Valentine’s Day. I had a candlelit dinner ready, waiting for my wife to get off work. It was almost nine PM when she finally texted me: “Something came up at the office. Don’t wait for me.” But the next second, I saw a post on Ins from her secretary, Jax. “On a business trip with my female boss for Valentine’s Day, and all the hotels are fully booked. This is awkward…” The photo showed a woman in a bathrobe, her back to the camera, looking out a floor-to-ceiling window. The comments were full of praise for him, saying he was lucky, and how curvaceous and feminine his boss was. Jax just replied with a dog-face emoji. So, Scarlett’s “something came up” meant taking her male secretary for a “good time.” I immediately screenshotted his Ins post and put it on my SnapChat Story, adding a smirking emoji. The next second, Scarlett’s call came through. She ripped into me: “Jax was just kidding around! Why are you being so petty? What kind of grown man is so small-minded?!” I hung up on her, then sent a text: “Let’s divorce.”

It was two AM when Scarlett came home. The moment she pushed open the door, we just stared at each other. Neither of us spoke first. Scarlett’s gaze drifted to the candlelit dinner in the dining room, but there wasn’t a hint of guilt in her eyes. Instead, she exploded: “So what if I came home a little late?! What was that SnapChat Story supposed to mean? You’re always so passive-aggressive, it’s so annoying!” Seeing I wasn’t responding, she tossed a tie at me. “Jax bought this specially for you. See how thoughtful he is? He said if you still don’t accept his apology, he’ll just delete his Ins account.” I looked at the old creases on the tie and chuckled. An old tie. Probably one he’d worn himself. Jax really knew how to get under my skin. Scarlett saw me smile and probably thought I’d calmed down. She picked up my phone from the table and handed it to me. “Jax was so considerate, aren’t you going to thank him?” I ignored her and kept watching TV. “Leo Sterling, are you deaf?” She yanked me up, and I lost my balance, crashing to the floor. And, just my luck, my back slammed into the corner of the table. God, it hurt! The injury on my back was from that fire seven years ago. I’d saved Scarlett, but heavy debris had fallen, hitting me and leaving an old wound that never truly healed. I lay on the floor, clutching my back, trembling in agony. Scarlett looked at me, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. “I’ll go get the cream.” I looked up at her retreating back, wanting to stop her, but held my tongue. That medical report in the drawer? It had been sitting there for three days. After the results came back, the doctor had been clear: early-stage stomach cancer. “Highly curable,” he’d said, “but you need to stay positive, watch your diet, take your meds, and be extremely careful.” Easy for him to say. Right next to the report were two tickets for a seven-day trip to Iceland. I’d planned to tell her on Valentine’s Day, hoping we could relax together before my surgery. Now? What’s the point? Scarlett rushed over with the first-aid kit, rummaging through it for a moment before stopping dead. “The cream, it’s gone, isn’t it…?” She trailed off, but not before I caught a flicker of something on her face: guilt, mixed with a hint of shame. She was busted. Jax’s reply to a comment on Ins flashed in my mind: “She’s so sweet. I accidentally burned myself cooking, and she immediately put cream on it for me.” If it weren’t for everything that just happened, I would have grilled Scarlett about that special imported cream I’d asked someone to get for her – if she’d given it to Jax. But this time, I didn’t call her out. I forced a wry smile. “Scarlett, don’t bother looking. I’ll go buy some.” Scarlett looked at me, her expression grim. “How are you going to go out looking like that? Just stay home, I’ll go…” Before she could finish, her phone rang. She glanced at the screen and immediately answered. “Jax, what’s up?” Jax’s whiny voice came through the phone. “Ms. Sterling, I’m feeling down and drinking at a bar. Some guys started trouble and hurt me. Can you take me to the hospital…?” Scarlett threw the first-aid kit onto the sofa and shot to her feet. “Jax, wait there. I’m coming right away.” “Ms. Sterling, thank you, but maybe you shouldn’t come. Leo will get mad. I’ll figure it out myself!” “What right does he have to be mad?!” She then shot me a cold glare, still curled up on the floor. After hanging up, Scarlett rushed to leave. “Scarlett, wait!” I called out to her. “Leo, can you stop being so dramatic?” “Without your phone and wallet, how exactly are you going to ‘rescue’ anyone?” I gestured to the sofa. Her phone and wallet lay there, innocently beside the first-aid kit. Scarlett glanced at them, stunned for a moment. “I’ll go help Jax first, then I’ll take you to the hospital when I get back.” With that, she dashed out the door.

Day broke, but Scarlett still hadn’t returned. The pain intensified. I couldn’t bear it anymore, so I called an ambulance. While waiting, I scrolled through Ins and stumbled upon Jax’s latest post. He basically wrote about intervening in a bar fight, protecting a girl from some creeps, and how Scarlett rushed to the hospital to be with him. He was “so touched” she’d come out so late for him. Underneath the post was a photo of Scarlett, her eyes teary, applying cream to Jax’s injury, with the caption: “Love conquers all, and faces all.” The comments section was brutal. One read: “A woman that hot in front of you, and you held back? Dude, are you even straight?” Another chimed in: “Seriously, if she showed up for me in the middle of the night, I wouldn’t just be asking her to put on cream…” Jax, with a smug emoji, replied: “What’s the rush? She’ll be mine eventually!” … The ambulance arrived, and medical staff carefully put me on a stretcher. While getting an IV in the emergency room, I sent a SnapChat message to my best friend, Ryan. “Ryan, I’m getting a divorce.” After I got home from the hospital, I rested for a few days. I thought things might calm down, until I was woken up by incessant phone calls. I groggily answered. Scarlett’s voice on the other end was cold. “I’m picking you up for dinner.” Before I could reply, she hung up. I figured I should try to be civil before the divorce, so I got dressed and went out. Seeing how exhausted I looked, Scarlett suddenly remembered she’d forgotten to buy me cream. “The restaurant is near the hospital, so I’ll take you there first.” “No need. It’s been days. I’m fine.” She sighed in relief. “I figured. It’s been seven years, after all. Any pain you feel is probably just in your head.” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Right, seven years.” Back then, I had used every ounce of my strength to push Scarlett out, leaving myself trapped under falling timber in the raging fire. Three of my ribs were fractured, my tailbone cracked. All these years later, even the slightest bump sends agonizing pain through me. I never told Scarlett about the lasting after-effects, fearing her guilt. Instead, she called it my “victim mentality.” But we’d been together for seven years. If she truly loved me, truly cared, how could she not know if I was in pain? Scarlett drove, telling me about that night. “I took Jax to the hospital. His scrapes were pretty bad. I was worried he’d be uncomfortable in the middle of the night, so I stayed with him a bit longer. Don’t overthink it.” I stared blankly out the car window. “I’m not overthinking it. He’s your secretary. It’s perfectly natural for you to spend a few extra days with him.” Scarlett clearly wasn’t happy with my answer. She slammed on the brakes, sending my headphones tumbling under the seat. I bent down to retrieve them, but instead, I found a pair of men’s swimming trunks tucked away. Half a month ago, I would have gone ballistic, waving those trunks in her face. But now? I just gave a wry chuckle, picked them up, and tossed them onto the back seat. Scarlett looked flustered. “Oh, those? Jax must have left them in the car after his swimming lesson. Accidentally.” I nodded, resuming my stare out the window. At dinner, a couple at the next table kept staring at Scarlett and me. When I noticed their gaze, the girl approached us. “Excuse me, are you the female CEO from Jax’s Ins posts? You’re even more gorgeous in person!” Scarlett looked up at her. “Can I help you?” The girl, clearly intrigued, pressed on, “So, are you and Jax dating?” Scarlett glanced at me, still eating, then smiled at the girl. “Yes, Jax and I are together.” I managed a weak smile back at the girl, but then a sharp pain shot through my stomach. The girl looked at me, confused. “Then who is he?” Scarlett blurted out, “The security guard.”

Before the girl left, she clung to Scarlett, saying, “I’ll always support you two! You absolutely have to get married!” Scarlett watched them go, then turned to me and put an ice cream scoop on my plate. “Honey, don’t mind it. Jax’s ‘domineering female CEO falls for me’ video series on Ins is super popular right now. It’s great PR for the company. You wouldn’t believe how thrilled he is. If I contradicted him in private, he’d be crushed.” Her explanation? I couldn’t care less. “I don’t mind. You don’t need to explain.” By now, the sharp pain in my stomach was getting worse. I clutched my abdomen, my face turning deathly pale. On the way home, Scarlett got another call from Jax. “Ms. Sterling, can you pick me up from the swimming pool? I forgot my change of clothes and can’t easily get a cab. Please, please, please!” Unable to resist Jax’s pleading, Scarlett smiled, her voice softening. “Okay, okay, I’ll be right there.” Scarlett hung up, then took my hand and kissed it. “Honey, we’ll pick Jax up together. That way, you won’t overthink things.” “Scarlett, you can’t go. My stomach hurts so bad! You need to take me to the hospital, now! Hurry!” Her face darkened immediately when she heard me. “Leo, can you stop being so dramatic? I wanted to take you along precisely so you *wouldn’t* overthink things, and now you’re trying to fake an injury for sympathy?” “I’m not playing games! Take me to the hospital, quickly! I’m not kidding, I’m really in pain!” “Stop faking it. You’re not even convincing.” I was swaying, my vision tunneling black. “I have stomach cancer, and my stomach hurts like hell right now, so we *have* to go to the hospital!” Scarlett didn’t believe a word. She glared at me, furious. “You playing games with me is one thing, but now you’re faking stomach cancer? We’ve been married for four years; you’ve been perfectly fine! How could you suddenly get cancer? Oh, and now that I’m going to pick up Jax, you’re suddenly in pain?” Her anger escalated. She slammed on the brakes. “Get out! Just get out! You’re so desperate for the hospital? Then go! Stop wasting my time, I need to pick up Jax!” “Fine, I’ll get out.” I was about to open the door, but she grabbed my arm. “I really can’t be too nice to you, you’ve become so disobedient!” “Let’s get a divorce, Scarlett.” My words seemed to stun her. “Divorce?” I nodded. “Ryan has already prepared the divorce papers for me.” She let go of me, looking utterly shocked. “Leo, are you serious about divorcing me? You’d better think this through. Besides me, no one else would want a petty, small-minded man like you!” “I’ve thought it through. Goodbye.” With that, I tried to get out of the car. Seeing me about to leave, she floored the accelerator. The sudden lurch of the car threw me out. Amidst the screams of passersby, I lay in a pool of blood. Scarlett drove off without a single glance back. Blood steadily bloomed beneath me, a terrifying, beautiful crimson, spreading like dark, ominous flowers on a path to oblivion, surrounding me, petal by agonizing petal. When I woke up again, I was in a hospital bed. Ryan and Scarlett’s parents were there, but Scarlett herself was nowhere to be seen. Mr. Sterling was trembling with rage.

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My mother-in-law treated the whole family to a lavish dinner costing thousands of dollars. Even her pet dog went. But I wasn’t invited. Watching their happy, cozy gathering on Ins, a chill ran down my spine. Without a word, I immediately canceled the supplementary credit card she held. So, when my mother-in-law went to pay—that card, which always worked without a hitch, suddenly declined. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, she fretted like crazy, frantically calling me. Only to find out I’d blocked her already. Good luck cleaning up this mess without me. It was the weekend, and I’d planned a family dinner, hoping we could have a good talk and reconnect. After all, it had been ages since we’d had a proper meal together. But my mother-in-law rejected the idea without a second thought, and my wife, Chloe, didn’t seem interested either. Reluctantly, I dropped the idea. What I never expected was to wake up the next morning and find myself completely alone at home! I checked my Ins feed and it hit me: My mother-in-law was hosting a banquet for the entire family at The Golden Swan, the city’s most exclusive restaurant! In the video, relatives laughed and chatted non-stop—all our aunts, uncles, and even distant cousins I barely knew were there. Even more infuriating, my mother-in-law’s Teddy poodle actually had its own seat, munching on expensive gourmet wagyu beef. She even zoomed in, as if deliberately trying to show it off. The whole lavish feast: every single relative present, even the dog at the table. But I was the only one missing. Watching that scene unfold in the video, it was a punch to the gut, and pure rage boiled within me. I immediately called my mother-in-law, but she hung up on me the next second. I called again, but it just kept ringing, then went dead. My heart clenched. My mother-in-law had blocked me, she wouldn’t even take my call! So I called my wife, Chloe. It rang for a long time before she finally answered. Her tone was utterly impatient. “What do you want? We’re eating. Why are you calling to ruin the mood?” Her words were dripping with disgust. I clutched my phone tightly, gritting my teeth as I demanded, “Chloe, what exactly is going on here?” “Do you even consider me family? You invited everyone, but left me alone at home. What, am I that embarrassing? Am I not good enough to be seen with you?” Last night, when I wanted a family dinner, both my mother-in-law and Chloe rejected me without a thought. Now it was clear: they weren’t against a dinner; they just didn’t want to have dinner *with me*! Chloe snapped back, unapologetically, “Blake, what’s your problem? So what if we didn’t invite you to dinner? It’s not a big deal. You’re a grown man, do you really need to be so petty?” I laughed, a bitter, angry sound. *Petty?* “Chloe, you invite distant relatives I barely know, even the dog gets a seat at the table, but you leave me, your husband, alone at home—and now you blame *me* for being petty?” My voice trembled uncontrollably. “In your heart, in your mom’s eyes, what am I in this family? Am I worth less than a dog?” From the other end, I heard my mother-in-law’s sharp voice butt in, “Chloe, why bother arguing with someone so unpresentable, so lacking in class? Let him throw his fit!” Chloe’s tone grew even colder. “Blake, are you trying to cause a scene right now? Mom’s right, you just have no class. Go reflect on yourself.” With that, she hung up. I called again, only to find—she had blocked me too. In that moment, my heart felt like it was being ripped out, as if the entire world had gone silent. This was the wife I’d loved for three years, the one I’d given my all for. This was the “family” I’d fought so hard to keep, yet they always treated me like a stranger. Honestly, this wasn’t the first time. In this family, I always felt like an outsider, always deliberately excluded from any family activity. I still remember Chloe’s birthday last year. We had a joyful party for her. After the party, my mother-in-law posted photos on the family chat and Ins: “Here’s our family photo,” the caption read, “Wishing my precious daughter a happy birthday. May our family always be happy.” In the photo, my wife, linked arms with my mother-in-law and her uncle, was beaming. All the relatives surrounded her, making her the center of attention. But my figure was nowhere to be seen. My mother-in-law had precisely cropped me out, leaving just a blurry half-leg awkwardly visible in the picture. If she hadn’t been afraid of cutting off other relatives’ limbs, I probably wouldn’t even have had the privilege of that half-leg. And there were countless other messy, infuriating incidents, each one leaving me with a profound sense of coldness. Just then, I saw my mother-in-law’s Ins feed update. Seeing the content, my eyes widened in disbelief.

On her Ins feed, my mother-in-law posted a video. The lavish banquet table was merely background; most of the camera’s focus was on my wife. She was smiling brightly, then deliberately adopted a humble look when facing the camera. The most infuriating part was the caption: “This extravagant dinner today is all thanks to my wonderful daughter!” “She even gave me a card, telling me I can use it whenever I want.” At the end of the video, my mother-in-law held up a golden credit card, boasting: “Having a daughter is just so much more thoughtful than a son. She’s so capable, provides for the whole family, makes good money, and is so filial.” At this, my heart plummeted, a cold dread washing over me. I knew that credit card all too well. It was my supplementary card, always in my mother-in-law’s possession. Her husband had divorced her years ago, and my wife was raised solely by her. Knowing her struggles, I always tried to be understanding. Not only did I welcome her to live with us, but I treated her like my own mother. When Chloe even suggested that I get my mother-in-law a supplementary card, I agreed without hesitation. For years, she had been using my card for her daily expenses: buying clothes, treating friends to dinner, even occasionally buying luxury items. Sometimes, when she spent excessively, I’d feel uneasy. But for the sake of peace in the family, and to avoid putting Chloe in an awkward position, I chose to remain silent time and again, telling myself, “It’s fine, we’re all family.” And to cover my mother-in-law’s spending, I lived frugally: cheap takeout for lunch, discount clothes from big-box stores… But I never imagined she could be so shameless—the sheer audacity to twist years of my silent sacrifice into her daughter’s triumph! Just to feed her pathetic ego in front of the family! Below the video, there was a deluge of likes and sycophantic comments. My mother-in-law replied to each one. And whenever anyone asked about me, Brenda would just dismiss it: “Oh, don’t even get me started on that loser. My daughter is the one holding everything together.” I could almost see her smug, beaming face as she read the comments. Every compliment felt like a slap across my face. In that moment, my heart wasn’t just cold; it was utterly frozen, and my eyes were finally open. “Fine,” I sneered, staring at that triumphant face on the screen. “Since you think this is all your daughter’s achievement…” I picked up my phone, opening my banking app without hesitation. “Then I’ll show you who the real owner of this card is.” My finger tapped, and I immediately canceled that supplementary credit card. The moment I canceled it, I felt a heavy weight lift from my shoulders, a sense of relief I’d never experienced before. “I can’t wait to see how you’ll clean up this mess without that card!” And let all those relatives see what kind of faces they make when my mother-in-law, without her personal ATM, finally shows her true colors! Meanwhile, at The Golden Swan. The relatives had pretty much finished eating, slumped in their chairs with satisfied expressions. Several untouched expensive dishes still sat on the table, and even Teddy’s special little seat had a couple of untouched pieces of that gourmet wagyu. “Chloe is truly amazing, so capable.” “She really is. If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t be enjoying such a grand meal.” … My mother-in-law mumbled, “Oh, it’s nothing,” but her face was beaming, soaking up all the praise. She was so proud of her precious daughter. Feeling on top of the world, she grandly waved over a server, announcing loudly: “Don’t worry, whenever we have time, we’ll come out and eat! With my daughter around, money is no object!” Hearing this, the relatives chimed in, surrounding her like she was royalty: “Then we’ll all be benefiting from Chloe’s success from now on!” “Exactly! Chloe is so capable, Brenda, you just sit back and enjoy the good life!” Amidst the relatives’ cheers, my mother-in-law, full of spirit, raised her hand and called out to the server: “Server, check please!” The server brought the bill. “Hello, your total is twenty-five thousand seven hundred dollars. How would you like to pay?” My mother-in-law calmly presented the golden credit card, with the practiced ease of someone who did this all the time. The server respectfully took the card, but a moment later returned with a troubled expression: “I’m sorry, this card… it can’t be used.” My mother-in-law’s smile instantly froze, her earlier triumph completely gone. The relatives noticed something was off, all casting questioning glances. Feeling everyone’s eyes on her, my mother-in-law’s face flushed from red to pale, fine beads of sweat breaking out on her forehead.

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My mother always favored my younger sister, Delilah. In my past life, Delilah was quick to pick Callum, the Fae Deer, who was meant for me, the one who truly resonated with my spirit. I was left with no choice but to settle for Finn, the Carp, who hadn’t even fully transformed yet. To everyone’s shock, Callum suddenly went berserk, almost killing Delilah and making her the laughingstock of Our Order. Meanwhile, my little Carp, Finn, found his destiny and became the revered, legendary Koi. Delilah went mad with jealousy, plunging a knife deep into my stomach. When I opened my eyes again, watching Delilah unhesitantly choose Finn, the Carp, I knew. She had been reborn too. But what she didn’t know was that Finn’s transformation into the legendary Koi wasn’t a stroke of luck. It was an Apex State opportunity I had risked everything to find for him. In Our Order, upon reaching adulthood, we choose our Spirit Mates. Each year, the new Spirit Mates presented are selected in a tiered choosing ritual, starting with the Matriarch’s children. The future power and potential of a Spirit Mate deeply impacts their chosen partner. “In a moment, the young lords from the different clans will be brought in. You must choose carefully, for selecting a Spirit Mate is a bond for life.” My mother’s tone suddenly sharpened, growing cold and severe. “Rowan, even though the Elders say Callum, the Fae Deer, is most compatible with you, that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s the best. You’re the older sister; you need to be understanding and let your sister have what she wants. Do you understand?” I stared at my mother, stunned. The vivid image of blood still clouded my vision, and then her stern gaze fell upon me. That sternness was reserved only for me. For Delilah, she had nothing but gentle, doting affection. “Rowan, answer me!” My mother’s voice was a cold snap. A bitter, resigned smile touched my lips. “Mother, what do you want me to say?” In my past life, I had argued. Callum and I were clearly more compatible, but she called me greedy, lacking the generosity of an elder sister, claiming I’d never amount to anything. Callum still became Delilah’s Spirit Mate, and I was forced to settle for Finn, the Carp. Later, when Callum tried to advance, he went mad, almost killing Delilah. My Finn, however, transformed into the legendary Koi, revered by thousands. Even I was jointly nominated by several Elders to become the Heir Apparent. My mother summoned me urgently late one night. I thought she finally saw my worth. But when I entered the room, what greeted me was Delilah’s knife. I clutched my abdomen, blood gushing out. My mother, standing beside me, cried and begged me to forgive Delilah. She said Delilah didn’t mean it. Did that mean I deserved to die? Everything from my past life flashed before my eyes in a dizzying whirl. I thought she just didn’t love me the same way. But I never imagined that my very life, in her eyes, was utterly worthless.

“Mommy, let big sister have Callum, the Fae Deer. Please don’t argue with big sister because of Delilah. Delilah only wants Finn, the Carp, that’s all.” Delilah held Finn, smiling sweetly and innocently. My mother, for once, didn’t scold me. Her brow furrowed with worry. “Delilah, are you sure you want Finn, the Carp? Choosing a Spirit Mate isn’t a game.” She knew Delilah was arrogant, always wanting the best. How could she possibly give up Callum for Finn? A flicker of disgust crossed Delilah’s eyes. She knew Callum was better than Finn; in her past life, she’d chosen Callum and nearly died. This time, it would be my turn. “Mommy, Delilah wants Finn, the Carp.” Delilah cast a mocking glance my way, as if she already foresaw my death. But she never considered that if she hadn’t forcefully pushed Callum to advance, with the Fae Deer’s natural aptitude, he never would have failed and gone mad. Finn’s transformation into a legendary Koi in my hands was never about luck. It was an Apex State opportunity I’d fought tooth and nail to secure for him. Yet, that ungrateful creature, before I even died, used his Koi abilities to sever our bond. If he hadn’t forcefully drained that last thread of life from me, that knife strike wouldn’t have been fatal. My mother couldn’t argue with Delilah, so she turned her gaze to me. “See how sensible your sister is? She’s letting you have Callum. You’re the elder sister, so you should share half of your Empowering Relics with her. The Carp clan needs delicate nurturing.” So, she knew. She knew the Carp clan needed delicate nurturing. A dull ache squeezed my heart. In my past life, my mother had never once mentioned it. Instead, every word was about Finn being useless, urging me to give my Empowering Relics to Delilah. She never loved me. Whether I chose Finn or Callum, she would never love me. If that’s the case, then I’ll have neither! I walked to the very end, picking up the Black Wolf, Dax, who no one had bothered with. This life, I wanted a Spirit Mate who was loyal, fierce, and utterly devoted. Not that ungrateful creature who severed our bond before I even died. Holding Dax, my voice was cold and clear. “Mother, I don’t want what my sister discards. And no, I won’t be sharing any Empowering Relics.” “You always used to share half with your sister! Who has poisoned your mind, making you forget sisterly love!” My mother’s reprimands never bothered with time or place. The others in Our Order even snickered. I raised my head, which had always been bowed in her presence. My usually gentle eyes now held a sharp edge. “You did, Mother.” She was the one who, with my death, taught me that so-called blood ties and affection were nothing more than this. “Rowan, you’ll regret this! Finn will definitely become the legendary Koi! Mom, Delilah will honor you!” I strode away with Dax, Delilah’s taunting voice echoing behind me. I ignored it. Just wait. Without me as the scapegoat, they’d be forced to scrimp and save just to provide for Finn. Without a constant supply of potent Empowering Relics, Finn would struggle even to leave the water. Even if a great opportunity arose, Delilah wouldn’t have the means to seize it.

Back in my room, the moment the orb of light sank into my brow, Dax shivered, his fur bristling, and he transformed into a strikingly handsome man. His glowing green eyes fixated on me, and for a moment, I completely forgot to breathe. If I’d known he was this handsome, I would’ve picked him up in my past life! “Do, do you want anything to eat?” I swallowed hard, trying to mask my brazen thoughts. Dax narrowed his eyes, and I instinctively drew a sharp breath. Even hotter! This brooding, yet all-conquering aura… could I really handle him? “Don’t move.” Dax suddenly leaned closer, and I instinctively held my breath. “Our wolf clan chooses only one partner for life. We live and die together. I need to remember you deeply, never to forget.” “Then make sure you pay close attention.” I playfully tumbled him onto the bed. The Black Wolf clan truly did have robust physiques; his feel was simply divine. “Wh-what are you doing!” A deep flush spread across his face, and the small beast ears on his head popped out, twitching nervously. I chuckled darkly, pinching one of his ears. “Call me your darling.” “My darling,” he mumbled quickly before, with a soft ‘thump,’ he transformed back into a small black wolf. I laughed, burying my face in his soft fur. He tried to push me away a couple of times at first, but he was so gentle, clearly afraid of hurting me. I refused to move. When he realized he couldn’t dislodge me, he simply rolled his eyes and gave up. I’d only ever heard that the Black Wolf clan was fiercely loyal to their partners, but I never knew they were this… delightful. Despite his fierce look, his temper was surprisingly sweet. In my past life, I’d chosen Finn and had to coax him for days before he’d even sign the contract. That ungrateful creature had a terrible temper and was incredibly pampered. Delilah certainly didn’t have the patience to coddle him. I wondered how the two of them would manage. Thinking about it, I felt even more like I’d struck gold. I hugged Dax and rubbed my face against him a couple more times, wishing I could rub all his fur off today. “Ah—” A scream, followed by a thunderous crash from outside.

Delilah’s cottage had collapsed, and Finn was still in the small pool inside. She stood by the water’s edge, looking like a drowned rat, pointing at Finn and cursing in a furious rant. As I stepped out of my room, our eyes met. Delilah shrieked, pointing at me and yelling, “You’re deliberately watching me suffer, aren’t you! Rowan! I’m going to tell Mommy you’re bullying me!” Normally, when she threatened to tell Mommy, I’d always back down. This time, I folded my arms, leaned against the doorframe, and smiled sweetly. “Go ahead. It’s not my house that’s collapsed, nor is it my Spirit Mate who’s disgusted with me.” Delilah screamed and charged at me. It wasn’t that I couldn’t fight her; I’d simply held back out of a misguided reluctance to upset my mother. Now, I wouldn’t. My face hardened. Before my raised hand even touched Delilah, a black blur shot past me, tackling Delilah directly to the ground. “Dax!” I gasped, surprised. With a series of low growls, Dax pinned Delilah, his jaws clamped around her throat. At this point, Delilah couldn’t even shriek, much less make a sound. “Delilah, my Delilah!” My mother rushed over. “Make him let go, now! Are you deliberately trying to kill your sister!” Seeing her frantic expression, even though I no longer yearned for her motherly love, a cold pain still pierced my heart. I had felt her presence a moment ago. If it had been me on the ground instead of Delilah, she would have undoubtedly hidden until Delilah had vented her anger. Then she would have lectured me about being the bigger person. “Mother, Dax knows his limits. This is merely playful banter between sisters; you don’t need to worry about it,” I said, lowering my gaze, throwing her own words back at her. My mother raised her hand to strike me, but I deftly dodged. “Mother, if you dare lay a hand on me, I will have Dax kill her instantly.” I stared directly at her. She flinched. She was afraid something would happen to Delilah. I couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. Both of us were her daughters, yet in her heart, one held vastly more weight. “Mother, I can have Dax release her, but you must promise not to blame him, nor seek any revenge. If any harm comes to Dax, it will be by your hand,” I stated. My mother’s face turned white with rage. “Is this how you speak to your elders? Are you demanding a confession from me, your own mother?” I gave a bitter smile. “I don’t want to, but you’ve always favored my sister. Today, she was the one who made the first move, and you didn’t even ask, you just rushed to strike me. You can bully Rowan however you wish, but Dax is my Spirit Mate. I cannot let him suffer because of me.” My feigned grievance and swallowed bitterness weren’t for my mother. Delilah’s outburst had drawn quite a crowd. Now, members of Our Order stood by, whispering amongst themselves. Whether my mother agreed or not today, the impression of her blatant favoritism would be cemented in their minds. Listening to the chatter, my mother eventually conceded. Dax loosened his grip, slowly walking back to stand in front of me, his eyes wary as he guarded me against my mother. I gently stroked his head, reassuring him not to be tense. My mother now paid no attention to me, pouring Empowering Elixirs into Delilah’s mouth as if they were worthless. Delilah slowly came to, pointing at me. “Bitch! When Finn becomes the legendary Koi, I’ll make you pay! Just you wait, my Finn will become the legendary Koi, and then I’ll make him kill you!” A smirk played on my lips. “We shall see.” Did she really believe that Finn transforming into the legendary Koi was purely good luck? I had no obligation to tell her. Let her cling to her Koi dream, and let it be her undoing.

I asked Dax about that day. Wasn’t he afraid Mother might, in a fit of rage, just kill him? Dax merely told me that if he couldn’t protect his darling, he’d be living in shame. He’d rather die. I pushed him onto the bed, urging him to call me “my darling” a few more times, but he refused. With a flick of his body, he turned back into a black wolf. I found myself petting him even more freely… After Dax’s direct intervention for Delilah that day, her relationship with Finn had significantly improved. Three months flew by. Whispers circulated throughout Our Order that while the Second Daughter, Delilah, might be overbearing, she was incredibly generous to her Spirit Mate. Countless Empowering Relics were piled upon Finn as if they cost nothing. I jokingly asked Dax if he was envious. Dax wrapped me in his arms, his grip firm and possessive. “Rowan, do you take me for a rich boy’s simpleton son? Without a true Apex opportunity, all those Empowering Relics will just make that carp a pretty face with no substance.” I burst out laughing, wrapping my arms around him in return. “How do I know you’re not just all talk and no bite?” I whispered teasingly. Soon, I wasn’t laughing anymore. Dax was certainly living up to his wolfish nature, and my waist was definitely sore! A few days later, my mother suddenly summoned me to her room. This time, I carried a short dagger with me. Dax noticed it and nudged me with his large black head, accompanying me into the room. Delilah was perched in my mother’s lap, her eyes smiling as she watched me.

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My sister and I were simultaneously chosen for a marriage alliance with the Beastkin Federation. In my previous life, Seraphina had rushed ahead of me, picking the stunningly handsome and noble Crown Prince of the Serpent Clan as her husband. I was left to marry the brutish and unsightly Prince of the Lycan Clan. But later, the handsome Serpent Crown Prince, frail in body, was tragically struck down by lightning and died during an attempt at full human transformation. Seraphina was reduced to a mere plaything for the Serpent Princes, stripped of all dignity. Meanwhile, the Lycan Prince I had chosen received a rare chance to transform early into a formidable and dominant Lycan King, becoming the rightful heir to his clan. I became the most esteemed woman in the Lycan Clan. The entire Beastkin Federation said the Lycan King adored me, or else I wouldn’t have borne him child after child. When I opened my eyes again, Seraphina and I were back on the day of the marriage discussions. This time, to my utter surprise, Seraphina chose the unsightly Lycan Prince. She gazed at me, utterly smug and triumphant, her eyes glinting with fierce ambition. It was then that I realized Seraphina, just like me, had been reborn. This couldn’t be better. I lowered my head, using feigned dejection to mask the exhilaration and tremor within me.

I am Anya, a princess of the Spirit Fox Clan. Our clan had lost the battle for territory against the Beastkin Federation. Father King decided that Seraphina and I would undertake a strategic marriage with the Beastkin to preserve the strength of our Spirit Fox Clan. At this very moment, in the great hall, Father King, just like in my previous life, had us choose our prospective husbands. On the enchanted scrying mirror sent by the Beastkin Federation, the proud and majestic Crown Prince of the Serpent Clan and the unsightly Prince of the Lycan Clan were clearly visible. I was still lost in the memories of my previous life when Seraphina, unable to contain her eagerness, spoke first: “Father King, I choose this fierce-looking Lycan Prince. Don’t let my little sister face such a terrifying Beastkin.” Seraphina’s demeanor seemed thoughtful and concerned, but her eyes subtly betrayed a steely resolve, as if she was absolutely certain of her choice. Seeing her like that, I knew my sister had been reborn, just like me. In my previous life, Seraphina chose the Serpent Crown Prince. But that seemingly distinguished and powerful Serpent Crown Prince was, in fact, frail. He tragically died after being struck by powerful lightning during his transformation. Seraphina was reduced to a mere plaything for the Serpent Princes, her life a living hell. Meanwhile, the Lycan Prince I had married unexpectedly received a rare chance to transform early into a formidable and dominant Lycan King, successfully becoming the leader of the Lycan Clan. I was revered as the Lycan Queen, bearing him eight children and living in unparalleled favor and prestige. So, in this life, she had completely changed her approach, choosing the Lycan Prince whom she had previously despised. Father King, hearing her profound and noble words, nodded in satisfaction, then turned to look at me. Because of Seraphina’s long-term oppression, I always presented a fragile facade of meekness to others. At this moment, I feigned ignorance and lowered my head, ‘thanking’ my sister for her supposed generosity. But where no one could see, I trembled with excitement. As Seraphina walked past me, she whispered, just loud enough for only the two of us to hear: “Little sister, the Serpent men, uh… they really *value* their women. You’ll find quite the ‘blessing’ waiting for you there, little sister.” She watched my stunned expression, offered a mysterious smile, and walked away. But what she didn’t know was that I was practically dancing with joy inside.

A few days later, Crown Prince Kaelen Serpentis of the Serpent Clan and Prince Jax Lycan of the Lycan Clan arrived together to escort us. Neither had fully transformed yet; their human torsos joined to their beast forms. Crown Prince Kaelen was tall, his face exquisitely handsome, with the proud aura of a born leader in his eyes. His lower body was a silvery serpent’s tail, shimmering with an iridescent sheen like scales, surprisingly beautiful and majestic. He knew I had chosen him and nodded slightly in my direction. I tucked in my fox tail and dutifully walked to his side. His eyes showed satisfaction, and he even reached out to stroke my fur. His touch was gentle, and suddenly, a pleasant shiver seemed to course through every cell of my body. I instinctively squinted my eyes. Next to us, Seraphina was excitedly hoisted onto Jax Lycan’s shoulder, who let out a loud howl. In my previous life, his rough demeanor had startled me too, but being naturally compliant, I had surprisingly gained his favor. Seraphina’s face turned pale green, and she nearly cursed out loud, but bit it back, forcing a terribly twisted smile instead. Jax Lycan carried her onto the carriage just like that, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. Unexpectedly, Kaelen’s teasing voice came from above: “Little fox, what are you laughing at? Do you want me to carry you too?” When he smiled, it was like sunlight melting snow—so warm and captivating that I was stunned. While I was still dazed, a silver flash suddenly whipped past my eyes, wrapping itself around my waist. With a gentle tug, I was scooped up and delivered right into his arms. Feeling the icy chill of his embrace and the rapid thump of his heartbeat, I instantly blushed deeply, instinctively burying my face in his chest. His low chuckle rumbled in my ears, his trembling body making my heart pound and my cheeks flush. My sister in the previous life thought Crown Prince Kaelen was arrogant and rude. Was she insane? This was clearly my favorite kind of dominant alpha male, and my heart fluttered with a sweet, intoxicating sensation. In this dazed state, he carried me into the carriage. The carriage was lined with thick, soft fur blankets. As I lay on them, my fur even seemed to complement the color. It seemed my husband was quite fond of furry things. This was a good sign. Hehe, I started fantasizing about our married life. After entering the carriage, Kaelen coiled his tail into a neat bundle, resting on the blanket. He seemed especially sensitive to the cold, his body trembling slightly. Looking at his quiet, handsome face, I felt a pang of tenderness. I slowly moved closer to him, using my fur to warm him. We, the Spirit Fox Clan, possess an innate healing aura. When other Beastkin spend time with us, their spiritual energy slowly increases, and their minds become exceptionally peaceful. Kaelen visibly relaxed, spreading himself out. I could feel his entire body nestling under mine. A moment later, he actually drifted into a deep sleep. Bored, I started counting his serpent scales for fun. Before I knew it, I, too, had fallen asleep. When I woke up again, I found our bodies intertwined in a remarkably intimate way. Startled, I tried to get up, only to look up and meet Kaelen’s deep, piercing eyes. I flinched in fright, and he took a deep breath before finally pulling away from my body. “Little fox, you better not tempt me. I don’t want to touch you right now.” Hearing that, there was nothing left to misunderstand. My face instantly turned as red as a ripe apple, and I moved to sit far away from him. Seeing my pitiful expression, he chuckled softly, then helplessly waved me over. “Come here. I wasn’t scolding you; I was protecting you, silly.” At his words, I looked at him with wide, timid eyes. Steeling my resolve, I moved closer again. I had heard that shared spiritual practice was very effective for enhancing spiritual energy. Since I had decided to stand by him this lifetime, there was no turning back now. But to my surprise, he didn’t embrace me this time. Instead, he had me lie comfortably across his lap, and his hand gently stroked my fur. He smoothed my fur, stroke after stroke, like giving me a massage. I unconsciously closed my eyes in comfort. I heard him murmur beside my ear: “I don’t know why, but whenever I groom your fur, I feel more energized, my mind clears. Is it truly your Spirit Fox Clan’s healing aura?” Listening to him, I wondered, could it be that in my previous life, Seraphina didn’t help him enhance his spiritual energy, leading to his failed transformation? If so, it made sense. The Beastkin Federation agreed to end their conflicts through marriage alliances with us because of the unique bloodline of our Spirit Fox Clan. If Seraphina didn’t help Kaelen, he would naturally be too weak to withstand the lightning tribulation. Just then, the carriage suddenly halted. The guards and attendants outside reported that it was time for a meal. Only then did I realize I was a little hungry and looked at Kaelen with eager eyes. He let out a soft scoff, as if finding me utterly undignified, but immediately gave orders. His hand, however, continued to stroke my fur. “Prepare some of our specialty dishes for the Crown Princess, let her sample them.” The meal was quickly served. In front of me was a clean, roasted rabbit, glistening with oil and emanating an inviting aroma. I couldn’t help but take a deep breath, instantly enchanted. Kaelen watched me, amused, a hint of fondness in his eyes. He leaned forward, picked up a napkin, and gently wiped my furry paws. He even put a pair of hygienic gloves on me. “Look at you, my greedy little fox. Weren’t you fed enough back home?” He hit the mark. Father King had been starving us lately, only giving us a few wild fruits daily, to ensure we looked our best for Kaelen and Jax Lycan. I lowered my head, watching my paws being cleaned in his hands, and mumbled a dazed “Mmh.” A wave of warmth bloomed in my heart. A thoughtful and hygienic man, a little dominant, yes, but I absolutely loved it. Once everything was done, he said gently, “Eat.” I swallowed hard and eagerly began to eat. Having not eaten in ages, I was truly famished and completely forgot my usual etiquette. Only after I finished did I remember he hadn’t eaten yet, so I asked. But he simply said he was feeling unwell and would pass for now. Remembering how he had curled up earlier, a pang of pity struck me. I moved closer to him, enveloping him in my soft, blanket-like fox fur. He tensed for a moment, perhaps unsure of my intent. But moments later, his body relaxed, allowing me to comfortably settle around him. “You are my husband now. Let me heal you.” My voice, laced with tenderness, whispered in his ear. He remained silent, but I could feel something subtle shifting between us. And so, I held him, and we both drifted into a comfortable sleep.

There was still some distance to the Beastkin Federation, and our carriage traveled alongside Seraphina’s. The atmosphere in their carriage seemed vastly different from ours. Peculiar noises, mingled with Jax Lycan’s and Seraphina’s voices, made both Kaelen and me quite uncomfortable. Kaelen and I took the opportunity of a carriage stop to stretch our legs outside. Again, those odd sounds drifted from Seraphina’s carriage. I stole a glance at Kaelen, whose ears flushed a deep, telltale red, completely beyond his control. But he immediately turned to me, his face a patchy red, feigning annoyance. “Don’t listen in. You’re still too young.” Seeing his attempt at bravado, I lowered my head and stifled a laugh. A moment later, Seraphina was carried out by Jax Lycan. She seemed not to expect us to be there, and for a fleeting moment, she looked shy. But upon seeing me, an inexplicable smugness returned to her expression. I discreetly observed her, feigning ignorance and bewilderment. Jax Lycan set her down, then went off to hunt on his own. Lycans, before achieving full human form, had to eat wild game. Kaelen softly explained what he was going to do, then stroked my head and left. Seeing our intimacy firsthand, Seraphina’s eyes glinted with naked jealousy. She leaned closer to me. “Little sister, you and the Serpent Crown Prince seem very close, but there’s still a hint of distance, unlike Jax Lycan and me…” As she spoke, she seemed too shy to continue, her face flushed as she looked at me, the trace of desire not yet fully faded from her eyes. She thought I would envy her and the Lycan Prince’s early intimacy, believing it would secure her status within the Lycan Clan. She had no idea the endless captivity that awaited her. I sneered inwardly, but kept my expression neutral, my eyes wide and innocent as I sincerely congratulated her: “Congratulations, Sister, on your harmonious relationship with the Prince. May you soon be blessed with an heir.” Hearing my words, her face flushed even deeper, her eyes filled with the languid, sated contentment of one who’d had their fill. She cast a dismissive glance at me and returned to her carriage. As if she couldn’t be bothered with me anymore. Watching her retreating figure, many past memories surged through me. Good. She was still so arrogant and dismissive. People who are too proud sometimes pay a heavy price for it. Seraphina came from a noble background; her mother was from the White Feather Clan, one of the four great families of the Spirit Fox Clan. Both mother and daughter were immensely favored in the palace, which fostered her haughty and self-important personality. My birth mother, however, was merely a minor palace attendant. I was conceived during one of Father King’s drunken dalliances. Father King, naturally promiscuous, forgot about my mother as soon as he had taken his pleasure. We lived in a small, remote courtyard. In my memory, she would often lean against the doorway, hoping that unfeeling man would grace her with another glance. She developed a chronic illness after my birth and worried herself sick day in and day out, eventually falling ill within a few years. I cared for her while foraging for food everywhere. During our hardest times, we barely ate any meat every two days, which meant my fur was sparse and I looked rather homely even at five years old. Consequently, the princesses and princes of the palace often bullied me, Seraphina most of all. Her mother’s family held considerable power, so no one dared to defy her. I had survived all these years by playing naive and foolish. I held no expectations or affection for that royal family anymore; this strategic marriage was my farewell.

Seven days later, we arrived in the territory of the Beastkin Federation. The Beastkin Federation was formed by an alliance of many clans. The leader is chosen every four years through a fair and just contest of strength. The reigning monarch was currently King Oberon, the Serpent King, and Kaelen’s father. Therefore, Kaelen’s status was more esteemed than the Lycan Prince’s. As soon as we stepped out of the carriage, the welcoming procession arrived. Tall, handsome Serpent Clan members, already in their human forms, wore luxurious clothing. Behind them was an exquisitely elaborate and spacious carriage, its body gleaming with dazzling golden light. I looked at Kaelen with delight. He affectionately stroked my fur, then coiled his tail around me and carried me towards the carriage. In my previous life, when we arrived at the Beastkin Federation, Seraphina and Kaelen had somehow fallen out. Neither would back down, and Kaelen had simply left her behind and returned to the Royal City alone. I never had the chance to witness such a grand and luxurious scene. Without even turning back, I knew Seraphina’s face must be utterly grim right now, because I could hear the muffled, petulant sounds of her bickering with the Lycan Prince. “Husband, why aren’t our clan members here to greet us? Look how comfortable their carriage is. I’m the older sister, yet my younger sister’s procession has outdone mine!”

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The year Scarlett and I were purest, the year I poured my entire soul into her. Three scars became etched onto her body for me: one above her brow, one on her ankle, and one across her back. Everyone whispered that Scarlett loved me more than life itself. Until, another man brazenly showed up at my door. “You must be Adrian, right?” He flung a stack of photos, hitting me square in the face. “Scarlett hasn’t loved you for ages. I suggest you get lost, while you still have a shred of dignity.” In the photos, Scarlett’s gaze was soft, tender. I watched the rain intensify, then subtly raised a hand. The man’s shriek, muffled by the downpour, left a final, desperate plea: “Scarlett won’t let you get away with this!” But I just looked coldly at Scarlett, who sat across from me, ready to lay down the law. “Sign the papers.” “You disgust me.” “Adrian!” Scarlett sat opposite me. Behind her stood her two most loyal lieutenants, surrounded by dozens of bodyguards. They filled my spacious living room. It wasn’t a negotiation; it was a siege. I watched Scarlett, her fury barely contained, tap the table. “He’s still in the ICU.” She raised a brow, the strategically placed lighting highlighting the prominent scar there. “He was innocent,” Scarlett’s voice was low, laced with an oppressive edge. “He’s only twenty. Twenty years old, and you almost ended his life! Do you know what the doctors told me?” “They said he might never walk like a normal person again.” Scarlett’s voice blended with the rhythmic drumming of rain against the window. I remembered that day, the man’s dying breath a desperate shout. “Scarlett won’t let you get away with this!” “So,” I met Scarlett’s furious gaze, handing my untouched tea to the maid, “you’ve come here, making such a scene, to defend him?” “What,” I let out a soft, amused laugh, “do you want half my life, or are you planning to break one of my legs to compensate for his?” I smiled, pulling my cashmere throw higher around me. James, my butler, immediately adjusted the indoor temperature. I looked at Scarlett. “Who does he think he is, that you’d storm in here on his behalf? Scarlett, have you forgotten? *I* was the one who stood by you and helped you get where you are today, not him. Are you truly prepared to turn against me for him, or are you here to end my life?” My voice was calm, unhurried. James, who had been keenly observing the tense atmosphere, instantly drew his pistol and aimed it at Scarlett’s head. Her lieutenants immediately tensed, ready for a fight, but Scarlett merely mirrored my smile. “Adrian, the days of brute force and open conflict are over. I don’t want to fight you,” Scarlett pushed away the divorce papers I’d prepared. “Divorce is a messy, brutal business; I won’t put us through it. But you *will* personally apologize to him. Otherwise, don’t blame me for getting ugly.” Scarlett rose from the sofa, walked up to James, grabbed his wrist, and pressed the gun to her own forehead. “Shoot me?” “You actually believe you’re on that level?” Scarlett yanked James’s wrist outward. A sharp, sickening crack echoed through the room. It was her right-hand man who let out a choked cry, as a fruit knife, that had been on my table, now lodged itself precisely in the center of his thigh. I met Scarlett’s incredulous stare, and smiled. “Scarlett, my people don’t fight back out of respect for me. But that doesn’t mean,” I walked up to Scarlett, gently taking her hand and prying it from James’s wrist, “you get to touch my people.” I understood then. Our relationship had reached its end. When the doctor was setting James’s bones, he was still fuming. “Young Master, you went through so much with that Scarlett girl. And now, you’re just going to stand by and watch others walk all over you?”

I didn’t answer. My phone buzzed with a new friend request. The profile picture was unmistakable. It was a photo of Leo and Scarlett kissing. I accepted the request. Immediately, a voice message came through. “Adrian, I told you Scarlett wouldn’t let you get away with it. Breaking your butler’s hand is just a little warning.” “Scarlett said she wants you to apologize to me in person.” “I’ll be waiting.” “Everyone says Scarlett loves you more than life itself, but I’m curious to see just how much,” Leo sent a few more photos. “Which bed do you think is best?” “Scarlett said the most dangerous place is always the safest. So, as soon as I’m out of the hospital tomorrow, I’m moving into your place, the one you share with Scarlett.” “That room no one is ever allowed into? I’m coming for it.” Listening to Leo’s voice, I looked up at the giant wedding photo displayed in the hall. It felt like a cruel joke. The dagger I was idly twirling in my hand found its mark, piercing the smiling Scarlett’s eyes in the photo. “Utterly disgusting.” I stepped out of the great hall to see Scarlett overseeing the delivery of a bed from a truck, instructing her men to carry it inside. We collided, and for once, Scarlett’s expression stiffened. I leaned against the doorway, listening to Leo’s joyful voice. “Scarlett, why aren’t you coming in?” Then, he turned, his eyes meeting mine. “Oh, if it isn’t Adrian,” Leo slung his arm around Scarlett’s, a defiant smirk on his face. “Are you here to welcome me?” “Have you decided to apologize yet?” I watched Leo’s brazenness, and the subtle indulgence in Scarlett’s eyes. A dense, prickly pain bloomed in my chest. Before I could respond, Scarlett spoke for him. “The doctor said Leo needs rest,” her voice, when she spoke his name, was incredibly soft. “You have a nutritionist anyway, it’s just one more mouth to feed. Adrian, don’t miss this opportunity I’m giving you.” I couldn’t quite fathom it. Scarlett. What made her so certain? That I would meekly accept her terms, that I would repeatedly compromise my principles and boundaries for her. I listened to Scarlett’s self-assured tone and laughed. My laughter was joined by James, who was having the damaged wedding photo carried away, asking me: “Young Master, where should this go?” I saw Scarlett’s face tighten. I pointed to a nearby trash bin. “Have it shredded. And then dispose of it.” James nodded, sending someone to fetch the scissors. But Scarlett called out to James, then walked up to me. “What kind of childish tantrum are you throwing now, Adrian?” “Adrian,” Scarlett’s voice turned cold. “I told you, this whole situation is your fault to begin with. Me helping Leo recover is a way for you to gain some good karma. Don’t be ungrateful!” “That’s right, Adrian.” Leo followed, stepping closer. “Scarlett told me everything. You were responsible for Scarlett’s and your child’s death. The spiritual advisor said if you want to have a child, you need to make amends. You’re not appreciating Scarlett’s kindness, and you keep creating more trouble. You’re practically driving Scarlett away.” Leo’s words were like a needle piercing my heart, tearing open a wound that had just begun to scab over, making it fester anew. I looked at Leo’s triumphant face, then at Scarlett, who was about to try and silence him. I grabbed Leo by his hair, laughing. “Who gave you the nerve to speak to me like that?” Before Leo could beg for mercy, I dragged him, slamming his head hard against the solid wooden door. A muffled *thud* echoed, followed by Leo’s scream. Scarlett grabbed my hand, stopping me from hitting him again. “Enough.” Scarlett looked at me. “Leo is young, and he speaks without thinking! But he’s not entirely wrong. How much more trouble are you going to cause, Adrian?”

I stared at Scarlett, utterly disbelieving. It was *her* who had muscled in on someone else’s territory, leading to our child and her being ambushed. I had stormed into enemy territory, disregarding all danger, to take down their leader, saving her but losing our child in the process. It was *her* who, afterwards, knelt before me, slapping herself 99 times, crying and kowtowing. “Adrian!” Her face was swollen from the blows, blood mixed with nosebleed smeared all over, her voice thick with sobs. “If I, Scarlett, ever betray you in this life! May I be struck down by lightning!” “I, Scarlett!” “Will be Adrian’s loyal dog!” Scarlett’s vows still echoed in my ears. She had ordered all news to be suppressed, forbidding anyone from discussing our child, understanding it was my forbidden topic. We had a silent agreement, yet we both still prayed for the child. And now. I looked at Scarlett’s face, released Leo, and watched as she visibly relaxed, her tone softening slightly. “Adrian, your temper is—” I plunged a dagger into Scarlett’s brow bone, and smiled. “Scarlett, those who betray a true heart must swallow a thousand needles. This is the first!” The dagger pierced her flesh, then pulled free. Blood splattered across my face. I watched the medal on Scarlett’s brow vanish, replaced by raw, gruesome flesh. I curved a mocking smile, but Leo violently shoved me. I staggered backward. When I looked up, I met Leo’s hateful eyes. “How dare you hurt her?” The next second. I walked toward Leo, raised my hand, and punched him squarely in the face. “If you actually had any guts, you wouldn’t just be a kept man.” “Either impress me,” I grabbed Leo’s hair, kicking him in the knee until he dropped to his knees, looking up at me, “and make Scarlett divorce me, then become her next husband.” “Or,” I bent down, leaning close to Leo, a smile spreading across my face, “just wait for the day I destroy you.” Leo’s eyes were red from crying, his body trembling like a cornered rabbit, but his gaze remained defiant. “If you’ve got the guts, just kill me!” “If you don’t kill me, I’ll never leave Scarlett!” Leo’s tears caught the light of the setting sun. “I’ll be with Scarlett forever.” I froze. I remembered that year, when I was sixteen, my father was ambushed and fell into the sea. My mother gave her life to protect me, pushing me to shore. The sunset was stained crimson with blood. It was Scarlett who waited on the shore, with the fearless courage of a young girl, forging a path through hell for me to survive. It was Scarlett, with the scar above her brow a badge of courage, and the gruesome wound on her back, who had crashed directly into my heart, shouting: “Young Master!” “Run!” I was terrified, but I still rushed headfirst into that sea of blood, fighting alongside Scarlett until today. Scarlett shoved me away with force. Blood still streamed from her brow, running down her eyelashes like tears of blood, dripping onto my heart. “Adrian,” Scarlett winced, closing one eye. “You truly disappoint me.” “I’m not divorcing you because of love.” Scarlett pulled Leo into her arms. “It’s only because,” Scarlett said, “your parents were kind to me, and we’ve shared life-or-death moments. Don’t push my patience any further, or you *will* regret it!” Leo sobbed in her arms, crying out, “Scarlett! I don’t want to live here! I don’t!” “I’m scared!” Leo cried, clutching her shirt, his voice hysterical. “I don’t want to live with this lunatic! He’s going to kill me, he’s going to kill me!”

The air thickened, suffocating. I almost saw my sixteen-year-old self, just as frantic, pushing Scarlett away, only to be held close as she whispered, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.” Scarlett held Leo, gently stroking his back, murmuring. “Don’t be afraid.” “I’m here.” “I’m here,” Scarlett’s eyes met mine, wary and defiant. “I won’t let you hurt Leo. If you won’t agree, then don’t blame me.” The day Scarlett had all her belongings moved out, she took Leo to the West Indies. Leo mentioned wanting an island of his own, so Scarlett, without a second thought, bought him one. She took Leo to Iceland to chase the Northern Lights. Leo posted photos on Ins of the sapphire Scarlett bought him, even snapping a picture of a star with the caption: [From now on, whenever I look up, there will be a star just for me. Scarlett and Leo, a romance for life.] Scarlett’s love was passionate and overt, her affections never hidden; she wanted the whole world to know. I watched Scarlett’s blatant favoritism towards Leo. I looked at the villa, now largely empty, and the plain silver ring on my ring finger, the one Scarlett had ordered that year for 520 dollars. I smiled. “James.” My butler poured me another cup of tea. I spoke softly: “If I’m not mistaken, the largest supplier for Scarlett Inc. should be one who owes a debt of gratitude to my parents.” James immediately placed a contract in front of me. “Young Master.” He pointed to the clauses within. “Your father and mother dedicated their lives to you. These were all paths they paved for your future.” I gazed at the document, recalling the sunsets in the West Indies, the Northern Lights in Iceland, and that star. I dialed Scarlett’s number, but it was busy. I tried her SnapChat video call. Finally, Leo’s bare, red-marked torso appeared on screen. “What do you want?” “Scarlett’s in the shower.” Leo’s camera panned towards the bathroom, the steamy glass hinting at something intimate. “I thought you’d understand Scarlett’s attitude by now. Why are you still clinging on?” Leo sat on the bed, deliberately biting his lip. “Actually, there’s something I shouldn’t tell you, but I don’t think keeping it a secret is a good idea either.” “Adrian.” “Guess why Scarlett loves me and not you?” The video call ended. I sat in the living room, feeling the air tighten around my throat, then noticed my heart beating erratically. I dialed a second number. Scarlett and Leo hosted a gala that made local headlines. Everyone said Leo had finally achieved his wish, becoming Scarlett’s partner. No one dared to call him a sugar baby anymore. Instead, they respectfully addressed him as: “Mr. Leo.” The more sycophantic guests would even smile and say, “Ms. Scarlett, you two are a perfect match.” In the ballroom. Leo, arm-in-arm with Scarlett, ascended the stage. Under the glare of the spotlights, they truly looked like a prince and princess from a fairytale. Their mere presence brought a thunderous applause. “Tonight, I want to use this occasion,” Scarlett looked at Leo tenderly, “to introduce him to everyone.” “He, Leo—” The main doors were violently flung open. Countless men in black suits streamed into the ballroom. The leader, holding a stack of debt papers, threw them directly at Scarlett’s face. “You’re Scarlett, right?” Scarlett looked utterly bewildered, her fury reaching its peak. Just as she was about to call security, she realized there wasn’t a single one of her own people in the entire ballroom. “The debt you owe,” the man pressed a gun to the still-unhealed scar on Scarlett’s brow, and smiled, “it’s time to pay.” The bandage on her brow began to seep blood. The scene erupted into chaos. Screams pierced the air. Someone shouted, “What the hell is going on?! Isn’t today Ms. Scarlett’s big announcement for her boyfriend?”

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On my wedding day, my fiancé died in a horrific car crash on his way to pick me up. I became a widow, and the child in my belly, a posthumous orphan. After that devastating blow, I developed a severe psychological illness. Countless times, I yearned to end it all, but everyone pleaded with me to hold on for the sake of my unborn child. On the day of the funeral, my brother-in-law and his wife, who lived overseas, returned to pay their respects. Staring at his face, an identical copy of my late husband’s, I repeatedly fell into a daze. But then, I overheard a conversation outside my mother-in-law’s bedroom: “You faked your death and fled your own wedding for this woman? Mia is carrying your child, Julian! Did you put on this whole act just to bring that conniving vixen home?” After a long pause, my brother-in-law’s voice finally came, soft and quiet. “Valentina has a terminal illness. Doctors say she has six months, at most. Once those six months are up, Mia will be due, and everything will go back to normal. We’ll be a happy family of three again.” In that moment, a chilling truth pierced through me: My husband wasn’t dead at all. This so-called brother-in-law was my husband, Julian! I fought to control the violent tremors shaking my body. I typed a frantic message to Liam, my brother, who worked for an overseas covert operations unit. “Liam, help me stage an accident! So he wants to fake his death? I’ll give Julian a taste of his own medicine!”

My hands wouldn’t stop shaking even after I sent the message. The conversation inside the room continued. “Is this really fair to Mia? If it weren’t for her child, she would have followed you to the grave. She’s so distraught, a ghost of herself, barely touching her food – it was killing me to watch her.” Julian sighed deeply. “But Valentina only has six months. This is her only wish. I can’t let her down.” “As for Mia, we have a lifetime together. I’ll make it up to her later, Mom, don’t worry…” My heart clenched, a vice grip squeezing the life out of me. Searing pain ripped through every fiber of my being, leaving me breathless. I stumbled back to my bedroom, my knees buckling as I collapsed onto the floor. Just then, Liam’s call came through. “Mia, what’s wrong? What happened? Julian’s dead, isn’t he?” I wanted to say something, anything, but the moment I opened my mouth, tears streamed down my face, unstoppable. Yes, in the eyes of the world, Julian was dead. I understood Liam’s confusion. Even I hadn’t imagined Julian would fake his own death, and the reason was for another woman. Though I said nothing, Liam on the other end must have sensed my distress. After a long silence, he spoke softly. “I’ll send a plane to pick you up the night after tomorrow. I’ll arrange everything else.” After he hung up, I remained frozen, phone still in hand. Just then, a soft knock came at the door. Standing outside was my brother-in-law, holding a glass of milk. Or rather, Julian, holding a glass of milk. “Mia, what’s wrong? Why are you sitting on the floor? Are you crying? Are you thinking about Julian again?” For the past half-month since Julian returned, posing as my brother-in-law, he had been nothing but kind to me, seemingly treating me as his deceased brother’s wife. Countless times, faced with his concern, I felt a familiar haze. Mrs. Hastings always attributed my daze to my profound grief for Julian. I quickly locked my phone screen, forcing a shaky smile. “Nothing, just felt a bit unwell suddenly. Lost my footing for a second.” Julian visibly relaxed, placing the milk aside. He carefully helped me up from the floor. “This little one, so disobedient. Just wait until they’re born, your uncle will have a word with them.” “Come on, get up. I warmed some milk for you. Drink it and get some rest. Don’t think too much. If Julian saw you like this, he wouldn’t be at peace.” Hearing that name on his lips, I finally couldn’t take it anymore. I looked up, meeting his eyes, and questioned him, word by word. “Are you really not Julian?”

Julian froze, then chuckled softly, gently stroking my head. “Don’t be silly. How could I be Julian? Drink your milk and go to sleep. Tomorrow, I’ll take you for your prenatal check-up. A tummy ache isn’t a small matter.” “This is the only bloodline Julian left in this world. I have to make sure they arrive safely.” I lowered my gaze, refusing to look at the fake concern in his eyes. “Please leave. I’m a bit tired and want to rest.” It wasn’t until the soft click of the door closing that the tears I’d held back all evening finally burst forth. Julian and I met at our university’s freshman orientation. He fell for me at first sight, pursuing me relentlessly. We naturally fell in love. Two years after graduation, Julian gave me a grand proposal. I still remember it vividly: fireworks exploded all around us, their brilliance reflected in his eyes, but his gaze was even more captivating than the dazzling display above. While planning our wedding, I discovered I was pregnant. Julian had been overjoyed. “The baby’s timing is perfect! They’re here to celebrate Mommy and Daddy getting married. Mia, I’m the happiest man in the world.” To this day, I still didn’t understand why Julian, who had cherished me for six whole years, would cheat, even going so far as to fake his death to avoid our wedding. The next morning, Julian knocked on my door early. “Mia, it’s time for your prenatal check-up today. Are you ready?” But as we were about to leave, Valentina’s voice called out from behind us. “Julian, I’m not feeling so well today. Could you stay home with me?” Hearing Valentina’s voice, Julian didn’t even glance at me. He rushed directly to her side. “Did you forget to take your medicine again? If you’re not feeling well, you should lie in bed. Don’t walk around, what if you faint?” After he finished speaking, Julian turned and looked at me. “I’m so sorry, Mia. Your sister-in-law isn’t feeling well, so I probably can’t go to the hospital with you.” “Don’t worry, the driver is waiting outside. He’ll get you to the hospital safely. I’ve already made arrangements with the doctor, just go straight there.” I closed my eyes, trying to hold back the tears threatening to spill. When I reopened them, I didn’t miss the fleeting flicker of triumph on Valentina’s tanned face. I didn’t say a word, just nodded and walked straight out of the house. The dull thud of the door closing echoed behind me. My hand instinctively rubbed my belly, and tears finally began to fall, thick and fast. Mike, the driver, delivered me to the hospital on time. I completed all my examinations as instructed by the doctor. Julian had previously warned Mike and the doctor that if I didn’t show up, he’d get suspicious. I sat on a hospital bench, meticulously examining the ultrasound report. In the black and white image, there was a tiny circle, the size of a peanut. The doctor said, that was my child. But I couldn’t accept that my child would have a faithless father. I fiercely wiped away my tears and registered at a different hospital. This was Julian’s family’s private hospital. If I had the procedure here, Julian would surely find out. I called Mike, telling him I wanted to go shopping alone and that he could go back first. I hid behind the hospital’s main entrance until Mike’s car disappeared from my sight. Only then did I step out and hail a taxi to another hospital. Before entering the operating room, my phone buzzed with a video message. The video was half an hour long, showing Julian in a frenzy of passion. I had never seen him so out of control. For six years of our relationship, Julian had always been gentle, even in bed, always careful not to hurt me. It was then I realized he wasn’t inherently reserved; the one who ignited his passion was never me. I watched that video, almost masochistically, wanting to see the Julian I never knew. I don’t know how long I watched, but then a nurse walked up to me. “Ms. Mia, are you alright? It’s time for your surgery.” As the video played on, I had been crying harder and harder. It wasn’t until the nurse spoke that I realized I was trembling uncontrollably, my hand clutching the phone shaking violently. And I made a shameful discovery: even now, I still loved Julian.

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The year Julian and I were truly, irrevocably in love. For me, he took three blades: one to his brow, another to his ankle, a third slicing deep into his back. Everyone said Julian loved me like his own life. Until another woman showed up, heavily pregnant. “You must be Scarlett, right?” The woman tossed a stack of photos onto my face. “Julian stopped loving you ages ago. I suggest you be smart and get lost.” In the pictures, Julian’s eyes held a gentle softness. I watched the rain intensify, then lifted my hand. The woman’s shriek, muffled by the downpour, left a chilling promise behind. “Julian won’t let you get away with this!” But I merely stared, cold and unfeeling, at Julian who sat across from me, ready to make a spectacle of demanding justice. “Sign the papers.” “You disgust me.” “Scarlett!” Julian sat opposite me. Behind him stood Jax, his right-hand man, whom Julian had propped up over the past two years, along with bodyguards and dozens of men surrounding my spacious living room. It wasn’t a negotiation; it was a blatant intimidation. I watched Julian, his anger barely contained, tap the table. “She’s still in the ICU.” He raised an eyebrow, the strategically placed lighting highlighting his brow ridge, that scar strikingly prominent. “She’s innocent,” Julian’s voice was low, laced with a suffocating pressure. “She’s only twenty, and you almost ended her life at twenty. Do you know what the doctor told me?” “The doctor said she might never be a mother.” Julian’s voice blended with the rhythmic drumming of rain against the window. It brought back the woman’s dying shriek that day. “Julian won’t let you get away with this!” “So,” I met Julian’s furious gaze, handing my hot tea to Mr. Davies. “You’ve gone to all this trouble, made this grand entrance, to stand up for her?” “What,” I chuckled, finding it amusing. “Do you want half my life, or are you planning to take my womb to make up for her lost motherhood?” I smiled, pulling the blanket higher around me. Mr. Davies immediately adjusted the indoor temperature. I looked at Julian. “Who is she to make you come here and demand justice from me? Julian, have you forgotten that I’m the one who stood by you until today, not her? Are you planning to break ties with me for her, or are you here to end my life today?” My voice was calm, unhurried. Mr. Davies, who had been observing the tension, immediately drew a pistol and aimed it at Julian’s head. Julian’s right-hand men instantly tensed, but Julian simply smiled back at me. “Scarlett, we’re past the days of bloodshed. I don’t want to fight with you.” Julian pushed away the divorce papers I had prepared. “Divorce is destructive, I won’t do it. But you must apologize to her in person, or don’t blame me for getting ugly.” Julian rose from the sofa and walked over to Mr. Davies, grabbing his wrist and pressing the gun against his forehead. “You’d shoot me?” “You’re not worthy.” Julian yanked Mr. Davies’s wrist outward. A crisp snap of bone echoed, followed by a sharp cry from Jax. A fruit knife from my table landed precisely in the middle of Jax’s thigh. I met Julian’s incredulous stare and smiled. “Julian, my people don’t resist you out of respect for me. But that doesn’t mean,” I walked up to Julian, took his hand, and slowly, deliberately moved it away, “you can lay a hand on my people.” I understood then. Julian and I were done. While the doctor was setting Mr. Davies’s bone, he was still seething. “Miss Scarlett, you went through so much hardship with that Julian back then. Are you just going to let others walk all over us now?” 2 I didn’t answer. My phone buzzed with a new friend request. The profile picture was prominent. It was a photo of the woman kissing Julian. I accepted her request, and she immediately sent a voice message. “Scarlett, I told you Julian wouldn’t let you get away with it. Breaking your butler’s hand is just a small warning.” “Julian said he wants you to apologize to me in person.” “I’ll be waiting.” “Everyone outside says Julian loves you like his own life. I’d like to see how much love that is,” the woman sent a few more photos. “Which bed do you think is suitable?” “Julian said the most dangerous place is the safest. When I’m discharged tomorrow, I’m moving into your and Julian’s house.” “That door no one is allowed to enter? I’m coming right in.” Listening to her voice, I looked up at the giant wedding photo displayed in the living room, feeling only mockery. The dagger I was idly toying with precisely pierced the smiling Julian’s eye in the photo. “So dirty.” Stepping out of the living room, I saw Julian and his men unloading a bed from a truck, then instructing them to carry it inside. We ran right into each other. Julian’s expression stiffened for a rare moment. I leaned against the doorway, listening to Autumn’s joyful voice. “Julian, why aren’t you coming in?” Then, Autumn turned and met my eyes. “Oh, it’s the sister, isn’t it?” Autumn linked her arm through Julian’s, a defiant glint in her eyes. “Are you here to welcome me, sister?” “Have you decided to apologize?” Watching Autumn’s arrogance and the pampering in Julian’s eyes, a sharp, pervasive ache pierced my heart. Before I could respond, Julian spoke for her. “The doctor said Autumn needs rest,” Julian’s voice was gentle as he spoke her name. “You already have a nutritionist anyway, it’s just one more mouth to feed, Scarlett. Don’t miss the chance I’m giving you.” I couldn’t quite understand. Julian. What made him so certain. That I would be submissive, that I would repeatedly compromise my principles and boundaries for him. I listened to Julian’s self-righteous voice and chuckled. My laughter mingled with Mr. Davies’s voice as he had someone take down the wedding photo with the missing eye, asking me. “Miss Scarlett, where should this go?” I saw Julian’s face darken. I pointed to a nearby trash can. “Have it shredded and thrown away.” Mr. Davies nodded, sending someone for scissors. Julian, however, stopped Mr. Davies and walked up to me. “What kind of tantrum are you throwing now?” “Scarlett,” Julian’s voice turned cold. “I told you, this whole thing was your fault to begin with. My taking care of Autumn is accumulating good karma for you. Don’t be ungrateful!” “That’s right, sister.” Autumn followed him. “Julian told me everything. You lost your baby because of your reckless lifestyle, and the master said you need to accumulate good karma if you ever want to have a child. You don’t appreciate Julian’s kindness and keep creating trouble. You’re forcing Julian away!” Autumn’s words were like a needle piercing my heart, tearing open my scabbed wound, making it fester and weep anew. I looked at Autumn’s triumphant face, then turned to intercept Julian’s attempt to silence her, grabbing Autumn’s hair instead and laughing. “Who gave you the nerve to speak to me like that?” Before Autumn could beg for mercy, I dragged her and slammed her hard against the solid wooden door, producing a dull thud. Autumn shrieked. Julian grabbed my hand, stopping me from continuing. “Enough.” Julian looked at me. “Autumn is just young and speaks without thinking! But she’s not wrong. How long will you keep causing trouble?” I stared at Julian in disbelief. It was he who had encroached on someone else’s business, been ambushed, and I, ignoring the danger, rushed into enemy territory to take down the opponent’s leader. It was after I saved him that I lost our child. He knelt before me, slapped himself 99 times, and cried as he knocked his head against the ground. “Scarlett!” His face was swollen from the slaps, blood mixed with nosebleeds smeared all over it, his voice thick with tears. “If I, Julian, ever wrong you in this life! May the heavens smite me!” “I, Julian!” “In this life!” “Will be Scarlett’s dog!” Julian’s vows still echoed in my ears. He ordered all information sealed, forbidding anyone from discussing my child behind my back, understanding that the child was my taboo. We had tacitly avoided the topic, yet we had both prayed for the child. Now. I met Julian’s gaze, releasing Autumn. He seemed to sigh in relief, his tone softening slightly. “Scarlett, your temper—” I plunged a knife into Julian’s brow bone and smiled. “Julian, those who betray true love must swallow a thousand needles. This is the first!” The dagger pierced the flesh, then was pulled out. Blood splattered on my face. I watched the ‘medal’ on Julian’s brow vanish, replaced by grotesque, bloody flesh, and curled my lips into a mocking smile. Autumn then violently shoved me. I stumbled backward. When I looked up again, I met Autumn’s furious eyes. “How dare you hurt him?” The next second. I walked toward Autumn, raised my hand, and slapped her across the face. “If you really have any capability, don’t just be a trophy girlfriend.” “Either impress me,” I grabbed Autumn’s hair, kicking her knee, making her fall to the ground and look up at me, “make Julian divorce me, and become the next Mrs. Julian.” “Or else,” I leaned down, my smile close to Autumn’s ear, “just wait to be played to death by me.” Autumn’s eyes were red from crying, her body trembling like a dying deer, yet her gaze was defiant. “If you’re so capable, then kill me!” “If you don’t kill me, I’ll never leave Julian!” Autumn’s tears reflected the light of the setting sun. “I want to be with Julian forever.” I froze. I remembered that year, when I was sixteen, my father was ambushed and fell into the sea, my mother sacrificed her life to get me ashore. The sunset was stained crimson with blood. It was Julian who waited for me on the shore, with the fearless courage of a young man, he carved a path of life from death for me. It was Julian, with the scar on his brow and the grotesque wounds on his back, who crashed straight into my heart, shouting. “Miss Scarlett!” “Run!” I was panicked, but still plunged into the bloodied sea, and together with Julian, we fought to get to where we are today. Julian shoved me hard. Blood still flowed from his brow, sliding down his eyelashes like tears of blood, dripping onto my heart. “Scarlett,” Julian closed one eye in pain. “You truly disappoint me.” “I’m not divorcing you because of love.” Julian held Autumn in his arms. “It’s only because,” Julian said, “your parents were kind to me, and we’ve been through life-and-death situations together. Don’t push my patience any further, or you will regret it!” Autumn cried in his arms, screaming, “Julian! I don’t want to live here! I don’t!” “I’m scared!” Autumn cried, clutching his collar, hysterical. “I don’t want to live with this lunatic! She’ll kill me, she’ll kill me!” The air became still. I seemed to see my sixteen-year-old self, also frantic, pushing Julian away, only to be held close as he gently soothed me, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.” Julian held Autumn, gently stroking her back, saying. “Don’t be afraid.” “I’m here.” “I’m here,” Julian met my eyes with a wary gaze. “I won’t let you hurt Autumn. Since you’re unwilling, then don’t blame me.” The day Julian had all his belongings moved out, he took Autumn to a secluded island retreat. Autumn said she wanted a private island in her name, so Julian spent a fortune and bought her one. He took Autumn to Iceland to chase the Northern Lights. Autumn posted photos on Ins of the diamond the size of a pigeon’s egg Julian bought her, and even captioned a picture of a star. [From now on, whenever I look up, there will be a star just for me. Autumn & Julian, a romance for life.] Julian’s love came fierce and flamboyant, never hidden, as if he wanted the whole world to know. I observed Julian’s favoritism towards Autumn. Looking at the villa, now largely emptied, and the plain silver ring on my ring finger, which Julian had ordered for 520 (a symbol of “I love you” in Chinese numerology) that year, I smiled. “Mr. Davies.” My butler refilled my hot tea. I spoke softly, “If I’m not mistaken, the largest supplier for Julian Inc. should be honoring my parents’ kindness.” Mr. Davies immediately placed a stack of agreements before me. “Miss Scarlett.” He pointed to the clauses. “Your parents dedicated their lives to you; these are all paths they paved for your future.” I looked at the contents, remembering the sunset at the secluded island retreat and the Northern Lights in Iceland, and that star. I dialed Julian’s number. The phone rang busy. I tried FaceTiming him. Finally, Autumn appeared on screen, wearing a sexy nightgown, asking me. “What do you want?” “Julian’s in the shower.” Autumn angled the camera towards the bathroom. The misty glass was imbued with a hint of intimacy. “I thought you’d understand Julian’s attitude by now. Why are you still clinging on?” Autumn sat on the bed, revealing red marks on her neck. “Actually, there’s something I shouldn’t tell you, but I guess keeping it a secret isn’t good either.” “Scarlett.” “Guess why Julian loves me and not you?” The video call ended. I sat in the living room, feeling the air constrict my throat, then noticed my heart beating abnormally. I dialed a second number. Julian and Autumn’s gala dinner became local trending news. Everyone said Autumn had finally gotten her wish, becoming the woman by Julian’s side. No one who saw Autumn dared to call her a trophy girlfriend anymore. Instead, they respectfully called her. [Miss Autumn.] Those who were sweet-talkers would even smile and say, [Mr. Julian and you are so well-matched.] In the banquet hall. Autumn, her arm around Julian, walked onto the stage. Under the spotlights, they looked like a prince and princess from a fairytale. Just by standing there, they drew thunderous applause. “Today, using this occasion,” Julian looked at Autumn tenderly, “I want to introduce her to everyone.” “She, Autumn—” The grand doors were violently kicked open. Countless men in black suits poured into the banquet hall. The leader, holding a stack of debt papers, slapped them directly onto Julian’s face. “Julian, right?” Julian’s face was a mask of confusion, his anger reaching its peak. He was about to call security when he realized there wasn’t a single one of his own men in the entire banquet hall. “The debt you owe,” the man pressed a gun against Julian’s still-unhealed brow scar and smiled, “it’s time to pay.” Blood seeped from the bandage on his brow. The scene erupted in chaos, screams echoing everywhere. Someone even shouted, “What the hell is going on?! Isn’t today Mr. Julian’s big day to introduce his girlfriend?” “Who are you people?!” “How dare you point a gun at Mr. Julian? You have a death wish!” “Who doesn’t know that Julian Inc. rules this entire city?” Someone, a sycophant, spoke up for Julian. “Be careful, all ten of your lives won’t be enough!” The man paused his finger-pointing, enraged shouting at the stage. His eyes almost popped out of his head. Then, a scream tore through the entire banquet hall. A dagger pierced the man’s arm, perfectly still, suspended with his frozen movement. Drip, drip, drip. It was the sound of death. The man trembled, a wet stain spreading on his pants, and choked out, “Sc-Scarlett, it’s Scarlett.” I emerged from behind the stage, watching the man’s gun pressed against Julian’s brow, and Julian’s enraged face. I twirled the dagger in my hand, smiling as I asked Julian. “Julian.” “Is the private island in the Caribbean beautiful?” I weighed the cold blade of the dagger, looking at Julian. “Autumn & Julian, it sounds quite romantic, doesn’t it?” “And that diamond the size of a pigeon’s egg.” The dagger pointed towards Autumn. Julian, who had been silently fuming, finally couldn’t hold back. He roared at me. “Scarlett, what kind of crazy stunt are you pulling now?!” “What do you mean by bringing these people here? Are you planning to challenge me, to create a lose-lose situation?” Julian still thought I was acting out of jealousy. “I can’t stand your behavior. Look at you, you don’t act like a woman at all. A woman should be delicate and submissive, but you, always fighting and shouting, what kind of image is that?” I listened to Julian’s accusations and realized, surprisingly, that my heart no longer reacted violently because of him. Even facing Julian’s cold sarcasm, my heart was as calm as stagnant water. “Scarlett!” Julian took my silence as confirmation that I had been hit where it hurt. “I can overlook this, but if you continue to make a scene, don’t blame me for abandoning our past.” Autumn, wearing a bathrobe, sat on the bed, her smile poisonous, seeping through the screen and crawling up my skin, along my nerves, into my veins. “Do you know why Julian loves me and not you?” “Scarlett.” Autumn leaned closer to the screen, her voice soft, yet it made my soul tremble. “Because, to prove his own strength wasn’t lacking, the first big deal he ever made, the client demanded you be ‘delivered’ before they’d sign.” Autumn’s voice coiled around my throat like a venomous snake. “Julian said, the child you always thought was his, actually never was.” “And because of that, whenever you two were intimate, he would always remember how truly ‘dirty’ you were.” “Scarlett, you lost from the very beginning.” “If Julian truly loved you, how could he have let someone else sleep with you, let you carry another man’s child? Even that ambush, all of it was designed by Julian, just to get rid of that bastard.” That bastard. It had coexisted with me inside my body for nearly six months. I recalled Julian’s lack of enthusiasm back then, remembered how he insisted on an amniocentesis even when prenatal checks were normal. It wasn’t because he was worried about the baby’s health; it was for a DNA paternity test. From start to finish. It was all a lie. Only, Julian hadn’t anticipated that my parents had left me a fallback, a well-paved road for my future. Now. I watched Julian grab the gun in the man’s hand and smiled. “Do you know who I am? I’m your master’s husband, damn it! One word from me and I can cripple you! You damn useless piece of trash, get out of the way!” But I had already walked onto the stage. Ignoring Julian’s frantic outburst, I grasped the man’s hand on the gun, shifting it a few inches from Julian’s forehead. Julian thought I was trying to disarm him, and just as he let out a sigh of relief. [Bang!] The bullet whistled past Julian’s ear, a stinging pain slicing through his lobe. A bead of blood fell. I looked at Julian’s stunned face and smiled. “Julian, why do you think I’d want something so dirty?” I picked up the pistol, toying with it in my hand. “Debts must be paid.” I threw the stack of debt papers at Julian’s feet. “Pay your debts or make a wager with me.” “You can only choose one.” I was never one for a soft heart. Growing up, my parents taught me to survive in a cutthroat world, to protect myself first, and only then could I afford to love others. Since he wasn’t worth it. It was time to cut ties cleanly. I watched Julian’s incredulous face, pointing the gun at Autumn. “If you don’t wager, then I’ll cripple her.” [Bang!] A single shot. Autumn shrieked in terror, crying out, “Julian! I’m scared!” Autumn cried until she choked, calling out to Julian. “Julian, I don’t want to be here!” “Julian, I’m so scared!” As always, weak. As always, deserving of pity. Julian’s heart, as expected, ached. He called out my name. “Scarlett, whatever it is, deal with me. Don’t involve innocents.” “If we’re to wager,” Julian stared fixedly at me, “what do you want to bet on?” “We bet on,” my voice was flat, “Death Darts.” The year Julian and I first met, because of darts, my father held my hand, teaching me to aim at the target. But Julian suddenly ran out, holding my favorite cotton candy, calling my name. “Miss Scarlett.” My thoughts distracted, the dart hit the fish tank next to the target. The fish tank shattered, and my father made me kneel on a board of nails for an entire night. Julian stayed with me the whole night. “Miss Scarlett,” Julian said, his eyes red. “It’s all my fault. I was wrong.” Now. I had a target prepared. I told Julian, “If you lose, you tell everyone the truth about that year yourself.” Julian’s eyes flickered. “Otherwise.” My smile was cruel. “Don’t forget who gave you everything you have now.” “My not holding a grudge doesn’t mean I’m easily bullied,” I took a dart, having them blindfold me. “But if I do hold a grudge, Julian, you’re not as crazy as I am.” Having lost all my external support, I was my own greatest strength. Julian stood a few steps away from me. He was still completely out of sorts. “Scarlett, you’re not the type to hold a grudge,” Julian was blindfolded. “I don’t understand the point of you doing all this.” The target wasn’t the target from that year. It was Mr. Davies and Autumn, standing opposite me. Mr. Davies called out to me. “Miss Scarlett, I trust you.” Autumn was sobbing, choked with tears. “Julian, can we please not bet? Please, no! I’m so scared!” The guests below became witnesses to the high-stakes gamble. Even those who had initially supported Julian sensed something was wrong and began whispering among themselves. “They used to say Mr. Julian actually rose to power thanks to the Scarlett family. I heard he was originally brought back from an orphanage by Mr. Scarlett to be Miss Scarlett’s little companion, and he just became her entire world.” “Goes to show, men can be far more calculating than women when it comes to power.” “Look at Julian these past few years; he’s aggressively suppressed the Scarlett family’s old guard, pushing his own people up, and keeping Scarlett confined at home. If it weren’t for this ugly scene, who knows if Scarlett would ever make a move.” “Yeah, those who betray true love must swallow a thousand needles. This is just the beginning!” I listened to the whispers around me, remembering Julian had made that same vow when he swore to love me forever. “Scarlett, those who betray true love must swallow a thousand needles! If I ever betray you, may I die a horrible death.” The dart was in my hand. Julian’s voice came from beside me. “Scarlett, can we really never go back?” I didn’t answer. I raised my hand. The referee began the countdown. “Three.” “Scarlett, I’ve always had you in my heart. I miss our time together.” “Two.” “How did we drift apart after things became stable?” “One.” “Scarlett, maybe if we had never truly had each other, we might still be the same as before.” “Start!” Holding the dart, before I threw it, I told Julian, “There are only two outcomes in this world: the right people live peacefully.” “The wrong ones.” The dart flew. “Should die!” The dart landed precisely in the apple on Mr. Davies’s head. The scene erupted in an uproar, and a woman’s terrified scream echoed. I ripped off the blindfold and saw Autumn lying in a pool of blood, clutching the wound on her head, crying out to Julian. “Julian!” “Save me!” “Julian!” Julian roughly discarded his blindfold and roared, “Impossible!” “What’s impossible?” The referee played a slow-motion replay of the dart’s trajectory. It showed Autumn, out of fear, deliberately ducking from the dart, which caused her to get hurt. Ultimately, she didn’t trust Julian enough to fully surrender herself to him. I looked at Julian. “You lost.” “Will you tell them yourself, or should I?” Julian stared at me in a frenzy. “Scarlett, what do you want me to say?!” I clapped my hands. “Then I’ll say it for you.” A blurry video appeared before everyone. It was from before that bloody battle. Julian boarded the boat with us, exposed our location, then, with drugged soup, gave it to everyone to drink. That’s why my parents died tragically. That year. The Julian I saw on the shore at 16 wasn’t there to save me; he was there to kill me. Only. Julian hadn’t yet obtained the things my parents left for me, so he chose to share life and death with me. He used my most vulnerable moment to gain my true affections and we’ve supported each other until now. Julian, calculating every step, never expected me to investigate this far. The man who came with me, looking nonchalant, stared at Julian. “You designed that scheme back then, never thinking, did you?” The man removed his mask. It was Caleb, one of the companions my father had found for me. “I’m still alive.” “And.” “I’ve always been Julian Inc.’s largest supplier. Everything Julian Inc. has achieved today is because of me.” Caleb’s gaze at Julian was like looking at a dead thing. “I’ve been biding my time, waiting for this day.” “The debt you owe.” “It’s time to pay.” “Hands and feet are for walking and working. Since he’s a traitor, why keep them?” Mr. Davies handed me a dagger. I toyed with it, looking down at Julian. “Your hand and foot tendons, as compensation. Will you do it yourself, or shall I?” Julian’s face was filled with indignation. Then, as if realizing something, his expression shifted to comprehension. “No wonder you suddenly changed. No wonder you, who always obeyed me, suddenly became so cold, even wanting to divorce me repeatedly.” “It’s because of him, isn’t it? I always knew you liked Caleb more when we were kids. He outshone me in everything, and was so attentive to you. Everyone praised you two as a match made in heaven. You only got with me later because Caleb was probably dead, right?” “You thought Caleb died in that war, so you reluctantly settled for me? Now that he’s back, you can’t wait to be with him, can you?!” Julian’s voice struck me as ludicrous. So ludicrous that I actually laughed out loud. “You’re quite right.” “I should have seen Caleb from the beginning, not you.” I twirled the dagger. As Julian wore an ‘I knew it’ expression, I plunged the knife into his ankle. Beneath the ‘medal’ he had earned for me, I ruthlessly tore off what was once *my* medal, telling him. “The third needle.” Then, swiftly and accurately, I struck with the second and third blades. My medals were mercilessly torn away. “The fourth needle.” Blood splattered. Julian endured it, not screaming in pain, though cold sweat soaked his hair. He forced a bitter smile, looking at me. “Scarlett, you’re heartless!” He was so weak, he could barely whisper my name. “You have no heart.” I didn’t respond. I took the wet wipe Mr. Davies offered, cleaned the blood from my hands, and tossed the wipe onto Julian’s face. “So dirty.” “Lock Julian and Autumn together. Don’t let them die.” I told Mr. Davies. “As for the grand gift I prepared, take it to them.” Autumn shrieked, yelling, “Why are you arresting me?!” “Scarlett, why are you arresting me?” I watched Autumn, frantic like a cornered animal, and my gaze shifted from her to Julian. I was also curious to see how Julian would feel, knowing his deepest feelings had been betrayed. Julian’s hands and feet were bandaged by a doctor. He leaned against the wall in the solitary room, his mind filled with Caleb’s meaningful smile before he and I left. As for feelings. How could there be no feelings? He couldn’t understand where things had gone wrong. Until Mr. Davies clapped his hands, and several servants entered with a projector and tools, then politely stated. “Mr. Julian.” “Miss Scarlett has prepared something for you. We hope you like it.” Then. Julian sat on the bed, watching the screen light up. It showed me sitting in the living room, dialing his number after finding he was busy, then FaceTiming him. Autumn appeared on screen, her smile radiant. “Scarlett, guess why Julian loves me and not you?” Autumn lowered her voice, but it still reached his ears. “Because Julian didn’t know when the things your parents left you would surface, and he was desperate to gain a firm foothold in this cutthroat world. To get something, you have to sacrifice something.” “So, your child,” Autumn smiled cruelly, “was the sacrifice.” Everything seemed to make sense. Everything seemed to be unveiled. All the riddles that had bound Julian were revealed. He finally understood why I had gone to such lengths. No wonder I brought up old matters. He watched me sitting in the living room, lost in thought, until I asked Mr. Davies. “Mr. Davies.” “Julian Inc.’s largest supplier should be honoring my parents’ kindness.” I pulled out the documents, called Caleb, met with Caleb, and together we investigated the truth of that year, setting this trap to lure him into it. Autumn, sitting silently beside him, trembling, watched Julian’s face darken bit by bit. When Julian clenched his fists, his gaze finally shifting from the screen to her, she even tried to explain. “It’s all fake!” “Fake?” Julian’s heart was wrung with pain, even speaking became difficult. A despair he had never known weighed him down, making every step excruciatingly hard. “Didn’t I tell you,” Julian’s eyes were red as he walked up to Autumn, “you could provoke her, and I would cover for you?” “But these things, you were supposed to keep them buried deep inside!” “Didn’t I say that?” Julian choked Autumn’s neck. “Didn’t I tell you she’s a lunatic, and no one can mess with her when she goes crazy?!” “Why did you provoke her?!” “Tell me!” “Ah!” Autumn was dragged up from the floor by Julian, her neck brutally squeezed. She frantically hit Julian, her face red as she looked at him. “You, you let go of me!” “Julian!” “You yourself said she was too dirty! What did I say wrong?” Autumn’s tears streamed down her face. “You told me Scarlett relied on you, but in the end, you relied entirely on Scarlett!” “You can’t even outplay one woman. What kind of man are you?!” I watched the monitor screen. Autumn was tormented until she was barely breathing, her body covered in fine needles. Julian sat beside her, counting. Mr. Davies stood behind me, looking puzzled. “Why the needles?” I remembered a popular saying online that year: [Those who betray true love must swallow a thousand needles.] I smiled and asked Julian. “Would you betray me?” That year, Julian’s ambition was too sharp, he offended many people. We lived day by day, hiding, but we were also dependent on each other. I leaned into Julian’s arms, smiling as I asked him. “Would you betray me?” Julian didn’t answer me. He only held me tighter, telling me. “If that day ever comes, I’ll swallow a thousand needles.” So, when I pierced his brow, it was my mark of his betrayal, my needle. Now, Julian sat in the solitary room, counting, I wondered if he, like me, remembered that thousand-needle vow from that year. I wasn’t sure. I turned off the monitor and asked Mr. Davies. “Where’s Caleb?” “In the back garden.” My mother loved orchids. Orchids are delicate and hard to care for. It was amazing that Caleb had actually managed to keep them alive, and even filled the back garden with them. He stood in the sunlight, gently tending to those flowers, just like when we were children, every birthday, Caleb would bring me a bouquet of flowers. “Miss Scarlett.” Caleb called out to me. “Look,” he pointed to the most abundant cluster of flowers. “The flowers are blooming.” Yes. The flowers were blooming. Everything was getting better. As Caleb and I went to visit my parents’ graves, Mr. Davies rushed up to me. “Julian wants to see you.” He told me. “Julian has gone mad.” “Then send him to a psychiatric hospital.” I turned to leave, but Mr. Davies added, “Julian says he has the remaining truth from that year, and he wants to tell you personally.” Rain poured outside. Raindrops tapped against the window. Julian sat across from me, just like that year, his eyes soft and longing, yet also like that day, he was here to demand justice for someone else. The rain intensified. I was the first to break the silence. “What do you need to tell me?” I wasn’t eager to see Julian again. My therapist said I needed to maintain absolute calm and peace. I didn’t want my life to be disturbed. Before agreeing to go abroad with Caleb, I sat here, asking Julian. “Perhaps, this will be our last meeting.” Julian’s eyes flickered, his gaze tinged with red. He pulled a small voice recorder from his pocket and played it in front of me. A familiar voice, accompanied by thunder, forcefully pierced my ears. My soul trembled. “Julian.”

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Heading to pick up a client, I tapped on my GPS. A sickeningly sweet, overly-familiar female voice cooed from the speaker. “Teeheeheehee, your little helper, Brianna, is excited to start this journey for two with you, almost like eloping, teehee!” I slammed on the brakes, hitting the steering wheel, as the voice continued its syrupy monologue. “There’s a cute little snack shop up ahead that Brianna just *adores*! Please, pretty please, get me some cookies?” I froze, listening to the GPS voice. I immediately called Julian, my husband. “Did you use the Porsche recently?” On the other end, Julian’s voice was calm and gentle. “My car broke down a few days ago, so I used it briefly. Why, what’s up?” I smiled, said it was nothing, and hung up. Then, I turned the car towards Julian’s company. I rarely went to Julian’s office, knowing that trust was paramount in a marriage. I didn’t want to suspect Julian, but that voice kept replaying in my mind. I sat in Julian’s office, asking HR to bring me all the new female employee files. Just then, Julian pushed open the door. “Audrey.” Julian sat opposite me, a playful smile on his face. “Playing detective, huh?” “Find anything?” “If you didn’t, you’ll have to make it up to me,” Julian leaned back, tapping the table with a teasing grin. “I want you to go skydiving with me.” I looked at Julian’s open, honest smile, and couldn’t help but wonder if I was being too narrow-minded. All the files HR provided turned up nothing. Not a single new employee named Brianna. Was I overthinking it, being too sensitive? I put the files down, meeting Julian’s mischievously teasing grin, and sighed. “Just a routine check.” I pushed the files towards him. “If you don’t like it, I won’t do it again.” Julian immediately put on a placating smile. “My wife cares about me, I’m thrilled! Why would I ever dislike it?” Julian had always been gentle. Even if he was decisive and commanding in the boardroom, he still doted on me like I was his most precious treasure. Even when I was in the wrong, he’d be the first to apologize, wanting me to always feel cherished. I shouldn’t doubt Julian. I followed Julian home, watching him carry groceries into the kitchen. I turned to head to my study to deal with some documents when I saw Julian’s phone vibrate. I was about to call out to him when my peripheral vision caught the caller ID. My breath hitched. I picked up the phone and answered. That familiar, sickeningly sweet voice echoed. The person on the other end practically purred his name. “Julesy, Julesy, Brianna’s entire second-half业绩 is counting on your big deal! My boss praised me today, I really need to thank you properly.” My heart clenched. I heard her chuckle. “I heard a little bird told me your Mrs. was on the prowl earlier, Julesy, Julesy, report in! What’s the situation on your end?” The woman, saved as [Yuanhe Vineyard’s Brianna], was calling my husband “Julesy.” Even the old-timers who’d been with the company since its inception called him Mr. Julian. No one, not even close acquaintances, spoke to Julian like that. And now. The woman hesitated. “Julesy, Julesy.” “Why aren’t you answering me?” “Bad signal?” The call was abruptly disconnected. My face was ashen as I stared at Julian, still busy in the kitchen. It suddenly hit me – Julian had indeed developed a sudden interest in wine tasting, and a Yuanhe Vineyard project had unexpectedly appeared on the company’s deal roster, one that really shouldn’t have been there. I had even asked Julian at the time why he was suddenly changing strategy. Julian had simply said, “No matter the industry, if there’s a piece of the pie to be had, I want a bite,” Julian had looked at me with tender eyes. “I want to make my wife the happiest woman alive, to give her the best life.” My heart had been filled with sweetness. Now, it felt like a heavy hand had just slapped me across the face, shattering my fantasies and all my hopes for our marriage. Julian. How far had he gone with her?

I sat in my study, Brianna’s voice replaying relentlessly in my mind. I thought of the times I’d accompanied Julian to the vineyard, yet I’d never seen anyone named Brianna there. I found Chloe’s SnapChat and typed out a message. **[Help me dig into Yuanhe Vineyard and Julian.]** I fought down the terror rising in my chest, my typing fingers trembling. **[I need every single transaction and recent itinerary for Julian. Everything,]** Tears welled in my eyes, but I stubbornly refused to let them fall, clinging to a shred of rationality. **[Julian might be cheating.]** I had just hit send. Julian’s voice came from behind me. “Audrey.” He walked over, his face etched with an apology. “A company project suddenly hit a snag,” he said, his voice troubled as he looked at me. “I promised to spend time with you, but I really can’t sort this out from here. I have to go.” He gently stroked my head. “I’ll be back as soon as I’m done,” he said, holding his phone. The screen was lit, and I saw a SnapChat chat box still open. I gripped his hand tightly, asking him, “Can’t you just not go?” Normally, Julian would sense the change in my tone, would see the vulnerability hidden in my eyes, and my phone screen that I hadn’t had time to turn off. But Julian didn’t. He was focused on leaving and his SnapChat, merely explaining with forced patience. “I’ll be back soon, don’t make a fuss.” His voice was tinged with urgency. “Audrey, you’re always so understanding, don’t make this harder for me.” I felt like a balloon suddenly deflated, sitting numbly as Julian rushed out without even a proper goodbye. My tears finally fell, silently. It was then I truly understood: there really are no faithful cats when there’s cream to be had. Chloe called me. “Julian actively financed and launched a project at Yuanhe. This whole thing smells fishy.” Chloe sent me documents. “The whole of Yuanhe is saying Julian poured a fortune into promoting someone. No one at Yuanhe dares to joke around with that girl.” Chloe’s voice turned cold. “I heard Yuanhe is having a celebration party at The Grand Astoria Hotel.” “Julian didn’t go, right?” That last flicker of hope in my heart completely shattered. I looked at the dinner Julian had prepared on the table: the peeled shrimp, my favorite sweet soup, and the roses placed nearby. It suddenly hit me—Julian had said, “Audrey! Did you forget? Today is actually our wedding anniversary.” Our wedding anniversary. Julian still chose someone else, still left me here alone. Even though I’d said I didn’t want him to go, I didn’t want him to leave, I wanted him to stay—he still walked towards the person he was more concerned about. “I’m going to The Grand Astoria.” I told Chloe. “Even if my marriage is ending, I need to know what kind of person I lost to.” I had imagined who I might lose to: a sophisticated, elegant woman, or perhaps someone vibrant, bubbly, and younger. But I had never, ever imagined this. When I saw her, sitting next to Julian, calling him “Julesy” in that sweet, syrupy voice—she was so utterly unremarkable, I wouldn’t remember her face if I saw her on the street. She had no real style, wore ordinary clothes, her hair was casually tied back, and her face was bare as she hugged Julian’s arm, laughing. “Julesy.” “They’re trying to get me drunk.” Spoiled rotten by his favoritism, the girl pointed at the businessmen at the table. “I told them my Julesy is a knight and would protect me, but they didn’t believe it. They said you have to talk to them yourself.” In the private room. Those men laughed, flattering him. “That’s why Brianna has such unique taste! She either goes for nothing or snags a golden goose like this!”

“Mr. Julian spares no expense for Brianna; everyone’s buzzing about how he values love over profit, hahaha.” “Exactly!” a paunchy businessman picked up his glass. “Brianna, why don’t you join us in toasting Mr. Julian?” My steps faltered, my hand freezing on the doorknob. Julian was allergic to alcohol; he never drank. Even at business dinners, I was always the one on the front lines, shielding him. I watched the wine glass on Julian’s table as Brianna pouted, “No way I’m drinking. My Julesy would never let me.” “Right, Julesy?” Brianna clung to Julian’s arm, pouting. And Julian, incredibly, picked up the glass, his eyes cool as he looked at the man. “Brianna isn’t drinking.” “If you want a toast, Mr. Thompson, why don’t you and I drink?” I watched Julian down the glass of wine. The room erupted in cheers, Brianna blushing as she praised Julian for being a hero. Julian just gave her a doting smile and playfully pinched her cheek. My body felt as if it were being carved open by a rusty, blunt knife, leaving jagged, terrifying wounds. I saw the crimson blood gush from those wounds, saw myself riddled with holes, yet still wondering if there might be some misunderstanding. Chloe, seeing me sway, grabbed my arm, about to rush in and rip Julian a new one. “Julian’s a total beast!” I held Chloe back, pulled out my phone, and called Julian. I still clung to a desperate hope that Julian would give me an explanation himself, that he’d tell me there was another side to the story. I watched Julian pick up the phone from the table, his expression complex as he looked at Brianna. Brianna, without a second thought, pressed ‘decline.’ Brianna then hugged his arm again, reminding him, “You promised.” “You said,” Brianna bit her lip, looking at him, “you’d have my back.” Brianna stared at Julian, stubbornly. I stubbornly redialed Julian’s number, again and again. The screen on the table lit up and went dark, went dark and lit up, until finally, Julian made his decision. “Okay.” “I promised you.” Julian flipped his phone over, completely cutting off my calls. Brianna broke into a wide smile. And that smile was the final straw that broke me. I almost collapsed, but from my grief, I managed to squeeze out a sliver of rationality. I pointed to the ceiling. “The surveillance.” “The surveillance,” my voice trembling. “Save it. I need evidence.” I stared at the surveillance cameras, then at Julian’s gradually paling face, and told Chloe, “Since Julian made his choice, I won’t let him have an easy time of it.” I got into Chloe’s car. As Chloe scrolled through all the documents she’d pulled up. Julian, taking Brianna on scenic trips. Brianna’s TikTok was like a vast web, weaving together her love story with Julian, a story that never once included me. I saw a video from last month, when I was away on a business trip. Brianna was sitting in *my* Porsche, recording. In the video. Her smile was dazzling. “What should I do, fam? Hubby’s car broke down, so he bought a new one, a bit feminine. I’m secretly preparing a surprise for him.” She recorded the GPS voice, then shushed the camera. “Guess what?” “Will Hubby like this surprise? Will he buy me little cookies?” I suppressed my disgust, scrolling down further. I saw that on the day I was at the hospital for my IVF appointment, Brianna was at the same OB/GYN clinic, holding a lab report, her face flushed with coy shyness. “Mainstream Hubby hasn’t gotten her period in a month and a half!” “Fans, guess, is Mainstream Hubby just having irregular periods, or—” she giggled. “Is she getting a promotion to Mommy?” “That despicable hussy!” Chloe slammed her hand on the steering wheel in anger. But I, surprisingly, no longer felt the initial rage and pain of betrayal. I simply told her. “Julian has a low sperm count.”

Julian and I had been married for years, and having a child was a sore spot for both of us. We had seen doctors, but every single one told us the same thing: Julian had a low sperm count. Becoming parents would be a long and challenging journey. That’s why, for years, I’d been going through IVF, trying to fulfill Julian’s dream of becoming a father. Now, I watched Brianna’s post: “Mainstream Hubby said if I get pregnant, he’s buying me a villa as a reward! Fam, what do you think? Should I go for cash or real estate?” Brianna’s TikTok was filled with their daily displays of affection, clearly documenting the staggering amount of money Julian had spent on her – an astronomical sum, beyond anything I could have imagined. Even the Yuanhe Vineyard project had been Julian’s unilateral decision, against the unanimous disagreement of the other shareholders. When I had gathered all this, preparing to confront Julian, I received a call from the hospital. It turned out Julian had alcohol poisoning. Marcus, a senior from my university whom I’d known, had seen him and instinctively thought of me, asking with an awkward tone, “Are you and Julian on the outs?” Marcus tactfully told me. “A girl was here, crying and begging us to save Julian. I just assumed…” I smiled and asked Marcus if he could do me a favor. Soon after, I saw Brianna’s TikTok update. Julian, pale and hooked up to an IV, and Brianna, her eyes red from crying. “Mainstream Hubby drank so much for me! He knew he was allergic to alcohol but he still did it! Mainstream Hubby loves him so much!” In the video. Julian’s hand was clearly visible, but only one. If not for those hands that held me to sleep every night, if not for our bond since childhood, if not for all that, how could I have ever believed Julian would deceive me? I reacted to Brianna’s post with a thumbs up and commented. **[What a coincidence.]** **[Mainstream Hubby’s wedding ring looks exactly like mine.]** I posted a picture: **[My husband personally designed and ordered my wedding ring. I never thought my husband and Mainstream Hubby’s husband would have such similar taste.]** The comments quickly erupted. My comment was rapidly pushed to the top. Julian’s phone rang instantly. His voice was weak, but he explained to me, “Audrey, I’m working late at the office. I might not make it back. Don’t wait up for me, just go to sleep and don’t worry.” Julian was still covering it up, still using the guise of caring for me, hoping I’d continue living in his deception. I listened to his voice, watching the comment section explode. Many people, following my TikTok and Brianna’s timeline, had uncovered too many parallels, including the Porsche I had deliberately photographed. The comment section was buzzing with discussions about whether it was two women sharing one husband, or if one of them had to be the mistress. I feigned shock. **[No way.]** **[My husband and I have been married for seven or eight years. How could I be the mistress?]** I pretended innocence, then responded into the phone: “Honey, someone’s calling me a mistress. What should I do?” On the phone. Julian was silent for a long time. He looked at Brianna, who was fiercely battling the comments in the hospital room, then soothed me. “Who said that about you?” “Hubby will find them first thing, as soon as he’s done.” “No need, Honey,” my voice was tinged with a smile. Julian’s face was blank as I pushed open the hospital room door. “Since someone’s calling me a mistress, I should clarify, shouldn’t I, Honey?” I held up my live-streaming camera, pointing it at Julian and Brianna in the hospital room. “This is my husband, everyone!” I feigned surprise, looking at Brianna. “What are you doing here!” I played the innocent victim, tears welling up immediately. “You’re that blogger who argued with me!” As if finally recognizing her, I pulled out the picture Brianna had taken of Julian’s hand, comparing it to the very much alive Julian in the hospital bed.

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On the third day of my business trip, I checked the smart pet feeder’s backend, wanting to see if Midas, my cat, was eating well. The camera connected, and a syrupy sweet voice immediately drifted out. “Oh, your daddy is so careless. He didn’t even notice you ran out of food. My poor baby must be starving, aren’t you? Mommy’s heart is breaking.” On screen, a young woman was holding my cat, nuzzling him affectionately. Midas, who was usually skittish around strangers, didn’t scratch her. He was actually purring and kneading in her arms, eyes blissfully half-closed. My blood ran cold. I immediately clicked on the remote intercom. “Who are you? What are you doing in my house?” The woman’s back stiffened. She scrambled to her feet, and then the screen went black. I immediately called Lucas, asking him what the hell was going on. He, however, just brushed it off casually. “Oh, Chloe? She’s a new intern at my company. She just helped me pick up an urgent document from home. She probably saw Midas and thought he was cute, so she played with him a bit.” “She’s still a kid, honestly. The type who orders from the kids’ menu at company dinners. She doesn’t think before she speaks, super naive.” I didn’t press further. Instead, I immediately called Brooke Miller, my best friend who’s a lawyer. “Lucas is cheating on me. I need you to draw up divorce papers, now!” *** Brooke almost choked on the other end of the line. “Just because that girl held your cat, you’re convinced Lucas is cheating and you want a divorce?” “Girl, that’s a bit dramatic, isn’t it?” I took a deep breath and explained to her, “You know Midas’s personality. A stranger can’t even touch him, let alone hold him, without getting scratched to ribbons.” “That girl was holding him, kissing him, rubbing him, and Midas was docile as a fake cat in her arms. This is not the familiarity level you get from a first-time visitor. Lucas is lying!” Brooke was silent for a moment, then she exploded in rage. “Lucas Thorne, that ungrateful bastard! A kept man, and he dares to mess around? He’s got a death wish!” “Aria, don’t worry. I guarantee I’ll make sure that dirtbag leaves with absolutely nothing—not even the shirt on his back!” I hung up, forcing myself to calm down. From the stored footage in the smart feeder’s backend, I took a screenshot of the girl’s face. Then I immediately changed my flight, flying back home that very night. As soon as I landed, I drove straight to the company. My gaze swept across the workstations, but I didn’t see that familiar face. Had Lucas hidden her that quickly? I went to the restroom. As I walked into a stall, I heard two girls talking outside. “Chloe, you’re so lucky! You found such a rich and loving boyfriend!” “Tickets to that big pop star concert were so hard to get, and he managed to get us front-row seats! I’m so jealous!” The other girl, Chloe, her voice sweet and barely concealing her pride, replied, “Oh, it’s nothing, really. He insisted on taking me, saying we shouldn’t have any regrets in our youth…” I froze. Wasn’t that the voice I heard from the feeder’s backend? Through the crack in the door, Chloe Davis was at the sink, touching up her makeup. I suddenly remembered. A month ago, I had told Lucas I wanted to see that pop star concert, playfully begging him to find a way to get tickets. Back then, he’d frowned, looking annoyed. “Aria, how old are you? Still chasing pop stars like a teenager?” “Besides, those tickets are impossible to get. Why bother?” It wasn’t that they were impossible to get. It was that the tickets, and the person, had been given to someone else. I scoffed, pushing the door open and walking out. The two girls clearly jumped in surprise. The other girl awkwardly mumbled, “Ms. Hayes,” and quickly scurried away. Chloe tried to leave too, but I called out, stopping her. “Chloe Davis, right? Were you at my house yesterday afternoon?” Chloe’s eyes darted around. “Mr. Thorne forgot some urgent documents, he asked me to pick them up…” I raised an eyebrow, cutting her off coldly. “Midas is quite shy with strangers. He gets stressed if anyone he doesn’t know touches him. How did you manage to get him to let you hold him?” Chloe’s face went pale. She stammered, “Maybe… maybe it’s because I usually feed stray cats, so I carry their scent, and animals just tend to like me…” I chuckled. “So much so that on your very first visit to my house, you introduced yourself as his mom? And called Lucas his dad?” “Then who am I? The maid?” Chloe instantly panicked. “Ms. Hayes, you’ve misunderstood! I just said it playfully. I often call myself ‘mommy’ when I feed stray cats.” “I really didn’t mean anything else. Please, don’t misunderstand…” Tears welled up in her eyes, she was so frantic. If I hadn’t checked her social media posts before coming to the office, I almost would have believed her. On her private Ins account, I saw Lucas was having a ridiculously expensive candlelit dinner with her on *our* wedding anniversary, which he had missed. I saw a photo of their fingers intertwined on a hotel bed, mocking me: “My big boy is so obedient; one call and he came running. The old hag is stuck home alone!” That hand in the photo, I’d seen it for five years. I couldn’t possibly mistake it. The thought of me going to the hospital repeatedly for fertility treatments because of Lucas’s low sperm count, enduring all that agony, while he was fooling around with his mistress, made me sick to my stomach. With that in mind, I didn’t watch Chloe’s performance anymore. I turned and walked away. Just as I reached the company entrance, I ran straight into Lucas, who was rushing back. Seeing me, a flicker of undetectable panic crossed his face. “Honey, why are you back so early? You didn’t even tell me, I would’ve picked you up from the airport!” Looking at the fine beads of sweat on his forehead, I sneered inwardly. He’s rushing back so fast because Chloe must have tipped him off, right? I glanced at him, my voice flat. “What, you’re not happy I’m back early?” “Or could it be you’ve hidden a little lover at the company, and you’re afraid I’ll find out?” Lucas froze for a second, then forced a laugh, reaching out to put his arm around me. “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m just surprised, that’s all. I didn’t expect you back so suddenly. Come on, let’s go home. Your husband will cook you something delicious!” I subtly sidestepped his hand, feigning a casual tone. “Oh, right, that concert the other day sounded quite exciting.” Lucas’s face changed. He quickly denied it, agitated. “Concert? What concert? I’ve been working overtime every night until midnight. How would I have time for a concert?” “Did you see someone? You must have mistaken them!” I smirked internally. I hadn’t even mentioned he went with anyone, yet he’d already betrayed himself. Seeing me just watching him, silent, Lucas grew a little flustered. He quickly changed the subject, his voice deliberately fawning. “Honey, you’re just working too hard. You’re starting to imagine things.” “You’re a goddess to me. No other woman can even compare to a single strand of your hair.” “If you really want to see that pop star concert, I’ll find a scalper right away. Even if it costs ten times the price, I’ll get you front-row tickets! We can have a romantic night, how about it?” In the past, I would have been thrilled to hear him say that. But now, I just felt disgusted, wishing I could divorce him immediately and cut all ties. However, I knew that tearing him down now would be too easy for that scummy pair. I needed to wait. Wait for an opportunity to utterly destroy their reputations. Thinking this, I suppressed the disgust churning within me and forced a strained smile. “Maybe I really did see wrong. It’s fine, I’m okay now. You can go back to work.” Lucas carefully observed my expression, convinced I had been appeased. He finally let out a sigh of relief and turned back into the company. As his back disappeared, the smile on my face instantly froze. That night, Lucas, predictably, worked overtime again. I opened Chloe Davis’s private Ins account and saw her new post. “Some old women just have no self-awareness, desperately throwing themselves at my boyfriend. It’s hilarious. Good thing my boyfriend only has eyes for me.” “To prove his loyalty, he just had to get me a limited edition luxury yacht as a Valentine’s Day gift! Everyone come party, witness the yacht’s maiden voyage~” The post was accompanied by a heavily filtered photo of her holding a huge bouquet of red roses, standing in front of a white yacht. Seeing that yacht, I absolutely exploded. This was a six-year wedding anniversary gift my dad gave to Lucas and me. Worth millions, the customization alone took a whole year. I hadn’t even dared to take it out on the water myself, always meticulously maintaining it, docked at a private marina. Lucas, that freeloading husband, actually took *my* property to butter up his mistress?

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Even though I knew an open flame at a gas leak was a death sentence, I, a firefighter, still let my girlfriend’s childhood friend light a cigarette on-site, supposedly “to calm his nerves.” Just like in my previous life. At a party, a gas leak suddenly happened, and my girlfriend’s childhood friend insisted on lighting a cigarette to steady his nerves. I slapped the lighter out of his hand, yelling at him that he was trying to kill everyone. His ego was badly bruised, and ignoring all warnings, he stormed out, only to be crushed to death by a billboard hurled by the blast. Later, when I was dangling in mid-air after saving a child from a fall, my girlfriend, who was my second-in-command, deliberately severed my safety rope. She looked at my lifeless body and said, “If you hadn’t publicly humiliated him, he wouldn’t have died!” When I opened my eyes again, I was back in that room, thick with the smell of gas. “Caleb, what are you staring at?” Chloe’s annoyed voice dragged me back from the bloody memories. I… I had been reborn. I looked at her, then at Jax, who stood beside her, clutching a lighter and muttering curses. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to calm down through the pain. I couldn’t make the same mistake again. Rushing over to stop Jax would only enrage him, making him repeat the past. But this time, if I let him light that lighter, all of us would die here. I couldn’t die, and my crew, standing behind me, were innocent. Taking a deep breath, I put on an urgent expression and sharply ordered Jax: “Jax! What are you doing! Put that lighter down! This is a gas leak!” Jax flinched at my shout, almost dropping the lighter. However, before he could react, Chloe instantly blew up. She stepped in front of Jax, glaring at me with her chin defiantly raised. “Caleb, what are you yelling for! Look how you scared him! He’s just nervous and wants a cigarette; do you have to be such a jerk?” Her self-righteous tone made it sound like I was the unreasonable one. What a dramatic show, “the damsel defending her doltish hero.” Too bad I wasn’t the same fool who only knew how to give in my last life. “Chloe! Snap out of it! This isn’t a joke!” I stared at Chloe, who was shielding Jax, a cold smirk forming in my heart, but on my face, I forced a desperate, conflicted expression. “Chloe! Snap out of it! This isn’t a joke!” “Our monitors are screaming – the gas concentration is at a critical explosion point! Forget an open flame, even a static spark could ignite everything and take us all down with it!” While I pleaded desperately, I subtly positioned my body to block their view, my finger lightly pressing the record button on the camera clipped to my chest pocket. Seeing Chloe defend him so fiercely, Jax’s courage instantly returned. He peeked half his head from behind Chloe, challenging me with a brazen smirk, “Seriously, Captain? You’re overreacting. Exaggerate much? It’s just a cigarette. What’s the big deal?” “Besides, Chloe said it’s fine. Can’t you, a grown man, just calm down and stop being so uptight?” The old me might have been provoked, but now, I just found it pathetic. Realizing words were useless, I quietly gave an inconspicuous tactical hand signal to my crew behind me. —Prepare to evacuate, find cover, stay alert. Mike, an experienced firefighter standing behind me, his pupils contracted sharply, but his face remained impassive. He understood immediately. He shifted his body to block Chloe and Jax’s view, giving me a subtle nod, then inconspicuously stepped back half a pace, bumping the two other firefighters next to him. Almost simultaneously, the three of them silently moved towards the kitchen door, ready to retreat at a moment’s notice. Everything was in place. I feigned helplessness and turned to Chloe, a hint of desperation in my voice. “Chloe, please, I’m begging you, talk some sense into him! This is genuinely about all our lives! You’re a firefighter too, you should understand!” However, Chloe showed no sympathy. She even seemed to enjoy my pleading, believing it made her look good in front of Jax. She turned to soothe Jax, and then, she said something that sealed everyone’s fate. “Don’t worry, Jax, I’ve got you. Just light it, nothing will happen.” I watched their intimate display, as if they were on the same side, and used every ounce of strength to roar at my crew: “Get down!” That yell was my command to the brothers who trusted me. The instant my shout left my lips, Jax pressed the button on his lighter.

BOOM—! A deafening roar instantly swallowed all other sounds in the world. It felt like a red-hot iron rod had been violently shoved through my eardrums, shaking my entire skull with a ringing vibration. But because of my pre-emptive command, all my crew members had taken cover in the seconds before the explosion, minimizing the direct impact and reducing injuries. Jax and Chloe weren’t so lucky. Completely unprepared, Jax didn’t even have time to scream as he ignited the lighter. The blue fireball engulfed him instantly. Chloe, standing beside him, couldn’t escape either. She was violently thrown back by the furious blast, her back slamming against a load-bearing wall with a sickening thud. Her orange fire-resistant suit rapidly charred and carbonized under the terrifying heat, emitting plumes of white smoke. A few seconds later, the first, most violent wave of the explosion passed. I fought back the ringing in my ears and the internal tremors, scrambling to my feet immediately, and yelled, “Roll call!” “One!” “Two!” “Three!” “Captain, all accounted for, no major injuries!” Mike’s voice echoed through the smoke, filled with the relief of surviving. After confirming that all my crew had only suffered shock and minor scrapes, I immediately gave orders: “Team One, with me, put out the fire! Contain the blaze! Team Two, prepare for search and rescue!” I grabbed a fire extinguisher and rushed towards the burning gas canister. Soon, we had the remaining fires under control. When I reached Chloe, she was unconscious, her cheeks and neck covered in large, horrific burn blisters. Jax, beside her, was completely unrecognizable, charred black, with only a faint, shallow rise and fall in his chest. I admit, for a moment, my heart felt numb. All the past entanglements and hatred flashed through my mind like a silent film. But they were quickly suppressed by my ingrained professional instincts. The next second, they were just victims in need of urgent rescue. This was my duty, regardless of love or hate. My movements were swift and precise as I calmly directed the rescue. Downstairs, I handed the injured over to the waiting medical personnel. The accident investigation team and police had also arrived at the scene. Director Hayes, who was leading the team, walked over and patted my shoulder. “Caleb, tough job. What’s the situation inside?” I stood at attention, giving him a crisp salute. “Director Hayes, fire is out, critically injured individuals have been transported to the hospital.”

Inside the hospital, the mix of disinfectant and burn cream created an oppressive, suffocating atmosphere. Jax was rushed to the ICU upon arrival, with over 90% third-degree burns. Doctors had issued multiple critical condition notices; his life hung by a thread. Chloe survived, but her face, neck, and hands were severely burned. For a woman who valued her appearance more than her life, this was worse than death. I had just reached the door of Chloe’s hospital room when I heard heart-wrenching screams from inside. “It’s all Caleb! All him!” Chloe shrieked, her voice hoarse and venomous. “He did it on purpose, he yelled at Jax like a mad dog just to provoke him, to humiliate him. He wanted to drive Jax to his death!” Twisting the truth, confusing facts. What a masterstroke of playing the victim. But what she said next chilled me to the bone. “And… he threatened me!” Chloe’s crying took on a hint of fear. “Before the explosion, he sent me a SnapChat message, saying… saying he’d always hated Jax and wished he would die! I have screenshots, I have proof!” The hospital room door was yanked open from the inside. Jax’s mother, her hair disheveled and her eyes bloodshot like a banshee, saw me immediately. “You! You murderer!” Chloe shrieked, her nails frantically clawing towards my face. “Give me back my son! You despicable monster, why did you plot to kill him!” Then, a middle-aged man with an imposing air of authority, Chloe’s father, stormed out. He pulled Jax’s mother away, his face livid, and pointed a finger at my nose. “Caleb, you animal! My Chloe was so good to you, and you ruined her face! You just wait, I’m telling you, this isn’t over! I’ll make sure you rot in jail!” Patients and family members around us pointed and whispered. “Is that him? He looks decent, but his heart is so twisted?” “These young people nowadays, hurting others over a little relationship drama, it’s terrifying.” A middle-aged woman even spat on the floor near my feet, her face full of disdain. “And you’re wearing that uniform! Firefighters are supposed to save people, but you, you specialize in harming them! Do you even deserve to be a firefighter?” “Exactly! How did such a psychopath get into the fire department? He didn’t learn how to save lives, but he’s got a whole playbook on how to harm people! Take off that uniform and get out! Don’t you dare tarnish the word ‘hero’!” “Is our taxpayer money going to feed a scumbag in a uniform like you?!” Insults and murmurs buzzed around my ears like a swarm of flies. Yet, Chloe seemed to think it wasn’t enough. Her body began to tremble violently, her bandaged fingers pointing at me erratically: “Ah—! Don’t come near me! Stay away! Murderer!” “Dad! Mom! Make him leave! I’m scared! He hurt Jax! He’s trying to hurt me too!” She recoiled into the corner of the bed as if she had been severely traumatized, crying and shrinking away, her performance full of emotion. Jax’s mother, seeing her son’s beloved woman so terrified, was consumed by rage. “You monster, you’re still trying to scare her! I’ll fight you!” Chloe’s father was also trembling with anger. He turned to the surrounding crowd and shouted, “Everyone, look! This is your so-called hero! Today, I’m going to get justice for my daughter, and for Jax, who is still fighting for his life in the ICU!” The crowd’s emotions were fully ignited; the insults and accusations grew fiercer. Watching this farce, clearly orchestrated to destroy me, I understood instantly. Chloe wanted to pin all the blame on me, to utterly destroy my reputation. Fine. Chloe, you’re ruthless. My last shred of affection for her vanished completely. “Chloe,” I locked my gaze on her twisted face on the hospital bed, “this act has gone on long enough. It’s time for a curtain call.” The noisy hallway fell into an eerie silence for a moment. I saw panic flicker in Chloe’s eyes. The next second, I pulled out the recorder from my chest pocket. “Funny thing, I also… have something here that I’d like everyone to hear.” The moment I was about to pull out the recorder, my phone rang, and everyone’s eyes zeroed in on me. Before I could react, Chloe’s father roared and lunged at me. “He’s trying to run! That’s his accomplice calling! Trying to help him get awa

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