I secretly joined my husband Wesley Murphy’s group chat using a fake account. That day, an announcement was posted in the group: [We’re organizing a mountain biking activity this weekend. Overnight accommodation will be arranged, with two people per room. To add mystery to the event, room assignments will be determined by drawing lots.] I didn’t understand what the announcement meant, so I curiously asked in the group: [What happens if a man and woman draw the same room?] Someone quickly replied: [You must be new here, right?] [Well, we’d have to congratulate that lucky pair!] [Isn’t that kind of thrill exactly why people join these activities?] Then the group members started getting more explicit, even describing details from the last event. [FarAhead’s condom broke last time, and he came knocking on my door to borrow one. I thought to myself, they must really be going at it hard.] [I’m so jealous of you guys who get to room with the opposite sex. Last time I roomed with another guy, and hearing all the action from the rooms on both sides made me so envious. Before the drawing this time, I’m definitely washing my hands thoroughly to try and draw someone of the opposite sex!] Someone even suggested to the admin: [I propose we separate the drawing by gender this time, ensuring every room has one man and one woman. After all, that’s what everyone’s here for.] Watching the group chat, my face turned pale and my hands trembled as I held my phone. Because Wesley had also participated in the last biking event. When he came back, he vividly told me how well-organized the activity was and how enthusiastic the biking buddies were. No wonder he seemed so satisfied and eager to continue at the time. Turns out their “enthusiasm” went that far! Just then, Wesley asked someone called “EunoiaCat” in the group. He asked: [EunoiaCat, are you going to this event?] Wesley even sent a shy emoji, clearly hoping she would participate. “EunoiaCat” immediately replied: [Don’t even mention it. My husband insists on doing some parent-child bonding activity this weekend, dragging me to go mountain climbing with our son. I just don’t get it. My kid is already 8 years old, why does he still need to take up my personal time?] I was about to say she was an irresponsible mother. But then Wesley replied: [Ugh, that’s so unfortunate. Besides being a mother, women should live for themselves too.] “EunoiaCat” instantly sent back a crying emoji. Seeing Wesley suddenly being so considerate, I was furious. Just moments ago, we had argued about who would take our daughter Olivia Murphy to her extracurricular classes. The argument started because my good friend Emily Miller, who had been away for several Christmases, finally came back. I wanted to have dinner with Emily and catch up. But Wesley looked unhappy and said, “Chloe, are your friends more important than Olivia’s education?” Chloe Turner is my name. After a pause, he continued, “You’re already a mother. How can you just think about going out with Emily all the time? Can’t you put important things first?” I asked him back then, “You’re Olivia’s father. Why won’t you ever take Olivia yourself?” Wesley looked at me incredulously and said, “Are you crazy? Me, a man, taking Olivia to dance class? That place is full of moms. What would people think of me?” Now seeing Wesley’s double standards, I was furious. At that moment, the group started taking sign-ups for the activity. Wesley quickly registered. “EunoiaCat” sent him a pouting emoji and questioned: [Wesley, you’re so heartless. Didn’t you say last time that you hoped to draw the same room as me again? Why are you still so eager even when I’m not going?] Wesley sent a kissing emoji and replied: [EunoiaCat, don’t be mad. When you have time, we’ll meet up privately.] Their interaction prompted teasing from others in the group. [EunoiaCat, looks like Wesley really satisfied you last time!] Reading the group chat, I fought back tears and steadied my breathing, my hands shaking as I also signed up for the event.

The group admin immediately asked me: [SkySiren, this is your first time joining this kind of overnight cycling event, right?] I replied coolly: [Yes.] Admin: [You’re so cold. I like that.] Someone chimed in: [What good does it do that you like her? You’d have to get picked first.] Wesley joined in the teasing: [Don’t rush. You guys don’t understand the ‘ice queen’ type. How about I ‘break her in’ first, and then…] He even sent a lewd smirking emoji. Everyone in the group chimed in: [Right, let Wesley test the waters first.] It seemed that in this cycling group, Wesley was the acknowledged “veteran.” After all, with all those nights he didn’t come home, even relying on random draws, he must have encountered all kinds of women. No wonder he would refuse to be intimate with me for several days after each cycling trip. Turns out he’d been having too many inappropriate encounters outside. The bitter emotions in my heart finally couldn’t be suppressed, and tears dripped onto my phone screen. Just then, Wesley strolled out of the bathroom. He looked at me with disdain: “What are you looking at now? Are those people teaching you how to tell if your husband loves you again? “I really don’t get it. I give you living expenses on time – where do all these grievances come from? “Whatever, I don’t want to talk to you. I’m going cycling tomorrow, so you stay home and take good care of Olivia.” I wiped away my tears and looked directly at him: “Do you absolutely have to go?” I was asking him, but also asking myself. Should I continue participating in this messy, dirty business? Wesley froze for a moment, then immediately roared in disgust: “What’s wrong with you now? “I don’t visit prostitutes, I don’t gamble – cycling is my only healthy hobby, and you’re still not satisfied? You’re an unreasonable control freak!” I stared blankly at Wesley’s twisted face, feeling like that shy 18-year-old boy who used to smile at me had shattered in an instant. I clenched my fists, using the pain of my nails digging into my palms to remind myself to stay calm, then said coldly: “Then you’d better stay ‘healthy’ forever.” “I’ll definitely outlive you!” Wesley pointed his finger at me and cursed, “If you want to be with me, we’ll continue. If not, let’s get divorced – stop giving me trouble every day!” With that, he viciously kicked over the nearby trash can: “What rotten luck, marrying such an unreasonable woman like you!” How ironic! Six years ago at our wedding, he wore a suit, held a microphone, and said he’d used up several lifetimes’ worth of luck to marry the person who’d made his heart flutter since childhood. Just then, Olivia came out of her room clutching a pillow, trembling. She looked at the garbage scattered on the floor in terror and asked in a shaky voice: “Mommy, are you fighting again?” I quickly wiped away my tears, forced a smile, and got up to pull Olivia into my arms. I said: “No, we were just rehearsing a play.”

Wesley didn’t continue his outburst. Instead, he shot me a warning glare before turning and heading to his study. With my eyes red and swollen, I quickly packed a few clothes, preparing to take Olivia to my parents’ house. As we were about to leave, Wesley saw me. He glanced dismissively at the luggage in my hands and sneered, “Running back to your parents’ again? How many days this time? Don’t you find all this back-and-forth exhausting? You’re a married woman now. Having such an immature daughter must really upset your parents.” I didn’t want to argue with him in front of Olivia. So I gripped Olivia’s hand tightly and walked out without looking back. Wesley’s mocking laughter followed me. He said, “Perfect. Saves me the trouble of keeping you updated on my whereabouts. I really don’t know where you picked up all these bad habits.” That evening, the group chat was unusually active. Everyone was excited about the next day’s activities. Someone asked Wesley: [Wesley, how come you have so much free time to chat today? Isn’t your wife nagging you?] Wesley was in a great mood and quickly replied: [You guys should learn from me. I just pick a random fight with her, and that stupid woman runs back to her parents’ with Olivia, just like always. This time I found the perfect excuse – no way she can complain about it.] I was struck by the realization that it only takes a few years for someone to go from being “my beloved” to “that woman.” Then “EunoiaCat” said to Wesley in the group chat: [Wesley, we’re really on the same wavelength. My son got taken to his grandma’s by his dad. I just brought up everything his mom did a few years ago, and then I didn’t follow them.] Someone in the chat stirred things up: [What are you two implying? Are you publicly telling each other that tonight’s convenient for a date?] Wesley and “EunoiaCat” stopped responding in the group chat. They’d obviously moved to private messages. I quietly took screenshots of the chat conversation, then opened our home security system, waiting patiently like a cat watching for a mouse to enter its trap. Sure enough, half an hour later, Wesley happily left the house. Five minutes after that, he walked in with a woman in his arms. My stomach churned, and I couldn’t help but dry heave. She actually delivered herself right to my doorstep and dared to come into my home! From the moment they entered, they were urgently embracing and kissing, then quickly tearing off each other’s clothes. A blouse and underwear scattered on the floor. Finally, the two of them walked into the master bedroom in each other’s arms. I bit my lower lip until it bled, suppressing the urge to rush home. I saved the security footage and sent the screenshots to Emily as well. I texted her: [Emily, cancel everything you have tomorrow. I’ve got exclusive news for you.] After all, catching just one dead mouse was never what a cat really wanted. The next day, I arrived early at the cycling group’s meeting point. Using sun protection as an excuse, I covered my entire body from head to toe, not leaving even a bit of facial skin exposed. The moment Wesley saw me, a flash of surprise crossed his face. But his attention was quickly drawn to how my cycling outfit hugged my figure. Wesley extended his hand toward me and said, “SkySiren? I’m Wesley.” The desire in his eyes was practically overflowing. This scene overlapped with what I’d seen in yesterday’s surveillance footage, making me feel nauseous again. Wesley quickly pulled out his water bottle and handed it to me, asking with concern, “Are you okay? If you can’t keep up later, just signal me.” I let out a cold laugh, thinking to myself: “First meeting and he’s already comfortable sharing a water bottle with a woman. Disgusting.” Someone came over to stir things up: “Wesley, you’re starting already? What if you two don’t get drawn for the same room later? Won’t all this effort be wasted?” Another person chimed in: “You’ve got it wrong. Wesley’s playing the ’emotional card.’ If they don’t get matched, he can ask her out privately later.” That person gave Wesley a knowing look. Wesley pretended to scold him: “Don’t scare the newcomer.” But the guy didn’t care: “Everyone knows what mindset we’re all here with. What’s the point of hiding it? I don’t have your skills, so I can only rely on luck. But honestly, that uncertainty and mystery is pretty addictive.” Everyone was excited throughout the ride, and we quickly reached the mountain lodge, then eagerly began today’s room drawing. Those drawing numbers only knew their own room numbers. The key cards would be split into two. Under the team leader’s direction, men and women would enter the rooms in separate groups. I heard that initially, women went in first to create a sense of “anticipation” for the men. Later they changed it so women went in second, saying it was more thrilling that way. Anyway, in these people’s eyes, women were just tools for entertainment. And yet, plenty of women willingly accepted all of this. I walked down the hallway with my key card and noticed several mountain bikes leaning against doorways. The surroundings were very quiet. I pulled out my phone and texted Emily: [Emily, how’s your preparation going?] Emily replied: [OK.] Just then, an explosive dance track suddenly blared from downstairs. A group of elderly folks were arguing with the front desk staff. One man said: “What gives you the right to stop us from dancing? We’re guests here too. Since we paid money, you have to serve us. If you keep giving us trouble, we’ll trash your place!” Someone in the group chat started complaining: [Damn! Where did this bunch of hicks come from? I was just getting in the mood when that music scared the hell out of me.] Someone joked: [That’s because you’re no good. Who’s rooming with you tonight? She’s so unlucky.] That person angrily replied: [Bullsh*t! Does yours even work? Without pills, you’d just be staring at her all night!] Someone else asked: [Who’s rooming with SkySiren? She’s new, so she must be excited.] Then Wesley suddenly sent a message: [Don’t even mention it. My roommate still hasn’t come in. Who the hell drew room 2115?] Reading their chat, I couldn’t help but smile. What perfect timing today turned out to be.

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Three years after I died, my mom sent me a two-hundred-dollar allowance. Three years ago, the first time I ever asked her for money, my mom blurted out, “Sometimes, I just think you’re putting on an act.” “Is a dollar-menu meal really that unsanitary? Can’t a discount store winter coat keep you warm?” “At the end of the day, you’re just more delicate than your sister.” Later, I needed two hundred dollars for urgent medical treatment for an acute stomach perforation. She immediately blocked me, cutting off all contact with me and a bunch of relatives. “Don’t bother with me anymore,” she declared. “I’m clearly an incompetent mother, incapable of providing my daughter with a lavish life.” But for my sister, who had just started high school, she spared no expense, renting a three-bedroom apartment. Even the family dog had its own room. Finally, on the day my sister was celebrated as the top student in the state. That’s when she remembered to unblock me and sent over two hundred dollars for my allowance. “It’s just two hundred dollars, isn’t it? Is it really worth holding a grudge against your family for three whole years?” But she didn’t know. That snowy night, on the very day I suffered the stomach perforation, I froze to death because I had no money for the hospital. Right now, my mom was surrounded by reporters at our front door, all because Seraphina became the top student. If someone hadn’t brought it up, she probably would’ve forgotten she even had another daughter. So, after three years, she finally bothered to unblock me and symbolically sent me two hundred dollars. Seeing no response from me, her face hardened instantly, and her phone clacked with furious typing. “Speak up. Don’t act like you’re dead.” “If you don’t want it, send it back.” Those cold, dismissive words dragged me back to that bone-chilling snowy night. I wanted to tell her I was already dead. Frozen to death, in that cheap winter coat she’d bought me. Winters up North are truly brutal. Without proper hospitalization, I just drifted off for a moment and never woke up again. But now, no one could hear my voice anymore. My mother, losing patience, finally dialed my number. The next second, she froze in disbelief. My phone number had been disconnected for a long time due to unpaid bills. Hearing the cold automated message, a flicker of panic crossed her tightly furrowed brow. She immediately sent a SnapChat message, fuming, “Oh, great! So now you change your number without telling your family, huh?” “All because of that two hundred dollars back then?!” Her frantic demeanor instantly piqued the reporters’ curiosity. But before a microphone could be extended, Seraphina, sharp-eyed, quickly interrupted. She bit her lip for the camera, “My sister is incredibly stubborn. She’s been mad at Mom for three years, all because Mom didn’t send her a birthday gift.” “In these three years, she hasn’t come home once, nor has she even called Mom or Dad.” Tears welled up as she spoke, and she slowly looked up at the most photogenic angle. “If I could, I’d like to apologize to my sister on Mom’s behalf.” My mom paused, then her eyes welled up, understanding Seraphina’s unspoken cue. She willingly took all the blame herself. “You can only blame me for being inadequate,” she wailed. “I couldn’t provide your sister with a privileged life.” “It’s all my fault.” With that, she let out a loud, heartbroken cry in front of millions of online viewers. Her anguished performance quickly filled the live chat with hateful comments. All of them were condemning me. But facing all of it, I was already beyond caring. After all, on that snowy night three years ago, I had been bound by some unseen force to stay by these two women. I watched, helpless, as my mom used the “tuition money” she claimed she couldn’t afford to rent that three-bedroom apartment. She used the two hundred dollars she’d saved from me to buy Seraphina a new puppy. And because she worried the puppy wouldn’t have enough space in the living room, she converted one of the bedrooms into a doggy room. Afterward, she even worked three jobs, just so Seraphina could eat lobster and crab to “boost her health.” And all the hardships she endured because of it, those somehow became my fault. She would sigh repeatedly to Seraphina, “If only your sister were more considerate, Mom wouldn’t have to work so hard.” That night, I cried until all my tears dried up. Only then did I understand that no matter how much I scrimped and saved, or how many ways I found to make her happy with the money I saved, In her heart, I was worth far less than a cheap peeler Seraphina had given her over a decade ago. Now, I was utterly disillusioned with them. I wouldn’t let such trivial things upset me anymore. I only wished to be reborn soon, to finally sever this abominable family tie. But I never imagined that before the disgust in my heart could fully digest,

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I got a SnapChat from my husband, asking me to open the door. But he was just in the bedroom, taking a shower, right? His phone was under the covers. So who sent that message? *Thud!* I heard something heavy hit the floor downstairs. Then, another video came through. My hands trembled as I tapped to open it, and a chill went down my spine. ### It was precisely midnight when I got a text from my husband: “Maya, can you open the door for me?” I glanced at Liam, who was showering in the bathroom. He always loved playing these twisted games to scare me. Last time, he hid outside the door, knocking just enough to make me almost call 911. The time before that, he hid under the bed, pretending he wasn’t coming home, only to deliberately touch my hand when I reached for the floor in my sleep. My heart nearly burst out of my chest, and I almost grabbed a knife to defend myself before he crawled out from under the bed with a smug, “Gotcha!” These kinds of antics were endless. So, this time, I just assumed he was at it again. “Crawl in yourself!” I snapped back. The “typing” bubble appeared, then vanished. Just then, I heard a phone ringing. Not mine. Following the sound, I pulled back the covers and found Liam’s phone. The caller ID showed “Boss.” Right at that moment, Liam called from the bathroom, “Maya, who’s calling?” A terrifying question hit me. If Liam’s phone was here, then who sent me that message, pretending to be him? “Maya? Why aren’t you answering?” Another message popped up. “I’m in.” My hairs stood on end. In? How did they get in? *Thud!* I heard something heavy hit the floor downstairs. Then, another video came through. My hands trembled as I tapped to open it, and my blood ran cold. The video was a recording of our living room downstairs. I’m a doctor and my husband’s a corporate executive. We’re pretty comfortable, living in a nice two-story detached house in a new development. It’s still pretty quiet with not many houses occupied yet. But I never imagined we’d be targeted by a burglar right after moving in! The video was still shaky, clearly showing someone moving downstairs. Soon, they reached the staircase leading to the second floor. Through the reflection in a glass pane, I saw a pale hand, smeared with dirt. They stood there, perfectly still, not moving up. In the dead silence, the chirping of crickets outside sounded unnervingly loud. Suddenly, the figure bent their body at an impossible 90-degree angle, their torso contorting in a sickening way. The phone instantly flipped, recording the stairs, and allowing me to see their face. A face covered in blood, a mouth ripped open to the ears, slowly crawling up the stairs in an utterly grotesque manner. I screamed, throwing my phone, and scrambled out of bed to lock the front door. Then I rushed back to grab my phone and dial 911. My hands were shaking so badly I messed up the passcode several times. Just as the call connected, I heard heavy footsteps outside my bedroom door. The sound stopped right outside. A voice, identical to Liam’s, echoed from the other side. “Maya, open the door for me.” I clapped a hand over my mouth, terrified to make a sound. But of course, Liam chose that exact moment to turn on the shower, the water blasting loudly. The person outside heard it. Suddenly, they flew into a rage, kicking the door with thunderous *bangs*. The shower went silent. Liam, hearing the commotion, threw on his robe and stepped out, only to find me crumpled on the floor, my face ghostly pale. “Why are you on the floor?” “Don’t say anything!” I tried to stop him, but it was too late. The door shuddered precariously under violent kicks, accompanied by a torrent of curses. “Bitch! Bitch! I came for you, why won’t you open the door?!” Liam heard it too. His voice was sharp with warning as he told the person to leave or he’d call the police. The outside suddenly went quiet. “Don’t worry, it’s probably just some lunatic.” “No, it’s not. It’s not human! Look at this video! Its face is covered in blood, crawling up the stairs, and its voice is exactly like yours!” My hands shaking, I showed him the video. But after watching it, his expression turned strange. “This is just a video of the living room downstairs? Have you been too stressed lately? Are you seeing things?” “What? No! Look closely! The reflection in the glass!” ###

But when I looked, there was nothing there. Just a video of the staircase. How could this be? Liam comforted me, then went to call the police, while I sat on the bed, my mind a complete mess. I saw it clearly. How could it just vanish? “You’re just tired. Get some rest. I’ll warm up some milk for you.” I barely heard him, completely lost in my own world, until I heard the sound of the lock clicking. My head snapped up, the door already ajar. I shrieked, “Don’t open it!” But it was too late. The door burst open. A dark shadow darted out, dragging him into the darkness. “Ahhhhh!” A bloodcurdling scream, followed by tearing and gnashing sounds from outside the room, and Liam’s weakening voice telling me to run. Fear, guilt, and terror enveloped and crushed me. The sounds grew fainter, then disappeared. The scent of blood filled the air. I was frozen in place, terrified. I watched, horrified, as something dark squirmed and slowly moved towards me. The room’s light illuminated its form. Blood stained its mouth, and it was still chewing something. It spoke in Liam’s voice: “One more.” As it lunged, I snapped back to reality, slamming the door shut and locking it with incredible speed. The door was struck with a massive *thud*. With the danger contained, I collapsed onto the floor, my body limp. Thinking of my dead husband, I was heartbroken. I couldn’t understand how things had come to this! The footsteps outside were chaotic and rapid, as if pacing back and forth. I was still alive; it wouldn’t give up. I silently prayed for the police to arrive quickly. But the next second, a crisp clicking sound of a lock echoed in the room. To my horror, the lock was being manipulated by an invisible force, twisting and turning. I watched, frozen, as the doorknob turned. I was like a statue, staring blankly. The door opened, revealing that terrifying, grotesque face. My neck was bitten through, blood splattering onto the ceiling. In my last moments, I saw its mouth full of sharp teeth, tearing and devouring my flesh. It was 11:40 PM. I gasped, shooting upright in bed. My hand flew to my neck. The skin was smooth, no trace of a severed throat, yet the agonizing pain of being bitten and torn still lingered in my body. What happened? Wasn’t I dead? Was everything that just happened a dream? “I’m going to take a shower. Are your things packed? Our flight’s first thing in the morning, don’t want to be scrambling then.” I stared blankly at Liam, standing perfectly fine before me. The image of him dying, telling me to run, flashed in my mind, and my eyes welled up. I rushed forward, hugging him tightly. “Liam, thank goodness you’re alive!” “What nonsense are you talking about? Am I supposed to be dead?” He hugged me back, teasing. I quickly covered his mouth. “Ptooey, ptooey! Don’t even say ‘dead’!” “Alright, alright, whatever you say. I know you can’t live without me, but I just got home from work, all sweaty. My dearest wife, can you please let me take a shower first?” I gave him an annoyed look, telling him to go. Looking at my perfectly fine husband, I could only believe that everything that had just happened was a dream. I smoothed my frantically beating heart, trying to calm it, and pulled out my phone to scroll through some TikToks and relax. My gaze suddenly landed on the time displayed: 11:50 PM. But I distinctly remembered it being midnight! I’d been so caught up in my relief, I hadn’t noticed the time was off. If it had been a dream, I should have woken up *after* midnight. And my conversation with Liam just now had happened *before* 11:50 PM, but in the dream, Liam was *already showering*. That means his words wouldn’t have been said at this time! I touched my neck again. The pain felt too real. ###

It wasn’t a dream! Time had moved forward! That monster was real, it just hadn’t appeared yet! The realization sent a wave of extreme panic through me! I didn’t want to experience that pain again; I didn’t want Liam to die. I had to find where it got into the house before it came! But where? It was already 11:55 PM. Not much time left! As I was still pondering, the sound of water from the bathroom interrupted me, reminding me that the main doors and windows were all locked. How had that monster gotten in? Just as I was racking my brain, I suddenly remembered! Since we’d just moved in, there was a small, semi-enclosed balcony outside the kitchen. For aesthetic reasons, the kitchen door was a decorative wooden one with a traditional latch lock, not a modern security door like the main entrance. But for extra safety, I had also installed a metal security gate inside the kitchen door. However, I’d never actually locked that gate; it would be easy to pry open! With this thought, I quickly threw off the covers and got out of bed, opening the bedroom door and flicking on the stairwell light. The warm-toned lights illuminated the stairs, but I still didn’t have the courage to go down. I turned and closed the door, then walked to the bathroom and knocked. “Liam, I’m going downstairs for a minute.” “Okay.” I turned and stepped onto the stairs. My heart, which had just calmed, began to pound violently again. An inexplicable tension gripped me. It wasn’t in yet at this time. I silently urged myself on, rushing downstairs. I quickly reached the ground floor, turned on the living room lights, then headed into the kitchen. I locked the metal gate securely, and finally, my racing heart settled. Just then, the clock struck midnight. My phone buzzed on cue, but seeing the message, I felt like I’d been plunged into an icy abyss. “I’m in.” Suddenly, I felt a pair of malicious eyes staring at me from the darkness, like a wolf tracking its prey. My breathing became heavy, and I slowly backed away, retreating out of the kitchen. I had to escape! I couldn’t stay here. I slowly backed up to the edge of the kitchen, with the brightly lit living room behind me. If I could just get back to the bedroom! But before I could step out, a video message arrived. The video showed a door being opened. The living room lights came on right after the door was closed. The phone’s owner retreated behind the door, still recording. I watched myself close the door, pause in the kitchen to check my phone, then slowly and fearfully back out. For a moment, my breathing stopped. My eyes stiffly shifted to the door on my left. A dark shadow was clearly hiding behind the frosted glass door. My legs turned to jelly. My survival instincts screamed at me, and I spun around, accelerating up the stairs. In that same instant, I heard the door being pushed open, and heavy footsteps thudded behind me, getting closer and closer! Tears streamed down my face. I was practically tumbling up the stairs. The sound of sinister laughter closed in behind me. I’d just rounded the first flight of stairs, heading for the second, when it grabbed my hair, yanking me around to face it. Its sharp teeth once again sank into my neck, blood gushing out. Its eyes reflected my terrified face. In the last second before my voice died, I heard Liam’s pained, furious scream. I woke up again, and it was eight in the morning. My hand was on the doorknob, ready for work. I checked my phone; the date was still today. No matter how many times it looped, that monster would still come for me tonight. Liam and I would still die horribly! But at least today, time had been set back by over ten hours. This was my chance. If we just found somewhere to hide, it wouldn’t find us! Excited by this possibility, I eagerly opened my phone and told Liam everything that would happen tonight, and about the previous two loops. Predictably, he didn’t believe me. He just thought I was too stressed. ###

“I have a meeting soon. I might be home a little late tonight. Just get your things packed. We’re flying to the Netherlands tomorrow morning. You’ve just been working too hard, you’re talking nonsense.” Looking at the disconnected call, I felt helpless. Based on the previous two times, he would still come home. I couldn’t leave him alone and hide by myself. Frustrated, I thought about calling the police. But as I was about to dial, a SnapChat message popped up. It was from our neighborhood group chat. “Heard someone around here got robbed, and both people died!” “No, they didn’t die. Heard the burglar just got in when the husband found him. The burglar had a knife and stabbed him several times. The commotion drew the wife downstairs, and she got stabbed too. Both are seriously injured and are still in the ICU.” “That family just moved in. The houses around them are mostly empty, only one other family lives nearby, but they’re far, so they only heard faint sounds and didn’t pay much attention.” Home invasion, two people. I inexplicably thought of Liam and me. Knowing it couldn’t be us, I still asked in the group: “When was this home invasion?” Someone replied immediately. “About a week ago. You probably hadn’t moved in yet.” A week ago. Then it had nothing to do with me. I felt a pang of pity for the people in the ICU. You never know what tomorrow or an accident will bring first. But now, I didn’t have time for sorrow, because in a little over ten hours, I would also face death. This time, I didn’t know if I’d get another chance. I didn’t call the police. The reason was, how would I even explain? “I’ve died twice, someone’s trying to kill me, send help at midnight?” No sane person would believe that. I decided to wait until tonight to call 911. My immediate priority was to check the house inside and out, locking all windows and doors. For lunch, I ordered DoorDash. It was from a place I frequently ordered from, and I knew their delivery driver well. But strangely, today’s driver was wearing a mask and sunglasses, completely covered. “Your order.” His voice was a bit hoarse. Since I knew him, I asked, concerned: “What’s wrong with your voice?” “Caught a cold recently.” As he handed me the food, I distinctly felt him staring at me for several seconds, until I closed the door. Normally, I wasn’t a meticulous person, but after the last two incidents, I was clearly more alert. I deliberately stood by the door, trying to listen for his retreating footsteps, but heard nothing. Just silence. That eerie feeling crept up on me again, and my skin crawled. Just as I was about to give in and call the police, I finally heard footsteps fading into the distance. I sighed in relief. After the tension, I had no appetite, so I just placed the DoorDash on the dining table, intending to scroll through some TikToks to distract myself. However, about ten minutes later, DoorDash called me. “Hello, your delivery has arrived. It’s at your door, please come out and get it.” I was confused. “I didn’t order anything? Are you sure you have the right address?” “No, the address is correct. You ordered from Zhou’s Wonton, right?” That single sentence froze me completely. My gaze fell upon the food box on the table. If my DoorDash was only just arriving now, then who delivered the food earlier? “I hung your order on the door. Remember to grab it.” Suddenly, I didn’t dare to look inside that DoorDash box. Nor did I dare to open the door. *Ding-dong.* A SnapChat message popped up. It was from Liam. “Your fruit delivery arrived. Remember to eat it.”

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They called me a bastard, a filthy whore. Until I ranked first in the entire city and got into college, all the insults and rumors stopped dead. My biological parents, who’d sold me away, suddenly showed up, fighting over who got to pay my tuition. My ex-boyfriend, who’d dumped me a month before college applications, came crawling back, begging me to get back together. But for them, all I felt was hatred. —— During the first semester of my senior year, a video went viral at our school. In the video, my foster father had his arm around my waist, his lips brushing my cheek, and I was smiling, looking all sweet and innocent. That ten-second clip exploded like a bomb, spreading like wildfire throughout the entire school and our small town. They hurled the vilest, most venomous insults at me and my foster father. To prove my innocence, my foster father took his own life. He jumped from the seventh floor, leaving a suicide note with just a few lines: “You can curse me, but don’t you dare curse my daughter. I’m using my death to prove that my daughter and I are completely innocent. I hope these rumors die with me, and you stop slandering her.” My foster father died, but the rumors didn’t end there; they only grew worse. The school called me in, urging me to take a leave of absence or drop out entirely. They said the scandal had too much of a social impact and was damaging the school’s reputation. My boyfriend, Blake, silently cut all ties with me. No matter how many times I tried to reach him, my messages vanished into a black hole. The cold mockery and relentless verbal abuse from everyone around me suffocated me. During that time, I desperately hoped the police would catch the person who spread the video and give me justice. But who would’ve thought the one spreading the rumors was Chloe, my own deskmate? She’d always seemed nice; we got along well. She was a top student, the teachers’ darling. * When the police arrived, Chloe, guilt written all over her face, ran to the rooftop and threatened to jump. Her stunt drew a crowd below, all staring up, eager for drama. She cried, claiming it wasn’t intentional, begging for my forgiveness. Her tears were dripping with fakery. Her suicide attempt was nothing more than a cheap stunt. But I became the target of everyone’s blame. They said she was innocent, and I should be more forgiving. They said, “You’re classmates, it’s not worth taking it to this extreme.” They said… They once again used words to corner me. When the rumors first started, they hadn’t said a single word in my defense. Now, they wanted me to be forgiving. My entire world crumbled. 2 I dropped to my knees in front of Chloe, my eyes burning red. “I forgive you,” I choked out. “Just give me my dad back. Please, just give him back, and I’ll do anything.” The police, the teachers, even the principal, they all fell silent. Chloe froze for a moment, then started wailing again, claiming she’d jump, a life for a life. But her hands were clamped tight around the railing. She wasn’t actually trying to die; she was using death as a weapon to force my forgiveness. “Then go ahead and die!” I roared, my mind consumed by a single thought: *If she doesn’t jump, I’ll push her.* The police seemed to read my mind. One officer grabbed me, while the others quickly pulled Chloe down. What truly crushed me was that she received no punishment. A week later, she was back in class as if nothing happened, while I was expelled. The final, crushing blow was finding out Blake and Chloe were together. A picture of them, fingers intertwined, was posted on the school gossip blog. The title read: “A Match Made in Heaven.” It was only then that I learned they were childhood sweethearts. Once again, I felt like a clown, a pathetic laughingstock. That night, I pressed a blade to my wrist. The cold, sharp blade. The cold, relentless rumors. There was no difference; both carved deep into my heart. What saved me was a phone call. My foster father’s close friend, Uncle George, called. He told me there was money Mr. Davis had left for my college education. A hundred thousand dollars – his entire military pension. My foster father often said, “When my girl gets into college, her dad will personally take her there, so she can experience the college vibe.” Mr. Davis never had much education or money. His biggest wish was for me to get into college, find a good job, so I wouldn’t have to struggle like he did. If I died, wouldn’t that give those scum exactly what they wanted? No! I had to live, get into college with the best possible grades, and fulfill my foster father’s wish. As for the trash who hurt me? Once college applications are over, I’ll deal with them, one by one. * Not long after, I transferred to a really rundown high school. It wasn’t far from my old school, just across the street. In this slightly dilapidated school, where I could often smell the salty sea breeze, I studied like a maniac. During the first mock exams, no surprise, I came in first place in the entire school. Being number one in a dump of a school didn’t mean much, but my score was only twenty points shy of the top student at the elite high school next door. My grades were enough to shock my homeroom teacher. Mr. Henderson, my bald homeroom teacher, looked over my exam seven or eight times. Finally, he just said, “You didn’t cheat, did you?” My gaze was steady as I told him, “Next time, I’ll be ranked first in the city.” Mr. Henderson didn’t say anything, but that afternoon, he went into town and photocopied a mountain of study materials, filling his little used car. He brought them all to my house and said earnestly, “Study hard. You *will* get into college.” This rundown high school had only seen a handful of students get into a four-year college since it was founded. He had high hopes for me. I nodded and thanked him. * By the end of my senior year’s first semester, my grades had already matched the top student at the elite high school. Most people suspected I’d cheated my way to those grades. I didn’t explain, didn’t even acknowledge them. In those six months, I’d learned an emotion called indifference. During the winter break, when we had a seven-day holiday, Blake, out of nowhere, called and invited me to meet him. I wasn’t about to invite bad luck during the holidays, so I blocked his number and ignored him. 3 He tried calling from different numbers, so I just took the battery out of my phone. After the break, seniors had to go back to school. Blake shamelessly ambushed me at the school gates, starting with, “Why are you ignoring me?” I didn’t want to become a public spectacle at the school gates, so I strode away. My indifference clearly angered him. He grabbed my wrist, making me stumble two steps. The books in my arms scattered across the ground, drawing the attention of passersby. I hadn’t wanted to get angry or make a scene, but he pushed me too far. I swung my arm back and slapped him across the face. The sound was sharp and loud. My hand stung a little. Not far away, Chloe ran over, her voice sharp. “What are you doing hitting him? Are you crazy?” I ignored them, crouching down to pick up my books, one by one. Blake took a deep breath, feigning magnanimity. “I’ll let the slap go. I just want to ask you one thing: are we really over?” Seriously, some people have no shame. They’re practically invincible. When the rumors first started, he vanished without a trace, not even a single word of comfort, terrified I’d stain his perfect image. Now that things had quieted down, he had the gall to show up at my door. I was truly pathetic for being so blind. “Stop acting like the tragic hero of some lame drama! Get lost, you’re making me sick!” After letting out my anger, I clutched my books, ready to leave. Behind me, Chloe suddenly shouted, “I know you hate me! What you and your foster father did… I shouldn’t have filmed it, it’s all my fault! But Blake truly loves you, how can you treat him like this?” Her words were like a knife, twisting deep into my heart. Everyone around us heard her shout and looked up. Their gazes fixated on me, filled with shock and disgust. The thread of sanity in my mind snapped instantly. I grabbed the book in my hand and hurled it at her. Blake jumped in front of Chloe, and the book hit him. Hiding behind him, Chloe looked at me with the smug grin of a victor, utterly triumphant. It was as if she was saying: “Look at you, you loser.” I was enraged, lunging at her like a madwoman. Suddenly, a tall figure stepped in front of me. I slammed into his chest, my nose throbbing, tears stinging my eyes. “Don’t lose your composure when you’re upset.” A clear, cool voice, like a fresh breeze, gently entered my ears. I slowly calmed down and looked up. The man radiated a gentle aura, his handsome features hinting at maturity. He was a stranger, yet he gave me a strange sense of security. “Isn’t that Dr. Alex Stone, our new school doctor? He’s so hot!” “More than hot, I heard his family is loaded. He’s just here at our school temporarily, waiting to get into a big hospital.” Three girls nearby whispered, their eyes full of admiration as they looked at the man. Seeing me fighting back tears, Dr. Stone took off his light jacket and gently draped it over my head. In that small, dark space, a sense of safety enveloped me. I forced myself to regain control. “You two aren’t students here. Get out of here now, don’t cause any more trouble!” Dr. Stone warned them sternly. 4 Perhaps because Dr. Stone didn’t look much older than us, Blake didn’t take him seriously, responding arrogantly, “This is between her and me. It’s none of your business.” Dr. Stone glanced at Blake, then said calmly, “I’ve already called your principal. If you’re not gone in five minutes, he’ll come personally to escort you out.” This was a critical time for college applications and tests; no senior wanted to cause trouble right then. Blake clenched his jaw, furious but helpless, and stormed off. By now, my emotions had stabilized. I took off the jacket and called out loud enough for everyone to hear: “Chloe, you deliberately filmed that video of me and my dad to make it look twisted, just to slander me and get me kicked out, all so you could get back with Blake, right? Well, let me tell you this now: karma’s a bitch!” Chloe probably hadn’t expected me to confront her head-on. Her face flushed, then paled. She finally managed to stammer, “Your foster father died to cover up your dirty little secret…” Before she could finish, I cut her off. “I dare you to come with me to a clinic and get a medical exam to prove no inappropriate contact ever happened! Would you dare admit you’re the one who spread the rumors? That’s three to seven years in prison, and you won’t get away with it!” Chloe’s face instantly went paper-white. She stammered for a while, unable to say anything coherent. Blake, feeling sorry for Chloe, pointed at me. “Enough! Are you trying to force Chloe to jump off a roof twice? Can’t you just be kind?” Kindness? What even *is* kindness?

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The night before my sister was set to leave the country, her birth parents, who’d abandoned her years ago, suddenly showed up, demanding to be recognized. To keep her from being sidetracked, I secretly sent them away. But on their way back, they died in a car crash. Later, my sister became a renowned violinist, touring the world, showered with glory and applause. And I, on my way to one of her performances, was hit by a car and died. Before I took my last breath, she told me I had “killed” her birth parents. “After all these years, I’ve finally avenged them!” She didn’t know that they had only sought her out to extort money for her brother. And their car accident? They were trying to stage an accident for money, but they got unlucky and stumbled into a drunk driver… Given a second chance at life, I decided to give up my savior complex. I’d send her straight to reunite with her parasitic birth parents. “Where’s Daisy? Tell her to get out here! Just because she’s hitting the big time, doesn’t mean she can forget her own folks!” “If she won’t show, fine. But she still needs to pay for her brother’s school. Your family is loaded, so just wire us two hundred thousand, okay? Right into this account!” A middle-aged couple shoved a slip of paper with a bank account number into my hand. The raw greed in their eyes sent a shiver down my spine! I’d been reborn. To the day before my sister, Harper Reed, was supposed to leave for abroad. Harper was adopted by my parents and me from an orphanage. This couple in front of me? They were her birth parents, the ones who had abandoned her when she was just a baby. Our family, however, had nurtured her into a “violin prodigy.” Over the past decade, she’d won countless awards and was now accepted into the world-renowned Juilliard School. She was set to fly to America any day now. On this exact day in my previous life, to avoid disrupting Harper’s plans, I had taken it upon myself to chase away these selfish, greedy “vampires.” Then, the day after Harper left for abroad, they died in a car crash. I only found out later that they had tried to pull an insurance scam – faking an accident to extort cash after failing to get money from me. But they got unlucky and stumbled into a drunk driver. They were crushed to death on the spot… Years later, Harper returned, transforming into a world-famous violinist. She won international awards and held world tours. Everywhere she went, she was met with flowers and applause, basking in endless glory. When she came back to the States for a tour, she invited me to her first concert. But on my way to the venue, a large truck suddenly slammed into my car. As I lay dying, her call came through: “Five years ago, your self-righteousness killed my parents. Today, I’m using the same method to get my revenge!” “Chloe, do you know? My greatest wish in life was to find my birth parents, and *you* stole that chance from me!” If that’s what she wanted, then this time, I would grant her wish. I slipped the paper back into the couple’s hand. “Oh, so you’re Harper’s birth parents? She’s been looking for you too! But she’s in class right now. Please wait here for a bit. I’ll have her come find you as soon as class is over, and you can talk to her directly about whatever you need.” My “enthusiasm” thrilled them. They bobbed their heads like crazy, ecstatic at my apparent warmth. But first, I needed to do something. When I told Harper the news, she was so excited she could barely speak. “Really? Are they really my birth parents? How did they find me? Why are they only coming now…?” I scoffed inwardly. It was because she was constantly on TV that they had followed the trail and found her. As for why they were only “reconnecting” now? She would soon find out. “Do you remember what they look like? And they said your original name was Daisy Thompson?” I asked deliberately. She shook her head. She was barely three when she was abandoned, so it was understandable she didn’t remember. That was the root of her obsession. What you can’t have, always seems the best. But the name “Daisy Thompson” still brought a flicker of unease to her face. The reunion played out exactly as I expected. The three embraced, crying floods of tears and pouring out their hearts, a seemingly touching scene. But listening closely, Harper spoke of missing her family, while her birth parents’ every other sentence was about money. Finally, her birth father dropped the act. “Daisy, you’re living the good life now, but we’re still struggling. Especially your brother; he got into high school, but we don’t have the money to send him. He’s about to drop out, and it’s all because your mom and I are useless…” Harper was in the throes of emotion, but hearing this, she immediately turned into the picture of a dutiful daughter. “Mom, Dad, it’s all my fault. I’ve been unfilial, making you suffer all these years. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of my brother’s education. I won’t let him drop out!” Her birth father looked relieved, instantly pulling that slip of paper from his pocket. “I knew it, Daisy wouldn’t abandon us. Your brother will be so happy when he hears this. Here’s our bank account number, you can just wire the money directly.” She took the paper without hesitation, agreeing readily. “No problem, I’ll send it right over.” “But…” She paused. I thought she was finally suspicious, but then she said, “Mom, Dad, my name is Harper Reed now. Please don’t call me Daisy anymore. It’s… not pretty.” I had underestimated her foolishness. But the name ‘Harper Reed’? You won’t be worthy of it much longer. I watched them coldly, sending a text to my parents: “You can move.”

Harper quickly discovered her account was frozen. Humiliated and furious, she called my parents, demanding answers. My parents calmly told her to “come home.” At home, my parents, our lawyer, Mr. Davies, and I were waiting for her. Half an hour later, Harper returned. She burst through the door, yelling at us, “Who froze my account? That’s *my* money! What gives you the right? Unfreeze it, now!” I finally snapped. A stinging slap landed squarely on her face. “You’ve been living the good life for too long, haven’t you? You’ve forgotten your place. *Your* money? Maybe you need some fresh air to clear your head! What makes you think you can even say that?” This was the first time she’d been hit since she came into our family, and by me, her sister, who usually doted on her the most. She acted as if she’d suffered the greatest injustice, crying and screaming like she used to. “Dad, Mom, Chloe hit me! Aren’t you going to do anything? Boo-hoo-hoo, it hurts so bad…” In the past, whenever we had a disagreement, my parents would immediately defend her and scold me. “The older sister always gives in to the younger” was the unspoken rule in our house. But this time, no one protected her. Seeing my parents unmoved, she started throwing a tantrum. “Ugh, it hurts so much! If you’re not going to help me, I’ll just kill myself!” She truly was spoiled rotten. In my previous life, *we* were the ones who had made a mistake. When I was six, my parents took me to volunteer at an orphanage. That was the first time I saw her. That day, we brought many toys and snacks. The other kids swarmed them, and she was pushed aside, into a corner. Perhaps she was used to being bullied; she just watched quietly, not fighting, not crying, not fussing. The things were quickly snatched up, and only an old toy violin remained, unwanted. She timidly asked me, “Sister, can I have this?” I asked her, “Why do you want it?” She mimed playing the violin with her hands, stuttering, “It makes sounds… pretty sounds… I like it…” “Of course you can!” I personally handed her the toy violin. Her eyes, gleaming as if she’d found the greatest treasure, were both endearing and heartbreaking. “Dad, Mom, I want her to be my sister, okay?” My parents were touched, too, and unanimously decided to adopt her. After a series of procedures, she officially became part of our family. She was five years old then. I even gave her the name “Harper,” hoping her future would be filled with joy. For the next ten years, our whole family spoiled her like a princess. To unearth her violin talent, my dad hired the best private tutors and created a comprehensive development plan. My mom put her work aside and personally accompanied her to competitions around the world. And for us to have companionship and to keep our studies in sync, my parents specifically had me, who was a year older, start school a year late… Finally, she lived up to all expectations, receiving an early acceptance letter from Juilliard in her senior year, and achieving fame and success a few years later. All those years of dedicated nurturing and companionship, I thought she had long since let go of her past. Yet, her obsession with her “birth parents” ran so deep. Well, then, let’s put an end to all of it today!

“Harper Reed—no, I should call you Daisy Thompson. What do you need the money for? Who are you planning to transfer it to?” “Transfer it to…” She quickly caught herself, not finishing the sentence. “Is it your birth parents, right?” “How did you know?” She was surprised, but still wore a spoiled expression. “Since you already know, I won’t hide it anymore. Yes, I found my birth parents. I’ve dreamed of seeing them all these years, and heaven finally granted my wish today.” “So, they ask for money, and you just give it to them? Completely forgetting that *they* were the ones who abandoned you?” She put on a self-righteous front. “They explained everything to me. They said I was kidnapped by human traffickers back then, and they’ve been searching for me all this time.” The truth was, they had abandoned her after giving birth to a boy. When the orphanage found her, she was barely clinging to life. “They are my birth parents. They gave me life. Now they’re struggling, and I want to help them. Isn’t that what I should do?” Oh, what a dutiful, devoted daughter she was! At this point, if I were to stop someone from performing their “filial duty,” wouldn’t that be an affront to human decency? My dad finally couldn’t bear it anymore. “We’ll ask you one last time, Harper. Are you really set on acknowledging them?” This time, she hesitated, and her gaze at my dad held a hint of guilt. “I just want to reconnect with them. I didn’t say I was leaving you. I’m still your daughter.” Ha. She wanted to have her cake and eat it too? No way! I wouldn’t give her the chance to double-dip. “No need! You have two choices now. First, stay away from them, leave immediately for America, and continue your studies. Second, go and be with them, and the money in your account will be yours to freely dispose of…” “I choose two!” Before I could finish, she cut me off. “Excellent. That makes things much simpler. Mr. Davies, please begin!” Mr. Davies placed an “Agreement to Terminate Adoption” in front of her. “Now all you need to do is sign this document, and you’ll be free.” Under family law, adults who were adopted can have their adoption annulled if the relationship with their adoptive parents has deteriorated beyond repair, or if they choose to reconnect with birth parents after coming of age. She had just turned eighteen a few days ago, making her eligible. I had told my parents the truth days before she met them. They were sensible and rational people, so they naturally understood the principle of cutting losses in time. That account held five hundred thousand, originally her tuition fees for America. Now it would serve as her “severance fee.” Harper looked at the agreement, fear creeping into her eyes. “Does it really have to be this way?” “Yes, you must sign it today!” Seeing our resolute attitude, she, too, looked determined and spat, “You really are cold-blooded and heartless. If you’re going to be unjust, then don’t blame me for being disloyal. Fine, I’ll sign. Give me the pen!” “Don’t sign!” Just as she was about to put pen to paper, a sharp, grating shout came through. The voice came from Harper’s phone. “Sweetheart, you can’t sign that! If you sign, you’ll have nothing!” It was the Thompsons’ voice. I didn’t know how they’d conspired, but they had been listening in on everything. “Why? Mom, Dad, you heard them. They’re forcing me to choose, and we just finally reunited as a family. Of course, I’m choosing you.” She then scanned the three of us, coldly adding, “Because only your birth parents can truly be relied upon.” I nearly burst out laughing. See? They were clearly much smarter than she was. “Sweetheart, listen to me. We’re family, that will never change, and reuniting can wait. Besides, we don’t have extra money to support you right now. You need to stay with the Reed family…” They might as well have said they wanted to use us as an ATM and a bottomless pit of cash. “Mom, Dad, don’t worry about that. I’m grown up now. I can earn my own money.” “I play the violin well. Many people invite me to perform; I can earn hundreds for just one show.” “My studies are going well, too. I’m about to go to America for college. After I graduate, I’ll earn even more money, and then our whole family can live a good life.” Watching Harper’s confident expression, I could barely resist applauding her. She probably had no idea what signing that paper truly meant for her… They still wanted to persuade her, but as soon as they heard Harper mention she still had five hundred thousand in her account, they immediately backed down. “Alright, enough talk, sign it quickly!” My patience ran out. I firmly guided her hand and made her sign her name. Daisy Thompson, good luck with your future.

Daisy moved out that very night, not looking back even once. My mom, soft-hearted as ever, watched her resolute figure disappear and turned to silently shed a few tears. My dad also let out a heavy sigh. “Chloe, from now on, don’t tell us about her. You handle her affairs however you see fit.” “That account of hers, it’s a sub-card of yours. Find a suitable time to close it.” I knew they were heartbroken. In my previous life, Harper was passionate about art, while I excelled in science and engineering. We were “one artistic, the other scientific,” and a few years later, we were both shining brightly in our respective fields. We became the ‘perfect children’ every parent envied, and my parents became role models admired by countless others. They used to say, “That’s a sense of accomplishment that no amount of money can buy.” Reborn into this life, I was still myself, but Harper had become Daisy Thompson. I was curious to see where her destiny would ultimately lead. *Ding!* “Your account spent $200,000 on December 1st at 7:10 PM. Available balance: $300,000.” “Your account spent $35,000 on December 1st at 8:01 PM. Available balance: $265,000.” “Your account spent $5,000 on December 1st at 9:09 PM…” My phone buzzed with continuous account activity notifications from the bank: transfers, rent payments, supermarket purchases… Was five hundred thousand a lot? She would soon find out it was barely one year’s tuition for Juilliard. If the full tuition wasn’t received by the registration deadline, her admission would be automatically revoked. And tomorrow was the final deadline. As expected, on the third day, Daisy returned. She stormed into my classroom, pointing a finger at me and demanding, “Did you guys do this? Did you intentionally get my admission canceled?” “Chloe, I know you’ve always been jealous of me, jealous that I’m more talented, more beautiful than you. This was your chance to get revenge, wasn’t it?” I was buried in my homework and didn’t want to waste my breath, but since she was so eager to shove her face in front of me, I might as well oblige and slap it. “What? Spent all your money already? Can’t pay tuition, so you got expelled?” “You…” She was furious. “You intentionally didn’t tell me that five hundred thousand was for tuition, did you?” I couldn’t help but laugh. “How ridiculous! Didn’t we agree it was all yours to ‘freely dispose of’? What you do with it is none of our business!” “Oh, you thought colleges abroad were like public high schools, where you just walk in for free?” True. The old Harper Reed had always lived a sheltered life, never having to deal with the practicalities of money, which was why she was so foolish now. Of course, it was also possible she was deliberately lashing out at me to hide her embarrassment about not being able to go to America. Didn’t matter. I was eager to see how she would maintain her image as the glamorous “Juilliard high achiever” without our family’s support. “Hmph! So what if you have a little dirty money? Do you think I’d ever beg you? Dream on!” “I’ll tell you what, so what if I don’t go abroad for college? I’m so talented, I can still get into a good university and still become famous and successful! You, you ugly duckling, you’ll always just be my backdrop!” It seemed “the power of family” was indeed strong enough to give her such confidence even as she abandoned her dreams. I smiled. “Alright then, I’ll be waiting to see.” “Everyone, there’s something I need to announce.” I stood up and cleared my throat. “Harper Reed was actually adopted by our family. She has now reconnected with her birth parents. Her name is now Daisy Thompson.” “This is the legal document and the public announcement from that day. From now on, everything about her has nothing to do with our family.” From childhood until now, to provide her with a simple, pure environment, we had never revealed her true identity. Now, I didn’t say much, but just the name “Daisy Thompson” was enough to get everyone speculating. “Oh, so she was a fake rich girl? And she used to act so high and mighty, really thinking she was something special!” “No wonder! I always thought her vibe was different from Chloe’s. Goes to show, true character always comes out.” “Daisy Thompson? Isn’t that the classic ‘parasitic parents’ and ‘brother-supporting daughter’ storyline?” “Pfft! Does she really think she’s some amazing filial daughter? She’s just a naive, ungrateful brat…”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298635”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

The five poorest years of Liam Thorne’s youth, I spent with him, living in a cramped basement apartment. He earned his first thirty million, but I died of illness. Later, on the day he became the wealthiest man in Northwood City. I was reborn. After being a stubborn holdout in The Limbo Realm for two years. The Warden of Souls got tired of me and offered me a chance to fulfill my last wish. He allowed me to return to the human world. When I opened my eyes again, I was standing in a bustling subway station. Giant billboards and electronic screens throughout the station were plastered with advertisements for Thorne Industries. I lifted my hand, gently caressing the familiar face on the screen, and couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down my cheeks. A few teen girls, holding up their phones, were taking photos of him from every angle. One long-haired girl, completely smitten, gushed, “Liam Thorne’s ad this time is just *too* hot! He absolutely blew all the other young stars and celebrities out of the water! No wonder his company always has the CEO himself star in the ads. With looks like that, it’d be a crime not to!” “High IQ, elite education, ridiculously handsome, and not a single scandal? He’s literally my dream husband material~” “Dream on! Can you believe this top-tier, high-quality guy is only 25? Oh my god!” The short-haired girl taking photos pouted, “Too bad he’s already married, and married young at that.” The long-haired girl shrugged, “You mean his short-lived wife? She’s been dead for ages. What’s the big deal? He can’t be expected to mourn for a dead person forever, not at his age, right?” “You’re absolutely right,” I couldn’t help but agree. The girls jumped, startled by my voice. One rolled her eyes, annoyed. “Who are you?” I raised my hand, wiping my face, and murmured, “Me? I’m Liam Thorne’s wife…” The girls burst into laughter, bending over backward, mocking me. “Looks like Liam Thorne drove another one crazy!” “Seriously, lady, get a reality check.” Then, they treated me like I was insane, chattering and laughing as they walked away.

Their comments snapped me back to reality. I quickly rushed to the restroom and looked in the mirror. My heart sank the moment I saw my reflection. It was an utterly ordinary face, the kind that would get lost in a crowd, completely unremarkable. A wave of sadness washed over me. In my previous life, at least I had a beautiful face. That’s why when I first moved into Liam’s place, he’d just broken his leg and was incredibly short-tempered. He’d gruffly chase everyone away. But I, emboldened by my looks, dragged my small suitcase and forcefully barged into his life. For the first few days, he wouldn’t even let me through the door. So, I huddled with my knees to my chest, sleeping in a sleeping bag right outside his door for days. On the third night, the temperature plummeted, and I sneezed a dozen times outside. The door suddenly swung open. Leaning against it, I almost tumbled backward, nearly taking a nasty fall. But a pair of arms caught me, holding me steady. Then, he pushed me away with a look of disdain and rolled his wheelchair back inside. From his awkward expression. I knew he’d caved.

Liam couldn’t stand it when I acted cute back then. In my junior year of college, I went to an acupuncturist. To save money, and to help his leg recover faster, I taught myself acupuncture, pricking my own leg until it was covered in needle marks. Later, he saw it. His eyes immediately welled up, but he was furious. I’d just hug his arm and pout, and all his anger would just melt away. Then, with that handsome, cold face of his, he’d pinch my cheek, his voice still gruff as hell, “Try pricking yourself again, I dare you.” But now, looking at the face in the mirror. I tried to make a playfully pouting expression. Then I fell silent. If I showed up to Liam with *this* face and told him I was his early-departed wife. He’d probably call the police, thinking I was crazy. But… I miss him so much. I just want to see him.

My phone vibrated. I answered a call from a woman. “Hello, Miss Evans, what’s going on? Didn’t we schedule an interview for this afternoon? Why aren’t you here yet?” I was stunned. “An… interview?” She clicked her tongue. “Are you out of your mind?! You forgot something this important?” “This is a housekeeping position for the CEO of Thorne Industries! Where else are you going to find a job this good?” “Liam Thorne?” I almost blurted his name. Someone spoke next to her, and she reminded me again, “Hurry up, you’ve got an hour left! I already sent you the address, didn’t I?” After the call ended, I found the text message with the address. Then, I quickly took the subway and rushed over. The address was far. After getting off the subway, I took a bus to the nearest stop. Then walked for another half hour before finally arriving. I was drenched in sweat, and just as I got close, a light rain started, leaving me completely disheveled. Hesitating for a moment, I still rang the doorbell. The door opened. A young woman’s face appeared. She was still wearing loungewear. Seeing her attire, I froze for a moment. Immediately, a dull ache spread through the depths of my heart.

The woman glanced at me. “Are you the housekeeper coming for the interview today?” I nodded. As she walked inside, she began giving me instructions. “Mr. Thorne’s previous housekeeper resigned.” “There isn’t much to do around the house. Mr. Thorne rarely eats at home, so you’ll mainly be responsible for keeping the house clean.” “Oh, and Mr. Thorne doesn’t sleep well, so remember to keep quiet.” “There’s a locked room on the second floor that you can’t enter, remember that. Don’t be clumsy; everything in that room is very expensive, and you wouldn’t be able to afford to replace it if you broke something.” She led me upstairs for a tour, all the while scrutinizing me. “The housekeeper’s room is at the end of the second-floor hallway.” “You look quite young, and your resume shows a high education. Why are you looking to be a housekeeper?” I was just about to come up with an excuse when she chuckled. “But I’ve seen plenty of girls like you.” “After all, Mr. Thorne is incredibly eligible. But it’s best to hide any improper thoughts you might have.” “Mr. Thorne has very high standards.” I didn’t really hear much of what she said afterward. My eyes were fixed on the direction of the master bedroom. Is Liam… resting now?

The woman checked her watch, as if to remind me. “Mr. Thorne isn’t home. He’s out of the country and will be back on a morning flight tomorrow.” “Just prepare Mr. Thorne’s clothes for tomorrow morning and his breakfast.” I nodded blankly. She went to the guest room, changed into a business suit, and left. Besides me, there was only Mr. Jenkins, the driver and gardener, at the Thorne residence. Mr. Jenkins exchanged a few pleasantries with me, and I couldn’t help but ask, “Who was that?” Mr. Jenkins replied, “You mean Ms. Sinclair?” “She’s Mr. Thorne’s secretary. She handles all his business and personal affairs.” “It seems Mr. Thorne is quite fond of Ms. Sinclair.” A bitter taste quickly spread through me. I’d always understood that people move on. I didn’t expect Liam to remain single and unwed for me until his dying day. But knowing that a new woman had appeared in his life, it still hurt deeply.

As Mr. Jenkins led me through the garden. A huge black shadow suddenly darted out from the side, knocking me down directly, then licking my face like crazy. I finally recognized what was in my arms. “Buddy… Buddy?” When I found Buddy all those years ago. He was just a palm-sized puppy. Liam didn’t like cats or dogs. When I secretly snuck Buddy home, tucked inside my jacket, Liam caught me red-handed. His leg had healed a bit by then, and he could walk with a crutch. Seeing Buddy in my arms, his brows furrowed so deeply they looked like they could trap a mosquito. “Can we raise him together?” I pestered him, constantly whispering in his ear, “Look how cute he is!” “Having a dog is great! Who knows, maybe one day when I’m gone, he’ll still be there to keep you company.” He suddenly exploded in anger. “How long do dogs even live? Chloe Harper, what on earth are you talking about?” “Don’t you know better than to tempt fate?” My mood hadn’t been great during that period. My parents were pressuring me to break up with Liam, even setting me up with other guys. The previous week, when I went home, Mom pulled me aside. “Chloe, Liam is a solid guy, but his circumstances are just too difficult. He’s an illegitimate son, his family disowned him, his mother passed away young, and now his leg is broken. Are you really going to play the savior? Haven’t we heard enough stories about ungrateful men?” I just told them: Liam wasn’t like that. His childhood had actually been quite good; it was just a reversal of fortune. And he would absolutely never be someone ungrateful or heartless. Not everyone is born into privilege. People who come from humble backgrounds but are ambitious— They need time to grow. So, when Liam yelled at me, my tears immediately started falling. I ran out of the rental apartment, still clutching Buddy. I shamelessly squatted in the small garden downstairs, crying my heart out. Half an hour later, I was still fuming that Liam hadn’t come to find me. I stood up, craning my neck to look towards the building’s entrance. A tall shadow appeared behind me. Liam’s pants were covered in mud, his arm was scraped, clearly from a fall. His dark, deep-set eyes were fixed on me. Finally, he reached out, embraced me, and then ruffled my hair. “Shh, don’t be angry anymore.” “I spoke too loudly.” “I was wrong.” “You can have any pet you want, I don’t care.” It turned out he had come after me the moment I ran out. I ran fast, and he was on crutches, so he chased me all the way outside the complex in a desperate hurry. He even fell down outside. From that day on, Buddy officially became a member of our family. Only, after so long apart. Buddy had become an old dog.

Mr. Jenkins jumped, quickly pulling Buddy aside. “My apologies! He didn’t scare you, did he?” “This dog is usually quite fierce. Any stranger who comes into the house, he’ll bark at them like crazy. But today, it’s strange, I don’t know why he’s so friendly with you.” I stood up from the ground, looking down at Buddy. Buddy’s wet eyes stared at me unblinkingly. He was panting heavily. Occasionally, he’d twitch. I was on the verge of tears and quickly looked away. “Maybe it’s because I have a dog at home too; I probably smell like pets.” Mr. Jenkins nodded. “Well, that’s great. The previous housekeepers were all too scared to feed him, they thought he was too fierce.” Mr. Jenkins had to leave for something. I seized the moment when no one was around. I rushed towards Buddy, who was tied near his doghouse. I buried my face in his fur, tears and snot streaming down. Buddy was howling too. It was the first time I’d ever heard such a sorrowful cry from a dog. Just as I was sobbing uncontrollably. A familiar, deep male voice sounded behind me: “Who are you?” 7 The male voice, compared to two years ago, carried a new depth of maturity and steadiness. When I heard Liam Thorne’s voice. I froze, rigid and motionless. My mind buzzed, a complete blank. Buddy obediently rested his chin on my thigh, peering with one eye at Liam behind me. “Turn around.” The man’s voice was full of authority. I didn’t move. I hadn’t thought about how to face him yet. “Buddy, come here.” Perhaps fearing that I, a stranger, might harm Buddy, Liam called out to the dog, his voice softer than when he’d questioned me. But Buddy remained motionless, nestled in my arms. Liam’s patience seemed to have worn thin. He said, somewhat impatiently, “I’ll ask you one last time. “Who are you, and why are you in my house?” So stern. 8 Mr. Jenkins rushed over to rescue me. “Mr. Thorne, Mr. Thorne, this is the new housekeeper, Miss Evans.” Only then did I turn around. But I kept my head down the entire time, not daring to look at him. “Hmm.” Liam finally let down his guard, but seeing Buddy so affectionate with me. He frowned. Mr. Jenkins again explained, “She has a dog at home too, so Buddy probably smelled it. It’s a good thing Buddy isn’t aggressive with her.” I gently patted Buddy’s rump. Only then did he reluctantly walk over to Liam, head bowed. Liam bent down and stroked his head. “You ungrateful little thing, are you not fond of Daddy anymore?” He spoke to Buddy so gently. Just like he used to coax me. Back when we had no money, we rented an old, old apartment, a basement unit. At night, it would get so cold the water pipes would freeze. We couldn’t even afford the heating bill back then, so we’d sleep in our clothes, huddled under the covers, with Buddy sleeping at our feet, warming them for us. Liam would tuck my hands into his chest. I’d count his heartbeats and breathing, slowly drifting off to sleep. Later that night, I got too warm and rolled over. He was still holding me tightly. In a hazy dream, I felt him kiss the nape of my neck and heard him say: “Chloe.” “I promise I’ll give you a good life, a big house, and you’ll be dressed beautifully every day.” I believed him. I always did.

But just as Liam worked tirelessly and unearthed his first fortune. He held my hand and led me to a newly built, beautiful apartment complex. He placed the keys in my hand. Then pushed open the door. He lifted me, spinning me around the house in his arms. Then, he kissed me tenderly and earnestly. “Chloe.” “We have a home now.” I buried my head in his chest, tears streaming down. He didn’t know. I had just come from the hospital. And received the diagnosis. I had cancer. After falling ill, I tried my best to cooperate with treatment, taking my medication on time, but the results were not good at all. Luck wasn’t on my side. I had less than a month left. I didn’t want to die, I wanted to live. Liam and my future had just begun; how could it end like this? The day Liam found my diagnosis report in the cabinet. I saw him freeze for a moment. Then he walked to the balcony and silently smoked. After a long while, I saw him lean against the wall, covering his face, silently weeping, his whole body trembling. After composing himself, he returned to my bedside and knelt. He held my hand, kissing it repeatedly. The back of my hand was wet. “Chloe.” He thought I was asleep. “Don’t be afraid.” “Even in death, I’ll walk the path to the underworld with you.” But I clamped my hand over his mouth. “Liam.” I swore a solemn oath. “If you dare to do anything foolish for me, I will never forgive you, even in death.” “And in my next life, I will absolutely, absolutely, absolutely not wait for you.” I pointed to Buddy lying on the rug beside the bed. “You still have Buddy.” “If you die too, Buddy won’t have a mom or dad. He’s so old now; what if some bad person sells him?” I forced him to swear an oath too. It was the first time I’d ever seen such a grown man, kneeling on the floor, weeping with such helplessness and sorrow.

Tears were about to well up again. I was about to speak, to say something to the current him. Ms. Anastasia Sinclair appeared. She walked over with a stack of documents and began reporting on some company matters. Liam listened quietly, occasionally bending down to playfully tickle Buddy. Anastasia saw me standing nearby. “Mr. Thorne came home early, this is a common change of plans.” “You shouldn’t just stand here.” “Go prepare dinner.” “Remember…” I instinctively finished her sentence. “Low oil, low salt, no cilantro, allergic to strawberries and eggs, right?” After I spoke. The air fell silent for a moment. Anastasia and Liam both looked at me. Especially Liam. His gaze at me had subtly shifted. I quickly tried to cover. “Oh, the agency showed me the资料 [information], I memorized it all.” But Anastasia didn’t seem to believe me. “The regular chef will start in a couple of days. Why would you memorize all that?”

Liam’s thoughtful gaze made my heart race. I immediately explained, “Oh, the agency has strict requirements. Even for a two-day substitute, we have to memorize everything.” Anastasia seemed about to say something else. “Bring me the agenda for tomorrow’s company meeting.” Liam, however, seemed disinclined to continue the topic. Anastasia could only turn her attention away from me. “Alright, I’ll get it from the car.” I don’t know why. But I felt a strong sense of hostility from Ms. Sinclair towards me. I went to the kitchen to prepare dinner. To be honest, I wasn’t a very good cook. All those years I was with Liam, I just never learned to cook well. He was always busy with work and studying, and then he’d have to find time to help me cook when it was mealtime. One time, I saw he was so tired his eyelids could barely stay open. I told him to go lie down in the room for a bit. But I ended up burning the rice. Just as I was racking my brain, Liam woke up. He leaned lazily against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching me with a smile. Seeing my frustrated expression, he walked over, put a few cloves of garlic in the rice, and stuck in some green onions. “That’s all it takes?” He just curved his lips, not answering directly, but tilted his head and caught my lips, kissing me slowly and deliberately.

Hiss… The rice was a bit burnt again. I quickly, stealthily, and clumsily added some green onions and garlic. A moment later. The rice miraculously no longer smelled burnt. I set the dishes on the table. Anastasia’s eyes nearly popped out when she saw the food. “Is that it?” “You’re serving Mr. Thorne potato slices, stir-fried pork, and mapo tofu?!” I was confused too. What was wrong with these dishes? These were the best I could make. What, now that he’s a CEO, he doesn’t eat home cooking anymore? Does he expect lobster and abalone every day? Anastasia rolled her eyes. “So greasy, and so ordinary.” “Forget it, I’ll call the regular chef and hurry her along.” “No need.” Liam had already walked over and sat directly at the table. “Home-cooked meals are fine.” When he saw the dishes, he tasted a bite of the potato slices and paused.

Perhaps he was startled by the potato slices I’d cut thicker than my fingers. He didn’t touch his forks for a long moment. He simply lowered his eyes, staring motionlessly at the potato slices. I even felt a bit embarrassed myself. “Mr. Thorne, I’m new to this, and I’m really not good at cooking.” “Perhaps we should have someone else prepare something new…” Seeing Liam remain silent, Anastasia picked up a pair of forks and tasted a bite. She paused. “You’re not just ‘not good,’ you’re completely hopeless. It’s so salty, and it has chili. How can anyone eat this?” “Ms. Sinclair.” Liam suddenly interrupted her complaints. “You should be off the clock.” Anastasia started to say something else. Liam raised his hand, waving her away. Anastasia pointed at me, then left in a huff. “Don’t be afraid.” Liam still didn’t look at me. He extended his forks to another dish. “You cooked very well; it suits my taste perfectly.” I brightened up. “Then can I keep cooking for you?” He didn’t look at me. Only then did I dare to really examine him. He was so thin. His cheeks were slightly hollowed, making him look a bit sharp. He used to be so healthy when I took care of him. All muscle. “No need,” he refused my cooking application. … It seems it really was terrible. “Cooking is tiring,” he said. “Just do your designated tasks and take good care of Buddy.” I suddenly remembered when I used to say that after we got married, I’d take charge of his stomach. I’d go to a cooking class and really improve my skills. But he’d said no. “When we have money, I’ll hire a housekeeper to help with cooking.” “And when I have time, I’ll cook.” “Chloe Harper, I’m not marrying you for you to spend all day in the kitchen.” “You have a great life and youth ahead of you. I’d rather you go out and see the world, experience new sights.”

Buddy was whimpering, probably hungry. I went to get him some dog food. Buddy ate, occasionally looking up at me. As if I might run off if he wasn’t careful. After he finished eating, I played frisbee with Buddy in the garden. That used to be his favorite game. I’d pretend to throw the frisbee, but actually hide it behind my back. After doing this three times, I’d finally throw it for real. Buddy used to fall for my trick. Later, he got smart. But to make me happy, he’d pretend to be fooled. It was the same this time. When I finally threw it, Buddy went wild with joy, charging off to catch the frisbee. I was happy too. I excitedly whistled. But suddenly. Liam’s voice sounded, a little urgent, and his wrist was suddenly gripped tight. “You… who exactly are you?”

Two years ago, when I first passed away. Liam promised me. He said he’d be okay. He’d eat well, sleep well, continue working hard, and take good care of Buddy. But after my soul drifted out of my body. I saw Liam holding my corpse, crying like a child. For two whole days. He was like a lonely beast who had lost its mate. On the verge of losing control. He wouldn’t allow anyone to touch my body. Even when it was time for cremation. He cried day and night. Sitting on the floor, clutching my hand, he called my name over and over. Calling me his wife.

The day of my cremation. He charged forward like a madman. As if he wanted to jump into the crematorium with me. His male friends had to use all their strength to hold him back. “Liam, snap out of it. Chloe wouldn’t want to see you like this.” “That’s right, Liam, please accept our condolences.” But Liam suddenly seemed to have all his strength drained, as if someone had hollowed out his body. He knelt on the ground, clutching my photo. Head bowed. Wailing uncontrollably. And I could only float in the air, far away, circling frantically with worry. I was going crazy too. I struggled desperately to float down. Trying to embrace him one more time. But soon, a powerful suction from behind pulled me away. When I woke up again. I was already in The Limbo Realm. But I couldn’t cross over for two whole years. Nor could I forget my past life. Until even The Warden of Souls grew tired of me. Only then did I get a chance to be reborn. Even if it was in someone else’s body. I was already very content. To be able to see him again. To see him still alive and well. It made me so happy.

“What’s wrong, Mr. Thorne? I’m Miss Evans.” I turned, forcing a smile onto my face. I am Miss Evans. The unremarkable, ordinary girl, Miss Evans. I am the one who can no longer have a future or entanglement with him. I don’t know, maybe I’ll have to leave this world again at any moment. So, I cannot reveal myself to him. I cannot make him endure the pain of losing me again. In his dark pupils, I could even see my own face. Plain. Ordinary. My skin was a bit darker, and there were a few freckles on my cheeks. He stared at me intently, profound emotions swirling in the depths of his pupils. “Mr. Thorne?” He snapped back to reality. There was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. “Nothing,” he released my hand. “You remind me of someone…”

I couldn’t resist asking, “Who?” He watched Buddy charging back towards us, frisbee in mouth, his tone cryptic. “My wife.” My heart fluttered. “Your wife… I heard she passed away.” He hummed in agreement. He sat down on the long bench on the lawn. “It’s been two years.” He said softly, “She was just like you; if her cooking burned, she’d add garlic.” I started sweating. So he’d noticed. “She wasn’t good at cooking either, and her potato slices were always cut so thick.” “Even the way you both cook tastes similar.” I suddenly felt guilty. “Just now, watching you throw the frisbee.” “I almost mistook you for her.” He stretched out his legs, elbows resting on his knees. Buddy brought the frisbee over; he wanted to give it to me. I gave him a subtle look. He actually understood. He lowered his head and gave the frisbee to Liam. Liam chuckled. “But how could you possibly be her?” “When she and I were together, Buddy would always run to her without hesitation.” “The dead cannot return.” “I must truly be insane to mistake you for her.”

I didn’t know what to say, or how to comfort him. “You have to look forward, Mr. Thorne. Your wife surely wants you to be well. I think Ms. Sinclair is quite nice…” Liam suddenly lost all expression, stood up, and left with his hands in his pockets. “Starting tomorrow, I’ll be staying at Nine Peaks Mountain for a while. Please take good care of Buddy for me.” How could he be leaving again after just coming back for a little while? I watched his retreating figure, reluctant to see him go. I saw him pull out his phone and make a call. “Ms. Sinclair, pack up the important company documents for the near future.” “Yes, we’ll be going to Nine Peaks Mountain tomorrow.” So, he’d arranged for Ms. Sinclair to accompany him. I stood there, feeling a little lost. Suddenly, I didn’t know what I should do. I had already seen him. With Ms. Sinclair by his side, he seemed to be ready to move on. My presence was already expendable.

The next day, after Liam left. He was going to Nine Peaks Mountain for half a month. On the fourth day, I started cleaning his room. His room had very few things, clean and simple, like a show home. I didn’t find any of my belongings either. Could they have all been thrown away? Perhaps it’s better if they were. To look at old things and miss the past. Keeping them would only add to the sadness. The entire villa, once tidied, had almost no particularly dirty spots. It had a full smart home system. Everything hardly required my direct intervention. As I cleaned the locked room, my curiosity outweighed my rationality. The door had a keypad lock. I only entered one set of numbers. My birthday. The lock clicked open. The door slowly swung inward. It was pitch black inside. I opened the curtains. Dust motes danced in the air. I finally saw what was hidden in this room.

The furnishings, the furniture, every single detail in this room, was an exact replica of the basement apartment we lived in for five years. If not for the sound of the robotic vacuum. I would have suspected I was back in that old basement. Even the bathroom was decorated to look exactly like that narrow toilet from our old basement. I looked at the mirror. In front of the mirror. My comb and skincare products were laid out. Some had even expired. He hadn’t had the heart to throw them away. In the old basement bathroom, washing my hair often meant the hot water would run out halfway through, leaving me shivering and chattering my teeth. He’d boil water in a kettle for me while helping me rinse. By the time it was his turn to wash, there wasn’t enough hot water. To save a bit on the electricity bill, he’d just quickly rinse with half-cold water. After drying his hair, he’d quickly snuggle under the covers. I’d try to warm his hands. He’d cross his arms, not letting me. “It’s cold. I’ll hug you later, just wait.” And now, in the closet, all my things were there. My clothes hung side by side with his. As if we were an old married couple who had lived together for decades. Even the bedsheets. They were still my favorite small floral daisy four-piece set.

I walked to the bed and sat down. Pulled open the drawer. And took out my diary. After I died, for a period of time, someone continued my diary. It was Liam’s handwriting, strong and flowing, unmistakably his. Only some parts looked as if they had been smudged by water stains: “November 7, 2022. Chloe Harper, today is the start of winter. I ate dumplings today. Do you have dumplings where you are? I cooked extra for lunch and left them on the table. I wonder if you got to eat any? Time flies. It’s already been two months since you left. Are you hungry down there? Do you have enough money? Are any other little ghosts bullying you? If they are, let your husband know in a dream, and your husband will find a powerful Taoist priest to help you vent your anger.” … “November 22, 2022. Chloe Harper, it snowed a little today. It’s so cold. The underfloor heating is on full blast at home now, but I still feel cold. It’s probably because I can’t hold you. In the winters before, you were like a little warm stove. Holding you, I could fall asleep peacefully. Chloe, now, I suffer from insomnia night after night; I can’t sleep peacefully.” … “January 21, 2023. Chloe Harper, I came to your parents’ house for the New Year. They’re doing well, don’t worry. Chloe Harper, I stole all your childhood photos. There were so many I’d never seen; turns out you had your awkward phases too. Your parents said that the old man next door lost his wife a while ago. A few days ago, he woke up in the middle of the night, claiming he saw his deceased wife, screaming and shouting, and ended up in the hospital. Chloe Harper. I was so angry. Everyone else has their wife visit. Why can’t you come and see me in my dreams? I… haven’t dreamed of you even once…” … “February 7, 2023. Work has been so busy recently, I’m exhausted. But it feels like this helps me numb my brain from constantly missing you. It helps me not… feel so sad.” … “March 10, 2023. I’m really angry now. The kind that can’t be appeased. Last night, I finally dreamed of you once. I wanted to talk to you, but you just ran away. Buddy also barked all night. Could it really have been you who came to see me? Next time, tell me in advance; I haven’t shaved in how many days…” … “May 12, 2023. Chloe. I now have so much money, more than we could spend in a hundred lifetimes. But you’re not by my side, and all of it has lost its meaning.” … “June 1, 2023. Chloe, I went and donated money. I went to fulfill your old wishes. I donated a lot of money to children in the mountains, set up a foundation for them. I also had many primary schools built for them. You must be happy for me, right?” … My tears hadn’t stopped flowing from the moment I saw the diary. But when I read the entries from the later dates. A chill ran through me. “April 28, 2024. The wish list is almost complete. There’s one last item: climbing Nine Peaks Mountain to watch the sunrise. Chloe Harper, forgive me for breaking my promise. I can’t move on. Can you forgive me, please? Chloe, wait for me. I’ll be with you soon.”

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Everyone called me Declan Thorne’s most pathetic doormat. Even he believed it. But what he didn’t know was that I only chased him, fawned over him, all because of another man. The moment I received my overseas study admission letter, I was done. Completely done. After graduation, I got an offer from a prestigious firm back home, only to be locked in the office by my new, parachuted-in boss. His eyes were bloodshot, and he pressed against me, looking all teary-eyed and wounded. “You actually dared to come back?” When I went to find Declan Thorne with my admission letter, he was laughing with his roommate in the hallway. One of his roommates, Leo, slung an arm around his shoulder, and with a snarky, mischievous grin, said, “Declan, are you seriously not going to consider Harper?” “Out of all your admirers, she’s the prettiest, and she loves to follow you around all day.” “If you don’t like her, just pass her over to me.” Declan casually swiped through his phone, glanced at Leo, and replied, “I’m not bored yet. When I am, you can have her.” Then he pulled out a pendant I’d given him, swinging it back and forth. “She’s like a pathetic puppy, always at my beck and call.” “Last week during that huge downpour, I just mentioned I didn’t have an umbrella, and she actually rushed over from off-campus to bring me one.” “Oh, and that time Seraphina and I went hiking and got stuck on the mountain, she stubbornly climbed all night, completely on her own, just to find us.” “And another time, we went to Disneyland. Seraphina went back home later, and I went to look for her, forgetting to tell Harper. I swear, she waited from morning till night, standing there. Hahahaha, I nearly died laughing.” …… He listed every time I chased him, asked him out, and then how he’d ditched me, showing off to his roommate and trampling all over me in the process. They roared with laughter, slapping their knees, while another guy leaned casually against the hallway wall, his long legs slightly bent, eyes downcast. He quietly said, “You’ll regret it.” That guy was Caleb Vance, the one who told me to chase Declan Thorne. Declan bent closer, staring into Caleb’s eyes, then paused. “How could I regret it? I’ve never even liked her.” He lowered his head, muttering to himself, yet it sounded like he wanted Caleb to hear. “The only person I’ve ever liked is Seraphina.” He suddenly stood up straight, hands in his pockets, kicking at the tiles with an almost vengeful energy. “Caleb, haven’t you always hated me being with Harper?” Caleb didn’t answer, just gave him a meaningful look and walked away.

I stood around the corner, clutching my admission letter. I’d originally intended to say goodbye to Declan, but now it seemed completely unnecessary. My pursuit of Declan started three years ago when I was working at a bar and nearly dragged into a private room. Caleb Vance, who was nursing his sorrows at the bar, saved me. I guessed he was probably upset about Declan pursuing Seraphina at the time. Caleb and Seraphina had grown up together, childhood sweethearts, practically inseparable since they were kids. But then Declan suddenly appeared and captured all of Seraphina’s attention. Perhaps Caleb wanted to use me to drive a wedge between Declan and Seraphina. Out of gratitude and a desire to repay him, I agreed to his request to chase Declan. I only had one condition: I’d chase him, but any expenses incurred would have to be reimbursed by Caleb. Later, it took me a year to stand out from Declan’s numerous, nameless admirers. At that time, he and Seraphina were having a disagreement. Seraphina wanted to study abroad, while Declan wanted her to stay by his side and get married right after graduation. Seraphina refused, saying her world wasn’t just Declan; she had her own path to walk. Anything that became a stumbling block on that path, she would remove. She also said she wanted to pursue her dreams and wouldn’t stop or give them up for anyone, even if that person was important to her now. If Declan loved her, he shouldn’t clip her wings and cage her, claiming it was love. Because of Seraphina’s insistence, they eventually fell out, and that’s when I saw my chance and swooped in. Every time I asked him out, he never refused. He even deliberately took me to places where Seraphina would see us, as if to say, “I’m not exclusively yours.” If it weren’t for Caleb, I would have *loved* to slap him silly. How could he say he loved Seraphina while openly flirting with someone else? Even though I was “the other person,” deep down, I felt Seraphina deserved someone better. Perhaps she was destined to shine in her own field. Seraphina was the undisputed queen of our humanities department, determined to become a diplomat. Even the professors in our department praised her endlessly, calling her a rare talent. She was incredibly knowledgeable, highly cultured, and had amazing adaptability. And as it turned out, the queen wasn’t just beautiful; she was kind-hearted too. She paid no mind to Declan’s little displays, even telling him not to hurt others because of his own unhappiness. When she found out we were in the same major, she shared many study tips and resources with me. She even gave Declan a meaningful look and earnestly told me, “Don’t let a relationship interfere with what you should be learning at this stage.” “Otherwise, you’ll eventually regret it.” I loved hearing that, but I still pitied Caleb and Declan a little. Eventually, Seraphina really did go abroad. Declan was constantly surrounded by new women – a revolving door of temporary flings, but Declan was always the constant. I approached Caleb, thinking since they’d broken up, I didn’t need to continue chasing Declan. He said, “You need to put some effort into it and make him fall for you. I’m afraid he’ll keep bothering Seraphina while she’s abroad.” So, I really did put in the effort. I crossed campus to bring him breakfast, saved seats for him, and sat through his classes. When he was upset, I’d try every trick in the book to cheer him up, even making a fool of myself. Once, he got into a fight playing basketball and busted his head, needing stitches. I was on my period, doubled over in pain, but his call came in, and I immediately dragged my pale self, clutching my stomach, to the hospital to take care of him. Every holiday, I’d meticulously prepare small gifts and handwritten letters, even though he’d always disdainfully toss them in the trash. His stepfather’s son accidentally broke a gift his mother gave him before she passed away. I scoured countless repair shops, finally finding a replacement in a small, obscure shop downtown. I was in such a hurry on the way back that I didn’t watch the road and was hit by a speeding car, injuring my leg. I was hospitalized for several days. It was because of this incident that my “relationship” with Declan took a step forward, though it only meant he was willing to spare me an extra glance. When Caleb found out, he even joked, “You were born to be a doormat, weren’t you?” “Just don’t actually fall in love with him in the end. You know, without me telling you, that it’s never going to happen between you two.” Of course, I knew. Over the next two years, I realized more deeply with each passing day that we lived in two different worlds. And Seraphina was indeed still in his heart. He’d call me when he was drunk, murmuring “Seraphina.” When people spoke ill of Seraphina, he’d get a dark look on his face and, without a word, beat them up so badly they ended up in the hospital. He’d spend every evening flipping through old photos of him and Seraphina, over and over again. And he’d often ditch me when we had plans, choosing instead to fly abroad to find Seraphina. It happened so many, many times, so often that I grew completely accustomed to it. So much so that whenever we made plans, I stopped bothering to get dressed up. Instead, I’d grab my study materials and head to the library. Because I knew he’d always have some excuse. Thankfully, I wasn’t really in love with him.

I had played the doormat for three years, just as Caleb requested. I figured it was enough to repay him for helping me all those years ago. During those three years, even my own roommates turned hostile, constantly pulling petty stunts behind my back. Like tossing my laundry from the line downstairs or secretly deleting my project assignments from my laptop. Every time I was nominated for an award, they’d report me to the Dean’s office. For instance, my overseas study application was almost rejected because of their reports. They claimed I had inappropriate behavior and cheated on exams. But they didn’t know that while they were out having fun, I was holed up in the library studying. They thought I was out chasing Declan when I was actually furiously writing in the study room. They knew nothing, only saw the surface, and yet they wanted to effortlessly destroy three years of my hard work. Fortunately, my homeroom teacher and course instructors vouched for me and explained the situation. But just when I thought everything had settled and I could smoothly go abroad, an unexpected turn occurred. A few days before I was supposed to leave, my professor told me my spot had been taken. My mind was a chaotic mess, my head empty, and a sharp pain in my stomach left me feeling cold all over. Declan, with messy hair and wearing flip-flops, appeared before me. Without a word, he grabbed my arm, squeezing it as if to break my bones. He gritted his teeth and asked, “Are *you* going abroad too?” For the first time, I ignored him, completely consumed by the news that I couldn’t go. Tears started to fall, uncontrollably. I hadn’t shed a single tear in three years, despite all the injustice, mockery, and pain I’d endured. I tried to tell myself that crying was useless, but the tears just wouldn’t stop. I was a slow learner. Anything I wanted to achieve, I always had to put in more effort than others. That’s why I never dared to stop for those three years. I was terrified my GPA would be lower than others, afraid my abilities would be inferior, afraid I wouldn’t place well in competitions. Before every project presentation, I’d practice endlessly, my voice hoarse, my mouth sore. All I wanted was to avoid mistakes, to do a good job, and leave a good impression on my professors. But now, it was all gone.

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After the redemption arc finally concluded, my husband grew tired of me. We had been married for eight years, the perfect picture of a couple, a flawless façade for all to admire. But then, the heroine of the original story suddenly returned to the country. Caleb started drifting off more frequently, and the scent of unfamiliar perfume often clung to him. The third time I caught him tangled up with her, I looked at him with an unnerving calm. “Let’s get a divorce.” As we walked out of the civil affairs office, he murmured, “You can’t go back, you know. I’ll give you a huge sum of money… We can still be friends.” “No thanks. I hope we never meet again.” I transmigrated into a novel, tasked with saving the troubled, obsessive male lead. I arrived earlier than the original heroine, staying by his side, attending school with him, and helping him through every obstacle. When his father brutalized him, I threw myself over him, shielding him, then brought him back to my place to patch him up. To quell his suspicions, I told him I’d come to this world just for him. After my mission was complete, he begged me to stay. Later, we married. Life lost its former drama, settling into the mundane grind of daily routines. He started to grow tired of me. “Man, if I’d known, I wouldn’t have gotten married so soon. Could’ve had a couple more years of fun. Not like you can go back anyway, right?” He lay on the couch, chatting casually, almost joking. When he saw the strained look on my face, he turned, grabbing my hand tightly. “Vivian, that’s not what I meant. You know how much you mean to me.” I didn’t reply. My heart felt like it had been plunged into a vat of acid, a burning, unbearable ache. “Goodnight. I’m a little tired.” With that, I opened the door, quietly walked to the bed, pulled the covers over me, and wept silently.

“So many young, pretty women are lining up for your attention, you could easily go out and have some fun. Your wife is getting old, after all.” “Don’t say things like that, ever again. Vivian… she’s wonderful. It’s just…” Caleb and his friend Noah were casually chatting in the study, just shooting the breeze and laughing. I stood outside the study door, holding a fruit platter, my feet glued to the spot. I had deeply analyzed Caleb’s personality. His childhood had been a dark, cold, oppressive void, leaving him with an insatiable hunger for thrills. He would kneel all night in a torrential downpour, begging the one he loved not to leave. He’d even free-climb six stories for a business deal. At his core, he loved adventure and excitement. Now, our peaceful, comfortable life was boring him. He was just waiting for the right moment, a perfect excuse to shatter the fragile, surface-level peace between us.

Coming home from work, the housekeeper had already prepared dinner. I looked at the empty chair across from me and asked, “Is Caleb not coming home for dinner tonight?” “Mr. Caleb said he was tied up with a business dinner, very busy.” I didn’t say anything, eating alone before lying in bed, not an ounce of sleep in me. Caleb’s “business dinners” were growing more frequent, and the strange perfume clinging to him was becoming unbearably sharp. In the dark, I counted every tick of the clock. It felt like an eternity before I finally heard the familiar click of the keypad lock outside. I sat up, ready to head to the living room. “Aurora, this is far enough. You’ve had too much to drink, I’ll have the driver take you home.” Aurora’s voice, laced with a faint, almost desperate joy, said, “Caleb, I can’t believe you still have my access code saved…” “I just tried it on a whim, and it actually worked… I’m so sorry.” I leaned weakly against the door. Hearing those words, my heart felt like it was being ripped apart by a hurricane. A few minutes of silence passed outside. Then Caleb spoke, his voice flat. “You should go home. It’s late.” “Caleb, I’m really scared. Every night, I’m haunted by those painful memories. Can I just stay here tonight?” “You once told me you’d always keep a room for me here. Is it… still available?” Aurora’s voice cracked, raw with a vulnerability that would make anyone instinctively pity her. And Caleb, after a few drinks, was even more susceptible. Caleb was silent for a moment, his voice hoarse. “I’m married.” They were locked in a stalemate outside. Another stretch of silence, then Aurora’s broken sobs grew louder. Caleb sighed softly. “Keep it down, don’t wake Vivian. And that room… yes, it was always meant for you…” “Thank you, Caleb…” Aurora’s joyful tone made the bitterness in my heart spread even further. When we were decorating this house, I’d wondered why that room was as large as our master bedroom. When I’d asked him, he’d explained it was for close friends or his parents when they visited. Now, it was clear he had lied to me. My tears streamed down uncontrollably. Caleb’s actions outside only deepened my disappointment. I heard him say, “Go get some sleep. Vivian doesn’t usually wake up until eight. I’ll wake you at six, so you won’t run into her.” In those few short sentences, Caleb was determined to keep me completely in the dark. Any last flicker of hope in my heart was mercilessly extinguished by his words.

That night, countless times I wanted to storm out of the room and confront Caleb, but each time, I bit down hard on my lip, forcing myself to regain composure. I carefully considered everything that had happened recently… Aurora’s sudden return had stirred Caleb’s already restless heart. The girl he had yearned for in his youth was now, literally, within arm’s reach. After Caleb and I married, I’d foolishly thought the heroine’s allure had finally faded. In a haze, I recalled Caleb and Aurora’s past… His father, fueled by alcohol, had thrashed Caleb’s back with a belt like a madman. I called the police, screaming for help from the neighbors, but no one responded. I watched the boy, bruised and bleeding on the floor, my fists clenched, ready to grab a kitchen knife and charge at his father. I threw myself over him, stopping him, taking the blows of the belt myself. He released his grip, trembling, and held me tight. We were both covered in blood as the faint wail of police sirens approached. At that moment, Aurora appeared in a white dress, timidly peeking in from the doorway. “Are you two okay?” Caleb and I were still embracing, but his eyes had already shifted to Aurora. Perhaps in that moment, Aurora appeared like an angel in his heart, reducing my presence to a mere fleeting second. My heart had ached that night, just as it did tonight. All my careful efforts couldn’t compare to Aurora’s single, fleeting appearance. After that, he started noticing Aurora, the shy boy awkwardly approaching her, ready to offer her everything. But Aurora was never truly his. When Aurora was twenty-two, she left the country and married the male lead of the original story. Caleb then seemed to have finally moved past that chapter of his life, turning his gaze to me, who had always been by his side. It seemed we had both found our happy ending. … From our wedding day until now, he had always been good to me. He protected me, respected me, and made me the radiant Mrs. Caleb. I had money, status, a career… just no love. I wasn’t a victim. I wasn’t pitiful. But the memories still stung. The Caleb who had knelt in the pouring rain that night, begging me not to leave, was a man I found impossible to forget, impossible to let go of. I suppressed the ache in my heart and closed my eyes. Tomorrow, I had work. 4 (Note: The original text has two ‘4’s. I will follow this format but note it’s likely a typo in the original.) Putting on a brave face, I headed for the parking lot. I planned to get my car detailed before work. At my usual dealership, I was surprised to find Caleb and Aurora there. The manager, oblivious to my relationship with Caleb, warmly grabbed my hand and said: “Ms. Aurora and her boyfriend are so sweet! He doesn’t want her battling the subway every day, so he’s getting her a new car. That sales rep is gonna have a great month!” I watched the three of them chatting animatedly, trying my best to control my emotions. I greeted Aurora. “Aurora, why didn’t you tell me you were back? And honey, you too, you know how long it’s been since we all got together.” The manager was quick. In an instant, he understood, subtly signaling to the sales rep before patting my shoulder and excusing himself. “Vivian, I just got back myself. I ran into Caleb by chance at work,” Aurora said, deftly changing the subject. Caleb quickly chimed in, “Aurora was alone and it wasn’t convenient, so I offered to help her look at cars.” I let out a brittle laugh. “Oh, is that right? Because the manager was just telling me you two were a couple. For a second there, I almost thought Caleb was cheating.” My sarcastic tone must have been too obvious, because both of them looked visibly uncomfortable, almost embarrassed. Especially Caleb, under my unyielding gaze. I saw his lips move, but no words came out. He looked like he was sitting on a bed of nails. Finally, he abruptly stood up, mumbled something about urgent company business, and rushed off. Aurora quickly said her goodbyes to me as well. Watching them walk away, I smiled, a bitter smile that brought tears to my eyes. This was Caleb, the man I had spent years trying to redeem, my husband. There was no room left for us to talk things through. I couldn’t find any excuses for him anymore. Before, when he was entangled with Aurora, I still believed it was the force of the plot. The System had told me that before the story ended, supporting characters would involuntarily be swayed by the protagonists around them. But eight years after the grand finale, eight years after we married, Caleb and Aurora were thousands of miles apart. He wasn’t under any control. His kindness to Aurora, from beginning to end, had been genuine. He was doing it because he *wanted* to.

A strong wind outside quickly dried my tears. I drove to Caleb’s company. Looking at Caleb, bent over his desk, my heart felt like a barren wasteland. “Explain yourself.” Caleb looked a bit flustered. “Aurora and Spencer divorced five years ago. She was stranded abroad with nowhere to go. I couldn’t just leave her, could I?” “Now that she’s back, she only knows the two of us here. It’s difficult for her to navigate things alone, so I’ve just been helping out.” “I know it was wrong not to tell you I was in contact with her, but there’s genuinely nothing romantic or ambiguous between us.” He finished speaking, looking at me with an expectant gaze, as if my forgiveness was just a clear explanation away. Perhaps, in the past, it would have been. But this time, I didn’t want to compromise. My heart was just too tired. His heart was still set on his ‘white moonlight’—that idealized, unattainable first love. So why did he beg me to stay? He never truly forgot Aurora, yet he had pretended to love me with a passion that defied death. He’d deleted everything related to Aurora right in front of me, only to secretly message her, not missing a single day. The last, fragile string holding my heart together finally snapped. I gave him a bitter smile. “Caleb, let’s get a divorce.” He stared at me, astonished. “Vivian, calm down. There’s really nothing going on between Aurora and me. Are you really going to divorce me just because you saw us looking at cars?” I watched Caleb frantically trying to distance himself from Aurora, and a wave of pure disgust washed over me. Isn’t this exactly what he wanted? Aurora was back in his life, bringing new thrills. “I’m leaving now. When I get home tonight, we’ll discuss the divorce, in detail.” Caleb tried to stop me and say more, but I was already in the elevator, heading out of the company building.

When Caleb came home that night, I was standing on the balcony, smoking. The smoke swirled between us, forming an opaque veil that felt impossible to lift, a permanent barrier. “Why are you smoking again?” He approached me, snatching the cigarette from my hand, throwing it to the ground, and crushing it under his foot. My expression was blank. “Caleb, have your lawyer draft the divorce papers quickly.” “I won’t divorce you. You stayed for me; I’ll take responsibility for you.” Caleb’s phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at it, a look of urgency on his face, then grabbed his jacket and headed out. “Vivian, something urgent just came up at the office. I’ll be right back.” With that, he disappeared from my sight. I covered my face, a bitter laugh escaping me. Responsibility… He knew all along that he didn’t love me anymore. He knew, deep down, that I’d stayed in this world *for him*, yet he still chose to betray me. Why couldn’t people’s hearts be like computer hard drives? Just a click, and everything could be reformatted, including emotions. I clearly knew Caleb’s cruelty, yet I couldn’t immediately sever my feelings for him. I could only toss and turn countless nights, swallowing the bitter taste of reality. That night, Caleb didn’t come home.

Perhaps due to mental and physical exhaustion, I woke up with a raging fever the next day. I called Briar, my secretary, telling her I’d be resting at home today. After agreeing, Briar hesitated, clearly having something else on her mind. “Boss, a colleague took some photos of Mr. Caleb yesterday. I’m really torn about whether I should send them to you…” I took a deep breath. “Send them to me.” Soon, my phone vibrated a few times. Several photos came through. The screen showed photos of Caleb escorting Aurora into a hotel. Yesterday, I was so sick I felt like I was going to pass out, yet he was checking into a hotel with Aurora. And he hadn’t come home all night.

In the evening, Caleb finally returned. He didn’t notice my discomfort, only looked down and explained, “Work’s been pretty hectic lately, lots of overtime.” “Are you busy with work, or with Aurora?” My gaze was mocking as I stared at his face. Caleb seemed to exhale a sigh of relief. “I can’t just abandon her. And you… you can’t go back anyway. In this world, I’m your only family. Can’t the three of us just… coexist?” I choked back a silent sob, unable to speak for a moment. Then I finally managed, “Are you out of your mind? We’re getting a divorce. I don’t need your pity, or your responsibility. If you refuse to agree, I’ll take you to court.” With that, I showed him the photos of him and Aurora entering and leaving the hotel last night. Caleb looked at me, puzzled, as if he couldn’t understand why I was doing this. “If you’re so determined to divorce, I’ll leave you enough money to live comfortably. Think about it. We’ll talk again tomorrow.” He turned and left again. Now, I understood clearly. Caleb had always been utterly shameless. He believed I was utterly dependent on him, trapped in this world, which gave him the license to act with such blatant disregard for my feelings. But… I actually had one more chance. I sat on the bed, deep in thought, gnawing at my fingers until they bled, a testament to the agonizing decision I was finally making.

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My in-laws’ family got bitten by venomous snakes while camping. Only my husband’s company had the antidote. I called my husband, but faint, suggestive moans and the unmistakable sound of splashing water came from the other end. Before I could even speak, he hung up. My in-laws’ family died at the hospital due to delayed treatment. Then Liam called me back, “Don’t cremate your parents’ bodies; bring them to my company as cadavers for anatomical study.” He thought my parents were the ones bitten by the snakes. I hung up, looking at the five bodies behind me. Following his instructions, I sent them to his company. When I arrived at the hospital, my in-laws’ family was already in critical condition. The doctor said this venomous snake was extremely rare, and only my husband Liam’s company stocked the special antidote. I frantically called Liam, but each time, he rejected my call. On my hundredth attempt, he finally picked up. “It’s Serena’s birthday tonight, and I’m spending the evening with her. Stop being so paranoid!” Worried about my in-laws in the ER, I swallowed my questions and quickly said, “Our parents and Willow, Jackson—they were all bitten by snakes. The hospital doesn’t have the antidote for this type of snake, only your company does. Please, bring the medicine to the hospital now!” Before I could finish, Liam impatiently cut me off, his tone mocking and cold. “One dose of antidote costs hundreds of thousands. Chloe, do you and your family have no shame?” “Your whole family got bitten, and now you’re trying to exploit my company? What do you take me for? A fool?” “You should really reflect on yourself.” He hung up mercilessly, then blocked my number. I slumped onto the hospital chair, my mind numb, utterly unable to believe those words had come from my husband’s mouth. My phone pinged with a notification from the Chanel sales associate, informing me that a custom-ordered, limited-edition bag, a birthday gift my parents had gotten for me, worth a fortune, had just been picked up by my husband. I didn’t need to guess. That bag was probably already slung over Serena’s arm. Stealing my things to give to his pure and perfect Serena—he’d done it countless times. Every time I protested, he’d just scoff. “You have a husband; no one cares if you’re showing off with such an expensive bag. Let Serena use it; she’s closing some business deals lately.” “Don’t be so petty, Serena is like a sister to me! If you love me, you should tolerate my kindness towards her.” He put Serena on a pedestal, giving her limited-edition bags without a second thought, lavishing sports cars and luxury homes on her like they were nothing. He might as well carve her name on his heart. And I, his actual wife, wasn’t even deemed worthy of a few doses of life-saving medicine. It was laughable. I was typing a message to the Chanel sales associate when Liam posted on Ins: “The most precious bag for the most precious person. Tonight belongs to us.” Serena’s post followed immediately: “My knight said he’d always be there for his princess. Your medicine not only saved my family but also saved my heart.” The post featured a photo of them intimately embracing. Serena had my bag slung over her shoulder, holding up the special antidote, grinning from ear to ear. A blinding rage surged through me, so intense I almost blacked out. Liam was a heartless monster, throwing away fortunes to worship Serena, yet ignoring the lives of his own family! The emergency room doors slowly opened, and the doctor walked out. I rushed over, “Please, just a little more time. I’ll get the medicine here as fast as I can.” The doctor shook his head, removing his mask. “It’s no use. The patients no longer have vital signs. Please accept our condolences.”

My nose stung with unshed tears, my heart a raw knot of pain. Just two hours ago, they were laughing and talking. Now, they were five cold, lifeless bodies in the hospital, while their son was out having a good time, worse than an animal. I held back my tears and texted the sales associate. “I haven’t been to the store recently to pick up anything. The bag must have been claimed by someone else. Please report it to the police immediately.” The doctor said the venomous snake that bit my in-laws’ family was almost extinct in this country, which was why the hospital had no antidote. It was too much of a coincidence. A rare venomous snake appearing in my in-laws’ tent. And five people dying from it. The police took the case seriously and acted quickly. Soon, they found out someone had bought venomous snakes online in bulk and released them. The suspects were Serena’s parents. The very people Liam had rushed to save were the ones who had destroyed his family. I hoped he wouldn’t look too pathetic when he finally learned the truth. The police explained to me, “Ma’am, we’ve clarified the situation. But the two suspects are currently in the hospital, also being treated. We can’t question them just yet.” I stared blankly. “They were also bitten by snakes, but the antidote has already been administered. They’ve recovered.” “It shouldn’t stop you from questioning them. You can go right over.” The officer gave me another look, clearly puzzled how I knew this. But seeing my crestfallen expression, he didn’t ask further. “Don’t worry, the police will uncover the truth and ensure justice is served.” After the police left, I filed a lawsuit with the court on my phone. A sudden call interrupted me. Liam’s voice was furious, “Chloe, are you deliberately causing trouble? I’m your husband; is it wrong for me to pick up a bag for you from the store?” “And you’re calling the police about this? Were you bitten by a venomous snake too? Is your brain messed up?” His accusations and curses rained down on me like a barrage, completely oblivious to my raw agony in that moment. I spoke coldly, “Something’s not right because I never saw that bag. You said you picked it up for me, fine. So, I ask you, where is that bag now?” Liam fell silent. After a tense pause, his tone softened. “You and I share a bed, why are we being so particular? It’s all shared marital property, isn’t it?” “Serena wanted a limited-edition bag, and this was the only one at the boutique. Today is her birthday, I just wanted to make her happy.” “It looked so perfect on her. Giving a rose leaves a lingering fragrance in your hand, so don’t dwell on it.” He was utterly shameless. I lashed out mercilessly, “How can you even say such things? Why don’t you buy her something with your *own* money? You’re worthless!” Liam froze for a moment, his voice incredulous. “You, you actually said that to me?! Have you lost your mind?!” In the past, I would have protected his ego and chosen my words carefully. Now, I realized his thick skin was impervious to anything. I didn’t want to give him a chance to argue. I quickly said, “If you’re human at all, get to the hospital morgue immediately and see the stupid thing you’ve done!” “They’re already dead! My going there won’t bring them back to life! Don’t ruin this good day for me!” Liam roared, then added, “Don’t cremate your parents’ bodies yet; see if you can send them to my company to be cadavers for anatomical study.” “Serena’s parents got into trouble; she’s distraught. I’m going to comfort her first.” The phone clicked off. I smiled. So he thought my entire family was dead. I had originally planned to let his parents rest in peace quickly, but now I ordered five large industrial freezers. Just as Liam wished, I had his entire family brought out of the morgue, along with the freezers, and a moving truck took them to his company. After a frantic morning, I got home, intending to take a nap, when Liam burst in and slapped me across the face. “Serena is practically hysterical! Her parents just came out of the ER, and you’re suing them? Do you have no humanity?!”

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Victoria’s phone home screen had a counter, and for three years, I watched it tick from 001 to 999. The night before our wedding, I curiously asked her what it meant. She just stared silently at her phone for a long time, then faintly smiled, “Nothing, it won’t be there starting tomorrow.” In the middle of the night, she didn’t even have time to change out of her pajamas. Her eyes red, she said she needed to go out for a bit and told me to get some sleep. After she left, I opened the hidden folder on her computer for the first time. Nine hundred ninety-nine videos, nine hundred ninety-nine condoms. The password was the date we got together, and also the date she broke up with Leo. The cover was a screenshot of their chat. They had agreed that after breaking up, they would completely forget each other once they’d used up the thousand condoms they had stockpiled. Today marked exactly three years since their breakup, and it was also the last night before our wedding. I spent six hours watching all nine hundred ninety-nine videos. Dawn broke, leaving just one hour until the wedding. I dialed the number I’d kept hidden for three years. “If you show up within an hour, we’ll go and sign the marriage papers.”

I did many things within that hour. Audrey arrived in ten minutes. We went to City Hall, signed the marriage papers, then picked up our immigration visas, and even bought one-way tickets to leave the country in seven days. I rushed to the wedding venue, dispersed the guests, apologized profusely to each person, and handed out the carefully selected wedding favors I’d prepared. After all that, an hour and a half had passed since the wedding was supposed to start, and Victoria still hadn’t arrived. I went home, packed all my belongings into a suitcase, and stared blankly at the red wedding decals above our bed for ten minutes. At the exact moment we should have been exchanging rings, I finally made the call. Victoria answered after a long delay, her voice a little hoarse. “Sorry, Daniel, I drank too much last night and forgot to set my alarm. I’m on my way now, can you ask the host to keep things going…?” “No need. I’ve already sent the guests home. The auspicious hour was long gone. Let’s do it another day.” My tone was flat, devoid of emotion. Victoria paused slightly. “Daniel, I’m so lucky to be marrying such a thoughtful and caring husband.” Then I heard her say, “I’m sorry.” I didn’t know if she was apologizing for being late to the wedding today, or for something else entirely. I softly hummed in acknowledgment and hung up the phone. While Audrey and I were waiting in line at City Hall, I received a message from Leo. I tapped the voice message. Leo was sobbing, begging Victoria to stay. “Victoria, it’s been a thousand times, how can I still not move on? I can’t forget you! Not even after a thousand times!” Victoria was silent for a moment, her voice trembling. “Then let’s keep going, until you completely forget.” Leo continued to ask, “Can’t you just not marry him?” Victoria’s low voice carried a hint of sorrow, “I can’t. Leo, it’s over between us.” Leo suddenly pushed her away. “We only stockpiled a thousand condoms! There won’t be a thousand and first time! Just leave!” A long silence. I heard Victoria trying to soothe Leo, “I’m pregnant. I’ll take responsibility myself. I’ll tell Daniel everything and have the baby.” The clock pointed to ten. I didn’t know if this was their thousandth-and-something time. I only knew Victoria was lying to me. They had gotten so caught up that not only had she not made it to the wedding, she probably hadn’t even managed to tear herself away from Leo. Our wedding home had been completely redecorated, inside and out. I had personally pasted every single one of the nine hundred ninety-nine red wedding decals. I thought those numbers were about us, so every time Victoria’s counter increased by one, I bought another decal and put it up in the house. Now, there was no need to tear them down. I’d leave them for whoever needed them next. We had lived together for three years, and I didn’t have much luggage. Audrey, always efficient and no-nonsense, couldn’t wait and came to pick me up herself. Audrey’s car and Victoria’s car passed each other at the entrance to our apartment complex. Leo, in the passenger seat of Victoria’s car, and I, in the passenger seat of Audrey’s, exchanged a distant glance. A silent understanding passed between us, and neither of us spoke. Audrey cleared her throat. “Should we say hello? Or start a fight?” I finally cracked a smile and told her to focus on driving. Seven days later, Audrey and I would emigrate. Our new home was already bought overseas, so Audrey first dropped me off at my parents’ house. “I need to handle some company matters. I’ll pick you up in seven days.” I nodded faintly and ignored Victoria’s incoming call.

Victoria chased me to my parents’ house. “Daniel, why did you move all your stuff out? Are you angry?” I pressed my lips together. “Victoria, I sent you a breakup text. You probably didn’t see it.” Victoria’s eyes were a little red. “Daniel, it was wrong of me to be late for the wedding today. It was all because I accidentally drank too much with some girlfriends yesterday. It won’t happen again, ever.” I didn’t speak. She sounded like she was talking to herself, repeating, “It’s all over, Daniel. Nothing like this will ever happen again.” Over? Half an hour ago, I had personally seen her drive Leo back to our apartment complex. I reiterated, “Victoria, we’ve broken up. You don’t need to make promises to me.” Victoria reached for my hand. “How can we be broken up? We were about to get married! After today, we’re husband and wife. A little spat won’t break a marriage, right? Come back with me, please?” She pressed close, brushing against my arm. I caught the strong scent of Leo’s cologne on her. Leo liked to groom himself; he was a completely different style from me. I pulled my hand away, unable to resist asking her, “Where’s Leo?” Victoria looked at me in shock, her hand dropping guiltily. “What do you know, Daniel?” So much. Those thousand condoms, that breakup note, those nine hundred ninety-nine videos, the missed wedding… Where should I even begin? Finally, I spoke. “What were you doing bringing him to our wedding home?” Victoria breathed a sigh of relief. “Daniel, we were about to get married. He just came to pick up some things he’d given me before.” “I made him take everything that had anything to do with him. That’s my statement, Daniel. Since I decided to marry you, I won’t have anything messy with anyone else.” “I’m truly sorry about being late for the wedding. I swear on my life I’ll never stand you up again. If I ever do, I, Victoria, don’t deserve to marry you, and I deserve to be single forever.” Sweet words couldn’t erase anything. I pushed her towards the door, wanting to rest. Victoria suddenly pulled out an old almanac and waved it at me, her face full of smiles. “Daniel, I’ve picked a new wedding date! This time, I had a master fortune-teller calculate it. They said our stars aligned perfectly, and seven days from now is a truly blessed day! We’ll get married then, and we’re sure to have a beautiful, long life together!” “Last time, I was fooled. Today wasn’t suitable for us to get married at all! The snag and the delay were actually a blessing in disguise.” The first time we picked a wedding date, Victoria had chosen that day too. She said a friend had given her an almanac, and it said today was auspicious for marriage. Yesterday, I learned that even our wedding date had been picked by Leo. He had deliberately chosen an unlucky day, just to provoke me. But ironically, I felt that the fortune-teller was worse than Leo, because we had no future. No seven days later, no beautiful, long life together. I gave a self-deprecating laugh. “Did the master not calculate that I’ve already married another woman?” Victoria’s face hardened. “Daniel, don’t say things like that. You’ll always be mine. Who else could you marry, besides me?” We had been dating for three years, but I had liked her for ten. She was naturally confident that I was just being childish with her. But she didn’t know that ten years ago, I had made a bet with myself: if Victoria still didn’t like me after ten years, I would give up on her. Today marked exactly ten years. I had accumulated enough disappointment that it almost felt numb now, not as painful. Victoria refused to leave my parents’ house. I had no choice but to say, “The bride and groom shouldn’t see each other before the wedding. It’s bad luck.” She finally beamed, visibly relieved, and patted her chest. “Oh, is that it? I knew you couldn’t bear for me to go through the trouble of moving, so you deliberately moved out yourself.” “Daniel, get some good rest. Remember to pick me up in seven days.”

I sold our wedding home. It was a gift I had given Victoria. My name was on the deed, and Victoria had voluntarily chosen not to add hers. She said, “Daniel, I’m not with you for your money, I’m just with you for you. If I ever betray you, you can just kick me out.” Now I decided to kick her out for good, and everything I had ever invested, I would take back. After agreeing on a price, I went to the real estate agency and signed the contract. I hadn’t wanted to see Victoria again, but the new owner insisted I accompany them for the inspection, so I reluctantly went and knocked on the door. Victoria opened it in her pajamas and slippers, looking a bit tired. I glanced around; indeed, many things were gone, and there were no signs of Leo. The owner frowned at the numerous wedding decals throughout the house. “Why are you selling a wedding home?” Older generations had superstitions; they avoided buying houses meant for newlyweds, believing all the good luck would be sucked out. I quickly explained, “We didn’t have the wedding yet. We were preparing for it, but it didn’t happen. We hadn’t even moved in as a married couple.” The owner was immediately satisfied. A house like this, they thought, would be brimming with good luck. “Perfect, I’ll buy it for my daughter’s wedding home. No need for renovations, she can move right in.” Victoria frowned. “Daniel, you’re selling the house? What does this mean?” I said blandly, “I need money.” Victoria paused. “If you need money, tell me! I can lend it to you. Why would you sell the house?” “Our wedding is in only seven days, there’s no time to buy another house. We can discuss it after the wedding, okay, Daniel…” The owner became impatient. “No, that won’t do. I won’t buy a house that’s already been lived in as a married couple. Besides, I’ve already paid. You need to move out.” I nodded. “It’s fine. My name is on the deed, so I make the decisions. The contract is signed. We’ll be out in three days.” The crowd dispersed, and Victoria and I sat facing each other, silent for a while. Victoria cautiously began, “Daniel, are you going through some difficulty?” I casually replied, “Immigration. They require financial verification. I’m two million short, so I sold it to make up the number.” Watching the final approval go through, my heart finally settled. I stood up, ready to leave. “Alright, Victoria. Remember to move out in three days. From now on, we owe each other nothing.” Ten years. How could we owe each other nothing? It was just that I didn’t want to bother counting anymore. But Victoria insisted on counting. She stood up. “What exactly do you mean? A grown man, running away from home *and* selling our wedding home? Are you trying to back out of the marriage? Daniel, have you had enough of this tantrum? You’re an adult. I indulged your moods, and now you’re being relentless, is that it? Selling a house, you’d actually do that? And immigration? Have you ever even been out of the country? Do you have any idea how complicated immigration is?” That, I genuinely didn’t know. I only knew Audrey had been tirelessly handling all the preparations for me. I’d have to thank her properly. I looked at her, puzzled. “Didn’t you stand me up at the wedding? Are you blaming me now?” Victoria stammered, “That was… that was…” “That was you saying goodbye to your past, for my benefit. But Victoria, how many times has Leo been in this house?” I answered for Victoria. But at the second question, she fell completely silent. That night, for six hours, I counted. Ninety-three times, it was in this house, on our bed. “Since this is my house, and it’s been defiled, I’m going to sell it. Is there a problem with that?” “Are we supposed to have our wedding night on the same bed where you and him… I find it disgusting.”

Victoria raised her hand and slapped me. As her palm connected with my face, Victoria seemed to regret it, pulling back some of her force, but her sharp nails still scraped my cheek. It stung. My heart skipped a few beats. I looked up, utterly disbelieving. Victoria frowned. “Leo, he sacrificed so much for you. You shouldn’t talk about him like that. You know he comes from a humble background, he’s sensitive. You can’t call him disgusting.” “Daniel, I never hid my past with him from you. You knew about it. Now I’ve chosen you, and I’m going to marry you. He’s the one who’s hurt. You’re the one who benefits from this, so you shouldn’t treat him this way.” I didn’t understand what I had gained. Victoria’s love? But what Leo received was always her preferential treatment. I couldn’t even magnanimously give Leo anything, because I had never received as much as he had. So, I would just erase my presence, and slowly withdraw. Victoria sighed. “Daniel, I admit I wronged you before, but everything I did was to be responsible for our marriage. I’ve completely cut ties with him. From now on, my world only has you.” She stepped forward, reaching out to touch the red mark on my face, but I pushed her hand away. Victoria was about to say more when her phone rang. It was Leo’s unique ringtone. “Victoria, everyone in the town is laughing at me… After something like this, I can’t bear to live anymore. Since you’ve chosen him, I have nothing left to hold onto. Goodbye, Victoria.” Half an hour ago, those nine hundred ninety-nine videos had been uploaded online, going viral across every platform. Leo’s name was trending. The videos had blurred Victoria’s face, but Leo had grown up in a small town with traditional family values. The damage to him was unimaginable. Victoria almost instantly raised her hand and slapped me hard again. “Was that you?” I frowned, then immediately dismissed the possibility of Audrey deliberately leaking the videos to get revenge for me. Although Audrey was extremely well-connected and getting the videos wouldn’t be difficult for her, I knew Audrey. She would never do something that would tarnish someone’s reputation in such a way. I shook my head. “It wasn’t me. I wouldn’t do something like that…” The door was kicked open. Leo and Victoria’s mutual friends stormed in, tackling me to the ground. Victoria’s eyes were bloodshot. “If not you, then who?! Only you dislike Leo! Only you would go so far as to destroy him! I already chose to marry you, I already cut ties with him, what more do you want?!” “Daniel, don’t forget, you were the one who begged to be with me! You were the one who said you didn’t mind that I moved on so fast, you were the one who said you’d wait for me!” I was dragged up by the group and thrown into a car, covered in scrapes. My leg felt broken. “Come with me to save him. You did this, you go talk him down. If anything happens to him, I’ll jump with you. We owe him this.” On the rooftop, Leo’s face was ashen. He gave a bitter laugh. “Victoria, do you remember this place? This is where I confessed to you ten years ago. We were just students then, weren’t we? So beautiful.” More and more people gathered below, insults and jeers echoing ceaselessly. “Shameless! What did their parents teach them? Only got a lower body, huh?” “I heard he’s a kept man. The videos are all with other people’s wives. Deserves to be exposed!” “Hey, the netizens have already found you a job! You’re so good at it, the pay must be decent. Don’t jump, benefit the public! Plenty of rich ladies at exclusive clubs!” Victoria shrieked, her eyes bloodshot, “Shut up! All of you, shut up!” It was useless. She could only tremble as she walked towards Leo, trying to cover his ears. “Leo, don’t listen to them, don’t do anything stupid. I’ll make Daniel explain.” My leg throbbed, and I was sweating profusely, my vision blurring. “Explain what? I told you I didn’t leak the videos.” Victoria raised her heel and stomped on my injured leg. “Besides you, who else would know the password? You know exactly when Leo and I broke up. If not you, then who?” “Daniel, I had finally made up my mind to marry you and build a good life together, but you’ve disappointed me so much. I never thought you’d be such a malicious person…” “Enough!” Leo clenched his fists. “It’s come to this point, what good is talking about it now? Victoria, don’t come near me! If you take one more step, I’ll jump! Make Daniel come over here!” I was tossed around like a football by the group, thrown towards him. My hand slammed against the iron railing, a steel nail piercing right through it. I finally tensed up. For a designer, a ruined hand was no different from a ruined life. I yelled at the crowd, “Call 911! My hand is badly injured! Get me to a hospital!” Victoria said coldly, “Daniel, you’re quite an actor. But I won’t believe you anymore! If you want me to forgive you, then get Leo to forgive you first!” I grabbed Leo’s arm, begging him, “The videos really weren’t from me! Victoria and I have broken up. You don’t need to do this, you two can be together.” Leo suddenly curled his lips into a smile, then violently grabbed me in a tackle, pulling me onto the rooftop as we wrestled. “Of course I know the videos weren’t from you, because I’m the one who spread them myself!” “Daniel, after all these years, you still haven’t improved. With just a slight effort, I can win Victoria back. You’re too weak. How about you die for me instead?” My body was covered in injuries, and I felt my strength draining. My body was already over the railing. “Goodbye, Daniel.” Leo said, slowly letting go of my hand. I was powerless to resist, falling into a chaotic void, my body plummeting rapidly. Suddenly, a hand grabbed me, holding me tight. I saw firefighters rushing up, and at the front of the crowd was Audrey, her hair disheveled from running.

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