After my billionaire parents found me, they asked if I was interested in getting married. Looking at the ring my boyfriend had given me, I should have refused, but I decisively said yes. Just two days before, when I went to see my boyfriend, I’d overheard his mother talking to him. “Dump Evie, now. I’ve already agreed to your engagement to the wealthy Hayes family.” My boyfriend, Kolt Sterling, replied nonchalantly: “Don’t worry, Mom. I only ever saw Evie as a plaything. I’ve been bored of her for years. I’ll dump her soon.” Seven years of our relationship, and to him, I was just a plaything. Fine, then I’ll find a new one. After telling my parents about the arranged marriage, I went back to the Sterling estate to pack my things and leave. The moment I flicked on the light in the small room I was staying in, Kolt followed me in, pushing me onto the narrow bed as he always did. “Why have you been away so much lately? I’ve been missing you like crazy.” His cool hand skillfully slipped under my shirt, and his eager, passionate kiss was about to land, but I dodged it. I pushed away a surprised Kolt and stood up, saying directly: “I heard everything you and your mother said.” Kolt’s furrowed brows smoothed out, and he actually let out a long sigh of relief. “You heard it all?” “Good. That way, I won’t have to keep secrets from both of you anymore. It’s exhausting.” He pulled me into his arms, his voice coaxing: “Evie, we’re not kids anymore. You’re smart enough to know the social gap between us. I don’t need to spell it out.” “I know you can’t live without me. As long as you behave yourself and don’t cause trouble, I’ll keep providing for you, giving you the life you want, okay? Hmm?” As Kolt spoke, he brushed the hair from my temple, his expression one of his usual, feigned tenderness. I followed his movement, looking at his defined fingers, where only a clearly discolored ring mark remained. My gaze dropped further, to the ugly, twisted self-harm scars on his wrist, pulling me back to that winter when I was eighteen. Actually, when Kolt and I first started dating, the Sterling family hadn’t been entirely against it. Kolt’s mother had fired me, left me without papers, and sent me to the US. When Kolt found out, he went ballistic. That very night, he slashed his wrists. The water in the bathtub turned blood red. Every time they saved him, he’d do it again. After a few rounds, Kolt’s mother was completely helpless. When I was brought to the hospital to see him, the eighteen-year-old boy was pale, stumbling but rushing towards me without stopping. Kolt hugged me tightly, so hard it felt like he wanted to fuse me into his very being. He urgently slipped a custom-made matching couple’s ring onto my finger. “Evie, I had this ring custom-made with a tracking device.” “No one will ever separate us again, not in this lifetime! Promise me, no matter what happens, you’ll never, ever leave me again, okay?” A boy’s vows still seemed to echo in my ears. But now, it was him who so easily chose to betray our love. I stepped back out of Kolt’s embrace, took off the ring, and stated, each word deliberate: “Kolt, we’re over.” Kolt’s face darkened. “Are you serious?” Seeing me nod, he slammed the door shut and stormed out. “Fine. You better not come crawling back, begging me with tears in your eyes!” In our relationship, Kolt was always the dominant one, always in control. Every time we fought or gave each other the silent treatment, I was always the one to placate him, sweet-talk him, and make up. But not anymore. My phone chimed. My father had sent me profiles of potential fiancés. “My dear daughter, which one would you like to marry?” My eyes immediately locked onto a familiar face, Kolt’s sworn enemy, whom he hated to his core. The one he resented countless times but always had to treat with deference – his older half-brother, Ronnie Sterling. On the video call, my father picked up the file with a satisfied look: “Him? He’s doing quite well with his business abroad now, even on the verge of surpassing the Sterling family! I think he’s a good choice!” My mother smiled too. “Indeed! And coincidentally, your sister, Briar, just got engaged to their Kolt.” “Though Briar was switched at birth, she’s lived with us for over twenty years. This way, you’ll have an additional bond, and we won’t drift apart as a family.” It turned out that the one engaged to Kolt was none other than Briar, the fake heiress, with whom my life was swapped. I could tell my parents had deep affection for Briar. So when they suggested we wait until after her wedding to Kolt to announce my true identity and engagement, I didn’t refuse. After packing, I opened my door to leave, but a figure suddenly rushed in.

The woman raised her hand and slapped me hard across the face. “You’re that bitch who’s been trying to seduce my Kolt, aren’t you?” “Why don’t you look in a mirror and see what kind of trash you are? How dare you even dream of wanting my man!” “Let me tell you, if you know what’s good for you, stay away from Kolt! Otherwise, once I marry in, I’ll have plenty of ways to deal with you!” Briar’s arrogance blazed as she finished yelling and tried to slap me again. I blocked her arm, ready to slap her back. The next moment, Kolt rushed over, grabbed my wrist, and forcefully pushed me backward. Kolt snapped at me coldly: “Apologize!” I raised my still reddened cheek. “Can’t you see she hit me first? Why should *I* apologize?” Briar’s tears gushed out instantly. Feigning hurt, she threw herself into Kolt’s arms. “Kolt, your maid is so mean! I didn’t mean to, it’s just all the terrible things people are saying outside. As your fiancée, was I wrong to warn her?” Kolt dotingly wiped a tear from her eye, coaxing softly: “No, no, my little princess can do no wrong.” “There, there, sweetheart, don’t let some unimportant person ruin your mood. I’ll take you to your favorite steakhouse again, okay?” Back when Kolt had struggled with his mother, threatening suicide to bring me back, besides slashing his wrists, he’d also swallowed an entire bottle of sleeping pills. After having his stomach pumped and being revived, he’d developed a chronic stomach condition. It was so severe that just the smell of anything greasy would make his stomach spasm uncontrollably. I never thought he’d throw caution to the wind for Briar. Briar stopped crying, shot me a triumphant glare, then wrapped her arms around Kolt’s neck. “Okay, but first, I need a little kiss to make me feel better!” Kolt glanced sideways at me, pinched Briar’s chin, and kissed her deeply. Amidst wet, smacking sounds, long, lingering strands of saliva stretched between them. “Ugh, darling, you’ve got me all hot and bothered! I don’t want to eat anymore, I’d rather you…!” Hearing this, Kolt scooped up a limp Briar in his arms. His gaze landed on me, and a mocking sneer twisted his lips. “Alright, hubby, I’ll take you back to the room and let you have your fill!” “Oh, and Maid, remember to send up a few more boxes of protection for us! My Kolt is so strong; I’m afraid we won’t have enough!” It wasn’t until the sound of Kolt closing his master bedroom door came that it dawned on me: for all these years, Kolt had never allowed me into his room, except for cleaning. Perhaps my subconscious wanted to sever all ties. Before I knew it, I was standing at Kolt’s door, holding what they’d asked for. The moment I pushed the door open, Briar and Kolt’s voices seemed amplified a thousand times. Used tissues were scattered across the floor. Kolt was pressed against Briar in the bathtub. Her hands were pressed against the floor-to-ceiling window, and his face was lost in ecstasy. My eyes accidentally met Kolt’s in the mirror. His gaze hardened, and he stared at me, deliberately intensifying his movements. Water splashed, and what spilled out was clean water, but for some reason, I could still smell the blood from that year. “Leave the stuff and get out. This isn’t a place you’re fit to be!” It wasn’t until the door closed again, muffling the sounds behind me, that a wave of nauseating sickness and tears washed over me simultaneously. I’d changed my mind. I redialed my father. “Dad, Mom, I want to announce my identity and engagement sooner rather than later. Can we do that?” My parents were silent for a long time on the video call, then replied with a hint of disappointment in their expressions: “Alright. After all, you are our biological daughter. Your wishes come first.” “Coincidentally, Ronnie received the wedding invitation and will arrive in New York tomorrow. You two can meet tomorrow to discuss the wedding date, and then hold a press conference together.”

The next day, I met Ronnie at the restaurant he’d chosen. The last time I’d seen him was eight years ago, when Kolt successfully used his suicide attempt, and I returned to the Sterling family. After that, Ronnie went abroad and never returned to the Sterling estate. Compared to Kolt’s confident and flamboyant nature, Ronnie was still the cold and expressionless man I remembered. He was the first to speak: “Long time no see, Evie. I never expected you to be the long-lost daughter of the Hayes family.” “About the engagement, do you still need time to think it over?” I was about to answer when a cheer suddenly erupted from the large outdoor terrace outside the restaurant’s glass window. Kolt’s friends surrounded Briar, bringing her to the center of the platform. In the night sky, fireworks and a drone light show soared together, dazzling and almost blinding. The giant LED screen of the downtown skyscraper, directly opposite the river, suddenly lit up, then cycled through “Happy One-Year Anniversary, Kolt and Briar.” So, they’d been together for a year already. What was I doing exactly a year ago today? Some moments in time cannot be revisited. Once revisited, those hidden pains, once thought to be sealed by time, would suddenly resurface, gnawing at your flesh and blood. That day, I saw two pink lines on the pregnancy test and went to the hospital to confirm my pregnancy. I was feeling ecstatic, wanting to surprise Kolt, but on my way back to the Sterling estate, I was pulled into a van by masked men. A few masked thugs took me to an abandoned factory, brutally beating me with sticks. They then tore my clothes, taking degrading naked pictures. They originally had more sinister intentions. But when my unborn child slid out as a pool of blood, they assumed I was just bleeding from my period, called me “dirty,” and left. I desperately crawled to the road for help, clutching my stomach, hoping for a miracle. But when I woke up again, I only received a miscarriage report from the doctor. Actually, I wasn’t without opportunities to call for help then. When I was taken out of the van, I managed to break free and hid in the bushes while the thugs weren’t looking. Panicked, I pressed the tracker activation button on my ring, calling Kolt again and again. After he pressed reject a few times, he finally picked up. Noisy cheers and shouts came from the other end of the line. Before I could even speak, Kolt said, “I’m busy right now,” and hung up. Busy with what? Turns out, he was busy making things official with Briar. Thinking back to how I felt immense guilt towards Kolt for not saving our child, choosing to carry the burden alone. Recalling the nights tormented by endless nightmares, I suddenly wanted to slap myself. Perhaps I’d been on antidepressants for too long; it really seemed to have messed with my head. By the time I came back to my senses, Kolt was already on one knee in front of Briar, holding a ring. The people around them started cheering: “Marry him! Marry him!” My gaze returned to Ronnie. I said: “I don’t need to reconsider the engagement. However, I want the engagement announcement and the wedding date to be as soon as possible.” Ronnie raised an eyebrow at my words, and a slight smile played on his lips as he extended his hand to me: “Well then, shall we get married?”

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After six grueling years, my boyfriend, Brett, and I finally made our startup a success. That also meant I’d passed my parents’ test and was about to become the next heir to the family fortune. Tonight, I planned to introduce him to my parents and make our engagement official. But when I pushed open the office door, I saw a woman with one leg draped over his. She wore an ultra-short, body-hugging skirt. As her leg lifted, her red underwear was on full display. I froze on the spot. Brett didn’t even twitch. “Chloe sprained her ankle with me seeing clients today. I’m just rubbing it for her.” “You guys carry on.” I turned and walked away, remembering how my parents had never approved of Brett. Guess I wouldn’t have to convince them to accept him anymore. My friends used to joke about never coming home early from a business trip, saying you might find an “unexpected surprise.” I never thought it would become my reality. Back home, a beautifully wrapped gift box sat on the table. Even the vase was overflowing with fresh flowers. I thought Brett knew I was back early and planned a surprise birthday celebration. I carefully opened the box. A diamond ring lay quietly inside. Any lingering unpleasantness vanished. Damn it, how could I ever doubt Brett? Ten years of history—how could he possibly betray me? Humming a little tune, I busied myself in the kitchen. After preparing a romantic dinner, I took a hot shower and waited for Brett to return. Soon, I heard voices outside the door. “What gift did you get me?” “You’ll find out soon.” Brett appeared before me, with Chloe by his side. They paused when they saw me, then quickly composed themselves. “Chloe just landed a major project for the company. It’s her birthday today, and as her boss, I felt I should show my appreciation.” Brett spoke without a trace of remorse. I looked around, realizing I was the fool. I’d thought all this was for me. No wonder the roses weren’t my favorite yellow, but red. This place was never meant for me. “Mr. Brett, maybe I should leave. Aria doesn’t look too happy.” “Besides, Aria just got back. I shouldn’t interrupt your time together.” “There’s no ‘time together’ for us.” Brett chuckled. “Besides, Aria isn’t as petty as you think.” He looked at me. “Chloe is my subordinate at the office, but at home, she’s a guest. Aria, go get her a glass of water.” I stood up and started walking out. As I passed Brett, I couldn’t help but speak. “I’m not so ‘generous’ that I can ignore the lipstick stain on your face.” “Mr. Brett, you should really go after Aria. Don’t let me come between you two.” “If only she were half as understanding as you.” “Forget about her. Come see the surprise I prepared for you.” The door couldn’t block their conversation. I stood outside, tears streaming down my face. Brett, I trusted you so much… Clutching my chest, I sank to the floor, my breathing growing difficult. The door opened. Brett stood over me, looking down. “Come inside if you want an explanation.”

He turned and went back in, leaving the door ajar. His explanations meant nothing when weighed against what employees had already seen. I got up and left, arranging to meet a colleague from the company. “It’s not that I meant to keep it from you, Aria. It’s just… I didn’t know how to tell you.” “Just go to Chloe’s office; you’ll see.” Chloe had joined the company less than a year ago, but Brett had fast-tracked her promotion to department head, giving her a private office. On her desk sat a photo, next to an album. In the photo, Brett had his arm gently around her waist. Brett and I had an identical photo. Even the angle was exactly the same. I opened the album; Brett was in every single picture. Each photo brought back memories. The backgrounds were places Brett and I had been to together. He had taken Chloe on a tour of *our* shared history. “Aria…” “These photos are my personal belongings, you…” Unaware, dawn had broken. Chloe walked in, speaking, and I snapped back to reality. I stared at her. She didn’t dare continue, just lowered her head, looking tearful and wronged. Cheater? Playing the victim? Shouldn’t *I* be the one feeling wronged? “Are you resigning, or am I firing you?” Chloe cried and left. Soon, her savior arrived. “What’s with the scene?” Brett’s voice was ice cold. He was right. What was I doing? What right did I have to make a scene now that I was no longer loved? I stood to walk out, but Brett grabbed my arm, his tone softening slightly. “Chloe and I are nothing. Just a boss-subordinate relationship.” I stared at his face. “She does like me, that’s true. I invited her to my place yesterday to have a serious talk with her.” “As for those photos, you can take them to any expert. They’re clearly doctored.” “Stop this, Aria. Her talent is exceptional; she’s a real asset. That’s why I didn’t want to hurt her by rejecting her outright.” “Besides, you know her background. She’s Mr. Sterling’s daughter, not someone I just arbitrarily promoted.” She was the CEO’s daughter. And who was I? I looked at Brett. “You’re only ‘taking care’ of her because of her special background?” “That’s why you put her name on the project I worked on for half a year?” “Is that what you call her ‘merit’?” Brett’s expression soured. “You always said we should give new talent a chance. This is just making up for when we didn’t have any help starting out. She reminds me a lot of you back then, that’s why I wanted to help her.” “You know me, Aria. Don’t be so dramatic, okay?” I *used* to know him. But now, I didn’t. Years can change a lot. He was becoming a stranger. If he thought I was being dramatic, then I’d be dramatic just this once. “Fire her, or I leave the company. Choose one.” “You haven’t been yourself lately. If you want to take a break, take one. Think of it as preparing for marriage and kids.” “Aria, I only love you.” “Believe me or don’t, it’s your call.” Brett let go of me and turned to leave. I clutched my phone, staring at the dozens of missed calls. They were from my mom. I was supposed to take Brett to a party last night. I didn’t know how to explain any of this to my family. A leg massage, a lipstick mark, an elaborate ‘birthday’ surprise, and those photos—they weren’t solid proof they’d slept together. But my gut wrenched. This was a boundary crossed, a line I couldn’t accept. If I just introduced him to my parents, if he knew my *real* background, would he finally cut ties with Chloe? I hated the thought of him bowing and scraping for power. I fell for the Brett who always stood tall against anything. Maybe I *was* mistaken? He’d never bent the knee to any powerful person before. Even if he *thought* Chloe was the CEO’s daughter, he wouldn’t actually *submit* to her. I looked at the photos. Were they really doctored? BANG! The office door burst open. Brett stormed back in, his face dark. He’d never been angry with me before, but now, his eyes practically burned holes through me. I stared at him, wanting to know what had happened.

“What did you say to Chloe?” “Why did she suddenly quit, out of the blue?” “Now the whole company is buzzing about us. You show up, she quits—what’s everyone going to think of *me*?” “What do you take me for?” “There was nothing going on, but you making a scene like this will make everyone think Chloe and I really *are* together.” “Go apologize to Chloe right now and get her to stay with the company.” I looked at him. “Even if there’s nothing going on, I’m not comfortable with her in the company. Can’t you just let her go, for my sake?” Brett softened his tone, trying to rein himself in. “If a girl’s career was ruined because she liked me, do you think that’s fair?” “I’ve already rejected her clearly.” “Because I love you, I won’t stand by and watch you do something so selfish.” “If you still care about me, go get her back. I promise I’ll keep my distance from her after that.” “We’re getting married soon, stop this, okay?” “Just cool down for a bit. I know you’ll make the right choice.” Brett left. I went downstairs to the coffee shop and met Chloe. She dropped her demure act, her eyes challenging me. “Looks like Brett made his choice. He couldn’t bear to let me leave.” As she spoke, she gently stroked the diamond ring on her left ring finger—the same style I’d seen yesterday, the one I thought Brett had bought for *me*. Now, it was on Chloe’s hand. I’d lost this competition. I’d been so naive, believing Brett only cared about me, thinking Chloe was just harassing him. I’d even specifically arranged to meet Chloe, wanting to have a serious talk with her. In the end, I was just the fool. “I wish you both happiness.” Chloe frowned, watching my retreating back. “I thought she’d make a scene. That way, we could really make a splash and let the whole company know Brett and I are together.” “How boring.” She pouted, then also stood up and left. Silently, I went upstairs and packed my things. Brett had chosen her, so I’d leave. Half an hour later, I wandered aimlessly through the familiar city, suddenly not knowing where to go. I passed the small restaurant Brett and I used to frequent, the river where we had our dates. This city held too many memories of us. Before, they were beautiful. Now, they were sharp knives, piercing my heart. What did I do wrong? To let a ten-year relationship just… fizzle out? Or was it that after losing my youth, I simply couldn’t compete with youth itself? I wanted to get completely drunk, then bid farewell to the past. Late at night, I unconsciously found myself in front of an old building. It was dilapidated but the rent was cheap. Brett and I lived here when we first started out. The space was tiny, but it overflowed with our happiness. After we made money, we bought the apartment to remember our humble beginnings. Whenever we were tired, we’d come here to rest, reminiscing about our sweet past. I didn’t know why I was here, maybe I was drunk, maybe I was just yearning for what used to be. When I opened the door, someone was already in the cramped space. Brett was on top of Chloe. He’d brought her back to the sacred place of our memories

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To buy a New Year’s gift for my brother, I took a part-time job, only to be drugged on my way home. When I woke up, I was a bride-to-be. The traffickers, to prevent me from crying for help, lied to the buyers that I had severe mania and had to wear a hood and a gag until the wedding night. Locked in the room, I fell into despair, until my simple-minded “husband” secretly snuck in. The moment our eyes met, we both froze. When I woke up, the world was pitch black. A thick black hood was pulled tightly over my head, and my mouth was stuffed with a rag. The sedative hadn’t fully worn off. My mind felt fuzzy, and all I could hear was haggling coming from outside the door. “My girl here, she’s got some issues in the head, bites sometimes, but she’s strong, healthy. $30,000, not a penny less!” That was Sheila, the trafficker who’d kidnapped me, a middle-aged woman with yellow teeth, now pretending to be my “mother.” Then, a submissive, flattering voice spoke up: “Alright! As long as you don’t mind our son, Milo, is a bit simple, $30,000 it is! We’ll pay it!” I was stunned. The one buying a bride was my mom?! “Mmph! Mmph!” I struggled like a madwoman, the iron bed clanging loudly against the wall. Mom! Don’t give her the money! It’s me, Chloe! I’m right here! I’m in the next room! “Hear that? The crazy girl’s acting up again!” Sheila lowered her voice. Despair washed over me like a tidal wave. “$30,000. Perfect. So, it’s a done deal then.” Sheila’s tone was light, clearly happy the money was in her hand. “Alright, money’s settled. I’ll head into town to get some supplies. My woman will stay here with the kid. First thing tomorrow, we get them married!” “Sounds good, sounds good! I’ll see you out!” Footsteps faded. I slumped onto the bed, my fingernails digging into the sheets. The despair in my heart was thick, suffocating. They left. They sold me off like a piece of livestock… to my own parents. I don’t know how long passed, but the door creaked open a crack. A goofy laugh floated in. “Hehe… Wife… My wife…” My body went rigid. It was my simple-minded brother, Milo.

A strong, sweet scent of Caramel Chews hit my nose. That was Milo’s favorite candy. Ever since we were little, whenever I had pocket money, I’d buy it for him. “Mmph… mph…” With the rag in my mouth, I could only make muffled gasps, shaking my head frantically, trying to get his attention. Milo seemed drawn to my movements. His goofy laugh stopped for a moment, and his footsteps padded to the side of the bed. “Wife… don’t move…” A chubby hand reached out, curiously touching the black hood on my head. The next second, without any warning, that hand grabbed the bottom of the hood and yanked it up! Blinding light instantly flooded in, my pupils contracted violently, and tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Once my eyes adjusted, I saw the face before me. His features were a bit askew, drool hung at the corner of his mouth, but his eyes were clear as a child’s. It really was my simple-minded brother! Our eyes met. Milo froze. He tilted his head, staring at my face for several seconds, and the half-eaten Caramel Chew in his hand “plinked” onto the floor. I trembled with excitement, nodding desperately, tears falling like broken strings of pearls. Milo! It’s me! I’m Chloe! Help me! Go get Mom and Dad! Milo’s eyes suddenly widened, a huge burst of surprise on his face. He clapped his hands and jumped up: “Sister! It’s Sister!” “Sister’s back! Sister’s in the room!” In that moment, I thought the nightmare was over. However, the very next second, Milo’s actions kicked me from heaven straight into hell. He didn’t untie my ropes, nor did he pull the rag from my mouth. Instead, as if remembering something incredibly important, a sly, “I know the rules too” grin spread across his face. “Hehe, I know! Mom and Dad said this is a wedding game!” “Sister loves games too, so let’s play together!” What? My eyes widened in terror, a gut-wrenching sob tearing from my throat. No! It’s not a game! Milo! This is kidnapping! But Milo couldn’t understand my fear. He picked up the black hood from the floor and carefully pulled it back over my head. To prevent me from “cheating,” he even tied a tight knot at the back of my head! “Mom and Dad said the game rule is you can’t lift the veil, or it won’t work!” “Sister, hide well, and don’t make a sound! Milo’s going to find Mom and Dad to guess!” My vision plunged back into absolute darkness. Despair, like an icy hand, clutched my heart. I heard Milo happily run out the door, excitedly shouting in the yard: “Dad! Mom! Sister’s in the room! Sister has a black hood on! We’re playing hide-and-seek!” In the yard, my mom, Margaret, who was clearing dishes, paused, then let out a helpless, indulgent laugh: “That silly boy, he’s really fixated on his sister. Your sister’s away at college in the city, how could she be back now to play hide-and-seek?” “Go on, go eat your candy, don’t disturb your wife. They said your wife’s afraid of strangers, can’t handle too much noise.” Then, Sheila’s voice rang out, cold and sinister: “Milo’s just taken a liking to his wife! But the girl really can’t be seen right now. I saw her banging against the wall again just now. Probably her ‘mania’ acting up. This needs to be dealt with, otherwise, tomorrow morning’s wedding could turn into a real mess.” “Oh no, what do we do?” Margaret’s voice became anxious. “No worries, I’ve got some heavy-duty sedatives here. Even our wildest bulls would pass out. We’ll get her to drink it, and she’ll sleep soundly until the ceremony tomorrow, all calm for the wedding.” “Alright, alright! You’re so thoughtful! I’ll go feed it to her right now!” “Creak!” The door opened, and a familiar scent washed over me.

It was the smell of cheap laundry detergent mixed with years of cooking oil, the scent of my mother, Margaret, that I’d known since childhood! She was right in front of me! Less than three feet away! “Mmph! Mmph!” Fear and urgency drove me to frantic, instinctual struggles. The iron bed clanged loudly. Mom! Is that you? Listen to me! Listen to this sound! I’m your child, the one you raised! “This… this is too scary.” Margaret’s voice came from beside the bed, tinged with obvious trembling and fear. “Why is this girl shaking so much? Is she in a lot of pain?” “Don’t get soft now, this is just her sickness flaring up!” Sheila chuckled, reassuring Margaret: “Look at her thrashing around, how can we not tie her down? Quick, get it down her while it’s fresh!” Then, I felt the bed dip. Someone sat down. A rough, warm hand, through the black hood, gently cupped my neck. The calluses on her palm scraped against my skin, stinging, yet they made my tears burst forth. It was Mom’s hand! “Don’t be afraid, I’m not going to hurt you.” Margaret’s voice was right by my ear, so gentle it broke my heart. “Come on, be a good girl, the medicine will make you feel better. Drink the medicine, and tomorrow you’ll be married.” I won’t drink it! Mom! It’s a sedative! I shook my head desperately, the gag in my mouth made my jaw ache, I could only make desperate muffled groans. “Oh dear, with the hood so tight and her mouth stuffed, how are we supposed to get it down?” Margaret was at a loss. Sheila heard her and stepped forward. I felt a pincer-like hand, through the black cloth, clamp tightly onto my jaw! “I’ll do it. You go outside, so she doesn’t scare you.” At that, the fear in my heart exploded. Don’t go! Mom! You can’t leave! If you leave, I’ll truly have no chance! “Mmph! Mmph!” I unleashed an unprecedented will to survive, thrashing wildly, recklessly. I ignored the ropes cutting into my wrists and ankles, making my skin raw, and strained my body, slamming my head against the bed frame. Making loud “Thump! Thump! Thump!” sounds. The entire iron bed vibrated violently, as if it would fall apart any second. “Oh my goodness!” Margaret had never seen such a scene. Her hand trembled, the bowl clattered, spilling most of the liquid. Her face deathly pale, she stumbled back to the doorway, clutching her chest, still shaken: “Why… why did she suddenly go so crazy? This is too terrifying!” “See? I told you she was vicious!” Sheila pressed down hard on my shoulders, using her knee to pin my chest so I couldn’t move, then turned to Margaret with a smile: “You go out first! Close the door! Don’t let my simple-minded girl run into you!” “She’s shy, probably scared by your voice. I’ll just calm her down first!” “Alright, alright! Then I’ll leave it to you, ma’am! I… I really can’t watch…” Margaret was terrified by my frenzied state and dared not stay another second. “Creak!” The door closed.

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Drunk and reckless, I ended up in bed with Serena, the woman I’d secretly loved for years. It happened the same night her ex, the guy she always put first, left the country to pursue new ventures. The next morning, concerned about her family business’s reputation, she suggested we get married. So I buried every ounce of my true feelings and became her outwardly respectable, suitable partner. Through countless silent nights, we’d make frantic love, only to live like strangers the very next day. My friends all said I’d never break free from this relationship. I used to believe them. Until that day, when I found her second phone. While she was showering, a young guy sent a selfie. “Ms. Montgomery, thank you for the birthday gift.” He looked really young, dressed in clothes clearly beyond his usual budget, appearing a little uncomfortable. I stared at the screen for a long time. I knew there was someone else in Serena’s life, but I never expected *this* type. Beyond the sting of betrayal, I was honestly surprised by her preference. I probably shouldn’t have been prying into her privacy. A moment later, Serena walked out of the bathroom, towel-drying her hair. “Seen enough?” She snatched her phone, gave me a fleeting glance, and started getting dressed. Not a flicker of unease crossed her face, even after being caught red-handed. I knew exactly where her confidence came from: she held all the financial power. I was just the ‘kept’ partner, someone she’d settled at home, even though before our marriage, I was a promising concert pianist. I didn’t say anything about the photo. I had no standing to. Watching her prepare to leave, I spoke up: “Serena, I need to talk to you.” She adjusted her cuff, checked the time: “I have five minutes. The driver is waiting.” I knew where she was going, and my eyes dimmed. “Serena, I want to go back to work.” Serena turned, scrutinizing me for a moment. She pulled her checkbook from her handbag, signed a check, and handed it to me. “Isn’t being a full-time partner at home good enough? The outside world, with its pressures, isn’t really for you.” She turned to leave. I followed a few steps, my voice earnest: “I’m not afraid to start over. I could teach piano, or…” She didn’t have the patience to listen. In her eyes, I was already too comfortable being cared for, stripped of any ability to stand on my own two feet. Serena glanced at her watch, picked up her briefcase. As her hand reached for the doorknob, I urgently asked, “My father’s birthday dinner is on Saturday. Can you come?” She paused: “We’ll see.” The door closed softly. A few minutes later, the sound of a car driving away echoed from downstairs. The butler came up. “Ms. Montgomery will be in San Francisco for a few days, handling group affairs.” “Also, a batch of her clothes just arrived. Sir, should I send them for dry cleaning or will you handle them yourself?” He was well aware of the state of my relationship with Serena. In this house, he was our messenger. I sat on the sofa for a long time, then quietly said, “I’ll take care of it.” Serena didn’t like the chemical smell of dry cleaning. All her clothes, from suits to coats, were almost always hand-washed and carefully ironed by me. She was meticulous about every detail of her life. She hated fast food, demanded a perfectly tidy bedroom. For her, I learned cooking, organizing, and even flower arranging. She never truly saw me as an equal partner. This marriage was just a necessary formality for her family after an unexpected accident. I gradually became the perfect domestic partner. My life almost revolved entirely around Serena. But for me, she still felt nothing.

I looked at the check in my hand. Last year, my family’s business nearly went bankrupt, and my father suffered a heart attack from the shock. His monthly medical expenses were astronomical. Every time I visited home, my stepmother, Evelyn, would complain that I wasn’t getting enough support from Serena. “She’s the CEO of Montgomery Medical Group, a multi-millionaire.” “Jonah, you’re legally married. Shouldn’t you be sharing resources?” I forced a bitter smile. Serena’s resources? How could they ever be *mine*? Serena had no feelings for me; our relationship was always distant. This marriage had only physical intimacy, no emotional connection. She made it clear she had no intention of having children. Before every intimate moment, she’d remind me to take my birth control. I pulled open the nightstand drawer. Inside was an empty pill bottle. And a thick journal, chronicling every emotion I’d felt for Serena since I was eighteen. Ten years. I’d poured ten years of my life into this. I closed my eyes. This one-man show? I don’t think I can keep performing it anymore. I never waited for Serena to come home. My father had another heart attack and was rushed to the ICU. His condition was critical, requiring immediate surgery. I frantically dialed Serena’s number in the hospital corridor, but it went straight to voicemail. Just as I was about to give up, she picked up. Afraid she’d hang up at any second, I spoke quickly: “Serena, my father—” She cut me off, her voice laced with impatience: “Is it about the medical bills?” “I’ve told you many times, for emergency expenses, contact David. Jonah, are you listening?” I looked up, stunned, at the TV screen in the waiting area. The news report for today was playing: The CEO of Montgomery Medical Group booked out Disneyland for a private fireworks show, just to cheer up her lover. Under the dazzling fireworks, a young man sat in a wheelchair, a radiant smile on his face. And my wife, Serena, stood behind him, phone in hand, talking to me. I blinked, once, twice. After a long moment, my voice trembled: “Serena, where are you?” There was a pause on the other end, as if my question irritated her, but she still gave a dismissive answer: “Busy. If it’s nothing important, I’m hanging up. Contact David.” She didn’t notice the tremor in my voice, but the tenderness in her gaze as she looked down at the person beside her was blinding. My vision blurred—Serena could look like that? My stepmother, Evelyn, called from behind me: “Did you reach Serena? Without her support, this will be tough.” But her words caught in her throat as she saw the TV screen. After a long silence, Evelyn finally found her voice: “She’s in Los Angeles again.” “Jonah, I still can’t believe that when Serena was in a coma, this guy, Kyle, played a piano piece and woke her up.” “Even if it’s true, does she need to ‘repay’ him like this? She doesn’t even remember your birthday.” Evelyn grew more agitated, and seeing our family’s current situation, she started to cry. “But Jonah, you need to be rational. Now is not the time to clash with Serena.” I clenched my fist, my nails digging into my palm, yet I felt no pain. Clash with Serena? No, I wouldn’t. Not because ‘Mr. Montgomery’ knows how to act ‘appropriately.’ It’s because I had no standing whatsoever – an ignored partner, my title nothing but an empty shell. I looked at the fireworks on TV, and quietly said: “That kind of fireworks display must cost a fortune, right?” Evelyn didn’t understand what I meant. I lowered my gaze and called David.

Disturbing someone late at night is always ill-timed. David had been with Serena for years and held a special position. He also knew Serena couldn’t care less about her husband. So after I explained my purpose, his tone was cold and purely professional: “Mr. Montgomery, you’ll need to submit an application first. Funds can only be released after Ms. Montgomery signs it.” “Just like the wristwatch you wear, it needs to be registered for use.” “You understand the procedure.” I hung up, looking down in silence. After a long while, I looked up at my reflection in the glass, gently raised my hand, the wedding ring glinting on my finger. This was the only thing on my entire body that I didn’t need to ask Serena for, didn’t need to report to her assistant about. How utterly ironic. I blinked, dazed, and suddenly said, “Help me find a reliable buyer. I want to sell this ring.” Evelyn stared, “Jonah, are you serious?” I slowly turned around. In the empty hall late at night, my footsteps echoed clearly. I took a few steps, then stopped, and said with determination: “I’m perfectly sober. Never been clearer. I’m ending this with Serena.” Three days later, Serena returned home. Serena pushed open the bedroom door, finding me tidying my belongings. She put down her luggage, loosened her scarf, and sat on the edge of the bed, watching me. All these years of marriage, I had focused on managing this home – organizing, preparing exquisite meals. If it weren’t for the title of “Mr. Montgomery,” in Serena’s eyes, I probably wouldn’t be any different from a personal butler. For a long time, I didn’t speak. Serena was tired from her business trip; seeing my silence, she too remained quiet. She walked into the closet, took out a robe, and headed to the bathroom. While bathing, she probably assumed that, given my personality, I would have calmed down by the time she emerged, reverting to that respectable partner she expected. She was always so sure I’d stay trapped in this relationship. So when she walked out of the bathroom and saw my suitcase still in place, she decided it was time to talk. Serena sat on the sofa, casually flipping through a magazine. After a while, she looked up at me. “How’s your father doing?” “I’ve already spoken to David about that night.” She said it dismissively, without any hint of sincerity. I put down what I was holding and met her gaze in the mirror. The Serena in the reflection was exquisitely beautiful, with an extraordinary presence; she made even a simple robe look high-end. I looked for a long time, until my eyes began to sting, then calmly said: “Serena, we need to end this marriage.”

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I was celebrating my son’s fifth birthday when my late husband’s brothers arrived. “You… didn’t you die in that fire five years ago?” I froze instantly. My husband was the one who died, the whole team knew it. But the new firefighter shook his head, his face etched with terror. “No, our captain didn’t die. He even showed us a family photo last week.” “He said… his current wife is his only love.” “You’re drunk! What nonsense are you spouting?!” The atmosphere at the dinner table instantly solidified. Mr. Miller, Captain Arthur Finch’s old commander, stood up, his face drained of color, clapping a hand over the young firefighter’s mouth. “He’s talking nonsense. Don’t take it to heart.” He said, forcibly dragging Finn O’Connell out. “I’m not drunk! Everything I said is true! Captain, he…” Finn’s struggling voice faded further and further away, finally cut off by the heavy thud of a closing door. A deathly silence filled the private room. Arthur’s “brothers,” the men who had come every year to celebrate birthdays with me and my son, now hung their heads, no one daring to meet my gaze. The birthday cake still held its “5” candle. My son, Leo, looked up at me with eyes strikingly similar to Arthur’s, confused. “Mom, what’s wrong with the uncles?” I snapped back to reality, forcing a smile as I ruffled his hair. “Nothing, sweetheart. The uncles are just playing a game.” I looked at Mr. Miller. He had returned, a stiff smile plastered on his face. “He’s new, doesn’t know the rules. He must have confused our captain with another captain from a neighboring city. Don’t take him seriously, please.” “That’s right, that’s right. How could there be two people who look so alike?” “Exactly. Our captain is a hero, the whole city knows it!” They tried their best to explain, but the more they explained, the heavier my heart felt. I had known Arthur for ten years, married him for three. Five years ago, the fire that incinerated half of the city’s west warehouse district also took him away. He had selflessly rushed into the collapsing inferno to save the last trapped child. They couldn’t even find his body, only his burnt, deformed wedding ring in the ruins. For the past five years, I had raised our son alone, relying on his pension and the support from these “brothers.” I always believed they were helping out of loyalty to a fallen comrade, looking out for me and Leo for Arthur’s sake. But now, it seemed things weren’t as I had thought. I raised my glass, toasting Mr. Miller. “Mr. Miller, I’m so grateful for all your help these past few years.” “Nonsense, Elara. It’s the least we could do.” He quickly raised his glass, downing it in one gulp, as if trying to conceal something. I lowered my gaze, my voice soft. “Then… what was the name of the captain he mentioned?” Mr. Miller’s body stiffened abruptly. The faces of the men next to him instantly turned ashen. “That… I can’t remember, haha. It was just a misunderstanding.” Mr. Miller chuckled awkwardly, his eyes darting nervously. The rest of the meal passed in a blur. I couldn’t taste anything. They practically fled the restaurant, making hurried excuses as they left. After I tucked Leo into bed, I watched his sleeping face, a spitting image of Arthur’s, and my heart ached with a sharp, throbbing pain. My husband was the one who died. But why would that new firefighter say such a thing? He said his current wife was his only love. What was I, then? What did my five years of mourning mean? A chilling thought began to grow wildly in my mind. I had to uncover the truth.

The next day, I made some soup and went to the fire station under the pretense of thanking them. When the crew saw me, they greeted me warmly, but beneath their enthusiasm, I sensed an uncomfortable evasiveness. I didn’t see Finn. “Mr. Miller, where’s Finn? He seemed quite drunk yesterday, I wanted to check if he’s okay.” I asked, feigning casualness. Mr. Miller was polishing a trophy on the honor wall. At my question, his hand twitched, and the trophy nearly clattered to the floor. “Oh… him? He had an urgent family matter back home. He took leave early this morning and left.” His lie was so transparent it was laughable. A newcomer, who had been transferred less than a month ago and whose family details hadn’t even been fully registered, what urgent matter could he possibly have? My gaze fell on the honor wall. There was Arthur’s black and white photo, his smile bright and his presence commanding. Below the photo, it read: Arthur Finch. I stared at that picture, a heavy, suffocating feeling settling in my chest. Next to it was a team photo of the rescue squad, taken a month before the fire. Arthur stood in the center, his arm around my shoulder. We looked so happy, so in love. But my attention was drawn to an inconspicuous woman behind him. She wore a logistics uniform, standing in the corner, her eyes fixed intently on Arthur. That gaze was filled with unabashed obsession and possessiveness. I didn’t recall anyone like her being on the team. “Mr. Miller, who is this woman? I don’t seem to recognize her.” I pointed at the photo. Mr. Miller’s face changed again. “Her? Oh… just a temporary worker. What was her name again… She left after only a few days. Not important, not important.” He quickly changed the subject, pulling me towards their newly equipped fire truck. I feigned interest, my mind consumed by the woman’s intense gaze. Back home, I rummaged through all of Arthur’s belongings. A locked tin box rolled out from the bottom of a chest. This was our “Time Capsule,” which we’d bought together before he enlisted. We’d promised to fill it with our most precious memories. He said he would keep the key, and we’d open it together when we were old. But now, he was gone. I found a hammer and, without hesitation, savagely smashed the lock open. The box opened. Inside were no love letters, no photos of us. Only a thick stack of photos and a pink diary. The photos showed Arthur and that woman. They were kissing on the beach, cuddling on a snowy mountain, smiling so brightly in every single photo it hurt my eyes. My hands trembling, I opened the pink diary. The neat, elegant script documented a woman’s disturbing obsession with my husband, and her… resentment towards me. “Why did he marry *that* woman? She’s not worthy of him at all!” “He says he loves me, so why does he still sleep in the same bed as her?” “Arthur promised me. After this mission, he’ll tell Elara everything. He said he’d give me and *our child* a family.” “Our child”… A deafening buzz filled my head, and my mind went utterly blank. Tucked into the last page of the diary was an ultrasound scan. The name written on it was “Serena Reed.” The date was six years ago. A year older than my son, Leo.

My world, in that moment, completely collapsed. The profound love I thought we had was nothing but a drama I’d played alone. The “hero” I’d mourned for five years had, behind my back, not only taken another woman but also had a child older than my own son. A wave of profound disgust and betrayal washed over me, sending me rushing to the bathroom to dry heave. I collapsed onto the cold tiles, tears silently streaming down my face. That woman named Serena Reed… I frantically searched my memory for the name. It clicked. Before we got married, Arthur had casually mentioned a neighbor from his hometown, a younger girl who had always liked him. At the time, I hadn’t thought much of it, just dismissed it as a joke. It wasn’t a joke. It was a ticking time bomb buried beneath my happy life. I wiped my tears and returned to the box. Beneath the diary and photos, I found an unsent letter. It was Arthur’s handwriting. “Serena, everything is arranged. The fire at the west warehouse will be our new beginning.” “I’ve found a way to lure Elara there. After the fire, she’ll ‘accidentally’ die.” “Then, I’ll declare myself killed in the line of duty, and assume a new identity.” “Once the dust settles, I’ll come for you and our child.” “Serena, wait for me. From now on, no one can ever separate us.” At the end of the letter, there was a crude smiley face. I stared at that letter, every word a poisoned dagger, tearing my heart to shreds. He wasn’t going to save people. He was going to kill me. He had orchestrated a massive fire, intending to burn me into an unrecognizable charred body, then live happily ever after with his mistress. So what really happened five years ago? Why wasn’t it me who died? Why was *he* “sacrificed”? I forced myself to calm down, recalling every detail of the fire five years ago. That day, I, a photographer, indeed had a shooting assignment at the west warehouse. But just before I left, Arthur suddenly called me, his voice softer than I’d ever heard it. He said he had a bad feeling, like something bad was going to happen. He insisted I cancel my work and take Leo to my mother’s house for a few days, no matter what. He said he’d bought us train tickets, which were on the nightstand. I was touched by his thoughtfulness then, believing he was simply worried about me. Now, looking back, he wasn’t worried about *me*; he was trying to get *rid* of me! He needed evidence of me being “present” but couldn’t let anything actually happen to me. Because he still needed me to handle his “death” paperwork! My press pass! I had been in a rush that day and casually left my bag, containing my press pass and shooting permit, in my car. And my car was parked in the warehouse parking lot! The fire report later mentioned an unrecognizable female body found at the scene, with my documents scattered nearby. Everyone thought the body was mine. But later, DNA comparison revealed it wasn’t. The police classified it as a cold case at the time, and I, engulfed in the grief of “losing my husband,” had no energy to pay attention. He found a stand-in, then. An innocent woman, who died in my place. How utterly ruthless could this man be?! My body trembled uncontrollably, not from fear, but from a blazing inferno of rage. Arthur, Serena, and Mr. Miller… Everyone involved in this deserved to rot in hell!

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The first time I had that erotic dream, I wrote it off as just a dream. Nothing more. Then I came across a post that changed everything. There, my socially reserved CEO husband was draped in women’s clothes, cradling a doll. He was turned on and whimpering. “Baby, please.” And I remembered. The faceless man from my dreams always panted those words in my ear. Last night, he’d said, “Let’s meet. I’m very famous.” I’d nibbled his ear and replied, “Prove it. Send me a photo of you in a dress, and I’ll agree to anything.” I truly thought it was just a dream. But now, my distant, seemingly woman-averse husband had posted a photo of him in a dress. I was stunned. Amelia’s POV Last night, as the dream’s heat reached its peak, the man’s teeth grazed my earlobe. His voice was low, intoxicating drug. “I want to see you, baby. Let’s meet for real.” I’d been having this dream for over a year. We were perfectly matched in my dreams, the only downside being that I’d forget his face as soon as I woke up. Even though I could feel every inch of his skin with intense pleasure, his features were always obscured as if by a mist. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t recall them. But getting pampered by a man with an amazing body in my dreams wasn’t a bad deal. Now he wanted to cross the line. He coaxed and sweet-talked me while making love, as if he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted. My heart leapt, but even in the dream, I stayed clear-headed. “Prove it. If you’re serious…wear a dress. Post the photo. Then I’ll agree.” He’d told me he was very famous, famous enough that his businesses spanned across the entire continent. I didn’t believe anyone would willingly ruin their image for a dream. He seemed displeased in the dream, and I woke up feeling unsatisfied. I couldn’t help it. My background made sure of that. I’d buried my family name and wealth to claw my way into the entertainment industry as a nobody. After years of grinding, I was finally gaining some traction. I couldn’t throw everything away for a boy toy. “Amelia! Check out the trending topics!” My agent, Brenda Davis, exploded into my apartment at dawn, shoving her tablet at me. #DanielHayesCrossDressing was trending at number one. I was stunned. I tapped it. And there he was: Daniel Hayes, the famously untouchable CEO, in a selfie. He was wearing a dress, cradling a doll. Comments exploded like a wildfire. “Oh my God, Daniel’s looks can cross over! He’s so beautiful!” “So the CEO persona was fake; cross-dressing was his true nature. CEOs certainly have different tastes!” “Did Mr. Hayes lose a game of Truth or Dare?” “What’s happening? Was he hacked?” Not long after, an answer arrived, wrapped in the perfect alibi. The comment, from Celeste Monroe, read: “Daniel, your birthday gift for me is quite the surprise!” Celeste was Daniel’s childhood sweetheart. Rumors about Celeste and Daniel having an arranged marriage had circulated but were never confirmed. Now, with Celeste publicly acknowledging their relationship, netizens assumed it was their way of showing off their love. “Their love is too sweet! Mr. Hayes is throwing away his reputation for true love!” “So the rumors were true; Daniel and Celeste are getting married. They’re a match made in heaven!” “Amelia Stone is just a bitch desperate for attention, constantly stirring up scandals with Ryan, and shamelessly pretending to be Daniel’s wife. Now she’s massively embarrassed herself!” The Amelia they were talking about was me. The rumors with Ryan Scott were just marketing orchestrated by my company, but they clearly hadn’t worked. Now that Celeste had publicly claimed her love, I was the clown. My agent, Brenda, asked worriedly, “Isn’t Daniel your husband? What’s going on with him and Celeste?” “I don’t know.” My mind was reeling from the shock that Daniel was the man from my dreams; I had no mental space for anything else. Daniel and Celeste indeed had an engagement. Celeste was always flamboyant and had a good public image, so everyone naturally focused on her and Daniel. But no one knew that I was the true, legitimate Blackwood daughter, and Celeste was merely an adopted sister after I went missing. My phone rang at the most inconvenient moment. Seeing Daniel’s name on the screen, I was so startled, I threw my phone out the window. Peace at last.

Amelia’s POV Daniel and I were strangers, having only met once on our wedding day. He was forced into marriage by his family, and he wore a scowl the entire time. After the wedding, he continued to live in the small apartment provided by his company. We had no emotional connection to begin with and agreed not to interfere with each other’s lives. I, of course, approved. I just never imagined that the man who relentlessly pursued me in my dreams every night would be the usually expressionless Daniel! Could it be that I’d lusted after him for too long, which led to me shamelessly seeking him out in my dreams? His toned physique, those chiseled abs-so fit and strong. If only in real life… I slapped myself to snap out of it. Damn it! Why was my mind filled with Daniel! Brenda walked in just as I slapped myself, excitedly shaking my shoulders. “Amelia, you’re going to be huge! ‘Star Talk’ has invited you!” “Star Talk”  was the prime-time talk show, a spot reserved for A-listers. For a small-time actress like me to land an invitation, it felt like a cosmic stroke of luck. But when I got to the set, I found out the show had also invited Celeste. No one online knew my true identity; in the media’s eyes, I was just Celeste’s little protégé. Celeste was doing much better than me. She was famous, had a good personality, and great looks. She was already a household name in the industry and was willing to lower her status to help me out on various variety shows and TV dramas. In her fans’ eyes, she was humble and kind, while I was seen as malicious and jealous. As expected, as soon as the show started, the comment section was flooded. “Celeste is so beautiful!” “Amelia is pretending to be Daniel’s wife and still dares to appear at the same event as Celeste! What thick skin!” “The commenter above is right, Amelia’s fame is built on riding coattails anyway. Her fans just don’t bother to argue with her!” “Shameless bitch! Get out of the entertainment industry!” Seeing the comment section ablaze, the host smiled, pleased, and took charge. “I’m sure everyone has seen the trending topics. Today, we’ve invited the people behind the trending topic to respond to everyone.” Celeste, like a young girl experiencing first love, shyly said, “Daniel is so annoying, he wore my clothes for a photo and posted it online.” That line instantly sent netizens into a frenzy. “So Daniel was wearing Celeste’s clothes! Oh my God! They truly are a married couple!” Although Daniel wasn’t a major celebrity, with his striking features and perfect physique, he stood out among other CEOs, becoming the dream man for countless women. Celeste smiled, looking at me. Celeste had been present at the wedding, and she knew I wouldn’t go public with my relationship with Daniel. “Amelia, some netizens are questioning whether the previous reports about Daniel’s wife were self-orchestrated by you. Now Daniel’s wife, Celeste, is here. What’s your response?” The host and Celeste exchanged knowing glances; it was clear they had set a trap for me. Actually, I hadn’t planned on hiding my marriage. The day after Daniel and I registered our marriage, I posted about being married online. But Daniel’s grandfather, fearing extreme fan backlash and concerned for my safety if my identity was exposed, had the post taken down. To netizens, posting then deleting, without any clarification, became irrefutable proof that I was faking it, buying trending topics, and deliberately riding Daniel’s coattails for fame. After the host finished, Celeste set another trap for me. “Amelia, since everyone wants to know, why don’t you call Daniel and explain it to everyone?” Comments below followed suit, mocking me. “Amelia probably doesn’t even have Mr. Hayes’s contact info!” But to my surprise, Daniel called me at that exact moment. I calmly showed the incoming call on the screen to the camera, then pressed accept. “Daniel, what is it?” Seeing Celeste’s frozen smile and the screen full of question marks in the livestream, I finally felt a sense of satisfaction. On the other end, Daniel paused for a moment, his voice sounding unnatural. “To talk about divorce.”

Amelia’s POV For the first time in my life, I held the number one spot on the trending topics, and it was because of my divorce from Daniel. Brenda’s phone was ringing off the hook. Before, netizens cursed me for chasing clout; now, they cursed me for divorcing, saying I was deliberately putting on a show. Even worse, some claimed I was a third party who climbed my way up, causing Daniel and Celeste’s relationship to break down, which led to the current situation. Brenda stood up for me. “Amelia, why don’t we just announce your identity?” I gave a bitter laugh. Announce my identity? I was just an outsider, merely sharing the Blackwood bloodline. When my parents found me and brought me back, they explicitly told me, “Amelia, Celeste is your sister. We’ve raised her for so many years; we have feelings for her. You need to learn to accept her and love her as a sister.” They certainly felt they owed me, but the moment they decided to arrange my marriage with the Hayes family, that debt was considered paid. In their eyes, the Hayes family was the best possible match for a daughter. Celeste was the apple of their eye; they couldn’t bear to let her leave their side. For me, their long-lost, impoverished biological daughter, marrying into the incredibly wealthy Hayes family was a huge blessing, enough to compensate for everything. Not only did they no longer feel guilty, but they even thought I had taken a huge advantage from Celeste and should make it up to her. What would revealing my identity now achieve? It would only be another public humiliation. They wouldn’t let Celeste lose face. That evening, the Hayes family butler called me, saying Daniel’s grandfather was so enraged by the online comments that he was hospitalized. When I arrived at the hospital, I saw Daniel kneeling by the bedside, with Celeste kneeling beside him. They looked like a couple torn apart by villains. Celeste cried out, “Grandpa, I truly love Daniel. If you hadn’t insisted on separating us back then, none of this would have happened!” Then came my biological mother’s blaming voice. “It’s all your fault! If you had just let Celeste marry Daniel back then, how good that would have been! You just had to give this marriage to Amelia!” My biological mother said this to my biological father, but she forgot. When I first came back, she held my hand and spoke earnestly, “Amelia, this marriage was arranged for you when you were little. Of course, it should be you who fulfills it.” According to what I heard, when I was very young, Daniel’s mother arranged our marriage agreement. Sadly, she passed away from illness later, and her only regret before she died was not seeing us grow up. During the years I was missing, Celeste had the opportunity to marry Daniel as a Blackwood daughter. But Daniel’s grandfather and my father both insisted on waiting for my return, which led to the current situation. “You scoundrel!” “Tell me honestly, are you divorcing because of Celeste!” Daniel’s grandfather was furious, grabbing a water cup and throwing it at Daniel. Daniel didn’t dodge or avoid it, kneeling rigidly, his resolve firm. I entered before Daniel could speak. “Grandpa.” Daniel’s grandfather saw me and was both surprised and pleased, but then his old face creased into a frustrated frown, clearly helpless in the face of the situation. My mother’s face lit up with joy when she saw me. “Amelia! My dear daughter! Anyway, you and Daniel were never truly together. How about we take this opportunity to quietly get a divorce, and let your sister marry him. Publicly, we’ll say it was a prank, how does that sound? This way, everyone will be happy, and it won’t damage the relationship between the two families.” Everyone held their breath, waiting for my decision. I simply smiled faintly and placed the fruit I had specially bought for Grandpa on the table. “Grandpa, I need to talk to Daniel. Can I borrow him for a few minutes?” Daniel’s grandfather immediately scolded Daniel. “You scoundrel! Did you hear that! Amelia wants to talk to you!” Celeste stood in front of me, looking indignant. “What are you going to do to Daniel now?” I ignored Celeste, turned my head, and gave Daniel a sweet smile. “Darling, let’s talk, shall we?” Celeste’s face darkened. At the end of the hallway. Daniel followed me out. The real-life Daniel was different from the one in my dreams. In reality, he was always cold and distant towards me; our lives hardly intersected. Before he could speak, I laid out my terms. “I agree to divorce you, but I have a condition.” “You need to act like you’re deeply in love with me, and that I’m the one who’s lost interest and wants the divorce. If you can do that, we can officially divorce in a month.”

Amelia’s POV In the face of a media storm, nothing clarifies rumors better than a public display of affection. I had arranged for reporters and prepared a press release, but Daniel was nowhere to be found. Reporter Leo Miller contacted me. “Amelia, I’m helping you out as a favor to Brenda. But I heard through the grapevine that Daniel is currently at Celeste’s villa. You just cost me a front-page exclusive!” Leo Miller sent me a photo. Daniel, who was supposed to be showing up with flowers for me, was seen wearing a bespoke suit, hurrying into Celeste’s villa. I dialed Daniel’s phone. “Where are you?” Perhaps because Grandpa had forced the marriage on Daniel, I could feel that he still harbored hostility towards me. Even his voice sounded cold. “Celeste isn’t feeling well; I need to take care of her.” I reminded him, “You stood me up.” “Our agreement was merely to maintain a superficial marriage. I’ve already sent my assistant over; there’s no need to waste my time.” Daniel sent his assistant to the film set with a food truck. It was a grand gesture, with banners professing his love for me, flowers, and all the usual props for a public display of affection – nothing was left out. But the leading man himself was at Celeste’s villa. This undoubtedly made me the laughingstock of the entire internet. Celeste smugly sent me a photo of Daniel asleep at a desk. “Amelia, so what if you hold the title of Daniel’s wife? Daniel loves me; you’ll never win against me!” I had stayed awake for two days straight. And he? He just turned around and slept soundly in Celeste’s arms. “Brenda, please ask the director for half a day off for me. Don’t let anyone disturb me!” After sending the message, I locked the dressing room door. I was going to get my revenge in the dream! In the dream, the scene was like the set of an explicit film. A sensual realm bathed in soft light, an ambiguous atmosphere, even the air was thick with mist. Before I could even gather my wits, my lips were sealed. Daniel, like a starving wolf, pounced on me, pinning me to the bed. He leaned down, caressing me, constantly taking from me, his hoarse voice whispering in my ear. “Amelia, I’ve missed you so much.” Damn it, every time I’d been ensnared and drawn into his spell like this! But ever since I knew the dream man was Daniel, I’d been completely clear-headed, from head to toe. I struggled and pushed him away. Daniel’s eyes were hazy, his clothes disheveled, the passion still evident. I jumped off the bed, drawing a clear line. “From today until I find a way to sever this dream connection, I forbid you from touching me again!” Daniel clung to me like a puppy, his face full of regret, as if he hadn’t tried hard enough. “Why? If you don’t like it, you can be on top.” Even in dreams, we carried the weight of memory upon waking. This needy, desperate version of him was a stranger-nothing like the ice-cold, untouchable Daniel Hayes the world knew. I kept my distance. “You’re married! Even in a dream, I won’t be a mistress!” Panic flashed in his eyes. He dropped to his knees and hugged me. “It’s a business arrangement! A contract! I don’t love her. I’ve never even wanted her. I only love you!” His words left my heart in turmoil. Although I didn’t love Daniel either. But feelings grow over time. For the past year, we were like any ordinary couple, together day and night in our dreams. That world was just the two of us, from dusk till dawn. To say I felt nothing would be a lie. I hadn’t forgotten why I’d come to the dream realm. I raised my hand and slapped him again. Slap. “You have a wife!” I choked out, tears streaming. “I saw the photos! And you still snuck around with her with me! You’re nothing but a lying scumbag!”

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For my mother Eleanor’s birthday, I took her to a sushi bar. As soon as we entered, I saw a crowd of men gathered around a woman lying on a table. She was nude, with sushi arranged on her body. My blood ran cold as I pushed closer. It was my wife, Scarlett. Eleanor gasped and grabbed her arm. “Scarlett! How could you do something so shameless?” I tore off my jacket and covered her. “Get up. We’re leaving. Now.” Instead of gratitude, she slapped me hard across the face. “You bastard! Today is Julian’s grand opening, and you two have to ruin it? If his business suffers because of you, I’ll make your lives hell.” Around us, men were scrambling to pick up sushi that had fallen from Scarlett’s body, their eyes filled with crude desire. My mother was so enraged that her blood pressure spiked and she collapsed to the floor. I reached for my phone to call 911, but Scarlett snatched it from my hand and smashed it on the ground. “No ambulances! You’ll ruin Julian’s business.” 1 My rage soared. I slapped Scarlett across the face. “Are you blind?! Can’t you see my mother has collapsed? You disappeared to be a living sushi platter without a word-that shame was already enough. If anything happens to her, I swear I’ll see you in prison.” But Scarlett just called over two security guards, who immediately restrained me. I had no choice but to carry my mother, Eleanor, out. Yet Scarlett ordered the guards to stop us. “I told you to wait before calling an ambulance. Are you deaf? She just fainted; she’s not dying. But Julian’s bar is different. He’s invested everything. If you two jinx his opening, you’ll be to blame.” As she grew agitated, her oversized robe loosened, revealing more of her body. The men stared with renewed lust. “Damn, look at that figure. She’s a bombshell.” “No wonder her spineless husband doesn’t dare to touch her. He’s probably had his fill in bed.” “The way she’s defending her first love…I bet she’s been cheating for years.” “Typical. You can always tell.” “Haha, I’m dying of laughter!” The mocking laughter around Eleanor and me grew louder. My fists clenched. I was so furious I was about to lose control. I never imagined Scarlett would go work as a body sushi model for Julian. Before this, she had always been so conservative, so virtuous, never doing anything to embarrass me. “Get lost! Get out of my way!” “Let’s see who dares to stop us.” “Scarlett, if you love playing games so much, I’ll let you play this one to the end.” “What do you mean?” “Divorce!” With those two words, I stopped arguing with her, and carried Eleanor, rushing towards the exit. But Scarlett wouldn’t let me leave. I was surrounded by security guards. I raised my foot to kick away the person blocking me, but they outnumbered me. I was kicked to the ground. Thud! My mother fell with me. At that moment, my heart twisted with pain. I never thought I’d drag her into this. Seeing her pale and lifeless face, I was terrified and immediately screamed at Scarlett. “Call 911 for an ambulance now! My mother is-” “You still have five minutes.” Scarlett stubbornly refused to let us leave. She believed that if we went outside, we would call an ambulance from the front door, which would impact Julian’s business. At that moment, I grew to despise her even more. 2 I had completely lost control. I grabbed a nearby chair and smashed it to pieces. “You won’t let me save my mother, huh? Then I’ll smash this place instead.” “Let’s see who’s more stubborn, you or me.” If she wouldn’t let me out, I’d fight my way out. Scarlett saw the utter chaos on the floor, her chest heaving with fury. Her once beautiful face was contorted with rage. Ha. So Julian really meant that much to her? More than Eleanor’s life, more than our lives! “You’re being completely unreasonable! Your thinking is so backward. It’s just body sushi, right? Is it worth getting so worked up you could die?” “Thud!” I kept smashing things. Scarlett, furious, picked up a chair and hit me on the head. I cried out in pain and stumbled backward. When I looked back and met her eyes, they were burning with pure hatred, as if I were her mortal enemy. “Keep smashing! I’ll call the police and make you pay for everything.” “Damn it, isn’t Eleanor just faint? Well, I hope she dies from it.” The people around us were just reveling in the drama, further escalating the conflict between Scarlett and me. Not a single person stepped forward to help me, primarily because they were Julian’s friends. Another, more crucial reason was to watch Scarlett in her anger, her curves peeking out from under her loose robe. The commotion grew loud, and Julian rushed up from the first floor. “Ah! What’s going on? Why is my shop being trashed on opening day?” “It’s him!” One of the gawking men pointed at me. Julian’s eyes blazed with venomous anger when he saw me. “Alex, what the hell is wrong with you?!” “Why are you smashing my shop? Are you just determined to make my life miserable? You want to see me suffer, even if it kills you?” I let out a bitter laugh. “Whoever stopped me from getting my mother out, that’s the one who wrecked your shop.” When Julian saw Eleanor lying unconscious, not only did he not let us leave, he even praised Scarlett for her actions. “I bet she’s faking it. They must have planned this, mother and son.” “First, they come to cause trouble, then they use her ‘fainting’ as an excuse to trash my shop.” “Guards, get him!” Julian, with a malevolent stare, ordered the security guards to attack me. II shielded my mother’s body with my own, taking every blow on my back. From her tightly closed eyes, a silent tear actually flowed. The hand that had been gripping mine slipped to the floor. Scarlett’s gaze fixed on us. She was fighting herself, trying to suppress the urge to help, to stay calm and not act on her impulse. “Scarlett, make them stop!” “Eleanor is really dying! She loved you so much, why are you letting her down?!” “Don’t listen to him! It’s an act. Don’t you dare feel sorry for him.” Scarlett had wavered. She’d even taken a few steps toward us. But Julian’s words froze her in place. “Damn it, I knew you were lying.” In that moment, every shred of love and patience I had left for Scarlett turned to ash. I stood up, snatched up a shard of broken glass from the floor, and swung it in a wild arc at the guards surrounding me. They stumbled back, startled by the frenzy in my eyes. “Come on! Who’s not afraid to die? Step forward!” No one moved. They only backed away further, giving me a wide berth. I didn’t wait. I scooped my mother into my arms and ran. 3 Scarlett quickly chased after us. This time, she didn’t try to stop us. Only because the crucial opening hours were over did she finally let me find my phone and call 91

“Alex, you two go home first.” “I actually wanted to discuss it with you yesterday, but I was afraid you wouldn’t agree to me being a body sushi model!” “But do you know why?” “I owe Julian a favor. Years ago, when I was dragged into an alley and raped, he saved me. He got injuries that left him infertile, so he can’t be a father.” Julian got injured and became infertile saving her? I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of doubt, but reality didn’t give me time to think. I urgently pleaded with Scarlett to take us to the hospital, but Julian rushed out and pulled her back. “Scarlett, hurry back and help me!” “Those men said if there’s no body sushi model, they’ll leave immediately.” Did he mean he wanted Scarlett to go back and continue being the body sushi model? I thought Scarlett would refuse for Eleanor’s sake, but the next second, she became incredibly serious, as if facing a dire emergency. “Okay, I’ll go back and calm them down right now.” I quickly called out to her, but she didn’t turn around once, walking away so decisively, so resolutely. At that moment, I finally understood. The thread of our marriage had finally snapped. As I rushed Eleanor to the hospital for emergency treatment, standing outside the operating room, I was consumed by anguish and panic. Two hours later, the doctor came out and told me. “Your mother already had heart problems, which is why she collapsed from anger.” Those words struck me like a bolt of lightning. Eleanor had heart disease? I genuinely had no idea! I walked in to see Eleanor. She was awake, her face pale and filled with pain. She looked up at me, her smile frail and tragic. “Alex, my son.” “I didn’t tell either of you…because I was afraid you’d worry. Afraid you’d go begging for money, trying to save me. Afraid you and Scarlett would fight over it. So….that’s why…” She was cut off as a wracking cough overtook her. I broke down. A sob tore from my throat as I rushed to her side and clutched her hand, my heart a knot of agony. Tears fell freely, streaking down my face and onto her time-worn hands. I shook my head. “My father left when I was young. You raised me through every hardship alone. Don’t you dare talk about being a burden.” “I will save you. I will.” Eleanor shook her head, crying. “My time is up. Please, don’t do anything foolish for me again!” “It’s because of what I said years ago that you chose Scarlett and gave up your career to stay home.” “I ruined you, Alex. It’s my fault.” A fit of coughs seized her. “I just beg you…I beg you, for the rest of your life, choose your own path.” As soon as she finished speaking, her eyes closed and her hand went limp. I grabbed her hand, calling out to her. But she didn’t respond. She never opened her eyes again. Doctors rushed in. Nurses pulled me away. All I could do was pray-that she’d open her eyes, just to stay alive. Then a thought flashed through my mind: a heart transplant for Eleanor.

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Before signing the contract with my client, I bought him a coffee. The client took one sip. An hour later, he was in the emergency room with violent food poisoning. The next day, he canceled our deal and signed with Vanessa, the very intern who had sent him to the hospital. My fiancé, Brandon, tried to comfort me. “It was an accident. Don’t blame yourself.” I nodded, feeling defeated. But then I overheard him bragging to his friends. “I slipped a laxative into that coffee so Vanessa could close the deal. This year’s Employee of the Year award is as good as hers.” “But doesn’t Scarlett need that bonus? I heard her family’s counting on it for a surgery.” Brandon scoffed. “It’s one client. If she’s any good, she’ll find another one, right?” A cold smile touched my lips. Just you wait, Brandon! Not only can I find another client, I can also find another fiancé! I refreshed Instagram. A new post flashed up. “My first home, all mine!” The photo showed Vanessa holding a house deed with a triumphant smile on her face. The comment section was filled with congratulations from colleagues. But Brandon’s comment was the one that caught my eye. “Congratulations to our future Employee of the Year 2025!” I forced a bitter smile. Last year, that title had been mine. For five years, I hadn’t taken a single day off. They all saw my desperation for money. None of them saw the weight of holding up a family alone. The medical bills piled up, suffocating me slowly. I once passed out on a subway platform, running between jobs. Brandon saw it all. Sometimes, he’d drive me home after a late shift. He’d listen when I vented about impossible clients. I never imagined he’d betray me for Vanessa. Tears tears came, hot and unstoppable, streaming down my face. At that exact moment, my phone rang. It was my mother’s doctor. “Your mother has just passed. I’m so sorry. If we could have operated soon…there might have been hope.” I don’t remember how I got through the funeral arrangements. Brandon called several times during those blurred days. But I never picked up. For the first time, he seemed anxious. He blocked my path the moment I walked into the office. “Where have you been? You never take days off.” His expression held no concern-only the cold irritation of someone who’d lost their grip. I couldn’t be bothered to respond. Seeing me about to walk away, he grabbed my arm. “What’s wrong with you? A few days apart, and you’re like a completely different person!” Before I could answer, Vanessa suddenly appeared. “Brandon, can you help me?” Brandon’s attention instantly shifted to her.

“What is it? Take your time.” Vanessa bit her lip, her voice laced with remorse and a hint of self-pity. “You know I just put down the payment on my apartment last week? I thought I had enough for renovations, but the budget just exploded. The contractors are ready to start, and I’m completely broke.” “I’ve asked everyone. No one can lend me anything. I’m so desperate, that’s why I came to you. Could you-” “Yes.” Brandon didn’t let her finish. He then dialed a number, his tone devoid of hesitation. “List that wedding house downtown for me, right now. No matter the price, it has to be sold today.” “Yes, I don’t care how much of a loss we take. I need the money urgently, the sooner the better.” Vanessa dabbed at her eyes, feigning distress, her voice choked. “How can you? Brandon!” “That house is in such a good location; it has huge potential for appreciation. It would be such a waste to sell it now.” “Besides, that’s the house you planned to get married in! Scarlett won’t agree.” After speaking, she timidly glanced at me. Seeing this, Brandon blurted out. “So what if she doesn’t agree? It’s not her house anyway.” He stood in front of Vanessa, his dark eyes glaring at me. “Scarlett, be more generous. It’s not easy for Vanessa to make a living alone in this city; we should be understanding.” “Besides, it’s not like we can’t rent a place for our wedding. I’m willing to marry you; what more could you possibly want?” I stood rooted to the spot, my blood freezing in an instant. In his eyes, I was desperate to marry him. His willingness to marry me was his greatest gift. But he never stopped to think that he was the one who pleaded with me to be his girlfriend. Even more ridiculous, he was selling our wedding house for Vanessa. I remembered when my father was in the ICU, and the doctor held a critical condition notice, asking me to sign it, saying they’d have to stop his medication if we didn’t pay. I cried hysterically, begging Brandon to lend me a hundred thousand dollars, offering to sign an IOU, even promising to work myself to the bone for him later. But what did he say then? He said, “That house is still appreciating; it’d be too much of a loss to sell it now. Besides, it’s our wedding house; selling it before we’re married would be bad luck.” Now, Vanessa just needed some renovation money, and he was selling the house without a second thought, not even a flinch, saying, “I don’t care how much of a loss we take.” It seemed that in his heart, my mother’s life wasn’t even worth as much as Vanessa’s new apartment renovations. I looked straight ahead, expressionless. “Sell it if you want. I don’t care.” A flicker of unnoticed panic crossed Brandon’s eyes. He started to say something but swallowed his words. I turned and walked a few steps, then my wrist was suddenly caught by a warm grip. Brandon’s Adam’s apple bobbed several times before he spoke, his voice strained. “I…I’ll clear out my projects these next few days. I’ll make time this week, definitely, to go see your father.” “His greatest wish was to see us get married. We can discuss wedding details then.” I looked at his earnest face, remembering that during my mother’s hospitalization, he never visited once. Even when my mother briefly regained consciousness and wanted to see him. He was either busy helping Vanessa move or taking Vanessa’s dog to the vet. In the end, my mother died without ever seeing him again. Now he was acting as if he were bestowing a favor by offering to visit. It felt like swallowing a handful of broken glass, my throat aching with the shards. “No need.” I looked at him calmly. “It’s not necessary anymore.” With that, I walked away quickly, no longer looking at him. Back in my empty rental apartment, Aunt Clara called, saying a company in another city was interested in me, willing to offer three times my current salary to poach me. She asked if I was interested. I accepted without a second thought. There was nothing left in this city for me to cling to. The next day, I went to the company to submit my resignation. It happened to be the day the CEO invited everyone out for a dinner. During the meal, someone suggested playing “Truth or Dare.”

Vanessa was dared to kiss someone in the room. Her eyes darted towards me, then she raised her finger and pointed straight at Brandon. “Brandon it is then! It’s just a game, Scarlett, don’t mind it!” The private room instantly fell silent. Once, a girl had confessed her feelings to Brandon right in front of me. Brandon, unable to directly refuse, half-heartedly accepted her flowers. The next second, I snatched them and threw them into the trash. Anyone who knew me knew I wasn’t one to turn a blind eye to disrespect. If anyone dared to mess with my relationship, I wouldn’t hesitate to make a scene. Colleagues subtly glanced my way, waiting to see my reaction. But I simply picked up the water glass from the table, drained it, then clapped loudly. “Go for it! Go for it!” I cheered, laughing, “It’s just a game, don’t spoil the fun for everyone!” My colleagues stared at me, dumbfounded, as if they were seeing me for the first time. Brandon’s gaze shifted from tentative to utterly disbelieving. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but my clapping drowned him out. Vanessa clearly hadn’t expected this reaction from me. Her coy expression froze, then quickly recomposed itself. The next second, she stood on tiptoe and planted a deep kiss on Brandon’s lips. Brandon stiffly looked at me, his eyes filled with struggle and hesitation. A few seconds later, he wrapped his arm around Vanessa’s waist, responding to the kiss. Their movements became more intense, more intertwined. Cheers erupted around us. But my ears buzzed, and I couldn’t hear anything. I remembered a long time ago, a girl secretly kissed Brandon when he was drunk. When I found out, I cried all night, my eyes swollen like walnuts. That time, Brandon held me and comforted me for a whole day. He bought my favorite strawberry cake, knelt in front of me, and swore solemnly. “Baby, I know how particular you are about physical contact, I promise I’ll never touch another girl again.” Back then, his eyes were sincere, his tone firm, giving me a strong sense of security. But now, he was passionately kissing another woman right in front of me. All those promises, forgotten. I had already decided to let go, yet the pain still tore through me, sharp enough to reach the bone. Three minutes later, they pulled apart, faces flushed. Vanessa wiped her mouth and offered a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Sorry, Scarlett. It’s just a silly game. Don’t take it seriously, okay?” Her tone was humble, but her eyes held undeniable defiance. Brandon clutched at the hem of his shirt, his knuckles white, terrified I would flip the table and cause a scene like before. I put down my forks, picked up a tissue, and wiped my mouth, my voice calm, without a hint of emotion. “It’s fine, it’s just a game. Everyone, enjoy yourselves.” Then, I smiled gently. Brandon’s eyes instantly darkened. The previous tension vanished, replaced by an indescribable disappointment. He looked at me as if I were a stranger. After my resignation was processed. I packed my bags for the move south. I remembered a wooden rocking chair still at Brandon’s new place. It was a wedding gift my mother had spent three months making for me. Now, it was her only remaining possession, a memento she left me. I had to take it with me. When entering the code, I instinctively typed my birthday. It showed an error. Thinking I’d made a mistake, I tried again, but it still showed an error. I didn’t try a third time. I pressed my thumb to the scanner. Access denied. My fingerprint had been removed. As I fumbled for my phone to call Brandon, a date flashed into my mind: Vanessa’s birthday, from her file. I keyed in the numbers. The door clicked open. Inside, rose petals were scattered across the floor, forming a path that led straight to the bedroom. From within, I heard Vanessa’s muffled moans. There they were. Brandon on top of her, moving in the dim light. They froze the moment they saw me.

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The night I asked for a divorce, I walked into his room wearing lingerie. He didn’t hesitate—one hand pinned my wrist above my head, the other slid slowly down my waist, deliberate, possessive. I was forced against him, fully aware of how his body reacted, unmistakably. He lowered his head and bit my earlobe. I hooked my leg around his ankle and pulled him closer. Then he stopped. He looked at me, desire bare in his eyes, and said, “Do you know what this means?” 0I had been in a contract marriage with Noah Thorne, the incubus CEO, for three years without any real relationship. The day I proposed divorce, he calmly agreed, but suddenly pop-up comments appeared above his head: “Bro’s already got the custom-sized handcuffs in the basement and still playing gentleman? Sure.” “Girl, the second you sign, you’ll wake up next to that creep you hate.” “The kidnapping arc is here! With all that pent-up rage, it’s gonna be wild. Aren’t incubuses supposed to have barbs? Little villainess is about to pass out…” “Smh. If you’d been even slightly nice to him, this yandere would’ve worshiped you. Now love’s twisted into obsession…” My hand trembled as I was about to sign. I looked up at the expressionless man before me: “Um, maybe we shouldn’t get divorced after all.” “What?” Noah’s thin eyelids flickered slightly, his tone indifferent. His nonchalant attitude made me wonder if I had imagined those pop-up comments. I took a deep breath, put down the half-signed pen, and scrambled for an explanation: “I suddenly don’t want a divorce anymore. We’ve been together for three years, we’re used to each other’s presence. To be honest, I think I’d miss you…” As I trailed off, the man’s expression grew increasingly confused. I lost my confidence and my voice got softer and softer. My marriage to Noah had been an accident. Five years ago, ever since a poor intern named Tina Sterling joined the company, my smooth-sailing life had fallen apart. My childhood sweetheart, who had promised to take care of me for life, fell for her instead. He publicly broke off our engagement, humiliating me. Even my usually doting parents inexplicably took Tina’s side. Consumed by jealousy, I impulsively married Noah Thorne, the rumored cold and vicious incubus CEO that everyone avoided, just to prove I wasn’t unwanted. For three years after the wedding, I kept trying to get back at Tina but failed miserably each time. Either Noah would find out and stop me in advance, or my schemes would backfire spectacularly. Recently, my attempts to frame Tina were exposed. I became a social pariah, with many friends cutting ties. I knew Noah had always despised my vicious behavior and favored Tina. I figured I might as well dump him first before he could abandon me like the others. It would at least make me look more in control. When I texted about wanting a divorce, Noah was in the middle of an important meeting. But he called back almost immediately. “Reason?” His voice came through the phone. I laughed maliciously: “Last time I accidentally saw your tail when the bathroom door wasn’t closed properly. It was all slimy and gross.” So now when I said I “couldn’t bear to leave him”, it was so unconvincing that even I didn’t believe it… “You’re sure you don’t want a divorce?” Instead of the expected cold laughter, the man’s deep voice snapped me back to reality. “I don’t want to divorce for now.” I studied Noah’s expression, but saw no trace of joy on his face. “As you wish.” After a few seconds, he took the half-signed divorce agreement on the table and put it through the shredder. The pop-up comments appeared again: “What’s with the villainess? Did she finally gain a brain cell?” “Is Lila finally scheming to use Noah? Might be too late though—his hatred’s already rooted.” “Did you see his smirk when he shredded the papers? Dude was terrified she’d change her mind!” “Keep it up girl, don’t stop! Go all in! Noah’s a yandere incubus with no morals, and you’re the villainess. You two are perfect match. If you win him over, taking down Tina will be a piece of cake!” 0

It took me an afternoon to process everything. I finally understood that the world I lived in was actually a romance novel. Tina was the female lead, while I was the evil supporting character destined to be imprisoned to death by the male lead. No wonder everyone who got close to Tina was drawn to her, as if the whole world revolved around her. There was too much information to take in today. After showering that night, I opened my phone hoping to relax my mind a bit, only to see an onslaught of hateful comments. All my social media accounts had been flooded. Netizens were defending Tina and criticizing me. My ex-fiancé Ethan sent me a Snapchat message: “Lila, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to. You’re just using these dirty tricks to try and force me to leave Tina and be with you.” “Hah, all this trouble just to see me? Fine, you win. Meet me at the usual place Friday afternoon!” I didn’t reply. I blocked him and turned off my phone screen. The pop-up comments scrolled by: “Not gonna lie, the villainess has a point. Imagine your whole world suddenly orbits around another girl—I’d snap too.” “The villainess is beautiful and rich, why does she keep losing to the female lead who can’t even tell Word from Google Docs? This stupid novel has no logic…” “If I were the author, I’d slap the heroine, punch the hero, and lock the villainess with the yandere in a basement until they pop out eight kids. Perfect.” “…” Not good at all. After calming down, I prepared for bed. Just as I took off my underwear, the bedroom door suddenly opened. Noah’s gaze traveled up and down my body. I quickly grabbed my robe and covered myself. “Sorry, you didn’t lock the door.” Noah stared at me intently, his Adam’s apple bobbing. Black scales flickered across his skin. Incubi involuntarily reveal their true form when aroused… The word “Get out” was on the tip of my tongue. But I saw the pop-up comment: “I can already see her sneering ‘Get out.’ Poor guy’s love gets eroded bit by bit.” “Be nicer to your husband, Lila! Slap him now, and your lips will pay the price later.” Warned by the pop-up comments, I quickly changed my tone and gave Noah a slight smile: “It’s okay, hon-” Noah was about to leave the room but stopped in his tracks. His eyes darkened as he waited for me to finish. Damn, it was those pop-up comments constantly saying “honey” that threw me off… “Say ‘honey’! He’d die for you. The heroine’s nothing.” “Can we not make the second male lead sound so cheap? After three years of cold violence, he definitely hates the villainess more than he loves her. Besides, didn’t you guys forget? The second male lead imprisoned the villainess to death to protect the female lead.” The pop-up comments split into two arguing factions. I raised an eyebrow, wanting to test the validity of this information. I decided to flirt a bit: “Noah, do you think I have a nice body?” “It’s alright.” The man lowered his eyes, his expression unreadable. “Playing cool, huh? That’s why you’re still single. No wonder she’s still into the hero.” “Is it just me, or does the villainess not hate him anymore? Our ship is finally sailing??” Not giving up, I took a step forward and teased: “How would you know if you haven’t looked properly?” “I don’t need to look.” Noah replied coldly, but his fingertips involuntarily curled, the joints turning slightly pink as he nearly tore holes in his pants. I never noticed before how cute this man looked when he was shy. I noticed Noah’s collar was messed up and reached out to fix it for him. “Don’t touch me.” A cold warning sounded above my head. Harsh. I froze, remembering the arguing pop-up comments from earlier. It made sense. I had never shown Noah any kindness these past three years. Meanwhile Tina was like a little sun, always warmly encouraging him to overcome his trauma. It was normal for Noah to hate me. I laughed self-deprecatingly and withdrew my outstretched arm: “Remember to close the door on your way out. I’m going to sleep.” The man closed the door, but instead of leaving, he walked towards me step by step. His breathing grew increasingly hot and heavy, his eyes reddening from the effort of holding back. I finally realized something was wrong: “Noah, what’s wrong? Do you have a fever?” Pop-up comment: “More like mating season hits hard… Noah, down bad already? She barely flirted and you’re in heat.” “Mating season?” I muttered to myself. How did I never know Noah had a mating season in our three years of marriage? Pop-up comment: “She really thought he was asexual? He’s an incubus! And you’re literally the hottest in the book—he just didn’t want to force you.” “During past ruts, he’d steal your worn clothes and hide. Couldn’t let you see him.” “Those clothes are practically threadbare now… dude’s ‘gifted’, you know.” I stared blankly at the scrolling comments, feeling like I was looking at a screen full of censored text. So earlier when he didn’t let me touch him, was it because of his rut? Noah buried his face in the crook of my neck, nuzzling back and forth restlessly. His pale skin flushed red with desire, weakening his usual aloof aura. Before, I had been so focused on getting back at Tina and trying to win back Ethan that I never really looked at Noah properly. I didn’t realize this man could be so breathtakingly handsome. His features were even more exquisite than those of TV stars. 0

“There’s… medicine and syringes in the study drawer… go get them…” Noah’s voice was broken and intermittent as he tried desperately to hide the patterns and scales emerging on his body. Looking at the man pushed to his limit, his lips bitten bloody, his clothes soaked with sweat and clinging to his body, outlining tantalizing abdominal muscles… I suddenly changed my mind. Three years of sleeping alone in an empty bed, while I may not have the intense urges of an incubus, I was still a normal person with needs. Although the first clause of our marriage contract, which I wrote myself, stated: No romance, only money. Taking advantage strictly forbidden. But I was the morally bankrupt villainess, wasn’t I? What use did I have for keeping promises… Having made up my mind, I gently patted the man’s face and whispered: “Noah, remember to be gentle.” “Don’t touch me, I’m dirty…” Noah’s whole body trembled at my touch, but he still clung to his last shred of self-control. “But I want to…” I took off my robe, used my fingertips to wipe the blood from his lips, and stood on tiptoe to kiss him. Pop-up comments: “What’s going on, the villainess actually made the first move!” “That face pat, ahhhh, I’m so invested! Sister, do you need another dog?” “Love mixed with hate, perfection. Love born from hatred, even better!” “My heart is racing, my hands are shaking, are our dark couple finally going to do the deed?!” The moment our lips touched, Noah immediately took control. His large warm hands gripped the back of my head. The air was forcibly stolen from my lungs, making my legs go weak. A thick black “rope” had wrapped around my waist at some point. It was too tight, causing me some pain. I let out a muffled groan and tried to push it aside. “I’m sorry, don’t… don’t look…” Noah snapped out of his daze, his pupils contracting sharply as he desperately tried to hide the tail that had emerged due to his arousal. Before I could react, the man had already fled the room in a panic. Soon, I heard the sound of drawers being rummaged through in the study next door. The air filled with an indescribable medicinal smell. Leaning against the wardrobe, I gasped for fresh air while reading the scrolling pop-up comments: “Noah, you coward! I was ready and you just ran?!” “Enough, am I the only one who feels bad for the second male lead? He’s been bullied and humiliated since childhood for being an incubus. He was overjoyed to marry his dream girl, only for her to find him disgusting too. Of course he’d be insecure.” “Villainess, my dear child, did you really have to act disgusted by his true form at a time like this? He’s really about to break.” It’s not like that, I’ve been wronged! I really just wanted him to loosen his grip a bit… 0

The next morning, Noah was nowhere to be found when I woke up. As I ate my breakfast sandwich, I took a deep breath and opened my phone after a 3-second mental preparation. To my surprise, all the hateful comments seemed to have evaporated overnight. The media outlets that had criticized me most harshly even had their official accounts suspended. One of the few media friends I was still in contact with, Megan, sent me a photo of my parents visiting their company, with the caption: “It’s all taken care of.” I smiled. I knew my parents wouldn’t really abandon me. After all, they had always stepped in to smooth over all my big and small troubles before. Pop-up comment: “Fun fact: every time Noah helps her, he gives the credit to her useless parents…” “Noah: the CEO who stone-cold hand-washes her lingerie. Mood ring husband.” “Too bad she’s clueless. After her disgust last night, the basement ending seems inevitable.” Shocked, I shifted my gaze from the pop-up comments to my phone screen. I stared at the photo of my parents for a full ten minutes before finally noticing signs of Photoshop… I opened Snapchat and scrolled to the very bottom to find Noah: “Are you free today? I have something to discuss with you.” He replied instantly: “Wrong person.” “…” “No, it’s not~ honey~” This time he replied much slower: “I’m very sorry about last night, for letting you see those disgusting things. I’m very busy today. If you want a divorce, contact a lawyer first.” “No no no,” I quickly refuted, “It’s not about divorce.” Noah: “Alright, see you this afternoon.” Pop-up comments: “LOL. ‘Divorce?’ – Busy. ‘Not divorce?’ – See you this afternoon.” “That was close, the villainess narrowly avoided the dark room play again. Why do I feel like she’s becoming self-aware and trying to save herself?” “Bad vibes. Something’s about to go down at this plot point.”

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The day I lost my job, I walked ten kilometers home in a torrential storm. When I pushed the door open, I saw my wife, my mother-in-law, and my daughter taking a “family photo” on the couch— with her first love. My daughter threw a cake straight into my face in front of everyone, calling me useless, saying I wasn’t worthy of being her father. They forced me to give up the bedroom, give up my place, and sign the divorce papers. What they didn’t know was— that same day, I had just won two hundred million. “Mom, let Uncle Jason sit next to you, and Grandma and I will make a heart behind you…” As I opened the door, my wife, daughter, and mother-in-law were taking a family photo on the couch with a stranger. They were all huddled together, grinning widely at the camera. When they heard the door, they finally noticed me. Their smiles froze. The atmosphere was tense for a moment. Then, the laughter continued, as if I were invisible. They changed positions and kept taking photos. Not a single person acknowledged me. It wasn’t until they finished taking photos that my mother-in-law gave me a disdainful look and said: “Oh, Ryan, you have legs, you can walk back, can’t you?” “I thought you got laid off and forgot how to walk, and that Sophia had to pick you up.” I was drenched and my hands and feet were numb from the cold. After being laid off today, a storm hit. My wife had promised to pick me up after work, but she never showed up, even late at night. I walked ten kilometers in the rain to get home. Before I entered, I heard their disdain and ridicule behind my back. I just didn’t expect that even after I returned home, they would still ignore me and laugh with another man. A bitter feeling arose in my heart, I opened my mouth to speak. Suddenly a cake was thrown at me! Splat! My face was covered in cream. I looked up. My daughter, Chloe, was hiding behind the man, looking at me with disdain: “Dad is lazy! He doesn’t work hard to earn money for me and mom, such a loser!” “Not even worth Uncle Jason’s toe!” My heart was suddenly pierced with pain. This was the daughter I had loved for ten years. Facing her mother’s first love, Jason, she was full of admiration and joy, but for me, there was only sarcasm and ridicule. At this moment, my silent wife finally spoke, frowning as she scolded our daughter: “Chloe, how can you talk to your dad like that? You’re being too rude!” She acted like she was defending me, even bringing me a towel and gently saying: “Ryan, don’t take the child’s words to heart. Go change your clothes, we can talk later.” As I took the towel, I noticed the undisguised disdain in her eyes. I felt even more desolate inside. Just as I was about to head to my room, Jason suddenly walked over to greet me: “Are you Ryan? I just got back from abroad, Sophia insisted on throwing me a welcome party, I couldn’t refuse, so I came.” “I heard you just lost your job? It’s okay, the current economic climate is tough, I might be able to help you find work.” His friendly demeanor only made me feel more pathetic. Before I could respond, my mother-in-law impatiently pushed me: “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and thank Jason!” “You’re over thirty, and still getting laid off, you’re embarrassing Sophia!” I was almost knocked over by the push. Yet, my beloved wife and daughter seemed oblivious, their attention entirely on the other man. This was clearly my home, yet I felt like an outsider. In the end, I didn’t say anything and went to my room to wash up. When I came back out, they were already seated at the dining table, eating. No one called me over. There wasn’t even a place set for me at the table. Sophia finally stopped eating and glanced at our daughter: “Chloe, go get your dad some dishes.” My daughter rolled her eyes at me, “I’m not going. He doesn’t even have a job to support me, mom, and Grandma anymore, why should I?” “Dad, don’t you have hands? Are you planning to be a useless bum forever?” Such sharp and cutting words, coming from my daughter’s mouth. Inside, I felt nothing but bitterness and self-mockery. Sophia glanced disapprovingly at our daughter, softly saying to me: “Ryan, you’ve spoiled this girl too much. Go get some dishes from the kitchen, come sit next to me. We’ll squeeze in…” Before she finished, my mother-in-law suddenly stood up. I thought she was going to help me get dishes, since she used to do that when I was the one earning for the family. But instead, she took the dog’s bowl and shoved it into my hands. “There are no dishes in the kitchen, wash this and use it.” At that moment, I felt deeply mocked. This was the family I had worked hard to support for ten years… “No need, I’m not eating.” I turned to leave, but Jason spoke up in surprise: “Ryan, you’re not angry, are you?” “I just asked around for you, my company is looking for a janitor, fifteen dollars an hour.” “It’s not very glamorous, but if you do well, there’s a chance to get promoted to supervisor.” I knew very well that he was trying to show off his capabilities to Sophia by belittling me. Just as I said “no need,” my mother-in-law suddenly stood up and slammed the table! She yelled at me: “Someone’s offering you a job and you’re being picky?” “Are you not going to support your wife and child? Planning to live off my daughter’s money, huh?” At that moment, I couldn’t contain my anger anymore. When we first got married, my mother-in-law had a stroke and was paralyzed, Sophia couldn’t work while taking care of her, so I supported the family. After my mother-in-law recovered, Sophia wanted to start her own studio, and I used my hard-earned savings to invest in her. But she never contributed a penny to household expenses. Now Sophia finally spoke, frowning as she reminded me: “Ryan, you’ve lost your job!” “As the breadwinner of this family, you must take responsibility.” “And by the way, Jason just returned to the country, he’ll be staying in your room for now. He’ll pay rent, which will help ease our financial pressure. You can move into the small storage room.” Her words seemed so reasonable, as if refusing was irresponsible. It finally dawned on me. They were taking advantage of my jobless and penniless situation, forcing me to accept Jason’s presence. In that moment, any last attachment I had to this family vanished. Thinking of the two hundred million about to be in my hands, I no longer held back and said coldly: “No need to worry, I’m moving out!”

“No job, out to beg, huh? What a disgrace!” “Don’t stop him, let him get lost!” My mother-in-law couldn’t help but mock me. Sophia looked at me in disappointment, ignoring me, turning her attention to serving our daughter food. My daughter rolled her eyes again, clinging to Jason’s arm, sweetly saying: “Uncle Jason, give mom some veggies, she loves them.” The harmonious scene only highlighted my role as the out-of-place clown. I decisively went back to my room, packed up, and was about to leave with my suitcase. But suddenly, my mother-in-law came over, roughly snatching my suitcase, looking at me like I was a thief. “You can leave, but let me check if you’ve stolen anything from the house!” She started to open my suitcase. I wanted to part on good terms, but I didn’t expect my mother-in-law to go so far! I grabbed my suitcase back, angrily saying: “You have no right!” Seeing this, my mother-in-law was convinced I was guilty of something, and she started cursing at me. The commotion quickly drew Sophia’s attention. After hearing both sides, Sophia frowned and stared at me for a few seconds. She suddenly dragged me into the room, closed the door. She spoke earnestly to me: “Ryan, stop making a fuss, okay?” “I know you’re upset about losing your job, and I understand you don’t want to be a janitor. I’ll ask Jason to arrange a driver position for you, is that okay?” “Now that you don’t have a job, you should at least show your worth at home, right?” Listening to her self-righteous reasoning, I felt utterly disappointed. “The worth you’re talking about is supporting you and your mom when I can make money?” “And when I can’t, just being a servant at home, watching your first love take my place?” Sophia’s face turned ugly. She snapped back angrily, “Ryan, what nonsense are you talking about?” “Which man doesn’t support his wife and kids in this world? Are you the only one suffering? I’m trying to talk to you nicely, but you’re being ungrateful!” “Don’t forget, you’re the one who’s unemployed now!” I didn’t want to argue anymore, I pushed the door to leave. But my daughter suddenly rushed over, slamming a document against me, shouting: “Loser dad, divorce mom now!” “When you’re not able to earn, you just stay home and let life pass by, watching your first love take charge, right?” Sophia looked furious. “Stop talking nonsense, Ryan!” she snapped. “Which man doesn’t support his family? You’re the only one complaining! I’m trying to have a civil conversation, and you don’t even appreciate it!” “Remember, you’re the one who’s out of a job!” I had no interest in arguing further and made my way to the door. Suddenly, my daughter rushed over, thrust a document at me, and shouted: “Dad, just divorce Mom!” “I want Uncle Jason to be my dad!” I looked at the document closely—it was a printed divorce agreement. Sophia had already signed her name in the bottom right corner. My mother-in-law stood by with a pleased expression, saying, “Smart girl! We need to get rid of this freeloader!” Pointing at me, she commanded: “What are you waiting for? Sign it!” “Sophia didn’t even want to bring up divorce out of pity for you. But now, it’s the right time!” Looking at Sophia’s cold demeanor, I hesitated no longer. I grabbed a pen, signed my name, and tossed it onto the floor. “Fine, divorce it is! See you at City Hall at 9 AM tomorrow!”

As I left the house, the rain had already stopped. I pulled out a crumpled lottery ticket from my pocket, revealing a winning amount of 200 million dollars. When I was laid off, I told my family, feeling down, and bought a lottery ticket on a whim. I never expected to hit the jackpot. I was filled with excitement, eager to share the news with Sophia. I even planned to buy a big estate for the family, expand her studio, buy luxury handbags for my mother-in-law, and a limited edition Barbie doll for my daughter… But all those dreams shattered with the recent events. At the hotel, I intended to book a room temporarily, but was informed: “Sorry, sir, your card has been canceled.” My heart sank. All the money I earned over the years went to the family, and this card was given to me by Sophia for living expenses. Before leaving home, I thought I could manage without the savings I had accumulated over the years. But I never thought Sophia would be so heartless. It’s laughable how I used to save every penny for this family, never daring to buy a $10 meal from a fast-food joint! I called my only friend and college buddy, Maya, for help. As soon as she heard I was broke, she immediately transferred six thousand to me. She even ordered food to be delivered to me. It wasn’t until that evening that I finally had a hot meal. The family I loved deeply and gave everything for couldn’t even compare to an ordinary classmate. It’s so ridiculous. The next day at 9 AM sharp, I arrived at City Hall. I immediately spotted Sophia and Jason in matching outfits, holding hands and chatting at the entrance. My mother-in-law had even gotten her hair done, looking joyful. Even my daughter, Chloe, wore a festive red dress with matching hair clips. “At least you came to your senses, not dragging my daughter and granddaughter into a miserable life with you!” “Sophia, hurry and get the paperwork done,” my mother-in-law urged. I didn’t waste words and headed straight into the hall. Sophia looked at me with a complex expression before following inside. In less than half an hour, the divorce certificate was ready. As I was about to leave, Sophia suddenly called out to me, holding out a card with a face full of pity: “Thank you for leaving Chloe’s custody and the house to me.” “There’s twenty thousand in this card. Take care of yourself.” Looking at her fake sympathetic face, I didn’t even want to speak. But I took the card anyway; after all, it was my hard-earned money, and not taking it would be foolish. Then, I went to claim my prize. After taxes, the 200 million was quickly deposited into my account. I immediately arranged to meet Maya for dinner. She was the one who helped me when I was most desperate. Not just last night, but over the years, whenever my mother-in-law was sick or there were major family expenses, Sophia would never lower her pride to borrow money. I had to repeatedly ask Maya for help to get through those tough times. So now that I’ve turned the tables, I must repay her. I arranged to meet her at a mall and headed straight for the luxury stores to pick out a gift for her. Maya was worried I was acting out of impulse and kept trying to pull me away, saying: “Ryan, it’s too expensive here. Let’s go.” Stubbornly, I continued picking out clothes and bags for her. Just then, Sophia entered the store with my mother-in-law, daughter, and Jason. Seeing me, Sophia’s smiling face instantly fell. “Ryan, are you stalking me?”

“Ryan, as a man, can’t you have some dignity? Now you’re pestering?” My mother-in-law couldn’t hold back and pointed at me, yelling. I replied calmly: “You think too highly of yourselves. I’m picking out a gift for my friend, why would I need to stalk you?” Maya stood awkwardly, holding a bag, unsure of what to say. Jason suddenly burst out laughing: “Picking out a gift? Ryan, it seems you’ve never been to a luxury store. Do you even know how much that bag costs? At least a hundred grand!” “Even I had to think twice before buying this bag, but you?” He shook his head with amusement. Sophia looked at me with disappointment, saying: “Ryan, all you have is the twenty thousand I gave you.” “Are you really going to throw away your future just for pride?” “If you find yourself with nowhere to turn, begging me won’t help!” I almost laughed out loud. I’m making over ten grand a day just in interest, matching her monthly salary. Why would I need to beg her? “Who said Ryan can’t afford it? It’s just a hundred grand. We’ll buy it!” Maya mustered the courage to speak up. While talking, she quietly slipped a card into my hand, hinting for me to use it. I knew that was all of Maya’s savings over the years. At that moment, to support me, she was willing to take it out, filling my heart with warmth. I’ve always known how she felt about me. But back then, I was in love with Sophia, so I never responded to her feelings. Now, I truly felt like I had been blind all these years. To have fallen for a woman like Sophia. I gave Maya a gentle smile, “It’s okay, I have money.” Saying that, I handed the card to the clerk. “Charge it.” As the clerk processed the card, my mother-in-law burst out laughing, amused by the situation. Sophia frowned, looking at me with disappointment. Jason, holding my daughter, leisurely observed me, as if watching a clown. Soon, the card machine beeped: “Transaction successful!” In an instant, everyone’s eyes were on me. Especially Sophia, whose eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at me. “Ryan, where did you get the money?” Jason raised an eyebrow, understandingly saying, “Oh, I get it. Ryan, you’re taking out a high-interest loan to impress a girl?” “You’re quite the character!” He sneered, smirking. I couldn’t be bothered to explain to them and was about to leave when a store clerk suddenly pointed at me, exclaiming: “Ah! I remember now, this gentleman is the one who won the 200 million jackpot yesterday!” “Two hundred million?!” The store erupted, and everyone started talking about me. My mother-in-law was stunned for a moment, then scoffed, “Him? Impossible, a loser like Ryan doesn’t have that kind of luck…” Before she could finish, Sophia, staring at her phone, interrupted with a pale face: “No, mom, something’s not right!” “The news says the 200 million winner really is…” “Ryan?!”

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