My brother-in-law violated me, and my whole family forced me to keep silent. He grew bolder, and when I fought back, he beat me to death. Jade stuffed me into a bag, Mom cleaned up the blood. Dad saw my hand twitch. He grabbed an ashtray and slammed it down on my head with brutal force. When I opened my eyes again, I was at Jade’s wedding, posing for family photos. “Little lady on the left, smile a bit more, don’t be so stiff.” The last bit of air was sucked from my lungs. My mouth fell open, and I screamed silently, lying in the damp earth. Around me, there was endless darkness. In the final moment before losing consciousness, a flash of light appeared. I didn’t blink, just stared straight ahead. The silent world suddenly burst into noise. The smell of rich food and alcohol, polite laughter, crying children, and Jade’s disgusted voice. “Daisy, haven’t you ever had your picture taken? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” She sneered, muttering under her breath, “Honestly, one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.” I looked at Jade, Preston, Dad, Mom. They were all dressed in festive clothes, and on the big screen, pictures of Jade and Preston’s loving moments played. “I’m sorry, Jade. Should we take another one?” I lowered my head, a slight smile playing on my lips. Yes, I was the vengeful spirit back to haunt them. “Forget it. You’ve always been trouble since you were little.” “Jade, how can you talk about your sister like that? I think she looks just fine! Especially my Jade, you look like a total siren.” “Oh, you think I look like a siren? Wait till tonight, I’ll show you.” “I wish it was our wedding night right now,” Preston said, his gaze fixed on me. Jade blushed and hurried off to greet guests. I felt awkward and started to leave, but he grabbed my arm. “Aren’t you going to thank me?” I forced a smile, timidly saying, “Thank you, Preston.” He patted my head, sighing dramatically, “Still just a kid, huh? What did you hear just now?” “Wh-what? I didn’t hear anything.” Preston smiled, a closed-mouth smile, his thin eye corners stretching outwards, his lips curving upwards in an almost unnaturally deliberate arc. He was thirty-eight, twelve years older than my sister. In my last life, I was completely fooled by that face. I was so happy for Jade that she married this man. Preston was the golden ticket, and we were just clinging to his coattails. Thanks to his generosity, our family’s life had dramatically improved. Preston was our family’s benefactor. I still thought that, right up until the second he started pouring drinks for me. First, he used the excuse that their house was close to my school, suggesting I move in with them. Jade, to maintain her gentle and filial image, even let Mom and Dad move in too. He asked which university I wanted to attend. I said a prestigious one. He looked displeased. “Then we won’t see each other often! Daisy’s growing up, meeting more people. What if she starts disliking her brother-in-law?” I didn’t quite understand back then. Right before my college entrance exams, he brought milk into my room, locking the door behind him. I was forced to drink, then pinned down and violated on the bed. The world spun. Everything receded, then stopped. The first thing I did when I woke up was crawl out to tell Mom and Dad that Preston had assaulted me. They looked surprised for a moment, then shifted uncomfortably. “Why do you smell so strongly of alcohol?” “You little brat, getting into trouble and drinking! And talking nonsense!” Preston knelt before Jade, crying, claiming I had seduced him, and he just couldn’t resist. I screamed that it wasn’t true, lunging at him, wanting to take him down with me. I was slapped. Jade, Dad, and Mom looked at me with alarm. They firmly declared that I had seduced Preston. Because they hadn’t heard any struggles. After that incident, Preston grew even more brazen. Every night, he’d barge into my room like a demon. During the exams, I picked up the paper, but I couldn’t make out a single word. My mind was filled with those filthy images. I submitted a blank test. Walking out of the exam hall, I felt my life was ruined. The boy I liked, Liam, confessed to me, but I didn’t have the courage to look him in the eye. I felt abandoned by the whole world. Preston smirked triumphantly, “Perfect. You’ll be my little bird in a gilded cage.” I slapped him, then used all my strength to bite off his ear. He beat me half to death. Blood gushed from my head as I lay on the floor, my eyes wide and staring. When I died, Jade breathed a sigh of relief. As she put me into a transparent bag, there was a smile in her eyes. Mom wiped away the blood, grumbling about how much there was, only showing annoyance. It had been a long time since she’d done any housework. Dad dug a huge hole in the garden and threw me in. My vision was swimming in red, and my hand feebly twitched. Dad, I was still alive! He saw it. He must have seen it. He pulled the bag closed with a blank expression, kicked me into the hole, and quickly began to bury me. The family I once believed in were all devils who had killed me. Reborn into this life, I swear you’ll pay back double.

Preston slipped me an envelope of money. “Girls need to doll themselves up, buy pretty clothes.” I glanced at my faded, washed-out clothes. He’d already tucked the envelope into my pocket. His hand lingered on my shoulder, slid down my back to my waist, then naturally pulled away. It was his habitual touch. I looked up. He was staring at me, his gaze crude and open. Before I could dwell on it, Mom pulled me away to join the bride for dinner. She held Jade’s hand and mine, praising Jade and belittling me. “Your sister is the one supporting this family. You need to be filial to her in the future.” Jade was beautiful and charming, a real smooth talker, always knowing how to please Mom and Dad. After she started dating a rich guy, she wore gold and silver, constantly buying things for Mom and Dad, making them love her even more. Jade paid for my tuition. Everything about me, she meticulously noted down. “Daisy, you’ll have to pay me back when you grow up, okay?” Everything we ate and used came from Jade’s money. Where did Jade’s money come from? I tore off a chicken leg and bit into it hungrily. Dad, completely drunk, slurred, “Look how successful your sister is! You can’t do worse than her, hear me?” He rapped me on the head. “I hate it when people hit my head.” I stared straight at him, momentarily forgetting to breathe. “Still talking back.” He hit me harder. It was time to go back to school. I’d specifically taken the day off to come for the wedding. Mom stopped me outside. I shrewdly handed her the envelope of money. “You’re not allowed to take money from your brother-in-law in the future, understand? It makes our family look bad.” I nodded. The envelope had a thousand in it, but I’d already taken eight hundred. “Where are you going?” “To school. The exams are coming up soon.” Mom just mumbled “Oh.” The family used to care deeply about my studies, but now they took a hands-off approach. Their focus had shifted to Jade. Or, to be precise, to Preston. There were 73 days left until the exams. I touched the thick stack of test papers, my heart burning. Ms. Albright, our homeroom teacher, with her neat short hair, lectured passionately from the podium. Liam, my crush, was hunched over, taking notes, his bangs almost covering his eyes. I really wanted to brush them back. He looked up, and I quickly averted my gaze, my face burning involuntarily. My heart beat strongly, a feeling like I’d escaped death. But I knew the real danger hadn’t arrived yet.

A few scruffy guys with bleached hair often stood by the school gate, smoking and checking out the passing girls. As I walked past, one of them whistled. I stopped and glared at them. They actually looked away. “Damn it, what are you staring at? Never seen handsome guys before?” I crunched on a candy, my mouth as sweet as honey. “Hey, guys, could you do me a favor?” In a few days, a heavy evening rain would fall, and Preston would “accidentally” drive by and offer me a ride home. Using that opportunity to make me stay at their house. I wouldn’t disrupt the timeline. The unknown butterfly effect was too scary. My goal was to take control. That day arrived quickly. I stood at the school gate, remembering how I’d waited five minutes in the last life. The rain grew heavier, and I, worried about missing the last bus, had flown out, clutching my backpack. My clothes were quickly soaked. Preston poked his head out of his car window. “Daisy, your brother-in-law is here to pick you up. Hurry, get in.” I pretended to be grateful and started to run towards him, but one of the thugs grabbed me. He ripped my clothes, slapped my face. “Help! Mmph…” The thug stared, dumbfounded. “Sis, you’re a savage.” “Say some curse words, will you? And give a sinister laugh,” I whispered, coaching him. Preston approached with a stick. Seeing only one thug, he relaxed a bit. “Get lost, before I call the cops.” I coughed a few times, and the other thugs emerged from the shadows. I leaned close to the thug, whispering, “Beat that man senseless.” A kick landed in my stomach. I collapsed onto the ground, my eyes fixed on Preston. “Preston, save me!” He stood at the intersection, hesitant to move. I broke free from the thugs, lunged at Preston, pinning him tightly. Then I signaled the thugs with my eyes. The beating lasted about ten minutes. The two guys on lookout at the alley entrance barked like dogs – someone was coming. The thugs fled, and I clutched my ripped clothes. “Preston, please don’t tell the family the truth. Just say I fell. I don’t want them to worry. “All I want right now is to study hard.” Preston looked outwardly unharmed, but I’d specifically told them to aim for the fleshy parts. I got into the car. Preston suddenly glanced at me. “Daisy, how did you get mixed up with them?” I shook my head, crying into my clothes the whole way. But halfway there, my legs started trembling uncontrollably. This wasn’t the route home. “Preston, where are we going?” “Central Road is jammed. I took a detour.” “Oh. …Preston, thank you for tonight.” Preston gave me another look and pulled over. Outside, it was pitch black, only the car’s headlights cut through the darkness. It was a deserted village. “Daisy.” “Hmm.” I closed my eyes, feigning a yawn. The silence was deathly. In the dim light, I knew Preston’s eyes were glued to me. I dared not look at him. My teeth bit hard into my lip. The windows were tightly closed, the air thick with a sickening smell. Preston lit a cigarette, took a few drags, then suddenly leaned closer to me. His pale face was expressionless. “Did you… did you also get reborn?” “Preston, what are you talking about?” I frowned. “Reborn?” “Did you get reborn, Preston? Then why didn’t you remind me to bring an umbrella today?” I pouted, feigning annoyance. Preston’s eyes shifted, the flesh on his face relaxing. “Just kidding.” He pulled a bottle of soda from somewhere. “Thirsty?” I took a sip. He watched me, pondering something. I couldn’t let him suspect me, so I took another big gulp. The car suddenly lurched. I seized the opportunity and spat out the drink. The car window was hammered loudly. “Hey, buddy, you picked a real spot to park your car.” It was a taxi driver. Preston got out, wanting to let it go, but the driver wouldn’t. “What if you go back on your word later and try to extort me?” I looked back. There was someone in the taxi. I got out, wanting to get a closer look, but no one was there. The driver sat by the side, smoking, giving us a meaningful look. “Some people, hmph. “Little girl, stay away from guys like him.” Preston pointed at him. “What do you mean?” “You’re so scared of calling the cops. Got other crimes on your conscience, do you?” “Spreading rumors is illegal!” I ran over and handed the driver a bottle of water. Preston’s car had two compartments. I took a bottle from the left one. Just as the driver was about to drink, Preston snatched it back. The water was indeed tainted. If it hadn’t been for that car accident… I shot the driver a grateful look. I said apologetically, “Preston, I still have homework to do, and I have early morning class tomorrow.” Preston, back to his “good brother-in-law” facade, called a taxi. The April air already held a hint of warmth, but as it brushed against me, I hugged myself, shivering. I replayed Preston’s actions and glances in my mind. I was certain. Preston had also been reborn. But rebirth was always predicated on death. How had Preston died? I stayed in the room on the far right of the second floor, right next to Jade and Preston’s bedroom. The walls were an elegant white, and in the center hung a happy family portrait.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299243”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller

“Darling, look! A symbol of our love!” My wife, Stella, blushing prettily, lifted her wrist at the alumni gathering, revealing the expensive couple’s watch. Everyone looked at me with envy, saying I’d married the perfect woman. But they didn’t know. Just the night before, on our wedding night, I’d seen a faded butterfly tattoo on the inner side of her pale thigh. And a string of blurred numbers. Those numbers were the employee ID for a notorious bar: “The Golden Cage.” “Liam, you must’ve won the lottery in a past life to snag a bombshell like Stella Reed!” My childhood best friend, Chris, slurred, his arm slung around my neck, reeking of alcohol. “The queen of our college, man! So many guys chased her, and you’re the one who got lucky!” I laughed, pushing him away, and raised my glass. My gaze, however, drifted uncontrollably towards Stella, who was chatting and laughing with some female classmates not far away. She was wearing a pale yellow dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. When she smiled, her eyes crinkled into sweet crescents, making her look gentle and pure, like a blooming lily. Every man in the room had their eyes glued to her. And this beautiful woman was now my wife. A tremendous sense of satisfaction and happiness swelled within me. I downed the wine in one gulp. The spicy liquid slid down my throat, but my heart felt sweeter than honey. After the gathering, I helped a tipsy Stella back to our freshly decorated new home. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes hazy. Leaning against me, she mumbled drunkenly, “Husband, I love you so much… Marrying you is the happiest thing that’s ever happened to me.” My heart instantly melted. Gently placing her on the bed, I kissed her forehead and softly said, “Me too.” Just as I was about to get up to pour her a glass of water, her long dress hitched up as she shifted, revealing a stretch of snowy white thigh. And, on its inner side, that stark, greenish mark. My movements froze. It was a butterfly, its wings already somewhat blurred, its color severely faded, clearly an old tattoo from many years ago. Below the butterfly, there was an even smaller, almost illegible string of numbers. I leaned closer, squinting in the dim bedside lamp light to make it out carefully. “…7013?” The number exploded in my mind like a clap of thunder. My blood rushed to my head instantly, then turned to ice the next second. The Golden Cage. Number 7013. The code name I thought I’d never remember again, like a lurking demon that had slumbered for years, clawed its way out of the depths of my memory, a wicked grin on its face. Five years ago, while still in college, I’d worked as a part-time waiter at “The Golden Cage” to save up for my sick mother’s surgery. It was a hell on earth, a place of lavish decadence and rampant vice. I’d witnessed countless sordid transactions with my own eyes and remembered the numb smiles on those girls’ faces. Every girl “working” there had an internal number, making it easy for clients to “order” them. They were like products on a shelf, openly priced. And I had a particularly strong impression of “7013.” Because she had the most clients. She was rumored to be the top girl there, code-named “Butterfly.” This was because she excelled at a provocative “butterfly dance” and knew best how to please men. Whenever those bloated, wealthy clients spoke of her, they’d exchange knowing, lewd smiles, saying she was “innocent yet utterly seductive,” the most irresistible poison for any man. I was just a poor student back then, barely daring to even glance in her direction. I’d only glimpsed her back once when the manager sent me to a VIP room to deliver drinks. She wore a revealing dancer’s outfit, her slender waist swaying under the hazy lights, like a butterfly on the verge of shattering. At the time, I only felt pity and sadness, quickly dropping off the drinks and leaving. I just couldn’t reconcile that image of a woman of the night with the pure, gentle wife sleeping peacefully beside me. No, absolutely not! Stella Reed was a junior from my college. We met at a campus job fair. She was pure, kind, and came from a well-to-do family—both her parents were university professors, so she’d been pampered like a princess her whole life. We dated for two years, and she was always very conservative; our most intimate gesture was just kissing. She said she wanted to save her best self for our wedding night. How could such a virtuous girl… how could she be that escort, number 7013? It had to be a coincidence! Yes, just a damn coincidence! I repeated it to myself over and over, trying to quell the rising tide of panic and disgust that threatened to consume me. I stumbled back two steps, my body icy cold, my hands and feet trembling uncontrollably. I stared intently at Stella on the bed, the woman I deeply loved. Her sleeping face was serene and beautiful, a sweet smile still gracing her lips, as if she were dreaming pleasant dreams. But that glaring butterfly on her inner thigh was like a giant mockery, instantly shattering all my happiness. My stomach churned violently. I rushed to the bathroom, throwing up everything until there was nothing left but bitter bile. I clung to the wall, trying to stand. The man in the mirror was pale, eyes bloodshot, looking utterly wretched, like a beaten dog. I turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on my face repeatedly, trying to calm myself down. No, I couldn’t jump to conclusions just yet. Maybe… maybe there was some misunderstanding. I needed proof, proof that could completely convince myself. My gaze fell on Stella’s handbag, placed on her dresser. A crazy thought, completely out of my control, surfaced.

My rational mind screamed at me, telling me this was despicable, a complete violation of trust. But my body, as if possessed by a demon, moved on its own. My hand trembled violently, almost unable to hold the delicate ladies’ handbag. I unzipped it. Inside were a wallet, lipstick, keys… and a very old-looking cell phone. It wasn’t her current, latest iPhone model, but an old Android phone, at least five or six years old, with several cracks on the screen. My heart constricted sharply. Why would she carry such an old phone with her? My trembling fingers pressed the power button. The screen lit up; there was no password. The photo album was empty, nothing at all. Refusing to give up, I clicked on file management. In a folder named “Recycle Bin,” I saw several deleted photos. My fingertip hovered above the screen, hesitating to tap. I was afraid. Afraid of seeing the truth that would utterly destroy me. But in the end, I restored them. The photos loaded one by one. The images were a bit blurry, the lighting dim, the background appearing to be a luxuriously decorated karaoke room. In the first photo, a scantily clad girl was holding a wine glass, smiling at the camera. Her smile was alluring and sultry, completely unlike the Stella Reed I knew. But that face, the face I’d loved for two years, kissed countless times—I couldn’t possibly mistake it! My breath caught in my throat. The second photo: she was hugging a pot-bellied middle-aged man, his hand on her thigh, and she was laughing flirtatiously. The third: she was kneeling on the floor, pouring wine for a man, the low-cut neckline of her dance outfit revealing her cleavage. The fourth… I couldn’t look anymore. The phone slipped from my hand with a *clatter*, crashing to the floor, its screen instantly shattering. All strength drained from me, I collapsed onto the cold floor, my mind a blank. Those photos were like poisoned daggers, each one a fresh stab, slowly flaying my heart. So, my pure, flawless wife—the beautiful woman I’d held so dear, treated like a princess—had such a sordid past. So, all the sweet nothings she’d whispered to me, all the innocence and shyness she’d displayed in front of me, were nothing but an act. She was a master manipulator, an experienced actress! What was I? A clueless fool, a pathetic stepping stone she used to escape her past? No wonder, no wonder she’d always avoided intimacy during our two years of dating. It wasn’t because she was conservative; it was because she’d been around the block, terrified I’d discover the secrets of her body! No wonder she never talked about her college days. Every time I asked, she’d vaguely change the subject. No wonder her parents, despite being professors, had been so eager about our marriage, barely making any demands, only accepting a token wedding contribution. They must have known their daughter’s secret all along, desperate to marry her off to some unsuspecting good guy! All the suspicious points, at this moment, strung together into a clear thread, pointing to a truth that tore me apart. I paced the room like a caged beast, the fury and humiliation in my chest threatening to consume me whole. I wanted to rush over, drag her out of bed, and fiercely demand why she’d done this to me! But when I saw her sleeping face, my steps faltered. That face was still so beautiful, so innocent. I even began to wonder if all this was just a nightmare. No, that butterfly tattoo, those indecent photos, all reminded me, with brutal clarity, that this was not a dream. I painfully covered my face, tears streaming uncontrollably through my fingers. I don’t know how long I sat on the floor, until the sky outside the window turned a fish-belly white. Stella woke up. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she saw me sitting on the floor and was startled. “Darling, what’s wrong? Why are you sitting on the floor?” She walked over anxiously, trying to help me up. I violently shook off her hand, with such force that she stumbled back two steps, hitting the edge of the bed. She froze, her face filled with bewilderment and confusion: “Liam, you… you hurt me.” I raised my bloodshot eyes, staring intensely at her, my voice hoarse as if from hell: “Stella Reed, how much longer are you going to keep up this damn charade?” She was terrified by my appearance, her face instantly turning ashen: “You… what are you talking about? I don’t understand.” “Don’t understand?” I sneered, picking up the shattered phone from the floor and throwing it violently at her. “Then do you understand *these*?” Stella’s gaze fell on the phone screen. When she saw the photos, the color drained from her face completely. Her body began to tremble uncontrollably, her lips quivering, unable to utter a single word. That look of panic undoubtedly confirmed everything. My heart hit rock bottom. “Why?” I clenched my fists, my fingernails digging deep into my palms, my voice a desperate roar, “Why did you lie to me? What did you take me for? A fool to clean up your mess?” Stella’s whole body jolted. Tears streamed down her face like broken pearls. She lunged forward, trying to grab my leg, but I kicked her away. “Don’t touch me! You make me sick!” My words were like a knife, plunging deep into her heart. She fell to the floor, covering her face, letting out suppressed, painful sobs. “I’m sorry… Liam, I’m so sorry…” she cried, gasping for breath, “I didn’t mean to lie to you… I just… I just loved you too much, I was afraid you’d leave me if you knew…” “Loved me?” I laughed bitterly as if I’d heard the biggest joke. “Is *that* how you loved me? With lies and deceit? Stella Reed, do you know how disgusted I am by you right now?” “No… it’s not like that…” She desperately shook her head, crawling towards me, crying, “Listen to me, please, it’s not what you think… back then, my family had problems, my dad gambled and owed a lot of money, I had no choice but to…” “Enough!” I roughly cut her off. “I don’t want to hear your sob story! All I know is that my wife is a whore who’s been with anyone!” With that, I slammed the door shut, leaving her desperate cries far behind.

I ran through the streets like a madman. The cold morning wind filled my lungs, but it did nothing to cool the burning pain and fury in my heart. I stopped in front of a diner and ordered two bottles of the strongest whiskey. I chugged it down, chasing it with cold pastries. The fiery liquid burned my esophagus and stomach, but I felt no pain. Because the pain in my heart was a thousand times worse. Passersby shot me strange looks, but I didn’t care. I was a joke now, a colossal joke. I thought I’d married the purest angel in the world, but it turned out she was a devil who’d wallowed in the mud. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through photos of Stella and me. In the pictures, she smiled so sweetly, so innocently, nestled beside me like a docile kitten. But now, that face looked full of hypocrisy and filth. I deleted the photos one by one. With each deletion, my heart was flayed anew. When I reached the last one, I stopped. It was our wedding photo. I wore a suit, handsome and upright; she wore a wedding dress, beautiful and moving. We smiled at the camera, radiating happiness. I stared at the photo for a long time, but ultimately couldn’t bring myself to delete it. I tossed the phone aside, picked up the whiskey bottle, and took another long swig. I don’t know how long I drank until my stomach churned, and I swayed as I pushed myself up from the table. I couldn’t just let this go. I couldn’t let her and her entire family play me for a fool. I needed answers. I would go to her parents and expose their family’s deception! I hailed a cab and gave the address of Stella’s parents’ house. It was an upscale faculty residential area, quiet and secluded. I’d been there a few times. Each time, my mother-in-law and father-in-law had been incredibly warm, calling me “dear Liam” as if I were their own son. Now, thinking back, how much guilt and calculation must have been hidden behind that excessive warmth! I rang the doorbell. My mother-in-law opened the door. She froze when she saw me, then smiled warmly: “Oh, Liam, what a surprise! Why are you here so early? Where’s Stella? Isn’t she with you?” I pushed her aside emotionlessly and walked straight in. My father-in-law was sitting on the living room sofa, reading the newspaper. He also greeted me with a smile: “Liam, come in, have a seat.” I scanned the elegantly decorated living room. My father-in-law’s calligraphy hung on the wall, with five large characters that read “Harmony brings prosperity.” I found it incredibly ironic. “I’m not here for a visit,” I said coldly, my voice devoid of emotion. “I’m here to ask you, do you feel a great sense of achievement from playing me for a fool?” The smiles on my in-laws’ faces froze. They exchanged glances, and my mother-in-law tentatively asked, “Liam, you… what do you mean? Did you argue with Stella? Husbands and wives make up, whatever it is, let’s talk it through…” “Talk it through?” I sneered. “Did your precious daughter think about ‘talking it through’ when she was the top call girl at ‘The Golden Cage’? Did you think about this day when you packaged a whore as a sophisticated lady and married her off to me?” The moment “The Golden Cage” left my lips, my in-laws’ faces turned instantly ashen. My father-in-law’s newspaper fell to the floor. His lips trembled, and he pointed at me, unable to utter a single word for a long time. My mother-in-law, with a *thud*, collapsed directly onto the floor. “How… how do you know…” My mother-in-law’s voice was shaking uncontrollably. “How do I know?” I advanced on them step by step, the hatred in my eyes almost tangible. “I also know her code name was ‘Butterfly,’ and her number was 7013! I also know that for money, she would kneel on the floor and lick a man’s shoes! Are you satisfied now?” Every word I spoke was like a heavy hammer, striking their hearts. My mother-in-law covered her face and burst into heartbroken sobs. My father-in-law, trembling all over, suddenly stood up and raised his hand, intending to slap me. I grabbed his wrist, with such force that he let out a muffled groan of pain. “What? You want to hit me? What right do you have to hit me?” I stared intensely at him, enunciating each word. “Was it you, her own father, who personally pushed your daughter into that fire pit?” Stella had said she went there because her family had problems, her father owed gambling debts… My father-in-law’s face turned from white to green, then from green to red, before he finally dropped his arm in defeat. He seemed to age ten years in an instant, collapsing back onto the sofa, clutching his head, letting out a pained groan. “It’s my fault… all my fault… I was blinded by greed, I ruined Stella, and I ruined you too…” He cried tears of regret, his voice filled with remorse, “I’m not human, I deserve to die…” Watching his anguished face, I felt no satisfaction, only a cold emptiness. So, Stella hadn’t lied. She really did go down that path to pay off her father’s debts. But what did that change? The facts were the facts. She had deceived me, and her body had been defiled by countless men. The thought of her once pleasing other men, the thought of her using the mouth that had kissed me to pleasure others, made me sick to my stomach. “What’s the point of saying all this now?” I released his hand, stepped back two paces, and looked at them indifferently. “I came here today to tell you that this marriage is over. You can take your daughter back. Liam Miller cannot ‘enjoy’ her.” With that, I turned and walked out, without a single backward glance. Behind me, I heard my mother-in-law’s heart-wrenching cries and my father-in-law’s desperate pleas. “Liam! Don’t go! Listen to us! Stella had her reasons!” “We’re sorry! Hit us, curse us, do whatever you want! Please, don’t divorce Stella, she can’t live without you!” I ignored them, quickening my pace out of that suffocating place. The sun shone on me, but I felt no warmth at all. My marriage, my life, had, on this day, completely become a joke. Returning to the empty new home, the sight of all the red wedding decorations was unbearable. I rushed over, tearing down the red paper “囍” characters from the walls, ripping them to shreds. Stella wasn’t home. Good. I didn’t want to see her hypocritical face right now. I sat on the sofa all day, neither eating nor drinking, like a soulless statue. Until evening, when the doorbell rang. I thought Stella had returned, and a wave of irritation surged through me. I got up to open the door, ready to kick her out. But standing outside was someone I hadn’t expected. It was Chris. My childhood best friend, and my best man at the wedding. He saw me, froze for a moment, then frowned: “Liam, what happened to you? Why do you look like this? Where’s Stella? She called me, crying her eyes out, saying you don’t want her anymore. What the hell happened?” I looked at him and suddenly laughed. A laugh uglier than any cry. “Chris,” I grabbed his shoulders, staring intently into his eyes, “Tell me, did you know about Stella Reed all along?”

Chris’s eyes visibly darted away. That subtle movement instantly ignited all the suspicions in my heart. “You look me in the eye, you bastard!” I roared, unconsciously tightening my grip. “You’re my best friend! Tell me, were you in on this, too, trying to fool me?” Chris winced from my grip, struggling a bit, a pained and conflicted expression on his face. “Liam, calm down first! Just listen to me…” “Listen to what? That she was forced? That she had her reasons?” I cut him off hysterically. “I don’t want to hear that BS! I just want to know if *you*, my best friend, knew from the start what kind of woman she was!” Chris fell silent. His silence was more devastating than any words. My heart, in an instant, turned completely cold. I violently released him, stumbling back two steps, looking at him in disbelief. “You… you really knew?” Chris sighed, his face filled with guilt: “Liam, I’m sorry. I… I only found out a little while ago.” “How long ago?” I pressed, my voice trembling. “Just… just before you two decided to get married,” Chris said with difficulty. “I accidentally overheard her on a FaceTime call with a friend and found out some… some things about her past.” “Then why didn’t you tell me?” My voice was squeezed out through gritted teeth. “How could I tell you?” Chris looked bitter. “You two were so in love then, about to get married. If I told you, would you have believed me? You’d just think I was jealous, trying to sow discord! Besides… I saw that Stella truly loved you, and she was trying to leave her past behind. I thought, everyone makes mistakes, let the past be the past…” “The past?” I gave a bitter laugh. “Chris, that’s not a scratched finger that a band-aid can heal! That’s a festering wound in my very bones! How can I just pretend nothing happened?” I pointed to my chest, yelling at him: “Do you know what I’ve been through these past two days? I feel like a goddamn idiot! The whole world knew the truth, and I was the only one kept in the dark! I gave all my love, all my trust, to a liar, a whore! You’re my brother, and you just stood by and watched me walk into a trap!” “Liam!” Chris also got agitated. “I admit I was wrong about this! But you can’t talk about Stella like that! She was desperate back then! Do you know how much money her dad owed? Three million! Loan sharks! Those people were coming to their house every day, smashing things, threatening to sell her mom into a black market mine! What could a twenty-year-old girl do?” “So she became a prostitute?” I retorted, eyes red. “There are so many ways to make money in the world, why did she choose the cheapest one?” “Because it was fast money!” Chris yelled back. “Every day she didn’t pay, the interest piled up by thousands! She didn’t have time to earn money slowly! You worked at ‘The Golden Cage’ yourself, you know what kind of place it is! Do you think she *wanted* to? The first time she was forced to take a client, she almost took her own life! Her dad was on his knees, begging her to save the family! What else could she do?” Chris’s words were like a bucket of ice water, dousing me, instantly calming me down a lot. Yes, I had been in that place. I had seen the desperation and numbness of those girls. I had also seen how ruthless loan sharks could be. But… “Then why didn’t she tell me?” I clutched my head in agony. “If she had told me earlier, we could have figured something out together, I could have helped her pay off the debt! Why treat me like an idiot and lie to me?” “She was scared,” Chris’s voice lowered. “She was afraid that if you knew, you’d look down on her, that you’d think she was dirty. Liam, honestly, if she had confessed everything at the beginning of your relationship, would you still have been with her? Would you still have married her?” I froze. I didn’t know. I really didn’t know. My rational mind told me I should. Because I loved *her*, not her past. But emotionally, I couldn’t imagine if, knowing my beloved girlfriend had such an unspeakable past, I could still embrace and kiss her without any reservations, as before. “See, even you’re hesitating,” Chris sighed. “So you can’t blame her. She’s just a pathetic woman who wanted to grasp happiness. She lied to you, that’s wrong. But her love for you was real.” “Love me?” I chuckled self-mockingly. “Perhaps. But this love is too heavy, too dirty. I can’t bear it.” I pulled out the divorce papers I had already prepared from the drawer and slammed them on the table. “Chris, help me give these to her. The house and car are hers; I’m leaving with nothing. I only have one demand: from now on, we’re strangers for life.” Chris looked at the divorce papers, his expression changing repeatedly. “Liam, are you really going to be this absolute? Give her another chance, give yourself another chance, okay?” “No more chances,” I shook my head, my eyes completely dead. “From the moment I knew the truth, all that was left between us was disgust.” Chris tried to persuade me further, but I simply pushed him out the door. With a *bang*, I closed the door, shutting out all sounds related to her. I leaned against the door, slowly sliding to the floor. Tears, once again, streamed down my face against my will. Goodbye, Stella Reed. Goodbye, the love I once thought would last a lifetime. Over the next few days, I moved back into my pre-marriage bachelor apartment and began living like a zombie. I took extended leave, locking myself in my room all day, numbing myself with alcohol and nicotine. Stella called me countless times, sent countless messages. I didn’t answer a single call, didn’t read a single message. I just wanted to completely erase this woman from my world as quickly as possible. A week later, Chris came again. He brought news I hadn’t expected. “Stella Reed is in the hospital,” he stood at the door, his face grim. “Gastric bleeding, plus a relapse of depression. She’s still in critical condition.” “Depression?” I froze, momentarily unable to react. “Yes, she’s had it before. It was… she got it during *that* period,” Chris’s eyes held a hint of compassion. “Later, she met you and slowly got better. This sudden divorce hit her too hard, so it relapsed.”

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On our wedding anniversary, my wife told me her company was holding a corporate outing, including a two-day, one-night hot spring spa retreat. After she left, I decided to surprise her by redecorating the house. While cleaning, I swept out a box of emergency contraceptive pills from under our bed. My heart lurched. We had been trying to conceive; why would she be taking these? My wife’s call came in. Her voice was languid, tinged with a slight pant. “Honey, the hot springs are so relaxing, I almost fell asleep.” I looked at my phone, displaying a severe thunderstorm alert – all outdoor hot spring resorts were closed. What kind of “corporate outing” required emergency contraception? “Hey, honey.” On the other end of the line, Chloe’s voice was laced with the languor of just waking up, and a hint of a breathy sigh. “The hot springs are so relaxing, I almost fell asleep.” I clutched my phone, standing in the middle of the living room. The bright new overhead lights illuminated every corner of the home we’d shared for three years, leaving no shadow. “Really? Get some good rest then.” My voice was steady, betraying no hint of the turmoil within. “I just miss you a little.” Chloe chuckled softly on her end. “I’ll bring you back a souvenir when I return.” “Okay.” I hung up. On my phone screen, the severe thunderstorm alert issued by the weather station was still glaring crimson. “Due to strong convective weather, all outdoor hot spring resorts and mountain tourism projects in the city are temporarily suspended.” I tossed my phone onto the sofa, my gaze falling back to the coffee table. Underneath the table was what I had just swept out from under the bed. A box of emergency contraceptive pills. Only one pill remained. The manufacturing date on the box was three months ago. We’d been married for three years, and we started trying for a baby a year ago. She had gotten rid of everything in the house that could potentially affect conception. More than once, I’d seen her cry with disappointment when her period arrived. She said she longed for a child of ours. So, what was this box of pills doing here? I picked up the pill box, turning it over and over in my hands. The unsettling thought grew clearer and clearer in my mind. What kind of “corporate outing” required going to “hot springs” in a thunderstorm? What kind of “corporate outing” required taking emergency contraception? My gaze began to sweep across the living room. This home, which I had personally decorated, intending to surprise her, now felt utterly unfamiliar. I stormed into the bedroom and yanked open her nightstand drawer. On the bottom shelf, tucked away, was an old tablet she rarely used. I pressed the power button. The screen lit up, paused on a hotel booking page. The Grandview Hotel & Suites. In our city. Check-in time: today. Check-out time: tomorrow noon. Reservation name: Marcus Thorne. I recognized that name. It was Chloe’s new boss. She’d been mentioning him a lot lately, saying he was young and promising, and had been very supportive of her career. I clicked on the order details. Executive King Room. The special request note read: “Honeymoon setup, with plenty of roses.” My stomach did a violent flip. I rushed to the bathroom, clutching the toilet, dry heaving. Nothing came up, only searing acid burning my esophagus. A surprise? I was certainly preparing a hell of a surprise. I splashed cold water on my face, looking at the man with bloodshot eyes staring back at me in the mirror. I couldn’t just let this go. I had to see. See it with my own eyes. I changed my clothes, grabbed my car keys, and walked out of that suffocating house.

The Grandview Hotel & Suites was opulent, almost blindingly luxurious. I parked my car across the street and looked up at the imposing skyscraper. Chloe and that man, Marcus Thorne, were somewhere behind one of those windows in this building right now. What were they doing? Were they “almost falling asleep” as she’d claimed on the phone, or…? I couldn’t bear to think further. I walked into the hotel lobby and headed straight for the front desk. “Hello, sir, how may I help you?” The front desk agent’s smile was professional yet distant. “I’m looking for someone. My wife, Chloe Davis. Which room is she in?” “I apologize, sir, but to protect guest privacy, we cannot disclose room information.” I had expected this. I pulled out my phone and displayed a photo of Chloe and me on our wedding day. “She’s my wife. It’s our wedding anniversary today, and I’m here to give her a surprise.” I tried my best to make my expression look sincere and loving. “See, I even brought her a gift.” I held up a paper bag, which contained a bouquet of flowers I had just bought from the flower shop downstairs. A flicker of sympathy crossed the agent’s face, but she still shook her head. “I’m truly sorry, sir, but rules are rules.” I didn’t press the issue. I walked over to the lobby lounge area and sat down, my eyes fixed on the elevators. I didn’t know which floor, which room they were in. I sat there like an idiot, waiting. Time ticked by, second by second. People came and went in the lobby, each with a different expression on their face. Joyful, tired, numb. Only I sat there, a complete outsider. My phone vibrated. It was a SnapChat message from Chloe. An image: a pair of feet soaking in hot spring water, with rose petals floating on the surface. The caption read: “Honey, it’s really so relaxing. Too bad you’re not here.” My hand started to tremble. That picture was expertly Photoshopped. The steam from the hot spring, the delicate rose petals, even her toes looked so relaxed. If I hadn’t known the truth, I would have been touched by her “sharing.” Just then, the elevator chimed “ding.” Two figures emerged. The man was tall and handsome, in a perfectly tailored suit. The woman was petite and lovely, wearing a beautiful dress I had never seen before. It was Chloe. She was clinging to the man’s arm, a radiant smile on her face that I had never seen directed at me. It wasn’t the gentle, domestic smile she usually reserved for me. It was a dazzling smile, full of admiration and flirty charm, the kind of smile only a woman deeply in love could have. They walked past me, heading towards the hotel’s revolving doors. Chloe’s head was affectionately resting on the man’s shoulder. “Marcus, you’re so good to me.” Her voice was so sickeningly sweet, it could melt sugar. I sat on the sofa, unmoving. So, this was her “corporate outing.” So, this was why she lied. I slowly stood up and followed them.

They didn’t leave the hotel; instead, they walked into the hotel’s ground-floor fine dining restaurant. Soft music played in the restaurant, the lighting was dim, and the atmosphere was perfect. A waiter led them to a window-side table. I found a corner table and sat down, hidden behind a large potted plant, from where I could see them perfectly. Marcus gallantly pulled out a chair for Chloe. Chloe sat down, looking up at him, her eyes sparkling like stars. “Marcus, you’re so good to me, I don’t know how I can ever repay you.” Marcus smiled, reaching out to stroke her hair. “Silly girl, just keep doing good work, that’s the best way to repay me.” “Your proposal this time was excellent. I’ve already put in a word upstairs; you’re a shoo-in for department head next quarter.” Chloe’s eyes lit up. “Really? Thank you, Marcus!” “No need to be so formal with me.” Marcus’s gaze was full of adoration. They ordered their meal and began to eat. Throughout the meal, Marcus kept dotingly placing food on Chloe’s plate, and Chloe ate like a pampered kitten, content and docile. Watching this scene, I felt like I was watching a romance movie. And I, was a mere audience member, not even a supporting character. I ordered the strongest whiskey and downed it in one gulp. The fiery liquid burned my throat, but couldn’t extinguish the fire in my heart. I took out my phone, aimed it at them, and pressed record. I wanted to record everything. I wanted her to see what kind of face she showed when she was with another man. Halfway through dinner, Marcus’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, frowned slightly, but answered it anyway. “Hello, honey.” The moment he spoke, Chloe’s face changed. “I’m out entertaining clients, having dinner.” “Yes, I might be home a bit late tonight.” “Okay, okay, I know, you go to bed early.” He hung up, a slightly awkward expression on his face. Chloe looked down, poking her steak with her fork, saying nothing. “What’s wrong?” Marcus asked her. Chloe looked up, her eyes red-rimmed. “Marcus, what exactly are we doing?” Marcus sighed, reaching out to hold her hand. “Chloe, just give me a little more time. There’s no more love between her and me, I’m in the process of getting a divorce.” “Once I sort things out at home, I’ll give you a proper title.” Chloe’s tears fell. “But I…” “No buts.” Marcus interrupted her. “I know you’re upset, but for our future, please bear with it a little longer, okay?” Chloe looked at him, then nodded. Marcus smiled with satisfaction, leaned in, and kissed her forehead. I stopped recording. Enough. This was already enough. I put down my glass, stood up, and prepared to leave this sickening place. Just as I turned, a commotion erupted at the restaurant entrance. A woman dressed in expensive clothes, accompanied by two bodyguards, stormed in, radiating fury. “Marcus Thorne!” The woman’s sharp voice pierced the restaurant’s tranquility.

The blood drained from Marcus’s face. He shot up, looking at the woman at the entrance, his eyes wide with panic. “How did you get here?” Chloe was also stunned, sitting there frozen, at a complete loss. The woman, her heels clicking on the floor, took a few quick steps to their table. She didn’t even glance at Marcus; her sharp eyes were fixed solely on Chloe. “So you’re the homewrecker who’s been seducing my husband?” The woman’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a chilling edge. All eyes in the restaurant turned to them. Chloe’s face was ashen, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word. “Honey, let me explain, it’s not what you think, this is my colleague, we…” Marcus frantically tried to explain. “Slap!” The woman’s hand swung, delivering a harsh slap across Marcus’s face. The crisp sound silenced the entire restaurant. “You shut up!” The woman pointed a finger at Marcus’s nose, yelling, “I knew something was off with you. I had someone follow you for half a month! And you still dare to tell me she’s a colleague?” She finished, then turned to Chloe, her eyes overflowing with scorn and rage. “You look decent enough, so why are you so utterly pathetic, needing to steal someone else’s husband?” Chloe trembled from head to toe, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls. “I didn’t… it’s not…” Her defense was painfully weak. “Still trying to deny it!” The woman grabbed a glass of red wine from the table and poured it directly over Chloe’s head. The crimson liquid ran down her hair and cheeks, soaking her beautiful dress, leaving her utterly disgraced. “Ah!” Chloe shrieked. “Marcus! Your wife is crazy!” She cried out to Marcus for help. Marcus stood beside her, his face ashen, but he dared not say a word. “I’m crazy?” The woman scoffed. “Today, I’ll show you just how crazy I can be!” With that, she gestured to the bodyguards behind her. The two bodyguards stepped forward and grabbed Chloe by the arms. “What are you doing! Let go of me!” Chloe struggled desperately. The surrounding diners began to whisper, some pulling out their phones to take pictures. I sat in the corner, coldly observing the farce. Was this Chloe’s idea of a “better life”? Was this the high branch she was willing to betray me for, to climb? How utterly laughable. The woman’s gaze swept across the restaurant, finally landing on me. Perhaps she thought that among everyone present, I was the most engrossed, the most calm. She walked towards me. Her high heels clicked on the floor, each step echoing like a blow to my heart. “Well, sir, enjoying the show?” She stood before me, looking down at me. I didn’t answer. Her gaze passed over me, landing on the large decorative mirror hanging on the wall behind me. In the mirror, the absurd scene was clearly reflected. And it also reflected Chloe’s tear-streaked face, filled with terror. Following the woman’s gaze, Chloe also saw me in the mirror. Our eyes met. Her pupils constricted sharply. The color drained from her face in an instant. It was a fear and despair even deeper than when she was caught in the act just moments before. She finally saw me. “Alex…” Chloe’s voice was an unsteady tremor. Marcus’s wife followed Chloe’s gaze, looked back at me, then at Chloe again, a cruel smile forming on her lips.

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It was my wedding day. Liam and I were exchanging rings when a small, ragged boy suddenly burst into the ballroom. He ran straight to me, crying his eyes out, “Mommy, I promise I’ll be good! Please don’t throw me away again, okay?” I stared at him, utterly stunned. The little boy actually bore a striking resemblance to me. The entire room erupted in whispers. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, Liam’s parents, looked like they were about to faint from anger. “We thought you were a decent, respectable woman! We never imagined you already had a child with someone else! This is marriage fraud!” Liam’s eyes were red-rimmed. “Anya, I was completely devoted to you. How could you do this to me?” Panic surged through me. I was about to defend myself. Then, a childish voice echoed in my mind. “Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, their acting is really good! This way, I won’t just get rid of the bastard label, I’ll also make sure this bad woman gets a terrible reputation!” I spun around in shock. The little boy was still wailing, wiping tears with his sleeve. He hadn’t said a word out loud. Was I hallucinating? But then, I heard his voice again. “Mommy told me to act as pathetic as possible, the more pathetic the better. For Mommy to have a good life, I have to make this bad woman’s reputation absolutely awful.” The chilling malice in his thoughts sent an involuntary shiver down my spine. A terrifying possibility flashed through my mind. Could it be… I was hearing his thoughts? At that moment, the little boy sniffled, stopping his cries. “Mommy used to say I was her favorite child…” “But then, she started dating.” “Every time she went out with an uncle, she’d lock me alone in the house. Several times I was so hungry I fainted. Luckily, a kind neighbor, Mrs. Thompson, gave me food.” The boy’s gaunt and sickly appearance drew pity from many in the crowd. They dabbed their eyes and began to scold me. “You’re a monster of a mother! You abandoned your own son just to date!” “Liam, you’re also to blame! You’ve been dating her for over a year, you must have gone to her place at least once, right? Didn’t you notice how pitiful this little boy was?” The boy shook his head timidly. “This uncle never came to our house… Mommy brought one… four…” He held up his fingers to count. “Mommy brought a lot of different guys over.” “But not this Uncle Liam, so it’s not Uncle Liam’s fault.” Those few words sent shockwaves through the room, like pouring cold water into a hot oil pan! The entire venue erupted. Stunned, disgusted, and hateful gazes swarmed me. Voices filled with malice bombarded my ears. “I can’t believe it! The bride’s dress is so conservative, but she’s secretly messing around like this.” “I thought Liam had found a good wife, but she’s a total slut!” Liam clutched his chest in anguish, repeatedly pounding it. “Anya! I cherished you, I indulged your every whim! You were hungry late at night for noodles, I drove an hour to get them for you. When you had period cramps, I left my clients and rushed home to bring you medicine.” “Why would you do this to me?” Everyone shook their heads. “Such a good man like Liam, he really got stuck with a rotten apple.” Eleanor Hayes, Liam’s mother, sobbed uncontrollably. “Anya Reed, you demanded an eight hundred eighty thousand wedding fund, and our family scraped together every penny without a second thought. “Tell us, what have we ever done to you that was wrong? How are we supposed to show our faces in public now?” Nasty remarks flooded the air. “Don’t marry a woman like that! Make her return all the wedding fund!” “Each table at this banquet costs thousands. I say, cancel the wedding, and Anya Reed should bear all the losses for the banquet!” Suddenly, I became the target of everyone’s scorn. The little boy peeked at me through the gaps in his fingers. His mouth was tightly shut. But his arrogant voice rang crystal clear in my head. “The bad woman’s reputation is stinking now, I’m truly Mommy’s good boy!” “We’ll be living in this bad woman’s big house soon!”

I was absolutely certain now; I could indeed hear his thoughts. So, he was actually Liam Hayes’s secret son?! This realization was like a knife gouging into my heart, twisting the flesh until it was a bloody mess. The fury of being deceived and manipulated overwhelmed me. My blood ran cold. I almost collapsed! At that critical moment, my best friend and bridesmaid, Chloe Davis, steadied me. She gently rubbed my back, her voice full of concern. “Anya, don’t be afraid. I believe you.” I squeezed her hand, tears welling in my eyes. Having moved thousands of miles away to marry, none of my parents, relatives, or friends were here. They had never approved of Liam. Only Chloe, my friend of just over a year, had said, “Anya, whatever you do, I’ll support you unconditionally. Don’t worry about marrying far away; I’ll find a job here and stay with you.” Now, surrounded by hostility, she was the only one standing by me. My throat tightened. “Thank goodness for you.” Chloe stepped forward, took the microphone from the MC, Mark, and declared loudly: “Everyone, don’t be fooled by a random little boy! He claims to be Anya’s child, but what proof does he have?” “I think he must have mistaken her for someone else.” The little boy’s lip quivered, and he started crying again. Through his sobs, he cried out: “How could I mistake my own mommy?” “I… I have a photo with Mommy!” He pulled a photograph from his backpack. In it, a woman was holding him, smiling at the camera. My pupils constricted. The woman looked almost exactly like me! Before I could speak, Chloe quickly interjected, “Composite technology is so advanced these days, this must be an AI-generated image!” I looked at her gratefully. I remembered when we first met, my parents, with their traditional views, had judged her heavy makeup and wild, brightly colored hair, saying she didn’t look like a “good influence.” But now, everyone else was against me, and she believed me without hesitation. Just then, a man in a plaid shirt at one of the tables raised his hand. “I’ve been in computer-related work for over a decade, and I’m also a professional photographer. I can tell if it’s a composite at a glance.” The guests instinctively parted, clearing a path for him. Mr. Davies took the photo from the little boy, carefully examined it against the light, and then gave a definitive answer. “This photo is real!” I instinctively held my breath, trying to listen for the little boy’s thoughts. But this time, he said nothing. He just furiously suppressed the triumphant smirk on his lips. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm, and shook my head, denying, “No… that’s not me at all!” “It is you!” A strong, clear voice rang out from the entrance. It was a distinguished-looking middle-aged woman. The little boy turned and, seeing her, sprinted over. “Ms. Jenkins!” The woman stroked his hair, her voice full of sympathy. “Good boy, you’ve been through so much. Don’t be afraid, I’ll vouch for you.” She walked towards the stage microphone. “I live right across from them. I have a security camera installed at my front door. I can prove that Leo’s mother is Ms. Anya Reed, right there on stage.” “I can also prove that Leo’s claims of abuse and her promiscuous behavior are all true!” Someone in the crowd recognized her. “That’s Ms. Jenkins, the Dean of Students from Northwood High! She’s an upright woman who hates lies!” “I know her too! If Dean Jenkins says it, it must be true!” My heart sank. My pulse quickened. As Ms. Jenkins projected the security footage from her phone onto the large screen. The entire hotel ballroom erupted once again.

“They were kissing right at the entrance! How desperate can you be?” “And those men she’s kissing, they’re not even the same person!” “She picked up a mop and started hitting the little boy! She was really laying into him!” “How can a mother be like this? My heart aches for that little boy. He was crying and apologizing, but that woman hit him even harder!” In the video, the little boy cried out, “Mommy… Mommy, I’m sorry, it’s my fault! I was just so hungry that I ate the bread Mrs. Jenkins gave me. I won’t do it again, please forgive me!” “Mommy, it hurts so much, please don’t hit me anymore, Mommy, I beg you!” … The surveillance video hit me like a sledgehammer, leaving my mind almost blank. Just then, I heard the little boy’s thoughts again. “The bad woman would never guess that my mommy just happens to look exactly like her!” “And my mommy is here at the wedding too today!” Like a drowning person clutching at a lifeline, I grabbed onto the only hope I had. Without thinking, I blurted out. “It’s his mother who looks exactly like me, and she’s here in the room!” Silence fell over the hall for a moment. A fleeting look of panic crossed the little boy’s face. But he recovered quickly, his eyes quickly welling up with tears. “Mommy, I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have come today… I just missed you so much…” “I’ll leave right now… I won’t ruin your wedding with Uncle Liam…” “Mommy… I hope you’ll be happy.” My eyes were practically spitting fire. If I weren’t the one involved, if I couldn’t hear his thoughts. With the little boy’s brilliant acting, I would have been fooled and cursed the person who abandoned him! *Bang!* Among the guests, someone, in a fit of rage, threw a soda can at me. The metal cut my forehead, a burning, stinging pain. “You’re such a liar! Where is she? This person who looks exactly like you, find her! Show her to us!” I covered my forehead, blood seeping through my fingers. With that person taking the lead, many guests began grabbing bottles from the tables and throwing them at me. In a desperate move, I opened an umbrella from the side of the stage, barely deflecting some of the attacks. I was utterly humiliated. Listening to the indignant guests below. “Abuse, abandonment, and cheating on Liam! Damn, this woman is trash!” “Liam, if you’re a real man, call off this wedding, or none of us brothers will ever respect you again!” “That’s right, call it off!” Hiding behind the umbrella, I spoke into the microphone with a cold voice: “This little boy is around six years old. Six years ago, I was still attending university in this city. There are many of my alumni here today. As the student council president, I hosted events almost every week.” “Tell me, has any of you ever seen me pregnant?” The hall fell silent. Someone raised a hand. “I was Anya Reed’s classmate. I can confirm she never took extended leave from school.” Another person stood up. “Yes, Anya was active in various campus activities almost every day, except for the winter and summer breaks.” I felt a slight sense of relief. Then, a familiar voice rang out from behind me. “So, what you’re saying is, Anya had the baby during a break?!” I spun around abruptly. A chill spread from my feet upwards. I looked at Chloe, my best friend, a smile plastered on her face as she continued, “If she gave birth in winter, Anya is so thin, a heavy coat would have easily hidden it. If she had a baby during winter break, and then returned to school after her confinement period…” At that point, Chloe gasped, “Anya, could this possibly be the child you had out of wedlock during college?”

She acted as if she’d just realized her mistake, immediately covering her mouth and giving me an apologetic look. “I’m so sorry, Anya… I absolutely believe you…” All eyes fell on me again. In an instant, I felt like I was stranded on a desert island. And then, an even more shocking revelation echoed in my mind. “Mommy is so smart! She pretended to be the bad woman’s best friend, just to deliver a crushing blow today!” “To make sure Ms. Jenkins’ security camera captured the evidence, Mommy deliberately got the same blonde curly hair as the bad woman and put on that act with me.” “And all those heavy makeups and brightly colored wigs, just so the bad woman wouldn’t recognize her… Poor Mommy.” This news hit me like a massive boulder thrown into water, stirring up a storm in my heart. I blinked my dry eyes, slowly surveying the room. “Since you’re all so convinced this little boy is my child, fine. I demand a live DNA test.” “At the same time, I also demand that Liam and this child undergo a DNA test!” My words rang out, clear and firm. “If he truly is my child, I will get on my knees and apologize to everyone! The wedding banquet will be canceled, and I will bear all expenses myself!” To my surprise, Liam and his parents agreed without hesitation. “Good, I don’t want to wrongly accuse you either. Anya,” Liam looked at me steadily, “if the child isn’t yours, then for the rest of my life, all my assets, even my very life, are yours.” “Consider it my compensation to you.” For a fleeting moment, I wondered if the thoughts I’d heard were just my imagination. But the little boy’s malicious voice quickly pulled me back to reality. “I can’t wait! Once this woman leaves, humiliated, the money Dad and she put into the pre-marital loyalty fund will all be ours!” It was like a beam of light cutting through a thick fog. I finally understood the real reason behind the Hayes family’s elaborate scheme at the wedding! My teeth gnashed audibly. A six-year-old secret son, framing me at my wedding, and trying to steal all my savings and my house! And Chloe, my supposed best friend, her approach from the very beginning had been full of ulterior motives! A surging wave of anger threatened to drown me. I took a deep breath, struggling to remain calm. My hand trembled as I pointed at Chloe. “Furthermore, I also demand that Chloe undergo a paternity test with this boy!” “Because,” I strode over, grabbing a handful of Chloe’s hair, revealing the same hairstyle and color as mine underneath. Then I grabbed a bucket of water, prepared for a wedding game, and splashed it onto her face. “She looks exactly like me. I suspect she is the boy’s real mother!” When Chloe’s true face appeared before everyone, Many gasped sharply. “Aren’t they twins? They look so alike!”

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It was a rainy night. I left work early and headed home. The moment the key slid into the lock, I heard it – sounds from our bedroom. Muffled moans, ragged breaths. My hand froze mid-air. Brooke had said she was working late tonight, wouldn’t be home for dinner. But now, there were clearly two people in our bedroom. I pushed the door open quietly. The living room was a mess. A pair of women’s heels tossed carelessly by the entrance, a man’s dress shoes slumped beside the sofa. On the coffee table, two red wine glasses with dark, crimson residue. The bedroom door was slightly ajar, and the sounds grew clearer. “Brooke, you’re so wet… He can’t satisfy you at all.” That voice. I knew it all too well. Ryan, my best friend since childhood, my colleague, the man I trusted most. “Don’t talk about him. Let’s just enjoy ourselves…” Brooke’s voice was so alluring, so *foreign* to me. I’d never once heard her speak to me in that tone. In our three years of marriage, she’d always been distant, cold, as if simply going through the motions. But now, in another man’s arms, her voice was sweet as honey. I pushed the bedroom door wide open. The two people on the bed instantly froze. Brooke shrieked, scrambling to pull the duvet over herself. Ryan rolled over, his face a roadmap of guilt and embarrassment. “Alex, let me explain…” “Explain what?” My voice was eerily calm, even to my own ears. By all rights, I should’ve been roaring, raging, maybe even grabbing a knife. But I just stood there, staring coldly at them. “Alex, we…” “We didn’t do anything!” Brooke cut Ryan off, her voice sharp enough to scrape paint. I laughed. I laughed until my eyes stung with unshed tears. “Didn’t do anything? So you two were naked in my bed, discussing work?” Brooke’s face instantly flushed crimson. Ryan scrambled out of bed, fumbling into his clothes. “Alex, man, this whole thing…” “Man?” I repeated the word, each syllable chilling the air. “Ryan, we’ve known each other for twenty years. Do you really think I’ll ever call you ‘man’ again?” He froze, the shirt in his hand dropping to the floor. I turned to Brooke. The woman I’d loved for five years, married for three. She huddled in the duvet, her eyes darting away, unable to meet mine. “Brooke, I’m asking you, how many times has this happened?” “How many times? I told you, we didn’t do anything!” She was still trying to deny it. I walked to the dresser and pulled open the top drawer. Inside was a box of condoms, clearly well-used. I picked up the box and shook it at her. “Are these ‘work supplies’ too?” Brooke’s face went completely white. Ryan was dressed and trying to sneak away. “Stop!” I called out to him. “Ryan, you think you can just *walk away*?” “Alex, we…” “We’re nothing to each other anymore.” I looked at the man who’d been my brother since childhood. We went to school together, got into fights, got punished by teachers. We were roommates in college. After graduation, I recommended him for a job at our company. I treated him like my own brother, and he was sleeping with my wife in my bed. “You two carry on. I’m leaving.” I turned and walked out. “Alex!” Brooke jumped out of bed, naked, and ran after me, grabbing my arm. I shook her hand off. “Don’t touch me. You’re tainted.” The words slapped her across the face. She froze there, her eyes instantly welling up. “Alex Greene, what right do you have to say that to me?” “What else do you even *do* besides work? All you care about is making money!” “When did you ever care about me? When did you ever spend time with me?” “Ryan at least knows how to make me happy, he buys me presents, he takes me to the movies!” “And you? What else can you offer me besides money?” I stopped and turned back to her. This woman standing before me, accusing me. The woman I poured my entire salary into every month, bought designer bags for, funded her entire lifestyle. The woman I thought was my wife. “Brooke, you’re right.” “I really can’t give you anything but money.” “But starting today, I won’t even be giving you that anymore.” I walked out of the house without looking back. The rain was still falling, icy cold on my face. I stood by the apartment complex entrance, unsure where to go. This place I’d called home for three years suddenly felt alien. That place I thought was my home, turned out to be only *my* home. My phone rang. It was Ryan. I ignored it. It rang again. Still him. I turned it off. Rainwater dripped down my hair into my eyes, salty, like tears. But I didn’t cry. I just felt tired. So incredibly tired. Tired enough to lie down on the ground and never get up. But I couldn’t. I still had things to do. I was going to make them understand the cost of betraying me.

I stayed at a nearby hotel for the night. I didn’t sleep a wink, my mind replaying the scene from earlier. At dawn, instead of going straight to the office, I went to a private investigation agency. “Mr. Greene, I understand your situation.” The detective was a middle-aged man, Mr. Davis, who looked very professional. “We have extensive experience with infidelity cases.” “However, I must warn you, some truths can be far more brutal than you anticipate.” “I want the whole truth.” I pushed my bank card across the desk. “No matter how brutal, I need to know everything.” Mr. Davis nodded, taking the card. “Give me a week.” After leaving the detective agency, I went to the office. Ryan was already there. Seeing me enter, he immediately stood up. “Alex, about last night…” “During work hours, address me as Mr. Greene.” I sat down at my desk and opened my laptop. “Mr. Greene, can we talk?” He walked over, his voice barely a whisper. “Talk about what? Project progress?” I stared at the screen without looking up. “Alex, don’t be like this. We’re friends…” “I said, during work hours, address me as Mr. Greene.” “And please, stay away from me. I’m worried about catching something contagious.” Coworkers started noticing the tension between us. Ryan’s face flushed crimson, and he retreated awkwardly to his desk. At lunch, he followed me again. “Alex, I know you’re angry, but…” “But what? But you couldn’t help yourself?” I stopped and looked at him. “Ryan, tell me, how long has this been going on?” “How long has what been going on?” “Don’t play dumb. You and Brooke, how long?” He lowered his head, unable to meet my gaze. “Over a year…” Over a year. That meant they started their affair just two years into my marriage. And I, like a complete fool, still considered him my best friend. I often invited him over for dinner, had Brooke cook his favorite meals. Turns out, those dinner invitations were just creating opportunities for them. “Alex, listen to me…” “What else do you want to say? That you two are true love?” I sneered. “That you’re in love, so I should just bless your union?” “No, that’s not it. Brooke and I…” “Your relationship means nothing to me.” I looked him in the eye. “But you betrayed me. I won’t forget that.” “Alex…” “And don’t call me Alex. We’re not close.” After work, I didn’t go home. Brooke called me over a dozen times, but I didn’t answer. Finally, she sent a text: “Alex, let’s talk. This isn’t as serious as you think.” Not as serious as I think? My wife cheating on me with my best friend isn’t serious? What *is* serious then? I texted back eight words: “Nothing to discuss. Prepare for divorce.” She immediately called. I hung up. She called again. I hung up again. Finally, I blocked her on SnapChat. The next morning, Brooke was waiting for me outside the office building. She had on a pristine full face of makeup and the Chanel coat I’d bought her. She looked truly miserable. “Alex, why aren’t you answering my calls?” “We’re married. Can’t we just talk things out?” Passersby and our coworkers were all staring. I didn’t want to make a spectacle right outside the office. “Follow me.” I led her to a nearby coffee shop. “Alright, what do you want to talk about?” “Alex, what happened yesterday was an accident.” Brooke reached for my hand. “Ryan had too much to drink, and so did I. We weren’t thinking clearly.” “It was a mistake, a moment of weakness. Don’t take it seriously.” I pulled my hand away. “A moment of weakness? A year-long moment of weakness?” She froze. “How… how did you know?” “Do you think I’m stupid, Brooke?” I looked at her. “Brooke, we’ve been married for three years, and you’ve been cheating for over a year.” “That means our *actual* marriage lasted less than two years.” “And in those less than two years, you never loved me anyway.” She tried to argue, but her mouth opened and closed, and nothing came out. Because I was speaking the truth. Our marriage was a mistake from the start. She pursued me in college, and I thought she liked me. After graduation, she wanted to get married, and I thought she loved me. But now I understood. All she wanted was a man who could provide a stable life. A man who was reliable, decent, and easy to control. And Ryan, he offered her passion and romance. Things I apparently couldn’t provide. “Alex, I admit I made a mistake.” “But we can still start over.” “I’ll change. I’ll cut off all contact with Ryan.” “We can live happily. We can just pretend nothing happened.” I laughed. Just pretend nothing happened? What does she think I am? A doormat? Her personal garbage disposal? To be thrown out and picked up whenever she pleased? “Brooke, do you really think that’s possible?” “Every night, I’ll lie in bed, wondering what you and he did on that bed.” “Every time I see you, I’ll remember that night’s scene.” “Do you really think I can live a normal life with you anymore?” Her face grew paler and paler. “So, what do you want?” “A divorce.” I said it so casually, as if discussing what to have for dinner. “We’ll sell the house, split the money evenly.” “Everything else will be divided too.” “From now on, we’ll be strangers.” Brooke jumped to her feet. “Alex Greene, don’t go too far!” “You bought the house, yes, but I’ve contributed for three years too!” “I did the laundry, cooked, cleaned the house – doesn’t that count for anything?” “And who do you think you’ll find better than me? Without me?” “Look at yourself, what else can you do besides make money?” “Boring, bland, emotionless. What woman would ever truly want you?” Her words were like daggers, piercing my heart. But I didn’t argue. Because she was right. I was boring, bland, and emotionless. That’s why she cheated. That’s why my best friend betrayed me. That’s why I felt like a joke. “You’re right.” I stood up. “Precisely because I’m like this, you should be relieved.” “Leaving me is your escape.” “You can go find those ‘interesting’ men, like Ryan.” “He’ll be leaving the company soon. You two can finally be together, happily ever after.” With that, I turned and walked out. “Alex!” She screamed my name from behind me. I didn’t look back. I knew what she wanted to say. Threats, pleas, or more insults. But it was all useless. My heart felt dead. Dead to her, dead to this marriage, dead to this so-called love. — PAYWALL —

Three days later, Mr. Davis called me. “Mr. Greene, the investigation results are in.” “However, this situation is quite complex. I recommend you come in.” I put down my work and went straight to the detective agency. Mr. Davis handed me a thick file. “Mr. Greene, are you prepared for what’s inside?” I nodded, opening the file. Inside was a thick stack of photos and documents. The first photo made me freeze. It was Brooke and Ryan at a hotel entrance, dated a year and a half ago. Which meant their relationship started even earlier than Ryan had admitted. I continued to flip through. Photos from every angle, every location, every time of day. Hotels, restaurants, cinemas, parks. They were dating, dining, watching movies like a normal couple. And me? I was at home, waiting for her, making her late-night snacks. “Mr. Greene, according to our investigation, your wife and Mr. Ryan’s relationship has indeed been ongoing for about a year and a half.” Mr. Davis pointed to the photos. “And judging by the frequency, they met more than three times a week.” “Sometimes during lunchtime on weekdays, sometimes in the evenings.” “Your wife often used working late as an excuse to meet him.” More than three times a week. That meant she spent more time with him than she did with me. I kept flipping through the photos. Suddenly, I saw a picture that filled me with absolute fury. It was taken the day after our wedding anniversary. I remembered I’d worked late that night, and Brooke said she was meeting up with girlfriends. But in the photo, she and Ryan were embracing and kissing at our favorite restaurant. She was wearing the necklace I’d given her, the dress I’d bought her. Using *my* money to go on dates with another man. “This isn’t even the worst of it.” Mr. Davis flipped to another page. “Look at this.” It was a stack of hotel receipts. Starting from a year and a half ago, there was one almost every month. The room fees were all paid with Brooke’s credit card. My secondary card, to be exact. Which meant she was using *my* money to book hotel rooms with another man. My hands started to tremble. Not from rage, but from a terrifying calmness after reaching the peak of fury. “Is there anything worse?” My voice sounded unnervingly steady. Mr. Davis hesitated. “There’s one more thing that might be a significant blow.” “Tell me.” “Based on our surveillance, your wife and Mr. Ryan have been looking at houses.” “More specifically, they were looking at houses… for their wedding.” I froze. “What do you mean?” “They plan to get married and are preparing a new home.” Mr. Davis handed me another document. “These are their house viewing records, and the real estate agent’s SnapChat messages.” “Your wife told the agent she would be divorcing soon and needed a new house for her wedding.” I read through the SnapChat messages. Brooke wrote that her husband was a boring man, incapable of anything but making money. She’d been waiting for the right moment to divorce. Now she’d finally found true love and was ready to start a new life. The agent even wished her happiness. “And this.” Mr. Davis handed me another printout. It was a screenshot of Brooke’s SnapChat conversation with her best friend. “‘I’m sick of Alex. All he cares about is work and money, no romance whatsoever. Ryan’s different; he knows how to enjoy life, how to treat a woman right. Now, every day I just look forward to seeing him. Being with Alex feels like visiting a graveyard.’ And then: ‘Once I get half the house and the savings, I’m telling Alex everything. He’s such an honest fool, he’ll definitely split everything with me.’” Reading that, I finally understood. This wasn’t just an affair; it was a conspiracy. She wanted to take our shared assets and start a new life with Ryan. And I? I was just a tool in her plan. A cash cow, a temporary placeholder. Once she’d squeezed all the value out of me, she’d kick me to the curb. “Mr. Greene, are you alright?” Mr. Davis asked, concerned. I shook my head. “I’m fine. I’m *great*.” I gathered all the documents and put them back in the file. “Mr. Davis, can these documents be used as evidence in court?” “Yes, they can. We have a professional notarization process.” “Then please arrange that.” I stood up. “Also, I have another request.” “Go ahead.” “Please investigate Ryan’s background, including his financial status, personal debts, and any professional misconduct.” “I want all the dirt on him.” Mr. Davis nodded. “Understood. That should take about a week.” After leaving the detective agency, I didn’t go straight back to the office. Instead, I went to a law firm. “Mr. Greene, based on the evidence you’ve provided, you have a significant advantage in this divorce case.” The lawyer said after reviewing the documents. “However, I advise you not to confront her immediately.” “First, secure your assets to prevent her from transferring them.” “Then, officially file for divorce.” I nodded. “Please help me with that.” “I want her to leave with absolutely nothing.” The lawyer paused. “Mr. Greene, according to family law, even in cases of infidelity, asset division won’t be drastically different…” “She used my money to book hotel rooms with another man. Does that count as misappropriation of marital assets?” I cut him off. “Furthermore, she was planning to transfer assets, and I have evidence of that.” The lawyer reviewed the documents again. “In that case, you can definitely secure more of your rights.” “I will devise a detailed strategy for you.” It was already afternoon when I returned to the office. Ryan saw me and immediately walked over. “Alex, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you all morning.” “Personal business.” I sat down and resumed my work. “Alex, about Brooke…” “I said, personal business.” I didn’t look up. “Also, you’ll be responsible for the project report next week.” “Huh? I thought we agreed you’d do it?” “Plans change.” I looked at him. “Your performance hasn’t been great lately. This will be good experience for you.” Ryan’s face clouded over. The project report was a thankless task, requiring extensive preparation and carrying significant responsibility. If anything went wrong, it would be his fault. “Alex, are you doing this on purpose?” He asked in a low voice. I stopped typing and looked at him. “Ryan, are you questioning my professional judgment?” “No, I just feel…” “Feel what? That because we’re friends, I should go easy on you?” I stood up, raising my voice slightly. Coworkers around us looked over. “Ryan, I’m going to say this again: in this company, I am your direct superior.” “You are simply to execute orders. You don’t have the right to negotiate.” “If you have an issue, you can complain to upper management.” Ryan’s face flushed crimson. He wanted to say something, but ultimately just nodded. “I understand, Mr. Greene.” Watching him fume, I felt a twisted sense of satisfaction. This was just the beginning. I was going to make them understand the cost of betraying me. And there would be more.

That weekend, I didn’t go home. Brooke had sent me countless messages, from apologies to pleas to threats. I didn’t reply to a single one. I stayed in my hotel room, organizing the information I’d gathered. The detective’s report, the lawyer’s litigation plan, and some insights I’d discovered myself. Brooke didn’t know it, but I knew far more about her and Ryan than they could ever imagine. For example, Ryan actually had another girlfriend, working in another city. They’d been dating for three years, and her family was pressing them to get married. But Ryan kept stalling, saying he was too busy with work. It was all because of Brooke. He was stringing two women along, enjoying Brooke’s company while maintaining his relationship with his girlfriend. A classic scumbag move. Another example: Ryan had recently lost a lot of money on the stock market. He’d secretly been taking cash advances on his credit cards to play the market and was now heavily in debt. His monthly salary wasn’t even enough to cover his credit card payments. He’d been frequently asking Brooke for money, claiming it was for investment projects. But Brooke didn’t know that the money she gave him was just going to fill the holes in his stock market losses. Also, Ryan actually had a terrible reputation at work. He often shirked responsibility, blaming others when problems arose. There were several times when projects went wrong, and I was the one who bailed him out. Coworkers were polite to him on the surface, but secretly, they all looked down on him. All this information, I’d observed and accumulated over the years. Before, I considered him a friend, so I tolerated it. Now, all of it became my weapon. My phone rang. It was Brooke. I hesitated for a moment, then answered. “Alex, you finally answered!” Her voice was choked with sobs. “Where have you been these past few days? I’ve been so worried about you.” “Worried about me?” I sneered. “Worried I’d die and you wouldn’t get your share of the assets?” “Alex, how can you say that to me?” “I genuinely care about you.” “I’ve been reflecting these past few days. I know I made a mistake.” “I’m willing to change. Can we please start over?” Her acting was still so good. If I hadn’t seen those SnapChat messages, I might have actually fallen for it. But now, I just felt sick to my stomach. “Brooke, do you really think we still have a chance?” “Of course, we do! We’re married. What challenge can’t we overcome?” “I’ve already made things clear with Ryan. We won’t see each other again.” “I’ll delete his contacts, change jobs, move – whatever you ask.” “Just please forgive me.” She spoke tearfully, and if I hadn’t seen the evidence with my own eyes, I really would have been moved. But now, I just felt nauseated. “Alright, I’ll give you a chance.” I intentionally softened my tone. “Really? Alex, I knew you loved me most!” “But I have a condition.” “What condition? Tell me, I’ll do anything.” “I want to see all your SnapChat messages with Ryan from the past year and a half.” The other end of the line went silent. “And all your hotel receipts, date photos, everything.” “If you truly want to start over, there should be no secrets.” “Alex, this…” “What? Can’t do it?” “It’s not that I can’t, it’s just that I don’t think it’s necessary…” “Then there’s nothing more to discuss.” I was about to hang up. “Wait!” She quickly called out to me. “I can show you, but you can’t get angry when you see them.” “I won’t get angry.” My voice was as calm as still water. “I just want the truth.” “Okay, I’ll come home tonight. We can talk things through properly.” I hung up the phone and sneered. Brooke thought she could still manipulate my emotions. She didn’t know that I was completely over her. Tonight, she would show me some “carefully selected” SnapChat messages. Deleting the most vicious ones, keeping some that looked “harmless.” Then she’d cry and say she was just misled by Ryan, and now she realizes her mistake. A classic cheater’s playbook. Too bad I’d already seen the full version. At 8 PM, I returned home. Brooke had cooked a table full of food, waiting for me. All my favorite dishes, the aroma filling the air. She was wearing loungewear, with light makeup, looking gentle and virtuous. In the past, I would have been touched by such warmth. Now, I just wanted to end this charade quickly. “Alex, you’re back.” She came forward, trying to hug me. I sidestepped her. “The documents?” Her smile faltered slightly. “Let’s eat first. The food’s getting cold.” “I’m not hungry. The documents?” I sat directly on the sofa. Brooke bit her lip, then pulled out her phone from her bag. “Alex, let me just say, these messages might make you uncomfortable…” “Hand it over.” I held out my hand. She handed me the phone, her voice trembling: “Don’t get too upset when you read them. A lot of those were just said in anger…” I took the phone and started scrolling through the messages. As expected, they had been filtered. All the vicious remarks were gone, leaving only phrases like “I’m so conflicted,” or “I feel terrible about Alex.” It made it seem like she was truly suffering from guilt and remorse over the affair. “That’s all?” I handed the phone back to her. “Yes, that’s all.” She watched my expression nervously. “Alex, you see? Even though I made a mistake, you’ve always been in my heart…” “Brooke.” I cut her off. “Do you really think I’m that easy to fool?” She froze. “What do you mean?” I pulled out my phone and displayed the SnapChat screenshots Mr. Davis had sent me. “Look at this.” The moment she saw the screenshot, her face went instantly white. It was the full, unedited SnapChat conversation between her and her best friend. Including the line where she said being with me felt “like visiting a graveyard.” “Alex, this… where did this come from?” “It doesn’t matter.” I put my phone away. “What matters is that you’re still lying to me, even now.” “I gave you a chance to be honest, and you chose to continue deceiving me.” “Alex, I can explain…” “No need to explain.” I stood up. “Brooke, we’re getting a divorce.” “Tomorrow, I’ll have my lawyer draw up the agreement.” “I want the house, I want the car, and I want the savings.” “You’ll leave with absolutely nothing.” Her eyes widened in disbelief. “Alex, have you gone crazy?” “Why should I leave with nothing?” “Because you cheated, and because you used our marital assets to book hotel rooms with another man.” I pulled out the hotel receipts. “These are all evidence, more than enough to make you lose in court.” Brooke stared at the records, her body beginning to tremble. “Alex, we were married. You can’t do this to me…” “Married?” I sneered. “Do spouses betray each other? Do spouses deceive each other?” “Brooke, you stopped treating me like a husband a long time ago.” “And now you’re remembering we were married?” She suddenly threw herself at my feet, clutching my legs. “Alex, I was wrong, I was truly wrong!” “Please give me another chance. I promise I’ll change!” “I’ll cut off all contact with Ryan, I’ll never see him again!” Watching her tear-streaked face, my heart remained utterly unmoved. How many times had she cried those same tears for Ryan? “Brooke, do you know what ‘too late’ means?” I crouched down, looking into her eyes. “It means it’s over.” “You missed your chance to be honest, and you missed your chance to apologize.” “Now, you don’t even have a chance to beg for mercy.” I stood up, dusting off my pants. “Think about it carefully. Either an amicable divorce agreement, or we’ll see each other in court.” “I’ll give you three days.” With that, I turned and walked out. “Alex Greene!” She screamed my name, utterly broken. “You heartless man!” “I gave you three years of my youth, and this is how you treat me?” “You’ll regret this! You definitely will!” I walked out of the house without looking back. Regret? My only regret was not seeing her true colors sooner.

Monday morning, my mood was surprisingly good. My colleagues sensed the change and asked if I had good news. I just smiled and didn’t explain. Ryan, on the other hand, looked preoccupied, stealing glances at me from time to time. Brooke must have told him about the divorce. At 10 AM, Ryan walked to my desk. “Alex, can we step out and talk?” “During work hours, if you have something to say, say it here.” I didn’t look up. “It’s… not very convenient.” He glanced at the surrounding colleagues. “Then there’s nothing to discuss.” I continued typing. “Alex!” He grew agitated, his voice rising. Everyone in the office looked over. “What is it, Ryan?” I looked up, feigning innocence. “Is there a problem?” He wanted to say something, but seeing so many eyes on him, he swallowed his words. “No… nothing.” “Then go back to work.” I lowered my head again. “Oh, and the project report I assigned you last week is due tomorrow.” “How’s it coming along?” Ryan’s face instantly went white. He’d been so wrapped up in Brooke’s affairs these past few days that he hadn’t focused on work at all. Not a single word of the project report was prepared. “I… I’m still organizing it…” “Oh, well, better get on it.” I checked my watch. “You have twenty-four hours. That should be enough time.” Ryan gritted his teeth and returned to his desk. I knew he hated me, but he didn’t dare act on it. At the company, I was his direct superior. Plus, he was guilty and didn’t want to escalate the situation. At lunch, Ryan followed me again. “Alex, please, let’s find somewhere to talk.” His voice was pleading. I looked at him, then nodded. “Fine. Conference room.” There were only two of us in the conference room. Ryan closed the door and turned to face me. “Alex, Brooke told me everything.” “Told you what?” “About the divorce.” He took a deep breath. “I know you hate me, but please don’t make things difficult for Brooke.” “She’s innocent. It’s all my fault.” I almost burst out laughing. Now he wanted to protect Brooke? “Ryan, do you really think you’re a knight in shining armor?” “No, I’m not. I just don’t want to see Brooke get hurt.” “Then why didn’t you think about hurting her family when you cheated?” I looked at him. “Or did you just assume I didn’t deserve consideration?” He froze, opening his mouth to speak but failing. “Let me tell you, what happens between me and Brooke has nothing to do with you.” I stood up. “You should be more concerned about yourself right now.” “Myself?” “Yes, yourself.” I looked at him, my eyes devoid of emotion. “Ryan, do you think betraying me comes without a price?” His expression changed. “Alex, what are you going to do?” “You’ll find out soon enough.” I patted his shoulder. “Oh, and don’t forget tomorrow’s report.” “Mess it up, and your quarterly performance bonus is gone.” With that, I pushed the door open, leaving Ryan alone in the conference room. At 3 PM, I received a call from my lawyer. “Mr. Greene, the asset protection measures are in place.” “All accounts under your wife’s name have been frozen.” “Additionally, a mortgage has been registered on the property deed, preventing her from disposing of it privately.” These were measures to prevent Brooke from transferring assets. Though aggressive, they were highly effective. “She should have received the notification by now,” the lawyer continued. “I expect she’ll contact you very soon.” Indeed, less than half an hour later, Brooke called. “Alex Greene, what the hell are you trying to do?” Her voice was furious. “Why did you freeze my accounts? Why can’t I withdraw any money?” “Because half of that money is mine.” I said calmly. “You have no right to dispose of marital assets before the divorce agreement is signed.” “You’re insane! How am I supposed to live?” “That’s not my problem.” “Alex Greene! You’re going too far!” “I’m going too far?” I sneered. “Brooke, when you were using my money to book hotel rooms with another man, did you think that was ‘too far’?” “When you were planning to take half my assets and marry someone else, did you think that was ‘too far’?” The other end of the line went silent. “I… I wasn’t planning to marry anyone else…” “No? Then what about that condo in [upscale neighborhood] you and Ryan were looking at?” She was utterly speechless. “Brooke, you still have two days left of the three-day deadline I gave you.” “Let me know your decision.” I hung up. My phone immediately rang again. It was Ryan. “Alex, listen to me…” I hung up directly. He called again, and I hung up again. Finally, I turned off my phone. The next morning, Ryan, as expected, hadn’t prepared the project report. “Ryan, where are the documents?” I asked him in the conference room. “I’m sorry, Mr. Greene, I… I was last night…” “Last night what?” “I… I wasn’t feeling well…” “So, being ‘unwell’ means you’re exempt from your responsibilities?” I looked at the other colleagues present. “Colleagues, do you think feeling unwell is an excuse for not completing your work?” Everyone shook their heads. In this situation, no one would stand up for Ryan. “Ryan, as a core member of this project team, you failed to complete the report on time.” “This will affect the entire project’s progress.” “I am officially issuing you a warning.” “Any similar occurrences will result in further disciplinary action.” Ryan’s face flushed crimson, but he didn’t dare argue. Because I was speaking the truth. He simply hadn’t done his job. After the meeting, Ryan followed me. “Alex, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?” “Doing what on purpose?” “You’re deliberately messing with me! Because of Brooke!” I stopped and looked at him. “Ryan, are you suffering from delusions of persecution?” “What do you mean, I’m deliberately messing with you?” “The report was assigned a week ago. This is normal work procedure.” “You failed to complete it, and I’m giving you a warning. This is normal management procedure.” “Where exactly is the problem?” He tried to argue, but couldn’t find a reason. Because procedurally, I had done nothing wrong. “Also, from now on, do not discuss personal matters in the office.” I continued. “This is a workplace, not your private chat room.” “If it happens again, I’ll consider reassigning your duties.” With that, I turned and walked away. Ryan stood rooted to the spot, his fists clenched at his sides. But he didn’t dare act on his anger. Because he was guilty, and he knew it. More importantly, he was now a fish on a chopping block, completely at my mercy. In the afternoon, Brooke called me again. “Alex, let’s meet.” Her voice sounded utterly drained. “I’ve thought it through. I agree to the divorce settlement.” “Good. Tomorrow at 3 PM, at the lawyer’s office.” “No, Alex, I mean…” “Mean what?” “I agree to the divorce, but the asset division…” “Fifty-fifty.” I cut her off. “Brooke, you have no room for negotiation.” “Either accept, or we’ll see each other in court.” “But…” “No buts.” I hung up. Ten minutes later, Ryan stormed to my office desk. “Alex Greene, you can’t do this to Brooke!” The office instantly fell silent. Everyone stared at us. I slowly looked up at him. “Ryan, I warned you not to discuss personal matters in the office.” “I don’t care what’s private or not private! You’re just getting revenge!” His voice was loud enough for the entire floor to hear. “You’re abusing your power to get back at me, and you’re making Brooke leave with nothing!” “What’s the point of this?” People in the office started whispering. Though they didn’t know the exact details, they all guessed the general situation. I stood up, my voice calm: “Ryan, you are shouting loudly in the workplace, disrupting your colleagues’ work.” “You are suspended, effective immediately.” “What?” “Pack your things immediately and leave the company.” “Await further notice from HR.” Ryan froze. He hadn’t expected me to suspend him outright. “Alex Greene, you can’t do this!” “I can. Because I am your direct superior.” I looked at him. “And your behavior just now constitutes serious misconduct.” “Security!” I called out to the door. Two security guards walked in. “Please escort this gentleman out.” Ryan looked at me, his eyes filled with rage and resentment. But in the end, he could only slunk out of the company, humiliated, under the gaze of everyone. Watching him walk away, I felt no guilt whatsoever. This was the price of betraying me. And this was just the beginning.

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My Mother-in-Law Tried to Force Me to Adopt My Husband’s Bastard Child My husband, Caleb, and I had been married for three years, and I still hadn’t gotten pregnant. My mother-in-law, Brenda, showed me my medical report, claiming it proved I had a physical defect that made conception difficult. So, Brenda insisted I go to the hospital where she worked to undergo IVF. For a whole year, I endured 621 injections, so many that walking became a painful ordeal. Yet, I still couldn’t get pregnant, and despair consumed me. Caleb felt terrible for me and suggested I take a trip to clear my head. But when I returned home a month later, I found several used condoms in the bedroom Caleb and I shared! Seeing those condoms, my stomach churned with anger. I immediately called Caleb, who was at work, and roared into the phone: “Caleb! Get your ass home right now! I’m divorcing you!” Caleb rushed home, his face a mix of confusion and panic. “Riley, what did I do? Tell me what’s wrong, I’ll fix it, I don’t want a divorce!” I stared at him, my voice devoid of emotion: “Then why did you cheat?” Caleb’s eyes widened in shock. “Riley, that’s not true! How could I ever cheat on you!” I sneered, pointing to the used condoms in the bedroom: “The evidence is right here, and you’re still trying to deny it! I’m divorcing you, no discussion!” Caleb looked at the condoms, a blank look on his face. He stammered, incoherent: “No… I didn’t cheat… I don’t even know… where did these come from?” I replied sternly: “Stop pretending. There’s nothing left to discuss! We’re getting a divorce!” Caleb anxiously moved closer, gently trying to take my hand. “Riley, don’t you trust me? I really didn’t cheat!” His voice was filled with an uncontrollable mix of hurt and pleading. I violently shook off his hand, stating resolutely: “Tomorrow, I’ll have my lawyer draw up the divorce papers. Make sure you sign them.” Just then, Brenda, who had gone grocery shopping, returned. Seeing Caleb, she frowned disapprovingly. “Caleb, I know you’re happy your wife’s back, but you’re supposed to be at work. Why are you home? Did Riley call you back?” I sneered, not bothering to respond. Caleb anxiously turned to his mother: “Mom! Please, help me talk to Riley! She wants a divorce!” Hearing this, Brenda’s temper flared. She pointed a finger at my face and yelled: “Riley! What is the meaning of this? You’ve been married into our family for three years, and your womb is still empty! You’re the one with the problem, you useless, barren woman! My son is a saint for even putting up with you, providing for you, even paying for you to go on vacation! And the moment you return, you want to divorce him? I never imagined you were such a vile woman!” She didn’t give me a chance to reply, continuing: “My son has treated you well, hasn’t he! Since you married into our family, you haven’t done a single chore! My son works himself to death all day, and if you so much as hint you want his cooking, he’ll make it for you without a word of complaint!” “My son always puts you first, and what about you? You can’t even have a child, and you have the nerve to bring up divorce! You women are truly evil-minded!” Brenda grew more agitated with each word, eventually clutching her chest, looking as if I was about to make her collapse. I watched her coldly, my voice dripping with sarcasm: “Your son cheated, why shouldn’t I get a divorce?” Brenda immediately became agitated: “What are you talking about? My son would never cheat! Are you slandering him?!” Caleb tugged at Brenda’s arm, his face desperate as he asked: “Mom, there are used condoms in my bedroom. Do you know anything about them?” 2. Brenda froze, her eyes flickering. “I… I put those condoms there.” A flicker of guilt crossed Brenda’s face, quickly replaced by a mysterious glint. “They’re special! A good luck charm I found!” I stared at Brenda in disbelief, my eyes wide with shock: “Mom, why would you keep used condoms?” Caleb also looked at his mother, dumbfounded: “Mom! What are you doing! You made Riley completely misunderstand!” Brenda pursed her lips in annoyance. “It’s because you two haven’t gotten pregnant, isn’t it? I was trying to help you! To give you a helping hand!” Caleb looked at his mother, a bewildered smile on his face: “How could used condoms help Riley and me?” At this, Brenda’s eyes lit up, her voice rising slightly with excitement. “Those young neighbors next door, they got pregnant! They always used condoms, but they still ended up conceiving. I picked these condoms out of their trash! I washed them thoroughly! If you two use them, maybe you’ll ‘catch’ their pregnancy luck and get pregnant too!” I stood rooted to the spot, feeling like that sentence was utterly preposterous. Caleb was clearly startled too; he said nothing, and silence stretched in the room. Finally, Brenda broke the stalemate. She looked at me with displeasure, a deep impatience etched on her face: “Fine, if you weren’t so useless and couldn’t get pregnant, would I even bother with this?” The more she spoke, the more agitated she became, accusing me through tears. “I’m at this age, and all I want is a grandchild. Am I wrong? My heart is breaking over this!” Hearing her cry, I instantly felt overwhelmed. Annoyed, I turned and walked back into the room, tossing a remark at Caleb: “She’s your mom, you handle her.” That night, I curled up in bed. Caleb quietly slipped in beside me, wrapping his arms around me from behind. “Riley, I’m so sorry. You went through so much today. Mom is just too desperate for a grandchild, please don’t take it to heart.” I mumbled an absent “Mmm,” and didn’t respond further. Caleb paused, then hesitated, asking: “Riley, why do I feel like your attitude has been strange ever since you came back from your trip?” 3. I frowned, saying impatiently: “I’m too tired today.” The next morning, I was barely awake, sitting at the dining table. Brenda immediately brought over a bowl of dark, murky liquid, saying mysteriously: “Riley, drink this while it’s hot. These are expensive, top-grade medicinal herbs I managed to get my hands on. They’ll help you conceive!” I eyed the bowl suspiciously, unable to believe that what Brenda called “good herbs” were anything legitimate. “Mom, what kind of herbs are these? We shouldn’t drink random stuff without a doctor’s advice!” Brenda’s face immediately fell, her eyes glaring at me. “What do you mean by that? I went through so much trouble to get these herbs, and you’re already disgusted? If you weren’t so useless and couldn’t get pregnant, would I even bother?!” Brenda started to cry and complain again, and I really didn’t want to hear her lecture, so I picked up the bowl and quickly drank half of it. But as the liquid level dropped, and Brenda’s so-called “medicinal ingredients” floated to the surface, I felt a wave of nausea, my stomach churning. “Mom! Is that… placenta?!” I gagged and burst out, spitting up as I confronted Brenda. Brenda saw me vomit everything out and exploded in rage. She immediately furrowed her brows, grabbed the bowl, pinched my jaw, and started pouring the soup down my throat. “You brat, why did you throw it all up? Don’t you dare! I spent a fortune and pulled strings to get this placenta! Finish the rest of it, don’t leave a single drop!” 4. Caleb sat by, his struggle clearly visible on his face. Finally, under Brenda’s fierce glare, he hesitantly said: “Riley, Mom’s doing this for your own good.” I struggled to escape Brenda’s grip, but she had immense strength from years of hard labor in her youth, and I couldn’t break free. Tears mixed with the foul-tasting liquid plastered my face. Brenda watched with satisfaction as all the broth went into my stomach. “Riley, you really need to try harder. I’ve put so much thought into getting you pregnant!” The smell of the placenta soup seemed to linger deep in my throat. I rushed into the bathroom, clutching the toilet and violently vomiting. Caleb stood at the bathroom door, helpless, his face full of guilt and helplessness. “Riley, please don’t blame Mom. She’s just too desperate; don’t take it to heart!” I sneered; every time, he just talked, never actually doing anything. “Enough, Caleb.” I was desperate, but my voice was calm. “Please leave. I don’t want to see you right now.” He opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing, silently closing the door. Outside, I heard his and Brenda’s voices arguing. Brenda’s sharp voice pierced through the door, clear as day: “What’s wrong with me! I went to all that trouble to nourish her body, and that’s wrong? So what if she threw up? That just means the medicine is working! You don’t know anything! I’m doing all this for the sake of our family’s bloodline!” Ignorant! I felt a chill run through me, unable to breathe. Over the next few days, Brenda’s behavior became much more subdued. She stopped forcing me to drink those dubious tonics and stopped trying strange methods. One afternoon, Caleb was called out by Brenda to buy soy sauce. I was sitting on the sofa, chatting with my best friend. Brenda suddenly sat beside me. She rubbed her hands together, a ingratiating, fake smile on her face. “Riley,” She lowered her voice, sounding secretive, “Mom came up with a new idea these past few days. It’s guaranteed to work, and you won’t have to suffer so much anymore.” My heart sank, and I looked at her warily, not replying. She continued, full of self-satisfaction: “You see, your body… it has defects, you really can’t get pregnant.” She pursed her lips. “That placenta soup was supposed to be a powerful tonic, but there’s still no sign of a baby. Mom’s getting anxious!” I cautiously started a recording on my phone, sensing that what she was about to say would be utterly absurd. “So?” Brenda slapped her thigh, her eyes shining. “Mom figured it out! Why stick to one path when it’s clearly a dead end? Let’s try a different method. Caleb’s body must be fine, his genes must be excellent! The problem, then… it’s with you.” Her hand pointed unceremoniously at my stomach. “Mom met a girl these past few days,” Brenda leaned closer, her voice laced with coaxing, “Old Mr. Smith’s daughter from the next neighborhood, Ashley. Mom saw her, and her physique, you can tell she’s fertile! Big breasts! Big butt! And she’s young, only twenty-one! I specifically asked, and she’s perfectly healthy in every way. Her family is poor; a little money will do!” I stared at Brenda’s face, which was plastered with a righteous expression, utterly incredulous. My voice trembled slightly with anger. “What are you trying to do?” “Oh, it’s obvious, isn’t it!” Brenda looked at me as if I was slow to understand. “Let Caleb try with Ashley! Once Ashley gets pregnant, we’ll bring the baby home after it’s born, and you can just pretend it’s yours, tell everyone it’s yours! How great is that! You won’t have to suffer through injections and medication anymore, and you’ll get a baby for free! Isn’t this wonderful? You won’t have to feel guilty towards our family anymore! Mom is thinking of you, you know!” 5. “Thinking of me?” I sprang to my feet, my anger skyrocketing. “You want my husband to sleep with another woman to have a child, then bring it back for me to raise? This is your idea of ‘thinking of me’? Are you insane?!” Brenda was startled by my outburst, then she grew enraged herself. She stood up, pointing a finger at my nose and yelling: “Riley! Don’t be so ungrateful! Who am I doing this for? Isn’t it so you can keep your place in this family! You can’t have children yourself, and you won’t let me think of other ways! Do you want our family to have no children at all? How selfish can you be! You get a child for free, what more could you be unhappy about?!” The more she spoke, the more righteous she felt, her voice growing louder, her face flushed crimson: “I’m telling you, this is settled! In a couple of days, I’ll bring Ashley over for dinner! You’d better be sensible! Once Ashley gets pregnant, you’ll have a child, and everyone will be happy! If you dare to ruin my plans, I’m not done with you! You useless, barren woman, you have no right to be picky!” “Everyone happy?” I was trembling with rage. “Brenda, listen to me clearly! First, Caleb is my husband, not some breeding stud! Second, I am a human being, not a tool for your family to produce children, nor a tool to raise someone else’s child! Third, your filthy, utterly idiotic idea, don’t even think about it! You dare bring that Ashley woman into this house, just try it!” “How dare you speak to me like that?!” Brenda was completely enraged by my direct address and defiant attitude. She raised her hand to strike me. “You’ve gone too far! Let me teach you a lesson!” Just as her palm was about to land, Caleb stood in the doorway, clutching a bottle of soy sauce. His face was ashen, clearly having overheard the end of the argument. He looked at us, the tension thick in the air, especially at Brenda’s raised hand, and roared: “Mom! What are you doing?!” Seeing her son return, Brenda instantly adopted an utterly aggrieved expression, pointing at me and wailing to Caleb: “Son! You’re finally back! Look at your wife! I kindly tried to help her solve the child problem, and not only is she ungrateful, she curses at me! She said the most awful things! She even tried to hit me! What did I do wrong to marry such a disaster into our family…” Caleb’s gaze darted back and forth between me and his mother. He hesitated, unsure whose side to take. He probably only heard my defiance and Brenda’s tearful accusations. I looked at him, at this husband who once said he cared about my injections and always put me first. Seeing the hesitation in his eyes now, and his instinctive partiality towards his mother, my heart sank completely. I didn’t explain. I just spoke to Brenda, slowly and clearly, every word also for Caleb: “Brenda, cut out your disgusting theatrics. And you, Caleb.” I turned to him, my eyes icy. “Control your mother. Otherwise, between us, there will truly only be a divorce agreement left.” With that, I didn’t spare either of them another glance, turned, and strode into the bedroom. Leaning against the door, my body trembled uncontrollably. Outside, Brenda’s shrill wails and Caleb’s frantic attempts to console her echoed. In that moment, only one thought remained in my mind: I had to leave this house! Leaving that suffocating home, I dragged my suitcase back to my parents’ house. Seeing their haggard daughter, my parents’ eyes welled up with tears. My mom hugged me tightly, heartbroken: “Sweetheart, what happened? Why are you back by yourself?”

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Damien Thorne’s colleague was pregnant, about to give birth. She showed up at my door, heavily pregnant, demanding something for the baby, right as I was decorating our wedding home. “I just donated sperm to her,” he said, sounding utterly innocent, “I have nothing to be ashamed of towards you.” With that, he actually took her to the mall to pick out baby gifts. I immediately blasted our family group chat on SnapChat, canceling the wedding. But everyone thought I was being dramatic. Mrs. Thorne said with grave seriousness, “Damien is good-looking and highly educated. Such excellent genes should be passed on. It’s almost a contribution to society, you know.” Mr. Thorne scoffed, “He didn’t cheat. Why are you making such a fuss?” My dad was so furious he almost had a heart attack. “Stubborn fool! How dare you cancel such a good marriage?” My mom cried until she nearly fainted. “If you break off this engagement, you’ll never get married in your life!” My eyes blazing red, I shot back, “Then I’ll stay single forever!” But then, a message popped up on my phone: “Scarlett Hayes, when will you choose me?”

That evening, Damien Thorne carefully helped Willow Frost through the door. They had bought a huge box of toys for their unborn child. Willow gently stroked her pregnant belly, and they exchanged a loving glance, their faces beaming with the joy of soon becoming parents. Seeing me, Willow smiled and handed me a small gift box. “Scarlett, this is a special gift I picked out for you. I just found out how much this whole thing bothered you, so consider it… a small apology from me.” I didn’t even look, tossing the gift box straight into the trash. Willow’s smile instantly froze, and tears streamed down her face like a broken necklace. “Scarlett, I… I’m so sorry.” She choked back sobs, cowering behind Damien. Damien immediately shielded her, looking at me with a helpless expression. “Scarlett, don’t be like this.” “I was just responding to a call for responsible donors. Willow is a free spirit and wants a child but not a husband.” “We’re just colleagues, truly nothing more.” “Just colleagues?” My voice trembled. “Exchanging good mornings and good nights every day? Sharing a single playlist? Shielding her from aggressive co-workers at office dinners? Driving her home the long way after late nights at work? Those are ‘just colleagues’?” He rubbed his temples tiredly. “Here we go again. Haven’t I explained all this? You’re always so suspicious, overthinking everything.” I let out a cold laugh. His explanations were ridiculously flimsy — just normal colleague interactions, a senior looking out for a junior. They were full of holes, yet I chose to believe him, time after time. But five years of a relationship… I wasn’t willing to let it end like this. Gritting my teeth, I pointed at Willow’s belly, testing him. “Fine, let’s say I’m overthinking it, that I misunderstood you two!” I stared hard at Damien, pushing him. “Make her get rid of that baby, and I’ll pretend nothing happened. The wedding will go on as planned.” “Impossible!” Damien’s voice shot up, then he forced his anger down. “The baby is Willow’s. I have no right to decide that.” Willow’s face instantly went pale. She suddenly dropped to her knees in front of me with a thud. She clutched her belly tightly, her voice choked. “Scarlett, there’s truly nothing between me and Damien. The baby is eight months along, and he was just kicking me. I can’t, I can’t…” She cried, her face tear-streaked, her whole body shaking. Damien’s face was tight, he struggled for a few seconds, but his resolve crumbled. He helped her up, offering a helpless smile. “Scarlett, asking her to terminate the pregnancy now, what’s the difference between that and tearing her heart out?” I stared at him, a cold smirk playing on my lips. “What, feeling sympathetic now?”

Damien clearly flinched, then his face contorted in pain. “I never thought you could be so cruel. If this is a condition for marriage, then we truly aren’t meant for each other… Let’s break up.” “Scarlett, Damien is innocent, don’t take your anger out on him!” Willow suddenly burst into loud sobs. “Blame me if you want, I just can’t bear to lose this baby… But I’ll prove our innocence with my life right now!” Before her words even faded, she lunged towards the balcony, as if to throw herself over. My heart leaped into my throat, and I instinctively started to rush forward. Damien, already frantic, was faster. But before either of us could reach her, Willow collapsed onto the floor, convulsing with sobs. Damien pulled her into his arms, his entire body trembling. After a long moment, he looked up, his eyes icy as he stared at me, still standing rooted to the spot. “Scarlett Hayes! Your baseless accusations almost killed Willow!” His gaze was frigid, like he was looking at a stranger. “She’s just a young woman, pregnant. You might stand by coldly, but I can’t.” His voice was shaking. With that, he carefully lifted Willow into his arms, walked up to me, and snarled, “Move!” I stood frozen, my mouth opening. “I didn’t mean to…” “Damien, the baby… I think the baby’s coming.” Willow suddenly let out a weak whimper, then fainted. “Willow!” Damien’s face instantly went ashen. He forcefully shoved me aside and rushed out the door, carrying Willow. I fell to the floor, biting down hard on my lip, but I couldn’t suppress the icy dread swirling in my heart. I stayed awake until dawn, my phone finally lighting up with a message from Damien: “Last night, I was too anxious, and my words were harsh.” “Scarlett, I’m sorry.” My nose stung, and tears instantly welled up. For years, he was always the first to apologize after an argument, and I would always forgive him. But this time was different. I couldn’t forgive this. Before I could reply, he sent another photo. It was a picture of him with a newborn. The tiny infant was cradled carefully in his arms, and he looked down at the child with eyes as tender as spring water. “Willow had an early delivery, but thankfully, both mother and daughter are safe.” “The baby looks a lot like me.” “She has no family or friends, so I need to stay at the hospital for three days.” “Let’s postpone the wedding for a week. I truly can’t handle anything else right now.” These seemingly ordinary words, every single one of them, pierced my heart. I numbly stood up, tearing down the wedding photos from the wall one by one, then picked up scissors and shredded my wedding dress. My fingers trembled uncontrollably as I packed my suitcase. Just as I zipped it shut, Mrs. Thorne pushed open the door, a barely concealed look of delight on her face. “Damien asked me to bring him some fresh clothes to the hospital. And as a grandmother, I’m eager to see my little granddaughter.” Seeing me silent, she warmly took my arm. “Scarlett, Damien was wrong this time, he shouldn’t have hidden the sperm donation from you, it hurt your pride. But it’s not some unforgivable crime, right?” “Auntie knows your feelings run deep. You can’t just throw it all away over a small thing like this, can you? What you said in the group chat yesterday was just anger talking, let’s not take it seriously.” “Come, come with me to the hospital to see the baby. Give Damien an out, and we’ll just put this whole thing behind us.” I was dragged along like a lifeless doll, and by the time I snapped back to reality, I was standing at the hospital room door. Willow lay weakly in the hospital bed, her pale face still streaked with tears, clearly having suffered a lot during childbirth.

And Damien was gently holding the baby, softly humming a lullaby. Mr. Thorne, for once, was smiling. “Damien is an airline captain. Let’s call this child ‘Skye’ then, to inherit the aviation career!” “What nonsense!” Mrs. Thorne chided him. “A girl can’t be named something like that!” She eagerly reached out to hold the baby. But Damien turned away. “Mom, you don’t know how to hold her properly. Don’t hurt her.” Catching sight of me in his peripheral vision, his eyes lit up. “Scarlett, come look at her. Aren’t her tiny hands and feet just adorable?” He leaned in to kiss the baby, then stopped abruptly, looking flustered like a naughty child. “No, no, Dad can’t pass on any germs to you.” I had never seen this childish side of him before. So this was what he was like, clumsy yet tender, as a new father. He was eager to show off his joy to the world, but I was the one person who shouldn’t have been included. I forced a stiff smile and turned to leave. But Damien quickly followed, carefully holding the baby out to me. “Scarlett, look, don’t her nose and mouth look exactly like mine?” I lowered my eyes. The tiny face did indeed resemble him, as if molded from the same clay. The resemblance stung my eyes, and my throat suddenly constricted with pain. I coldly pushed the swaddled infant away, looking into Damien’s expectant eyes, suddenly unwilling to give him what he wanted. “Take her away. She’s so annoying to look at, I can’t stand it.” The baby let out a wail. Damien’s eyes instantly turned cold. He gently patted the baby, comforting her with a pained expression. Mrs. Thorne’s gaze cut at me like a knife. “You’re the most annoying one here!” Mr. Thorne pointed directly at the door. “You’re not welcome here. Get out!” Willow, in the hospital bed, suddenly woke up. “Scarlett…” She pleaded with the Thorne family. “I’d like to talk to Scarlett alone for a moment.” Once the hospital room door closed, Willow’s face wore an apologetic expression. “Scarlett, I don’t want to break you and Damien up. He really loves you. Actually, that night, Damien was drunk, and we just…” My mind buzzed. “It wasn’t sperm donation?” She turned her face away. “Damien said he wanted to keep it from you, afraid you’d be sad.” “By the time I found out I was pregnant, it was already three months. He was very angry then, saying he’d give me a lump sum to keep quiet once the baby was born, and that I should never mention it again.” “Then why are you telling me now?” I stared at her coldly. “Why did you deliberately show up pregnant? Why didn’t you keep it from me forever?” She clearly hadn’t expected me to call her out so directly. Her face changed color several times, then she just pressed her lips together, silent. I laughed sarcastically. “Now that he and I have broken up, and your baby is born, you two can live happily ever after as a family of three. What else are you worried about?” She suddenly glared at me, an eerie smile curving on her lips. The next second, right in front of me, she deliberately rolled straight off the hospital bed, hitting the floor with a thud. Then she shrieked in terror. “Scarlett, I know I was wrong! Please, please don’t hit me!” I was utterly dumbfounded. Before I could react, a strong force pulled me away. “Slap!” My cheek burned, and I instantly tasted blood in my mouth. Mr. Thorne’s face was livid as he pointed at me. “You insolent brat! Is the hospital a place for your tantrums?” He raised his hand to strike again, but Damien quickly blocked him. “Dad, she’s my fiancée. I’ll handle this.”

He pulled me into the corridor and found some ice, carefully pressing it against my face. I mumbled, looking down. “I didn’t push her…” “Mmm.” He responded flatly, neither getting angry nor asking for clarification. I knew him too well. This silence was the loudest form of denial. If he believed me, he would have argued fiercely for me. If he didn’t, he would just stay silent like this. But if he didn’t believe me, why was he still being so gentle? Tears spilled from my eyes, dropping one by one onto his hand. He snatched his hand back as if burned, then stood up. “If you’re going to stay here and make Willow and the baby uncomfortable, then just go home.” I desperately grabbed his sleeve, a sob catching in my voice. “Just trust me this one time, please?” He sighed deeply, prying my fingers off his sleeve one by one, as if completely disillusioned. “Scarlett, I can overlook all the things you’ve done, because I love you, after all. But at least, you should be honest with me.” A familiar phone ringtone suddenly sounded – Willow’s exclusive ringtone. “How much further to enter your heart, how much longer until I can get close to you…” I once asked him, “Is it appropriate to have a special ringtone for a female colleague?” He looked genuinely puzzled. “The girl just likes that song. It was nothing, just a casual thing. Don’t overthink it.” I watched him answer the call, then walk away without looking back. I sat numbly on the bench, half my face swollen and red. I suddenly started to laugh and cry at the same time, like a patient given a terminal diagnosis. He told *me* to be honest, but had he been honest himself? I went back for my luggage, intending to go to my parents’ house, but their video call came through. Dad clutched his chest, his finger shaking as he pointed at me and cursed. “The Thornes said you ran to the hospital, throwing a fit and hurting the poor girl who just gave birth. What were you thinking? The Chief of Staff is a friend of mine, he called to ask us what was going on! You’ve completely humiliated our family!” Dad started to gasp violently again. Mom quickly gave him his medication, then turned to glare at me. “Damien explained everything clearly; he and that girl are just colleagues. Why do you have to be so extra, trying to push them together?” Catching sight of the injury on my face, she sneered, “Serves you right!” “What exactly did I do wrong that you’re all blaming me?” I took a deep breath, my voice hoarse. “Why do you all believe outsiders over me?” “Believe you about what? Tell us!” My parents spoke simultaneously. Looking at their unmoved faces, I suddenly deflated. “Never mind.” I hastily hung up the video call. I couldn’t let them see my tears again, or it would only lead to that familiar line: “What else can you do besides cry?” At that moment, I didn’t know where I could go. My phone suddenly vibrated. It was a message from Asher Maxwell: “Scarlett Hayes, when will you choose me?” “Now.” Without a second thought, I immediately replied. This guy, who had once been an academic disaster, barely scraping by in high school, had transformed himself in his senior year, pushing himself to get into the same university as me. After that came years of relentless pursuit. A hundred confessions, a hundred rejections from me. Who would like an academic disaster, even worse than a slacker? Even if he was sunny and handsome, with a smile that made your heart skip a beat, it was a no-go. After college graduation, Damien and I got together. Asher went to Switzerland to study, but his messages never stopped. From daily warm greetings, to sharing trivial life details, to the recurring question every few days: “When will you choose me?” I had never replied, but he was like a tireless robot, never giving up.

Thinking this, I sent another message: “Getting married in three days. You’re the groom. Satisfied?” “Bang!” The door was kicked open violently. Damien stood there, his face dark, his eyes fixed on me. “Scarlett Hayes! What the hell did you do to my clothes?!” “What…” “Shut up!” He lunged forward, grabbing my wrist and slamming me against the wall. I had never seen him like this. His eyes were bloodshot, and his breathing hitched. “I wore that shirt you sent me to hold the baby, and in less than ten minutes, she broke out in a rash and went into respiratory failure! She’s in the ICU now!” “She’s a newborn baby! Scarlett Hayes, you better give me an explanation!” “I didn’t do anything!” My wrist burned where he gripped it. I struggled desperately. “Let go of me first…” Before I could finish, he swung his fist. I instinctively closed my eyes and turned my head. There was a loud bang beside my ear as his fist slammed hard into the wall next to me. When I opened my eyes, I saw blood seeping from his knuckles. My voice trembled uncontrollably. “Damien, were you… were you really going to hit me?” He seemed to snap awake, frantically releasing his grip and pulling me into his arms. “Scarlett, I… I panicked for a moment. I’m sorry.” “I told you, I’d overlook anything you did. But this time, you’ve gone too far. Willow is crying, saying she wants to die with the baby. Go kneel down and apologize to her, please?” Hot liquid dripped onto my neck. “Just for me. I promise you, if you apologize, we can still get married.” This man, who hadn’t shed a single tear even when he broke his ribs during flight training, was crying now. Men cry when they have a weakness. Willow and the baby must be his weakness. I stared at his trembling shoulders, and suddenly, I smiled. “Alright, I’ll go apologize.” He visibly relaxed, a huge weight lifting from him. “We’ll go to the hospital right now.” He reached for my hand. I shook it off, my face devoid of expression. “I’ll walk by myself.” “Okay,” He nodded, then urged, still worried. “Hurry, I’m afraid Willow will have a breakdown…” As soon as we reached the emergency room door, Willow immediately dropped to her knees, clutching my leg. “Scarlett, please, you can take my life if you want, just let the baby be safe.” She sobbed hysterically, her whole body shaking. I was so angry I laughed. I reached down to pull her up. “Stop acting. I’m the one who should be kneeling, begging Miss Frost to let me go. I don’t want Damien anymore, you can have him.” She suddenly looked up, a flicker of triumph in her eyes. Then she instantly reverted to a terrified expression. “No, it’s not like that. Damien will always be yours. How could I ever dream of him? I just want to live quietly with my baby.” “Get up!” I completely lost my patience. She suddenly grabbed my hand. I shook it off in disgust. But she used the momentum to fall backward, hitting her head with a thud on the floor, then let out a piercing scream. “Enough!” Damien rushed over to help her up, looking at me as if I were some terrifying monster. “Scarlett Hayes, if you don’t want to apologize, then don’t come! Willow just gave birth, and the baby is still in critical condition. How can you be so cruel to her?” I lowered my head, unsure what else to say. He wouldn’t believe me anyway, would he? After a long silence, Damien laughed mockingly. “Never mind. What did I expect you to explain? I’ve seen you hurt Willow and the baby with my own eyes, time and again. Go home. You’re just making things worse here.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299237”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

The night my in-laws were kidnapped, my husband went camping with his first love. I didn’t try to stop him. I just called the police immediately. In my last life, I had stopped him. He went to save his parents, but he never went to be with his first love. Later, his first love was mauled to death by wolves in the mountains, her body mutilated beyond recognition. Afterward, Julian became a silent shell, until I was pregnant and about to give birth. He threw me into those same deep mountains. “Anya Smith, if it weren’t for you, Serena wouldn’t have died!” “How can you live so peacefully? I want to watch you suffer every single pain she endured!” Torn apart by wild beasts, I died, taking my unborn child with me. When I woke up again, I was back on the day my in-laws were kidnapped. This time, he didn’t join the rescue. He got his wish and saved his first love, but his hair turned completely white overnight. I screamed in terror, my eyes snapping open. Drenched in cold sweat, my clothes clung to me. The phantom pain of flesh being torn still lingered. I instinctively reached down, touching my flat stomach. Listening to the frantic beat of my heart, tears streamed down my face like broken pearls. I fumbled for my phone and checked the time. I had been reborn. Back to the day my in-laws were kidnapped. Soon, the kidnappers would call, demanding a thirty-million-dollar ransom to be delivered within thirty minutes, or they’d kill them. Julian and I grew up together. Our parents had always planned for us to marry. Whether it was a family alliance or my own feelings, I was destined to be his wife. I knew he had an ex, but his family didn’t approve of her. Before we married, I’d asked him if he was marrying me willingly. If he was marrying me because he loved me? He’d said yes to everything. I stepped into our marriage with a hopeful heart. But after the wedding, he grew distant and cold. He was still in contact with his ex. I pretended not to see, not to hear, staying silent. I loved him. I didn’t want to lose him, and I didn’t want to lose our marriage. For that, I paid with my life, and I also caused the death of the child I’d carried for ten months. Given a second chance, I wouldn’t make the same mistakes. I watched Julian Hayes run down the stairs, and slowly rose from the sofa. When our eyes met, he looked at me and said in a low voice: “I won’t be home tonight.” I didn’t say anything, turning my head to look at the phone next to the sofa. It was ringing – the kidnappers. I quickly picked up and put it on speaker. “Mr. and Mrs. Wallace are with us. Thirty million dollars ransom, deliver it to Liberty Square in thirty minutes. If you dare call the police, I’ll kill them immediately!” The kidnapper’s voice boomed into Julian’s ears. He merely frowned slightly, then let out a scoffing laugh. “Anya Smith, is this supposed to be funny?” “Is it fun having them both play along with your little act?” I stared at his face, remembering him watching me descend into hell. Ten years of love had already vanished into thin air. “Julian Hayes, you heard the call. What you do is your business, I’m not getting involved.” “If you want to believe it’s an act, fine. Whatever.” “But let me emphasize this one more time: I am not playing games with them.” Perhaps my tone was too calm, because Julian hesitated for a moment. But in the end, he turned and strode out the door. Last life, when the call came, Julian believed the same thing. But I knew I wasn’t playing an act with his parents, so I did everything I could to stop him from leaving. After a night of searching, his parents were rescued. But as soon as they were safe, he left. When he returned, he brought back news of Serena Cross’s death.

He blamed everything on me. After Julian left, I immediately called the police. Thirty million dollars was no small sum, and they wanted it in cash. I couldn’t just produce it instantly, and there was no guarantee the kidnappers would release them even if they got the money. So I had to call the police, let the professionals handle this. After I dialed 911, the local precinct dispatched officers. But before they arrived, I got a call from someone familiar. “Ma’am, it’s Officer Miller. Are you and Julian having a fight?” My brows furrowed. I asked in a low voice: “Why are you calling me?” “Well, you called the police, right? We’re acquaintances, but filing a false report isn’t a small thing. You and Julian can argue all you want, but you can’t be so reckless.” “Julian and Serena have nothing going on. If you keep acting out like this, you’ll just make Julian a laughingstock.” After listening for a while, I finally understood what he meant. “What are you implying? Julian told you I filed a false report?” A silence stretched on the other end. I let out a soft laugh, then said firmly: “Officer Miller, I advise you to dispatch officers immediately and handle this situation. Otherwise, I’ll file a formal complaint.” Officer Miller scoffed: “Anya Smith, don’t treat everyone like Julian, at your beck and call. I’m not your private security. You crazy woman, Serena Cross is worth more than a strand of your hair.” After hearing that, I hung up. Then I redialed 911, and also filed a complaint against Officer Miller. The other officers arrived about fifteen minutes later. They asked me a few questions and listened to the recording of the first call. Everyone looked serious. They quickly traced the incoming number, but it wasn’t registered. Calling back led to a disconnected line. We could only wait for them to call again. The officers were waiting, and I was contacting my private financial manager. “How much liquid cash do I have in my accounts?” “Seventeen million? Prepare all of it.” After hanging up, I called Julian’s uncle, Mr. Harrison. Hearing about Mr. and Mrs. Wallace’s kidnapping, he gasped: “Who did this? Is Julian there?” “I don’t know who the kidnappers are, and Julian went camping with Serena. Uncle, the kidnappers want thirty million in cash. I can’t raise enough on my own. How much can you contribute? I’ll pay you back in a week.” “Child, you’re saving my brother! Don’t talk about paying back! How much more do you need?” “Thirteen million.” “Don’t worry, I’ll get it.” Thirty minutes passed quickly. The other party called again. I quickly answered. The technical officer beside me immediately started tracing the call, but shook his head a moment later; they couldn’t pinpoint the location. My heart sank further. I heard the person on the other end say sternly: “Time’s up. Has the money been sent?” “Not yet. Please give me more time. My husband isn’t here, and I don’t have that much money on hand.” “I told you, if the money isn’t here on time, I’ll kill them!” I pleaded frantically: “Don’t hurt them! You want money, right? Killing them means you won’t get any money, won’t that be a failure? Just give me another thirty minutes, and I promise I’ll have the money ready.” As soon as I finished speaking, I heard my in-laws’ screams from the other end of the line. The kidnapper’s sinister voice returned: “Thirty minutes. Five fingers each! “If you want to stall, keep stalling!” After the call ended, Officer Miller appeared at the doorway. He had heard the last part, and now stared at me, his face ashen.

He stammered, trying to explain: “Julian called me and said it was the elders playing along with you, just to keep him home…” I couldn’t be bothered to speak. The police officer beside me said: “Call Julian. Tell him what’s happening.” Officer Miller acknowledged and stepped aside to make the call. From his phone, I heard the line was busy. I thought of my mother-in-law’s delicate nature, how she’d need someone to blow on her fingers if hot water touched them. Now, who knew how much pain she was in. I took a deep breath to calm myself and quickly called Mr. Harrison. His line was also busy. A few minutes after I hung up, Mr. Harrison called back. Before I could even ask if he’d raised the money, I heard him sigh and say: “Anya, it’s not that I want to lecture you, but how could you use such a thing to trick your elders? Your father-in-law and mother-in-law dote on you, but you should also advise them to be reasonable. If I hadn’t asked Julian, you would’ve given me a heart attack.” At that moment, my heart died. “Julian told you this was our act? Uncle, you don’t have to believe me, but can you reach my in-laws? The police are right here with me.” The person on the other end sighed repeatedly, then said: “Julian has someone else in his heart, child. If it’s too much, just divorce him. That way, you’ll both be free.” I hung up the phone. Officer Miller finally got through to Julian. Officer Miller said: “Julian, come back quickly. Mr. and Mrs. Wallace really seem to have been kidnapped.” The voice on the other end wasn’t Julian’s, but Serena Cross’s. “Officer Miller, are you guys playing along with Miss Smith’s act too? Your Julian is grilling right now. I’ll call him to the phone.” After her words fell, I heard Serena relaying Officer Miller’s message. Julian didn’t even take the call. He just said to Serena: “Hang up. That crazy woman Anya Smith, she never wants anyone to be happy.” The call ended. Officer Miller looked at me, his brows furrowed. I lowered my gaze and smiled bitterly: “I have no idea, but they want the money delivered to Liberty Square. Even though I don’t have enough, I have to go. If I go as bait, won’t that increase your chances of solving the case?” The female detective beside me said: “Ms. Smith, I’ll go deliver it instead.” I smiled: “What if the kidnappers recognize me? If you go, won’t that just provoke them? You can protect me from the perimeter. I’ll go myself.” Since no one had a better plan, they agreed to my request. When the kidnappers called again, I lied, telling them I had gathered enough money. I asked them to confirm the delivery location, where I would deliver the money, and they would release my in-laws. I heard a cold laugh, followed by a chilling reply: “Fine.” A sudden unease gripped my heart. Before he hung up, I quickly asked: “I need to hear my in-laws’ voices.” “What’s the rush, Ms. Smith? You’ll see them soon enough.” With that, the call disconnected. I had my financial manager withdraw the cash. Dragging a suitcase full of money, I drove to the location the kidnappers specified. Then I received another call from the kidnappers, telling me to go to the underground parking lot; my in-laws were waiting for me there. I ignored the money; the police were upstairs. I sprinted to the underground parking lot. I found my mother-in-law’s car in the parking lot. The doors were open. They both had their throats slit, blood gushing out. Tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I ran frantically, dialing 911 as I went. “Someone has been slit in the throat at Liberty Square’s underground parking lot. Please hurry!” I clutched their hands tightly: “Mom, Dad, hold on! The doctors will be here soon!”

“I’m calling Julian. I’m telling him to come right now.” They looked at me weakly, shaking their heads. “Anya, after we’re gone, divorce Julian. Your father’s and my stocks, properties, funds, and cash are all for you. We’re sorry.” I choked, shaking my head frantically: “No, you didn’t do anything wrong to me. It’s my fault for not getting enough money, for delaying. It’s my fault.” “Anya, don’t blame yourself. It has nothing to do with you. The kidnappers never intended for us to live.” I kept calling Julian, his phone ringing endlessly, but no one picked up. I sent him a SnapChat message. “Julian Hayes, Mom and Dad are badly hurt. Come back quickly.” The message sank into the sea, met with silence. I kept sending messages, kept calling… Until they slowly closed their eyes, Julian remained out of reach. The ambulance arrived, but there was no need for resuscitation. I stood up, my vision swam, the world spinning. I grabbed the car door frantically, and a hand steadied me. I turned to see Detective Evans, the officer who came with me. “Ms. Smith, the money wasn’t taken. The kidnapper who came for the money fell from a height during the arrest and is currently unconscious.” “Please accept my condolences.” None of us slept that night. Everyone returned to the precinct. After I gave my statement, the forensics team collected evidence from Mr. and Mrs. Wallace’s bodies. There was more than one kidnapper, but only one had been caught. Given the heinous nature of the crime, the atmosphere at the precinct was tense. They were determined to apprehend all the culprits. After the police finished collecting evidence, I contacted the funeral home. Julian still hadn’t returned my calls or messages. I sent notifications to his family and friends. But I didn’t notify Mr. Harrison again. He learned the news from others and called me in a rage. “Anya, aren’t you going too far? Even if you and Julian aren’t getting along, your in-laws treated you well. Is this how you honor your elders? How could you joke about their lives and deaths?” I waited for him to finish his tirade before slowly speaking: “I’m at the precinct. I just finished my statement and arranged for the funeral home. If you don’t believe me, you don’t have to attend the funeral. I didn’t intend to notify you anyway.” A moment of silence on the other end, then he said in a low voice: “You say you’re at the precinct? Let a police officer talk to me!” Just as I was about to hand the phone to Detective Evans, I heard a police officer’s voice from the other end: “Mr. Harrison? This is Riverside Precinct. We need your cooperation in a case!” When Mr. Harrison was brought to the precinct, I was still there. He lunged at me when he saw me: “Anya Smith! Why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you say you weren’t acting? You killed my brother and sister-in-law, you murderer!” I looked at him coldly, and said faintly: “I did tell you. I even asked you for money. It was Julian Hayes who told you not to believe me. Julian Hayes killed his parents, and you were his accomplice!” His face went pale, his lips trembling as he brushed past me. I turned to watch his retreating back, raising my voice: “Uncle, when I called you, the officers working on the case were all right here, listening.” He didn’t turn back, but I saw his regret. Detective Evans was still beside me. I turned to her. “You can go back to work. I’ll just wait for the funeral home staff.” She shook her head slightly, apology in her eyes: “I’ll wait with you.” While waiting for the funeral home staff, I called my lawyer. “Mr. Davis, please draft a divorce agreement for me. I’m divorcing Julian Hayes.”

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My Fiancée Humiliated Me on Our Wedding Day On my wedding day, I was getting ready backstage when my fiancée’s assistant suddenly handed me a marriage contract. The first clause read: “No kissing below the eyebrows without permission.” The second clause: “Based on the bride’s mood, the groom is allowed to share the bed only once a month, for no more than ten minutes each time.” The third clause: “At any time, in any place, if the bride feels uncomfortable, the groom must immediately cease current actions.” … After reading through hundreds of clauses, I bit back my fury and called my fiancée. “Ms. Hayes, could you please explain clause ninety-eight of this agreement?” “What exactly does ‘no matter who the father is, the child must take *your* surname’ mean?” It’s shameful to admit, but this grand wedding today was nothing more than an arrangement made by my grandpa’s generation. My fiancée and I hadn’t even met. All I knew was that her family was incredibly prominent, a well-known heiress in this city. But I never imagined that the rules of the wealthy could be so utterly bizarre. “You’re nothing but a pauper. Do you really expect the child to take *your* surname?” My fiancée’s voice on the phone was laced with contempt. I took a deep breath, my tone brooking no argument. “I apologize, Ms. Hayes, but I will not be signing this agreement.” The words had barely left my lips when, a second later, my fiancée’s furious shout blasted through the phone. “Miller, you’re really pushing your luck, aren’t you?” “The fact that *I* am marrying you is the best fortune of your past life; how dare you defy me?” I was completely stunned. A distinguished heiress, and this is how she behaves? This was a completely different person from the gentle and quiet image my grandpa had described. I was about to argue further when the line went dead. Witnessing the scene, my assistant next to me looked at me with disdain and sneered. “Mr. Miller, I advise you to just sign the agreement. Otherwise, with Ms. Hayes’s temper, you won’t have an easy life.” Seeing that I was young and dressed simply, the assistant didn’t give me a second glance. “Such a humiliating agreement, whoever wants to sign it can. I certainly won’t!” While my family, the Millers, might not be as wealthy as the Hayes, we’re certainly not pushovers. So what if she’s a New York Princess? Worst case scenario, I’m not getting married today! With that, I took off my suit jacket and turned to leave, but the assistant blocked my way. “The wedding is about to start, Mr. Miller. Where do you think you’re going?” I involuntarily clenched my fist, glaring at him. “My legs are my own; I’ll go wherever I please. What business is it of yours?” Instead of backing down, the assistant became even more brazen in the face of my warning. “Mr. Miller, I advise you to put your clothes back on obediently.” “If you delay the wedding, that’s a responsibility you won’t be able to bear!” He shoved me roughly, his eyes full of menace. Ever since I joined the military academy at eighteen, I’d trained day and night with my instructors. The pride etched into my bones wouldn’t allow me to compromise. Seeing his arrogant attitude, my anger level shot up. “What if I insist on leaving?” At my words, the staff in the makeup room gasped. “Holy crap, this guy’s got some nerve! Daring to talk back to Mark Davis? He must not want to make it in this city!” “It’s just a marriage contract, what’s the big deal? If he offends the heiress over this, he’ll be the one getting bullied!” 2. “Exactly, right? Getting involved with the Hayes family is every man’s dream in New York. Why would he care whose surname the child takes?” As the chatter around us grew louder, Mark Davis’s expression became increasingly smug. “Hear that? A useless nobody like you, with no power and no connections, daring to talk about dignity? Are you out of your mind?” I couldn’t care less about their mockery; in fact, I found it somewhat amusing. In New York, the Hayes family was indeed considered old money, possessing untold wealth. But if they wanted to compare family legacies with *my* family, the Millers, they’d only find humiliation. All the money in the world is just a string of cold numbers when faced with true power. “Mark Davis, I’m warning you one last time. Get out of my way, or you’ll face the consequences!” Perhaps startled by the sudden surge of aura emanating from me, Mark Davis froze, looking somewhat flustered. “Fine, fine, you jerk, you… you actually dare to threaten me? I… I’m calling Ms. Hayes right now!” I spread my hands, a nonchalant expression on my face. “Whatever.” A moment later, the makeup room door was kicked open. A tall young woman, surrounded by a group of bodyguards, strode in. “Mark Davis, you’re supposed to be my personal assistant. How can you mess up such a simple task?” “You must be Evelyn Hayes, my fiancée?” I carefully scrutinized the woman before me. I had to admit, she was quite beautiful. Standing nearly five feet seven, clad in a pristine white wedding gown that perfectly accentuated her figure. If I had to find a flaw, it would only be the excessively cold look in her eyes as she stared at me. “Ms. Hayes, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Allow me to briefly introduce myself.” “My name is Alex Miller, and I’m from the milita—“ “No need!” Before I could finish, Evelyn Hayes impatiently raised a hand to cut me off. “I have absolutely no interest in who you are.” I had intended to reveal my military background to make her back off, but I hadn’t expected this proud heiress wouldn’t even let me finish speaking. It was clear from her eyes that she genuinely saw me as a good-for-nothing trying to leech off the Hayes family’s wealth. “Ms. Hayes, even though we’ve never met, and this marriage was our parents’ idea,” “To not even let me finish my sentence, isn’t that a bit disrespectful?” At my words, my fiancée’s face instantly changed. “Respect?” “Miller, why don’t you take a good look at yourself in the mirror? Do you think you’re worthy of my respect?” My fiancée glanced at me contemptuously, then scoffed. “I can tell you explicitly, if my father hadn’t forced me to marry you, a parasite who only knows how to rely on women, I wouldn’t even bother to look at you!” Towards the end, she suddenly raised her voice, addressing everyone present. “And don’t you dare think that after this wedding, you’ll be part of the Hayes family! Without my permission, you won’t lay a single finger on me!” My gaze was fixed on her, my voice devoid of emotion. “Since Ms. Hayes is so unwilling to marry me, then why force yourself?” Then, I suddenly changed my tone. “How about… we cancel the wedding? It would be better for both of us.” I had hoped for an amicable separation, but this arrogant woman before me wasn’t listening. She even thought I was provoking her. “You stinking pauper, don’t try that ‘playing hard to get’ act with me!” 3. “Do you know how many men in New York are lining up to marry me?” I didn’t get angry; instead, I smiled. “Ms. Hayes, I don’t care what others think. I simply believe we’re not a good fit.” “As for your father, Mr. Hayes, I will personally explain everything to him. You don’t need to worry about that.” After this exchange, the entire makeup room erupted in whispers. “My God, is this guy out of his mind? He actually initiated breaking off the engagement with the Hayes family?” “Right? Ms. Hayes is every man’s goddess in New York; this idiot doesn’t know how good he has it.” “If it were me, being able to marry the Hayes heiress, I’d be laughing in my sleep.” The doubts and criticisms around me were incessant, but I couldn’t care less. In *my* circles, marriage isn’t about family wealth; it’s about compatibility. And clearly, this overly privileged New York heiress wasn’t my type. I still remember the humble demeanor of Evelyn’s father, Robert Hayes, Chairman of Hayes Industries, before my grandpa. In less than half an hour, Robert Hayes’s white shirt was drenched from head to toe, as if he feared saying one wrong word. He probably doesn’t realize that the immense influence he so painstakingly acquired is being destroyed by his own daughter. “Miller! I’m asking you one last time, are you truly breaking off this engagement with me?” I slowly raised my head, meeting her gaze, my eyes more resolute than ever. “Absolutely!” The silence in the room was chilling. Evelyn Hayes probably never dreamed I would choose to give up the opportunity to marry into a prominent family; her face was flushed crimson. Just as she didn’t know how to handle the situation, Mark Davis stepped forward. “Ms. Hayes, there’s no need to panic. A good-for-nothing like him, who only knows how to rely on women, isn’t worth marrying anyway!” My fiancée nodded slightly, a hint of hesitation in her eyes. “But… the invitations have already gone out. If we suddenly cancel the wedding, how will I face anyone afterwards?” Mark Davis shot me a malicious look. “Ms. Hayes, do you remember Young Master Vance from Vance Group?” The next second, Evelyn Hayes’s eyes immediately lit up. “Mark, are you saying…?” Mark Davis nodded emphatically, his expression exceptionally excited. “Vance Group just completed its Series B funding round on Wall Street. Young Master Vance, as the sole heir, is worth tens of billions.” “The Hayes family wants to expand into international markets; this is a golden opportunity!” Evelyn Hayes shyly lowered her head. “Will he be willing to marry me?” Mark Davis thumped his chest, full of confidence. “Of course!” “I just received word; Young Master Vance is already on his way!” Witnessing this scene, I suddenly understood. It turned out that the so-called marriage contract was most likely Mark Davis’s doing. His true purpose was to facilitate a partnership between Vance Group and Hayes Industries. It was just a pity for Evelyn Hayes; she didn’t even realize she was being used. “That’s enough.” “Ms. Hayes, although I’ve broken off our engagement, it doesn’t seem right to suddenly swap grooms, does it?” As I spoke, I raised my hand, pointing to the assistant standing beside her. “Right now, I only want to know one thing: whose idea was that marriage contract?” From what I knew of Evelyn Hayes, even though she was arrogant and domineering, she definitely wouldn’t come up with such distasteful terms. There had to be another reason. 4. However, her current expression confirmed my suspicions; her eyes kept darting towards the assistant. “What business is it of yours whose idea it was? Does it even concern you?” “A man’s word carries weight. Are you trying to go back on it?” I raised an eyebrow, a cold smirk on my face. “Going back on it? Not really. I just think someone is deliberately trying to drive a wedge between Ms. Hayes and me!” Mid-sentence, I turned to look at Mark Davis. “Ms. Hayes, don’t you think everything that’s happened feels like it was orchestrated?” I had intended to advise her kindly, out of respect for her father, Mr. Hayes. But who knew this woman wouldn’t appreciate my efforts? “Miller, I’m warning you, don’t try to stir up trouble here!” “Didn’t you act all high and mighty about wanting to cut ties with me earlier? Why the sudden change of heart?” Hearing her words, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. The Hayes family had been operating so shrewdly in the business world for so many years; how could they produce a beautiful woman so utterly clueless? “Kid, hear that? You’re not welcome here, now get lost!” Mark Davis stared at me with a provocative look, but I merely smiled faintly. “That’s enough. You’ve achieved your goal; do you still need to keep up the act?” “The wedding is about to start; why don’t you let your mastermind show themselves?” The words had barely left my lips when, a second later, the makeup room door was suddenly pushed open. A man roughly my age swaggered in. “Ms. Hayes, will you marry me?” “Young Master Vance, you’re finally here!” At Mark Davis’s enthusiastic cry, everyone rose to greet the heir to Vance Group. “Judging by this spectacle, you must be Mark Davis’s true boss, aren’t you?” The man referred to as Young Master Vance approached me slowly, with an arrogant stride. “Kid, I admit you’re a bit clever.” “But sometimes, being too clever isn’t a good thing.” His tone was incredibly arrogant, even more so than Mark Davis’s earlier. I merely gave him a cold glance before looking away. “If I’m not mistaken, Young Master Vance, you’ve been waiting for this day for a long time, haven’t you?” He nodded, looking at me with feigned pity. “Mr. Miller, from what I hear, you refused to sign that marriage contract?” “That’s truly a shame.” Mid-sentence, he lit a cigarette, holding it between his fingers, a slight smirk playing on his lips. “You just lost your only chance in this lifetime to marry into wealth!” I showed no emotional fluctuation, instead offering a knowing smile. “A prominent family like that? I wouldn’t marry into it even if given the chance.” My nonchalant attitude seemed to surprise him. “Mr. Miller, aren’t you even a little angry?” “I just stole your fiancée, after all!” I waved my hand, a faint smile still lingering on my lips. “What’s there to be angry about?” “In fact, I should thank Young Master Vance. If you hadn’t intervened, I wouldn’t have known how to explain things to Mr. Hayes.” Watching our exchange, as I steadily gained the upper hand, this young master of Vance Group’s face turned green with rage; he completely lost his composure. “Then why are you still shamelessly standing here? Do you want me to get someone to kill you?!” I hooked my lips into a smirk and calmly waved at him. “Young Master Vance, don’t be so eager. Before I leave, I want to make a call to my grandpa.” With that, I pulled out my phone right in front of everyone.

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After my best friend was raped and took her own life, I protected the monster responsible. Lily’s mother pleaded on her knees, bowing her head, but I coldly slammed the door shut. When the villagers came to smash my door down and riot, I didn’t hesitate to unleash my dog on them. Ten years later, on my deathbed, suffering from multi-organ failure, my best friend Seraphina, now a furious billionaire, came back for revenge. The first thing she did upon arriving in town was to force me onto the Memory Judgment Platform, a device usually reserved for death row inmates. “Elara, you despicable animal for protecting a rapist! Lily and I must have been blind to ever call you a friend!” “Lily has been dead for ten years, and you let her attacker escape justice for ten years!” “Today, I’m going to use the memory extractor I developed to see who exactly you’ve been protecting!” But when the perpetrator’s face appeared on the big screen, Seraphina’s face drained of all color, turning ashen white. … Seraphina made a huge spectacle of my trial. The entire town gathered in the square, packed to the brim with people. Reporters set up their cameras, live streaming the scene across all major platforms. I, suffering from multi-organ failure, kept alive only by a drip of medication and nutrients, was dragged to the front of the square like a criminal. A man lunged at me, clamping his hands around my neck, roaring: “Elara, why did you protect the monster!” “You animal! You destroyed my family and took away my loved ones! Why don’t you just die!” He choked me until I could barely breathe, my vision blurring to black. The crowd erupted in a furious roar, their emotions boiling over: “It’s this heartless bitch! Her friend was raped, she knew the attacker, but she kept silent!” “Her friend drowned herself, and she wouldn’t even open the door for the victim’s mother, even after her forehead bled from pleading!” “Even worse, she unleashed her dog on people! It’s absolutely disgusting!” A torrent of insults drowned me. Seraphina stood to the side, her brow deeply furrowed in a tangled knot of confusion and anger. In this world, apart from Lily’s family, No one hated me more than her. Ten years ago, Lily, Seraphina, and I were the closest of friends. After Lily was assaulted in the woods near my house and took her own life, my friendship with Seraphina also crumbled. All because Lily’s suicide note mentioned that I had seen the attacker. I became the rapist’s accomplice. And I, I truly had protected the monster. Seraphina approached me, her face cold, her voice devoid of any warmth: “Elara, I’m giving you one last chance.” “Tell us who the attacker is now, turn yourself in to the police, it’s not too late…” “Otherwise, once the memory extractor starts, the high-frequency pulses will make every bone in your body feel like it’s been pulverized a thousand times over, and you won’t get another chance to excuse yourself!” Hearing this, my face went deathly pale. I struggled desperately, screaming out: “Sera, no!” “You can’t extract my memories!” Seraphina gripped my hand tightly, gritting her teeth: “Scared?” “It’s not up to you!” “I have to get justice for Lily!” I begged through choked sobs, tears streaming down my face: “Sera, please listen to me. My memories can’t be revealed, you’ll regret it!” Seraphina scoffed, her eyes burning crimson as she leaned closer to me: “Regret?” “My biggest regret was ever being friends with you!” Two bodyguards immediately clamped me into an iron chair, cold metal locking my hands and feet. Ignoring my fierce resistance, I was forcibly held down, and a chilling helmet was placed on my head. In an instant, a thousand needles pierced my scalp, drilling deep into my brain. I convulsed and shrieked in agony, feeling as though my soul was being torn apart. Even so, the onlookers below were still whipped into a frenzy. They pelted the stage with rotten produce and garbage, their mouths filled with curses directed at me. “Toxic friend! Disgusting! Rot in hell, you piece of trash!” On the big screen, my memories began to rewind. 2. The first scene was from three days after Lily’s death. I was dragged to Lily’s tombstone, and everyone demanded to know who the attacker was. They spat on me, they threw rocks at me. My arm was gripped tightly, my hair pulled wildly. Countless fists rained down on me; I was left bruised and battered, covered in wounds. I fled the scene in a panic, angry villagers chasing behind me. In front of me, flames roared towards the sky; my house had been burned down by the enraged villagers. I was utterly helpless. Homeless, I took Buddy and ran deep into the mountains. But the villagers found me again. Right in front of me, they skinned Buddy alive, the dog I’d grown up with. They cooked him into a stew. I clutched Buddy’s leg bone, crying heartbrokenly. That year, I was an orphan, just 16 years old. Seraphina stared at my tear-streaked face on the big screen and sneered. “Elara, isn’t this exactly what you deserve?” “If you hadn’t protected the monster, would people have treated you like this? Do you actually feel sorry for yourself?” “You’re the last person in the world who deserves pity! You’re an accomplice, and this is all on you!” Others chimed in: “Seriously, no shame! Does she really think she can defend herself?” “Trying to play the victim with these sad memories? How pathetic! Protecting a criminal makes you an accomplice! You deserve to burn in hell!” “Who do you think you are, trying to gain sympathy? Lily’s family was destroyed, their child dead, her mother driven mad – who isn’t more pathetic than you!” Just then, the clear laughter of a girl echoed from the big screen. “Lily! Slow down!” Lily’s youthful, innocent face appeared on the screen. In a vast snowy landscape, Lily, her face beaming with a smile, ran towards me. “Take this!” She threw a snowball at me. “My daughter!” Lily’s father cried out, collapsing in front of the big screen. Gazing at Lily’s smiling face on the screen, he could no longer hold back his sobs. Ten years ago, after Lily’s suicide, this once cheerful and talkative man had his hair turn white overnight. Every day since then, he would go to the police station, asking the officers: “Have you caught the attacker?” But each time, he was met with a helpless shake of their heads. At that time, there were no surveillance cameras in the village, and my house stood alone. No one knew who had followed Lily that night. And the only one who knew the truth was me. After a bout of playful chasing, I stood solemnly before the altar, making a heartfelt wish: “Please, Lord, bless my friends with health and happiness, and may our friendship last forever…” Seeing my devotion, Seraphina could no longer control her rage. “Elara, you pathological liar! You heartless bitch!” She rushed forward, pointing an angry finger at me and cursing: “You have the nerve to reminisce about our childhood! Who are you trying to sicken?” “Ten years! You never once told the truth! Do you even deserve to be our friend?” Sure enough, the next scene showed me secretly discarding a mango Lily had given me. The onlookers erupted: “What the hell, she pretends to like it to her face but throws it away behind her back!” “Seraphina and Lily were so good to her, is this how she treats her friends? She’s nothing but a selfish, cold-hearted monster!” Seraphina knew I was severely allergic to mangoes. But she didn’t explain to the crowd; instead, she listened as they continued to mock me: “She probably never imagined that Seraphina would become a billionaire and come back to settle scores!” “CEO Hayes, keep going! We can’t wait to see the monster’s face!” Amidst the insults and urging from the crowd, the memory on the big screen shifted scenes again. 3. Seraphina’s desperate, agonizing cries came from the big screen: “Lily! Don’t die!” That was the day Lily’s body was pulled from the river. It was a gloomy, rainy day, and Seraphina and I collapsed, weeping hysterically, over Lily’s body. She was bloated, her entire body cold and stiff. Completely unlike the beautiful, smiling girl I remembered. I returned home in despair, curling up in a corner, crying uncontrollably. “Ah!” I repeatedly pounded my chest, the pain of losing my dearest friend nearly tearing me apart. On the judgment platform, my eyes were tightly shut, tears silently streaming down my face. My broken sobs echoed: “Lily! Why did you have to die?!” My tears flowed relentlessly, my entire being immersed in endless agony. My heartbroken appearance stunned the entire crowd: “What’s going on?” “Why does she look so sad? How could she…” Lily’s father, seething with anger, shouted: “Crocodile tears!” He gritted his teeth: “That year, my wife knelt at her doorstep, her forehead bleeding, and Elara wouldn’t even open the door!” “She even set her dog on people! How could someone like that be a good person?” “Our Lily was her childhood playmate, yet this is how she treated her deceased friend’s mother!” Just then, Lily’s mother appeared on the scene, clutching a doll. Her hair wild and disheveled, she kept mumbling: “Lily, my sweet girl, don’t be scared!” The entire crowd erupted in anger once more. Seraphina’s face was a canvas of shock and fury, shifting from white to ashen. She rushed forward, violently shaking me with both hands, her bloodshot eyes wide as she screamed furiously: “Elara, look! This is the tragedy you caused by protecting that monster!” “You had no parents, and Lily and I, we took you in when you became an orphan at seven, we were always there for you, yet this is how you repay us!” With that, she raised her hand in a fit of uncontrollable rage and slapped me across the face. “You still think you can gain sympathy!” “You killed Lily, do you think these memories will make me soften my heart?” Her chest heaved violently, tears falling without warning, her eyes filled with boundless brokenness and struggle. “Lily is dead!” “But the one who killed her is you! It’s you, Elara!” She shook me furiously, the hatred in her eyes practically tearing me apart. Lily’s death had been a devastating tsunami that ripped through her life, leaving behind an endless, crushing dampness of grief. Suddenly, Seraphina straightened up, wiping away her tears. In an instant, her sorrow and despair were replaced by an icy resolve. “Elara, I’m telling you, I won’t stop until I find the attacker!” “Once I find that monster, I’ll make sure you both burn in hell together!” Her face grim, she motioned for the technical staff to expand the extraction range. She had lost all patience for my act. The technician quickly stepped up, adjusting the control panel. The red needle on the instrument shot up, and the fine needles in the helmet instantly plunged deeper into my brain. “Ah!” My agonizing scream tore through the square. Violent currents surged through my brain, and flashes of white light exploded before my eyes. My body convulsed, my hands and feet struggling wildly, but the chains held me fast. Blood trickled from my nostrils, ears, and the corners of my eyes, dripping onto the cold iron chair. My chest felt scorched by fire. The images on the big screen flickered erratically. One moment it was a classroom, the next a stream, then a mountain path. All happy memories of Seraphina, Lily, and me, the three of us together. But there was no scene of the night Lily was assaulted. The crowd grew restless, and the live stream’s comments section exploded: “What’s going on? Why are there no memories of her friend being raped that night?” “Didn’t she say she saw the monster?” Seraphina frowned, turning to the technician with a low voice: “What’s happening?” “Why can’t you find the memory of the attacker appearing?!” The technician wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, stammering: “CEO Hayes, she… she seems to be fighting the system…” “Refusing to let that memory be extracted!” 4. “What? Refusing to be extracted?” Seraphina’s face registered shock, and her sinister gaze swept over me. She slammed her hand on the table, shouting sharply: “Elara! At this point, you’re still resisting?” “Who is so important that you’d risk everything, even your life, to protect them? They’re just a rapist!” Ten years ago, Seraphina had questioned me just as sharply. When Lily’s suicide note was made public, I became the biggest criminal. Everyone was demanding to know who the attacker was. Seraphina’s initial disbelief that I would protect the monster turned to doubt, then to outright suspicion, all in less than a day. Only she knew that I had hidden in a mountain cave with Buddy. When Buddy was skinned alive, I pleaded desperately, but she picked up a stick and brought it down hard on my head. Blood instantly blurred my vision. Her eyes bulging with rage, she glared at me: “Elara, we grew up together, we treated you like a friend, what did you think of us?” “For the sake of a rapist, you abandoned your most important friends!” That night, I was nearly beaten to death by the villagers. Seraphina’s mother pulled the enraged Seraphina away, and two days later, they moved their entire family to another state, never to return. Now, Seraphina’s eyes were as cold as ice, fixed on me. She waved her hand, her voice sharp and resolute: “Continue to expand the extraction range! I won’t stop until I achieve my goal!” The technician hesitated: “But, CEO Hayes, her body is very weak right now, and she’s extremely resistant. If we continue to expand the memory extraction range…” “She might not be able to take it!” Seraphina scoffed, her words laced with icy sarcasm. “Can’t take it?” “I’ve spent years researching this, all to find out the truth from back then!” “Her life or death, I don’t care!” “It’s best if scum like her dies!” As her words fell, the technician nervously adjusted the parameters higher. The machine’s hum surged, climbing to a piercing shriek, and the needles in the helmet plunged violently deeper into my brain. “Ah!” My screams tore through the square. Blood gushed from my nostrils, ears, and the corners of my eyes simultaneously. My chest felt as if it were burning, and my entire body convulsed wildly in the chair. Cold sweat streamed down the technician’s forehead, his voice trembling: “CEO Hayes… should I continue?” “She… she’s almost at her limit!” Seraphina stared at the big screen, her expression dark. “Continue.” She parted her thin lips, her voice utterly devoid of warmth. The machine roared, and the display screen shook violently. That was my consciousness struggling. My screams and tormented cries echoed overhead, a horrifying sight. Seraphina’s eyes were bloodshot, and she shrieked almost hysterically: “Elara, who is it?!” “Who is worth this level of protection from you?” She suddenly broke down, sobbing uncontrollably, burying her face in my shoulder, tears streaming down. “We were your friends, weren’t we?” Her body shook violently, crying beyond control. Warm tears fell on my hand. Hearing her cries, I trembled all over. A sudden pang twisted in my heart. My friend, Sera, was crying. I instinctively raised my hand, wanting to wipe away her tears. But in that moment of weakness, the memory I had desperately hidden appeared on the big screen. Gasps rippled through the crowd. Seraphina whirled around in shock, and when she saw that familiar face on the big screen, her entire face went white.

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