Ryder was infamous in their circle—a wild-child heir who practically invented trouble. Fast cars, bar brawls, death-defying stunts, he mastered them all. That was until he met Iris. It was like a wild mustang suddenly reined in. She said she hated blood, so he never got into another fight. She said she was afraid something would happen to him, so he never touched a race car again. Everyone in their circle said Ryder was completely head over heels, madly in love with the sweet and innocent Iris. But it had been five years, and he’d never given her a real commitment. Five years into being by Ryder’s side, Iris suddenly got a call from one of his friends. “Iris! Get to the racetrack, fast! Ryder’s gone crazy, he’s about to run the death-defying track!” Iris’s fingers trembled, and her phone clattered to the floor with a thud. The death-defying track. That was where Ryder used to risk his life, a place he hadn’t touched since he got together with her. By the time she arrived, the trackside was already swarming with people. She pushed through the throng, but froze dead in her tracks the moment she saw what was happening. A girl in a white dress was clinging to Ryder’s waist, her eyes red-rimmed. “I don’t want that necklace anymore, please don’t go, okay?” Ryder looked down at her, a familiar, reckless, devil-may-care grin playing on his lips. “Good girl, wait for me at the finish line.” With that, he turned and climbed onto his race car. The engine roared to life, and Iris’s heart plummeted. “Ryder!” She rushed forward, pounding on the window. “Don’t go! That track—” The window slid down. Ryder’s profile was stark and cold. “Move.” Two words. They chilled her to the bone. The race car shot off like an arrow. “He’s crazy! Ryder’s totally lost it!” “That speed… Is he trying to kill himself?” “For a necklace? Is it worth dying for?!” Iris clenched her fists so hard her knuckles turned white, her eyes fixed on the car as it teetered on the edge of the cliff. She remembered how he had easily given up his beloved speed and thrill just because she’d said she was scared. But now, to earn a smile from another girl, he was willing to throw his life away! At the last death-defying curve, Ryder didn’t slow down. Instead, he slammed on the gas, tires screeching and billowing white smoke. He crossed the finish line first! “He won!” The crowd erupted in cheers. However, the sheer force of the impact made the car completely lose control, smashing violently into the protective barrier! “Ryder!” “Ryder!” Everyone screamed in terror, surging forward like a wave. Iris’s legs felt like jelly, and she stumbled, practically falling as she followed the crowd. Ryder struggled to climb out of the crumpled wreckage, blood streaming down his temple. Yet, he seemed to feel nothing, his hand tightly clutching a small velvet box. He handed it to one of his friends who rushed over. “Give this to Daisy… Quick, get someone to take her home first… She can’t stand the sight of blood…” He didn’t finish his sentence. His body swayed, and he passed out cold. Everyone frantically caught him. Some hurried to escort a similarly terrified Daisy away, while a large group scrambled to lift Ryder and rush him to the hospital. Iris didn’t say a word, following silently into the car. Ryder was taken into the ER, and time stretched on, each second an eternity. Suddenly, the operating room door opened, and a nurse rushed out. “What do we do? The patient is bleeding heavily! He has the rare Rh-negative blood type, and the hospital’s blood bank is dangerously low!” Rh-negative blood?! Ryder’s friends erupted into chaos, pacing frantically and pulling out their phones to make calls. Just then, a quiet, steady voice spoke up. “I’m Rh-negative. Draw my blood.” Everyone turned in surprise, seeing Iris standing in the corner, her face pale as a ghost. The friends exchanged glances, guilt practically radiating from their eyes. “Iris, you…” “Just draw it. Saving a life is what matters most.” Iris cut him off, her voice flat, and followed the nurse directly to the blood collection room. The needle pierced her vein, and Iris didn’t even flinch. “That’s 600cc, we can’t draw any more,” the nurse said, looking worriedly at Iris’s ashen face. “Keep going.” Her voice was soft, yet firm. “Draw as much as he needs.” Bright red blood flowed through the tube, and her vision began to blur. At 1000cc, his blood supply was sufficient. Iris, too, could no longer stand. She completely fainted. When she woke up again, she was lying on a bed in a recovery room. The sky outside had darkened, and she wondered how Ryder was. She forced herself to sit up, leaning against the wall as she slowly made her way towards his room. Just as she reached the door, she heard voices from inside. “Ryder, you used to be pretty into Iris, right? Why did you suddenly risk your life for Daisy? Do you know how much blood Iris donated for you this time? She’s madly in love with you, I didn’t even dare tell her you’d moved on.” Ryder had a bandage wrapped around his head, but it couldn’t conceal his rebellious, untamed vibe. He lazily leaned back against the headboard, lighting a cigarette. “Yeah, I liked Iris fine before, but it just wasn’t quite it. Not until I met Daisy, that’s when it finally felt right.” His casual words were daggers to her soul. “I think that was the first time I really understood what ‘falling in love’ felt like. That feeling? I never had it with Iris.” The friends gasped collectively. “But Iris was with you for five years, man! And you’re just… ditching her?” “Yeah, I’m done with her…” The words had barely left his lips when, outside the door, Iris accidentally brushed against a fire extinguisher, letting out a faint click. “Who’s out there?” “Could it be Iris?” “No way! If it were Iris, she’d be crying and bursting in here after hearing Ryder say that! Probably just a stray cat, don’t worry about it.” Outside the door, Iris slowly lowered the hand that had been covering her mouth. But she didn’t show any of the pain they expected. Instead, her face was utterly blank, not a single tear. She turned silently and walked away, then pulled out her phone and dialed a number she knew by heart. When it connected, a deep, cool male voice answered, “Hello.” “Mr. Julian. Ryder has found a girl he likes more. My ‘love’ can no longer control him. Please release me from my obligations.” Julian, the man on the other end, was silent for a moment. With his connections, he had likely already seen the news about his brother spending a fortune on a pretty face and risking his neck drag racing. After a long pause, he spoke calmly, “Alright. Thank you for your hard work these past five years. Ten million. I’ll have it transferred to your account.” “Thank you, Mr. Julian.” Iris hung up the phone, leaned against the cold wall, and slowly closed her eyes. Five years ago, she had passed countless interviews and became Julian’s secretary at the Blake Group. But on her first day, Julian didn’t give her any work. The man, impeccably dressed in a suit, sat in the CEO’s chair, his slender fingers pushing a photograph across the desk. “Do you know him?” The man in the photo had arrogant, unrestrained eyes, and a reckless smile. Ryder Blake, the second son of the Blake family, Julian’s younger brother. “I want you to get close to him, make him fall in love with you.” Julian’s voice was as cold as ice. “Use your ‘love’ to keep him in line. Stop him from playing those dangerous extreme sports.” Iris remembered being stunned for a long time. The two Blake brothers were legendary in their circle. Julian, the older brother, was aloof and reserved, taking control of the entire Blake Group at a young age. Ryder, the younger brother, was a wild card, with a face that could charm anyone, but a truly untamed spirit. Racing, skydiving, rock climbing—he’d take on anything life-threatening. Just last week, Ryder had been in the ICU because of a car race. “The compensation is ten million.” Julian’s words made her snap her head up. Ten million. For Iris, who had grown up in a tough part of town, constantly fighting to survive, it was an astronomical sum. So, she took the check and the photo, and she took on this ridiculous assignment. Julian told her Ryder liked pure, innocent girls, like a blank canvas. So, she threw away all her brightly colored clothes, wearing only white dresses. She straightened her naturally wavy hair into innocent long, straight dark hair. She wore the lightest makeup, striving to play the demure, innocent type. She appeared at Ryder’s frequent private club, staged a perfectly believable “harassment” scene, and then, feigning panic and tears streaming down her face, she threw herself into the arms of the arrogant, untamed man, clutching his sleeve, her voice trembling as she pleaded for help. He took the bait, just as expected. That very night, she feigned a weak resistance before letting him lead her to his bed. For the next five years, she stayed by his side. She spun a web of tenderness and affection, forbidding him from fighting, from racing… And he seemed to revel in it, spoiling her beyond belief. He would drive across half the city in the middle of the night to buy her favorite late-night takeout just because she said she was hungry. He would gently rub her stomach when her period pains left her sweating cold. He would seek out her face the first thing every morning, then pull her into his embrace and kiss her. Until one night, three months ago, in the heat of the moment, he was on top of her and whispered a stranger’s name: “Daisy…” Afterward, she investigated the girl named “Daisy.” She learned she was a college student working part-time at a local bar, sweet, innocent, and utterly vulnerable. Ryder had rescued her one night when a customer was harassing her. The moment Iris saw Daisy’s photo, she knew it was time for her to make her exit. Daisy was genuinely pure and innocent, while she was merely an imitation. That’s why Ryder had always felt it “just wasn’t quite it.” Now, her mission was over. It was time to live the life she wanted. As for Ryder… She took one last look in the direction of his hospital room, then turned and walked away. He would have his Daisy. And she, finally, could be her true self again. Walking out of the hospital, the first thing she did was head straight to the embassy to apply for a visa. The staff informed her she’d have her visa in half a month. She nodded, then hailed a cab and went to the villa she’d shared with Ryder. She packed all her belongings from the house and moved out. Since Ryder said he was done with her, she might as well be sensible and vacate the place for him in advance, to save them both any awkwardness. She left with her suitcase, renting a fully-furnished short-term rental apartment downtown. As she hung her clothes one by one into the closet, her movements gradually slowed. Her closet was a sea of white. White dresses of various styles—lace, silk, linen… so plain, without a single splash of color. These were all styles Ryder liked. He liked her to be “clean” and “innocent” like a blank canvas, so for these five years, her closet contained only the colors and styles he preferred. But now the play was over, and it was time to change out of her costume. So, the next day, she went straight to the city’s most bustling mall. Iris stood in front of a fitting room mirror, looking at herself in a stunning red dress. She gently twirled the ends of her slightly wavy dark hair, and for a moment, she saw the five-year-old version of herself, that vibrant red rose who used to walk through campus in a red dress, bright and bold, not the “innocent white flower” who had always worn white dresses for the past five years to cater to Ryder’s preferences. “Miss, this dress truly suits you,” the sales assistant praised from the side. Iris smiled faintly, casually swiped her card to pay. After all these years, she was finally… Iris again. Just as she exited the mall, her phone rang. “Ryder” flashed on her screen. “Iris,” Ryder’s deep voice came through the receiver. “Who gave you permission to move out?” Iris paused, surprised. She thought… he’d be happy. “Aren’t you supposed to make room for Daisy?” she asked softly in return. The other end of the line was silent for a few seconds, his breathing clearly audible. “Come to Nightshade now.” His tone was imperious. “We need to talk.” Hanging up, Iris hailed a taxi. The Nightshade Club was a glittering blur of excess and indulgence, as always. She had just reached the door of the VIP room when a slurring, drunken voice called out, “Hold it! This is Ryder’s VIP room. Who the hell are you?” Iris turned, meeting Leo’s stunned gaze. “Holy hell! Iris?” Leo almost dropped his drink, his eyes wide. “You… you’re… ” He looked Iris up and down, stuttering, completely speechless. Iris smiled faintly and pushed the door open. Inside the VIP room, the lighting was dim and suggestive, the music was deafening. Ryder leaned languidly on the sofa, his long fingers casually swirling his drink. Hearing the commotion, he nonchalantly looked up. His glass froze mid-air. His gaze fixed on Iris, sweeping from her slightly wavy hair to the stilettos beneath her red dress, inch by inch, finally settling on her vibrant red lips. Those notorious playboy eyes, usually so carefree, flashed with a flicker of astonishment, then his brow furrowed deeply. “What are you wearing?” His voice was hoarse, tinged with clear displeasure. “What I like to wear.” Iris sat across from him, crossing her legs, the slit of her red dress revealing a flash of pale, long leg. Ryder’s Adam’s apple bobbed. His brow furrowed even deeper. He put down his glass, pulled a checkbook from his inner suit pocket, and pushed a signed blank check across the coffee table. “Since you already know about Daisy and me, you can fill in the amount yourself.” His tone was cold. “You were with me for five years; I won’t shortchange you.” She already had his brother’s money; she certainly wouldn’t take his. So Iris didn’t even look at the check, shaking her head. “I don’t want it.” The VIP room instantly fell silent. Leo quickly tried to smooth things over. “Iris, don’t be like this… Ryder means well…” “Yeah,” another friend chimed in. “Just take the money and move on, it’ll be cleaner for everyone!” Ryder’s long fingers tapped the tabletop, his voice cold. “What I’ve decided won’t change. Iris, don’t cling to me.” Iris was about to explain that wasn’t what she meant when the VIP room door suddenly opened. Daisy stood in the doorway, her eyes red, looking like a startled rabbit. Seeing the scene inside, her voice trembled with a sob. “Ryder… you didn’t let me pick you up from the hospital, and here you are seeing *her*. Did I interrupt something? I’m so sorry, I’ll leave right now.” She turned as if to go. Ryder’s expression changed instantly. He stood up, strode quickly to Daisy, pulled her into his embrace, and his strong, sculpted fingers gently wiped away her tears. His voice was deep and impossibly tender. “What are you talking about? I only asked her to come here to make things clear.” Daisy looked up, tears still clinging to her lashes, and asked timidly, “Make what clear?” Ryder chuckled softly, his voice full of indulgence. “How can I be with you if I don’t break things off completely with her?” Daisy’s face instantly flushed with surprise, but then quickly turned hesitant and insecure. “Ryder, do you really like me? I like you a lot too… but it’s my first relationship, and I’m so scared of getting hurt…” She bit her lip, her voice growing softer and softer. “And, they all say you used to be a playboy, that you never followed rules, and you never made things official with any woman.” Ryder didn’t answer. Instead, he simply leaned down and kissed her! The kiss was powerful and lingering, drawing cheers and whistles from the surrounding group. Even more shocking, Ryder pulled out his phone, snapped a picture of them kissing, and immediately posted it on Ins. “Mine. @Daisy” The simple, blunt caption made the entire VIP room erupt. “Holy hell! Ryder, you’re amazing! Official? This is a first *ever*!” “Sister-in-law!” another friend chimed in. “Ryder never made things official with *anyone* before!” “Sister-in-law! This is a first *ever*!” Ryder thrust his phone screen in front of Daisy, his usually wild eyes softened with an unfamiliar tenderness. “I’ve never made things official with any woman, it’s true. But you’re the first. This time, will you believe me?” Daisy’s face flushed crimson, and she shyly buried herself in his embrace. Iris watched the scene silently, then stood up and gently placed the check back on the coffee table. “I wish you both every happiness.” With that, she turned and walked away, without a single backward glance. Watching her decisive exit, Ryder’s arm around Daisy stiffened slightly. Iris hadn’t walked far from the VIP room when she was stopped by a few drunken trust-fund kids spilling out of the adjacent room. “Well, well! What a beauty! Never seen you around before! Care to have a drink with us, sweetheart?” “Look at that figure… So hot! Come on, don’t run off!” The heavy smell of alcohol washed over her, and several unruly hands reached out to touch her. Iris’s face turned cold. She struggled fiercely. “Let go of me! Get lost!” “Damn it! You won’t cooperate? Fine, then we’ll make you!” One of the rich boys was shoved and exploded in anger, pulling at her even harder. Inside the VIP room, Leo peered through the crack in the door, a worried expression on his face. He hesitated, then said to Ryder, “Ryder, I think Iris is getting harassed by those jerks from the Zhao family… Those bastards are totally hammered and God knows what they’ll do. If we talk to them, it probably won’t do any good, so… maybe you should go check it out?” Ryder, who was toying with his glass, paused. He instinctively started to get up, but Daisy, nestled in his arms, suddenly trembled. “Ryder…” Daisy looked up, her small face pale, her eyes red-rimmed, yet she forced a small smile. “Go help Iris, please… After all, she was with you for five years…” She said these generous words, but her slender fingers were clutching his sleeve so tightly her knuckles were white. Ryder’s gaze instantly softened. He leaned down and kissed Daisy’s forehead, his voice incredibly gentle. “Silly girl, this is my first time being official with someone, so I need to learn how to be a good boyfriend.” He pinched her cheek. “Every other girl gets to feel secure. My Daisy won’t be deprived of that.” Then, he looked up coldly and instructed the person next to him, “What happens to others isn’t my concern. Close the door.” The heavy VIP room door slowly swung shut, completely cutting off the chaos and cries for help from outside. Iris was dragged into the adjacent VIP room by the drunken rich boys, her red dress already torn to shreds. Icy terror swept through her body. In despair, she found an empty wine bottle and, with all her strength, smashed it over the head of one of the rich boys who was trying to pin her down! While he cried out in pain and the others were stunned, she shoved them away, disheveled and stumbling, she burst out of the VIP room. Outside, it had started to rain heavily. She was soaking wet, her hair disheveled, her clothes torn, as she stood in the rain, trying to hail a cab. But passing cars, seeing her state, either sped up and left or turned away in disgust. Not a single one dared to stop and pick her up. Finally, she gave up. Taking off her high heels, she walked barefoot, step by painful step, towards her apartment. The cold rain lashed her face, mixing with tears of humiliation. The rough ground chafed her feet, each step like walking on knives. She didn’t know how long she walked, but she finally made it back to her small apartment. She collapsed onto the floor, looking at her wretched reflection in the mirror, her feet covered in blisters and scratches.

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For three long years, the girl who was obsessed with my boyfriend, Julian Thorne, was none other than Seraphina Blackwood—the heiress of a powerful, notoriously wealthy family in the city, and the very monster who murdered my brother. Seraphina was relentless in trying to steal Julian from me. She locked me in a bathroom, dumped a bucket of dead vermin over my head, then hired thugs to beat me, breaking six of my ribs. When she saw that Julian and I remained inseparable, she threatened me with covertly taken nude photos, forcing Julian to break up with me. But the day after we broke up, I was involved in a horrific car accident, gravely injured, falling into a vegetative state. I became a coma patient. Julian was utterly devastated, and from that day on, he stayed by my side, never leaving. Over five years, Julian transformed into a titan of industry. Single-handedly, he brought down the Blackwood empire and put out a multi-million dollar bounty for Seraphina’s capture. Privately, he practically lived at the hospital, washing my face, cleaning my body, trimming my nails—he did everything himself, meticulously. Countless women throwing themselves at him were turned away. Just when everyone was pitying him, I, Willow Hayes, woke up after five years of slumber. Tears streaming down his face, he knelt and proposed to me, having spent countless nights drawing up wedding plans and personally designing my engagement ring and wedding gown. Anything I wished for appeared before me in an instant. Everyone said Julian Thorne was the most devoted man in the world. I thought so too. Until, on the eve of our wedding, I received a call from an unknown number. “Julian Thorne’s lips are incredibly handsome. He whispers sweet nothings, and he’s… very agile.” *Smash!* My phone hit the floor. The woman on the other end of the line was Seraphina Blackwood. *** My phone screen was shattered, jagged glass shards digging into my palm. The call had ended, but moments later, a text flashed across the fractured display. It was a villa address, accompanied by a taunting message: “He’s coming tonight. Want to see how agile his lips truly are? How he makes me scream with pleasure?” My eyes were locked onto the screen. My grip on the phone was bone-chilling, my feet rooted to the spot. But after a moment, I started to question the message’s authenticity. First, was the woman on the other end really Seraphina? Even if she was, I’d been in a vegetative state for five years because of her, languishing in a hospital bed, half-dead. Julian, who’d hated Seraphina to his core, wouldn’t know where she was and *not* call the police, would he? Besides, ever since I woke up, Julian hadn’t spent a single night away from home. Just as I thought this, another message buzzed on my phone. “Willow, I bought movie tickets. I’ll pick you up tonight.” It was from Julian. I let out a slow, shaky breath. The knot of dread in my chest abruptly loosened. I copied the number that had called me earlier, just about to paste it into our SnapChat conversation. The next second, Julian’s message came through, faster than mine. “Sorry, there’s an emergency company meeting. It’ll go on late, so I can’t make it to the movie. Don’t wait up for me, just go to sleep!” The smile on my face froze, then slowly faded. My eyes remained fixed on my unsent message, a shiver of pure horror running through me. After a long pause, I deleted all my unsent messages. I hailed a cab and had it drop me outside a luxurious estate. I waited from dusk until the moon rose, my heart soaring with hope, then plummeting with dread, a relentless seesaw of emotions. Until a car’s headlights flashed, pulling into the driveway in front of the villa. I watched Julian step out. I watched him knock on the door. Then I watched the lady of the house appear… It was her! It really was her, Seraphina Blackwood!!! The woman’s hand lashed out, a vicious *SMACK!* across Julian’s face. Julian clenched his fist. The next second, he grabbed Seraphina’s chin fiercely and kissed her lips with brutal force. Seraphina struggled desperately. *SMACK!* Another slap. Julian’s eyes turned bloodshot. He began savagely tearing at her clothes, pinning her against the door, crudely undoing his tie to bind her wrists. My body trembled violently. I snatched my gaze away. “Drive!” “Where to, ma’am?” the driver asked, confused. “I don’t know! Just drive! I told you to drive!!!” I screamed, my voice shaking, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face. He had lied to me! Julian Thorne had been deceiving me all this time! He’d found Seraphina ages ago, yet he kept her trapped in this mansion, his personal canary! Julian didn’t come home that night. I sat on the cold living room floor all night. Memories, like scattered pages caught by the wind, flooded my mind. I remembered being abandoned as a child, and how my brother, Leo, who had autism, found and raised me. Leo’s mind was stuck at ten years old. Everyone mocked him, saying an idiot couldn’t raise a child, bullying him and snatching his empty bottles, scattering them across the road, then laughing as he struggled to pick them up. He never spoke of his own hurt, but whenever anyone bullied me, he would turn into a furious little beast, protecting me with his life. I had no parents. Before I met Julian, Leo was my entire world! But this wonderful person was killed by Seraphina Blackwood! She and her group of privileged trust-fund kids, drunk and high, stumbled upon Leo picking bottles nearby, and got a cruel kick out of it. By the time I arrived, the scene before me stole my breath, making me scream. Leo lay on the ground, covered in blood from head to toe, a jagged green beer bottle forcefully embedded in his forehead. His body was already cold. Clutched tight in his lifeless hand was the cheap watch I’d given him! After the incident, everyone who’d mocked Leo and pelted him with glass bottles that night was arrested. But only one person claimed she hadn’t participated. That person was Seraphina Blackwood. It was only later that I stumbled upon the truth. Seraphina was the one who suggested the game, and the bottle in Leo’s forehead? She put it there! I never imagined that when I saw Seraphina again, she would be pursuing Julian Thorne. To get Julian, she resorted to her vile tactics once more. For three years, strange things started happening, like objects falling from above when I was out. On nights I walked home from work, strangers would follow me. The lock on my apartment door was tampered with, and threatening letters kept arriving, one after another. At its worst, I was locked in a public restroom, and dead vermin and insects were constantly thrown onto me. She hired people to beat me, breaking six of my ribs. A car, seemingly driverless, almost ran me over; thankfully, Julian appeared just in time. I knew, all of it, every single thing, was Seraphina’s doing. I wasn’t afraid. But Julian was terrified, because Seraphina was a complete psychopath! He couldn’t bear the thought of a world without me, so he broke up with me. But I never imagined that even then, Seraphina wouldn’t let me go! I was hit and run, left in a vegetative state, half-dead in a hospital bed for five long years! On the day we broke up, Julian cried as he slipped a ring, already prepared, onto my ring finger. But on the day of the accident, my ring finger was brutally chopped off by the hit-and-run driver, and the ring vanished. After that day, Julian truly went insane! My heart felt like it was being torn to shreds, sliced into a thousand pieces! I couldn’t believe it. Julian would actually betray me! He hid it from me, conned me, and was sleeping in the same bed with the enemy we both hated! My left ring finger had been reattached, but the pain from that original severing seemed to have transferred to my heart. It hurt so much I couldn’t breathe. I just wanted an explanation. But Julian didn’t come home that night. When he finally did, it was through a video sent by Seraphina. In the video, Julian was “comforting” Seraphina. Comforting her until her face was flushed crimson, her whimpers echoing around them! As dawn broke, I numbly picked up my phone and dialed. “You said last time, if I transferred all my shares to you, you’d send me the video of Seraphina hurting my brother. Was that true?” “Of course! But… are you really willing to give them up?” My nails dug into my palms. “I am!” “But I have one condition. Don’t worry, it won’t be difficult for you. I’ll tell you what it is in a few days.” The person on the other end hesitated for only a moment before agreeing. After hanging up, I immediately dialed another number. “Is this Detective Miller? I want to report a crime. I’ve found Seraphina Blackwood!” When I arrived at the police station, I saw Seraphina stepping out of the interrogation room. She casually brushed her hair back, and when she looked at me, her eyes were full of mocking laughter. “Don’t go around arresting people without evidence. Can any random nobody’s words be considered proof?” I clenched my fists, ready to lunge forward. Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed me from behind. I turned, meeting Julian’s complicated gaze. He didn’t offer a single word of explanation to me. Instead, he looked at Detective Miller, who stood behind Seraphina. He remembered that Detective Miller had handled Leo’s case back then. “Detective Miller, you’ve finished your investigation, can I take her now?” Detective Miller’s face darkened. He looked at Julian, then at me. “Julian, what exactly is your relationship with her? Do you think this is fair to Willow?” The hand tightly gripping mine suddenly tightened further, as if he was afraid I’d escape. But Julian’s expression remained calm. “Detective Miller, this is my personal business.” His words landed like heavy blows on my heart, threatening to shatter it completely. My fingertips instantly turned ice-cold. I numbly pulled my arm free. “Detective Miller, I need to speak with you.” Detective Miller and I talked in his office for a long time. When I emerged, Julian was still waiting outside the door. Seeing that my eyes held no trace of him, Julian grabbed me firmly. “Willow, that wasn’t Seraphina. Get in the car, I’ll explain everything when we get home.” I yanked myself away from him, my eyes brimming with hatred. Across the street, the woman in the car watched me with a smile, an expression of absolute triumph, as if she’d won the world. She suddenly whistled at me. “Ms. Hayes seems to have misunderstood, mistaking me for someone she utterly despises. Perhaps I should explain it to her myself?” Julian’s face instantly darkened, his eyes warning her. Watching this scene, I suddenly lifted my foot, intending to get into Seraphina’s car. Julian grabbed my wrist again, but the icy coldness in my eyes pierced him. “Didn’t she say she wanted to explain it to me?” I forcefully shook off his hand and turned, getting into Seraphina’s car. Julian had no choice but to follow that car, keeping a close eye on its every move. But Julian forgot, Seraphina Blackwood used to be a race car driver. She accelerated, blasted through several red lights, and quickly left Julian’s car far behind. “Willow Hayes, what do you want to hear? Do you want to hear how Julian ruined my family, forcing my father to jump to his death, yet kept me trapped under his nose? Do you want to hear how he and I slept together countless times while you were still in a vegetative state? Or… do you want to hear how we toyed to death your brother?” She bared her teeth in a triumphant smile. My blood ran cold, my hands clenched tightly. “Heh, let me think. What was your brother’s reaction when that bottle smashed into his head? Tsk… it’s been so long, the details are a bit hazy…” “Seraphina Blackwood, you’ve got a death wish!” Faced with her blatant provocation, I could no longer hold back. I raised my fist, ready to strike her. But the next second, Seraphina sharply turned the steering wheel, and the car slammed into an obstacle in front of us. A violent crash echoed. I, sitting in the passenger seat, was violently thrown back. “Willow!” Before I lost consciousness, I thought I heard Julian calling my name. “Mr. Thorne, both of their legs are trapped. If we rescue one, the other’s legs will sustain varying degrees of injury. There’s no time, you must choose who to save first!” Blood from my forehead covered my face. I struggled to open my eyes, but all I saw was a blur. I couldn’t die! My legs couldn’t be damaged! I had to bring the murderer who hurt my brother and me to justice! “Save… save her first!” “She’s always been so proud. Without her legs, she wouldn’t survive!” Julian’s hand pointed at Seraphina, who was in the driver’s seat. When I opened my eyes again, I winced in pain and instinctively reached for my legs. My movement startled Julian, who was sitting beside me. He immediately stood up and grabbed my hand. “It’s over, Willow, I’m here! The doctor said your lower leg had been compressed for too long and needs a lot of rest.” Hearing his voice, my body stiffened for a moment. In my mind, I heard the words from before I lost consciousness: “Save her first! She’s always been so proud. Without her legs, she wouldn’t survive!” Between Seraphina and me, Julian chose Seraphina. My heart bled. Looking at the man before me, my eyes welled up with tears. “Julian Thorne, do you still remember my brother?” His voice dropped, and it seemed a long time before he answered, “I remember.” How could he forget? Back then, he was just a street punk, cornered and beaten bloody in an alley. It was Leo who shielded him, taking the worst of the blows. It was Leo, in his innocent voice, who told him to study hard and live an honest life. It was Leo and I who celebrated his first birthday with him. Tears brimming, I closed my eyes. “If you remember, then you can’t forget how he died.” I asked him again, “Was that Seraphina Blackwood?” My words resonated loudly in the quiet hospital room. My eyes were fixed on him. Julian lowered his gaze. “She was, but now… she isn’t.” My head exploded with a *boom!* His words echoed repeatedly in my ears. “Willow, Seraphina grew up abroad. Her parents neglected her, never loved her. She just fell in with the wrong crowd there, got a bit rebellious, and then made some bad friends back here. Your brother’s death, it had nothing to do with her.” “Nothing to do with her?!” My whole body trembled as I looked at the man before me, my nails digging into my flesh. I couldn’t believe those words came from his mouth! Julian didn’t answer. Instead, he bent down, slowly leaning over me. Then, he pulled out my phone, which was recording under my pillow. My eyes widened. Just as I reached to grab it back, he’d already pressed ‘delete permanently.’ He returned the phone to me, his large hand caressing my face. His eyes, however, held an unhealthy obsession. “Willow, don’t worry, I love you. But Seraphina gave herself to me a long time ago. You are my woman, and she is my woman too. I can’t eliminate her entirely.” “But my wife, that will only be you!” His large hand cupped the back of my head, slowly pushing my face towards his lips. A soft kiss landed on my forehead, but it felt cold to the bone! I bit down hard on my lower lip, my eyes burning with a raw, agonizing ache. I remembered what Detective Miller had told me: “Seraphina is a foreign national. We’ve conducted all possible tests. The results show she is *not* Seraphina Blackwood.” “Willow, you need solid evidence to make an arrest!” I raised my hand and took off my earring, the tiny diamonds glinting slyly in its crevices. Julian had underestimated me. I no longer trusted him. I would have my revenge, and I’d keep both Julian and Seraphina under my relentless gaze. As I opened my phone to retrieve the audio recording, a news alert popped up about the car accident involving Seraphina and me. The photo showed Julian anxiously carrying Seraphina onto the ambulance, while I, covered in blood, lay slumped in the passenger seat, waiting to be rescued. In the comments, almost everyone mistook Seraphina for me, marveling at Julian’s unwavering devotion. My eyes were filled with mockery. I casually deleted the notification. During my hospitalization, Julian came every day. He’d bring meals he’d cooked himself, carefully arranging them before me. The next second, I’d sweep them all to the floor. The sound of shattering dishes echoed through the room. Julian knew I was angry and rubbed his temples with a sigh. “Willow, no matter how angry you are, you still need to eat, right?” My only response was silence. Every time he brought food, I smashed it. Our commotion was too loud for anyone to ignore. Gradually, gossip reached my ears. “Mr. Thorne’s wife is truly spoiled and demanding!” “Isn’t she? With such a handsome and rich husband, she should be sweet to him, but she keeps pushing him away. I don’t know what she’s thinking!” “I heard when she was in a coma, her husband took care of her all by himself. Many women threw themselves at him, but he turned every single one down. She has a man like that and she’s still not satisfied! She’ll cry when another woman snatches him away!” “A man like Julian Thorne?” I looked at his retreating back with a cynical laugh. Faced with the scattered shards, Julian wasn’t angry at all. He bent down to pick them up, carefully sweeping, afraid of hurting my feet. Then, he forcefully pulled me into his arms. “Willow, you don’t need to worry. My feelings for her are nowhere near as deep as my feelings for you.” I looked at him with a mocking expression. Julian’s empty sweet talk, treating me like an idiot. I pushed him away coldly. “Julian, you made two identical meals. One for me, and one for Seraphina’s room. Every time I drive you away, you act like you don’t care, but it’s because you never planned to stay long anyway. Is *that* what you mean by your feelings for me are deeper than for her?” Julian sighed softly, his hand resting on my pale lips. “Willow, do you know? I miss the naive, less-questioning you.” My heart twisted in agony, and I clutched the blanket tightly. But Julian, do *you* know? How much I hate myself for ever meeting you, for ever falling in love with you! On the day I was scheduled to be discharged, Julian brought Seraphina to my room. My bloodshot eyes glared at them. “What’s the meaning of bringing her here, in front of me?” Seraphina merely glanced at me, then sneered at Julian. “I told you, she wouldn’t welcome my apology.” Julian only gave her a cold look in return. Seraphina scoffed, then tossed her handbag onto Julian and walked over to me. She bowed at a ninety-degree angle. “I’m sorry for sleeping with your man!” “I’m sorry for causing your injuries with my reckless driving, and for you having to stay in the hospital so long because he rescued me first!” “I’m sorry, on the day your brother was laid to rest, I paid someone to swap his ashes—” “Buried beneath the tombstone…” She slowly lifted her head, a sly, wicked smile flickering in her eyes. “…was actually an animal.” The cup in my hand crashed to the floor with a loud clang.

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After senior year finals, guys across the school finally let loose, eagerly handing out love letters to the girls they admired. But the biggest buzz was about Ryder Hayes, the school’s heartthrob, who was finally going to confess to me, Hazel, his childhood sweetheart. I stood by the classroom door, my cheeks flushed, my fingertips just about to touch that powder-blue love letter, when a man in a crisp suit suddenly burst in and tore the letter to shreds. He claimed to be twenty-eight-year-old Ryder, time-traveled from ten years in the future. “Don’t confess to Hazel, she’s not your true love.” He dragged his eighteen-year-old self, pointing to the girl in a faded school uniform in the corner. “See Serena Brooks? Ten years from now, you’ll love her madly, fiercely. Since you’re destined to be with her, why waste these ten years?” Eighteen-year-old Ryder thought it was utterly ridiculous, shaking off his hand. “You’re crazy! I’ll only ever love Hazel!” But that confession, in the end, never happened. Twenty-eight-year-old Ryder seized the opportunity to stay, claiming he was there to help his younger self see his true feelings sooner. Gradually, I noticed Ryder had changed. When Serena Brooks fell, he would immediately rush over, pick her up, and take her to the hospital, completely forgetting that I had waited for him for a full hour at the amusement park. At gatherings, he’d naturally remember Serena didn’t like peanuts, picking them out of the spicy chicken before offering it to me, forgetting that I was allergic to peanuts. On rainy days, his umbrella was always over Serena’s head first, even if I was standing right beside him, getting drenched. Each small shift felt like a slow, agonizing erosion, my heart sinking lower and lower. Until the day we had to choose our universities. “Hazel, I’m sorry,” Ryder’s eyes flickered, unable to meet mine directly. “I can’t go to Northwood University with you anymore. Riverdale University’s new AI program is a better fit for me.” My heart instantly turned to ice. I knew it all too well. Riverdale University was the only school Serena Brooks’ barely-passing grades would get her into. He squeezed my hand, his voice softening into that familiar, persuasive plea: “Come to Riverdale University with me? That way we can still be together. I always listened to you before, just this once, let me have my way, okay? I’ll listen to you forever after this.” His words pierced my heart like a thousand tiny needles. I silently pulled my hand away and nodded. But then, behind his back, I quickly prepared all my documents and applied for an offer from a top university overseas. Ryder, if your love isn’t solely for me anymore, then I don’t want it. … The day my acceptance letter arrived, my heart felt strangely calm. I found the large storage box, filled with everything Ryder had given me over the years. Childish crayon drawings, limited edition sneakers, a necklace engraved with our initials, a thick stack of movie ticket stubs, notes he’d stayed up all night to organize for me… Once, I cherished them like treasures. Now, I carried the box to the dumpster downstairs, without a moment’s hesitation, and threw everything inside. As I turned, I saw two figures arguing in the distance. Twenty-eight-year-old Ryder, in a crisp suit, was gripping eighteen-year-old Ryder’s wrist tightly. The younger Ryder, tall and lean, his white shirt billowing in the wind, his handsome face that made all the girls at school scream, was filled with fury. “Let go!” “Why are you still looking for her?” Older Ryder’s voice was strained. “What you should be doing right now is going to be with Serena! She’s the one you truly love!” “Nonsense!” The younger Ryder violently shook off his hand, his brows furrowed in defiance. “The only person I love is Hazel. Can’t you just disappear, you lunatic?” “Oh really?” Older Ryder sneered, his voice sharp. “Then why are you giving up your future and Northwood University for Serena?!” Younger Ryder’s face stiffened, his voice growing colder. “Who said it was for her!” I didn’t want to watch their absurd argument anymore and turned to leave, but Ryder spotted me instantly. He rushed over, grabbing my wrist, his voice softening in a flash. “Hazel, didn’t you say you wanted to see that new romance movie last time? I’ve bought tickets, let’s go together, okay?” “No.” My voice was devoid of any emotion. Ryder’s smile froze for a second, then he softened his voice again. “Are you still mad about me changing my university choice? You already agreed to go to Riverdale University with me, didn’t you? That program really has great prospects, just this once, please, agree to me, okay?” As he spoke, the corners of his eyes drooped slightly, that vulnerable expression I could never resist. In the past, whenever he looked at me like that, I’d agree to anything. But now, I just felt numb. Before I could answer, Ryder half-forced me into his newly bought sports car. Older Ryder, his face gloomy, followed and sat in the back, still in his sharp suit. The car started, and the cramped space was filled with a heavy atmosphere. Older Ryder glanced around the car and suddenly spoke. “This car is new, isn’t it? You should change Hazel’s favorite starry night air freshener. Serena can’t stand it, she likes fruity scents. Also, switch out the strawberry milk in the glove compartment. Serena is lactose intolerant, keep some plain crackers instead.” Ryder’s fingers tightened on the steering wheel, his knuckles turning white. “Are you done yet? I’m telling you one last time, I only love Hazel, I could never, ever like Serena Brooks!” But Older Ryder seemed not to hear his outburst. “Oh really? Because you’re clearly going to love her to your very core, drink yourself to the ER for her, wait outside her house all night, even…” He listed one crazy thing after another that his future self would do for Serena Brooks. I sat in the passenger seat, each word like an ice pick stabbing into my heart, making it almost impossible to breathe. I looked through the car window at the rapidly receding streetlights outside, everything blurring into a painful haze. At the movie theater, Ryder bought a large bucket of popcorn and handed it to me—my favorite caramel flavor. During the movie, he’d instinctively lean over to whisper and complain about the plot to me. The screen light illuminated his handsome profile, his eyelashes unbelievably long. As I watched him, I felt a wave of daze. Memories flooded back uncontrollably. When he was three, he’d wobble into my room, hugging a small pillow, and say in a baby voice, “Mommy says boys should sleep with their wives.” When he was seven, he fought a chubby kid from the next class to get back my hair clip, coming back with a bruised and swollen face, then carefully tucked the broken clip, recovered from the fight, into his pocket like a treasure. When I was twelve, I was hospitalized with a fever. He skipped school, ran to my side, and, with red eyes, leaned over my bed, whispering, “Hazel, don’t scare me.” When we were fifteen, and love first blossomed, he clumsily wrote me a love letter, full of mistakes, but solemnly drew a whole page of hearts. I couldn’t understand how a boy who had carved me into his very life could, as that man said, fall in love with an ordinary Serena Brooks ten years later, and love her with such a tragic, subservient intensity. But everything that had happened recently made it impossible for me to disbelieve it. Just then, Ryder’s phone vibrated wildly. The name flashing on the screen was “Serena Brooks.” He glanced at it and hung up immediately. The phone rang again relentlessly. He hung up again. This repeated countless times. Then, Older Ryder, who had been silent in the back seat, suddenly grabbed his hand and urgently asked, “What’s the date today?” “The tenth, why?” Ryder replied impatiently. “Answer the phone! Hurry!” Older Ryder’s voice was filled with an unprecedented urgency. “It’s today! Serena is going to be harassed by some delinquents. To escape them, she’ll jump from a second-story window, break her leg, and be hospitalized for a month! Go now!” Ryder’s brows furrowed. “What are you talking about? Even if something happens, it has nothing to do with me. We’re just classmates at best!” “You’ll regret it if you don’t go! You’ll hate yourself to death!” Older Ryder was practically yelling. Ryder scoffed, his voice resolute. “I’d regret it more if I left Hazel here alone!” After saying that, he muted his phone and flipped it face down on the seat. Older Ryder stared at him for a few seconds, his eyes complex, then finally turned and left. “You won’t go? I will!” With that, he strode out, disappearing through the cinema entrance. The movie continued, but I could clearly feel that Ryder’s mind was completely elsewhere. He grew restless and anxious, his fingers unconsciously tapping the armrest, his eyes frequently darting towards the flipped phone, its screen lighting up silently again and again. Finally, after the screen lit up one more time, he suddenly stood up, hurriedly lying to me, “Hazel, I… I forgot to buy you a soda. Wait here, I’ll be right back!” He didn’t even dare to look me in the eye as he grabbed his phone and hurried out of the screening room. I watched his almost-running back disappear, my heart sinking little by little, down to the icy seabed. I had a strong premonition that he wouldn’t come back. Sure enough, a few minutes later, my phone vibrated. It was a video from “Twenty-eight-year-old Ryder.”

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Liam Hayes and his older brother, Dominic, got married at the same time, both to twin sisters. But Dominic’s wife, Isabelle, died in a tragic accident. His mother-in-law, Mrs. Carter, wept with heart-wrenching grief. Then, she made a shocking proposition: she suggested Liam’s wife, Audrey, should bear a child for Dominic. … “My poor daughter, she left us without even a child,” Mrs. Carter sobbed, wiping her tears. “Liam, Audrey and Isabelle were twins. Their genes are identical.” “Please, Liam, as your mother, I’m begging you. Let Audrey have a child for your brother. Our family used to have a tradition of surrogate pregnancy. Since the sisters shared the same genes, biologically, it’s like Isabelle left Dominic a child.” Liam’s face turned deathly pale. Before he could speak, his own father, Mr. Hayes, also pleaded, “Liam, ever since your sister-in-law passed, your brother has been like a ghost, unable to eat or sleep… Seeing him like this, I genuinely worry he won’t make it.” “I’m begging you too, son. Just agree. Let Audrey bear a child for him. With a child, he’ll have hope to live on. It’ll be good for both our families.” They spoke as if Liam’s refusal would make him responsible for his own brother’s death. Liam bit his lip, remaining silent. His father had always favored Dominic, a fact he’d grown accustomed to. What truly mattered to him was the opinion of his wife, Audrey Carter. Liam was the middle child, with an older brother and a younger sister. Growing up, Liam had always been the least favored in his family. He’d never felt truly loved until he met Audrey Carter. Unlike everyone else, Audrey always put him first. When he fell ill, his parents would impatiently tell him to see a doctor. But Audrey would drop everything, rushing to his side to comfort and care for him, even if it was just a common cold. When they went shopping, she’d always be mindful of him. If he so much as glanced at something in a store, it would mysteriously appear on his bedside table the very next day. No matter how hard to find his favorite trendy snack was, Audrey would wake up hours early to queue up and buy it for him. An heiress like her, who didn’t need to bend for anyone, was willing to stand in line for hours, just for him. Everything related to him, Audrey handled personally. Even their engagement ring was her own design. On the day he proposed, Audrey gazed into Liam’s eyes and promised with deep affection, “Liam, your parents may not love you the most, but from this day forward, I promise I will be the one who loves you most. I understand all your unspoken grievances and insecurities.” “I swear, after we get married, I will always prioritize you. You will forever be my first priority, and no one will ever shake your place in my heart!” Before their marriage, no matter what happened, Audrey would always stand firmly by Liam’s side. And now, she stepped forward again, shielding Liam without hesitation. “Dad, Mom, stop pressuring Liam,” Audrey declared firmly. “Your idea is ridiculous. Not only does Liam disagree, but so do I!” As she spoke, she knelt before her parents. “Although Isabelle sacrificed herself to save me, I should compensate Dominic… But I cannot betray Liam. Besides bearing a child for my brother-in-law, I’m willing to do anything else for him!” Mrs. Carter cried until her eyes were nearly dry, but Audrey remained unmoving. She just knelt silently before her sister’s tombstone, staying there for an entire day. Liam’s eyes welled up. He truly hadn’t married the wrong person. Audrey was indeed the person who loved him most in this world. But that very night, as the city slept, Liam faintly heard the sound of his brother’s unrestrained panting coming from upstairs. Liam froze. His first thought was, *had Dominic remarried?* The panting continued, intermittently, seeping into Liam’s ears. Unable to contain his curiosity, Liam threw on a jacket and crept upstairs. Upstairs, Dominic’s bedroom door was ajar. The room was a mess. His tall, well-built brother was pressed against a fair-skinned woman, his strong, lean waist thrusting vigorously. The woman’s figure was blurry, but she looked incredibly familiar. A sense of foreboding instantly rose in Liam’s heart. Just then, moonlight streamed through the curtains, illuminating the woman’s face. This time, Liam finally saw clearly. The woman lying beneath his older brother, panting softly, was none other than his wife—Audrey Carter—who had stood so firmly by his side just that afternoon! 2 That afternoon, Audrey had stubbornly refused to bear a child for her brother-in-law. As punishment, her father had confined her to the old study for the entire night, telling her she could only leave when she came to her senses. Liam had assumed Audrey was still there, serving her punishment. He’d even gone to check on the study just now, but it was empty. Seeing the scene before him, Liam let out a self-deprecating laugh. The bed upstairs creaked incessantly, throughout the entire night, finally falling silent only when dawn broke. Liam hadn’t slept a wink. At daybreak, he found a lawyer and drafted a divorce agreement. Infidelity, deception… his entire family had treated him like a fool, putting on such a grand show for him. He had clearly misjudged her. A marriage like this was worthless. Liam took the drafted divorce agreement and entered Audrey’s study. He deliberately flipped to the last page and handed it to Audrey. “Sign here.” Audrey signed her name without hesitation. “Aren’t you going to look at what this is? Just sign?” Liam said calmly. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll sell you off?” “Not afraid,” Audrey replied, her tone full of affection. “No need to look. Whatever it is, if my husband asks me to sign, I’ll sign. Even if you sell me, I’d gladly count the money for you.” Audrey was always like this, sweet words always on her lips. Liam had once believed this was a sign of her love for him. Now he knew, it was nothing more than casual flattery. As night fell, her father, Mr. Carter, again coldly ordered Audrey to be confined to the study. Audrey’s face was resolute: “Dad, you can forget about it. I’d rather die in that study than agree to bear a child for Dominic!” She spoke with righteous indignation, but that very night, Liam again heard the muffled sounds of panting from upstairs. Later, Audrey seemed unable to control herself, even letting out explicit cries… The next few nights were the same. Pregnancy isn’t something you can guarantee with just one try; naturally, they needed to try multiple times to ensure success. Liam began to suffer from sleepless nights. The moment he closed his eyes, he couldn’t help but imagine: Just a wall away, upstairs, his wife, the woman he loved most in this life, was at this very moment lying beneath another man, panting softly… Due to insomnia, Liam gradually grew gaunt, his face so pale it was almost bloodless. In contrast, Dominic, his brother, looked rosier by the day, clearly well-cared for and thriving. The house was filled with a joyful atmosphere. Liam truly felt like an invisible man. So many people in the house, yet not a single one noticed his dark circles, his vacant expression, or his pale, increasingly thin face. Yet, when Dominic had been thin and drawn, the entire family had been frantic. Mrs. Carter would cook him all sorts of delicious food, just hoping he’d eat one more bite. Mr. and Mrs. Hayes would spend all day with Dominic, terrified he’d be even slightly unhappy. Even Audrey racked her brains to prepare surprises and cheer him up. Now, Liam’s dwindling physique was met only with accusations: “Who are you putting on that gloomy face for? If Isabelle hadn’t sacrificed herself to protect your wife, you’d be the one alone right now!” “You have no empathy at all, not even helping your own brother. Your conscience must have been eaten by dogs!” And so, Liam understood: they weren’t oblivious; they simply didn’t care about him. Liam said nothing more, quietly preparing his documents, and then applying to his company for an overseas work assignment. Since no one in his family cared about him, he didn’t want this family anymore. Not long after, under Dominic’s nightly efforts, Audrey finally became pregnant. The family was overjoyed, even setting off fireworks. Liam calmly drank his cereal, then lifted his eyes to look at Audrey. “Audrey Carter, is the child in your womb truly mine?” Audrey paused, then immediately bristled. “Husband, what do you mean by that? Are you doubting me?” To prevent Liam from suspecting anything, Audrey had deliberately spent a few nights with him during this period. Liam felt disgusted and had resisted touching Audrey, but one night he drank too much. Even though he was drunk, he remembered clearly: he hadn’t touched Audrey. Yet, when he woke up the next morning, Audrey had a shy, demure look, even hugging him and praising his “prowess” from last night… “Husband, I haven’t spent much time with you lately, but you can’t doubt me! And aren’t you well aware why I haven’t returned to our room to be with you at night?” “I wasn’t out with some toy boy! I was confined to the study as punishment by my father! And wasn’t I punished entirely because of you?” “I openly defied my parents for you, and yet you misunderstand me like this. Husband, anyone can doubt me, but you must believe me. I will only love you in this life.” Audrey reached out and hugged Liam, her face filled with grievance. Liam remained unmoved, calmly continuing to eat his cereal. Seeing this, Audrey sighed softly. “I shouldn’t have told you this, but if I don’t, you’ll just keep doubting me… Fine, I’ll tell you!” “Dad found a new woman for Dominic. She’s Isabelle’s best friend. The elders want a child, so let’s keep this between us, and don’t tell anyone else.” “Now you can rest assured, right? Someone else is bearing a child for Dominic, so I’m no longer needed!” “Now that I’m pregnant, we just need to take good care of our own child… Liam, promise me you’ll love the child in my belly with all your life!” 3 Liam nearly laughed. His entire family truly thought he was a fool. Not only did they secretly arrange this surrogate pregnancy scheme behind his back, but they also tried to trick him into becoming a cuckold, to raise this bastard as his own child! Audrey was already pregnant. That evening, her father no longer punished her with the “study confinement.” Audrey didn’t go upstairs to find Dominic either; instead, she returned to Liam’s room. But shortly after she entered, Mrs. Carter’s anxious voice came from outside: “Audrey, Dominic isn’t feeling well. Go check on him quickly.” Audrey’s face showed a flicker of hesitation, but in the end, she chose to go upstairs. “Liam, I’ll just go check on him and be back soon,” Audrey said. “Dominic isn’t well; he can’t manage alone.” Liam’s heart was already dead, and he was too weary to hold her back. And so, that night, Liam again heard faint panting sounds from upstairs. Audrey was clearly pregnant, yet they were still carrying on upstairs… Liam thought he was beyond sadness, but tears still soaked his pillow. Audrey didn’t return until dawn approached. She hugged Liam from behind, sounding weary. “I’m exhausted… Liam, don’t overthink it. Dominic had a stomachache, and I massaged his stomach all night. We didn’t do anything else.” She still carried the scent of Dominic’s men’s cologne. Liam felt a wave of nausea and pushed her away. “You should just stay with Dominic from now on,” Liam said coldly. “My brother-in-law is widowed and needs a woman. I don’t.” Audrey paused, then erupted in anger. “What do you mean? Isabelle sacrificed herself to save me! Now Dominic isn’t well, what’s wrong with me helping her care for him?” She glared at Liam, her eyes full of disappointment. “Liam, you don’t actually think there’s anything going on between Dominic and me, do you? If you think that… fine then, I won’t get involved in Dominic’s affairs anymore.” “I’ll avoid any hint of impropriety, then!” After saying this, Audrey slammed the door shut and left. For the next few days, she indeed had no further contact with Dominic. Even when Dominic fell ill and needed to go to the hospital, she kept her distance. “Dad, Mom, you take Dominic to the hospital. I can’t go, lest Liam overthink things and believe there’s something between Dominic and me.” With that one sentence, she successfully redirected the conflict to Liam. Mrs. Carter shot Liam a venomous glare. “I’ve never seen anyone so petty! We’re all family, what’s wrong with Audrey helping to look after her brother-in-law?” “Since you’re so petty, then from now on, you’ll be responsible for Dominic’s daily care, and you’ll take him to the hospital if he falls ill!” After saying this, she rudely urged Liam to start the car. Liam said nothing, simply grabbed the car keys and went to the garage. As soon as the car pulled out, Dominic suddenly swayed and fell, landing beneath the car wheel. Liam hadn’t even registered what had happened before he heard Dominic’s voice: “Ah… my leg… my leg hurts so much!” His cries drew everyone’s attention. Audrey rushed forward, darting to his side. “Dominic, are you alright?” “It hurts so much,” Dominic whimpered, clutching Audrey’s hand. “Audrey, my leg isn’t broken, is it?” Audrey was filled with distress. She whispered, “Dominic, don’t be afraid. I won’t let anything happen to you.” In her deep emotion, she no longer called him brother-in-law, but affectionately used his first name. Liam’s eyes involuntarily welled up. But before he could even register his sadness, Mrs. Carter suddenly pointed at the car and shouted, “Liam Hayes was driving! He hit Dominic!” 4 Everyone swarmed forward, pulling Liam out of the car. “Liam Hayes, how could you be so cruel? He’s your own brother!” Mr. Carter immediately slapped Liam across the face. “Your sister-in-law died saving your wife, and now you’re trying to run over your brother… Do you have no conscience at all?!” The slap was brutal, splitting the corner of Liam’s lip. But Mr. Carter wasn’t satisfied. He grabbed Liam’s hair and continued to beat him. Mrs. Carter also stepped forward, slapping Liam while sobbing uncontrollably. “My daughter is dead! And now you’re trying to run over her husband? What kind of monster are you?!” “You wouldn’t even agree to the surrogate pregnancy; you not only want to end Dominic’s lineage, but you want to end his life!” Liam was beaten until his face was covered in blood, but Audrey just stood by, watching coldly. It wasn’t until Mr. Carter shoved Liam so hard that he slipped, his head smashing against the car door, bleeding profusely, that Audrey finally spoke, her voice cold. “Enough! Stop hitting him!” “Dominic is injured; the priority now is to get him to the hospital.” After saying this, Audrey helped Dominic into the car. Dominic kept claiming his leg was broken, yet there wasn’t a single drop of blood on it. In contrast, Liam was covered in blood, beaten by his in-laws and his own parents. But Audrey didn’t spare him a glance, only drove Dominic to the hospital. Liam collapsed onto the ground, his heart frozen solid, so cold that not even tears would come. In the end, he went to the hospital by himself. He received five stitches on his head, his face was swollen beyond recognition, and his body was covered in bruises, from the pinches of his parents and in-laws, almost no patch of skin left unmarred. The young nurse applying medicine to him tried her best to hold back but eventually couldn’t resist asking, “Brother, were you domestically abused by your wife? Do you need me to call the police for you?” Liam gave a bitter smile and shook his head. He had indeed been abused, but not by his wife. It was by his entire family. Just then, Audrey emerged from another hospital room, shielding Dominic. The doctor walked out alongside her, saying, “Your husband is fine, just a scrape on his leg. Apply some ointment, rest for a few days, and he’ll be good as new.” Audrey nodded repeatedly. “Thank you, Doctor. I’ll make sure to take good care of him.” She didn’t bother to explain that Dominic wasn’t her husband, but her brother-in-law! After bidding the doctor farewell, Audrey carefully helped Dominic walk out. Dominic suddenly chuckled, “Audrey, don’t we look like newlyweds right now?” Audrey smiled back. “Indeed! And I’m even pregnant.” Hearing this, Dominic looked smug. “Pregnant right after getting married? I must be quite the man then.” Audrey blushed, then playfully punched Dominic. “Brother-in-law, you’re awful.” Dominic caught Audrey’s soft little hand and continued to laugh, “Am I not? Who was it crying, ‘No more!’ last night?” The two began to flirt openly in broad daylight. Liam averted his gaze, no longer wanting to watch. The young nurse beside him suddenly gasped, “Oh dear, why are you crying?” “Does your wound hurt too much? Should I get you some pain medication?” It was then that Liam realized, a grown man, he didn’t know when he had started to weep. He smiled through his tears, wiping them away. “Yes, the wound hurts too much.” Physical wounds could be treated with medicine; they would heal. But what about the wounds of the heart? How could they ever be mended? 5 Although Dominic was completely unharmed, after returning from the hospital, he became the family’s revered patriarch. Everyone in the family treated him with extreme care, especially Audrey, who doted on him endlessly. Whatever he desired, Audrey would find a way to get it for him. Even if he woke up in the middle of the night, suddenly craving a drink, Audrey would immediately get up and go buy it for him. “Liam, don’t you understand? My being so kind to Dominic is all because of *you*!” Audrey always had plenty of excuses. She grandly declared, “I’m atoning for your sins!” “Isabelle sacrificed herself to save me; we already owe Dominic a life. And then you tried to run him over… We owe Dominic far too much!” “The reason I didn’t protect you that day was because I didn’t want everyone in the family to resent you… I hope you’ll stop causing trouble. I’m trying so hard to atone for you; can’t you be more considerate and stop constantly targeting Dominic?” Hearing this, Liam couldn’t help but smile. He nodded, saying calmly, “Don’t worry. I won’t cause any more trouble.” Nor would he shed another tear for her. “Really?” Audrey’s face lit up with surprise. She hugged Liam, then said with immense relief, “That’s wonderful, you’ve finally come to your senses. Dominic and I really have nothing going on. He lost his wife, and I’m just taking care of him in place of my deceased sister.” “If there really was something between us, let alone you, would my sister in heaven ever forgive me?” Audrey didn’t know that true heartbreak wasn’t about shouting or making a scene; it was calmly accepting, then leaving. Shouting and making a scene meant one still loved deeply, still couldn’t let go, still wanted to salvage things. But once he stopped arguing, stopped making a fuss, that relationship had truly reached its end. Liam said nothing, allowing his entire family to treat Dominic like a king. He quietly prepared his documents for going abroad. He was leaving soon. For these last few days before his departure, he wanted to live in peace, without any trouble. But Dominic suddenly sought him out, looking smug, like a victor. “Liam Hayes, you must have guessed already, right? The child in your wife’s belly is mine.” “I hope you’ll be sensible, divorce Audrey on your own, and hand her over to me. That way, I’ll be lenient and let you off the hook.” Liam almost laughed. He asked calmly, “Dominic, are you really so sure that after Audrey and I divorce, she’ll marry you?” “You’re her sister’s husband. Her marrying you would be incest.” Dominic immediately flared up. He grabbed Liam by the collar and snarled, “Liam Hayes, do you think just because my wife is dead and yours is alive, you’re superior to me?” “What do you have to be proud of? You’ve always been inferior to me, ever since we were kids! Do you really think Audrey genuinely likes you?” “Ha! Let me tell you the truth! Audrey doesn’t like you at all! She slept with me not just because of the surrogate pregnancy!” “Even after Audrey got pregnant, she’d still come to my room every other night… She said I was passionate and potent in bed, unlike you, who’s so lifeless and boring!” Liam didn’t even bat an eyelid, just calmly said, “Even a paid escort can be passionate in bed, but no one marries them for love.” That one sentence successfully enraged Dominic. Dominic raised his hand, intending to slap Liam. But his hand paused mid-air. He didn’t actually bring it down. “Little brother, do you still remember a game we used to play when we were kids?” Dominic curved his lips into a wicked, eerie smile. Liam froze. He vaguely sensed what Dominic intended to do, and instinctively reached out to grab him. Unfortunately, it was already too late. Dominic’s face still held that wicked, eerie smile. He leaned back forcefully, tumbling backwards down the stairs! 6 “Little brother, let’s play a game.” That sentence was once Liam’s childhood nightmare. Liam was the middle child in his family, with an older brother above him and a younger sister below. After his sister was born, his parents focused all their attention on her. They had no time to care for young Liam, so they left him with Dominic. Dominic was only a teenager then, in his rebellious phase. He should have been enjoying his youth, but instead, he was cooped up at home babysitting. Naturally, he resented it. But he dared not defy his parents, so he took all his anger out on Liam, often hitting and scolding him. “Waaah, brother, please don’t bully me anymore. If you do, I’ll tell Mom and Dad,” little Liam, powerless against his brother, could only resort to threatening to tell their parents. But faced with the threat of being reported, Dominic suddenly smiled eerily. He said, “Little brother, let’s play a game.” Then, still smiling eerily, he picked up Liam’s toy and brutally smashed it against his own head! “This game is called ‘Let’s See Who Mom and Dad Believe’,” Dominic said, his head bleeding profusely, yet still smiling. “We’ll go to Mom and Dad together and see who they side with in the end!” After saying this, Dominic dropped the toy, then clutched his forehead and began to wail, “Waaah, Liam, don’t hit brother’s head with a toy, that’s wrong, brother hurts so much…” Liam was very young then, completely terrified by his brother’s eerie smile and blood-covered face. He was so scared he couldn’t even speak… The result was obvious: his parents believed Dominic and locked the stunned Liam in his room for a severe beating. Dominic had tasted victory and became even worse, often secretly beating and abusing Liam, then bloodying himself and tearfully complaining to his parents that Liam had done it. This was Dominic’s favorite game to play with Liam when they were children. As adults, Dominic hadn’t done it anymore. Liam never expected that after so many years, Dominic would pull the same trick again. “Ah——” A piercing scream echoed through the entire living room. Dominic tumbled down the stairs, then lay sprawled in a pool of blood. Audrey rushed over immediately. Seeing Dominic lying in blood, her face instantly turned terrifying. She shot Liam a vicious glare, as if she wished to tear him to shreds. But in the end, she said nothing, only frantically motioned for the house staff to come. Then, together with them, she lifted the unconscious Dominic and rushed him to the hospital. After all, saving him was the immediate priority. After Audrey took Dominic to the hospital, Liam arrived shortly after. But he wasn’t there voluntarily. He was dragged to the hospital like a criminal, while his parents and in-laws violently beat him. “Audrey, I heard you say on the phone that Dominic lost a lot of blood and needs a transfusion,” Mr. Carter asked with concern, twisting Liam’s ear and roughly dragging him forward as he spoke. “If Dominic needs a blood transfusion, use his blood! He and Dominic have the same blood type!” “He pushed Dominic, so he should donate blood to Dominic. However much blood Dominic needs, draw that much from him!” Even though there was enough blood in the hospital’s blood bank, Mr. Carter forcefully pushed Liam forward, ordering the doctor to draw Liam’s blood to transfuse into Dominic! 7 Fortunately, Mr. Carter wasn’t the ultimate decision-maker, so all eyes turned to Audrey. Waiting for her to speak, to decide Liam’s fate. Audrey looked at Liam with immense pain. “Liam, why did you do this?” “I’ve explained countless times that the child in my belly is yours, not Dominic’s. Dominic and I are completely innocent; there’s nothing illicit between us. Why don’t you believe me?” She paused, her eyes growing cold. “Liam, I want to side with you, but you’ve deeply disappointed me… If I don’t punish you for this, I’ll be disrespecting Isabelle’s memory!” “Someone, take him away and make him donate blood to Dominic. However much blood Dominic needs, draw that much from him!” At her command, Liam was seized and dragged away by numerous people. He struggled desperately, crying out through his tears, “It wasn’t me! I didn’t push him! He fell himself!” “Audrey Carter, when we got married, didn’t you promise me you’d always believe me, no matter what the consequences?” “I’m telling you now, I didn’t do it; I’m being framed. Do you believe me?!” He was hoarse, his throat nearly raw from shouting. But Audrey didn’t even glance at him. She didn’t believe he was innocent. His tears seemed to have run dry, only his heart still bled. Liam was forced onto a hospital bed, a thick needle piercing his skin. He trembled uncontrollably from the pain. Crimson blood was slowly drawn away. 200 milliliters. 400 milliliters. 600 milliliters. … As his blood was lost, his body temperature began to drop. Liam suddenly felt so cold. It was so quiet around him, as if the whole world had shrunk to just him. So cold, so lonely. In a daze, he felt like he was back in his desolate childhood, his brother coming to play games with him again, his father reaching for the belt to punish him severely, his sister smashing toys at his head, his mother scolding him for being inconsiderate, for not letting his sister have her way… Dominic had his father’s affection, his sister had his mother’s love. They all seemed to belong, while he was always alone, an invisible presence in a home that was anything but warm. He thought everything would change after marriage. He thought his wife would always stand by him, believe in him, support him, and never leave him alone again. But now, the wife who should have been on his side was the one sending him to hell… After extensive resuscitation, Dominic finally emerged from danger. “Audrey, thankfully I’m still alive. Otherwise, leaving you and the child as a widow and orphan in this world, I truly wouldn’t be able to rest,” Dominic said weakly. “How’s our baby? Have you been taking good care of yourself these past few days?” Hearing Dominic’s words, Audrey showed a pained expression. Though it hurt her to do so, she slowly pushed Dominic away. “Brother-in-law, you’re mistaken,” Audrey said. “It’s not *our* child. It’s your child with Isabelle.” 8 Dominic froze instantly, staring at Audrey in disbelief. “Audrey, what do you mean by that?” “Brother-in-law, don’t misunderstand,” Audrey explained. “You’re a very charming man, but I cannot do anything to betray Isabelle.” “And I already have Liam in my heart. I love him, and I won’t divorce him.” “Liam has certainly done many absurd things lately, but he did them because he loves me desperately… I think he must have discovered something, which led to his jealousy and then his frantic, reckless attempts to harm you.” At this, Audrey couldn’t help but smile, seemingly a little smug that Liam loved her so much. “Brother-in-law, we were very clear at the time: our arrangement was purely a surrogate pregnancy. We wouldn’t talk about feelings, only about having a child to leave a legacy for Isabelle.” “So, I hope that after this child is born, you will treat him as *your* child with Isabelle, not as *our* child.” “Once the child is born, I will leave all of the Carter family’s assets to you and the child. Liam and I will move out to avoid Liam harming you again out of jealousy.” Liam, who had just recovered, happened to be passing by that hospital room and overheard everything Audrey said. He couldn’t help but smile: *How grand and selfless!* Leaving all the family assets to Dominic, and her cheap love to him. Liam’s heart was utterly dead. He turned around and walked away without looking back. *Audrey, keep your cheap love to yourself. I don’t want it.* Upon returning home, Liam began to pack his belongings. Over the years with Audrey, he had treasured every single item she had given him. The first bouquet of roses she gave him, he’d pressed into a dried flower bookmark. The movie they saw together, he’d taped the ticket into his meticulously kept journal… And those exquisite gifts, they filled nearly an entire room. This room was full of traces of their love. Once, Liam had cherished these items, not daring to let anyone else touch them. But now, he couldn’t even be bothered to look at them. He threw them all into the backyard and set them ablaze. In the backyard, there was also a peach tree that Liam and Audrey had planted together when they got married. Peach blossoms symbolized love, and Audrey had once smiled, saying she hoped their love would grow as strong as this peach tree… Liam glanced at the peach tree, then swung an axe, chopping it down without hesitation, and burning it along with the other items. After doing all this, he took out the divorce agreement he had prepared long ago and placed it on the dresser in their bedroom. After placing the divorce agreement, Liam thought for a moment, then picked up a pen and left a note for Audrey. 【Audrey Carter, goodbye. Don’t come looking for me. I don’t want to see you again. Our paths have diverged. Let’s never meet again from this day forward.】 After leaving the note, Liam took his suitcase and left. He boarded a plane for a foreign country and flew away without a single backward glance. This land, which had never truly loved him, was not worth looking back at. Meanwhile, after settling Dominic, Audrey went to another hospital room to visit Liam. But the room was empty. “Mr. Hayes has been discharged,” the nurse said with a smile. “You must be Mr. Hayes’s sister-in-law? You and his brother are truly devoted!” “It’s spread throughout the hospital: after your husband was injured and unconscious, you stayed by his bedside for two full days and nights without eating or drinking!” Even the nurse mistakenly believed that Audrey and Dominic were a couple, and Liam was merely their younger brother. Audrey frowned, but she didn’t explain anything. She merely asked with a hint of displeasure, “When was Liam Hayes discharged?” “This morning,” the nurse replied. Audrey nodded, not overthinking it, and drove straight home. She wanted to have a serious talk with Liam. But when she arrived home, she saw the chopped-down peach tree, the emptied bedroom, and on the bedroom dresser, the farewell note and the divorce agreement! 9 Seeing the divorce agreement on the dresser, Audrey looked confused. *Why was her name signed on the last page? When did she sign this thing?* In her confusion, Audrey suddenly remembered that Liam had indeed asked her to sign a document a few days ago. After they married, Liam managed all her money. In the past, Liam often brought her financial documents to sign, so she had naturally assumed it was another investment document. She hadn’t even looked at it, just signed it directly. Liam studied finance; he had a good financial mind. His investments in stocks and wealth management products all showed excellent growth, and Audrey trusted him completely with her money. She never scrutinized any documents he asked her to sign, just signed them. But she never expected that the document she signed that day wasn’t an investment document at all, but a divorce agreement! *This shouldn’t count, right?* Audrey thought. *I didn’t sign it voluntarily. Liam tricked me into signing it; it can’t be legal.* Thinking this, Audrey suddenly smiled: *She understood! This divorce agreement had no legal validity. Liam was just having a tantrum with her; he never intended to actually divorce her.* If he truly wanted a divorce, shouldn’t they have a big fight first, and then divide their assets? Leaving without a word like this—what kind of divorce was that? Audrey felt that Liam’s behavior, rather than a divorce, was more like a scene from a TV drama: the male lead, in a fit of pique, leaves home, expecting the female lead to suffer remorse and then embark on a desperate quest to win him back. “He’s just pouting,” Audrey chuckled. “My Liam is so cute.” Once she figured this out, Audrey felt completely at ease. She didn’t take the divorce agreement seriously at all, simply tearing it up and throwing it in the trash. As for the farewell note placed with the divorce agreement, she tossed that aside too. *What ‘paths diverged,’ what ‘never meet again’… it was all just a ploy to entice her to come looking for him.* Audrey was confident that Liam loved her desperately and would never bear to leave her. But confidence aside, when it was time to chase her husband, she had to do it seriously. If she didn’t get him back soon, wouldn’t a fake divorce become a real one? So Audrey immediately ordered her subordinates: “Go investigate and find out where Liam went.” “Yes, ma’am!” Her subordinate took the command and immediately began the investigation. Audrey figured that since her husband wanted to play the “he runs, she chases” game, he would probably hide quite well and wouldn’t be easy to find. If necessary, she’d hire a private investigator; it wouldn’t cost much anyway. However, to Audrey’s disbelief, her subordinate had already uncovered Liam’s whereabouts that very evening. “Ms. Carter, Mr. Hayes went to K-country,” her subordinate reported respectfully. Audrey raised an eyebrow. “You found him that quickly? Is this a trick?” *That was too easy! Did Liam even try to hide properly?* “No, ma’am, I’ve confirmed it,” the subordinate said. “Mr. Hayes’s company recently opened a branch in K-country and needed to dispatch a general manager. Mr. Hayes submitted an application.” This made Audrey a little uncertain. Because such overseas work assignments were usually long-term, requiring at least three to five years abroad before returning. If Liam was just having a tantrum with her, wouldn’t he just escape abroad? Why go through the extra trouble of a work assignment? Though a bit unsure, at least he was found. Audrey wasn’t the type to worry needlessly. Rather than overthinking, she preferred to fly directly to K-country and clear things up with Liam! So, without any hesitation, Audrey booked a flight to K-country for the next morning.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298551”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

The day I found out I was pregnant, I, Willow, braved a heavy downpour to visit the private members’ club Liam Hayes frequented. Outside his private room, I wiped my soaking wet hair, planning to surprise him when he finished up. Through a slightly open crack in the door, I heard men’s voices, laced with laughter. “Liam, your wedding with Willow is just a week away. Are all the surprises for the wedding ready?” “All ready,” Liam’s cool voice, softened by alcohol, replied. “I’m going to give her a memory she’ll never forget.” My hand, wiping my hair, paused. A sweet smile unconsciously spread across my lips. In the three years I’d been with Liam, he’d truly doted on me, cherished me deeply, as if I were the most precious thing in his life. “Haha, bro, what if Willow finds out I’ve been impersonating you and playing her all this time? Will she just completely lose it?” “Haha, Willow probably can’t even imagine that Liam has an identical twin brother!” “Doesn’t she always act so high and mighty? If she knew she’d been played for three years by her boyfriend’s brother, I can’t imagine the look on her face.” The men’s malicious laughter froze me to the spot, my face turning deathly pale. I could barely believe my ears. My feet instinctively took a step forward, peering into the private room. The next second, I saw a man sitting next to Liam who looked exactly like him – from his appearance to his hairstyle, even the teardrop mole under his eye was identical! The man scoffed, leaning back lazily on the couch. “Who told her to mess with Blair? Blair is the love of my life, my brother’s precious darling. To punish Willow, to drag her down to hell at the peak of her happiness, my brother really went through a lot.” The friends, who usually greeted me warmly as “sister-in-law,” chimed in with teasing remarks. “Caleb, you’re the one who worked hard! You’ve been getting all the action these past few years!” “Hahaha, if I didn’t look different, I’d want a piece of that action too!” “Seriously, Willow’s face, her figure, tsk tsk. If she goes crazy after the wedding, why don’t you let us have some fun with her first?” “Liam came up with this plan for Blair, acted for three years, and still stayed faithful to Blair! What a real Prince Charming!” Liam Hayes, Caleb Hayes, Blair. My head buzzed. My blood felt like it was freezing, making it impossible to breathe. My body trembled uncontrollably. Tears streamed from my wide-open eyes, blurring my vision to a crimson haze. The happiness I thought I had found in love was a lie. It was a setup, orchestrated for Blair, my bully. I remembered countless nights, waking up from nightmares of Blair, with Liam holding me, soothing me, telling me not to be afraid. I remembered countless times, sharing my experiences of being bullied, with him comforting me over and over, taking me to see a therapist. I couldn’t believe it, wouldn’t believe it. I couldn’t understand how those moments of being loved, so vivid and real, could possibly be fake. The voices from the private room continued: “Blair’s coming back from abroad soon, Liam, and you won’t have to be constantly flying out of the country anymore. Don’t you ever get tired of flying every week?” “Three years of role-playing, and I can finally be myself again! Every time my brother flew abroad, it was me who went to appease Willow…” “Your voices aren’t the same. She never noticed?” Caleb scoffed. “That idiot. I purposely lowered my voice and told her I had laryngitis. Every time, she doted on me, even getting up before dawn to bring me home remedies for my throat!” Another burst of loud laughter erupted. Liam interrupted. “Enough. After the wedding, I’ll give her a substantial compensation, enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life.” “Liam, are you getting soft, are we?” My heart fluttered, and I instinctively held my breath, staring intently at the distinguished man. Two seconds later, he let out a cold laugh. “How could I?” “What about you, Caleb? After three years of sleeping with her, you didn’t catch feelings, did you?” Liam turned to look at Caleb, who shook his head abruptly. “Three years? I’m long tired of her. Bro, why don’t you take over?” Liam gave a cold smile. “She disgusts me.” “Alright, she practically begged for this wedding. Giving her money is just to ensure she doesn’t cling to me.” “Time is a bit tight; you guys help me get everything ready.” “In a week, after exposing the truth, I’m going to propose to Blair directly!” I don’t know how I managed to leave that private members’ club. Pelting rain lashed down, but I felt nothing. Only the conversation from that room echoed endlessly in my mind. Blair… Just hearing that name made my body tremble uncontrollably. I didn’t understand. She had already moved abroad; why couldn’t she just leave me alone? Why was she so fixated on utterly destroying me? It was just a “campus queen” title. Because my candid, untouched photo had somehow beaten Blair’s heavily Photoshopped competition entry, Blair had rallied a group of people to trap me in the bathroom, using every cruel trick to torment me, then forced my head into the toilet bowl. Because I refused to get down on my knees and beg for forgiveness, I lived a hellish life for the next three years. Ganging up on me, poking me with needles, putting thumbtacks in my shoes, turning the entire class against me, isolating and tormenting me, sabotaging my part-time jobs, spreading vicious rumors about me. She even arranged for several rich kids to pursue me. Once, I overheard her plotting to corrupt me with money, only to ruthlessly discard me later. Blair never succeeded. Even when she left to study abroad in my junior year, she hadn’t completely broken me. But by then, I was already suffering from severe depression and engaged in self-harm. Liam appeared at that time. He wasn’t like the other rich guys who pursued me, always eyeing me with a predatory gaze, as if I were a piece of merchandise, or who simply threw money at me. He had a sincere gaze, genuinely sought to understand my struggles, and listened to my needs. When he learned I had a Nana Rose who needed long-term medication, he never once judged me. Instead, he did everything he could within my comfort zone to improve my life. He even helped me find internships and part-time jobs, and he’d sit with me in convenience stores eating dinner between shifts, then gently stroking my hair. “Willow, you’ve worked so hard. You’re truly amazing.” Once, when Nana Rose fell ill while I was out of town, Liam was the one who helped take her to the hospital and stayed by her side, caring for her day and night. When I rushed back the next day, he looked utterly exhausted, yet he smiled and comforted me, “Nana Rose is fine, don’t worry. Don’t push yourself too hard.” At that moment, a voice in my heart told me: “He’s the one. Try to trust him, and cherish the present, no matter the outcome.” Later, he truly remained good to me, even bravely stood up to his family to be with me. Liam’s brother Caleb’s sneering laughter echoed in my mind again: “So stupid. How could the Hayes family possibly allow an orphan girl like her to marry into their family? It’s nothing more than hiring a couple of actors to put on a show. My brother just had to ‘defy’ his family for her, and she was completely devoted.” “So stupid, didn’t notice anything was off for three years.” “So stupid, still thinking Liam is madly in love with her.” “So stupid, so stupid, so stupid…” I stumbled and fell in the rain, tears mixing with the downpour. So stupid… Willow, you really are… so stupid. I suddenly looked up and laughed like a madwoman, letting the torrential rain mercilessly lash my face. My phone rang abruptly. It was Nana Rose’s caregiver. “Willow, hurry! Nana Rose is fading fast!” My head buzzed. My mind instantly went blank, my limbs weak. I scrambled to my feet on instinct, rushing to the roadside to hail a cab. But every car that passed by just flashed their lights, honked, and sped away. Just as I was about to run to the hospital, an SUV pulled up. The rugged man inside asked my destination. Without a second thought for my safety, I quickly got in. By the time I arrived at the hospital, the doctor had already given a critical condition notice. “Her breathing was failing; resuscitation was pointless. Just spend some time with her.” I dropped to my knees, grasping Nana Rose’s hand, which trembled in mine. Nana Rose smiled weakly. “Willow… don’t cry… I’m sorry, Nana Rose couldn’t hold on until your wedding…” I shook my head vigorously, unable to speak, unable to control my heartbroken sobs. Nana Rose’s gaze weakly searched around. “Where’s Liam…? Nana Rose wants to see him…” “Okay.” My voice was so hoarse it was barely audible. I pulled out my phone, dialing Liam’s number again and again. The calls were repeatedly hung up. I quickly sent a message. **Liam, Nana Rose’s heart is failing, she can’t hold on much longer. Please come to the hospital; she wants to see you one last time.** **Liam, Nana Rose is waiting for you, just one visit. Can you come?** **Liam Hayes, please…** My trembling hands furiously typed on the keyboard. Tears streamed from my bloodshot eyes, splattering onto the phone screen. At this moment, the lies and deceit didn’t matter. If only Liam could come, if only Nana Rose could pass peacefully, nothing else mattered. But Liam remained silent. I stopped, forced a strained smile, and squeezed Nana Rose’s hand, trying to comfort her. “Nana Rose, Liam must be tied up with something. Don’t worry, we’re very much in love, and we’re getting married next week.” “Nana Rose, I’ll be very happy… Please don’t worry…” The hand gripping mine squeezed back fiercely. Nana Rose stared intently at me. “Willow… live well… be happy…” Her hand went limp. The last look in her eyes was filled with worry… I stared blankly at my palm, then collapsed to my knees, crying hysterically. That night, I numbly followed the procedures for Nana Rose’s funeral arrangements, and still, I never received a reply from Liam. During a waiting period, I unblocked Blair’s SnapChat from my blacklist and clicked into her feed. **[Originally planned to surprise him by coming back early, but I was the one who got surprised!]** The accompanying picture showed an airport background. Liam, dressed in a mascot costume, held a bouquet of flowers, his sweaty face smiling, his eyes gentle. Another photo showed the two of them together. She was smiling sweetly, and Liam looked at her from the side, his gaze tender. I gave a bitter laugh and turned off my phone. The next day at noon, I returned to the hospital with Nana Rose’s urn and did two things. First, I scheduled an abortion for three days later. Second, I submitted an application form for Doctors Without Borders. Dr. Evans looked at me in surprise. “Aren’t you getting married soon?” I was silent for a moment. “Not anymore. Dr. Evans, I need to leave, the sooner the better!” Seeing my bloodshot eyes and urgency, Dr. Evans said nothing more. “You’ve just made the application deadline. Take these few days off to prepare.” “We’ll meet at the hospital to depart in a week.” “Okay.” A week later, it would be the exact date of my wedding with Liam. Not only would I be leaving that day, but I’d also be sending them a grand gift, one they’d never forget. Considering the dangerous location I was heading to, I decided to bury Nana Rose. I bought an urn pendant, placed a strand of Nana Rose’s hair and a pinch of her ashes inside, and buried the rest in the cemetery. I knelt before the tombstone, clutching the pendant at my chest. “Nana Rose, please don’t worry. I’m about to do what I’ve always wanted to do, and I’ll take good care of myself.” I returned to the villa in the evening. The moment I stepped inside, I heard laughter and cheerful voices. I froze, and Liam immediately noticed me. He quickly came forward and led me inside. “Come, let me introduce you to some friends.” A man and a woman on the sofa stood up, turning to look at me, their eyes sparkling with amusement. It was Blair and Caleb. My body trembled uncontrollably. This was my physiological reaction to facing Blair. Liam’s voice was laced with a smile. “Blair is my childhood friend, and Caleb is my twin brother. They just returned from studying abroad and made it just in time for our wedding.” Blair waved at me, smiling sweetly. “Willow and I know each other; we were college roommates.” Saying this, she rushed forward, took my arm, and whispered in my ear, “Right, Willow?” Countless images flashed before my eyes. Every time Blair bullied me, she would whisper in my ear, “Just a roommate’s joke, right, Willow?” I instinctively flinched and pushed Blair away. Blair sat on the floor, looking utterly wronged. “Willow, do you still dislike me? I just want to get along with you.” Both men’s expressions changed. Liam quickly rushed over to help Blair up, his gaze dark. Caleb frowned in displeasure. “Bro, your fiancée has quite a temper. She’s not even a Hayes yet, and she’s already this arrogant?” Liam shielded Blair behind him, his tone furious and cold. “Willow, apologize!” I looked at the three of them, my hands at my sides clenching silently. Thinking of what I’d overheard last night, my heart felt like it was being brutally ripped open. I silently turned, preparing to leave. After only two steps, my wrist was suddenly grabbed. The immense force pulled me, making me stumble. I looked up, meeting Liam Hayes’s eyes, swirling with rage. “Who said you could leave?” Caleb’s tone was cold. “The Hayes family is a prestigious one; we value manners above all else. Bro, your fiancée needs to be properly disciplined.” “You’re right.” Liam’s eyes were ice-cold. “Willow, you’re about to become a Hayes. You must be careful with your words and actions, and always restrain yourself.” “Reflect on what happened today.” With that, he forcibly dragged me to the basement, pushing me into one of the rooms. Before I could react, he slammed the door shut. No light penetrated the perfectly sealed door. It was then I realized this was a windowless, dark room. In the pure darkness, my breathing grew shallow, and I started frantically pounding on the door. But no matter how much I yelled, there was no response from outside. I sank into endless terror. In college, Blair had locked me in a dark room for three days. No sound, no light; the passage of time felt excruciatingly long. That time, I had a mental breakdown. Since then, I’ve been terrified of darkness and developed claustrophobia. For years, I had to leave all the lights on every night, even when sleeping. Liam had initially struggled to adapt, tossing and turning, waking easily. But after hearing about my past, he held me tenderly, saying, “It’s okay, it’s okay. From now on, we’ll sleep with the lights on. Don’t be afraid.” Every time I suggested trying to turn off the lights, he’d refuse. “Willow, you don’t have to force yourself to do anything. I can adapt.” He knew. They… they all knew. Yet they still chose to punish me this way, simply because I pushed Blair. My heart ached dully. I curled up in the corner, holding my trembling body tightly. Yes, their past kindness was fake, deliberately performed. Even this dark room, I suspected, was specifically designed for me. Two days later, Liam came to open the door, a pleased smile on his lips. “Blair isn’t mad at you anymore about the other day. Get ready; we’re going to try on wedding dresses and rings.” I was taken to the bridal shop. As soon as I got out of the car, I saw Blair and Caleb already waiting inside. Blair enthusiastically greeted me. “Willow, you’re here! I didn’t get to congratulate you last time. Liam and I are the best of friends, so let me help you pick out your wedding dress today!” A smile was plastered on her face, waiting for me to lose my composure. But I didn’t show the slightest hint of fear or disgust. Instead, I smiled and said, “Thank you, that’s very kind of you.” Blair’s face darkened for a fleeting moment, then she put on a bright smile again. She hooked an arm around Liam and Caleb, giving them a meaningful look. “Then I’ll try them on with you. Willow, I’ll be a bride soon too.” I smiled faintly. “Congratulations.” The light in Blair’s eyes completely dimmed. Next, Blair would call over a staff member and try on any wedding dress I lingered on for more than a second. Each time she emerged, she’d pull Liam’s hand. “Liam, what do you think? Do I look good?” And Liam would always be captivated, praising her without reservation. Caleb also hovered around Blair; the two of them completely ignored me. The staff members looked on enviously. “This bride is so lucky…” Blair let out a theatrical “Oh dear!” and turned to look at me, standing by the side like an outcast. “I’m sorry, Willow, you’re the bride, you should be trying them on first.” She then playfully punched Liam’s chest. “Liam, what’s wrong with you? How can you leave your own bride standing around?” The staff members looked awkward, and Caleb’s lips curled into a mocking smile. Only then did Liam look at me. “Do you like anything?” I casually picked a dress and went in to try it on. When I came out, all three of them were gone. A staff member looked sympathetic. “Madam, Miss Blair said she was going to pick out rings, and both gentlemen went with her. As for you…” “It’s fine.” I took off the wedding dress and handed it back, then left directly. Soon, Blair posted an update on SnapChat, with a picture of a diamond ring embedded with multiple gems: **[The diamond ring Liam had bid on at that exclusive auction.]** I only glanced at it before turning off my phone and continued packing. Besides the clothes and toiletries I intended to take with me, I gathered all my remaining belongings, including gifts I had once given Liam, and disposed of them. Any gifts Liam had given me, I left untouched. Just as I finished packing my suitcase and put it in the closet, Liam walked in, carrying a blue velvet box. “This is the ring I bought for you at the auction.” I recognized it—it was the complimentary gift from Blair’s SnapChat post. I calmly took it and placed it aside. My overly cold reaction made Liam frown. His gaze shifted, and he noticed the couple’s mugs in the trash can that I used to cherish so much. A flicker of unease inexplicably crossed his mind. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Why did you throw away the mugs? Are you mad?” I pressed my lips together. “No.” Liam, however, became convinced. “Is it because of the wedding dress fitting? Blair is just my good friend. It’s been years since we last saw each other, so I paid a bit more attention to her.” He reached out and put his arm around me. “There’s no need to be jealous of her. If Blair and I had anything going on, we would have been together a long time ago, wouldn’t we? Willow, you’re my bride. Don’t you understand how I feel about you?” Hearing those words, my heart felt like it was violently squeezed, a sharp pain piercing through me. My eyes were slightly red. Liam, seeing this, stroked my hair. “I’m sorry, Willow, for making you feel wronged.” At his words, my fingertips trembled, then clenched into fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. In that instant, I was tempted to confront him, to distinguish his sincerity from his deceit, to know if there was even a shred of genuine feeling in him these past three years. But the words died in my throat, swallowed back. Liam’s phone rang. He quickly answered, “Blair… I’ll be right there…” After hanging up, he ruffled my hair. “I have something to do. Get some rest early. You’ll be the most beautiful bride in a week.” With that, he quickly turned and left. I sat on the bed, holding back the tears in my eyes. Two hours later, after washing up, I lay in bed, ready to sleep. In a hazy state, the bedroom door suddenly twisted open. Liam, who was supposed to be at the bar partying with Blair, walked in. He reeked of alcohol, casually ripped open his shirt, and pulled back my covers, then came down on top of me. The moment our skin touched, my sleepiness vanished instantly. I was terrifyingly awake, realizing— The person on top of me was Caleb. My body instantly stiffened, my face turning deathly pale. I used all my strength to push him away, shrinking back against the headboard. Caleb frowned at me for two seconds, then raised an eyebrow. “Still mad?” He rubbed his temples. His demeanor was identical to Liam’s, and his voice, soaked in alcohol, was no different. If I hadn’t overheard Liam say he stayed faithful to Blair, I wouldn’t have been able to tell them apart. He leaned in again, his hands propped behind me, our noses almost touching. “I already explained today. If I had feelings for her, I wouldn’t be marrying you.” Caleb was about to kiss me. My eyes widened. I abruptly turned my head away and gagged. My eyes were red from retching, but I couldn’t stop. I pushed the man away and rushed to the bathroom. Caleb watched my retreating back, his brow slightly furrowed, his eyes flickering. Inside the bathroom, I slid down the wall, crouching on the floor. Outside the door, Caleb’s voice suddenly rang out. “Did you guys hear that? She’s gagging. Could she be pregnant?” Then came a startled clamor, and one of his friends shouted, “Caleb, don’t take it too far! What if she gets pregnant and then clings to you when the truth comes out?” My spine instantly stiffened, my limbs turning cold. I realized Caleb’s phone had been on speaker the whole time. Blair’s voice immediately followed. “Liam, Caleb, you two are going too far…” “Too far?” Liam’s voice was icy. “She’s targeted you for so long. This is the punishment she deserves.” Blair worried, “What if Willow really is pregnant?” After a moment of silence, both men spoke in unison: “Impossible!” On the other end of the phone, Liam’s voice sounded exceptionally cruel. “Even if she is, we’ll take care of it. Caleb, wouldn’t you agree?” Caleb’s Adam’s apple bobbed twice. “Y-yes, of course.” Somehow, his heart clenched for a split second. The next second, he saw me open the door, my face deathly pale, staring at him. His heart skipped a beat. He quickly ended the call and stepped forward. “What’s wrong, Willow? Why do you look so bad? Are you feeling unwell somewhere? You’re not… pregnant, are you?” I stared at him, forcing a weak smile. “No, my stomach ache just flared up.”

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“I’ve made up my mind. I’ll marry that comatose Adrian Blackwood.” Seraphina Hayes leaned against the doorframe of the Hayes family mansion, a mocking curl gracing her crimson lips. Victor Hayes’s cigar almost dropped onto the priceless Persian rug. He shot up from his leather armchair, the wrinkles around his eyes smoothing out. “Sera, have you finally come to your senses? That’s wonderful! The Blackwood family has been pressing, you need to be married and settled in Northwood within half a month. What style of wedding dress would you like? Your father will have one custom-made…” “That’s it?” Sera scoffed, a cold glint in her eyes. “I’m marrying into that family in place of your darling bastard daughter. Aren’t you going to offer something more?” The temperature in the living room plummeted. Victor’s face darkened. “What kind of talk is that? What bastard daughter? That’s your sister.” “A sister shares the same mother,” she chuckled, ice forming in her gaze. “She’s the product of your affair, and I’ll never acknowledge her.” A vein throbbed on Victor’s forehead, but he forcibly swallowed his anger before it could erupt. He took a deep breath, ash from his cigar fluttering down. “What do you want?” “Ten billion dollars.” Her red lips parted slightly. “And, after I’m married, transfer Caleb Miller to protect your precious illegitimate child.” Victor’s expression froze. He stared at his daughter as if she were insane. “Are you out of your mind? Ten billion will wipe out all my liquid assets! And Caleb Miller? Isn’t he your favorite bodyguard? You used to constantly demand to marry him. You’re getting married and you’re not taking him with you?!” “Just tell me if you agree or not.” Sera grew impatient, turning to leave. “Fine!” Victor slammed his hand on the table. “The day you leave for Northwood to get married, I’ll take care of both those things immediately.” He didn’t have the luxury of delving deeper, only wanting to finalize this matter. Years ago, Adrian Blackwood, the only son of the Blackwood family, was a rising star. Victor had eagerly arranged an engagement between their families, intending to marry off his younger daughter, Willow, believing it would secure her a good future. Who would have known that an accident would leave Adrian in a coma? He couldn’t bear for Willow to suffer, which was why he eventually remembered that Sera was also his daughter… She waved a dismissive hand, her back still to him. Her high heels clicked sharply on the marble floor, a sound like a slap across someone’s face. Just as she gripped the doorknob, Victor’s voice echoed behind her again. “I can understand you wanting money, but weren’t you always so fond of Caleb Miller? How can you bear to give him to Willow?” Sera’s fingers stiffened. She didn’t turn around, but her eyes suddenly burned. That name was like a thorn, piercing the softest part of her heart. She pushed open the door forcefully, shutting Victor and his question behind her. It was late when she returned to her villa. Sera’s heels clicked on the stairs. As she passed Caleb Miller’s room, she heard a muffled gasp from inside. The door wasn’t fully closed. She glanced in, and her eyes landed on a scene that was terrifyingly clear— Caleb was propped against the headboard, his long fingers clutching a photo, his other hand working below his waist. His eyes were closed, a deep, sexy growl rumbling from his throat: “Willow… baby… so good…” It was a picture of Willow. Taken at her birthday party last year, she was in a white dress, smiling with that innocent sweetness. Sera’s nails dug deep crescent marks into the strap of her designer bag. Finally, she had the answer to Victor’s question. *Because he, like you, only loves Willow Hayes.* The answer churned in her, scorching her insides. Three years ago, she first saw Caleb on the day she was picking out bodyguards. Among a group of towering, burly men, her gaze landed on him immediately. The reason was simple: he was impossibly handsome. Six feet two, broad shoulders tapering to a narrow waist, sharp features, and those dark eyes—cold as ice. Sera was a notorious wild child in their social circle, intending only to flirt with him for fun. But after three years— She’d pretend to be drunk and fall into his arms, only for him to casually grab her by the scruff of her neck, like a cat, and place her back on the sofa. She’d knock on his door late at night, wearing a slinky slip dress, only for him to wrap her entirely in his suit jacket and respectfully escort her back to her room. She even faked drowning in the pool. He jumped in to save her but didn’t even touch her waist. No matter how much she tried to flirt, he remained chaste and aloof, always addressing her politely as “Miss Sera.” Yet, despite herself, she fell for him. She didn’t know how her heart had become so entangled. Perhaps it was because, ever since her mother died, she had been so terribly lonely. When she was seven, Victor had an affair and brought home an illegitimate daughter. Her name was Willow Hayes, and she was only three months younger than Sera. It turned out, for ten years of marriage, he had been cheating for nine. That day, her supposedly happy and peaceful family shattered completely. At the time, Sera’s mother was nine months pregnant with Victor’s second child, due in just a few days. Sera’s mother loved Victor desperately. She screamed at him hysterically, crying until she almost fainted, which triggered early labor. Rushed to the hospital, she died before even reaching the operating room, taking her unborn child with her. From then on, Sera hated Victor, and she hated Willow. She moved out of the Hayes mansion, went to school alone, ate alone, and grew up alone. It wasn’t until her striking beauty attracted too many leering playboys in their circle that she decided she needed a bodyguard. Caleb Miller was her first. After that, she wasn’t alone anymore. Caleb was with her for everything. She went from admiring him, to flirting with him, to falling for him. But three years, over a thousand days and nights, and he hadn’t so much as flickered an eyelash for her. She thought he was naturally cold, until that day she caught him pleasuring himself with a photo of Willow. And then, she watched him, after he’d finished, pick up a call— “Mr. Miller, how long are you going to play this bodyguard game? You’re the scion of North City, you can have any woman you want! If you’re so smitten with Willow Hayes, why not just go after her? Why are you playing this pure game, working as a bodyguard for her sister just to be near her?” Caleb’s expression was indifferent. “I’ve checked; Willow is an illegitimate child. She’s had a tough life and lacks a sense of security. Pursuing her directly would scare her off. I want to take it slow.” “Right, how did the Miller family produce such a devoted romantic? I thought with Miss Sera flirting with you daily, you might be tempted. I’m telling you, she’s a notorious wild child in this city, the line of men who want her stretches from here to Paris…” Caleb seemed to smile, but his words sent her plummeting into an icy abyss. “Really? Not interested. She’s not even worth a single strand of Willow’s hair.” Every word was like a knife, stabbing deep into Sera’s heart! In that moment, she stopped loving Caleb Miller, too. She didn’t know how long it continued, but for some reason, Caleb hadn’t finished today. Seeing this, she smirked coldly, and violently pushed open the door— #### Chapter Two The moment Caleb Miller’s eyes lifted, Sera saw a bottomless darkness in them. Perhaps because he was naturally a man of power, his expression showed no ripple of emotion despite being caught in such a private act. He calmly tucked the photo under his pillow, his long fingers unhurriedly adjusting the startling bulge back into his trousers. In just a few seconds, he had reverted to his usual stoic and aloof demeanor, as if the unbridled man from moments ago had been a mere illusion. Sera couldn’t help but sneer slightly. “Putting it back unfinished? Aren’t you afraid of the frustration? Want me to help you out?” Caleb’s expression remained unchanged. He simply leaned back slightly, increasing the distance between them. “Miss Sera, do you need something?” He was always like this. He could be so aroused by a photo of Willow, yet when faced with her, he was like a chaste and reserved monk. Sera’s nails dug into her palm, recalling Willow’s bland, innocent face—even though her figure wasn’t as good as Sera’s, and her looks weren’t as striking, everyone fell for that innocent act. *It doesn’t matter. I, Seraphina Hayes, have beauty, money, and a figure to die for.* *From today on, anyone who doesn’t like me, I don’t want them.* “There’s an auction tomorrow. You’re coming with me.” She stated coolly, then turned to leave. Caleb frowned slightly. “I believe I requested two days off…” “I heard Willow Hayes will be there too,” she said without looking back. A moment of silence, then his deep voice responded, “Understood, Miss Sera.” Sera’s heart felt a pinprick. *Of course. Mention Willow, and he breaks all his rules.* *Don’t worry.* *Soon, she would personally deliver him to Willow’s side.* The next morning, Sera stepped out of the villa to find Caleb already waiting by the car. His black suit perfectly accentuated his broad shoulders and narrow waist, the morning light casting a golden halo on his sharp profile. Usually, at times like this, she would deliberately flirt with him, perhaps feigning a twisted ankle to fall into his arms, or playfully breathing sweet nothings into his ear. But today, she simply got into the car with an impassive face, not even sparing him a glance. Caleb seemed a little surprised, giving her a prolonged look, but quickly averted his gaze and silently took the passenger seat. The car drove towards the auction house. Throughout the journey, Sera stared out the window, not making excuses to talk to him as she usually did. The silence in the car was so profound, they could hear each other’s breathing. The auction was held in the city center’s most prestigious hotel. Crystal chandeliers illuminated the hall as if it were daylight, filled with elegantly dressed dignitaries. As Sera entered, she immediately spotted Willow standing ahead. She was wearing a white dress, her long, straight black hair draped over her shoulders, laughing with a few socialites, exuding an air of pure innocence. Caleb’s eyes instantly changed. Although he was still behind Sera, performing his bodyguard duties, Sera could feel that his attention was entirely drawn to Willow. “Sister!” Willow spotted them and immediately rushed over, affectionately linking her arm through Sera’s. “What a coincidence, you’re here for the auction too?” Sera coldly pulled her arm away. “Don’t touch me.” Willow’s eyes instantly welled up, and she looked at Caleb with a wronged expression. “Caleb, I just wanted to be closer to my sister…” Caleb frowned slightly, looking at Sera with barely suppressed disgust. Willow seized the opportunity, tugging at Caleb’s sleeve. “Caleb, I heard that time I had a fever and wanted artisanal pastries, you went out in the pouring rain in the middle of the night to buy them and bring them to the Hayes mansion? It’s just that my fever was quite bad last time, and I’ve been recovering, so I haven’t had a chance to thank you.” Caleb’s stern features softened instantly. “Miss Willow, no need to be polite. It was just on my way.” *On his way?* Sera sneered. *He disappeared for five hours that day, came back soaked to the bone—and that was ‘on his way’?”* “Well, you still have to let me treat you to dinner!” Willow said sweetly. Caleb didn’t refuse this time. “As Miss Willow wishes.” “Then we’ll invite Sister along!” Willow looked at Sera, then suddenly exclaimed, “Oh, Sister, why do you look so tired? I’m the one who was sick…” Sera coldly cut her off. “Are we close? Daughter of a home-wrecker, mind your own business.” Willow’s face fell, and Caleb’s frown deepened further. Just then, the auctioneer announced the start of the auction, finally breaking the awkward conversation. Sera couldn’t be bothered with her anymore and took her seat. She was about to marry into the Blackwood family, and relying on Victor to prepare her dowry was clearly unrealistic. She had to prepare these things herself, which was her true purpose for coming to this auction. As she settled down, the first item was presented. A pigeon’s blood ruby necklace, starting bid one million. She raised her paddle without hesitation. “Two million.” To her surprise, Willow also raised her paddle. “Three million.” Sera looked at Willow, who offered a slight smile. “Sister, I like this one too. You don’t mind letting me have it, do you? After all, Dad’s allowance for you isn’t as much as mine, I believe.” Sera sneered. *Not just ‘not as much’—it’s pathetic.* From childhood, Victor gave Willow five million a month, while Sera only received five hundred. If it weren’t for her mother’s inheritance, she might have starved to death. *But things are different now. I have ten billion.* “Four million.” Sera raised her paddle again. Willow was clearly stunned, but still gritted her teeth and increased her bid. “Four and a half million.” “Five million.” “Five and a half million.” After several rounds of bidding, Willow’s face grew increasingly ugly. “Sister, where did you get all this money? Aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to pay?” “Ten million!” Sera doubled the bid, then gave her a mocking smile. “I’m starting to think, who’s actually struggling to pay now?” Willow’s face flushed alternately red and pale as guests around them began to whisper. The auctioneer politely asked, “Miss Willow, do you wish to bid higher?” “Wait a moment.” Willow frantically pulled out her phone to text Victor. A moment later, her face grew even more distressed. She had clearly been rejected. Sera smirked at the sight. *He rejected her, obviously.* *He’d already given away ten billion; he wasn’t about to spend more just to save his precious daughter’s pride.* Just at this awkward moment, a man in a sharp suit suddenly appeared in the center of the hall, announcing loudly: “We’re sweeping the auction for Miss Willow!” #### Chapter Three The entire hall erupted in murmurs. “Sir, are you saying…” the auctioneer asked, astonished. The man explained, “I am Mr. Miller’s assistant. Mr. Miller has instructed that every item Miss Willow so much as glances at today is to be acquired by us, no matter the price.” The auction hall instantly exploded with chatter. “Mr. Miller? The sole heir of the Miller family? North City’s infamous scion?” “Doesn’t he usually keep to himself, completely uninterested in women? How could he do this for Miss Willow?” “Looks like Miss Willow is really climbing the social ladder…” The discussions rippled through the room. Willow’s face went from shock to delight, finally settling into undisguised triumph. “Excuse me, where is Mr. Miller? Can I thank him in person?” Willow asked, her face flushed. Marcus respectfully replied, “Mr. Miller is unable to make an appearance at the moment. When the time is right, he will naturally meet with you.” Only then did Willow turn to Sera, her eyes full of victorious joy. “Sister, are you still bidding?” The next second, she added, feigning innocence, “Oh, I almost forgot, Mr. Miller is sweeping the auction for me. If Sister keeps bidding, I’m afraid she’ll be ruined. After all, in this circle, who has more money than Mr. Miller?” Sera’s face instantly changed. She sharply looked at Caleb, only to see him gazing at Willow with doting affection, his eyes filled with tenderness. The rest of the auction was like a romantic drama. Any item Willow so much as looked at, Marcus immediately announced they were buying it. That ruby necklace, an antique ceramic set, even a Monet Water Lilies painting with a starting bid of eighty million—all went into Willow’s hands. Sera abruptly stood up, no longer able to hold back. She confronted Marcus: “Does your Mr. Miller intend to leave nothing for anyone else?” Marcus carefully glanced at Caleb, who gave an almost imperceptible nod. “Apologies, Miss Sera,” Marcus replied coldly. “These are all gifts from Mr. Miller to Miss Willow. He only wishes for Miss Willow to enjoy this auction. The feelings of others are not within his consideration.” Sera laughed, her nails digging deeply into her palms. She looked at Caleb, whose gaze, however, remained fixed on the triumphant Willow. *Caleb Miller, you’re something else. You really are!* As the auction ended, Willow was surrounded by a crowd of socialites and wealthy ladies, receiving compliments like a queen. Sera couldn’t bear the hypocritical scene and quickly left the venue. Once in the car, she told James, “To the Night Owl Club.” She needed alcohol to numb herself. But before the car door could close, Willow squeezed in. “Sister, are you going to the club? I’ve been so bored lately, take me with you!” Sera was about to kick her out, but Caleb subtly held the car door, directly telling James, “Drive.” All the way, Willow excitedly chattered about the day’s auction. “Caleb, why do you think Mr. Miller is so good to me? We’ve never even met!” Caleb’s voice was incredibly gentle. “Because he likes you.” Willow’s eyes widened instantly, her cheeks flushing. “Caleb, don’t joke!” “A man knows a man best,” he said, looking intently at Willow. “Where there’s money, there’s love. Besides… Miss Willow is so wonderful, it’s no wonder he fell for you.” “Then… do you like me too, Caleb?” Willow suddenly asked. Caleb froze, about to speak, when Sera coldly cut him off. “If you two want to flirt, get out of my car! This is *my* car!” Willow’s eyes immediately reddened. “I’m sorry, Sister, did I bother you? I won’t talk anymore.” Sera ignored her, turning to look out the window. Through the reflection, she clearly saw Caleb’s eyes filled with tenderness and pity for Willow, while his gaze towards her was cold and disgusted. She gave a self-deprecating laugh. *Looks like all men fall for the manipulative ones.*

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I transmigrated into a dark, explicit novel, becoming the girl who sells protection. The original female lead had a tragic fate: one woman, many men, forced into eight abortions. And I was here to save her. I always appeared at just the right moment, offering little packages of life-blockers. “Sir, a box of condoms?” “Sir, how about a box? Passion with you, safety with them. Buy a box, benefit us all.” Until one day, I was cornered by the eight men from the novel in a luxurious mansion, forced to become part of their *play*. “Join us, Juniper.” “Julian, please… no… this isn’t right… I’m begging you, don’t do this.” After being forced into some outdoor intimacy with a man, Lily, the female lead, was crouched by the river, crying helplessly. I slowly approached, pulling out a morning-after pill. “You should call 911.” Lily stopped crying, her eyes red-rimmed as she looked at me, then slapped the morning-after pill right into the river. “I’m not clean anymore. Are you looking down on me too?” Me: “?” My heart ached beyond words. That was all the money I had, gone! But to get back home, I had to endure! I offered a polite smile. “You misunderstood. That’s not what I meant.” “What I meant was, if you were forced, you can call 911. The police will help you punish the bad guys.” Lily cried even harder. “I knew it, you all look down on me! I was forced, I was forced!” Me: “???” Was Lily out of her mind, or just born clueless? I pulled out my phone and dialed 911. The call connected. “Hello, this is 911. How can I help you?” Lily froze, then burst into uncontrollable sobs, slapping my phone right into the river with a loud *smack*. “I have no beef with you, I don’t even know you. Why are you humiliating me like this?” Me: “…” My phone, oh my god, my phone! I swear I wanted to crack her skull open and see what kind of garbage was rattling around in there!

Sighing dramatically heavenward, I swore I’d never stay up late reading smut again. Yes! I had transmigrated into a book. And it was one of those one-woman-many-men, female-torture smut fics. The female lead was forced to have eight abortions, each from a different man. But damn it all, in the end, everyone actually got a “happily ever after” with her. By the time I finished reading, I felt worse than if I’d eaten actual crap. I cursed the author, “Don’t readers’ feelings matter?!” Right after cursing, I transmigrated, becoming a nameless, insignificant extra. I had to make the female lead independent, to help her break free from the cycle of forced abortions through her own efforts, so I could escape this damn book. So when I saw Lily being forced into intimacy with a man in the woods, I quickly emptied my pockets and bought a morning-after pill. I was here to save her, but so far, I wasn’t saving a damn thing. I was boiling with helpless rage, screaming and thrashing on the ground in front of her. “Argh, you’re a piece of trash! Eight abortions? Hell, a hundred wouldn’t be enough for you to learn your lesson!” Lily’s face went ashen. Trembling, she pulled out her own phone and dialed 911 again. “Waaah~ Officer, this person is insulting me!” Me: “…”

Lily sat outside the interrogation room, red-eyed and sniffling, recounting my “crimes.” “She taunted me, looked down on me, and then crawled on all fours in front of me to humiliate me!” Does that sound like something a sane person would say? But the police believed her. “Why did you taunt her?” I shrugged. “I didn’t.” The officer scribbled two lines in his notebook, then asked, “Why were you crawling on all fours to humiliate her?” I was losing it. “I wasn’t! I really wasn’t! She slapped my phone into the river, and I was crawling to find it! Can you guys please listen? What human has four legs?!” The officer just looked down and scribbled some more in his notebook. In the end, they decided to detain me for three days as a warning. Then they offered Lily a whole lot of comfort. I was utterly stunned. This explicit novel’s world truly was messed up beyond belief. I was lonely, desperate, and cold. I missed my mom.

No money, no ID, no phone. The immediate priority wasn’t how to get back, but how to survive. I was afraid I’d starve to death in this book before I could succeed. Was I really going to have to beg? Begging was not an option. I looked at a public health information board about safe sex practices and free condoms, and a brilliant idea struck me. I grabbed two plastic bags from a trash can. I cut eyeholes in a black one and pulled it over my head, keeping a clear one in my hand. Then I promptly cleared out all the free condoms from the display. And so, from that day on, I became the girl who sells protection. For some reason, I always seemed to appear at the precise moment Lily was being forced into intimacy with a man. And wasn’t that a golden business opportunity? I could make money, and indirectly save the world. I couldn’t change that trash fire of a female lead, so I decided to target the men instead. As long as I could survive until the happy ending, and Lily didn’t get pregnant, there would be no abortions, and I could finally escape this book.

It was a pitch-black, rainy night, and I stood at the entrance of a bar, armed with my little bag of protection. Rain lashed wildly against my face. Damn it! I couldn’t stand this life another day. Just as I was cursing the heavens, cursing the earth, and cursing Lily, I heard her sweet, delicate voice again. “N-no~ Julian, please, not here… what if someone sees us?” The man’s shirt was unbuttoned two buttons down. He carried Lily, whose cheeks were flushed and whose tiny triangle of fabric had slipped to her ankles, towards his car. “Lily~ your body tells a different story~” Lily’s tears streamed down her face as she balled her fists and pounded the man’s chest. Damn it! Was Lily even trying? Those weren’t resistance punches; those were ‘turn-him-on’ punches! I silently rolled my eyes. The moment the man tossed Lily into the car and was about to close the door, I quickly extended my hand. “Sir, a box of condoms?” “Sir, how about some protection? Passion with you, safety with them, happiness for all involved.” My gaze was intense as I stared at the man before me. He hadn’t expected to be interrupted by me, and his eyes glared menacingly, finally landing on the condoms in my hand. He snatched them and slammed the car door shut. What the hell! He didn’t pay! The world’s gone to hell, there’s no justice. But I couldn’t risk it; I couldn’t afford to cross any of these powerful men. Julian Blackwood, the most powerful man in the book, with billions in assets, yet completely obsessed with Lily’s innocent facade.

I had to admit, the men in this explicit novel were incredibly potent. Just one box of protection, seven pieces, seven hours of action, no breaks. I listened to the whole thing, every word true. I was huddled by the car door, almost falling asleep, when finally, the car door opened. I heard Lily’s hoarse, tearful voice again. “Julian, how could you do this to me? I’ll never forgive you.” I lifted one eyelid and saw Julian Blackwood gripping Lily’s chin, a smirk playing on his lips. “I’m going to lock you up. Your body will forever belong to me.” I stood up. Lily looked up and saw me, reaching out a tearful hand. “Miss, please, help me, save me.” That’s when the male lead finally noticed I was still there. He turned to me and slowly spat out one word. “Get out!” I lifted my eyelid a bit higher, pointing to the used condom on the car floor mat. My expression was impassive. “Sir, small business here, no credit.” Julian Blackwood and Lily both fell silent for a moment. Lily stared at me in disbelief. “Miss, how can you be so heartless? Why won’t you help me?” Me: “…” Julian Blackwood stared at my face, then let out a scoff. “Gary! Pay her.” A man then got out of the driver’s seat. I gasped! I was shocked! Last night, with the moon obscured and the wind howling, I hadn’t even noticed the driver was there. The driver was there! Were they seriously that open? Did the world of explicit novels have no shame at all? I swear I couldn’t stand this life another day. But as the driver tossed a thick wad of cash at me, I decided I could tolerate it a little longer.

Lily was taken away by Julian Blackwood, and I, clutching ten thousand dollars, grinned like an idiot. I think I’d found a shortcut to getting rich. I spent the money on food, drinks, and shopping, but no matter what, I always carried a bag containing my secret weapon for wealth. After a few days, I mysteriously found myself in a large mansion. Lily was currently pinned on the grass by a blond, blue-eyed man, his hand already reaching a certain spot. Lily pleaded softly on the grass. “Klara, don’t do this, there’s only friendship between us.” This man was Klara Petrov, who had chased Lily from abroad all the way to Julian Blackwood’s grand estate. I wondered if it would be weird to pitch my product right now? But they were about to get to the final step, so I couldn’t just stand by. I darted forward, slid to my knees, and presented the condom to Klara. “Ultra-thin, ultimate pleasure. You deserve the best.” People who read smut fics always have surprisingly good memories. I knew each man’s preferences. The man looked at me in surprise but still took it. This man was more polite; he just scanned five thousand dollars to me with his phone. I pouted, a little annoyed. Julian Blackwood was more generous; he’d shelled out a whole ten grand! But my professional ethics were top-notch. I smiled, bowed, and bid him farewell. “Enjoy yourselves, have a wonderful time.”

The men in this explicit novel were all machines, relentlessly plowing day and night. Lily was even more incredible, a field that could be plowed endlessly without ever wearing out. Every day I was dragged around with Lily from place to place, time to time, feeling like the money I earned was endless, but I never had time to spend it. Since my clients were all so generous, I even upgraded my services. I’d occasionally offer expert tips and emotional support while they were getting intimate with Lily. I was a small-time millionaire now, having opened many automated adult novelty kiosks in the places Lily and the men frequented. Even near their homes. Of course, they never actually went in to get anything themselves; it was mainly so I could restock easily. But I felt like I was almost done with my mission. Tonight, in Julian Blackwood’s estate, was the climax for all the men and Lily, the supposed ending point of this explicit novel. And thanks to my diligent, tireless, indirect efforts, Lily hadn’t had a single “accident.” I just needed to get through tonight safely, and then I could go home. Honestly, becoming a millionaire in this book, I was almost a little reluctant to leave. But I still missed my mom more. Goodbye, Lily. Tonight, I set sail for home.

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Five years into our marriage, I took a pill bottle to the hospital, complaining that the ‘Vitamin C’ my wife bought tasted unusually bitter. The doctor examined it, then looked up at me. “This isn’t Vitamin C,” she said. “Doctor, could you say that again?” “I could say it a hundred times, it wouldn’t change,” the doctor pointed to the bottle. “It’s Mifepristone. Too much won’t just sterilize you; it’s also incredibly harmful to your health.” My throat felt clogged, choked by something unseen. My hand clenched around the bottle, knuckles white. “That’s impossible. My wife prepared these for me. Her name is Veronica, and she’s a doctor here too.” The doctor looked at me, her expression turning strange, with an unreadable hint of meaning. Finally, she just smiled. “Look, kid, you really should consider a psych evaluation. Dr. Veronica’s husband? We all know him. She just had a baby a couple of months ago. Don’t get caught up in fantasies; there’s nothing there for you.” She then pulled out her phone and showed me a group photo. In the picture, Veronica, wearing a white coat, held a baby in her arms. Beside her stood a man, his eyes crinkling with a smile. It was Liam, the guy she always introduced as her ‘foster brother.’ A buzzing noise filled my head, and my mind went blank. But the doctor said that was Veronica’s husband, and their child. My breath hitched, heavy and ragged. I stumbled into the elevator, desperate to reach the fifteenth floor, to find Veronica and demand answers. Just as the elevator doors closed, two familiar voices drifted in. I must have been well-covered today, with a hat pulled low, because the people ahead didn’t recognize me. They spoke freely, without any caution. “Veronica, aren’t you worried Ashton will find out? Why go through all that trouble to get him back? If you’d just married Liam earlier, you wouldn’t have to hide seeing your own kid like this.” It was Chloe’s voice. Veronica’s voice was cold. “He won’t find out. Chloe, watch your mouth. You know what to say and what not to say around Ashton.” “I really don’t get you,” Chloe scoffed. “Liam came to live with you when he was five. You doted on him so much back then, but when he grew up, Ashton just… swept him away.” “You sent Liam away for Ashton, then went to great lengths to bring him back. Who do you actually love?” Veronica was silent for a long moment before she finally spoke. “I love Ashton, but I can’t let go of Liam either. The thought of him struggling those years he was abroad just tears me apart.” “Ashton has the official title, but the child belongs to Liam, right? At least give him someone to depend on.” Chloe sighed, then pressed on. “What if you and Ashton had a child? Could you truly be fair to both of them? Liam is my cousin, after all.” *Ding*—The elevator chime suddenly rang out. The opening doors coincided with Veronica’s words: “I won’t.” Chloe paused, confused, unsure if Veronica meant she wouldn’t have a child or wouldn’t show favoritism. Bewildered, she followed her out. But I understood. She meant, they wouldn’t have a child. Because she had already prepared sterilization pills for me, removing any potential threat to Liam. The elevator was packed, hot and stuffy, but I felt like I’d plunged into an ice hole, chilling me to the bone. Not until the elevator reached the first floor did I gasp for air like a drowning man, coughing violently. My phone vibrated in my pocket, the screen lighting up—it was a screenshot of an airplane ticket from Veronica: \[*Ashton, see you at the race tomorrow. Remember to wear the good luck charm I got you.*] Seeing that message, the torrent of emotions I’d been holding back burst, and tears streamed down my face. Doctors are busy, but in all our five years of marriage, Veronica had always been there at the finish line for every one of my races, even if it meant a red-eye flight. She’d book the restaurant in advance, buy flowers, and greet my victory. Every single year. I remembered her friends teasing me, saying I was her ultimate prize, the one she’d fought tooth and nail to get back. To bring me back home, she’d battled foreign clubs, often pushing the limits; To keep me, she’d poured fortunes into hiring a top-tier coaching team, even opening a racing club exclusively for me. After we married, her devotion knew no bounds. He once mumbled in his sleep that he missed his mom, and she spent the entire night pulling every string, finding his mother’s lost keepsakes before dawn. But this Veronica, this very same woman, had secretly built another life behind my back. It suddenly clicked. No wonder Liam knew every corner of Veronica’s home better than I did. No wonder a guy who’d lived abroad for years knew all her friends’ nicknames. No wonder a “foster brother” could make her clear her surgery schedule for half a year to go racing with him. There was no ‘foster brother.’ He was a ‘child-husband’—a practice where a child is raised in a family to marry one of their own. Liam had been groomed to be Veronica’s husband since childhood. Just moments ago, I’d been thinking that if Liam dared to interfere, I wouldn’t tolerate it. Now I realized I was the intruder, and it was *my* place to leave. A bone-chilling cold crept up from my feet, numbing my limbs. I always thought people would scream and cry when they broke down. But now, in this moment, I understood that true collapse was silent. Only the unstoppable tears and a heart sunk to the abyss told me I was dying inside. It felt as if a giant hand was squeezing my heart, trying to wring out the last drop of blood. My phone vibrated again. It was a family photo from Liam, with a caption: \[*Ashton, don’t hog a spot that isn’t yours anymore. I thought you’d be smart enough to leave, but I guess you’re shameless. Veronica says the baby looks like her. What do you think?*] I just glanced at it and exited. He wants it? Fine, he can have it. But I knew Veronica too well. Once she set her mind on something, she wouldn’t let go easily, even if she no longer wanted it. My finger hovered over the dial pad for a long time, finally pressing a number I’d almost forgotten. The moment the call connected, I heard my own voice trembling. “Morgan, that old bet… is it still on?”

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“Hold on, ma’am, there’s still an outstanding bill of $18,000.” I was just stepping out of the restroom, ready to leave, when the buffet owner blocked my path. $18,000?! I was stunned. This place was supposed to be just $39.99 a head! “What $18,000? Are you serious? I already paid for my meal.” A fake smile stretched across her face. “Our premium restroom has only three minutes of complimentary use. Every minute over costs $1,000. You were inside for 21 minutes, so that’ll be $18,000.” I frowned. “I’ve never heard of such a rule! This is extortion!” “Ma’am, our pricing and operations are perfectly legal. Our restroom features luxurious fixtures and top-of-the-line amenities. It’s entirely normal to charge for such an experience.” Her self-righteous tone almost made me laugh in disbelief. “So, according to you, if you’re broke, you can’t even use the bathroom here? I’m not paying a cent!” Seeing my refusal, she immediately flicked on a megaphone. “Someone used our premium services and is refusing to pay! Everyone, come and be the judge!” As the crowd grew, I quickly sent the restaurant’s name to my secretary, Mia. “Look up the company behind this place. Acquire it. Immediately!” … At Brenda’s words, people swarmed from all directions, encircling me. “Well, well, look at her fancy clothes, but she won’t pay for the high-end restroom?” “Exactly! If you can’t afford it, don’t use their premium services! This place has a super luxury bathroom. No money, no entry!” A few planted voices, and Brenda’s heart swelled with delight. She stood in the center of the crowd, speaking with a condescending tone. “Ms. Avery, I know you’re a regular here, and I’m not heartless.” “How about this: pay the $18,000 today, and I’ll give you our top-tier membership. You’ll get 20% off all your future meals. What do you say?” Her utterly shameless logic almost made me choke with laughter. I, Avery, had lived over two decades, and this was the first time anyone had pointed a finger at me and called me a broke freeloader. I took a deep breath, my voice cutting clearly through the buzzing whispers. “Brenda, I will pay every single cent I owe for the meal.” “But please tell me, which state law dictates that a citizen must pay extra for using a merchant’s provided restroom?” “Law?” Brenda scoffed, a loud, theatrical laugh bursting from her, as if I’d just told the funniest joke in the world. “Listen, everyone! Look how clueless Ms. Avery is! Our luxury restroom package uses top-tier materials, space-grade nano-cleaning technology! Stay here for an hour, and you’ll shave a year off your age!” “Do you even understand high-tech? Do you understand health investment?” Her words instantly set the crowd abuzz. “What? A year younger! Brenda, let me pay and try it out!” “Some people are just cheapskates, blaming others for expensive stuff. They don’t know quality when they see it!” The tide of public opinion turned in an instant. The earlier looks of disdain now morphed into strong hostility toward me. Brenda stood on her moral high ground of “technology and health,” watching me smugly. What the hell kind of cult meeting was this? Brenda was insane, but these customers were even crazier! “Fine!” I laughed, fury boiling inside me. “Brenda, since you’re so sure you’re operating legally, let’s invite the relevant authorities to investigate.” I pulled out my phone and called the police right in front of everyone. “Hello, 911? There’s a suspected case of grand extortion here…” 2 Soon, two officers parted the crowd and walked in. Brenda immediately put on a pained expression and rushed to meet them. “Officers, thank goodness you’re here! This Ms. Avery enjoyed our exclusive services but is refusing to pay.” “We’re a legitimate business, all our services are registered with the consumer protection agency. You have to side with us!” She swiftly spun a web of lies around me. The officers, of course, wouldn’t just believe one side. I concisely recounted the events, emphasizing the absurdly high fee and her supposed anti-aging claims. The leading middle-aged officer frowned. He silently reviewed the approval documents Brenda handed him, pausing for a moment. My heart sank. This couldn’t be right. Was Brenda really that well-connected? “Ms. Avery, we understand the situation. After verification, this restaurant’s luxury restroom service—its pricing standards and relevant qualification documents—are all in order. It falls within the scope of legal business operation.” Meaning, the paperwork was complete. As for the effectiveness of the service, that was commercial advertising and not within their jurisdiction. A louder murmur of discussion immediately erupted from the crowd. “Just pay up, you cheapskate!” “Even the police say it’s fine, and she’s still stubborn as hell. So embarrassing!” Brenda’s triumphant smile was blindingly irritating. Yet, she still feigned a sigh. “Ms. Avery, why make such a scene? I run an honest business, and honesty is paramount…” Honesty, my ass! I clenched my fists tightly, barely suppressing the urge to flip a table. If there wasn’t something seriously shady going on behind the scenes, I’m not Avery! Ignoring them, I quickly unlocked my phone and messaged Mia. 【Find out the company behind this buffet. Prepare for acquisition.】 【I want to see the acquisition contract tomorrow!】 After sending the message, I looked at the smug Brenda again. “Brenda, I’ve paid for my meal. But for these illegal charges, you won’t get a single cent from me!” I couldn’t be bothered to argue with this lunatic any longer and turned to leave. Back home, the hallway light was on. Lucas was actually home at this hour. Usually, he was out networking or working late. I had just kicked off my heels when he stormed out of the living room, waving several papers. “Avery! Look at what you’ve done!” I glanced at the papers fluttering to the floor. It was a legal notice. Brenda Stone’s name was signed at the bottom. Huh, that was fast. “And this!” Lucas shoved his phone screen right in front of my face. On the trending topics, the hashtag 【Buffet Freeloader Avery】 was at number one. Clicking on it, there was a candid video from the scene. The comments were disgusting. “Freeloader and she called the cops? This woman has no shame!” “Girls, dox her! Make her social-death!” My name, my ID—everything was dug up. That crazy woman, Brenda, actually dared to stir up a mob online! Yet, my fiancé showed no concern for my distress, only relentlessly questioned why I’d caused such trouble. “Trouble? Lucas, your fiancée is being falsely accused of extortion, slandered, and cyberbullied, and you’re worried I’m embarrassing *you*?” I pointed to the legal notice on the floor. “That crazy owner, just because I used her restroom and didn’t pay $18,000, caused all this. Do you think that’s reasonable?” Lucas’s brows knitted into a tight knot. “But the police said it was legal. Why didn’t you just pay what you owed? It’s only $18,000!” “Come on, just record an apology video, pay the money, and this whole thing will blow over.” I looked at him, as if at a stranger. “Lucas, are you out of your mind? If you want to be a chump and a spineless idiot, go ahead and fork over your own cash to her, but don’t you dare drag *me* into it!” “Avery!” Lucas’s face turned scarlet. He pointed a finger at me and snapped, “You’re completely unreasonable! Do you know the company will fire you for this?” I watched him coldly, saying nothing. This company *is* mine. If anyone’s getting fired, it’ll be *him*, by *me*! Seeing I still refused to budge, he violently threw his hand up. “Fine, be Ms. High and Mighty! Let’s see how you get out of this mess!” He grabbed his jacket from the sofa, glared at me, and slammed the door as he left. I collapsed onto the small sofa in the living room and checked my SnapChat. Messages from friends kept popping up. And on my Ins feed, Brenda had seemingly posted something deliberately to annoy me. 【Just taught some cheap country bumpkin a lesson today! Couldn’t afford our premium restroom service but still called the cops! I’ve seen it all now!】 The post included an arrogant selfie of her giving the camera the middle finger, with the blurry sign of her rundown restaurant in the background. Such gall! Cyberbullying people and still acting so brazen. My finger unconsciously scrolled down, curious to see if any mutual friends had commented. Then I saw a familiar profile picture in the ‘likes’ section. It was Lucas! 3 My head instantly buzzed and exploded. Luckily, my hand was quicker than my brain, and I immediately took a screenshot. When I refreshed the feed, that red heart ‘like’ was gone. My fingers, clutching the phone, were icy cold. How did Lucas know Brenda? Whenever we went to restaurants, it was always me who ordered and paid. Lucas never got involved, did he? Suddenly, a blurred memory flashed into my mind. Two months ago, it was Lucas who had his arm around my waist, excitedly telling me about this newly opened buffet. After trying it, I was indeed impressed by their premium ingredients. I even considered booking company events there. I stared at the screenshot on my phone, took a deep breath, and called Mia. There were some things I absolutely had to get to the bottom of. The next afternoon, as soon as I arrived at the office, the front desk called me. “Ms. Avery! Someone’s causing a scene at the front desk, specifically asking for you.” Hearing the panicked voice of the receptionist, I probably guessed who it was. Sure enough, as I walked into the office area, I heard Brenda’s shrill, piercing voice. “Where’s Avery? That cheap freeloader who won’t pay needs to get her ass out here! Too scared to face me?” “It’s all because of that jinx! She made me lose a huge client! So unlucky!” The employees were dead silent, their gazes at me a mix of emotions. “Looking for me?” I pushed aside the employees blocking my way and walked towards Brenda, who was surrounded by a small crowd. “Oh, the coward finally dares to show her face?” She swayed her hips, her finger almost poking my nose. “Avery, if you’re smart, pay the $18,000 immediately! Do you know how much money I lost because of you?” “What do I care?” I raised my hand, wiped away the spittle on my face, and disgustedly shook it off. “It’s you! Freeloading then calling the cops, making me touch bad luck!” She suddenly gave a meaningful glance to two men beside her. “Hey, Mike, Sam, grab her! Take her to step over the fire to ward off bad luck! Otherwise, my business will be cursed!” Those two restaurant employees actually started moving towards me. A collective gasp filled the office. In broad daylight, in *my* territory, she dared to order her people to lay hands on me? A fierce rage shot straight to my head. Reason, image—to hell with all of it! I lunged and slapped her hard across the face. “Ah!!!” Brenda clutched her cheek, stunned for a full three seconds. “Avery! You dared to hit me!” “So what if I hit you? I hit you, you foul-mouthed lunatic.” I flexed my tingling palm. “I haven’t even settled the score with you for cyberbullying me, and you dare to come here and provoke me?” “You just wait!” Brenda was trembling with rage. She pulled out her phone and made a call. “Honey, I’ve been hit by an employee at your company! Come and defend me! She’s completely out of control!” Honey? My heart lurched. It couldn’t be that much of a coincidence, could it? After hanging up, Brenda’s face changed in an instant. “Hear that? My husband is coming out right now to deal with you!” “I advise you to get down on your knees and apologize right now, otherwise, I’ll have my husband fire you!” I laughed, my anger turning to pure cold amusement. Fire me? I’d like to see who has the guts. The elevator chimed, stopping on my floor. Everyone’s gaze turned towards it. The doors slowly opened. Lucas’s anxious face appeared before everyone. Brenda instantly fluttered over like a butterfly, tightly hugging Lucas’s arm. Every employee present gasped. “Honey, you’re finally here! It’s that cheap woman who freeloaded at my restaurant yesterday, she hit me today! Fire her, make her get out!” Brenda pointed at me, her face alight with undisguised malice and glee. But Lucas’s face froze. He hadn’t expected such a grand scene to greet him. So he didn’t even look at Brenda; his eyes were fixed on me. “Avery? You… why are you at the company today? Couldn’t you have just talked to me?” The triumphant expression on Brenda’s face instantly shattered. She abruptly released Lucas’s arm, stumbling back a step. “You… you called *her* honey?” I ignored their ashen faces and turned to Mia. “Mia, what’s the acquisition progress on the restaurant? Have the investors behind Gourmet Feast bring the contract to me, immediately!” Brenda seemed to snap back from the immense shock, bursting into loud laughter. “Avery, are you insane? A poor cheapskate who can’t even afford $18,000 for a restroom, and you think you can acquire our restaurant? Dream on!” No sooner had she spoken than the elevator chimed again. A middle-aged man in an expensive custom-tailored suit stepped out. Seeing the newcomer, Brenda’s face instantly lit up with the smugness of finding a powerful backer. “Mr. Thompson! You finally came! You have to side with me, this cheap woman, she…” But before she could finish, Mr. Thompson, whom she regarded as her savior, strode quickly towards me with an almost fawning smile. “Ms. Avery, why did you come yourself? I’ve brought the acquisition contract. When would you like to sign?”

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My wife, Elara, was washing dishes when I brought up divorce. She paused, then simply nodded. “Okay.” It was the fifth time I’d asked her. The previous four, she’d been shocked, furious, heartbroken, even pleaded with me, driving me utterly crazy. This time, though, she agreed. She agreed with such an air of indifference, so casually, as if it were a trivial matter. I watched her slender back by the sink. Amidst my excitement, a strange feeling stirred within me… I was still on the sofa, mulling over my strange, inexplicable feelings when Cynthia’s call came through. “How did it go this time? Did she agree?” Her soft voice held a hint of tension. I snapped back to reality, shook my head, and my voice was filled with relief. “Yeah, she agreed!” There was silence for a few seconds on her end, then she asked, her voice trembling: “Really? Declan, don’t mess with me!” My heart tightened. I spoke softly, “Cynthia, it’s true. She really agreed this time. We can finally be together, openly and without hiding!” A low sob came through the phone. “That’s wonderful… I can finally have you!” Feeling her excitement and overwhelming joy, my own eyes welled up a little. It was my fifth time asking Elara for a divorce. The previous four, without exception, had been rejected. Over two years, Elara went from shock and anger to pain and pleading. As for me, I went from initial guilt and a pang of conscience to numbness and outright annoyance. Every failed negotiation left me too ashamed to face Cynthia. She was so hopeful, so yearning, so patient. Despite the unconcealed sadness on her face, she would always turn around and comfort me: “We’re both women, I understand her. Besides, you two have a child. We can just work harder on a few more projects, give her more money. Sigh, if it weren’t for true love, why would we ever go down this path…” Today was my first time home in two months. I’d called ahead. When I walked in, Elara had already cooked a feast and was sitting quietly by the table lamp on the sofa, reading a book. Seeing me, she folded the corner of the page, set the book down, and calmly told me to wash my hands for dinner. She mentioned Lily was at a friend’s house downstairs for a birthday party. Before coming, Cynthia and I had agreed that if Elara still stubbornly refused to agree to the divorce, we’d raise the compensation amount in the previous divorce agreement by another 20%. I had even prepared myself for an all-night negotiation. But I never expected— The moment I opened my mouth with the first sentence, Elara so casually dismissed it. On the other end of the phone, Cynthia also sounded a bit confused. After a while, she mused, “Declan, do you think she’s playing some trick?” It wasn’t surprising that Cynthia asked this. As the Head of Negotiations for my company, she always thought one step further when faced with difficult deals. I shook my head. “I doubt it. Elara’s just a full-time homemaker; she doesn’t understand all those corporate games and deceptions.” Cynthia’s voice softened. “Looks can be deceiving, Declan. Just because she doesn’t understand it doesn’t mean she wouldn’t find someone to help. Anyway, for the company, for our future, I suggest you still be cautious.” I was silent for a moment. “Don’t worry.”

Elara walked out of the bedroom, holding a document. I looked up at her. Her eyes were unreadable, her face serene. There was none of the usual broken sadness or hysterical displays. “I’ve signed this already. Let me know when you’ve booked a time with the Registrar’s Office.” She handed me the document and turned to pour some tea. The boiling kettle gurgled, a stream of water poured down, and the rich, earthy scent of tea immediately filled the room. She picked up the cup, and I instinctively reached out to take it. But she brought it to her own lips, taking a slow, relaxed sip. Seeing my outstretched hand, she looked at me strangely: “Isn’t the divorce agreement in your hand?” I frowned slightly, withdrew my hand, and began to read the “Divorce Agreement” carefully. Ten minutes later, I looked up, asking in confusion: “This isn’t the one I gave you last time? Not a single word changed?” Elara was leaning back on the sofa, casually sipping her tea and picking up the book she hadn’t finished. She looked up from it, her expression blank for a moment before realizing what I was talking about. “Oh, no, I didn’t change it. I think it’s fine.” I stared at her for a moment, then, after thinking, I spoke. “Elara, if you still can’t get past it, I can increase the amount.” She tilted her head, a faint smile on her face. “Increase it? Did Cynthia agree?” A wave of displeasure and annoyance immediately surged through me. For the past two years, whenever the topic of divorce came up, Elara would always bring Cynthia into it. Perhaps in her eyes, I was a cheating husband who gave in to temptation, and Cynthia was a shameless homewrecker who intervened in someone else’s family. But she simply didn’t understand. The depth of the painful entanglement and difficult struggles Cynthia and I went through to finally take this step.

In fact, Cynthia and I initially couldn’t stand each other. She was the Head of Negotiations my partner had hired with a high salary—always in killer heels, bold red lipstick, and figure-hugging skirts. She was decisive and efficient at work, assertive at the negotiation table, and dared to publicly contradict me in internal meetings. Elara had a gentle, serene soul. Bare-faced most days, dressed simply, her life revolved around caring for Lily and me, sipping tea, reading, and tending to her plants. I had never encountered a woman like Cynthia in my life. One time, when I was complaining about Cynthia again, Elara was carefully pruning an orchid. She tilted her head amidst the green leaves, smiling at me. “You’ve been mentioning her quite a lot lately!” My opinion of Cynthia changed when I bumped into her in the stairwell, sitting on the steps, her face buried in her hands, crying. She looked at me, her eyes red, quickly wiped away her tears, stood up, and muttered an apology before heading off with her head held high, her heels clicking loudly. Later, I learned from my partner that she had divorced due to domestic abuse, was raising a seven-year-old daughter alone, and her ex-husband still harassed her occasionally. Thinking of this vulnerable side beneath her tough, professional exterior, my attitude toward her shifted. Cynthia reciprocated in kind. We worked together, growing increasingly in sync. At the negotiation table, she understood my unspoken intentions, and I understood her bluffs. At social gatherings, she would shield me from drinks when I was drunk or quietly hand me a warm cup of tea. One time, I saw her ex-husband harassing her again, even trying to get violent. I rushed over and threw a punch, making her gasp in surprise. I remember coming home that night with a bandage on my head, terrifying Elara. She trembled as she hugged me, repeatedly asking, “Does your head hurt? Your head can’t get hurt! Are you really okay?” Cynthia and I first slept together three years after we met. It was during a company retreat in a historic town. Elara had always yearned to visit historic towns in the South. For one of her birthdays, she’d wished that I would take her and Lily to explore one properly. So, when the HR department asked me where to hold the annual retreat, I blurted out, “The historic town.” My intention was to surprise Elara, but during that time, Cynthia and I had developed an undeniable tension, something unspoken. On a strange impulse, I didn’t tell Elara. The night in the historic town was beautiful, the wine easily intoxicating, the scenery enchanting. Cynthia, wearing a nightgown, knocked on my door, and we spent a wild, forbidden night together. We both knew we had made a terrible mistake. After we returned, I thought it over several times and cut off my direct work contact with Cynthia. She accepted my decision without a single word of complaint, though her gaze was silent and sorrowful. Elara accidentally saw pictures of the historic town on my phone and asked, surprised, “When did you go to the historic town? Why didn’t you take me?” I felt incredibly guilty and vaguely explained, “A conference, just for one day, I didn’t tell you.” Later, Cynthia submitted her resignation. I accepted it. We both knew it was for the best. After she left, we didn’t contact each other once. Until three months later, we met during a project negotiation—she had joined the opposing company. At the bar, the opposing CEO and his subordinates were aggressively pushing drinks on me. When I was once again forced to drink, Cynthia, who had been silent, picked up a bottle and smashed it over the CEO’s head. She lost her job, lost all her money, and was detained for fifteen days. The day she was released from detention, I went to pick her up. We went straight to a hotel. We made love day and night. I had made up my mind. Life is only once. To hell with family responsibilities, to hell with bottom lines and morals. Let them call me a scoundrel, a betrayer. I would indulge, I would be wild. I couldn’t let down the woman who had sacrificed so much for me. … My thoughts snapped back to the present. As my seven-year marriage reached its final step today, I didn’t want to hear Cynthia’s name from Elara’s lips again. “I’ll let you know once the time is booked. Don’t miss it.” I said coldly, then left the house. As I entered the elevator, I met my daughter, Lily. She was excitedly carrying a slice of cake, her face beaming with joy, which instantly vanished the moment she saw me. “Lily, Dad—” I didn’t finish my sentence. She walked past me expressionlessly. I frowned. Lily used to hug my neck and sweetly call me “Daddy” whenever she saw me. After two months apart, she was treating me like a stranger. I had told Elara earlier not to tell Lily about the divorce yet. Clearly, she hadn’t listened. When I reached downstairs, I looked up at the window. Lily was happily feeding Elara a slice of cake with a fork, and Elara, with a gentle smile, was leaning down to take it. My phone vibrated. I tore my gaze away. Cynthia had sent me a message: [Babe, hurry home, your wife is going to give you a big reward tonight!] It was the first time she had called me “babe.” I could imagine how thrilled and excited she must be right now. I let out a long breath and walked away, my strides firm.

The “Divorce Agreement” stipulated that: Elara would have custody of Lily and keep the house we currently lived in. Given that the company was about to go public, my company equity would remain untouched, but I would give her $8 million as compensation, to be paid in one year. Cynthia was heartbroken for me when she saw the compensation amount. “You built this from nothing over these past few years, piece by piece, and you just give it away. How many projects will it take to earn that back?” I comforted her, “After all, I wronged her. We should be thankful. If she insisted on splitting our marital assets equally, it would be far more than this.” Cynthia leaned her head on my shoulder. “I just worry about your health.” She was very efficient and quickly helped me book the divorce registration. I sent the time to Elara, and she replied with a simple, “Okay.” During the waiting period, Cynthia was visibly happy. Yes, from the first time I brought up divorce two years ago, we had encouraged each other and walked this path together, bearing a lot, experiencing a lot. She still couldn’t quite believe it. “Why did she suddenly agree? “Is she really not playing any tricks? “Happiness came too suddenly!” Not just her, but a part of me also felt a little confused. One night, exhausted, Cynthia was sleeping soundly on my chest. I stared at the moon outside the window, smoking, my thoughts a tangled mess. Suddenly, I remembered a small incident. A little over a month ago, I was in a meeting when Elara called, her voice tinged with anger: “Why did you give Lily’s piano competition spot to Cynthia’s daughter?” I was annoyed at the time and scolded her: “Lily participates every year. Chloe has never had an opportunity like this before. What’s the problem with letting her have it just once? Besides, that institution is funded by me anyway. Lily will have plenty of chances in the future!” Elara was silent for a long time, then said softly: “Do you know how hard Lily worked for this competition? She said she wanted to prove with her talent that her father didn’t play favorites, and she wanted to win a championship to make you proud…” I hated being guilt-tripped by her like that and roughly said, “I’ll buy her a gift to make up for it later. Chloe is a poor child—” She hung up before I finished speaking. On the day of the competition, I drove Cynthia and Chloe to the venue. We got stuck in traffic halfway there, and I saw Elara. She was riding a scooter, with Lily on the back. Elara didn’t drive. The road from home to the institution wasn’t far but was extremely congested, so she often rode a scooter to take Lily to piano lessons. It was a very windy day. Both mother and daughter looked disheveled, their hair a mess. I turned to look at Chloe. She was wearing a beautiful, delicate princess dress, sipping milk and nestled in Cynthia’s arms. The scooter was grazed by a car that cut in, and Elara and Lily fell to the ground. I instinctively started to get out, but Cynthia pressed my hand, slowly shaking her head: “She already dislikes me and Chloe. This situation will only make her angrier. Don’t worry, they’re not hurt, they’re already getting up.” I looked over. Mother and daughter were helping each other stand. Chloe suddenly rolled down the passenger window and yelled, “Lily!” Then, proudly and loudly, she added, “We’re going to the competition in Declan’s car! Are you going to the competition too?” In a moment of panic, I met Elara’s gaze. I thought she would make a scene. But she only gave me a fleeting glance, then turned to comfort Lily and quickly rode off with her. … Ever since I decided to take this path, bearing the public scorn, I had deliberately avoided thinking about anything that might weaken my resolve. I couldn’t be unfair to one person only to be unfair to another. I told myself that compensating her more was good enough. A full-time homemaker, never having worked a day, would still get so much money for free. She wasn’t getting a raw deal. Compared to many, she was already lucky. I extinguished my cigarette butt. And stopped the sudden rush of memories in my mind.

On the day of the divorce registration, Cynthia insisted on accompanying me. She said she wanted to sincerely apologize to Elara. I hesitated. “What if she does something outrageous to you there…” She gave a bitter smile. “That’s fine. Consider it me repaying her.” We arrived at the Registrar’s Office ten minutes early. Cynthia held my hand, and we encouraged each other. When Elara appeared, I didn’t recognize her at first. She had abandoned her usual plain, bare-faced attire, wearing a navy belted trench coat and high heels. Her long hair cascaded down her back like satin, reaching her waist. With light makeup, her skin, already fairer and smoother than most, made her teeth seem even whiter and her eyes brighter, her features exquisite. She walked in, hands in her pockets, looking utterly serene. She seemed to carry a strange, captivating aura. Wherever she stood, a peaceful, tranquil atmosphere seemed to settle. It was like that at home, and it was like that outside. The hall suddenly grew quiet, all eyes drawn to her. I felt a pang of disorientation, a remote, blurry sense of familiarity washing over me.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “298544”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic