My wedding was just around the corner when a nude sculpture, named after me, shot to the top of the trending list. Zooming in on the screen, every scandalous detail was glaringly clear. I felt like I was nailed to a pillar of shame, a cold dread seeping into my bones. My phone was practically melting down with countless strangers calling, asking how much I charged for a night. On my way home from work, I was even dragged into the bushes by a stranger from online, who almost ripped my clothes off! I knew it was the work of my fiancé’s childhood best friend, Chloe Davis. Only he had left those three hickeys on my side that night. At the police station, I screamed hysterically at Leo Sterling over the phone, “Why did you give Chloe Davis my private photos? Why? Do you have any idea I was nearly assaulted?!” The next second, a Maybach pulled up outside, and Leo strode in with long strides, stopping right in front of me. His expression was cold, as if the nude sculpture going viral, as if *I*, who was nearly violated, wasn’t his fiancée. “Chloe is an artist. It’s an honor for you that she chose to depict your nude form.” “Since you weren’t successfully violated, it’s no big deal. Don’t worry, to protect you, Chloe will stand in for you at the wedding next Saturday. But I’ll still legally marry you; you’ll still be my Mrs. Sterling.” Because of this incident, my family’s image was tarnished, and our stock plummeted. I outwardly agreed, playing along. But the second he turned away, I sent a compressed file to a powerful, childless New York mogul. It contained top-secret documents that could ruin Leo Sterling’s career and reputation. “I agree to marry you, including giving you half of the Maxwell family’s assets, but you have to help me take down Sterling Corp.”

The voice on the other end was lazy, with an air of nonchalance. “Deal.” I hung up, exhaling a long breath. But when I opened the passenger door, I saw Chloe Davis sitting in *my* dedicated seat, the “wife-only” one. She put her hands together and playfully stuck out her tongue. “Oh, sorry, Seraphina dear. I really didn’t mean to use your nude photos. I just mentioned it casually, and I never thought Leo would actually get his hands on them.” I ignored her. From the way she was settled, she clearly wasn’t going to get out. Chloe shot Leo a look. “Leo, you really shouldn’t have taken such high-definition photos! But, you know, it’s for art, right? Seraphina, you’re incredibly brave!” My hand clenched the back car door, and the details of the sculpture flashed through my mind. My blood ran cold, freezing me in place. It was already dark. I didn’t want to deal with them and turned to leave. Chloe stomped her feet in frustration and nudged Leo twice. “What are you standing there for? Go apologize to your fiancée!” Two seconds later, Leo grabbed my wrist. “Seraphina Maxwell, what’s with the attitude?” “Chloe thinks you’re beautiful, that’s why she used your nude body. Shouldn’t you be thanking her?” “Beautiful?” I looked at him in disbelief. When we first started dating, a business partner at a party touched my shoulder suggestively. Leo immediately broke that man’s finger bones. Sterling Corp lost a $30 million deal because of it. His father locked him in the basement for three days and three nights. When I saw him, emaciated to just skin and bones, I couldn’t stop my heart from aching. “Leo, don’t be so impulsive for me next time.” That Leo Sterling was like a rogue completely smitten. “Next time someone bullies you, I’ll do it again! What kind of man can’t protect his own woman?” His eyes were bright that night. But now, he saw me being harassed, and he couldn’t even offer a word of comfort. I thought I’d never marry anyone but him, until his childhood friend came back. I couldn’t compete with her at all. I might be letting him go, but I wouldn’t suffer this humiliation for nothing. I sneered, instantly shaking off Leo’s hand. Then I walked straight up to Chloe Davis, tore open the front of her shirt to take a picture! “I think you’re quite beautiful too! Why don’t you also go viral so everyone can see you!” “Leo, save me!” Leo rushed over and kicked me away. “Chloe is still just a young girl! You’re destined to be my wife, I don’t care, so what if people saw you? Even if you were molested…” *Slap!* My eyes red, I slapped him hard across the face! “Leo Sterling, are you even human?!” Chloe panicked, quickly shielding Leo behind her. “Seraphina Maxwell, how dare you hit Leo? Is he wrong? I saw you enjoying being molested!” *Enjoying?* Just thinking about being dragged into the bushes and having my clothes ripped off by that man in black terrified me. I struggled desperately, my throat raw from screaming. The man, unable to finish, punched me a dozen times until I blacked out. If a passing security guard hadn’t called the police, I might have truly died in those bushes. Now, covered in bruises, I stood before them, and they said I *enjoyed* it? 2. I didn’t want to be entangled with them anymore; I just wanted some peace. I turned around and heard a car engine start. I thought they were leaving too, but the next second, the car drove straight towards me! With a deafening crash, I was sent flying by Leo Sterling’s luxury car! At the moment of impact, agonizing pain mixed with numbness shot through my spine, making every breath a tearing agony. Chloe Davis sat in the driver’s seat, trembling. “Oh, sorry, Seraphina! I really didn’t mean to! It’s my first time driving, I didn’t expect to hit you!” A metallic taste filled my mouth, and I coughed up blood. Leo Sterling, however, acted as if he hadn’t seen it, affectionately stroking Chloe’s head and encouraging her. “Good hit.” “No need to apologize, just consider it a lesson for her!” He was so confident I would marry him, but he had no idea I had already married someone else. Watching his calm demeanor, I truly wondered what his reaction would be when he found out. I endured the pain and called 911, and I don’t know how many bags of blood I received before I was wheeled out of surgery. The next day, Chloe Davis posted an update on social media. While I was in surgery, fighting for my life, my fiancé was spending a tender night with his childhood best friend. A luxurious mansion downtown, limited edition luxury cars, jewelry, even the heirloom my grandmother gave *him* – he gave it all to Chloe Davis. “It feels so good to be deeply loved by someone you’ve known for twenty years~” The comment section was filled with blessings and users “shipping them.” Some unhappily married women even complained about their poor husbands, saying how envious they were. This was her relationship account. Chloe Davis was the daughter of the Sterling family’s housekeeper, who later studied abroad. Leo Sterling had hidden this relationship and relentlessly pursued me for three years. After my parents died, he was the only one who truly cared for me, spoiling me like New York’s top princess. It turned out these were all things he had already done for Chloe Davis. The next second, Chloe sent me a message. “Seraphina, did your surgery hurt? Leo’s first time with me was also very painful.” With that, she sent me a photo: a bedsheet stained with blood spots. “Seraphina, Leo wants me to have his baby. He can’t bear for me to suffer, so who do you think he’ll make carry it?” I was engulfed by overwhelming fear. At that moment, I was chained to the hospital bed by tubes, watching helplessly as a doctor approached me with an 8-inch-long needle. “What are you doing?! Don’t come any closer!” I couldn’t break free and resignedly closed my eyes. “Whose orders?” “I’m sorry, Miss Maxwell, I can’t disclose that.” The Sterling Group was the largest shareholder of this hospital, known for its compassionate patient care. Who else but Leo Sterling could make them so callously harm me? The doctor didn’t use anesthesia, and my screams echoed throughout the hallway. After the procedure, I was completely drained from the pain. I touched the life within my womb that wasn’t mine and cried inconsolably. When Leo Sterling and I first became a couple, he knew I loved children. The first thing he did was donate eight million dollars in my name to an orphanage. He watched me play with the children at the orphanage, then crouched down and gently asked if I wanted to adopt one. I, foolishly shaking my head, hugged him and whispered in his ear, “Leo, I only want to have *your* children.” That night, he made passionate love to me, telling me he wanted me to bear a whole soccer team’s worth of kids for him. But he stopped at the last moment, saying he couldn’t bear to see me suffer the pains of childbirth. It turns out he wasn’t afraid of *my* suffering. He just didn’t want *my* children. I was so incredibly foolish. Just then, Leo Sterling walked in, carrying a bowl of porridge. I threw everything I could reach at him!

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My fiancé’s first love developed amnesia, fiercely clinging to the delusional belief that she and Dominic had never broken up. The first time, she crashed my birthday party, smashing cake into my face and screaming I was a homewrecker. The second time, she took a baseball bat and utterly destroyed the wedding apartment I’d poured my heart into decorating. The third time, at Dominic’s and my wedding, she broke through security, brandishing a knife, and left me severely wounded. I lifted my bleeding hand, trembling as I dialed 911, but Dominic snatched the phone away and hung up. I thought he was going to tell me to just endure it, again. The next second, hatred burned in his eyes as he strode towards Seraphina, grabbing her by the throat and dragging her out. “If you’re sick, then go to a mental institution and stay there! Don’t you dare think about coming out, ever!” A suffocating knot of dread finally loosened in my chest, and I closed my eyes, succumbing to unconsciousness. When I woke again, I searched the hospital room for him, but instead, my phone screen lit up. My finger instinctively tapped the video. Two naked bodies were intimately entwined on a bed. Seraphina fiercely bit into Dominic’s shoulder, “I don’t care, you’re mine, forever.” “Even if I’m done with you, no one else gets to have you!” Dominic said nothing, but his body answered her possessive declaration with an even fiercer, deeper thrust. *CRASH!* My phone slipped from my numb fingers, hitting the floor with a loud thud. Since you chose her, then we’re over.

The intimate sounds and whispered dialogue from my phone continued. After pleasured moans, Seraphina’s triumphant voice purred, “If Scarlett knew your idea of revenge was just ‘punishing’ me fiercely in bed, do you think she’d still…” “Shut up!” Dominic cut her off coldly. “I’ll never let her find out, and I’m certainly not breaking up with her.” He grabbed her by the neck again, a heavy warning glinting in his eyes. “If you dare lay another hand on her, don’t blame me for exposing your lie about faking illness and making sure you spend the rest of your life in a mental institution!” But Seraphina ignored his threat, her teasing hand boldly reaching out to grasp his throbbing erection. “I don’t believe you could ever be that cruel to me.” Dominic was about to say more, but her warm lips covered his, silencing him completely. Once again, intimate sounds flooded my ears. It was a long time after their intimate exchange on the phone finally ended before I could regain my composure. He knew all along she was faking her illness, yet he repeatedly indulged her, letting her hurt me, all to reminisce about their past love. I raised a hand to wipe away my tears, then picked up my phone and found Dominic’s contact icon. I’d just finished typing my breakup message and hit send when the hospital room door swung open. Dominic walked in, carrying a food container. He scooped out a bowl of porridge and handed it to me, saying guiltily, “I’ve already sent her to a mental institution and disciplined her severely for you.” I gazed at the large, suggestive red marks on his exposed neck, a cold sneer forming in my heart. A “mental ward” that looked more like a luxury penthouse, and that “punishment” that sounded suspiciously like heated passion. His “discipline” for her was certainly unique… and utterly brutal, in a way I hadn’t anticipated. When he saw the breakup message I’d sent on my phone, Dominic’s face instantly tensed. “Scarlett, Seraphina and I are long in the past. You are the only one I love now.” “In seven days, I’ll organize another wedding for you.” Dominic leaned down and placed a kiss on my forehead. “I promise you, she will never again appear to ruin our happiness.” His eyes held that deep affection that had captivated me countless times before, but now, I saw only hypocrisy and profound disgust. I looked at him, shaking my head bitterly. “It’s over. We should just break up.” “No!” Dominic possessively pulled me into his arms. “Scarlett, trust me. Just give me one more chance.” “This time, I promise I’ll completely cut ties with her. I won’t let her hurt you ever again.” Dominic leaned down to kiss my lips, but before he could, the sudden ring of his phone interrupted him. “What?! She jumped?!” The next second, Dominic bolted out the door in a panic, without even a word to me. The hospital room door swung open and bounced back, closing with a violent thud that shattered the last shred of hope I had for him. My heart plummeted seeing the contact name flash across the screen: “My Darling Seraphina.” Tears gushed out of my eyes. Watching his retreating back, I whispered softly, Goodbye, to the five years of my misplaced heart.

Looking down, I caught sight of a spreading crimson stain on my shirt, realizing with alarm that my wound had reopened. I urgently pressed the call button. After a long wait, no doctor came. Forcing myself out of bed despite the pain to find help, I was violently slammed into and knocked down just as I stepped out the door. “Sorry, I’m in a hurry. Please move.” That familiar deep voice reached my ears, and I abruptly looked up. I saw a panicked Dominic, tightly holding Seraphina, rushing to the emergency room. A crowd of doctors and nurses followed close behind them. I heard one of them grumbling as they ran: “It’s just a simple sprain, yet she’s acting like her leg is actually broken. Mr. Blackwood is far too concerned about this woman, isn’t he?” “I heard she stabbed Mr. Blackwood’s fiancée, leaving her severely wounded, and faced no repercussions. That’s not just concern; he dotes on her like she’s the most precious thing in the world.” Listening to the whispers, and seeing the large crimson stain on the pristine white floor beneath my feet, a dull ache pulsed deep within my heart. I curled my lips in a self-deprecating sneer. I, his current fiancée, couldn’t even compare to a single toe of his ex. What a cruel irony. Dragging my broken body and spirit, I returned to my room. I grabbed the gauze from the bedside table and, with my one good hand, struggled to bandage myself. Later that night, half-asleep, I was suddenly yanked out of bed. Dominic, looking frantic, pulled me, urging me towards the door. “Scarlett, you have a knack for massages. Go help Seraphina with her ankle.” “She’s in so much pain, she can’t even sleep.” *BOOM!* My brain exploded in that instant. I stared at Dominic, my eyes wide with disbelief. “Dominic, I am your fiancée! You abandoned me to save another woman, and now you want me to massage her?!” I tore myself free from his grip, screaming my questions at him. “How could you possibly do this?!” Seraphina’s knife wound was just one millimeter from my heart. Even the doctors said if I’d been brought in a moment later, I wouldn’t have made it. Just now, you violently knocked me down in the hallway, and my already life-threatening wound had torn even wider. Excruciating, bone-deep pain threatened to swallow me whole. But he ignored it, his eyes only seeing his ex, who merely sprained her ankle jumping from a waist-high window ledge. “I…” The man who was always so aloof and dignified in my presence, his usually composed face showed a rare stiffness. He pleaded softly, “But she was provoked by you, which made her jump and get hurt. Isn’t it only right to help treat her?” I immediately retorted, “You provoked her, not me!” His heart still belonged to his ex, yet he came to provoke me. He indulged her in repeatedly hurting me, yet swore I was the one he loved most. I looked at Dominic, my voice cold. “Stabbed by someone and then expected to treat them? I, Scarlett Hayes, am not some doormat!” Dominic was stunned speechless again. A flicker of displeasure crossed his eyes as he turned away and pulled out his phone. “Hello? Get that renowned specialist from New York to our city, *now*!” He hung up, then cast a cold glance my way. “I never thought you’d be so heartless. I truly misjudged you!” With that, Dominic once again rushed out of my hospital room. As if to punish my ruthlessness towards Seraphina, Dominic didn’t appear again for several days, nor did he send any messages. While struggling to cope alone, I kept hearing from others about his preferential care for Seraphina. “Did you hear? That woman with the sprained ankle is already well, but Mr. Blackwood insisted on flying in the most famous doctor by private helicopter to treat her, saying he was worried she might be permanently disabled.” Another person shook their head, sighing, “Talk about chalk and cheese, huh? The patient in Room 3, Bed 4, whose heart was almost pierced, her fiancé reportedly hasn’t even bothered to visit once.” She then glanced at me, lying in my hospital bed, her eyes a mix of pity and mockery. Even though I repeatedly told myself that Dominic and I were over, facing those strange glances, my heart still couldn’t help but ache. To escape the gossip, I leaned on my crutches, alone, and made my way to the hospital lawn downstairs. After soaking in the sun for a while, I got up and headed back to my room. Suddenly, I heard a shout of alarm. “Look! Someone’s going to jump!”

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The apartment building was on fire in the middle of the night. My first instinct was to rush and save my boyfriend, Julian. Even with extensive burns all over my body, I gritted my teeth and dragged him out. But then, after my skin graft surgery, I saw Julian on TV, telling reporters: “My girlfriend tried to set me on fire! I’m calling the police!” He even produced surveillance footage of me pouring gasoline, clearly preparing to start a fire. I was utterly defenseless, branded a murderer. When I confronted him at his place, I found Julian secretly involved with my best friend, Serena. “Didn’t you say? Once she’s in prison, no one will ever expose your secret as the fake heiress.” “But only the mouths of the dead stay sealed.” “Whether you’re with the Albrights or with me, you’ll always be the pampered princess.” In a panic, I tried to escape, but they caught me and pushed me down the stairs together. In my last moments, I finally understood. Julian’s efforts to get close to me were all to help the fake heiress clear her path. When I opened my eyes again, Julian was calling me, screaming for help from the fire. I ignored him. Instead, I scrolled through his buddies’ contacts and found the one with the hottest body. “Date? I like guys with eight-pack abs.”

Leo, Julian’s usually quiet friend in the SnapChat group, immediately replied: “Sure, just don’t regret it.” A faint smirk played on my lips as I put down my phone. Gasps filled the air around me. “Fire! Iris, isn’t that Julian’s apartment building in that direction?” It was Serena, my “best friend” for years, the rich heiress. It took dying once in my past life to realize the truth. She was actually the daughter of their former housekeeper, and I was the real Albright heiress, swapped at birth. During a routine blood donation last time, she accidentally found out my true identity. Afraid that I’d return to the Albright family and pose a threat, she conspired with Julian to stage this whole charade. But this time, I wasn’t playing along. Serena urged me to get up and help, but I paid her no mind, instead focusing on doing my makeup in front of the mirror. I put on some killer makeup. Serena paced beside me, stomping her foot in frustration. “Your boyfriend just called, asking you to help with the fire. Why aren’t you going?” “If you’re late and something happens to him, you’ll regret it!” I couldn’t help but scoff. “My boyfriend, and I’m not worried. Why are you?” “If he can call me, he can surely call 911.” “Besides, if the fire really takes hold, what can a young woman like me do?” “If Julian truly loved me, he wouldn’t want me to get in the way.” I continued leisurely applying my makeup. Serena was furious. “Iris Albright! How can you be so cold-blooded and heartless?” “If you’re not going, I will! You’re so callous, I don’t want a friend like you anymore!” She fumed, then turned and stormed away. My phone vibrated incessantly. I picked it up and saw the SnapChat group was in an uproar. It was a private group I’d specifically made with Julian’s friends, excluding him. Ten minutes ago, my “Date?” message had sent the small group into a frenzy. “Hey, look at me! I’m stronger than Julian!” “I’m a hottie, Iris, date me!” Julian’s friends had always been flirting with me. They acted like Julian’s buddies on the surface. But their eyes held a knowing look every time they looked at me. Last time, I overheard them talking in a private lounge. “Seriously, did you win the lottery or something? How did you manage to score a beauty like her?” “If you ever dump a stunner like this, remember to toss her our way.” “For years, you only had Serena in your heart. How did Iris suddenly catch your attention? Even if she’s a bit poor, her face is absolutely stunning, it’s hard not to like her…” Julian always just smiled and stayed silent, basking in their verbal adoration. Everyone knew his heart belonged only to Serena. They knew he would eventually kick me to the curb. Only I was kept in the dark. Including that fire, when I rushed in to save him. But he tried to trap me in the burning room. Even after I dragged him out, covered in burns myself, he still wanted me dead, pushing me down the stairs. This time, I would protect both my life and my identity, making sure no one could take them from me. Just as I was lost in thought, my phone buzzed twice. Leo sent a message: “I’m downstairs.” I sashayed downstairs, looking absolutely stunning. Walking out of the campus gate, I passed by the burning apartment building. The roadside was crowded with concerned bystanders, some frantically trying to put out the fire, others calling 911. My phone kept ringing – it was Julian. I simply pulled my gaze away, silenced the call, and headed off to my date with his friend. I was so stupid in my past life, rushing in to save him without a second thought. But if Julian truly loved me, why would he knowingly try to drag me into danger? After a satisfying meal and some fun, Leo drove me back. This time, Julian had to escape the blaze on his own, looking disheveled and covered in ash. As I returned, my eyes met Julian’s. His face was a mix of shock, surprise, and resentment. His friends were celebrating his narrow escape, and reporters swarmed him. “Excuse me, how did this fire start?” Julian pointed at me, accusingly, into the camera. “It was her.” “I saw it with my own eyes. She snuck in around midnight and poured gasoline nearby, clearly intending to set it on fire.”

Just as I expected. It was exactly like my past life. Julian not only publicly slandered me to reporters, accusing me of arson and attempted murder, but he’d also brought those reporters himself. In my past life, I couldn’t understand why Julian would say such a thing. My eyes red, I looked at him for a long time. “Julian, are you delirious from the smoke? How could I possibly set you on fire?” “I’m your girlfriend, and I’m covered in burns from saving you!” Back then, I had just returned from skin graft surgery. But Julian violently shoved me to the ground. “Don’t make excuses!” “You only got close to me for my money! You knew I had an apartment off-campus, and you wanted to kill me so all my assets would be yours!” My lips trembled, unable to utter a single word. I couldn’t comprehend how the sweet boyfriend I had yesterday could turn into such a monster. But my distraught appearance, to the reporters, looked like an admission of guilt. Now, Julian, just like in my past life, was accusing me of arson and attempted murder in front of the cameras. I remained completely calm. “I have an alibi.” I patted Leo’s shoulder. “If you don’t believe me, you can ask him. I was on a date with him when the fire started.” Julian’s friends stood there, mouths agape, speechless with shock. Some were even whispering: “Holy crap, is she playing that hard? Iris actually cheated on him!” “I told you, Big River, Leo’s family is way richer than yours. Even if she was after money, she wouldn’t pick you.” “But then again, it could be a crime of passion! You never know what’s in someone’s heart, right?” Julian’s expression froze. He hadn’t expected me to say that. His face darkened, and he stared at me intently. “I don’t know how you hooked up with my friend, but even if he’s covering for you, it doesn’t change the facts.” He clenched his fist, veins bulging on the back of his hand, and angrily declared: “I saw the fire with my own eyes. You set it.” I couldn’t help but scoff. “Don’t be ridiculous. If you saw it with your own eyes, why didn’t you stop it?” “Julian, even if you’re going to lie, at least try to make it logical.” I yawned lazily. “A full day of dating is quite tiring. I’m going home to sleep.” “Stop right there!” Julian grabbed my arm, a cold sneer on his face. “You think I don’t have proof?” Soon, Julian produced the surveillance video. Indeed, it showed a girl. In the dead of night, pouring gasoline and dropping an unextinguished cigarette butt. And the clothes the girl was wearing were identical to what I had on right now! Suddenly, I was the target of universal condemnation, harsh glares and accusations raining down on me. “Holy crap, it’s actually true! The surveillance video is right here, what more do you have to say for yourself?” “How could a young woman be so malicious?” “Exactly! Isn’t he your boyfriend? Even if he rejected your proposal, you shouldn’t resort to murder to silence him!” Julian, it turned out, had told the cameras earlier that I was not only after his money, but also retaliating because he’d recently postponed our wedding plans. Julian’s eyes welled up for the camera, as if deeply hurt by me. “Iris, if there’s anything you want, you can just tell me. If you want to break up with me and be with Leo, I wouldn’t stop you. Why did you have to try and kill me?” I broke out in goosebumps. What a performance! Hearing how ‘pitiful’ he was, the people around him started cursing me even more venomously, practically foaming at the mouth. My gaze fell on the surveillance video, and I suddenly spoke. “Since you’re all so convinced that I’m the one who committed arson and attempted murder—” “Why don’t you take a closer look? Is the person in that video really me?” They insisted it was me. The face was identical, and the clothes were exactly the same as mine. But I smiled. “That face is indeed identical to mine, and even the clothes are pretty much the same.” I zoomed in on the video, pointing to a specific detail. “But this woman in the video has six fingers. Are you sure that’s a real person?”

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Late at night, my boyfriend texted me, “My dad isn’t happy with you. Let’s break up.” Drunk, I went to beg for him back, making a scene all night. But when I woke up, his dad was lying next to me. The man opened his eyes, grinning at me. “Are you satisfied with me now?” I snapped, annoyed. I was woken up in the morning by a phone call. “Daisy Miller, are you out of your mind? You called me 108 times last night!” His familiar voice came through the receiver. My voice was already choked with tears. “Ryan King, you finally called me back.” “Daisy Miller, we’ve already broken up. My dad doesn’t like you. It’s better a clean break than prolonged pain. I’m not coming back.” “What’s wrong with me? I can change, okay? I’ll change until your dad is satisfied. You know I can’t live without you.” “Uh, but I just don’t have feelings for you anymore.” No feelings anymore. How do you get feelings back? I couldn’t help but cover my face and cry, but my hand landed on rock-hard abs. A deep voice rumbled from beneath me. “If you want to get back with him, you might be more convincing if you got off me first, don’t you think?” That’s when I realized I was sprawled on top of a handsome man. My brain totally froze. I still hadn’t figured out who this man was. Then Ryan King’s voice came from the other end of the phone. “Dad?”

Dad? The man beneath me was his dad? My drunken haze cleared instantly. I hung up the phone in a flash. “Not getting off yet?” The man’s eyes narrowed at me. “Right. Mr. King.” It was, after all, my first time meeting my boyfriend’s dad. I wanted to appear as well-behaved as possible. But then I remembered I wasn’t wearing any clothes, and my resolve deflated. He never mentioned having such a young and handsome dad! “Mr. King? So now you’re well-behaved?” “You weren’t so quiet when you were biting me last night.” Ah! I froze in utter shock. I scrambled off him immediately and frantically started getting dressed. He watched me the entire time. And waited with immense patience until I was fully dressed. Then he asked, “Are you Ryan King’s girlfriend?” “Ex… ex-girlfriend.” I corrected him. “Do you remember anything from last night?” “I forgot.” I stood rigidly by the bed, like a guilty child caught by a strict teacher. “Hm, how do you plan to handle this?” I don’t know. My world just crashed down. Yesterday, I heard Ryan King’s dad was sick, so I planned to show some initiative and visit him, hoping he’d persuade his son not to break up with me. I just had a few drinks. How did I end up causing such a huge disaster? “Uh, Mr. King, please get well soon. I’ll visit you another time.” He glanced at me, then summed it up with one sentence. “Got it. You don’t want to take responsibility.” “No! I mean…” I hung my head. “I was wrong.” He stood up and slowly, methodically dressed. Even though his back was to me, the lines of his back still made my face flush. “I’ll have the driver take you back. My flight is in an hour, so I’m a bit short on time…” “No need!” I quickly averted my gaze. Just as I was about to leave, my eyes caught sight of the torn condom wrappers in the trash can, which were pretty jarring. To destroy the evidence, I swiftly grabbed the trash bag, intending to make a quick escape. The moment I pulled the door open, I bumped right into Ryan King. “Daisy Miller? What are you doing in my dad’s room?”

When he stormed in, my face was bright red, and his dad had just pulled up his pants. My hands and feet instantly turned cold, and my back broke out in a sweat. So this is what it feels like to be caught red-handed. My mind raced. “I heard your dad was sick, so I came to visit.” Ryan King turned to look at his dad. “Dad, is she really here to see you? Or just to annoy you?” “Hm, she visited… and annoyed me.” His dad was smiling. Ryan King looked really angry. “Daisy Miller, I know you’ve been having a hard time lately, but causing a scene at someone else’s house after we broke up is just really off-putting.” “I know!” “If there’s nothing else, I’ll get going.” All I wanted to do now was escape. Just as I was about to leave, he called out to me again. “Wait, what’s that you’re holding?” “A trash bag.” I quickly hid the trash bag a little behind me. Ryan King looked exasperated again. “Daisy Miller, you don’t need to keep visiting my dad and taking out his trash and trying to curry favor. It’s all pointless.” “Honestly, I don’t want to hurt you, but I’m sorry. If only you were a little prettier.” Me? We’d dated for three years, and he’d always been so gentle with me, saying I was cute. Now he was complaining I wasn’t pretty enough? My anger flared instantly. I lifted the trash bag in my hand and dumped it over his head. “This trash bag is less full of garbage than you are!” “I came here to break up with you, and the reason is you can’t perform.” Ryan King was instantly triggered. “Who can’t perform? Explain yourself!” “Whatever!” Who cared what he said? I turned and walked away. “Wait, why are there condoms in this trash, and three of them?!” I was already at the door, but my heart still lurched. Had the truth finally been exposed? “Dad, did you bring a woman home, and use the condoms I bought?!”

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After giving birth to her son, my sister eloped with my rich boyfriend, Julian Vance. Furious, and relying on our identical faces, I knocked on David Miller’s bedroom door. I swore to torment her husband and son in her place. Ten years later, my sister returned. She saw her son, Leo, healthy and thriving, thanks to me. And David Miller’s booming business. She sneered, “I’m giving your boyfriend back to you. It’s time you returned the family you stole from me.” By then, my rich ex-boyfriend Julian Vance had long gone bankrupt. “Refuse, and I’ll tell everyone about your dirty secret of seducing your brother-in-law!” I gritted my teeth and accepted it. That night, I booked a flight, and a taxi sped through the streets. But David Miller, in the back seat, pulled me onto his lap: “I’m way more capable than that rich boy. Care to find out?” When my sister eloped with my rich boyfriend, Julian Vance, she even sent me an intimate photo of them: [Goodbye, little sister. You couldn’t win against me when we were kids, and you can only admit defeat now that we’re grown up.] I was so angry. I looked at my reflection in the mirror, my identical face to my twin sister. That very night, I knocked on David Miller’s door. If she dared to leave her husband and son in *my* city, then don’t blame me for making their lives hell! David Miller was a bit awkward with his wife’s sudden change in demeanor. But at that time, his business was struggling. He probably thought his wife disliked him for not making enough money, so she had a right to be mad. He became even more humble towards me. Every time I reprimanded or even hit him, he would just silently lower his head, promising to give me a good life soon. I knew my brother-in-law was honest. But I never expected him to be so damn spineless. So I turned my attention to bullying her kid. The child was with me until he was three, truly seeing me as his mother. But this mother was very strict. I didn’t give him food or drink, and sometimes I cursed at him. Every time, he would purse his lips, little hands clutching his shirt, looking at me with teary eyes. He’d timidly say, “Mommy, please don’t be angry… Leo will just go to his room by himself. Mommy, please don’t get sick from anger.” …This father and son were exactly alike in their honesty and spinelessness. Until I went to pick him up from kindergarten and saw a group of kids surrounding him, punching and kicking. I completely lost my composure. Only *I* can bully *my* son! And I haven’t even hit him like that myself! I immediately stormed into the principal’s office. The ringleader was the only son of a powerful local CEO. The principal told me to tolerate it, not to make a fuss. I walked right up and slapped that CEO across the face. David Miller apologized to the CEO for a long time; his humble demeanor made my blood boil. I forced the CEO to pay for Leo’s medical expenses, then grabbed the father and son and turned to leave. On the way back, David Miller seemed about to say something, then didn’t. I gave him an annoyed sideways glance: “What? Think I was too impulsive?” “Cough…” He awkwardly cleared his throat: “N-not exactly…” “Then shut up!” I snapped: “Either you make something of yourself so your son never gets bullied again. “Or *I’ll* step in. That’s better than our whole family being spineless!” I never expected David Miller to actually do it. Now, that CEO needs to send many gifts through intermediaries just to get an audience with David Miller. The Miller family truly made a name for themselves in New York. No one dared to bully little Leo anymore. After I stood up for him at the kindergarten that time, I looked at his frail body. I bit my lip, and even though David Miller was still in debt, I personally used my money to buy a lot of nutritional supplements: “Look how skinny you are! You deserve to be bullied! If you don’t eat up and get stronger, don’t call me Mom!” Under the supervision of me, his ‘stepmother,’ little Leo not only gained weight. His body fat percentage was also excellent. At ten years old, the child subtly developed muscles. Whether in terms of physical strength or social standing, no peer dared to lay a hand on him. Everything was perfect. Little Leo treated me as his mother. He’d boast to everyone about my heroic deeds of confronting the CEO in front of the principal. David Miller also treated me as his wife. After achieving success and fame, luxury goods were thrown into my hands without a care. Luxury cars and mansions were showered upon me without restraint. I, a woman who had never seen much money growing up, actually began to harbor the idea of “living like this for the rest of my life.” Until my sister returned. And pulled me out of my beautiful dream with my ‘husband.’

“Honestly, this decade of happiness? You stole every bit of it.” My sister sat opposite me, blowing a smoke ring into the air: “Even though I eloped with your boyfriend back then, my husband and son are still *my* husband and son. That doesn’t give you the right to turn around and take over my family.” She tapped off the cigarette ash: “I won’t pursue the matter of you stealing my things. Now, I’m giving Julian Vance back to you. “You give me back my husband and son.” I clenched my fists— Julian Vance had gone bankrupt a while ago. His financial situation was even tighter than David Miller’s back then. “Sister, you really know how to pick your moments. Stealing your sister’s boyfriend when your husband’s down and out, then coming back to be the rich wife after you’ve had your fill?” *CRASH!* The ashtray slammed to the floor by my feet. My sister lifted her chin: “Is that how you talk to your older sister? “And, Maya Summers, while I might have had a little something with your boyfriend, *you* seduced your brother-in-law and took over my son! “That’s *my* son, whom I just gave birth to! Don’t you think you’re utterly despicable and shameless? “Think about it, which is more disgusting and dirty!” My breath caught. She stood up, came over to me, and looked down on me: “If you dare refuse, I’ll spill all your dirty secrets. Then we’ll see who gets more hate, you or me.” I didn’t really care about getting criticized. Growing up, simply having enough to eat and drink was my only desire. Back when I was dating Julian Vance, didn’t everyone accuse me of only caring about money? I just thought of Leo. The sweet way that kid called me Mom. If this came out, what would he think? What would David Miller think? Taking a deep breath, I spoke: “Give me three days.” My sister frowned. “What for? Don’t I need to pack my bags? “Shouldn’t I clean up the traces I’ve left behind for you? “Don’t I need to write you a briefing about the changes these two have gone through in the last ten years?” My sister’s expression finally softened a bit. She let out a cold sneer: “If you dare to trick me, I promise you’ll regret it!”

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From childhood, I was fiercely protective of my sister. No one was allowed to hurt her. My uncle used to mock my sister, calling her ‘simple-minded,’ and even encouraged other kids to treat her like a dog, riding on her back. Without a second thought, I squeezed his son’s mouth open and force-fed him pesticide. “You love watching ‘idiots,’ huh? Well, now you’ll have one of your own to watch.” The old bachelor, taking advantage of the twilight quiet, tried to lure my sister into his room with hard candies. I grabbed the cleaver and, with one swift chop, severed his ‘sinful flesh.’ “That pathetic little thing, and he dared to eye my sister? It’s not even enough to get stuck in a dog’s teeth!” The villagers would scatter whenever they saw me, whispering behind my mother’s back that she’d birthed two daughters: one an idiot, the other a lunatic. My parents, terrified I’d cause another death, had no choice but to painfully commit me to an asylum. I was locked away for ten years. When I was finally released, Mom called me, sobbing. “Chloe, please, come to the hospital first. Your sister… she’s barely hanging on.” “Your brother-in-law, just to amuse his mistress, tied her in a dog kennel for three days and three nights. Her body was so mangled, there wasn’t a single unbitten patch of skin.” I said nothing. I hung up the phone, gripped a heavy iron bar, and rushed to the Sterling estate. When Derek Sterling and his mistress returned, I was stirring the meat in the pot, and I flashed them a smile. “Hungry? Dinner’s ready.”

“Oh, how impressive, the idiot can actually cook! I thought you only knew how to beg for scraps in the doghouse.” Vanessa Thorne pinched her nose and circled around me. Seeing no sign of suspicion on her face, a subtle smile played on my lips. It seemed ten years hadn’t changed how much my sister and I resembled each other. That saved me a lot of trouble. I pretended not to hear the sarcasm in Vanessa’s voice, smiling faintly. “After being bitten by the dogs and hospitalized, I feel like my brain’s gotten much sharper. I really have you to thank for that.” She looked at my docile demeanor and immediately let out a piercing laugh. “Derek, did you hear that? She’s actually thanking us for letting the dogs bite her. You married quite a wife, she’s absolutely hilarious!” Derek Sterling, hearing the taunt, struggled to maintain his expression. He eyed me with disgust. “She’s no Mrs. Sterling. Grandma was just sickly back then, and Lily was nothing but a prop to cheer her up, a temporary comfort.” “Vanessa, you know you’re the only one for me.” Derek clasped Vanessa’s hand tightly, his eyes filled with tender affection. Vanessa shot me a glance, her triumph practically overflowing. She purred, “Alright, I know, let’s try Lily’s cooking.” She inhaled the strange aroma and instinctively swallowed. Eagerly, she picked up her fork and speared a large piece of meat. Derek took a bite too, his eyes lighting up. He mumbled, “Can’t believe it, you fool, your cooking’s actually pretty good.” Watching them devour the meal, the smile on my lips widened. Before long, the entire pot of meat was completely empty. Vanessa rubbed her belly, satisfied. She scooped the remaining scraps into a bowl and handed it to me. “Here, take this good stuff to Lucky and Treasure.” Lucky and Treasure were Vanessa and Derek’s dogs, pampered like children for seven years. As I took the bowl, she suddenly snatched it back, pinching her nose in disgust. “You didn’t pee yourself again, did you? You reek.” “Forget it, I’ll feed them myself.” I looked down at the stains on my apron and clicked my tongue. Those two brutes were a handful. Took all my strength to get them settled, and now look, I’m covered in their mess. I wondered if this outfit would ever come clean. Lost in thought, a sudden shriek erupted from the backyard. Vanessa stumbled back inside, her eyes wide with terror. She clutched Derek’s sleeve, her face ashen. “Derek, the backyard’s covered in blood! Lucky and Treasure are gone!” Her voice was on the verge of tears. Derek frowned deeply, then turned to glare at me. “You’ve been home all this time, where are the dogs?” I touched my nose, a childish grin on my face. “Weren’t they what you just ate? You said it was delicious.” 2. At my words, Derek’s mind went blank, and then his stomach churned. Vanessa frantically gagged, practically retching bile. Her eyes bloodshot, she lunged at me. “You bitch, I’ll make you pay for this!” I stood my ground, unmoving, and silently counted to three. Soon, Vanessa and Derek collapsed to the floor, unconscious. I raised an eyebrow in satisfaction. The sedatives from the asylum worked like a charm. When they awoke again, they were bound tightly to chairs. I picked up a pair of scissors and walked straight to Vanessa. Her face contorted in fear as she shrieked, “Lily! What are you doing?!” I ignored her screams, and with a snip, I chopped off her proudly long hair, leaving it uneven and ugly. Vanessa struggled desperately, but in the end, she could only watch her hair fall, tears streaming down her face. I was simply giving her a taste of her own medicine, returning the favor for what she’d done to my sister. After her haircut, I grabbed a bucket of gasoline and poured a circle around them both. Derek’s eyes widened. “You fool, murder is a crime!” I paid him no mind, simply doused them both in the remaining gasoline. They instantly looked like drowned rats. Then, I smiled, a terrifying grin. “You two love playing games, don’t you? Well, today, I’ll play along.” The lighter clicked, igniting. Seeing that I wasn’t joking, Derek’s pupils constricted. He stammered, “Lily, let’s talk this through, don’t do anything rash.” I raised an eyebrow, a light laugh escaping my lips. “Alright, as long as you agree to two conditions.” “First, transfer five million into my account.” “Second, a divorce.” Lily’s body was a mess, she needed skin graft surgery, and the medical bills would be astronomical. The Sterling household was a living hell, a den of vipers. I had to get Lily out of there. Derek readily agreed to the first, but balked at divorce. “That’s impossible. My mother would never agree. She felt like she was dying back then, and marrying you was supposed to save her life.” “Without her blessing, I can’t divorce you.” I clicked my tongue in annoyance. These Sterlings were no good, and full of ridiculous rules. Derek, terrified I’d change my mind, immediately transferred five million into my account. As promised, I untied them. He slumped in the chair, letting out a relieved sigh. Suddenly, he sniffed himself, and his face instantly changed. “This is water.” I looked at him with a knowing smile. “What else would it be? You said it yourself, murder is a crime.” In my years at the asylum, I’d learned not to act impulsively. I wasn’t about to waste my life on scum like them. Derek’s forehead pulsed with anger, and his fists clenched, knuckles cracking. “You bitch.” I waved my phone, displaying their naked photos. “I advise you not to lose your temper. Sterling Enterprises is in its growth phase right now.” “If these photos get out, it won’t just be me who’s embarrassed.” Derek’s face flushed with fury, but he was helpless. Vanessa, just recovering from the shock of her hair being cut, saw the photos on my phone and completely broke down. “Bitch!” She grabbed the scissors from the table, looking ready to fight me to the death. But as soon as she took a step, a searing pain ripped through her stomach. The next second, Vanessa collapsed to the floor, screaming in agony. Watching her suffer, I feigned surprise and slapped my forehead. “Oops, I forgot to tell you.” “Besides sedatives, I also added abortifacients to that pot of dog meat stew.”

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The world plunged into a Great Freeze, but I had drawn three passes to a secure bunker. Orphaned and alone, I decided to give the passes to my girlfriend and my best friend. Yet, my girlfriend, Ronnie, wasn’t just ungrateful. While I slept, she stole my passes and sold them to a rich man. She teamed up with my friend, Liam, to abduct me, and the two of them started a relationship right in front of me. “You’re an orphan, but you’ve always had it easy, plus you’re an athlete – you might even survive out there!” “Liam is always sick, always getting picked on, and he couldn’t even get a single pass! It’s not fair! Just this once, let him have it!” I screamed and cried, begging Ronnie to at least untie me. But they pretended not to see, leaving me to suffer hypothermia, freezing to death in the desolate suburbs. Later, she leveraged Sterling’s gratitude – the rich man she’d ensnared. Not only did she survive the Great Freeze, but she became an influential figure in the new world, living a life of absolute luxury. Reborn into this life, I returned to the day I drew the passes. Seeing my girlfriend and friend’s eager eyes, tears instantly welled in mine. “I only drew one pass. What are we going to do?”

Heavy snow blocked the roads, and everyone shivered from the cold. Ronnie and Liam’s faces instantly turned pale when they saw the pass in my hand. “O-one? Honey, are you sure you’re not mistaken?” “How is one enough for us? We need at least two…” Ronnie started to speak, then hesitated, her eyes quickly darting to mine. Seeing my somber expression, a sigh of relief escaped her. Liam, on the other hand, burst into tears, leaning his head straight onto Ronnie’s shoulder. “What are we going to do? There’s only one, are we going to die?” He didn’t even try to hide it anymore, openly embracing Ronnie right in front of me. I lifted my gaze to my girlfriend’s flustered face, feigning ignorance. “Liam, you can’t be acting like this, no matter how upset you are. Ronnie is my girlfriend!” A flicker of impatience crossed Liam’s eyes. He was about to speak, but Ronnie quickly pushed him away. As long as I held a pass, she wouldn’t dare argue with me; she’d have to walk on eggshells and treat me like gold. Sure enough, Ronnie sighed, a helpless expression on her face. “You know Liam is timid and sensitive. He’s probably just scared.” “You’re always so disorganized. Just let me hold onto the pass for now, and we’ll figure things out properly when we get back.” I raised an eyebrow, tightening my grip on the pass. “Don’t worry, I’ve always listened to you, and I give you whatever you want.” “We’ve been together for so long, you’re the person I care about most. I’m definitely willing to give you the pass!” Ronnie beamed, nodding eagerly, gesturing for me to hand it over. But I turned my head to Liam, pretending not to see her. “We’re like brothers, and you’ve suffered so much since you were a kid. If it comes to dying, I’ll go with you.” “At least we’ll have each other for company, even in heaven.” Liam’s face instantly darkened. He shoved me away. “What are you talking about, dying?! I’m not dying!” “Ronnie, would you really use this pass yourself and just watch me die?!” “Didn’t you say…” He started to speak, then hesitated, his hand instinctively going to his stomach, his eyes wide with desperate expectation as he looked at Ronnie. Ronnie trembled with fear. She quickly forced a smile and said they’d talk about it when they got back. I feigned annoyance. “The bunker closes in three days. Stop wasting time, decide now!”

The cramped apartment was cluttered with junk. Ronnie, uncharacteristically, suggested she and Liam go take out the trash. In my previous life, I might not have seen through her intentions. She was clearly using the excuse of taking out the trash to quickly appease Liam. I sneered. Now with only one pass left, I was waiting for them to become enemies! I pulled out my phone and quickly added Sterling’s contact information. In my past life, I was too kind, always letting my guard down around them. Ronnie had just been laid off, and Liam hadn’t found a job after graduation. I was barely supporting all three of us on my meager salary. They weren’t grateful at all; they were so audacious that when the emergency supply advisory was issued, they immediately used all our savings to hoard supplies. When I lugged back over a dozen bags of supplies, breathless and exhausted, they wouldn’t even help. They just kept blaming me for wasting money. “We have three mouths to feed; how can you spend money so irrationally! You wasted all our money; how are we supposed to get through this month?!” “I haven’t even bought my suit yet! If this delays my interview, you’ll regret it!” Liam grumbled, not bothering to consider that he was spending *my* money. Ronnie rolled her eyes. “That’s what happens when you’ve always had it easy, never thinking about the consequences.” “I told him I wanted to buy a gaming keyboard this month; it was only a few thousand, and he wouldn’t buy it! Instead, he wasted money on this useless junk!” I was deeply hurt. For the first time, I lost my temper and argued with them. To salvage her ego, Ronnie pulled out Sterling’s contact info and flaunted it right in front of me. “If it weren’t for you, why would I compromise myself like this?” “Now that I’ve finally buttered him up, maybe Sterling will give me a leg up, and I’ll strike it rich soon!” “If even you look down on me and think I can’t do it, then I’ll jump off a building right now!” Ronnie looked so wronged that my heart broke. I apologized profusely, once again letting her manipulate me. But because of that, I remembered Sterling’s contact information. Seeing the “friend request accepted” notification, I felt a slight relief. When they returned, Liam had completely changed his slouchy demeanor. He took my hand and looked at Ronnie. “There’s only one pass left. I thought about it, and I think we should give it to Ronnie.” “You’re right, we’ll have each other for company, and we won’t be too lonely in the end.” I was a little surprised, not expecting Liam to be so generous. But I just smiled, not handing over the pass. “I need to think about it more. After all, I’m the one who drew it, so I have to be responsible for this ticket, and for both of you.” Ronnie immediately grew anxious. Just as I saw her about to snatch it, I looked at Liam. “I’m used to being so careless. Liam is more detail-oriented, so maybe he should keep it safe.” Now, both of them were stunned. Liam glanced at Ronnie, then cautiously took the pass. As night fell, the temperature plummeted. Ronnie had already bundled herself up. I stopped Liam, who was about to go find something to stay warm. “Liam, you deserve this pass more than Ronnie.”

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My boyfriend’s childhood friend, an acclaimed screenwriter, desperately needed a hit script to reclaim her former glory. So my boyfriend, who was also my therapist, handed her the story of my family’s murder. He didn’t tell me when the movie premiered. But I went anyway. On the big screen, my family of three, who were supposed to be the victims, were twisted into evil people who deserved their fate. The ruthless criminal, however, was painted as a pathetic figure, driven to crime by desperation. Watching my nightmare tear through the screen, I dug my nails deep into my palms until I felt the warm blood, biting my own skin just to stay conscious. When the movie ended, Scarlett ascended the stage to a wave of acclaim. With a smile, she linked arms with Liam and addressed the audience. “Everyone, this brilliant mind is not just the city’s top therapist—he’s the muse behind everything you just saw.” The hall erupted once more while the host praised them as a perfect match in talent and grace. Under Liam’s stunned gaze, I slowly raised my hand. “A question, if I may,” I said, “for the muse himself.”

Liam’s expression visibly froze. Clearly, he hadn’t expected me to show up. The panic in his eyes? I knew exactly what it meant. Two days ago, we’d planned a trip to a beach resort. But the day before we were supposed to leave, he claimed an urgent company matter came up. He apologized gently, “Audrey, wait for me, just one day. Go ahead without me, I’ll be right there as soon as I’m done.” I believed him. Until my best friend sent me a video, showing Liam and Scarlett appearing together at the movie premiere. Their intimacy was undeniable, like a couple. Forgetting all about the trip, I rushed over, only to see my family of three portrayed as villains in the film. It hit me then. He wasn’t busy; he just wanted to get rid of me. Liam’s eyes met mine, and he quickly looked away, unable to face me. So, he could be scared too. Scared of me knowing, scared of facing my anger. But he still did it, for Scarlett. A bitter laugh escaped my lips. “Dr. Liam, I’m just curious. The real-life inspiration you, as a therapist, provided to Screenwriter Scarlett for this creative project—where did it truly come from?” I wanted Liam’s explanation. To give him one last chance. Liam’s face went blank for a second. The next, he spoke calmly, “Just an old friend’s experience.” I froze for a few seconds, then let out a low laugh. Liam, I’m always too soft-hearted. Luckily, you’re far more ruthless than I am. I was so foolish. I already knew the answer, but I still wanted to hear how he would lie to me. Liam saw my eyes redden, and his tone was tinged with concern. “I…” Just then, Scarlett’s slightly sharp voice cut him off. “That’s an excellent question, young lady. It seems you’re a true enthusiast of our film. Why don’t I share a bit about Liam and my creative journey?” She launched into her story, oblivious. “The story in the movie was so heavy, I struggled to put pen to paper for a long time.” “Until I met Liam.” Her gaze shifted to Liam, her admiration thick and undeniable. “As a top-tier therapist, he dissected the innermost world of people suffering from PTSD for me. We explored the complexities of human nature, the boundaries of crime and punishment.” “He stayed up countless nights with me. Honestly, without him, this movie wouldn’t have its soul.” She finished, gazing at Liam with deep affection. Liam glanced at me, then immediately looked away as if burned, avoiding my eyes. But he still gave a stiff nod, playing along with Scarlett. Applause erupted from the audience, mixed with envious gasps. “Oh my God, they’re practically soulmates!” I quietly watched his face, a self-deprecating smile on my lips. I’d known Liam for six years, and we’d been together for four. Now, I was just an “old friend.” The scars I’d once confided in him were now discussed with Scarlett. He was using my pain to ingratiate himself with someone else.

When the applause died down a little, I calmed myself. ” ‘A deep dive into the human psyche.’ What a compelling tagline.” “But for Dr. Liam, a professional therapist, to provide a patient’s privacy as material to someone else…” I paused, my voice turning cold. “How does that align with your ethical oath?” As soon as the words left my mouth, the audience, who’d been shipping them just moments before, shifted uneasily. Right, leaking patient privacy—that’s a cardinal sin for a therapist! Reporters reacted quickly, their cameras and microphones zeroing in on Liam on stage. “Dr. Liam, is what this young lady said true?” “Did you really leak a patient’s privacy to Screenwriter Scarlett to use as script material?” Liam panicked, waving his hands frantically, his voice strained. “No! It’s not true! Everyone’s misunderstood, this isn’t a patient’s privacy!” Scarlett immediately jumped in, her voice tinged with grievance. “Our film is based on a real social event; how could it be a patient’s privacy? This young lady must have misunderstood something.” “Oh? Based on a real event?” I smiled. “Then, Screenwriter Scarlett, can you tell everyone where you learned about this ‘real event’?” Back then, due to a mistake by the involved officers, the killer almost escaped. Because of that, the case was hushed up, never reported. Aside from Liam as the source, Scarlett wouldn’t have known. Scarlett’s expression faltered, and she fell silent. She couldn’t say she heard it from Liam, because that would confirm his breach of confidentiality. She could only glare at me ominously. The air grew thick. Scarlett looked pleadingly at Liam. He gave me a deep look, as if making a decision. “The person involved was an old friend of mine. She didn’t want it mentioned again, so I originally didn’t want to say much.” “But since this young lady is so insistent, I’ll explain clearly.” My heart sank. He instinctively chose to protect Scarlett. I was utterly crushed. “My old friend knew the mistakes her parents had made. For years, she carried immense moral pressure and developed severe depression because of it.” “She came to me and confided everything, begging me to find a way to make this public, to warn the world, as an act of atonement for the victims.” He paused, his voice rising a few notches, imbued with a righteous indignation. “So, this is not a breach of confidentiality.” “Scarlett and I are simply helping a poor girl complete her journey of self-redemption.” I stared at Liam, speechless. My heart ached, a pain so intense it almost suffocated me. After my parents’ brutal deaths, I got sick. Depression. Living felt more painful than dying. I’d swallowed sleeping pills, cut my wrists, and stared down from rooftops countless times. Each time, someone pulled me back. Until, after one stomach pump, the doctor couldn’t bear it anymore and called in Liam. He told me I was a survivor, not a criminal. That some people in life are like gifts. With his companionship, I slowly healed. And now, his face had become as repulsive as the killer’s back then. I fought back tears, my voice trembling slightly. “Liam, you truly have no heart.” “So righteous, you’ve made yourself out to be a great hero.” I let out a sudden, hoarse laugh. “But you’ve twisted the truth, inverted right and wrong. When you wake up in the middle of the night, won’t your conscience eat you alive?!”

The crowd grew noisy. “What does she mean by that? Is she saying the movie is maliciously whitewashing a criminal?” “The portrayal of the criminal in the movie did feel uncomfortable.” “Yeah, and the victims were so stereotypical, like the ‘victim blaming’ kind of narrative…” Scarlett heard the murmurs, a flicker of panic in her eyes, and she tightened her grip on Liam’s arm. Seeing this, Liam’s eyes darkened. “Audrey! Do you have to cause a scene in public?!” “Your parents’ incident happened so many years ago. Why can’t you just let it go? Why do you insist on not letting them rest in peace even after death?!” I looked up at him sharply. The way he looked at me—disappointed, angry, and even a hint of resentment. Only the tenderness and care from before were gone. I felt a little dazed. All those years, I’d seen him as my salvation. He’d told me, in his most gentle voice, over and over. “Audrey, don’t be afraid, I’m here.” “Audrey, look, the sun is out. Let’s go sunbathe together, I’ll read you poetry.” I vaguely reached up and touched my face. The bitterness I’d suppressed for too long now coalesced into tears, streaming down my face. Liam saw my tears and froze for a few seconds, a flicker of remorse crossing his face. He instinctively raised his hand, as if to wipe away my tears like countless times before. But then he realized we were too far apart. He was on the stage, bathed in the spotlight; I was in the audience, isolated and alone. He awkwardly lowered his hand. Across the noisy crowd, his lips moved, and I heard him clearly. “Audrey, don’t make a scene. We’ll talk about this at home.” After my entire family had been nailed to a pillar of shame by him and Scarlett. What home was there left for us? I scoffed, curling my lips, and walked step by step onto the stage, addressing Liam. “My parents were slandered as criminals who got what they deserved. You’re the ones not letting them rest in peace! Liam, if it were you, could you let it go?” He opened his mouth, his Adam’s apple bobbing with difficulty. He spoke, his voice hoarse, “Audrey, I did it for your own good. Your parents’ story needs more attention, it needs the truth.” Absurd. A short, bitter laugh escaped my throat. “The truth?” “The truth that romanticizes crime and criminals while stepping all over the victims?” “Or the truth where my parents are demonized, my father became an exploitative boss, my mother a homewrecker who stole a husband, and I, a cruel girl who bullied classmates?” My voice suddenly rose. “Liam, how does it feel to feed off our pain?!” The atmosphere around us solidified. Liam’s trembling voice broke the silence. “Audrey, that’s not what I meant. I just got agitated for a moment.” His eyes reddened, as if he truly regretted it. But the next second, he urgently said, “But this movie is very important to Scarlett; it can’t go wrong. Audrey, just back down for now, okay?” “After this, we’ll get married.” I slowly looked up at him, hot tears streaming from the corners of my eyes. But I laughed, my whole body trembling. “Back down? How can I back down?! You know how much pain I’ve been in for the past six years, you know all of it!” Liam heard my laughter, and his tone grew impatient. “Then what exactly do you want?” “Do you want to ruin my career, destroy Scarlett’s most important work, just to be satisfied?” His eyes were filled with disappointment. “When did you become so unreasonable?” I stood frozen. Looking at that face that once brought me so much comfort, I suddenly found it terrifyingly unfamiliar. “In your mind, her slandering my life is called ‘artwork’?” “And I, the victim you’re trampling and exploiting to the bone, am the criminal?” My questions made his face even uglier. He avoided my gaze, no longer daring to look into my eyes. Seeing this, Scarlett frowned, her tone scornful. “Ms. Shaw, why are your words so unpleasant? Liam and I are giving this issue more discussion; we’re documenting it with a film.” A flash of malice darted in her eyes. “Anyone who didn’t know better would think you’re that daughter who bullied her classmate and drove someone to suicide.” So, Scarlett knew everything. She just wanted me to admit my identity and humiliate me publicly.

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I caught my twin sister having an affair with a married man in our bedroom, using “tutoring” as their cover. My scream caught my parents’ attention. In the panicked rush that followed, my mother packed our lives and moved us out. My sister, Mia, coldly cut all ties and sailed into an elite university. But her betrayal was just beginning. At a party, she teamed up with that same man. They poisoned my drink and sold me to a deranged butcher on a remote farm. There, I met my end under relentless torture. When I opened my eyes, I was back to the day I caught my sister cheating. This time, I closed the door gently and walked away. I stood outside the door, holding my breath, my body rigid. Suddenly, my limbs felt weak, and a terrible headache pulsed through me. I instinctively touched my arms and legs. They were still there. But they were supposed to be… “You try to run, I’ll beat you to death.” Deep in the woods, chained up, there was no escape. The bull-like killer glowered, his eyes promising pain. He hoisted my body onto the meat hook, then set about punching and kicking me with savage, measured force. Then, he branded me with a searing red-hot iron, the sizzle echoing in the air. He smashed a hammer against my joints, collarbone, and ribs. My charred skin hung loosely over my shattered bones. Years of constant beatings had left my bones as brittle as rotten firewood. To prevent my escape, he even pierced my feet with long nails. Later, he cut a slice of meat from my body every day. The killer’s knife skills were precise; with each swift cut, the slices were as thin as a cicada’s wing. Even my fingernails were neatly shaved off. My soul left my body, and the crescent moon hung lonely in the sky, a mix of mockery and pity. “Lainey! What are you doing? Get down here and do your chores! Always slacking off. I regret wasting all that money to save you!” A woman’s roar snapped me out of my thoughts. I realized I had reborn. Looking at Mia, flushed and panting slightly in the bedroom, how could I possibly bear to ruin her fun?

“Is your sister’s laundry done?” “Are your dad’s shoes polished?” “Are my clothes ironed?!” The woman speaking was Brenda, the woman I’d called Mom for over a decade in my previous life. I whispered, “No, none of it.” “Look at your sister, she’s tutoring on a holiday. What about you?” Brenda was already at the stairwell. It was exactly like this in my last life. Seeing the scene inside, I screamed, and they were caught red-handed in their panic. Brenda went ballistic, moving the entire family out that very night. Mia cried, vowing never to contact the married man again and promising to focus on her studies. Later, she even thanked me in front of Mom and Dad for “pulling her back from the brink.” After that, she went back to being the good girl in everyone’s eyes, smoothly getting into a top-tier university, as if nothing had happened. After her graduation party, she took me out to karaoke. After a glass of orange juice, Mia sneered, “Do you know? You ruined my love life.” Dazed, the married man’s figure swayed before my eyes. Mia and the married man exchanged a knowing nod and a chilling smile. I became the hotpot meat and handmade sausage on their dinner table… And her? She continued her affair with the married man in college, spreading rumors that I had run off with some random guy. Brenda would tell anyone who’d listen that I brought it all on myself, that it was my fate. Thinking of all this, I clenched my fists and carefully slipped away. Leaving Mia and the married man to continue their “tutoring session.” “Okay, okay, I’m coming right down.”

Mia, at seventeen or eighteen, certainly had endless energy. I finished all the chores, and they were still at it. “With Mia’s drive, I bet she’ll get into an Ivy League school,” Brenda beamed, her face alight with pride. Richard looked up from his newspaper, a look of satisfaction on his face. Then he saw me, just finished with chores, and his expression turned to disgust. “You good-for-nothing idiot, no one will even hire you to clean when you’re older.” In our house, grades decided everything. Richard was the valedictorian of his county, and Brenda was a straight-A student too. Unfortunately, I was the one with bad grades, a typical underachiever. Even more unfortunately, Mia inherited their genes and was also a typical academic overachiever. All suffering stems from comparison. But when the object of comparison is another child, that suffering turns into mockery and bottomless favoritism. When Mia made a mistake, Brenda and Richard would always say, “It’s fine, it’s fine, as long as her grades are good.” When an elderly neighbor fell, I helped her to the hospital. When the neighbor wanted to send a commendation to the school, thinking it might boost grades, they said it was Mia who took the elderly woman to the hospital. “With your grades, even an extra 100 points wouldn’t help. Your sister is different.” Mia wanted to take harp lessons, and they’d say, “Mia has such refined tastes, a true lady.” I wanted to take hip-hop dance classes, and they’d say, “You’re too young to be learning such bad things, not even wearing your pants properly, what kind of dancing is that? It’s practically hooliganism!” In my previous life, I always argued back, always did the opposite. I just had bad grades, but I hadn’t done anything wrong. Why was it that only Mia, with her good grades, could rightfully and naturally enjoy all their favoritism? Yes, those who are favored always feel entitled. This time, before they could even open their mouths, I spoke up. “Mom, from now on, let me do all the chores around the house. Sister needs to get into a top university; we can’t let anything distract her.” Brenda, who was about to continue scolding me, just pursed her lips when she heard this, coldly tossing out, “Everyone has their own destiny. Good luck to you. Sigh, if only we had just Mia.” In my previous life, every time she said that, I’d snap back, “Then don’t have me!” But now, I didn’t want to say a single word. In my current position, angering her would do me no good. I knew, having a second chance, I wouldn’t let myself be a pawn again.

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It was Vicky’s birthday, and I decided to play a little prank. I gave her a gag lottery ticket, guaranteed to win a hundred million dollars. She scratched it open, ecstatic. The very first thing she did was call her male best friend. “Chad! I hit the jackpot! Come over, quick!” “I always said I’d take care of you if I ever got rich!” My gut twisted. I opened my mouth to say it wasn’t real. But then she whirled around, pointing at me, her voice sharp. “We’ve been married for five years, and I realize you don’t understand me at all. I’ve been thinking, let’s just get a divorce.” “Look at Chad. He sent me 999 roses first thing this morning for my birthday. That’s the kind of tenderness and romance I want!” I stood there for a long time, stunned. I put away the real presents I’d prepared for her – a luxury car and a mansion. Was she really so convinced she’d won a hundred million that she wanted to ditch me? Fine. She shouldn’t be surprised by what happens next. …… My brows furrowed. “Are you saying I’m not good enough compared to Chad Hayes?” My wife, Vicky Sterling, froze, probably surprised I was so direct. She looked at me, then carefully tucked the lottery ticket into her purse. She scoffed. “Yes.” “Chad and I have been childhood sweethearts. He’s always been the most important person in my life!” “If you hadn’t tempted my parents with a seven-figure sum back then, do you really think I would’ve agreed to marry you?” It all clicked. Chad Hayes was Vicky’s male best friend. Ever since he came back to town, he’d been constantly lurking around. He was at every birthday party, every weekend shopping trip. He was even at our house when I was away on business. I’d told Vicky countless times how much I hated it. But every time, she’d shoot back, “We have a pure friendship! Why are you so petty and jealous? It’s so annoying when you get like this!” I could never find concrete proof, so I just bit my tongue. I never intended anything beyond a simple joke. The plan was to let her get a little upset before surprising her with the real presents, like the luxury car and house deed. But I never expected that a fake lottery ticket would blow open her true feelings. Male best friend? Pure friendship? It was all a lie. Seeing me silent, her voice dripped with sarcasm. “Now I see things clearly. I don’t want to keep deceiving myself. Let’s go get a divorce today.” “Considering all the years I’ve busted my ass for you, I’ll let you keep this house.” I just found it amusing. I blurted out, “I bought the ticket. Even if it were real, you wouldn’t get to hog it all to yourself, would you?” Hearing that, she clutched her purse tightly and took two steps back, her voice shrill. “Alex Thorne! Are you even a man anymore?!” “You don’t just take back what you’ve given away!” Just then, Chad Hayes, her so-called best friend, rushed in. Vicky saw him and immediately threw herself into his arms. “Chad!” Chad had already heard about Vicky winning a hundred million on the phone. He’d probably also overheard our conversation. He quickly pulled Vicky close, shielding her. “Vicky, give me the ticket. I’ll go cash it in.” “That way, he can’t use marital assets to force you to split it with him.” Vicky nodded frantically. “You’re so thoughtful, Chad! Don’t worry, I’ll divorce him today!” Their voices grew louder, as if afraid I wouldn’t hear. I was trembling with rage. “Vicky Sterling, are you really going to divorce me over a bunch of roses and a lottery ticket?” Chad lifted his chin, sneering. “What’s wrong with roses?” “It’s better than that cheap trinket you gave her last year, right?” “Alex Thorne, Vicky’s not the same woman anymore. You’re a low-class jerk, you don’t deserve her!” I remembered. Last year for her birthday, I’d given her a vintage diamond bracelet. It had cost me over three million dollars, and I’d pulled a lot of strings to get it. Vicky had smiled so sweetly then, saying she loved it, but behind my back, she called it a cheap trinket. This year, to give Vicky an even better life, I’d pulled countless all-nighters, making my company’s business skyrocket. As soon as I closed a deal worth over a hundred million in overseas orders, I immediately ordered her a supercar and a mansion. Now, it seemed, there was no need. I took a deep breath. “Vicky Sterling, you just said you wanted a divorce, right?” “Fine! I agree!”

Everyone froze, including Vicky. She probably thought I’d back down, swallow my pride, and beg for reconciliation like before. “You said it yourself! Everyone here is a witness!” Vicky’s voice had a hint of excitement. Chad leaned in, his smile barely contained. “At least you know your place! Once Vicky and I cash in the prize, we’re getting married right away!” “Vicky! I’m going to give you a wedding of the century! The kind that makes every woman in the world jealous!” Vicky looked at him, her eyes red, tears of gratitude welling up. I just found it amusing. A man using her supposed winnings to give her a “wedding of the century.” And she actually thought he was making a sacrifice for her. I shoved Chad, who was blocking my way. “Get lost.” Then I walked toward the door. “Aren’t you divorcing me? Let’s go right now.” Vicky instantly exploded in anger. She quickly helped the stumbling Chad. “Alex Thorne, how dare you push Chad? Apologize to him, now!” Chad regained his balance and yelled at me, “Who do you think you are?!” “Everyone knows you’ve been living off Vicky’s import-export company all these years. If you really get divorced, you’ll starve!” “With your measly skills, you’re nothing without Vicky!” Actually, the company was mine. For years, I’d made her a CEO just to humor her. Truth was, she was almost never at the office. Her executive presence was strictly for public display. She was so out of the loop, she had no clue I’d just landed a multimillion-dollar contract. But now, none of that mattered anymore. I looked at Vicky, enunciating each word. “Aren’t you coming? Are you afraid I’ll change my mind?” She glared at me fiercely, then patted her purse. “Hmph! Fine, let’s go!” “Once I’m a hundred-millionaire, I’ll buy your pathetic company! Then we’ll see you begging me on your knees!” To make sure everyone witnessed their “love,” they even called a bunch of their trashy friends. This crowd loved clubbing and gossiping. I’d told Vicky countless times to stay away from them. Vicky always agreed, but it turned out she’d been hanging out with them closely in secret. As soon as they saw me, they started whistling. “Look, if it isn’t Vicky’s little simp? What, did she dump him today?” “Vicky and Chad were always meant to be. If you hadn’t shamelessly forced your way in, they would’ve been together ages ago!” “Hah! You actually thought Vicky didn’t want to get pregnant and lose her figure? She just didn’t want your baby!” So that was it. Vicky, her face cold, openly linked arms with Chad and walked into the registry office. Even the clerk handling the divorce looked a little bewildered. I just smiled to myself. The whole process went unusually smoothly. In less than half an hour, we had successfully scheduled our divorce. The actual certificate would be issued a month later. Looking at the stamped divorce application, Vicky shrieked, “I can finally be with the person I love!” Then came a chorus of cheers and shouts of encouragement. “Vicky, congratulations! You should’ve left him sooner!” “Why keep a dog like that? Chad’s way better!” “Chad, you’ve got to celebrate properly with Vicky tonight!” I remained completely unbothered. I just wondered if she’d still be smiling once she found out the lottery ticket was fake.

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