I left the window open on purpose, letting the Don hear me with other men all night. The next morning, his face was dark. He asked how many there were, and if there was room for one more. But I was already in the arms of my companions and refused him coldly. His eyes were bloodshot, but he didn’t dare come closer. Why? After ten years of fighting to win him his empire, he was marrying some college girl instead of me. Even his crew defended me, reminding him how I stood by him. But Cain Thorne just stroked the matching ring he wore with his new love and sneered, “Kira? She’s covered in blood. The thought of her repulses me.” When warned that I might turn on him, he scoffed, “So what if I lose her?” He never knew I heard every word. I dropped the medical supplies I brought for him into the trash and texted his enemy: “Cain’s turf and his life. Want them? They’re yours.” 1. I was in the middle of arranging for a speedboat to get me off the island when Cain found me. “There’s a big shipment arriving the day after tomorrow. I need you to personally oversee the pickup with your best men. And clear out your house. I need it.” He gave the order in his usual deep, serious tone, but all I could feel was a bitter, rising laughter. To marry his sweet Lily, he was willing to throw me to the wolves. He’d let our main stronghold be vulnerable to Silas’s attack, just so I could risk my life to bring his little flower back to him. He really was madly in love. He needed my house? For what? To give to Lily, of course. I replied with a cold, flat, “Okay.” My lack of reaction clearly annoyed him. He scowled. “What’s with the attitude now? The only reason I haven’t made our relationship public is because things are unstable. Silas is watching our every move. I can’t let the whole crew drop their guard for one person.” He always did this, twisting things to make it seem like my fault. “Your most important job right now,” he continued, “is to help me break Silas’s blockade.” I used to think this was his way of protecting me. It made me fight harder for him, scheme for him, bleed for him. Now, it just sounded pathetic. I placed the requisition form for the boat on the desk in front of him. “There’s no attitude,” I said tonelessly. “I’m used to it.” He sensed something was off. A flash of irritation crossed his eyes, and he signed the form with such force that the pen tore through the paper. “Kira! What’s with the damn face? It’s just a house! Everything on this island belongs to me. Even your life belongs to me. Are you telling me I can’t even give you an order anymore?” He threw the paper at my face. “And from now on, don’t bother me with trivial crap like supply runs. I don’t have time for you.” He’d misunderstood the form, but I didn’t bother to correct him. I just gave a noncommittal nod, turned, and walked out. Seeing the signed paper that guaranteed my escape, a slow, genuine smile spread across my face. I’d been with Cain for ten years. We were childhood friends, partners who’d trust each other with our lives, and passionate lovers. I had always dreamed of marrying him. He’d even hinted at it himself—once he had Port Sterling in the palm of his hand, he’d give me everything I wanted. But I saw the truth now. It was all a lie, woven from my own foolish hopes and his calculated manipulation. And now, he was marrying someone else. That night, a team of heavily armed mercenaries escorted Lily to the island. She was a vision in a flowing white dress, her innocent eyes shining with a smug, triumphant light. “You’ve worked so hard for Cain for over a decade, Kira. You deserve a reward.” She smiled sweetly. “I’ll be sure to have him promote you. Maybe get you a few boy toys, too. We can’t let your personal life suffer, can we?” She sighed dramatically. “Unlike me. Cain just couldn’t wait another second. He insisted we get married tomorrow. Can you believe it?” My hand tightened on the grip of my pistol. It took every ounce of my self-control not to put a bullet between her eyes. “Let’s go,” I said, giving her a dismissive glance and turning to leave. But she stepped in my way, pulling a diary from her purse. “These are all the love notes Cain wrote for me over the years, whenever he missed me,” she said with a sly little smile. “It’s getting a bit heavy to carry around. Would you be a doll and throw it out for me?” With a final, triumphant swish of her skirt, she walked away. I stood there, the cold wind whipping off the rocks, and with trembling fingers, I opened the book. April 12th, 2024. The day I shielded him with my body as we fought our way out of an ambush. He had written: “Lily, if I make it out of this alive, I’ll marry you.” August 5th, 2023. The day I heard Silas had ambushed him on a business trip. I’d grabbed two cleavers and charged into the enemy camp alone to rescue him. He had written: “My darling, you smelled so sweet today.” January 24th, 2021. The day he was arrested, and I was about to take the fall for him. He had written: “If it were you, my love, I would never let you suffer like this.” Every word was a knife in my heart, twisting and turning, leaving me bleeding. How many times had I begged him to marry me? He would always just kiss my forehead and say, “Wait for me, Kira. Just a little longer. I have too many enemies. I need to clear the way for you first. Once I own all of Port Sterling, I’ll marry you. Okay?” But my pleas were always met with empty promises. Just then, my phone buzzed with a reply. Two short words, but they were a point of no return. “Deal.” My finger hovered over the screen. I had to know. I typed back to Silas: “August 5th, 2024. Was it you who ambushed Cain?” The reply was instantaneous, practically screaming with indignation: “I was framed! So that’s why you chased me for nine blocks with two damn cleavers? It wasn’t me!” A bitter, self-mocking laugh escaped me. So, I was just a clown in Cain’s eyes. A toy to be played with. If that’s all I was, why should I stick around for their amusement? I finalized the details with Silas and started walking back, only to overhear Cain talking with his men by the yacht. “Boss, the wedding dress has arrived. It’s the one from the Royal Auction, just like you wanted. Ten million dollars.” “I’m just worried about Kira… if she makes a scene and exposes our location, we could all be wiped out…” Cain was dismissive. “I love Lily. She will be my only wife. Tomorrow’s wedding has to be perfect. I won’t allow any interruptions. Not even from Kira. I’ll make sure she stays quiet.” His voice dropped, turning deadly. “And watch your damn mouths. If a single word of this leaks, I’ll feed whoever spoke to the sharks.” Even though I’d already made my decision, hearing the man who once swore he loved me more than life itself deceive me, belittle me, and cast me aside… it still hurt. A thousand tiny needles piercing my heart. Back in my room, I packed a bag. Aside from my ID and passport, I looked around at the arsenal of knives and guns that filled my closets and realized Cain had never given me anything else. He only ever gave me weapons, telling me to protect him. I had asked for dresses and jewelry once. He’d scoffed. “Kira, you could be wearing a gown and diamonds and you still wouldn’t look like a woman. Don’t waste your time.” But Lily’s luggage contained a truckload of jewels and beautiful dresses. Why could she wear them, but I couldn’t? I dug through my closet and found it—a red dress, buried at the very bottom. I put it on, slipped on a pair of high heels, and even did my makeup. Just then, the door burst open and Lily strode in. “Kira, you’ve read the diary, haven’t you? Cain’s favorite…” Her words died in her throat when she saw me. My transformation from a hardened enforcer to a dangerously beautiful woman left her speechless. When she recovered, her brow furrowed in a sneer. “I thought you’d have some dignity. I thought you’d just quietly disappear once you knew he didn’t love you. But you’re actually trying to seduce him? You shameless bitch! I’ll rip your face off!” She lunged at me, but her movements were clumsy. I sidestepped and slapped her hard across the face. “Kira! How dare you hit me! Cain will make you pay for this!” she shrieked. I crossed my arms, watching her tantrum with amusement. “Thanks for the compliment. I’m definitely prettier, and we both know it.” The second the words left my mouth, she dropped to her knees and started slapping her own face. “It’s my fault, Kira! I’m the worthless one for marrying Cain! Just please, don’t ruin the wedding! You can beat me, kill me, whatever you want!” I was staring at her, utterly bewildered, when a vicious kick came flying at my head. “Kira! Did my words mean nothing to you? You dare touch Lily?!” Cain’s kick was filled with rage. If it had connected, it would have taken half my head off. So this is what I was to him. A attack dog he could pet one minute and beat the next? An outlet for his anger? I dodged just in time, but the high heels sent my ankle twisting beneath me. A sharp pain shot up my leg, and I winced, gritting my teeth as I looked up at him. Cain rushed to help Lily up, his cold, hard eyes fixed on me. But when he got a clear look at my face, at the red dress and the makeup, his expression flickered. His eyes lit up for a fraction of a second, but his words were as cold as ever. “Even dressed up like this, Kira, you’re not half the woman Lily is.” Lily sobbed, clutching his arm. “Cain, she kept pushing me, asking questions… I couldn’t keep the secret any longer. I’m so sorry…” He pulled her into his arms, his voice softening to a tender murmur. “It’s nothing, my love. No one’s blaming you.” I had to laugh. A second ago, he was ready to kill his own men to keep the wedding a secret. Now that Lily had spilled the beans, it was “nothing.” She really could do no wrong in his eyes. He doted on her completely. And what did that make me? A fool? “So you’re really marrying her?” I stared at him, my gaze unwavering. A desperate part of me needed to hear how he would explain this. I thought he would at least look guilty, flustered. That he would beg me to let go of the past and accept their love. But Cain just frowned, completely unfazed. “Yes. The wedding is tomorrow. You can come, but you are not to cause a scene. Don’t force my hand, Kira.” In that instant, the last shred of hope I had for him died. It’s not the right time to get married, he’d told me. But that was only because the bride was me. Now that it was Lily, the dangers, the enemies, the blockades—none of it mattered. He was even magnanimously granting me permission to attend their wedding. How could a person be so cruel? I fought back the tears stinging my eyes, my voice a raw, bitter whisper. “Get out.” But Lily pushed her luck. “Cain, darling, I don’t know many people here. I was hoping Kira could be my maid of honor, but I didn’t want to impose…” At the sight of his beloved’s careful, pleading face, Cain’s heart melted. He turned to me, his voice now a command. “Kira, since you already know, it’s just being a bridesmaid. You wouldn’t mind, would you?” “I don’t want to see either of you! Get out!” My anger finally exploded. I grabbed a steel rod from the corner of the room and advanced on them. “Get out!” Slam! I threw the door shut and collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. A single, hopeless tear escaped and trailed down my cheek. As I sat there, lost in my grief, my phone lit up. A message from Silas. I opened it, my mood foul, but the words made my face flush. “The red dress suits you. You’re beautiful.” A second message followed. “Take off the heels. Put some medicine on that ankle.” I was stunned. How did he know my ankle was swollen? Medicine? As I was wondering, a small drone buzzed up to my window, a little box tied to it. I opened it. Inside was another red dress, and a tube of medicated balm. So, he’d known where Cain’s stronghold was all along. He’d just been waiting. I’d definitely picked the right ally. After rubbing the balm on my ankle, I was about to get ready for bed when Cain came back. He swept me up in his arms and gently laid me on the bed. He was holding a different tube of ointment. “Shhh, it’s okay. Let me put this on for you.” It must have been raining outside; he was soaked to the bone. But he carefully dried his hands before he touched me, his fingers gently massaging my ankle. I used to be terrified of pain. When I first started fighting for him, the smallest scrape would have me crying for hours. Whenever I got hurt, no matter how bruised and beaten he was himself, he would stay by my side, letting me bite his arm to get through the pain. Those years were hard, but I always felt safe. But then, one day, he just stopped coming. I faced death countless times after that, collected scars big and small, and he never spared me a second glance. I wasn’t afraid of pain anymore. And now, here he was, fussing over me again. A guilty conscience? “Kira, you’ve lost weight,” he said, his voice full of apology. “I’ve been neglecting you. I’m sorry. I didn’t tell you about the wedding because I was afraid you’d overthink it. Lily saved my life, and she was targeted because of me. I have to protect her. But don’t worry, I won’t touch her. I only love you. As soon as I deal with Silas, I’ll divorce her and marry you properly. Okay?” He kneaded my swollen ankle while my eyes were fixed on the wedding band on his ring finger. I looked up at him, my gaze filled with a desolate sorrow. “Cain,” I asked, “in all these years… did you ever love me?” He froze for a second, then dropped to one knee, pulling me into a desperate, passionate embrace. “Yes. I only love you, Kira. Only you.” Then, he handed me a glass of milk he’d brought. “Here. Drink this. Get some sleep. If you want to come to the wedding tomorrow, I won’t stop you.” But I could taste it. The milk was laced with a sedative. Enough to keep me unconscious for the entire next day. My throat closed up, the betrayal suffocating me. He was still lying. All of this was just to make sure Lily could marry him without a hitch tomorrow. So this was what he meant by “making sure I stay quiet.” I drained the glass. A tear welled and fell as my heart turned to ash. But Cain smiled, a brilliant, relieved smile. I closed my eyes under his gentle gaze. He didn’t know. All those years of fighting for him had left me with chronic insomnia. I’d developed a tolerance to sleeping pills long ago. A short while later, I heard Lily’s breathy moans next to my ear. “Cain, you were gone so long, I thought you were staying here tonight.” I heard the sound of a passionate kiss. “Never. She’s just a human shield. Silas is still out there, so I need to keep her around. He has a soft spot for her. He won’t go for the kill as long as she’s by my side.” “Your hands are wandering,” Lily purred playfully. “Naughty…” “Yes… very naughty…” Cain’s voice was a low, husky growl. The rustle of clothing grew more frantic, their kisses more desperate. A searing pain tore through my chest, as if a blade had been driven straight through my heart. I had always submitted to Cain unconditionally, but he had never been this tender, this wild, with me. It was always, “Kira, can you take the fall for me?” or “Kira, I’m in a firefight with Silas. Get over here.” And I would always say yes, even if it cost me my life. Finally, they left. I didn’t sleep a wink that night. At dawn, I slung my backpack over my shoulder and walked out. The island was deserted. Everyone was at the wedding. At the docks, I handed the requisition form to the man in charge. “I need a speedboat.” He looked surprised. “Kira, it’s dangerous out there right now. What if you get spotted? The boss told us not to let you leave the island alone. Besides, with you gone, there’s no one in charge here. Things could get messy.” Cain had promised that once he took Port Sterling, he would make me Mrs. Thorne. To make that day come sooner, I worked day and night—fighting for turf at night, managing the island’s affairs by day. I ran myself ragged for him. But if he had truly loved me, would he have let me work so hard? Would he have ignored everything I did for him? He didn’t love me. So everything I did was for nothing. “Does the boss know you’re leaving?” the man pressed. He was one of the few who knew the true nature of our relationship, who knew how much Cain valued me. Cain had never shown me any special favor in front of his men—he’d even beaten me half to death once in public to assert his authority—but the dock master still hesitated. My leaving on Cain’s wedding day felt wrong. “He knows,” I said, tapping the paper. “That’s his signature.” He was still reluctant, but at my insistence, he finally gave me the boat. As I sped away, the cold, salty wind whipping at my face, the reality of my escape finally began to sink in. This was it. I was betraying him completely. I was taking all his secrets and delivering them to his mortal enemy. I wondered what his face would look like when he found out. The thought brought a vicious, satisfying smile to my lips. As I crossed a stretch of open water, I saw it: a massive luxury yacht, anchored in the distance. A wedding was taking place on the deck. A helicopter circled overhead, showering the sea with a cascade of rose petals. The music was so loud I could hear it clearly even from this far away—Cain’s voice, pouring his heart out to Lily. “Lily, you once told me that people in our line of work should never have someone they love. So I hid my feelings for you, terrified that you would become my weakness, terrified you’d get hurt. But now, I just want to tell the world: you are my weakness, but you are also my armor! I’ve waited seven years to marry you. This has been my plan all along, and today, my dream has finally come true…” Yes. He loved her. So he hid it from everyone, including me. Every loving word he spoke to her now made his promises to me a bitter joke. I glanced over and saw them on the deck, a man and a woman standing together, a picture of pure, romantic bliss. For a second, it felt like his eyes met mine across the water. He faltered. “Kira?” A sharp pain lanced through my chest. He looked overwhelmed by a sudden, intense feeling of dread, as if he were about to lose the most important thing in his life. Lily took his hand, her voice a sweet, reassuring murmur. “Darling, you must be seeing things. You gave Kira the drugged milk, remember? She’s fast asleep right now.” The confusion on Cain’s face faded. He made a silent promise to himself to make it all up to me when he got back. He would spend the rest of his life making amends. He didn’t know that my speedboat was already carrying me further and further away. “Mr. Thorne, do you take Miss Lily to be your lawfully wedded wife, for richer or for poorer…” The priest’s solemn voice was suddenly cut off. “Boss, we have a problem!” A low-level thug came running onto the deck, shouting in a panic. “Boss, it’s Kira… she’s gone!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386344”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

On our seventh anniversary, my husband Jake and I played the happy couple at a product launch. He kept checking his phone, so I teased, “Worried your girlfriend is jealous?” He dismissed it as an act. On the big screen, a video from our early days played—showing his tearful proposal and a vow: “If I ever break my promise, may lightning strike me down.” Moved, he reached for my hand and reminisced about our shared dreams. I cut him off softly. “Jake, let’s divorce. As your wife, I can’t just watch you get struck by lightning, can I?” 1 The conference hall was buzzing. Reporters, media, and our own employees held their breath, waiting for the unveiling of the new product. It was a serious, high-stakes occasion. Which made it all the more jarring when I saw Jake secretly checking his phone. Honestly, it was just a glance. But the screen was bright, the contact name impossible to miss: Maya, followed by a little kissing emoji. It seemed my husband’s little girlfriend wasn’t thrilled about us playing the perfect couple for the press. So, I leaned in, my voice a low murmur. “You look a little on edge, Mr. Croft.” I let a beat pass. “What’s the matter? Worried your little girlfriend might get jealous?” He shot me a look, his jaw tightening. “Watch yourself, Stella. Don’t go looking for trouble.” I hadn’t expected him to be so fiercely protective of Maya Lane. Acknowledging my defeat, I shut my mouth. Just then, the host walked on stage, breaking the tense silence. “And now, please join me in welcoming our CEO, Mr. Jake Croft, to unveil our exciting new product!” Jake stood, smoothed his suit with practiced ease, and walked to the podium, his expression once again cool and commanding. He began his presentation, expertly navigating the features of our new app. Cameras flashed from the audience as reporters documented the moment. After the presentation, the floor opened for questions. “Mr. Croft, what was the inspiration behind this new product?” a reporter asked. Jake answered eloquently, his gaze finally settling on me in the front row, his expression turning warm and affectionate. “And I have to give special thanks to my wife, Stella Shen,” he said, his voice ringing with sincerity. “Without her initial concept and guidance, this launch would not have been nearly so successful.” A wave of applause and cheers swept through the room, and all eyes turned to me. I smiled, a picture of grace and poise, and gave a small nod to the crowd. He wasn’t lying. I had been deeply involved in the product’s development. It was a lifestyle app, designed to help friends and couples document their shared experiences. I’d proposed the idea years ago. We’d been so poor when we started out, Jake and I. We’d missed out on so much. When I looked back, trying to piece together the story of our relationship, I realized with a pang of sorrow that we had almost nothing to show for it. No photos, no keepsakes. Jake had agreed it was a great idea, but he’d never gotten around to it. In the end, I had taken charge of the project myself. A sharp voice cut through the applause. “Mr. Croft, you and Ms. Shen seemed to be having a rather tense moment on stage earlier. Will that affect the project’s future?” The reporter wasn’t finished. “And another thing—rumor has it your marriage is on the rocks, and that you’ve been seen quite often with the actress Maya Lane. Do you have any comment?” Jake’s face darkened. He was about to speak, but I beat him to it. “That was just a little inside joke between us,” I said smoothly, my voice calm and reassuring. “It won’t affect a thing. Now, if we could all please focus on the product, instead of baseless gossip, I’m sure we’d all appreciate it.” My words silenced the room. The host quickly stepped in, steering the conversation back to the app. Thankfully, the lead product designer took over Jake’s spot, and as the buzz of conversation resumed, Jake sat back down next to me. “Well said,” he murmured, a rare compliment. I didn’t smile. My eyes were fixed on an LED screen across the room. It was playing the VCR from seven years ago, from his public proposal. He looked so young then, the rawness of a recent graduate still clinging to him. His eyes were wet with tears, his emotions genuine. The hands holding the ring box and the microphone were shaking. He’d said, “Stella, I love you. Without your unwavering support, I would never have made it this far. Will you marry me? I swear I will love you and cherish you for the rest of my life. You will be the only one for me, always. If I ever break this vow, may lightning strike me down where I stand.” A few reporters noticed us watching the screen and turned their cameras our way. Jake, ever aware of the press, instinctively took my hand, his gaze complicated. “Stella,” he started, “we always talked about creating a product just like this, to record the moments of our lives…” This time, I didn’t have the patience to hear him out. I cut him off gently. “Jake, we’re husband and wife. I can’t just stand by and watch you get struck by lightning.” His face froze, but the cameras were on him, so he forced a smile. I smiled back, my eyes full of sincerity. “What I mean is,” I said, my voice clear and steady, “let’s get a divorce.” 2 Of course, Jake didn’t agree. He made a flimsy excuse and bolted from the press conference. A few minutes later, my phone buzzed with a text from him. [Stella, if you think you can threaten me with a divorce, you can forget it. I’m not playing your games.] [Who’s going to want you after me? Do yourself a favor and go back to being the quiet, supportive wife. Know your place.] I let out a bitter laugh and turned off the screen. He had no idea. This time, I was serious. But before I could make a move, Jake made one of his own. He announced to the public that Maya Lane would be the official brand ambassador for our new product. He had made a unilateral decision about my project, without even consulting me. Suppressing a wave of fury, I drove straight to the office. When I arrived, I found Maya herself there, handing out bubble tea to the staff. She saw me and walked over, a cup in her hand. “You must be Stella Shen, the project lead. It’s a pleasure. Here, have a drink. My treat.” Her smile was saccharine sweet, and it set my teeth on edge. I stood my ground, my eyes cold, and made no move to take the cup. Her smile widened. She raised her voice so everyone could hear. “What’s wrong, Stella? You’re not going to be rude in front of everyone, are you?” God, the passive aggression was suffocating. My colleagues were all pretending to be busy, but I could feel their curious stares. “I’m sorry,” I said, my own smile just as bright, “but I don’t like bubble tea. Forcing me to drink it seems a little rude, don’t you think?” Two can play at that game. Maya’s expression faltered for a second before she put her innocent mask back on. “Oh, of course not! I was just worried you were upset about me being the ambassador. I’m so glad that’s not the case. I told Jake I’ve never endorsed a tech product before, that I wasn’t the right fit. But he insisted. He said the app was practically made for me. Isn’t that funny?” My fists clenched at my sides. I leaned in close, my voice a whisper in her ear. “You really think this spokesperson deal is set in stone?” The color drained from her face. “What do you mean?” I pulled back with a fearless smile. “Nothing. Just a joke. Can’t you take a joke?” She glanced around, saw the watching eyes, and quickly composed herself, transforming back into the cheerful, bubbly starlet. “Of course I can. Besides, it’s not like you have any real power in this company, right? You couldn’t even say no to me being the ambassador.” I gritted my teeth. “I have enough power for that. But…” “Oh!” Suddenly, the bubble tea in Maya’s hand “slipped,” splashing all over her pristine white dress. Her face was a mask of shock. “Stella, why would you do that?” And right on cue, a familiar voice boomed from behind me. “What’s going on here?” 3 I turned to see Jake striding towards us, his face a thundercloud. What a tired, old cliché, I thought. The moment Maya saw him, her eyes welled up with tears. “Jake,” she sobbed, “I was just trying to be nice and give Stella some tea, but I guess she didn’t want it. It was my fault for being so thoughtless.” I rolled my eyes. The surrounding colleagues suddenly became incredibly absorbed in their work. It was no secret in the office that my relationship with Jake was not what it seemed. And with Maya in the picture, no one wanted to get caught in the crossfire. Jake’s gaze, full of accusation, landed on me. “Stella, no one forced you to drink it. Why would you do that?” “If you weren’t blind, Jake,” I retorted, my voice dripping with ice, “you’d have seen that she did it herself. What right do you have to stand there and accuse me?” I turned my glare on Maya. “And you. If your hands are that weak, go see a doctor. Don’t stand here framing people.” Maya just sobbed harder. “Jake, don’t blame her. It was my fault. I was clumsy.” Jake put a comforting arm around her shoulder, as if they were the married couple. “Don’t worry. She won’t hurt you.” Then he turned his fury back on me. “Stella, you will apologize to Maya. Now.” My hands were shaking with rage. I couldn’t believe he would be so blatantly biased. I looked at the two of them, the cheater and the homewrecker, a perfect match. “Apologize?” I spat. “For something she did herself? When did you become so incapable of telling right from wrong, Jake? You’ll believe her without question, but what about me?” His voice was cold, detached, as if I were a stranger. “Stella, don’t be unreasonable. This is my company, and what I say goes. Apologize.” I stood my ground, my eyes locked on Maya. She shivered like a frightened deer and buried her face in Jake’s chest. I was the clown in this circus, exposed for all to see. I don’t remember how I left the office. All I remember is the shame, and the feeling of being utterly, completely alone. 4 That night, I called my best friend and went out for drinks. They say alcohol drowns your sorrows, so I tried to drown myself in it. My heart was full of a bitter poison I couldn’t spit out, so I drank, swallowing it down with every sip. My friend knew better than to try and stop me. She just sat with me, letting me vent, and then made sure I got home safely. The apartment was dark, except for a dim light in the living room. I could just make out a figure sitting on the couch. It was Jake. A rare sight. He watched my stumbling entrance, his voice cutting through the silence. “Where have you been, out making a fool of yourself? You come back this late, drunk, when we still haven’t dealt with the scene you made at the office today.” I squinted, trying to focus on him. “What’s it to you? And who let you in? This is my place. Get out, or I’m calling the police.” He stood up and crossed the room in three long strides, catching me as I swayed. “Look at the state of you!” He looked furious. Good. He was probably here to demand justice for his precious Maya. I didn’t even want to look at him. I shoved his hands off me, nearly losing my balance. “The state of me?” I yelled, pointing a finger at his chest. “What about you? You blame me without a second thought, every single time! Do I owe you something, Jake?” He grabbed me again, his grip too strong to break. “You caused a scene at the office! Do you have any idea how that looks?” The injustice of it all exploded inside me. Tears streamed down my face. “And you, siding with your mistress in front of the entire company? How does that look? Jake, you—!” Before I could finish, his hands were around my throat, pinning me against the wall. “Stella, it’s not like this is the first time I’ve cheated, is it? Why couldn’t you just pretend you don’t know, like you always do? Why did you have to make it public this time?” I laughed, a broken, hysterical sound. My tears dripped onto his wrist. “You want me to just keep tolerating it? I stayed quiet because I thought you would change. But all you ever do is disappoint me, again and again. I’m done tolerating it.” He was silent for a moment. He released his grip, his voice softening slightly. “Can’t you bring your grievances home? Do you have to air our dirty laundry in public? Is this your idea of dignity?” I couldn’t take it anymore. I screamed at him, a raw, primal sound. “Stop lecturing me, Jake! I don’t want to hear it! I just want to know why! Why would you take the project I poured my heart and soul into and just hand it over to your lover? You didn’t even ask me! Do you have any idea… any idea that this was the project we dreamed of, seven years ago…?” My voice trailed off. I sank onto the couch and buried my face in my hands, sobbing. He stood there in silence. Finally, he let out a long sigh. “If that’s what you want to believe, I can’t stop you.” My tears stopped as if a switch had been flipped. My heart was dead. I wiped my face. “Jake,” I said, my voice empty. “Let’s get a divorce.” He frowned. “Stella, I told you, I don’t like this. Can you stop throwing that word around?” I looked him straight in the eye. “I’m serious.” He couldn’t meet my gaze. He looked like a cornered animal, desperate for an escape. “You’re drunk,” he said, backing towards the door. “We’ll talk about this another time.” I watched him flee, a cold smile on my lips. He was running, not from me, but from the wreckage of our marriage. But when I set my mind to something, I see it through. A divorce. It wasn’t far off now.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386343”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Will Orlando’s love for me was once an ocean. Now, the tide has gone out. To be with another girl, he had me hypnotized—tricked into falling for his best friend, Adrian. I broke up with him, just as he planned, my heart supposedly belonging to Adrian now. But now, he’s desperate to undo it all. What he doesn’t know is, the hypnosis never worked. I just… I really don’t love him anymore. 1 I was standing just outside the private lounge, listening to Will and Adrian talk. “You’re actually going to have Lara hypnotized?” That was Adrian’s voice, sharp with disbelief. “Lara and I are engaged,” Will replied, his tone chillingly casual. “But the thought of spending the rest of my life with just one woman… it’s starting to feel claustrophobic. So, I’ll have a hypnotist make her think she’s fallen for you. She’ll break up with me.” He paused, the sound of ice clinking in a glass. “Then, when I’ve had my fun, we’ll reverse it, and things will go back to the way they were.” “Right,” Adrian said, his voice unreadable. “And you want her to fall for me?” “Of course. You’re the only one I can trust. I know you’ve never liked her, and you wouldn’t touch her even if she threw herself at you. If she fell for anyone else, I couldn’t be sure they’d keep their hands to themselves.” Will’s logic was as flawless as it was cruel. “How thoughtful of you,” Adrian scoffed. “Just itching to go public with that little intern, aren’t you?” “You get it,” Will said, a smirk in his voice. I backed away from the door, my movements silent, and walked away. 2 Will brought me to an office with a view of the city skyline, saying we were meeting a friend. I found myself settling into a plush recliner. Then, I was asleep. When I woke up, two handsome faces were looking down at me. Will and Adrian. “Lara, you fell asleep,” Will said, reaching for my hand. I pulled away, my eyes finding Adrian’s across the room. I held his gaze, letting him see the deep affection I was supposed to be feeling. Will and Adrian exchanged a look. It worked. I saw the tension leave Will’s shoulders in a quiet sigh of relief. … That night, we were in a private club with Will’s friends—the usual crowd of city heirs and trust-fund kids. Adrian sat across from us, nursing a drink. I was still seated next to Will, but on his other side was Lily, the new intern from his company. The way they leaned into each other, the small space between them, it was clear they were the couple. I was the third wheel. During a party game, Lily had to take a dare. One of the guys, Wes, grinned, knowing exactly what to do. “Pick someone in the room and kiss them for a full minute!” A blush crept up Lily’s neck, a perfect performance of innocent charm. She glanced at me, her eyes wide. “Lara, I really only know Will well… would you mind if I chose him?” “Oh, come on, it’s just a game! Of course she won’t mind,” Wes chimed in, shutting down any potential protest. “And once you’re picked, Will, you can’t say no.” The old me would never have allowed my fiancé to kiss another woman. But in the eyes of everyone who knew the plan, I was already in love with someone else. I just smiled and shrugged. Lily looked at Will with a shy, girlish hesitation before leaning in. He smirked, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her into a deep kiss. The room erupted in cheers, fueling the spectacle of our breakup. When they finally pulled apart, Lily buried her face in Will’s chest, the tips of her ears bright red. He held her close, stroking her hair. “Hey, nothing to be embarrassed about,” he murmured, his voice laced with a tenderness I hadn’t heard in years. Then, still tucked in his arms, Lily looked at me. “I’m so sorry, Lara,” she said, but her eyes shone with the unmistakable light of victory. The next round, I lost. Same dare. A hush fell over the room. Everyone watched me, waiting. Who would I choose? 3 Will kept his arm around Lily, pointedly not looking at me. He was practically begging me not to pick him. Across the room, Adrian shifted, a flicker of something uneasy in his expression. I played my part. My gaze landed on Adrian. “Can I choose you?” I felt Will relax beside me. Adrian looked at me, a slow smile spreading across his lips. He nodded. I walked over to him, and he stood to meet me. My hands went to the back of his neck, and I had to stand on my toes to reach him. He dipped his head, meeting my lips with his. He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him, deepening the kiss. Another round of whistles and hoots filled the air. For me, the minute stretched into an eternity. When the time was up, I pulled away. I caught a glimpse of Will’s face—a flash of irritation he couldn’t hide. Good. “Well, guess I should give you two some space,” Wes said, getting up from his spot next to Adrian and sliding into my old seat beside Will. I sat down next to Adrian. For the rest of the night, Will doted on Lily. And my eyes, for all the world to see, never left Adrian. The party was a stage, and we all played our parts perfectly. Late that night, the four of us stood outside the club. I reached into my pocket and pulled out the diamond ring Will had proposed with a year ago. The promises of forever, once so vivid, now felt like a distant memory. I held it out to him. “I think it’s time I gave this back to you.” Will managed a smile and took it. “If this is your decision, I respect it. We can still be friends.” I nodded, my gaze flickering to the girl clinging to his arm. “I’ll come by to get my things tomorrow.” “Tonight, then…” Will started, then looked at Adrian. “My man, you wouldn’t mind putting her up for the night, would you?” Adrian gave a noncommittal shrug. “Plenty of room.” “Alright, we’re heading out.” Will gave Adrian a look brimming with trust, then wrapped his arm around Lily and led her to his car. I stood there, watching the man I had loved for years drive away with another woman, until their taillights blurred into nothing. “Second thoughts?” Adrian’s voice beside me was laced with curiosity. I turned to him. “Who I’m thinking about? I thought that was made pretty clear tonight. Just like it’s clear who Will is thinking about.” A corner of his mouth lifted. He led me to his car, and we drove to his place. 4 We arrived at a mansion in the city’s most exclusive neighborhood. He led me upstairs, and the moment the door to the hallway closed, he spun me around and kissed me. I froze, turning my head away. “What are you doing?” He raised an eyebrow. “What, you agree to come back to my place, and you don’t know what’s going to happen?” I blinked. Wasn’t I supposed to be the one in love with him? And didn’t he always hate me? Was this another test? A way to prove to his friend that the hypnosis was a complete success? I lowered my eyes. “I’m just… surprised. I thought you didn’t like me.” He pulled me back against him, his fingers tilting my chin up. “You’ve been staring at me all night. I’m just giving you what you want.” He studied my face. “Or am I wrong?” I held his gaze for a long moment, then lowered my head and kissed his fingers where they rested on my chin. I saw a flicker of surprise in his eyes before he swept me into his arms and carried me into his bedroom. That night, my body and my memories split apart. I remembered the year I’d spent caring for a bitter, broken Will after his accident, when he’d driven everyone else away with his rage. The day he finally walked again, he held me so tight I could barely breathe. I knew we were from different worlds, but he’d sworn he’d disown his family before he let me go. The year my mother died, he held me and promised he would always be there for me. Last year, he lit up the entire night sky with fireworks and asked me to be his wife. This year, he grew tired of me. He had my mind altered so I would fall for another man, just so he could sleep with someone new. He held a younger, prettier girl and said goodbye. … Sometime in the dead of night, I woke up thirsty. The dim light filtering through the window showed an empty space beside me in the bed. I padded barefoot out of the slightly ajar door and heard voices coming from the living room downstairs. 5 “Shouldn’t you be tucked in with your little bunny right now? Why are you calling me?” It was Adrian. “It’s just… weird,” Will’s voice crackled through the phone. “Not having Lara next to me. I’m not used to it.” “Is she okay over there? She’s in a guest room, right?” “Of course,” Adrian chuckled dryly. “Can’t have her sleeping on the couch, can we?” “Thanks, man. Seriously. But I have to admit, seeing her kiss you today… it didn’t feel good. I remember when she was a blank canvas, you know? And I was the only one who ever got to paint on it.” “Tsk. Getting sentimental? Your new canvas isn’t so bad, or you wouldn’t have gone to all this trouble,” Adrian shot back. “It’s different, Adrian. My subconscious just knows that Lara belongs to me, body and soul. So if she gets too close, you need to keep your distance. You don’t even like her, so it’ll just make you uncomfortable anyway.” “Relax. You know me. You, on the other hand, might want to hang up. Your girl might wake up and wonder why you’re on the phone asking about your ex-fiancée.” “Right. Talk later.” I turned and slipped back into the room as silently as I’d left. A moment later, the door opened and he came in. He saw me sitting up. “What’s wrong? Need the bathroom?” he asked, his voice soft as he walked toward me. “I’m thirsty,” I said. “Stay put. I’ll get you some water.” He returned with a glass, and I drank it down. He set the empty glass on the nightstand, then gathered me into his arms, his fingers gently tracing the line of my jaw. He leaned in, his lips brushing mine. “Since you’re awake,” he murmured, “how about another round?” He pressed me back against the pillows. My eyes were wide open. Will had just said those words on the phone. And his best friend was now doing this. Will had no idea that the brother he trusted with his little scheme was tangled up in the sheets with me on the very first night. 6 Adrian said he was taking me to a birthday party. It wasn’t until we arrived that I realized it was for Lily, hosted by Will. The lavish ballroom was a fantasy of fresh flower petals and balloons. All of Will’s friends were there, celebrating her. Lily, in a pristine white dress, looked like a princess, basking in the glow of adoration. She tugged playfully on Will’s arm, pulling him down to her level. She whispered something in his ear, then gave him a quick, darting kiss on the cheek before hiding her face, all innocent shyness. She was the perfect picture of a pure, harmless little bunny. Will was clearly smitten, giving her nose a playful tap. Then he looked up and saw me walking in with Adrian. His smile froze. For a split second, I saw a flicker of panic in his eyes before he masked it. “Oh, Adrian, Lara! Thank you so much for coming to my party!” Lily called out, her voice bright and cheerful. A moment later, a cascade of fireworks erupted over the lake outside. Will had arranged it for her. Lily gasped, her eyes wide with delight as she watched the sky. The other guests pointed and murmured in appreciation. These were the same friends who had been there last year, on my birthday. Will had set off fireworks for me, too. And as I’d watched them, overwhelmed with joy, he had dropped to one knee. He held up a ring. “Lara,” he’d said, his voice thick with emotion, “twenty-something years ago, your mother brought you into this world and gave you a past. Today, I want to take over for her. I want to be the one to love you and take care of you in your future.” I had cried, letting him slide the ring onto my finger. Now, he had made me a spectator, forced to watch him give all of that to someone else. “Do you like it?” he asked Lily softly. “Yes!” she nodded emphatically, leaning into his embrace. “I’m so happy, so incredibly happy. I wish this moment could last forever.” Will hugged her, stroking her hair. “Silly girl,” he chuckled. Suddenly, a jacket was draped over my shoulders. I turned to see Adrian beside me. “It’s getting cold,” he said simply. When the fireworks faded, we all went back inside. I was on my way back from the restroom when I heard voices from the stairwell. 7 “Adrian, why are you being so considerate, putting your coat on Lara?” It was Will. “Funny,” Adrian shot back. “In a moment like that, you had time to notice?” “I’m just surprised. Since when are you so thoughtful?” Will’s voice was laced with suspicion. “She’s staying at my place, isn’t she? If I don’t look out for her and she gets sick, am I supposed to take care of her? Or are you volunteering?” Adrian retorted. Will was silent for a moment. “You two looked pretty happy tonight,” Adrian continued. “Lily really seems to brighten you up.” “Yeah,” Will said, his voice softening. “Being with her feels like it did with Lara in the beginning. She’s sweet, she’s uncomplicated. It makes me want to spoil her.” “Lily’s another blank canvas for you. You’ve been with Lara for years, you’re bored. Why not just let this be the new reality? Let Lara find her own happiness somewhere else,” Adrian suggested. I didn’t wait for Will’s answer. I walked away. … Back at Adrian’s place, he pulled me into another kiss the moment we were through the door. Later, in bed, he was toying with my hair as I lay with my back to him. “I found an apartment,” I said suddenly. “I’ll move out tomorrow.” He went still. He turned me over to face him, his eyes narrowed. “You’re moving out? After all this?” I looked at him. “It’s not right, for us to be living like this…” He cupped my jaw. “So it was right to live with Will, but now that you’re my woman, it’s not right to live with me?” “I just… I remember you used to hate me,” I said, confused. A flicker of something unreadable crossed his face. “Aren’t you in love with me? I’m just making your wish come true. If we’re not together, you broke up with Will for nothing, didn’t you?” I stared into his eyes. “You’re so kind. What if this makes me love you even more?” A genuine smile broke across his face, and he kissed me hard. This man, it seemed, was genuinely happy that I loved him. I let him have his way, my mind already spinning, planning. 8 That weekend, the whole crew went to a villa on the coast. Lily brought along two of her old college friends, a move Will seemed to indulge without a second thought. I was lounging on a sofa chair by the shimmering pool, the vast blue ocean stretching out before me. I reached for the bowl of cherries on the table beside me. Just as my fingers brushed the fruit, the entire bowl was snatched away. “Lara, my friends and I were just craving these. You don’t mind if I take them, do you?” Lily asked, already walking away with the bowl in her hand. I watched as she took it over to where her friends were sitting. “Lily, isn’t she Adrian Vance’s girlfriend?” one of them whispered, clearly thinking it was a bold move. Lily scoffed. “Girlfriend? Please. After Will broke up with her for me, he felt sorry for her, so he asked his friend Adrian to look after her. Adrian can’t stand her.” Her friends’ eyes widened in understanding. “Oh, so that’s how it is.” “You’re amazing, Lily. We’re so lucky to know you.” “Seriously, getting to hang out in a place like this, meeting all these powerful, handsome men… it’s all thanks to you.” “We always knew you were destined for great things, Lily. And look at you now, with Will Orlando so in love with you. You’re going to be a lady of society.” “She could kick her out of that chair and no one would say a thing. She’s just Will’s ex. Lily’s being merciful by even letting her sit there.” The two friends fawned and flattered, echoing Lily’s own contempt. She sat there, preening under their praise, popping cherries into her mouth like a queen. It was so transparent—she’d brought them here to show off, to be admired. I shook my head slightly and settled back into the chair, too bored to care. Just then, Adrian walked out of the villa. “Oh, Adrian!” Lily called out sweetly. He ignored her completely and came straight to me. He leaned down, gently stroking my cheek. I wasn’t asleep, so I playfully pushed his hand away. He just chuckled, then lifted me up and settled me onto his lap. I rolled my eyes and slid off, but the lounge chair was big enough for two. I shifted to give him space. He sighed in mock defeat but settled for tucking me into the crook of his arm. He glanced at the empty table, frowned, and snapped his fingers. A server appeared instantly, and Adrian ordered a platter of fresh fruit. As Lily and her friends watched Adrian intimately nestle me against him and feed me a slice of mango, I saw them whispering again. “Lily, didn’t you say…” Lily’s expression soured. But then she saw Will approaching. “Will,” she cooed, her voice instantly soft. He walked over, but his eyes were fixed on me and Adrian. I saw his jaw tighten as Adrian held a grape to my lips. 9 He walked over to Lily’s side. She immediately shooed her friends away, and they scurried off. I took the grape from Adrian’s fingers and touched it to my own lips before playfully offering it to him. I saw his Adam’s apple bob as he opened his mouth to take it. At the last second, I pulled it back and popped it into my own mouth, laughing. “Lara…” Adrian groaned, then leaned in to steal a kiss. “Stop,” I giggled, turning my head. As I did, my eyes met Will’s. He was staring, his face a thundercloud. “Will?” Lily was trying to offer him a piece of fruit, but he wasn’t paying attention. He tore his gaze away from us, his lips a thin, hard line. I turned my back to him and took a bite of the strawberry Adrian was now offering me. It was true. There was a time when I was only ever like this with Will. I only laughed in his arms, only shared these playful moments with him. Now, it was time to learn how to give them to another man. … I went inside the villa to charge my phone and, once again, overheard a conversation from the stairwell. “Adrian, what the hell? Why are you suddenly all over her? We had a deal,” Will hissed, his voice tight with anger. “Will, don’t forget, you’re the one who made her fall in love with me. Her feelings for me are uncontrollable,” Adrian said calmly. “And since she’s living with me, did you really expect us to have zero contact? What am I supposed to do, keep her locked in my house as a platonic roommate? If she feels unwelcome, she’ll leave. And the next thing you know, while you’re off playing with your new toy, some other guy will have swept in and taken her.” I had to suppress a laugh. Adrian was a master manipulator. And Will was falling for it. “Just… keep your distance. You hate her, don’t you? You used to complain every time you saw her with me. So why are you acting so close now?” “You know how I am,” Adrian said with a dismissive wave in his voice. “Better the devil you know. Why sweat the small stuff?” There was a pause. Then Adrian added, “Of course, if you feel like she’s been… tainted, no longer pure enough for you, you could always choose to make a permanent change…” “Shut up, Adrian,” Will snapped. … Later that afternoon, we all went down to the beach. I was wearing a light, white button-down shirt over my bikini, my feet bare on the warm sand. Adrian had gone back to the villa to grab my phone. “Ouch!” Something sharp dug into the sole of my foot. I cried out, stumbling. Will, who was walking with Lily nearby, rushed over and grabbed my arm to steady me. “Are you okay?” “I’m fine.” I pulled my arm away and checked my foot. Just a sharp shell, no blood. “What the hell is that on your collarbone?” Will’s voice was suddenly low and dangerous, his eyes locked on my chest.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386342”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

The whole world knew my marriage to the A-list actor was a disaster. They were all just waiting for me to get publicly humiliated on the new reality show, Second Chances. But on the very first night, the famously aloof Rashawn Croft had a near-total breakdown when the producers assigned him a separate room. During a heart-to-heart, he tearfully complained to the entire world that I never spent his money. In a romance challenge, my one-off, playful “hubby” sent his heart rate skyrocketing to 140. And when he was handed a fake divorce agreement, he completely lost his composure, cried his eyes out, and threatened to sue the production company. The internet went wild: 【Dude, we get it. Turns out you were the miserable trophy wife all along.】 【OMG they baited us with a divorce drama and switched it to a romance! I am OBSESSED with this!】 【Elara, honey, stop smiling and look at your husband! He’s about to short-circuit and die over there!】 1 I’m a polarizing starlet who clawed her way up from nothing. My talent? My looks. My acting skills? My looks. My special abilities? You guessed it, my looks. I was comfortably floating in the C-list until the news of my secret marriage to superstar Rashawn Croft broke, and the internet had a collective meltdown. Besides the Grand Canyon-sized gap in our social and financial status, there was another reason for the shock: everyone in the industry knew Rashawn had a… subtle animosity toward me. At an awards ceremony, our eyes met by accident across the crowded hall. I was still in fan-service mode, flashing my brightest, sweetest smile. The man’s expression, however, twisted into something deeply uncomfortable. He instantly wiped the smile off his face and, in a moment of panic, actually rolled his eyes at me. When the clip went viral, everyone was baffled. Rashawn Croft, though famously cold and reserved, was known for being an impeccable gentleman. Composed. Emotionally stable. Yet, with me, his disdain was utterly undisguised. Later, fans dug up the few other times we’d been caught in the same frame. No matter how brightly he’d been smiling a second before, the moment he saw me, his face would freeze over. Combined with my naturally soft voice and penchant for being playful, the internet painted a picture of me as a desperate social climber, constantly fawning over a man who was repulsed by me. Now that our secret marriage was out, those old clips were trending again. Netizens jeered that his aversion to me was so visceral it was making his face turn red with rage. Hordes of anti-fans tagged the producers of Second Chances on my social media: 【Please, for the love of God, get a divorce. Let Rashawn go.】 【This girl’s got nerves of steel. My husband looking at me with that much disgust every day? I wouldn’t be able to smile.】 【I feel so bad for Rashawn. He’s normally so chill, but she’s pushed him to the point of rolling his eyes. Imagine how miserable his life must be.】 … Spurred on by the public outcry, Second Chances officially invited us onto the show. Rashawn and I had been forced together by our grandfathers; there were no feelings involved. Our daily interactions were no different from those of strangers. I was sick of our dead-water life. I accepted the offer without hesitation, ready to cash one last big check before the divorce. As I was happily counting the zeros on the contract, I noticed Rashawn staring at it with a complicated expression, his pen hovering over the signature line. “What’s wrong?” I asked. “My pen’s out of ink,” he mumbled, looking down. “There’s another one right there.” “That one’s broken, too…” I could tell he was reluctant. Figuring he didn’t want to waste his precious time on me, I leaned in, using my most coaxing tone. “It won’t mess up your schedule too much. Come on, please? For me?” “Well… alright. Fine.” Stammering, a faint blush creeping up his ears, Rashawn dazedly signed his name. 2 The show featured three couples and was broadcast live 24/7. Before filming, the director had given each couple a rough script outlining their conflicts and narrative arc. But considering my decade of consistently mediocre acting and Rashawn’s A-list status, the director ultimately decided to just let us play it by ear. The moment I trudged into the frame, wrestling with two small suitcases, the live chat exploded: 【Here we go! The main event has arrived!】 【LMAO, the other couples showed up holding hands or walking side-by-side. Rashawn not only walks separately from Elara, he makes her carry her own luggage.】 【So what if she schemed her way into a wealthy family? She’s still just the hired help with no dignity. They never even officially announced the marriage. The Croft family probably doesn’t even acknowledge her.】 The online roasting was brutal, but it wasn’t just online. Sophie, another actress on the show, noticed my struggle and took a subtle jab. “Elara, a woman’s hands are delicate. Marcus never lets me carry anything heavy. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were Rashawn’s assistant.” Sophie and I debuted around the same time. She’s fiercely competitive and loves to show off. After marrying the director Marcus, she spammed her social media for weeks, flaunting her marriage into a “prestigious” family. Of course, compared to the Croft empire, Marcus’s family was small potatoes. So it was understandable that she was a little bitter when my marriage to Rashawn was revealed. Whatever. I was here for the money, not the drama. I ignored her. The show’s panel of experts, having clearly done their homework, had already accepted the narrative of me being the unwanted, long-suffering wife. Seeing my silence, they assumed I was swallowing my pride, their eyes filled with pity. The chat continued: 【Seriously? Sophie and Marcus are on a divorce show because he’s ‘too possessive’? Are they sure they’re not just here to flex? That gold-digger must be so jealous seeing how happy our Sophie is.】 【Serves Elara right for clinging to that old family arrangement. She made her bed, now she has to lie in it.】 Just then, the camera panned. Rashawn Croft was not, as everyone assumed, relaxing somewhere off-screen. He was struggling toward us, pushing five enormous, interconnected suitcases. The other guests, who had been whispering and watching the spectacle, fell silent. They all stood up to help him. “Rashawn, I thought you were a minimalist,” one of them joked. “Getting a little high-maintenance, are we? You want me to toss that garbage bag for you?” Rashawn coolly sidestepped their hands, his expression sour. I pushed through the crowd. “Uh, those are all mine,” I explained. “And that’s not a garbage bag. That’s Rashawn’s luggage.” The live chat erupted again: 【I’m dead. So Rashawn is the ‘assistant’!】 【So real. When my husband and I travel, all his stuff fits in one plastic bag too.】 【What’s so funny? Look at his face, he’s furious. It’s written all over him. Only Elara could piss off an Oscar-winner this badly.】 【Don’t hold back, Rashawn! Let it all out! I’m here for the daily dose of him being disgusted by Elara.】 The show wasted no time stirring the pot. For our first night, they decided we would draw lots to see if we’d sleep in separate rooms. I started to say, “Can we just skip the draw? Rashawn and I will just choose—” The words “separate rooms” were still on my tongue when the silent man beside me cut me off. “I’ll draw.” Sophie put on a show of sympathy. “It’s okay, Elara. I know you want to use this chance to stay with Rashawn. Maybe you’ll get lucky.” The chat found this hilarious: 【Look at how disgusted he is by her all the time. I bet they’ve never even shared a bed. No wonder she’s so desperate. Poor little rich girl.】 【Did anyone else notice Rashawn secretly glaring at Elara like five times in the last ten seconds? If looks could kill, she’d be dead. This is amazing.】 3 Rashawn nervously unfolded the slip of paper. He saw the word “SEPARATE.” The live chat and I let out a collective sigh of relief. 【Thank god they don’t have to share a room. Rashawn must have been terrified.】 【Okay but… Elara is stunningly beautiful. And her voice is so sweet. If I were Rashawn I’d be obsessed with her.】 【^^ Are you insane??!】 The host went around asking if we were happy with the results. Sophie, who had also drawn “separate,” looked sadly at Marcus. “I’m not used to sleeping alone. I’m worried I won’t be able to sleep.” The host turned to me, a glint in her eye. “Elara, you must be used to sleeping alone quite a bit, right? Any tips you can share?” I fired back with a saccharine smile. “Sorry, I rarely sleep alone.” No one would ever guess. Rashawn Croft had the face of an ascetic who was tired of the world, but behind closed doors, he had a bigger appetite than anyone. That “gentlemanly” reputation his fans loved so much? It mostly consisted of him driving me to the brink of exhaustion while playing dumb. Thinking back, I kind of regretted the hormonally-charged night I’d slipped on a bathrobe, walked into his bedroom, and sat on his lap, declaring, “Even if it’s a contract, we still have to fulfill our marital duties.” One of the main reasons I was so eager for this divorce was that my body just couldn’t handle the frequency anymore. When it was Rashawn’s turn to answer, his thick, dark lashes fluttered. His voice was low and cold. “If I’m not satisfied, can I change it?” The host, not expecting this, was momentarily stunned. “The rules say you can’t.” Rashawn took a deep breath. “Can I draw again?” The host shook her head helplessly. “No.” A flash of raw anger crossed the man’s already brooding features. I gently tugged on his sleeve. “Just follow the rules.” Rashawn nodded stiffly and walked away, his arms and legs moving in awkward, uncoordinated synchrony. The chat was confused: 【Is it just me or is Rashawn acting super weird? Does he… want to share a room with Elara?】 【No way. He’s probably just trying to save face for her in front of the cameras.】 【Oh no. I think I’m starting to ship them. Elara said one soft thing and he instantly obeyed.】 【Was that obedience or was he just disgusted into silence? The man was so rattled he forgot how to walk.】 Without Rashawn plowing his field, I slept like a baby and woke up feeling refreshed. The next day, I was up early. Sophie was in the kitchen making breakfast for Marcus. They were bickering over whether to have boiled or fried eggs. The argument somehow ended with them in a passionate embrace. Sophie even shot me, in all my bed-headed glory, a triumphant look, as if to say, “So what if you married a Croft? My husband loves me. Yours doesn’t.” A camera suddenly swung toward me. “Today is the couple’s chemistry challenge! Pop quiz: What does Rashawn like to drink for breakfast?” “Iced Americano?” I guessed randomly. After our marriage, Rashawn had started taking over his family’s business and was semi-retired from acting. He was up and off to the office before dawn every day. How was I supposed to know what he liked? A moment later, the host cornered Rashawn as he returned from his morning run. “Rashawn, what’s your favorite breakfast drink?” “Hot latte.” The host smirked. “And what’s Elara’s favorite breakfast drink?” “Iced Americano,” Rashawn answered without a second’s hesitation. “But I worry that drinking cold things all the time is bad for her, so I often switch it to a hot one for her.” I stared at him, completely shocked. “Rashawn, why didn’t you tell me? I always thought the housekeeper was getting my order wrong! Hot Americanos are disg—” I caught myself, realizing I was about to offend someone, and swallowed the rest of the sentence. The host was even more surprised than I was. “Rashawn, do you usually make breakfast for Elara?” Rashawn gave a slight nod, a hint of pride in his expression. “She’s so tired every night. She needs to rest in the morning.” Sophie, who had been enjoying the show, froze. The spatula clattered from her hand to the floor. The panel of experts watched with knowing, maternal smiles. 4 The host, determined to get some drama, fired off a dozen more chemistry questions. The final score: Rashawn answered every single question about me correctly. I managed to guess one correctly about him. I was still in a daze when the evening campfire chat began. Even though we lived under the same roof and had our fair share of… intimate contact, Rashawn and I rarely talked. We were both busy with our careers, and besides, Rashawn was the textbook definition of an earth sign: introverted, reserved, and impossible to read. I’d wanted to ask him about those viral clips of him glaring at me, to ask if he really hated me that much, but he always managed to sidestep the conversation before it even began. And yet, here he was, acting like he knew me better than I knew myself. The chat was buzzing: 【This is insane. Even the ultimate doting husband Marcus got a question about Sophie wrong. Rashawn got them ALL right. This can’t be scripted, can it? It’s kinda sweet.】 【Look at Elara’s shocked face. It has to be real. Her acting isn’t that good.】 Me: Thanks a lot, that’s a real backhanded compliment. 【I’m so curious. If Rashawn really despises Elara like everyone says, why would he make her breakfast? But if he likes her, why do they act like total strangers?】 【Agreed. This couple is so fascinating. The others feel like old married couples, but these two have this weird, electric ambiguity.】 The theme for the night was “Money.” The moment I saw the topic, I knew this segment was aimed squarely at me. The host started with Marcus and Sophie. “In your pre-show questionnaires, you both mentioned having some conflicts regarding family finances.” Sophie huffed. “Well, there’s that popular saying, ‘Where the money is, the love is.’ But Marcus still hasn’t given me his bank cards.” The female rapper from the third couple teased, “But at least Marcus loves to spoil you, Sophie. I always see you posting pictures of those thousand-dollar bags and jewelry. My man won’t even add me to his Amazon Prime account.” Sophie lowered her head shyly. “It’s not that big of a deal. I value emotional connection more than material things. But Elara is the one who really married her way out of poverty. She probably has more to say on this topic.” I caught the insinuation in her voice and gave her a sweet smile. “Marrying a rich man is pretty great. You’ll get it once Marcus reaches Rashawn’s level.” Sophie’s smile faltered. See? She brings it up, but she can’t take the answer.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386341”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Because I was born with a “blessed fate,” Kevin Rowley’s mother paid me to be a companion for her son. Publicly, I was his adopted sister. Privately, I was his cherished, secret girlfriend. The diamond ring hidden in his drawer made me believe he was going to propose. Then I overheard him joking with his friends: “It’s been five years. The fate you stole for Abby is stable now. Isn’t it time you compensated your little girlfriend by marrying her?” “Who would marry a cursed-luck plaything?” “Aren’t you afraid she’ll get her heart broken and leave?” Kevin’s voice was laced with contempt. “She’ll be on death’s door if she leaves me. Unless she can find a man with a stronger fate than mine, she’s stuck with me for life.” So that was it. He cherished me not out of love, but to steal my life force for his one true love. He wanted me to be his personal battery, his plaything for life. I stumbled home in a daze, pulled out the original agreement, and laid my cards on the table with his mother. “I won’t be renewing the contract. Our arrangement is over.” 1 Mrs. Rowley was stunned. “Aria, you know what happens. Every time you’re away from Kevin for more than three days, your luck turns. Minor incidents end in blood, major ones in the hospital. Why can’t you just stay with us and be my daughter? We don’t need a contract anymore. Why do you have to go?” Just then, Kevin strode in, snatching the papers from her hand. His brow furrowed. “Who said you had to leave just because the contract is up? It’s not like the Rowleys can’t afford to feed you.” “I want to go back to the mountains,” I said, my voice steady. “I’ve been away for so long. It’s time I went back to see my master.” Kevin’s face darkened with disapproval. “What’s there to see in that backwater? You’ve been gone for years, and has your so-called master ever once contacted you? Every time you were sick, who was the one taking care of you?” Perhaps my gaze was sharper than usual today, because he met my eyes for a second and fell silent. He knew exactly why my luck always turned. As for why my master had become unreachable, that was a mystery to me, too. A deep-seated instinct told me his disappearance was connected to my stolen fate. After dismissing his mother with a few quick words, Kevin ignored my protests, swept me into his arms, and carried me into his bedroom. The moment the door closed, he pinned me against a cabinet, his mouth crashing down on mine. “Aria, what is it? Am I not good enough to you? Is my mother not good to you? You’d rather throw away the life of a princess to go back to that shithole and see some old man?” He was as domineering as ever, biting my lip hard enough to draw blood. The metallic taste filled my mouth, just as the scent of another woman—Abby’s perfume—filled my nostrils. My body had no resistance to Kevin, but it had even less to Abby. If Kevin was a sun that drew me in, Abby was a fatal-force magnet. I’d always known she was special to him, but whenever I saw her, I felt an inexplicable joy, a happiness that far surpassed what I felt for Kevin. I’d even started to question my own sexuality. Now I knew the truth. I was drawn to her because she held a piece of me. She had stolen my fate. “Aria, the Rowley estate is your home,” he murmured, his voice softening. “It doesn’t matter if you’re an orphan or a jinx. My mother and I will always treat you like family. Why would you risk everything to go back and see someone who doesn’t even care about you?” “If you really want to go, I’ll take you when I’m less busy.” Every word was a carefully crafted trap, designed to sound like he cared. But knowing the truth, I saw the cracks in every single one. I fought against my body’s instinct and pushed him away. “Fine.” He didn’t love me. Even if I stayed, I would just waste away and die young. It was only a matter of when. My compliance seemed to ignite something in him. A dark desire flickered in his eyes. “Aria, this is what I love about you. So obedient. Like a little rabbit, makes me want to devour you whole…” He reached for my clothes. I clutched the collar of my shirt and shoved him back, stopping his advance. If my fate was a flame, then I was the lamp. Abby had stolen the flame, but until it fully merged with her, she couldn’t risk “breaking a taboo”—or all her efforts would be for nothing. That was why Kevin couldn’t touch her. And his insatiable desire for me? It was because I was the lamp. He couldn’t have the flame, so he took out all his frustrations on me. My rejection stunned him. Usually, all he had to do was stand there, and my body’s instinct would do the rest. Without my fate, I needed his proximity to feel warm, to feel that indescribable rush of happiness. He gripped my chin, a smirk playing on his lips. “Playing hard to get? Trying something new today, are we? I like it…” I watched with cold eyes as he leaned in to kiss me again. “This is the master bedroom,” I reminded him, my voice flat. The desire vanished from his face. For five years, I had been the woman he tangled with every night, but I had never been allowed to sleep in his bed. I’d never even been near it. He was afraid my bad luck would taint the room, and by extension, the Rowley family’s fortune. As Kevin hastily pulled me out of the room, his mother was coming down the stairs. “Kevin, where are you dragging your sister off to in such a hurry?” He didn’t miss a beat. “We have something important to discuss.” Mrs. Rowley looked at us suspiciously. “You two are always so secretive. You’re not up to something you shouldn’t be, are you?” 2 Kevin’s grip on my hand tightened. He pushed me into my own room before rushing to heat a glass of milk for his mother. “Mom, just drink this and go to bed.” Mrs. Rowley loved when he did this for her. It always helped her sleep through the night. “I’d like some too, Mom…” I started to say. Kevin shot me a venomous look. I’d always suspected there was something wrong with the milk, but I couldn’t believe Kevin would drug his own mother. It wasn’t until earlier today, when I found the sleeping pills hidden in his room, that I knew for sure. I decided to let it go. This devoted son drugged his mother every time he wanted to spend a night with me. What was one more time? Once I was gone, he’d stop. If I exposed him, it would only ruin their relationship, and I’d gain nothing. Half an hour later, Kevin tried to sneak into my room, only to find the door locked. He was furious. He actually called a locksmith to pry the door open. After sending the man away, he stormed over to me, his voice dripping with irritation. “It’s not your period, so don’t play the virtuous maiden with me. Aren’t you usually like a starving wolf? It’s only because I’m patient that I put up with you. Don’t push it.” He pulled a scandalously sheer piece of lingerie from a hidden compartment in my closet and tossed it at me. “Change into this. Stop wasting my time.” When I didn’t move, he became rough. Looking into his eyes—eyes that could show deep affection even to a dog—I was struck again by the cold, hard reality: he had never, ever truly cared for me. Who would fall in love with a tool to warm their bed? He yanked at my shirt, and the fabric tore, exposing my chest to the cool air. I fought down the overwhelming urge to press myself against him. For the first time, I didn’t throw myself into his arms. “I’m tired. Some other time.” My repeated rejections had pushed him over the edge. He grabbed my wrists, about to restrain me, when his phone rang urgently. Hearing the panicked sobs on the other end, Kevin rushed out to get Abby. Terrified that I would lose control and follow them like a lost puppy, I slammed the door shut. But Kevin kicked it back open. “Abby has a fever. Get over here and take care of her.” I looked at her chapped lips and flushed face. “You should take her to a hospital,” I said coldly. Abby came and sat next to me, taking my hand and pouting. “Aria, I don’t want to go to the hospital. I just want to be close to you. I don’t know why, but I feel warmer when you’re near.” She rested her head on my shoulder. Every cell in my body screamed with a traitorous joy at her touch, but I took a deep breath and shoved her away. “If you’re cold, have Kevin warm you up.” The thought of her stealing my life force while I’d been dancing around them like a fool sent a chill through me. Abby’s body began to tremble uncontrollably, her face a mask of pathetic misery. “Aria, why are you being so mean today? Kevin, I feel so sick…” She clutched her chest, her breathing shallow. Kevin immediately rushed to her side, gathering her into his arms. But I didn’t miss the strange, knowing look Abby shot me over his shoulder. A deep sense of unease settled in my stomach. 3 After settling Abby in his own room, Kevin came back and ordered me, “You’re sleeping with Abby tonight. And don’t forget, obeying orders is your job.” He was right. That was my job. But the employment contract had expired two years ago. When I first left my master in the mountains, I was naive and worldly. I was scammed out of all my money and ended up at a temple, desperate for food. That’s where I met Mrs. Rowley. The temple’s abbot told her I had a blessed fate and that forming a connection with me would greatly benefit her son. A devout believer, Mrs. Rowley immediately offered me a contract: “One million dollars for three years. Be my goddaughter.” My master always said that every meeting was fated. Starving and desperate, I couldn’t refuse. When I first arrived, Kevin despised me. But on my birthday, after he learned my birth chart, he suddenly warmed up to me. After accompanying him on a trip abroad to meet Abby, I found myself completely infatuated with him. Every glance made my heart pound. I wanted to be near him constantly. When I finally “won him over,” I was ecstatic. Now, I realized it was all a setup. After that trip, my luck began to turn. I became prone to illness and accidents. Kevin found a renowned monk to help me, but nothing worked. The monk’s only advice was to stay by Kevin’s side for my own safety. “Aria Sterling! What are you still standing there for? Get over there, now!” The more frantic he was, the more I suspected tonight was not going to be simple. He tried the same trick again, bringing me a glass of warm milk. If I drank it, I’d be out cold, just like his mother. “Didn’t you say you wanted some? And you’re always complaining about wanting to sleep in my room. Here’s your chance.” I picked up the glass and, when he wasn’t looking, poured most of it into the bedding. I hoped the few sips I’d have to take wouldn’t put me under too deeply. But as I raised the glass, I caught a familiar scent. The milk was just a distraction. This was the same fragrance that had knocked me out that night abroad. I bit my tongue hard, mentally chanting the complex passages my master had taught me to fight off the drowsiness. As I pretended to pass out, Kevin caught me and carried me to his bed. “Kevin, are you sure this will work?” Abby’s voice was a nervous whisper. “Her fate is strong. Stealing it completely will cure you for good.” “But I’m worried about the backlash…” “Don’t be. She loves me. As long as she gives it willingly, I won’t be harmed. The backlash will fall on her.” Lying in the bed I had once dreamed of, my heart turned to ice. My consciousness was fading, but the rage in my chest burned hot and fierce. When I woke up, Abby was completely revitalized, her cheeks rosy with health. I, on the other hand, felt drained and sick. It took all my strength just to sit up. “Aria, you’re awake! I told you, if I’m with you, I don’t even need medicine to get better.” A person who should have been dead long ago had stolen my life, and last night, she had used my body to solidify her hold on it. It was no different from borrowing my very life. In that moment, I hated myself for being so blind, for not learning a single one of my master’s skills. I had been a fool for years, completely unaware. I forced a smile, and my cracked lips immediately started to bleed. There was no point in arguing. All I wanted was to get out of this viper’s nest. But Kevin steadied me, his face a mask of concern. “Aria, you look terrible. I’m taking you to the hospital.” Too weak to struggle, I let him. After a series of tests, the doctor’s face was grim. “Her body’s systems are aging rapidly. We need to admit her for further observation.” I spent the entire day at the hospital, feeling my life force slowly slipping away. Kevin only remembered I existed after confirming that Abby was perfectly healthy. He came to my room, full of apologies, asking how I was feeling, but there wasn’t a trace of genuine worry in his eyes. Suddenly, Abby pointed at his arm and gasped. “Kevin, what is that? It wasn’t there this morning…” 4 Kevin tried to rub off the dark spot on his arm, but the skin underneath looked like it was about to peel away. I looked away, then down at the identical spots appearing on my own skin, and gave a bitter smile. Kevin’s hand trembled as he glared at me. “Aria Sterling, did you cheat on me? Did you get some disease and give it to me?” He could blame me for anything, couldn’t he? Didn’t he understand this was karma? The backlash wouldn’t kill him, but it would certainly make his life a living hell. The moment I learned the truth, I had decisively cut off all the love I had for him. He stared at the matching spots on my arm, his expression turning thunderous. As if remembering something, he grabbed me and dragged me out of the hospital, not even sparing a glance for Abby. The moment we were in the car, he pushed me down against the seat, his kisses landing sloppily on my neck. I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face. He looked at me, his face a picture of wounded betrayal. “Aria, you don’t love me anymore? I know I shouldn’t have said that, but… you used to love being close to me, didn’t you?” So that’s what this was about. He was testing me. Trying to see if I still loved him. And what if I did? He didn’t understand. The karma he deserved had already arrived. I shook my tingling hand and pointed out the window.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386340”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

My roommate, Sienna, has five boyfriends. My crush, Ethan, is one of them. She gave Ethan to me. She’s such a good person. Oh, wait. No. It was a dare. Give up one boyfriend. But that wasn’t dramatic enough for her. She had to take it a step further and try to set me, the only single girl in our dorm, up with Ethan. Our other roommates laughed, trying to smooth things over. “You don’t have to go that far. Look at her, she’s a total ice queen. She’s not the dating type.” Sienna just smiled, her tone breezy. “True. Good girls don’t date in college. I was just…” joking. I looked Sienna straight in the eye, my expression earnest. “I’ll do it.” 1 Sienna’s smile faltered. “Fine. I’ll send you his contact info.” The other roommates went silent. I knew it was awkward. But this was the guy I’d had a crush on for three years. From the moment I first saw him on stage at the freshman orientation, he’d captured my full attention. I held up our dorm’s star-shaped string light, my voice sincere. “You really don’t have to. It’s just a game. You can just take a shot as a penalty.” Sienna scoffed. “Me? Lose? I’m the queen of the nightlife!” “You think I’d lose a stupid game like this to a nerdy good-girl? Who do you think you’re talking to?” “Just you wait. In two weeks, I guarantee you’ll know exactly what it feels like to be in love.” I just said, “Oh,” and dropped it. It was just as I expected. Sienna would never allow herself to lose, not even in something so small, and certainly not to a bookworm like me. The other roommates couldn’t contain their curiosity. “Why Ethan? He’s handsome and rich.” In the soft glow of the starlight, Sienna’s face was grim. “I have my own money, and my other boyfriends spoil me too. He has a personality defect.” At this thought, her expression seemed to clear a little. “He’s rigid, boring, a total traditionalist. Barely says a word.” I nodded to myself. A quiet man is a good thing. Handsome, rich, smart, and quiet. His traditionalism meant he’d be responsible. No wonder he was my crush. A man who talked too much was an instant turn-off. He was total catnip for a sapiosexual. It was just a shame his taste in women was so poor. 2 A day passed. My friend request on social media was still pending. I sent it again, pausing for a moment before adding a note: Sienna’s roommate. Sienna watched me staring at my phone, a hint of amusement in her voice. “What, he hasn’t added you yet?” I nodded. A second later, a notification popped up. Ethan has accepted your friend request. Sienna’s expression soured. “I added that I was your roommate,” I explained. “That’s when he accepted.” Her face seemed to get even darker. But hadn’t she always said she dated so many guys to prove how desirable she was? Here was one of her exes, still clearly hung up on her, and she was… unhappy? 3 Sienna, who had promised to help me win over Ethan, made no move to do so. My chat with him remained stuck at our first exchange: Hello. Can I help you? I thought for a long time about what to send him first. Should I tell him Sienna had lost him to me in a dare? After much deliberation, I asked him why the core question behind this year’s Nobel Prize in Economics was so deceptively simple. He wrote back at length. He forwarded me article after article. Paper after paper. He even included some analysis from popular commentary blogs. It was thorough. Rational. Brilliant. He had access to information I could never find on my own. I found myself completely engrossed, reading on my bed. Suddenly, the dorm room door was thrown open violently. Sienna’s sharp voice cut through the air. “She’s such a slut. Who picks up their best friend’s cast-off boyfriend?” “She’s even worse. She practically begged for him.” Our other two roommates chimed in with agreement. I didn’t get it. They were the ones who had started this challenge. Sienna was the one who had upped the stakes. It just happened to align with my own secret wish, so I’d agreed. How did it turn into this? What if I’d said no? Would they have found another way to mock me? Look at her, we even offered her our richest, hottest boyfriend and she’s still a boring old stick-in-the-mud. My mom was right. Never argue with a fool, and don’t spend too much time around them. It messes with your energy. Find a partner who is smart. While they were in the middle of their tirade, I pulled back my bed curtain and smiled, a picture of innocence. “Are you guys talking about me?” Sienna crossed her arms, her eyes dripping with disdain. The other two roommates gave awkward laughs, trying to salvage the situation. “No, of course not. We were just talking about a character from that show we’re all watching.” And just like that, the matter was dropped. No one ever mentioned it again. After all, we still had to live together for another year. 4 Discussing academic questions, Ethan and I grew closer. He was the first man I’d spent a month with without getting bored. “Rigid and traditional” was just another way of saying self-disciplined. But today, Ethan was acting strange. He was distracted, his answers to my questions absentminded. “Is something wrong?” I asked. He frowned, thinking for a long time before his cool voice finally emerged, laced with conflict. “Did Sienna see that post on the school forum? Does she misunderstand what’s going on between us? She hasn’t spoken to me in a month.” I was a little surprised. Sienna… hadn’t told him they’d broken up? Or about the dare? And more importantly, our “relationship” was already gossip on the school forum? Meanwhile, the fact that Sienna was successfully juggling five boyfriends was nowhere to be found online. I furrowed my brow. “She didn’t tell you?” “A month ago, she lost a dare. She lost you to me.” Ethan’s brow furrowed even deeper, as if he couldn’t comprehend this kind of game. “So,” I added, “you’re my boyfriend now.” His mind seemed to short-circuit, unable to process the information. I sighed. I couldn’t bring myself to tell him he wasn’t Sienna’s only boyfriend. It wasn’t just that it would shatter his old-fashioned worldview. It was that slandering my new boyfriend’s ex felt… cheap. He might think I was making it up, and that would create a rift between us. After all, I had no proof. 5 I thought it would take Ethan some time to process the truth. I was wrong. The very next morning, he was standing outside my dorm building, holding the tackiest bouquet of black-gauze-wrapped red roses imaginable. Just as Sienna and one of her more “fun” boyfriends walked out. “With taste that tacky, who could possibly want you?” Sienna said, her voice dripping with scorn. I was on my way to the library. “Me, maybe?” I offered. Sienna shot me a look of pure disgust, then turned to her boyfriend and cooed, “Baby, you see? We have a boyfriend-stealer in our dorm. I’m so scared she’ll steal you away one day. Why don’t you rent an apartment for me off-campus?” I was… speechless. Utterly, completely speechless. But the stage was set. If Ethan didn’t take the opportunity, there was nothing I could do. I sighed and turned to leave. Maybe Ethan and I weren’t meant to be. I’d only taken a few steps when a massive bouquet of roses was thrust into my arms. The same tacky roses Sienna had just mocked. “Let’s be together,” he said. I gave a slight nod. He wasn’t a completely lost cause. There was room for improvement. That night, a new post appeared on the school forum. #StudentPursuesCampusQueenWithoutSuccess,SettlesForRoommate It was a picture of Ethan shoving the roses into my arms. The rumors flew. I was cast as the homewrecker who had stolen her roommate’s boyfriend. The perpetrator, Sienna, had already moved out of the dorm to live a life of blissful coupledom with her boyfriends. I didn’t really care. Ethan, however, was wracked with guilt. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have to deal with this.” I nodded, smiling faintly. “So, you’ll have to be extra nice to me from now on.” “Okay,” he said. His voice was stiff, but resolute. He was so easy to fool. Was his reputation for being a genius just a marketing ploy? My smile faded. “How did you and Sienna get together in the first place?” I asked quietly. Ethan seemed flustered, his clear eyes filled with confusion. “She asked me out.” “What did she say?” I pressed. He paused. “Is this a required part of dating? Asking about the ex-girlfriend?” “No,” I shook my head. “I’m just curious. Sienna doesn’t seem like the type to chase after anyone.” “She didn’t, really,” he corrected, ever the literalist. “She just happened to confess her feelings first. I wasn’t against the idea, so we got together.” He was a total rookie who’d run into a master of the game. No wonder he’d fallen so hard. Sienna was always talking about creating “tension” with her boyfriends. This didn’t feel like a time for tension. It felt like a time to actually build a relationship. “Ethan, let’s go on a date tomorrow.” The hand that had been scribbling equations on a notepad stilled. A soft “Okay” escaped his lips before he immediately returned to his work, as if I had imagined the whole thing. 6 “100 Things for Couples to Do.” It was the best dating guide I could find. First up: an escape room. Ethan was late. When he arrived, he was dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, not a single crease on it. Even his hair was meticulously styled. He had clearly made an effort. The walk from campus to the escape room wasn’t far, but we turned a lot of heads. He looked so out of place standing there with me, a beacon of precision and formality. The girl working at the counter couldn’t stop staring at him. “Is your boyfriend a cosplayer?” she finally asked. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yep,” I nodded. “I don’t know which robot he’s supposed to be, but he’s really committed to the character. Never breaks.” Ethan looked lost. After a long moment, he asked, “Are you two speaking in code?” I smiled. “She said we look good together.” He nodded, and didn’t ask again. The escape room, which was supposed to bring us closer, was, in our opinion, full of logical fallacies. The only result was that Ethan’s suit got a few wrinkles. “You’re not having fun,” he stated. “It was a novel experience,” he said, his tone flat. “I look forward to our next date.” But his eyes were distant. He didn’t look forward to it at all. We worked our way through half of the “100 Things” list, but our relationship remained stagnant. He was always cooperative. Never argued. Never seemed to care. Wasn’t this exactly what my mom had said I needed? A partner who was perfectly, completely rational? He was perfect. Maybe too perfect.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386339”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

I seduced my stepbrother. He’d shame me relentlessly in bed, but the hand gripping my thigh would only tighten. And after every time, Julian would never forget to add, “You’re just a toy for me to get off on. Know your place.” I’d always nod in agreement. Later, when I aced my college entrance exams, I defied him and enrolled in a university a thousand miles from home. Julian called to demand an explanation. “The pressure of retaking the exams was too much,” I said, my voice sincere. “It’s better to release the tension than to let it build up. You understand that, right?” “Joanna!” he roared. “Are you fucking telling me you used me as a vibrator?!” 01 “You’re just as pathetic as your mother.” “One seduced my dad, the other plays hard to get with me.” Julian’s abs were taut, each muscle defined like chiseled stone. Here we go again. I adjusted my breathing and rolled my eyes. It was always the same few lines in bed. He never got tired of saying them, but I was sick of hearing them. I mumbled a half-hearted “uh-huh,” ignoring the insults. They weren’t really insults, though. Every word he said was true. I bit my lip, tightening around him, and heard his breath hitch above me. “Fuck! If you’ve got a problem, say something! Are you just going to play dead every time?” I had no intention of making a sound. The most he ever got out of me was a muffled grunt. He’d been complaining about it for a while. “Can you stop with the dead-fish face?” I didn’t answer, just shifted my position. His breathing grew more ragged. “Don’t you fucking turn your back on me!” I cursed him silently, my face impassive. When it was over, he pulled on his clothes. “You’re just a toy for me to get off on. Know your place.” My whole body was buzzing with a pleasant exhaustion. My mind was hazy. “Yeah, I know,” I slurred. His response was the slam of the door. 02 Julian is my stepbrother. Last year, my mother met his father, Richard Chen. While I was cramming for my senior year exams, she was plotting her way into a wealthy family. After a year of our combined efforts, I missed my dream university by a hair, and she successfully became a trophy wife. So I started my second round of senior year—a “gap year” of intense studying. She started her own project: securing her position with a child. We both had bright futures ahead of us. That was a lie. She didn’t give a damn about me. I was just the consequence of her teenage mistake. 03 I learned to read people from a young age. After moving into the Chen mansion, I quickly realized the true center of power was this eighteen-year-old stepbrother of mine. Even the man of the house, Richard, had to tiptoe around him. I did some digging and found out Richard had married into the family. No wonder he’d waited ten years after his wife’s death to remarry. What goes around comes around. I had sworn I would never follow in my mother’s footsteps, but our paths were turning out to be eerily similar. Just like Julian said. I played the innocent, helpless girl for him. A classic move, but it worked. A newly-unleashed virgin, he was quickly hooked. And I started to reap the benefits. For one, this whole thing was surprisingly relaxing. After being completely drained, I could finally sleep without the nightmares. And I got to attend a top-tier tutoring program that cost a fortune per session. Of course, the tutors weren’t for me. They were for Julian, who was also a senior now. I was just a tag-along. But I was still satisfied. “Is it really that serious?” Julian sneered, looking down at me. “Acting like you’re dying just to get into college.” It was. It was very serious. I had no money and no father. The only way I could carve out a future for myself was through these exams. I couldn’t afford to be as nonchalant about life as he was. But I couldn’t say that. I smiled sweetly and, right under the tutor’s nose, snuggled into Julian’s arms. “I just want to be worthy of you,” I purred. A flash of disgust crossed his eyes, but he couldn’t say anything harsh in front of the teacher. He didn’t even push me away. He just shot me a glare and went back to his phone. I moved off his lap and gave the tutor a look of pure, unadulterated thirst for knowledge. No teacher can resist a dedicated student. The tutor, who had previously treated me like air, started to see me as a person. It wasn’t until the tutor left that Julian’s true, malicious nature revealed itself. He stood over me, arms crossed, a mocking smirk on his face. His eyes were full of playful cruelty. “Joanna, have you forgotten something? What we’re doing… it’s incest.” My body was stiff, my brain sluggish from hours of studying. “We’re not blood-related,” I blurted out. “And besides, you’ve never worn a condom.” The smirk froze on his face. He stared at me for a long moment before finally saying, “Joanna, you’re a real slut.” I didn’t know if I was a slut or not. But I knew he was into it. The Chen family was strict, which had fostered a nature in him that was polished on the outside and rotten on the inside. The more taboo something was, the more it drew him in. His dirty talk in bed was just his two brain cells fighting each other. One kneeling at the altar of desire, the other chaining itself to the high tower of morality. Basically, he wanted to have his cake and eat it too. Pathetic. 04 People are always striving for more. I wasn’t the only one with ideas about Julian. He was too dazzling. Family, looks, power. A true prince. In a high school full of average guys, he shone even brighter. “Julian, I… I like you!” I had just come from the office after checking my mock exam scores and saw them on the stairwell landing—the school’s most beautiful girl and Julian. I had stumbled right into her confession. The setting sun painted her cheeks a rosy red as she stammered out her feelings for him. It was a picture of pure, innocent love. Before the smile on my own face had a chance to fade, Julian looked up and saw me. I immediately wiped the smile off my face and stepped between them, placing myself protectively in front of him. “Can I help you?” I asked the girl. She froze, her fingers nervously clutching a letter. “Julian, this is for you. Please read it.” I waved her off with a smile. “Julian doesn’t accept confession letters.” As far as I knew, he had received countless advances since he started high school, and he had rejected every single one. After I got my hooks into him, I’d made sure no other female got within a ten-foot radius. He got at least a hundred love letters a month, and his response was always a polite, gentle refusal. The perfect gentleman. I expected him to do the same this time. But then, he smiled. “Okay. I’ll be sure to read it carefully.” I whipped my head around to look at him, and met his teasing gaze. The girl’s eyes lit up, sparkling and beautiful. In that moment, it felt like every beautiful word in the world could be used to describe her. I stared for a few seconds, a sense of crisis washing over me. Julian’s eyes followed her until she disappeared around the corner. I bit my lip. “Is she that pretty?” I asked. He turned his gaze on me, his eyes slowly raking over my body, lingering on my waist and chest. He didn’t say a word, but it felt like he had stripped me bare. He let out a short, sharp breath. “She’s the campus queen. Of course she’s pretty.” He lifted the pink envelope to his nose and inhaled deeply. Then he waved it in front of my face. A cool, gentle scent with an addictive, woody amber base. He smiled. “Dior Sauvage. A little more sophisticated than your cheap floral perfume, don’t you think?” 05 That night, I snuck into his room. He had just gotten out of the shower. A set of math competition problems lay on his desk. He frowned the moment he saw me. “Joanna, I told you, not in the house.” Deep down, he was repulsed by our illicit relationship. We never crossed the line of step-siblings at home. We’d go to a hotel when he needed it. Back at the Chen mansion, we were just… cordial. But the girl from today had really gotten to me. I slowly untied my bathrobe, revealing a slutty sailor costume underneath. In the silent room, I heard his breath catch. He didn’t tell me to leave. I knew I was showing him something new. The rich boy had probably never seen an outfit that consisted of just a few scraps of fabric. I walked over to his desk, sat on top of his exam papers, and stared at him. “I’m not wearing anything underneath,” I said, my first words of the night. Julian was on fire tonight. But I was happy to oblige. My homeroom teacher had told me my mock exam scores were excellent, that I had a real shot at the top university. The weight that had been crushing me for months had suddenly lifted. I needed a release. In the heat of the moment, a sound escaped my lips—half pain, half pleasure. Julian froze. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple. He looked wild, and sexy. He smirked. “What’s gotten into you today? Feeling jealous?” I shook my head. “You’re leaving for the competition in two days. I’ll miss you.” His face instantly went cold. He leaned in and bit my earlobe, hard. “Don’t,” he growled, each word a separate, sharp jab, “make me sick.” But his movements only became more urgent, more forceful. Bruises bloomed on my hips from his fingers.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386338”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Three years into my marriage to one of the Shin brothers—and my best friend’s to the other—the woman they’d never gotten over came back. At the family dinner, Caleb Shin, my friend’s husband, landed a vicious slap across her face for defending that woman. When I rushed over, Anna collapsed into my arms, sobbing so hard she could barely breathe. “Phoebe, I can’t take this anymore! That bastard hit me, he actually hit me for her!” “I have to get out of here. What about you?” I thought of Damian Shin, my own husband. His growing coldness since Isabelle Thorne returned, the nights he never came home. A bitter smile touched my lips. “If you’re running, I’m running with you.” We planned for weeks, a secret whispered between us. Finally, we were on a plane, slipping away from it all without a soul knowing. But as I settled into my seat, my eyes met a face as cold as a glacier. Damian. Just like that, we were dragged back and locked in a dark room in the Shin manor to “reflect” on our actions. As I racked my brain, trying to figure out which part of our perfect plan had gone wrong, Anna’s voice, small and weak, broke the silence. “I’m so sorry, Phoebe… I did it for your own good.” 1 For a moment, I didn’t process her words. I just stared at her. “What are you talking about?” Anna was already terrified of the dark. My flat, emotionless question was the final crack in her composure. She shrank back, finally confessing in a timid whisper. “Please don’t be mad.” “Damian… he’s the head of Shin Corp. The man is terrifyingly smart! He knew something was up with us for ages!” “The day we left, I had just grabbed my suitcase and opened my door, and there he was. A face that could freeze hell over. He was waiting for me!” “You know how scared I am of your husband, especially when he gets that look. He started grilling me, and I was too terrified to even lie. I told him everything…” I couldn’t believe it. Our escape had been sabotaged from the inside. A firestorm of anger raged in my gut, but one look at Anna’s face—a canvas of genuine fear and remorse—softened the edges of my fury. A headache began to throb at my temples. I rubbed the bridge of my nose, forcing my voice to be gentle. “Then why didn’t you tell me on the way to the airport? If he knew, we could have just canceled the plan, thrown him off our trail, and figured something else out later.” “But now look at us. He has all the leverage…” At the mention of this, Anna’s own anger flared. “It’s all Damian’s fault!” “I thought, okay, even if he was going to stop us, he’d just take you back. I never imagined he’d interfere with me! I’m not his wife!” …Such a naive thought. That was my best friend. Wonderful in every way, but so naive it bordered on foolishness. The Shin brothers’ father died young. Damian, as the eldest, saw himself as a father figure to Caleb. Once he knew our plan, how could he possibly let her go? Especially after the scene she’d made at the family dinner just days ago. If she left alone right now, what kind of rumors would start flying? I sighed, closing my eyes to hide the wave of exhaustion. I had poured so much of myself into planning this escape. Anna watched my face, her own expression crumbling, on the verge of tears. She suddenly threw her arms around my legs, her pout dramatic. “I’m sorry, Phoebe! Please don’t be mad, okay?” “I was just trying to do what was best for you! Before I told him, I thought about it really hard. Damian is good to you, you know? He gives you anything you want.” “If you’d really run away with me, we might have had to struggle for a long, long time.” “I couldn’t bear the thought of you suffering. So I figured, if you stayed with Damian, at least you’d be protected.” She paused, her face twisting with bitterness. “Besides, Caleb obviously doesn’t want me anymore.” “I’m sure Damian told him about our plan the second he found out.” “But look—Caleb didn’t even react. He didn’t try to stop me. He didn’t care that I was leaving.” “It doesn’t matter if you escape or not. But him… he really doesn’t love me anymore.” Her tears extinguished the last embers of my anger. My heart ached for her. I pulled her into a tight hug, about to offer some comfort, when the door to the dark room was kicked open with a loud bang. Caleb stood in the doorway, his face a thundercloud as he glared at Anna. “Well, look at you, Anna. Gotten brave, have we? The girl who gets lost five blocks from home thinks she can run away? Who gave you the guts?” “So I slapped you the other day. Big deal. You haven’t exactly held back on me our whole lives, have you? Is this really necessary?” 2 They had known each other since they were kids, and every argument inevitably turned into them dredging up the past. Just as I expected, Anna shot to her feet, her voice sharp with anger. “You think what happened then is the same as what happened the other day?” “That was when we were kids! We were just playing around!” Caleb’s eye twitched. He crossed his arms, his expression flat. “Right. Playing around.” “When we were nine, you pulled my chair out from under me as I stood up to answer a question in class. I hit my head on the desk behind me and got a mild concussion.” “When we were thirteen, you tied my shoelaces together while I was sleeping. I fell, broke my leg, and spent New Year’s in the hospital.” “To you, that’s all ‘playing around.’ Well, after all these years, I only slapped you once. Seems to me, I was being pretty generous.” This kind of sparring was their normal. Watching them, I felt an unexpected pang of envy. Anna was cornered, her face flushed as she struggled for a response. Finally, the anger drained away, replaced by an icy calm. “Whatever you say. You still hit me for another woman.” “Caleb, I’ll remember this for the rest of my life.” “Even if I can’t leave today, this marriage is over.” Anyone who knew her understood that as long as she was yelling and fighting, it wasn’t serious. But when she lost the energy to even argue, that’s when you knew her heart was truly broken. The gravity of the situation finally seemed to hit Caleb. Realizing he couldn’t just charm his way out of this one, his expression sobered. He sighed and, to my surprise, turned to me. “You shouldn’t just be watching the show, Phoebe. You’re the one who really needs to think about what you’ve done.” “Anna and I have our issues, sure, misunderstandings we need to sort out. But my brother… he’s respected you for three years. He’s given you all the dignity a Shin wife could ask for.” “You never should have gotten involved in Anna’s little drama today.” Anna sniffled, her attention turning to me as well. “Yeah, Phoebe, I never asked… why did you want to leave with me?” “I always thought Damian treated you with respect. He never embarrassed you in public, he gave you money to spend… not like my situation…” She shot a venomous glare at Caleb and snorted. “I had no choice but to leave!” I froze, then lowered my eyes with a humorless smile. Respect. Everyone else could see it so clearly. Even someone as oblivious as Anna could see it. For Damian, all he ever had for me was respect. I used to think that for a man as cold as him, respect and dignity were all he was capable of giving. But after Isabelle Thorne came back, I learned the truth. He was capable of love. 3 Unlike Anna and Caleb’s childhood romance, my marriage to Damian was a simple business arrangement. At first, I told myself he was just reserved and composed from years of running Shin Corp. A loveless, arranged marriage was bound to be a bit cold. But after three years, I often wondered if his coldness went too far. We were husband and wife, but outside of family dinners at the manor and polite greetings in the morning and evening, we barely spoke. If I tried to show a little concern, I’d be met with a curt: “I don’t like needy women.” Or, “Don’t do unnecessary things.” If his mother wasn’t pressuring him for a grandchild, I doubt he would have touched me more than a handful of times a month. And even when he did, it was like a chore, a duty he was performing for his elders. He’d work with a silent focus, and the moment he was finished, he would pull away without a trace of tenderness and head for the shower. No lingering touch, no shared warmth. I never felt an ounce of affection from him. If I didn’t have Anna for company in the sprawling estate, the loneliness would have driven me mad long ago. I knew he wouldn’t change for me, so I forced myself to adapt, to accept his chilling indifference. Until Isabelle Thorne came back. I watched him carefully the day he took her call. Longing, excitement, regret, resolve. For the first time, I saw a storm of complex emotions cross his perpetually frozen face. And in that moment, I knew how wrong I had been. The day Isabelle returned was my birthday. I’d swallowed my pride and begged him for days, finally getting him to agree to spend it with me like a normal couple. A shopping trip, a movie, a candlelit dinner. But after that phone call, he didn’t even spare me a glance. As he rushed out the door, he threw a careless excuse over his shoulder. “Urgent business at the office. I’ll take you out when I get back.” Clinging to that promise, I waited, my makeup flawless, my hope stubborn. I waited for hours. Because I knew that was one thing about Damian: he never broke a promise. But I sat there as the sun climbed high and then sank below the horizon, the moon taking its place. My heart sank with it, piece by piece, into a dark abyss. At three in the morning, staring at the long list of rejected calls on my phone, I dialed his number one last time. This is your last chance, Damian, I thought. Decline this one, and I’m done. But this time, he answered. I was stunned. A tidal wave of emotions rushed to my lips, but I didn’t know what to say. Before I could speak, a sound came from the other end of the line. An intimate, breathless gasp. Raw, heated, and intense. Followed by his low, husky laugh. “Kiss me.” It was a tone he’d never used with me in bed. Utterly different. He didn’t need to say anything else. I understood everything. And my heart turned to ash. So, he wasn’t a mountain incapable of feeling. He just wouldn’t tremble for me. … After hearing my story, Anna threw her arms around my neck, her voice thick with emotion. “Oh, Phoebe, why didn’t you tell me sooner? I had no idea you were going through all that.” “If I had known, I swear, even if Damian had skinned me alive today, I would never have told him our plan!” Caleb, who had been listening silently, hesitated. “Phoebe, my brother, he…” Anna cut him off, her eyes red. “Get out! You and your brother are both bastards! Get out!” She kicked and yelled until Caleb finally retreated. Turning back to me, she saw the lingering bitterness on my face and hugged me tighter. “Ugh, how did we both get so unlucky?” “We gave our hearts to the wrong men…” I let out a quiet sigh. When you give your heart to the wrong person, the only thing to do is take it back. I forced myself to rally, managing a weak smile. “It’s okay. We still have a chance.” “We failed this time, so we’ll just try again.” “But next time,” I added, looking her straight in the eye, “you are not allowed to sell me out.” 4 At dinner, Anna and I were finally released. Several of the Shin elders had gathered at the manor, and to my surprise, Isabelle Thorne was there too. Truthfully, among the younger generation present, my family background made me the least qualified to marry Damian Shin. The only reason I was his wife was because my family, the Shen family, had provided crucial help when Shin Corp was just starting out. Our marriage wasn’t so much a strategic alliance as it was a repayment of that debt, a way to elevate my family’s status. Because of this, my mother-in-law, Eleanor Shin, held me in the lowest regard. When she heard about our escape attempt, she lectured Anna with a few mild rebukes. But when her gaze landed on me, her face transformed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Anna was upset, it’s understandable for her to have a little tantrum.” “But you, Phoebe. As the eldest daughter-in-law of this family, instead of calming her down, you joined in on the foolishness? How utterly common. You clearly come from a family with no real standing, acting without thinking. What an embarrassment.” I wasn’t being foolish. And since everyone was here, it was the perfect time to clear the air. I threw a cool glance at Isabelle and was about to speak. But she beat me to it, her voice a soft, cloying purr. “Oh, Eleanor, don’t be angry. I was partly to blame for this, too. That’s why I came today, to explain.” “The day I got back, I accidentally answered a call on Damian’s phone from an unsaved number. The person on the other end didn’t say anything and just hung up.” “Thinking back, it must have been you, Phoebe, wasn’t it? Did you misunderstand something? Is that why you ran away?” She smiled sweetly, but her eyes held a glint of triumph. I pulled at the corner of my mouth, my expression blank. “So? What is your explanation?” “What were you two doing that day?” She giggled, a picture of false innocence. “I’d just gotten back, and I missed Damian so much! We were just… catching up!” Catching up with breathless, intimate gasps? That must have been quite the emotional reunion. A cold smirk formed on my lips. I was about to expose the truth. But Damian had finally had enough. “That’s enough,” he snapped, his voice low and dangerous. “If you’re going to cause a scene, get out.” His eyes were downcast, not looking at anyone in particular, but I could feel his gaze fixed on me from the corner of his eye. He was warning me. But I had been sitting here quietly, having spoken only one sentence. Who was really causing the scene? A sharp pain lanced through my heart. It took all my strength to keep the tears from falling. Beneath the table, Anna squeezed my hand, whispering, “What’s the call? Do we go to war? I’ve got your back.” “This is why we married into the same family, right? To have a united front against evil mothers-in-law and useless husbands.” “I’m still a little scared of Damian, but for you, I’ll fight.” I gave a bitter smile and shook my head. It’s not worth it. I no longer had any hope for this family. Damian’s outburst silenced the table for a while. But it wasn’t long before Eleanor couldn’t help herself, her voice once again laced with condescension. “Some people just have no class.” “I always preferred Isabelle, of course, but your grandfather insisted on repaying your family’s debt. What could I do?” “I’m certain that if Isabelle had married into our family, she would never throw a jealous fit over something so baseless. She wouldn’t have caused such a humiliating scene.” “Phoebe, since you married up, you need to learn your place. In our circle, a man is never going to have just one woman. Even if the rumors were true, you’d be expected to tolerate it. Do you understand?” “You can’t have it all, dear.” Her tone was so high and mighty, as if my marriage into the Shin family was an act of her charity. Anna, with her explosive temper, had been simmering for a while. Her chair scraped against the floor as she shot up, ready to unleash a torrent of fury. But before she could speak, Caleb and I grabbed her wrists from either side, pulling her back down. I shook my head, too tired to even force a smile. There was no point in arguing anymore. If I still held any hope for this family, for Damian, maybe I would have fought back. But I was already determined to leave. Fighting with them now was utterly meaningless. 5 After dinner, Damian and I returned to our room. Since Isabelle’s return, he had often stayed out all night. Eventually, it became days at a time. We were a married couple, but thinking about it, other than being caught at the airport today, we hadn’t seen each other in nearly two weeks. Being alone with him in the same room now felt suffocating, filled with an awkward, unfamiliar tension. I couldn’t stand the oppressive atmosphere. I silently moved to walk past him toward the bathroom. Suddenly, his hand shot out, gripping my arm. His voice was heavy. “In the Shin family, there is no divorce. Only death.” “You are my wife. That is for life. You cannot run.” “I don’t want this to ever happen again. Do you understand?” His grip was painfully tight, as if he truly feared I would escape again, as if he could hold me here by force. But on what grounds? No divorce, only death. It was meant to be a vow of fidelity, but for me, those words had only ever been shackles. Had they ever constrained him? I curled my lip into a sarcastic smile. “In that case, if I insist on a divorce, will you die for me?” His brow furrowed. He didn’t answer my question, only said, “You know that’s not what I mean.” “Isabelle and I are in the past…” “Enough!” I cut him off, my face a cold mask. “I don’t want to fight with you, and I don’t care about your past.” “Let’s just… go back to how things were before.” Without another look at him, I fled into the bathroom. The warm water cascaded over my body, bringing a sliver of clarity to my chaotic mind. His words had, in a way, given me an idea. Simply running away would always leave loose ends. But death wouldn’t. If the only way out was widowhood, then I would die for him to see.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386337”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

On my wedding day, Steven Cole didn’t come. He just had a friend deliver a card with a generous amount of cash inside. I laughed it off. “He’s an ex to both of us. Why play favorites?” The rumor was, when Steven’s first love got married years ago, he not only sent an extravagant gift but also showed up in person to congratulate her. As the reception was winding down, I glanced up and saw a familiar silhouette flicker in the window of the second-floor VIP lounge. My husband, Chad, came over and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. His tone was light. “Thank God that’s over. You have no idea how terrified I was that Steven would show up and crash the wedding.” I chuckled. “As if.” “You didn’t see it? He viewed our digital invitation 1,032 times. Just him.” I paused. My gaze dropped. “It doesn’t matter,” I said softly. “None of that matters anymore.” 1 Chad Felbain and I had a marriage of convenience. We were around the same age, with similar histories. We’d known each other for years and had a mutual respect for each other’s character. And, as it happened, we both needed to get married. It was a perfect match. On our wedding night, Chad asked if I was… open to consummating the marriage. I met his gaze with a playful smile. “I didn’t exactly get married to become a nun.” He was a gentleman, always considerate of my feelings. The lights went out, the kiss happened, but just before the final moment, he asked, “When you see me, do you think of Steven?” After all, he and Steven used to be best friends. I closed my eyes, my arms around his shoulders, and countered, “When you see me, do you think of Camilla?” I’d never met Camilla Reed, but from what Chad had mentioned, his ex-girlfriend was stunning. Chad fell silent. Thinking I’d touched a nerve, I quickly apologized. “I’m sorry. Just pretend I never asked that.” He stroked my hair, his voice softening into a gentle laugh. “You don’t need to apologize.” He looked at me, his expression suddenly serious. “Elara, let’s make this work. A real life together. For the rest of our lives.” I nodded. “Okay.” After a moment, I added, “We’ll both give it our best. But if the day ever comes when you want a divorce, you have to tell me.” The most important clause in our prenuptial agreement was honesty. Love wasn’t a requirement for our marriage. Respect was. Once you’re past the age of believing love can conquer all, you realize that all that dramatic, all-consuming passion is… overrated. I believed I deserved to be happy, even if my marriage didn’t have love. 2 My marriage to Chad was more pleasant than I could have imagined. He was a thoughtful man. He paid attention to my tastes, surprising me with little gifts. The day his salary hit his account, he transferred it all to me without a second thought. His habits were so uncannily similar to Steven’s that I didn’t know whether to praise their shared history as best friends or to praise the ex-girlfriends who had trained them so well. I accepted the transfer, kept a portion for our joint expenses, and sent the rest back to him. He looked at me, confused. “What’s this?” “This is a partnership, not a hostile takeover. I’m not going to manage your finances.” “Besides, you have your own life, friends, work dinners. It’s a pain to have to ask me for money every time.” “I have a separate account we barely use. Let’s both deposit a set amount into it each month for household expenses and social obligations.” Chad didn’t argue. He just nodded. “Okay.” Occasionally, he’d come home late from a work function, drunk and draped over a colleague, clinging to me like a koala when I opened the door. I’d play the part of a good wife: helping him with his shoes and clothes, wiping his face, brewing a hangover remedy. He would cling to my hand, his voice a tender, drunken slur, repeating my name over and over. “Elara… Elara… Elara.” And I would answer every time, patiently. “I’m here. I’m here. I’m here.” Because we weren’t in love, we never fought. Those small moments of warmth and happiness grew into something else—a blend of familial affection and deep friendship. It wasn’t love, but it felt more solid, more dependable. I didn’t have to worry if my husband loved me or someone else. I didn’t have to second-guess a lipstick stain on his collar, wondering if it was a careless mistake or a deliberate betrayal. When you remove love from the equation, you find you have so much more room for peace. The next morning, Chad woke up and explained why he’d been so drunk, thanking me for taking care of him. “I used to feel awful the morning after drinking, but today I feel great.” He waved his arms and kicked his legs in amazement, his face a mask of pure admiration. “It’s a miracle.” “Steven used to go to a lot of work dinners. He’d always be miserable the next day. I felt bad for him, so I asked around and learned all the tricks for taking care of someone who’s had too much.” Chad paused for a beat. “You really learned a lot for him.” I shrugged, feigning indifference. “It’s nothing. You learned plenty of ways to be considerate for your girlfriend, didn’t you? We’re both just reaping the benefits of what our exes sowed.” Chad benefited from my care, and I benefited from his thoughtfulness. People aren’t born knowing how to love. We learn through a series of relationships, meeting different people, discovering different ways of being together. The irony is that we learn from our failed relationships and become better people, but we rarely get the chance to go back and fix our past mistakes. Both Chad and I were deeply marked by the ghosts of our exes. “Do you think of Steven often, when you look at me?” Chad asked. I admitted it freely. “Sometimes. You have some of the exact same habits.” “Like what?” “Like transferring your salary, the goodbye kiss before work every morning, the surprise flowers.” I smiled. “Your ex-girlfriends must have really valued the little things.” Chad’s lips thinned, but he said nothing. “Oh, by the way, that lipstick stain on your shirt last night—” I started, watching his reaction carefully. “Let me be clear, I’m not accusing you of anything. But we agreed before we got married: no hiding your feelings.” I had told him explicitly that I wouldn’t mind if he developed feelings for someone else. My only condition was honesty. A divorce isn’t a small thing; it involves two families. I needed to be prepared. “Don’t overthink it. The lipstick was an accident.” For the first time, he frowned at me. “I swear, I’m completely innocent.” He launched into a frantic, detailed explanation of how it happened, practically offering to cut his heart out to prove his sincerity. He was so panicked I would misunderstand. He was still explaining long after I’d tuned out. Finally, I had to surrender. “Okay, okay, I believe you! Really, I do!” Before he left for work, Chad did his usual routine, cupping my face for a goodbye kiss. But instead of the light, fleeting touch it usually was, today’s kiss was heavy, charged with a suppressed intensity. He gave my cheek a playful, almost frustrated nip. “From now on, I’m not kissing you. You have to kiss me.” His tone held a rare, childish pout. I glanced at him, surprised, then remembered what I’d said earlier. It clicked. Even though I was truly over Steven, he was still my ex. He had left a deep and undeniable mark on my life. I probably shouldn’t have brought him up so casually in the context of my marriage to Chad. Chad, after all, was always careful. He never brought up his ex. In that, I was wrong. So, I followed his new rule. I stood on my toes and gave him a firm, deliberate kiss on the lips, a silent apology. 3 I started noticing more and more things about Chad that were different from Steven. And the less I thought of Steven, the more Chad came into focus. Time flew. A year passed since our wedding. I knew Chad would have a surprise planned for our anniversary, so I told my colleagues I was leaving early. Relationships are a two-way street. He was good to me, and I wanted to be good to him. What I didn’t expect was to find Steven Cole waiting for me outside my office building. A good ex should be like a dead person: gone and silent. Even with our tangled history, I never planned on seeing him again. Putting myself in someone else’s shoes, I knew I wouldn’t have wanted Steven to stay in touch with his ex, so I assumed his new girlfriend wouldn’t want him in touch with me. “Long time no see,” Steven said, breaking the silence. I nodded but didn’t slow my pace. “In a hurry? Rushing home to celebrate your anniversary with Chad?” he asked, a tight smile on his face. “I am,” I said, meeting his eyes without flinching. “So I don’t really have time to catch up.” He hadn’t expected me to be so direct. A flicker of pain crossed his face before he forced the smile wider. “No rush. I don’t think Chad will have time to celebrate with you today.” “Is that so?” I said, unconcerned. He stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “Wait.” I sighed, exasperated, and finally stopped. “Steven, what do you want?” “Aren’t you curious why Chad doesn’t have time for you on your anniversary?” “Not really. If he can’t make it, he’ll tell me why himself.” Steven’s jaw tightened. “You trust him that much?” “I do,” I said, my voice steady. “The same way I used to trust you.” I watched the color drain from his face, surprised that I felt no satisfaction, only a hollow ache. “Whatever Chad’s reason is for breaking our date, I doubt it could possibly hurt more than the day I walked in and found you in bed with your first love.” 4 Steven and I broke up right before our wedding. The fallout was messy, but our actual breakup was quiet. I had always known about his first love, the one he’d been with for ten years. I knew they hadn’t broken up because they fell out of love. Her parents thought his family wasn’t wealthy enough and forced her to marry some rich heir. It would be a lie to say it didn’t bother me, but I loved Steven, so I accepted it. And Steven was genuinely good to me. All his passwords were my birthday. He pinned my chat to the top of his contacts. He filled our life with thoughtful, romantic gestures. He worked long hours, but from the day we moved in together, he always tried to pick me up from work. He wasn’t a great cook, but he had mastered the few dishes I loved. He had so many good qualities, enough to make a naive girl like me fall headfirst into a sweet trap with no hope of escape. We were together for three years and never had a real fight. The occasional disagreement was always resolved with a calm, rational conversation. I used to think that was just his personality. That I was the luckiest girl in the world to have found such a perfect man. Only later did I understand. The reason he was so good, so perfect, was simple. He didn’t love me. Love, in its true form, is ugly and blind. It makes you crazy. It fills you with jealousy and envy. It drives you to do irrational things. But not Steven. He was always patient, always understanding. And always, just out of my reach. 5 The first time I felt like I saw the real Steven was the day his first love got divorced. He came home late from work that night, his mood heavy. I thought he’d had a bad day at the office, so I tried everything to cheer him up—a massage, a back rub. He forced a smile for me, but it never lasted long. He was silent when we went to bed, holding me tight, his mind a million miles away. “What’s wrong?” I asked softly, running my fingers through his hair. He pulled me closer, his voice muffled. “Nothing.” “Really?” I didn’t believe him for a second. “Really,” he insisted, placing a kiss on my forehead. “Go to sleep. Good night.” I was worried about him, and my sleep was restless. I woke up in the middle of the night to find him sitting on the windowsill, his back to me, the screen of his phone casting a pale blue light on his face. A woman’s intuition is a powerful thing. The next morning, while Steven was in the shower, I unlocked his phone. And I saw the message from his ex. [I’m divorced.] Steven hadn’t replied, but I wasn’t naive enough to think it hadn’t affected him. It was the reason for his mood, his sleepless night. I knew they had ten years of history between them. His entire youth was painted with her shadow. It would be unreasonable to expect him to feel nothing. I told myself to be understanding. But a part of me couldn’t help the bitter thought that while everything with him was a first for me—my first time holding hands, my first hug, my first kiss—I was not his first. All the wonderful ways he treated me were habits he’d learned with her. It felt like once you left your school days behind, every person you fell in love with carried the imprint of their ex. But Steven and I were about to get married. Both our families approved. We were already looking at houses. I suppressed the sour feeling in my stomach and decided to give him some time to process it. I was so naive back then. I thought everyone neatly closed the door on one relationship before starting another. I never, ever considered that Steven and I would break up. But I didn’t know that so many people walk forward while constantly looking back, hurting the person beside them and the one they left behind. 6 Steven wouldn’t let me leave. We were near my office, and the last thing I wanted was to cause a scene. So I got in his car. The moment I sat in the passenger seat, I froze. I had spent three years in this car. I had picked out all the decorations myself. The two smiling bobbleheads on the dashboard were still there. The air freshener was still the scent I’d chosen. Even the recline of the passenger seat was exactly as I had left it. I didn’t feel nostalgic. I just felt… amused. Why do people only start to appreciate what they had after it’s gone? “You know Camilla Reed, right?” Steven said, handing me a thick stack of photos. “She’s back in the country.” “Oh?” “From what I hear, Chad and Camilla have been seeing a lot of each other. Looks like they might be rekindling an old flame.” “So? What does that have to do with you?” “Of course it has to do with me!” His voice suddenly rose with agitation. “If you can forgive Chad, why couldn’t you forgive me?” “Because my expectations for you were too high. I couldn’t accept the reality of your betrayal.” I gathered the photos and looked at him, my voice calm. “Do you know? When I was with you, the thought of breaking up never once crossed my mind.” “I loved you. And I truly believed that you loved me back.” “Every single day I was with you, I was happy.” “I loved the way you smelled, the feeling of safety in your arms, the simple act of walking side by side with my hand on your arm.” “My devotion to you was almost blind.” “But you, Steven, you destroyed every bit of trust I had in love and marriage.” “You turned all my commitment, all my joy, into a joke.” “Today, if Chad really is cheating on me, anyone in the world has the right to stand here and condemn him for hurting me.” “Anyone but you, Steven. You don’t have that right.” “No man will ever hurt me more than you did.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386336”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel

Three months pregnant, and my own husband sent me to prison. Before signing the confession, I asked him one last time, “Can I… not take the fall for this?” “You’re pregnant. You can apply to serve your sentence outside of prison. You won’t suffer.” “But Lila can’t. She’s not strong enough. Jail time would kill her.” He even made a promise. “Think of it as a sacrifice for our child’s future. When you get out, we’ll get married.” I asked him, “You once told me I owed her a life. Are we even now?” Kim Vance nodded and said he would be grateful to me for the rest of his life. So, I signed the confession. But just before I walked through the prison gates, I terminated the pregnancy. Later, Kim truly lost his mind. He would grab me, his eyes bloodshot, and demand to know why I had killed his child. I would just look at him, my gaze cold as ice. “Because my child can’t have a mother in prison, and a monster for a father.” “Everything that happened before… I was naive.” “From this moment on, Kim.” “We’re even.” 1 The day I was released from prison, no one came to pick me up. The guard walked me to the gate. Seeing the empty street outside, she asked how I would get home. I didn’t have a single dollar on me. The bag in my hand held the only clothes I owned, and it felt weightless. Like my life, carrying no weight at all. I squinted at the brilliant sun and smiled. “I’ll figure it out. I may not have money, but I have feet.” The guard hesitated, reaching for her wallet. “It’s okay. My home isn’t far from here. It’s a quick walk,” I said, declining her kindness. I picked up my bag and started the journey home. I had expected no one would come, so before I went in, I had memorized the map. From the prison to my apartment was a two-hour and seventeen-minute walk. Not too far, really. In a year and a half, the city hadn’t changed much. The stadium that had been under construction before I went in was still only half-finished. While waiting at a red light, my gaze drifted to a baby stroller next to me. The mother noticed me looking and gave me a kind smile. I smiled back. “How old is your little one?” “One year.” “So cute,” I said, bending down to make a silly face at the baby. The baby gurgled, waving tiny fists in the air. The light turned green. I straightened up and disappeared into the surging crowd. I finally reached my front door just as dusk was settling. The old security door was covered in a thick layer of dust. I found the spare key in the mailbox and let myself in. On the shoe cabinet sat a framed photo. I picked it up, using my sleeve to wipe away the dust, and managed a faint smile. “Mom, I’m home.” 2 It took some time to reintegrate myself into society. With a criminal record, finding a job was a struggle. To make ends meet, I took a job sorting packages at a logistics warehouse. A week later, I collapsed on the warehouse floor and was rushed to the hospital by my coworkers. The abortion, followed by the harsh reality of prison life, had taken its toll on my body. I couldn’t push myself like I used to. I had to quit. I signed up as a delivery driver, planning to save up for a couple of years and maybe start a small business. These days, a bachelor’s degree isn’t worth much. A bachelor’s degree with a prison record is worth even less. Driving for a delivery service was still tough work, but it was better than the warehouse. The hours were flexible, which suited me. I had a good weekend, and just before I was about to log off for the night, a large order came in with a high delivery fee. The distance was far, and I worried my e-scooter didn’t have enough charge. But I couldn’t bring myself to pass up the money. I accepted the order. The drop-off was at an exclusive, notoriously expensive private club. When I arrived, I called the customer, and he told me to bring it directly to his private room. The delivery box was huge. I struggled to carry it, found the room, and knocked. “Hi, your delivery. Please sign here.” “Just put it over there.” The familiar voice made my eyelashes tremble. I silently did as I was told, placing the box in a corner. The room was alive with noise and laughter, filled with a dozen men and women. Luxury gift boxes were piled in a corner. In the center of the room, a magnificent three-tiered cake sat on a table. I was about to leave when someone called out, “Hey, delivery girl, wait a second.” I froze. “It’s my birthday today. Please, have a slice of cake. Thanks for bringing our food this late at night.” I looked up. My face was mostly hidden by my helmet, so no one recognized me. The woman standing before me had a face that was both beautiful and vulnerable. She smiled and held out a piece of cake. Her name was Lila. She used to be my friend. A sharp pain, like a shard of glass, pierced through me, so deep it felt like it was in my bones. It was hard to speak. I took the cake, my voice raspy. “Thank you.” As I turned to leave, I didn’t notice the figure that had appeared behind me. By the time I saw him, it was too late to stop. I watched, helpless, as the cake splattered across his chest, ruining his shirt. Kim looked down at the sticky mess, then up at me. He said nothing. The room had fallen silent. Someone snickered. “That shirt’s a goner. It’s a fifteen-thousand-dollar shirt. Can you afford to replace that?” “It’s okay, don’t be scared. It was an accident. We won’t make you pay. You can go,” Lila said, rushing over. She soothed me with a gentle voice while grabbing a napkin to clean Kim’s shirt. Kim didn’t move. He just kept staring at me. Then, he reached out and pulled off my helmet. 3 No one looks good after wearing a helmet for a long time. The room was now completely silent. Even the music had stopped. I smoothed down my messy hair and held out my hand to Kim. “Had enough of a look? Can I have my helmet back?” “Is that… Candy? You’re out? So soon? Weren’t you sentenced to three years?” someone in the room finally spoke. I ignored them, my eyes fixed on Kim. “Candy,” Lila said, grabbing my wrist. “Why didn’t you call me when you got out? There’s so much I want to tell you.” I paid her no mind, my only goal to retrieve my helmet. But Kim wouldn’t let go. I had to use some force, but I finally yanked it back. “If you don’t mind, a five-star rating would be appreciated,” I said, forcing a smile. I put my helmet back on and walked out. “Candy, don’t you have anything to say?” Kim’s voice stopped me at the door. I turned, my gaze falling on Lila. My tone was flat. “Happy birthday, Lila.” On the way home, just as I’d feared, my e-scooter died. I had to get off and push it the rest of the way. In the dead of night, a few luxury cars sped past me. I kept my eyes on the road, carefully navigating around potholes, focused only on pushing the scooter home. It was past midnight when I finally arrived. I made myself a simple bowl of noodles and ate it in the dark, the dim yellow glow of the streetlights outside casting long shadows in my small apartment. I wasn’t sleepy after I ate, so I took out my mother’s photo and sat by the window, talking to myself. “Mom, are you doing okay over there? Did you get the money I burned for you?” “Have you met my baby? Is he cute?” “Please, help him find a perfect mother next time. Don’t let him be so unlucky as to end up with me again.” “Mom, I miss you.” 4 That night, I had a dream for the first time in a long while. I dreamed of the past. I hadn’t dreamed in ages. The year and a half in prison had smoothed away what little fight I had left in me. I rarely thought about the past. Life in prison was rigid: wake up, work, eat, sleep. It was hell at first. I would sit on my cot, eyes wide open, counting the seconds until dawn. But eventually, I adapted. And then, I stopped thinking at all. It’s too painful to live with your eyes wide open. Being numb is better. It doesn’t matter if you can’t feel happiness, as long as you don’t feel too much pain. But the girl in my dream was so vibrant, her smile so full of life. When I woke up, a wave of sadness washed over me. How had I become this person? The woman in the mirror had empty, lifeless eyes. I tried to force a cheerful smile, practicing for a world I no longer recognized. The knock on the door came while the smile was still plastered on my face. It froze the moment I saw Kim standing outside. He saw my lack of reaction and spoke first. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?” “I’d rather not,” I said, my hand tight on the doorknob. “What do you want?” He held out a business card. “Call this person. He’ll arrange a job for you.” “Thank you for the offer, but no.” He let out a short, derisive laugh, as if my pride was pathetic. “Candy, don’t push your luck.” I just stared at him, silent. Kim looked away. “Even though you got rid of the baby without talking to me, my offer still stands.” It took me a long moment to remember the promise he had made before I went to prison. He had said he would marry me when I got out. A real smile finally touched my lips. Kim visibly relaxed. “Stop being angry. Lila said she’s grateful to you, too. We should all get together sometime…” “Kim, that was your promise, not mine. It doesn’t count.” I cut him off, watching the relief drain from his face. My voice was soft. “I’m not so pathetic that I would marry a man who doesn’t love me, who has never even respected me.” “All I have ever wanted was for us to be even.” “Even if it meant sacrificing my future.” 5 Kim left. His parting words were, “Candy, don’t regret this.” I soon understood what he meant. During the lunch rush, I came out from a delivery to find my e-scooter gone. Along with it, a dozen orders I hadn’t yet delivered. I stood on the sidewalk, phone in hand, staring blankly at the street. People hurried past me, their lives uninterrupted. I had to call each customer, one by one, to apologize and offer compensation. Then I reported the theft to the police. They told me the security camera in that area was broken. They would try to find my scooter, but they couldn’t make any promises. I walked out of the police station and looked at the string of one-star reviews and complaints on my delivery app. I took a deep breath and managed a weak, humorless smile. I had enough money in my account to buy another scooter. But what if the second one was stolen, too? I crouched on the sidewalk for a long time, lost in thought, until a little girl with a backpack timidly tapped my shoulder. “Miss, are you okay?” I smiled at her. “I’m just a little tired, sweetie. Resting for a minute.” She thought for a moment, then pulled a candy from her pocket and offered it to me. “Here, have a candy.” “Thank you.” Fueled by that small act of kindness, I found the strength to go home and start working on my resume. A regular company wouldn’t hire me, but there were always smaller businesses with lower standards. But my criminal record was a constant obstacle. In every interview, the question would come up. “You’ve been to prison?” I’d nod. “Yes.” “For a hit-and-run?” “Yes.” “But… you don’t have a driver’s license?” “That’s correct.” The HR manager would fall silent, then politely hand my resume back, saying they’d “consider” it. I thought of Kim telling me that Lila was too fragile for prison. He never considered that because I didn’t have a license, my sentence would be harsher. But that was to be expected. You can’t ask someone who has never cared about you to see things from your perspective. Every interview was a dead end. To avoid burning through my savings, I started applying for waitress jobs. But I never imagined that even for that, no one would hire me. As I walked out of the last restaurant, a heavy rain began to fall. I stood under the awning, watching the water drip from the roof, then slowly stepped out into the downpour. The rain wasn’t heavy enough to blur my vision. But my vision blurred anyway. It was the kind of pain that comes from knowing you’ve been wronged, but having no one in the world to tell. 6 Kim was waiting for me downstairs, holding an umbrella. I saw him from a distance and stopped walking. He saw me and started toward me, stopping a few feet away. “Have you accepted reality yet?” he asked. I looked at him, my voice steady. “Kim, you said you would be grateful to me for the rest of your life.” “So?” “This isn’t gratitude,” I said. “You can’t do this to me.” The rain must have soaked through to my brain. My words were so weak, so powerless. Of course he could do this to me. I had nothing. No powerful family, no wealth, not even friends or relatives to support me. He could humiliate me, frame me, pin any crime he wanted on me. I just never realized he hated me that much. That he wouldn’t even let me live. He closed the distance between us. The umbrella blocked the pouring rain. It also blocked out all the light. In the shadows, he reached out and touched my cheek. This, he told me, was the price for wanting us to be even. “Then what do you want from me?” I whispered. “You don’t want my love. You don’t want us to be even. So, I guess I have to die, right?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MotoNovel” app 🔍 search for “386335”, and watch the full series ✨! #MotoNovel