Eight years of marriage, eight years of biting my tongue, bending over backward to please the Albrights. All I wanted was to salvage this marriage of convenience. But it wasn’t until an unexpected pregnancy that Daniel’s family even bothered to give me a proper wedding. I foolishly believed that with a child on the way, Daniel would finally settle down. Yet here he was, right now, wrapped around Serena, kissing her with an intensity that made my stomach churn. My jaw clenched so hard it ached, my heart a raw, throbbing mess in my chest. In that instant, I was done. Done with holding back. Why did I always have to be the one to sacrifice everything? Chapter One My words clearly hit a nerve. Serena’s face drained of color, she swayed precariously, then collapsed into Daniel’s arms. “Oh, Daniel… I feel so terrible. Is my condition acting up again?” Daniel’s expression shifted instantly. He scooped Serena up and practically sprinted out of the hotel, throwing a furious glare and a parting shot at me. “Claire, you jealous shrew! If anything happens to Serena, I swear I’ll never forgive you!” Neither his parents nor my own father could stop Daniel. Camera flashes popped like firecrackers, blinding me, and the emcee stood awkwardly beside me. My father’s hand connected with my cheek with a stinging crack. “You useless girl! You can’t even control your own husband!” He then told me to sort myself out and stormed off, leaving me utterly alone. My mother-in-law, Mrs. Albright, eyed me coldly. “Claire, it’s not that I’m trying to lecture you, but what kind of scene are you making in front of everyone? You’ve chased Daniel away. Now everyone will be laughing at both our families!” In her eyes, joining the Albright family meant learning to swallow every indignity and suffer in silence. Never, ever embarrass your husband in public. How ridiculous was that? If that’s how it was, then I wanted out of this Albright family! The guests eventually dispersed. I gathered the heavy fabric of my wedding dress and walked out the door, watching car after car drive away. Lightning streaked across the sky, thunder boomed, and the rain began to pour. Behind me, the banquet hall was a vast, empty void. It wasn’t until Daniel’s family car was long gone that my father’s car pulled up in front of me. The rear window rolled down, revealing his grim face. Any trace of vulnerability I felt was instantly swallowed. I fought back the tears stinging my eyes and choked out, “Dad.” Just as I reached for the door, I heard the click of the lock. I stood frozen in shock. My father’s voice, thick with fury, warned me, “Claire Hayes, this marriage was bought with your mother’s life! You better reflect on your actions and figure out how to get Daniel back.” “You’re carrying an Albright heir now. No matter what, Serena can’t compete with that.” “Dad, what are you talking about?” I asked, utterly aghast. He ignored me, instructing the driver to go. The window rolled up, and the car sped away, leaving me splattered with mud from the puddles. Watching it disappear, my tears finally fell, hot and fast. The hotel was a resort hotel perched on a mountain, and out here, there was no signal, no taxis. I borrowed an umbrella from a hotel clerk, not missing the pity in her eyes. Then, holding the heavy umbrella, my cumbersome wedding dress, and my high heels, I started walking down the mountain road. The rain was coming down in sheets, soaking me to the bone, and every step was excruciating. My heels were rubbed raw, bleeding. When I was halfway down the mountain, my phone finally caught a signal. A dozen missed calls popped up, all from Daniel. There was also a text message, demanding to know why I couldn’t tolerate Serena, claiming he only saw her as a sister now. I let out a hollow laugh. Daniel and I were childhood sweethearts. Serena, on the other hand, was just a student I’d sponsored in high school because she was struggling financially. When I was eighteen, Daniel came to my house to play. There was a fire, and my mother, with her last ounce of strength, pushed him to safety before perishing in the flames herself. Her final words were, “Daniel, take care of Claire.” We got engaged, and he promised he’d always be good to me. But in college, he met Serena. She used the excuse of thanking me for my help, but slowly, subtly, she wormed her way between Daniel and me. Until she completely captured his heart. The one who promised to protect me now had someone else he wanted to protect more. Chapter Two I snapped back to reality when my phone buzzed with a video. It was from Serena. In the video, Daniel was holding Serena, his eyes red-rimmed, repeatedly kissing her forehead and pleading, “Serena, please don’t let anything happen to you.” My heart squeezed tight. I remembered the time I was in a car accident, my legs crushed and fractured. I lay in a pool of blood, only to be taken to the hospital by a passerby. When I woke up, I begged them to call Daniel. He just coldly said, “If you’re not dead, why are you calling me? Am I a doctor? What can I do?” I stayed in the hospital for a month that time, but Daniel never once showed up. Later, I found out why. That day, Serena and Daniel had an argument, and she accidentally tripped down the stairs, spraining her ankle. He’d transferred all his anger and worry onto me. I took a deep, shuddering breath, filled with bitter self-mockery. It was ridiculous that it took me this long to realize I’d wasted eight years on a man who wasn’t worth it. I finally reached the bottom of the mountain and was about to hail a taxi when Daniel’s call came through. The moment I answered, he started screaming. “Claire! Serena’s anxiety flared up because of you today! Get your ass over here and apologize right now!” I struggled to hold onto the umbrella, which was being tossed around by the wind. “I’m still at the hotel.” As I spoke, a bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, and the rain intensified. Daniel paused, a hint of nervousness in his voice. “You’re alone at the hotel? They didn’t take you back? Where’s the driver?” “Forget it, I’ll come pick you up…” He didn’t finish his sentence. Serena’s tearful voice cut him off. “Oh, Daniel, is Claire still mad at me? It’s all my fault…” “I love you so much, I know I don’t come from a family like hers…” Daniel immediately started comforting her. A few seconds later, his voice roared through the phone. “Claire, what are you even upset about? You have to make such a big deal out of every little thing! If you could just be a bit more understanding, I wouldn’t have…” The last flicker of affection in my heart was extinguished. I forced a bitter smile and cut him off. “Daniel, let’s get a divorce.” “I won’t apologize to Serena. I’m vacating the position of Mrs. Albright for you two.” If they loved each other so much, then I’d just let that two-timing jerk and his conniving mistress have each other! He was the one who promised to take care of me forever, to love me for all eternity. That’s why I chose him so steadfastly. But why couldn’t he just control his own heart? After hanging up, I got into a taxi. When the driver asked where to, I didn’t hesitate. “The hospital.” The wind-driven rain lashed at my face through the open window. My heart, which had been numb with pain, slowly began to feel again. As I walked into the hospital, a nurse saw me in my wedding dress and asked if I needed help. I managed a small smile. “Could you help me schedule an abortion procedure?” The nurse froze, her eyes immediately filling with pity. As I was paying the surgery fee, I actually glimpsed Daniel and Serena. They didn’t see me. I overheard their conversation. Daniel said coldly, “Serena, Claire made a mistake, she needs to apologize to you!” “I’ve messed around with her for eight years, no one else would want her now. If she still wants to be Mrs. Albright, she’ll just have to obey.” I stood rooted in the corner, stunned. I thought after everything today, my heart couldn’t ache anymore. But it still did. As I lay on the operating table, I saw the child on the ultrasound screen, and tears welled in my eyes. The doctor said, “The baby is very healthy. Are you sure you don’t want to keep it?” “You can still discuss it with the father.” I thought of their faces, gritted my teeth, and said, “No, it’s fine. Please proceed.” Chapter Three After the surgery, I stayed in the hospital for two days. When I returned home, the house felt eerily silent and empty. It seemed Daniel had been with Serena all this time. Just as I thought that, Serena’s messages arrived as if on cue. It was a video. Daniel, wearing an apron, was in the kitchen, making her soup. Serena’s text read, “Claire, so what if you married Daniel? He only loves me.” I scoffed. She sent several more intimate photos. I clicked on her Ins profile. She’d posted a lot of updates these past few days: the highly sought-after Mr. Albright doting on her, taking meticulous care of her. Her followers were all gushing over how pampered she was. I screenshot all the evidence, saved it, then blocked Serena. After that, I packed my bags and moved into a hotel. I took a long bath, then collapsed onto the bed, utterly exhausted. I hadn’t gone to work these past few days, resting at the hotel. During this time, my father called me several times. When he found out I wasn’t with Daniel, he immediately blew up, screaming, “If you don’t get Daniel back, I don’t have a daughter!” I cut him off directly. “I won’t be with him anymore.” After hanging up, I blocked him too. When I returned to the office, I noticed my colleagues looking at me strangely. My secretary, Chloe, told me, “Ms. Hayes, it’s all over the internet! We had no idea you and Mr. Albright were married…” “Everyone thought Serena was Mrs. Albright.” Only then did I open the trending sections of various websites. The top headline blared – “High Society Wedding Drama: Bride-Snatching!” I quickly skimmed the articles. It was just the media capturing the chaos at the wedding and spinning a wildly dramatic tale of a wealthy groom abandoning his rightful wife for his mistress. Even Albright Corp. was now feeling the heat. Daniel’s call came in then. “Claire, you need to handle this online mess right away! What have you even been doing these past few days?” I let out two cold laughs. “Your own mess, Mr. Albright, you should come back and handle it yourself.” With that, I hung up decisively. In the past, I would have ungrudgingly helped him deal with any scandal. But now that I was divorcing him, what standing did I have to help? When I finished work, Daniel, uncharacteristically, was waiting for me downstairs at the company. He walked up, grabbed my arm, and without a word, shoved me into his car. “What are you still throwing a fit about? Serena almost died, and she’s not even holding it against you. Why are you so petty?” “You’re thirty years old, why are you still acting like a runaway teenager?” “Alright, I’ll take you to your favorite restaurant. Just stop being childish.” As he spoke, Daniel tossed a gift box at me. Inside was a butterfly brooch. The price tag was still attached to the box, a glaring six-figure sum in my currency that pierced my eyes. It made me think of how things used to be. Whenever Daniel and I argued, he’d buy me gifts, cook me delicious food, or make a list of things I could choose from to make up. But now, he had become so perfunctory. His affection was clearly priced, and he expected me to accept it without question. I ignored Daniel’s expression, which clearly said, “You should be grateful,” and casually tossed the gift box into the car. “I don’t like it. You should give it to Serena instead.” “After all, she’s already wearing my wedding ring from yesterday. What’s one more piece of jewelry?” At my words, Daniel’s face changed. I continued, “And I’m not ‘throwing a fit.’ I’ve just thought things through. Since you and she are so desperate to be together, I can make room for you. Just find a time to finalize our divorce.” It was funny, really. When Daniel and I first got married, he used the excuse of being “too busy” and wouldn’t give me a wedding. I didn’t mind. But at a party once, I saw him holding Serena in his arms outside the door, telling a group of friends, “I haven’t had much feeling for Claire for a long time.” “But her mother did save my life, and the Hayes family company is helpful to the Albrights, so giving her the title of Mrs. Albright is compensation enough.” “My love, though, is only for Serena.” The two of them kissed passionately amidst the cheers, and outside the door, I felt my heart being shredded. Our marriage was a calculation, a handout, an act of pity… And now, I didn’t want it. I didn’t care for it anymore.

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After graduation, the cheer captain decided to throw a bikini show to help the whole class unwind. When I saw those overly revealing bikinis, I tried to stop everyone from going. My boyfriend raised an eyebrow: “Jealous she’s hotter than you?” The whole class laughed and left. Only my best friend listened to me. That night, everyone got busted for indecent behavior and was detained. My friend looked at our locked-up classmates and shook his head: “Thank God you warned us, or we’d have missed college too.” After college, my boyfriend and the cheer captain got out and immediately got engaged. The friend who waited outside the prison turned and stabbed me in the stomach, over and over: “Why did you stop me? Don’t you know how much I loved her? “If I’d been with her that night, if I’d gone to jail with her, how could she be marrying someone else now!” Only then did I realize he’d always had a thing for the cheer captain too. When I opened my eyes again, I pushed my friend and boyfriend forward: “No problem, go ahead.”

“Violet, I organized this bikini show for everyone’s benefit.” “Do you think collecting these swimsuits all through high school was easy? And now you’re going to accuse me like this?” As soon as I came to, the cheer captain Skylar was leaning against my boyfriend, one leg crossed over the other in a bikini. The other kids nodded, especially the guys: “Yeah, Violet, swimsuit shows are a summer tradition. Are you just worried you won’t get as much attention as Skylar because you’re not as hot?” “Ha! Don’t worry, we never liked you anyway. We wouldn’t look at you even if you stripped.” My boyfriend Jaxon chuckled softly, sounding totally out of place. But I didn’t look at him like I used to. Instead, I turned to my quiet best friend Kai. In my past life, everyone thought I was just jealous of the cheer captain, even my boyfriend teased me about it. Only Kai listened when I begged him not to go, and he was the only one who stayed back. Later, we got into the same college and were even in the same research group through grad school. I thought he was the only sensible one. I never knew he was waiting all those years for Skylar to get out of jail. He hid his feelings so well, even I, his best friend, never noticed. “I get it.” I nodded, grabbed my backpack, and stepped back: “I’ll just head home then.” “Violet.” Kai suddenly grabbed my wrist. I froze. He looked at me, his expression complicated: “Take your boyfriend with you.” In that moment, it felt like an electric shock ran through me— Kai… did he remember our past life too? The way he looked at Jaxon was guarded. Yeah, in our previous life, he and Jaxon were the guys closest to Skylar. If Jaxon went this time, Kai couldn’t be sure Skylar would still choose him. “Mind your own business.” Jaxon gave me a disgusted look: “I’ve been stressed preparing for graduation. I just want to relax at a swimsuit show. Don’t project your dirty thoughts onto everyone else.” “Did I say the show was dirty?” I caught his slip-up: “I just said it wasn’t a good idea. Why would you assume I meant that? “So you secretly think this show is sketchy too?” The guys and Skylar instantly looked pissed. Jaxon’s face stiffened. Surprisingly, Kai spoke up for me: “Jaxon, you’re Violet’s boyfriend. This kind of show… isn’t really appropriate for someone in a relationship.” Jaxon shrugged carelessly: “It’s just a show. Besides, if Violet really can’t handle it, I’ll just break up with her for the day.” He winked at me.

I used to be super sensitive about his “jokes” like that. Every time he threatened to break up, I’d beg him to take it back. But this time, I just smiled: “Sure.” Then I actually turned to leave. Jaxon’s smile froze. Before he could speak, Skylar grabbed me: “Ugh, stop acting like I’m stealing your man. Hey, guys, drag Violet along.” A couple guys grabbed my arms. I struggled wildly: “I’m not going! Let me go!” “Come on, stop pretending. You were just waiting for us to invite you, right?” “If it’s so normal, why don’t you come see for yourself?” Jaxon and Kai started to say something to Skylar, but she tossed her hair, looking smug: “If I don’t let you come, you’ll probably go around saying I stole your boyfriend or something. “I usually can’t be bothered with people like you, but I won’t let you slander me either.” Jaxon and Kai hesitated, then slowly lowered their hands. “Relax, Violet. Only by going yourself will you believe Skylar’s innocent. Stop making a scene.” Others chimed in: “Yeah, you can keep an eye on your boyfriend. I’m sure Jaxon wouldn’t do anything wrong with you there.” “I broke up with him! I’m not going!!” I thrashed harder, but Jaxon laughed: “Just for one day, stop being difficult.” Then everyone hurried toward Skylar’s house, too excited to wait. I fought desperately, but more kids held me down and forced me into a car. In despair, I grabbed Kai’s shirt: “Kai! If we go, we can’t turn back! You know this isn’t just a swimsuit show! The cops will come, and we’ll all lose our college offers!” “Stop causing trouble!” Kai frowned. My breath caught— Wait, wasn’t he from the future too? Why was he so willing to accept this fate? “I know what might happen,” he whispered, so only I could hear: “But Skylar isn’t like that. Someone must be setting her up. I need to find out who.” “Nobody’s setting her up! She’s doing it on purpose— Mmmph!” A rag got shoved in my mouth. A jock snapped: “You’re ruining the music! Shut up!” Tied to the seat, I stared at Kai, hoping he’d understand my silent pleading. But he got up and took a seat where he could see Skylar, never looking back. When we finally got to Skylar’s place and everyone saw the bikinis, they all gasped.

The guys stared, mesmerized by the extremely revealing designs. The girls’ cheeks flushed pink almost in unison. Only Kai frowned— He hadn’t expected the lingerie-like swimsuits from the crime scene photos in our past life to really be picked by Skylar. Skylar locked the door and tossed the keys to Kai: “Like them? I’ll model them for you later! Any other girls want to try some on?” The girls glanced at each other. One raised her hand: “Me!” Soon, others joined in. Many girls had crushes in the class and wanted to show off in front of them. I broke free and grabbed Kai’s arm: “See?” He turned to me. I tried to signal with my eyes how wrong this was: “Give me the keys. We can still leave before the police—” “She must have a good reason,” Kai pushed me away, pocketing the keys: “Don’t badmouth her if you’re not participating.” The scented air felt heavy, making my heart race. I rushed forward and kicked over a dozen bikini-clad mannequins: “Can’t you smell something off about that scent! “Someone’s going to report us! If the police come, none of us will go to college!” Someone sniffed the air and also seemed uneasy. But Skylar pulled open the changing room curtain. A purple string bikini hugged her curves perfectly. She leaned against the wall, showing off her figure just right: “Violet, you’ll say anything to target me, won’t you? “I just wanted to throw a fun show to help everyone relax, and you can’t stand that?” The moment they saw her in that purple bikini, the doubtful guys were hypnotized. One snapped at me: “Enough! All you ever do is assume the worst about Skylar!” “You’re just jealous she’s prettier than you! But it’s true! Even your boyfriend thinks so!” The scented air made my vision blurry. My face felt hot looking at the guys. Staying here was dangerous. I had to get out. I slammed my body against the front door, kicking the lock. Skylar screamed. Several guys dragged me back. Jaxon stepped in front of Skylar: “She’s lost it! Lock her in the storage room! Don’t let her ruin Skylar’s show!” Skylar subtly linked her arm with Jaxon’s, smirking at me triumphantly. Jaxon stiffened. Seeing my panicked, tear-filled eyes, he gently removed Skylar’s hand and touched my cheek: “Be good. Graduation stress has everyone on edge. It’s just a fashion show. “I’ll come get you myself when it’s over.” “No!” I shook my head wildly, kicking and screaming, but the aroused guys shoved me into the storage room and locked the door. “Let me out! You’re ruining your futures!” I beat on the door like a madwoman, my hands swelling. Deafening music blasted outside, drowning out my cries and pounding. Soon, unsettling sounds mixed with the music. The scent was taking effect. To the beat, even more disturbing rhythms reached my ears. “What the hell is going on here!” A sudden shout cut through the music. I froze— The police?

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For the thirty-eighth time, Brandon Hayes slapped Tiffany Stone’s name on my design and called it her promotion. I didn’t react hysterically as I usually would. Instead, I just shrugged, “Whatever makes you happy.” He always said his grandfather found me to make the family money. That I was a placeholder who’d stolen the fiancée title meant for Tiffany. It wasn’t until Tiffany tore up a cherished painting of mine, only to be falsely accused myself, that I finally understood why he was so obsessed with her. If he was so blind he mistook the wrong person for his ‘destiny,’ why should I keep suffering for nothing? When my best friend, Chloe Miller, found out I was planning to leave Brandon, she was ecstatic, practically incoherent. “Let’s order eighteen male models tonight to celebrate your escape from that hell!” I chuckled, glanced at the growing shadow on the table, and hung up. Turning around, I saw Brandon casually asking, “Eighteen male models for what?” I suppressed a smile, vaguely replying, “New models the company just hired.” He didn’t press, but my gaze lingered on the bubble tea in his hand, and I felt a pang of something. “Craving it, aren’t you? It’s for you.” That fall, my SnapChat feed was flooded with couples flaunting their bubble teas. I’d begged Brandon for ages, but he never bought me one. I thought he was saving it to make up for it on a colder day, for winter. My heart fluttered for a second. I pulled open the drawer, my hand brushing against my allergy medicine, when Tiffany’s sweet, innocent laugh echoed in the air. “Brandon, thank you for the bubble tea! It’s even better than the first one you bought me last fall.” His eyes were brimming with affection. “You can ask me to buy it for you anytime you want.” “Consider this bubble tea your treat for the whole company. As for your promotion gift, we’ll think of something else.” I froze, taking a long moment to process what he’d said. This bubble tea wasn’t because he’d listened to me, but because it was part of someone else’s celebration. Tiffany raised an eyebrow, “Maya, I specifically added double milk to yours. Hurry and try it!” Brandon, who never liked sweets, held the bubble tea cup that looked completely out of place in his hands, and explained to me. “Tiffany has brought in a lot of revenue for the company these past two months. The company decided to promote her to Design Director. From now on, she’s your boss.” “You must obey her without question.” I nodded, not arguing. But I pushed the bubble tea in front of me away. “I’m allergic to dairy. I can’t drink even a drop.” The moment the words left my mouth, Brandon’s face darkened. “And here I thought you’d finally learned to behave. Tiffany just started, and you’re already trying to pull rank and show her who’s boss just because she’s new?” Tiffany quickly stepped between us, her voice a tearful sob that would melt anyone’s heart. “Brandon, please don’t argue because of me. I understand. It’s hard for people to accept someone like me, who’s only been working for less than a year, becoming a director.” Brandon tenderly wiped away her tears. “With me here, no one will dare spread rumors.” When he looked at me again, his eyes were filled with blame for my “misbehavior.” “You were whining about wanting one earlier, and now you’re playing games again. Why do you always have to be so dramatic, always trying to make things difficult for others?” My eyelids twitched. So he remembered. He just didn’t want to buy it for me. My mouth opened and closed, but nothing came out. The thought of wanting to have a normal boyfriend-girlfriend interaction with him, even knowing the allergic reaction would be awful… I scoffed at myself. I was being dramatic. Brandon left, cradling a sobbing Tiffany who looked close to fainting. I sighed, suppressing the bitterness in my heart. Just as I finished typing my resignation letter, a colleague brought me a freshly bought lemonade. “Mr. Hayes said these drinks are a treat for everyone because of Director Stone’s promotion. He specifically told me to record you drinking it as proof, Maya. Please, help me out.” Not wanting to make things difficult for my colleague, I took a sip. But not long after, my body started to feel hot, and red splotches appeared on my skin.

At the hospital, I was told all the doctors were busy. After waiting for ages, an intern nurse finally came. “Your allergy is quite severe. I’ll arrange an IV drip for you right away.” Bored, I pulled out my phone and saw a SnapChat story Tiffany had posted five minutes ago. “OMG! Boss spends ten grand on high-concentration, colorless, odorless creamer just to get back at an employee!” The comments below were all praising her. “Director Stone, you should have seen Maya, she looked like a giant lobster.” “Director Stone, Mr. Hayes spoils you so much, are you two getting serious?” My heart gave a sharp pang, and my eyes welled up with tears. Brandon was strictly against office romance. Outside of work hours or official business, I was never allowed to even set foot in his office. If we met in the hallway, I had to stay at least three feet away. Once, eager to share some good news with him, I accidentally smiled and looked at him. He deleted and blocked all my contacts, and even changed the locks on our apartment. I had to live in a hotel for a month before he finally forgave me. “Don’t do that again. I don’t like it.” So I tried my best to become the person he wanted, becoming the “ice queen of the office” that colleagues secretly joked about. However, ever since Tiffany arrived, all his so-called principles vanished overnight. They were inseparable, having afternoon tea and watching movies in his office, laughing and chatting. They even orchestrated a poll that named them the most compatible couple in the office building. Five years of my life meant nothing compared to three months with her. He wasn’t against office romance; he just hated me getting too close. While I was on the IV, I overheard a few nurses talking. “Is that Mr. Hayes’ girlfriend? She cried until her eyes were red, and he booked every doctor in the hospital to be on standby. Oh my god! It’s like a romance novel CEO coming to life, so dramatic!” I stared at the dripping IV, suddenly remembering a stormy night a year ago. I’d been hit by an electric scooter while delivering documents to Brandon, scraping my face. When I finally limped to him, he just pressed a napkin to my wound, his brows furrowed. “Go home quickly. Don’t scare anyone.” Since then, no matter how badly I was hurt, I’d hide it well. The physical pain was nothing compared to the agony of his indifference. Back home, I started packing. While sifting through some books in his study, a yellowed drawing slipped out and fluttered to the floor. The background was an amusement park, and the figures were two children. A wave of familiarity washed over me. Before I could think about it further, an angry shout came from the doorway. “Who told you to touch my things!” Brandon slammed into me, sending books tumbling from the shelves, raining down on my head with heavy thuds. My vision blurred, streaks of black dancing before my eyes. Along with it, a memory from my childhood flickered into focus. Brandon’s eyes were red-rimmed as he made sure the painting wasn’t damaged, then finally let out a sigh of relief. “This painting…” I started to speak, but he cut me off. “Tiffany gave this to me when she was a kid. It’s priceless. You couldn’t repay that, not in a hundred lifetimes.” Standing behind him, a flicker of guilt crossed Tiffany’s eyes. She tugged at Brandon’s sleeve, urging him. “Brandon, let’s just grab your things and go. Mr. Davies is waiting for us for dinner.” As they turned to leave, I called out to Brandon. “Are you sure that painting is Tiffany’s?”

Brandon frowned, about to speak, when Tiffany’s tears started flowing like a broken faucet. “Maya, why do you always have to fight me for everything? If it’s not mine, then whose is it?” As she ran out the door, Brandon’s flicker of doubt vanished. “Your lies are getting more ridiculous by the day.” He shot me a cutting glare. “I’ll deal with you when I get back.” Then he chased after her. I stood there for a while before continuing to pack. There wasn’t a huge amount, but not little either. My heart felt heavy. I tossed our shared mementos into a box, slapping a “junk” label on it. By the time I finished organizing everything, it was past midnight. My head felt light, the images of the amusement park from my childhood swirling repeatedly in my mind. I finally drifted off to sleep as dawn approached. But I was woken up not long after by the sound of a door being forced open. I opened my eyes to see several unfamiliar men rushing into the room. They dragged me out of bed. My face went chalk-white. Trying to suppress my panic, I said, “Who are you people? You know trespassing is against the law, right? Leave now, and I can pretend nothing happened.” But instead of letting go, their eyes shamelessly raked over my body. “Mr. Hayes sent us to bring you back to the company. You messed with him, you’re gonna pay the price.” Hearing they were Brandon’s men, my heart eased a little. He was probably still mad about Tiffany crying last night. After a night of restless sleep, all the repressed memories had resurfaced. I wasn’t afraid to confront them about the painting’s origin. “Wait outside. I need to get dressed.” The men smirked. “Why bother? You look good just like that.” They ignored my struggles and forcefully pushed me into the car. I was wearing only a thin nightgown, and colleagues in the office building pointed and whispered as I was led through. Seeing my disheveled state, Brandon’s face showed a hint of displeasure. But just as his hand reached for his suit button, Tiffany, her voice laced with fury, accused me. “Maya Reed, you’ve gone too far! I put up with you targeting me, but how could you tear up the painting I gave Brandon?” The painting? Didn’t Brandon take it with him last night? I was confused. I looked up, meeting Brandon’s dark, menacing gaze. Any fleeting pity I’d thought I saw earlier must have been my imagination. I shook my head at him, calmly saying, “I didn’t do it. Don’t accuse me baselessly.” Brandon raised a hand. Soon, two people walked in. One was the colleague who’d given me the lemonade yesterday. Tiffany stepped in front of them, her voice gentle, but her eyes full of menace. “Don’t be scared. Just tell us what you saw last night.” As if on cue, they started speaking over each other. “Around eleven, we were just finishing overtime and about to leave when we saw Maya come back.” “She stormed into Mr. Hayes’ office, came out with something, and headed straight for the shredder.” “A few minutes later, she went back into Mr. Hayes’ office.” I listened in disbelief to their fabrications. But clearly, Brandon believed them. He picked up the shredded pieces, his eyes bloodshot, and kicked me hard in the chest. “With both witnesses and evidence, what more do you have to say?” I gasped for air. These so-called “proofs” were nothing but a baseless accusation. “I wasn’t even at the company last night. You can check the security footage to see if I did any of that.” Brandon seemed to have anticipated my words, and the surveillance footage was played. One glance, and my face went stark white.

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He was just a bloodied street kid when he tattooed my name over his heart. Years later, he ruled the East Side—and called me his queen. Until his little starlet walked into our home, flaunting a fake belly. I told them to test it. She bled. He raged. He pressed a knife to my throat— So I pressed my gun to his heart. “You’ve changed, Silas. Good thing I haven’t.” Bang. The one who fell was Jax, Silas’s loyal, limping subordinate. “So you care that much? Right. That little starlet? Jax groomed her, carefully, perfectly, just to send her your way. To make you this furious with me, she must have some real talent.” My gaze dropped to the glint of silver at my throat. I scoffed. “Still hesitating? Silas, you weren’t this indecisive before.” “What’s wrong? Your hand’s shaking just holding a knife?” My mocking gaze cut him deep. In the silent standoff between our eyes, he finally broke. He tossed the knife aside and slumped back onto the sofa. “Jax has been with me for ten years. What you did… it’s ruthless.” I offered a sweet smile and had Jax dragged away. “He’s not you.” “I only go soft when it comes to you.” Silas looked at me, his eyes clouded with complex emotions. “I want to keep Skylar.” “This life, Raven, it’s been nothing but blood and brutality. I’m tired. Skylar… she’s like a quiet window, a breath of fresh air. She makes me feel like a regular guy, someone who could just… live a normal life. Go grocery shopping, cook dinner.” I didn’t rush to speak, setting my gun down beside me. I lit a cigarette, taking a slow drag before I spoke. “Normal?” “Silas, have you told her about the blood on your hands, the dirty money in your ledgers, the enemies knocking on our door in the dead of night? You drag her little world of quiet domesticity into our world? That’s not normal, Silas. That’s a death wish.” Silas frowned, clearly annoyed by my retort. “Raven, I’m not asking for your permission.” “I’m informing you.” He stood up, heading to the inner room to cradle a pale, still-unconscious Skylar Bell, whose bleeding had stopped. Her face, nestled in his arms, looked eerily like a younger me in the flickering light – maybe seventy percent there. “Raven, just settle into your role as the lady of the house.” “This is your last chance. If you dare touch Skylar again, I won’t hold back.” Silas strode away with his men. The wide-open door funneled a draft through the house, extinguishing the cigarette between my fingers. Dominic Cross approached from behind me, bowing slightly to relight it. He asked, “Your aim shifted. Did you go soft, Raven?” Through the swirling smoke. I repeated the word, my tone laced with mockery. “Soft? I never intended to kill him.” “Silas’s life? One bullet would be enough. What I want is the password to his Swiss bank accounts, the ledgers of his illicit dealings, and every single one of his legitimate businesses.” “Death, honestly, would be too easy for him.” Dominic’s heart, which had sunk at my supposed “softness,” now thrummed with the chill of my ruthless declaration. He asked a somewhat naive question. “Don’t you… don’t you love him?” Countless memories flashed through my eyes, leaving behind only a faint shadow of fatigue or nostalgia. “Love? Of course, I love him.” “Otherwise, these past ten years, following him through firefights and bloodshed, what else would it have been? A game?” “But, Dominic, love is a painkiller. Power? Power is oxygen. You can skip the pills and still live. But cut off the oxygen? You’re dead in minutes.” The moment I finished speaking. The mechanical clock in the living room chimed a few crisp notes. Dominic glanced at his phone, a new message displayed, and reported to me. “Latest news, Augustus Stone, the boss of the North Side, is dead. They’re calling it… a heart attack.” “Mm.” My single-syllable response was cold, almost indifferent. Dominic couldn’t help but step half a pace closer, his voice tinged with confusion. “Aren’t you surprised, Raven? He was your father.” The corner of my mouth curved slightly, something like a smile. “Why would I be surprised?” “I did it.” Dominic’s breathing hitched, his pupils constricted, the color draining from his face. I watched his pale face, my tone as calm as if discussing the weather. “I’ve cleared enough obstacles from my path.” “Even a biological father… isn’t an exception.” The orange glow at my fingertip burned to its end, and I casually crushed it in the ashtray. I looked at Dominic. “Now, any more questions?” Dominic lowered his head, not daring to ask anything further. I stood up, picked up the gun from the table, and casually gestured toward a room. “Didn’t Silas say he wanted to keep Skylar? Then let her stay.” “The show, it’s not too short for one more act.”

The crisp sound of footsteps echoed from the foyer. Skylar Bell’s sickly sweet voice carried through, as she bossed Silas’s men around, directing their every move with her luggage. “Careful!” “Silas bought this for me at auction, don’t you dare scratch it!” She stood in the luxurious villa, scanning her surroundings, her eyes filled with undisguised greed and provocation. Her gaze finally landed on my back, as I sat on the sofa, flipping through documents. She sashayed over to me. “Raven,” she cooed, “Silas said it’s such a lovely place here, and he wants me to move in, get along with you. You don’t mind, do you?” I didn’t even look up. I turned another page of the financial report, my voice flat and emotionless. “I do mind.” Skylar didn’t expect me to be so direct, unwilling to even bother with pleasantries. She froze for a moment, then her smile widened, now a smug, utterly foolish sneer. “It doesn’t matter if you mind.” “This is what Silas wants. He said that once I get familiar with company management, I’ll be the lady of the house.” She walked to the liquor cabinet, talking to herself. She picked up one of my collector’s crystal glasses. “This glass is lovely. Perfect for my smoothies.” Seeing that I still wouldn’t acknowledge her. Skylar simply sat down beside me, snatching the documents from my hand. “What are you looking at?” “You’re not allowed to look at these! From now on, only I get to see these files!” The crisp edge of the freshly printed page. Yanked from my grasp, it sliced a stinging line across my palm, a bead of blood blooming. Only then did I finally turn my gaze to Skylar Bell, my eyes cold and devoid of emotion, as if looking at an insignificant piece of trash. Honestly, it had been years since I’d seen someone so desperate to die. “Who let you in?” “Silas, of course! You’re just a…” I cut Skylar off, my voice still soft, but carrying an unshakeable pressure. “There’s only one master in this house.” Skylar was momentarily cowed by my aura. But then she stood up again, puffing out her chest. She looked down at me, triumphantly. “You’d dare touch me?” “Silas said yesterday was his absolute last warning. Lay a hand on me again, and he’ll kick you out so fast your head will spin!” I let out a soft laugh. The smile didn’t touch my eyes, and to Skylar Bell, it was a chill that went straight to her bones. I stood up, pulled the gun from my waistband, and reloaded it in front of her. “Touch you?” “That would just dirty my hands.” I suddenly raised my hand. Skylar shrieked, cowering, her hands over her head, eyes squeezed shut. The expected death didn’t come. My gun wasn’t aimed at her. It was aimed at the liquor cabinet behind her. The next second – CRACK! A crisp shattering sound exploded, and flying fragments even grazed Skylar Bell’s leg, leaving a deep, bloody mark. She froze in place, her face bloodless, forgetting even how to cry. “Filthy.” “Have it cleaned up.” Dominic immediately responded. I looked at the trembling Skylar Bell, then bent down. I warned her, word by word. “The last person who dared to throw a tantrum like that in front of me was Jax. I sent him to meet his maker yesterday. If you don’t believe me, I can arrange for you to join him and ask.” Finished, I straightened up and pulled out my phone, calling Silas. I put it on speaker. “You have twenty minutes to get your people and her trash out of my house.” “Otherwise, you can start planning a funeral.”

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My foster mother shoved me out of the car when she fled. I hit my head hard, leaving me with the mind of a five-year-old. After that, I became even more docile, more obedient. When my birth parents finally found me, the fake daughter wouldn’t let me in, throwing a fit and threatening to kill herself. She stood by the shallow pool, barely a foot deep, wailing about jumping in, “If this family can’t accept me, then I’ll just die!” But she just stood there, hesitating. I innocently walked over, cautiously extending my hands, and pushed her in. “Scarlett, I’ll help you.” A splash! My mom and dad stared at me, their eyes wide with shock. When my birth parents finally found me and brought me home, I hadn’t even stepped through the door yet. Scarlett, the fake daughter, was already standing by the villa’s pool, sobbing hysterically. “Mom, Dad, I’m the daughter you raised for fifteen years! Are you abandoning me?” Seeing her cry, Mom’s eyes immediately welled up with sympathetic tears. “Scarlett, it’s not like that.” “You’ll always be our good daughter, we’ll always love you.” Scarlett shook her head frantically, tearing at her own hair. “Then why did you bring her back? Send her away!” She pointed at me, her gaze filled with pure hatred. I clutched my teddy bear, shrinking behind Dad, terrified. Dad spoke with a troubled voice, “Scarlett, didn’t the orphanage and the police contact us after they found her? Please don’t blame Mom and Dad, okay?” “Now that Alyssa is found, it wouldn’t be right not to bring her home, would it?” Hearing this, Scarlett calmed down slightly. I hated it when adults argued. When my foster mom and dad fought when I was little, they would beat me. Brenda would grab me, her teeth gritted, and hit my bottom hard. “It’s all your fault, you good-for-nothing!” “Why aren’t you dead yet?” Frank wouldn’t be outdone. He’d grab the leather belt nearby and lash my back like a madman. “Don’t you dare cry, you’re so annoying!” As they beat me, they’d even compete to see who left the deepest red marks. So, I learned to please adults very early on. Every day, I had to be extra careful, afraid they’d be in a bad mood, afraid they’d suddenly start fighting. Watching Scarlett and Mom and Dad argue, their faces flushed with anger, I was so scared. Wanting to change the subject, I cautiously spoke. “Mom, Dad, is Scarlett really Foster Mom’s biological daughter? Foster Mom used to miss Scarlett a lot.” Mom immediately squeezed her eyes shut at me. I didn’t understand. “Mom, are your eyes hurting?” Scarlett looked at Mom and Dad, tears streaming down her face. Mom looked anxious, pulling me out from behind Dad. “Don’t talk nonsense! Go apologize to Scarlett!” I was confused. “But you said…” Before I could finish, Mom pushed me towards Scarlett. Scarlett looked at Mom and Dad, her voice trembling with injustice, “Mom, Dad, it’s all my fault for not being your real daughter. I shouldn’t be taking Alyssa’s place.” “If this family can’t accept me, then I’ll just die!” She edged little by little towards the pool. But she still didn’t jump. I hugged my teddy bear, walked over obediently, and carefully, tremblingly, reached out and pushed her in. “Scarlett, I’ll help you.” A splash! Mom and Dad stared at me, their eyes wide with shock.

“Ah! Help me!” Scarlett tumbled into the water, bobbing up and down, struggling desperately. I smiled, stroking my teddy bear’s head. “Beary, don’t be scared. We helped Scarlett.” “Now Scarlett will be happy.” Mom and Dad were still frozen, staring blankly at me. “Dad! Mom! Help!” Scarlett’s cries rang out again, jolting Dad into action. He plunged into the pool and pulled Scarlett out. As soon as Scarlett was out, she pushed me away violently, throwing herself into Mom’s arms. I was shoved to the ground. My little bear rolled right into the pool. Scarlett, her eyes brimming with tears, wailed, “Mom, Dad, Alyssa tried to kill me! Wahhh! I don’t know what I did to make her hate me so much!” Mom and Dad quickly grabbed a towel and wrapped her up tightly, comforting her with worried faces. They didn’t even notice my favorite bear had been pushed into the pool. I stood by the edge of the pool, crying anxiously. “Beary, don’t be scared! I’m coming to save you!” Splash! I jumped into the pool. I desperately swam towards my sinking bear, forgetting I couldn’t swim. I finally grabbed Beary. But I couldn’t breathe. I slowly sank, just like when Brenda threw me into the river before, watching the surface of the water get farther and farther away. Mom and Dad on the bank didn’t notice me at all. Once again, I quietly closed my eyes. When I was little, I was washing clothes by the river in winter. The water was so cold my hands went numb. I accidentally let a piece of clothing get swept away by the current. When Brenda found out, she simply threw me into the icy river. I struggled frantically, while Brenda stood on the bank, yelling angrily. “You worthless brat! I’m going to teach you a lesson today!” “Let’s see if you dare to be lazy again!” But I was always so obedient, I never was lazy. That day, as I sank into the icy river, scenes from my life flashed before my eyes like a movie. Tiny me, cooking on the stove. Being beaten savagely by my foster parents. And endless, hateful curses… When I vaguely woke up, I found myself in a hospital bed. The doctor next to me spoke regretfully, “The head trauma has left Alyssa with the intelligence of a five-year-old. But if she receives proper training, there’s a chance she might recover in the future.” Dad sighed deeply. “Doctor, please take care of Alyssa’s rehabilitation from now on.” The doctor hesitated. “There’s one more thing. We just examined Alyssa and found her body covered in injuries. Should we report it to the police?” Hearing this, Mom walked closer to me. She pulled up my clothes. The moment they saw my body covered in scars, Mom and Dad froze, their eyes both reddening.

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At the altar, through the delicate lace of the veil, I saw it. My fiancée, the woman I was supposed to marry, had been replaced. Instead of exploding, I gave the fake bride the wedding of a lifetime. Because in my previous life, I’d publicly exposed the stand-in bride, tearing the whole ceremony apart. Forcing Celeste, who was practically glued to her childhood sweetheart, Felix, in his hospital room, to reluctantly return and marry me. But her beloved Felix, refusing treatment, died on the operating table. When the devastating news hit, I urged Celeste to see him one last time. She refused, her voice chillingly dismissive: “Blame his bad luck, then. Not mine.” After the wedding, we seemed blissfully happy. I kept pouring money from my family’s fortune into her company, pulling it back from the brink of collapse. But on Felix’s death anniversary, my wife pushed me from the top floor of our company building. I plummeted, crashing onto the pavement below, my body utterly mangled. As I plunged, the wind tearing at me, I saw her face – awash with tears: “If you hadn’t forced me to marry me, Felix wouldn’t have died!” “You took me, but I lost Felix forever. How dare you live so happily?” It all clicked into place. She had always resented me for Felix’s death, never showing me an ounce of genuine affection. Then, I opened my eyes, and I was back at my wedding to Celeste.

“Bride, do you take this handsome man beside you to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer…” “I… I do.” The woman’s voice, muffled through the veil, sounded tight, almost strained. The guests whispered, full of praise. They believed Celeste Vance, from the prominent Vance family, was so deeply in love that she was pushing through a terrible cold just to finish this grand wedding, terrified of upsetting me. “Hold on.” The woman beneath the veil, her eyes darting nervously, had fine beads of sweat glistening on her forehead. I smiled, my voice laced with fake concern. “Celeste, you don’t look too good. Are you feeling overwhelmed?” She nervously cleared her throat. “Yes, I…” I subtly signaled the Officiant to halt the proceedings, then gently led the bride into a private lounge. On the table, my phone vibrated. More than a dozen unread messages, all from Felix. 【You know the bride’s a fake now, right? Surprise! Celeste and I are watching your wedding livestream together.】 Attached was a photo: Celeste, her head nestled intimately on Felix’s shoulder, looking completely relaxed and at ease. 【Oh, and I forgot to mention, this whole ‘stand-in bride’ idea? It was mine. This wedding is just a little game she’s playing to keep me entertained.】 I quickly typed a reply and hit send. 【Really? Want to bet that one call from me, and she’ll ditch you and come crawling back, begging for my forgiveness?】 Just as I expected, the other end of the line went completely silent. Perfect. The bait was taken. I tucked away my phone and turned to the silent bride beside me. She looked at me, a flicker of apprehension in her eyes. “Actually, I… I…” I patted her shoulder. “Aria, relax.” A wave of relief washed over her. “So, you knew all along.” After a moment of silence, she seemed to steel herself, taking a deep breath. “Celeste isn’t worth marrying. She only arranged this today to deliberately humiliate you.” I leaned closer. “I didn’t stop the wedding to expose you. I just need you to play a part with me.” Only after I died in my previous life did I learn that Aria had quietly watched over me for years. When news of my death broke, she was the only one who didn’t believe it was an accident. Later, she discovered Celeste was the killer, but without concrete proof, she chose to confront Celeste on my death anniversary, dragging her down with her in a final act of vengeance. Tears inexplicably welled in my eyes. Aria, seeing them, started to reach out, then hesitated, her hand freezing in mid-air. “If you feel… wronged by this, I could…” I looked at her, my gaze unwavering. “Aria, listen carefully. You are the woman I want to marry.” When we returned to the ballroom, the Officiant smiled, announcing, “Now, the exchange of rings, please.” I picked up the ring, and as I slid it onto her finger, I deliberately made it catch, stopping just before her knuckle. She looked embarrassed, trying to push it further, but I gently held her hand, stopping her. Below us, the guests began to murmur, their whispers buzzing like a hive of disturbed bees. “What’s going on? Is the ring the wrong size?” “How could they mess up something so important? The Sterling and Vance families are usually so meticulous!” In the audience, Celeste’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vance, instantly blanched. They exchanged a frantic glance, panic and unease flashing in their eyes. Clearly, they’d known about Celeste’s little farce all along, but hadn’t stopped it. My own mother, Mrs. Sterling, frowned deeply, her gaze filled with worry as she looked at me. I gave her a reassuring look, a silent promise that everything was under control. Then, under the stunned, uncertain gazes of everyone present, I lifted Aria’s veil. “Oh my God! The bride isn’t Celeste!” “Then where’s the real bride?”

Celeste’s mother, Mrs. Vance, was the first to react. She stormed onto the stage, completely abandoning all decorum. “What in the world is going on?! Who are you?!” Mr. Vance’s face was ashen with fury. He bellowed at the chaotic crowd of guests and reporters, “Everyone, quiet down! There’s been a minor hiccup with the wedding, it will be resolved immediately!” How utterly delightful. In my previous life, I was the one panicking on this stage. Now, it was Celeste’s parents. My mother, Mrs. Sterling, had also risen, clearly alarmed, her eyes fixed on me. “Liam, what is happening?” I turned and gave my parents a reassuring glance. Under the stunned gaze of everyone present, I took Aria’s hand. “Thank you all for coming today to celebrate the wedding of Aria and myself. Due to a minor oversight, there was a mix-up with the wedding invitations and the rings.” I paused, then continued, “However, it’s nothing serious. The wedding will proceed as planned.” Beside me, Aria straightened, her head held high, meeting the bewildered gazes of the crowd with serene confidence. Mrs. Vance, shaking with rage, glared at me. “Liam, you’re insane! Do you have any idea what you’re doing?!” Mr. Vance rushed forward too, hissing at me under his breath, “Liam, stop this nonsense! Call off the wedding, now!” I ignored them, instead turning and handing the microphone to the stand-in beside me. “Aria, tell everyone why you’re standing here today.” Aria exchanged a knowing look with me, her voice calm and clear as she spoke into the mic. “I’m standing here today because Celeste offered me fifty thousand dollars to impersonate her at the wedding.” At her words, the entire ballroom erupted in a collective gasp, then a furious uproar. “What?! She paid someone to marry in her place?” “My God, is Celeste insane?” Exposed so publicly, Mr. and Mrs. Vance’s faces drained of all color, leaving them ghostly white. My father, Mr. Sterling, exploded in a fit of rage. He pointed a trembling finger at Mr. Vance, yelling, “So this is the Vance family?! This is Celeste?! To treat my son’s future, his life, as some pathetic game?! This is an absolute outrage! You’ve gone too far!” My mother, Mrs. Sterling, her eyes blazing red with fury, stormed onto the stage. She pulled me behind her, then turned to the Vances, her voice cutting like ice. “This wedding is off! From this day forward, the Sterling family will have absolutely no ties, no connection, with the Vance family!” Seeing the lucrative family alliance crumble before her eyes, Mrs. Vance panicked. “Liam, Celeste was just being foolish, a silly prank! I’ll call her right now, she’ll come immediately to apologize to you.” I smirked, a cold smile playing on my lips. “Fine. I’ll give her one more chance. If you can get her on the phone, I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.” Aria’s hand tightened in mine. I leaned down, whispering, “Don’t worry. Celeste won’t be coming back.” Mrs. Vance, clinging to that last desperate lifeline, frantically dialed Celeste’s number. Once, twice, a third time… Each time, the same cold, automated female voice answered: “We’re sorry, the number you have dialed is currently switched off.” I feigned disappointment. “Well, it seems Miss Vance isn’t interested in returning.” “Security, escort these irrelevant individuals out.” Mr. and Mrs. Vance were practically dragged out by security, their faces illuminated by the frantic flashes of countless excited reporters, shoved right into their faces. My mother squeezed my hand, not asking a single question, only repeating, “Liam, whatever decision you make, your father and I will support you.” My father simply clapped my shoulder, and a warmth spread through my chest. In my previous life, my insistence on marrying Celeste had caused a deep rift with my family. After my death, they’d aged decades overnight from grief. This time, I wouldn’t make the same mistake. And as for Celeste, the real mastermind behind all this, I wouldn’t let her off easy. As soon as the altered wedding ceremony concluded, I called my assistant. “Immediately terminate all partnerships with the Vance family, and withdraw every single penny of our invested capital. Leave nothing behind.”

The news of my marriage to Aria didn’t spread quickly. The Vance family, desperate to stabilize their plummeting stock, had someone suppress the news. Right after the wedding, Aria and I rushed to get legally married. Afterward, she told me she had to go out of the country for a few days on urgent business. Meanwhile, a completely oblivious Celeste had spent two blissful days living it up with Felix in their lavish villa. It wasn’t until later that she finally, belatedly, realized something was off. Usually, by now, I would have made a massive scene, practically dragging her back home. But there was nothing. Complete silence. Celeste absently scrolled through her phone, not even registering Felix’s voice calling her name. No, this man must be playing hard to get. A smug smile curled on Celeste’s lips. I’ve spoiled him too much, clearly. I hadn’t expected to run into those two utterly infuriating individuals at my father’s business gala. Celeste noticed me first. But when she saw me chatting with another woman, her expression instantly clouded over, dark as a storm. Felix, seeing me, subtly leaned against Celeste, feigning weakness. “Celeste, I’m not feeling so good. My head is spinning.” Celeste solicitously helped him, but her gaze, seemingly casual, kept flickering towards me. She was probably waiting for me to approach her. Too bad. I was happy to disappoint her. From start to finish, I didn’t spare her so much as a sidelong glance. She finally couldn’t take it anymore. She strode over to our table, slammed her wine glass down, and declared, “Liam, are you still mad because I hired a stand-in for our wedding?” I didn’t even bother to look at her, making to leave. “I missed the last wedding because Felix was sick, it was an emergency, that’s why I wasn’t there!” Felix, feigning instability, lurched forward and blocked my path. “Mr. Sterling, please don’t blame Celeste. It’s all my fault, my weak body messed up your wedding…” Celeste, listening to him, scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips as she looked at me. “Liam, I never realized how petty you were! It was just a wedding, for crying out loud!” As she spoke, she reached out, a sense of entitlement in her gesture, to grab my arm. My eyes turned to ice. I sharply yanked my arm away. “Miss Vance, show some self-respect.” “Didn’t your parents tell you about the wedding?” Celeste froze. “Tell me what?” Felix, a panicked look on his face, grabbed my wrist. “Mr. Sterling, don’t do this! Celeste was only looking out for you…” He spouted conciliatory words, but his nails dug sharply into my skin, making me gasp in pain. I violently flung his hand off. “Get lost!” “Ah—!” Felix stumbled backward, collapsing onto the floor in an undignified heap. Celeste’s eyes blazed with fury. She rushed to help Felix up, then rounded on me, screaming, “You lunatic! Apologize to Felix right now!” I sneered, then gestured to the security guards rushing over. “Security, throw them out!” Celeste’s face was livid with rage. “Don’t think this pathetic stunt will get my attention! If you just behave, I’ll go get the marriage license with you in a few days.” She genuinely believed that if she just ‘returned,’ I’d immediately fall at her feet, overflowing with gratitude. I smiled. “But I’m already married.”

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Married to a military officer for six months, we had only truly been intimate once. On our wedding night, I was flushed with shyness, and he, flustered, got a nosebleed and fumbled, completely lost. It was a first for both of us, and we struggled until dawn, unable to consummate our marriage. It wasn’t until four months ago, when he came home for the holidays. He proudly declared he’d learned a lot from his buddies, swearing he wouldn’t hurt me. That night, we were at it until dawn. As daylight broke, I was half-asleep but he woke me again, and I whispered, begging: “Officer, I really can’t go on…” He held me tight, his scorching breath hot on my ear: “What did you call me? Hmm?” He was thrusting so hard, I was almost in tears, and weakly managed: “Husband…” That only fueled his passion further, and we didn’t leave the house for five days straight. After he returned to his unit, I discovered I was pregnant. I decided to tell him in person, but instead, I walked right into him passionately kissing his lover by the lake. Reeling from the devastating blow, I collapsed onto the bed and cried all night. Then, I wrote out the divorce papers.

I submitted the divorce papers to military headquarters. The first person to come looking for me was my mother-in-law, Eleanor. She was usually stern and efficient, but now her face was etched with embarrassment and shame. She sat before me, her voice unusually soft: “Chloe, my son made a mistake, he got carried away for a moment!” “But Richard and I, and your parents, share a bond that’s thicker than blood, a friendship forged in the toughest times. And now you’re pregnant, being a single mom is incredibly tough. Please, think it over.” My expression was firm. “Please, I beg you as a mother. I promise I’ll make sure he changes! How about this: give him half a month. If he’s still making a fool of himself, I’ll personally agree to the divorce.” My hand instinctively went to my still-flat stomach, and my mind drifted back to my first encounter with Hunter Stone. I was eight years old. My parents were stationed in a remote border region when a dangerous incident involving criminals broke out. During the sudden outbreak of violence, the perpetrators grew enraged and took many hostages. Hunter and I were among them. Those five hours felt like five years. In my fear, Hunter held my hand tightly and comforted me: “Don’t be scared, little sister, the adults will definitely come and rescue us!” When the criminals came to pick hostages to beat and coerce the outside world, he bravely shielded me, hiding my small frame behind him. He ended up getting his face smashed by a rifle butt. He was still bleeding when we were rescued. I threw myself onto him, crying inconsolably, but he just smiled and playfully tapped my nose: “I told you big brother would protect you, and I kept my word. Don’t cry, you silly goose.” The flutter I felt from that single sentence still echoed in my heart to this day. I agreed to my mother-in-law’s request. Hunter didn’t return until midnight. He seemed oblivious to the whirlwind of gossip and speculation that kiss, witnessed by everyone, had caused. He acted as if nothing had happened, telling me: “Still awake? We’re preparing for drills these next few days, so I might not be back. You don’t have to wait up for me.” “Once this period is over, I’ll take a day off, just for you.” I looked at his indistinct features in the moonlight and said, “Okay.” When his leave came, Hunter kept his promise and focused entirely on me. He personally bought groceries and cooked, feeding me and even carefully picking out fish bones. He was incredibly patient, as gentle as water. Just like when we first got married. After nightfall, he took me hiking. I put on my jacket, first wondering why he’d like mountains when he was always out on training drills. Then it hit me: it wasn’t the mountains he disliked, it was *me*. I had once mentioned wanting to watch the sunrise from a mountaintop. Once we reached the summit and set up our tent, Hunter pulled me into his embrace. I felt his intense heat and quickly said: “Hunter, I’m pregnant.” He kissed my hair, his breath burning, and chuckled: “I consulted a doctor. It’s been four months. I’ll be careful, it’s fine. Don’t you miss me?” I remained silent, neither responding nor resisting. The tent was small and dark, and the man pressing down on me felt like my only salvation. Passion burned until sunrise. As we descended the mountain and headed back, the military compound was bustling with noise. Hunter suddenly froze. I looked in the direction he was staring. It was Veronica. She was wearing an expensive, beautiful shirt, completely unwrinkled, her ponytail draped over one shoulder, gleaming black in the sunlight. She gazed at Hunter, as if wanting to say something. Hunter’s hand, which had been resting on my waist, suddenly dropped. His entire body instinctively turned towards Veronica. His knee lifted, then froze in mid-air, only to be lowered again. Finally, his hand once more clasped my waist, urging me to walk faster. I remained silent throughout, yet despite being the “victor,” my heart felt heavy.

Hunter poured two cups of hot water, staring grimly at the rising steam. I didn’t touch my cup. “You sit for a bit, I’ll be back after a short walk.” He didn’t move, as if I were invisible. I slowly walked downstairs, along the shade of the trees, and met Veronica at the corner. I couldn’t be bothered to argue with her and tried to walk past, but then I heard her say: “Chloe Anderson, you won, you must be very happy, right?” I paused. She walked in front of me, her eyes glinting with jealousy: “I turned Hunter down for an undercover mission. Congratulations, you swooped in at just the right moment and snagged him.” My heart gave a painful lurch, but I calmly looked at her: “And then?” She slightly lifted her chin, haughty and sharp. “You’re just a thief. I’m back now. Do you think Hunter will file for divorce?” Her eyes were full of jealousy and obsession. My desire to argue vanished. I just curled my lips into a small smile: “Veronica, you’re supposed to be a hero, protecting people. Are you really going to play the role of a mistress, hiding in the shadows? Hunter and I are bound by military marriage, which isn’t something you just casually break!” Veronica’s face went white, and she stepped back, her lips trembling as she said: “Who was here first? Who’s the real mistress?!” “The law decides that.” I calmly walked past her and left. Back home, the living room was empty. I quickly called out Hunter’s name, opening one room after another. He wasn’t in any of them. When I reached the window, I finally saw Hunter. At some point, he had also gone downstairs and was standing by a tree, one hand gently placed on Veronica’s shoulder. No one else was around. I don’t know if he heard my calls from upstairs, or if he was just hesitating, but he eventually embraced Veronica. And Veronica, she hugged him back and looked up. They kissed passionately again, just like they had by the lake a few days earlier. The scene pierced my eyes and heart. I stumbled back, gasping for air, overwhelmed with pain. A long time passed. When dinner time came, Hunter finally returned. “Honey, you haven’t cooked? Never mind, your health is more important now that you’re pregnant. How about we go out to eat?” I looked up at him and asked softly: “Eating out, how luxurious… Is it out of guilt?” His gaze faltered, and he frowned, raising his voice: “You’re overthinking again! I told you, there’s nothing going on between Veronica and me!” He walked over and pulled me to my feet. “Don’t worry about it. You’re eating for two now, can’t go hungry.” His hand was still so warm, but it could no longer warm me. We walked in silence to the intersection, where we ran into a group of women gossiping about Veronica: “Veronica, wasn’t it you that Commander Stone jumped into the lake to save? How did CPR turn into kissing?” “Doing such disgusting things in broad daylight, so shameless! Our Hunter is a married man!” “Interfering with a military marriage is a serious offense, Veronica. Have you considered the consequences?” One accusation after another, Veronica was surrounded and her eyes slowly welled up. Hunter couldn’t stand it. He let go of me and walked over. He stood in front of Veronica, earnestly refuting them: “Ladies, don’t believe the rumors! Veronica accidentally fell into the water, and it was my duty to save her. Spreading false rumors about military personnel is a serious matter and could have consequences!” The women’s faces turned awkward, while Hunter gently protected Veronica, escorting her home. He left me standing there alone, watching their retreating figures walking hand-in-hand. Why was the late spring wind still so biting? After a long time, I woodenly went upstairs and made myself a bowl of noodles. “You said you were saving her, fine. But why were you hugging and kissing Veronica right outside our building? Do you think everyone else is blind?!” Eleanor Stone glared at her son, furious and disappointed, and slapped the coffee table. “Hunter Stone, have you lost your mind?!” Hunter sat opposite her, his military uniform crisp, his face calm. “I’ve already notified people to clarify things. A few arrests for spreading rumors, and things will quiet down.” “Is that the point?” Eleanor pointed at me and continued, “Your wife is pregnant! You talked about taking her out to dinner, but the moment you see Veronica, you’ve apparently lost your appetite and abandoned your pregnant wife to escort her home?!”

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“Skylar, are you sure you want to become an officer?” I looked at my father’s memorial photo and nodded solemnly. “In a week, we’ll stage your disappearance. The name Skylar will vanish from this world, completely.” After leaving the police station, before I even stepped inside my own home, the sight of a woman’s high heels by the door immediately caught my eye, a sharp stab of dread. I numbly pushed open the front door. The sound of a woman’s gasps, laced with pleasure, drilled into my ears. The bedroom door was deliberately left ajar, framing him with another woman. I knew he was getting back at me for abandoning him all those years ago. But the moment I saw the woman’s face, I completely lost it. I lunged forward like a maniac: “Liam, are you out of your mind? How could you? Why my own sister!?” I rushed forward, desperate to drag Chloe off the bed. “Chloe! Get out of here, now!” Liam shoved me away violently. I stumbled back, crashing into the wall. My back screamed in pain, but it was nowhere near the agony that ripped through my heart. He calmly pulled the blanket over Chloe. He turned, his gaze icy as he looked at me. “Skylar, what right do you have to question me?” “Who I’m with is my business.” “When you left me for money all those years ago, why didn’t you think about today?” All the unspeakable truths and crushing grievances, the reasons I couldn’t explain, turned into a bitter, icy ache, choking me. “I didn’t!” I left him back then to protect him. My father was an undercover agent, brutally murdered after his identity was exposed. Dangerous enemies had vowed to wipe out his entire family. I had to leave Liam to keep him safe, to keep him from getting entangled. When Liam was critically injured in a car accident, I secretly underwent surgery in the room next door, risking my own life to donate a kidney to him. He knew none of this. Chloe, wrapped in the blanket, her voice trembling with a feigned sob. “Skylar, don’t blame Liam.” “We truly love each other.” She snuggled deeper into Liam’s arms. “Skylar, you’re the one who’s in the way. You’re the one who’s redundant.” Liam immediately pulled her closer, his voice chilling. “Skylar, shut up.” “If Chloe hadn’t donated her kidney to me back then, I’d be dead already.” “You gold-digging woman, what nerve do you have to stand here shouting?” “If anything happens to Chloe, I swear I’ll make you pay for it with your own life!” I froze, rooted to the spot. My mind went utterly blank. Chloe… donated a kidney? How *dare* she claim that? Liam picked Chloe up and walked past me. “Get out.” “Don’t defile my sight.” As she brushed past, Chloe’s voice whispered in my ear. “Skylar, my birthday is in three days. You’ll come, won’t you?” I spent the remaining days slowly packing my belongings. Soon, Chloe’s birthday arrived. Liam booked the most expensive hotel in the city, throwing her an extravagant party. He announced publicly. “Chloe is the only woman I, Liam Vance, will ever recognize as my love.” “She saved my life with her kidney.” The guests buzzed with agreement. “Mrs. Vance truly is a kind soul.” “Unlike some women, clinging to her position.” “Exactly. I heard she ran off for money back then, and now she’s shamelessly crawling back.” Every whispered word felt like a poisoned dagger twisting in my heart. I stood there, holding a champagne flute, my hand trembling uncontrollably. I had become the laughingstock of the entire city. I slipped into the stairwell, desperate for a moment to breathe. But Chloe followed me. The fragility on her face vanished, replaced by triumph and pure provocation. “Skylar, did you hear it all?” “Liam loves me.” I looked at her coldly. “Chloe, you know perfectly well who really donated that kidney.” Chloe scoffed. “So what?” “Right now, Liam believes me.” “He’s convinced I’m the one who saved his life twice.” “Twice?” My stomach dropped. “Oh, I forgot to tell you.” Chloe’s grin widened with smugness. “Last time Liam went missing in the mountains, I was the one who rescued him too.” The revelation hit me like a bolt of lightning, leaving me utterly frozen, bone-chillingly cold. My sacrifice, the love that cost me my health, the deep, personal pain I endured, all of it—she’d stolen it and claimed it as her own triumph! A furious, searing pain surged through my chest, making me sway, almost losing my footing. She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a malicious whisper. “Skylar, you’re not even fully healthy with just one kidney. Why are you still clinging to the title of Mrs. Vance?” “Doesn’t it disgust you, holding onto that position?” “Give Liam to me.”

“You’re dreaming!” I roared in fury. “Heh.” Chloe sneered. “Then don’t blame me.” She suddenly grabbed my hand and placed it on her own body. Then, she violently threw herself backward. “Ah—!” Chloe screamed as she tumbled down the stairs. Just as panic seized me, the banquet hall doors burst open. Liam rushed in, leading the charge. He looked at me, his eyes blazing with rage. Chloe lay in a pool of blood, weakly pointing at me. “Liam… save me…” “Skylar… she said I stole you… she wanted to kill me…” Liam charged over, slapping me hard across the face. “Skylar!” “You heartless monster!” I stared at him blankly for a long time. He once swore he’d love me, protect me, but now he’d given all his gratitude and affection to someone else. And not just anyone—to my own sister, who I’d grown up with. Six months ago, Liam went climbing in the mountains, only to be caught in an unexpected avalanche and went missing. The search and rescue team looked for three days straight before announcing they were stopping the search. Everyone gave up. But I didn’t. My body, with only one kidney, couldn’t endure the extreme cold. Still, I rushed into the forbidden zone regardless of the risks. I dragged my fragile body, on the verge of collapse, and found him at the edge of the avalanche zone. A hand emerged from the snow, and I instantly recognized it as Liam’s. My hands, purple with cold, tried to dig away the thick snow, but I couldn’t. I resorted to ramming my body against it. Once, twice, three times… I don’t know how long passed. My consciousness started to fade, but just before I collapsed, I finally pulled him out. I dragged him across the vast snowy landscape for a day and a night. With every step, the old wound on my side tore open with excruciating pain. Only after I successfully dragged Liam out of the mountains and into the hospital did I dare to collapse in a secluded corner. By the time I treated my wounds and returned, Chloe was sitting by his hospital bed. Her face was tear-streaked, and her hands even had perfectly appropriate frostbite. Liam had just woken up, his voice hoarse. “Chloe… you saved me?” Chloe nodded, crying. “Liam, I was so scared… I looked for you for so long…” “I almost thought I’d never see you again…” I pretended to walk past the door, but then found myself frozen, unable to move. I desperately wanted to rush in and tell Liam that I was the one who saved him. But I couldn’t. Liam completely believed her. He believed Chloe was his savior. She donated the kidney. She saved him from the mountain. And I, Skylar, was just a malicious woman who had abandoned him for money, and was now back to torment him. “Liam… I can’t go on…” “Skylar… she hates me…” “Marry me… otherwise I… I won’t get treatment…” She started pulling out the IV needle from her hand. “Chloe, calm down!” Liam frantically pressed her hand down. I stood rooted to the spot, not saying a word. Liam’s gaze turned to me. There was not a trace of warmth in his eyes. “Skylar, we’re getting a divorce.” I numbly nodded. “Alright.” He didn’t explain, and I didn’t ask. My calmness seemed to enrage him. His face darkened, and he grabbed my chin. “Skylar, are you so eager to leave me again?” He paused, then spat out an utterly humiliating condition. “Since you’re Chloe’s sister, I suppose planning our wedding would be no problem for you?” “I want you to personally walk Chloe down the aisle to me.” My eyes widened in shock. “Liam, don’t go too far!” Chloe let out a weak sob from the bed. “Skylar, don’t you want to be my bridesmaid and send me off?” Liam’s face was livid. “You have no right to refuse.” “If you don’t agree, I’ll make sure you go to jail for attempted murder.”

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I was fiercely independent and couldn’t sit still from a young age. My family, on the other hand, was painfully reserved, always shying away from any kind of commotion. I’d pulled another all-nighter, crafting a handmade birthday gift for Julian, my brother. He flinched when the butterflies fluttered out of the box, and his face instantly darkened. The very next day, I found myself dropped off at Mrs. Davies’ etiquette academy. Julian’s brow was furrowed: “Mrs. Davies, my sister’s temperament will make her a laughingstock among the other socialites. There’s no other choice; I have to ask you to teach her proper manners.” “In return, consider your daughter’s future handled by the Millers.” We met again three years later. Julian looked at me, elegant and poised, and nodded with satisfaction, ready to take me home. But I tilted my head, utterly bewildered: “Who are you?” Julian froze for a split second, then his face clouded over as he reached for me again: “What are you playing at? You don’t recognize your own brother?” “Mom and Dad are back from their world tour tonight. Come home with me, let’s give them a surprise.” His tone was harsh, and I instinctively recoiled two steps. Then, a pair of hands from behind me gave me a ruthless shove: “Mia, hurry and go home with your brother!” I glanced back at Mrs. Davies, who had spoken. Meeting her sharp, warning gaze, I instinctively flinched. Mrs. Davies was my etiquette teacher. She was elegant and poised, always wearing a gentle smile. But beneath that smile, a subtle, chilling threat lurked in her eyes. “Remember to behave yourself when you get back, don’t get sent here again!” My knuckles whitened as I clenched my fists in anxiety, then someone took my hand. Julian looked down at me: “Why are you sweating so much? Is it hot?” I felt Mrs. Davies’ dangerous gaze and quickly shook my head: “N-not hot.” Julian nodded, then smiled politely at Mrs. Davies: “Chloe’s enjoying her stay so much, it looks like she might be with us for a few more days.” Hearing Julian mention her daughter, Mrs. Davies’ eyes immediately lit up. “Oh, it’s no trouble at all, she can stay as long as she likes, even a lifetime!” “You’ve not only secured her a place in a top school but also laid out her future path to study abroad these past few years. We can’t thank you enough!” Julian gave a slight nod: “You’ve taught Mia very well. This is only right.” With that, he led me to the car waiting to take us home. All the way, I sat quietly, a little distance from Julian. My hands were clasped in my lap, my back straight, not daring to speak. Julian’s gaze on me was incredibly gentle: “Excellent. You finally look like a true Miller heiress.” “Perhaps we should double Mrs. Davies’ compensation.” Soon, the car pulled up to a sprawling villa estate. Julian got out first, then thoughtfully walked around the car, opening my door and extending a hand to me. I remembered all these etiquette lessons. My left hand slightly lifted, gently resting in his palm. I stepped out, my foot firm on the ground, descending from the car slowly and gracefully. The smile in Julian’s eyes deepened, a look of proud admiration on his face: “Mia is very well-behaved.” But the very next second, my hand in his suddenly tightened! The villa before me felt strange, unsettlingly familiar, and my heart clenched in an icy grip. Julian frowned: “What’s wrong?” My skin prickled with goosebumps, but I forced myself to maintain my poised demeanor, quickly shaking my head. “N-nothing.” Julian released my hand, “Let’s go home then. I have a gift for you.” I followed behind him. The closer we got to the villa, the worse my headache became. We stepped through the door, and Julian handed me a beautiful gift box. “Mia, welcome home.” He opened the box, revealing a delicate butterfly charm bracelet inside. My face went bone-white, and my head throbbed as if it would split open. The butterflies on the bracelet seemed to flutter to life, their wings beating, soaring straight for my face. My vision blurred, and I seemed to hear a sharp, grating voice: “So you stayed up all night just to plan a prank? Mia Miller, it’s my birthday! Can you *please* act your age for once?!”

I’d always been the ‘unpopular’ one, mostly because I was too loud, too boisterous. The Millers upheld strict decorum. My brother, Julian, was born with an innate grace, reserved and elegant, earning him constant praise from our parents. But I was different. I was a whirlwind of energy, impulsive and carefree, always bouncing off the walls like I had a perpetual sugar rush. I was nothing like a ‘proper’ Miller child. Before I turned fifteen, Mom and Dad had me take several DNA tests. Each time, they’d just shake their heads in resignation after seeing the results. “Mia’s so vivacious, completely unlike any other heiress in our circle.” “Honey, is she really our child? It’s a complete disaster!” “Oh, Mia is supposed to take over the family empire with Julian one day. If she’s always so ill-mannered, how can she possibly…” They never bothered to whisper when they said these things, but I never took it to heart. Usually, I’d flash a sly grin, tug on Mom’s arm, and whine playfully: “What, you two don’t want me anymore? Did you forget who played peacemaker last time you and Dad had a fight?” “Would you have made up so quickly without me?” Mom would sigh, tapping my forehead playfully. “You’re impossible.” And so, my life before fifteen, though my family often ‘disapproved’ of me, wasn’t too bad. Until I got into a fight with the daughter of one of Dad’s oldest business partners over a dress. My parents gave me the cold shoulder all night, then quietly discussed with Julian: “With a personality like that, she’ll be a joke when she’s supposed to run the company. Julian, find a good etiquette teacher for her, someone to teach her proper manners.” Julian simply nodded, “After my birthday.” That night, I pulled an all-nighter, preparing a butterfly-themed kaleidoscope as Julian’s birthday gift. The next morning, still yawning, I shoved the gift into his arms: “Happy birthday.” A flicker of something crossed his brow as he looked at my bloodshot eyes, and a small smile touched his lips. But when he opened it, he used a bit too much force. The butterflies were supposed to float out one by one, beautifully. With his clumsy snap, they exploded outwards in a chaotic rush. Two wings grazed past Julian’s eyes, almost taking out his eye. His face instantly went rigid with fury. For the first time, his composure finally snapped, giving way to a furious outburst. He slammed the box to the ground right there. “So you stayed up all night just to plan a prank? Mia Miller, it’s my birthday! Can you *please* act your age for once?!” I tried to explain, but he wouldn’t listen to a word, turning and storming off. The very next day, I was sent to Mrs. Davies’ academy. These memories used to be crystal clear in my mind. But now, I could only recall fragments: a harsh, dismissive scolding from Julian. The rest? Utterly forgotten. My head was pounding harder with each second. I couldn’t help but lift my hand, pressing my fingers to my throbbing temples. Julian watched me, puzzled, the gift box still patiently held out. Until a girl ran over and snatched the box from him. “Wow, this bracelet is so pretty, Julian! Can I have it?” “But it’s Mia’s gift…” Julian, seemingly unable to refuse, frowned and looked at me. A sudden memory flashed in my mind: fighting over a dress when I was little, and Mom and Dad scolding me for not sharing. I quickly forced a smile: “Sure, you can have it. Here, let me help you put it on.”

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My husband brought his ex-girlfriend and her son home after learning she’d divorced. He even let her son put a potent, dangerous abortifacient into my food. I nearly bled to death, writhing in agony, but he just held Evelyn’s son close and calmly declared, “Don’t worry, Daddy Derek will only ever have you as his child.” I didn’t fight back. Derek visibly relaxed, a wave of relief washing over his face. But what he didn’t know was that I’d just signed a top-secret agreement with the government, and soon, I would vanish from his world entirely. “Aurora Collins, we’ll finalize your divorce once you sign. Are you absolutely sure about this?” My superior, Captain Reed, looked at my pale face, his eyes heavy with concern. My lower abdomen still pulsed with the phantom pain of a recent miscarriage. I sat on the hospital bed, carefully signing my name, stroke by painful stroke. “My duty comes before my personal life.” “What duty?” The hospital room door swung open. Derek Miller, dressed in his military uniform, strode in, carrying Evelyn Hayes’ son, Leo, in his arms. Evelyn stood by his side, her hand linked with his, leaning into him. At first glance, they looked like the picture-perfect happy family of three. Who would remember that I was Derek Miller’s legal wife, the one he’d officially married? Seeing me, Evelyn put on a pitiful act. “Rory, how are you feeling?” Before I could even reply, she dropped to her knees by my bed, tears streaming down her face. “Leo didn’t mean to put the abortifacient in your food. I’m begging you, please don’t let him go to jail!” At that, Leo jumped out of Derek’s arms. He lunged at my blanket, snarling at me like a feral pup. “Bad woman! I won’t let you have babies! You won’t steal my daddy!” Daddy? I looked up at Derek, my heart twisting as if ground by a dull knife. Derek’s gaze flickered, avoiding mine. He bent down and picked up Leo. “Don’t be scared, Leo. Daddy will only ever have you as his child.” Only then did he look back at me. His voice, usually so gentle, now carried a hint of impatience. “Rory, the child didn’t know any better. Don’t hold it against him.” “Our baby… it’s gone. It’s fine. We can just focus on raising Leo together.” My abdomen still throbbed, but my heart had already plummeted into an abyss. I struggled to keep my voice from trembling. “Yeah. You’re right. It’s better this way.” If the baby had been born, he would have been heartbroken seeing his own father act like this… Maybe it was my sudden compliance, but a flicker of panic crossed Derek’s eyes. He opened his mouth to say something more, but Leo, overjoyed, immediately hugged Derek. “Yay, Daddy! Can you and Mommy take me skiing now?” Evelyn cast me a hesitant glance, offering a forced smile. She pulled at the restless child. “Leo, stop bothering your daddy!” But Derek simply said, “It’s fine!” He turned to Captain Reed, requesting, “Please approve our leave. I want to take them skiing.” He didn’t spare me another glance. Nor did he bother to ask why Captain Reed was even here. Captain Reed looked at me, then at Evelyn and her son. Finally, with a subtle look, he responded, “Very well.” The ‘family of three’ before me instantly beamed with joy. When Derek’s gaze finally landed on my pale face, his smile froze, a fleeting mix of guilt and pity flashing in his eyes. “You should come too.” I didn’t refuse. I did need to pack, but not for skiing. Derek had no chance to say anything else before Leo tugged him away, chattering excitedly. Evelyn shot me a triumphant look. “So sorry, Rory. I had no idea Derek liked Leo so much.” Then she hurried after them, her retreating figure disappearing through the doorway. The hospital room fell silent again. I clutched the white bedsheet, Captain Reed’s sigh echoing in my ears. “I understand the situation. Seven days from now, come to the base to pick up your divorce certificate.”

I returned alone to the military housing complex. The medicine bowl, knocked over on the day of the incident, still lay on the table. A dark, scorched stain marked the floor. Clearly, Derek hadn’t been home in days. I ignored it all, walking straight to my desk. From the drawer, I pulled out a small notebook. Flipping it open, I saw it was filled with every little thing Derek had done for Evelyn over the past five years. Arranging for her to join the military’s arts and entertainment corps, taking my spot. Leaving me with a fever to celebrate Leo’s birthday, even letting the child put an animal-grade abortifacient in my food, nearly costing me my life… The entire notebook was crammed with entries, every inch filled, leaving no space for more pain. My hand paused. I could only squeeze one last sentence into the corner of the final page— “Leave Derek Miller.” The baby was gone. The debt I owed him for saving me from that cliff all those years ago? It was paid in full. Suddenly, I heard the door open behind me. Strong, calloused hands wrapped around me from behind, slipping under my clothes. “What are you writing?” I frowned, trying to pull away. “I just had a miscarriage.” My words didn’t seem to dampen Derek’s mood. He’d always liked to bother me late into the night. He nibbled on my earlobe. “I won’t move. I’ll just hold you.” I instinctively tilted my head, but I couldn’t escape his intimacy. As I sighed in resignation, I heard him say, “There’s something else I need to tell you.” “I’m going to officially adopt Leo and give him my surname. That way, Evelyn and her son will have someone to rely on.” His breath hitched against my neck, making me feel sick. Yet, his hand continued to roam restlessly. I let out a hollow laugh. “Fine. Whatever you say.” Derek’s hand froze. As if sensing something was off, he forcefully turned my body to face him. “You don’t mind?” I looked up at him, my voice indifferent. “It’s a good thing, isn’t it?” He stared at me intently for a few seconds, then finally indulged me. “I knew I married a good wife. Well, get ready. We’ll have a celebratory dinner in a couple of days to announce I have a son.” With that, he pulled out his wallet, casually peeling off a few bills and handing them to me. “Buy yourself some dresses. For skiing in a couple of days.” I thought of the research facility I was headed to. I’d heard winter came early there, and by the peak of the season, the snow could be waist-deep. My current clothes definitely wouldn’t hold up. Thinking this, I didn’t decline, and agreed. The next day. Taking all the money I had at home, I went to a store and walked straight past the racks of dresses hanging at the entrance. My eyes fixated on the padded winter coats in the back corner. “Please pack up all your winter clothes for me.” Two days later, the day of the banquet arrived. Derek was unusually excited. He woke up early, put on his neatest military uniform, and even pinned a red flower to his chest. It was the same uniform he’d worn on our wedding day. I said nothing, quietly packing my belongings. There was nothing left for me to cherish in this house. The most conspicuous items in my large suitcase were the two new outfits I’d bought yesterday. Derek suddenly glanced at me, his brows knitting together. “I told you to buy dresses, why did you buy winter coats?”

I calmly tucked a pair of rough, padded mittens into my suitcase, explaining, “They’re last year’s winter coats. They’re cheaper now.” “We’re not short on cash…” Derek grumbled, but didn’t seem suspicious. “It’s almost time for the party to start. I’m going to pick up Evelyn and Leo.” With that, he left without waiting for my reply. Watching the joy radiating from the man’s retreating figure, my hands paused their packing. Then I furiously tied another knot. Only two more days until I left. The name-change banquet was held on the base’s mess hall. By the time I’d finished packing and went downstairs, the banquet had already begun. The lively hall was packed, but there was no sign of Derek or Evelyn and her son. I pursed my lips, intending to find a quiet corner to sit in. But then, my sleeve was suddenly clutched tightly. “Aunt Rory…” Leo, who seemed to appear out of nowhere, grabbed my hand, his eyes red and brimming with tears. “I’m sorry, Aunt Rory. Leo didn’t mean it that day. I… I have an apology gift for you over there. Can Aunt Rory forgive me?” A shiver went through me as I remembered the day of the miscarriage. I frowned, wanting to refuse. But Leo stubbornly pulled me along, heading towards the backyard storage shed. “Daddy Derek is there too! He told me to definitely bring you!” Hearing Derek was there, my guard dropped a little. Could it be that he wanted to apologize to me but was too embarrassed, so he sent Leo? I pursed my lips, half-heartedly following Leo to the door of the dilapidated shed. But it was empty. Something felt wrong. I immediately pulled my hand from Leo’s grip. “Where is Derek Miller?” The next second, Leo shoved me from behind, sending me tumbling helplessly into the not-quite-closed shed. “I knew you still wanted to steal my daddy! Go die!” The wooden door slammed shut behind me with a loud thud. The shed was pitch black. I heard the lock click into place, and panic surged through me. I scrambled to my feet, pounding on the wooden door. “Leo, let me out!” Suddenly, I heard the heavy breathing of a man behind me. The next instant, my body was pressed tightly from behind, and the stench of alcohol filled the air. “You slut, pretty little thing, aren’t you brave…” As he spoke, a pair of thick, coarse hands began tearing at my clothes. A wave of nausea hit me, and I struggled fiercely. “Who are you! Let go of me!” I was pushed to the ground. In my terror, I instinctively kicked and thrashed. Suddenly, a commotion of footsteps sounded from outside the door. Leo’s crying voice filtered through the wood. “Aunt Rory and an uncle are fighting without clothes in the shed! Daddy Derek, quickly, save Aunt Rory!” My mind reeled, a sickening ‘buzz’ in my head. The next second, the shed door was kicked open. Evelyn’s shrill scream pierced the air. “Oh my God, Rory! How could you cheat on Derek with someone else!” The weight on me suddenly lifted. The man who had been pinning me down was violently yanked away. I felt nauseated, my vision swimming. The next second, a military jacket was flung over me. I flinched, looking up to meet Derek’s complicated gaze. “Derek, I…” I wanted to explain, but then I saw the circle of soldiers and their families behind him. No one spoke, but their eyes, scrutinizing me, felt like they were stripping me bare. Evelyn, holding her son and standing behind Derek, actually spoke up. “Sister, how could you be so foolish? Adultery means execution!”

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