The moment the mistress appeared on my husband’s screen, the world treated me like the problem. She mocked me. Strangers harassed me. My husband defended her at every turn. So I stopped trying to save the marriage they had already burned down. I cleared my name, exposed their tactics, and dismantled every lie they used against me. They thought I would collapse under pressure. Instead, I rose—and now they’re the ones scrambling to survive the fallout. During the company’s video conference, a different girl’s face appeared on Byron Adams’ screen. The girl, seemingly innocent, was playing with his computer, completely oblivious to the fact that the camera was on. It wasn’t until Byron returned from the bathroom that she said in a sweet tone, “I didn’t know you were in a meeting. You promised to spend three days with me, but now you’ve been in meetings for days. How annoying.” The colleagues who had been speaking earlier fell silent. Everyone waited to see how I would react. After all, they had witnessed more than a few of our arguments in the office before. But this time, I didn’t make a scene. Instead, I coldly told the colleague, “Please continue, don’t mind the irrelevant things.” I watched as the room became quiet, and my eyes focused on Byron’s screen where the girl was still playfully cuddling him. I ignored it and asked the colleague to continue. If this had happened at another time, I would have probably snapped and confronted Byron, but today, I was calm. After all, Byron never let me, his wife, touch his computer. The way the girl was interacting with it seemed so familiar, and their closeness was undeniable. I had never seen him like this before. Every time I tried to be affectionate with him, he would coldly push me away, saying, “Lydia, don’t you have your own things to do? We’re adults. Just don’t do this.” Even when I wanted to use his computer, he would immediately take it away, saying he didn’t like anyone touching it. As the meeting continued, my mind kept returning to these thoughts until Byron called me and asked, “Did you see what happened just now?” I replied, my tone calm, “See what? I don’t have time to pay attention to things that aren’t work-related.” I could almost hear him sigh with relief on the other end of the line. Then, I added, “Did you do anything?” He quickly explained himself, and after listening, I nodded and hung up the phone. For the first time, I didn’t argue with him.

He probably didn’t expect me to hang up, so he sent a follow-up message explaining again. I ignored it, replying with a simple “OK”. His dissatisfaction with my indifferent attitude was clear. [Byron, I don’t want to argue with you.] I replied and then turned on the “Do Not Disturb” mode for his chat. Just then, a friend request notification popped up. It was from a girl with a little bunny profile photo. I accepted her application. She didn’t say anything after adding me. When I clicked on her recent photo, I understood everything. It was a fresh selfie of the same girl who had appeared on Byron’s screen earlier. She was holding his computer, and it captioned: [Oops, I disturbed baby during his meeting, but he didn’t get mad at me.] Her post and friend request were clearly intended to provoke me, but I didn’t delete her. Instead, I let it linger, observing in silence. The post that caught my attention the most was one from my birthday. Byron, who was supposed to be on a business trip, was in a photo with her. They were seated at the center of the table, and the girl was wearing a crown, looking incredibly happy. Byron’s friend commented under the photo: [You two look so happy. Byron has abandoned me.] Byron replied: [Shut up, man.] I could feel the joy in his words through the screen. I suddenly remembered how, on my birthday, I had waited at home for him to return, only for him to ignore my many calls. When he finally picked up, his voice was impatient, and he only told me to sleep early. My call must have interrupted his good mood. I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at myself.

I scrolled through more of the girl’s posts but found them uninteresting. After washing up, I went to bed, intending to sleep. But Byron returned just as I was about to drift off. I heard his footsteps upstairs and pretended to close my eyes. Then I heard him undressing. After a while, I felt the bed dip as he sat down and pulled me into his arms. His body carried the scent of the cologne I bought him, mingled with a faint fragrance of gardenias. It wasn’t my scent. I couldn’t help but think, was she also wrapped in his arms like this? Was she leaving her scent on him too? The thought made me feel nauseous. Without making a sound, I pulled away from his embrace and resisted his intimacy for the first time. In the past, I would have snuggled closer to him the moment he lay down. I would have buried my head in his arms, greedily inhaling his scent. But now, I couldn’t stand it. He stiffened behind me, seemingly confused, and tried to pull me closer again. “Don’t hold me. It’s uncomfortable,” I said, my eyes still closed. He sat up, suddenly irritated. “What’s wrong with you? Did you hear something? Or is there something I’ve done wrong to upset you?” I couldn’t bring myself to say anything. What could I ask him? Who was that girl? Did he love me? Right now, those questions didn’t matter anymore. “I’ve worked all day and stayed up late to revise the proposal. I’m really tired,” I replied, my voice devoid of emotion. “Please, stop making this a big deal. I just want to rest.” He exploded. “You’re insane! I just wanted to hug you, and now I’m wrong?” With that, he slammed the door and stormed off, leaving me with his cold back. In the past, I would have chased after him, clinging to his hand, begging him not to be angry. But now, I just silently pulled the blanket back over myself and tried to sleep. My rest was more important than anything else. The wall between us felt thicker now, and neither of us reached out to the other. We stayed like that in a strange silence. For the next week, Byron didn’t come home for dinner or send me any messages. When he saw me at work, he only gave me a brief, indifferent glance. Colleagues whispered about whether we had fought, or if it was because of the events that day. But the girl kept posting frequently on her social media. I thought the cold war would continue indefinitely, until one evening, I received a message from home about a family dinner. I realized I had to reach out to Byron, but my message was met with complete silence. Reluctantly, I went to the house he had lived in before we got married. It was where he always went after our arguments, and this time was no different.

I stood at the door, listening to the laughter coming from inside the villa, and couldn’t help but frown. The familiar, coquettish voice sounded exactly like the one I had heard coming from Byron’s computer that day. With a scowl on my face, I pushed the villa’s door open. Suddenly, something white and fluffy pounced at me, knocking me to the ground. My back scraped against some small stones, and I winced in pain. I looked up to see a dog. Completely unsure of how to react, I froze. “Where did this dog come from? Get it off me!” I shouted. I had been terrified of dogs since childhood after being chased by a neighbor’s large dog. Now, with a big dog pinning me down, I couldn’t stop shaking. Just then, the dog was pulled off me. Byron’s hand reached out in front of me, his face filled with confusion. I ignored him, got up, and moved away to put some distance between myself and the dog. I took a good look at the dog. Its fur was well-groomed, and it even had a cute little butterfly ornament on its ear. When it saw me standing, it tried to pounce again. I instinctively stepped back a couple of steps. “Why are you here?” Byron said softly and squatted down to pet the dog. “Didn’t you see…?” “Byron, what happened? Where’s Peach?” A high-pitched, girlish voice called out, and the figure of the girl I had seen in the photos appeared before me. Seeing her face in person made my heart ache with bitterness, especially the way Byron looked at her—his gaze was full of warmth. He quickly stepped in front of the girl, blocking her from my view, and his soft expression disappeared immediately. “What’s wrong, Byron? Why are you standing in front of me? Did Peach have an accident?” The girl slipped from behind him, and as soon as she saw me, her smile faltered. She froze when she saw me standing there. As she came closer, I couldn’t help but feel drawn to her vibrant energy. “Who is she?” the girl asked, her voice filled with confusion as she looked up at Byron. But when her gaze shifted to me, there was an unmistakable hint of challenge in her eyes. She knew who I was, and after adding me on social media, she probably knew about me long before this. “She is…” “I’m his wife, legally his wife.” I interrupted Byron’s attempt to explain and smiled at the girl in front of me. As I expected, her expression faltered for a moment before she tried to regain her composure. Her little act only made me laugh. She took a few steps back, looking uncomfortable, and struggled to pull the large dog back inside. “Well, since your wife is here, you two can have a talk. I’ll go give Peach some water.” Her fake, sad demeanor made even me feel a little sorry for her. But Byron, of course, was completely captivated by her. After she left, Byron glared at me with clear frustration. “What are you even doing here?” he asked, his voice cold. “Your family invited us for dinner, and you didn’t respond to any of my messages, so I came.” I answered calmly, indifferent to his anger, as though I didn’t even feel it. My response shut him down, leaving him speechless. I ignored him completely and walked confidently inside the house. I sat down on the sofa and looked at Byron as he followed me in. “You have 20 minutes to get ready. We need to leave on time,” I said, my tone firm. As soon as I finished speaking, the same large dog that had tackled me earlier charged toward me, as if triggered by something. It viciously bit at my clothes. “Get off me!” I shouted, grabbing my handbag and swinging it at the dog. It hit the dog on the head, leaving a small cut. I called out for Byron, but by the time I was knocked down, he was already over by the girl, shielding her in his arms. Seeing that, my heart sank completely.

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My pregnant wife posted photos with her ex and implied her child was not mine. She spent my money, trashed my name online, and expected me to keep supporting her lies. Her family pushed harder, demanding I pay for everything while she vacationed with another man. I finally stopped protecting her reputation and ended the marriage, cut off every benefit, and exposed the truth she tried to bury. For the first time, I get to walk away while she’s the one begging. My pregnant wife ignored my protests and went on an overseas trip with her high school sweetheart. She posted on Facebook, “Travis, even if we can’t be together as husband and wife, I’ll still give birth to your child.” The picture? The two of them were holding hands and snuggled up together. I commented under the post, “If you’re this in love, isn’t it time to divorce me and be with him instead?” After posting my comment, I didn’t waste any time. I contacted the Postpartum Care Center, where I’d previously booked and canceled the reservation. I also called Summit Ridge Women’s Clinic and canceled the appointments I had set up there. For the countless baby supplies I’d bought in advance, I either returned what I could or gave away the rest. When I was done, I let out a long breath of relief. I called up a few close friends and invited them out for drinks. I needed the distraction. We were laughing and enjoying ourselves when my phone buzzed. I glanced at the screen, and my smile disappeared. It was Madeline Harper. The room grew quiet as my friends noticed my shift in mood. One suggested, “Ethan, is that Madeline calling? Maybe you should head home before she gets upset. ” “Yeah, we can call it a night here,” chimed another. They meant well. Since marrying Madeline, I haven’t spent much time with my friends. Whenever I did, Madeline would call them my “useless drinking buddies” and blame them for anything that went wrong. Everyone knew how overbearing she could be. But I hit the decline button right before them and forced a smile onto my face. “Forget about her. Let’s keep going.” “Ethan, maybe you should—” Dex started, concern in his voice. I cut him off, “I know you’re all looking out for me, but I’ll tell you this now: once Madeline returns, I’m divorcing her. She’s not going to be your sister-in-law anymore.” The group fell silent, exchanging uneasy glances but not saying another word. My phone buzzed again. After hesitating, I answered this time. Madeline’s sharp voice came through on the other end of the line, furious. “Ethan Vaughn! Who do you think you are ignoring my calls? If this happens again, you’ll sleep on the couch for a month!” I stayed silent as she launched into another tirade. “Tell me this, Ethan,” she demanded. “Why did you cancel the Postpartum Care Center? If they hadn’t called me, I’d still be in the dark! Are you even planning to be this baby’s father? If you’re not, don’t worry—plenty of men love to step up. The line of guys wanting to date me back in the day could’ve stretched to France!” When Madeline first got pregnant, I’d treated her like a queen. Whatever she asked for, I made it happen. I booked the best Postpartum Care Center in Napa Valley for $10,000 a month without a second thought. I loved her. I wanted her to feel cherished. But she used my devotion as a license to trample all over me. “Hey, are you listening?” Her shrill voice pulled me from my thoughts. “Yeah, I’m listening. What’s the problem?” I asked calmly. “The problem is, you’re going to fix this,” she snapped. “Rebook the Care Center. And send me another $10,000. Travis and I want to stay here for a couple more days.” Her words made me laugh out loud. “Madeline, have you lost your damn mind?” Chapter

The moment those words left my mouth, Madeline’s fury erupted. “Ethan Vaughn, what did you just say? Repeat it, I dare you! Do you want me to divorce you?” This wasn’t the first time she’d used divorce as a threat. It was her go-to move, no matter how small the argument. In the past, I always caved. I’d apologize, take the blame, and do whatever it took to smooth things. I thought that if I compromised enough, we’d eventually find happiness. But things never worked out that way. I took a deep breath, lifted my drink, and said calmly, “Alright. Let’s get divorced.” Then I hung up and turned off my phone. My friends stared at me, stunned. “Why are you all frozen? Let’s toast—to my freedom!” That broke the tension. Laughter filled the room as they raised their glasses with me. The drinks flowed, and I felt truly happy for the first time in years. Back at home, I collapsed into bed, the buzz of alcohol and freedom making me smile. For years, my life revolved around Madeline’s demands. She controlled everything, and I let her. I gave up smoking and drinking for her. I handed over my entire paycheck every month. I cooked, cleaned, and ran our household so she could play “princess.” But somewhere along the way, she forgot she wasn’t royalty. When I woke up the following day, loud banging echoed through the apartment. At first, I thought someone was renovating. But as the sound continued, I realized someone was at my door. I didn’t need to guess who. I took my time, pouring a glass of water as the voices outside grew louder. “Ethan Vaughn, open this door right now!” Dolly Carter’s sharp tone cut through the noise. “How dare you cancel the Postpartum Care Center and the hospital appointments? Are you even human?” Her voice grated on my nerves, but I was used to it. Whenever Madeline and I had even the slightest fight, her parents would rush over to scold me. When I finally opened the door, I was greeted by their furious faces. Without waiting for an invitation, they pushed past me into the apartment. “You better fix this immediately!” Dolly demanded. “Madeline’s coming home tonight, and everything needs to be in place.” “Is she bringing Travis Reese back with her?” I asked coolly. “What are you implying? Madeline’s coming back alone. Stop spreading nonsense!” Dolly shot back defensively. “Oh, and I heard you got a $15,000 bonus at work,” Walt added. “When’s Madeline getting that?” I let out a small laugh, shaking my head. It was going to be a long day. Chapter

I chuckled to myself. My father-in-law, Walt Carter, sure had his ear to the ground—he even knew about the bonus I’d received from my latest project. “So, when are you giving that money to my daughter?” Dolly, my mother-in-law, chimed in, her tone dripping with entitlement. “You must have misunderstood,” I replied flatly. “I’m filing for divorce from Madeline.” “Divorce?!” Dolly’s face twisted in shock. “Your darling daughter announced on Facebook that the baby she’s carrying belongs to her high school sweetheart, Travis. Whoever the father is, let him handle the hospital bills and the Postpartum Care Center,” I said, my tone cold. “You’re talking nonsense! That baby is yours!” Walt snapped, his voice rising in anger. Dolly, of course, doubled down. “Even if the baby isn’t yours, so what? You’re the one who married Madeline. If you truly love her, you should accept everything about her!” “And besides,” she added, crossing her arms, “that baby will take your last name anyway. So what exactly is your problem?” Listening to their absurd arguments, I realized trying to reason with them wastes time. I grabbed my car keys and left the house, ignoring their shouts as they trailed behind me. When they caught up in the driveway, I sighed and told them what they wanted to hear: “I’m going to sort out the Postpartum Care Center now.” That finally got them to back off. “You’d better,” Dolly said smugly. “After all, Madeline’s been carrying this baby for nine months. You can’t drop the ball now.” I didn’t bother responding and drove off. Once I was clear of the house, I called my former college classmate, Autumn Quinn, who now lived in Asheville, North Carolina. When she picked up, her voice lit up with excitement. “Ethan! You finally agreed! We’ve been waiting for the perfect leader for this project, and you’re it. The salary and benefits package we can offer you is top-notch!” Autumn had been trying to recruit me for months, but I’d always turned her down. I’d stayed because I thought Madeline and I were happy—and because she was pregnant. But now, I had no reason to stay. “Count me in,” I said decisively. She paused, catching something in my tone. “Ethan, is everything okay? Do you need help with something?” I chuckled softly. “No, nothing like that.” She didn’t push, but her excitement returned as she promised to arrange an interview. “Let me know if you need anything else,” she added warmly. “Thanks, Autumn.” We met in college when I was a junior and she was a freshman. We belonged to the same college society, and over time, we became good friends. After I got married, though, we drifted apart. With the interview set up, I turned my attention to the next step: consulting a lawyer to draft a divorce agreement. It was evening by the time everything was arranged, and I was ready to grab dinner when my phone rang again. It was Madeline. “Where the hell have you been?!” she demanded. “I’ve called you a dozen times, and you didn’t answer. I had to take a cab home, Ethan—a cab! Do you know how mad that makes me?” Chapter

Madeline’s voice dripped with anger as if taking a cab home was the most significant hardship she’d ever faced. Looking back, I realized I’d spoiled her too much. She wasn’t born into wealth or privilege, but I treated her like a princess, and over time, she began to believe she was one. “Sorry,” I said calmly. “I was busy and forgot.” “Busy? What’s your excuse? You don’t care about me at all! Get your ass home and apologize right now!” “Oh, and don’t forget to transfer the $10,000. My mom said you already withdrew it,” she added. I murmured an acknowledgment and hung up without another word. When I got home, Madeline was sitting on the couch, her pregnant belly prominent. But she wasn’t alone. Sitting next to her was Travis Reese, her high school sweetheart. Across the room, Dolly and Walt sat like they owned the place. “Ah, everyone’s here,” I said, stepping inside. All eyes turned to me, but Madeline was the first to speak. “If Travis hadn’t been kind enough to bring me home, I don’t know what would’ve happened,” she said, her voice laced with accusation. “Do you even care about the baby I’m carrying?” “Travis brought the baby’s father home. Isn’t that what he’s supposed to do?” I replied evenly, looking directly at Travis. His eyes widened in shock. “What are you talking about? What do you mean ‘the baby’s father’?” I handed him a stack of invoices. “Postpartum Care Center: $10,000. Summit Ridge Women’s Clinic VIP delivery package: $8,000. Baby supplies: $5,000. Total: $23,000. You’ll need to make those payments at the hospital soon.” Everyone froze, the weight of my words sinking in. “What’s that supposed to mean, Ethan?” Madeline finally asked, her voice rising. “It means I’m divorcing you. And whoever got you pregnant can handle the rest,” I said, pulling out the divorce papers I’d prepared. “Divorce?!” Madeline’s eyes blazed. “You think you can just leave me like this? If anyone’s divorcing anyone, it’s me! Travis’s better than you’ll ever be, Ethan. Once we’re done, I’ll marry him.” She smiled sweetly at Travis, oblivious to the horrified expression on his face. “Madeline, are you out of your mind?!” Travis blurted out, taking a step back. “Travis, don’t be shy,” she said, still grinning. “We’ve been waiting for this. Now’s our chance to finally be together.” Even Dolly jumped in. “Travis, you’re getting a wonderful girl here. My Madeline is one of a kind!” “And the baby will have your name, of course,” Walt added. But Travis’s expression darkened. “Madeline,” he said firmly, “we were just having fun. I’m not marrying you.” Madeline’s jaw dropped. “What? You’re joking, right?” He shook his head, stepping further away. “You thought I was serious? Madeline, you’re married! And honestly, who knows who else you’ve been with?” The color drained from her face, and her parents stared in stunned silence. I watched the scene unfold, saying nothing, a cold smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.

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On my eighteenth birthday, I was kicked out of the Davies mansion. The true heiress, Tiffany, smugly watched me, her arm linked with the parents who once showered me with affection. Mrs. Davies scoffed, “Stella, the DNA results are in. You’re Maria, the nanny’s, daughter. Tiffany’s back now, so get lost. You make me sick.” I stood at the villa gates, soaked to the bone. Tiffany ripped off my jacket, a cruel smile playing on her lips as her fingernail dragged across my cheek. “Fake is fake, always will be. I’d rather shred this jacket and use it as bedding for a stray dog than let you wear it.” Right after I was thrown out, Maria, the nanny, casually took off her apron, got into a luxury car, and drove up to me. “Sweetie, don’t you dare be sad! The business empire I built? It’s all yours now!” The surrounding guests burst into laughter, but I turned my head to a corner. There, crouched low, was a middle-aged woman in a filthy apron, her hair matted with grease. That was my biological mother, Maria, the Davies’ lowest-ranking housekeeper. She’d worked for the Davies family for twenty years, notorious for her greed, crude manners, and constant scheming. At this very moment, she was clinging desperately to Mr. Davies’ leg, weeping hysterically, snot and tears streaming down her face. “Sir! Ma’am! You can kick this good-for-nothing out, but why fire me too?!” “I haven’t even gotten this month’s pay! And what about the five bucks overtime from last month, for washing her undies?!” “You can’t be this heartless! Twenty years, even if I didn’t contribute, I put in the hard work!” Mr. Davies shoved her away with a disgusted kick. “Get lost! Take your bastard with you! Or I’ll unleash the dogs!” Maria was sent sprawling, tumbling twice on the ground like a greasy bowling ball. Watching this, my heart felt utterly dead. This was my biological mother. During my twenty years as Miss Davies, she never once gave me a kind look. Whenever no one was watching, she’d viciously pinch my arm. She chopped off my beloved long hair and forced me into boyish shorts. I wanted to learn piano, but she’d secretly scatter thumbtacks on the keys, forcing me instead into grueling financial calculations. I dreamt of dancing, but she’d beat my legs with a feather duster, pushing me to learn combat from a retired security guard. I always thought she was jealous of my good fortune, trying to ruin me. Now that I was tossed out, all she cared about was a few measly bucks of overtime pay. A tidal wave of shame washed over me. I walked over and forcefully pulled Maria up from her pathetic display on the ground. “Stop begging! Can’t you leave me some dignity?!” Maria wiped the snot from her face, then slapped me across the cheek. “Dignity?! What good is dignity?! Can it buy food?! That’s three hundred bucks! Enough for how many loaves of bread?!” I covered my face, tears mingling with the rain streaming down. Tiffany stood on the steps, a triumphant smirk plastered across her face. “Oh, what a show! Like dogs fighting over scraps, tearing each other to pieces.” “Maria, take your useless daughter and get out! Don’t you dare dirty our property!” The security guards roughly shoved us, tossing us out of the ornate iron gates like garbage. The heavy gate slammed shut. It sealed off the glittering party lights, and with it, twenty years of my life. I collapsed into the muddy puddle by the roadside, sobbing uncontrollably. I hated the Davies family’s cold cruelty, but I hated Maria’s humiliation even more. My future felt pitch black, like my life was utterly over. Maria was still pounding on the iron gate, cursing incessantly. “Mr. Davies, you bastard!” I yelled at her, “Stop cursing! Haven’t you embarrassed us enough?!” Maria stopped. She turned, looking at me. The rain was still falling, but I noticed her eyes had changed. It was a gaze I’d never seen before—deep, icy, and full of mocking amusement. Slowly, deliberately, she straightened her perpetually hunched back. Her meek, submissive demeanor vanished in an instant. She reached out, tore off her filthy apron, and casually tossed it into a nearby trash can. Then, she ran a hand through her rain-matted hair, a scornful smile playing on her lips. “Alright, stop bawling. There’s a three-hundred-billion-dollar empire waiting for you to inherit. What’s there to cry about?”

I froze, even forgetting how to cry. Rainwater dripped from my chin. I wondered if I’d misheard, or if grief had conjured some auditory hallucination. “What did you say?” I asked foolishly. Maria shot a disgusted glance at the brightly lit mansion, then spat. “I said, this wretched Davies place? Too small, too stingy. I was sick of it ages ago.” From the inner pocket of her shabby cotton jacket, she pulled out a sleek walkie-talkie. Her movements were practiced, her tone cold. “Jenkins, bring the cars around.” I hadn’t even registered who Jenkins was. Eight black Maybachs materialized from the rain-swept darkness, gliding silently like specters before us. In the center was an extended Rolls-Royce Phantom, its pure silver Spirit of Ecstasy gleaming with an icy cold light in the rainy night. The car doors opened. A dozen burly men in black suits and white gloves poured out, moving with chilling precision. They lined up in two perfect rows in the mud, bowing at a sharp ninety degrees. Their voices, loud and resonant, sliced through the rainy night. “Miss Stella! Please, enter the vehicle!” The sheer display of power made me stumble back, nearly tripping into a mud puddle. A hand steadied me. It was Maria. Her hand, though rough, was now firm and full of an undeniable power. The brawling shrew who’d thrown herself on the ground for three hundred bucks? Gone. In her place stood a queen, her aura so commanding it was impossible to meet her gaze. An elderly, silver-haired butler approached, holding a black umbrella, respectfully offering Maria a trench coat. Maria slipped on the trench coat, her presence absolutely dominating the scene. She looked at me, wide-eyed and dumbfounded, and flashed a brilliant white smile. “Sweetie, let me properly reintroduce myself.” “I am Maria, founder of Stellar Capital, and, as the rumors go… the richest person in the world.” My mind exploded with a deafening roar. Stellar Capital? The enigmatic conglomerate that controlled half the world’s shipping and wielded unparalleled power in global finance? I stammered, “You… you were a nanny, right? Just now, you were begging for five bucks overtime…” Maria rolled her eyes, pulling me into the Rolls-Royce. Inside, it was warm as spring, the leather seats exuding a subtle, luxurious scent. The butler offered warm towels and ginger tea. Maria crossed her legs, took a wine glass, and swirled the ruby liquid within. “That was my persona, got it?” “If I didn’t play the part perfectly, how could I have infiltrated the Davies family’s den of vipers for two decades?” “As for those five bucks…” She let out a cold laugh, taking a sip of wine. “Mr. Davies owes me that. Forget five bucks; even a single cent, he’d have to cough up.” I held the ginger tea, feeling like I was dreaming. “Mom… what exactly is going on?” Maria glanced at me, her gaze finally softening slightly. From her limited-edition Hermes bag, she pulled out a black card and tossed it into my lap. “There’s twenty billion in here. Consider it pocket money from your mom. Go buy yourself something nice, calm your nerves.” Twenty billion? Pocket money? The three-hundred-dollar pay stub was still swirling in my mind. “The Davies kicking you out? That’s the biggest mistake they’ll ever make.” “They thought you were some unwanted bastard.” “Little did they know, their precious Tiffany? She’s not even fit to tie your shoes.” Maria reached out, gently touching the scratches Tiffany had left on my face. A flash of pure murder flickered in her eyes. “Does it hurt?” I instinctively nodded, then shook my head. “Mom, why were you a nanny at the Davies’? And why… why were you so incredibly mean to me?” This was the knot in my heart, the biggest question. If she was so rich, why did she let me suffer for twenty years? Why cut my hair? Why force me to learn things I hated? Maria sighed, looking out at the rainy night. “Sweetie, I was saving your life.” “Mr. Davies is a monster. He’s the one who killed your father, Arthur, all those years ago.” “If I hadn’t played the fool, if I hadn’t forged you into an unbreakable warrior, we’d both be dead in that basement right now.” “As for everything I forced you to learn…” She turned, her gaze burning into mine. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll realize every single thing I pushed you to learn? They were all weapons, sharpened just for you to take over this empire.”

The motorcade swept into Stellar Tower’s private underground vault. A private elevator whisked us straight to the top-floor penthouse, overlooking the city lights. I stood at the huge picture window. Beneath my feet lay a Persian rug, and in my hand, I still clutched that twenty-billion-dollar black card. The reality of it all was utterly dizzying. Maria had already changed into a sleek, casual outfit. She tossed a file onto my lap. “This is Stellar Group’s share transfer agreement. Just sign it, and tomorrow, you’re the Chairwoman.” I was so startled my hand shook. “Mom, I don’t know how to run a company! I’m only a sophomore!” Maria lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag. “Who said you couldn’t?” “Third grade, all those ‘boring numbers’ I made you memorize? They were actually real stock market charts from back then.” “In middle school, I sent you to the farmer’s market to haggle prices for me. That was teaching you business negotiation and psychological warfare.” “And all those complex accounts I made you balance in high school? That was the group’s foundational financial logic.” “As for the combat skills that retired security guard taught you…” She blew a smoke ring, her eyes sharp as blades. “The business world is a battlefield. Sometimes, fists speak louder than words.” I froze. My memories flashed back in a frantic rush. As a child, I cried, wanting to play the piano, but she’d cut me off with a slap: “What are you doing playing a tune?! Focus on these ledgers! No food until you get them right!” I felt wronged, I hated her. I thought it was abuse. Turns out, she was leveling me up. “And Tiffany, from the Davies family? What did she learn? Flower arranging, tea ceremonies, etiquette, piano.” Maria scoffed dismissively, “That’s how you raise a golden cage canary, meant to be married off for a good price.” “But I raised you to be an eagle, soaring through the heavens. I raised you to devour.” I looked at my hands. My fingers had thin calluses, souvenirs from combat training. In my mind, those financial models that once tortured me were now crystal clear. A strange sensation washed over me. Was I… actually a maxed-out character? “Tomorrow, Mr. Davies will come begging Stellar Group for financing.” Maria stamped out her cigarette and stood up. “The Davies’ funds have dried up. Tiffany, the fake heiress, only came back to bring in capital herself.” “Too bad her connections didn’t care for a family on the brink of bankruptcy. Stellar Group is their only lifeline.” Maria walked over to me and adjusted my collar. “Sweetie, tomorrow you’ll be sitting in the Chairwoman’s seat.” “Let them see who the ‘bastard’ they threw out really is.” That night, I didn’t sleep a wink. Not from excitement, but from the boiling revenge coursing through my veins. I remembered Tiffany’s sneering face as she ripped my clothes. I remembered Mr. Davies’ disgusted kick. I remembered how, for twenty years, I’d acted like a foolish people-pleaser, begging for a shred of affection that never truly existed. Since you showed no mercy, don’t expect any from me. The next morning. I donned the bespoke suit Maria had prepared for me. Its sharp cut exuded an intimidating aura. Looking at myself in the mirror, the timid, uncertain Stella was gone. In her place stood the new helmswoman of Stellar Group. Maria didn’t come to the office with me; she said she had ‘private matters to attend to,’ but I knew she was gathering evidence from all those years ago. I arrived at the company in the Rolls-Royce. Two rows of executives were already waiting. “Good morning, Stella!” Their voices boomed. I took a deep breath, strode on my heels, and entered through the revolving doors. The receptionist stared for a moment, then immediately lowered her gaze. “Stella, Mr. Davies and Miss Tiffany from Davies Group have been waiting in the conference room for an hour.” A cold smirk played on my lips. “Let them wait. Turn the AC down ten degrees. And no one gives them a drop of water without my permission.” The receptionist’s eyes widened, and she immediately responded, “Yes, ma’am!”

In the conference room. Mr. Davies paced nervously, his forehead beaded with cold sweat. Tiffany, meanwhile, impatiently touched up her makeup, grumbling incessantly. “Dad, the boss of Stellar Group has way too much nerve, doesn’t she? Making us wait this long!” “This miserable conference room is freezing! They won’t even offer water? What kind of service is that?!” Mrs. Davies was fanning herself beside them. “Exactly! Tiffany is a delicate flower; what if she catches a cold?” “Once we get the financing, we’ll teach this arrogant company a lesson it won’t forget!” From behind the one-way glass, I coldly observed the grotesque display of this pathetic trio. Yesterday, they’d been so high and mighty, kicking me out. Today, they were here, practically wagging their tails like stray dogs, begging for scraps. “Mr. Davies, long time no see.” I pushed the door open and strode in. My secretary swiftly pulled out the chair at the head of the table. I settled into the chair calmly, my fingers interlocked on the tabletop. The conference room instantly fell silent; you could have heard a pin drop. Mr. Davies’ eyes bulged, almost popping out of his skull. Mrs. Davies’ fan clattered to the floor. Tiffany, as if seeing a ghost, shrieked, pointing at me: “Stella?! What are YOU doing here?!” “Are you here to clean toilets?! Security! How did you let this trash in?!” She lunged at me, trying to grab me. “Get out! What makes you think you belong here?! This is a multi-billion-dollar business meeting! If you dirty the carpet, can you even pay for it?!” I remained still, merely tilting my head slightly. The bodyguard beside me simply raised a hand, seizing Tiffany’s wrist and twisting it hard. “AHH—!” Tiffany shrieked, stumbled back, and landed in an undignified heap on the floor. “Tiffany!” Mrs. Davies shrieked, rushing to her side. Mr. Davies’ face turned ashen, and he roared, pointing at me: “Stella! You ungrateful wretch! Did you follow us here?! Get out, now! Don’t you dare humiliate us any further!” I leaned back in my chair, a faint smirk playing on my lips. “Humiliate you?” “Mr. Davies, I think you’ve got two things wrong.” “First, this is Stellar Group, and I am the Chairwoman.” “Second, you’re the one begging me, not the other way around.” Mr. Davies stared, his face a mask of utter disbelief. “You’re… the Chairwoman? What kind of sick joke is this?! Your mother was a toilet-scrubbing nanny!” “Whose ID did you steal? Or did some old sugar daddy pay for you to be here?” Tiffany scrambled up from the floor, her face twisted with fury: “She definitely did! Dad, she must have sold herself to get here, just to cause trouble! There’s nothing a lowlife like her wouldn’t do!” I didn’t speak, merely gestured to my secretary. My secretary slammed a document onto the table in front of Mr. Davies. “Open your pathetic eyes and see for yourself.” Mr. Davies’ trembling hand picked up the document, his fingers fumbling as he turned to the first page. Shareholder Structure. Largest Shareholder: Stella. Holding: 100%. In that instant, Mr. Davies’ face went utterly ashen, like death itself. His body went limp, and he collapsed back into the chair. “This… this can’t be… Maria… Maria, she…” “My mother’s name is Maria, and she was the previous helmswoman of Stellar Group.” I stood up, bracing my hands on the table, looking down at Mr. Davies. “Mr. Davies, that precious Davies Group you’re so proud of? In my mother’s eyes, it’s less than nothing.” “For twenty years, my mother slaved away in your house, not because she was pathetic.” “It was because she was watching you, slowly but surely, dig your own graves.” “Now, I’m giving you two choices.” “First, get on your knees, kowtow to my mother three times, and cough up that five bucks of overtime pay you swallowed yesterday, with interest.” “Second, Davies Group goes into bankruptcy liquidation, and you three can go sleep under a bridge, covered in newspapers.”

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Seven years after I vanished, my brother found me. Not through some private investigator, but on the organ donor registry. “Where is this person?” He asked the nurse. “On the 12th floor, in the palliative care ward. She’s scheduled for surgery tomorrow.” His face a thundercloud, he stormed upstairs and burst into my room. “Aurora!” I looked up at him and smiled calmly. “You must have the wrong person, Adrian. My name is Serena, not Aurora.” He walked closer to the bed, his voice stiff. “Come home with me. Apologize to Willow, and I’ll get you the best doctors money can buy…” “No need. I haven’t done anything wrong, and I don’t need to apologize to anyone.” I didn’t even lift my head, signing the last letter on the donation agreement. After a long, chilling silence, he sneered, “Quite the act. Seven years, and you’re still playing the innocent victim.” “You’re sick? What’s wrong? Why are you having surgery?” I chuckled. “Late-stage glioblastoma. Not long now.” “Might as well give my organs away. Better use for them than just decaying underground, right? At least I can save a few people.” Adrian’s face flickered, but quickly reverted to cold indifference. “Cut the crap. You think I’m going to fall for your pathetic act?” He swept his gaze across the sparsely furnished room, his tone mocking. “Things not going so well for you out here all these years? If you hadn’t pulled those stunts back then, you wouldn’t be in this mess.” I looked down at my emaciated hands, saying nothing. “Aurora…” He suddenly called my name, a flicker of struggle in his voice. “Are you really… that sick?” I looked up at him, my eyes terrifyingly calm. “Does it concern you, Adrian?” “I’m your brother!” “Your sister… she died seven years ago.” His face turned ashen, staring intently at me. “You hate me that much? What happened back then, Aurora, wasn’t it your own fault—” “Enough,” I cut him off. “Adrian, you’re not here just to taunt me, are you? If there’s something you need, just say it.” He opened his mouth, but found himself speechless. “Let me guess,” I said slowly. “Does she… need *another* liver?” Adrian didn’t answer. But his evasive gaze said it all. I leaned against the headboard and let out a light laugh. “So that’s it.” “Seven years, and she finally remembers she has a sister.” “So you’re here today, on her behalf, to demand my liver?” “Not ‘demand,’” he corrected. “It’s your duty. You volunteered your liver back then. Now Willow needs another, and you’re still her sister. It’s your responsibility.” I leaned against the headboard, finding it all utterly absurd. “Adrian, seven years ago, when you threw me out of the house, why didn’t you mention I was her sister then?” “You deserved it!” His voice suddenly rose. “If you hadn’t done all those malicious things back then, if you hadn’t framed Willow, why would I have kicked you out? You’re still lying. Still playing the innocent victim.” I closed my eyes, my heart turned to ash. He never doubted her, it seemed. He always believed I was in the wrong. “Just leave,” I said wearily. “I need to rest.” “Aurora!” He roughly grabbed my shoulder. “You listen to me! Willow needs your liver!” I opened my eyes and looked at him calmly. “Then let her wait for a donor,” I said, my voice flat. “Because my organs? They’re already pledged to strangers.” “You—” He was trembling with rage. “You’re truly that heartless?! Willow saved my life back then! Without her, the Sutton name wouldn’t be where it is today! And you, you ungrateful wretch!” I said nothing, simply turning my head to look out the window. “Aurora, I’m making myself clear today,” he released me, his voice icy. “If you don’t save Willow, I swear I won’t let you die so easily.” “I will use every resource the Sutton family has to treat you, to keep you alive. Living a life worse than death itself.” I listened to his threats, my heart utterly calm. “Whatever.” He gave me a deep look, then turned and left. The door slammed shut behind him. I lay on the hospital bed, tears silently streaming down my face.

My mind drifted back fourteen years. I was thirteen then, Adrian twenty-one. Our parents died in a car accident, leaving behind our sprawling estate and a horde of relatives hungry for the family fortune. Back then, Adrian was like a wolf protecting its cub. He kept me safe behind him, shouldering everything by himself. At the funeral, a drunk relative pointed at me and cursed. “You little menace! If it wasn’t for you, your parents wouldn’t be dead!” Adrian punched him, sending blood spurting across his face. “Anyone who dares lay a finger on my sister, I’ll make them wish they were never born.” That night, he held me as I sobbed, repeating over and over. “Don’t be scared, I’m here.” “I’ll protect you my whole life, Aurora.” I believed him. I thought we would always be like that, dependent on each other. But everything changed when my half-sister, Willow, came into our lives. She wasn’t well, so Adrian gave her *my* room, claiming it had the best sunlight. She didn’t like the food our housekeeper made, so Adrian took her out to eat every single day. She was scared to sleep alone, so Adrian would stay in her room until she drifted off. A month before I was supposed to start college, Willow was diagnosed with a rare liver disease, her life hanging by a thread. Adrian went frantic. He took her to the best hospitals across the country, sought out every specialist. Finally, the doctors gave them two options. Wait for a donor liver, or a living donor transplant. Waiting for a donor could take one or two years, time she didn’t have. A living donor transplant required a blood-type-matched direct relative. And in the entire Sutton family, only she and I had compatible blood types. Adrian came to talk to me when I was doing my final revisions for my college entrance exams. “Aurora,” his voice was gentler than it had been in years. “You know about Willow, right?” I didn’t respond. “The doctors say your liver has the highest chance of a match.” I turned a page in my textbook. “Aurora, she’s going to die.” His voice trembled slightly. “Please, I’m begging you, save her.” I finally looked up at him. “Adrian, do you remember what you were doing the last time *I* was sick?” He froze. “I had a fever of one hundred and four degrees Fahrenheit, lay alone in my room for two days, and no one checked on me.” “And you? You were out shopping with Willow. Because she said she was in a bad mood.” He opened his mouth. “Aurora, I was wrong that time…” “And,” I cut him off. “Do you remember that time I was pushed down the stairs?” “I told you Willow did it, and what did you say? You said I wasn’t watching where I was going, trying to pin the blame on poor Willow.” His face went pale. “Aurora…” “Adrian, you want me to save her?” I stood up, facing him. “Fine.” “But after this, we’re done. Our slate is clean. I’m no longer a Sutton, and you’re no longer my brother!”

He flinched. “What did you say?” “I said, I’m willing to donate my liver to her.” “But after the surgery, I’m leaving the Sutton estate.” “You can all pretend I’m dead.” He was silent for a long time. Finally, he nodded. On the day of the surgery, I was wheeled into the operating room. Before I went in, I saw Adrian standing at the doorway. His lips trembled, as if he wanted to say something. But ultimately, he said nothing. The surgery was a success. Willow lived. I, however, lost a third of my liver and never returned to the Sutton estate. That afternoon, Adrian came again. This time, Willow was with him. Seven years had passed, and she had grown even more beautiful, her dark eyes still sparkling. Adrian sat by the bed. “Aurora, Willow came to see you.” “Sister,” Willow walked closer, her eyes red. “I heard you were sick, I was so worried…” “Cut the act,” I interrupted. “It’s just the three of us. Who are you performing for?” Willow’s face went white, tears spilling from her eyes. “Sister, why do you hate me so much? What happened back then wasn’t my fault…” “Not your fault?” I scoffed. “Willow, you hacked into my SnapChat account to trash-talk yourself in the class group, wasn’t that you? You peeked at my test papers, wasn’t that you? You pushed me down the stairs, wasn’t that you?” “Enough!” Adrian suddenly stood up. “Aurora, it’s been seven years, and you’re still spreading those lies!” “All the evidence back then proved it was *your* doing! How long are you going to keep slandering Willow?!” “Just because you were jealous that Willow was better than you, just because you couldn’t stand her, that’s why you concocted all these lies!” Every word was like a knife twisting in my heart. “Adrian, are you truly so certain that I’m the one lying?” “And aren’t you?” he said coldly. “Everyone at school, teachers and students, saw what you did back then. You were always bullying Willow, always jealous of her!” I closed my eyes, not wanting to argue anymore. It was useless. He never believed me. “Sister,” Willow walked over and took my hand. “I know you hate me. But Adrian said you’re sick, and I’m truly upset about it…” “If you need money for treatment, I can give you all my savings…” I yanked my hand away from her. “Willow, cut out your games!” I looked at Adrian. “Alright, I know what you both want. But no. I won’t donate my liver to her.” “I’d rather give it to a stranger than save her again.” Adrian’s face turned livid. “Aurora, you’re really that heartless?!” “Yes, I am that heartless,” I looked at him. “Seven years ago I gave her a third of my liver, and what did I get in return? You kicked me out of our home!” “And now you come back for me, on what grounds?!” “You deserved it!” “Fine, good,” I nodded. “Then my not saving her now, she deserves it too.” “After all, I’m a cruel woman.” Adrian was shaking with fury. He suddenly grabbed my collar. “Aurora, don’t push me!” “What do you want to do?” I met his gaze. “Hit me? Or kill me?” “I’m dying anyway, so feel free.” His hand trembled. After a moment, he released me, taking a deep breath. “Aurora, I’m asking you one last time. Are you going to save Willow?” “No.” “Fine, good,” he sneered. “Then don’t blame me for what happens next.” He took out his phone and dialed a number. “Execute it. Just like I told you.”

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My boyfriend was absolutely crazy about his cars, practically calling them his ‘wifey’. I respected his passion and rarely interfered. Until one day, I overheard him and his friends playing a twisted game of ‘sharing their prized possessions.’ On the huge screen in front of them, my most private videos were playing, a rotating loop of every angle, posture, and expression imaginable. His friend scoffed, “Ryan, Celeste’s shy little act was novel for a bit, but honestly, it’s getting stale.” Ryan just shrugged it off, a dismissive smirk on his face, clearly unbothered. “Just a girl, right? Nowhere near as thrilling as a sports car. Whatever.” But the moment Jake suggested he record some private footage of Tiffany, Ryan instantly snapped, throwing a punch. The private room was filled with my moans, and outside the door, my face went ghost-white. Ryan’s friend picked at his teeth with a toothpick, bored. “Dude, Celeste is so boring. It’s the same few positions over and over, like a plank of wood.” “Honestly, this ‘holier-than-thou’ act gets old fast. Even I couldn’t get it up watching this, which is saying something.” A chorus of derisive laughter filled the room, their contempt blatant. Ryan didn’t argue. He just grinned, utterly unbothered, not refuting a word they said. “Alright, alright, at least you got something to watch. Don’t say I’m not good to you guys. If it weren’t for this game, I wouldn’t even touch her. She’s just a plain-looking, ordinary girl, not even as exciting as my car.” His friend raised an eyebrow, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “You haven’t been ‘active’ in ages, yet you’ve got this hot bombshell always around. Aren’t you tempted? If you ask me, you and Tiffany should give it a shot. You could even record some videos and share some ‘perks’ with us guys, spice things up a bit!” Ryan, who had been so nonchalant moments before, suddenly stiffened when he heard Tiffany’s name. His face darkened like a storm cloud. He didn’t even think, just lunged forward and landed a punch square on his friend’s face. The force was so great that a tooth went flying. “Don’t you dare come up with anything twisted for our own friends! If I catch any of you with those disgusting thoughts again, don’t blame me when I lose it!” The other friends were startled and quickly tried to smooth things over. “Hey, calm down. They’re just girls, right? You weren’t even this mad when you shared your *own* girlfriend’s videos. He just mentioned it, no need to ruin our friendship.” Ryan shook his hand out, his voice laced with menace. “Are good friends and girlfriends the same thing? If you can’t even stick up for your own, what kind of friends are you? I’m warning you, when it comes to me, Tiffany ranks above all of you!” His friends immediately sobered up, nodding frantically and promising to behave. Ryan then reverted to his usual rogueish demeanor. “My girlfriend’s coming to pick me up soon. Shut those videos off, and don’t say anything stupid! She’s super innocent, she wouldn’t understand this kind of game.” I gasped for air, like I was drowning, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face. Even digging my nails into my palms until they bled couldn’t alleviate an ounce of the searing pain in my heart. I could only clutch my rapidly constricting chest, leaning on the wall as I stumbled away. Veins popped out on my neck, barely visible beneath my skin. The distinctive red mole at the corner of my eye, a symbol of my family, pulsed a deeper crimson. Ryan didn’t know I wasn’t some ordinary girl. I was born into a notorious family of troublemakers. Everyone in my family was drop-dead gorgeous, naturally born with a touch of darkness—cold, ruthless, and utterly insane. I was the only anomaly in the family, born sweet and gentle, with a delicate, understated beauty. My bloodline would only awaken under extreme stress or shock. My family, hoping I’d eventually embrace their nature, sent me out into the world from a young age to toughen me up. Ryan was the one I chose. He was famous for loving cars more than women. So, in a way, I deliberately put myself through this challenge. But after spending so much time with him, I genuinely fell in love. I even thought, maybe I wouldn’t go home. I could stay like this, with my current looks and identity, and be with him forever. But in the end, he broke my heart. I found that old, dusty phone number, my fingers trembling. “Julian, I’m coming home. Give me three days.”

Turning around, I saw Tiffany running towards Ryan, kicking his car. “Dork, you always have your get-togethers here and never invite me! I’m gonna find out what kind of trouble you’re brewing!” Ryan’s face changed. I thought he’d lash out at Tiffany for touching his car. But he just sighed. “Don’t take it out on my car, doesn’t your foot hurt?” “I didn’t deliberately exclude you. These are guy-only gatherings, stinky and not really your scene.” “Hmph.” Tiffany snorted. “I’m nothing like your little girlfriend!” “I have to punish this idiot!” Tiffany swung her bag, and its chain instantly scraped a line across Ryan’s car. She then planted her foot on his car, leaving two dirty black footprints, but that wasn’t enough. “What are you standing around for? Help your queen up! Today I’m going to stomp a bunch of footprints all over your car and post them as trophies on Ins!” Ryan, who would usually throw a fit if anyone so much as brushed against his car, only offered a helpless smile when faced with Tiffany’s unreasonable demands. He indulgently wrapped his hands around Tiffany’s waist, lifting her onto the hood of the car. He let Tiffany stomp countless footprints all over his car, then took photos with these “trophies” and posted them on Ins. In the comments, all their mutual friends were marveling. “Seriously, you’re probably the only person in the world who can touch his car!” “Totally! Anyone else would get their wrist broken! You’re clearly different, mighty queen!” Ryan jokingly called Tiffany “Childish!” Then he commented below: “It’s just a car; of course, she’s more important.” It was a stark contrast to his earlier “Just a girl, right? Nowhere near as thrilling as a sports car.” Tiffany gloated inwardly, but feigned annoyance. “Hey, idiot. Don’t you think my feet are too small? Not cool at all. What if people see these footprints and think they belong to some other girl?” To tease her, Ryan nodded. “They are a little small.” Tiffany slapped him on the forehead. “You moron, looking down on your queen, are you?!” A mischievous idea sparked in her mind. She pulled out her phone and started recording Ryan. “Repeat after me! My queen Tiffany’s size 6 feet are the cutest! My girlfriend Celeste’s size 8 feet are giant clown shoes!” Seeing Ryan hesitate, Tiffany got impatient. “What’s that look for? You don’t want to do a simple little punishment, huh? You idiot, you get a girlfriend and forget your queen!” Ryan, who was initially reluctant, immediately gave in. “Alright, alright, I’ll say it! I’d rather offend my incredibly understanding girlfriend than you, my little terror.” I watched them with cold eyes, waiting until they were done messing around before I finally appeared.

Seeing me, Ryan told Tiffany to get in the car first, and she just plopped herself into the passenger seat. I didn’t say anything, automatically reaching for the back door handle. My fingertips had barely touched the car door when Ryan, reacting instinctively, grabbed my arm and violently shoved me away. Caught off guard, I slammed into a utility pole, and a nail sticking out from it sliced a gash across my forehead, leaving a bloody trail. I remembered the first time we met. I had accidentally brushed against his car. He’d kicked me away, snapping, “Your hands are filthy! Never seen a car before? Don’t touch what’s not yours!” Later, when he pursued me, he sent me a month’s worth of flowers in a convoy of luxury cars to win me over. He even promised to change his habit of reacting aggressively whenever anyone touched his car and to always put me first. But a year had passed, and he hadn’t changed. I thought he treated everyone the same. Turns out, Tiffany was the special one, the exception. And I? I was nothing. Still just an outsider who couldn’t even get close to his car. I pressed my hand against my bleeding forehead, bowing to him in apology. Ryan froze for a second, then realized he’d gone too far and looked flustered. “I’m sorry, I overreacted. You know I’m a car freak, I can’t control myself. Please don’t be mad at me.” “I’ll take you to the hospital first. You’ve been scratched by a nail, you need a tetanus shot.” I nodded, assuming that out of guilt, he’d finally let me ride in his car. But to my surprise, as I took a step forward, he stopped me. He led me to the trunk, where a pink scooter was conspicuously parked. “You know my car is for racing, not for passengers. So I bought you a scooter. Look, all the decorations are things you like, and I personally stuck on all the little ribbons.” “From now on, you can ride your scooter behind my car, and I’ll clear the way for you on your commute to work.” A blissful smile, imagining our future, spread across Ryan’s face. My heart, however, was colder than ice. So, he still thought we had a future. But I didn’t want one anymore. I glanced at Tiffany in the passenger seat, who was watching the show, and a bitter taste filled my mouth. Ryan noticed my expression and actually started to explain himself. “Don’t misunderstand. Tiffany is different from you; she’s been clumsy since she was little, can’t even navigate a straight line. I don’t trust her to go home alone, so I can only inconvenience myself and take her.” Normally, I would have swallowed my hurt and just complied. But today, a surge of uncontrollable fury suddenly ignited within me. I struggled to suppress the impulse to smash his car, speaking mechanically. “No, thanks. My wound hurts, I don’t have the strength to ride. You take her home, I’ll take the subway.” To my surprise, Ryan actually nodded, perfectly at ease. “Alright, I’d actually feel better if you took the subway. It’s too late for Tiffany to go home alone, so I’ll drop her off first.” I watched him drive off with a roar, my heart still aching. He was worried about Tiffany going home late, but perfectly fine with me taking the subway alone late at night? I gave a self-deprecating laugh, collapsing weakly to the ground. A luxury car pulled up beside me, and a cold, unfeeling voice came from inside. “Get in.” I sat in the passenger seat, a little flustered. “Julian, why are you here? I said three days.” My family, though outwardly cold, was fiercely loyal to its own. As long as I was one of them, they would protect me unconditionally. “Mom and Dad are very pleased you’re coming home. You said your bloodline was awakening, yet you’re crying by the roadside because of some nobody?” I rubbed the distinctive red mole beneath my eye. “Almost. I feel like my temper’s starting to fray. Next time, I might just smash his car to pieces. Our family can afford to replace it anyway.” Julian rarely showed emotion, but a slight curve touched his lips. “Good. And,” he added after a moment, “I’ll fund your car-smashing spree. Take as many as you want.”

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My Judge Husband Favored His First Love, Only to Learn the Shocking Truth After My Death After my husband lost his memory, he fell for another woman. He saw me as nothing but a nuisance. As a judge, he even sentenced me to death with his own lips when his mistress framed me. “Avery Shaw, don’t blame me for being heartless. You refused to divorce me, insisted on clinging to me, and stood in the way of me and Serena being together.” Then, I really died. But my husband, his memory restored, went insane. I died in a cold prison cell, brutally tortured to death by the other inmates. My body was a wreck of broken bones and fractures, covered in so many bruises and bloodstains that there wasn’t an inch of unmarked skin left. Someone was trying to reach my husband, Gaylen Hayes, to inform him to collect my body. Over the phone, I heard his voice – mocking, filled with disgust: “Avery Shaw probably put you up to this, trying to trick me. That woman never changes, always scheming, even in prison.” “I sentenced her to death, yes, but it was suspended for two years. As long as she behaves well in prison, there’s still hope for a reduced sentence, maybe even life imprisonment, or getting out!” “I already gave her a chance, what more does she want from me?” “Tell Avery Shaw to stop bothering me!” Gaylen impatiently hung up. A bitter, humorless laugh escaped me. Why, even after I’d died, after I’d become a mere soul, did I still have to hear such cruel, heartless words? Gaylen himself had put me in here. Did he truly believe I’d ever see the light of day again? Didn’t he know I was specifically placed in a cell with a group of hardened, vicious inmates? It was as if they were acting on someone’s orders, subjecting me to unspeakable abuse every single day. For me, death wasn’t a punishment; it was a release. I found Gaylen in a high-end French restaurant. I had just died, yet he was enjoying a candlelit dinner with a charming, graceful woman. Lost in a haze of sweet affection, they were sharing intimate sips of red wine, their eyes locked in adoration. “This restaurant is excellent. You truly have good taste,” Gaylen praised softly, his face alight with tenderness. That scene made me recall the last time I took Gaylen out. He would always complain that my chosen restaurants weren’t elegant or stylish enough. Even when I meticulously picked places that perfectly matched his aesthetic and preferences, he’d still nitpick and find fault. “Avery Shaw, what kind of dump is this? The food is awful, and the service is terrible!” “Just like you – terrible!” Our meals always ended in arguments and resentment. Now, thinking back, it probably wasn’t the restaurant’s fault at all. The real issue was *who* he was dining with. The woman sitting opposite him was Serena Thorne, Gaylen’s new mistress. Serena thoughtfully cut Gaylen’s steak for him and even raised a silver fork to his lips. Gaylen happily opened his mouth and ate. “Gaylen,” Serena glanced at the watch on her wrist, then looked up, her gaze full of suggestive meaning, “Want to come over to my place tonight?” “Oh, I don’t think that’s appropriate.” Serena cajoled, “It doesn’t matter, she’s already… gone.” Gaylen’s face immediately darkened, and he scowled in disgust. “Don’t mention that nauseating name.” “You wouldn’t believe it, she even bribed the prison staff to lie and tell me to collect her body. All she wants is an excuse to see me.” “Hmph, don’t I know her? I have no idea where she gets the nerve to keep pestering me. She’s like a persistent leech, absolutely sickening.” Hearing that, my chest ached with a bitter pang, yet I still tried to console myself. *It’s okay.* Gaylen was just suffering from amnesia. He once loved me dearly.

When Gaylen first mentioned the prison, a flicker of unease, a hint of guilt, danced in Serena’s eyes. Gaylen didn’t notice. That very night, he brought Serena back to the home *we* once shared. As they entered, Gaylen opened the shoe cabinet and glanced at my pink slippers. Those were the matching slippers Gaylen and I bought together at the supermarket years ago. Mine were pink, his gray. The designs, when put together, formed a heart. Gaylen pulled out my slippers, and I expected him to offer them to Serena. But to my shock, he tossed them outside, an unconcealed look of disgust on his face. “Belongings of a criminal. They’re tainted.” I had thought that after death, I wouldn’t feel pain anymore. Yet, in that moment, a thousand tiny needles pricked my chest. He took his own gray slippers and handed them to Serena. “Let’s go to the supermarket tomorrow. We can buy two new pairs of slippers, and some other essentials. Everything in this house needs replacing.” I understood Gaylen’s implication. It wasn’t just the things in the house that needed replacing; the mistress of the house had already been replaced. Gaylen went to shower first, while Serena wandered through the house. Her warm smile had vanished, replaced by a cold, sneering expression. A contemptuous smirk played on her lips as she looked at the row of gold trophies displayed in the glass cabinet. I was a professional race car driver, a global champion. Each of those trophies was earned by risking my life, trading heartbeat for victory, racing on the edge of death. But Serena, without a blink, smiled and pushed the cabinet. With a sickening crash! The cabinet toppled, glass shattered everywhere, and the trophies broke in half. No—!! My phantom self screamed and lunged, wanting to stop her, but it was utterly futile. Hearing the commotion, Gaylen, wrapped in a towel after his shower, rushed out. He stared at the wreckage, momentarily stunned, then quickly walked over, his expression tense. A sliver of hope flickered within me. Gaylen knew how much those trophies meant to me. He had even been present at a few of my races, witnessing firsthand the danger and thrill of the sport, knowing how incredibly hard I fought to win those awards. More importantly, the first thing I did after winning a championship was to hold the trophy and propose to him! He had laughed so happily back then. Those were *our* most precious, shared memories. Would Gaylen show any displeasure? Even a simple word? Gaylen walked past me, his eyes seemingly only seeing Serena. “Oh my god, are you okay? What happened? Are you hurt?” He took Serena’s hand, examining her carefully, and still not satisfied, asked, “Should I take you to the hospital right now for a check-up?” My spirit sank, heavy with sorrow. Right. Gaylen had forgotten everything about me. He only remembered Serena. He would never remember me again. “I’m fine,” Serena said, feigning guilt. “I was just curious about these trophies and wanted to pick one up, but I accidentally knocked the cabinet over. I’m so sorry, Gaylen.” Gaylen shook his head. “You don’t need to apologize to me. They’re not my things anyway, they’re unimportant.” “Oh, I see.” How could Serena not know they were mine? My name was still engraved on the base of each trophy! But she acted innocent, and Gaylen didn’t suspect a thing. Serena continued to pretend remorse. “So they were hers. It’s all my fault for breaking her things.” “What if she’s unhappy when she gets out of prison?” Gaylen wouldn’t dream of blaming her. “Don’t worry about that scumbag, Avery Shaw.” “She was so jealous of our relationship, she drove and killed your patient and even tried to frame you. I must have been blind to ever be with her.” Serena was a therapist. Her patient, the so-called victim, had severe mental health issues and depressive tendencies. He was a vulnerable young patient abandoned by his parents, which was why Serena represented him in court.

She was also the sole eyewitness at the scene of the accident. This was why Gaylen, blatantly disregarding the law, was completely biased in her favor. Yet, everyone else thought Gaylen was upholding justice. It was bitterly ironic. I knew that after his amnesia, Gaylen utterly detested me, believing I had deceived him years ago. He had tried every possible means to force me to divorce him, wanting me to let him be with Serena. I never agreed to sign the divorce papers because I still held onto a sliver of hope. Maybe one day, he would regain his memory. But I never imagined Gaylen would go to such extremes for Serena! When I was accused of the crime, I explained countless times to Gaylen that I was innocent, that Serena was the real killer. All the evidence pointing to me was fabricated by Serena herself. Of course, Gaylen didn’t believe me. He threw a pre-drafted divorce agreement at me, sneering, “Avery Shaw, I warned you to let go, but you wouldn’t listen. You just had to stand in the way of me and Serena.” “Now look what you’ve done, committing such a disgusting act.” “Don’t worry, I won’t show you an ounce of mercy.” He was true to his word. In court, the moment Gaylen brought down the gavel, my heart turned to ash. The last words I left for him in this world were— “I accept the verdict.” I watched, helpless, as Gaylen deliberately stepped on my trophies, crushing them further. “Cars, cars, cars. All day, she obsessed over her worthless cars. It wasn’t enough that she ruined my life back then, now she’s even involved in a hit-and-run.” “Have Mrs. Davis clean up these broken pieces tomorrow.” He looked around, his eyes filled with profound disgust. “This house really needs a deep clean.” “Being married to a person like her is the greatest stain on my life, my eternal shame.” The next day, Mrs. Davis arrived with her team. Gaylen coldly instructed, “Throw away all the contaminated junk Avery Shaw left behind!” My clothes, my shoes, my used cups and towels… Everything I owned, he treated as trash. Until he found an old, yellowed journal in the study. Because it was with my things, he initially intended to throw it away too. His eyes inadvertently fell upon the name written on it – his own. Gaylen paused, picked up the journal, and hesitantly opened the first page. From outside the study, Serena’s voice called out, “Gaylen, aren’t you done yet?” “…I’ll be right there!” Hearing Serena’s impatient call, Gaylen didn’t bother to read further, casually tossing the journal back into the drawer. He had only taken a fleeting glance, not clearly seeing the content. After having all my belongings packed up and discarded, Gaylen and Serena went to the supermarket together. Like a newlywed couple, they began to furnish their home. Serena pushed the cart ahead. Gaylen walked beside her, his arm linked through hers. As they walked, he suddenly frowned. Perhaps, this scene felt strangely familiar to him. We used to be like this, walking hand-in-hand through the supermarket. I would always fill our cart with all his favorite foods. Then, Gaylen would lean in close, kiss me, and sweetly tease, “You’re so good to me, my love.” This supermarket was the closest to our neighborhood. Whenever we passed by after work, if we had time, we would always stop in. But after that accident, Gaylen no longer wanted to go grocery shopping with me. Serena turned around and saw Gaylen clutching his forehead, his face showing a hint of pain. She quickly asked, “Gaylen, what’s wrong?” “Nothing, I just suddenly thought of… that person.” Gaylen pursed his lips. “I wonder if she’s learned her lesson in prison.” “Never mind. Since she wants me to visit her so badly.” “If I ever have time, I might begrudgingly go for a conjugal visit. I’m not that heartless, you know.” The tone Gaylen used when he said that… It was as if he was granting me a great favor, his eyes and brow radiating self-satisfaction. I wondered if he’d still be smiling when that day came.

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My CEO husband, worth billions, only gave my daughter and me a $200 allowance each month. But the day his childhood friend returned, he showered her with a multi-million dollar luxury car and a mansion without a second thought. Later, when our daughter had a sudden heart attack and needed $100,000 for surgery to save her life, he accused me of finally showing my true colors. He had his bodyguards throw me out of his company. I watched helplessly as my daughter died on the operating table. Meanwhile, he boarded an international flight to travel the world with his childhood friend. It wasn’t until after I’d buried our daughter that my husband, Julian, returned from his trip. He found me, completely nonchalant. “Alright, you and Lily always wanted to go to an amusement park, right? I’ll take you both next week.” But he didn’t know that from the moment Lily died on that cold operating table, I was done with him. Our marriage was over. I was sorting through Lily’s belongings when my husband, Julian, finally strolled back home, freshly returned from his global escapade. “Claire, could you give me a shoulder rub? This trip absolutely exhausted me.” Hearing his voice, I, who used to adore him, said nothing. I just kept my head down, packing. Seeing I didn’t respond, Julian frowned, then a thought seemed to strike him, and he chuckled. “No way, my beautiful Claire, you’re not still jealous about me going on that trip with Cassidy, are you?” Cassidy was his childhood friend, someone he’d grown up with. To travel the world with her, Julian had abandoned our seriously ill daughter, leaving her to die tragically on a cold operating table. The memory of Lily’s eyes, slowly losing their warmth, felt like a spike piercing my chest. A sharp, unbearable pain. Before I could speak, Cassidy sauntered in, a look of false sympathy on her face. “Oh, Claire! It’s all my fault. I just had to drag Julian along for a relaxing trip.” “But don’t worry, we just traveled together. There’s really nothing going on.” She said it so casually, yet they were wearing matching outfits and matching rings, looking like a real couple as they strolled down the street. My own wedding ring? Julian had long since discarded it, God knows where. When I still didn’t say anything, Julian sighed, looking exasperated. “Alright, stop being mad. I’ll transfer an extra five hundred dollars for your allowance this month. Get Lily some good food.” “You know I’m good to you both, no need for thanks.” But as I stared at the transfer record on my phone, all I felt was bitter irony. He’d spent millions traveling with Cassidy, buying her designer brands without batting an eye. A single handbag could cost tens of thousands. And now, he was giving me five hundred dollars, acting as if it were the greatest gift. Cassidy stood by, barely suppressing a smile, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Claire, five hundred dollars is a lot! Why don’t you thank Julian?” “I always say, kids should learn to live frugally from a young age. That way, they won’t grow up to be materialistic!” Yet, Julian wholeheartedly believed this absurd logic. To prevent our daughter from becoming greedy, he strictly controlled my and Lily’s expenses, giving us only two hundred dollars a month. I used to argue with him constantly, fighting for a better life for Lily. But now Lily was gone. Any words felt meaningless. Thinking this, I transferred the money right back. My voice was flat. “No need. I don’t want it.” Julian’s smile instantly froze. Then, he looked frustrated. “Claire, I’ve already apologized. What more do you want?” Before I could answer, Cassidy’s sneering voice cut in. “I bet she just thinks five hundred dollars is too little, doesn’t she?” “Honestly, Claire, with how petty you are, how can you be a good role model for Lily?” She lectured me from her high horse. Julian, too, looked at me with profound disappointment. “Claire, we’ve only been married a few years, and you’ve become so insatiable? “In a few more years, will you be asking for my family’s shares and assets too?” Hearing Julian’s accusations, I let out a self-deprecating laugh. So, after all this time, that’s what he thought of me. But my silence, in his eyes, became guilt. The next moment, Julian snapped, annoyed. “It seems Cassidy was right. You’re not a fit mother at all.” “Everything I do is to instill resilience in our daughter.” “If you keep this up, if Lily becomes as greedy as you, how will this family survive?” I looked at his self-righteous face and found it utterly ridiculous. His so-called resilience meant that if I asked for an extra twenty dollars for groceries, he’d lecture me for hours about coveting his family’s wealth. Even when Lily got good grades and wanted a small cupcake, he’d point a finger at her and scold: “Such strong desires at a young age! You’ll grow up to be a greedy woman!” “Your mother will spoil you rotten one day!” Thinking of this, I was about to tell him about Lily’s condition. “Julian, Lily, she’s already…” But before I could finish, Cassidy at the door suddenly let out a yelp. Julian immediately rushed to her side, completely forgetting about lecturing me. “Cassidy, what’s wrong?” Cassidy waved her hand dismissively. “Julian, I’m fine. Maybe just too much flying, my old back pain is acting up again.” “Don’t let me disrupt your family time.” Julian shook his head. “Your health is more important. I’ll take you to the hospital right now.” Just before leaving, Julian seemed to remember something. He turned back to me, sighing heavily. “Claire, let’s both cool down for a bit.” “When I get back, we can talk properly about taking Lily out next week.” But he didn’t know Lily was no longer alive, and I wasn’t waiting for him anymore.

Composing myself, I took the resignation letter I’d already drafted and headed straight to the company to handle my exit. All the way, colleagues whispered and pointed. “Isn’t that Claire? How does she still have the nerve to show her face here?” “Seriously. Who does she think she is? Last month, she dared to ask Julian for ten thousand dollars and he had security kick her out.” “With her salary, how many years would it take to earn ten thousand for Julian?” “Ha, ignore that clown. Let’s go…” Hearing those whispers, I gave a self-deprecating smile. Married for years, Julian had never announced our relationship. In fact, to avoid suspicion, he’d always kept me as a regular low-level employee. For years, I’d worked diligently, even pushing myself to the point of hospitalization after a particularly brutal negotiation, just to secure major deals for the company. I wanted to become exceptional, to make him acknowledge Lily and me. But every promotion application I submitted was rejected, again and again. Confused, I confronted him, seeking an explanation. He’d just smile, cling to my arm, and sweet-talk me: “Claire, this is all part of my plan to mold you. It’ll make you an even better wife and mother!” “Besides, isn’t it enough that I’m the only one earning? Do you think I can’t provide for you and Lily, or are you trying to climb the corporate ladder and take over my power?” I was speechless, believing he had his own reasons. But the day Cassidy returned, he mobilized dozens of luxury cars to greet her at the airport, the celebratory fireworks deafening. That very evening, Cassidy was parachuted into the company, straight into a VP position. Only then did I truly understand: the difference between love and indifference was stark. Given that, there was no point in continuing this ridiculous marriage. I submitted my resignation. Stepping out of the company, I expected to feel heavy-hearted. Instead, there was only lightness. For years, I’d been like a bird with clipped wings, trapped in a cage, experiencing nothing but oppression. Now, freedom stretched before me. I went to Lily’s grave. Before her small headstone, I carefully placed all her favorite toys. I stayed with her until deep into the night, then dragged my exhausted body home. To my surprise, when I opened the door, Julian, uncharacteristically, was waiting for me. “Do you even know what time it is? I thought you’d decided to stay out all night.” On the sofa, Julian sat with furrowed brows, arms crossed, looking thoroughly displeased. That expression was his signal for me to appease him. But I just found it strange. In the past, if Cassidy so much as got a tiny scratch on her finger, he’d be by her side, staying up all night. Yet today, Cassidy had landed in the hospital, and he wasn’t with her? It wasn’t my concern, and I couldn’t care less. I asked flatly: “Is there something you want?” My cold tone made Julian’s face stiffen. Before, no matter what happened, I always greeted him with a smile. But since he returned from his trip, I seemed to have transformed. I didn’t argue or fuss with him anymore. Even the warmth in my eyes when I looked at him was gone. This sparked a flicker of unease in him. He quickly said: “You’re still mad about me going out with Cassidy, aren’t you? I told you, it was just to clear my head.” “Didn’t Lily always say she wanted to go to the beach? Fine, once I’m less busy, I’ll take you and Lily. Is that good enough?” His attempt at reconciliation sounded more like a handout to me now. Lily and I were like two pets to him—amused when he was in a good mood, kicked aside when he wasn’t. Julian suddenly remembered something and looked at me, puzzled. “Hmm? Where’s Lily? I haven’t seen her since I got back.” “Did you send her to your mom’s house?” I stared at him in disbelief. He’d been back for two days, and he was just now asking about our daughter? He didn’t care about Lily at all. He didn’t care about this family. Before I could speak, Cassidy walked out of the bathroom, wearing my bathrobe.

Seeing me, Cassidy showed no embarrassment. Instead, she acted like the lady of the house, enthusiastically inviting me. “Claire’s here! Come in, sit down, don’t be a stranger.” My breath hitched. The words I was about to say caught in my throat. I looked at Julian on the sofa, confused. “What is she doing here?” Julian saw the change in my expression and looked a little guilty. “Cassidy hasn’t been feeling well lately, so I just moved her in to make it easier to take care of her. Don’t overthink it.” It dawned on me. No wonder Julian was home tonight – it was all for Cassidy. Julian even wore a relieved expression. “Good thing you sent Lily to your mom’s house already. Otherwise, with so many people here, it would be a bit inconvenient.” All I felt was sarcasm. He hadn’t noticed anything wrong with Lily’s absence. His only concern was Cassidy. Cassidy feigned remorse. “It’s all my fault, I’m disturbing your marital life. Claire, I’m just staying for a few days, you’re not mad, are you?” But her eyes were filled with triumph and provocation. Fearing I might make a scene, Julian quickly explained. “Claire, don’t worry, Cassidy and I already talked. She’ll just sleep on the couch. We promise not to disturb you.” But the next second, I saw profound tenderness in his eyes. How could he bear to let Cassidy sleep on a cold couch? If I hadn’t unexpectedly returned, he would surely be holding Cassidy tightly in his arms. Thinking this, I spoke. “If her back is bad, how can she sleep on the couch? She should sleep in the master bedroom.” Cassidy’s face instantly lit up. “Really? Claire, you’re so generous!” Julian also breathed a sigh of relief. “Claire, I’m so relieved you’re thinking this way. I was afraid you’d be jealous of Cassidy and make a huge scene again.” He thought I was finally being reasonable, that I wouldn’t argue over such a small matter. But I was leaving anyway. What did it matter where she stayed? As Julian gleefully pulled Cassidy, ready to move into the master bedroom, I quietly finished packing my luggage, preparing to go to a hotel. But just as I reached the door, Julian, who had suddenly come out of the master bedroom, saw me. He rushed over to stop me. “Claire, it’s so late. Where are you going?” I smiled faintly. “To make space for you and Cassidy, of course.” Hearing this, Julian’s face instantly turned ashen. He gritted his teeth. “Claire, what are you talking about?” “I already explained it clearly. Cassidy has back pain, so I brought her home for a few days. And you yourself agreed to let her stay in the master bedroom. What kind of stunt are you pulling now?” “Do you have no sympathy at all?” He lectured me endlessly, but I only found it laughable. I used to argue with him constantly over Cassidy, and he’d call me immature, unreasonable, and irrational. Now I was being reasonable and not arguing, and he was upset again. Cassidy then dabbed at her eyes with fake tears. “I knew Claire was still mad at me. It’s all my fault. I’ll just go, let me just die in the street.” Her acting was terrible, but Julian believed her. He pulled Cassidy behind him. “Cassidy, you’re staying right here tonight! Let’s see who dares to kick you out!” Then, crossing his arms, he coldly told me: “You’ve gotten bold, haven’t you? Go on, leave if you dare!” He was certain I loved him and wouldn’t really go. But from the moment Lily died, my love for him had completely vanished. I would never forgive him, not in this lifetime. I gave a cold laugh, picked up my suitcase, and walked straight out. Julian stood there, staring blankly at my retreating back, unable to snap out of it for a long time. It wasn’t until I was in the elevator that I heard Julian’s shout from behind me. “Go then! If you leave, don’t you dare come back!” But he didn’t know I truly wouldn’t turn back. He had lost me forever. At the hotel, I slept soundly all night. The next morning, I checked my phone to find dozens of missed calls, all from Julian. The last call was half an hour ago. I found it odd. Had he been awake all night? He always told me to be more understanding and argue less with Cassidy. But when had he become so petty? When I opened the door, Julian sat on a chair, his face drawn and haggard. The moment he saw me, his emotions flared. “Is this about me letting Cassidy stay at the house? Are you running away and quitting your job because of that?”

I didn’t answer directly. Instead, I frowned and asked: “How did you know I was here?” Julian’s voice was hoarse. “I checked your bank card transaction history.” It suddenly hit me. Not long after we got married, Julian had taken sole control of our finances, strictly managing my and Lily’s expenses. All the bank cards were in his name. Looks like I couldn’t use this bank card anymore either. But what puzzled me was why he was here. Shouldn’t he be at home taking care of Cassidy? Julian, uncharacteristically, gently took my hand. His voice was soft. “I know you’re still angry about last night.” “So this morning, as soon as Cassidy felt a little better, I sent her home immediately. Don’t worry, I made her sleep on the couch.” I looked at him, astonished. He never used to explain these things to me. Whenever I argued with him about them, he’d call me petty, saying a malicious person sees malice everywhere. But now that I wasn’t asking, he was babbling on and on. I found it irritating. I pushed him away, expressionless. “Are you done? Because if you are, I have a job interview to get to.” I’d sent out several resumes recently, and a few big companies had already extended offers. But as I was about to leave, Julian grabbed my arm, tears welling in his eyes. His voice trembled. “Claire, do you have to be so cruel?” “Cassidy and I grew up together. I just wanted her to have a good life. Am I wrong for that?” “Besides, haven’t I been good to you and Lily?” “All these years, every bit of your food, clothes, and expenses—didn’t I pay for it all?” “How can you do this to me after all my efforts?” Seeing his self-righteousness, I felt utterly disgusted. Because he only gave Lily and me two hundred dollars a month. It wasn’t even enough for food, let alone school or transportation… To ensure Lily had enough to eat, I worked three part-time jobs after my main job. That’s why, in the end, I couldn’t even scrape together the $100,000 for her surgery. I could only watch helplessly as she died on the operating table. Julian spoke softly now. “Claire, stop this. Just take Lily and come home with me. Let’s be a happy family of three, okay?” He looked at me with a pathetic, pleading gaze, but all I felt was scorn. Why should I have to be like a dog, doing whatever he wanted? Seeing my grim face, my silence, he grudgingly relented. “Okay… I’ll increase your and Lily’s allowance to five hundred dollars a month!” “Didn’t Lily say she wanted to go to the beach? We can leave today. Is that good enough?” “Look, I even bought her the swimsuit she’s been dreaming of.” He finished, looking at me expectantly. He believed the offer he’d made was enticing enough that I’d have no reason to refuse. But I gave a cold laugh. “You want to take Lily to the beach, do you?” “Then come with me.” Julian had no idea what was about to happen. He thought I’d forgiven him. Even after I drove him to the car, he was still grinning. “We’re not exactly newlyweds, and you’re still planning surprises for me?” “Alright, I’ll humor you. I’ll reluctantly come with you to see.” But when I pulled the car up next to Lily’s grave, Julian looked utterly confused. “Claire, weren’t you taking me to see Lily at your mom’s house?” “What are we doing in a place like this?” But the next second, when Julian saw our daughter’s photo on the gravestone in front of him, the swimsuit he’d bought for her immediately slipped from his hands and fell to the ground.

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The first thing Scarlett did after being diagnosed with cancer was to ask me for a divorce. “Matteus, liver cancer is terminal. I don’t care what happens to me, but I can’t hold you back for the rest of your life.” I paused, saying nothing, and quietly left the house. Sure enough, the next second, her cheerful voice echoed through the home security system. “This ‘cancer’ plan is brilliant! He’s definitely gone out to raise money now.” “Who cares how he gets the money? Once we have it, you just tell him I need to go overseas for treatment.” “With how much he loves me, he’ll definitely agree to the divorce to give me what I want.” “I want the money, and he can shoulder the debts. Think of it as compensation for my wasted youth.” Watching Scarlett’s face, full of anticipation, on the monitor. I clutched the pancreatic cancer diagnosis report in my hand even tighter. My dearest wife, I hope you’re still as optimistic when you find out you really have cancer. Listening to Scarlett, I felt much calmer than I expected. Truth be told, I’d already suspected she had a lover on the side. And I’d guessed she was plotting to divorce me. I just never thought she’d choose *this* method. She wasted years of my life, lived off me since we got married, and I never complained once. Honestly, I’d been good enough to Scarlett. But she still chose to betray me, and before leaving, she planned to fake an illness to scam me out of my assets. If I hadn’t realized she had a lover beforehand, I might have actually done as she said, foolishly raising a large sum of money for her ‘treatment.’ My friends had warned me before, saying Scarlett didn’t seem to love me, but rather my money, and that I wouldn’t be happy with her. But I didn’t listen, lost in our so-called love, insistent on marrying her. What was the point of marrying someone who didn’t love me? This marriage had brought me nothing but betrayal and lies. I didn’t turn off the monitor, so Scarlett and her lover’s flirtatious voices clearly reached my ears. I listened as they discussed how they’d spend my money, where they’d travel, and how many luxury items they’d buy. Their future plans sounded so wonderful. Too bad Scarlett wouldn’t get a chance to reach that point with her lover. Scarlett’s ‘liver cancer’ was fake, but the report in my hand? That was real. A while ago, we had a routine medical check-up together. She never showed me her report. Perhaps that’s when she started preparing to deceive me. But she didn’t expect that, out of concern for her health, I’d specifically asked her doctor. The doctor said her report showed nothing serious. She used a clean bill of health to concoct her liver cancer lie. Yet, a few days ago, I got a call from the hospital. They said there were too many patients that day, and they’d accidentally mixed up Scarlett’s report with someone else who had the same name. That healthy report belonged to another “Scarlett,” and the Stage II pancreatic cancer report in my hand? That was hers. I’d left work early today, planning to tell her the news and urge her to get treatment. But instead, the moment I walked in, before I even took off my shoes, I heard her impatiently plotting her divorce from me. Since that’s the case, then of course, I could only grant her wish.

After Scarlett’s declaration, there was no way I’d raise any money for her. We’d been married, and I initially thought we could part ways amicably. She was clearly trying to screw me over, but I’d also been suspicious of her for a while. Besides, she was already a goner. What was the point of squabbling over every little thing? I hired a lawyer to handle the asset division. She wouldn’t get a penny more than what was legally hers, but I wouldn’t shortchange her on what she deserved either. My lawyer and I were discussing the divorce agreement, but for some reason, Scarlett found out I’d hired legal counsel. One day, I suddenly had a knot of dread, so I decided to check the monitor to see what Scarlett was up to. The moment I turned it on, I heard her and her lover’s conspiracy. “What now? I heard he hired a lawyer! Shouldn’t he be desperately gathering money for me right now? If a lawyer gets involved, I won’t get much!” Scarlett snapped. “That doesn’t make sense. You said he loved you to death! Knowing you’re ‘dying from a serious illness,’ how could he be so calm?” her lover said from the other end of the line. “Tell me, do you think he knows something? That you’re faking, or about us?” For them, knowing either of those things would be catastrophic. They had no idea I already knew their entire scheme. On the monitor, Scarlett’s face instantly went pale at the thought. My once gentle and considerate wife transformed into someone I didn’t recognize at all. Her face darkened, and the look in her eyes wasn’t fear of me knowing. It was icy cold and full of malice. Seeing her gaze through the screen, I couldn’t help but shiver. I finally understood where my bad feeling had come from. My gut screamed at me: in that instant, Scarlett genuinely wanted me dead! Sure enough, the next second, I heard her say: “What now? I have to get that money. I’m not going to just settle for this divorce.” “If he won’t give it to me willingly, then he’ll have to face the consequences.” “After all, there’s more than one way for us to ‘separate.’” “Dead men don’t take money.” Her lover was clearly shocked by her idea, remaining silent for a long moment before saying, a hint of excitement in his voice: “You’re right! Why didn’t we think of such a brilliant plan before?” “If he ‘accidentally’ dies, and you two don’t have kids, and he has no other immediate family, then all his money would be ours!” Scarlett’s eyes unconsciously drifted to our wedding photo, then she smirked. “I didn’t want to go this far, but he was the one who was ‘ruthless’ first, so it’s not our fault.” At that moment, my heart ached. All my past kindness to her, every concession I made while drafting the divorce agreement, felt like a blade turning back on me. My blood ran cold. I sat there, listening to them plan my ‘murder.’ They discussed tampering with the brakes of my everyday car, staging an ‘accident’ so I’d be left in pieces. What a despicable plan. Those two conniving snakes, they didn’t just want my money, they wanted me gone for good. Since that was the case, I didn’t need to be polite to them either. My garage had security cameras, and Scarlett knew about them. So, when she suddenly messaged me, saying the circuit breaker tripped and the power went out at home, I knew they were making their move. Scarlett didn’t pay attention to the house’s systems. She didn’t know my cameras were all battery-powered. Even with the power off, they’d keep recording. I smirked, watching her post on SnapChat about how scared and helpless she was, while the monitor showed her using a flashlight to let a man in. This must have been her lover. The man leaned in to kiss her, but she stopped him. Scarlett muttered something about ‘business first’ and then led him to the garage. Scarlett didn’t go in herself; she stayed in the living room and called me. I continued to take her call, giving her vague answers, while watching the man tamper with my car. The ridiculous part was, even at a moment like this, Scarlett was still spewing words of love to me. All lies.

I’d recorded Louis tampering with my car. They had sabotaged my vehicle, yet I had to pretend I knew nothing, because they were already out for blood. If I suddenly stopped driving the car I used for my daily commute, it would raise their suspicions. Right now, they only suspected I knew something and wanted me dead. I absolutely couldn’t let them see anything was off. They had many ways to kill me, and I couldn’t always avoid them. Even knowing the car was compromised, I had to tough it out. I didn’t drive that car to work. Instead, I pretended to go on a business trip, heading towards a road with an emergency runaway ramp. Brake failure was inevitable. I just had to ‘discover’ it before reaching the ramp and steer the car onto it in time; that was my only chance of surviving the crash. I’d called a friend beforehand, making an excuse that I wanted to clear my head near that area, and asked him to come along. His car would be behind mine, which would provide an extra layer of safety. When Scarlett heard I was driving far away, her eyes lit up. Then, as if realizing her reaction was inappropriate, she quickly softened her gaze, looking at me with a sad, reluctant expression. “Let’s talk about the divorce when I get back. Take care of yourself.” I said. She wanted to put on an act, and I was happy to play along. Scarlett agreed readily. She couldn’t see it, but I clearly saw the blatant malice in her eyes. Her gaze seemed to say: “You’re not coming back.” I forced a smile, then turned and left. Getting into the car, starting the engine, the moment I backed out of the garage, I was drenched in cold sweat. But at this point, there was no turning back. My hands were sweating so much I almost couldn’t grip the steering wheel. I took a few deep breaths, forcing myself to calm down, then drove in my pre-planned direction. About twenty minutes later, I suddenly noticed a car seemed to be following me. As it got closer, through the rearview mirror, I saw a familiar face. It was Scarlett’s lover, Louis! He was right behind me, speeding up, clearly about to ram my car. He kept tailing me, forcing me to accelerate, otherwise, he’d rear-end me. I quickly realized, he was doing this on purpose! This was probably part of their plan. If he kept following me, forcing me to speed up, my chances of crashing with faulty brakes would increase exponentially. He was absolutely doing this intentionally. I gripped the steering wheel, repeatedly telling myself to stay calm, not to fall into their trap. The runaway ramp wasn’t far ahead. If I could just make it there, I’d save my life. I followed the map, driving towards the ramp, when suddenly, my phone rang. It was Scarlett. I was in a state of high tension, and the phone ringing startled me so badly I almost lost my grip on the steering wheel, veering slightly to the left. Precisely at that moment, the man spotted the runaway ramp! His expression hardened. He sped up, pulling parallel to my car, blocking me and forcing me further left. If I veered left, I wouldn’t make it onto the ramp. There was no time to hesitate! I gritted my teeth and floored the accelerator. The man clearly hadn’t expected my sudden acceleration. After realizing what was happening, he desperately tried to squeeze me further left. If I’d been a second slower, I wouldn’t have made it onto the ramp. I would have been crushed between that man and the highway barrier by the high-speed impact. But I made it! In that critical moment, the man crashed into my car’s rear, but because of my speed, he only grazed it. I managed to stop within the runaway ramp, while he, due to the force of the impact, spun several times before smashing into the barrier. The ramp’s barrier blocked my driver’s side door. My car’s front end had also crashed too far into the end barrier, almost completely caving in. Fortunately, aside from some scrapes, I was mostly unharmed. Just as I was about to climb out of the car, I suddenly saw in the rearview mirror that the man was actually climbing out of his own car. And he was carrying a can of liquid, walking straight towards me. “You’re still alive after all that? You’ve got nine lives, don’t you?” The man sneered, looking at me, still sitting stunned in the driver’s seat. “Too bad. Your survival is getting in our way.” “You’re just unlucky to cross me. Today, I’m sending you off.” He said, twisting open the can, ready to pour the liquid over my car. He was much bigger and stronger than me. Fighting him hand-to-hand, I had virtually no chance. But if I stayed in the car, I’d die here too! Just as he grinned menacingly and the liquid began to pour out, A shout came from nearby. “Hey! What are you doing! Stop right there!” It was my friend, Mark, and the other guys. The moment I heard their voices, I almost burst into tears. They had driven together. Three or four big men charged out of their car. Louis’s expression stiffened. There was no time to pour the rest of the liquid. He tossed the can aside, then struck a match. It was then that I smelled a strange odor. A feeling of utter despair washed over me again. It was gasoline. As the flames ignited, and my consciousness faded, I realized. The liquid he’d poured was gasoline.

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When it came to our divorce, Daniel wanted custody of our son. My ex-husband said, “How about we ask him what *he* wants?” Lucas, my son, held his phone, calmly glancing at me. “Are you really going through with the divorce?” “Yes.” I nodded, firm in my decision. “Alright then.” Lucas, still engrossed in his game, casually spoke to Daniel. “I’m with Mom. But you need to give her more assets; I’m worried she won’t be able to afford me otherwise.” Daniel dragged Lucas into his study. I started to follow, worried, but the door slammed shut with a “bang” right in front of me. Daniel’s furious voice echoed from inside. “Lucas Miller, I’m asking you one more time, are you really sticking with your mom? Don’t say I didn’t warn you, your mom’s just a homemaker. Do you seriously think she can take care of you?” Lucas’s indifferent voice replied, “Dad, honestly, it doesn’t really matter who I live with. The main thing is, Chloe Johnson is pregnant with my little brother. If I stayed with you, I’d just be afraid of upsetting her.” Having his dirty laundry aired by his own son, even Daniel, with all his nerve, probably felt a little flustered. The voices inside quieted down. I couldn’t make out what they said next, reaching up to wipe my tears, only for more to stream down. I don’t know how long passed, but the study door reopened. Daniel walked up to me, and seeing me hunched over, crying, he seemed to feel a flicker of remorse. He handed me a tissue and slowly said, “Lucas will stay with you.” I lifted my tear-streaked face. My ex-husband continued, “The car and the house are yours, plus five hundred thousand dollars. If you agree, we can file the papers tomorrow.” I stared at him blankly. To be honest, I was the one who pushed for the divorce. But when it came to the actual divorce settlement, I hadn’t the faintest clue. “Don’t give her the car.” Lucas suddenly spoke up. I snapped back to reality, a bitter laugh catching in my throat. Of course, the father-son bond ran deep; he was clearly siding with his dad. But then he continued, “Seriously, Mom’s driving? She’d either never use it, or she’d cause an accident. Let’s just cash it out. “Your car must be worth seven or eight hundred thousand, minimum. So, a hundred thousand on top of the house, I think that’s fair.” Daniel’s gaze turned heavy as he looked at Lucas. Lucas shrugged indifferently. Daniel looked away. “Alright, we’ll do that. Tomorrow at nine, meet at the divorce attorney’s office.” The front door closed. My heart clenched with it. Daniel was gone, likely never to return. We had been together since college. Our young love, so genuine, so pure. I thought we’d grow old together. But somehow, we’d ended up like this. “Mom.” Lucas’s voice pulled me back from my sadness. “I’m hungry. Did you make dinner?” I quickly got up, wiping away my tears. “I’ll go buy groceries right now.” A hint of grievance crept into his voice. “Mom, you’re about to have a million dollars. Can’t you just treat me to a big dinner out?” I took Lucas to the barbecue joint downstairs. He handed me a large piece of beef. “Mom, it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet. You gotta eat a lot to get your money’s worth.” “Oh.” I took it and put it in my mouth, finding it tasteless, unable to swallow. I thought of all the online articles about how divorce traumatizes children. I carefully began, “Son, even though your dad and I are getting divorced, he’s still your father. I might hate him, but you don’t have to.” “I don’t hate him.” He flipped a chicken wing. “You shouldn’t hate him either. Hating someone is exhausting.” He sat across from me, and through the rising smoke, I could barely make out his face.

The next morning, I was sitting on the edge of my bed, lost in thought, when Lucas knocked on my door. “Mom, time to go. Let’s get moving.” I jolted awake. Why did it feel like he was more eager for our divorce than his own father? I opened the door, looking at him suspiciously. “Why aren’t you at school yet?” He gave me a complex look. “Mom, summer break started today.” I’d been so out of it for the past month that I’d even forgotten his vacation. Guiltily, I straightened his collar. “I’m sorry, son.” He tilted his head and smiled. “If you’re really feeling guilty, why not take me on a trip? Let’s go to the beach, scuba diving, eat seafood.” He made a ‘V’ sign with his fingers. “Sounds good.” I couldn’t help but smile too. Some of the gloom in my heart seemed to dissipate. Chloe Johnson arrived with Daniel. Not even divorced yet, and she was already so eager to stake her claim? Lucas greeted her proactively. “Well, hello, Ms. Johnson, braving this heat to tag along? Be careful, you might melt my little brother.” “You—” Chloe glared at him, annoyed, twisting her body as if seeking Daniel’s support. Lucas quickly clarified, “Dad, I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s forty degrees out; I’m genuinely worried about my little brother.” Daniel’s face was grim as he told Chloe, “Go wait in the car; don’t come inside.” We submitted the divorce registration application. Daniel pulled up in his car and called out to us. “I’ll give you a ride home.” I was about to refuse when Lucas darted forward and opened the car door. “Mom, hurry up! I’m melting!” I had no choice but to follow him into the car. We sat in the back, while Chloe occupied the familiar passenger seat in front. She tugged on Daniel’s arm, saying sweetly, “Honey, where should we go celebrate later?” Lucas leaned forward. “Chicken Little Chloe, how about that restaurant? Dad loves their food the most. He used to take Mom and me there whenever something good happened.” In the rearview mirror, I saw Chloe’s face fall considerably. It wasn’t very kind of me, but I secretly felt a little pleased. Lucas leaned back, continuing his assault. “Mom, where are we going for our trip? Maybe not the beach; how about Hawaii? They say it’s where people go for new experiences, maybe even find a rebound.” Daniel’s expression also soured. “Planning a trip?” He glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “Yes.” I didn’t want to talk to him, so I turned to look out the window. “It’s good to get away and clear your head.” He spoke to himself. “But Hawaii isn’t that special. How about the Maldives? I have a friend who owns a resort in Haikou Bay.” Lucas leaned forward again. “Oh, cool, Dad, can we get a discount? With our resemblance, your friend will recognize us right away, won’t he?” Daniel chuckled, reaching back to pat Lucas’s head. “You’re my son, of course, it won’t be a problem.” They interacted intimately, completely missing Chloe’s stormy face.

Lucas and I did end up going to the Maldives. He was incredibly excited, making three full pages of travel plans. I didn’t want to be a spoilsport, so I tried to keep my spirits up and accompany him. Thirteen or fourteen-year-old boys are full of energy. During the day, I’d go skydiving, surfing, and scuba diving with him, and at night, I’d have to accompany him to the night market to catch hermit crabs. After a whole day, my body felt like it was falling apart. I’d hit the bed and fall asleep instantly, not even having time to feel sad about the divorce. When we returned from the Maldives, I originally wanted to get some good rest. But then Lucas started criticizing my cooking. “Mom, your food isn’t bad, it’s just… lacking variety.” I glared at him. “You’ve been eating my cooking for years, and now you’re complaining?” He scratched his head, chuckling. “It’s not complaining, exactly. Just a little bored. If you could add more variety, I swear I’d grow to six feet three.” “Get out of here.” I playfully slapped his face, laughing. After all these days, I finally understood. This kid was finding every possible way to keep me busy, just so I wouldn’t have time to be sad. My judgment in choosing a husband might have been terrible, but the child I bore was a treasure. What was there to be sad about anymore? I decided to look for a job. Although Daniel had promised me a million dollars and committed to timely monthly child support payments. A million dollars, once you start spending it, isn’t actually that much. Lucas’s various extracurricular classes alone cost nearly two hundred thousand a year. Not to mention daily expenses. If I just stayed at home, my savings would be depleted in no time. After being a homemaker for over a decade, my work skills were almost nonexistent. I thought I’d start with something easy to learn and manageable, then switch to something better once I gained some experience. I shared my idea with Lucas. After all, if I went back to work, I might not have as much time to take care of him. He thought for a moment, then said, “Of course I support you working, Mom. But finding a job is like finding a partner; you need to think it through before you act.” Hearing his little adult talk, I burst out laughing, unable to resist teasing him. “Have you ever looked for a partner, for them to be the same?” He argued earnestly, “Well, if you just settle for the first one you find, and then you meet someone better, would you break up, or just keep dragging it out?” I thought about it, and he had a point. If I just took any job, and then a better opportunity came along, taking time off for interviews and such would be a hassle. Lucas continued, “Finding a job isn’t urgent, but something else is.” “What is it?” I asked him. “Cancel my training classes.” “No!” I refused him flatly. “Mom!” he wailed. “Learning so many talents every day, I’m your son, not a slave.” After friendly negotiation, we decided to cancel the equestrian and fencing classes. For now, we kept cello and rugby. Our lives slowly settled into a routine. That day, I was ordering something from a link my best friend, Brooke, had sent me. Lucas leaned over and watched for a while, then suddenly asked, “Can Brooke make money doing this?” “Yeah, pretty well.” I answered casually, still processing my payment. He tugged my hand, his big eyes sparkling as he looked at me. “Mom, I think you’d be really good at this.” My heart fluttered. Brooke always had a keen eye; she’d done very well in e-commerce years ago. This time, she’d moved into a newly launched community group-buying platform. While it didn’t have many users yet, the shopping process was convenient, and the distribution channels were flexible. Its development prospects looked promising. Most importantly, it had a one-click reselling feature, so I wouldn’t have to worry about sourcing products—perfect for a beginner like me. “Alright, I’ll go ask Brooke about it.” If there was one thing I gained from fifteen years as a homemaker, it was my purchasing skills. I’m a bit picky; when I buy things, I not only look at the price but also demand high quality. I often compare three different options and do thorough research. So, my friends always came to me for recommendations. As Lucas said, doing something like this platform truly suited me. With Brooke’s help, my online shop was quickly set up. I was very strict about the quality of the products I resold; I had to try them myself and approve them before listing. So, although I didn’t make a lot of money at first, I quickly built up a loyal following. Almost a month passed in the blink of an eye. Daniel suddenly showed up at my door. He said he wanted to withdraw the divorce registration application.

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The moment I stepped into my alumni reunion, a little boy crashed into me. A total stranger. But his face was a mirror image of my ex, Adam Hayes. Our old teacher, looking on, beamed with fond nostalgia. “Is this your and Adam’s son? He’s absolutely adorable!” Before I could even explain, Valerie, my former best friend, rushed over and scooped the boy into a tight hug. “Leo! You can’t just run off like that!!” Adam followed close behind her, freezing solid the moment his eyes landed on my face. “Jenna? You’re…alive?” Valerie’s head snapped up at his words. Her eyes wide with shock. After all, to them, I’d been dead for five years, lost at sea. I offered a thin, unsettling smile. “I’m a survivor. A bit of saltwater wasn’t enough to finish me off.” Ever the quick thinker, Valerie mastered her expression in a heartbeat. She bounced the little boy gently in her arms. “Leo, this is Auntie Jenna. You should call her Godmother.” Years back, we pledged to be each other’s maid of honor and godmother. It felt like forever, then. The boy, Leo, shyly mumbled. “Godmother.” I didn’t respond. Offering the teacher the briefest of apologies, I turned and walked away. Our teacher, sensing the drama, was probably grateful for my exit. Adam was not. I heard his steps immediately behind me. “Jenna, where are you going? I’ll give you a ride.” Valerie subtly frowned, but her voice was sweet. “He’s right, you don’t even drive. It’s so inconvenient to be alone.” I had to suppress a laugh. After all these years, she still saw me as some fragile, useless thing. But hey, if someone was practically begging to be my chauffeur, why say no? All the way, Adam kept asking about my life. I gave him only the barest outline in return. Someone had pulled me from the water that day. I’d survived. I’d spent the years since abroad, building a life by selling my paintings. I was back now because a collector, a regular patron of my work, had insisted on meeting in person. At that, Adam’s tone turned sharp. “A collector? Man or woman? Are you sure they’re trustworthy? You can’t be too careful.” I shot back, without a hint of mercy. “If I couldn’t trust the friends I grew up with, or the husband I shared a bed with, what possible standard could I use to judge a stranger?” Adam immediately fell silent. Valerie’s face went completely blank, then she looked furious. Once we arrived at my place, I grabbed my things and got out of the car. But then, I turned back and walked toward the boy by Valerie’s side. Little Leo. His upper face was Adam’s, his lower face Valerie’s. The moment I extended a hand towards him, Valerie clutched the child to her chest in terror. “What are you doing? Do you want my child to pay for your revenge? He’s innocent!” Adam also called my name, a warning in his voice. But all I did was reach out and pluck a fruit pit from Leo’s mouth. “I was just afraid he might end up like my own child. With adults right there, choking on something, suffocating to death.” Their faces went white. Silence descended. Back home, I received a message from Mr. Henderson. He truly appreciated my work, and for years, whenever I had a new piece, he’d admire it even if he didn’t buy it. My trip back wasn’t just to meet him; it was also to put an old heartache to rest. In a quiet cafe, I met Mr. Henderson. He looked to be in his fifties or sixties, with a distinguished, lean face. “Ms. Sterling, I see so many stories in your paintings. They make me incredibly curious.” “Would I be so honored as to hear some of them?” I glanced around the peaceful cafe, then nodded.

In high school, I was a carefree heiress without a worry in the world. While my classmates were practically chaining themselves to their desks, studying day and night, all I cared about was painting and having fun. Adam Hayes was my polar opposite. He was the undisputed top student in our year, brilliant, and socially adept. At first, I found him utterly annoying, just another pretentious show-off. Then Valerie arrived. She came from a poor family and studied incredibly hard. Every day after school, she’d work a part-time job to help her family make ends meet. I admired her greatly, so I asked my dad to establish a scholarship specifically for students from low-income families, like hers. I didn’t want any fuss. But the teacher, in front of the whole class, revealed the scholarship’s origin, making Valerie bow to me in thanks. Looking back, I think that’s when Valerie started to resent me. Yet, I was foolish enough to pour my heart out to Valerie, treating her like the sister I never had. Valerie’s ultimate goal was to be the top student in our year. But Adam was like an insurmountable mountain. Valerie always came in second. After yet another attempt to beat him, Valerie burst into tears. To comfort her, I pulled out all the stops. “Fine, I’ll just go flirt with Adam, maybe even date him, and mess with his perfect grades!” Adam, who happened to be passing by, snorted. “Jenna Sterling, you’re so clumsy, you wouldn’t even know how to flirt with me. Want me to teach you?” Later, we actually started dating. During our senior year, I experienced the biggest upheaval of my life: My dad went bankrupt and took his own life. In my darkest hour, Adam and Valerie stood by me. Adam promised he’d step into my dad’s shoes, become the man who loved me most. Valerie let me stay at her house and worked tirelessly to tutor me. I pulled myself together and started studying hard. I was set for a top-tier college until the SAT. I’d prepared for everything. Everything except actually bringing a #2 pencil. I searched my bag twice. Nothing. After the exam, I broke down. I remember sitting in my car, hitting my own thighs, convinced I’d ruined my future. I was useless. Adam and Valerie pulled me out of that hole. They both got into Westwood University, the state’s most prestigious school. I, convinced academia wasn’t for me, took a waitressing job near campus. Adam would show up the moment his last class ended.After a few months, regulars just assumed he worked there. Adam often talked to me about his plans for our future. He said as soon as he graduated, we’d get married. He’d work hard to support me, buy me the best art supplies, and let me continue being a carefree wife. But I still felt a deep sense of insecurity. I begged Valerie to keep an eye on Adam for me. Valerie looked at me with deep, unreadable eyes and offered a stiff smile. I just figured I’d made her a little jealous, so I urged her to find someone, too. But Valerie just said, “No need. I already have someone I like.” It was a long time before I understood that smile, and who she liked. By then, it was too late.

Adam and I got married right after his graduation, just as we’d planned. But life wasn’t as easy as he’d imagined. He worked himself to the bone to earn money, coming home exhausted every day, collapsing into bed the moment he walked through the door. To ease his burden, I learned to cook, clean, and manage the household. I never knew before how much housework there was. Endless meals to cook, floors to sweep… Each task seemed insignificant, yet together, they threatened to drown me. Once the financial pressure eased, our daughter was born. I named her Lily, hoping she’d be as gentle and sweet as Valerie. But from day one, she was a ball of energy, crying and fussing. Every night, I had to carry her around the living room until she finally fell asleep. By the time I crawled into bed, Adam’s hand found me. “Honey, it’s been so long since we’ve…” Exhausted in both body and mind, I still submitted to his touch. But just at the crucial moment, Lily’s cries reached us. I abruptly pushed Adam away, leaping out of bed naked to pick up our daughter. I didn’t see the look of pure annoyance on Adam’s face behind me. Life had finally ground me down from a naive princess into a boring, joyless housewife. That year, for my birthday, Adam bought me the most expensive art supplies. But I looked around our house and said, “We’re out of diapers. You should have bought some diapers instead.” Meanwhile, Valerie was busy conquering the corporate world. She and Adam had joined the same company. Her competitive spirit unchanged, still constantly challenging Adam. But she still couldn’t beat him. One time, she’d prepared meticulously, refining her proposal repeatedly, yet the boss still chose Adam’s. Valerie called me, sobbing hysterically. “Why can’t I ever beat Adam?!” “It’s been years! Can’t I just win once?!” I glared at Adam, preparing to go comfort Valerie. But Lily clung to my leg, refusing to let me leave, so I sent Adam instead. “She’s a woman, drinking alone in a bar, it’s not safe.” “You caused this mess, you clean it up.” Adam’s movements faltered. He looked at me intently. “You really want me to go?” “Of course.” Adam, as if making a huge decision, said, “Fine.” Before he left that night, he turned back to look at me several times. I didn’t sense any premonition, though. I was just holding Lily, telling her jokes to make her laugh. The disaster was brewing. That night, Adam didn’t come home at all. When he finally returned the next morning, I was already up, making breakfast. He offered a few hurried explanations, claiming Valerie had been impossibly drunk and a nightmare to handle. He said he’d finally managed to get her home, then collapsed from exhaustion and fell asleep right there. His tone was so casual, so natural. And Valerie was my best friend. So, I easily believed him. In the days that followed, Adam started working overtime and going on business trips more and more often. At first, I just assumed the company was going through a particularly busy period. But gradually, I noticed things weren’t right. A stray hair on his shirt. An unfamiliar scent of perfume. Finally, when I found an opened condom wrapper in his pocket, I knew for sure he was cheating. Heartbroken, I stormed to Adam’s company and caused a huge scene. I cried, I screamed, I even lay on the ground, throwing a fit, demanding he tell me who she was! Adam looked at me with utter disgust. “Jenna, I feed you, I clothe you, I let you live a life where you don’t have to worry about anything! And this is how you repay me? By slandering me with baseless accusations?!” He pulled out his phone, turned on the camera, and pointed it at my face. “Look at you! What a sight you are! You’re a raving lunatic!”

From the phone screen, I saw myself: hair wild, face pasty. My outdated clothes were covered in stubborn grease stains. Behind me, a group of female employees, their makeup perfect, their clothes chic, exuded the confident aura of successful career women. They looked at me with a mix of pity and contempt. Valerie emerged from their midst. “Jenna, stop this. It’s truly pathetic.” Adam snapped, “Let her scream! She just wants to get me fired, wants the whole family to starve! Go on, make a scene, go live on TikTok, let everyone see!” It was then that I realized I had no leverage against Adam. After we got married, I’d completely detached from society, staying home. And with only a high school diploma, I had zero competitive edge in the job market if we divorced. He’d also take Lily away from me. Suddenly, I snapped back to reality. I got up from the floor and said, “I’ll stop. I’m going home.” After that day, I became subservient, terrified of upsetting Adam. He grew bolder, his shirts often stained with lipstick prints. Yet, all I feared was him abandoning me. All I could do was try to use Lily to rekindle Adam’s affection for our home. Thankfully, Adam did truly love Lily. When he wasn’t busy, he even took her to the office to play. One day, he took her again. After finishing my chores, I scrolled through my phone. Quite by accident, I stumbled upon a post. The title read: “The Runner-Up’s Obsession with the First Place.” My heart lurched. A thought flashed through my mind, and I quickly scrolled to the end. “After yet another loss to him at work, I went to a bar to drown my sorrows. He came to comfort me.” “He asked what I needed. I told him to kiss me, and he did.” “From high school until now, he’d rejected my advances a thousand times, but the thousand-and-first time, he accepted. I took him home, and we made love until the world faded.” “The man who’d always been out of my reach was finally mine, utterly under my spell.” My blood ran cold. Valerie’s liked Adam all along. And Adam’s affair was with Valerie! I instantly lost all reason. I ran to Adam’s company, barging into his office. Immediately, muffled moans came from the adjoining rest room. I kicked the door open and saw Valerie, disheveled, straddling Adam. Blinded by rage, I hurled everything I could get my hands on at them. A ceramic good luck charm hit Valerie’s head, and she bled. Tears suddenly streamed down my face. If Adam’s betrayal had left me heartbroken, Valerie’s betrayal left me utterly devastated. “We were best friends! How could you do this to me?!” Valerie wiped the blood from her forehead and said coldly, “I never considered you a friend.” “A pampered, useless thing. All you ever knew how to do was bestow favors from your high horse.” “I hated you. From the moment we first met, I hated you.” I scrabbled for any proof, any shred of evidence to deny her words. “If you hated me so much,” My voice trembled, “why take me in? Why spend all those nights tutoring me?” Valerie let out a soft, chilling laugh. “All those times you ‘checked’ your bag? I was right there. I palmed your pencil at the door, right before you walked into the testing center.” “What?!” I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. Valerie giggled, shaking Adam. “We even have a witness here. Adam, you saw me take the pencil, right?” Adam’s face stiffened, and he turned his head away. “Oh, don’t be shy. You didn’t tell Jenna back then, so I knew you had to love me.” In an instant, I felt my blood run cold, my limbs go weak. I nearly collapsed. “I’ll… I’ll expose both of you…” Adam’s face darkened, and he roared, “Jenna! Enough!” “Think about our daughter!” Then, his expression shifted, and he looked around frantically. That’s right, Lily? Wasn’t she supposed to be here? Eventually, by checking the security footage, we found Lily’s lifeless body under the desk. Adam and Valerie had been fooling around inside the office, leaving Lily to eat dried fruit by herself outside. Lily choked on a fruit pit, banging on the door for help, but her cries were drowned out by their sounds. She tried to reach for the water on the table, but she was too small, she couldn’t reach it. She died silently, just a door away from her own father. By the time I finished my story, the cafe was dead silent, save for the muffled sniffling. Mr. Henderson let out a long, weary sigh. “I never imagined you carried such a weight, Ms. Sterling.” “Five years have passed. Do you still hate your ex-husband?” I took a slow sip of my coffee, the bitterness a familiar comfort. A faint, unreadable smile touched my lips. “Adam Hayes, or rather, your boss, is this all he wanted you to find out?” Mr. Henderson froze, his expression turning flustered. “Boss? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I walked past him, towards a customer who had been sitting quietly in a corner since I arrived, and pulled down his mask.

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