner to agree to all this?” Jax smirked. “I bought his place. Now I’m the owner of this bar.” “Do you like this bar? If you do, it’s yours.” “No.” I drained the last bit of wine from my glass, grabbed my bag, and stood up. “Thank you for the kind offer. The song was great, but getting back together is a no-go.” The air froze. Jax pressed his lips together, watching me expressionlessly. “Why?” Jax had beautiful, expressive eyes. Even when he was upset, they usually sparkled with life and moisture. I t was rare to see them so cold. “Because,” I smiled, “I never go back to exes.”

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