A taming system fell from the sky, and I immediately used it on the campus heartthrob. “Call me Your Majesty!” “Take a walk with me.” “Let me touch you!” He never resisted, letting me do as I pleased. I was quite satisfied. Until I saw him holding hands with his childhood sweetheart by the lake… I was sick with jealousy. So I activated my power, pinned him to the sofa, tore at his clothes, and kissed him senseless. When I’d had my fill and was about to leave, he wrapped his arms around my waist. “Well? Aren’t you going to take responsibility for that?” I was stunned. I screamed at the system in my head. It blinked and stuck out its tongue. “(Tee hee, how embarrassing!) Actually, honey, I don’t have any powers to control people at all~” Me: ?? You son of a bitch, you played me! 1 I have a crush on Duke Shaw. I’ve had a crush on him since high school. But now I’m a sophomore in college, and I still haven’t told him. Because he’s the undisputed campus heartthrob. And I’m… a nobody. I often ask the universe, what’s the harm in making one more girl stunningly beautiful? The universe never answers. Until today. A voice suddenly popped into my head. “(Whimpers) Hello, host! I’m Angel Service System 511.” “Sweetie, can you hear me? 511 is at your service.” “Sweetie? Are you deaf?” … Have I been reading so many web novels that I’ve finally lost my mind? I’m in the middle of a lecture, and my brain is already going haywire?! Unreal. Absolutely insane. But I still found myself replying: “Who are you? What do you want?” System 511 cooed, “Sweetie, I heard your wish, and I’m here to help you make it come true.” My eyes lit up. “Really? Are you here to turn me into a world-class beauty?” “Well, no…” 511 cleared its throat awkwardly. “But honey, I can grant you one ability—the power to tame a person for a designated period of time!” “No matter what you command, they will obey.” That sounded familiar. Like something I’d read in a spicy fanfic. Still, I was thrilled. “Really? They’ll obey any command?” The system’s reply was firm. “Of course, sweetie.” And so… My gaze drifted involuntarily toward Duke Shaw. He was sitting perfectly straight, his tall frame cutting a sharp silhouette. His slightly long hair fell over his forehead, and his eyes were downcast, lost in thought. As if sensing my stare, he suddenly turned his head. I quickly looked away, pretending nothing had happened. The power to tame someone? A very useful power indeed. After all, I’ve been dying to get my hands on Duke for a very long time. 2 511 told me that to use the taming power, I had to follow three rules: One: We had to be alone together. Two: I had to hold his face in my hands and look directly into his eyes to issue a command. Three: The control period could not exceed five minutes. “Okay, got it!” I rubbed my hands together, eager to try. Heh heh, my sweet, unsuspecting prey. Here I come! After class, Duke walked over to me and gave me a light flick on the forehead. “You weren’t paying attention in class. What were you staring at me for?” I rubbed my head, my tone dismissive. “Don’t be so conceited. I was just thinking about what to get for lunch.” Could I really tell you I was plotting how I was going to pounce on you in a few minutes? That would be terrifying. “Perfect. Let’s go to the cafeteria together.” Normally, I would have agreed in a heartbeat. But the cafeteria was always packed. I couldn’t use my power there. So I had to force myself to say no. “Nah, I’m eating with my roommate… but wait for me after your last class! We can walk home together!” “Deal.” As I watched Duke walk away, my heart did a little dance. In high school, my grades were really unbalanced. Our teacher paired me up with Duke, who had the opposite problem, so we could tutor each other in math and English. That’s how we became friends. Honestly, he was already gorgeous back then. A handsome face, a great personality, and tons of friends. He was ridiculously popular. I was always seeing girls from other classes trying to talk to him. Because of our tutoring sessions, Duke was always nice to me. He’d bring me snacks and invite me over to his house to do homework on the weekends. Staring at that handsome face day after day, it wasn’t long before I was completely smitten. But a secret crush is a one-woman war. I once asked him what his ideal type was. He just smiled and said nothing. Undeterred, I asked his friend. His friend pointed to Isabelle Croft, the beautiful valedictorian of our class. He told me Duke was into her. They were childhood friends, a match made in heaven. I was already too scared to confess, and now I knew he liked someone else. So I just studied harder, hoping to close the distance between us, even if just a little. The day our college entrance exam scores came out, I called Duke immediately. When I found out his score was only a few points higher than mine, I was ecstatic. I made him promise to show me his list of college choices before he submitted it. I copied his application, school for school. Finally, we ended up at the same university in our city. And by some stroke of luck, our major only had one freshman class. So Duke and I were classmates once again. It’s been two years. He’s still just as lukewarm towards me as ever. We’re just friends. But… Who wants to be his friend?! 3 After my last class, I deliberately dawdled in the classroom for a good fifteen minutes, waiting for a chance to be alone with him. When all the other students had finally left, Duke looked at me, a hint of exasperation in his voice. “Summer, are you planning on taking your entire desk home with you?” 511’s voice suddenly burst into my head. “Host, now’s your chance—” I shot up from my seat, took a deep breath, cupped Duke’s face in my hands, and stared into his eyes. A few seconds later, I spoke. “Obey my command!” Duke blinked, but he didn’t speak or resist. My heart exploded with joy. It actually worked! Normally, he would have called me a lunatic by now. Okay, what command should I give him? I cleared my throat. “Call me Your Majesty!” 511 was speechless. “…Sweetie, are you insane?” I blushed. “It’s just a test run!” Duke looked at me, his perfect lips parting slightly. Then, he spoke, his voice low and clear. “Your Majesty.” I nearly jumped out of my skin with excitement. He actually did it! That was a completely ridiculous request! Oh my God! The system wasn’t lying! I quickly composed myself. There was still time, I couldn’t waste it. I issued my next command. “Walk with me on the athletic track!” The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Five minutes wasn’t nearly enough time for a walk. Just then, 511 swooped in like a superhero. “Go, sweetie! Since this is your first time, I’m giving you a one-time bonus of unlimited time. Go and enjoy yourself!” A bonus offer? This system was the best! Overjoyed, I grabbed Duke’s hand and bolted downstairs. He had no idea how many times I’d gone for a walk after dinner, watching couples stroll hand-in-hand, chatting, or hiding in a corner for a hug and a kiss, and felt a pang of envy. Today, I finally had someone to walk with me. It was perfect. On the track, I held onto the corner of Duke’s shirt, and we walked slowly for half a lap. Then, I slyly reached for his hand. His hand was broad, his fingers long and elegant. Of course, a guy with a face like that would have beautiful hands. I tried to weave my clumsy fingers between his, aiming for the perfect hand-hold. But his knuckles were firm, and he wasn’t exactly helping me out. After a few seconds of struggling, my fingers just hurt. “Stupid hand! What’s the point of being handsome if you can’t even hold a girl’s hand properly?” I playfully smacked the back of his hand. At that, Duke suddenly turned his hand over and laced his fingers tightly with mine. My heart started hammering against my ribs. His palm was warm, maybe even a little sweaty. We were so close I could feel the warmth of his breath on my cheek. My face flushed crimson, and my pulse was racing. 511 was my one-woman hype squad. “Go for it, sweetie! He’s still under your control. He’ll do whatever you say!” I cursed at it in my head. Shut up! But what came out of my mouth was something entirely different. “Kiss me.” Duke froze for a second. Then, he cupped my face in his free hand and slowly leaned down. His soft, beautiful lips brushed against the corner of my mouth. My head spun. I was as red as a boiled lobster. Ahhhhhhhhhhh— I actually kissed Duke Shaw! 4 In the end, I ditched Duke and ran for my life. Yes, I’m that pathetic. I couldn’t face him after he snapped out of it. And I was terrified of what he’d think if he knew what I did to him while he was… not himself. But as soon as I got home, I was filled with regret. If I’d known he wouldn’t fight back, I should have kissed him more, touched him more. What a waste! I buried my face in my pillow, reliving the moment for a while before a new thought struck me. “Wait, I just ran off. Will he be able to get home by himself?” 511 (cute face): “Of course, sweetie! The moment you left, the power automatically deactivated.” That made me feel even worse. “When he came to his senses and realized I’d ditched him, he wasn’t mad, was he?” 511 (pouting face): “Of course not, sweetie! And if you’re worried, I can help you erase his memory of this afternoon.” I shot that down immediately. “No, don’t do that! I don’t want to mess with his head!” That would just make things worse. That weekend, my roommate Maya called me. Her friend in the dorm next door was having a birthday party and she wanted me to go with her. I had nothing better to do, so I agreed. I never expected to see Duke and his roommates there when we arrived at the karaoke lounge. Great minds think alike, I guess. The birthday girl greeted us and then went to pick some songs. Thinking about what I’d done to Duke on Friday, my face burned with embarrassment. Luckily, the room was dimly lit, so no one noticed. Duke and his roommates were playing cards at another table. He looked completely normal and didn’t even say hi. I felt a pang of disappointment. We’ve been classmates for years, and he’s just going to pretend I’m invisible? Jerk. Tomorrow, I’m definitely going to find a chance to punish him with my powers. After singing a few songs, the birthday girl sat down next to Duke, draping an arm over his shoulder. They looked awfully chummy. I was so annoyed I cracked a walnut with my bare fist. Maya popped the nutmeat into her mouth, giving me a sideways glance. “What’s wrong? Jealous?” “You’re just too passive,” she said. “If it were me, I’d go right over there and join them. Who’s afraid of who?” That set me off. “He’s been ignoring me since I walked in! Am I supposed to chase after him and beg for his attention?” Maya looked at me, completely serious. “You’re lucky you have a hot guy to chase. Don’t be so picky.” Me: … “And stalking him like a little thief every day isn’t going to get you anywhere,” she continued, offering some unsolicited advice. “Why don’t you just confess?” I took a swig of beer, my heart full of bitterness. “You think I don’t want to? I’m afraid he’ll reject me, and then we won’t even be able to be friends anymore.” Maya peeled an orange. “So what? It’s not like you’re getting anywhere with him now.” …She had a point. I couldn’t even argue. The birthday girl picked up the microphone and called for everyone’s attention. “Today is my 20th birthday, and I’m so grateful you could all be here to celebrate with me.” “My mom once told me that after a girl turns 20, she can start making her own decisions in life. Even if she regrets them later, at least she’ll have no regrets about not trying!” As she spoke, Maya nudged me, wiggling her eyebrows. “Based on my experience, she’s about to confess to a guy in this room.” “The time, the place, the mood—it’s all perfect!” “Oh, please,” I scoffed. “You think everyone is as shameless as you are?” Maya was undeterred. “Wanna bet? If she confesses, you give me twenty bucks. If not, I give you twenty.” I snorted. “You’re on!”

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A week before my wedding, my fiancé Johnny’s late wife’s sister—the one with Storm Syndrome—ran my car off the road, pinning it against the bridge guardrail. She rammed me eighteen times at seventy-five miles an hour. When Johnny arrived with the ambulance, I was being pulled from a heap of twisted metal. But he ignored me. He wrenched open the door of the modified Hummer—a vehicle that had barely lost its bumper—and pulled a trembling Nina into his arms. “Dr. Croft, she’s in bad shape,” one of the paramedics said, gesturing to me. “We need to get her to the hospital now.” Johnny blocked my stretcher, his eyes giving me a quick, dismissive scan. “There’s not a drop of blood on her. It’s just superficial. Nina has Storm Syndrome, and the rain’s getting worse. Her condition is more critical. Take her first.” As they left me behind, I curled into a ball, my fingers weakly clutching at Johnny’s coat. He frowned, prying my hand away. “Nina didn’t mean to hit you. She was having an episode. You’re a doctor, Andrea. You should have some compassion for a patient.” Then, he pulled a legal waiver from his pocket, took my limp hand, and forced my signature onto the paper. “The next ambulance will be here soon,” he said. “Just hang on.” 1 I never made it to the next ambulance. When I opened my eyes again, I was floating in the air. The cold rain soaked the body that lay abandoned below, and I reached out, wanting to hug myself for warmth, but my arms passed straight through. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. So, I was dead. Johnny was right about one thing: I was a doctor. I knew exactly what eighteen impacts at seventy-five miles per hour meant. It meant Nina never intended for me to survive. And yet he, the renowned Chief of Internal Medicine at Bridgewater General, could determine with a single glance that I had nothing more than a few scratches. I should have known better than to hold on to any hope. When it came to Nina, nothing else mattered. Not even my life. In the distance, the wail of another siren grew closer. Paramedics leaped from the vehicle, sprinting through the downpour towards me. I watched as they loaded my body, limp as a ragdoll, onto a stretcher. I heard their frantic shouts, the constant injections of epinephrine, the rhythmic whine and shock of the defibrillator. None of it could stop the flat line on the heart monitor. “Tell dispatch to clear a path!” the lead paramedic yelled. “Notify the hospital to prep for surgery! Patient is critical!” But the nurse’s three calls to the hospital were all rejected. Her eyes reddened with fury and frustration. “What the hell? Isn’t Dr. Vance his fiancée? How can he divert all hospital resources to a woman who doesn’t even have a scratch on her?” Her voice broke with a sob. “Dr. Vance is dying.” A heavy silence fell over the ambulance crew. They all knew. At the Croft family’s hospital, a private, high-end suite was permanently reserved for Nina. She was the sister of Johnny’s late wife. She’d supposedly watched her sister get brutally murdered during a storm while trying to save her, and ever since, she’d suffered from severe Storm Syndrome. Every time it rained, she would have a complete breakdown, and only Johnny’s presence could calm her. As his fiancée, I had been forced to reschedule our wedding ten times because of Nina’s “episodes.” I had finally snapped. “She has an ‘episode’ if it drizzles, another one if there’s a clap of thunder. Are you sure she really sees you as just a brother-in-law?” The sting of Johnny’s slap surprised even him. He looked away, his face rigid. “If you can’t accept Nina, then this marriage isn’t set in stone.” I stared at him, a sharp pain piercing my heart. I tilted my head back, fighting it, but tears streamed down my face anyway. After three days of his cold shoulder, I caved. I had planned a surprise for him, a way to make up. But on my way to the hospital to find him, Nina had rammed my car until I was dead. My memories as a soul were fragmented, flickering. I felt like I’d forgotten something important. But my spirit was already drifting uncontrollably, pulled toward Johnny. In the VIP suite, the room was so crowded with white coats you could hardly see the floor. “Dr. Croft, the tests show Miss Nina is perfectly fine. You can rest assured,” a specialist reported. But even with a room full of experts guaranteeing her safety, Nina clung to Johnny, her eyes red and puffy as she trembled. “Johnny… the rain is so loud. There are bad people out there… I’m scared…” Just as Johnny was about to reply, his phone rang. It was my colleague from the surgical department. The moment Nina saw the caller ID, she shrieked, snatched the phone, and smashed it against the floor. “Bad people! Andrea is a bad person! She wants to kill me! Help me, Johnny, save me!” Forgetting the phone completely, Johnny wrapped his arms around the hysterical girl, his heart aching for her. “Shh, Nina, it’s okay. Andrea won’t come here. I won’t let anyone hurt you.” Nina buried her face in his chest, her arms tightening around his neck as she sobbed and laughed. “Don’t leave me, Johnny. Stay with me forever. You’re mine, only mine. Andrea is trying to steal you. She’s evil. She should just die…” “Alright,” he murmured, patting her back, soothing her until she cried herself to sleep. “She’s evil. She can die.” Back in his office, he pulled the shattered phone from his pocket, the screen cracked and dark. He pinched the bridge of his nose, exhausted. He was about to use his desk phone to ask about me when a nurse rushed in. “Dr. Croft, we have an emergency surgery. A car crash victim, multiple organ ruptures. They need you immediately.” Johnny started to stand, then paused. “What’s the weather forecast?” he asked. The nurse checked her phone. “Rain all day. Looks like it’ll last for the next two days.” He nodded, settling back into his chair. “Have Dr. Peterson take it. Tell them I have a patient here I can’t leave. And cancel all my appointments for the next two days.” “But, sir,” the nurse hesitated, speaking softly, “you’re the only one here who has successfully performed this procedure.” Johnny’s voice turned to ice. “Can this hospital not function without me? Now get out. For the next two days, don’t bother me with anything or anyone unless it concerns Nina.” The nurse wanted to say more, but she left, defeated. I huddled in the corner, blinking. Something warm trickled from my eyes. It felt like blood, or maybe tears. Trapped in the crushed car, all I could think was: Johnny, this wedding you never wanted… just like you wished, it’s not happening anymore. For the next two days, Johnny stayed by Nina’s side twenty-four-seven, catering to her every whim, coddling her endlessly. In the quiet moments of the night, he would sometimes pull out his dead phone and press the useless power button. I knew what he was thinking. I, who had loved him more than life itself, had never gone two days without contacting him. Even during our worst fights, I was always the one to apologize within hours. This loss of control was making him uneasy. He rubbed his temples, a familiar headache building. He opened his desk drawer, but the custom migraine medication I’d learned to make for him from an old herbalist was gone. He immediately buzzed the nurse’s station. “Has anyone been looking for me?” he asked, his voice tight with irritation. “You canceled all your appointments, sir. No one has come by.” He had given the order himself, but an inexplicable frustration welled up inside him, heavy and suffocating. He slammed the phone down. Shoving the dead device back into the drawer, he slammed it shut. Walking past the nurse’s station later, he paused. He borrowed a nurse’s phone and sent me a text. “Andrea, there’s a limit to this drama. You got bumped a few times, you didn’t even bleed. How dare you play hard to get with me? If you’ve got the guts, then never contact me again.” I floated beside him, a bitter smile on my face. It was my own desperate love that had made him so confident, so certain I could never leave him. But this time, I really was gone for good. That afternoon, the sky cleared. Nina was back to her normal self, her eyes welling with tears as she played the victim. “Johnny, I swear I didn’t know I would lose control and hit Andrea’s car. I should go apologize to her. I’ll do anything she wants, as long as she forgives me.” “It’s fine,” Johnny said, his mind elsewhere. “It looked worse than it was. Not a scratch on you, so she’s probably fine too. She’ll understand it wasn’t your fault.” “But… what if she calls the police?” Johnny smiled, stroking her hair. “Don’t worry. I already had her sign a waiver. It’s over. You have nothing to do with it.” Nina beamed, rubbing her cheek against his hand like a cat, her eyes full of adoration. “I knew you’d take care of me, Johnny.” Her intense gaze seemed to burn him. He snatched his hand back. “Nina, I’m marrying Andrea soon. You shouldn’t call me by my first name like that anymore. You’re still my sister-in-law. Call me Johnny. Andrea will be your sister. We’ll both take care of you.” Nina bit her lip, a flash of malice in her eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a mask of sweet obedience. As Johnny left the room, he overheard two nurses talking. “Dr. Croft is so devoted to his fiancée. She gets into a little fender-bender and he mobilizes the whole hospital for her. They’re such a perfect couple.” “I know, right? I heard a car crash victim was brought in two days ago, organs completely shredded. Didn’t even have anyone to sign the paperwork for the body. It just goes to show, some people have all the luck.” Johnny frowned, his heart suddenly pounding in his chest. “The patient in that room,” he said, his voice strained, “is not my fiancée.” He paused, then added, “My fiancée is Dr. Andrea Vance, from Surgery.” He froze, surprised by his own words. He was Johnny Croft, a man who had never cared for gossip and never bothered to explain himself. Because of that, everyone in the hospital—except for a few colleagues in our respective departments—thought I was just some pathetic, shameless woman clinging to him. His admirers had given me cruel nicknames, thrown hot soup on me. They once cornered me in an empty restroom and dumped a bucket of live frogs over my head, laughing at my screams. They called me a shameless gold-digger reaching for the stars. Countless times, I had begged Johnny to just say something, to clarify our relationship. He always brushed me off. “It’s just words, Andrea. You’re not going to melt. Stop being so dramatic.” But when a new intern had offhandedly remarked that Nina’s Storm Syndrome seemed “a little fake,” that intern vanished from Bridgewater the next day. That’s when I learned that he knew how to protect someone. It just wasn’t me. I clutched at my empty chest, laughing silently until tears streamed down my face. How ironic. The public acknowledgment I had craved my entire relationship, I received so easily in death. Johnny ignored the nurses’ shocked faces, pushing down the rising panic in his chest as he hurried toward his office. He needed to confirm something. Urgently. He nearly collided with Dr. Peterson at the door. “Johnny, you look like you’re in a hurry. Off to see Dr. Vance, I presume?” Johnny froze for a second. Peterson’s words lifted the crushing weight from his heart. His expression hardened into a sneer. “You were the one who took her case?” Dr. Peterson nodded, sighing. “It’s been a while. You should probably go deal with it.” “Deal with what? The fact that she’s milking this for all it’s worth?” Johnny scoffed. “I’ve given her too much slack. It was a minor accident. Nina, who’s a hundred times more fragile, is perfectly fine. Andrea’s built like an ox and she’s pretending to be on her deathbed? She made Nina cry with guilt, and now she has the nerve to send you here to plead her case?” Dr. Peterson stared, dumbfounded. It took him a moment to process what Johnny was saying. A storm of fury gathered in his eyes. He grabbed Johnny by the collar. “I thought you were just quiet, a man of few words. I assumed you at least had a shred of human decency. I never realized you were such a monster.” “You’re an animal, Croft. Andrea falling for you was the worst luck of her life.” “Do you have any idea what happened in that crash? Do you know that Andrea is already…” Johnny shoved him away, disgusted. “Already what? Don’t tell me you’re going to say she’s dead?” Dr. Peterson stood frozen. Seeing his reaction, Johnny’s face twisted into a knowing, sarcastic smirk. “She’d better be. If she thinks pulling a cheap stunt like this will stir up drama and upset Nina, then I hope her wish comes true.” He straightened his collar. “Go tell her she made a mistake and she needs to face the consequences. If I don’t see her apologizing to Nina by tomorrow, the wedding is off.” With that, he turned and left, shattered phone in hand. Dr. Peterson stood behind him, his face pale with rage, and muttered, “Good. A monster like you never deserved a woman like Andrea anyway.” Fuming, Johnny dropped his phone at a repair shop, paid triple the price for a one-hour fix, and went home. “Andrea…” The apartment was silent. No familiar aroma of dinner cooking, no gentle voice answering him. A chilling emptiness wrapped around him as he stood in the doorway. Without even taking off his shoes, he bolted for the bedroom. He saw all my clothes, my skincare products, everything exactly where it should be. Only then did he slump to the floor, a wave of relief washing over him. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips—that familiar, confident smirk I knew so well. He was so sure of my love for him, so certain I would never, ever leave. He pulled out his newly repaired phone and, as if bestowing a great favor, sent me a text. “You’re the one who’s been lying and playing dead, Andrea. Come home and apologize properly, and I’ll forgive you.” The message was met with silence. His face hardened. He sent another. “Reply in thirty minutes, or the wedding is canceled.” Thirty minutes passed. An hour. The silence in the apartment felt thick, heavy, like waterlogged cotton, pressing down on him, making it hard to breathe. Just when I thought his patience had finally run out, he stood up, opened the fridge, and started cooking. Half an hour later, three of my favorite dishes were on the table. He took a picture and sent it to me. “I told you I had to help Nina first because she was having an episode. You were barely touched, but she was terrified. Can’t you see what’s more important?” He took a deep breath, as if making a monumental concession. “You don’t have to apologize this time. But don’t let it happen again. We’re about to be married, Andrea. Stop being so childish. Come home. We’ll eat, and then we’ll go get the marriage license.” The moment he sent the text, a call came through. It was Nina, her voice a piercing shriek. “Johnny, Andrea’s trying to kill me! Get away! Help! Aaaah!” When Johnny burst into the hospital room, it was in chaos. A speaker on the nightstand was playing the white noise of a rainstorm on a loop. Nina was huddled in a corner, screaming hysterically anytime someone got near. Johnny rushed over, gathering her into his arms, his heart aching. “Nina, don’t be afraid. I’m here.” Her face was ashen, streaked with tears. “Andrea called me a whore, a homewrecker! She said my sister deserved to die! She sent me this audio, she said if I don’t stay away from you, she’ll make sure I die just like my sister did, tortured and…” “Johnny, I’m so scared! Am I a homewrecker? Are you going to leave me, just like my sister did?” I stared at Nina, stunned by the sheer artistry of her performance. She was the one who had killed me, and now, after my death, she was dragging my name through the mud. I could still see her eyes through the shattered windshield as she slammed the accelerator—colder and more venomous than a snake’s. She wasn’t having an episode. She was perfectly lucid. She wanted me dead. I looked at Johnny, praying that our three years together meant something, that even if he never chose me, he at least knew I wasn’t capable of such cruelty. But I had forgotten. When it came to Nina, I was worth nothing. Johnny’s face was terrifyingly calm. He turned off the white noise and stared at the phone number the text had supposedly come from—my number. His eyes grew colder and colder. He gently lifted Nina, placed her on the bed, and wiped away her tears with a tenderness I had never seen. “You’re not the homewrecker, Nina,” he said softly. “Andrea is.” With that, he reached into his pocket and pulled out the custom diamond ring we’d chosen together, the one meant to symbolize our ‘one true love,’ the one we were supposed to exchange at our wedding in three days. Without a moment’s hesitation, he slipped it onto Nina’s ring finger. “From now on,” he declared, “you will be my bride.” Nina tried to hide her triumphant glee, feigning panic. “But… Andrea is your fiancée. She’s been waiting to marry you. If I wear her ring, won’t she hate me even more?” “She dares?” Johnny sneered. “If she has the audacity to insult your sister and threaten you, then she’d better be prepared for the consequences.” “Not only am I not marrying her, I’m going to have her blacklisted from the medical community. A person as vile as her doesn’t deserve to wear that white coat.” He immediately pulled out his phone. He sent me one last ultimatum. “You have five minutes to get here and kneel before Nina to apologize.” When no reply came, Johnny’s patience finally snapped. A cruel smile spread across his face. The man who had always disdained using his power and influence was, for Nina, now pulling every string he had. Bypassing all official channels, he used his authority as the heir to the Croft Corporation to issue a nationwide industry ban against me. My entire life’s work—countless sleepless nights, years of relentless effort to earn the career I loved more than anything—was gone. Erased by a single, careless command. Nina finally broke into a radiant smile, nestling contentedly into his arms. “I knew you’d always choose me, Johnny.” Johnny didn’t answer. His hands were clenched around his phone, his face a dark mask as he stared at the screen. He thought this would be enough to force me out of hiding. He didn’t know. I was never coming back. I looked at my translucent hands, fading in the wind. I tried to laugh, but tears flowed like a broken dam, unstoppable. In the end, I had lost my life, my reputation, and now I was nothing but a lost soul, a ghost unable to even escape his orbit. How pathetic. The hospital room was filled with celebration. Everyone was applauding this perfect resolution, offering their congratulations. But then, the door flew open, and a figure stormed in. Before anyone could react, a sharp crack echoed through the room as a hand struck Johnny’s face. “Andrea is already dead! Why won’t you just leave her alone?”

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The day I flew back home, my best friend’s girlfriend cornered me, her eyes burning with hostility. “So, you’re the one that got away, huh? His old flame. I’ll give you this, you’re pretty. But now that he has me, I guess that makes you… what? Just a boring old memory.” I tried to explain that I was just one of the guys, a friend, but she wouldn’t let it go. “Oh, I’ve seen your type before. The ‘cool girl’ who plays the ‘just one of the guys’ card so you can flirt without any consequences.” “Honey, have some self-respect. Don’t be some cheap tramp everyone’s had a piece of.” I was completely floored. What the hell was a “cool girl” act? I’m a guy. A 100% genuine, bona fide guy. 1 The door to the private dining room swung open just as I sat down. Leo walked in with his arm around a woman in a slinky red dress. “Brian! You’re finally back!” Zack clapped me on the shoulder. “Let me introduce you. This is Leo’s girlfriend, Lily.” Lily’s eyes roamed over me, top to bottom, and then her brow furrowed. “Leo, is this the ‘old flame’ you’re always talking about? You’ve got a pretty face, I’ll give you that, but your style is so… androgynous. Neither here nor there.” My hand, holding a teacup, paused mid-air. I looked up and smiled. “An old flame? That’s a new one on me. I didn’t know I had that title.” “Don’t play dumb,” she scoffed, sliding in next to Leo and draping an arm over his shoulder. “Leo has pictures of you on his phone. Calls you his ‘best friend.’ Sounds more like some unfinished business to me.” Zack quickly tried to smooth things over. “Lily, you’ve got it all wrong. Brian is one of our brothers…” “Brother?” Lily let out a sharp, derisive laugh. “What kind of woman runs around calling a bunch of guys her ‘brothers’? I see what this is. You’re a ‘cool girl,’ using that face to string guys along, keeping Leo on the back burner.” I set my teacup down and leaned forward. “Miss Lily, first, I’m not stringing anyone along. Second, this ‘cool girl’ you’re talking about… is it possible you’re just so insecure you see a rival in everyone?” “Are you trying to insult me?” Lily shot up, slamming her hand on the table. “I’m warning you, stay away from Leo! Don’t think that pretty face gives you a pass to be a homewrecker!” “Homewrecker?” I raised an eyebrow. “Leo is your boyfriend, not mine. Whether I stay away from him or not is none of your business. But you, on the other hand, attacking me the second we meet? That’s just a stunning lack of class.” Leo tugged on Lily’s arm. “Lily, stop it. Brian really is my friend…” “Friend?” She yanked her arm away. “She’s a woman! Thinks she can fool everyone by wearing a button-down and a short haircut? It’s all an act to get your sympathy so she can snatch other people’s boyfriends!” I pulled out my driver’s license and slapped it on the table. “Why don’t you see for yourself? The little box next to ‘Sex’ says ‘Male’.” Lily glanced at it for a fraction of a second before whipping her head away. “An ID doesn’t prove anything! It could be fake! A girl like you would do anything to get a man.” “You look all prim and proper, but underneath you’re just a cheap tramp.” Zack couldn’t take it anymore. “Lily, that’s way out of line. Brian just got back in the country. What is your problem?” “My problem?” Lily put her hands on her hips. “My problem is trying to get you guys to see her for who she really is! You’re all being fooled by her looks!” I let out a cold laugh. “Miss Lily, instead of wasting your breath psychoanalyzing me, maybe you should keep a tighter leash on your own boyfriend. After all, turning his best friend into some romantic rival… with an imagination like that, it’s a shame you’re not writing novels.” 2 “Don’t you dare get sarcastic with me!” Lily glared, stabbing her fork into the plate with a clatter. “You’re just jealous that Leo and I are so happy, so you’re trying to stir up trouble!” Leo looked mortified. “Brian, come on. Lily’s young. Don’t stoop to her level.” “Youth isn’t an excuse for having no brain,” I said calmly, taking a bite of food. “I came back to catch up with my friends, not to be screamed at by a stranger for no reason.” “Who’s screaming?” Lily’s voice shot up, drawing stares from the next table. “I’m warning you! Don’t think you can push your luck just because Leo has a soft spot for the past. He’s mine now, so you can just give up!” Zack frowned. “Lily, can you please just talk normally? Brian is a guy. We’ve known each other since we were kids. Why can’t you believe us?” “I don’t believe you!” Lily pointed a finger at me. “Look at him! Delicate skin, soft voice… besides the clothes, what part of him looks like a man? You’re all in on it together, trying to give Leo an excuse to keep his side piece around!” “Side piece?” I put down my fork and met her gaze. “Miss Lily, don’t you think you’re overestimating your own importance? Even if Leo were looking for a backup, don’t you think he’d find someone with a bit more sense than you?” “Are you saying I don’t have sense?” She leaped to her feet, her finger practically touching my nose. “You little manipulator! Think you’re so clever? Playing the man to sneak into a group of friends, seducing every guy in sight. You’re disgusting!” “Disgusting?” I stood up too, towering over her by a good half a foot. “I didn’t provoke you, I didn’t even look at you, and the first meal I have back home, you unleash this tirade on me. Who’s the disgusting one here?” Leo quickly stepped between us. “Hey, hey, break it up! Brian, I’m sorry. On Lily’s behalf. She just… she cares about me a lot.” “Cares about you?” I laughed. “If she cared about you, she’d respect your friends, not act like a rabid dog. Miss Lily, I’ll tell you one more time: I am a man, and Leo and I are just friends. If you keep this up, don’t blame me for not being polite.” Lily was speechless, her eyes turning red. She looked at Leo, her voice dripping with hurt. “Leo, look at how he’s bullying me!” “Alright, alright,” Leo said, patting her back. “Brian didn’t mean it. Just sit down and eat. Don’t ruin the mood for everyone.” Lily shot me a venomous look and sat back down, muttering under her breath, “Such a phony. You can just tell he’s bad news.” I ignored her and raised my glass to Zack. “Forget her. Let’s drink.” 3 The peace didn’t last long. Lily started up again, her voice laced with poison. “Some people have such thick skin. They can get cursed out and just sit there eating and drinking like nothing happened. No shame at all.” Zack had heard enough. “Lily, that’s it! Brian is our best friend. Can you please show him a little respect?” “Respect him?” Lily snorted. “Why should I respect some ‘cool girl’ wannabe? She deliberately dresses like a man to hang around you guys. Isn’t it obvious she’s trying to seduce you? Zack, has she got her hooks in you too? Is that why you’re defending her?” “What the hell are you talking about?” Zack’s face flushed. “We’re all brothers!” “Brothers?” Lily laughed, a high, tinkling sound. “Oh, Zack, don’t kid yourself! What man looks like that? I think you’re just infatuated with her but you’re too afraid to admit it because of your ‘brotherhood’! Have you two already slept together?” My fists clenched. I was done being patient. “Lily, you’ve gone too far! I’ll prove it to you right now…” “Brian!” Leo suddenly grabbed my wrist, his voice a harsh whisper. “Don’t! I’m begging you!” I froze. “Leo, what are you talking about?” “Lily… she has a lot of pride,” he pleaded. “If you actually prove it, she’ll be humiliated. The scene will be even worse. For my sake, as a friend, can you just let it go for a little longer?” “Let it go?” I stared at him. “She’s insulted me every way she can, and you want me to let it go?” Zack chimed in. “Leo, she’s walking all over Brian. How can you still defend her?” “I’m not defending her,” Leo sighed. “I just don’t want to make a bigger scene. I’m… I’m planning on marrying her. Brian, I know this is unfair. I’ll make it up to you later.” Seeing Leo protecting her, Lily became even more brazen. “See? See? Even Leo is on my side! I told you, you’re nothing but a manipulative, two-faced bitch trying to seduce my man!” I was speechless. The dinner ended on that sour note. As we were leaving the restaurant, Leo suddenly said, “Damn, my car won’t start.” Lily immediately turned to me. “Brian, you drove here, right? Perfect. You can give us a ride home.” I raised an eyebrow. “And why would I do that?” “Why?” Lily said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “You’re Leo’s ‘best friend.’ What’s the big deal about giving us a ride? Or are you just bitter you have to see us together?” Leo added, “Come on, Brian, help us out. I’ll buy you dinner next time.” I hesitated, then finally nodded. “Fine. Get in.” The entire ride, Lily deliberately clung to Leo’s arm, whispering in his ear just loud enough for me to hear. “Oh, Leo, you’re so good to me. You’re the best.” “Silly girl. Who else would I be good to?” Leo’s voice was full of affection. Lily glanced in the rearview mirror, her eyes landing on my stony expression. “Leo, look at some people. Their face is so long it’s about to hit the floor. Someone’s jealous.” My grip on the steering wheel tightened. I was beyond annoyed. I was just done. 4 “Leo, remember our first date?” Lily cooed, leaning her head on his shoulder. “The necklace you gave me? I wear it every single day.” “Of course I remember,” Leo said with a smile. “I’m glad you like it.” “I bet some people have never had anyone treat them so well,” Lily said, her eyes flicking to the rearview mirror. “After all, who would want an androgynous ‘cool girl’ who can’t decide if she’s a man or a woman?” I took a deep breath and said nothing. In the mirror, Leo shot me a look, mouthing the words, “Please, man. Just hang in there.” I laughed coldly to myself. This was beyond just hanging in there. Lily was pushing every button she could find. “Brian,” Lily said suddenly, her voice sickly sweet. “You’re getting on in years. How come you haven’t found anyone yet? Is it because no one wants you? I guess it must be hard. Men don’t like you, women don’t want to be near you.” “Lily!” Leo said, a weak attempt at a reprimand. “Don’t say that.” “I’m just being honest,” she pouted. “It’s a shame. You have a decent face. Why do you have to be so confused? Pretending to be a man just to get close to other people’s boyfriends.” “Miss Lily,” I finally said, my voice level. “Do you ever think before you speak? Whether I’m seeing someone or not has absolutely nothing to do with you.” “Ooh, finally snapped, did you?” Lily giggled. “I was just joking. Did I hit a nerve?” “A joke?” The veins in my hands stood out as I gripped the steering wheel. “Making jokes about someone’s identity and character. Is that what passes for manners where you come from?” “I never said you had a character problem,” Lily said, feigning innocence. “I just think it’s not a good look for a woman to be hanging around a bunch of men all the time. You should find a nice, simple guy and settle down. Stop trying to steal other people’s boyfriends.” Again, Leo was gesturing at me in the mirror, his eyes begging. “Brian, let it go. She’s just talking.” “Just talking?” I glanced at him. “This is the third time she’s called me a conniving homewrecker. How am I supposed to ‘let it go’?” “Brian, I know you’re upset,” Leo sighed. “But Lily really loves me. She’s just… sensitive. I promise I’ll talk to her when we get home. Just let her have this one, please?” Seeing Leo defend her yet again, Lily’s smirk widened. “You hear that? Leo wants you to back off! So be a good little pet and stop trying to drive a wedge between us. It’s not going to work.” I stopped talking. I just slammed my foot on the accelerator. The car surged forward. All I wanted was to drop these two off and never see them again.

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After a year away on sabbatical, my work at the academic consultancy had all fallen on my colleague, Diane Miller. So when she suggested hiring a new consultant to ease the load, I felt too guilty to refuse. I was thrilled when I saw the job posting Diane had put online. The new hire’s academic credentials—bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate—were identical to mine, all from the same university, in the same programs. The moment my research was done, I rushed back to the office. But something felt wrong the instant I saw the new consultant, Laura. “Excuse me,” I said, “but I don’t remember ever seeing you in any of my classes.” 1 “And who are you?” Laura looked me up and down, her face a mask of confusion, completely ignoring my question. I had come back in such a hurry that I hadn’t even had a chance to check in with Diane, just asked the receptionist to take me straight to our new hire. The idea of working with someone who had walked the same academic halls was genuinely exciting. I thought maybe Diane had hired one of my old classmates. But when the receptionist introduced me to this woman, I was utterly baffled. Suppressing my confusion, I forced a smile. “I’m one of the consultants here. I’ve been away for a while. You must be the new Ph.D. we hired, right?” At the mention of her doctorate, Laura’s chin lifted, a smug look spreading across her face. “That’s right. I’m Laura. And you are? What’s your degree? Associate’s? Bachelor’s?” I studied her closely, testing the waters. “I have my doctorate as well. What a coincidence! We actually attended the same university for all three of our degrees.” Laura’s expression flickered, but she quickly composed herself. “Wow, what are the odds? Ha ha. Anyway, I have something to take care of, so I’ve got to run.” She tried to brush past me, but I stepped in her way. “It’s strange, Laura. I was in that program for years, and I never saw you once. Who was your thesis advisor?” “My advisor… he was…” She stammered, unable to come up with a name. And in that moment, I knew. Diane must have been so swamped that she’d let someone slip through the cracks. This woman’s degree was a fake. Just then, Diane walked over. She saw me and froze, the words tumbling out of her mouth before she could stop them. “What are you doing back?” I frowned. Her tone… it sounded like the last thing she wanted was for me to be here. “My sabbatical is over, so of course I’m back,” I said. “But that’s not important right now.” I turned my gaze to Laura, who was now staring at the floor. “Diane, I think there’s a problem with our new hire’s credentials.” Laura’s head snapped up. “No, there isn’t! You’re lying!” “We’ll see about that,” I said coolly. “All we have to do is check her file.” As soon as the words left my mouth, Diane and Laura shouted in unison. “No!” I looked from one to the other, a thought suddenly clicking into place. Diane and Laura… were they in this together? A cold smile touched my lips. “Diane, don’t tell me you knew her degree was fake. You know what the number one rule in our line of work is, don’t you?” Diane glanced at Laura, then back at me, her voice losing its confidence. “Of course, I know that. But you shouldn’t be so paranoid…” Her words trailed off into a mumble. “Fine,” I said, my voice firm. “Laura, bring your file to my office. You too, Diane.” I turned as if to leave, but ducked around the corner and waited. Sure enough, the second I was out of sight, Laura grabbed Diane’s arm, her voice a panicked whisper. “Aunt Diane, what do I do? Am I going to get fired?” Aunt? So that was it. My suspicion was right on the money. “Don’t panic,” Diane hissed. “Just tell her you left your file at home. We’ll figure it out later.” “Aunt Diane, are you sure that’ll work? What if she finds out…?” “She won’t!” Diane insisted, though it sounded like she was trying to convince herself. “In a few days, she’ll forget all about it.” Having heard everything, I stepped back into the hallway. The color drained from their faces. I let a slow, deliberate smile spread across mine. “An aunt, you say?” I asked, my voice dripping with ice. “You’d better start explaining. Now.” The awkward, guilty expressions on their faces fueled a rare surge of anger in me. “Diane, if you want to hire your relatives, I don’t have a problem with that.” I paused, watching a flicker of relief in their eyes before I continued. “But to bring someone in without doing a basic background check, and now that her degree is clearly fraudulent, how can you possibly expect me to let her stay?” Diane’s face flushed with anger. She squared her shoulders. “Her degree is not a problem! She’s been teaching here for months, and the parents and students are all very happy with her.” Her stubborn refusal to see reason was deeply disappointing. I closed my eyes for a moment. “Then show me her file. Let’s see some proof.” Diane lowered her head, silent. We stood in a tense standoff until Laura couldn’t take it anymore. “Aunt Diane, just show her! We have nothing to hide!” Laura spun around and stormed into the office before Diane could stop her. Watching Diane’s anxious fidgeting, my suspicion grew. A moment later, Laura returned, holding a personnel file. She arrogantly tossed it at my chest. “Here! Read it and weep!” Her tone was humiliating, but I bit back my retort, bent down to pick up the file, and started to open it. A hand shot out, stopping me. It was Diane, forcing a tight smile. “She’s just a kid. Don’t mind her.” “It’s fine,” I said, trying again to open the folder. Diane’s hand remained firmly in place. That was the last straw. I shoved her hand away and opened the file. As I read, my expression grew darker and darker. Laura was still preening nearby, but my heart had sunk into a pit of ice. At first glance, the file looked perfect. The degree, the photo, everything was clearly documented. But I knew. This wasn’t Laura’s file. I looked up, my eyes locking on Diane. Because this file… it was mine. My hands began to tremble as I held the papers. I looked at Diane in disbelief. “Diane, can you explain this? Why does this file have my social security number and my dissertation title listed on it?” Laura stared at me, then at her aunt, utterly shocked. Feeling our eyes on her, Diane shrank, her head bowing lower and lower. “I… I don’t know…” Even though I didn’t want to believe it, the truth was staring me in the face. I had thought Laura had simply faked a degree and fooled Diane. I never imagined they were related. And I was furious to realize Diane had known all along. But I never, ever would have guessed that the fake degree was mine. And to think, I had been so excited to meet a former classmate. It was all a complete and utter fraud. What a scheme. They had simply swapped the name and photo on my records and handed them to Laura, effortlessly stealing my identity. All those parents and students Diane claimed were so impressed with Laura… they weren’t impressed with her. They were impressed with the Ph.D. she had stolen from me. I’d been gone for one year, and I’d come back to find my own credentials had been erased. If I’d returned any later, would there have even been a place for me left at my own company? The more I thought about it, the deeper my disappointment grew. Diane and I had known each other for years. I thought we were best friends. I never imagined she would be the one to stab me in the back. Shaking with rage, I confronted her. “Only you have access to my personnel file, Diane. Tell me, why did you give my degree to Laura?” I advanced on her, and she broke out in a cold sweat. Seeing her aunt cornered, Laura finally found her voice. She shoved me back, shielding Diane with her body. “So what if my aunt did it? I wanted that degree, so now it’s mine.” She looked down her nose at me. “And for the record, my aunt may be nice, but don’t think that puts you on her level. When you work for someone, you need to know your place!” I seized on her words. “What do you mean by that?” Laura scowled, annoyed at being interrupted. “I mean my aunt is your boss! So you’d better watch your tone. She gave you your degree in the first place, so you should just be grateful and accept the arrangement! What’s with the attitude?” For a second, my brain couldn’t process the sheer audacity. Once her words sank in, I burst out laughing. I looked past Laura to the silent, cowering Diane. “Well, well, Boss Diane. I had no idea you were the one who got me my Ph.D.!” Diane opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again. My disappointment was absolute. Laura was still babbling, mocking me, until I cut her off. “You seem to be confused about two things,” I said sharply. “First, does this consultancy really belong to your aunt? And second, if she’s so powerful she can magic up a flawless Ph.D. out of thin air, why wouldn’t she have made one for herself?” Laura was stumped. After a long pause, she finally sputtered, “It’s not that hard! Just because you can’t do it doesn’t mean other people can’t!” I laughed without mercy. “No wonder your aunt had to fake a degree for you. With your intellect, you’d probably make your students dumber.” My words finally hit home, and Laura flushed with rage. But even then, Diane said nothing to defend her. That settled it. I was calling the police. Auntie? Only a fool like Laura wouldn’t see that Diane was using her as a human shield. She couldn’t even defend her own family once the truth came out. I scoffed. I had been so wrong about her. Diane and I were classmates in college. After graduation, I founded this consultancy to pay my way through my master’s and Ph.D. programs. Diane hadn’t been a great student, but she was savvy and had good management skills, so I invited her to work with me. For years, whenever my studies took me away, I trusted her to run everything. She always kept the place in perfect order. I thought we were partners. I never thought she’d be the one to betray me so deeply. I let out a heavy sigh. I had felt so guilty for being gone this past year, knowing it meant more work for her. I had given her raises, found ways to bonus her for her hard work. I had even planned on giving her a portion of the company’s shares when I got back. Now, that was clearly off the table. I pulled out my phone to dial 911 when the receptionist burst in, looking flustered. She saw the three of us and breathed a sigh of relief. “There’s a crowd of parents at the front door,” she said. “They’re demanding to see Laura.” I was still trying to process this when Laura let out a squeal of excitement, her earlier arrogance returning in a flash. “It must be my students’ parents!” she declared. “They’ve come to thank me! Just you wait. One word from me, and they’ll be on your case in a second!” She grabbed Diane and excitedly pulled her toward the entrance. I hesitated for a moment, then followed. My gut told me a sudden mob of parents wasn’t a good sign. As we neared the entrance, we could see a large group of people gathered outside. “Aunt Diane, look at all of them!” Laura chirped, shaking her arm. “They must be here to thank me!” I could almost understand her assumption. The receptionist had told me that since Laura started, her students had all graduated without issue. Parents often came by to express their gratitude and recommend her to their friends and relatives. So, Laura naturally assumed this was just another thank-you party. If she’d been a little more observant, she would have noticed that the crowd was far larger than her total number of students. Seeing me standing off to the side, Laura couldn’t resist gloating. “Never seen a crowd like this, have you? We may both be consultants here, but we are not the same.” She was smug, all traces of her earlier panic gone. Even Diane looked more relaxed. “Laura, she’s still your senior,” Diane said, then turned and gently took my arm. “The degree situation… I admit I handled it poorly. But Laura is very talented, and she’s brought a lot of business to the consultancy. If you’re not happy, you’re free to resign. I’ll even pay you for the year you were away.” Her words made my stomach turn. “Aunt Diane, why are you being so nice to her?” Laura pouted. “After what she said to you?” “People say things they don’t mean when they’re upset,” Diane said smoothly, her eyes on the crowd. “Let’s resolve this now before the parents get the wrong idea and your colleague gets hurt.” I snorted, my gaze turning colder. I had let her get away with too much, and now she was drunk on borrowed power, actually threatening me. Was she implying that if I didn’t play along, she’d slander me in front of all these parents? With a crowd this big, their anger alone could bury me. I fell silent. Seeing this, Diane and Laura assumed I was intimidated and grew even more arrogant. Just then, a commotion started in the crowd. “Where is Laura? We were told someone was getting her!” “What kind of service is this? We all paid for tutoring here, and you just leave us standing outside?” Seeing the parents’ tempers flaring, Diane and Laura forgot about me. Plastering on bright smiles, they walked to the entrance. “Sorry for the wait, everyone!” Laura called out, trying to contain her excitement. “You know me, I’m a perfectionist. I was just in my office preparing for my next class!” The crowd quieted down. A man stepped forward. “You’re Laura? The new consultant?” Laura nodded without hesitation, linking her arm with Diane’s. “Yes, that’s me. And this is my aunt, the founder of this consultancy. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her!” The two of them shared a self-congratulatory look, completely missing the dark expressions spreading across the parents’ faces. I had started to follow them, intending to stop them from spreading any more lies. But when I saw the look in the parents’ eyes, a sense of dread washed over me, and I stopped in my tracks. Suddenly, someone in the crowd yelled. “That’s her! Get her!” In an instant, the parents pulled out eggs, rotten vegetables, and whatever else they could find and started hurling them at Laura. One man screamed as he threw something. “You money-grubbing fraud! My son’s thesis was rejected for plagiarism, he lost his degree, and now he’s lost his job! This is all your fault!”

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On our seventh wedding anniversary, I found a dowry list in my husband Felix’s safe. It wasn’t for me. It was for his ex-girlfriend. The list was staggering: an $18.88 million settlement, ten sets of limited-edition designer jewelry, and two luxury condos in New York City. A stark contrast to my own marriage. When I married Felix, I signed a prenuptial agreement. No dowry, not even a single piece of jewelry. Even the house we lived in, our supposed marital home, wasn’t mine. “What do you think you’re doing, going through my things again?” I turned to see him standing in the doorway, his face a mask of cold annoyance. I didn’t scream. I didn’t cry. I simply looked at him, my voice eerily calm. “Felix, let’s get a divorce.” His brow furrowed slightly. He strode into the room, snatched the crimson list from my hand, and ripped it into confetti. “It’s an old relic. Are you really going to blow this out of proportion?” He didn’t spare me another glance, turning his back and walking away as if I were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. And just as calmly, I picked up my phone and called my lawyer. I was leaving with nothing. 1 My lawyer was efficient. By six that evening, the divorce papers were in my inbox. He must have felt a pang of guilt, drafting such a simple agreement for a client who was walking away empty-handed from a marriage to a man of Felix’s stature. “Clara,” he began, his tone hesitant, “are you absolutely sure about this? Given your husband’s net worth, you could fight for a much more substantial settlement.” A bitter smile touched my lips. A settlement? There was nothing to settle. For years, Felix’s official salary had been a symbolic one dollar. As for his company dividends, he had made it crystal clear before we married: they were pre-marital assets. They had nothing to do with me. So while other brides got lavish European weddings and honeymoons, I got a stack of legal documents to sign, meticulously detailing the division of property that left me with none. I never thought much of it. Felix was a businessman, after all. Calculating, meticulous—I understood that. But that dowry list shattered my understanding. It turned my entire marriage into a cruel joke. Because every single item on that list—the jewelry, the condos, the cash—was identical to the assets listed in the prenup I signed. The assets that were explicitly not mine. The wedding ring on my finger? It wasn’t for me. It was meant for her. The ten sets of designer jewelry I had so carefully cleaned and stored? They were hers. This very house, our home? It was bought for her. His ex-girlfriend never claimed them. But even as his wife, I could never have them either. A suffocating pain tightened around my chest, making my hands tremble. Still, I managed to keep my voice steady as I spoke to my lawyer. “No, this is enough.” I ended the call and connected my phone to the printer. But as my finger hovered over the Wi-Fi password prompt, another wave of bitterness washed over me. The password: FLovesEM. I never understood it before. But now, it hit me with the force of a physical blow. Felix loves Elara. Elara—the name elegantly scrawled at the bottom of the dowry list. It all clicked into place. Three years ago, the Wi-Fi went out. I called a technician, had a new router installed, and changed the password to something simple. When Felix came home that night, he couldn’t connect. His rage was immediate and terrifying. He stormed into the bedroom and yanked me from a deep sleep. “Did you change the Wi-Fi password?” he demanded, his face a cold, hard mask. His fury jolted me awake. “The old router was broken,” I stammered. “I had it replaced.” He said nothing more that night, but his silence was a weapon. He immediately called the provider, paying a ridiculous fee to have a technician come out in the middle of the night and change the password back. For the next seven days, he treated me like I was invisible. He refused the food I cooked, slept in the guest room, and ignored every word I said. The silence became unbearable. I finally broke down, apologized, and promised never to touch his things again. Only then did he deign to speak to me. The memory was a fresh stab of pain. I squeezed my eyes shut, forcing the past away, and hit “print.” Once the documents were ready, I signed my name on the dotted line. Then I called a friend in real estate. It was time to find a new place. 2 Thanks to my friend, the search was quick. I wasn’t picky. By that afternoon, I had paid the deposit and first month’s rent on a small apartment. It was eight o’clock by the time I got home, but I stopped at the market anyway. Divorce or not, I wanted this to end with some semblance of peace. I cooked his favorite meal and waited. Ten o’clock came and went. Then eleven. Just after midnight, the front door finally opened. Felix walked in, his expression souring when he saw me on the sofa. He tossed his suit jacket onto a chair, already loosening his tie. “That’s enough, Clara. Stop this little drama.” He started towards the bedroom, not even glancing at the untouched dinner on the dining table. He didn’t say another word to me. My fists clenched. “Felix,” I called out, my voice cutting through the silence. “Here are the divorce papers. Please sign them.” He froze, his body tensing. He turned slowly, his eyes burning with irritation. “Is this still about that list? Fine. You want the house? I’ll add your name to the deed. Is that what you want?” I almost laughed. Did he really think this was about money? If I had been after his money, I never would have married him in the first place. He would never know. He would never understand the years I spent loving him from afar, a secret I had carried from middle school through graduation. My entire youth was a quiet orbit around him. I wrote 999 love letters I never had the courage to give him. For six years, I made sure there was milk and bread on his desk because he always forgot breakfast. I was a silent, lovesick guardian, content to just watch over him. Then, after college, a twist of fate brought us together on a blind date. So I endured it all. The dates he stood me up, leaving me waiting alone outside the movie theater. The rainy nights he promised to pick me up, leaving me soaked and shivering on the curb. I never once thought of leaving. When he proposed, without a shred of genuine ceremony or warmth, I said yes. There was no grand reason. It’s just who I am—the kind of person who has to crash into a wall to finally learn to turn back. But after ten years—three dating, seven married—I’ve hit that wall enough. I’m done. Taking a deep, shaky breath to quell the ache in my chest, I stood up. “That won’t be necessary,” I said, my voice firm. “I truly want a divorce.” I looked him straight in the eye, my resolve hardening. “When I wake up tomorrow, I expect to see these papers signed and on the coffee table.” Then, for the first time, I mirrored his own cold indifference. I walked past him without another word, went into our bedroom, and locked the door. A moment later, the house erupted with his furious roar. “Fine, Clara! You want a divorce? I’ll sign it right now!” The sound of something smashing against the wall followed. “But after this, don’t you dare come crawling back to me, because I will never take you back!” The door to his study slammed shut. Listening to the rage outside, my heart, already bruised, felt like it was being pierced by a thousand tiny needles. Crawling back to him? He seemed to have forgotten. In seven years of marriage, I had begged him hundreds of times. On our first anniversary, I called him, pleading, “Can we please go to that new restaurant tonight? To celebrate?” He’d agreed, but just like when we were dating, he forgot. He called me at the time of our reservation to say he had a last-minute meeting, then hung up before I could reply. And the honeymoon in the Maldives he promised? For seven years, I asked him, “Do you have time this year? Can we finally go?” And every year, the answer was the same: “Business is slow. I’m too busy.” That promised honeymoon remained a debt he never paid. I used to wonder why, after a decade together, there was still an invisible wall between us. The dowry list gave me the answer. It was simple. He never loved me at all. 3 When I woke the next morning, Felix was gone. In his place, scattered across the floor outside my bedroom, were the shredded remains of the divorce papers. For a dizzying second, seeing the white confetti on the carpet, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe he didn’t want this. Maybe he wasn’t completely heartless. Then my phone buzzed, and reality crashed back in. It was a message from an unknown number, a woman who had added me on a messaging app a month ago. Her friend request read: I’m back. Time to give Felix back to me. Stunned, I had accepted. Since then, she had been torturing me with a steady stream of photos. Felix at a nail salon with her. Felix strolling along the beach with her. Felix kissing her under the soft glow of a streetlight. She was the one who told me the password to his safe. She was the one who told me to look for the dowry list. This time, the picture was of Felix’s face, asleep on a pink pillow. Bitch, I heard you found the list in the safe yesterday. See? I told you I wasn’t lying. By the way, all those things Felix gave you? I want you to have them professionally cleaned and sent to me. I have a thing about cleanliness; I don’t like other women touching my possessions. I only let Felix marry you because I had to focus on my studies. You were a clean option, at least. Better to have you warm his bed than some random slut. Oh, and you have seven days. Seven days to divorce him. Otherwise, I don’t care if he’s married. I’ll sleep with him anyway. Don’t even think he won’t touch me. You have no idea how passionate he gets. He’s been coming to my place every night after work since I got back. We’ve come close to crossing the line so many times. If I wasn’t trying to avoid the “homewrecker” label, I’d probably be pregnant with his child by now. Anyway, I have to go. Felix’s waking up, and I need to brush my teeth before giving him his good morning kiss. The messages stopped. Tears blurred my vision, fat drops splashing onto the screen. Through the haze, I typed a shaky reply. You don’t like other women touching your things? You do realize I’ve fucked him more times than you can count, right? I sent it. No reply came. My impotent rage felt like punching a pillow, a suffocating frustration that twisted into sharp knives in my heart. So that’s why he was smashing things at midnight. It wasn’t because I’d asked for a divorce. I had foolishly, pathetically allowed myself to hope he was angry about losing me. No. He was just in a hurry to get to his ex-girlfriend’s bed. The last thread of hope inside me snapped. My fingers trembled as I sent a message to Felix. Felix, are you free today? I’d like to go to City Hall and file for divorce. 4 Just like my message to Elara, my text to Felix went unanswered. For half an hour, I watched the “…” appear and disappear as he typed, but nothing ever came through. My calls went straight to voicemail. Instead, a new message from Elara popped up. It was a voice memo. Her voice, laced with smug annoyance, filled the air. “God, you’re so annoying. Why do you keep calling him? Don’t you know how much we hate it when you interrupt our time together?” My heart seized. I fought back the fury and typed: I asked Felix for a divorce last night. If you want this to happen, tell me where he is. She didn’t reply. I was done waiting. With trembling hands, I booked a moving company online and started to pack. Or rather, to throw things away. Our wedding photos? Gone. Our matching couple’s mugs that he never used once? Gone. The expensive clothes I’d bought for him that he never wore? Gone. When the movers arrived, the living room was piled high with the ghosts of our marriage. I told them to take it all to the dump. Then, with their help, I packed my own belongings. Even though I’d lived in this house for seven years, it only took an afternoon. My life fit into a few dozen boxes. As the moving truck pulled away, I looked back at the house one last time. I couldn’t stop the tears from falling. I had just finished unpacking the essentials in my new, empty apartment when my phone buzzed again. It was Elara. A dropped pin. A location. Come get him. He’s here. My grip on the phone tightened. After a long moment, I typed back a single word. Okay. I changed into a comfortable set of athletic wear, then grabbed the golf club I’d made a point to take from Felix’s house. I called a car. After a month of Elara’s torment, it was time she got a taste of her own medicine.

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1 My CEO husband’s new assistant was a walking disaster. Today, she decided to have a barbecue. In the sterile cleanroom lab. My three-billion-dollar project, instantly contaminated. She just bit her lip, tears welling in her big, innocent eyes. “I’m so sowwy, Rhiannon. Poppy just wanted to help you celebrate!” she whined, referring to herself in the third person. “Even if the project is ruined, we can still have our party, right? I’m still your favorite little helper, aren’t I?” My husband, Leo, wrapped a protective arm around her. “It’s only three billion,” he said, glaring at me. “Stop being so petty, Rhiannon. Consider it tuition for Poppy’s learning experience.” He waved a dismissive hand at the wreckage. “Besides, that dead-end research of yours was going nowhere. It’s time you shut down the lab and went home to be a good little trophy wife.” I had to wonder why he was so nonchalant about a three-billion-dollar project going up in smoke. And then it hit me. He thought it was my project. I started to laugh and clap my hands slowly. Oh, this was good. This was very good. It wasn’t my company on the verge of bankruptcy. … Leo’s brow furrowed at my reaction. “What are you laughing at, Rhiannon? Don’t think I don’t know what that smug look means.” “You’re just bitter about the money,” he sneered. “But let’s be honest, that project was a drain. You should be thanking Poppy for putting it out of its misery.” Poppy peeked out from behind his arm. “The lab just felt so cold and boring, Rhiannon. Poppy just wanted to liven things up a little! I didn’t know your experiments were so… fragile. It was an accident!” I laughed out loud. “Poppy, you’re twenty-two, not two. Drop the baby act.” I surveyed the catastrophic mess. For five years of marriage, I had cleaned up countless messes for Leo’s projects. I’d put my own research on hold to help him analyze his data. He only saw me as a frumpy, overworked scientist who left early and came home late. He had no idea that a top-tier tech firm was on the verge of signing a massive deal to acquire my research. Seeing my expression harden, Leo stepped in front of Poppy protectively. “That’s enough, Rhiannon! How long are you going to drag this out? It was only three billion dollars. A cheap price to pay for Poppy’s education, if you ask me!” He scoffed. “And your gene therapy research was a joke anyway. Just a money pit with nothing to show for it. Now that it’s gone, you can finally give up!” Behind him, Poppy shot me a triumphant, smug smirk. Fine. If Leo wasn’t worried about his own project being destroyed, why should I be? I turned to leave, but he grabbed my arm and spun me around. “Apologize to Poppy.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “She destroyed a three-billion-dollar project, and you want me to apologize to her? Leo, have you forgotten who your wife is?” He let out a derisive snort. “If you hadn’t built your lab in the company headquarters, Poppy never would have gone in there. If you weren’t such a miserable shrew all the time, she wouldn’t have felt the need to cheer you up. This is your fault, Rhiannon. You’re going to apologize, and then you’re going to pay her one million dollars for emotional distress.” His company’s capital was already stretched thin because of this project. Now, with a three-billion-dollar loss and massive breach-of-contract penalties looming, he wanted to give his “Poppy” a million-dollar bonus? Fine by me. Let the whole damn ship sink. I’ll watch from my lifeboat. “One million? No problem,” I said breezily, pulling out a corporate financial approval form. “Just sign here, Mr. CEO.” Leo scowled. “It’s your company paying. Why would I sign?” I spun a quick lie. “New bank regulations. Any large corporate transfer requires signatures from both spouses to prevent fraudulent asset shifting.” He eyed me with suspicion, but Poppy was already tugging at his arm. “Leo, honey, please sign it! Poppy wants to go shopping for new bags!” she cooed. “Rhiannon’s company is about to go bankrupt. If we wait too long, there might not be any money left!” The doubt in Leo’s eyes evaporated, replaced by impatience. He scribbled his name on the form, threw it in my face, and swept out of the lab with Poppy on his arm. I looked at his clear, confident signature and smiled. I hoped he enjoyed this feeling of power. It wouldn’t last long. Not when he discovered his company’s bank account had a balance of two hundred and fifty dollars. I went straight to the finance department. The CFO turned pale when he saw the form. “Ms. Thorne, are you sure about this transfer?” he stammered. “We’ve poured every last drop of liquid capital into this project. There isn’t a million dollars in cash flow!” I took a slow sip of my coffee. “Mr. Thorne personally approved it. Can’t you see his signature?” The CFO wiped sweat from his brow. “But… if this goes through, we won’t be able to make payroll next month. The employees will riot.” I shrugged. “That sounds like a problem for your CEO. Not me.” He didn’t dare argue. With a trembling hand, he processed the transfer. The next day, as I was packing up my personal data reports from the lab, Poppy burst in. She triumphantly dropped a dozen luxury shopping bags on the table. “Look what Leo bought me!” she chirped. “He said I was so brave yesterday and deserved a treat.” She dangled a limited-edition handbag in front of my face. “Isn’t it pretty? So hard to get.” She smirked. “Such a shame your company is going bankrupt, Rhiannon. Soon you won’t even be able to afford the knock-offs.” Leo stood beside her, arms crossed, the picture of arrogance. “It’s my money. I’ll spend it how I want. Don’t be so bitter, Rhiannon. You’re nothing now.” I looked up at him, my gaze calm. “We’re not divorced yet. That’s marital property you’re spending.” Leo laughed and threw a document at my face. “Your project’s debts are your own. Don’t try to pin them on me! I’m being generous by letting you stay on as Mrs. Thorne. Otherwise, you’ll be a laughingstock in this entire industry.” I picked up the document. It was a property settlement agreement. Everything in his name—the house, the cars, his company shares—would remain his. My project, and all its debt, would generously be left to me. He really had it all figured out. I looked at him and smiled. “Leo, did you forget? I own shares in your company, too.” His face darkened. “Don’t even think about it! Those were a gift. I can take them back anytime I want!” I pushed the agreement back toward him. “I’ll sign. On two conditions. The house is mine—it was a wedding gift from my parents. And I want a divorce.” Leo looked me up and down with contempt. “A divorce? Did your brain get fried along with your project, Rhiannon? Sign my agreement, and I’ll graciously give you a five-hundred-dollar monthly allowance to remain my wife.” Poppy chimed in, her voice sickly sweet. “And Leo said he’s making me the new Vice President! I can talk to him about giving you a job cleaning the toilets. How about that, Rhiannon?” I almost laughed in their faces. “Just answer the question, Leo. Are you going to grant me a divorce, or not?” He scoffed, his tone magnanimous. “Of course! Go ahead and take the house. It’s not even worth as much as a few of Poppy’s handbags.” He eagerly signed the divorce papers. With his signed settlement in hand, I went straight to my office. “Get the legal team on the phone. We’re filing for divorce,” I told my assistant. “And then, contact our broker. Sell all thirty percent of my shares in Thorne Industries. I want to see that stock price hit rock bottom.” Leo seemed to have forgotten that I had used my parents’ trust fund to get his project off the ground. Those shares weren’t a gift. They were a legally binding investment. On the day of my big signing ceremony, the newly appointed VP Poppy decided to make her mark. She gathered all the senior executives in the lobby for an impromptu meeting. “Poppy is VP now, and Poppy is going to create value!” she announced. “Poppy feels so bad about ruining Rhiannon’s project, so Poppy decided to bring in a new three-hundred-billion-dollar investment to make up for it!” As I approached, I could hear the executives fawning over her. “Amazing, Ms. Poppy! Three hundred billion!” “Mr. Thorne has a real eye for talent! With you here, the company is destined for greatness!” Beaming from the praise, Poppy spotted me and dragged me into a fire escape stairwell. She slammed a document against my chest. “Poppy found you a high-leverage investment deal! Just sign this, and your project will get three hundred billion dollars instantly!” I glanced at it. It was a gambling agreement, a leveraged bet. As I turned to walk away, several of Leo’s cronies, the senior executives, blocked my path and pinned me down. Poppy planted her stiletto heel on my chest, grinding it in. “This is your big chance, Rhiannon. Don’t be ungrateful!” I struggled, my heart pounding. My life’s work was about to be officially acquired, and this idiot was about to ruin everything. “I won’t sign it! This is illegal! I’m calling the police!” Poppy slapped me hard across the face. “Your project is a worthless piece of trash! Who do you think you are?” The executives joined in, kicking and punching me. “She’s doing you a favor, Rhiannon!” one of them grunted. “You should be on your knees thanking her!” Poppy smiled triumphantly. “Remember that new bank rule you mentioned? Leo already signed his part. All we need now is your fingerprint, and the deal is done!” My struggles were useless. They beat me until I was limp, kicking me in the face and ribs. In the chaos, Poppy used a small knife to slice my thumb, then pressed it onto the signature line of the agreement. She held up the document for everyone to see. Only then did I get a clear look at it. She had used Leo’s contaminated thirty-billion-dollar project as the basis for a 100x leveraged bet. I lay on the cold floor, bruised and bleeding, and started to laugh. The idiot. Poppy the idiot. She had just turned Leo’s thirty-billion-dollar loss into a three-hundred-billion-dollar debt. It was hilarious. Just then, one of the executives glanced at his watch. “The signing ceremony is about to start!” Poppy immediately let me go and rushed to meet Leo, who had just arrived. “Leo, honey, let’s go! I bet that top-tier tech firm is here to sign a deal for our project!” I staggered to my feet. Leo saw me and didn’t even bother to hide his disgust. “You actually have the nerve to show your face here, Rhiannon? A signing ceremony of this caliber is out of your league. Is your bankrupt little company even invited? Or did you just come to see what real success looks like? Pay attention. You might learn something.” He straightened his tie and strode confidently towards the stage. The CEO of the tech firm, Mr. Hayes, had just stepped up to the podium. Leo rushed past him, his expression dripping with arrogance. “Mr. Hayes,” he said loudly. “I hear you’re interested in my project. Ready to sign? Let’s talk terms. Anything less than a seventy-thirty split in my favor is a non-starter.” Mr. Hayes stared at him for a second, then took a step back as if Leo had lost his mind. A murmur went through the crowd of reporters. Then, the large screen behind the stage lit up. Leo stared at it, then his gaze snapped to me as I walked towards the signing table, his face a mask of utter disbelief.

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1 Nathan, my wife’s assistant, posted on his feed. A picture, and a caption. 【Thanks to my boss for the birthday celebration.】 The picture was of him and my wife, Amelia. Today was Nathan’s birthday. It was also mine. I had asked Amelia weeks ago to clear her schedule, to spend the day with me. She said she was too busy. The post was a minute old. I dialed her number. “Where are you?” My voice was tight. “Are you still sulking?” Her voice came through the phone, cool and distant. “It’s just a birthday, Julian. You know how critical this growth phase is for the company. I’m in Chicago, meeting with Mr. Davies. I can’t make it back.” “Right. You’re busy.” I hung up. I zoomed in on Nathan’s photo, recognizing the restaurant instantly. I was going to pay them a visit. I wanted to see exactly how Amelia would explain her way out of this one. … Tucked away in a secluded alley in the heart of the city is a small, private bistro. It’s not open to the public; it’s a sanctuary that belongs only to Amelia and me. We come here when we’re happy, to celebrate. We come here when we’re stressed, to escape. Mr. Gable, the owner and chef, specializes in a unique, restorative cuisine that seems to understand our very palates. Dining here is our way of shutting out the world. This place is our Eden. I’ve never brought a friend here. Amelia has never brought a friend here. It’s our unspoken rule. Today, she shattered it. The photo was taken here. Nathan was sitting in my usual seat. I drove to the alley and saw her car parked outside. So this was her “busy schedule.” I sat in my car for a long time, a sharp pain mingling with a cold fury in my chest. It seemed that as her family’s company, the Su Corp, had grown stronger over the years, she had started to see me as less and less important. Fine. It was time to remind her just how capable the man she once relied on still was. I got out of the car and walked into the alley. “This is amazing. And this one is even better,” Nathan was saying, critiquing the dishes on the table with the air of a seasoned critic. He pointed a thumb at Mr. Gable, who was standing quietly to the side. “Hey, old man, make another round of everything I just mentioned. I want to take it to go.” A flicker of annoyance crossed Gable’s face. Even I, a patron of years, always addressed him as Mr. Gable. I would never dream of ordering him around. As he always said, cooking is an art, and the menu is dictated by his inspiration. That’s why every meal here was a delightful surprise. He never cooked the same dish twice, not exactly. Gable looked at Amelia, his displeasure masked out of respect for her. “Nathan likes it. Please prepare it,” Amelia said, her tone flat. “Prepare what?” I asked, stepping through the doorway. Amelia’s face paled the moment she saw me. “Mr. Grimson,” Nathan said, scrambling to his feet. “I just wanted Gable to prepare some extra dishes for my father to try.” “And who the hell is your father,” I said, my voice dangerously low, “to deserve a taste of Mr. Gable’s cooking?” Nathan was clearly stunned by my bluntness. He shot a desperate look at Amelia, silently pleading for her to intervene. Amelia, who had never seen this side of me, hesitated for a moment. “Nathan,” she said finally, “why don’t you wait outside.” “Of course, Mr. Grimson,” he stammered, nodding at me before scurrying away. I ignored him. Gable looked at me. “I’ve been working on a new recipe for a special birthday dish. Let me get it started.” “I’ll eat in your study in a bit,” I told him. He nodded and left, closing the door softly behind him. Only then did Amelia speak. “Don’t you think you were being a little harsh?” I sat down in the chair Nathan had just vacated and stared at her. “Harsh?” “You lie about a business trip to celebrate another man’s birthday, and you want to talk about what’s harsh? Or do you think that with my power and influence, a few sharp words to your little assistant qualifies as harsh? Do you want to see what harsh really looks like?” “Don’t be ridiculous. There’s nothing between us,” she said quickly. “Nathan lost his mother when he was young. He comes from a single-parent home, and he craves female affection because of that void. He said I remind him of his mother, that he’s never had a mother with him for his birthday. As his boss, I thought it was a small kindness to celebrate with him.” My face was a mask of ice. “I’ve heard of women with daddy issues, but this is a new one.” “Julian, that’s a disgusting thing to say.” “You do something disgusting, and you expect me to respond with poetry?” I could feel my control slipping, but I forced my voice to remain steady. “Fine. Let’s not talk about it. If you’re looking for a thrill, let’s just get a divorce.” The word “divorce” seemed to pierce through her composure. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I just had a meal with him. You don’t have to blow it so out of proportion.” “Today is my birthday too,” I reminded her. “And you made your choice.” She looked down. “I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” “Fire him.” “He’s a diligent and hardworking employee. You’re always saying we should give new talent a chance. Firing him just because I had one dinner with him isn’t fair. I promise, I won’t have any private contact with him again. It will be strictly professional.” “Nine a.m. tomorrow. The courthouse,” I said, standing up. I was done with this conversation. The truth was, when she chose to have dinner with him today, she had already made her choice. She chose him over me. And now, she was defending him. There was no point in continuing this marriage. “I just want to give a promising new employee a chance,” she said, rising to block my path. “I’ll transfer him to a subsidiary. He shouldn’t have to bear the consequences alone just because of a meal. If I fire him, what will people say?” She grabbed my hand. “You’re overthinking this. I truly felt sorry for him. We don’t have a baby yet… I guess my maternal instincts are kicking in.” Her voice dropped to a sultry whisper. “Maybe… we could work on making a baby tonight?” “Not in the mood.” “What do you want from me? You’re really going to divorce me over one dinner? Don’t you trust me at all?” “What is this place, Amelia?” My voice was cold steel. “No one else has ever set foot in here. This is our private world. Our sanctuary. It’s a place where no outsiders are allowed. And you brought him here. You crossed a line.” “I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking. Please don’t be angry. Mr. Gable is making your special birthday dish. Let’s go try it. I’ll never bring anyone here again. I swear.” Gable’s cooking was, as always, sublime. But it did nothing to quell the fire in my gut. I was still seething, like a predator whose territory had been invaded. I couldn’t stand the sight of Amelia, so I sent her away and had a couple of drinks with Gable instead. “Forgive me for overstepping,” Gable said, watching me. “But the rumors about your family’s business are not good. I suggest you maintain a good relationship with Amelia. If the Grimson family really gets into trouble, the Su Corporation could be your lifeline.” I tossed back half a glass of whiskey. “Gable, why do you think she’s acting like this now?” He fell silent. He knew. She was acting this way precisely because of those rumors. The Grimson empire was about to fall, and she was starting to show her claws. “If those rumors were confirmed,” I said, “she wouldn’t have apologized today. And the person filing for divorce wouldn’t have been me.” Gable drained his glass. He knew I was right. “Times have changed,” he muttered. “If your family hadn’t pulled the Su Corp out of the mud, they would have been history years ago.” I smiled grimly. “The hand that lifted them up can also be the one that crushes them.” He gave me a look. He thought it was just bravado. All the news, all the whispers, pointed to one conclusion: the Grimson dynasty was over. I didn’t bother explaining. A decision was forming in my mind. I would use this incident with Amelia to show everyone whether the Grimson family would truly fall. When I got home, Amelia was uncharacteristically proactive. She was wearing something sheer and tempting, but I felt nothing. In the first couple of years of our marriage, she had been eager to please, constantly finding new ways to entice me. Back then, her family needed my help, the support of my corporate empire. But in the last two years, as the Su Corp clawed its way out of debt and began to soar, she had changed. She became passive, cold. My advances were often met with rejection. On the rare occasions she agreed, she would lie there like a corpse. I started to despise myself for even trying. It’s easy to forgive yourself, but hard to forgive others. The resentment had been building for a long time. Tonight, faced with this sudden, calculated seduction, I refused. I went to the guest bedroom upstairs and locked the door. Lying in bed, I realized we had been sleeping in separate rooms for nearly two years. The last time we’d been intimate was six months ago. She used to be the one locking the door. Tonight, it was me. The next morning, she had made breakfast, another rare occurrence. She was already at the table, waiting for me. I ate in silence. I could feel her wanting to speak, but my cold wall was impenetrable. Around noon, her mother called. She said it had been too long and invited us over for dinner that night. She played her trump card: my own parents would be there. I knew Amelia had arranged it, a last-ditch effort to smooth things over. But the cracks in our marriage weren’t from a single day. Her dinner with Nathan was just the spark that ignited the bonfire. Still, I had thought about it all night. Divorcing her over a single meal did seem a bit childish. I decided to see how she would play her hand. At dinner, Amelia handed a proposal to my father. “Dad, take a look at this. It’s the plan for the Southbridge Project.” My father took it and read it carefully. “Impressive. Very insightful. If you follow this plan, the profit margins on the Southbridge Project could be maximized. I’ll take this with me and review it more closely.” Amelia beamed. “It’s not just for you to look at, Dad. We’ll need your full support to make this project a success.” And there it was. My family still had value. Our influence was crucial for her project. That was the real reason she hadn’t pushed for a clean break. I remained silent throughout the meal. The atmosphere was lively, pleasant even. But Amelia and I both knew we were just actors in a play. I had a bit to drink, so she drove home. “Nathan was the one who drafted that proposal,” she said, her eyes on the road. “Even your father was impressed. He’s a real talent. I only had dinner with him because I want to keep him with the company. That’s all.” “I thought tonight was about fixing our relationship,” I said flatly. “But I was wrong. This is about you not wanting to fire him, isn’t it?” “Julian, you’re being deliberately obtuse! I’m just trying to retain a valuable asset for the company. He just graduated, but other firms are already trying to poach him. You have to offer special treatment to keep someone like that.” “So if he said he’d only stay if I gave you to him, would you do that too?” “You’re being irrational,” she snapped, her face hardening. “If I fire him, we can’t use his proposal. I don’t know how I would explain that to your father. You can tell him.” A humorless laugh escaped my lips. So that was her game. Talent? What a joke. A new wave of brilliant graduates enters the market every year. This world has never had a shortage of talent. What it lacks are opportunities. Since she wanted to play games, it was time to show her what kind of man Julian Grimson really was. It was time to see if I still had a say in things, even with her family’s newfound power. The next morning, I went to my office at the Su Corp. She wouldn’t fire Nathan, so I would. At 9:30 a.m., as I was sipping my tea and enjoying the river view, my office door was thrown open. Amelia slammed a contract down on my desk, her face flushed with anger. “Julian, what is the meaning of this? I told you he was a talent! I already showed his proposal to your father. Why did you fire him?” “Amelia, do you really think I’m that stupid? When you showed my father that proposal yesterday, did you mention it was Nathan’s? My father would have praised it even if you’d just scribbled nonsense on it, because you’re his daughter-in-law. Did you really think it was that brilliant?” I tossed a file in front of her. “Take a closer look at this.” She picked it up. It was the same proposal she had given my father, but now it was covered in red ink. “The red lines are corrections. The circled sections are fundamentally flawed, completely unworkable for the Southbridge Project. You had the audacity to show this to my father? All those other proposals you’ve shown him over the years? The ones that came back to you polished and perfect? I was the one who fixed them. My father asked me to fix this one for you too. Whether Nathan is a ‘talent’ is debatable. But whether you’re a competent Chairwoman is a serious question.” She didn’t back down. “Even if his proposal wasn’t perfect, it had merit! He has fresh ideas! The company needs people like him. Julian, I expect you to hire him back. And don’t forget, you are the Vice Chairman of my family’s corporation. I am the Chairwoman. You do not have the authority to fire my assistant.” “And if I refuse?” I asked, my voice dangerously quiet. I met her gaze. Her family’s power was growing, and in the last two days, she had clearly decided on her path. Now I just had to see if she would be the one to mention divorce. She didn’t. She just spun on her heel and stormed out. Just as I expected. My family still had leverage she wasn’t ready to give up. But she wasn’t going to make it easy for me, either. She decided to push back, harder, challenging my boundaries in the most painful way possible. Nathan posted again. 【It’s official. Got the confirmation from the boss!】 The picture was of his signed, full-time employment contract. The location was Mr. Gable’s bistro. She knew exactly how to hurt me. She had taken him back there. This time, I didn’t call her. There was no point. The first call was made with a sliver of hope still flickering in my heart. That hope was now extinguished. My phone rang. It was Gable. “Julian,” he said, his voice heavy. “I wasn’t going to call, but I think you should know. I’m leaving.” “Leaving? What do you mean, Gable?” “I’m tired. I want to see the world. Someone else will be taking over the bistro.” “I understand, Gable. And the disrespect you were shown… I will make it right.” “It’s not what you think, son. I’m just old and tired. Don’t let this affect your relationship with Amelia.” I hung up and drove straight to the bistro. Only Nathan was there. He jumped up when I walked in. “Mr. Grimson, it was Amelia’s idea! She said my proposal was excellent and wanted to make me a permanent employee. I didn’t mean for this to happen. There’s nothing going on between us.” I didn’t even look at him. “Where is she?” “That old guy, Gable, wasn’t happy with me. He said he didn’t feel like cooking and left. Amelia said she would cook for me herself. I couldn’t stop her.” His posture was submissive, but his tone was laced with a barely concealed triumph. Amelia was cooking for him. The pretense was well and truly over. Just as I was about to go find her, I heard the click of high heels on the floor. “Mr. Grimson, I’m sorry! I know I was wrong! Please, don’t hit me!” Nathan suddenly cried out. He grabbed an empty wine bottle from the table and smashed it over his own head. Blood trickled down his temple. Impressive. “Julian, that’s enough!” Amelia shouted, appearing in the doorway with a plate of food. “Apologize to Nathan. Right now.” “Nathan,” I mused. “How cozy.” I walked over and picked up the wine bottle from the floor. It hadn’t shattered completely. CRACK. I brought it down hard on Nathan’s head. “Now you can scream.” “Julian, you’re acting like a tyrant!” Amelia stared at me, her eyes wide with fury. “Mr. Grimson, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault,” Nathan whimpered, hunching over, playing the victim to win her sympathy. “You did nothing wrong,” Amelia said, rushing to his side to support his swaying body. “I’m taking you to the hospital. And believe me, this isn’t over.” I sat alone in the empty bistro and called my father. “Dad,” I said, my voice tight. “I’m at my limit.” My father didn’t speak. “For two years, as her family’s business has grown, Amelia and I have drifted apart,” I continued. “The other day, on my birthday, she spent it with her assistant who shares the same birthday. I made a scene, so today, she cooked for him personally. I think the Su family’s wings have grown a little too strong.” “Just tell me what to do,” my father said, his voice calm and lethal. A weight lifted from my chest. “Break their wings,” I said. “Let’s watch them fall.” Not long after, my phone rang. It was Amelia. She told me to meet her at the courthouse. Half an hour later, we stood face to face on the courthouse steps. She had changed into a crisp, white suit, looking as proud and untouchable as a swan. Nathan was with her, a bandage wrapped around his head, his eyes burning with triumphant defiance. He thought he had won. But did he really think a woman like Amelia was driven by something as simple as love? She looked down at me, her expression one of condescending pity. “Julian, you still don’t seem to understand the situation. The Grimson empire is collapsing. I’m giving you one last chance. Kneel and apologize to Nathan, and I might consider not divorcing you.”

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I was the Ashton family’s showpiece daughter. My father drove my mother to her death and never once gave me a kind look. The one saving grace was my two childhood knights. They were the ones who pulled me from the rooftop ledge, who stopped my numb acts of self-harm. They were my antidote. But when I returned home from my studies abroad, everything had changed. They had found a new princess, and I was cast as the wicked witch who tormented her. I watched them shield my father’s stepdaughter, their eyes filled with a wariness once reserved for strangers. The antidote had become a lethal poison. My illness worsened. Finally, I decided to grant them their wish and disappear. 1 Today was my birthday. It was also the first anniversary of my return to the city. I scrolled numbly through my social media feed, watching the endless stream of birthday wishes Sean and Ian were posting for Molly. They were the boys I had grown up with, my closest friends. Now, it was as if I’d never existed. A bitter smile touched my lips. I wasn’t sure if it was the medication kicking in or my psychosomatic symptoms flaring up again, but the exhaustion was bone-deep. On a day meant for celebration, all I could feel was a creeping desire for it all to end. I knew I couldn’t put it off any longer. My illness was winning. After a moment of hesitation, I dialed my grandfather’s number overseas. “Grandpa, I’ve made up my mind. I’ll come back for the treatment.” A heavy sigh came from the other end. “Leah, my dear,” he said, his voice laced with pain, “Why would you say this on your birthday? Did they hurt you again?” His words were enough to make my eyes well up, but I fought back the tears, not wanting to worry him. “No, nothing like that.” “It’s okay, my sweet girl,” his loving voice soothed me. “I’m an old man now. I can’t do much about that bastard Julian, but I can make sure you get well. I’ll make the arrangements. In two weeks, I’ll have you here with me.” “As for those two boys…, people change, Leah. Don’t let them break your heart.” I nodded, though he couldn’t see, and after saying our goodbyes, I ended the call. Staring out at the city lights, I was lost in thought. People change. I knew that. But when I came home and saw the two friends I cherished most in the world ignoring me, choosing my father’s illegitimate daughter over me, believing her lies and looking at me with disgust… the pain was so sharp it stole the air from my lungs. The depth of my love for them was matched only by the depth of the wounds they inflicted. As a child, my father, Julian Ashton, had despised my mother, and by extension, me. His years of cold neglect had sent me spiraling into a deep depression. At its worst, I almost stepped off the roof of our penthouse. It was Sean and Ian who pulled me back, time and time again. They dragged me out, made me play, and slowly, carefully, drew me out of the shadows. Back then, they were my cure. Now, the medicine had turned to poison. Their distance, their coldness, had made me sicker than ever. My body was a knot of tension as I lay in bed. I took two extra sleeping pills, hoping for oblivion. Just as sleep was about to take me, my phone buzzed. I squinted at the screen. It was Sean. A flicker of hope, pathetic as it was, sparked in my chest. Maybe this was it. Maybe they remembered. Then his first words snuffed it out. “We’re at Molly’s birthday party. She mentioned it was your birthday too and was worried you’d be lonely, so she asked us to call.” The raucous sound of their celebration was a stark contrast to the crushing silence of my room. My last shred of hope shattered. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I didn’t have the strength. Sean waited a moment, then his voice, usually warm, was clipped with impatience. “Leah? Are you there? What’s with the silent treatment? Molly was being nice, worried you were all alone. Can you stop being so hostile to her all the time?” I could hear a soft murmur in the background, probably Molly telling him not to be so harsh. Sean huffed but fell silent, passing the phone to his brother. Ian’s cool, detached voice came through the line. “Happy birthday. We got you a gift, we’ll give it to you at the party tomorrow… If there’s nothing else, we’re going to hang up. The fireworks Molly wanted to see are about to start.” His tone was all business, softening only when he said Molly’s name, a hint of affection coloring the word. I ended the call, my hand falling limply to my side. I didn’t understand. I had only been away for a few years. How could the devotion that was once mine be given away so easily, so completely? I had tried to win them back. I had fought and cried, but nothing worked. It never earned me so much as a second glance. All I could do was retreat, defeated and alone. I wiped the tears from my face. I knew it was going to be another long, sleepless night. 2 Every year, Julian Ashton threw me a birthday gala. He called it a celebration, but I knew the truth. It was a performance, a way to market his public image as a doting father while parading me around for business connections. I’d drunk myself into stomach ulcers at these parties, all for the sake of his damn projects. But attendance was never optional. A stir at the entrance drew my attention. Molly, dressed in a magnificent ball gown fit for a princess, glided in, flanked by Ian and Sean. She blushed and hid behind Sean, feigning shyness, as if overwhelmed by the scene. I watched her, a cold amusement rising in me. If she was truly uncomfortable, would she have worn something so ostentatious? Would she have made such a grand entrance? Molly spotted me and hurried over, grasping my hand. Her lower lip jutted out in a pout. “Leah, I’m so sorry,” she whispered, her voice thick with false contrition. “I know Dad threw this party just for you, but…” She shot a look at the two towering men beside her, a mix of shy blame and affection. “They insisted I come. They said since it’s my birthday too, I’m a guest of honor…” She clung to my arm, her words overflowing with apology and helplessness, as if terrified I might be upset. But I saw it clearly—the triumphant glint in her eyes. I let out a quiet, mirthless laugh. I had no energy to play along with her charade. I pulled my hand away without a word. That simple gesture seemed to ignite their fury. In the eyes of Ian and Sean, it was a declaration of war. Sean immediately stepped in front of a teary-eyed Molly, shielding her as if from a physical blow. Ian’s brow furrowed, his gaze landing on me, heavy with disappointment. “Leah, how could a few years abroad make you so selfish?” I looked at the two brothers, their faces set in hostile lines, and a profound weariness washed over me. To be publicly reprimanded at my own birthday party, simply for not responding to Molly’s act. I had endured this, in one form or another, countless times over the past year. I had argued. I had cried. I had pleaded. Nothing could win back a single kind glance from Ian or Sean. Now, I was just tired. I didn’t want to fight anymore. I turned to leave. But Ian’s hand shot out, his fingers closing around my arm. I looked at him, my exhaustion plain on my face. For a split second, his grip faltered, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. “Where do you think you’re going? Apologize to Molly!” Sean, ever the hothead, snapped before Ian could speak. I tried to pull my arm free, but his grip was like iron. I understood then. Ian, the cool, calculating one, felt the same way. The eyes of the room were on me, a mixture of pity and amusement. They all knew. The girl who was once the center of the Grant brothers’ world had lost everything. They were all waiting for the next act of my humiliation. A smirk pulled at my lips. “Why should I apologize?” “Molly grew up an orphan,” Ian said, his tone one of patient reason, as if explaining a simple concept to a child. “She never had a real birthday until your father adopted her. She’s never been to a party this grand. You’ve had parties like this your entire life. Is it really so hard to share just one with her?” His words were like little shards of glass embedding themselves in my heart. An orphan? They actually believed Julian’s ridiculous cover story! Molly wasn’t adopted. She was my half-sister, born to my father’s mistress less than a year after I was. The tension in the room was suffocating. Just as the whispers and mocking glances reached their peak, Julian finally made his appearance, rushing over to play peacemaker. “Ah, Ian, Sean! No need for all this!” he said, clapping them on the shoulders with sickening familiarity. “Molly is such a sensible girl. I was already planning to celebrate her birthday tonight as well!” He then turned to me, his voice taking on a tone of gentle chiding. “Leah! You need to stop being so willful. Molly is your sister, after all!” His words were earnest, but his meaning was clear: I was the selfish, spoiled heiress, and Molly was the blameless victim. The hypocrisy made me nauseous. I scanned the faces around me—my duplicitous father, my treacherous friends, his innocent-looking mistress’s daughter—and felt a wave of pathetic irony wash over me. With a final surge of strength, I ripped my arm from Ian’s grasp. “Fine. If you all want it so badly, then this party is for her. Let the entire night be for Molly Ashton.” If it’s for her, I thought with a bitter twist in my gut, at least she won’t have to spend the night poisoning herself with alcohol to please potential business partners. I laughed at my own dark humor and walked towards the exit without a backward glance. 3 “Leah! What about your present?” Sean caught up to me at the door, hesitating for a moment before holding out a gift box. I opened it. Inside lay a diamond necklace, clearly expensive. I was surprised. I’d assumed they’d just grabbed some token gift, not something so… thoughtful. I bit my lip, about to say something, when Molly appeared beside us. “You should take it, Leah,” she chirped, lifting the necklace from its velvet cushion and moving to fasten it around my neck. “They were so busy making my gift by hand that I had to pick this out for them.” She giggled. “It cost a fortune! But I figured you’re the type who likes expensive things. Not like me, I’m happy with childish little crafts. They spent so much time on my gift, you know.” The warmth that had begun to seep back into my chest instantly turned to ice. I stopped her hand before the clasp could close. “No, thank you,” I said, my voice flat. I mocked myself for my foolishness. Of course. It was just a thoughtless, outsourced gift. And I’d actually believed for a second that they had chosen it for me. They were too busy doting on their precious Molly to spare a moment for me. “I don’t wear necklaces. If you like it so much, you can have it.” I walked out into the night, not seeing the two men staring holes into my retreating back. Julian had never assigned me a driver, so I walked home alone under the cloak of darkness. As I passed the central plaza, I saw three children setting off sparklers. A little girl stood in the middle, her face lit up with pure joy, her eyes sparkling brighter than the fireworks. On either side of her, two boys held the sparklers aloft, their gazes fixed on her, their faces soft with adoration. I stopped, a small smile finding its way to my lips. But as I watched, the smile dissolved, and tears began to stream down my face. I remembered when my grades slipped, and the Ashton family staff whispered behind my back about how I was a disappointment. It was Ian who had patiently tutored me for hours until I understood. I remembered being bullied at school, hiding in a bathroom stall to cry because I had no one to stand up for me. It was Sean who found me, who hunted down the bullies and taught them a lesson, coming back bruised and bleeding but grinning and telling me it was nothing. Back then, everyone said that Ian and Sean Grant were my exclusive knights. And now? For Molly, they stood with Julian Ashton. They stood on the opposite side of a battlefield I never wanted to be on. I wiped my tears, the pain in my chest a physical, crushing weight. I didn’t understand how they, knowing everything I had been through, could so easily align themselves with the man who had caused it all. Or maybe… maybe it was all a lie? Maybe the salvation I thought I’d found was just a game for two bored, wealthy boys. And as soon as I was gone, Julian brought his real daughter home, and they finally found their true princess. “How nice…” I murmured, watching the children’s laughing silhouettes. With a bitter chuckle, I turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows. 4 The day I was set to leave, I went to the Grant’s home. The moment I stepped inside, Eleanor Grant pulled me into a warm embrace, her beautiful face etched with concern. “My dear child,” she sighed, leading me to the sofa. “I heard about what happened at the party. Those two idiots! I swear, when they get home, I’ll give them a piece of my mind for you!” I took her hand, managing a faint smile. “It’s alright, Eleanor… I don’t want to be a bother anymore. I’m leaving the country today.” “A bother? You could never be… What? You’re leaving?” “Yes… This time, I’m doing it for me.” I lowered my eyes, hiding the turmoil within. “And if all goes well, I won’t be coming back.” Eleanor was speechless for a long moment, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Is it the illness? Is it worse? Because of them?” I didn’t answer, only squeezed her hand. “I’ll miss you.” “Do they know?” I shook my head. Eleanor let out a long, pained sigh. “Of course not. Are you sure you don’t want to tell them? When you left for your studies, they were both miserable for months. Maybe this time…” Before I could respond, the front door swung open. Ian and Sean walked in, their arms laden with shopping bags. Trailing behind them, dressed to the nines, was Molly. “Mom, look who’s here!” Sean called out, his cheerful expression vanishing the moment he saw me. “What are you doing here?” Eleanor’s brow knitted in a sharp line. “I invited her. Is that a problem for you?” Sean pouted and shot me a dark look, but said nothing more. “Mom, Molly is here. You haven’t met her properly yet,” Ian said, stepping in to smooth things over. He guided Molly forward. “She’s been preparing for this visit all week. Look, all these are gifts she brought for you.” Molly offered a shy smile and was about to speak, but Eleanor cut her off. “That won’t be necessary. She is not welcome in my home.” “Mom!” Ian’s voice was sharp. “Don’t you ‘Mom’ me!” Eleanor stood, pulling me closer to her side. “Have I or have I not told you two that you are not to hurt Leah?” Molly took a step forward, her eyes welling up as if she’d been dealt a mortal blow. “Mrs. Grant, you’ve misunderstood! They were just trying to protect me…” she choked out, her voice trembling. “I’m sorry, it’s all my fault… I shouldn’t have made Leah upset… If you’re going to blame someone, please, blame me…” Tears streamed down her face, the perfect picture of a brave, tragic heroine. It worked. Ian’s expression softened instantly. He wrapped an arm around her, turning to his mother with a hard edge to his voice. “Mom! Can you please stop defending her unconditionally for once?” Eleanor stared at him, stunned, clearly unable to believe her composed, responsible eldest son would ever speak to her that way. “Ian, you disappoint me more than I can say!” “For a stepdaughter, you’ve hurt the girl who grew up with you, and now you raise your voice to your own mother!” “So what if she’s a stepdaughter?” Sean retorted. Looking at their stubborn, unyielding faces, Eleanor looked like she was about to faint from sheer rage. I quickly rubbed her back, trying to soothe her. “Leah is leaving today!” Eleanor finally burst out, pointing a trembling finger at her sons. She had said it. I knew she was still clinging to the hope that our bond meant something to them. And wasn’t a part of me, a stupid, foolish part, hoping for the same thing? I looked at them, a secret prayer in my heart. Their response was a cold sneer. “Mom, you don’t have to resort to threats like that,” Ian said calmly. “Leah is waiting to inherit the Ashton fortune. She’s not going anywhere.” “Besides,” Sean added, “even if she leaves, what does that have to do with us?” My heart, which I thought couldn’t break any further, splintered into dust. I looked at the two of them, the boys I once loved, as if they were complete strangers. My voice was a raw whisper. “It was me… I lied to Mrs. Grant. I’m sorry… I’m begging you, please, just go. Don’t upset your mother anymore…” Ian’s gaze on me was deep and unreadable. He didn’t say another word, simply turned and led Molly out of the house. Sean glanced back over his shoulder, a flicker of conflict on his face, as if he wanted to say something. But in the end, he followed them, leaving without a word. Eleanor watched them go, a single, heavy sigh escaping her lips. “Leah,” she said, her voice heavy with sorrow. “You’re doing the right thing. I won’t stop you anymore.” “Go. Be free.” 5 It’s been a month since I left. Today is Christmas, and the streets are thronged with people. Across the crowded square, I saw them. The two people I thought I would never have to see again. The smile fell from my face. Without a second’s hesitation, I turned and ran. I didn’t get two steps before a hand closed around my wrist. I whipped around to find Ian’s cool, sculpted face just inches from mine. His clothes were disheveled, his usual perfect composure completely gone. Before I could react, Sean was there too, blocking my path. He looked just as haggard. His hair, which he was usually so meticulous about, was a mess. I was confused, but my overriding instinct was to flee. I had no idea why they were here, but I knew one thing for certain: nothing good could come of this. “What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice dripping with ice. “I’m on the other side of the world. I’m no threat to your precious Molly.” Their faces tightened at my words, but for the first time, they didn’t argue back. “Leah, come home with us.” I laughed, a harsh, ugly sound. “Come home? To what? To be your personal punching bag?” Sean’s head drooped. The explosive temper was gone, replaced by a pleading tone I’d never heard from him before. “Leah… we messed up. We neglected you… we didn’t mean for any of it to happen. You can’t just disappear.” I found the notion so absurd I wanted to scream. They didn’t mean it? So I was just collateral damage? I deserved to be targeted, to be ostracized, to become a villain in their eyes for simply existing? I didn’t want to talk to them anymore. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ethan Vance waving at me from a short distance away. He reached my side in a few strides and gently but firmly pried my hand from Ian’s grasp. Ethan was the psychologist my grandfather had found for me. He knew my story. He knew these two men were the source of my illness. Without a word, he took my hand and started to lead me away. Sean blocked his path, his eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Dr. Vance? How do you know Leah?” I froze. They knew Ethan? Ian must have seen the confusion on my face. “The Vance and Grant families have business dealings,” he explained, his deep eyes boring into mine. “He’s a renowned psychologist… Leah, how do you know him?” The implication dawned on Sean, and his gaze snapped to me, sharp and intense. “But you’re better now, aren’t you?” “Better?” I scoffed. “Did I ever say that? You two never gave a damn about my health. Why are you asking now?” “But… your father and Molly both said you were fine… They said that’s why you went abroad, to get away from us.” A wave of exhaustion crashed over me. Because Molly said it, they believed it. Just like that. “Then you can go on believing I’m fine.” Ignoring their pleas, I turned my back on them, my face a cold mask, and let Ethan lead me away. I had no idea that walking away this time would be the biggest turning point of my life. 6 I was in a car accident. I woke up to the sterile white ceiling of a hospital room and the anxious face of my grandfather. The doctor said I’d sustained a head injury and might have some memory loss. But as I searched my mind, everything seemed more or less intact. Except for two people. Their shadows haunted every corner of my memory, but for the life of me, I couldn’t picture their faces. My grandfather sighed, patting my hand. “If you can’t remember, then don’t try,” he said gently. “It’s for the best, my dear.” I didn’t understand, but I did as he said. One day, while walking in the hospital garden, a man suddenly appeared in front of me. He looked frantic, his eyes wide as he stared at me. Unsettled, I turned to walk away. But my path was blocked by another man who looked almost identical to the first. They stood on either side of me, their eyes mirroring the same profound, heart-wrenching pain. “Leah…” I frowned. “Who are you? How do you know my name?” They started to explain, but my grandfather rushed down, pulling me behind him and shielding me from their approach. I could only watch as they pleaded with him, their voices desperate. They said “I’m sorry” over and over, their eyes growing red. But my grandfather was resolute. He sent them away. When I asked him who they were, his expression grew grim. He took my hand and said, “My dear child, it’s better not to know. They aren’t important.” After that, I started seeing them everywhere. They would find ways to see me when my grandfather wasn’t around. Every morning, a new bouquet of fresh flowers would be at my bedside. They tried everything to win my favor, but whenever I saw them, an inexplicable sadness would wash over me. I finally told them about it, asking them to please stop coming. But the calmer one, the one called Ian, his eyes immediately turned red. The other one, Sean, just broke down, grabbing my hand and apologizing relentlessly. “Leah… we were wrong. We’ve already made those people pay for what they did. Please, don’t… don’t do this to yourself because of us…” I didn’t know what they were sorry for. I didn’t know who they’d made “pay.” But my heart began to throb with a familiar, agonizing pain, and tears I couldn’t control began to fall. 7 There was someone else who visited me often during my recovery. His name was Ethan Vance. I remembered he was my psychologist. But I’d forgotten why I was so sick in the first place. I only had a vague feeling that it had something to do with those two men… Whenever I tried to remember them, a sharp pain would shoot through my head. Ethan would gently tell me not to force it. He was endlessly patient, guiding me through my physical therapy and filling the quiet hours with fascinating stories. He pulled me back from the brink of despair again and again. The feeling was so familiar, as if I’d experienced it a thousand times before in my childhood… I couldn’t place it, and simply attributed it to his kind nature. Over that month in the hospital, we grew closer. That feeling of familiar comfort, combined with his gentle care, made me realize I was falling in love with him. I told him so, directly. His face flushed a deep red, but he met my gaze without flinching. I knew. He felt the same way. On my last day in the hospital, in the privacy of my room, we shared our first kiss. I buried my face in his chest, shy and giddy. When I glanced up, my happiness froze. Two men were standing in the doorway. They were holding bouquets of flowers, their eyes crimson. And they were staring right at us. It was Ian and Sean. I will never forget the raw, devastating anguish in their eyes. It washed over me like a tidal wave. And there it was again. That crushing pain, flooding my heart. Ethan held me close, murmuring comforting words as he slipped a pill into my mouth. I don’t know what he said to them. Their expressions were tortured, almost savage, but after a long look at my pale, trembling form, they turned and left. I was discharged from the hospital. My physical recovery was going well. Except for the missing pieces of my memory, everything was slowly returning to normal. But for some reason, I constantly had the feeling that I was being watched. I tried to ignore it, telling myself I was just being paranoid. Until one evening, after a date with Ethan, the world went black. I collapsed, and when I woke up, I was in a strange house.

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1 The new intern was a walking disaster, but my boyfriend, the department head, insisted on assigning her to me. He even wanted me to let her observe in the operating room. I warned her a thousand times: do not, under any circumstances, hand me the wrong instrument. She still swapped the hemostat for a scalpel. The patient bled out on the table. My license was revoked, my career destroyed. And the intern? She hid behind my boyfriend, her voice trembling. “Dr. Snook, I was just trying to help you finish faster… I didn’t know this would happen…” My boyfriend shoved me aside, his eyes filled with disgust. “Luna was just trying to help! You’re the lead surgeon, and you can’t handle one little complication? You have the nerve to blame her?” Heartbroken, I went home to pack my things, only to be drugged and knocked unconscious by him. When I woke up, I was strapped to a surgical table. I watched, horrified, as the intern plunged a scalpel into my femoral artery. My boyfriend just comforted her, “It’s okay. Just get some practice in. You’ll hit the right spot eventually.” I died from the excruciating pain, but not before they had carved 108 separate wounds into my body. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the intern’s first day. This time, I’ll make sure that damned pair becomes a permanent contribution to medical science. … “Dr. Snook, this is our new intern, Luna Vance. Have her observe your surgery today.” The familiar words sent a shiver down my spine. I stared at Luna, who my boyfriend, Mark Jennings, had just pushed toward me. In that instant, I knew. I had been reborn. Luna beamed, her face a mask of pure innocence. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dr. Snook. I’ll do my best to learn from you!” But the surgery was already underway. The patient was prepped on the table. There was no time to think. I quickly pulled on a pair of sterile gloves. “Stay back. Don’t touch anything. And don’t make a sound.” The scalpel sliced through skin. My focus narrowed. “Surgical lamp, closer.” I fell into the rhythm of the procedure, my movements sure and swift. Without looking up, I held out my hand. “Hemostat.” In my peripheral vision, I saw Luna pick up a scalpel and start to pass it to me. This was exactly how it happened last time. I hadn’t noticed, and I’d reached directly into the patient’s abdominal cavity, severing the aorta in a single, fatal motion. The patient died. I lost my license. Mark blamed it all on me, his voice dripping with contempt as he berated me for not handling the “complication.” Then he drugged me, tied me down, and turned me into a living textbook for Luna to practice on. She carved into me, again and again, while Mark stood by, encouraging her. One hundred and eight stab wounds. I died in unimaginable agony. The memory made my hand tremble with rage. I snapped my hand back, away from Luna’s. “Luna, who told you to touch the instruments?” She froze, her eyes instantly welling with tears. “Dr. Snook, I… I was just trying to help…” “Help?” I shot back. “Help me what? Murder the patient?” From the observation room, Mark’s voice crackled through the intercom. “Ava! Why are you yelling at a trainee?” “Luna was just trying to help! Besides, no harm was done!” I ignored him, took a fresh hemostat from the scrub nurse, and expertly clamped the bleeder. “Get her out of here. The OR is not a place for her to play house.” Last time, because Mark defended her, my resolve softened and I let her stay. The result? As I was closing, she “accidentally” bumped my arm. The suture needle went astray, causing another massive hemorrhage. The patient couldn’t be saved. Afterward, she’d hidden behind Mark, sobbing, “I was just trying to cheer Dr. Snook on, I didn’t know her hands were so unsteady…” The memory of my own brutal death hardened my heart. I pushed all thoughts aside and focused on the surgery, right down to the final suture. “Surgery successful. Patient’s vitals are stable.” Just as I let out a breath of relief, I heard a loud bang. Luna, who was supposed to have been escorted out, had snuck back in. She had stumbled and crashed right into the suspended surgical lamp. The heavy fixture swung violently, hurtling straight toward the patient’s head. Without thinking, I dove forward, shielding the patient’s surgical wound with my own back. The lamp crashed into me. I gritted my teeth, holding my ground. My colleagues rushed to lift the heavy lamp off of me. I spun around before Luna could even begin her tearful performance. And I kicked her. Hard. Right out of the operating room. She tumbled onto the floor outside in a pathetic heap. Mark saw it and roared at me. “Ava! Are you insane? She was just observing! What gives you the right to assault her?” I pulled off my mask, my eyes cold as I looked at the woman he was cradling in his arms. “Dr. Jennings, your intern can’t tell the difference between a hemostat and a scalpel.” “She created chaos in a sterile environment, endangering the patient and nearly causing the surgery to fail.” “You ask me what gives me the right?” I advanced on them, step by step. “Let me ask you two something. Are you here to save lives, or are you here to commit murder?” Mark was speechless, his face turning a dark shade of red. In his arms, Luna’s sobs grew louder, her shoulders shaking pitifully. “Dr. Snook, I really didn’t mean it… It was my first time in the OR, I was so nervous…” “I just wanted to help you work faster, I never thought I’d cause trouble…” Mark patted her back, his voice full of concern. “Ava, she’s just a student. Do you have to blow this out of proportion?” “As her mentor, you should be teaching her patiently, not physically attacking her. Have you lost all sense of medical ethics?” Other colleagues began to gather, whispering amongst themselves. “Yeah, Dr. Snook is being way too harsh.” “She’s just an intern. They’re bound to make mistakes.” I let out a cold laugh, my gaze sweeping over the crowd. “On that table, the patient’s life is absolute. Any action that threatens that life is not a small mistake.” “Nervous? You’re so nervous you mistake a scalpel for a hemostat? So nervous you knock over sterile equipment?” “If I hadn’t reacted in time today, who would be responsible for the body on that table? You, Dr. Jennings?” Mark’s expression was one of pure, unadulterated arrogance. “Luna already told me everything! She said you pushed her because you thought she was in your way!” “I wasn’t going to say anything, to save you some face, but it’s clear now. If there was a real medical accident, you’d just try to pin it on her, wouldn’t you?” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Did these two have no shame? “The OR has cameras. Why don’t we just take a look?” Mark snorted. “Look at what? Luna is a sweet, innocent girl straight out of med school. Do you really think she would lie?” “You, on the other hand, Ava, have become increasingly petty and small-minded! You can’t even tolerate an intern!” I looked at his face, contorted with disgust for me, and the last bit of warmth in my heart died. “Mark, we’re done.” He stared at me for a moment, then shrugged, a look of indifference on his face. “Fine by me. A doctor with no ethics like you is going to be fired sooner or later anyway.” “Don’t come crawling back to me when that happens, Ava.” He helped the sniveling Luna to her feet and walked away without a backward glance. I watched them go, a wave of nausea washing over me. Regret? My only regret was being blind enough to fall in love with a piece of human garbage like Mark Jennings in my last life. The wound on my back was a searing fire. I went straight to my office. A colleague saw the massive bruise blooming across my back and gasped. “My God, that must hurt like hell! Where’s Mark? Why isn’t he with you?” I managed a tight smile and said nothing. Thankfully, it was just a deep contusion. No broken bones. The next day, I had barely arrived at my department when I was summoned to the Dean’s office. “Ava, I heard about what happened yesterday. I know you were wronged.” “I’ve already given Dr. Jennings and that intern a stern warning.” I kept my eyes downcast, silent. The Dean sighed. “However, Mark is still the Head of Surgery. He says Luna is very talented and wants to give her another chance.” I refused immediately. “Dean, I can’t mentor her.” The Dean looked troubled. “Ava, I know this is difficult, but the Mayor’s son is scheduled for surgery next week. They’ve specifically requested you as the lead surgeon.” “Mark’s proposal is for Luna to continue observing under you for this one procedure. Consider it her final test.” The Mayor’s son. That surgery was under a huge microscope. He was handing me this time bomb again, hoping I’d crash and burn on the most important surgery of my career. Perfect. Just perfect. I was wondering how I was going to get them both at once. If they were going to offer up their own necks, who was I to refuse? “Fine. I agree.” For the next few days, I prepared for the surgery as usual. Luna shadowed me, acting uncharacteristically obedient. She brought me coffee, organized files—she was so diligent, it was like she was a different person. On the day of the surgery, the Mayor and a host of hospital executives were seated in the observation room. My procedure was flawless. Every step was a textbook example of perfection. Until the patient’s blood pressure dropped. We needed an emergency transfusion. Just as the scrub nurse was about to hand me a blood bag, Luna lunged forward, “tripping” and knocking it from her hand. It burst, spilling all over the floor. While my attention was on the patient, she immediately grabbed a new bag from the backup cart. “I’m so sorry… Here’s a new one, use this!” I connected the transfusion line and opened the valve. Almost instantly, the ECG monitor shrieked with a piercing alarm. The next second, the patient’s vitals flatlined. From the observation room, Mark’s voice boomed over the intercom. “Ava! What are you doing? The patient is in cardiac arrest!” “You must have nicked an artery! I told you your emotions have been unstable, you’re not fit to lead this surgery!” “This is criminal negligence!” Then came the Mayor’s voice, thick with anger and fear. “Dr. Snook, if anything happens to my son, your career won’t be the only thing that’s over!” “I’ll make sure you spend the rest of your life in prison for medical malpractice!” The Mayor’s threat echoed in my ears. But I wasn’t panicking. The surgery had been perfect. It couldn’t have been my error. So what was it? I had been so careful to keep Luna away from everything. How could this still happen? My eyes shot to the transfusion line. A stream of distinctly darker blood was flowing from the connection point into the patient’s body. An acute hemolytic reaction. I ripped out the IV line. “Switch to saline, and prepare a diuretic, stat!” My command was clear and unwavering. The assisting physician and nurses moved instantly. I stared at the ECG monitor. The flat line began to flicker, slowly returning to a regular rhythm. Everyone in the room breathed a sigh of relief. But I felt no relief at all. I looked at the backup cart. The patient was Type A. The bag hanging on the cart was AB. “Who brought this blood?” The scrub nurse’s face was white with terror. “It… it was Luna. After the first bag was spilled, she’s the one who handed you that one.” Luna started crying, waving her hands frantically. “I just took it from the backup cart! It has nothing to do with me!” There was no time to argue. I had to finish the procedure. When the surgery was finally over, I walked out of the OR doors. Mark strode up and slapped me across the face. “Ava! The blood bags are delivered directly from the blood bank. Luna just helped pass one to you. How is this her fault?” “It’s obvious you didn’t cross-check the blood type before the transfusion, and now you’re trying to blame an intern!” The Mayor’s eyes, sharp as daggers, fixed on me. “Dr. Snook, I need an explanation.” Mark couldn’t wait to jump in. “Mr. Mayor, a mismatched transfusion is a major medical incident. As the lead surgeon, she bears full responsibility!” “Our hospital will handle this with the utmost seriousness and give you a satisfactory answer!” Luna chimed in, sobbing her apologies. “Mr. Mayor, I was just anxious about the surgery, so I handed her the bag… I had no idea Dr. Snook wouldn’t perform the pre-transfusion checks…” Her words were expertly crafted. She was completely innocent, and I was the one who had grabbed the wrong blood? I ignored them. I instructed a nurse to retrieve both the spilled blood bag from the floor and the remaining bags from the backup cart. The Mayor was losing his patience, demanding an immediate explanation. Otherwise, he would have me arrested for gross negligence. I spoke calmly. “Mr. Mayor, I have proof that this incident was not my mistake.” “It was a deliberate act of sabotage. Someone was trying to murder your son.”

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My best friend, divorced and looking for a fresh start, moved to the city to live with me. For three years, I covered everything. Food, rent, you name it. I split my clothes, my jewelry, my handbags right down the middle with her. We were inseparable. Even my boyfriend couldn’t help but tease me. “Seven out of ten dates, and you bring your best friend along.” “What’s next? Is she going to be part of the dowry when we get married?” My friend, Lena, playfully punched him on the shoulder. “Hey, I’m like her second mom. Of course I have to keep an eye on you, make sure you’re not mistreating my darling Cici.” The three of us would laugh and roughhouse like that, a happy little tangle of limbs. With a soulmate and a loving partner by my side, I felt truly blessed. Until the day before my wedding, when I stumbled upon a viral post. [She used to be the one looking down on me, handing out her charity.] [Now, it’s finally my turn to pity her. I’m letting her have the man.] The accompanying photo was of my boyfriend, Alex, hanging wedding decorations in our new home. … Just two days ago, the three of us were setting up the apartment. Lena was folding red paper lanterns, chattering away about all the things I needed to prepare for the wedding day. Suddenly, her voice cracked. “Cici, after the wedding, I’m moving south.” “It’ll be so hard to see each other…” Her eyes were red, as if she were a mother sending her own daughter off, filled with a genuine sadness and reluctance. Alex, who was taping decorations to the wall, paused. He turned and gave us a long, searching look, a hint of melancholy in his own expression. Lena grabbed a handful of confetti and tossed it at him playfully. “If you ever dare to hurt Cici, I’ll never forgive you.” Alex, usually a neat freak, didn’t even get annoyed. He just bent down to clean up the mess, his voice muffled. “If her ‘second mom’ is that worried, why don’t you just stay in the city?” “You can have my downtown apartment, rent-free. That way you can supervise me whenever you want, and my Cici won’t be so sad.” Lena’s eyes lit up instantly. She shot me a hesitant glance. “I don’t know… that’s a huge condo. The rent is at least three thousand a month. And after you’re married, it’ll be part of Cici’s assets.” I was ecstatic. I completely missed the flicker of resentment in Lena’s tone. She was the older sister I never had, living next door since we were kids. In high school, when a bully took a pair of scissors to my hair, Lena grabbed the nearest stick and charged. When my first love cheated on me at twenty, Lena slapped him so hard his ear bled. We couldn’t afford the settlement, so she spent five days in a holding cell for assault. When she got out, the first thing she did was comfort me. “Cici, you’re such a pushover. What are you going to do if your husband bullies you after you get married?” “Then we just won’t get married. We’ll buy a big house together, get a cat, and when we’re old, we’ll sit on a park bench and sip bubble tea.” That’s why, when I started dating Alex, Lena resented him for ruining our retirement plan. And Alex constantly complained about how much of my time she took up. They were always at each other’s throats, sniping and bickering, sometimes getting so worked up their faces would turn red. I was always the one in the middle, trying to smooth things over. So when Alex suddenly seemed to understand how much I didn’t want Lena to move so far away, and even supported us staying close, I was overjoyed. I grabbed her hand, my voice bubbling with excitement. “That’s perfect! That apartment is just a short drive from our place! We can have our cat-cuddling, binge-watching nights again!” “Well… in that case, I’ll stay. Someone has to make sure Alex doesn’t have a secret mistress stashed away somewhere.” At that moment, Lena and Alex exchanged a look, the corners of their mouths twitching upwards. They both smiled at me. And I see it now. They were laughing at me. At my wholehearted, foolish trust. But… Lena? How could it be Lena? When my ex cheated on me, she was the one who was the most heartbroken for me. She stayed up all night, listening to me cry, doing everything she could to make me smile. My fingertips were numb as I scrolled through the post. A lot of the comments were tearing her apart, calling her a shameless backstabber. But she replied. [She deserves it.] [When we were kids, she was the one trailing after me, eating my snacks, wearing my hand-me-down dresses.] [Now that she’s landed a rich guy, she’s always tossing me her cast-offs, acting all high and mighty with her charity. It makes me sick.] Lena had always struggled financially, but she refused any money or expensive gifts from me. I remember one day, Alex and I picked her up from work and overheard her coworkers mocking her for wearing the same few outfits on rotation. After that, whenever we went shopping, I would secretly take note of the things she lingered on. Then I’d buy them, cut off the tags, and remove the packaging. Lena, these don’t really suit me. Can you do me a favor and take them off my hands? So that’s what she thought it was. Charity. The tone of the comments shifted. [OMG, the audacity!] [Girl, I support you. Steal her man. And when you’re done with him, toss him back.] [How’d you do it? Teach me your ways!] Lena replied with a string of thank yous and winking emojis. [At first, I felt bad. I just wanted to test him, see if he was reliable enough for her.] [He was pretty standoffish in the beginning, but that just made me want him more.] [The other night, my ‘best friend’ had a high fever. I deliberately wore her nightgown and walked around the living room. When her boyfriend came out with a glass of water and saw me, his ears turned bright red.] [Let’s just say the difference between an A-cup and a D-cup is… significant.] [I won’t go into details. But let’s just say, while my best friend was sleeping in the bedroom, he and I were busy in the living room. All. Night. Long.] I remembered waking up that morning, my fever broken. Lena was slumped by my bed, mumbling about how sore her back was. I had scolded Alex for sleeping soundly while Lena stayed up all night taking care of me. Lena had just laughed. “Don’t be too hard on him. He was… working pretty hard last night too… taking care of you. You’re going to be so happy with him.” It felt like a thousand steel needles were being driven into my heart, over and over again. Twelve years of friendship, and only now did I see her second face. All her blessings and well wishes were just a cover for her betrayal. The comment section was going wild. [Damn girl, you’re a genius! Her boyfriend got a serious upgrade.] [How did your friend land a rich guy with that body anyway?] [But wait, isn’t he scared she’ll find out?] Lena replied with more smug emojis. [Of course he is. Terrified.] [That’s why he gave me a credit card with a ten-thousand-dollar monthly limit. Hush money.] [The funniest part is, I told my ‘friend’ that all rich men have mistresses. The idiot would never in a million years guess that I’m the one spending her boyfriend’s money.] [But I think… I think he’s actually falling for me.] [It used to be just sex. Now he secretly asks me to keep him company when he works late. He’ll fly for hours just to eat at some hole-in-the-wall place with me.] [The other day, he even said he wished he had met me sooner. That if he had, I’d be the one trying on a wedding dress right now.] A tidal wave of humiliation and pain crashed over me, threatening to drown me. I stumbled into the bathroom. I stood under the shower, letting the cold water pour over me, again and again, but I couldn’t calm the storm inside. Through a daze, I heard Alex calling my name. He burst in, his face a mask of panic, and swept me into his arms. I was a ragdoll, my soul sucked out of me. I let him numbly strip off my drenched clothes, carefully towel me dry, and wrap me tightly in layers of blankets. “Cici, what’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?” His words of concern were the final straw. The tears came, a hot, endless torrent. The moonlight streamed through the window, illuminating the photo of us on the nightstand. I had been studying in Germany. The day I arrived, my luggage and passport were stolen. The police were useless. When Alex found out, he jumped on the first flight out, and didn’t leave my side until everything was sorted. No matter when, no matter where, he had said, if you need me, I’ll be there. I asked myself again and again. How could it be him? The man who would tilt the umbrella so I wouldn’t get wet, who set all his passwords to our anniversary dates, who whispered my name in his sleep. How could he turn around and offer that same tenderness to someone else? Alex’s family had never liked me. So he worked himself to the bone, networking, taking on extra projects, humbling himself to secure deals. After he landed the last big contract, he held me all night, his voice hoarse with excitement. “Cici, they finally said yes. I can finally, finally make you my wife.” Tomorrow is my wedding. The invitations are sent. The venue is booked. The wedding dress Lena helped me pick is hanging in the closet. The jewelry Alex gave me is on the vanity. Everything is ready. My best friend. And the man I love most in the world. Together, they plunged a knife deep into my heart. I pushed him away and stood up, walking into the closet to find the torn nightgown that Lena had worn. “If you’re not feeling well, just rest. Tell me what you need, I’ll get it…” Alex followed me, stepping in front of me to block my path. But when he saw what I was holding, the words died in his throat. He was close. So close I could see his pupils contract, could see the flicker of panic in his eyes. I stared at his pale face, holding the nightgown up against my body. “Is it pretty?” He forced a strained smile, trying to act casual. “It’s beautiful. My Cici looks beautiful in anything.” “But… that one seems to be a little torn. We should just throw it out. I’ll buy you a new one.” “Yes. Torn. And dirty. Dirty things should be thrown out.” He froze, his hand hovering in the air, his body trembling so hard he couldn’t even look at me. I laughed, a soft, chilling sound. “Alex, why are you so nervous?” “Are you dirty too?” “No… I’m not!” His voice cracked, rising in pitch. He immediately realized his mistake and fell silent, then dropped to one knee in front of me. His face was filled with a sincerity I had never seen before. “Cici, is it because of the wedding tomorrow? Are you just nervous and overthinking things?” “We’ve worked so hard for this, for so long. How could I ever do anything to hurt you?” “When we first got together, I made a vow. If Alex Jennings ever does anything to wrong Cici Evans, may he be punished by losing her forever.” “You know me. Losing you… that would be worse than death.” We stayed like that, me standing, him kneeling, our eyes locked. The air was thick, silent. Until a ding broke the spell. Both our phones lit up with a new notification. Lena had updated her post. [What do I do? I really don’t want to hurt my best friend.] [But I can’t help it. I’m prettier than her, I have a better body, I’m more independent. Why should she get the good guy?] [If this gets a thousand likes, I’m going to him tonight and demanding an answer.] Less than ten minutes later, the post had over ten thousand likes. Almost everyone was cheering her on. [They’re not married yet, what’s the big deal?] [Go for it, girl! You have to fight for your own happiness! Don’t live with regrets.] [I’ll bet you $100 he chooses you tonight. I’ll even venmo one lucky commenter as a wedding gift for you!] I turned off my screen. And met Alex’s hesitant, uncertain gaze. He opened his mouth, his voice barely a whisper. “Cici, I… I have to go out for a bit. Something came up. I’ll be back soon, okay? Will you wait for me?” I nodded. I even gave him a small, faint smile. So he wouldn’t suspect a thing. The initial gut-wrenching pain had faded into a dull numbness, and now, it was all just… absurd. This man, who I once couldn’t bear to be apart from for a second, now made my skin crawl. Every moment in his presence felt suffocating. He left, looking back every few steps. The moment he was gone, I started packing. As I was booking my flight, Lena shared a new photo on her post. Two hands, fingers intertwined, resting on the bright red silk of our marital bed. [We’ve decided not to call off the wedding tomorrow. We’re worried my friend will get emotional and do something stupid. She can be a bit of a drama queen (lol).] [He promised that if we’re still in love a year from now, he’ll divorce her.] [But he doesn’t want me to feel slighted. So tonight, our wedding night, belongs to just the two of us.] [I’m so happy right now, hehe.] I remembered when we first got the new bed for the apartment. Lena had accidentally spilled a single drop of juice on the sheets. Alex had flown into a rage, immediately throwing them out and buying a new set. Everything in our new home, he’d said, has to be perfect. Not a single smudge. And now, he was in that bed with her.

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