These past few years, Pierce has performed plastic surgery on me many times. Every single time, I went willingly. I believed he was trying to help me escape my ex-fiancé’s pursuit through these procedures. He loved me. Until I saw a photo of the woman he loved most during her lifetime. Because I looked just like her. Once again stood up at City Hall. This was the fifth time Pierce had run from our wedding. I had a sinking feeling that marrying Pierce in this lifetime would be impossible. That evening, I found him at the club owned by his friend Steven. “I’m seriously done with you. How many times have you run now?” “Isn’t Lester going to want to kill you?” Steven snatched the drink from Pierce’s hand. The door stood slightly ajar. I didn’t have the courage to push it open. Pierce had drunk himself into a stupor. But the words that came out of his mouth felt like a sharp blade. Stabbing straight into my heart. “I really can’t deceive myself anymore. She’s not Juliet.” “Even though she looks more and more like her. That expression, those eyes.” “I don’t love her. I’m very clear about this—I love Juliet.” I didn’t know Juliet personally, but I knew of her. She was Pierce’s white moonlight—his first love. She had died in a car accident several years ago. Three years together, and I thought I could warm his heart. But today, his absence again made me wake up from the dream. Perhaps I had never truly entered Pierce’s heart. And I had never really understood this man. In the dimly lit private room, Pierce’s suppressed voice came through again. Carrying pain and a torn, sobbing quality. “All these years, I’ve sculpted her to look more and more like Juliet, but I really can’t deceive myself. They’re fundamentally two different people.” Steven seemed to sigh, saying Pierce was becoming more and more obsessed. “She’s still not similar enough. Juliet’s waist was so slender you could encircle it with one hand, but Lester’s waist isn’t delicate enough yet.” Steven said, “You’re not going to coax her into another surgery, are you? Don’t you care if she lives or dies?” Pierce laughed coldly. “Believe it or not, with just one word from me, she’d give me her life. What’s removing a few ribs compared to that?” “Stop with the surgeries. Someone’s going to die.” Steven tried to persuade him. “And aren’t you afraid that one day when she learns the truth, she’ll leave you?” Pierce’s tone was contemptuous. “Would she dare? Everything she has now is because of me. Without me, could she even survive?” My heart plummeted, my mind went blank, and my entire body trembled. So all these years, I’d been living in Pierce’s lies. He had once told me that by changing my appearance, I could escape the misfortune that person had brought me. Pierce was a highly skilled plastic surgeon. Over these years, he had performed many surgeries on me, both major and minor. Watching myself become increasingly unfamiliar in the mirror, I had once felt as though I’d been reborn. But now, I finally understood. These three years, he had simply been sculpting me into the work of art he desired. I was nothing more than a substitute. Pierce had a woman he deeply loved named Juliet. She had died in a car accident during the year he loved her most. Pierce had nearly lost his own life because of it. He said he’d tried everything, but in the end could only watch helplessly as his beloved died in his arms. He had been depressed for a long time after that. Dragging my exhausted body, I returned to our “home.” Over three years, every corner of this place bore traces of my life here. But today, I truly wanted to leave. If I couldn’t get closer to him, then I should distance myself. My mind was in chaos. For the first time, I felt utterly lost about life. When I met Pierce, I thought I could live well for the rest of my life. But why had things turned out this way? I loved him so much, believed he was my redemption. He was the one who helped me escape that nightmare of a past. Yes, during the time when Pierce was depressed after Juliet’s death, we met. I encountered Pierce at the most desperate moment of my life. Meeting him was like a drowning person grasping a lifeline. That day, I was being frantically chased and attacked by my ex-fiancé, who seemed to be having a violent episode. In my panic, I stumbled into an unfamiliar garden where I ran into Pierce. He saved me and brought me back to his home. The warm lights in his house and a bowl of hot noodles completely soothed my terror. So I told him about my ordeal. I had once had a sweet romance too. With an excellent fiancé from a privileged background. But at some point, my fiancé changed. He became easily irritated and angry. Then he started hitting me.

“It’s all because of you. Everything is because of you.” He would scream madly while beating me. I didn’t know what I had done to make him this way. No matter how much I asked, he never gave me a reason. Every few days he would have another episode, beating me black and blue. Even when I called the police, they treated it as a domestic matter and didn’t want to get involved. Besides, his family had power and connections. Even if he was taken in, he’d be out quickly. After each beating, he would kneel and repent. But then he’d do it all over again. I tried many times to take him to see a psychiatrist, but he strongly resisted. Watching him become more unhinged day by day, I couldn’t take it anymore and chose to run. But he found me every single time. Each time he found me, another even more frenzied beating and abuse would follow. Later, he became increasingly crazy, even imprisoning me and forbidding me from contacting the outside world. I broke down. Several times I even thought about death. I begged him to let me go. He said, “You can never leave me. I became this way because of you. We’re locked together for life.” My ex-fiancé Chris said I could never escape him in this lifetime. I had no parents, no family, no one. I had nowhere to turn for help. After that encounter, I stayed at Pierce’s house. Every day I helped him with household chores and such. Pierce said I was so talented, I shouldn’t just stay at home all day. I should shine in my professional field. But if I went out to work, Chris would find me quickly. I didn’t dare imagine what would happen then. So Pierce suggested I get plastic surgery. I was persuaded by his bold idea. Because I wasn’t willing to just live under Chris’s shadow like this. As long as I became another person, Chris wouldn’t be able to find me. Then I could live a normal life. I thought about it for a few days and agreed to Pierce’s plan. After recovering from the first surgery, the way Pierce looked at me changed. I remember when the last bandage was removed from my face, Pierce hugged me tightly. He said excitedly that the surgery was very successful. Looking at the face in the mirror that had changed so dramatically, I secretly breathed a sigh of relief. I thought I could finally escape from Chris. I was so happy that I overlooked his bloodshot eyes and the tears pooling in them. Later, he told me it was the most successful surgery he’d ever performed—absolutely perfect. Now I knew that the “perfection” he spoke of contained the dark “wish” deep in his heart. A few days after the first surgery, Pierce confessed his feelings to me. He said I was an angel sent by heaven to save him. Because of me, he had rediscovered the courage and confidence to live. Because of Chris, I wasn’t ready to immediately enter another relationship. So I didn’t agree right away. But he wasn’t in a hurry. Slowly, he moved me with his actions and sincerity. He was someone who paid great attention to detail and creating special moments. He was good-looking, gentlemanly, and romantic. Eventually, I fell for him. Pierce said his angel should be the most perfect woman in the world. He wanted to make me the most beautiful bride. So he performed several more surgeries on me.

The first few times, I agreed easily. Because I still harbored fear of Chris. Only by becoming another person could I feel safe. And only Pierce’s scalpel could accomplish that. But later, during a procedure to implant facial prosthetics, whether due to improper operation or something else. After the surgery, I developed an infection and nearly died on the operating table. I remember they worked to save me for a day and a night before I was out of danger. After that, I developed a kind of post-traumatic fear response to plastic surgery. I was no longer enthusiastic about it—in fact, I became quite resistant. But each time, he desperately persuaded me. I knew his behavior was pathological, but I loved him too much. I couldn’t bear to refuse him, so time after time I obediently lay down on the operating table. I became less and less like my original self. Every time a surgery was completed, the way he looked at me was so bright. Now I had finally found the answer. The reason why he was so obsessed with performing surgery on me. I was nothing more than a substitute for his white moonlight. A substitute who resembled his white moonlight. Only now did I realize belatedly why his gaze at me was always so strange. As if he was looking through me, seeing someone else. I opened the door to Pierce’s usually locked study. Never before had I felt such urgency to know what Juliet actually looked like. I had known about her existence before. But I had never allowed myself to compare with a dead woman. After searching the room, I found a hidden compartment behind the bookshelf. Opening it, I found a photo album and a thick notebook inside. The moment I opened the album, my heart was pounding. As if I was about to unveil a world mystery. Two faces so similar, similar enough to make me feel suffocated. The same eyes, the same contours, even the small dimple on the left corner of the mouth. I didn’t know what kind of mentality drove Pierce to sculpt my face into Juliet’s likeness. My body felt cold, frozen stiff. I couldn’t help but touch my own face. For the first time, resembling another person filled me with terror. Once again I felt the same panic as when I was fleeing from Chris’s pursuit. So frantic, and so desperate. Driven by curiosity, I opened the notebook. It recorded Pierce’s life and emotional state since Juliet’s death. I knew there must be records about me. Soon enough, I found them. “I met a woman. Her arrival seems to have added a bit of light to my life. But I know she’s not you, so I’m gradually transforming her to look like you.” “Today, I gave her the same double eyelids as yours.” “I gave her the same dimples as you. When she smiles, it’s like seeing you before me.” Like some kind of self-torture, I flipped through page after page. With each entry I read, I felt my heart being trampled by thousands of horses, being cut to pieces. Very late, Pierce finally came home. By then I had already washed up and was lying in bed. A few hours had been enough for me to calm myself. Pierce first apologized, explaining that there was a sudden emergency at the hospital, so he couldn’t go with me to get our marriage license. He promised that next time, this definitely wouldn’t happen again. So many promises now that even his excuses came smoothly. “Honey, I really messed up. There won’t be a next time.” I smiled and said it was okay, work came first. I didn’t think there would be a next time anyway.

He looked at me with surprise, as if shocked by my calm reaction. Because the previous times, I had been angry with him for quite a while. He held me, saying many things to comfort me. I leaned quietly in his arms. Appearing to listen carefully, but inside my emotions were all mixed up. I was even trembling with fear. Pierce cupped my face and asked with concern what was wrong. I said, “I’m afraid we won’t be able to be together in the future.” Pierce kissed me and reassured me it wouldn’t happen. We held each other and talked for a long time. I held back from pushing him away. He loved Juliet so much, yet here he was with me, performing this pretense of affection. I suddenly felt this person was so strange. He gently stroked my waist. I thought of his conversation with Steven and couldn’t help but get goosebumps all over. I was waiting for what he would say next. Like waiting for his verdict, to let myself give up completely again. Sure enough, he finally spoke. “Honey, you studied dance performance. A perfect waistline can showcase the charm of your dancing. I think these few ribs of yours are too prominent—they expose a flaw in your figure.” My heart felt like it had been slashed open, bleeding profusely. I said, “But I think I’m fine the way I am.” I spoke hesitantly, wanting him to see my unwillingness. But his eyes flashed with an inexplicable excitement. He hadn’t listened to me at all. “Trust me, it’s just a few cuts. Trust my skills. I guarantee I’ll make you graceful and incomparably beautiful.” My heart turned to ash as I looked at him with hollow eyes. He was still gesturing at my waist, as if preparing to cut into a metal object. He kept muttering various terms, but my heart grew colder and colder. He had never loved me. My existence was merely a comfort for his soul. Or rather, I was his work, an object to commemorate the person who died. No life, no soul. Who would care about the feelings of an empty shell? “Will I die?” I couldn’t help but ask. “Nonsense. I’m a doctor. Are you questioning my medical skills?” I smiled bitterly inside. Every time he told me his medical skills were excellent, how beautiful I would be after surgery. But not once did he tell me how risky the surgery was, what the failure rate might be. And I had never questioned him. For the first time, I felt pathetic. Today, I didn’t want to continue being so foolish. “Pierce, I don’t want any more surgeries. Is that okay?” Pierce’s expression seemed to change, but quickly became gentle again. “What’s wrong? In a bad mood?” I said, “I think I’m fine as I am. I don’t see the need for more surgery.” Pierce’s face was no longer gentle. “Lester, you’re becoming disobedient.” I looked exhausted. “Pierce, I’m really tired. I don’t want to keep doing this.” Pierce thought my refusal this time was because of his running from the wedding again today. So he promised me that he would definitely marry me in this lifetime. Besides me, he wouldn’t marry anyone else. I pushed him away, saying that wasn’t the reason. I said I just wanted to live a normal life, didn’t want to keep messing with this face and this body anymore. That night neither of us could convince the other. In the end we both stuck to our positions until we fell into exhausted sleep. The next day Pierce drove me to work. In the car, I could see Pierce was in a very bad mood. If it were before, I would have asked him with concern what was wrong. But now, I didn’t want to be considerate anymore. Seeing that I hadn’t acknowledged him for a while, he finally couldn’t help but speak.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “366878”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn

After I went abroad, I heard that every lover Bradley found resembled me. When people mentioned me, his friends would say, “As long as Bradley’s first love Elliott is willing to return home, no other woman stands a chance.” Until Bradley found a newly debuted starlet who didn’t resemble me in the slightest. Yet she was the first girlfriend he ever publicly acknowledged. That year, I hurried back home. Everyone waited to watch me regret my choices and beg Bradley desperately. Even Bradley hinted at me indirectly, “Elliott, your timing for coming back isn’t great.” But they didn’t know I wasn’t here to fight for Bradley. I came back to get married. Walking out of the airport, I spotted Bradley in the crowd immediately. He wore a coat, his features more mature than when I’d left years ago. But the expression on his face was far too complex. “They said you were coming back. I thought it was fake news.” I stopped with my suitcase, responding coolly, “Just back to handle some things.” Bradley took the suitcase from my hands. “Your father asked me to pick you up. Don’t misunderstand.” I nodded and followed him to the underground parking garage. On the way, I checked my phone. The group chat that had been silent for ages had exploded. 【Did Bradley really go pick up Elliott? Is it true? Elliott’s back?】 【What about Bradley’s current girlfriend, that starlet named Wilkinson? Did he dump her?】 【Do you even need to ask? And why do you think Elliott suddenly came back? Obviously to steal him back!】 【Wilkinson’s nothing. At most she’s just Bradley’s novelty. Now that Elliott’s back, I’ll eat my words if that starlet gets so much as a glance from him.】 【I’ve met Wilkinson. Don’t underestimate her. Anyone who can lock down Bradley is ruthless.】 Bradley noticed my constantly vibrating phone too. He glanced at the messages and said to me, “Elliott, your timing really isn’t great. I already have a girlfriend.” My hand froze on the passenger door handle. I opened the back door instead. Only two words left my mouth: “Congratulations.” Bradley slammed his door particularly hard. That’s when I realized—after all these years, he’d learned to smoke. The Bradley of the past had been so disciplined. No smoking, no drinking, no wild nights. But in the years I’d been abroad, I’d heard about at least a dozen of his flings. Bradley’s phone rang. A sweet, cloying female voice came through. “Bradley, I’m exhausted on set. Can you come pick me up?” “Send me the address.” “Love you.” Bradley hung up and smiled at me. “You don’t mind if I make a detour to pick up my girlfriend, do you?” “Of course not.” I should never have gotten in his car. Bradley parked near the film set. In the bustling crowd, I spotted Wilkinson immediately. She was too striking. Even bundled up completely, people could recognize her at a glance. Fans were taking photos along the way. Wilkinson pulled down her mask slightly, smiling brilliantly. “Thank you. My boyfriend’s a civilian—could you guys please not photograph him?” The fans jeered, “We heard your boyfriend is Bradley. Is it true?” Wilkinson didn’t deny it, just put her index finger to her lips in a shushing gesture. After she got in the car, she took off her sunglasses and kissed Bradley’s cheek. “Bradley, have you been waiting long?” Her eyes shifted to me. “And you are?” I smiled politely. “Hello, nice to meet you. I’m Elliott, a friend of Bradley’s.” Wilkinson’s smile deepened. “Elliott, I hear people mention you all the time.” Bradley naturally fastened her seatbelt for her. “Sit tight, I’m about to drive.” Wilkinson said coquettishly, “Look at me, always forgetting. You have to do it for me every time.” I turned my gaze to the window, not watching their affection. The car hadn’t been driving long when Wilkinson initiated conversation. “Elliott, in all these years abroad, did you ever have a boyfriend?” I answered frankly, “I did.” “See, I knew it. Elliott, you’re as beautiful as a celebrity. You’ve never lacked admirers, right? “Like Bradley—he was the one who pursued me. His friends all say I’m different to Bradley, that I’m someone he especially favors. “I just don’t understand—do they mean Bradley has some first love? I heard you and Bradley grew up together. You must know who his first love is. Tell me?” She looked at me, her eyes more scrutinizing than curious. Bradley frowned. “I don’t have any first love. They’re just joking around.” Wilkinson pouted and unhappily started playing with her phone. The rest of the ride was silent. When Bradley dropped me off at home, he didn’t even get out of the car. He rolled down his window and said casually, “My girlfriend’s upset. I need to placate her. I won’t go in. Say hi to your parents for me.” I was about to leave when Wilkinson suddenly called out to me. “Elliott, let’s add each other on social media.” She added, “You add me, so you don’t end up not accepting my request.”

My friends threw a small welcome-back party for me. No one expected Bradley to bring Wilkinson. Wilkinson had carefully prepared gifts for everyone, especially me. “I heard Bradley treats Elliott like family. When Bradley and I get married, Elliott, remember to be my bridesmaid.” Several friends changed expressions, saying to Bradley, “Bradley, aren’t you going to handle this?” Bradley laughed. “You want me to go home and fight with her?” Wilkinson covered her mouth shyly. She suggested playing Truth or Dare. The bottle landed right on me. Everyone eagerly tried to ask, but Wilkinson stopped them. “Everyone step aside! Let Bradley ask first.” Bradley took a drink and looked at me. “Did you get a boyfriend abroad?” I nodded. “Yes.” Quite a few people gasped. Bradley had a friend named Jack who teased me, “Elliott’s joking. If she’s lying, she drinks as penalty. I’ll drink for Elliott.” Next round, when Bradley spun the bottle, it landed on me again. He asked, “What’s your boyfriend’s name?” I answered, “Not convenient to say.” Wilkinson laughed loudly. “Elliott, good thing you’re not an actress. Your acting is pretty terrible. Men are too dense to notice, but we’re both women—I can tell when you’re lying right away~” Bradley’s past lovers never dared speak like this. But the one sitting beside him now was Wilkinson, the only girlfriend he’d ever acknowledged. Bradley’s silence indicated approval. I swept my hair back and smiled. “The kind of affected pretension Miss Wilkinson does, I truly can’t manage.” Wilkinson’s smile froze on her face. I prided myself on having a good temper, but a sharp tongue. This was something Bradley apparently hadn’t gotten around to telling Wilkinson. Still, her psychological resilience was strong. She quickly smiled again and poured me a drink. “Fair’s fair. If you can’t answer, you have to drink. Please.” “Fine.” I downed the drink readily. The bottle in Bradley’s hands seemed magical—next round, it landed on me again. He asked almost without thinking, “Why did you come back this time?” I gave up answering that question. Bradley saw through my intention and pressed his hand on the bottle. “What are you back for?” His fingertips were white from gripping so hard. I answered reluctantly, “To get married.” Actually, saying it didn’t matter much—I’d have to invite friends to the wedding eventually anyway. Everyone burst into laughter. “Haven’t seen you in years, didn’t expect Elliott’s methods of fooling people to get more childish.” “Methinks the lady doth protest too much.” “Elliott, you’re getting worse at lying.” I looked at Wilkinson. “So sorry, I can’t be your bridesmaid, because my wedding is early next month.” She asked curiously, “Is it that boyfriend you dated abroad? Elliott, just tell us. We’re not going to look down on him, are we?” I didn’t need to explain to her, just said coolly, “He’s excellent, but I can’t reveal his identity.” Bradley suddenly pulled Wilkinson up. “Wilkinson, your acting is much better than Elliott’s. I can’t watch this charade anymore. Let’s go.” Jack grabbed him, whispering in his ear, “Don’t, Bradley. If you miss this chance, when will you get another—” Bradley shook off his hand. “When did I ever wait for her? These years I’ve played with plenty of women. Every single one was better than Elliott.” Jack’s unspoken words were forcefully cut off. I met Bradley’s gaze. His eyes were trembling. I stood there, feeling like all the blood in my body had turned ice cold. “Bradley, aren’t you disgusted with yourself?” He licked the corner of his mouth with a mocking smile. “Don’t need you to worry about it.”

After the party ended, Jack couldn’t help asking me, “Elliott, is this marriage thing real or fake?” I nodded calmly. “It’s real.” He sighed. “There’s no need to lie to me, is there? Others might not know, but don’t I? You and Bradley just can’t get past that old obstacle. Actually, Bradley, he—” I interrupted him. “Jack, that’s not an obstacle. It’s a person. “I really am getting married this time. I’m not lying to you or acting out of spite.” Jack seemed to receive a tremendous blow. “Elliott! Look at what Bradley’s become these years. How can you…” “Don’t I know what he’s been like these years? How carefree he’s been in his world of flowers.” “These years, Bradley has looked at one woman after another who resembles you. The thing he’s said most is ‘like her, but not her.’” I said weakly, “Jack, but you saw it too. He still hates me.” … Bradley’s car suddenly stopped halfway. He issued an eviction order to Wilkinson beside him. “Get out.” Wilkinson’s expression stiffened. She forced a smile. “What, you say you don’t believe it, but hearing she’s getting married, you’re humiliated and angry?” Bradley’s eyes grew deeper. “Wilkinson, know your place. Blacklisting you is just one sentence from me.” Between her career and talking back, Wilkinson chose the former. She thought she was different to Bradley. No woman had sat in Bradley’s passenger seat. No woman had been acknowledged by him as his girlfriend. Other women were dumped just for mentioning Elliott. Wilkinson didn’t think Elliott was the first love everyone talked about. She thought Bradley felt more hatred. He’d loved, but love had turned to hate. Everyone wanted to be Mrs. Bradley. Since she, Wilkinson, had reached the threshold, she had to do everything possible to cross it. Wilkinson posted on Instagram—a photo she’d secretly taken of me. The private room lighting was dim. She’d only captured my back. Caption: 【Heard your first love came back, so I became the smear of mosquito blood on the wall.】 One minute later, she deleted it. Wilkinson was the top celebrity Bradley had promoted. Her every move could trend. This time, my name appeared in the trending topics. Her fans were indignant: 【What first love? She’s just someone who dumped Bradley back then and now can’t stand seeing our Wilkinson doing well, so she came back to steal him.】 【Isn’t this just a homewrecker?】 【She’s not just a homewrecker, she’s a murderer. She killed a mutual friend of hers and Bradley’s.】 【Not many people know about what happened back then. All I can say is Elliott has very powerful connections and background. You can guess the rest~】 【Was Wilkinson threatened? If you were threatened, post a period in your next Instagram.】 Wilkinson’s next Instagram post was indeed a period, which she then deleted. She stirred up waves again. When she came to my door to apologize, she still pretended to be innocent, wiping away tears. “I’m sorry, Elliott. I just accidentally posted script dialogue. I didn’t know netizens would get so worked up and actually cyberbully you. I’m sorry.” She cried pathetically. I said coldly, “You want to make me suffer but don’t want to offend the George family behind me. Wilkinson, there’s no such convenient arrangement in the world.” “Elliott, I know what they said is true—you and Bradley had a relationship, so you’re targeting me. I understand, but please leave Bradley alone.” I was about to speak when Wilkinson suddenly pitched forward, her head hitting the table directly. Bradley walked in just in time to see this scene. He rushed forward and scooped up the unconscious Wilkinson. Blood gushed out, staining half his shoulder red. “Elliott, I already took down all the trending topics for you. Don’t push too far.” I said angrily, “Do you think it was someone else who directed her fans to cyberbully me—” Bradley mocked me. “But Elliott, which part did they get wrong? That you left me without a word, or that you got someone killed?” The words stuck in my throat. He didn’t look back, carrying Wilkinson as he rushed to the hospital.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “366877”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn

My childhood dream with Zachary was to become police officers. But later on. He became the head of New York’s largest criminal organization. And I became his most formidable lieutenant. The day we were both arrested and imprisoned. He rubbed his nose and said: “We’re even now. In our next life, let’s be brothers again.” But I lowered my eyes, calmly had the guard open my door, and said to him through the iron bars: “Sorry, but this is my badge number.” My identity—I’m an undercover cop. The day Zachary was sentenced, it drizzled. I sat at the courthouse entrance smoking, but the rain kept extinguishing my cigarette. I couldn’t get it lit. When they were led out, the organization’s former second-in-command spat at me. “Pah! Liam, you ungrateful bastard.” My hand holding the cigarette trembled as I looked at Zachary. He still showed no expression. Back then, I thought that would be the last time I’d ever see him. That this demon who’d taken countless lives would die by firing squad. And I would finally, completely end my years of undercover work. The next day. The precinct informed me. Zachary had escaped from prison. When I heard the news, I was writing my debriefing report. A uniformed colleague burst in and tackled me to the ground. “Zachary escaped!!” “The armed forces they had don’t match the intel you provided!!” “Did you hold something back?!” His fists rained down on me without reason. He grabbed me by the collar, and I tilted my head to the side. Colleagues rushed in to pull us apart. The man coughed violently and threw a photo at me. In the photo. Inside the only transport vehicle left at the scene. Zachary had used my colleagues’ blood… To write my name over and over again. “The ones who took Zachary are foreign forces we haven’t identified yet.” “The officers transporting Zachary have been confirmed. Thirty-one people. Not one survived.” My lighter wouldn’t ignite. My partner gestured with his chin toward the man who’d just burst in and attacked me. “Young’s girlfriend… was among them.” So his girlfriend had just been killed. No wonder he resented me so much. “I didn’t withhold information.” “I never knew he had foreign backing.” I shoved the lighter into my pocket. Suddenly let out a dejected laugh. No matter how I explained it, it sounded hollow. “It’s okay, I believe you.” My partner patted my shoulder. “If you wanted to side with Zachary, this whole area would’ve been reduced to rubble by now.” “…” I didn’t know how to respond. So I stared at the white mist dispersing in the air. But my mind inexplicably wandered back. The night before Zachary was arrested, he’d rubbed my shoulder. “Liam, got a light?” The man had a sharp nose bridge, and when he looked down, his lashes were long. He leaned close to me, taking a spark from the cigarette in my mouth. I asked him if he didn’t have his own lighter. He laughed and said he wanted everything of mine.

After graduating from the police academy, I went undercover to get close to Zachary. When we were young, Zachary and I had stayed at the same orphanage. In our youth, we’d been close friends. Because of this, I had perfect, ideal conditions for approaching Zachary. But the moment we met, he had his men beat me up. I remember that day he wore a pair of dirty Adidas sneakers, stepping on my shoulder with his shoe. My finger bone was broken on the first go—it hurt worse than any injury I’d gotten at the police academy. He grabbed my hair and asked me: “Didn’t I tell you to get lost? Why did you come back?” I gritted my teeth to keep from crying out, but I looked up, meeting his eyes directly. I said, “Don’t send me away.” “I can’t survive out there, Zachary.” Zachary took me in. But for several nights in a row, he just had me drink with his gang of thugs. “Come on, drink up.” “You’re Liam, right? I heard you’re the boss’s brother?” A sleazy young man draped his arm over my shoulder. My clean white shirt seemed too out of place in that world. So he laughed mockingly. “Fuck, why so shy?” “We’re all bros here.” “Look, your brother—” Through my swaying vision, I followed his pointing finger to where Zachary sat. I saw a strikingly beautiful young man climbing onto the lap of a man who was tilting his head back, chugging alcohol. Nearby, his subordinates chatted and laughed, completely used to it. …This was the first time I learned about Zachary’s sexual orientation. I began to feel relieved for my childhood self. The one who used to crawl into Zachary’s bed and rub his stomach. I told Zachary I’d graduated middle school but dropped out of high school. He laughed with a cigarette in his mouth, calling me stupid. “Back then I fought tooth and nail to get you out.” “And you ended up like this?” “…” But those few days, I was also quite troubled. On the surface, Zachary ran a tea business, and the work he arranged for me was keeping track of daily tea sales. But anyone could figure out he wasn’t actually selling tea. That day, I rushed out and blocked him as he was about to get in his car. “You can’t have me selling tea leaves for the rest of my life.” He laughed. I always felt I must seem pretty cute to him. “So what do you want to sell?” The man tilted his head, asking me with considerable patience. But I froze. If I actually said something at that moment, he’d probably put a gun to my head on the spot. “Scared now?” He smiled, studying my expression. From that moment, I began to understand—he wasn’t the Zachary I used to know anymore. He had more tricks up his sleeve than books I’d read, had long since walked a completely different path from me. I steeled myself and got in his car. “I want to sell what you’re selling.” “Zachary, I want to do something big.” “Why should you get to do it, but not me?” Then Zachary brought me to… A canned meat processing plant. … “You’re messing with me.” I twitched my mouth, coming to this conclusion. “This factory is yours now, Liam. You’ve studied, so you know how to run it.” “This will be enough for your whole life…” “I don’t want it.” Only now did I realize. He was planning to shake me off. “Why can they follow you, but I can’t?” “Don’t you trust me? Do you think because I joined later, I’m suspicious?” “Fine, Zachary, then watch closely—compared to your men, who’s more willing to risk their life for you?” As I spoke, I started to put my hand into the running tea mixing machine beside us. Actually, in that second, my heart was racing. I’d even figured out how to report a work injury if my hand really got ground up. But the man lunged forward and pinned me to the ground. That was the first time I saw him angry. “Fucking hell, Liam, whose body do you think you’re playing with?” “Can you stop messing around?” “How could I possibly let you join me? You know what I do…” “Could get you killed?” He asked me, almost frantically. But in my heart, I answered him clearly. Of course I know what you’re doing. I came here to get you killed. But what I said aloud was: “Zachary, let me help you.” “I’m already a mess anyway, this is all my life will ever be.” “You might as well take care of me. I’ll be your problem for life.”

Zachary definitely didn’t know I was the documentary type. When it came to throwing tantrums, he couldn’t really win against me. As if forced into a corner, he slowly started letting me get involved in his operations. Saturday night, they were going to raid that nightclub in the south district. This was my first assignment— Take a few guys, kick down the nightclub’s door, and smash everything in sight. Before I left, Zachary squeezed my wrist. “Such thin arms and legs.” “Can you even fight?” … I really wanted to tell him my police academy scores were good enough to take down a dozen of him. But in the end, I just grinned at him. “Zachary.” “Just watch.” After nightfall, the city surged with an uneasy scent of blood. I led the group and kicked down the opposing headquarters’ door first. This gradually evolved into an all-out gang war. It was my first time seeing people hacking at each other with machetes—completely different from the minor scuffles at the police academy. I nearly got hit several times. Dodging frantically on instinct in the crowd. Suddenly I heard someone shout my name. I looked instinctively. Someone shoved me hard, and I tumbled out onto the street. “And you wanted me to ‘just watch.’” “Watch you get yourself killed?” Just now, if Zachary hadn’t pushed me aside, that machete would’ve come down the next second and severed my carotid artery. The person who’d prevented me from becoming a human blood fountain. Now groaned with some discomfort. … Fresh red blood darkened his already dark clothes. He shouldn’t have been here, but he’d forcibly taken that blow for me. I stood there thinking. Don’t you dare die. I want to send you to prison, not to hell. “Why are you standing there? Run!” “Fuck, Liam, I really fell for your bullshit.” “You should’ve just stayed home where it’s safe.” “…” The man pushed me away irritably. Just like when we were little—when others bullied me, he’d yell at me the same way. “You’re useless. Get out of the way, I’ll beat those guys up.” Unfortunately. Adult gang fights aren’t children’s games. When the police sirens sounded, that’s what I thought. This location was quite remote. The police arrived unusually fast. Clearly someone had tipped them off. Both gangs’ members instantly became rats fleeing in panic. Even so, quite a few were caught. Zachary and I both got away, but his people suffered heavy casualties—not just his own injury, but his manpower and influence. Obviously, this police operation was very successful. In the car, I bandaged the wound on his abdomen. He reached out his fingers, restlessly tousling my short hair. “Liam, without me you’d be dead today.” I lowered my eyes. He really was tough—he didn’t even grunt when the iodine seeped into his wound. “I can fight pretty well.” “Next time I won’t panic like that.” I tied him an ugly bow and answered. He tilted his head, his deep eyes fixed on me, then suddenly smiled. “Liam.” “There’s something I never told you.” “I only told you about our retreat route.” “But…” “The police blocked us right on our escape route, perfectly positioned.” The man reached up and lifted my chin. His rough fingertip sent an odd sensation through me. “What do you think…” “Will I let there be a next time?” “Little traitor?”

“…” I met his eyes directly. Shook off his hand. “Don’t fucking touch me.” “You suspect me? Zachary, you’ve got some nerve calling me a traitor.” “Don’t I look enough like your dog already?” I don’t know why, but my anger flared up instantly. For a moment, even I believed how loyal I was to him. The person across from me stared at me without blinking, saying nothing. But I knew clearly what that bulge in his pocket was. Maybe the next second, if he got pissed off. He could just pull it out, press it to my forehead, and send me to meet my maker. In the end, after holding it in for a long while, All he said to me was one sentence. “Get out of the car.” Huh? I didn’t react, because the car was still going 80 mph. He suddenly opened the car door and threw me out. I came to my senses mid-tumble, and before I could count how many bones I’d broken, I staggered to my feet. The car had already driven far away. I didn’t even get to eat its exhaust. On the roadside in the middle of nowhere, I kicked a tree trunk. “Fuck.” I was truly fucking innocent. Because from beginning to end, I never reported Zachary’s retreat route to headquarters. I understood Zachary too damn well. This guy would definitely set traps for me. So much for brotherly love—people like him faced betrayal from those closest to them most easily. So he was suspicious and cautious. But there was one thing I couldn’t figure out. If I didn’t leak it, then where did headquarters get their information from? Was Zachary bluffing me? No, it didn’t seem like it. The way he threw me out of the car without mercy. At least proved he had enough evidence to identify me as the culprit. Ten days later, Zachary found me again. At a fried chicken shop. I’d been staying here these past few days. The owner charged me 20 bucks a night to crash. My arm was roughly in a makeshift sling, one leg was limping, and I leaned against the wall watching a bunch of old men play cards. He wore a Burberry trench coat I could never afford in this lifetime. Hands in his pockets. Looking down at me. Smiling: “How’d you think to hide here?” “Know how long I’ve been looking for you?” I realized I really was like a dog. He was the bone—when he turned around, I’d come wagging after him. I’d practically lost all face. I really wanted to kick him flying, but I was afraid my other leg would go lame too, so I could only roll my eyes at him. “How would I dare.” “What brings Master Zachary to find me?” “What, planning to deal with this ‘traitor’? Chop off all four limbs?” I kindly provided him with suggestions for disposing of me, but he just kept smiling. Reached out and smoothed my hair. “Really hold grudges.” “We figured it out. It really wasn’t Liam who leaked it.” “Our conversation that day was overheard by the police’s actual mole.” “I misjudged you, Liam. But you know, in my line of work, what I fear most is people close to me stabbing me in the back.” He looked down and squeezed my shoulder. I could hear the sincerity in his words. “Forgive me, okay?” But my heart sank heavily. Yes, my suspicion was cleared. Then. That police undercover who got caught—who exactly was it…?

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “366876”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn

I’m a mob boss, and I’m gay. My sister abandoned my brother-in-law and ran away from home. To sleep with my brother-in-law, I’ve been playing the part of an ordinary auto mechanic in front of him. After six years of this act, I finally ran out of patience. I tied my brother-in-law to the bed: “Mr. Pierce, have you ever tried being with a man?” “I have.” The phone on the nightstand wouldn’t stop vibrating. I bit down on my shirt collar, tilted my head back, let out a breath, then leaned down to kiss Pierce’s cheek before grabbing the phone. The caller ID showed “Faye.” Faye is my sister. She just returned to Harbor City recently. Pierce came home late today because he went to see her. I answered the call and used my pants to wipe the mess off Pierce’s legs, my voice hoarse: “Hello.” “Pierce?” “Not Pierce. It’s me, Felix.” “Let me talk to Pierce.” Pierce’s breathing was steady, his nostrils flaring slightly, same as always—completely unaware. The drug was imported. Worked like a charm. Once he drank it, he was out cold. No matter what I did to him, he wouldn’t wake up. I stared at the faint red marks on his chest, swallowed some ice water, and said: “He’s asleep. You can tell me whatever it is.” “Never mind then. I’ll call again tomorrow.” “Faye, why did you come back after leaving?” I gripped the phone tighter and knocked the glass against the coffee table, reminding Faye, “Stop looking for him. You handed him over to me.” Pierce liked Faye. But Faye liked women. Eight years ago, to appease our mother, Faye entered a fake marriage with Pierce. When Pierce married Faye, he had just graduated and only had nine thousand dollars to his name. He bought a diamond ring with it. The ring stayed on my sister’s finger for exactly one day before Pierce found it discarded in a bathroom corner. That ring was like Pierce’s heart—something Faye could throw away without a second thought. After our mother died, my sister wanted to leave Harbor City with her lover. I asked her: “What about Pierce when you’re gone?” My sister glanced at me sideways and smiled: “Don’t I still have you? You take good care of him for me.” Heh. Take care of him. I looked down at Pierce on the sofa, the faint flush still lingering on his body, his skin still gleaming with moisture. My throat itched. I bit my tongue lightly with my canines and chuckled. I’d taken care of him, all right. Every inch of him. Didn’t miss a spot. “Did you answer my call last night?” In the morning, Pierce emerged from the bathroom with a toothbrush in his mouth, scrolling through his phone. “Yeah, Faye called.” His shirt was unbuttoned, collar hanging open, revealing the outline of his pecs. Below that, I could see the red marks that hadn’t quite faded yet. I’d sucked those into his skin last night. They felt good under my lips. Pierce frowned and asked: “What did she say?” I grabbed his collar and buttoned him up from bottom to top, stopping at his chest to poke at one of those red marks. “What happened here? Bug bite?” Pierce glanced down, unconcerned. “Probably.” “Looks like someone kissed you.” I buttoned him all the way to the top, lightly pinching his neck, deliberately saying, “Pierce, you came home so late yesterday. Did you sleep with someone else?” Pierce looked at me. “Yeah, I did.” He pulled away from my hand, set down his phone to rinse his mouth, then turned back to see me still standing in the bathroom doorway. He put on his glasses, adjusted his cuffs, and asked very politely: “What? Waiting to hear the details?” Then he squinted and smiled, making it all up: “Six foot one, muscular, great pecs, narrow waist.” I clutched my stomach, laughing so hard I could die. He said it like it was real. I really wanted to tell him—I was the one who kissed him. I’d kissed every inch of his body. Pierce pushed past me to leave. I stood in front of the mirror for a long moment, puffing out my chest and squaring my shoulders. My pecs were pretty big too.

After breakfast, Pierce drove me to the auto shop before heading to work. Watching Pierce’s car disappear around the corner, I immediately turned and headed straight for the nightclub. Last night, someone had been dealing drugs in my establishment. Ajax, one of my enforcers, caught them and locked them on the top floor, waiting for me all night. I interrogated them for an hour and extracted a name from those two punks—Quincy Steele, the son of the current Crimson Brotherhood leader, Quinn Steele. Staying away from drugs was a rule passed down through the Crimson Brotherhood. After Quinn took over, he got greedy for drug profits and broke that rule. He once tried to drag me into it, but I refused. I stuck my knife right in front of Quinn: “Anything can come into the West District except drugs. If Mr. Steele wants to sell, I can’t stop you. But if you try to sell in my territory, better come with your neck washed clean.” The Steele father and son clearly didn’t take my words seriously. After crippling both hands of those two drug-dealing scumbags, I wiped the blood off my hands and headed downstairs, instructing Ajax: “Find out where Quincy’s stash is. Bury him with the drugs.” Ajax hesitated: “Felix, are we really going up against the boss?” “Someone’s already dancing on my forehead and you want me to pretend I don’t see it? Today Quincy can deal drugs in my place, tomorrow Quinn can stuff drugs down my throat. They sell drugs in my territory and pocket the cash—what am I, a saint?” Turning the corner, I caught sight of Pierce at the bar. He walked toward me. I instantly fell silent, my mind going blank, my heart nearly jumping out of my chest. I’d been playing the part of an honest, law-abiding mechanic in front of Pierce for six years. I never dared bring even a trace of blood home. First, I didn’t want Pierce to know too much. Life in this world is unpredictable. My life is cheap. If I die, I die. Pierce is different. Pierce is precious. Second, I made a vow to Pierce eight years ago. No knives, no fighting, no crime. I’d be a good, honest person and let him take care of me for the rest of my life. I’d lied to Pierce. I was afraid he wouldn’t stay with me forever. After Pierce got married, Faye almost never came home. Faye didn’t care about me, and she didn’t care about Pierce either. I dropped out of school at sixteen. At seventeen, Pierce took me in. He visited every high school in the city, compared them all, had drinks with people, and got me into a school with excellent teachers and a good atmosphere. The day it all worked out, Pierce got drunk and collapsed by the sofa, hugging me and rubbing my head, his chin resting on top of my head, saying: “Our little Felix is going to school now. Don’t be afraid. I’ll support you. You’ll get better and better, better and better.” I opened my mouth but didn’t tell him I didn’t want to go to school. I obediently drank my milk, obediently grew taller, obediently went to school. Then in corners where Pierce couldn’t see, I carried long knives and fought gang wars. Pierce found injuries on my body. Later, he caught me in an alley after a fight, covered in blood. Under Pierce’s scrutinizing gaze, half my body went numb. As clean as Pierce was in the sunlight, that’s how dirty I was in the shadows. I stiffened my neck and pieced myself together, bristling with defenses. I said: “You saw? I’m not what you thought. I’m not good at all.” “I didn’t want to go to school. You’re the one who made me go.” “If you think I’m too much trouble and don’t want me anymore, I’ll leave.” Pierce moved. He walked over, crouched down, and used the sleeve of his white shirt to wipe the blood off my face. “If you don’t want to go to school, don’t go. Even if you amount to nothing, I can still afford to keep you.” “I won’t abandon you. When I took you in, I was prepared to take care of you for the rest of your life.” He held my hand, gentle but firm, and took away my knife. “But Felix, I need you to promise me—no more knives, no more fighting, no more getting hurt, no more risking your life. Be good and let me take care of you, honestly and properly.” I made the promise, and Pierce believed me. He was almost stupidly righteous. Pierce and I are different. The worst thing that’s probably ever happened to him in his whole life was getting cheated on by my sister. But by the time I was fifteen, I’d already experienced all the suffering life had to offer. I clawed my way out of the mud, stained black through and through. No amount of washing could make me clean. Not even promises could change that. Sometimes I think, if Pierce had taken me in two years earlier, maybe I really could have been a good kid. Like he wanted. Go to school properly, get better and better. But that wasn’t possible. From the moment I picked up that steel pipe and crippled my father at sixteen, from the moment I joined the Crimson Brotherhood under Quinn, my world changed. In Harbor City, once you pick up a knife and join a gang, you can only climb higher. Either become the boss or die. There’s no leaving halfway.

Ajax said: “Felix, I think I see Pierce.” “…” Thanks. I’m not blind. Pierce seemed to be looking for someone. His wandering gaze suddenly landed on me, his brow furrowing as he squinted. I quickly snatched Ajax’s cap and pulled it down over my head, tugging the brim low. I’d just gotten covered in blood upstairs. The smell of blood on me was so strong it almost overpowered the mixed scents of the nightclub, rushing straight into my nostrils. Pierce absolutely couldn’t see me like this. Otherwise, the game would really be over. As Pierce passed by, I turned and lit a cigarette. The smoke blurred the space between us. For a moment, I saw Pierce reach his hand toward me. My heart raced, my pupils contracted. I hoped he wouldn’t recognize me, but I also hoped he could see through the smoke and grab hold of me. “Pierce.” That moment of connection was severed. Pierce lowered his hand and looked toward the voice. When he saw who called him, his eyes lit up, the corners of his mouth lifting in a subtle smile. That kind of smile—I’d seen it a thousand times, ten thousand times, eight years ago. A smile that belonged only to Faye. Pierce brushed past me, walking toward Faye. Whenever Faye was around, Pierce wasn’t my Pierce anymore. I crushed the burning cigarette into my palm, turned around, and watched them openly. Right now, I didn’t need to worry about Pierce recognizing me. When Faye appeared, Pierce couldn’t see anyone else. Over there, Pierce stood sideways, slightly bent at the waist, listening quietly and attentively to what Faye was saying. For Pierce to look back at me? I’d have to wait until the next life. But someone like me, when I die, I’m going to hell. Who knows if there’ll even be a next life. So, what was that saying? Some flowers need to be plucked when they bloom. I pointed at Pierce’s back and told Ajax: “You stay here and watch him. If he hasn’t left in ten minutes, tie him up and send him to Seaview Bay.” I took a few steps away, then turned back and said to Ajax: “Be careful. Don’t hurt him.” I leaned against my car and called Pierce. He didn’t answer the first time. The second call finally went through. I whined lazily: “Pierce, why aren’t you home? I’m starving.” It was noisy on his end: “I’ve got something to take care of. Grab something outside.” “Pierce, my stomach hurts. Can you come home early?” “Mm. Gotta go.” I stared at the darkened screen for a long time before shoving my phone into my pocket. I waited outside the nightclub for ten minutes. Pierce didn’t come out. I told him my stomach hurt, and he still didn’t come home. I knew I couldn’t compare to Faye, but I didn’t think the gap was this big. I was about to go crazy with jealousy.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “366875”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn

I was targeted and bullied by the scholarship student my parents sponsored—locked in a bathroom, doused with cold water, and photographed naked. When I came to my parents crying with my medical report and audio recordings, begging them to call the police, they confiscated my phone instead for the sake of their ridiculous “reputation.” “Lily, Claire’s family is poor. This is just kids horsing around. If we call the police, the media will say we’re big-shot prosecutors abusing our power, ruining a student from a disadvantaged background.” “You’re our daughter—you need to be magnanimous, to have perspective. To avoid any appearance of impropriety, we’ll settle this privately. Write her a letter of understanding.” I stared in disbelief at that letter filled with so-called “perspective.” “She destroyed me, but you’re afraid of destroying her?” “She’s your real daughter, isn’t she?” I saw the post Claire shared on Instagram—photos of my parents taking her to the seafood feast I’d begged for months to try, captioned: “My parents say some princesses just need to be put in their place.” In that moment, my heart died completely.

“Lily, smile! Aren’t your parents big-shot prosecutors?” “Have them come save you! Let’s see if they protect you or me—their model poverty case.” The bathroom stall door slammed open. A bucket of ice water mixed with cigarette ash poured over my head. I huddled by the toilet, soaked to the bone, my uniform plastered to my skin. Claire held up her phone, the camera lens shoved almost into my face, the flash so bright I couldn’t open my eyes. I bit down hard on my lip, the taste of blood filling my mouth. That evening, I knelt on the marble floor of our living room, clutching my medical report and voice recorder. “Mr. Sterling, I need to report this to the police. Claire took photos of my…” “Shut up.” Rachel wore her crisp uniform, holding a cup of freshly brewed tea, not even looking up. “Go change your clothes. You smell terrible. What a disgrace.” I looked up in disbelief, my knees aching against the hard floor. “Ms. Rachel, this is evidence! She held me underwater. She’s going to post it online…” Dad sat in his usual spot on the sofa, an unlit cigarette between his fingers. He finally looked at me, his eyes cold. “Lily, give me your phone.” I handed it over with trembling hands. The next second, he expertly powered it off, pulled out the SIM card, and tossed it into the ashtray in front of him. “Starting today, your phone is confiscated. You’ll stay home and reflect on your behavior.” I jerked my head up. “Why? I’m the victim! Mr. Sterling, listen to the recording—she was humiliating me…” “I said shut up!” Dad slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup rattle. He stood and walked over to me. “Call the police? Do you know what that means?” “What will the media write? ‘Prosecutor’s daughter abuses power, destroys poor student’s future.’” “Claire’s family is poor. Her father is paralyzed. She’s the city’s model of perseverance and self-improvement.” “What matters more to us—our reputation or your little grievance?” I opened my mouth, but my throat was dry. No sound came out. My grievance? Being photographed naked, having my head shoved in a toilet—in his mouth, that was just a “little grievance.” Mom set down her teacup and walked over. “Lily, you need to be reasonable. In our position, countless eyes are watching us.” “Claire has it hard too. She’s just a bit aggressive, trying to get attention.” “You’re the older one. You need to have perspective. To avoid any appearance of impropriety, this must be settled privately.” She pulled a sheet of paper from her briefcase and pushed it in front of me. “Letter of Understanding.” Party A: Lily. Party B: Claire. The content stated: This was horseplay between classmates. Party A will not pursue charges and waives all legal claims. Dad handed me a fountain pen. “Sign it. Don’t make us force you.” I stared at that pen—the one I’d given him when he was promoted to Chief Prosecutor. “What if I don’t sign?” Dad let out a cold laugh. “Don’t sign? Then you’ll take a leave from school. We’ll send you to stay with Grandpa in the countryside.” “Either way, without my approval, no case will be filed. No one will dare take it.” These were my parents. For their pristine image, for their so-called “reputation,” they were willing to sacrifice their own daughter. My hand trembled as I took the pen. The tip tore across the paper as I signed my name. Mom collected the document with satisfaction, her face brightening with a smile. “That’s better. Mom knew you’d be reasonable. Are you hungry? I’ll make dinner.” “No need.” I pushed myself up from the floor, my knees numb. Back in my room, I dug out my backup tablet. Half an hour later, a notification popped up on Instagram. It was Claire’s post. A grid of nine photos. Giant king crab, Australian lobster, and two hands raising glasses in a toast. One wore Mom’s diamond ring, the other Dad’s watch. Location tagged: Ocean Cloud Restaurant. Caption: “My parents said they’d treat me to calm my nerves. Some princesses just need to be put in their place.” “Thanks, Ms. Rachel and Mr. Sterling! Love you!” I stared at those words, my stomach churning. So “making dinner” actually meant they had reservations all along, taking my abuser out to celebrate. I rushed to the bathroom and vomited into the toilet. In the mirror, my face was deathly pale, my lip still split. While on my phone screen, the three of them looked like a perfect happy family. Since you love this “daughter” so much… Then I won’t be your real daughter anymore.

I woke before dawn. I dragged out my dusty suitcase and started packing. The closet was full of designer clothes Mom had bought. I didn’t take a single piece. Just packed a few pilled T-shirts and two pairs of faded jeans. I smashed open my piggy bank—eighteen hundred dollars inside. When I dragged the suitcase downstairs, the smell of food filled the dining room. The table was set with pan-fried buns and millet porridge. Mom was untying her apron, her brow furrowing. “What are you doing dragging a suitcase around at the crack of dawn? All that noise—it’s deafening.” Dad sat at the table reading the newspaper, not looking up. “Put the suitcase back and come eat. Claire’s coming over today. Don’t you dare put on that dead-fish face.” Claire. How affectionate. I left the suitcase by the entrance and stood at the door. “I’m not eating. And I don’t want to see her.” Mom slammed down her chopsticks. “Lily! What tantrum are you throwing now? Didn’t we settle everything yesterday?” “Claire already apologized. You signed the understanding. It’s over.” “How can you be so petty?” “Petty?” I pointed to my head. “Ms. Rachel, I have a mild concussion.” “My photos are still on her phone, but you took her out for king crab.” “This is your perspective?” Dad threw down his newspaper, his face dark. “You’re spying on us?” “Posting on Instagram is meant to be seen, isn’t it?” “Enough!” Dad stood up, pointing at the door. “You want to leave? Fine! You’ve got spine!” “Once you walk out that door, don’t come back! I’ll act like I never had a daughter!” “Leave your cards, phone, keys—everything!” I pulled the house key from my pocket and tossed it on the shoe cabinet. It made a sharp clinking sound. “You took my phone yesterday.” “I didn’t bring my bank cards—they’re all in the drawer.” “As for this house…” I looked around at the lavishly decorated mansion. “Keep it for Claire. After all, she’s more your blood than I am.” “How dare you!” Mom grabbed the teacup from the table and hurled it at me. It smashed against the doorframe, shards flying, one grazing my cheek. A line of blood seeped out. “And one more thing—don’t ever say you’re doing this for my own good.” “You only love yourselves and that hypocritical facade.” I grabbed the suitcase handle and pushed open the security door. Behind me, Dad roared. “Get out! Let her go! She’ll come crawling back crying in three days!” I didn’t look back. Three days? I’ll never beg you for anything again. Not in this lifetime. The place I found was in an old tenement building in the city’s rundown district. I’d barely set my things down when the tablet buzzed. An unknown FaceTime request. I hesitated, then answered. Claire’s face filled the screen. The background was our living room. She sat in my beanbag chair—the one I never let anyone touch. She held my limited-edition figurine in her hands. “Oh, Lily! Heard you ran away from home?” Her voice was sickeningly sweet. “Ms. Rachel said you have a temper, told me not to bother with you.” “But this figurine is really nice. Ms. Rachel said I could have it. You don’t mind, right?” *Snap.* She snapped it with force. The figurine’s head broke off. She covered her mouth in mock surprise. “Oops, my hand slipped. You’re not mad, are you?” Mom’s voice came from the background: “Claire, don’t worry about that trash. If it’s broken, throw it out. I’ll buy you a new one.” My fingers gripping the tablet turned white. That figurine—I’d saved for half a year to buy it. It was my only comfort in that house. I took a deep breath and smiled at the screen. “I don’t mind.” “Trash deserves trash. Pretty fitting.” “Oh, and that beanbag you’re sitting on? I used to keep a dog. The dog peed on it.” Claire’s face changed. She jumped up. “You’re lying! There was never a dog in the house!” “Believe what you want.” I hung up the video. Staring at the black screen, I slumped onto the dusty floor. My stomach rumbled. The real test was just beginning.

I applied for a leave of absence. The academic advisor looked at my medical report, sighed, and didn’t ask questions. Without a degree, I could only work night shifts at a convenience store and take cheap translation gigs during the day. Three days after leaving home, I came down with a fever. I wanted to go to the hospital, but I only had two hundred dollars left. I forced down tap water and made myself swallow an expired pack of cold medicine. As long as I didn’t die, I’d watch them fall. Two weeks later, I had no choice but to go back to campus. My backpack held my laptop and important documents. I’d just reached the building when a group surrounded me. “Well, well, if it isn’t our prosecutor’s princess!” Claire stood on the steps, looking down at me. She wore a cream-colored cashmere coat—the new one Mom bought in Hong Kong last month. “Why are you dressed like that? Those pants are from a street market, aren’t they?” Claire walked down, reaching out to tug at my sleeve. “Lily, you look pathetic. Ms. Rachel said you were living wild out there. I didn’t believe it.” “Guess it’s true. You can’t even afford decent clothes?” Students around us whispered and pointed. I slapped Claire’s hand away, staring at her. “You stole that coat, didn’t you?” Claire’s face stiffened, then she raised her voice. “What are you talking about! Ms. Rachel lent it to me!” “I have a speech competition—representing the school. Ms. Rachel didn’t want me to freeze.” Her eyes shifted, and suddenly she grabbed my backpack strap. “Wait! I just lost five hundred dollars!” “You must have stolen it! You’re desperate now—you were lurking around me just now!” “Search her! Open the backpack!” Her lackeys immediately surrounded me, jeering. I clutched my backpack tight. “Back off! I didn’t steal anything!” In the scuffle, Claire’s sharp nails raked across the back of my hand. Blood welled up instantly. “What’s going on here!” The dean rushed over with several people. Walking behind them were my parents. They carried thermal containers—clearly coming to bring Claire soup again. Mom rushed over, shoving me aside and pulling Claire into her arms. “Claire, what happened? Are you hurt?” Dad walked up to me. “Lily! How much more are you going to embarrass yourself?” “Coming to school to steal? You’ve disgraced the entire family!” I held up my bleeding hand. “Mr. Sterling, which eye of yours saw me steal?” “Even in court you need evidence. You’re convicting me without even asking?” Dad’s face flushed red. “Then why would Claire accuse you and not someone else?” “You must have sticky fingers!” Claire nestled in Mom’s arms, voice tearful. ” Mr. Sterling, maybe I remembered wrong… but Lily was really mean just now…” “It’s okay. Ms. Rachel will handle this.” Mom glared at me. “Lily, open your backpack. Let everyone check and prove your innocence.” “If you didn’t steal, apologize to Claire and we’ll drop it.” Looking at my parents’ “for your own good” expressions, I couldn’t take it anymore. I yanked the backpack zipper open and turned it upside down. Everything spilled out—books, charger, my old laptop covered in stickers. My worn wallet fell out, containing only a few crumpled bills. “See it clearly? Where’s the five hundred dollars?” My eyes were red as I pointed at my scattered belongings. “Search! Isn’t that what you wanted?” The crowd went silent. Claire shrank back. “Well… maybe I left it in the classroom.” “Just ‘maybe I forgot’ and that’s it?” I stepped closer. “You accused me of theft, violated my privacy—isn’t that bullying?” “Enough!” Dad snapped. He looked at the growing crowd of onlookers, his brow furrowed. He strode over and grabbed my wrist. “Stop making a scene. Get in the car.” He lowered his voice. “If you have something to say, say it at home. Don’t let outsiders laugh at us.” Mom caught on too, explaining to the crowd. “Kids these days—teenage rebellion. Everyone, please disperse.” They flanked me, trying to drag me toward the Audi A6 at the gate. I grabbed the iron railing and held on tight. “I’m not going back! Let go!” Dad hissed in my ear through gritted teeth: “Keep making a scene and I’ll have you committed to a psychiatric hospital!” Psychiatric hospital. For his reputation, he’d lock his own daughter in an asylum. I laughed. “You want to save face?” I took a deep breath and screamed with everything I had: “Help! The prosecutor is trying to kill someone! My own parents are trying to drive their daughter to death!” The crowd froze. Even the security guard at the gate poked his head out. Dad’s face went white. He instinctively released his grip. “You’re insane!” He snarled quietly, veins bulging on his forehead. Mom panicked, trying to maintain her dignified image. “Lily, what are you talking about! When have your parents ever pressured you?” I didn’t give her a chance, pointing at the Audi. “You wanted me in that car to drag me somewhere private and punish me, didn’t you?” “Just like when you forced me to sign that letter of understanding!” “For your reputation, you protected my bully Claire and forced me, the victim, to apologize on my knees!” “Now that I’ve left home, you’re chasing me to school to accuse me of theft?” The murmurs exploded. “What? Letter of understanding?” “Claire’s bullying was real?” Countless eyes turned toward Victor Sterling and Rachel. Dad’s hands trembled. He wanted to lunge at me but seeing all the phones raised around us, he didn’t dare. He stared at me, forcing words through his teeth: “Lily, if you don’t come with me today, I’ll freeze all your accounts. You won’t even be able to afford school!” I laughed coldly and pulled a folding fruit knife from my pocket. “Don’t move.” I pressed the blade against my own throat. The crowd gasped. Mom screamed: “Lily! What are you doing! Put it down!” “Scared?” “You’re not afraid I’ll die—you’re afraid I’ll die here and soil your official robes.” “Victor Sterling, Rachel—listen carefully.” “From today on, I’m severing our parent-child relationship.” “Whatever debt I owed you for raising me was paid in full the day you forced me to sign that letter.” “Now take your daughter and get out!” I pushed the blade forward. The skin broke. Blood trickled down.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “366537”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance #擦边Steamy #狼人Werewolf

Chloe, my husband Xavier’s assistant, made an important client wait in the freezing wind for four hours. As the director, I salvaged the situation for her. I simply reminded her in the meeting not to let it happen again. But Chloe burst into tears and accused me instead: “How dare you twist the facts and steal my credit? You were the one too lazy to get out of bed. If I hadn’t begged the client on my knees, the deal would’ve fallen apart already.” Xavier knew the truth, but instead of defending me, he gave her an unprecedented promotion to vice president and forced me to hand the project over to her. I didn’t cry or make a scene. I signed the project transfer agreement. Xavier thought I’d given in. What he didn’t know was that the client’s project manager was my former classmate. The only reason he’d agreed to work with us despite what happened was because he valued my abilities. Now that the company had invested all its capital into the project, Xavier’s breach of contract in changing the project manager wouldn’t just cause the investment to go down the drain—it would also result in massive compensation penalties.

“Valerie, you think just handing over the project makes everything go away? Not a chance!” “According to company policy, you must forfeit your year-end bonus and bear the corresponding financial responsibility!” After turning the tables on me, Chloe still wasn’t satisfied. She was determined to step on me to recover the face she’d lost at the meeting. Everyone knew the truth, but they didn’t dare take sides. All eyes fell on Xavier. Seeing I wouldn’t admit fault, Chloe raised an eyebrow and smirked: “What? You’re mediocre to begin with—can’t handle people saying it?” I turned and glanced at Xavier. We’d been married for ten years, but he’d always refused to make our relationship public. This time, he’d given this important project to Chloe to build her credentials. Who knew she’d oversleep and leave the client waiting in the cold wind for four hours? The client had stormed off in anger. But this project was crucial to the company’s IPO. We couldn’t afford any mistakes. So Xavier came to negotiate with me. If I could salvage the deal and bring the client back, he’d publicly acknowledge our relationship at the meeting. I was thrilled. I worked my heart out to make amends and finally regained the client’s trust. Today, I thought Xavier would keep his promise. I’d even bought a new dress for the occasion and tucked a watch I’d saved half a year’s salary to buy into my pocket for him. But I never imagined Xavier would go back on his word and allow Chloe to twist the facts, steal my credit, and take my project. Seeing me look at Xavier, Chloe bit her lip with an aggrieved expression: “What are you staring at? If Xavier didn’t respect your seniority, he would’ve fired you ages ago!” Xavier glanced at me apologetically, then responded sternly: “We’ll skip the financial responsibility, but your entire year-end bonus is forfeit. Valerie, be more careful next time. Don’t make such amateur mistakes again.” He seemed to be protecting me, but he was actually pinning this dirty label firmly on my head. Well, of course—he was the boss. Without his tacit approval, how would Chloe, a newcomer, dare to challenge me? Listening to my colleagues’ gleeful mockery around me, I didn’t get angry. Instead, I smiled and took off my employee badge on the spot: “No need for all that trouble. I quit right now.” Xavier looked at me with displeasure: “Stop being ridiculous! If you quit, what happens to all your projects?” I shrugged calmly: “Chloe is so talented—I’m sure she’ll do better than me.” At those words, everyone’s expressions changed. They all knew the company had gotten where it was today entirely because of me alone. If I left, all my projects would fall apart, and they wouldn’t be able to collect their commissions anymore. Colleagues who’d sided with Chloe earlier now rushed to persuade me: “Valerie, Xavier was just joking. The company can’t function without you.” Chloe, seeing the spotlight stolen from her, snapped at me irritably: “Valerie, do you have to drag everyone down and prevent them from meeting their targets? Don’t be so selfish!” Xavier frowned, about to stop Chloe from continuing. But suddenly Chloe clutched her chest and crouched down, her face pale: “Xavier, Valerie’s making my chest hurt. Quick, call an ambulance…” Xavier panicked immediately: “Valerie, are you a block of wood? Hurry up and help!” I glanced over. Chloe’s face was rosy, and she kept blinking at me provocatively. She was obviously faking it again. Xavier didn’t notice. He called everyone to help Chloe into the car. I turned to leave, but Xavier, despite being so busy, called out to me: “You made Chloe sick—where do you think you’re going? Get in the car right now and come with me to take her to the hospital.” I didn’t want to go, but I also didn’t want Chloe to extort money from me afterward, so I got in the car. In the back seat, Chloe leaned on Xavier’s shoulder, whimpering softly about her pain: “Xavier, Valerie’s going to be the death of me…” Xavier’s heart ached terribly. He scolded me irritably: “Don’t you know she has heart problems? Can’t you just speak nicely to her?” Seeing him like this, I was long used to it. I’d fought with Xavier, argued with him, even thrown things because of Chloe. But no matter what I did, I couldn’t change the fact that Xavier was biased toward her. Even this time, it was clearly Chloe who’d stolen my credit and project, who’d mocked me in front of everyone. I just didn’t want to be exploited anymore and chose to resign, but he thought I was causing trouble. If it were my old temperament, I would’ve already gotten into an argument with him. But ever since Chloe appeared this past year, she’d stolen Xavier’s attention, stolen my project commissions, and now even my reputation. I wondered if in a few days, she’d even come for my position as his wife. Life had become like this. I was truly exhausted. I nodded and replied perfunctorily: “Mm-hmm. Won’t happen again.” Because there wouldn’t be a next time for us. Xavier looked at me in surprise, satisfied with my compromise. He rarely explained: “I know you’re not bad-hearted. You just have a sharp tongue.” “Chloe has a bad heart. I’m worried about her getting upset, so I go along with her.” “Besides, she’s your… protégé. Don’t you want to see her go far?” That’s right! Chloe was a financially struggling student I’d personally sponsored. I paid for her college education and her medical bills. When she couldn’t find work after graduation, I arranged for her to work as an assistant. But she wasn’t satisfied being a small-time assistant for life and begged me to teach her. I squeezed out three hours of rest time every day to teach her hands-on. I knew she had heart problems, so I asked Xavier to take extra care of her. But I never expected Xavier to take such good care of her—too good, in fact. That day, I went to discuss work with Xavier, only to find the two of them sharing a dessert in his office. Seeing that scene, I was instantly furious and rushed over to confront them. That was the first time Chloe faked being sick, and the first time in all our married years that Xavier gave me the cold shoulder in front of others. He anxiously took Chloe to the hospital and stayed by her side to care for her. Watching my own husband tenderly care for someone else made me feel awful. In ten years of marriage, he’d never taken care of me like that. Once, when I had acute gastroenteritis and was in terrible pain, I begged him to take me to the hospital. He just tossed me a box of medicine with an icy tone: “If you want to slack off, just say so. Stop faking it. I hate people who fake being sick!” Later, I called a car myself and checked into the hospital. Even after learning about my condition, he was still disdainful: “It’s just gastroenteritis. Everyone gets it. Stop acting like you have a terminal illness, okay?” I thought he just had a sharp tongue but a soft heart, but he really never came to the hospital to see me. Not once. I used to think he was just that kind of cold, heartless man. But when I turned around, I saw Xavier—who had severe germaphobia—using his pristine white sleeve to wipe Chloe’s sweat. He urgently pressed the driver to go faster, as if Chloe were his wife. I smiled bitterly, and the obsession in my heart dissipated in that moment. Actually, I should’ve understood long ago. All his behavior told me he truly cherished Chloe. Very, very much. And I was just a passerby in his life. I quietly sent my former classmate a message, telling him I’d been kicked out of the project. He sent back a shocked emoji: “Valerie, come work with me.” I’d refused him countless times before. This time, I replied with a single word: “Okay.” To be with Xavier, I’d given up my own future. It wasn’t too late to turn back now. I needed to take a chance for myself. The rest of the ride passed in silence. We took Chloe to the hospital. Her condition was fine. Getting the news, I turned to leave. Xavier breathed a sigh of relief: “Valerie, wait. I’ll go home with you.” He was about to reach for my hand when Chloe started faking illness again, clutching her chest and crying out in pain. Xavier sighed and transferred me five hundred dollars as compensation: “You go home first. After the project succeeds, I’ll give you the rest of the commission.” “Once the company goes public, you can stay home and do whatever you want. I won’t go back on what I promised you.” I responded vaguely with an “mm-hmm.” I turned and left, not accepting his money. I didn’t plan to continue this relationship with him. My former classmate was preparing materials to sue him. Not only would the contract be terminated, but he’d also face enormous compensation penalties.

On the way back, I received provocative texts and videos from Chloe. “Valerie, so what if you have the title of his wife? He can catch my vomit with his bare hands. Have you ever gotten that kind of treatment?” Indeed not. When I was sick, forget about taking care of me—he wouldn’t even pour me a glass of water. “Valerie, is five hundred enough for you? If not, I’ll transfer you some more. Xavier felt so bad for me being so sick that he transferred me five hundred thousand.” I looked at the transfer records she sent. Xavier really did feel bad for her. When apologizing to me, he was so stingy, yet he’d transferred her over ten million dollars in spending money bit by bit. I didn’t respond to her provocation. I just quietly saved the evidence. When I got home, I casually cooked some instant noodles, ate, and went to sleep. Late at night, Xavier suddenly came home and shook me awake: “Don’t sleep yet. Chloe’s sick. I’m having her move in for a few days so I can take care of her.” “Go clean up the guest room right now and change the sheets and comforter.” Annoyed at being woken up, I turned over and went back to sleep: “Do it yourself. I’m not available.” Hearing this, Chloe frowned and rushed in to accuse me: “Xavier was planning to stay at my place, but he came back here to save face for you as his wife.” “I’ve already agreed to live under someone else’s roof, and Xavier’s asked you nicely. Don’t push your luck.” Xavier shook his head in disappointment: “Usually you’re so energetic doing things. Are you deliberately targeting Chloe?” “She even told me she wouldn’t hold it against you for making her sick. How can you be less considerate than your own protégé?” I laughed coldly, too lazy to explain: “Right, right, right. It’s all my fault. Go stay at Chloe’s place—you can take even better care of her there.” Xavier’s rebuke caught in his throat. His eyes turned red with anger: “Valerie! What kind of wife pushes her husband to stay at another woman’s house?” He glared at me furiously for a few moments, then ran out. After he left, Chloe leisurely walked in and flashed me a triumphant smile: “Well, well, teacher. I didn’t expect you to learn my tricks and play dirty too. But you’ll never be able to outplay me. Just you wait.” I didn’t listen carefully. I buried my head and fell back asleep. The next morning, I woke up refreshed. As soon as I walked into the living room, I smelled a rich aroma. The dining table was set with a lavish breakfast. Xavier, wearing an apron, seemed to have forgotten about last night. He pressed me into a chair and placed a fried egg in my bowl. “Here, here, try this fried egg.” How strange. Xavier never cooked. Had the sun risen in the west today? Just as I was about to take a bite, I heard him muttering: “Chloe’s so picky. She won’t eat it if it’s even slightly overcooked, and she won’t eat it if it’s too soft either. Help me taste it…” I immediately put down my fork. I’d been presumptuous. How could he possibly make breakfast for me? This meal was all thanks to Chloe’s presence. Life had become so pathetic. I turned and went into the bedroom, taking out the divorce agreement I’d prepared and handing it to him. Xavier was busy with what he was doing and didn’t even look: “There’s still soup simmering on the stove. I’ll sign it later.” I stopped him: “It’s rather urgent. Sign it first—it won’t delay you.” Xavier sighed and quickly signed it with a pen. Suddenly remembering something, he asked casually as if it were an afterthought: “Is this a new project you’re negotiating? I want Chloe to join your team.” “Don’t worry, she won’t take any money. Just leave her name on it.” I put the document away. Xavier’s love for Chloe ran truly deep. He never forgot to ask for benefits for her. Only this time, he was destined to be disappointed. “This isn’t a project. It’s a divorce agreement.”

Xavier froze. He thought I was joking. He leaned over to look and realized it was real. Only then did his expression change: “What do you mean? I’m just letting Chloe stay for a few days! What’s this nonsense about divorce!” As he spoke, he reached out to snatch it. I quickly hid it and looked at him: “Xavier, wouldn’t it be good if I just let you two be together?” Xavier exploded in anger: “Your mind is so filthy! I only see her as a sister—nothing else!” At this point, he was still making excuses. I tugged at the corner of my mouth: “Is that so? There are so many financially struggling students out there. Why do you only acknowledge one sister?” “How about I gather everyone together and you can all recognize each other as relatives?” My words completely enraged Xavier. His face turned shades of green and purple as he fumed: “Fine! Let’s divorce then!” Chloe was awakened by the argument. She came out of the guest room wearing my pajamas, pretending to mediate: “Stop fighting, both of you. If I’m affecting your relationship, I’ll just die outside and never bother Xavier again.” Xavier couldn’t care about being angry anymore. He glared at me several times: “Are you a block of wood? Hurry up and say you didn’t mean it.” “As long as you apologize to Chloe, I can let today’s matter slide.” He thought my divorce talk was just angry words. Little did he know, this was a carefully considered decision. I nodded: “Chloe, your understanding is very accurate. That’s exactly what I mean.” Chloe hadn’t expected me to actually stand up to her. Unable to save face, she angrily stormed out, even forgetting to change her shoes. Xavier’s expression darkened. He swept the entire breakfast off the table. The sandwich I’d just taken from the refrigerator was also snatched from my hand and thrown into the trash. “Didn’t you want a divorce? Everything in this house was bought with my money. You don’t deserve to eat it!” After cursing at me, he rushed out to chase after Chloe. Looking at the mess on the floor, I was too lazy to clean it up. I was about to go out to eat when my former classmate called to invite me out. I immediately changed clothes and met him at a breakfast shop. “Valerie, how did your resignation go?” Just as I was about to say Xavier wouldn’t let me go, a notification suddenly popped up on my phone that my resignation had been approved: “It’s all done.” My classmate couldn’t even bother drinking his porridge. He pulled out an employment contract: “Sign it quick. I’m afraid you’ll change your mind, so I even brought the boss’s stamp.” Seeing him like this, I smiled. Without disappointing him, I scanned the contract and signed it. He carefully put away the contract and looked at me: “Are you free today? Come with me to your company.” I happened to have nothing else to do, so I didn’t refuse. After eating, I took him there. As soon as I stepped into the company, I heard Chloe’s sarcastic voice: “Well, well! If it isn’t Valerie, who was making such a fuss about resigning? How come you changed your mind right after your resignation was approved?” Xavier was startled by the commotion. He turned to look at me and snorted coldly: “Chloe, you don’t understand. Valerie’s old now. Nobody wants her anymore. She can only swallow her pride and come back begging us. Otherwise, she can’t even afford to eat.” The company was currently celebrating Chloe’s promotion. There was a large cake on the workstations. Chloe cut a piece of cake, but instead of offering it to me to eat, she smashed it on the floor in front of me: “Valerie, for old times’ sake as my senior, if you lick the cake off the floor clean, I’ll let you come back to the company and continue as director.” The colleagues joined in mocking me: “No way! You can become a director just by eating some cake? Chloe, why don’t you give us such a sweet deal? You really do favor your teacher after all.” Chloe laughed heartily and sneered: “Of course. My teacher taught me with such dedication. It wasn’t easy. As her student, I should repay her, shouldn’t I?” Xavier stood to the side, watching me be humiliated and mocked. He didn’t defend me—he even stepped on the cake himself. He pointed at the cream now marked with a shoe print and said to me: “Valerie, you probably don’t know yet, but the company has already invested all its money into this project’s production line.” “As long as you eat it, I’ll let you share in the project profits. That money would be enough for you to spend your whole life.” “Let’s see whether you choose money or dignity.” Looking at Xavier’s twisted expression, I smiled: “Is that so? Are you sure the partnership can continue?” Xavier raised an eyebrow, thinking I was bluffing. He snorted coldly: “You’re old and arrogant. I’ve put up with you for a long time.” “This time, Chloe has already negotiated with the client’s project manager. They’re very satisfied. The company doesn’t need you anymore.” Chloe also stepped forward triumphantly: “Teacher, you’re old. I’m stronger than you. Hurry up and get lost. Don’t be an eyesore at our celebration!” No wonder Xavier had been blocking my resignation before but suddenly agreed to it. It turned out he thought Chloe had already learned all my skills. I suddenly laughed and asked: “Is what they’re saying true?” My former classmate, who’d witnessed the entire farce, stepped out from behind me. He took off his sunglasses and said angrily: “Absolute nonsense! When did I ever meet with you?” Only then did everyone realize he was actually the client’s project manager! Chloe’s lie was exposed. Her face instantly turned deathly pale. Xavier hadn’t expected my relationship with the client to be so close either. But he’d already made his bold claims. Now he could only stubbornly push forward: “Valerie, so what if you have a good relationship with the client? The contract’s already signed. Breach of contract requires high compensation penalties. I don’t believe he’d lose money just to help you!” Before I could speak, my classmate sneered and pulled out the contract to show Xavier: “Look carefully. You changed the project manager without authorization. You’re the one in breach of contract!” “Get ready to pay five hundred million dollars. We’ll see you in court!”

The room erupted in an uproar. No one had expected such a dramatic reversal. My good relationship with the client had already shocked them. Now my classmate’s declaration that the contract was void left them stunned. “Impossible! How could I not know about this clause?” “You must have altered it. Chloe, quick, go get our copy of the contract!” Xavier’s hands were shaking, but he was still trying to hold on. I laughed coldly and said nothing, waiting for them to find the contract. Xavier had been too eager to hand the project over to Chloe. He hadn’t even noticed the clause about not being able to change project managers midway before rashly kicking me out. Chloe panicked too. She rummaged through the office and finally found the contract. Xavier couldn’t care about gentlemanly behavior anymore. He snatched the contract and rapidly flipped through it. Everyone held their breath. The usually noisy office now only echoed with the sound of Xavier flipping pages. When he turned to that page and saw the clause with his own eyes, his heart sank completely. Seeing Xavier’s desperate expression, everyone understood that my classmate and I were telling the truth. Such a major project had just fallen through? Chloe, who’d been celebrating in advance, experienced the feeling of gaining and losing in an instant. Her eyes turned red with anger. She pointed at me and opened her mouth furiously: “Valerie! So that’s it! I was wondering why you’d hand over the project so obediently. You were digging a pit here waiting for Xavier and me to jump in!” “Xavier and I have been so good to you. How can you have the nerve to betray us?” I rolled my eyes: “Wasn’t this the project you negotiated? Why didn’t you read the terms before signing?” Chloe was left speechless by my retort. Her eyes turned red with anger. Xavier completely panicked. He even forgot to defend Chloe. He muttered “It’s over” and slumped to the floor. The other employees quickly reacted too, wailing and crying: “It’s over. I invested my entire fortune.” “Yeah, what do I do now? I saved for ten years, thinking this was a sure thing. I even borrowed from all my relatives. How am I supposed to live?” Hearing their lamentations, I was stunned. The market had been bad lately, and the company’s funds were tight. Xavier had wanted to use this project to soar to new heights. I only knew Xavier had thrown all the company’s account money into it. I hadn’t expected him to make employees chip in and invest too. No wonder they’d all been on Xavier’s side earlier. They were a community of shared interests. Seeing the room full of wailing people, my classmate and I turned to leave. Xavier wiped his face and stood up, looking at me with disappointment: “Valerie, everyone’s worked together for ten years. I wronged you, but your colleagues didn’t offend you. Why did you pull this stunt and make it so nobody gets paid?” With him saying this, the angry colleagues immediately turned their anger on me. They didn’t think about how if Xavier hadn’t changed the project manager, or if they’d stopped things when it happened, it wouldn’t have come to this. But they didn’t. They’d only thought at the time that Chloe was close to Xavier and they needed to curry favor with the boss. Ending up like this was their own doing. Hearing their curses, I didn’t care. Chloe angrily blocked my path: “Valerie, you’re as selfish and childish as ever. Do you think you’ve won by pulling this stunt today?” “We lost money, but you backstabbed your former company. Your reputation in the industry is ruined. From now on, no company will ever hire you!” Hearing her defiant words, I shook my head with a cold laugh. But my classmate smiled: “That’s not your concern. Valerie’s already joined our company. You should worry more about yourself.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “366536”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #浪漫Romance #重生Reborn

My husband, Ethan Whitmore, was obsessed with “fishing trips” with his female coworker. We fought about it every single day. By the fourth year, I was too exhausted to fight anymore. So I picked up my own fishing rod and tackle box and started leaving early and coming home late, just like him. At first, Ethan didn’t care. Until one night when he came home at midnight and found I still wasn’t back. That’s when he panicked. He begged me, promising he’d never go fishing again and would stay home with me like a proper husband. But I wasn’t interested anymore. After all, the catch I’d reeled in was the city’s newly arrived eligible bachelor—the golden single man everyone was talking about. Adrian Castellan, the wealthiest man in town. I’m a lazy person. Because I was too lazy to look for a boyfriend, I married my childhood friend Ethan Whitmore. After the wedding, we got along pretty well. Until his parents arranged a job for him. There was a girl in his department named Sarah Smith who always invited him out. At first it was dinners and drinks at bars. Then somehow they got obsessed with late-night fishing, even staying out all night. Night after night I slept alone in an empty bed. How was I supposed to handle that? I fought with Ethan about it. He said I was being dramatic. His coworker Sarah even fanned the flames from the sidelines: “Seriously, Ethan, just go home. Looks like she can’t survive without a man for five minutes.” A few single male coworkers stood nearby, laughing mockingly. I couldn’t be bothered with these people. I grabbed Ethan’s arm, trying to get him to come home. He shook me off so hard I nearly fell to the ground. “Are you done yet? Can’t I have a single hobby of my own?” “I work myself to death all day to earn money. I even help you with housework.” “I’ve been nothing but accommodating to you. The only thing I ask is a little personal space to enjoy myself. Why do you have to pick a fight with me over it?” I felt inexplicably hurt. “You call this ‘a little while’? You haven’t been home for a whole week.” His expression turned cold. “What do you mean I haven’t been home? I come back to sleep every night.” “That’s at three in the morning! And you leave for work the next day. On weekends you go out with them too. We haven’t even had a proper conversation.” “That’s because you don’t have any friends. That’s not my problem.” His face was stern, clearly annoyed. “Jenna Ashford, let me tell you something—we’re married, but that doesn’t mean I have to listen to everything you say.” Ethan had always been gentle since childhood and had never lost his temper with me. That’s why I felt safe marrying him. But it had only been—what, how long since the wedding?—and he’d already learned to fight with me. Furious, I turned and left. From that point on, our interactions became tense and hostile. We ended up sleeping in separate rooms and wouldn’t speak when we saw each other. The spacious house felt like an ice cellar. My heart felt blocked and heavy, so I had no motivation to take care of myself. Over three years, I gained a lot of weight and my face constantly wore an expression of infinite resentment. Until one day my longtime friend Bella, who was in town on a business trip, met me for dinner and got a terrible shock when she saw me. “Jenna, what happened to you? How did you end up like this?” Me: “Like what?” “See for yourself!” She pulled out a compact mirror. In it, I saw a bitter woman with a sallow complexion and lifeless eyes. I was so startled I threw the mirror down on the table with a clatter. “Shit, how did I get so ugly?” I immediately told Bella everything about Ethan. She pressed her lips together and looked at me for a long time, as if she didn’t know what to say. I was anxious and kept poking her. “Say something! What’s with the silent treatment?” Bella sighed. “I just feel like… after you got married, it’s like your brain got kicked by a donkey.” She began analyzing: “Look, that Sarah is obviously trying to seduce your husband! And your husband has probably already cheated on you.” Bella continued: “If that’s the case, you might as well find yourself another man.” I clenched my fists in anger. “Right! I can find a new boyfriend too!” She sighed again. “Look, I’m not telling you this to encourage you to cheat. I just want you to understand that you need to love yourself, no matter what.”

After parting with Bella, I went home. The spacious house was filled with cluttered junk. All of it was cheap stuff I’d bought over three years of marriage to ease my misery. Secondhand shop bargains for ten or twenty bucks each, filling up our hundred-square-meter apartment. Fortunately, though Ethan ignored me, he still had one good point—he gave me household money. Out of his eight-thousand-dollar monthly salary, he’d give me three thousand as spending money. It was because of this that I kept enduring, even though I felt terrible. After talking with Bella, I realized this wasn’t right. My precious youth shouldn’t be wasted on a loveless marriage. Looking at my bloated reflection in the mirror—greasy hair, oversized t-shirt—I took a long, deep breath. I pulled my long hair up into a bun, grabbed an enormous garbage bag, and started throwing things away. I threw things out from noon until evening. Eight bags total. The house was half-empty. The high-calorie foods in the cabinets—I threw them all out. The cheap clothes in the closet, the bargain cosmetics on my dresser, and even my wedding photo with Ethan—everything went into the trash. After finishing all that, I boiled two sweet potatoes for myself. I’d barely eaten a few bites when I heard the front door. Ethan pushed the door open and walked in, followed by the polished and glamorous Sarah Smith. When she saw me, her expression didn’t change. She smiled and said, “Oh, you’re home, Jenna.” I made a sound of acknowledgment. “Yeah. Why are you here?” “Ethan said his new fishing rod is really good. I came to borrow it and try it out.” Ethan didn’t even look at me. He walked straight into the room. Sarah sat down next to me, staring at the sweet potatoes in front of me. “Why are you eating this cheap stuff, Jenna? Are you trying to lose weight?” Me: “Yeah, I’m too fat. Thought I’d slim down a bit.” She giggled. “Oh, I don’t mean to be rude, but body type is really about genetics, you know?” “Some people are just born to be heavy. Starving yourself won’t work—you won’t be able to lose it.” “You should just give up, Jenna. Do you have any instant noodles in the house? Let me go cook you a bowl.” She stood up to head toward the kitchen but I stopped her. “Don’t bother. I threw everything away.” “Why?” “I’m not eating it anymore. Would’ve been a waste to keep it.” Sarah’s eyes flickered. Finally she just smiled. “Okay then. If you’re dead set on losing weight, we’ll just wait and see how it goes.” She looked up and saw Ethan walking out. Without asking, she went over and took the fishing rod from his hands. “Wow, Ethan, this rod really is nice—thin and light.” “Come on, tonight I’ll rent out that fishing pond on the south side of town. Let’s catch a few fish and try it out.” As she talked, she glanced back at me with false guilt. “Oh, I forgot you were here. Is it okay if I go with Ethan?” The current version of Ethan didn’t consider me at all anymore. He smirked mockingly. “Why are you asking her? What she says doesn’t matter anyway.” Over three years, Ethan hadn’t changed at all. In fact, as he’d gotten older, he’d become more mature and masculine. Combined with his well-maintained physique and respectable job, it wasn’t just Sarah—plenty of other women threw themselves at him. He was no longer as innocent as when we first got married. Now when he looked at Sarah, there was a predatory edge to his gaze. I stared, hating myself even more for living like a ghost for three years because of someone like him. I’d been such a fool. Ethan looked up at me with a perfunctory expression. “I’m leaving. I won’t be back for dinner. Eat by yourself.” Me: “Okay.” He was about to leave, then turned back. “Oh, by the way, I’m transferring you four thousand dollars this month. The company gave out quarterly bonuses.” “Okay.”

With the balance in my card, I went to the gym downstairs. Fortunately, my in-laws had bought property in a good location—everything was nearby. After getting a seasonal membership, I still had $2,900 left. Looking at my messy hair in the mirror, I steeled myself and cut it all off. For the next three months, I put all my focus into working out. Ethan was gone every few days. I barely noticed. After losing over forty pounds, none of my old clothes fit anymore. I wanted to ask Ethan for money to buy a few new outfits, but he wasn’t as generous as usual. He scolded me for wasting money and buying random things. After lecturing me for ages, he transferred me five hundred dollars. I accepted it through gritted teeth. Just then, a man named Lucas Reed approached me. He looked refined and scholarly. He invited me to dinner. Seeing the Rolex watch on his wrist, I had a sudden flash of insight. Right—”marry for food and shelter,” as they say. If there was nothing I wanted from this person, why would I be with him? Right. I should find myself a new match. So that evening, I went with Lucas to a private estate to fish. It was a remote location, but everyone who came and went looked wealthy. I didn’t like Lucas. He wasn’t attractive, and his eyes were sleazy. After chatting for just a few minutes, he kept steering the conversation toward sex. This guy was way too eager—definitely not a good person. I shouldn’t get too involved with him. I lost patience and stood up to leave. But Lucas got agitated and grabbed me. “Where do you think you’re going? You got in my car—leaving isn’t that easy.” I found his words absurd. “What are you going to do, stab me?” Lucas wouldn’t let go. “I’m not going to stab you. But I’ve got plenty of ways to make you cry.” Psycho. He’s sick! I lifted my leg to kick him. Lucas dodged. I went to grab his hair instead, and we made quite a commotion. The estate owner heard the noise and came over. Seeing the situation, he quickly pulled us apart and dragged Lucas aside. “Can you chill out today? I’ve got a client here.” Lucas tugged at his collar indignantly. “What kind of VIP client tells me I can’t hit on a girl?” “The chairman of Zenith Holdings. Just arrived. You know his background—he doesn’t like people making a scene.” Lucas’s expression shifted. “Zenith? Adrian Castellan?” “Yes, him!” “I heard his wife died a few years ago. He moved the company to a new city to avoid being reminded of her. Why would a widower come out to the wilderness?” “The way you talk—the man just wants to relax and enjoy nature. You think everyone’s like you?” I stood to the side listening as their voices got quieter and quieter, like mosquitoes. Annoyed, I tried to sneak away. After a few steps, I got lost. Then I ran into a man dressed in casual clothes. The moment our eyes met, we both froze.

I don’t know why he froze. I froze because… I’d never seen such a handsome man. To be fair, Ethan was already quite good-looking. Compared to the man in front of me, he didn’t even measure up to a third. It was mainly the aura. The difference was too great. This man, just standing there with his profile showing, made my heart race. I unconsciously licked my lips. “Um…” Adrian Castellan looked at me. “Yes?” “I’m lost. Can you help me?” Maybe it had been too long since I’d seen a handsome man. The sudden stimulation scrambled my brain like mush. Adrian’s distant gaze swept over me. Finally, he pointed to the right. “That way. You can get out.” “Oh. Thank you.” I walked quite a distance before I realized—I shouldn’t have just left like that. The estate Lucas had brought me to was in a remote location. Walking on foot, I’d probably break my legs before getting out of here. But if I turned back, I couldn’t find the way. And what if I ran into Lucas? That would be even more troublesome. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place when I heard a car horn behind me. A Bentley slowly pulled up in front of me. Through the window was the man from just now. Adrian didn’t know why he was being so charitable, but seeing the woman clutching her jacket closed in front of him, he opened the door anyway. “Get in. I’ll take you back.” I obediently climbed into the passenger seat and said honestly, “Thank you.” Adrian’s eyes darkened, but he said nothing. On the drive back, he drove quietly. I looked down at my phone. Ten o’clock at night. Ethan hadn’t sent me a single message. On social media, Sarah had posted more photos of their gathering. Ethan was sitting very close to her. If someone didn’t know better, they might think they were a couple. I sighed deeply, not understanding if this kind of marriage was even worth continuing. Unable to figure it out myself, I looked at the calm and composed man beside me. My brain short-circuited and I asked the question out loud. Adrian raised an eyebrow. “You’re asking a complete stranger about marriage?” Me: “Maybe sometimes strangers see things more clearly.” He smiled noncommittally. After a long pause, he finally said, “If you’re asking me, I’d say you haven’t figured out what you want from your life.” I froze instantly. This man was really, truly ruthless.

I really didn’t know what I wanted. My parents were busy with business and also had a younger son. Because I was a daughter, my parents left me with my grandparents from a young age. No one cared about me or paid attention to me. They all wished I wouldn’t bother them. After my grandparents died, my parents didn’t bring me back home. Instead, they bought me an apartment in Southridge and told me to live there. The major I studied was randomly chosen. The husband I married was randomly picked. Because no one ever told me how life should be lived. Now someone had torn away the pretense and, with just a few words, seen through my empty life. My nose inexplicably stung. I asked in a nasal voice, “Then… what do you think I should do?” Perhaps my tearful tone was too obvious. Adrian glanced at me several more times. He said, “If you’re not afraid I’m a bad person, then buy yourself some fishing gear and a rod. Come back here tomorrow.” As he spoke, the car had already arrived downstairs at my building. Before we parted, he gave me his phone number. After adding him as a contact, I saw his profile name had a simple “A” for Adrian. His social media was nearly empty—just one photo of the ocean. The caption read: Ten years of life and death apart. Even without thinking of you, how could I forget? He seemed quite lonely too. Grateful to him, I immediately ran out the next day to buy equipment. After riding the bus for over an hour, I went back to the estate. He must have given them a heads-up, because as soon as I arrived, someone came to greet me. They led me for quite a while before I saw Adrian fishing again. He’d changed into a black casual outfit. Sitting among the wild grass, he made even the vegetation look refined. I tiptoed over carefully, making Adrian frown slightly. “Jenna Ashford.” “Yes!” “Straighten your back! You’re obviously a beautiful woman—why are you so insecure?” Seeing his stern gaze, I instinctively straightened my posture. “I’m sorry, Mr. Castellan.” “My name is Adrian Castellan.” “I’m sorry, Adrian.” Adrian sighed, pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek, and gestured with his chin toward a chair nearby. “You. Sit over there. Set up your fishing rod.” Me: … Heaven help me, I thought Adrian had invited me here to teach me some profound truth about life. Or maybe, that he was attracted to me and wanted to flirt. But for an entire week, I rode the bus for an hour each day to the estate, fished for five hours, then rode the bus back home for another hour. All I did was fish in the spot he rented. Most of the time, I was alone. Adrian didn’t sit with me. Much of the time, he was in his cabin working or sleeping. I sat alone staring at the calm lake surface, my thoughts sprouting like weeds in my mind. And because he said I could exchange each fish for a hundred dollars, I didn’t dare mess around on my phone. I could only stare blankly at the fishing line, waiting for a fish to bite. I was fishing so intently that one day I lost track of time and didn’t even notice it had gotten dark. Even more absurd—Ethan and Sarah appeared across from me. They were cuddling on chairs, kissing passionately. They made such a huge commotion they scared away my fish. Annoyed, I looked up—and realized my husband was cheating on me.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “366535”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

In the fifth year of my marriage to Hudson Hope, I was still commuting two hours to save a few dollars. Until the day I transferred to Mary Hospital in New York, I received a VIP patient, the wife of billionaire heir Hudson. The nurse smiled and showed me their wedding photo. “Mr. Hope is famous for doting on his wife.” I gripped my stethoscope, my knuckles turning white. That woman had personally slashed my right hand three years ago. And that man was supposed to be my husband. I stared at the woman’s pregnant belly. Just then, Hudson’s call came through on speakerphone, his voice filled with a tenderness he’d never shown me. “Cecilia, I bought you a mansion to make it up to you.” It turned out I was the other woman all along. Sylvia’s POV In the fifth year of my marriage to Hudson, I was still pinching pennies, saving every cent. On my first day at the new hospital, I was assigned a VIP patient. The nurse said it was the wife of Hudson Hope, the richest man in the city. Hudson Hope? That was my husband’s name. After transferring to New York, my very first patient was Cecilia, who’d been entangled with my husband for five years. I double-checked the medical records, even questioning the intake nurse. “Are you sure there’s no mistake? The patient’s name is Cecilia, and her husband is Hudson?” The nurse laughed. “Dr. Winters, I could mix up anyone but not Mr. Hope. He’s the billionaire heir of New York, famous for how much he spoils his wife. To make sure she has a safe delivery, he specifically reserved our hospital’s best VIP suite for her.” The nurse pulled up photos of Hudson and Cecilia’s wedding on her phone to show me. The cruel truth was right there in front of me. I felt like I’d been plunged into ice water. Another doctor said enviously, “Dr. Winters, you’re new to New York so you don’t know. Mr. Hope and Miss Cecilia have broken up and gotten back together countless times over these five years. It’s more dramatic than a TV show! In the end, Mr. Hope swallowed his pride and chased her for ages before they finally got their happy ending!” My ears were buzzing. The nurse gently nudged me. “What’s wrong? Do you know Mr. Hope and Miss Cecilia?” I snapped back to reality, forcibly suppressing the tidal wave of emotions in my chest. Know them? I knew them all too well. The name Cecilia was like a poisoned needle, stabbing straight into my heart. Five years ago at my wedding with Hudson, Cecilia had stormed the stage like a madwoman, screaming that Hudson was hers. Four years ago, I got anonymous photos of Cecilia standing naked in front of Hudson. Hudson had immediately called the police, saying she was harassing him. And three years ago… I unconsciously touched the hideous, ugly scar on my right arm. That day, Cecilia had rushed into the hospital where I worked with a knife and, in front of everyone, slashed at my right hand like a maniac. She screamed at the top of her lungs. “That’s what you get for stealing my Hudson! I’ll ruin your hand so you can never be a doctor and seduce him again!” The top hospital had used all their best resources and barely managed to save my arm. But this scar would remain on my skin forever. At the time, Hudson had roared that he would kill Cecilia. I’d desperately held him back to prevent him from making a terrible mistake. Later, Hudson said he’d sent Cecilia to a psychiatric hospital. He would torment her daily, make her wish she were dead, make her spend the rest of her life atoning for what she did to my hand. But now, Cecilia was sitting there perfectly fine, and she’d become Hudson’s wife in New York, pregnant with his child. I closed my eyes. Absurd. It was too absurd. My husband of five years, who made twenty thousand dollars a month, was actually New York’s wealthiest man-and someone else’s husband. I forced myself to look at Cecilia in the hospital room, dressed head to toe in designer clothes, clutching her belly with a blissful expression on her face. Then I looked down at my own cheap clothes worth only a few dozen dollars that I wore to save money. I felt like a complete and utter fool. For five years, I’d thought I was happy enough. My husband was considerate and gentle. Apart from him working in New York and us being apart often, our marriage had virtually no conflicts. Last month, to have a baby soon and to surprise Hudson, I’d quietly submitted my application to transfer to Mary Hospital in New York as an obstetrician. I never imagined that on my first day, fate would play such a cruel joke on me.

Sylvia’s POV I put on my mask, struggling to maintain my professional composure. Walking into the room, I gently placed my stethoscope on Cecilia’s swollen belly. The fetal heartbeat was clear and strong, each beat like a hammer pounding on my heart. Cecilia unconsciously stroked the enormous pink diamond ring on her ring finger. I recognized it. The news had once reported that this pink diamond was the finale piece at an auction, purchased by a certain tycoon at an astronomical price. At the time, I didn’t know the “Mr. Hope” in the news was my husband. I’d even joked with him about it. “Other people’s Mr. Hope can spend astronomical sums with a wave of his hand. Too bad my Mr. Hope is just an ordinary office worker. What he earns isn’t even enough for household expenses.” How had Hudson responded? His hands had explored me with burning heat, his kisses falling like urgent rain. “Hm? Who are you saying can’t measure up? Is your Mr. Hope better, or are other men better?” I couldn’t resist in his embrace and could only beg for mercy. “It’s you! Of course you’re better!” “Dr. Winters, your technique is so gentle. It doesn’t hurt at all.” Cecilia’s voice pulled me back to reality. “Hudson always says I’m too delicate.” The nurse beside her immediately flattered her. “Mrs. Hope, you’re so blessed. Mr. Hope treasures you. I heard this VIP suite was specially renovated for you-even the air purification system is top-of-the-line.” I couldn’t imagine that Hudson had such a gentle and considerate side with someone else. Seeing that I seemed distracted, Cecilia raised her eyebrows smugly. “He’s just too nervous. I said I could just rest at home, but he insisted this place has the best medical facilities and reserved an entire floor for me. Tell me, isn’t he making too big a deal of this?” I forced myself to focus on the examination. But each fetal heartbeat felt like torture to what remained of my sanity. I didn’t even notice my mask had slipped down. Cecilia’s sharp cry jolted me awake. “Ah! Sylvia!” I instinctively stepped back. Her pitying gaze swept over me inch by inch, finally landing on my scarred right hand. “How did Dr. Winters end up in New York? Can your hand still hold a scalpel?” “You don’t know, do you? I’m pregnant with Hudson’s child. Back then he almost imprisoned me because of you, but now he loves me to death.” Her smugness was particularly glaring, especially when she looked provocatively at my injured hand. Anger and humiliation nearly overwhelmed me. Hudson. The man who would calculate the exact time to remind me to eat when I worked night shifts, who would prepare surprises when I complained about being tired. He’d actually married the woman who nearly destroyed my career. To save money, I couldn’t even afford to take cabs to work, commuting over two hours each day. Yet for Cecilia, he could reserve an entire VIP floor. How ridiculous! How ironic! Every moment of the past five years now turned into swords, piercing my heart, the pain so intense I could barely stand. “Miss Cecilia,” I struggled to stay calm. “The fetal development indicators are currently normal.” Just then, Hudson’s call came through. Cecilia raised her eyebrows and put it on speakerphone. Hudson’s voice came through the phone. “Cici, I’m sorry. I was busy with meetings today and couldn’t accompany you to your checkup. To make it up to you, I bought you a mansion. I know you’ll love it.” “How could I be angry?” Cecilia watched my expression. “You’re the one who can’t go back on your word.” The tone on the phone was filled with a tenderness I’d never heard before. I stiffly left the hospital room, didn’t even change clothes, and took a cab directly to Hudson’s company. I needed answers! But just as I reached the door and was about to push it open, I heard the conversation inside. “Mr. Hope, you’re so lucky!” “The gentle Cici in New York is pregnant with your child, and in London you have a dutiful wife keeping your little nest warm for you. You’re a real winner in life!” Everyone chuckled in agreement. Someone asked, “Hudson, aren’t you afraid Sylvia will find out you have a family in New York?” Hudson’s voice was cold, devoid of any warmth. “She’ll never know.” “That she got to be with me for five years, even if it’s a fake marriage, is Sylvia’s good fortune.” My whole body went numb with cold. I don’t even remember how I left. As soon as I got downstairs, I received a call from a friend. “Sylvia, how are things in New York? I heard the work there is very demanding.” He paused, then asked tentatively, “It’s been five years-are you still unwilling to come develop your career in Australia?” If this were before, I definitely would have refused. Compared to my career, I wanted a stable, happy family more. But at this moment, I heard my own voice, unusually clear. “Gabriel, in seven days, I’ll see you in Australia.” “I’m willing to sign a permanent contract with your hospital, on the condition that you help me erase all my identity information domestically.”

Sylvia’s POV After submitting my immigration documents, I returned to my small rented apartment. It was already late. Hudson was sitting on the sofa, looking like he’d been waiting for a long time. “Sylvia, why didn’t you tell me about transferring to Mary Hospital in New York? You wouldn’t answer my calls, so I had to call your former colleagues to find out you’d transferred.” His eyes were slightly red, filled with panic. “I waited at home for three whole hours, terrified something had happened to you.” The worry and heartache in those eyes didn’t seem fake. He was such a good actor. My heart ached so much I could barely breathe. The scenes I’d witnessed in the VIP suite wrapped around my nerves like vines. I wanted to ask him, but I felt that at this point, asking anything was meaningless. Suppressing the stinging in my eyes, I smiled when I looked up again. “Yeah, the salary here is higher.” “After work I wanted to walk around, and I got lost.” Hudson pulled me into his embrace. “Next time take me with you-I can carry your bags.” “Today is our fifth wedding anniversary. I bought you a gift-want to open it?” His chin rested on top of my head, his posture intimate, as if we were still that loving couple. Five years together weren’t fake. I truly had loved Hudson. But behind my back, he’d married the woman who hurt me. I couldn’t understand it. This tender moment lasted only a few seconds before Hudson’s phone rang. The ringtone was the same as Cecilia’s. The man immediately released me, turned and walked to the balcony, completely shutting me out. A few minutes later, he said he had to go out. “Sylvia, there’s an urgent matter at the company. I need to go handle it right away.” As soon as the words left his mouth, I could no longer see him. In the cramped apartment, everything was in plain view. I walked to the desk and opened the gift box. Inside was a mug with the word “Forever” written on it. A cheap style, priced under five dollars. It formed a stark contrast with Cecilia’s astronomical diamond ring and estate. Such blatant favoritism made me gasp with pain. How did Hudson suddenly become so rotten? Where did the man from five years ago go-the one who promised to love me and treat me well for a lifetime? After showering, I walked back to the desk, wanting to get my documents to close my accounts. As I walked over, I noticed the computer screen was lit. Hudson had left in such a hurry he hadn’t even shut down his computer. I hesitated, then tapped my fingers on the keyboard. A password input box popped up on the screen. I tried my birthday. Wrong. Our wedding anniversary. Wrong. Hudson’s birthday. Wrong. Finally, I remembered Cecilia’s birthdate from her medical records and entered it. Unlock successful. The computer instantly woke up, the desktop displayed before me. In the desktop photo, Cecilia nestled in Hudson’s arms, her smile bright and piercing. I forced down my discomfort and opened several folders. The light from the screen illuminated my gradually paling face. Photos, videos, and sweet chat records of Hudson and Cecilia were all carefully backed up by him. All of this pierced the happiness I’d believed in, leaving it full of holes. It turned out that on all those days he claimed to be on business trips and working overtime, Hudson had been with Cecilia. They traveled the world together, kissing on private yachts. They attended elite social events together, Cecilia holding his arm, her smile radiant. There was even a video, shot in the wedding home I’d personally decorated: Cecilia, scantily clad, looked at Hudson with seductive eyes. “Hudson, can you really make love to me while Sylvia is working the night shift? What if she comes back?” “I think you’re just hoping she’ll suddenly come back.” Hudson tore off her clothes. She spread her arms and embraced him with a show of triumph. “Hudson, you’re so bad. This is so exciting-this is your wedding home.” Hudson silenced her mouth with a flurry of kisses. My stomach churned violently. With trembling hands, I clicked on a folder marked “Important.” Inside was Hudson and Cecilia’s marriage certificate registered in New York. The date was the day after Cecilia slashed my right hand. A silent thunderclap exploded in my mind. What daily torment, what living hell-it was all lies! Hudson not only let go of the criminal who destroyed my career, but immediately gave her legal status and let her get pregnant with his child! What did he take me for? Five years! A whole five years! I’d been like a fool, guarding this illusory marriage, carefully budgeting every penny, feeling sorry that he was “struggling” in New York. Meanwhile, my husband was in another city, using astronomical pink diamonds, top-tier VIP suites, even legally recognized marriage to cherish another woman to the utmost! I laughed softly, but tears fell on the keyboard. I slammed the computer shut and looked at the cheap mug. I grabbed the cup, raised it high, and with all my strength smashed it against the wall!

Sylvia’s POV Hudson didn’t come home all night. I sat on the sofa all night without closing my eyes. I didn’t know if I was waiting for him to come home. But as soon as dawn broke, I submitted my resignation to Mary Hospital. My colleagues were all very regretful. My supervisor, Mr. Cooper, tried to keep me. “You just transferred here-why leave already? Stay one more day and say goodbye to everyone properly.” I knew the department had many patients today, so I nodded in agreement. In the VIP suite, when Cecilia saw me enter, a flash of coldness crossed her eyes. “Dr. Winters, we meet again.” Her voice was sickeningly sweet. “Hudson went to pick out the newest limited edition handbag for me today. He said it’s a reward for carrying his baby.” I didn’t acknowledge her. Cecilia sneered. “Speaking of which, you and Hudson have been married five years-how come there’s no movement in your belly at all?” “Could it be that Hudson doesn’t want you to get pregnant?” I put on gloves and took out the fetal heart monitor. “Lie down properly. This is a routine examination.” I applied coupling gel to her swollen abdomen, my movements professional and calm. Cecilia pouted. “Hey, Hudson treats me so well, and you’re not angry at all?” “Hudson is so bad. All these years he wouldn’t let me appear in front of you. But I’m his legal wife. Our wedding was much grander than yours.” “Tell me, if I told him you wanted me to miscarry, what would he do?” The fetal heart monitor emitted a regular, strong “thump thump” sound, showing the fetus was perfectly normal. I quickly recorded the data, just wanting to finish as soon as possible. But just as I was about to complete the examination, Cecilia suddenly let out a terrible scream. She clutched her stomach desperately, screaming in terror. “It hurts! My belly! My baby!” I was startled. Cecilia’s eyes held cold laughter and triumph, her voice particularly piercing in the hospital room. “Help! The doctor is trying to kill me!” The room door burst open as medical staff rushed in at the sound. Cecilia curled up in agony. “Mrs. Hope, what’s wrong?” A nurse hurried forward. “She deliberately pressed hard on my belly! She’s trying to kill my baby-call my husband quickly!” Cecilia cried heart-wrenchingly, her accusations clear and vicious. I tried to explain. “I didn’t. I was just doing a routine examination.” Mr. Cooper spoke up for me. “Dr. Winters is an excellent obstetrician with extensive clinical experience. She would never make a mistake during a routine examination.” But no one listened to our explanations. Cecilia quickly dialed Hudson’s number, tears streaming down her face. “Hudson, come quickly! The attending physician pressed so hard on my belly, it hurts so much! She’s trying to kill our baby, I’m so scared!” Hudson’s voice came through the phone, cold as ice. “Don’t be afraid, Cici. I’ll be right there. Where are the bodyguards? You’re just going to stand there and watch my wife get bullied?!” Several burly bodyguards exchanged glances. The next second, they grabbed me and dragged me out. “Let go of me!” I struggled desperately, but the difference in strength was too great. The bodyguards dragged me all the way and threw me hard to the ground. “Mr. Hope’s orders are for us to ‘take good care of’ Dr. Winters and help his wife vent her anger.” The lead bodyguard looked at me with sinister eyes. “Pretty face, but too bad you offended the wrong person.” My heart sank, cold creeping up from the soles of my feet. “What do you want to do?” “What?” Another bodyguard showed a disgusting smile. “Mr. Hope only said ‘punish.’ He didn’t say how. Such a pretty woman, it’d be a waste just to beat her up.” “We can’t touch Mr. Hope’s woman, but we can play with this doctor, right? Consider it venting for Mrs. Hope!” Terror instantly seized my heart. I looked at the men closing in, my eyes filled with despair. “Get away! Don’t touch me!” I grabbed debris from the ground and swung it desperately, trying to resist. But my resistance was meaningless. One bodyguard easily knocked away what I was holding, while another violently tore at my white coat and shirt. I screamed, humiliation and terror making my whole body tremble. I desperately tried to protect myself, rolling on the filthy floor to dodge. Just at this moment of despair, a sharp stabbing pain suddenly shot through my lower abdomen! The pain came so fiercely, like a knife twisting inside, instantly draining all my strength. I moaned in agony. “Stop pretending!” A bodyguard impatiently kicked me in the stomach. But the next second, everyone froze. Deep red blood spread from beneath me, staining the grimy floor, the bloodstain growing larger and larger, a horrifying sight.

Sylvia’s POV “Blood!” The bodyguard backed away in terror. “Why is she bleeding?” Another one panicked too. “We didn’t even touch her.” I was also dazed. The severe pain made my consciousness blur. I looked blankly at the rapidly expanding pool of blood beneath me. A huge, ominous premonition enveloped me. With trembling hands, I touched my lower abdomen. The wet, sticky sensation made my whole body go cold. I… I was pregnant? I was actually pregnant? I was an experienced obstetrician, yet in the daily mental torture, I’d overlooked my own physical condition. At this most unbearable, most desperate moment, the life I’d desperately wanted to surprise Hudson with, the life we were supposed to nurture together, had quietly arrived and just as quietly left me. Immense grief and physical agony intertwined, making me cry out in pain. “What do we do? With this much blood, will she die?” The bodyguards completely panicked. They’d only wanted to “play around”-they hadn’t expected to cause a death. The lead bodyguard’s face went pale as he dialed Hudson’s number. “Mr. Hope, something’s wrong. That Dr…. the attending physician is bleeding heavily, there’s blood everywhere, she looks like she’s dying!” Hudson’s tone was cold, even annoyed. “She’s just a doctor. If she dies, she dies. What’s all the fuss about? New York has plenty of good doctors-we won’t miss her. Clean it up and don’t dirty the hospital. Bad luck!” Hudson’s words stabbed into what remained of my consciousness. My child with him… In his words, didn’t even qualify as “bad luck.” The bodyguards looked at the pool of blood still expanding beneath me. None of them dared touch me again. Finally, they threw me into the emergency stairwell like garbage and quickly fled. The heavy smell of blood filled my nostrils. My body felt hollowed out with pain and weakness. The blood kept flowing. I kept passing out from pain and waking up again. But I couldn’t die here. I used every last bit of strength to drag my heavy body out of the emergency stairwell, crawling inch by inch. Blood left a long, glaring trail behind me. I didn’t know where I was going. Every step felt like walking on knife points. Every breath pulled at the severe pain in my abdomen. Just as I was about to collapse, my phone rang. The name that once made my heart flutter appeared on the screen-Hudson. I answered with my blood-stained hand, trembling as I held it to my ear. I wanted to ask him: Hudson, why are you bullying me? Didn’t you say you’d treat me well for life? I wanted to tell him: Hudson, our baby is gone. I’d really been looking forward to it for so long. I really wanted to have a child who looked like you. But the words I wanted to say stuck in my throat after Hudson spoke. “Sylvia, where are you? Come to Mary Hospital VIP suite immediately to take care of Cecilia. She’s been frightened and needs someone with her.” “You graduated from a top medical school and you’re an experienced doctor-you know how to comfort pregnant women.” Realizing his tone was too harsh, Hudson explained. “When Cecilia was in the psychiatric hospital, she was… violated by another patient and got pregnant.” “That was my mistake. I need to take responsibility.” “She’s emotionally unstable right now. You come take care of her-consider it helping me repay my debt.” I felt my mind go completely blank. All the blood in my body rushed to my head, then instantly froze to ice. So that’s it… Even for the child in Cecilia’s belly, he could fabricate such a disgusting yet “devoted” lie to cover it up. Severe pain and blood loss made my mind fuzzy. My vision went dark, and I passed out.

Sylvia’s POV When I woke up again, three days had passed. Mr. Cooper saw me wake up and quickly used a cotton swab dipped in water to moisten my lips. “Feeling better?” “I…” “You had a miscarriage,” Mr. Cooper looked at me with heartache. “You were unconscious for three days.” I closed my eyes. As expected. “During these three days… did anyone look for me?” Mr. Cooper looked at me sympathetically. “Your husband called you. As soon as I answered, he started yelling at me. I couldn’t hear what he said clearly, but… he was very angry.” I smiled bitterly. “Didn’t he ask what happened to me?” “…No.” I nodded. When I opened my eyes again, they held only resolve. “I understand. Thank you.” “Take good care of yourself.” Four more days. I lay there for two more days. Other than occasionally receiving process notification texts from immigration, my phone was as quiet as death. For the first time, I was certain-Hudson truly didn’t love me anymore. After lunch, I got out of bed to move around. Without realizing it, I walked to the VIP suite and happened to see Hudson bringing food to Cecilia. Cecilia was propped up in bed, taking small sips of the nutritional supplement Hudson fed her. “Honey, you’re so good to me. For my sake, you were even willing to drug Sylvia so she couldn’t get pregnant. I heard that drug is very toxic. Even if she miraculously got pregnant, she wouldn’t be able to carry it to term.” “You even married me in New York, making me the legitimate Mrs. Hope.” Hudson’s hand paused. The expression on his face showed a hint of struggle. After a long silence, he finally responded with a sound of acknowledgment. Outside the door, I was thunderstruck. My whole body trembled. My palms were punctured by my nails, drawing blood. Why? Why would you treat me this way? No wonder I couldn’t get pregnant in five years of marriage, no matter how actively we tried to conceive. No wonder when I finally got pregnant this time I didn’t feel anything. The fetus was probably too weak. Inside the room, Hudson put down the nutritional supplement in his hand. “This is what I owe you.” “Five years ago, I didn’t want to reveal my identity, so I just complained that the wedding was too extravagant. You made a scene at the wedding for my sake, forcing the family to agree to let me hide my identity.” “Three years ago when Sylvia was going abroad for advanced studies, I told you I couldn’t bear to part with her, so you took a knife and slashed her hand.” “And also, because her mother discovered my relationship with you, you drove and killed her. Just to protect my reputation, you implicated yourself in a hit-and-run and still can’t return to the mainland.” Guilt and gratitude flickered in Hudson’s eyes. “Although I can’t give you one hundred percent of my feelings, I’m grateful for everything you’ve done for me. Cecilia, everything I’ve done for you is what you deserve.” A flash of disappointment crossed Cecilia’s eyes, but she quickly recovered and nestled against his shoulder. “What if Sylvia finds out? She’s so proud. If she knew everything you’ve done…” Hudson held her and patted her gently. “Her mother’s ashes are kept in the Hope family cemetery.” The implication was clear. I wouldn’t dare resist. Outside the hospital room, I couldn’t stop trembling. It turned out all the dark moments in my life hadn’t come from fate. At the root, they were nothing more than Hudson’s complaints and reluctance! It was him, quietly guiding that mad dog Cecilia from behind, making her attack me again and again. Destroying my family, tearing apart my dreams, trampling me viciously underfoot! Even my mother’s death wasn’t an accident-it was murder! A murder instigated by my husband Hudson and carried out by my rival Cecilia! And even after Mother’s death, he used her ashes as leverage to control me. I pushed open the door with shaking hands. The two people inside hadn’t expected anyone to enter. As soon as I walked in, Cecilia screamed in fright. The nutritional supplement crashed to the floor. Hudson whipped around. The moment he saw me, his pupils constricted sharply. He instinctively stood up to explain, but then seemed to think of something and forcibly held back. “What are you doing here?” he asked quietly. He moved toward the door, but Cecilia reached out and grabbed his sleeve. “Hudson, I’m scared.” Hudson’s expression darkened. He stood still and looked at me. “A few days ago I told you to come take care of Cici. Why didn’t you come?” I looked at this man who felt like a stranger to me.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “366534”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

I was Preston Kingsley’s caged mistress, a tool he used to humiliate his ex. For his first love, Vivienne, he cut off my father’s ICU funding and forced me to kneel in the snow, searching for a ring that never existed. Later, I became exactly what he wanted. Docile. Obedient. Silent. Even when I was diagnosed with a terminal illness, I never said a word. I simply signed the divorce papers and vanished from his world. Preston searched the globe like a madman, only to find a box of ashes. They say that day, New York’s most distinguished man cried like a dog who’d lost its home. Lynn’s POV The smell of disinfectant was sharp in my nose. The doctor stared at the report in his hands, his brow furrowed. He looked up at me. “Didn’t your family come with you?” My fingers tightened on the hem of my shirt. “He’s busy. I can handle it myself.” The doctor sighed and handed me the paper. “You’re six weeks pregnant, but your uterine wall is very thin. Combined with your chronic malnutrition, this pregnancy… will be difficult to maintain. If you insist on keeping it, there’s a risk of severe hemorrhaging.” My mind went blank. Pregnant? At this moment, when my relationship with Preston had hit rock bottom. My phone screen lit up with a push notification. A news headline. The photo showed Preston at the airport. Even in a candid shot, the man looked refined and aloof, his black trench coat accentuating his tall frame. And in his arms was a petite woman. Vivienne was back. The woman Preston couldn’t forget. The woman whose single sentence, “I don’t like other women around you,” had subjected me to three years of cold violence.. The headline was painfully blunt: “Preston Kingsley’s Late-Night Airport Pickup, Old Flames Rekindled? Sweet, Loving Gaze.” I turned off my phone, my fingertips trembling with cold. “Doctor, this baby… let me think about it.” When I walked out of the hospital, New York’s first snow of winter was falling. The wind cut across my face like knives. I pulled my thin coat tighter, but it couldn’t block the cold seeping into my bones. When I reached the house, I saw that familiar Maybach parked in the driveway. Preston was home. I pushed open the door. The warmth inside hit my face, mixed with an unfamiliar perfume. Sweet. A cloying floral-fruit scent. Vivienne’s favorite. Preston sat on the sofa, legs crossed, fingers holding an unlit cigarette, his expression dark and unreadable. Hearing me enter, he lifted his eyelids and gave me a cold glance. “Where were you?” His voice was low, carrying an oppressive weight that made it hard to breathe. I paused while changing my shoes, instinctively tucking the ultrasound report deeper into my bag. “I wasn’t feeling well. Went to the pharmacy.” “Not feeling well?” Preston laughed coldly and stood, walking toward me. He looked down at me, his long fingers gripping my chin with bruising force. “Lynn, did you go to the pharmacy, or did you go tip off that deadbeat father of yours?” My heart lurched. I jerked my head up to look at him. “What do you mean?” “What do I mean?” Preston released my face and grabbed a document from the coffee table, throwing it at me. The sharp edge of the paper sliced across my cheek, leaving a red mark. “After your father went bankrupt, his mess got worse. He owes another three hundred thousand in loan shark debts. The creditors came to me, saying they’re looking for Mrs. Kingsley’s father, and I should pay up.” Preston’s eyes were full of disgust and mockery. “Lynn, how many holes have I filled for your family these three years? Do you think I’m an idiot, or do you think…” He paused, his tone turning crueler. “Do you think your broken body is worth that price?”

Lynn’s POV That ultrasound report ended up crumpled in my bag. Three hundred thousand. To Preston, that was barely the cost of a watch-not even enough for one of Vivienne’s handbags. But for my family now, it was the final straw. My father was still lying in the ICU, medical bills draining away like water every day. If those loan sharks didn’t get their money, they’d really pull his oxygen tube. I took a deep breath, forcing down the stinging in my eyes, and bent to pick up the documents from the floor. “I’m sorry. I’ll figure something out.” “Figure something out?” Preston sounded like he’d heard a joke. He moved closer, step by step, until he’d backed me against the wall. “Where will you figure it out? Sell yourself? Or go beg that useless ex of yours?” At the mention of Simon, my heart clenched painfully. He was a thorn in Preston’s mind and his excuse to torment me. The truth was, Simon and I had no relationship. We’d simply talked a bit more than usual at a class reunion, and Preston had held it against me ever since. “I didn’t…” I tried weakly to defend myself. But Preston didn’t want to hear it. He reached up to loosen his tie, his eyes cold and predatory. “Since you need to pay back money, show some sincerity.” “Please me. Until I’m satisfied.” That night, Preston was like a man possessed. No foreplay, no tenderness-only endless venting and punishment. I bit my lip hard, refusing to make a sound, even as the pain made my whole body tremble. Because I knew. If I cried out in pain or resisted, it would only make his treatment more brutal. And there was my father’s ventilator, which could be shut off at any moment. When it was over, he stood by the window in a bathrobe, smoking. Through the curling smoke, his silhouette looked especially cold. I curled up under the covers, sharp pains radiating from my lower abdomen, making my heart race with fear. The baby… “Tomorrow night there’s a charity gala. You’re coming with me.” Preston suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse. I froze. Since our marriage, he’d never taken me to any public event. In his circle, everyone knew he’d married a fallen heiress-a doormat who’d endure anything for money. Taking me out would only embarrass him. “What? Don’t want to go?” Seeing my silence, Preston turned around, his brow furrowing. “No, it’s not that…” My throat was painfully hoarse. “I’ll go.” Preston nodded with satisfaction and stubbed out his cigarette. “Vivienne will be there tomorrow too. She just got back to the country and needs an assistant. Since you’re free anyway, go help her out.” So that was it. He wasn’t taking me to see the world, nor was he acknowledging my identity. It was just that his mistress needed a servant. And I, the nominal Mrs. Kingsley, was the cheapest, most convenient option. “Okay.” I heard my own calm voice. Really, as long as he paid, as long as I could save my father, I’d do anything. Even if it meant carving out my heart to pave the way for these two lovers.

Lynn’s POV The gala was held at New York’s largest hotel. I wore a last-season dress Preston had carelessly thrown at me, following three steps behind him. Like a shadow that couldn’t see the light. Vivienne wore a custom white mermaid gown, looking like a noble princess surrounded by admirers. When she saw Preston, her eyes lit up. She lifted her skirt and ran over, naturally linking her arm through his. “Preston, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting forever.” Preston’s usually hard features softened the moment he saw her. “Traffic.” He lied. We’d arrived early. He’d just sat in the car smoking two cigarettes before leisurely coming up. Vivienne smiled sweetly, her gaze sweeping around before she seemed to notice me for the first time, covering her mouth in surprise. “Oh my, Ms. Lynn is here too? This dress… isn’t this from two years ago? Preston, really, you should have gotten her something new.” Her words sounded reproachful, but her eyes were full of smugness and contempt. People around us cast meaningful glances. Some mocking, some pitying, most just watching the show. Preston gave me a brief glance, his tone casual. “She doesn’t like being extravagant. Old clothes work fine.” I lowered my eyes, my nails digging into my palms. Doesn’t like being extravagant? Before the Lynn family went bankrupt, I only wore haute couture. Who was it that broke my wings and ground me into the dirt, only to turn around and despise me for being covered in mud? “Vivienne, didn’t you say you wanted champagne?” Preston turned to look at Vivienne, his tone gentle. Vivienne pouted playfully. “But the champagne here isn’t cold enough. I want the kind with hand-carved ice balls, and only seven-tenths full.” Preston nodded, then turned his gaze to me, instantly freezing over. “You heard that? Go do it.” I stood there, surrounded by stares that felt like needles piercing my skin. I was Mrs. Kingsley, yet at this event, I was being treated like a server, fetching drinks for the other woman. “What? Don’t want to?” Preston raised an eyebrow, lowering his voice. “That three hundred thousand…” “I’ll go.” I cut him off and turned toward the bar. In that moment, I felt every shred of my dignity being crushed. The ice was hard, the carving pick slippery. My hands were shaking, and the dropping sensation in my abdomen grew stronger. The sharp ice pick slipped and stabbed hard into my left index finger. Blood immediately gushed out. I frantically looked for tissues to stop the bleeding. Behind me came Vivienne’s sweet voice. “Oh my, Ms. Lynn, how careless can you be? You got blood on the ice-how can anyone drink this now?” Preston walked over. Seeing my bleeding finger, he frowned deeply. But his first words weren’t concern. They were blame. “Can’t even handle something this simple. Clumsy idiot. Stop embarrassing yourself here.” He took Vivienne’s hand. “Come on, I’ll take you upstairs for better drinks.” The two walked away arm in arm, leaving me alone by the bar, my blood dripping onto the floor. Just like my heart, riddled with holes.

Lynn’s POV While I was rinsing my wound in the restroom, the hospital called. “Ms. Lynn, your father’s condition has worsened. He needs surgery immediately. If you don’t pay the full amount, we can’t proceed…” The doctor’s voice on the other end was full of helplessness. “How much?” My voice trembled. “Including what you owe plus this surgery, at least five hundred thousand. It must be paid by midnight tonight.” After hanging up, I looked at my ghost-pale face in the mirror. Five hundred thousand. For me now, it was an astronomical sum. Preston had frozen all my cards. I’d already sold all my jewelry. The only option left was to beg him. I left the restroom and stumbled toward the second-floor private room. The door was slightly ajar, laughter spilling out from inside. “Preston, this necklace is beautiful. I love it.” Vivienne’s voice was soft and sweet. “If you like it, keep it. I bought it at auction for you anyway.” Preston’s voice carried a smile. Through the gap in the door, I saw Preston fastening an expensive necklace around Vivienne’s neck. That necklace… My whole body went rigid. That was my mother’s heirloom! When the Lynn family went bankrupt, all our assets were auctioned off, including this necklace. I’d begged Preston for so long to buy it back for me, to keep as a memento. What had he said then? “A broken piece of junk, and you beg me for that?” Now he’d bought it and put it on another woman. Rage, despair, grief all twisted together until I could barely breathe. But I couldn’t lash out. My father was waiting for money to save his life. I took a deep breath and pushed open the door. The laughter inside stopped abruptly. Everyone looked at me. The smile vanished from Preston’s face, replaced by darkness. “Who told you to come in?” I ignored the stares and walked straight to Preston, dropping to my knees. My knees hit the floor with a dull thud. Preston froze. Vivienne gasped and shrank into his arms. “Lynn, what the hell are you doing?” Preston spoke through clenched teeth, clearly feeling I’d embarrassed him. I looked up at him. “Preston, please. Lend me five hundred thousand. My father needs surgery. He desperately needs this money.” “Lend?” Preston laughed coldly, swirling the wine glass in his hand. “What will you use to pay me back? Your bankrupt family, or your broken body?” “As long as you give me the money, I’ll do anything.” Preston stared at me. Vivienne suddenly spoke up beside him. “Preston, Ms. Lynn is pretty pitiful. Why don’t you help her out?” She sounded kind, but then her tone shifted. “But since Ms. Lynn is so filial, you must be able to hold your liquor, right? If you can finish all the alcohol on this table, I’ll have Preston give you the money. How’s that?” On the table sat more than a dozen bottles of hard liquor. Vodka, whiskey, brandy, all mixed together. Forget a pregnant woman. Even a healthy person would need a stomach pump after drinking that much. She wanted me dead. I looked at Preston, hoping for even a trace of mercy. But he simply glanced at the bottles on the table and said one word. “Drink.” My heart died completely. I picked up a bottle of vodka and tilted my head back, pouring it down. The burning liquid flowed down my throat into my stomach, scorching like fire. One bottle, two bottles… My vision began to blur. My stomach churned violently. The dropping pain in my abdomen became excruciating. Something warm trickled down my thighs.

Lynn’s POV “Enough!” Just as I reached for the fifth bottle, Preston suddenly knocked it out of my hand. Glass shattered across the floor, alcohol splashing onto my dress. His face was livid as he stared at my pale face, his voice filled with suppressed rage. “Lynn, are you dead inside? Don’t you know when to stop?” I swayed, seeing only doubles, barely managing an uglier-than-crying smile. “Mr. Kingsley… I haven’t finished yet… the money…” “Transfer the money to her!” Preston shouted at his assistant, then grabbed me up from the floor. “Now. Immediately. Get out of my sight!” I got the money. I’d traded my dignity and the unformed life in my womb for it. I refused the assistant’s offer to take me to the hospital. Using my last bit of consciousness, I transferred the money to the hospital. Then, in the snow by the roadside, I finally couldn’t hold on anymore and collapsed. When I woke again, I was in a hospital room. No Preston. Only the doctor who’d examined me before. He looked at me with complicated eyes. “You lost the baby.” Though I’d expected this outcome, hearing it aloud still felt like my heart had been hollowed out. “You were brought in hemorrhaging. Fortunately a passerby called 911 in time, or you’d have lost your life too.” The doctor sighed. “Your body is extremely weak now. In the future… it will be very difficult for you to conceive again.” I lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Very difficult to conceive again. This meant the only bond between Preston and me was also severed. Good. Really good. I stayed in the hospital for three days. During those three days, Preston never came once. He didn’t even call. But Vivienne sent me a photo. In it, Preston was in the kitchen making porridge, his profile gentle and focused. The caption read: “My stomach’s bothering me. Preston specially made me oatmeal porridge. So warm.” I looked at that photo with a heart like still water. Once, I’d had stomach pain too. Preston had just coldly tossed me a box of medicine and said: “Stop being dramatic. Take your pills and go to sleep. Don’t bother me.” So he wasn’t incapable of caring for someone. He just didn’t want to care for me. I closed my phone and pulled out the IV needle. I handled my own discharge paperwork. When I returned to that so-called “home,” Preston wasn’t back yet. I walked into the bedroom, pulled out my suitcase, and started packing. I didn’t have much. Besides a few changes of clothes, there was only one photo of him and me together. Our wedding photo. In it, my smile was stiff. He looked completely indifferent. I tore the photo into pieces and threw it in the trash. Then I sat at the desk and pulled out the divorce agreement I’d prepared long ago. The moment I signed my name, I felt an unprecedented sense of relief. The sound of the door lock turning came from outside. Preston was home. He brought the cold with him. Seeing the suitcase in the living room, he paused. “Are you going on a business trip?” His tone was casual, as if the humiliation and hurt from days ago had never happened. I turned to look at him. “Preston, let’s get divorced.” Preston froze for a moment, then laughed as if he’d heard a joke. “Lynn, is this your new game?” He walked over, casually tossing his car keys on the coffee table and unbuttoning his coat. “Stop messing around. I’m tired. Vivienne wasn’t feeling well-I stayed at the hospital with her for three days. Go run me a bath.” While I was in the hospital hemorrhaging from a miscarriage, he was keeping another woman company. How ironic. I didn’t move. I just pushed the divorce agreement in front of him. “I’m not messing around. I’ve already signed it. Look it over and see if there are any issues. If you think the asset division is unfair, I can leave with nothing.” Preston finally sensed something was wrong. He stared at me for a while, then his gaze fell on the agreement. His expression darkened instantly. “Lynn, you’re serious?” “Yes.” “Why?” “I’m tired of it.” I used the same words he’d once used to humiliate me, throwing them back at him. “Preston, these three years have exhausted me. I don’t want to serve you anymore. Don’t you love Vivienne? I’m setting you free.” “Setting me free?” Preston suddenly grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it felt like he’d crush my bones. “Lynn, what right do you have to talk about setting me free? Don’t forget-your father is still alive on my money! If we divorce, what will you use to save him?” I looked at his furious face, my heart completely calm. “I’ll pay back that five hundred thousand slowly. As for the future, I won’t trouble Mr. Kingsley anymore.” My father’s surgery had been successful. The doctor said with proper rest, he’d recover. I’d already sold the family’s old house. Though the price was depressed, it was enough to repay Preston and cover future medical expenses. “Fine!” Preston laughed bitterly and released me with a shove. “Lynn, this is your choice! Once you walk out that door, don’t come crawling back on your knees!” “I won’t.” I picked up my suitcase and looked at him one last time. This glance held no attachment. Only farewell. “Preston, goodbye. Or rather, may we never meet again.” I turned toward the door. Behind me came the sound of a vase shattering and Preston’s furious roar. “Get out! Everyone get out!” I didn’t look back. I opened the door. Outside, the snow had stopped. Though it was still cold, I could see the long-absent sunlight. Finally, I was free.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “366533”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn

My husband, Derek Whitmore, was working late when I received a notification about my hotel membership tier upgrade. “Thank you for your 99th purchase of a couple’s room. Your membership has been upgraded to Black Gold status.” “Additionally, you have been gifted one complimentary night in our Presidential Suite, valued at $8,000.” I sat in the room for a long moment before calling him. “You’ve been using my card to book hotel rooms, haven’t you?” On the other end of the line, I heard the sound of running water from a shower. “Yeah, I’ve been working late today. I’m not coming home—just staying at a hotel near the office.” I hung up and scrolled through the booking history on that card with trembling hands. Every single reservation was for various themed couple’s rooms. There was a Bunny Cave room, a room with an adult swing set. Soon after, Derek sent me a text: “I’ve been working a lot of overtime lately. I’ll make it up to you when I get home, you little temptress.” I replied: “When you get back, we’re getting divorced.”

“Lynn Smith, what’s that supposed to mean?” Derek was silent for a long while before responding. Then came a barrage of messages. “You’re still pregnant. Don’t get upset. I know I’ve been working too much overtime lately—that’s on me. Once this busy period is over, I’ll spend quality time with you. How about we go on a trip?” “If you don’t like me staying in these kinds of rooms, I can just crash at an internet cafe for the night. It’s the same thing. Lynn, please don’t scare me with messages like that, okay?” I gripped my phone tightly and closed my eyes. Then I replied: “No need, Derek. You don’t have to say any of this. We’re definitely getting divorced.” He quickly sent a voice message: “Honey, are you under too much stress from the pregnancy? I know you used to be childfree, and deciding to have a baby for me took a lot of courage…” Before I could finish listening to the voice message, a video call came through. After I hung up on him several times, Derek finally lost control, his tone tinged with anger. “Lynn! Even if I’ve been working overtime and neglecting your feelings, that’s no reason to talk about divorce!” “We’ve been together for years! If you have issues with me, you can tell me. We can talk it through. Why would you hurt me like this?” “Please, just answer my call, okay?” I looked at his words and couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. I slowly typed out a few words. “No reason?” “There’s plenty of reason, Derek.” After seeing those words, Derek’s next voice message had a colder tone. “I’m doing all of this for you and the baby so we can have a better life. Do you really have to pick a fight with me?” “Don’t bother. I don’t care. Neither does the baby.” While talking to him, I had already logged into his shopping account. Sure enough, there were many gifts that didn’t belong to me. From designer handbags, jewelry, and skincare products to more discreet adult items. He’d even used a secondary account to buy these things, afraid I’d catch him. I took a deep breath, forcing down my trembling. Part of me wanted to scream and fight, but when I thought about it, there really was no point. For two people to reach this ending—it was enough. We were adults now. Hysteria would be too ugly. I absently touched my belly, feeling sorry for this child. My phone kept buzzing, but Derek didn’t come home all night. The next day, as soon as I arrived at the office, I saw Derek in the reception room at the front desk. When he saw my red, swollen eyes, he froze, then showed obvious heartache. He walked over quickly, took my hand, his voice hoarse and reeking of cigarettes. “Lynn, what’s going on?” It was clear he’d been smoking all night. But I knew his night had probably been quite exciting and stimulating. After all, it was a couple’s suite—over eight hundred dollars a night. I calmly pulled my hand away and turned to leave. Derek quickly blocked my path. “You can’t just refuse to communicate, Lynn. I’m begging you—I didn’t sleep all night.” Since he insisted on discussing our private matters at my workplace, I looked him straight in the eye and spoke concisely. “We’re getting divorced. Which part don’t you understand?”

At the same time, our argument drew subtle glances from my coworkers. “Isn’t that the guy grabbing Lynn… a senior executive from Vanstar next door? I think he’s even a director.” “Yeah, I saw him when I was negotiating a contract. Super handsome—really memorable. What did he just say? Divorce?” “Lynn’s been married for years, right? I had no idea her husband was him. Why would she divorce such a handsome husband?” Hearing the whispers around us, Derek stepped closer and spoke in a low voice. “Even if we’re getting divorced, you at least owe me a reason.” I closed my eyes, and when I opened them again, my expression was calm. “We don’t have feelings for each other anymore. Isn’t that enough?” Derek froze, his eyes immediately reddening, completely unable to accept it. “Lynn, you can fool other people with that line, but can you really fool yourself?” “I just worked late on a project and found a place nearby to rest. Why are you doing this?” “If it bothers you, I can adjust my work schedule going forward. Everything will revolve around you—I’m willing to do anything.” He looked at me with such deep affection, creating the illusion that he loved me so much and I was the unreasonable one. I stared at his face, remembering countless moments between us. The person I loved seemed rotten from the bones out. After he said this, my coworkers looked at me differently, thinking I was being harsh. It seemed no one understood why I would give up such a handsome husband just because he didn’t come home one night. But I really didn’t want to explain. Just then, another woman walked through the company’s front door. She wore a sharp business suit that accentuated her curvy figure. It was my best friend, Rachel Brown. She rushed in anxiously, and when she saw me, her face filled with concern as she hurried over. “Lynn, what’s going on?” She and Derek exchanged a glance, then both looked at me with concern. Seeing that I wasn’t responding, Rachel pulled me aside. “If you’re feeling wronged, just tell me. I’ll help you deal with him!” “But isn’t divorce over working late a bit hasty? Lynn, I was unemployed before, and you were the one who recommended me to Derek’s company.” “I promised I’d help you keep an eye on him, and I’ve kept my word. He’s never done anything to betray you—I can vouch for that!” Derek also looked at me, his eyes full of hurt and disappointment at being doubted. Listening to Rachel’s endless chatter and looking at Derek, I felt nothing but mockery in my heart. “No need. I just don’t want to live with him anymore. There’s no other reason.” I cut off Rachel’s words, not wanting to spare another glance at either of them, and turned to leave. Seeing that there would be no resolution through discussion, Derek simply followed me and suddenly dropped to his knees. “Lynn! Even if you’re in a rush to divorce me to get the family assets to buy your brother a house, you could at least discuss it with me!” “I’m willing to help pay for Carter’s college and his future housing—just please don’t divorce me, okay?” His words caused an uproar, and the gossip spread like wildfire. “What’s going on? Is Lynn a brother-obsessed woman? I never noticed.” “Who knows? These types are the hardest to spot.” “Her husband has already said this much—if she still wants a divorce, she’s really terrible!” I was completely stunned and turned back to meet his eyes in shock. “…What did you just say?!”

As the surrounding chatter intensified, I shouted out loud in anger. “Derek! What does my divorce from you have to do with my brother? I never wanted a cent of your money!” “After all these years together, is this how you see me? What do you take me for?!” But Derek just looked at me with tears in his eyes, as if in extreme pain. “…Then what’s your reason? Lynn, I can’t accept that it’s because you don’t love me!” Seeing that my earlier words hadn’t won over my coworkers and instead made them look at me with even more contempt, I just wanted to end this farce as quickly as possible. “Get up now! Haven’t you embarrassed me enough at my workplace?! I don’t want this to get any uglier! Get up!” But my inability to provide any other legitimate reason only made people more suspicious. As if I was divorcing him purely for money. I didn’t bother explaining further and just tried to make him leave. “Leave my office immediately! I have work to do! Can you please stop causing me trouble?!” Derek, being pushed away by me, let his tears fall. Then, looking utterly pitiful, he pulled out a bank card and choked out: “Lynn, I’m giving you all my money! All of it, okay? I’m begging you, don’t divorce me…” I took the bank card and threw it right out the front door, shouting angrily. “Get out! I don’t want it!” Rachel seemed to have never seen me this angry in all these years. She stammered before speaking. “Lynn…” I was so angry that the veins on my forehead were throbbing. I pointed toward the door, suppressing my rage. “Rachel, if you still consider me a friend, take him away right now! Isn’t this embarrassing enough?!” After Rachel led the dejected Derek away, the entire office lobby fell silent. I pressed my throbbing temples, feeling utterly exhausted. Although my coworkers returned to their desks, their eyes still occasionally fell on me. Not long after I sat back down, my manager came over. “I heard about what happened at the front desk today. Lynn, I’ve always trusted your work over the years. Why did you bring your personal problems here this time?” I knew he was both reminding me and unable to resist gossiping. “It’s nothing—just an argument. I’m sorry, Mr. Lee. This won’t happen again.” I responded flatly and returned to my desk, but my work was affected all afternoon, leaving me somewhat distracted. When I finished work and headed home with the divorce papers I’d printed at the office, ready to wait for Derek to sign them, Derek still hadn’t returned. Just as I was about to go to his office, Rachel called. Her voice was urgent and anxious. “Lynn, where are you?! Get to the rooftop of Derek’s office building now—something’s wrong!” I frowned, about to ask what happened. The next moment, her words hit me like a thunderbolt. “Derek can’t accept divorcing you and went up to the company rooftop! I’m afraid he might do something drastic—I’m trying to talk him down!” “What?!” I nearly choked and immediately drove to the Vanstar building. By now, the building was surrounded by layers of onlookers. The fire department was there. The police were there. And Derek’s mother, the moment she saw me, slapped me across the face, crying and cursing. “This is all because of you! Lynn, if anything happens to my son, I’ll never forgive you!” My head snapped to the side from the blow, and I looked up to see Derek on the rooftop. Derek’s father was also cursing nearby. “How could my son marry such a heartless woman?! How could you treat him like this?!” At the same time, my parents and brother arrived after being notified by the police. When my mom saw the handprint on my face, she became furious and confronted Derek’s mother. “I’ve never laid a hand on my daughter, not once in her entire life! What gives you the right?!” My dad and my brother, who had just finished his college entrance exams, stood protectively in front of me. “Lynn…” My brother looked at me with concern, worried there might be more to the story. I shook my head, holding back tears. “Mom! Don’t hit Lynn! I’m only doing this because I want to know the reason!” Derek, seeing me get slapped, quickly tried to stop his mother. I looked up at him and spoke into the megaphone. “Derek, I’m here now. Come down.” Derek’s face lit up with joy. The next moment, I spoke directly. “Come down and sign the divorce papers. We’re getting divorced.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “366532”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn