After a business marriage, I found myself with a four-year-old daughter. Before I even met her, I braced myself for a cold, pure marriage of convenience. In my mind, I pictured a “standard” blended family life: a wife who barely noticed me, and a stepdaughter who ignored me completely. But the moment I saw that tiny figure, tugging at her dress, carefully whispering “Daddy,” I was utterly, completely done for. My heart melted. I even asked my wife, “If we ever go our separate ways, can Lily come with me?” My wife just stared: “???” Our family business hit a rough patch, and my dad was desperate to marry me off to a business partner who already had a child. Honestly, I was pretty okay with it. I was a confirmed bachelor, after all. Since she already had a kid, I wouldn’t have to worry about raising my own. Plus, I heard she was a total workaholic, never had time for her child, who was always looked after by a nanny. I figured life would be easier this way — my wife was loaded, so at least I wouldn’t have to foot the bill for the kid. The wedding was small, quiet, and low-key. Not many guests. And no, I didn’t see the kid there. My new wife, Aria , definitely lived up to her reputation as a workaholic. The ceremony barely ended before she was on a work call. Before she left, she just said, “Something urgent came up at work. I won’t be home for a few days.” “Lily is already home. Go get acquainted with her.” Lily , that was my stepdaughter’s name. My parents divorced years ago, and my relationship with my dad was pretty distant. I didn’t take much from my old home, just a small necklace pendant, when I moved into my new place.

“Mr. Thompson, the young lady is waiting for you in the living room,” Mrs. Jenkins, the housekeeper, said with a smile as I walked in. Uh… was she already planning to give me the cold shoulder? Whatever. I’d play it by ear. How hard could a four-and-a-half-year-old be? But then… Who was that perfect little doll, all rosy cheeks and sweet innocence, sitting on the sofa?! So tiny! So cute! So soft! While I was still blinking in surprise, the little one slid off the sofa and walked right up to me. In her tiny, sweet voice, she tried her best to articulate, “Mr…. Mr. Thompson, this is… Lily’s present… for… Mr. Thompson.” It was a pink bunny plushie, almost as tall as she was. Even though it was huge, she strained to push it towards me. Despite it being our first meeting, she was showing me the purest kindness. My heart warmed instantly. I quickly took the bunny, then crouched down, taking her chubby little hands in mine. “Wow! Thank you, sweet pea! I absolutely love it!” My voice was incredibly gentle. “You’re Lily, right? I’m your Daddy, and from now on, we’re a family. You can call me Daddy directly.” Oh my god! She was so adorable! I wanted to hug her so badly! How could my wife, in name only, be so careless with such a precious child? My poor little one! That’s right, from this moment on, she’s my daughter, no questions asked! The little one seemed startled by my words. Her tiny body trembled slightly, her pale little cheeks flushed pink, and her fingers unconsciously twisted the hem of her dress. Then, she cautiously, tentatively, whispered, “Da… Daddy?” After saying it, she shyly lowered her head, only to sneak a peek at me again. Heaven help me! My wife could wait; my daughter was mine!! I cleared my throat and gave a solemn “Mhm.” Then I turned to the housekeeper, who was standing nearby, and said, “I’ll take care of Lily. You can go handle your other tasks.” “Of course, Mr. Thompson.” This feeling was amazing! I tried to suppress my excitement, pretending to be calm as I gently picked up the little munchkin. One arm around her, the other holding the bunny plushie, I headed upstairs. I’d been here a few times before the wedding, so I had a general idea of the villa’s layout. It truly was a business mogul’s estate: six floors, three elevators, and two exquisite small gardens. The decor was minimalist yet grand. I took the little one to the room Aria had prepared for me and placed the bunny plushie by the pillow. “Lily, I’m sorry, Daddy didn’t get you a welcome gift. But this necklace pendant is very important to me. Could you help me keep it safe?” I took the necklace from my neck. “I’ll wear it every day!” she promised seriously. I put it on her, and she looked so happy. “How about sleeping with Daddy tonight, and tomorrow Daddy will take you to kindergarten, okay?” I tried to keep my voice as gentle as possible. If my friends saw me this soft and patient, they’d probably think I’d been replaced by an alien. “Okay,” came another soft, sweet reply. So cute. Lost in my own thoughts, I didn’t notice the faint, almost imperceptible flicker of something unusual on the little one’s innocent face. That night. “…And so, the little bunny and Daddy bunny lived happily ever after.” After finishing the story, I looked down at the little one, whose breathing was steady and who was already fast asleep, then gently closed the storybook. Just then, my phone suddenly rang. It startled me so much I nearly threw it. I fumbled to silence the ringtone. Only after confirming that Lily hadn’t been woken and her breathing was still even, did I finally relax. I tiptoed out of the room, walked far enough away to ensure she couldn’t hear me, then called back. “Leo Thompson! You hung up on me!” Chloe’s voice practically detonated over the phone. “Keep it down! I just put my daughter to sleep. And it’s my wedding night, technically. Why are you calling so late?” I grumbled. “Oh, please, everyone knows your wife didn’t even go home. She went straight back to work after the wedding.” “Wait! What did you just say? Daughter? Where did you get a daughter?” Chloe’s voice was full of shock. I frowned. “She’s my wife’s daughter. But now, she’s my daughter.” It was normal for Chloe not to know. I only found out about Lily’s existence when I was told I was marrying Aria. Aria had kept the child well-protected; the outside world knew very little. But now, Lily’s existence was public knowledge. “And also, stop yelling so loud.” “I was just worried you’d be stuck alone on your wedding night, so I called to spread some cheer!” Chloe’s tone was overly dramatic. I had no idea the little one would be so adorable. I thought that to myself but didn’t say it out loud. “Alright, what’s up?” “You have to come to the reunion this Saturday! Mason’s going to be there too. Remember! Dress to impress, look absolutely stunning, like you own the place, and show him up!” Just hearing her tone, I could picture Chloe gritting her teeth. I found it a bit amusing and soothed her, “Alright, alright, that was ages ago. I don’t care about it anymore.” She scoffed, “Humph,” and didn’t say anything else. We chatted for a few more minutes, then hung up. I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window on the fifth floor, staring out at the night sky, lost in thought. Suddenly, I remembered that summer after high school graduation.

In high school, Chloe, Mason, and I were pretty close. At a get-together after graduation, Isabella, the most popular girl, suddenly confessed her feelings for me in front of everyone. The whole place was buzzing with people cheering and making a scene. I was annoyed and rejected her outright. Isabella was famous in our grade for being beautiful, with tons of admirers, including Mason. But Isabella seemed to have a special soft spot for me, which had always bothered him. Because of my rejection, Isabella probably felt embarrassed. Mason seized the opportunity to comfort her, and they ended up together. A lot of people whispered behind our backs that Mason had picked up my sloppy seconds. Our friendship became complicated after that. I thought once we went to different colleges, we’d never cross paths again. But even though we weren’t at the same university, he still found ways to spread rumors about me, just to make my life miserable. Isabella and Mason didn’t last long, though; I heard they broke up pretty quickly. Mason would also be at the class reunion this Saturday. “Ugh, what a pain.” I irritably ran a hand through my hair. But it had been so long, maybe he’d forgotten all about it. Thinking that, I felt a bit more relaxed. Over the next few days, I spent most of my time at home with Lily. Besides taking her to and from kindergarten every day, I worked on my design sketches at home. I’m a professional fashion designer, and I wasn’t about to give up my work just because I got married. That would be too boring. Lately, this little munchkin had been a huge source of inspiration. Not sketching it out would be an insult to my professional integrity!

Saturday morning, I watched the little one quietly building blocks, a smile playing on my lips. But then I thought of the afternoon’s reunion, and couldn’t help but sigh. Why a class reunion and not a parent-teacher conference? Noticing my change in mood, Lily looked up, her small face worried, “Daddy, are you sad?” I ruffled her chubby little cheek and said, “Daddy has to go to a get-together this afternoon. Can Lily play by herself for a little while at home?” After these past few days, Lily had grown much closer to me. “Can Lily come with Daddy then? Lily will be very good and listen,” she asked, blinking her big eyes. Thinking that Mason might be at the reunion, I instinctively wanted to refuse. Her bright eyes instantly dimmed. “Okay, Lily will wait for Daddy at home.” Crap, a strong wave of guilt washed over me. It wouldn’t hurt to bring Lily, right? I’d keep a close eye on her anyway. Leaving her alone at home would make me just like her workaholic mom, wouldn’t it? “Of course you can. Lily can come with Daddy, okay?” “Yay!” Her eyes immediately lit up again, and I breathed a sigh of relief. But why did I feel like this little one had me completely wrapped around her finger? The reunion was in a private room at a club. By the time we arrived, most people were already there. “Well, well, if it isn’t our famous designer, Leo! What took you so long? We were waiting for you!” I was spotted by an eagle-eyed classmate as soon as I walked in. My plan to quietly huddle in a corner was officially ruined. I smiled and greeted them, then, seeing Chloe waving frantically at me, I took Lily’s hand and walked over. At this, everyone’s gaze shifted to us, and the chatter died down. “Leo, who is this…?” Someone asked curiously. I sat down, pulling Lily onto my lap, and frowned at the drinks piled on the table. “My daughter,” I said frankly, then looked at the server nearby, asking gently, “Excuse me, do you have any juice or milk suitable for a child?” “Yes, sir, I’ll bring it right away.” After settling Lily, I turned to Chloe. “Wipe that hungry wolf look off your face. You’re scaring my daughter.” Chloe chuckled. “Your daughter is so cute! Does she need a godmother?” She had a mischievous look. “Get lost,” I scoffed, giving her a disgusted look. We ate and chatted. A moment later, a strong scent of cologne wafted over. The next second, Lily let out a tiny sneeze. At the same time, a familiar voice cut in: “Leo, I hear you got married recently. To someone with a kid? Why would you do that? You didn’t go and become a…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but everyone understood what he was implying. “Mason! What are you being such a jerk for?!” Chloe’s temper flared instantly, and she glared at him. Mason raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise. “Oh, my bad. Did I hit a nerve?” I shifted Lily away from him, covering her little nose. My voice was icy. “Mason, could you please back off? Can’t you see my daughter is practically choking on your cologne?” “You!” His face instantly turned ugly. Then, he seemed to think of something, pointing at Lily in my arms. “So this is your second wife’s kid, huh?” He forced a fake smile, addressing Lily. “Little girl, do you really think he likes you? Wait until he has his own kids, then he’ll show his true colors and won’t want you anymore!” His expression was feigned sympathy, but the malice was unmistakable. Lily buried her face in my chest. I thought she was scared, and my anger flared. I scoffed, “Mason! Didn’t you say you were coming with your new girlfriend? Where is she? Don’t tell me… you got dumped again?” “Then again, for such a ‘sensitive’ guy, why can’t you ever hold onto anyone?” Seeing his face turn thunderous, I knew I’d hit the mark. I instantly felt a surge of satisfaction. I waved at Chloe, then picked up Lily and stood. “That’s enough of this reunion for today. I have to go.” This reunion was completely ruined. I should probably avoid these in the future. As I carried Lily, I didn’t notice the little one glance coldly over my shoulder at Mason, who stood frozen, before turning her gaze thoughtfully towards my… stomach.

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After I insisted on divorce, my ex-wife suddenly became a millionaire and got together with my best friend. Meanwhile, I ended up working three jobs a day as a waiter. When we met again, it was at an upscale club. My friend said with some regret, “If you hadn’t insisted on the divorce back then, you’d be the one enjoying the high life now. In the end, your luck always falls just a bit short.” And she looked on indifferently, holding her new husband’s hand, with the composure of someone who had trampled me into the mud. She let everyone jeer at me, treating me as worthless. I knew Madison was waiting to see me embarrassed, waiting to see me regret it. But unfortunately, I remained like an outsider the whole time! After setting down the fruit platter, I said politely, “Everything’s here. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head out now.” Madison lost control of her emotions a bit and stood up to block my path. This was the first time we’d met since the divorce six years ago. She was still fixated on the fact that I had abandoned her, as if she was determined to get an explanation. Yes, no one could understand why I wanted a divorce. Back then, we were the perfect match in the eyes of elders and friends, and we got married with everyone’s blessing. Although we didn’t live in luxury, Madison was good at taking care of the home. Everyone around us had nothing but praise for her. Even my parents said, “Jason, you married such a wonderful woman like Madison. What more could you want?” When I brought up divorce, they said I didn’t know what was good for me. Even though my mother slapped me and my father threatened to disown me. I still left Madison without looking back. Looking at the refined, elegant, and triumphant woman before me. I smiled slightly. “Even if you’ve become a billionaire now, I’m still glad I left you back then.” I had no time to address everyone’s confusion. I left with one sentence: “Six years have passed, and you’ve never once thought about what you did wrong.” I really envied how she could live so shamelessly. Little did she know what kind of grievances I suffered in that hellish marriage. When we first got married, Madison sold our wedding apartment behind my back. When I came home from a business trip, all that greeted me were several large bags of luggage in the hallway. That’s when I found out we had no home. Exhausted and tired, I called her to ask why. All I got was her impatient rebuke: “A distant relative got sick and needed money for surgery. She’s family after all—what’s wrong with selling the apartment to help her?” It wasn’t that I wouldn’t let her help, but I hoped she would act within our means. Plus, we had just gotten married and were struggling ourselves. We could barely take care of our own needs most of the time. What I really minded was that the apartment was bought with money we saved together. How could she sell it without even telling me? I struggled to drag those large bags, under the scorching sun, not even knowing where I could stay. My confused and aggrieved behavior somehow angered Madison. “All you do is complain! The apartment’s already sold—what more do you want? I promise I’ll buy you a big mansion to live in later, okay?” Ignoring my sadness and confusion, she hung up and took a long leave from work. I thought she was taking time off to find us a new place. Instead, she dove headfirst into the hospital to take care of that so-called relative we hadn’t even met before. Everyone gave me a thumbs up: “Jason, your wife really is a genuinely good person!” Even when the neighbor’s dog went missing, Madison would help search for it late at night after working overtime. She was clearly exhausted, yet she ignored my concern. She didn’t go home until she found the dog, dragging her tired body back.

Before marriage, I just thought she was warm-hearted. It proved she was a kind person. But the more time we spent together, the more I couldn’t accept how she was full of kindness toward outsiders while being harsh and irritable only with me. Three months after selling the wedding apartment, we could only squeeze into a cramped, rundown apartment. When it rains, it pours—she got pregnant. The doctor said pregnant women needed to stay happy and should receive extra care and consideration. To help her have peace of mind during pregnancy, I requested a transfer to a less demanding position. Madison thought I was making too big a deal of it, and she also believed that relative’s words that I was trying to slack off and lacked ambition. Then she brought several relatives who needed help back to our rental to stay, demanding I take care of them. The house was like a market every day, giving me splitting headaches. The mountain of housework and the messy, cluttered living room broke through my last line of defense. Unable to bear it any longer, I drove them away. Madison got angry and had a huge fight with me. “They’re all my family. Without them helping and raising me, I would’ve been wandering in some corner long ago.” “Anyway, since you married me, you have to help me take care of them. That’s your fate.” After saying this, she glanced disgustedly around the house. Pointing her finger at me: “I’m going to pick them up and bring them back. You hurry up and clean the house, and mop the floor too.” When she slammed the door on her way out, she used so much force that it swung open again. A passing neighbor shook their head and clicked their tongue a few times. “Your wife is pregnant. It’s normal for her emotions to be unstable. What’s wrong with doing a bit more housework? No wonder Madison is so angry.” Madison was extremely popular. Whenever there was any conflict between us, outsiders always thought I was being unreasonable. At that time, I lost twenty pounds from anxiety and insomnia, looking haggard beyond recognition. I couldn’t care about others pointing fingers, and showed weakness to her time and again. “The doctor said you need to rest and protect the pregnancy. Plus, our financial situation isn’t good—we don’t have extra money to help those relatives.” I couldn’t understand why she insisted on bringing these relatives to the city. The place was cramped, and we even had to sleep on the floor at night. They had houses and land in the countryside where they could eat and live comfortably. I patiently tried to persuade her: “Madison, even if you send them half your salary every month, I won’t say anything. But having them stay here is seriously affecting our lives…” Madison wouldn’t listen. She just thought I was heartless and gave me the cold shoulder for a long time. Until she became increasingly irritable, the fetal movements became abnormal, and the doctor recommended hospital observation. Only then did she reluctantly send those relatives away. But it was already too late. For the sake of her health, the doctor said the pregnancy was no longer viable and strongly recommended ending it. Madison refused, cursing: “I’ve already sent the relatives away. From now on, just cook two extra dishes per meal and take good care of me. I don’t believe that if I eat well and sleep well, there’ll be problems with the baby!” I was shocked by her words, as if I was meeting her for the first time. The doctor said the fetal condition was unstable, and if she continued the pregnancy, even her life would be in danger. If she had any regard for herself at all, she couldn’t possibly say such outrageous things. At that moment, the blood in my body seemed to freeze. Knowing there was no point communicating with such a person, I supported the doctor’s decision. When she came out of the operating room, pale as death. A slap came flying at me. I stood there stunned. Then came Madison’s furious voice: “Jason, you’re so evil! Give me back my child!” This incident became known throughout the entire community. Many neighbors came voluntarily to comfort Madison. Although they didn’t say it directly, everyone who looked at me showed disgust in their eyes. Some self-righteous justice warriors mocked me: “Sigh, poor Madison was really looking forward to the baby. When marrying, you really should marry someone generous, otherwise even good people don’t get good outcomes.”

Madison could have explained the doctor’s recommendation. But she didn’t, and she actually enjoyed the feeling of being sympathized with by everyone. I suddenly felt too tired to speak. Looking at the woman putting on an act with extreme disappointment. I asked her, “Have you had enough of this act?” No one felt the pain of losing the child more than I did. Besides, it wasn’t my fault. “Madison, why would someone like you get married and harm others?” “Being your closest person is such bad luck. I won’t stop you from being busy loving the world—let’s get divorced.” I packed my things and moved out. Before leaving, I returned her slap. She covered her reddened face from my slap but didn’t ask me to stay. Because she didn’t need to do it herself—naturally, others would come to defend her. First were my parents. They threatened me with both carrot and stick: “What exactly did Madison do wrong? This whole thing was your fault to begin with. Who told you to agree to it? It’s understandable that she’s so angry.” “And look, which daughter-in-law would run over on the weekend to go shopping with her mother-in-law? Last week I just coughed a few times, and she bought medicine and made soup to take care of me—she’s like my own child.” “Anyway, I won’t allow you to throw tantrums with her anymore!” Seeing that I wouldn’t listen to anything, Dad issued an ultimatum: “You must move back in today and apologize properly to Madison, or our father-son relationship ends here!” Then there was my best friend, Marcus. He was still moved by how Madison once drove him back to his distant hometown. Following my parents’ lead, he kept accusing me: “Jason, you really are in the wrong here. I feel like ever since you got married, you’ve become so petty. Not knowing how to be understanding isn’t a good habit.” Even my good friend had received favors from Madison. Only I, since getting married, had never received a single bit of kindness from her. She could donate a month’s salary to a stray animal organization. She could also, at an invitation from the community group chat, happily abandon me to go volunteer. During a hurricane, the window in our house cracked. I was scared and shivering. She took a call and left to accompany a male friend from the community, telling me to stay alone. I said I was scared. She found me pretentious: “What’s there to be scared of? Do you think you’re still a child?” After hurting me with her words, she went out into the storm. Even when she fell heavily in the strong wind and broke bones all over her body. She still got up and endured the pain to go accompany that male friend. Or like when she promised to go with me to the hospital for a gastritis checkup, but the next second abandoned me to go eat with friends. Things like this were too numerous to count on ten fingers. Sometimes I really felt I was worth less than trash. Disapproval floated in Marcus’s eyes as he continued to accuse me: “Jason, I won’t help you this time either. No matter what, you shouldn’t have agreed to it.” Looking at these people’s faces, I pulled out the medical report. “The doctor said the baby couldn’t be saved. Can you understand that? It wasn’t that I agreed to it.” “You’re all as stubborn as Madison, never caring about her well-being.” Seeing the evidence, they were left speechless and finally shut up. But what I didn’t expect was this. During the cooling-off period between Madison and me, Marcus would take advantage of the opportunity. He claimed to have stomach cancer and begged Madison to accompany him for wedding photos. His excuse: “My life is about to end. My only dying wish is to take a set of wedding photos, I just need a bride…” Then he blinked at me: “Jason, can I borrow your wife? You won’t be angry, right?”

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After a car accident, my wife lost her memory and fell in love with the man who took her to the hospital. Three years later, she demanded I leave the marriage with nothing, claiming she was pregnant with her lover’s child. I agreed. But then she recovered her memory and chased me to a foreign country, begging me to get back together. She didn’t know—I had already lost all feelings for her. Because I, too, had recovered my lost memories. “Sign it. Sawyer says he wants this baby. I have to get divorced.” Sitting across the table was the woman I’d loved for seven years—Vivian Chase, the heir apparent to Chase Corporation. And I was her husband. “Vivian, think this over again.” The one trying to talk her out of it was Vivian’s mother. “Once you recover your memory, you’ll definitely regret this.” That’s right—my wife had lost her memory. Three years ago, on our first wedding anniversary, she drove to the supermarket to buy ingredients. She said she wanted to cook me a big dinner herself, just like when we were dating. But she didn’t come back for a long time. The day after I filed a police report, the hospital called to tell me my wife had been in a car accident. When I rushed to the hospital, I found my wife gazing affectionately at the young man who had brought her there. Then the doctor told me—my wife had lost her memory. Her memories stopped three years ago, right before the day we first met. She didn’t remember that I was the husband she’d pursued for two years. What was more terrifying was that she had fallen madly in love with the young man who’d brought her to the hospital. The day after she was discharged, she asked me for a divorce. I looked into her eyes and saw nothing but seriousness—the same seriousness as when she’d confessed her love to me, promising to love me forever. It felt like a knife through my heart. I didn’t agree. I couldn’t let go of what we had. So she moved out. Over the past three years, I’d heard about many crazy things Vivian had done for that man. After all, Chase Corporation was quite famous, and Vivian herself was beautiful and accomplished. More importantly, many of those things were things she’d never done for me.

Sometimes I think love really is an ephemeral thing. Mere memory alone can completely change who receives love’s affection. Over these three years, plenty of people tried to talk Vivian out of her foolishness. Every friend and relative who’d witnessed our love urged her to come home and stay for a while. Later they urged me instead, saying that once Vivian recovered her memory, she’d remember just how much she’d loved me. So I endured for three years. I endured when they told me Vivian had bought the man’s company just to make him dependent on her. I endured when they told me she’d bought an island as a gift for him. I even endured when I learned they were living together and calling each other husband and wife. But now, I couldn’t endure it anymore. “Fine.” I smiled. “Bring me the agreement. I’ll sign it.” “Adrian, I don’t agree to this.” Vivian’s mother grabbed my hand, tears streaming down her face. “Vivian just lost her memory. She loved you so much, and you loved her so much. Fate is just… being too cruel to you both.” My parents died young. Over these years, Vivian’s parents had treated me very well. “It’s okay. Haven’t you always wanted a grandchild? She’s pregnant now. The child is innocent.” I wiped away her tears. “That man is good too. Vivian and I… we just weren’t meant to be.” “I can’t believe you agreed so easily.” Vivian laughed coldly. The look in her eyes held none of the love from days past—only contempt. Which made sense—in her current memories, I was just the man who refused to divorce her and stood in the way of her new love. “She’s already pregnant. If I don’t agree, should I make that child grow up in a broken home?” “You?” Vivian glanced at me and suddenly sneered. “Looks like I couldn’t have loved you that much back then. Otherwise, why didn’t you get me pregnant in the year we were married?” I grabbed my water glass and splashed it in her face. “Get out!” She wiped her face awkwardly, still managing to deliver a threat. “Just you wait. After the divorce, this house won’t be yours either!” After she left, Vivian’s mother said to me. “Adrian, you should move in with us. Even if you’re no longer Vivian’s husband, you can still be like a son to me.” I shook my head. Over these three years, Vivian hadn’t failed to cause scenes with her parents. She refused to go home. When I went to her office, she had people block me. But she needed my agreement to divorce. When friends felt too awkward to approach me, she went to her parents. After being scolded by them a few times, she simply stopped going home to them either.

After finally convincing Vivian’s mother to leave, a friend sent word that the man wanted to meet me. Sawyer—the young man who’d taken my wife to the hospital that year. Now that she was pregnant, I was afraid he might get hurt during our meeting, which would look bad. I refused without thinking twice, but my friend said Sawyer was determined to see me. He was waiting at a café right now and wouldn’t leave until he saw me. These two really were the bane of my existence. I cursed all the way to the café and immediately spotted Sawyer sitting by the window when I walked in. Actually, thinking about it carefully, I didn’t have any deep grudge against Sawyer. Some friends called Sawyer someone who stole another man’s wife, but I said the fault ultimately lay with Vivian. Sawyer was pretty innocent if you thought about it—he did a good deed by taking an injured person to the hospital, then got struck by love at first sight through no fault of his own. And I understood what Vivian was capable of doing for a man. She was attractive enough on her own, and Sawyer was a young man fresh out of school. With all her sweet words and grand gestures, even a heart of stone wouldn’t stand a chance. Sawyer wore a light-colored shirt. His neat short hair looked gentle and clean in the sunlight, though his complexion wasn’t great. “Adrian, thank you for coming.” His voice was as mild as his appearance. People who knew us said Sawyer and I were complete opposites. He studied art, had a gentle personality, and looked refined. When he stood somewhere, he looked like the classic male lead. Before I met Vivian, I was a botanist who spent years trekking through forests. Because I became a team leader at a young age, my personality was inevitably strong-willed. Back then, Vivian hadn’t fully taken over the company yet—she was still a thrill-seeking heiress who spent who knows how much money following our team on expeditions. Along the way, I scolded this rich girl countless times for lacking wilderness survival knowledge. When she first pursued me, I refused. I loved the days of adventuring through rainforests and deep mountains. Being a rich man’s husband might be many people’s dream, but it wasn’t mine. But Vivian really knew how to win people over. She showed me things I’d never had—the warmth of parents and family. Her parents were truly wonderful, treating me like their actual son. And she promised me marriage wouldn’t tie me down—she’d be my support. All lies. When we first got married, I didn’t give up my career. Not until she said she wanted children did I consider temporarily transferring to a laboratory. Then, while I was processing the paperwork, the accident happened. She lost her memory. My vows wouldn’t allow me to just abandon her, so I went to the laboratory and continued my research through the three years of her constant divorce demands. Thinking about it now, it was time to let her go. I was starting to miss my pre-marriage life.

I sat down across from Sawyer at his invitation. Since she’d just gotten pregnant, he still looked slender overall. “You wanted to see me? I’ve agreed to the divorce.” I told him my decision directly. To my surprise, Sawyer started crying. “Why are you crying? I already agreed to the divorce.” I was completely baffled. He just kept wiping away tears. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” His tears even made my heart soften. “You haven’t wronged me in any way. You’re not the one who made Vivian lose her memory. These things happen—there’s nothing anyone can do.” I took a sip of my latte. Usually I drank coffee like water, but today for the first time I found latte so bitter. “You and she already have a child. In the future, just live your lives well.” Sawyer cried in hiccups. “I didn’t want this. Really, I didn’t want this.” As people around us began focusing attention on our table, for the first time today I felt powerless. “Stop crying.” I resignedly began wiping his tears. “I don’t blame you. Really.” “Sawyer!” Just then, the café door was violently pushed open and Vivian rushed in like a gust of wind. “I didn’t think you were this shameless!” She grabbed my wrist hard, as if trying to break my wrist bone. “Sawyer did nothing wrong. If you have complaints, take them out on me!” Wait, when did I not notice Vivian had vision problems? “Are you sick? Why would I make things difficult for him?” “Vivian, Adrian didn’t make things difficult for me. Let him go.” Vivian flung my hand away hard. “Thud”—my hand slammed hard into the table edge. “Hiss.” I was about to go into the mountains soon. If I sprained my hand, that would be trouble. However, I’d still underestimated how unreasonable Vivian could be. She pulled Sawyer around, checking him left and right, and found he’d only cried until his eyes were swollen. “Listen here, Adrian. I’m the one who insisted on divorcing you. If you dare trouble Sawyer again, I absolutely won’t let you off.” How was my judgment so poor back then? This woman not only had bad eyes, but a bad brain too. “Let me tell you something too, Vivian. We’re definitely getting divorced. Also…” I raised my hand and slapped her across the face. “Since you’re so eager to divorce, bring the agreement soon and stop wasting my time.”

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I can see the countdown to death above everyone’s head. And my wife, Vivian Ashford—her death was scheduled for today. For ten years, she maintained the illusion that she couldn’t have children. But today, she brought home a five-year-old boy, along with her lover. She laid her cards on the table, and the elders gathered around, urging me to be magnanimous. “Marcus, Vivian hasn’t had it easy. Women always love children—just think of him as another son. What’s the harm?” I watched the rapidly ticking countdown above her head: [00:01:30]. I said quietly, “I won’t acknowledge this child of unknown origin.” Vivian looked at me like I was a fool she’d completely manipulated. She proudly wrapped her arm around her true love’s waist and announced, “Whether you acknowledge him or not, I can’t abandon them—father and son. From now on, I’ll spend days with you and nights with him…” Countdown: [00:00:10]. I spoke calmly: “If that’s how it is, then let’s get divorced.” Her eyes widened in fury. Just as she was about to explode, she suddenly clutched her chest and collapsed straight down. The countdown reached zero.

The instant Vivian collapsed, the entire Ashford family living room fell deathly silent. Blake Harrison, whose face had been smug just a second before, now looked completely drained of color. His anguished scream tore through the air. “Vivian! Vivian, what’s wrong! Wake up!” The five-year-old boy stood frozen in place, his face blank with confusion, then he too burst into tears. I stood where I was, watching the numbers above Vivian’s head extinguish completely. Nothing remained there now but emptiness. She was dead. “Quick! Call an ambulance!” “It’s you! Marcus Bennett! You’re the one who upset her to death!” Blake suddenly looked up, glaring at me with hatred. I pulled out my phone and steadily dialed emergency services. Then I dialed the police. “Hello, police? My wife just died suddenly. I suspect it has something to do with the man beside her.” My voice wasn’t loud, but it carried clearly to every corner of the living room. Blake looked at me in disbelief, as if I were insane. “You… what are you saying! How could I hurt Vivian!” I lowered my eyes and stopped looking at her. The ambulance and police cars arrived almost simultaneously. After examining her on the scene, the paramedics shook their heads regretfully. “Time of death approximately ten minutes ago. Preliminary judgment is sudden cardiac arrest.” The police began their routine procedures, securing the scene and asking questions. Vivian’s parents arrived after hearing the news. The moment her mother, Eleanor, entered and saw Vivian on the floor, her eyes rolled back and she fainted, barely caught by her father, Richard’s, frantic hands. When Eleanor came to, the first thing she did was rush at me, hand raised to strike. “You useless piece of trash! Did you poison her food! My daughter was perfectly fine—how could she just die!” Her hand was stopped by an officer. I looked at her face, twisted with rage. The countdown above her head showed [3 years, 2 months, 11 days]. Not long. But long enough for her to suffer. My unusual composure made me the biggest suspect in their eyes. “Mr. Bennett, we need you to come to the station with us to cooperate with the investigation.” I nodded, picked up my phone, and followed the officers out. As I passed Blake, he looked at me with eyes full of both venom and triumph. He thought I was finished. I looked at the bright [52 years, 6 months, 3 days] above his head and the corner of my mouth curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

The interrogation room’s lights were blindingly white. The officer across from me asked routine questions. I answered calmly. “How was your relationship with your wife?” “Ten years of marriage. What do you think?” “What was your reaction when she brought her lover and illegitimate child home?” “I refused to let her bring the child into our home.” The officer tapped the table and leaned forward, his gaze sharp. “Then why did you ask for a divorce?” “Because she wanted me to live under the same roof with them—father and son. I found it disgusting.” My tone was matter-of-fact. The officer fell silent, seeming to judge the truth of my words. I added, “Vivian had hereditary heart disease.” “She relied on medication to maintain her condition. But I’m guessing today she got too agitated and forgot to take her pills.” The officer immediately called to verify. I sat calmly in my chair, waiting for the results. My countdown ability had existed since I could remember. It was never wrong. Vivian’s death was fate. It had nothing to do with me. But they didn’t believe that. Two hours later, the preliminary autopsy report came out. Cause of death: acute massive myocardial infarction. No toxic substances were found in the deceased’s blood or stomach contents. Combined with my testimony and the medical records and medications found in her study safe, everything made perfect sense. My suspicion was cleared. When I walked out of the police station, dawn was breaking. The Ashford family car was parked outside. Eleanor and Blake were both there. When they saw me emerge, Eleanor immediately rushed over. “You bastard! My daughter’s health was always fine! How could she have heart disease! It was you! You worthless piece of trash—you killed her!” She acted like a madwoman, barely restrained by Richard. Blake held the child. “It’s all my fault. If we hadn’t come back and upset Marcus, Vivian wouldn’t have…” His words outwardly sounded conciliatory, but subtly placed all the blame on me. I watched their family’s theatrical performance with cold eyes, feeling nothing. I walked forward and looked at Blake. “Now that Vivian is dead, what do you plan to do with your child?” Blake’s crying stopped short. He instinctively protected the five-year-old. “This is Vivian’s child. Of course I’ll raise him!” “Oh.” I nodded. “Then good luck with that.” I walked past them, flagged down a taxi, and left directly. Behind me came Eleanor’s even shriller curses. I returned to what could no longer be called a home. Vivian’s body had been removed, but the air still held the cold scent of death. I began packing. I didn’t want to stay in this place for even one more second.

Vivian’s funeral was held on a grand scale. Business elites, friends, and family all came. As her husband, I stood there in a black suit, face calm, accepting various looks of sympathy or scrutiny. Blake came too, holding the hand of the boy named Finn, both dressed in white. Eleanor was supported throughout, casting hateful glances my way. In front of all the guests, she pointed at my nose and cursed. “You useless trash! You killed my daughter, and now you want to divide up the Ashford family fortune? I’m telling you—as long as I’m alive, you won’t get a single penny!” She lunged at me trying to tear at my clothes, but was pulled back by nearby relatives. I stood in place, motionless. I didn’t even raise an eyebrow. “Please calm down.” My words only made her angrier. “How can you be so heartless!” Blake “fainted” at just the right moment, causing chaos. “Blake! Blake, what’s wrong!” “Quick! Get him to a hospital! He’s practically half a son of the Ashford family now!” A solemn funeral completely devolved into a farce about inheritance. I watched coldly, finding it utterly ridiculous. After the funeral came the reading of the will. The Ashford family’s private attorney, Mr. Peterson, opened the document folder. Everyone held their breath, especially Blake and Vivian’s parents. They were certain Vivian would have left her fortune to her “son.” Mr. Peterson cleared his throat and began reading. “I, Vivian Ashford, hereby establish this will… All property in my name, including but not limited to fifty-one percent shares in Ashford Corporation, three properties, and all bank deposits and securities…” He paused and looked at me. “Shall be inherited entirely by my legal husband, Mr. Marcus Bennett.” The air fell deathly silent. Every eye focused on me with shock, confusion, and fury. Blake’s face instantly lost all color. He swayed unsteadily. Eleanor was the first to react, screaming out loud. “Impossible! This will is fake! How could my daughter leave everything to you, you bastard! This will must be fake!

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Lucas and I were a couple with disabilities—his legs were paralyzed, and I was born mute. To make ends meet and pay for his treatment, I worked three jobs a day. Then one time while cleaning windows at high altitude, I had an accident. I survived the fall, but the baby in my belly didn’t. He held me and sobbed, cursing himself over and over for being useless. “Don’t blame yourself. We’ll have another child,” I mouthed weakly, using practiced sign language to comfort him. Just three days after my miscarriage, I secretly returned to work. But as I cleaned the last floor, a figure inside the glass window made me tremble all over. I nearly lost my footing again. “Lucas, you keep making me assign the most dangerous high-altitude cleaning jobs to Summer. She already had a miscarriage last time. Aren’t you afraid something will happen again?” “You’re faking poverty and disability to deceive her. You’re going to get caught eventually.” Lucas laughed carelessly. “Tanya insisted on playing this game with me back then. I wouldn’t have agreed if she hadn’t refused to come back otherwise.” “This game is almost over anyway. When Tanya comes back, I’ll just find some excuse to tell Summer I can walk again. She’s so naive—she believes whatever I say.” My heart seized with pain. Clutching my stomach, I let out a bitter laugh. Never again, Lucas. I’ll never believe you again.

A coworker nearby saw how pale I looked and asked with concern, “Summer, are you okay? You look terrible. You just had a miscarriage—you should be resting properly. Money can always be earned later.” “If Lucas knew you were working this hard, he’d definitely want to get better soon.” Through the window, I watched the man casually pull out a box of cigars from the compartment and light one. With his other hand, he tapped on his phone a few times. The next second, my phone vibrated several times. “Babe, I’ll come see you at the hospital later. I made your favorite cream of mushroom soup.” I loosened my grip at my side, my heart suddenly aching. In five years together, Lucas never knew I was allergic to mushrooms. I felt sorry for him with his immobile legs and didn’t want him to go to the trouble. Seeing Lucas’s hopeful eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to tell him. So every time, I’d force down the soup despite the discomfort, then secretly take allergy medication behind his back. I sent a simple reply: “No need to come. Wait for me at home.” When I opened the door, I heard crashing sounds inside, followed by the thud of something heavy falling. Pots and bowls had fallen on Lucas. Seeing me home, Lucas lay sprawled on the floor, his eyes suddenly reddening as he pounded his legs viciously. “Summer, it’s all because I’m useless! I can’t even help you set out the dishes.” A bowl suddenly fell from the shelf, about to hit his thigh. Lucas instinctively moved his leg out of the way. Pretending not to notice, I went forward to help him up. Usually I would frantically sign to comfort him, but this time I suddenly felt exhausted. I just shook my head to indicate it was fine. Lucas was about to speak when his phone rang. Clear delight flickered in his eyes. “Summer, I found a really good doctor. She just came back to the country. I want to go see her about my legs first.” I lowered my eyes and signed, “Do you want me to come with you?” Lucas smiled and patted my head like always. “You just wait at home for me. I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you again this time.” I didn’t miss the flash of panic in Lucas’s eyes, but I didn’t say anything more. While Lucas was out, I called a car on my phone. I followed Lucas the whole way, noticing the surroundings becoming increasingly familiar. Lucas’s Maybach finally stopped right at the bar where I worked part-time. After switching shifts with the manager, I rushed to the changing room, threw on my work uniform, and hastily put on a mask. As soon as I opened the private room door, I heard unanimous congratulations. “Congratulations on returning to the country, Miss Ji. Someone can finally stop pretending to be crippled.” In the distance, Lucas sat casually on the sofa with his legs crossed. My hand holding the tray suddenly trembled, and the bottle of expensive wine shattered. The manager bowed repeatedly to the person in the main seat. “So sorry, Mr. Walker. This one’s mute and clumsy. Let me get someone else.” At this, one of them laughed loudly. “Lucas, she’s just like your girlfriend—also mute.” Lucas suddenly glanced at me and frowned slightly. The private room’s dim lighting meant I could only see Lucas standing up. I instinctively gripped the hem of my clothes. Suddenly a gentle female voice spoke—soft, yet clearly reaching my ears. “Lucas, help me see if my hair looks good like this?” Lucas instantly looked away and sat down, waving dismissively at the manager. I stared blankly as he carefully fixed the hair of the girl beside him, his movements gentle and restrained. Then I heard someone ask, “Lucas, your girlfriend still thinks you’re really disabled. Otherwise she wouldn’t keep refusing surgery. What if she finds out and breaks up with you?” I lowered my eyelids, lost in thought, accidentally pressing my hands into the pile of broken glass. The pain suddenly brought tears to my eyes. That’s right—we were only boyfriend and girlfriend. Lucas had always refused to marry me. I’d proposed to him countless times. He only ever said “wait a little longer.” I never knew what he was waiting for. Now I finally understood—he was waiting for another girl to stop being angry, waiting for her to come back. Lucas’s cold voice pulled me back to reality. I heard him sneer, his expression detached, as if discussing something trivial. “Break up? In her heart, I’m more important than her own life. How could she bear to break up with me?” “Besides, what right does a mute like Summer have to influence my decisions? The time I’ve wasted playing this game with her is already compensation enough.” I instinctively clenched my fists. The pain in my palm spread to my heart, making my vision go black. I cleaned up the broken glass and left the bar. As soon as I got in the car home, Lucas sent a message. “Honey, the doctor is really busy. I’m still waiting for her. Go to sleep first.” It was followed by a string of caring reminders, but I couldn’t read a single word. So a person’s heart really can be divided in two. And in his eyes, this was a gift to me. I mechanically replied “okay,” then sent a text to the number I knew by heart. “I’ve made up my mind. Schedule the surgery to restore my voice. I agree to your conditions.”

Not long after I got home, a strange number added me on Ins. The person didn’t say a word, but I knew it was Tanya. I didn’t know how she got my number. Soon she posted a new update—a picture of someone’s back standing in front of a pot of soup, steam still rising. “First day back in the country. Finally got to drink the cream of mushroom soup I’ve been craving.” I numbly scrolled through Tanya’s feed. Lucas’s figure was everywhere. When I got to a recent post, my fingertips trembled uncontrollably. “He flew thousands of miles to spend my birthday with me. I’m not going to forgive him that easily.” The date was our anniversary. That day I’d made a whole table of dishes and ordered a cake I couldn’t usually afford. But Lucas disappeared for three days without a word. When he came back, he apologized and told me he’d gone to see doctors, but it still didn’t help. I’d comforted him all night. Now I just felt stupid and ridiculous. Lucas came home very late, struggling to pull himself onto the bed with his arms. He wrapped me in his embrace, his chin nuzzling my neck, kissing me intermittently. “The doctor said my legs have a great chance of recovery. She’s very skilled. In a week I should be able to stand.” He probably didn’t realize how obvious the smell on him was—a sickly sweet women’s perfume assaulting my nose. I suppressed the nausea churning in my stomach and pushed him away, staring at him coldly. The hickey on his neck was glaring. I couldn’t help tearing up. Lucas stiffened for a moment, frowning in displeasure. “Summer, what are you throwing a tantrum about now? So I came home a little late—I’m doing this so I can stand up sooner.” I wanted to ask him—did I really seem that easy to fool? Accidentally glancing at his wrist, I froze when I saw the watch. In the picture Tanya sent me, she was wearing an identical women’s version of the same watch. I’d once passed by a display window where all the watches were astronomically priced. I’d only dared look from afar. Lucas had seen the longing in my eyes and held my hand, his expression serious. “Babe, someday I’ll personally design a pair of watches just for us.” On his computer, the design file for this pair of watches was named “True Love.” Following my gaze, panic flashed in Lucas’s eyes. “I bought this from a street vendor when I went out. I saw it looked similar to my design, so I bought it for reference.” “I want to design something unique for you.” But Lucas’s expression remained serious as always. I couldn’t find a single flaw. As if he were stating a fact. I wanted to ask him who he originally designed this watch for. But when the words reached my lips, I realized I didn’t even have the ability to speak them. Staring at the man before me, I signed, “Lucas, let’s break up.” Lucas’s expression changed dramatically.

Seeing the number flashing on his phone, Lucas’s face changed drastically as he quickly answered. My throat couldn’t speak, but my hearing was sharper than most people’s. Even with Lucas covering the receiver, intermittent sobbing leaked through. “Lucas, my foot is fractured. It hurts so much.” Without even looking up, Lucas spoke hurriedly. “Babe, the doctor has something urgent. I need to go right away—I’ll miss my chance otherwise.” “Whatever you were about to say, let’s talk when I get back.” Lucas got into his wheelchair in just a few moves, even shifting his feet directly several times. He didn’t even notice his hands gripping the wheelchair were trembling. I smiled until my eyes reddened. He’d been home for half an hour, but if he’d looked even once, he would’ve seen the wound on my hand. The wound on my hand had already started festering and throbbing with pain. I pressed my lips together and decided to go to the hospital for an appointment. The doctor frowned when he saw my wound. “If you’d come any later, you could’ve lost this hand.” I nodded. The doctor glanced at the VIP room in the distance and sighed. “People really do have different fates. That girl only scraped her skin a little, but her boyfriend urgently called all the hospital’s specialists and even contacted the director to clear out a premium room.” “Afraid she’d worry and be scared, he hasn’t left her side for a second. So fortunate.” Seeing my lack of reaction, the doctor realized and continued writing me a prescription to get an injection. Passing by Tanya’s room, the cross necklace around her neck was conspicuous and painful to see. When Lucas’s legs suddenly lost feeling, I took him to see every famous doctor, but got no useful information. With no other options, I could only place my hopes in God. I’d gotten that cross necklace after praying for a long time at the church. Lucas’s eyes had reddened—it was the first time he cried in front of me. But less than a month later, the cross necklace was gone. I searched everywhere I could think of.

So it wasn’t lost—it was just given to someone else. Tanya removed the cross, her eyes suddenly reddening. “Lucas, this cross is too heavy. Whenever I wear it, I feel uncomfortable all over. Could it be because of this that I had an accident as soon as I came back?” Lucas took the cross, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. Then he pulled out a box from his pocket. Inside was a sapphire necklace—I recognized it as the Walker family heirloom necklace. More expensive than my cross. Lucas leaned forward to help Tanya put on the new one, casually tossing the old one in the trash. “That cheap thing doesn’t suit you.” The two embraced and kissed. Tanya suddenly opened her eyes and looked at me provocatively. The last thread in my mind suddenly snapped. I’d thought I was already mentally prepared. But actually seeing this scene, my heart still couldn’t help aching. A pinned message suddenly popped up from Lucas. I smiled bitterly, glancing at the embracing couple in the room. I only replied with a few brief words: “Lucas, let’s break up.” For five or six days straight, Lucas didn’t come home. Tanya updated her feed daily. Lucas had taken her to the world’s first amusement park. The two embraced in a high-rise river-view room, the window reflecting ambiguous marks on their bodies. Over these days, I slowly packed my things, only to discover that everything I owned didn’t even fill half a suitcase. After gathering my documents, I threw the wedding photo from the bedside into the trash. Perhaps I should be grateful Lucas kept putting off registering our marriage. He said he wanted to wait until he could truly stand, then we’d go. Now there was no need. After sending the landlord a text about terminating the lease, I headed to the airport. The private jet’s engine roared through the sky. Dozens of bodyguards stood in two rows, bowing to me simultaneously, their voices deafening. “Welcome home, Miss!” After five years, I’d almost forgotten I was the Su family heir. I never told Lucas about my identity—at first I just felt it wasn’t necessary. Now it seemed fair. We’d both been deceiving each other all along. These past days Lucas had been with Tanya, but remained distracted, constantly checking his phone for messages from me. Lucas hadn’t missed that breakup text—he was just certain I was throwing a tantrum. “Lucas, do you still want the stuff in the house? If not, I’m throwing it out. The new tenant is moving in.” Lucas’s heart suddenly panicked. “What new tenant? Where’s my girlfriend?”

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Dad bought cotton candy for my sister and me—one for each of us. I happily took mine, but my sister burst into tears. “Why does she get the same as me! I knew it—once you had a second child, I wouldn’t be the only precious one anymore!” Mom listened, then gently pulled the cotton candy from my hand. “This one’s for your sister too. You can have something else later.” But I wanted cotton candy too. I started crying from the hurt. Mom completely lost it. “Can’t you be more understanding! You’ve already taken half of your sister’s love, and you can’t even give up one piece of cotton candy?” “At such a young age, you’re already fighting with your sister over things. What will you be like when you grow up!” I was so scared I stopped crying and frantically tugged at the corner of Mom’s clothes. “Mom, please don’t be angry. I won’t eat it…” Mom froze for a moment, but then seemed even angrier. She turned and rushed to the vendor’s stand, bought ten sticks of cotton candy, and shoved them into my arms. “Eat! Sit right here and eat! You’re not leaving until you finish them all!” Mom took my sister’s hand and walked away. Dad patted my head sympathetically, his voice weary. “Once Mom calms down, Dad will come get you.” I sat alone on a bench in the mall, desperately shoving cotton candy into my mouth. By the seventh one, the mall caught fire.

People screamed and ran toward the mall exits. But I sat on the bench, not daring to run. I just sped up shoving cotton candy into my mouth. The cotton candy was so sweet. So sweet it tasted bitter. Hurry up and eat. Faster. Once I finish, Dad will come get me. Suddenly, a pair of strong arms lifted me from the bench. It was the cotton candy vendor lady. She carried me outside and set me down, gasping heavily for air. “Stay right here! I’m going to find a police officer to help you find your mom and dad, okay? Whatever you do, don’t run off!” Just then, I saw my sister and rushed over to grab her hand. “Emma! Where are Mom and Dad?” My sister shook my hand off forcefully and said hatefully: “Mom and Dad think you’re still inside. They went in to rescue you.” My mind went blank with a buzzing sound. I immediately turned and rushed toward the fire. I had to find Mom and Dad and bring them out. The cotton candy lady couldn’t catch me in time and shouted anxiously from behind. “Come back! Child! What are you doing! Come back—!” I didn’t look back. I just waved behind me as I ran. “Thank you, ma’am!” I ran back through the heat waves to where I’d been eating cotton candy. The bench was already blackened by smoke, flames crackling all around it. “Dad! Mom!” I shouted hoarsely, but there wasn’t a single person around. The cotton candy in my arms had already melted, the sticky syrup smeared all over me. If Mom saw this, she’d definitely be angry. I ran desperately, searching for Mom and Dad. Couldn’t find them. Couldn’t find them anywhere. I tripped and fell, with no strength left to get back up. The fire and thick smoke quickly surrounded me. I curled up on the scorching ground, using my last bit of consciousness to pray. “Mom, Dad, please make it out…” The pain and suffocating feeling quickly disappeared. I seemed to float up. How strange—just by thinking about Mom and Dad, I floated right to their side. On the chaotic roadside outside the mall, Mom was carefully wrapping a blanket around my sister. “Don’t be scared anymore, Emma. It’s okay now.” Mom cooed softly to my sister. Dad held a cup of hot milk tea to my sister’s lips. “Emma, you must have been so frightened. Drink something sweet to calm down.” That’s wonderful—Mom and Dad were safe! Dad turned to the firefighters rushing past, gesturing urgently. “Excuse me, have you seen a little girl, about this tall, with two pigtails, wearing a white coat…” Dad was looking for me! I quickly ran over and hugged Dad’s leg. But I passed right through his body. “Dad! Lily’s right here!” I shouted loudly, tried several times, but kept missing completely. Just then, my sister tugged on Dad’s sleeve. “Dad… I think I just saw Lily.” Dad jolted, and Mom immediately turned to look at her. “Really? Where? How is she?” Dad’s voice surged with excitement as he gripped my sister’s shoulders. My sister jumped, shrank back, and said quietly, “She left with some lady.” “A lady? What kind of lady? Which way did they go?” Dad asked anxiously. A flash of guilt crossed my sister’s eyes, but Mom and Dad didn’t notice. “I think it was the cotton candy vendor lady…” “I wanted to scare her a little, so I told her you guys thought she was still inside and went in to rescue her.” “But she completely ignored me. She didn’t even ask how you two were. She just left with that lady.” The urgency on Dad’s face vanished instantly. His face turned ashen as he let go. He said coldly, “She really is heartless.”

That’s not what happened! I didn’t abandon Mom and Dad! I was so anxious I nearly cried, desperately trying to explain loudly, but Mom and Dad couldn’t hear anything. Mom trembled with anger. “She ignored you and just left?!” She pulled my sister tighter into her embrace and glared at Dad. “Listen! Just listen! This is the fine daughter you’ve spoiled!” “Knowing we risked our lives going in to find her, she didn’t even ask if we were alive or dead! She left with some cotton candy vendor!” Dad hunched over, his eyes fixed on the mall entrance, saying nothing. In the chaotic crowd, I saw the cotton candy lady collapsed on the ground, sobbing. “That child… I already carried her out! But when she heard her parents were still inside, she ran back in!” “Foolish child… she could have survived!” I softly said sorry to the lady. Dad stared in that direction, took a few steps forward, his expression shifting. My heart tightened. Dad must have recognized that lady! He must know my sister was lying! But Dad stopped, turned around, and sighed at Mom. “Did you hear that?” Dad’s voice was full of disappointment. “Someone else’s child… heard their parents might still be inside, already made it out safely, but went back in.” “Such a loyal and righteous child.” So Dad hadn’t recognized her after all. My sister seemed relieved. Mom let out a cold laugh through her nose: “You said it yourself—that’s someone else’s child.” “Ours is just an ungrateful wolf we raised, and you’re comparing her to others.” “For some food, she didn’t even care about her own parents’ lives. What a waste raising her all these years!” I stood to the side, feeling wronged. It wasn’t someone else’s child! That was me, your child. Dad wearily rubbed his face, his voice very low. “Let’s go. Home.” My spirit involuntarily floated home following them. Everything at home was still the same as when we left that morning. The little lights on the Christmas tree glowed quietly. The snowflake stickers I’d put on the windows were still there. Dad opened the refrigerator, took out a chicken, and placed it on the counter. Mom rolled her eyes at him and said irritably: “Why are you taking that chicken out? None of the three of us like chicken.” “Just because that little brat made a fuss about wanting roast turkey for Christmas Eve, we specially bought it for her—over two hundred dollars for one chicken!” “And what happened? She doesn’t care at all!” Dad sighed, picked up the chicken to put it back in the fridge, then thought better of it and took it back out. “Let’s cook it anyway.” “Maybe she’s just playing around, went off with someone to play.” “Maybe… she’ll come home for dinner tonight.” Dad prepared an elaborate feast. The roasted turkey was golden and beautiful, exactly like the ones I’d seen on TV. Too bad I could no longer taste it. I tried to reach for the turkey, passing back and forth through the dining table. Mom suddenly raised her head and looked in my direction. My heart jumped. Could Mom see me? I moved around, but Mom’s gaze didn’t follow. She was just looking at the darkened sky outside the window. Mom stared for a long while, then suddenly slammed her fork down on the table with a loud clatter. “See! I told you! She’s never coming back!” Mom’s voice trembled with anger as she abruptly stood up, picked up the untouched roasted turkey, and threw it in the trash. “If she’s got the guts, she can stay away forever! I’ll act like I never gave birth to this daughter!” “Don’t…” I instinctively floated over, reaching out to retrieve the chicken. But I couldn’t touch anything. Dad gently patted Mom’s back. “Alright, alright. Let’s not be angry with her. We still have Emma.” My sister immediately threw herself into Mom’s arms. “Don’t be angry, Mom. Emma only loves her own mom and dad.” Mom held my sister tightly. “Yes… Mom’s not angry anymore.” “Mom still has Emma.” Dad’s hand also rested on my sister’s back, patting gently. The family of three, under the twinkling Christmas lights, embraced tightly together. Only I floated alone in midair.

Early the next morning, Dad rushed to my room as soon as he woke up. Seeing the bed still empty, Dad’s shoulders sagged slightly. Mom stood behind him with a cold laugh. “What are you looking at? Still fantasizing she’ll come back? Ridiculous!” On TV, the news was reporting on the fire. “Rescue operations for yesterday afternoon’s major department store fire have entered their final stages. Most of the victims’ bodies have been claimed by family members. However, one body of a young female remains unclaimed.” “The body was found near the children’s play area on the mall’s fourth floor, approximately four feet tall…” I couldn’t help shouting out loud. That’s Lily! Come get me and take me home! Dad walked quickly toward the TV, wanting to see more clearly. Just then, there was a knock at the door. Mom and Dad both tensed. “Is it Lily coming back?” A flash of panic crossed my sister’s face as she rushed to open the door. Standing at the door was my good friend Mia. Mia held a carefully wrapped gift box, her eyes bright and shining. “Good morning, Emma! Is Lily up yet? Today’s Christmas—we said we’d exchange gifts.” My sister blocked the doorway, her tone cold: “Lily? She’s not coming back. You don’t need to look for her anymore.” Mia looked confused. “Why? Where did she go?” My sister scoffed: “She wanted to eat cotton candy every day, so she recognized the cotton candy vendor lady as her mom. She’ll never come back to this house again.” “That can’t be true!” Mia’s eyes immediately reddened. “Lily would never just leave without saying anything! Even if she really had to go, she would definitely say goodbye to me first!” I floated to Mia’s side, my heart warm. Mom sighed and walked into my room, dragging two large boxes out to Mia. They were filled with my favorite toys and picture books. “Take all of these. Don’t cry. Be careful making friends in the future—don’t play with heartless bad kids.” Mia stepped forward and carefully searched through the boxes. Soon, she found the Christmas present I’d already prepared for her. The box had our special marking drawn on it. “Found it! This is what Lily gave me!” Mia placed her gift into the box and looked up seriously at Mom. “These are Lily’s. I don’t want them. I only want the exchanged gift.” “I’ll wait for Lily to come back, then come play with her again.” Mom didn’t respond. Mia walked a few steps, then came back. “Sir, ma’am, my mom says the most important thing for a family is trust.” “Lily isn’t a heartless bad kid. She’ll definitely come back.” Mom slammed the door with a bang. “Some stupid girl dares to lecture me!” Probably getting angrier the more she thought about it, Mom dragged the boxes straight out the door. “What are you doing!” Dad tried to stop her. “Leave me alone!” Mom shook off Dad’s hand. “Out of sight, out of mind! I’ll just pretend she’s already dead!” But Mom, I really am dead. My sister “helpfully” assisted Mom, throwing everything from my room into the public trash bins. Several kids curiously gathered around, roughly rummaging through everything. Mia’s gift was torn open—it was a beautiful ceramic doll. “What a piece of junk.” The doll was thrown on the ground and shattered. I wanted to stop them, but I couldn’t even create a breeze. I could only pass through their bodies back and forth. Finally, they got bored and ran off with their respective spoils. I silently floated back home. Everything related to me had been thrown away. Mom completely didn’t want me anymore. I floated in midair and discovered that even as a ghost, I couldn’t cry tears.

Over the next few days, the household returned to its normal routine. No one mentioned me anymore, as if I’d never existed. Until this day, when Ms. Johnson from kindergarten called. “Lily’s mom, Lily hasn’t been to kindergarten for several days now. Is something wrong?” Mom’s tone was cold: “Oh, nothing. She won’t be coming anymore. I’ll come by in a few days to process her withdrawal.” Ms. Johnson hesitated, then asked carefully: “Could the little girl in that video circulating online really be Lily?” “What video?” Mom’s tone was harsh. Ms. Johnson sighed with relief. “Since you don’t know about it, then it’s not Lily.” “It’s from the fire the other day—a little girl rushing into the flames to find her mom and dad… it’s really heartbreaking to watch.” “I saw the silhouette and kept thinking it looked a bit like… It’s good it’s not her, good it’s not her.” Mom’s voice suddenly rose sharply: “Ms. Johnson, we also heard about that girl, but it’s not Lily. She’s not that righteous.” “She fought with her sister over food. I only said a few words to her, and she went and recognized someone else as her mom. She hasn’t come back even now!” Ms. Johnson couldn’t believe it. “You’re saying Lily hasn’t been home for days? And you haven’t reported it to the police?” Mom cut her off sharply. “Report what to the police? Her sister saw with her own eyes that she left with someone else! Our Emma would never lie!” Ms. Johnson’s voice became serious too. “Lily’s mom, there must be some misunderstanding here. Lily is absolutely not the kind of child you’re describing!” “Besides, even if such a young child did leave with someone else, as her mother you have an obligation to find her!” Mom jumped up from the sofa in anger: “Gotten addicted to being a teacher? You don’t even have kids of your own, and you’re educating me!” “I think you’re not much of a teacher either—one little kid has you completely fooled.” “Some children are two-faced, one way in front of you and another behind your back. Born bad!” Mom rudely hung up the phone. At dinnertime, there was a knock at the door. It was Ms. Johnson with two police officers. Mom’s face immediately darkened. “Ms. Johnson? You brought the police to our house?” “I told you—our family business doesn’t need other people butting in!” Ms. Johnson tried to stay calm: “Lily’s mom, the more I thought about it, the more wrong it seemed. I know very well what kind of child Lily is.” “For the child’s safety, I must verify this.” Mom glanced coolly at the police and crossed her arms. “She left with someone of her own accord. There’s no disappearance, and it certainly has nothing to do with the fire.” “That child was spoiled from birth. One piece of cotton candy didn’t go her way, so she pulled this stunt. I’m not indulging her!” My sister, who had been hiding behind Mom in panic, suddenly pointed at Ms. Johnson and said loudly: “Lily always told me she hates Ms. Johnson the most!” “She favors other kids and often hits Lily! Lily doesn’t like going to kindergarten at all!” That’s a lie! I loved Ms. Johnson the most! But Ms. Johnson seemed completely unconcerned about those “bad words,” staring at my sister’s face for a long time. “Officer, this child—please look carefully. Is she the one in that…” The officer also looked at my sister for a moment, then tapped his phone a few times and handed it to Mom. “Is the girl in this video your child?” Mom’s face showed impatience. “Video, video again. How many times do I have to say it—that girl isn’t…”

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On our wedding anniversary, my usually conservative wife suddenly sent me a photo of herself in sexy lace lingerie. She said she wanted to try something thrilling and asked me to buy a box of ultra-thin 0.01 condoms. My face instantly flushed red to my ears, and I immediately agreed to her request. But the moment I stepped through the front door, Axel—her brother—yanked that box of condoms out of my coat pocket. Jessica’s expression changed instantly, and she slapped me hard across the face. “Dylan, how can you be so disgusting!” Seven or eight relatives pinned me to the ground, all glaring at me viciously and cursing wildly. “You look decent enough, but your mind is so filthy!” “You are a bastard who can’t control himself!” I was stunned, desperately looking up. “Jessica, didn’t you ask me to…” Before I could finish, Elena—my mother-in-law—stabbed me. When I opened my eyes again, my phone received a text from my wife. “Honey, I want to try something thrilling. On your way home, buy a box of ultra-thin 0.01.” In the photo, Jessica was lying on her side on the bed in black lace lingerie, her face flushed, with a half-open box of pills beside her hand. In my previous life, my heart had filled with joy. I went straight to buy the bestselling ultra-thin 0.01 condoms and rushed home, unable to stop fantasizing. But after getting home, I met a tragic death. Looking at the text message identical to my previous life, I forced myself to stay calm. It was clearly our wedding anniversary—why did Jessica suddenly turn on me? How did relatives suddenly appear at my house? Could they really want to kill me just because of a box of condoms? I absolutely cannot repeat the same mistake. With that thought, I replied to Jessica’s text. “Honey, I have to work late at the office today. I won’t be coming home.” I put down my phone and breathed a sigh of relief. At least I could get through tonight safely. Jessica and I were childhood sweethearts. She had a sweet, rigid personality and had always been very conservative about these matters. Could this be a test? But even so, failing a test shouldn’t cost me my life! Just then, the company door intercom buzzed. Margaret—my mom—burst in furiously and slapped me across the face. “Tell me! Which mistress are you keeping on the side!” “You bastard, just like your father—heartless!” She tried to hit me again, but I grabbed her wrist. “Mom! I’m not!” She pointed at my nose, her voice becoming even shriller. “Then go home! Apologize to Jessica right now!” All my life, Margaret had treated Jessica like her own daughter. After I graduated college, I caught the wave of opportunity, opened several companies, and became what people called a nouveau riche. Her first words were, “Now you and Jessica are finally a good match!” “I really do have work!” Margaret yanked the power cord. “Whatever work it is, drop it right now! We’re leaving!” She grabbed my arm, her nails practically digging into my flesh. I wanted to confide in the person who loved me most, but the words stuck in my throat. “Fine, I’ll go home.” “But you have to come with me.” She hesitated for a moment, then finally agreed. With Margaret present, they shouldn’t do anything, and besides, I didn’t buy condoms this time. The moment I walked through the door, just like in my previous life, Axel grabbed my collar without a word and tried to search me. Margaret exploded instantly, rushing to stand in front of him. “How dare you touch my child!” Seeing her protect me, warmth rose in my heart. Elena approached with a fake smile and pulled her back. “If he has nothing to hide, why fear being searched?” The relatives sitting on the sofa chimed in. I sneered disdainfully. “You don’t need to search me. I’ll do it myself!” But the moment I put my hand in my pocket, I broke out in a cold sweat. This feeling—it wasn’t a tissue, it felt like a box!!

How could this be? I clearly didn’t… I looked at Margaret in shock. Her eyes darted away, refusing to meet mine. Robert—Jessica’s father—stared at my hand that I refused to pull out. “Take it out!” My hand was pinched until it bled, then forcibly pulled out. That box of ultra-thin 0.01 was exposed before them once again. Robert snatched it away and threw it violently to the ground. “Marrying my daughter to you was the biggest mistake!” Everyone looked at me with contempt and cursed viciously. “What a bastard! Disgusting thoughts!” “How do you have the nerve to keep living!” Jessica’s slap came at me again. I blocked her hand and shouted desperately. “We’re husband and wife! What business is it of theirs if we use condoms?” “Jessica! You asked me to buy this—what’s the problem? Please explain for me!” Her eyes showed no sign of relenting. “What the problem is, you know very well.” Then she leaned close to my ear and said something I couldn’t believe. “Dylan, the moment you took this box of condoms, you had to die.” I looked at her in terror. From the corner of my eye, I caught sight of a knife tip peeking from Elena’s sleeve, stabbing toward me. I dodged sideways. My arm was slashed, blood seeping out. Four or five men with rope rushed at me. I pulled out the knife hidden at my waist and swung it wildly. Seeing this scene, Margaret passed out. I swung the knife while backing up, knocked over the shoe cabinet, and escaped through the front door in the chaos. I don’t know how long I ran. The taste of blood spread through my mouth. Hiding in a dark alley, only after confirming no one had followed did I dare to catch my breath. I pulled up the company surveillance footage. It was Margaret who had slipped that box of condoms into my pocket while I was typing. My heart went cold. Just then, Margaret sent another message. “Come back quickly. They’re just trying to scare you, they don’t really mean to hurt you!” I laughed bitterly. I was almost stabbed, and she still thought it was a joke. After thinking for a moment, I called my friend Marcus. He was my best friend from college. Without a second word, he let me stay at his place. At critical moments, brothers are the most reliable. After hearing my story, he punched the wall. “Just because of a box of condoms? Your wife is fucking ridiculous!” “Does she have someone on the side and want a divorce, so she’s setting you up!” Then he brought out a medical kit and carefully bandaged the wound on my arm. I paused. Jessica had indeed been coming home later and later recently. I immediately pulled out my phone and sent her a message. “If you have someone else and want a divorce, I can agree. You don’t need to scheme against me like this.” She replied instantly. “Honey, what are you talking about? Today was all a misunderstanding. Where are you? Let’s talk face to face.” I turned off the screen. She didn’t want a divorce—she was determined to take my life! I shook my head. “It’s not an affair.” After bandaging my wound, Marcus paused, then suddenly asked what kind of condoms they were. I pulled up the photo. His laughing face suddenly froze. “You’re sure it was this brand?” Seeing his shocked expression, my heart sank. “What? Is there something wrong with this brand?” He took a long drag on his cigarette, his tone forced casual. “What could be wrong? Bro, you must’ve done something else to piss her off. No way would she really try to harm you over a box of condoms.” “Women, you know—when they’re angry, they’ll say anything. She doesn’t want a divorce. Stay at my place for a couple days. When she calms down, go back.” I thought about it. It wasn’t impossible. Jessica was great in every way, except she never said things directly—she always made me guess. Once she stayed at the office for a month without coming home. Later I found out it was just because the vacation photos didn’t turn out well. Marcus settled me in the guest room. In the middle of the night, I woke up needing to pee. The moment I opened the door, a hushed voice reached my ears. “…Your husband’s at my place. Hurry and bring people over!”

I was thunderstruck and quietly escaped. Marcus was in on it with them! My heart turned completely cold. What secret does this box of condoms hold that makes them all want me dead? Sitting on a park bench, I began to review everything. Could she be allergic to latex? No, we’d been married for years—she’d never shown any allergic symptoms. I searched for the condom brand. Nothing special, just a bestselling product. The more I thought, the more confused I became. The cold wind made my head throb. Should I go to the police? Tell them that because of a box of condoms, my whole family wants to kill me? They’d definitely kick me out as a mental case. Just as I was at my wit’s end, I suddenly remembered hearing “Axel” faintly from Marcus’s mouth. Axel. Jessica’s brother was named Axel Zhang! But in my previous life, he never appeared from start to finish. My mind was in complete chaos, but I really didn’t want to miss any clue. I bought some self-defense items and decided to probe him. I dialed his number. “Axel, your sister and I had a fight. I’m coming to stay at your place for the night.” He asked what happened. I said vaguely. “Just some small stuff. Don’t tell your sister I’m coming to your place.” His tone was relaxed. “Okay, I’m doing experiments. Just come over.” When he saw me, Axel took off his lab coat, his tone casual. “You’re here.” He led me toward the break room and handed me a glass of warm water. It seems I was overthinking. Axel was a doctor. Not only was he dedicated to his work, but over the years, he’d secretly paid medical bills for many impoverished families. Patient families all called him an angel. Just then, his phone suddenly rang. “Axel, is my husband at your place?” I held my breath, my heart jumping to my throat. He pretended to be puzzled. “He’s not home? I haven’t seen him recently.” Hearing him say this, my anxious heart settled down. After hanging up, he said with a smile. “My sister has a temper. Bear with her.” I nodded, then asked directly. “Don’t you want to know why your sister and I fought?” He said casually. “That’s between you two. I’m not that nosy. Don’t worry, whatever the reason, I’ll help talk to her tomorrow.” Hope ignited in my heart. Maybe he could help me find out the truth? I was too tired after being tense all night. My body and mind had reached their limit, and I fell asleep quickly. In the middle of the night, I suddenly woke up choking. Thick smoke kept pouring into my throat. The break room door was wide open. I grabbed a towel and pressed it tightly over my nose and mouth. The smell of chemical reagents mixed with burning filled the air, making it hard to breathe. My eyes were irritated and streaming with tears. “Axel!” I shouted hoarsely. Only crackling sounds answered me. This place held all his most precious experimental equipment. I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed 911, my voice hoarse beyond recognition. “There’s a fire here!” I remembered there was a fire extinguisher box at the end of the hallway. I got down on the ground and practically crawled over. I pulled out the safety pin and pressed down. Empty?! I frantically grabbed another one. Also empty! I was utterly desperate. Just then, hundreds of lab rats scurried out from the thick smoke, running past me. Several at the front seemed to be carrying something in their mouths. When I saw clearly, I was horrified. It was him! He was trying to kill me! But why? What made him willing to burn down a lab worth millions just to kill me? The fire spread incredibly fast. I couldn’t get off this floor at all. My consciousness began to blur. Suddenly, I glimpsed a sign above a door that read “Blast-Proof Design.” Using my last bit of strength, I crashed through the door and fell inside. Sliding down to the floor, the moment I braced against the door, a piece of paper burned to half its original size slipped in through the door crack. In that instant, I understood everything. I understood why everyone wanted me dead over just a box of ultra-thin 0.01 condoms. To confirm one thing, I sent her a message. “I’m at the medical lab. Someone’s trying to kill me.”

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I had been with Lucas Sterling for five years when the massive earthquake hit, forcing him to make a life-or-death choice. He didn’t even look at my crushed leg. Instead, he frantically dug through the rubble to save his childhood sweetheart, Chloe, who had only suffered a few scratches. He tossed me a bank card. “There’s five million in here. Enough for your amputation and a comfortable life.” “Don’t contact me again. She’s sensitive. Seeing someone disabled like you would give her nightmares.” I didn’t cry or make a scene. I just watched him carry her away without a backward glance, running toward the medical team. I stayed there alone, surviving through the aftershocks. I had to saw off my own leg to stay alive. A year later, I got fitted with a prosthetic and ran into Lucas at a charity gala. He grabbed me desperately, his voice trembling. “Aria, you’re alive? I only saved her first because I thought her injuries were worse.” He said it was unavoidable and asked if I could give him another chance. I smiled and pulled my hand away. “Bad timing. I’m already married, and I just found out I’m pregnant with twins.”

Lucas tossed that bank card onto my dust-covered chest as the aftershock subsided. Around us, steel and concrete groaned, punctuated by distant cries of anguish. My right leg was pinned under a massive concrete slab, mangled and bloody, already numb beyond feeling. “The password is your birthday.” Lucas didn’t even bend down. He held Chloe Bennett in his arms as she trembled. Chloe’s face had a layer of scraped skin with a few droplets of blood seeping through. “Lucas, I’m scared. We need to go. This place is going to collapse again.” Chloe buried her head in the crook of his neck, her voice soft and shaky. Lucas immediately tightened his arms around her, looking at me with nothing but impatience and disgust. “Did you hear that, Aria? Five million. That’s the settlement for our five years.” “That’s enough to get the amputation at the best hospital, get a decent prosthetic, and live comfortably in some small town.” I gasped for breath. My lungs felt like they’d inhaled glass shards; each breath tasted of blood. I looked at this man I’d loved for five years. He usually kept his face cold, showing warmth only when he was with me. I thought that was love. It turned out it was just because Chloe had gone abroad, and he needed a docile substitute. Now that the real deal was back and facing a life-or-death test, I—the substitute—had become a burden. “Are you sure you want to leave? With my leg like this, I might not last until the rescue team arrives.” My voice came out hoarse. I tried to sound calm. Lucas frowned slightly, as if weighing something. Chloe sobbed at just the right moment. “Lucas, that slab looks like it’s moving again…” Lucas’s expression changed. He gave me one final look. “If you’re lucky, you’ll survive. If not, it’s fate.” “Chloe is sensitive. Seeing you all bloody will give her nightmares. Don’t come near us again.” With that, he carried Chloe away, stepping over the rubble without looking back, running toward the flickering rescue lights in the distance. That retreating figure was resolute, without a trace of hesitation. I lay there in the cold pile of broken stones, clutching that blood-stained bank card in my hand. How ironic. Five years of love, one leg—traded for five million. Lucas probably thought he got the short end of the deal. I thought I came out ahead. After all, seeing a bastard’s true colors—that’s what the price bought me. I don’t know how long passed before I heard voices from above. “There’s a survivor here! Badly pinned!” “Stretcher! Now!” A beam of light hit my face. It was too bright to open my eyes. I forced the corners of my mouth into a smile and said to the blurry figures, “Thank you. I’m not dead yet.” Before I lost consciousness, I heard someone say, “The leg can’t be saved. We need to amputate immediately.” That’s fine. Broken things—whether legs or men—should be cut away cleanly.

I woke up in a makeshift field hospital tent. The anesthesia had worn off. Where my right leg had been was now empty, yet it transmitted bone-deep phantom pain. A nurse was changing my bandages. When she saw I was awake, her eyes reddened. “You’re so strong. You didn’t make a sound during the entire surgery.” I wanted to smile, but my facial muscles were too stiff. It wasn’t strength. My heart had died, so I couldn’t feel the pain. A man on the bed next to me sighed and handed me an orange. “You’re alive. That’s what matters.” I took the orange, peeled it, and put a segment in my mouth. It was so sour that tears streamed down my face. I pulled out my phone. The signal was spotty. Opening social media, I found it flooded with news about the earthquake. The top trending topic read: [Lucas Sterling’s Deep Love in Earthquake Ruins, Never Abandoning His Love Through Life and Death] The accompanying image was a blurry photo. Against a dim background, Lucas held Chloe protectively, his eyes anxious yet affectionate. The comments section was full of praise: [Oh my god, this is true love! You see real feelings in life-or-death moments!] [I want a boyfriend like this too. He makes you feel so safe.] [Adversity reveals true character. Their love is so moving.] I also found one comment that didn’t fit: [Am I the only one who remembers that Lucas had a girlfriend for five years? Where is she?] Someone immediately replied below: [Oh, her? I heard she ran away to save herself. Nothing like our Chloe, who got injured because she stayed with Lucas.] [That kind of woman deserves to be dumped. Good riddance.] I closed my phone, my stomach churning. Ran away to save myself? Chloe’s skill at twisting the truth must have been honed during those five years abroad. It was Chloe who insisted on dragging Lucas to vacation in this area. When the earthquake hit, I was the one who pushed Lucas into the load-bearing wall’s triangular safe zone, which is why I got crushed. Now I’d become the heartless woman who abandoned her lover. Impressive. I looked at my empty pant leg. That last bit of sadness in my heart evaporated, replaced by a cold feeling. Lucas Sterling. Chloe Bennett. We’d settle this account slowly. A month later, I transferred back to the city hospital. Five million, plus my original savings, was enough to hire the best care and stay in the best private room. The doctor said I was recovering well and could prepare to be fitted with a prosthetic leg. Rehabilitation was a long process. During the adjustment period, my residual limb was rubbed raw and bloody by the prosthetic. Every step felt like dancing on knife points. But I didn’t cry. Compared to the despair of being buried alive in the rubble, this pain was nothing. That day, I was practicing walking with crutches in the hospital garden. A young man sat on a bench with his right arm in a cast, hanging in a sling around his neck. He was furiously typing into his phone. “I’m not going! My arm is broken, and he still wants me to go through with an arranged marriage?” “Broken means broken! Even with a broken arm, I’m still handsome!” “I don’t care about the family business. I just want to race. I just want to have fun!” He threw his phone onto the grass. Huffing angrily, he looked up and met my eyes. A ridiculously handsome, arrogant face crashed into my view. Caught staring at him, he froze for a moment, then his ears turned a bit red. “What are you looking at? Never seen a handsome guy lose his temper?” His tone was aggressive, like an agitated husky.

The next day, I saw that husky again. The nurse said he was the heir to the Prescott family fortune—Ryan Prescott. Another unlucky soul. During the earthquake, he’d volunteered for rescue work and got his arm crushed by falling rocks. He’d been laid up in the hospital for a month. His family kept pressuring him to come home and take over the business, but he insisted on pursuing extreme sports and was currently staging a rebellion. This plot sounded familiar. I ignored him and continued practicing my walking. But Ryan turned out to be a social butterfly—or more accurately, just too bored. He picked up my crutch and practiced a few moves with it like he knew what he was doing. “Hey, how did you lose your leg?” He pointed at my leg. If anyone else had asked like that, I’d have swung my crutch at them. But his eyes were clear and curious, without a trace of malice or pity. “Earthquake. Got crushed,” I said flatly. “What a coincidence—I also got injured in the earthquake.” He pointed at his arm. “But I was going in to save people. You were the one being saved, right?” “Yeah, I guess so.” I didn’t elaborate. “Well, your prosthetic looks pretty cool. Like the Terminator.” He squatted down, studying my carbon fiber prosthetic with great interest. He made me laugh. “What good is cool when I can’t even run?” “Who says you can’t run? Once my arm heals, I’ll take you racing. You don’t need legs to drift.” Ryan patted his chest in promise, pulling at his injury and grimacing in pain. Just like that, we inexplicably became hospital buddies. He was talkative and loved to complain. Every day he found new ways to tell me jokes or curse out his rigid older brother. With him around, the tedious days of rehabilitation weren’t quite so unbearable. Just when I thought things would continue peacefully like this, certain people had to come looking for trouble. I went to the mall to buy shoes. Because my right foot was prosthetic, I only tried on the left shoe. The sales associate was very considerate, helping me find a pair of soft flats. I’d just put one on when a familiar voice came from behind me. “Lucas, do you think those shoes look good? But won’t flats make my legs look short?” My movements froze. In the mirror, I saw two figures reflected. Lucas Sterling wore a custom-tailored suit, still looking every bit the polished gentleman. Chloe Bennett clung to his arm, wearing a white dress. Enemies on a narrow road. I didn’t want to deal with them. I stood up to go pay. Chloe had sharp eyes. She spotted me immediately. “Isn’t that Aria?” She covered her mouth dramatically. Her gaze fell on my prosthetic leg, a flash of satisfaction in her eyes, though her face showed exaggerated shock. “Oh my god, your leg… you really amputated it? How terrifying. You look like a robot.” She shrank into Lucas’s embrace, her body trembling. Lucas’s gaze swept over my leg, his brow instantly furrowing into a knot. “Aria, didn’t I tell you not to come near us?” “Chloe is sensitive. The way you look—are you deliberately trying to scare her?” I laughed at the absurdity. Did he own this mall? I turned around, looking coldly at this pair of bastards.

“That’s a fresh take. The earth doesn’t revolve around you two, you know. I came to buy shoes. How exactly am I scaring your fragile little princess?” “And stop with the ‘scare her’ talk. She looks pretty healthy to me—out shopping and everything. Wasn’t she at death’s door back in the rubble?” Chloe’s face went pale. Tears came on cue. “Aria, I know you resent Lucas for saving me first, but the situation was urgent at the time… Can’t you stop being so aggressive?” People around us started whispering and pointing. “Why is that woman acting like this? The other one already apologized.” “Exactly. Being disabled is pitiful, but that doesn’t mean she can guilt-trip people.” Lucas listened to the surrounding discussion, standing even straighter. He pulled out a card from his wallet and tossed it on the counter. “I’ll buy every shoe in this store. Except for the one on her foot. Aria, take your cheap shoe and get out. Stop being an eyesore.” The card spun twice on the counter with a crisp sound. Just like that other card. I clenched my fists, nails digging into my palms. That pain was nothing compared to the cold feeling in my heart. This was the man I’d loved for five years. To save him, I’d not only sacrificed a leg but nearly my life. Now, to please his beauty, he wanted to strip away my dignity in front of everyone and trample it underfoot. The sales associate looked uncertain, glancing between me and Lucas. “Sir, there is a first-come, first-served policy. This lady was indeed here first…” “Shut up. Swipe the card.” Lucas didn’t even lift his eyelids. “I want every shoe in this store. Except the one on her foot.” Chloe put on a fake show of persuasion beside him. “Lucas, don’t be so harsh. Aria is physically disabled now, so she must be emotionally sensitive and fragile.” “These shoes are cheap and poorly made—beneath our status—but they’re probably the best she can afford.” As she spoke, she took half a step back, disdainfully covering her nose and mouth with her hand. Her gaze lingered for a second on my prosthetic leg. “After all, life isn’t easy for disabled people. Wearing cheap stuff is normal for them. Let’s not fight with her. She’s quite pitiful.” More and more onlookers gathered. Lucas listened to this and snorted. “Did you hear that? Chloe is kindhearted. She’s giving you charity.” I took a deep breath. Hold back? With people like this, showing restraint only makes them think you’re weak and easy to bully. I reached out and grabbed that unwanted flat. Since he loved throwing money around so much, I’d give him a taste of his own medicine—right in his precious face. My hand had just lifted, before I could follow through. A large hand wrapped in bandages suddenly intercepted, pressing down on that black card on the counter. Then a lazy voice rang out, carrying three parts amusement and seven parts provocation. “Well, well, if it isn’t Mr. Sterling. Showing off your money again to prove your existence?”

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The fake heiress was allergic to lies—whenever she heard one, she’d sneeze and break out in hives. The day I was brought back, the fake heiress’s whole body swelled up red, tears and snot streaming down her face. From that moment on, my entire family labeled me a pathological liar with a rotten character. Later, when my stroke-paralyzed grandmother tumbled down the stairs in her wheelchair, I had barely shaken my head to say it wasn’t me. The next second, the fake heiress had an allergic attack and went into shock on the spot. Dad was furious. Mom screamed and cried. My brother slapped me hard across the face: “How could the Weston family produce a viper like you!” I was humiliated. I was tormented. I was tortured. It wasn’t until after I died that I finally learned the fake heiress’s secret. The day the Weston family came to get me, I drank a cup of scalding hot water without hesitation. Only after feeling that unbearable, burning pain searing my throat did I calmly get into the Westons’ Porsche. In my previous life, the moment I saw my birth parents and brother, I threw myself into their arms, crying uncontrollably. Mom’s eyes were red as she kept saying she’d finally found me. Beside her, Emma spoke timidly: “I’m sorry, Serena. All these years I’ve been taking your place. Now that you’re back, I should return everything to you.” Derek frowned and flicked her forehead. “Don’t be silly. Serena won’t mind.” I quickly took Emma’s hand and said: “Of course not. I think of you as my real sister. We’ll always be family.” It should have been a heartwarming scene. But right after I spoke, Emma started rubbing her nose, then sneezed several times in a row, scratching at her reddening arms. Derek’s expression darkened slightly as he ordered a servant to bring allergy medication. Dad and Mom also subtly let go of my hands. The warmth in their eyes was now tinged with scrutiny. I was confused and frightened. I didn’t understand how words from my heart could cause such a reaction. I’d heard about it before—Emma Weston, the family’s precious daughter, had a strange condition. She was allergic to lies. Supposedly, when they first adopted her, Emma had an allergic reaction to a loyal housekeeper. After investigation, they discovered the housekeeper was a spy sent by a rival family to steal the Westons’ secrets. Later, at a banquet, Emma kept sneezing, interrupting Dad’s deal with a businessman. They found out afterward that the businessman had already gone bankrupt—the “partnership” was just a scam for money. Even more dramatically, at Derek’s engagement party, Emma broke out in hives after meeting the bride-to-be and developed a high fever. Derek was furious when he learned his fiancée had been sleeping around and picked up some diseases—she was just looking for someone to take care of her mess. One incident after another turned Emma into the Weston family’s precious porcelain doll, treasured and protected by everyone. They trusted her absolutely and wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. So naturally, they were wary of me—their biological daughter who’d just been found. Mom awkwardly asked how my life had been all these years. Remembering the beatings at the orphanage, the bullying at school, the years of scraping by at the bottom of society, I could only say bitterly: “No matter how hard it was, it’s all in the past now.” Mom looked somewhat pained when she heard this. But unexpectedly, even after taking allergy medication, Emma didn’t improve. Instead, welts rose on her arms, swelling badly. Mom immediately called the family doctor, looking at me with wariness and displeasure. Without a doubt, she thought I was playing the victim for sympathy. Then Emma graciously offered to give me her room, saying it was only right to return what was mine.

Feeling anxious and uncomfortable, I quickly shook my head: “How could I take your room? I didn’t come back to take your things.” Those words were like a match to gunpowder, setting off Emma’s condition completely. She started wheezing heavily, clutching her chest, looking like she was about to suffocate. Derek pushed me away in a panic, forbidding me from getting near Emma. Dad’s face turned dark as coal: “That’s enough for today. Mrs. Patterson, prepare a guest room for her and take her away.” I watched helplessly as they all surrounded Emma. I didn’t know what I’d done wrong. I was rejected by the very family I’d longed for. After that, no one in the Weston family gave me a kind look. I overheard the servants gossiping—saying the newly found heiress was a pathological liar with terrible character, that trash raised from the bottom couldn’t compare to the Westons’ precious pearl. I could only keep my head down lower, becoming completely invisible in the Weston household. The incident that made them despise me completely happened one evening. The family had gone out for a walk while I stayed in my room doing homework. Suddenly, I heard a loud crash from outside. When I went to check, I found my stroke-paralyzed grandmother had fallen down the stairs, wheelchair and all! I screamed and was about to rush down to help. But the family happened to walk in right at that moment and witnessed the scene. The housekeeper collapsed to the floor in terror, pointing at me: “Miss Serena said she wanted to take the old madam to the garden for some fresh air, but then she suddenly pushed her down the stairs!” Derek’s eyes turned bloodshot—that was his beloved grandmother. Dad frantically dialed 911, his voice trembling. Outside the emergency room, the doctor said the situation wasn’t looking good. Tears streaming down my face, I shook my head: “Please, you have to save Grandma. I don’t know how this happened. It wasn’t me.” But the moment I spoke, Emma immediately had an asthma attack. Her face went deathly pale, and she collapsed into shock. Everything became even more chaotic. Emma was also rushed into the emergency room. Dad clenched his teeth, barely containing his rage as he told me to shut up. Mom kept wiping away tears, silently praying for Grandma and her daughter to be okay. Derek was like a crazed lion, his eyes blood-red as he slapped me hard across the face: “How many people do you have to hurt before you’re satisfied! How could the Weston family have a venomous snake like you? Is there a single word of truth in your mouth!” I fell to the ground, my mind going blank. I didn’t know why either. I wanted to know how all of this happened! I hadn’t done anything, yet I’d become the family’s criminal! That day, Grandma died. Emma was transferred to the ICU. The Weston family completely gave up on me. Mom wanted to kick me out and sever all ties. But Derek disagreed. He said coldly: “A life for a life. She killed Grandma. I won’t let her off easy.” After that, I was either locked in a dog cage or hung from the second-floor railing. Derek tormented and insulted me every day. Mom and Dad turned a blind eye. I fell into complete despair. My will to live grew weaker and weaker. One time, the housekeeper forgot to feed the Tibetan Mastiff. The starving dog bit into my leg. I watched helplessly as it tore at me, bite after bite. Finally, I closed my eyes and let the pain swallow me whole. Remembering every detail of my past life, I clenched my fists. This time, I refused to be anyone’s puppet, living such a pathetic life!

Just like before, the Weston family hugged me and cried when we first met. Emma said the same words: “I’m sorry, Serena. All these years I’ve been taking your place. Now that you’re back, I should return everything to you.” But this time, I didn’t respond. I just looked at her silently. Her eyes reddened as if I’d wronged her, and she kept apologizing. The family started to look at me with some resentment. But I just shook my head pitifully, pointed to my mouth, then my throat. Red, swollen, and raw. Their expressions changed immediately, and they called for the family doctor. After examining me, the doctor said it was a burn—with medication and time, it would heal. Mom finally relaxed. But the doctor sighed: “Miss Serena has many wounds, both old and new. She must have had a very hard life these past years.” Mom started dabbing at her tears with a handkerchief, her voice trembling with guilt and heartache: “Serena, you’ve suffered so much. From now on, Mommy won’t let anyone hurt you again.” Dad stood beside her, his gaze falling on the crisscrossed scars on my body. He let out a heavy sigh: “No one will ever bully a Weston again!” Derek’s jaw tightened, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. Emma was caught completely off guard by this turn of events. No one was paying attention to her anymore. She stood frozen in place like an actress who’d had her spotlight stolen. Then I saw Grandma sitting in her wheelchair, and my nose stung with emotion. I rushed to her side. In my past life, trying to figure out what had really happened, my spirit followed Emma after I died. That’s when I learned—she never had any allergy to lies at all. She could hear people’s thoughts. Whenever she sensed someone’s words didn’t match their thoughts, she’d fake an allergic reaction to gain the family’s protection. The most terrifying part was what I heard her say: Years ago, Grandma had gotten information about me and was overjoyed, planning to bring me home. But Emma heard her thoughts. To protect her own position, she’d sicced a large dog on Grandma, causing her to have a stroke from the shock and become vegetative. And all these years, Grandma’s condition never improved because Emma had bribed the servants long ago. The medicine Grandma drank every night wasn’t healing her—it was poison! All these years, Grandma had watched everything Emma did, unable to do anything, only able to wait helplessly for death. I pressed my face against Grandma’s hand, tears flowing uncontrollably. Grandma had truly loved me, but in my past life, I couldn’t save her. Worse, I was blamed when Emma’s bribed servant staged her fall down the stairs, letting her die with her name uncleared! This time, I would save Grandma no matter what! Though Grandma couldn’t move, her eyes glistened with moisture. Beside us, Derek looked moved and turned his face away. Mom and Dad exchanged glances, their eyes filled with comfort. Only Emma stood in the distance, as if she’d been cast out. The first battle—I won! That night, Emma crept into my room with a sinister look: “Don’t celebrate too early. In one month, it’s my eighteenth birthday. Dad promised long ago to give me his shares as a coming-of-age gift. The Weston empire will be mine eventually.” One month, huh? I laughed softly. I would make sure your eighteenth birthday was one you’d never forget.

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My daughter clung to my leg, crying because she wanted a ten-dollar toy. My husband didn’t even glance at her. “Don’t spoil her,” he said coldly. “It’s a waste of money.” I swallowed my heartache and had just calmed her down when my phone buzzed with a notification—his “first love” had posted on Instagram. In the photo, she was beaming, holding a brandnew designer bag. I found myself opening Amazon on impulse. The price tag—ten thousand dollars—stabbed at my eyes. Her caption read: “Thank you! I absolutely love this birthday gift!” And beneath the photo, my husband’s account had left the only like. I looked down at the chipped, faded doll in my daughter’s hands. Quietly, I took a screenshot and sent it to him with just one question: “That bag of hers could buy our daughter ten thousand dolls. Am I right?” “You bought that bag for Vanessa?” “Ten thousand dollars—where did you even get that kind of money?” Ryan didn’t stop what he was doing. He didn’t even look up. “Ten thousand? That’s a knockoff. Two hundred bucks from a street vendor.” “Vanessa just lost her job and was feeling down. I bought her a fake one to cheer her up. We’re old friends, after all.” He said it so casually, like it was nothing. My heart clenched like someone had grabbed it and squeezed. “Cheer up an old friend?” “Ryan, last week Lily wanted a tendollar doll and you said it was too expensive—that it was a scam for kids.” “But you’re spending money to make someone else feel better?” Ryan threw his phone onto the couch in annoyance, frowning at me. “Are you done? Lily’s just wasting money. The house is already full of toys.” “Vanessa’s different. She’s raising a kid on her own—it’s not easy. As a man, what’s wrong with helping out a little?” “Can you stop being so petty? You’re paranoid about everything.” Me? Petty? She’s the one who has it hard? I let out a cold laugh and turned back to the bedroom. Ryan thought I’d bought his lies. He picked up his phone again, muttering “unbelievable” under his breath. I sat on the edge of the bed, my hands and feet ice cold. That bag wasn’t fake. The authenticity tags, the leather grain—none of it could be counterfeited. I knew it too well. It was the exact bag I’d stared at for months on our wedding anniversary but couldn’t bring myself to buy. I took a deep breath, my hands trembling as I opened Ryan’s old phone. After he got a new one, he’d left this one in the drawer, only using it for games. But he forgot—a lot of apps stay synced. I opened the Amazon app, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might leap out of my throat. The most recent order was a train ticket. Last Saturday. Destination: a city two hours away. And that day, Ryan had told me the company needed him to work overtime—an allnighter to finish a project. I scrolled down, my breathing growing ragged. Same day. Another charge. An upscale family restaurant in that city. Eight hundred dollars per person. That money could have bought Lily eighty toys. It could have covered our family’s groceries for a whole month. Tears welled up in my eyes. I tilted my head back, forcing them not to fall. I called the restaurant. Someone answered quickly—a sweet, professional voice. “Hello, how can I help you?” I forced my voice to stay calm. “Hi, my husband had dinner at your restaurant last Saturday and I think he left his lighter behind. Could you check for me?” “I’m not sure which table he was at. His name is Ryan, and his phone number ends in XXXX.” I heard typing on the other end, then the server replied. “Ma’am, yes, we found the record. Mr. Ryan did dine here.” “However, when our staff cleaned the table, they didn’t find any items left behind.” My grip on the phone tightened, nails digging into my palm. “I see… maybe I remembered wrong.” “By the way, was he alone that day? I just worry he might have been drinking at a business dinner.” The server must have heard the concern in my voice; her tone grew warmer. “Don’t worry, ma’am. Mr. Ryan didn’t drink.” “He came with a woman and a little boy.” “I noticed the boy kept calling Mr. Ryan ‘Daddy.’ They looked so close—just like a real family.” Just like a real family. Those words stabbed into my heart like a knife. I don’t remember how I hung up. All I could hear in my head was: just like a real family. Ryan hadn’t just spent money. He’d given something even more precious—his time. All his patience, his gentleness, his money—he’d given it all to that woman and her child. What he left for me and Lily was coldness, empty excuses, and lies. This was the man I’d defied my family to marry. This was the husband I’d pinched pennies for, sacrificed my dreams to support. Disgusting. I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on my face. The icy shock cleared my head instantly. What good was crying? Could tears bring back the money? Could tears make Ryan change? No. Ryan, since you love playing daddy to someone else’s kid so much— I’ll make sure you get exactly what you deserve.

The next day was Sunday. Ryan was up early, getting ready and even putting on cologne. “That project at work still has some loose ends. I’m going in for a bit.” “Stay home with Lily. Don’t wait up for dinner.” He said it so naturally, not even bothering to come up with a new excuse. I was braiding Lily’s hair and didn’t look up. “Got it.” “Actually, I was thinking of taking Lily out too. I heard there’s a nice amusement park in the next city.” Ryan’s hands paused on his tie. A flicker of panic crossed his eyes. “Why go all the way there? It’s so far. Just play around here.” “Why waste gas money?” I smiled, pinning a little pink clip into Lily’s hair. “Lily’s been asking forever. Besides, I have a coupon. It’s cheap.” Ryan grabbed his briefcase and rushed out the door. Watching him go, the smile faded from my eyes. I’d made a reservation at that restaurant. Right across from their usual table. At eleven in the morning, I walked into the restaurant holding Lily’s hand. It really was an upscale place—decorated like a dream, warm and cozy, filled with children’s laughter. I spotted Ryan immediately. He was sitting by the floortoceiling windows, head bowed, completely focused. Across from him sat Vanessa. And a little boy, about five or six years old. The boy was clumsily fiddling with a complicated Lego set, and Ryan sat beside him, guiding his hands. “There you go, buddy. This piece goes here—see? That makes it sturdy.” “Good job! You’re so much better at this than my clumsy daughter.” His voice was so gentle it could melt, his eyes full of adoration. Lily tugged at my hand and whispered. “Mommy, is that Daddy?” “I thought Daddy was at work? Who’s that boy?” Looking into my daughter’s innocent, confused eyes, my heart felt like it was being pierced by needles. I crouched down and stroked her head. “Lily, sweetheart, go play in the ball pit over there for a bit. Mommy needs to talk to Daddy.” Lily didn’t want me to leave, but she’d always been obedient. She nodded and ran off. I took a deep breath and strode toward them. Before I even reached the table, Ryan seemed to sense something and looked up. The moment he saw me, the Lego piece in his hand clattered to the floor. His face went white. “You… what are you doing here?” Vanessa jumped too, scrambling to her feet, looking flustered. “Emily…” I ignored Vanessa. I just stared at Ryan. “This is your overtime?” “This is your loose ends at work?” “Ryan, your idea of working late is playing Legos with someone else’s kid?” People around us were starting to look. Ryan’s face flushed red, then white. He shot up, grabbed my wrist, and started dragging me toward a corner. “Have you lost your mind? This is a public place! Why are you making a scene?” “Can’t you give me some dignity?” Once we were in a quiet corner, he let go of my hand and hissed. “Are you following me?” I laughed coldly. “If you don’t want people to know, don’t do it in the first place.” “Ryan, you want dignity?” “You won’t even say a word to Lily, but here you are, overflowing with fatherly love?” Ryan’s eyes darted around as he made excuses. “Vanessa just moved back. Her kid transferred schools, has no friends, and is withdrawn.” “I’m just helping a friend look after her kid, trying to draw him out.” “Our Lily is so outgoing—does she even need my attention?” “How can you be jealous of a child? You’re being ridiculous!” His logic was flawless, really. Just then, Vanessa caught up to us. Her eyes were red, looking pitiful and delicate. She reached out to touch my sleeve. “Emily, don’t blame Ryan. It’s all my fault.” “I’m just too helpless. I can’t take care of my son alone, so I bothered Ryan.” “If you want to yell at someone, yell at me. Please don’t let this ruin your marriage.” “I’ll leave right now. I’ll never bother Ryan again.” As she spoke, big tears rolled down her cheeks, like she’d suffered some terrible injustice. That performance—what a waste not to go for an Oscar. The moment Ryan saw this, his heart melted. He pulled Vanessa behind him protectively. Then he turned and shouted at me. “Look what you’ve done to her!” “Vanessa is so considerate—unlike you, acting like a crazy woman!” “Can’t you learn from her? Be a little gentler, a little more understanding?” I looked at the two of them, putting on their little show, and felt nothing but disgust. Considerate? Understanding? What a thoughtful mistress. What a generous cheater. I didn’t make a scene. I just stood there, quietly, until my gaze landed on Vanessa’s neck. A silver necklace. A unique design—a butterfly with outstretched wings, its wings inlaid with tiny sapphires. My pupils contracted sharply. That was my necklace. The most precious thing I owned in this life.

My eyes locked onto that necklace. The blood in my veins turned to ice. That was “First Light.” The piece that won me the National Young Designer Gold Award in college. The peak of my design career—and its end. That year, I could have used that award to get into graduate school, to study abroad. But Ryan’s startup had failed. He was drowning in debt, people showing up at his door demanding money. To help him, I gave up grad school. I handed over the entire tenthousanddollar prize to pay off his debts. I stood by him through street vending and food delivery, clawing our way back one day at a time. That necklace was one of a kind. I’d kept it as a memento of that dead dream. For years, I’d locked it in the deepest corner of my safe. I couldn’t even bring myself to wear it. Now it hung around Vanessa’s neck. The irony was suffocating. I walked toward Vanessa, step by step. “Stop embarrassing yourself. Take Lily and go home!” I ignored him and pointed directly at Vanessa’s neck. “Where did you get that?” Ryan froze for a second, his eyes darting away. He instinctively stepped in front of Vanessa. “What do you mean where? I bought it!” “Street vendor stuff. Like twenty bucks. What about it?” Street vendor again. Just something he picked up. I laughed coldly and grabbed the necklace. Vanessa shrieked, clutching her neck and backing away. “What are you doing! You’re hurting me!” “Emily, I know you don’t like me, but this is a gift from Ryan after all…” “A gift?” I stared at Ryan, my voice shaking. “You’re telling me this is street vendor junk?” “Do you even know what’s engraved on the back?” Ryan’s face went deathly pale. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Of course he knew. When I gave this to him as a token of our love, I’d held his hand, pointed to the tiny engraving on the back, and told him: “This is an L—for my name.” “Ryan, if you’ve forgotten, I’d be happy to remind you.” I yanked hard, ripping the necklace from Vanessa’s neck. I flipped the pendant over and held it up to Ryan’s face. The small “L” was perfectly clear. “See it now?” “This is my First Light! The most important achievement of my life!” “Ryan, how dare you?” “How dare you take my heart and soul and give it to another woman?” More people were gathering now, whispering and pointing. Ryan’s composure finally cracked. His eyes went red, and he roared at me. “Fine! Yes! I took it! So what?” “It’s your stuff, but it’s also our stuff!” “Vanessa said it was pretty, that wearing it would bring her luck.” “She’s been having such a hard time—what’s wrong with letting her borrow it?” “It’s just a stupid necklace! Why are you so obsessed?” “It was just sitting in a drawer collecting dust. Might as well let it do some good!” So that’s what he thought. My dreams. My youth. My sacrifice. Just “a dusty old necklace.” Vanessa had recovered by now, holding her neck, crying like a wounded flower. “Emily, I didn’t know this meant so much to you…” “Ryan said it was just a decoration, that it wasn’t worth anything.” “If you want it back, I’ll give it back. Why did you have to grab it like that?” “It’s not like I can’t afford my own…” She cried while sneaking glances at the crowd around us. Sure enough, people started muttering. “That woman’s crazy—she just grabbed it right off her.” “It’s just a necklace. Is it really that serious?” My hand holding the necklace trembled. My heart felt like it was being torn apart. In that moment, I finally understood. What Ryan had trampled wasn’t just a necklace. He had trampled my dignity—everything I had sacrificed for this family. In his eyes, I was worthless. I clutched the necklace tightly and turned to leave. “Ryan, we’re done.” Ryan panicked. He rushed forward to block me, then dropped to his knees with a thud. “Babe! I was wrong!” “I know I was wrong!” “I shouldn’t have taken your things. I just—I wasn’t thinking!” “Take the necklace back. Let’s just live our lives together, okay?” He grabbed at my pants leg, crying and sobbing. I kicked him away. All I felt was disgust.

When I got home, I locked the necklace back in the safe. Then I shut myself in the bathroom and cried until I couldn’t anymore. That night, Lily suddenly spiked a fever. Her temperature shot up to 103°F. She was delirious, mumbling that she felt awful. I panicked and rushed her to the hospital in a cab. Registration. Blood draw. Lab work. I ran up and down the halls alone, carrying my thirtypound daughter. In that moment, I truly hated Ryan. The doctor wrote up the orders and told me to go pay. I pulled out the bank card where I kept our savings and handed it to the cashier. It was Lily’s education fund—our emergency money. Five years of saving. Two hundred thousand dollars. I never expected Ryan to save anything, so I’d always managed this account myself. But Ryan knew the password too. Beep— The cashier handed the card back, looking apologetic. “Insufficient funds.” I froze. “That’s impossible. There’s two hundred thousand in there. How can there be insufficient funds?” “Is the machine broken? Network issue?” The cashier looked tired. “The machine’s fine. There’s just no money. The balance is thirty dollars and fifty cents.” “Use a different card. There are people waiting.” Thirty dollars and fifty cents? My head exploded. Two hundred thousand dollars! Money I’d scraped together, penny by penny, going without so we could save! My hands shook as I pulled out my phone and opened the banking app. Three days ago, a transfer of $199,990. Recipient: Vanessa Harper. I paid for Lily’s treatment with my credit card. After she was hooked up to the IV, I called Ryan like a woman possessed. It rang for a long time before he answered. His voice came through, sheepish. “Hey babe, why are you still up? I’m at the office…” “Ryan, where’s the money?” My voice was ice cold, teeth clenched. “Lily’s education fund. Two hundred thousand dollars. Where is it?” Silence on the other end. Then Ryan started stammering. “Um… babe, let me explain.” “Vanessa’s mom… she suddenly got really sick. Needed emergency surgery.” “You know how it is—no money, no treatment.” “I couldn’t just let her die, right?” “So I lent it to her. She said once she sells her parents’ house, she’ll pay it all back…” “Lent?” I was shaking with rage, tears streaming down my face. “Ryan, that was Lily’s money!” “Lily is in the hospital right now with a high fever, and I can’t even pay the medical bills!” “You took our daughter’s emergency fund to save your exgirlfriend’s mother?” “Are you even human?!” “Did a dog eat your heart?!” My shouting drew annoyed looks from the nurses, signaling me to keep it down. I covered my mouth, choking back sobs, the pain making it hard to breathe. Ryan was still making excuses. “I didn’t know Lily would get sick…” “Besides, that was life or death. This is just a fever. Can’t you tell the difference?” “Can’t you have a little compassion?” Compassion? I looked at my daughter on the hospital bed, hooked up to an IV, her face flushed with fever. She was so small. So fragile. And her father, for the sake of another woman, had abandoned her completely. I wiped my tears and spoke into the phone, my voice calm. “Ryan, you wanted to save someone?” “Fine. That’s just fine.” “Since you’re so generous, you’d better be ready to pay the price.” “That two hundred thousand—I’m going to make you pay it back. With interest.” I hung up and blocked him on everything. You want to play dirty? Don’t be surprised when I play dirtier.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “358985”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #现实主义Realistic #重生Reborn #浪漫Romance