My best friend and I both married into the incredibly influential Montgomery family in this city. I married Liam Montgomery, the heir to the family enterprise. She married Noah Montgomery, the wildly popular A-list actor. She stared at the paparazzi photos of Noah having dinner with his old flame. She asked me, her voice laced with pain, “Are you ready for a divorce? “Once we’re divorced, we can each take two male companions and travel the world.” I stared at the press release announcing his old flame was the new endorser for Montgomery Enterprises. I hardened my heart. “Absolutely! A divorce it is! “And the male companions? They have to be exceptional… better than Liam Montgomery in *every* way!” No sooner had I finished speaking than a shadow fell over me. Liam Montgomery’s gaze was chilling. “Darling, are you sure you’ll find anyone?” Maya and I sat side-by-side on the spacious sofa, glued to our phones. Suddenly, her finger froze on the screen. I leaned closer to look, and my jaw dropped. A famous gossip site had snagged candid shots of her husband, Noah Montgomery, having dinner with Charlotte Hayes, a rising star who had just returned to the country. Their arms were linked, their gestures undeniably intimate. Charlotte and the Montgomery brothers had grown up together; their families had been long-standing friends. Since we married into the family, Charlotte had only ever existed in our sweet, slightly naive mother-in-law, Evelyn’s, constant chatter. “Charlotte hasn’t even called me, I miss her so much. “Which one of you will ask Charlotte when she’s coming back home?” It was “Charlotte, Charlotte” all day, every day, and it left us feeling seriously uneasy. Maya’s expression flickered with a hint of bewilderment. But she quickly composed herself, asking me with a painful edge to her voice: “I’m getting a divorce. “Are you in?” My heart rate jumped to 10%. After all, I’d been Maya’s shadow since childhood. If she chose STEM, I chose STEM. If she went to Eastbrook University, I followed. If she married into the Montgomery family, I followed. But my husband wasn’t dining with Charlotte Hayes, so was divorce really going too far? As I hesitated, she sweetened the deal. “Noah gave me his debit card; I can totally support us. “Once we’re divorced, we can each find two male companions and travel the world.” My heart rate jumped to 40%. Male models sounded pretty good, but just two? Liam’s… *performance* is hard to beat. Two might not even warm me up. “Ten! Ten male models!” My heart rate soared to 80%. My eyes widened, the word “Okay” poised on my lips, ready to burst out. But a sliver of rationality still held me back. *Ding dong!* My phone chimed, and a glaring headline abruptly seized my attention. *Rising Star Charlotte Hayes Named the New Face of Montgomery Enterprises! Her Contract is Rumored to be Worth a Staggering Fifty Million!* The accompanying photo showed her and Liam Montgomery cutting a ribbon together. She wore a radiant smile, brimming with vibrant energy. And behind her, my usually stoic husband, was gazing at her with an intensity I’d never seen directed at me. He’d never looked at *me* like that. Whenever I’d crack a joke with him, or do something silly, he’d just look at me like I’d lost my mind and say: “Are you alright?” Thinking of that, I immediately hardened my resolve and said, “Divorce!” Maya beamed, instantly calling her lawyer. She discussed the division of assets with impressive clarity. Hearing her talk about taking half of the Montgomery family fortune, I was utterly dumbfounded. How much money was that?! She even haggled with the lawyer on the phone, asking for a 20% discount since it was two divorce cases. No wonder Maya’s always been the assertive one, and I’m her sidekick. Her brain was just quicker than mine. I stared at my phone wallpaper—our wedding photo, Liam’s and mine. I still felt a little reluctant. After all, besides the money he gave me, And in *other departments*, he certainly didn’t disappoint… I spoke up softly from the side: “Um… make sure the male companions are *talented*.” Maya turned to me, her expression instantly stiffening. Still lost in my delightful fantasy, I continued: “They *have* to be better in bed than Liam!” Maya clapped a hand over her mouth, stifling a gasp, and her trembling finger pointed behind me. Before I could even turn around, a familiar hand reached out. He grabbed the back of my neck, pulling me to his side like a kitten. His voice was chilling: “Since I’m apparently ‘flawless’ to you, why are you getting a divorce?”

I mechanically turned my head, meeting Liam Montgomery’s ice-cold expression. He narrowed his eyes at Maya, as if she were the one inciting my divorce. “Sister-in-law,” he said, drawing out the words heavily, “Noah’s on his way. You’d better figure out how to explain this to him.” Maya froze, slumping onto the sofa and frantically racking her brain. She was too preoccupied to notice me; she didn’t catch a single one of my desperate pleas for help. Where was our crucial bestie telepathy when I needed it? Huh? I could only uneasily stare at Liam Montgomery’s sharply defined profile. He finally turned to meet my gaze, his expression shifting. A slight curve played on his lips, but his voice remained cold: “One divorce in this family is enough. They can divorce, but we won’t.” I always felt Liam Montgomery’s voice had this strange power over me. It was as if his voice had a strange power over me, compelling me to nod. I nodded involuntarily, all thoughts of divorce and male models vanishing from my mind. Outside, the roar of a sports car ripped through the air. I knew instantly it was Noah, his car enthusiast brother, coming home. With a sharp screech of brakes, he pushed through the door barely a minute later. He must have just rushed back from the set; he hadn’t even changed out of his costume, and his face looked exhausted. He glanced at us, muttering, “Brother, Aurora.” Liam Montgomery put an arm around me, giving a faint “Hmm” before saying, “Your wife’s been encouraging mine to divorce me, you deal with it.” Noah marched straight to Maya. He rubbed his temples, his tone laced with impatience: “Maya, what drama are you stirring up now? “Last time you wanted a divorce because I had a kissing scene—I haven’t taken one since. The time before that, my assistant baked me a homemade cake, and I fired her immediately. What’s your problem this time?” Maya scoffed, throwing her phone at him. “See for yourself.” I was just getting really into the drama when Liam Montgomery pulled me away. “Other people’s family matters, let’s not get involved.” So, we weren’t part of the Montgomery family, then? I grumbled internally, but dutifully followed him out. Sitting in the passenger seat, I quietly asked him: “Why is Charlotte the endorser?” She had just returned to the country, hadn’t been in the industry long, and had very few representative works. His brother was an A-list actor—to avoid suspicion, not using him was understandable. But there were countless popular rising stars in the entertainment industry; logically, it should never have been her turn. “Aurora, don’t get swept up in Maya’s nonsense. “Charlotte is just a sister I grew up with; I have no other feelings for her.” No other feelings? Then what about the photo of the two of them I’d found hidden in his drawer right after we got married? I remembered trembling, showing the photo to Maya. She didn’t say anything, just went to her room and brought out another photo. It turned out the photo was originally of all three of them. Charlotte stood in the middle, smiling innocently and sweetly. Liam had cropped out his brother’s part on the right. Noah had cropped out his brother’s part on the left. Such perfect synchronization—they truly were brothers. I stopped talking, turned up the car stereo, and stared out the window.

Liam Montgomery seemed terrified I’d contact Maya. He took me to the office, keeping me under his watchful eye every second. Even during meetings, he’d hand me paper and a pen, letting me doodle behind him. I had to admit, he looked incredibly handsome when he was working. His eyes, behind his gold-rimmed glasses, were intently focused on the screen. He would interject at crucial moments, sharp and incisive. He showed little emotion, occasionally glancing back at me as if to say: *Isn’t this boring? It’ll be over soon.* But that meeting dragged on for ages, so long I was about to fall asleep. I was used to it; he was the kind of man who would rush back to the office on our wedding anniversary because of a subordinate’s blunder. Leaving me alone on the top floor of a hotel, staring at flowers and cake. I had to call Maya to come over; otherwise, such a big bed would go to waste. It wasn’t until his secretary knocked, announcing, “Ms. Hayes is here,” “We’ll pick up the details tomorrow. This is enough for today.” Only Charlotte could pull him away from his work. I followed behind him, seeing Charlotte for the first time. I had searched for her online: 25 years old, a remarkably clean record, no negative rumors. Not even a peep from the media about her being the daughter of the Hayes family, suggesting her family protected her very well. She wore a white dress, identical to the one in her 18-year-old photo. I suddenly understood why both brothers were so hung up on her. That clean, pure aura she exuded—no man could resist it. She sweetly called out, “Liam, I hope I’m not interrupting you?” She completely ignored me, probably assuming I was just an insignificant secretary. Liam said, “No, you’ve come at just the right time.” He turned and instructed his secretary to take me to the lounge. He even reminded her to order my favorite desserts and fruit tea. He looked like the picture of a caring man. But that caring man didn’t spare me a single glance the entire time. The air conditioning in the lounge was blasting, and the cold seeped right into my heart. I looked at the dozen missed calls from Maya on my phone and called her back. This time, I was the one who asked: “Maya, are you still getting a divorce?” A few seconds of silence on the other end, then her resolute voice came through. “Yes.”

Maya and I met at a bar and drank until we were plastered. “Aurora, do you know what that jerk Noah said? “He said Charlotte just returned to the country and wanted him to introduce her to some opportunities, that’s why he met her. “But what about me? I used to be a rising star in the entertainment industry, my talent wasn’t any less than Charlotte Hayes’. “But what did I get from marrying him? Restrictions that kept me out of the public eye, and a man whose heart wasn’t truly mine.” I mumbled, “But you got the money…” Maya lived a lavish lifestyle, thankfully marrying into the Montgomery family, whose vast wealth could sustain her spending. At that, her hazy eyes lit up. She grabbed my hand, her voice as firm as if she were taking an oath: “Exactly! I have money! The Montgomeries only have two sons. If we take half of their fortune, what kind of man couldn’t we find?” Suddenly, she seemed to remember something and asked me: “You and Liam didn’t sign any prenuptial agreement, did you?” Actually, we did. Before the wedding, with a lawyer present, Liam pulled out an agreement and asked me to sign it. At the time, I was so utterly smitten by his face and body that I signed it without even a glance. Maya gasped, exclaiming, “That’s it, we’re done for! Then we can only get a quarter!” I asked her, “How much is a quarter?” She counted on her fingers: “Enough for us to hire ten premium male escorts every day, never the same ones, until we drop dead.” I cheered, “Yay!” We happily decided to officially divorce as soon as the lawyer drafted the divorce papers. While waiting for the agreement, it happened to be our ex-mother-in-law’s birthday. Necessary appearances had to be maintained, so we arrived hand-in-hand, dressed to the nines, leaving our two husbands standing bewildered. In previous years, we would each have been linked arm-in-arm with our respective husbands, accompanying them through the obligatory social pleasantries. That night, they were left on their own. At first, Maya and I thought Evelyn was deliberately trying to teach us, her not-so-satisfactory daughters-in-law, a lesson. But it turned out she wasn’t; she genuinely adored Charlotte Hayes. We’d heard Evelyn had always wanted a daughter, but ended up with two boys. And the Hayes family next door was always busy, so the princess-like Charlotte was practically raised by Evelyn herself. Maya couldn’t stand it and pulled me, ready to leave. But Charlotte glanced over, seemingly casually, and asked, “I haven’t really met my two sisters-in-law. Auntie Evelyn, won’t you introduce me?” Well, that was that. No leaving now. She greeted us sweetly, complimenting Maya on her beauty. That was truly unnecessary; Maya was stunning already. If she were still in the entertainment industry, where would Charlotte even stand? When it came to me, Charlotte looked me up and down and said I seemed to have a good appetite. …Had I not just gained seven or eight pounds, making me look a bit plump next to Maya? Did she really have to be so catty? I swallowed my retort, but Maya wasn’t about to let it slide. “It’s my first time meeting you, little sister, and your气质 is indeed unique, like a lotus blossoming from mud. “Paired with that white dress, it just makes you look even more like a white lotus flower, doesn’t it?” Evelyn didn’t understand, nodding approvingly the whole time. Charlotte’s face cycled through red and green, like a painter’s palette. She didn’t engage, though, just walked straight to stand between the two brothers and started chatting. What a picture of harmony. Maya and I exchanged a look, our resolve to divorce even firmer. Many of Noah’s investors were at the banquet. Charlotte wasn’t about to miss this opportunity, coyly trailing behind him, networking. Maya’s eyes scanned the room, and she whispered to me: “That Director Brooks, he wanted me to star in his movie, but I turned him down. “And Mr. Davies, he offered to open an agency for me. Even after I left the industry, he’d still send me emails, begging me to make a comeback. “It’s infuriating, she’s snatching up all the benefits. I should have stayed in the entertainment industry.” She looked like she was about to explode. The final fuse was Charlotte nonchalantly brushing a stray eyelash from Noah’s face, completely ignoring everyone else. The pent-up anger from the entire evening finally erupted. Maya found an opportunity, her stiletto heel stomping hard on the hem of Charlotte’s dress. Charlotte yelped, and looking down, a huge tear had ripped through her gown. While she wasn’t exposed, having a torn dress at such an event was truly embarrassing. Noah rushed over, pulling Maya away, his voice raised several decibels: “Maya! What are you doing? Why are you bothering her?” Liam Montgomery also walked over to me and said: “Can you lend her a dress?” This was the first time either of them had spoken to us all evening. I smiled. “Sure, they’re all your purchases anyway, you decide.” He looked at me with an unreadable expression, then waved his hand, telling the housekeeper to take Charlotte upstairs to change. Maya grabbed me, and we fled the Montgomery mansion. We jumped into Noah’s red sports car, speeding down the road at seventy-five miles per hour.

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I loved Julian Thorne for ten years. To marry him, I went to extreme lengths, even driving away the woman he cherished, his first love. For six years of marriage, Julian had affairs with almost every woman he encountered. But no matter how much he hurt me, I never considered leaving. Not until I was heavily pregnant and walked in on him bringing another woman home, right into *our* bed. I was furious, demanding answers. Yet he just stared at me, a mocking smirk playing on his lips: “Avery King, don’t forget what you promised when we got married. You said as long as you could marry me, you wouldn’t interfere with my private life.” “If you feel like you’re missing out, you can go find someone too.” He glanced at my swollen belly with dismissive indifference, humiliating me further: “Just remember to use protection. Don’t let anything dirty the Thorne family child in there.” I completely lost control, lunging at him, but he coldly pushed me away. I tumbled down the stairs, dying, taking my unborn child with me. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on that very day—the day I found him bringing another woman home. This time, I decided to let go of a decade of obsession. I would let Julian Thorne be, and I would finally set myself free.

After a detailed prenatal scan confirmed I was having the daughter I’d always dreamed of, I excitedly went home with a huge haul of pink baby essentials, planning to surprise Julian. It was indeed a grand “surprise.” A faint, almost ethereal perfume scent hung in the air, not overpowering, but undeniably suggestive. It meant another woman was here. My sense of smell had become incredibly sensitive since I got pregnant; I couldn’t stand perfume. I walked up the stairs, step by step, seeing clothes strewn along the way—men’s ties and dress pants, women’s lingerie and slip dresses. They lay tangled together, a suggestive trail leading right to the slightly ajar master bedroom door. The disgusting sounds coming from inside the room twisted a knife in my heart. I took a deep breath, my nails digging into my palms. I looked down, realizing the shopping bags I’d just bought had slipped from my hands at some point, spilling their contents around my feet. They mixed with the discarded clothes on the floor, a heartbreaking mess. The scene before me made me fully realize that I had been reborn. In my previous life, I had impulsively pushed the door open, fought with those despicable people inside, and ultimately died with my child, consumed by hatred. This time, I simply walked back down the stairs, slowly, clinging to the wall, and quietly sat on the sofa to wait. I don’t know how much time passed until Julian finally appeared, wrapped in a bathrobe, reeking of recent intimacy. It was sickening. He watched me dry-heaving, his face utterly blank. “Do you have a guest over?” I wiped my mouth, my voice surprisingly calm, devoid of any emotion. Julian nodded casually, walking towards me, unhurried, step by step. I stood up, holding my belly, and took a step back, asking again, “And this guest is currently in *our* bedroom?” Julian paused, probably surprised that this time I hadn’t completely broken down, despite catching them red-handed, unlike the countless times before. But he still nodded. Just as he was about to speak, a woman descended the stairs barefoot, elegantly, draped in my silk nightgown. I recognized her as Serena Hayes, the lead actress from the historical drama I’d been watching last night. She linked her arm through Julian’s, her eyes fluttering. “Julian, darling, who is this…?” As she spoke, she deliberately flaunted the marks covering a large expanse of skin on her chest. Julian wrapped an arm around Serena, provocatively squeezing that soft expanse. “Her? She’s my wife… oh no, I mean, she’s Mrs. Thorne of Thorne Enterprises.” Serena gasped, covering her mouth with her hand, her innocent-looking eyes widening dramatically, even her voice trembling with feigned shock. “Oh? You’re so naughty, why didn’t you tell me your wife would be back…?” Julian pecked a kiss on her neck, his laugh dripping with lust. “What’s there to be afraid of? Isn’t this more exciting? Besides—” He looked at me with a sneer. “Mrs. Thorne, didn’t we agree long ago that this marriage was purely transactional, and we wouldn’t interfere with each other’s lives?” “These past six years, you haven’t really lost out. The Thorne family has been more than generous to the Kings.” He wasn’t wrong. Without the two hundred million dollars in betrothal gifts, the King family would have gone bankrupt long ago. How else could my parents and brother maintain their lavish lifestyle, relying on the Thorne family’s influence and name? I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and slowly nodded. “I understand. I’m sorry, I seem to have interrupted you.” I walked to the entrance, put on the shoes I’d just taken off, opened the door, and walked out, step by step. It was as if he sensed that I was now walking out of his life forever. “Wait!” Julian called out, his voice shaking. I didn’t look back. I didn’t say goodbye. Julian Thorne, I won’t wait for you anymore.

I walked for a long time, holding my belly, before I finally got out of the gated community and managed to flag down a taxi. Opening the car door, I took one last look back. Perhaps this was the best ending for me. At least I wouldn’t lose my life for a man who never loved me, like in my previous life. I couldn’t go back to my parents’ house, so I returned to my small apartment, the one I owned before marriage. I threw the bedsheets and duvet covers into the washing machine to be washed and dried, then meticulously cleaned the tables and floors, not missing a single corner or crevice. By the time I finished everything, I realized it was already the middle of the night. A dull, cramping pain began in my belly. I curled up in bed, hugging a pillow, and suddenly felt utterly exhausted. My face felt cold and wet; I touched it and realized they were tears. Ten years of painful love, ending so abruptly. My heart ached, regardless. I wrestled with the decision of whether to keep the baby, unable to sleep all night. Meanwhile, Julian was lost in Serena Hayes’s gentle embrace, lingering without a care. The A-list actress had been frequently posting subtle displays of happiness on social media: candlelight dinners, jewelry, designer bags… The backgrounds of the photos and videos were all too familiar—my marital home. There was even one photo where the glass window reflected the tall, distinguished silhouette of a man making a late-night snack in the kitchen. That photo had delighted her fans for a long time. And it had left me lost in thought for a long time. The man who wouldn’t even pour me a glass of water when I had a high fever was now willing to cook for another woman. A week later, on Monday, the day of Thorne Enterprises’ board meeting, I took the opportunity to return to the villa. I quickly packed my bags and grabbed my documents, heading downstairs. But I ran right into Julian, who had rushed back. Seeing the items in my hands, he suddenly sneered, snatched my luggage, and threw it away. I frowned at him. “What are you doing?” “Avery King, I should be asking *you* what you’re doing!” “Are you so childish that you’re still playing the ‘running away from home’ card?” “What’s next? Are you going to threaten me by acting suicidal again, like before?” Julian’s brows furrowed, his face filled with disgust as he reprimanded me. “Why would I kill myself?” I scoffed, gripping the stair railing tightly. The old me was indeed foolish; I’d threatened my life repeatedly to win him back. But after experiencing my previous life, I understood that living was the most important thing. I never wanted to feel that desperation again. Moreover, a heartless man like Julian Thorne wasn’t worth my lingering affection. Julian sneered, his eyes full of disdain. “What new trick is this? I’m busy. I don’t have time for your games.” “Your tactics might work once or twice, but too many times and it’s ‘the boy who cried wolf’.” I looked directly at Julian and explained, “You’re overthinking it. I’m here to pack my things and move out.” “Julian Thorne, let’s get a divorce.” Julian was uncharacteristically stunned for a moment, then looked at me with even greater impatience. “Divorce? You’re carrying a Thorne family child, and you’re asking for a divorce now? Do you think you can use this child as leverage and do whatever you want?” I didn’t respond. I carefully walked downstairs, pulled out the divorce papers I’d prepared in advance from my bag, and handed them to him. “Yes, I want a divorce.” “I don’t want anything from the Thorne family. I just want to separate from you.” Julian and I had been married for six years, but throughout those years, apart from the routine maintenance of this villa, he hadn’t spent any significant money on me. To outsiders, I was the glamorous Mrs. Thorne, but only I knew that every penny I spent was earned through my part-time online novel writing. Since I hadn’t spent Julian Thorne’s money during our marriage, I was even less inclined to have financial entanglements with him now that we were divorcing. Julian quickly scanned the papers, his expression unchanging, and placed them aside. A scoff escaped his throat, the sound like an ice shard piercing my heart. “Leaving with nothing? Avery King, are you really this naive at thirty?” He casually tossed the divorce papers onto the coffee table, then suddenly stood up, closing in on me, his shadow completely enveloping me. “Without the Thorne family’s backing, do you really think your father and brother can stand on their own in the business world?” “After the divorce, how will your family sustain this extravagant, reckless lifestyle?” I leaned back, avoiding his closeness, the emotions swirling beneath my eyelashes freezing into frost as I stubbornly pressed my lips together. “Julian Thorne, even if you use my family as leverage, you can’t keep me trapped anymore.” Seemingly shaken by the resolve in my eyes, Julian stepped back, his brows hardening. “Reason?” He paused, then conceded, “Is it because I brought someone home and made you uncomfortable? I apologize, this time it was my fault. I promise I won’t let them appear before you again.” My nails dug into my palms. For the first time, I smiled with such unbridled honesty. “No need, Julian Thorne.” “For six years, I’ve endured your emotional torment and abuse, and I’ve endured the daily grind of waiting for a man whose heart was never truly mine.” I suddenly ripped off the only beaded bracelet he had ever given me; the round beads scattered with a clatter across the carpet. “Even if it means my entire family has to wait tables and sweep streets, I will never be your puppet again.”

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The day I married Julian Blackwood, the heir to a formidable criminal empire, I was kidnapped. My maid-of-honor and younger sister, Lily, was caught in the crossfire. She died protecting me, brutally assaulted by the kidnappers. My father’s hair turned white overnight, and my mother suffered a heart attack, ending up in the ICU. Julian, who’d loved me fiercely for five years and cherished me more than life itself, mobilized all his connections, vowing to find the culprits. But when all the evidence pointed to Genevieve Thorne, he fell silent. She was the woman he secretly adored – his deceased elder brother’s wife. I filed a lawsuit, but no lawyer dared to take the case. My father, a respected attorney himself, stepped in, only to be imprisoned by Julian. He threw a blank check at me, demanding I withdraw the suit, even threatening to pull my mother’s oxygen tube. “Genevieve lost her husband; she was just jealous of us. I’ve already punished her. Please take the check and drop the charges, okay?” “Scarlett, why are you being so pushy? We’re all family. How will we get along in the future if you act like this?” He didn’t know it then, but the moment he protected Genevieve, there was no future for us. … “Scarlett, Genevieve was wrong, I admit that. Once you’ve calmed down, I’ll bring her to apologize. Let’s just drop this minor incident, alright?” Julian’s long fingers tapped lightly on the table, his tone as if discussing a trivial disagreement. I trembled with rage, glaring at him. “My sister died a horrific death, my mother is fighting for her life in the ICU… In your eyes, are these just ‘minor incidents’? What exactly constitutes a major incident then?” Julian frowned, a hint of displeasure in his voice. “Genevieve is the youngest head of her department at the hospital; she can’t have any stain on her record. Besides, I promised my elder brother I’d protect her.” That sentence was like a blunt knife, brutally carving open my memories. Did this cold man standing before me remember swearing to protect *me*? Did he remember my mother saving his life, caring for him for three days and three nights when he had a high fever, and his vow to treat her like his own mother? Did he remember Lily, who always used to follow him, calling him ‘big brother’? I stood frozen for a long moment. Suddenly, Julian grabbed my wrist, his grip painfully tight. “Scarlett, you wouldn’t want to harm many people you care about over a ‘minor incident,’ would you?” “Are you threatening me?” Tears blurred my vision. I looked at the lapel of his suit, where the wedding brooch I’d given him was still pinned. He lifted a hand to wipe away my tears, his motion gentle, like polishing expensive porcelain, but his voice remained cold. He pointed to documents already laid out on the coffee table. “Sign this release form, waiving all charges, and cease all private investigations into Genevieve. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to shut down your father’s law firm or reduce your mother’s IV fluids.” “Nobody is more important than Genevieve! She loves her medical career; I can’t let her future be ruined.” “I’m not asking for your opinion! Sign these, and I’ll continue to provide the best medical resources for your mother. I’ll also let your father’s law firm stay open.” “You are the only Mrs. Blackwood. It’s time you settled down and learned how to be a high-society wife. Stop obsessing over my sister-in-law, and stop blaming your sister’s death on her. I told you I can prove she wasn’t at the scene that day. Your sister’s death was an accident, and besides, I’ve already taken care of those twenty kidnappers.” My body stiffened, staring at him in disbelief. In his eyes, Genevieve Thorne’s future was more important than my entire family’s lives? I let out a hollow laugh, the strength to accuse him further draining away. I didn’t want to argue anymore. I closed my eyes. “I’ll sign.” Through tear-filled eyes, I mechanically signed my name, page after page, until the thick stack of documents was complete. Julian curved his lips into a smile, patting the top of my head in a placating gesture. “Scarlett, I knew you were the most sensible one.” “In a month, we’ll have another grand wedding, how about it?” I neither nodded nor shook my head, numbly allowing the pain to consume my shattered soul. Julian hadn’t been gone long when I received a frantic call from my mother’s nurse. “Mrs. Blackwood, you need to come to the hospital now! Your mother isn’t doing well!” I arrived at the hospital, breathless, only to find the entire ICU empty. Only the nurse was pacing frantically. “Mrs. Blackwood, Director Thorne called everyone away to tend to a little girl who scratched her face. I saw it – she was crying hysterically, but the wound was tiny, nothing compared to your mother’s condition!” My mother lay on the hospital bed, pale, her breathing so faint it was almost imperceptible. I pressed the call button next to the bed repeatedly, but no one answered. “Go find doctors from other departments, quickly!” At that moment, my mother slowly opened her eyes. “Don’t cry, Scarlett. Mommy just misses Lily.” “Don’t beg Julian for me anymore, and don’t cry for him…” “Mom! Open your eyes, don’t fall asleep… Don’t leave me and Dad…” I performed CPR on my mother in a frantic breakdown, begging her to open her eyes. By the time the nurse brought a doctor from another ward, my arms were numb with exhaustion, but it was all in vain. “Time of death: July 22, 2025, 6:32:52 PM…” I knelt on the ground, holding my mother, allowing grief and regret to engulf me. I wanted to scream, to cry out, but no sound escaped my throat. I could only slap myself, again and again. It was all my fault! I shouldn’t have met Julian Blackwood, and I certainly shouldn’t have loved him! I killed my mother!

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Not long ago, my girlfriend brought home a stray dog. She completely adored it, even kicking me out of our room so the dog could sleep with her. And that dog, emboldened by her favoritism, not only barked furiously at me and stole my food, but it even bit me. Soon after, I contracted rabies. But just as I was clinging to life, I heard my girlfriend call that dog Caleb. That was the exact name of her first love. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my girlfriend dumped the dog on me to care for. 【1】 “Leo, while I’m away on my business trip, you *have* to take good care of Mochi.” “If anything happens to Mochi, we’re over, do you hear me? We’re done!” As she spoke, Mochi trotted towards me, looking perfectly innocent. Realizing I’d been reborn, I instinctively recoiled. I knew his innocence was an act, but I never in a million years imagined that the dog my girlfriend picked up was actually her first love, Caleb. But now, my inner confusion finally made sense. Why Scarlett, who had always been terrified of dogs, would suddenly pick one up and then treat it better than she ever treated me. And the first time Scarlett brought Mochi home, I noticed his eyes looked more human than dog. Before leaving, Scarlett knelt down, hugged “Mochi” close, her voice sickeningly sweet: “My sweet Mochi, no dog food for you these next few days, okay? Leo will make you your favorite slow-cooked ribs. If you dare eat anything else… Mommy will never, ever talk to you again when I get back.” She stood up, then glared at me, adding: “Especially you, Leo! If you dare feed him dog food, we’re through!” I nodded, my smile perfectly flawless: “Don’t worry. I’ll make it myself.” The moment the door closed, Mochi bared his fangs at me. Him snarling at me? Fine. But what I absolutely couldn’t stand was that he’d constantly sneak into my room and pee when I wasn’t looking. And he never ate dog food. He *demanded* my homemade meals, and not just any meal—he wanted the food right out of *my* bowl! Every time Mochi misbehaved, if I so much as moved to scold him, Scarlett would immediately jump in and blame *me* instead. After being chewed out a few times, I’d become the lowest on the totem pole in my own home. Watching me head towards the kitchen to cook, Mochi finally retracted his fangs. Then, while I was busy cooking, he quietly snuck back and pushed open my bedroom door, which I’d already closed. But this time, I didn’t stop him. After all, this would be his very last time peeing in my room. 【2】 Soon, I had a delicious, fragrant plate of slow-cooked ribs ready. I dished some into a dog bowl, then prepared a plate for myself. While Mochi wasn’t looking, I added a sleeping pill to my own plate. Sure enough, seeing me about to eat, Mochi came trotting over, tail wagging, practically prancing. But he didn’t even glance at his own dog bowl. He went straight for my plate. “Get lost!” Despite my angry shout, Mochi just moved faster. And in three quick gulps, he’d devoured most of the food right out of my plate. Finally, he didn’t forget to kick my plate onto the floor with a paw, then flashed me a disgustingly smug grin. But when he saw the chilling smile on my face, Mochi instantly panicked. He frantically rushed to his water bowl, desperate to drink, but I had already poured out all the water. And the only other place to get water, the bathroom, was locked. Mochi snarled and barked furiously at me, as if demanding to know what I had fed him. Ignoring his furious gaze, I slowly pulled out my phone and dialed the vet. “Hello, I’d like to book a surgery. I’ll bring my dog in for a neuter in about an hour.” Hearing the word “neuter,” Mochi trembled with rage. He barked wildly and lunged at me. But he was just a small dog. Before he could bite me, I kicked him far across the room. Last time, if I hadn’t been so careless, I wouldn’t have been bitten. Kicked by my foot, Mochi instantly lost his temper. He cowered on the floor, making pleading gestures, trying to make me spare him. But in his eyes, I saw only hatred. I gave a cold laugh. “Since you’re my dog now, you have to be neutered.” “It’s for your own good.” Seeing that begging was useless, Mochi immediately tried to bite me again, but the drugs had already started to take effect. He stumbled and collapsed to the floor. I was about to pick him up and take him for the neutering when the doorbell rang. Could Scarlett be back already? A wave of anxiety washed over me as I opened the door. But the moment the door swung open, I froze. 【3】 It wasn’t Scarlett at the door, but a delivery driver. “Hello, Mr. Davies, your package.” I didn’t remember buying anything. As the delivery driver handed over the package, I saw it was an exquisite necklace. Could it be a gift from Scarlett? But something still felt off. The next second, a SnapChat message from Scarlett popped up. “Leo, the necklace I bought for Mochi arrived. Remember to sign for it.” The delivery driver smiled, handing me the delivery slip. “Cash on delivery, that’ll be 30,000 dollars.” “30,000?!” Scarlett bought something so expensive for *that dog*?! And she used *my* money to pay for it?! Keep in mind, in our three years of dating, the most expensive gift she ever gave me was less than two hundred bucks. The thought made my stomach churn with humiliation. I shoved the package back into the delivery driver’s hands. “Forget it. I don’t want it.” With that, I grabbed Mochi by his leg and carried him off to be neutered. I stared at the unconscious Mochi, a bitter, metallic taste flooding my mouth. Disgust, fury, suppressed rage… all tore at my chest, finally condensing into a soft, chilling laugh. “Caleb,” I whispered, “This time, it’s your turn to taste what it’s like to lose your manhood.” Once the surgery was successful, this “first love” would be utterly useless, and Scarlett’s obsession would finally be broken. The vets at the animal hospital were incredibly efficient. By the time I arrived, the surgery was already arranged. Outside the operating room, the vet handed me the consent form. Without hesitation, I signed “Scarlett Davies” and even thoughtfully added a note: “Please make sure it’s completely, irrevocably done. Wouldn’t want any… ‘relapses.’” Just then, Mochi woke up. Seeing the vet preparing for the neutering surgery, he instantly peed himself in terror. I gave a cold smile. “Caleb, you finally woke up, huh?” Hearing me call him by his real name, Mochi froze. Now, only pure fear remained in his eyes. “Woof… woof…” He tried to struggle, but against the professional vet, his resistance was useless. The vet ignored Mochi’s struggles, picking him up and heading towards the operating table. And that’s when my phone rang. It was Scarlett. The moment I answered, Scarlett’s furious shouts erupted from the other end. “Leo! What the hell is wrong with you?!” “I bought a necklace for Mochi! Did I say you could return it?!” I gave a cold laugh. “Scarlett, why should *I* pay for a necklace you bought for a dog?” There was a few seconds of silence on the other end. “Leo, you’re getting bolder by the day.” “I’m coming home now. You’d better explain yourself face-to-face!” But when she opened the apartment door, Scarlett was speechless. “Leo, where did you take Mochi?” I gave a faint smile. “Mochi likes to pee everywhere. Since you won’t control him, I had no choice but to bring him in for neutering.” “He’s already in surgery now…” 【4】 Scarlett’s scream nearly shattered my eardrums. “Leo! Are you out of your damn mind?! Mochi is my son! How dare you ruin him?!” “Where are you right now? Get Mochi back here this instant!” “If you dare let them neuter him, I swear I’ll ruin *you*!” I gripped my phone tightly, my voice as cold as ice: “Scarlett, Mochi is just a stray you picked up. Neutering him is for his own good. What are you getting so worked up about? Is there something you’re hiding?” Scarlett’s voice instantly wavered. “Leo, are you seriously suggesting there’s some secret between me and a dog that you shouldn’t know about?” “Can’t you stop being so perverse?!” I didn’t want to hear her voice anymore, so I just hung up. Soon, Scarlett rushed over, practically kicking down the hospital door. She stormed into the animal hospital, her hair disheveled, her makeup smudged. Her eyes were swollen and red, like two overripe peaches. “Leo, where’s Mochi?” I pointed towards the operating room. She shoved aside a nurse blocking her path and ran straight to the operating room door. But when she saw Mochi, stitched up and weakly curled on the operating table, she froze to the spot, as if struck by lightning. “Mochi…” She stretched out a trembling hand, and the moment her fingertips touched Mochi’s ear, tears streamed down her face like a broken dam. Mochi let out a weak whimper, his tail moving feebly, as if responding to her call. Scarlett whirled around, her nails practically digging into my arm. “Leo! What the hell do you think you’re doing?! Mochi is my son! How dare you ruin him?!” I yanked her hand away, my voice as sharp as a scalpel: “Scarlett, it’s just a stray you picked up. Neutering is good for dogs. You need to wake up – you’re raising a dog, not a human!” My words seemed to strike a raw nerve. She suddenly burst into hysterical laughter, a raw, choking sob mixed in with every sound. “Wake up? Leo, *you’re* the one who needs to wake up! You think I don’t know what you’re thinking? You’re jealous of a dog! Jealous that he’s more important than you are!” She lunged at me, tearing at my collar, her face smeared with tears and snot. “You’re actually competing with a *dog* for attention?” I clenched my fists, my nails digging deep into my palms. But at that moment, I was strangely calm. “Scarlett, you’re right. I *am* competing for attention with a dog.” “In your eyes, I’m not even as good as this dog. How can I *not* compete?” It was as if all the strength had been drained from her. She staggered back two steps, collapsing onto the long bench outside the operating room. Mochi struggled to get up, rubbing his wet nose against her palm. But she just stared fixedly at the floor, tears silently splashing onto the tiles. I seized the opportunity to pull out my phone, opening the breakup agreement I’d already prepared. “Scarlett, let’s end this here.”

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The year I turned eighteen, my parents were in a car accident on our way to my college move-in day. They died instantly, and I was left paralyzed. My brother, Jake, and his wife saw me as nothing but a burden, so they dumped me at my sister Ava’s doorstep. Luckily, Ava never resented me. I was paralyzed for a decade, and she took care of me for every single one of those ten years. To cover my medical bills, she juggled three jobs a day, her body breaking down from sheer exhaustion. Her husband, Leo, finally snapped: “If you keep looking after your sister, we’re getting a divorce!” Ava didn’t hesitate; she divorced him on the spot. Her selfless actions touched hearts across the internet, and she was dubbed “America’s Most Amazing Sister.” Everyone envied me for having such a wonderful sister. Until I won the lottery and got ten million dollars. But I transferred all of it to my brother, Jake. The entire internet condemned me as ungrateful. A reporter, Mr. Davis, found me: “You’ve been paralyzed for a decade. Your brother hasn’t looked after you for a single day. Your sister, Ava, has stuck by you, taking on a mountain of debt for you, and even sacrificed her marriage. Why didn’t you give her a single penny?” I looked up at Mr. Davis, my voice calm: “Set up hidden cameras in my house for a three-day secret livestream, and you’ll understand why.”

As soon as the hidden cameras were installed, the secret livestream began. Cassandra, my “sister,” walked in after work, sporting heavy dark circles under her eyes. She dragged herself to my bedside, preparing to help me clean up. Seeing a mess beneath me, there wasn’t a flicker of disgust in her eyes, only profound heartache and self-reproach. “Riley, did you have an upset stomach last night?” She touched my forehead, blaming herself. “I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault; I’ve been so exhausted from work lately that I slept like a rock. I forgot to check on you in the middle of the night and keep your blanket on, leaving you uncomfortable all night…” I watched her silently, not speaking. The live comments, however, exploded: “My God, this sister is incredible! She just got home from work, saw this total mess, and her first reaction was to blame herself.” “Right? If I’d worked all day and came home to that, I’d be fuming!” “She really is America’s Most Amazing Sister; she’s making me tear up!” Cassandra didn’t know about the hidden livestream. She just single-handedly turned me over, preparing to help me to the bathroom for a shower. But she was too tired. Even with all her strength, she struggled to lift me from the bed. Just then, a knock sounded at the door. Cassandra opened it to find my brother, Jake, standing there. Her eyes widened in surprise. “What are you doing here?” Jake had a cigarette dangling from his lips. He said nonchalantly, “If I’m not mistaken, this apartment is the one Mom and Dad gifted Riley when she got into college, right? As Riley’s brother, there’s no big deal if I stay at my sister’s place for a few days, is there?” With that, he just barged in. Cassandra was too exhausted to argue after a long day, so she just told Jake, “Then lend me a hand and help me get Riley to the bathroom. I need to give her a shower!” Jake shot me a disgusted glance, muttering, “That’s sickening, she reeks of pee and poop. No way am I touching her!” Cassandra frowned. “Jake! Riley is your own sister! She just gave you all ten million dollars she won. How can you refuse to even help her?” Jake scoffed. “She gave me the money willingly. You’re not trying to guilt-trip me, are you?” Cassandra sighed. “I respect all of Riley’s decisions. She gave you all her winnings because she wanted you and your wife to live well.” “She’s so good to you; can’t you be a little good to her?” Jake sneered. “What’s the point of being good to her? She’s just a paralyzed invalid, a waste of space for a decade!” “I don’t know why you bother taking care of this useless person every day. She’d be better off dead!” At this sight, the live comments instantly boiled over: “Seriously? Is this guy even human? Wishing his own sister dead right to her face?” “And his sister just handed him ten million dollars!” “I seriously don’t get it. Her sister slaved for a decade taking care of her, went deep into debt, even lost her marriage, and got absolutely nothing in return! Is this sister out of her mind?!” “She’s ungrateful to such an amazing sister but so good to this heartless animal of a brother? Did the paralysis affect her brain too?!”

Jake didn’t help in the end. It took Cassandra over an hour to clean me up. She was drenched in sweat from exhaustion, but she still meticulously changed my clothes, settling me into my wheelchair. “Riley, you must be hungry, right? Sister will go make you dinner now.” Due to extreme fatigue, Cassandra almost fainted when she stood up. But she only paused for a few seconds before forcing herself to walk into the kitchen. Soon, she brought out grilled salmon, a rich beef stew, some steamed greens, and a pot of steaming chicken soup. Cassandra placed the dishes in front of me, then carefully blew on a spoonful of chicken soup to cool it before bringing it to my lips. “Riley, this chicken soup was made from a fresh, organic chicken I specifically bought from a local farm. You always loved this when you were a kid, try some.” I turned my head, my voice cold. “I don’t want to eat.” Cassandra’s eyes were filled with worry. “Riley, you already had an upset stomach. If you don’t eat something to replenish your strength, your body won’t be able to take it.” I looked at her, my tone still distant. “I don’t have an appetite.” Then, I looked at Jake, who was sprawled on the couch playing on his phone, and said softly, “Jake, I want that pastry on the coffee table.” Jake didn’t even look up, saying impatiently, “I bought that for myself. If you want it, push your wheelchair and go buy your own!” Cassandra glared at Jake, then turned to me, her voice gentle. “Riley, eat your dinner first. After that, I’ll go buy you a pastry, okay?” I stubbornly shook my head, refusing to eat the food she made. At this sight, the live comments exploded: “Is this sister crazy? Refusing her sister’s home-cooked meal, but demanding her brother’s pastry?” “I thought she was just confused, but she’s so utterly pathetic. Her brother treated her like that, and she’s still fixated on his stuff?” “Poor sister, she’s putting in so much thankless effort. She worked so hard to make a whole table of food, and Riley won’t even look at it.” “That’s disgusting. The more I watch, the more I think this younger sister is such a terrible person!”

The first day of the livestream ended. The chat was filled with insults directed at me. On the second day, Cassandra got off work a little earlier than usual. As she came in, she held a warm bag in her hand. “Riley, you wanted a pastry yesterday, right? Sister bought it specifically after work. It’s your favorite savory kind, try it quickly.” She handed the pastry to me, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. I glanced at the pastry, my tone indifferent. “I don’t want it now.” A flicker of disappointment and sadness crossed Cassandra’s face. But she forced a smile and said, “What do you want to eat then? Sister will make it for you.” I shot her a cold look. “I don’t want anything you make.” With that, I maneuvered my wheelchair, ready to go to the balcony for some fresh air. As I exited my room, I bumped straight into Jake, who was holding a liquor bottle. The bottle in his hand fell to the floor, and he immediately exploded in rage. “Damn it, are you blind?! You just spilled all my expensive liquor!” He picked up the bottle and forcefully kicked my wheelchair. The wheelchair lurched violently, tipping to one side. “Riley!” Cassandra cried out, rushing forward, shielding me and the wheelchair with her body. Her hand was scraped by the wheelchair, leaving a deep gash, visible to the bone, bleeding profusely. But she ignored the pain, quickly steadying me before turning to Jake, shaken and furious. “Jake! You almost hurt Riley!” Jake glared at me. “She’s useless; she can’t even feel pain. Why are you so worked up?” “This is so annoying! All that good liquor wasted because of her!” Jake grumbled as he stomped back into his room to continue drinking. Cassandra, still shaken, first checked me all over to make sure I was okay. Only after confirming I was unharmed did she endure the pain in her hand to inspect the kicked wheelchair. Finding a buckle somewhat loose, she immediately pulled out her toolbox. She tightened and reinforced it little by little, working late into the night. In the livestream, the comments continued to boil over: “I’m crying. Where can you find a sister this good? Her hand is so badly injured, yet all she cares about is her sister.” “Seriously, why is this amazing sister so unlucky to be stuck with such a blind, heartless invalid of a sister?” “Exactly! Is this sister’s heart made of stone? Her sister has done so much for her, why is she so cold to her?!” “No wonder they say unfortunate people often have something hateful about them. This sister is so hopelessly biased towards her brother, she deserves to be paralyzed!” “This is so suffocating. Sister, just let go! This kind of sister isn’t worth it!” The livestream chat was filled with outrage. Even Mr. Davis, the reporter, called me. “Is this the three-day secret livestream you wanted? Do you know what the chat has been saying about you these past two days?” “Your sister has done so much for you. Aren’t you just asking to be hated?” I glanced at Cassandra, who was quietly tending to her wound in the living room, and said calmly, “There’s one last day.” “Then you’ll know everything.” 　

On the third morning, Cassandra, as usual, came into my room as soon as she woke up. “Riley, how are you feeling today? Is your appetite any better?” She expertly checked my condition while asking softly. I didn’t answer, only glanced indifferently at her bandaged hand. It was still oozing blood. Seeing me silent, Cassandra, as always, massaged my limbs. She moved my joints, preventing muscle atrophy. Her movements were gentle, as if she were tending to a precious treasure. “Riley, look how nice the weather is today.” “After breakfast, I’ll push you outside for a walk. The doctor said outdoor activities are good for your health.” She looked out the window, trying to find topics of conversation. But I remained cold. “No thanks.” Her hand paused slightly, and she said nothing more. After the massage, she fetched warm water, meticulously washed my face and hands, then made me breakfast. The livestream comments continued to scroll: “This sister is still being her same stubborn, lifeless act today. It’s infuriating.” “Exactly! Her sister’s hand is so badly injured, and she still has to take care of her. Does she not even offer a word of concern?” “Honestly disgusting. Some people just don’t deserve kindness!” That day, Cassandra didn’t go to work. She said she wanted to spend quality time with me. After finishing everything, she pushed me to the balcony to bask in the sun. She combed my hair, trimmed my nails, and cleaned my ears. She made sure every inch of me was clean and tidy. After all the chores, she pulled a small stool and sat beside me. Gripping my hand tightly, she began to speak softly. “Riley, do you remember? When we were little, you loved to pull me onto the balcony to sunbathe. You said the sun always made you feel better.” “On my wedding day, you cried so much, clinging to my hand and refusing to let go.” “You once said your biggest wish was for me to be happy…” As she spoke, her eyes welled up. Just then, her phone rang. But she didn’t answer. Instead, she gave me a deep look, then hung up. Then, she looked at me, a faint smile on her face. “Riley, it’s time.” I smiled faintly. This moment, it was finally here. With that, Cassandra straightened up, gave me a cryptic look. And then she did something that stunned every single viewer watching the livestream…

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On the day my ex-husband married my best friend, I dressed up to the nines. When my best friend Amber saw me, her face fell. “Valerie, are you trying to steal the spotlight, dressing up even more beautifully than the bride at my wedding? Are you trying to steal my groom?” “Relax, I have absolutely no interest in your fiancé…” The moment I appeared, the groom, Brandon, stared at me, his eyes wide. “Don’t you remember me?” I asked. Brandon stared for a long time, clearly not recognizing me. “You look familiar, but I can’t quite place you. Are you…?” Seeing that he didn’t recognize me, I felt a sense of relief. I smiled and said, “Don’t worry, you’ll remember who I am soon enough.” It seemed three years was enough for Brandon to completely forget what his “deceased wife” looked like. But me? Even if Brandon turned to ash, I would never forget him. I deliberately approached Amber a while ago, getting close to her, all for this very day. Brandon was gazing at me intently, his eyes practically burning a hole through me. Thanks to my significant wealth, I looked younger, more elegant, and refined than ever before. Amber continued her introduction, “Brandon, I told you, Valerie is the Chairwoman of Synergy Corp., one of our city’s most influential emerging entrepreneurs.” Brandon’s eyes lit up even brighter. He stared at me excitedly. “So you’re Ms. Valerie, the one they call the most stunning Chairwoman in the city! You look even better in person than on TV!” “Oh, that’s just hype, really, from some less-than-reputable media,” I replied gracefully. “Mr. Brandon, you are the true up-and-coming talent, absolutely admirable.” Brandon practically trembled with excitement. “Oh, no, no, my business is just small-time compared to yours, Ms. Valerie. You’re a real powerhouse in our city’s business world!” Amber looked a little jealous, glaring at Brandon playfully. “Alright, Brandon, I need to go get my makeup touched up. You should go do whatever you need to do. And don’t even think about plotting anything with my best friend.” Brandon gave a strained laugh. “Hah, what are you talking about? Just go get ready.” He turned back to me, chuckling again, sneaking a glance at my ample chest. “Ms. Valerie, with your successful career and beauty, your boyfriend must be quite a catch, right?” There it was. I was waiting for that question. I smiled and shook my head. “I don’t have a boyfriend.” Brandon’s eyes lit up. He chuckled. “Is Ms. Valerie’s standard just too high? I get it, I bet most ordinary men wouldn’t even catch your eye.” He subtly shifted his gaze to my shapely rear, his look becoming even more brazen. I shook my head. “Actually, my standards are pretty simple. Just someone who truly cares for me.” Brandon’s eyes widened in surprise. “That shouldn’t be hard to find, should it?” I smiled. “It’s both easy and hard, I suppose.” “You’re right. In this vast world, finding someone who truly cares for you isn’t easy,” Brandon nodded, agreeing with me. He then let out a long sigh, a look of melancholy on his face. “My late wife once said she just wanted to marry someone who truly cared for her. She even said marrying me was the right choice, but sadly we… sigh…” Watching him feign such profound grief made my stomach churn. His so-called “late wife” was pushed overboard by him and Amber, working together. Brandon’s “true care” involved hooking up with my “best friend” Amber less than a month after marrying me. Then, to seize the successful company I founded, they conspired to murder me. They tricked me into taking a trip to a South Asian island nation. Out on the ocean that day, they suddenly pushed me overboard. “Just die in peace, you bitch! I’m sick of you, hahahaha…” Brandon laughed hysterically, shoving my head underwater.

“Hold her down! Don’t let her come up!” Amber cheered him on, while also feigning panic. “Oh my God, help! My friend fell into the water! Everyone, please help her, hahahaha…” Only after I stopped struggling and drifted away with the waves did they happily return. After I was declared missing and presumed dead, Brandon inherited my company and assets. So, seeing Brandon pretending to be so heartbroken and sincere now, I felt nothing but utter disgust. I feigned comfort. “The past is the past, Mr. Brandon, you shouldn’t be too sad. Besides, three years have passed, it’s time to move on.” Brandon, however, shook his head. “Ever since her accident, I swore I’d mourn for her for three years, visiting her grave daily. But three years later, I still can’t let go, I just can’t let her go…” Ugh, the jerk was really milking this ‘devoted widower’ act. In reality, after my “accident,” many suspected him of foul play. So, he fabricated this persona of a heartbroken lover, vowing to mourn for me for three years. Yet, in those three years, besides Amber, he’d been through countless other women. As for his supposed daily visits to my grave, they were just occasional photo ops. Meanwhile, after getting my company and assets, he’d skyrocketed to become one of the hottest young talents in the city’s business world. He started to grow tired of Amber and wasn’t in a hurry to marry her. Instead, he was partying every single night, living a lavish lifestyle. If he hadn’t been afraid Amber would expose their plot to murder me, he would have dumped her long ago. These three years, my company had been almost completely drained by him. Plus, with Amber pressuring him, he finally had no choice but to officially marry her. And now he was putting on this elaborate “devoted lover” performance for me. Clearly, he was up to something. I smirked coldly. “You’re about to marry Amber, so you really should let go. Otherwise, it’s not fair to her.” Brandon gave a bitter smile. “I know it’s not fair to Amber, but it’s still hard to let go of my past. To be honest with you, I’m not really eager to marry Amber. Partly because I feel it’s unfair to her.” “Does Amber know that?” I raised an eyebrow, asking. “Of course she knows. We’ve fought about it,” Brandon said, looking helpless. “That’s why I think this wedding of ours is still too rushed.” “If that’s truly the case, then you do have a point,” I nodded. Brandon’s eyes lit up. He secretly peered at my chest again. “By the way, Ms. Valerie, this might be a bit forward, but I can’t help but say, you and my late wife bear quite a resemblance, both in temperament and appearance.” Heh, I’m your so-called “late wife.” How could I not? “Oh, really? What a coincidence,” I said, unfazed, watching the fish begin to bite. “Yes, it’s a remarkable coincidence,” Brandon chuckled, rubbing his hands together. “It’s almost like fate, quite extraordinary.” Hmph, fate? I came here specifically for revenge. I didn’t reply, just sat down. Brandon sat beside me, attentively pouring me a cup of tea. “Ms. Valerie, honestly, looking at you, it’s like looking at my wife. So familiar, so comforting. I just wish this moment could last forever.” Ugh, the shameless jerk. I smirked coldly. “You certainly seem to have a deep affection for your late wife.” Brandon didn’t catch my sarcasm. He chuckled. “Oh, I can’t help it. I just loved her too much.” I looked at him, sneering. “You’re truly a rare devoted man.”

Brandon, thinking I was genuinely praising him, beamed with delight, gesticulating wildly. “Thank you for the compliment, Ms. Valerie! I feel an instant connection with you, truly. My only regret is not meeting you sooner.” “It’s never too late to meet. Any time is the best time,” I said calmly. “I feel an instant connection with you too, Mr. Brandon.” I was speaking the truth, in my own way. “Really? That’s fantastic!” Brandon’s eyes gleamed, thinking I was reciprocating his interest. On stage, Amber called out to Brandon. “Brandon, come here for a second.” Brandon waved his hand dismissively, annoyed, but still walked over. He then spoke to Amber with a serious expression. “Amber, I think we should postpone the wedding, maybe have it later.” Amber’s face instantly changed. Slap! She slapped him across the face. “Brandon, you bastard, are you trying to delay it again?!” Brandon was stunned for a moment. “What are you doing?!” Amber panted, pointing at Brandon. “I’m telling you, Brandon, I’ve given you my final ultimatum. My patience is wearing thin.” Slap! Suddenly, Brandon, enraged, slapped her back. “You bitch, who do you think you are, giving me ultimatums?!” “I’ll kill you!” Amber shrieked hysterically, lunging at Brandon, and they started fighting. Clang! Bang! They went at it, fists and feet flying, a furious brawl. “You bastard! I put up with you messing around with other women, I put up with you not spending money on me, but today, you still want to delay?! I won’t take it anymore!” “How much money have you blown of mine, and you say I don’t spend money on you?!” “Where did your money come from? Half of it was mine to begin with!” “Go to hell!” “No, you go to hell!” They cursed and yelled at each other as they fought. Everyone else was dumbfounded. After a while, family and friends on both sides finally reacted, rushing onto the stage to pull them apart. “You filthy woman, I swear I’ll kill you today!” Brandon was still seething, cursing viciously. His face was covered in scratches from Amber, and his shirt was torn. “Go ahead and kill me, see if I don’t expose your dirty secrets!” Amber screamed at the top of her lungs. Brandon’s face stiffened, a look of apprehension in his eyes. He pointed at Amber. “Fine, fine, you win this round!” The two were dragged backstage by their relatives to fix their appearance. Judging by their “experienced” manner, they clearly fought often. They had reached a point where they despised each other, but as accomplices in my murder, they were two rotten peas in a pod. Brandon emerged from backstage first, rushing eagerly towards me. “Ah, I apologize for that, Ms. Valerie, you saw how Amber’s temper is. I was just trying to discuss something with her…” Brandon said with an awkward smile. He let out a long sigh, looking utterly helpless. “You forced me to do it, and you still have the nerve to talk!” Amber also approached, yelling angrily. She complained to me, looking wronged. “Valerie, I’m telling you, he’s promised me at least ten times these past few years, and every time he goes back on his word. Look, the wedding is happening today, and he still wants to delay it!” I smiled. “He’s also been unable to let go of his ex-wife. Besides, he once vowed to mourn for her for three years…” Amber rolled her eyes. “Please! That’s all just a made-up lie to fool people. He and his ex-wife had a terrible relationship. Less than a month after they got married, he was already sleeping with me…” Slap!

Brandon suddenly slapped Amber hard across the face, roaring with a twisted expression, “What the hell are you babbling about?! Shut up!” “Brandon, I’m not done with you!” Amber immediately lunged at him again. They started fighting once more. By the time everyone separated them again, Amber’s eyes were swollen. Clearly, Amber exposing Brandon’s lies in front of me had made him furious and violent. Many of their guests couldn’t stand it anymore, urging them to perhaps postpone the wedding. After all, it had devolved into such a spectacle, not only incredibly unsightly but devoid of any festive cheer. Brandon, of course, was thrilled with the idea, but Amber was absolutely determined. She pointed at Brandon and yelled: “Brandon, I’m telling you, this wedding has to happen today! Otherwise, you can look forward to jail time!” Brandon fell silent, his face a grim shade of green. Everyone else was bewildered, wondering why Brandon would go to jail if he didn’t marry Amber. With Amber’s insistence, the wedding was set to continue as planned. Amber went backstage to touch up her makeup again. Brandon plopped down, poured himself a glass of water, and gulped it down, looking angry and helpless. But when he saw me watching him, Brandon forced an awkward smile. “Ms. Valerie, Amber was really talking nonsense just now, please don’t take it seriously. I’ve always loved my ex-wife the most.” “You two are fighting like this, why is Amber so set on having the wedding?” I asked. Brandon snorted. “She’s just after my money. She wants to use the wedding to tie me down!” “People can still get divorced after marriage. How would that tie you down?” I pointed out. “We’re different…” Brandon hesitated, then waved his hand. “Never mind, let’s not talk about it. It’s a mood killer.” I nodded, saying nothing more. Brandon chuckled nervously, then cautiously asked, “Ms. Valerie, your business is so huge, would you be interested in partnering with my company? My company is looking for new investments as we prepare to go public.” I smiled slightly, nodding. “It’s not out of the question. Our group is planning to expand into new ventures. If it’s a good fit, we could consider investing in your company.” Brandon immediately leaped up, excited. “That’s wonderful, wonderful! We would really welcome your group’s investment.” Over these three years, that company had been practically hollowed out by Brandon, struggling even to stay afloat, let alone go public. I sneered inwardly, maintaining a calm expression. “Our group is also looking for a new CEO. If you have any suitable candidates, Mr. Brandon, you could recommend them. Of course, they’d need to be someone I can trust.” “Oh, really…” Brandon’s eyes lit up. After a moment’s hesitation, he chuckled nervously. “How about me, Ms. Valerie? I’d like to put myself forward, hahahaha.” “You? I don’t think so,” I chuckled softly. “While I do trust you, you’re marrying Amber, and Amber is my best friend. We need to keep some distance, or our friendship might suffer.” Brandon grew anxious, frowning, looking helpless. “But… that… we don’t need to keep that much distance, do we?” At that moment, the emcee began to speak. “The auspicious time has arrived! Let us welcome the groom…” Brandon hesitated, gave me a regretful look, then turned and walked onto the stage. A little while later, Amber also came onto the stage. Under the officiant’s guidance, the two began to exchange their vows. Just then, a young man strode in from outside, causing a small commotion. He was impeccably dressed in a suit, carrying a large bouquet of vibrant roses. He walked directly towards me, offering the flowers with both hands. “Ms. Valerie, why have you been avoiding me? I heard you were here and came specifically to find you.”

I didn’t take the flowers. Instead, I turned to look at Brandon on the stage. The officiant was asking, “Brandon, do you take Amber to be your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part, and do you pledge your faithfulness to her?” “I don’t!” Brandon suddenly gritted his teeth, interrupting the officiant. “I don’t love Amber at all! I’ve always deeply loved my ex-wife…!” Amber completely erupted. “Brandon, go to hell! Your ex-wife was killed by you…!” Amber’s words instantly sent a wave of shock through the entire venue. Except for me, almost everyone was utterly stunned. Amber pointed at Brandon, swearing loudly. “You bastard! You murdered your own wife with your bare hands, and now you come back pretending to be heartbroken?! Who are you trying to fool?!” “Are you insane?!” Brandon’s face flushed with rage. He slapped Amber, knocking her to the ground. Then he lunged onto Amber, pinning her down, hands around her throat. “You crazy bitch, I’m going to kill you!” Everyone quickly rushed forward in a frantic effort to pull the two apart. Amber coughed violently, pointing furiously at Brandon. “Brandon, you’re finished! You’re absolutely finished!” Brandon glared at Amber with deadly intensity. “You stupid woman! If I’m finished, do you think you’ll be any better off? Has your brain completely rotted away?!” Amber finally seemed to realize the gravity of her words, and suddenly she looked panicked. “Call the police, quickly, call the police!” Some guests couldn’t take it anymore, shouting, “Someone’s going to get killed at this rate!” A few guests had already pulled out their phones. “Don’t call the police! Please, don’t call the police!” Brandon and Amber frantically yelled, trying to stop everyone from calling the police. The crowd paused, confused. Brandon clasped his hands apologetically, forcing a dry laugh. “I’m so sorry, everyone, so sorry. We were just fooling around.” He then kicked Amber. Amber managed a strained smile. “Yes, yes, we were just playing around. Everyone, please don’t call the police.” Many guests were surprised, especially their close friends and family, who looked displeased. “Brandon, what exactly are you two doing?!” Brandon laughed awkwardly. “Misunderstanding, pure misunderstanding! You all know we’re both rather playful. We just wanted to have a unique wedding today, but it completely backfired. So, we won’t be having the wedding after all…” Amber immediately protested angrily. “You think you can just call it off like that?!” Brandon grabbed her throat, gritting his teeth. “Shut up, you! Do you really want to drag us both down with you?!” Amber choked out a few sounds. “You might as well strangle me to death! You won’t get a good ending either…” Brandon released her, pointing at Amber with exasperation. “Stupid woman, truly a stupid woman…” At this point, a guest stepped forward and asked, “Amber, you just said Brandon killed Julia. What exactly happened?” Several other guests quickly chimed in. “Yes, what really happened to Ms. Julia?” They were all my former business partners, and good friends too. “I… I…” Under their questioning, Amber became even more panicked, looking around helplessly, unable to speak. “Hah! What are you all thinking? She’s just talking nonsense,” Brandon quickly interjected, trying to smooth things over. “Julia’s death was a complete accident. The official investigation concluded it was an accident long ago. What’s there to doubt?” He shoved Amber hard. “Go on, explain yourself!” Amber understood, nodding and forcing a dry laugh. “Yes, yes, I was just saying all that in anger. Please don’t take it seriously.” “What goes around comes around. You two better watch yourselves.” The few guests didn’t say anything more.

This wedding had turned into a complete farce. Some guests, including those few, were preparing to leave. Brandon, however, raised his hand and waved, loudly announcing, “Everyone, please don’t leave just yet. I hope you can all stay and witness an even more important event for me.” Everyone looked at him, puzzled. Brandon picked up the bouquet of fresh flowers, which was originally meant for Amber, and walked towards me. Brandon came up to me, staring at the young man who had just presented me with flowers. “May I ask who you are?” His gaze was extremely aggressive. The young man smiled, extending his hand. “Hello, my name is Kevin.” Brandon didn’t shake his hand. He snorted. “Kevin? Never heard of you. I don’t recall you being invited to this wedding today, do I?” Kevin looked a little awkward. “I’m not here for the wedding. I’m here to see Ms. Valerie…” Brandon waved his hand, cutting him off. “Alright, you’re not welcome here. Now, leave.” Kevin’s face turned crimson. He gritted his teeth, then turned and slunk away, utterly humiliated. Truth be told, I didn’t know Kevin very well either, but he had been relentlessly pursuing me. His showing up here today was because I had someone discreetly tip him off that I’d be attending a wedding here. His arrival provided crucial assistance, pushing Brandon over the edge and making him publicly annul the wedding. Watching Kevin leave, Brandon smirked triumphantly, spitting. “What a complete nobody, trying to pursue our Ms. Valerie.” Then, he suddenly put on a fawning smile, presenting the bouquet to me with both hands. “Ms. Valerie, these flowers are for you, to express my most sincere… heartfelt intentions.” The crowd gasped again. Many people couldn’t help but show their disdain. “Brandon, what the hell are you doing?!” Amber erupted again, rushing over and pushing Brandon hard. Brandon replied impatiently, “It’s none of your business!” “None of my business?! You just called off our wedding, then turned around and declared your feelings to another woman! How is that none of my business?!” Amber’s eyes were practically spitting fire. Brandon’s eyes widened. “Don’t talk nonsense! While Ms. Valerie and I do have an instant connection, I’m a man of boundaries. I’m simply expressing my respect to Ms. Valerie, and offering myself to be the CEO of her corporation.” “CEO?” Amber looked confused. “Exactly.” Brandon shook his head proudly. “Ms. Valerie’s company is looking for a new CEO, and I think I’m quite suitable.” “Oh, so you were trying to hook up with Valerie, and that’s why you wanted to dump me, right?!” Amber yelled furiously. “Hook up? We just weren’t compatible, so let’s part ways amicably!” Brandon snorted. Amber then turned her angry gaze on me. “Valerie, what is going on? Are you deliberately trying to break us up? Are you seducing Brandon, aren’t you?!” “You bitch, can you stop talking nonsense?!” Brandon shoved Amber hard. Amber glared at me aggressively. “Alright, Brandon, both of you step aside for a moment. I need to talk to Valerie.” Brandon immediately looked wary. “What do you want to talk to her about?” Amber spoke with some seriousness. “Just move aside, okay? Valerie is my best friend. If you really want to be CEO, you’d better be polite to me, otherwise, one word from me and you’re out of the running.” Brandon scoffed, unconvinced. “You’re really full of yourself. Ms. Valerie has to listen to you? Ms. Valerie and I are good friends with an instant connection. You can’t drive a wedge between us.” “Then move aside!” Amber yelled.

I nodded at Brandon. “Mr. Brandon, perhaps you two should step away for a moment.” Although Brandon was reluctant, he still retreated further. Amber sat down next to me, asking indignantly, “Valerie, what on earth is going on? Are you interested in Brandon? You even want him to be your company’s CEO? Is his canceling the wedding related to you?” I raised an eyebrow, my voice cold. “Do you really think I’d be interested in someone like Brandon?” Amber thought for a moment, then a smile appeared on her face. “You’re right, how could you be interested in him? His company is just an empty shell. Even a dying camel is bigger than a horse, but it’s nothing compared to yours.” I smiled. “Tell me, why are you so determined to marry Brandon when he treats you like this?” Amber giggled. “Do you think I really love him that much? Let me tell you, I’m only after his money. I’m marrying him so I can officially take a share of his assets.” I frowned. “Isn’t that a bit… wrong?” Amber snorted. “What’s wrong with it?! That money was partly mine to begin with! He promised me half back then, but after he got the assets, he actually refused to admit it!” I thought for a moment. “I heard Brandon’s assets were mainly inherited from his ex-wife. Why would he be willing to give you half?” Amber’s face hardened, and she grew wary. “That, I’m not at liberty to tell you. You don’t need to know anyway; it has nothing to do with you.” Then she giggled again. “Valerie, I’m telling you, Brandon has a massive secret that I’m holding over his head, so he can’t possibly shake me off. I don’t mind if you make him CEO, as long as he makes money, I’ll benefit too.” “Can you tell me what kind of leverage you have?” I asked. Amber chuckled dryly. “Still can’t say. After all, it’s the biggest secret between him and me.” I chuckled softly. “Alright, I’m just kidding. Did you really think I’d be interested?” Amber suddenly got a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Oh, right, Valerie, if you’re genuinely interested in Brandon, I wouldn’t oppose you two dating. In fact, I’d support you marrying him. After all, you’re my best friend.” I rolled my eyes at her. Amber cackled. “I’m serious, not joking. As your best friend, I can share Brandon with you.” “Amber, if you say something like that again, don’t blame me for ending our friendship,” I said coldly. Inside, I was scoffing endlessly. Amber was truly a viper. She called me her best friend, claimed to support my marriage to Brandon, but in reality, she was just after my assets, trying to replicate the scheme she and Brandon used to murder me back then. “Alright, alright, I won’t say it again,” Amber chuckled dryly. “I’m going to go take off my makeup now.” With that, she turned and left, giving Brandon a defiant glare as she passed him. Brandon looked somewhat puzzled but ignored her, instead anxiously walking towards me. I secretly turned on the voice recorder I carried with me. “Ms. Valerie, what did she just tell you? She didn’t talk badly about me, did she?” Brandon asked, feigning nonchalance. “Brandon, was your ex-wife Julia killed by you and Amber working together?”

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I quit my high-paying job to support my husband Mark’s startup for three years, but I never took a single cent from the company’s accounts. On our third wedding anniversary, I spotted a designer bag that cost a few thousand dollars. Mark told me the company was at a critical stage and money was tight. He promised to make it up to me next year. I believed him, my heart aching for his stress. But the very next moment, I scrolled across a through a post from his secretary’s, Chloe Davis. She was showing off the exact same bag, captioned: “OMG! Thank you boss for remembering my birthday! Super touched by the amazing gift!” I let out a bitter laugh, then immediately called my best friend, Sarah Jensen, who’s a lawyer. “Sarah, help me draft a divorce agreement!” “I’m going to make Mark pay back every single thing he owes me, with interest!” …… “Sweetheart, I heard the foie gras here is amazing. How about we celebrate our anniversary here?” Mark held his phone out to me, the screen displaying a promotional page for a high-end French restaurant. The ambiance was elegant, and the prices were equally ‘beautiful’. I hesitated. “You decide, just don’t splurge too much. Doesn’t the company need cash flow right now?” Mark squeezed my hand, his eyes filled with apology. “Recently, to secure that downtown development project, money’s been tight everywhere. I’ve really put you through a lot, sweetheart. Once the company is doing better next year, I promise I’ll make it up to you with a grander anniversary celebration!” I smiled and nodded. In these past three years, Mark went from absolutely nothing to owning a company with dozens of employees. I knew better than anyone the struggles he’d faced. When he first decided to start his business, I didn’t hesitate. I quit my job, one that paid a six-figure salary, to handle all the internal affairs and poured all my savings into his company. For three years, I hadn’t bought a single decent new outfit. My skincare routine went from high-end brands to drugstore basics. Even when grocery shopping, I’d haggle for what felt like ages over a few cents. Everyone said I was foolish, but I believed we were partners, through thick and thin. I trusted him, and I trusted our relationship. But on our anniversary day, we still didn’t make it to that high-end restaurant. Mark claimed he had an urgent client meeting and had to change our plans to a casual diner near the office. While waiting for him, I passed a luxury store on the ground floor of a mall. In the display window sat a black quilted Chanel bag, classic and versatile. I couldn’t help but stare for a moment, then snapped a photo and sent it to Mark. He replied instantly, “Like it? I’ll definitely buy it for you once the company’s cash flow improves next year!” In that moment, I truly believed him. I even started mentally planning to find another job, even if the pay was lower, just to help ease his burden. But the very next second, I saw Chloe Davis’ latest SnapChat story. It was a beaming selfie of her holding that Chanel bag. “OMG! Thank you, boss, for remembering my birthday in your busy schedule, and for getting me the Chanel bag I’ve been dreaming of! So touched! I’ll definitely work even harder from now on to ease the boss’s burdens!” The location tag was a top-tier Japanese restaurant in the city where a meal cost at least two hundred dollars per person. Chloe Davis was Mark Harrison’s secretary. And that bag was identical to the one I’d just seen in the display window. I stood there, frozen in the cool night air. So, this was what ‘tight on cash’ meant. No money to buy his wife a designer bag for their anniversary. But he could casually gift his female secretary an identical one and take her to a two-hundred-dollar-a-head Japanese dinner to celebrate her birthday. Looking at Chloe’s youthful, radiant smile on my phone screen, then at my own reflection in the glass – a tired, slightly haggard woman in a three-year-old coat, worn out from all the work. I let out a bitter laugh, then immediately called my lawyer best friend. “Sarah, help me draft a divorce agreement.” “He’s going to pay back every single cent he owes me, with interest!”

When Mark arrived at our agreed meeting spot, it was already ten o’clock at night. He clearly hadn’t realized what had happened. His face showed the slight fatigue of a long business dinner. He habitually reached out to pull me into a hug. “Sorry I kept you waiting, sweetheart? That client was just so difficult…” I subtly took a step back. “Oh, really? I saw Secretary Davis’ SnapChat story. Weren’t you eating Japanese food together earlier? Or was the difficult client actually Chloe, your secretary?” Mark froze. A flicker of panic crossed his face, but he quickly composed himself. “You saw Chloe’s SnapChat? Sweetheart, please don’t misunderstand! Let me explain!” “Explain what?” I tilted my head, looking at him, a bitter smile on my lips. “Explain why you have money to take your secretary to a two-hundred-dollar-a-head Japanese dinner, and buy her a three-thousand-dollar bag, but no money to buy your wife the same bag for our anniversary, or even a decent meal?” “It’s not what you think!” Mark’s voice was urgent. “That bag was for PR, for building relationships with important clients! As for the dinner, it was her birthday today, and as her boss, showing a gesture of care is perfectly normal, right? Sweetheart, you have to understand me. In business, sometimes these social engagements are necessary!” “PR? A gesture of care?” Hearing those words, I felt nothing but utter scorn. “Using a limited-edition designer bag to ‘do PR’ for a freshly graduated junior secretary? And showing ‘care’ at a top-tier Japanese restaurant requires a SnapChat story for the whole world to see? Mark Harrison, do you take me for a fool?” Mark bristled, his voice rising a few notches. “Sarah! Can you stop being so irrational?! I’m out there busting my ass every day, isn’t it all for this family? Can’t you be a little understanding of my difficulties? It’s just a bag, are you really going to make such a big deal out of it?” I laughed. “Oh, right. For ‘Mr. Mark Harrison, CEO,’ it’s ‘just a bag’ for his secretary. But for me, his wife, it’s ‘company difficulties, maybe next year’.” I turned away, no longer looking at him, my voice turning ice-cold. “Mark Harrison, let’s get a divorce.” Mark stared at me, disbelief etched on his face. “Sarah, are you insane?! You want to divorce me just for a bag?!” I looked at him, my gaze calm. “Yes, just for a bag.”

In the days that followed, Mark clearly didn’t take my words seriously. He probably thought it was just another one of my typical tantrums. After all, for the past three years, though I occasionally felt wronged, I always ended up sacrificing my own feelings for the ‘bigger picture’. First, he tried to use the silent treatment to gloss things over. When I remained unmoved, he started to play the sympathy card. “Sweetheart, I know I messed up. I was wrong that day; I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.” I was leaning against the headboard, scrolling through my phone, and didn’t even lift my eyelids. “That bag, I’ll get it back tomorrow and give it to you! No, right now!” He pulled out his phone, pretending to make a call. “No need,” I said flatly. “I find things others have used… dirty. From now on, anything I want, I’ll buy myself.” He awkwardly lowered his phone and leaned in, trying to hug me. “Sweetheart, please don’t be angry anymore. Can’t we just go back to living our lives together? I promise, I’ll never have any contact with Chloe outside of work again, I…” I threw back the covers, got out of bed, and avoided his touch. “Mr. Harrison, this is the master bedroom. You reek of someone else’s perfume, and I’m allergic. Could you please sleep in the guest room until the divorce is finalized?” Mark’s face finally darkened. “Sarah, do you have to be like this? Without me, how will you live? You’ve been out of the workforce for three years! Do you really think you’re still that ‘Ms. Stevens’ with a six-figure salary from back then?” This was the man I had given my heart and soul to. In his eyes, I was already devalued, a parasite who needed to cling to him to survive. I let out a bitter laugh. Before I could speak, Mark’s phone rang. He glanced at it, instinctively turned away to answer, his voice a deliberately softened tone. “Hello? Chloe? Don’t cry… send me the address, I’m coming right over!” He hung up, then turned around, his eyes meeting my mocking gaze. For a moment, his expression froze. “Mr. Harrison, you’re truly a busy man. Done comforting your wife, now off to comfort your secretary?” “Don’t worry, soon, you won’t have to work so hard.” Mark flew into a rage. “Sarah! Don’t push your luck! Divorce? Forget it! The company’s on an upswing, and you pulling this now is deliberately trying to ruin me! I’m telling you, if we divorce, you won’t get a single cent!” I walked to the door, a faint smile on my lips. “Really? Well then, let’s see about that.”

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I stood in Alpha James’s study. The weight of ten years pressed against my chest as I prepared to say goodbye. “Tara,” Alpha James said, his brow furrowed with concern. “I know this has been unfair to you. Can you give Dean one last chance?” His voice carried the weariness of a father who knew his son had strayed too far. The anger flickered in his eyes as he added, “When that bastard comes back, I’ll break his legs myself.” I opened my mouth to decline when the door burst open. Dean stormed in, his tall frame filling the doorway. His handsome face twisted with irritation. “Tara, are you that desperate to get married? Can’t you even wait three years?” His voice dripped with contempt. “I promised Megan I’d stay with her for three years. Do you really want to turn me into a man who breaks his word?” The anger in his tone made me study him carefully. I searched for traces of the kind boy I’d met a decade ago, but that boy was gone. The man before me was a stranger. Ten years ago, Alpha James had saved my entire family from a pack of vicious Rogues. In gratitude, my grandfather arranged a marriage between me and the Alpha’s son. My rare witch bloodline could heal Dean’s crippled legs, though the magic would cost me ten years of my life. Back then, Dean was just a shy, disabled teenager. At our first meeting, he’d offered me a piece of candy with trembling hands. Something warm had stirred in my chest. Every year after that, he sent me gifts on holidays. Living deep in the mountain forests, I knew little of the outside world. Each present he chose filled me with joy and curiosity. But now everything had changed. Seeing my silence, Dean’s voice softened slightly. “Tara, we’re still young. Three years is nothing. Go see the world or whatever you want—just stay out of my way. But if you keep causing trouble, I won’t marry someone who can’t control her jealousy.” Alpha James’s face flushed with rage. He moved toward his son, fist raised. I stepped between them, my hand gentle on the Alpha’s arm. Then I turned to Dean. “I won’t force you,” I said simply. As a rare witch, I had no shortage of suitors. Dean thought his status as the Alpha heir and his wealth gave him power over me. He was wrong. Ever since he found Megan, his supposed fated mate, he’d wasted no time making her his Beta. He paraded her through parties and important pack gatherings without shame. I’d asked to dissolve our engagement multiple times, but Alpha James kept begging me to give Dean another chance. Now, after Dean had publicly humiliated me, I was finally ready to let go. Relief crossed Dean’s face as he nodded. He clapped my shoulder with false warmth. “That’s the spirit, Tara. Don’t worry. In three years, I’ll give you the grandest wedding this city has ever seen. I’ll make sure you have all the respect you deserve.” He left with Megan on his arm, looking pleased with himself. I pulled out my phone and scrolled to a contact I hadn’t used in years. My fingers moved across the screen with steady purpose. “The wedding with Dean is cancelled. Do you remember our agreement? Get ready to marry me.” The response came instantly. My phone buzzed with an incoming call. “Are you serious?” The voice on the other end was breathless, almost frantic. “You really don’t like that cripple anymore? You’re willing to marry me? You’re not just using me as a substitute, are you?” A soft laugh escaped my lips. “I swear on my witch’s honor. Is that enough?” Sharp, urgent breathing filled the line. “I’m coming to get you right now.”

I turned to pack my things, trying to push away the hollow feeling in my chest. My eyes fell on two tickets lying on the desk. Hawaii. The tickets Dean had finally agreed to after months of my pleading. It was supposed to be our honeymoon trip. A chance to start fresh. The door slammed open behind me. Dean stormed in and snatched the tickets from my hands. He tore them into pieces with sharp, violent movements. The scraps fluttered down onto my face like bitter snow. “Tara, I knew you hadn’t given up.” His voice was harsh with accusation. “Still fantasizing about dragging me on a honeymoon trip around the world?” Before I could respond, his hand shot out and wrapped around my throat. His fingers dug into my skin as he pulled me close. “Tell me. What did you do to Megan?” My throat burned. I coughed, struggling to breathe. “Dean, you took her and left the wedding. I haven’t seen her since. What could I possibly have done?” His grip tightened. “You said you wouldn’t force me to marry you. Right after that, Megan collapsed with terrible stomach pain. She’s unconscious now. The pack doctors have run every test they can think of. Nothing. You’re a witch, Tara. You must have cursed her with some kind of dark magic.” I clawed at his hand, gasping for air. My words came out broken and desperate. “Dean, my magic can only heal people. It requires my own blood. My own life force. Do you really think I’m insane enough to waste my life hurting Megan?” Something flickered in his eyes. Disgust. He looked at me like I was something rotten. “You gave up ten years of your life to heal me. That was all about greed, wasn’t it? You wanted my status. My wealth. What wouldn’t someone like you do for power?” I stared at him, shock freezing me in place. This was how he saw my sacrifice. This was what my healing meant to him. Dean took my silence as confirmation. His face twisted with righteous anger. He dragged me toward the door, his fingers still bruising my arm. “You’re going to heal Megan right now. If you don’t, I’ll make you regret it.” He shoved me into his car. The drive to the hospital was a blur of speed and silence. The hospital room was crowded when we arrived. Megan lay on the bed, her face pale and twisted with pain. She clutched her stomach, soft moans escaping her lips. Doctors and nurses clustered around her, their voices low and worried. Dean kicked me forward. I fell to my knees in front of Megan’s bed. A knife clattered onto the floor beside me. “Use your blood to save her. Now. Or you’re not leaving this hospital alive.” I looked up at him. “Dean, I’m telling you. This wasn’t my magic. I can’t heal what I didn’t cause.” Every eye in the room turned toward me. This was Dean’s family hospital. No one would speak up for a witch. No one would defend me against the Alpha’s son. Before I could think of what to do next, Dean grabbed my arm. He picked up the blade. The metal bit deep into my skin, a long cut that made blood pour out in a hot rush. “If you won’t confess, I don’t mind draining you dry.” His voice was cold. Clinical. “Let’s see if your magic still works without any blood left in your body.” Pain shot up my arm. I forced the words out through gritted teeth. “Dean. I’m telling you one more time. I cannot save her.” A bitter laugh escaped me. Anger burned through the pain. “But here’s something to think about. If I die, how long do you think you’ll last?” His pupils contracted. His chest heaved with fury. Then his hand was around my throat again, squeezing. “So it was you.” His voice shook. “I need to teach you a lesson. Otherwise you’ll never leave Megan alone.” He waved his hand. Several werewolf warriors entered the room. Dean’s orders were simple. “Teach this witch what happens when she hurts innocent people.” The warriors closed in. Fists and boots connected with my body. Someone produced an iron rod studded with small spikes. The first strike across my back made me cry out. “Dean, I’ll report you to the police!” My voice came out raw. Desperate. “I’ll have all of you thrown in prison!” He laughed. It was a cold, empty sound. “The police won’t believe a witch. Everyone here will testify that you tried to murder Megan first. I’m only protecting my mate.” He took the spiked rod from one of the warriors. He raised it high. The rod came down across my back with brutal force. Agony exploded through my body. My vision went white.

I barely had time to catch my breath when Megan began moaning again from her hospital bed. Dean’s fury doubled. The spiked rod came down across my back again. “Are you going to save Megan or not?” Another strike. The pain was blinding. I collapsed completely, my body giving out. I forced the words through my teeth. “You’re a bastard, Dean.” Then something impossible happened. Megan sat up in bed. She climbed down, perfectly steady on her feet. She walked over to where I lay crumpled on the floor and placed her foot on my hand. Then she pressed down, grinding her heel into my fingers. “Tara,” she said sweetly. “So it really was you. The moment you started suffering, my pain disappeared completely.” She twisted her foot, crushing my fingers beneath it. There was no trace of weakness in her movements. No sign of the agony she’d displayed moments before. The medical staff gasped. “It must be true,” one doctor whispered. “The witch cursed Miss Megan. How else could she recover so suddenly?” “Exactly,” another agreed. “Dozens of us examined her. We found nothing. But the moment this witch got hurt, Miss Megan was cured.” Their words fed Dean’s rage. He struck me again and again with the rod. “Tell me what spell you put on Megan.” I managed a bitter smile. “I’ll tell you when you’re dead, Dean.” The truth was obvious. Megan had faked everything. The illness, the pain, all of it. She’d orchestrated this entire scene to force Dean’s hand against me. To make him choose her completely. To destroy any chance of reconciliation between us. She would only stop if Dean was dead. But Dean was blind to it. Love had made him stupid. My refusal to confess only made him angrier. “Tara, let’s see what’s harder. Your stubborn mouth or my iron rod.” He tossed the weapon to one of the werewolf warriors. “Lock her in the basement. Fifty strikes every day. No food or water.” The warriors moved immediately. They stuffed cloth in my mouth to silence me and dragged me toward the door. The warriors threw me into the basement and exchanged meaningful glances before leaving. I lay there, confused by their hesitation. Why hadn’t they started the beatings immediately? Then the door burst open again. Several rogues descended the stairs, their laughter echoing off the concrete walls. The look in their eyes made my blood run cold. I tried to scream, but one of them lunged forward and clamped his hand over my mouth. “Hurry up, boys.” “Make it quick. We’ve got money waiting.” Grimy hands pawed at my chest. A stinking mouth pressed against my face. Someone ripped my pants with a sharp tearing sound. Cold air hit my exposed skin. Shame and fury burned through me. I opened my mouth and bit down hard on the rogue’s face. His scream pierced the air. The others froze, then started slapping me viciously, trying to pry my jaw open. “Bitch! Let go!” I held on with everything I had. The injured rogue’s voice rose to a roar. “Beat her! Knock her out so she can’t fight back!” The rogues hesitated for only a second. Then fists and boots rained down on me from all directions. One grabbed my hair and swung a club. It connected with my skull twice with sickening thuds. Blood poured down my forehead. My vision blurred and darkened at the edges. A shocked voice cut through the chaos. “Stop! What are you doing?” Through the haze, I made out two figures approaching. Dean and Megan. I tried to speak, to tell Dean these rogues had tried to rape me. But my mouth wouldn’t form the words. The lead rogue’s eyes darted around quickly. Then he dropped to his knees in front of Dean. “We came to rescue the witch, Alpha. She contacted us with her magic. Promised to sleep with us if we freed her.” Dean’s expression turned thunderous. His eyes went cold and hard. The old rogue’s voice took on a whining quality. “She’s the one who told us where to find this basement. We came like she asked, but then she changed her mind. Said we were too dirty to touch her. That’s when the fight started.” Dean’s gaze swept over the scene. Then landed on me, clothes torn, lying broken on the floor. “Get out,” he snarled. “All of you. Now.” The rogues scrambled up the stairs and disappeared. Dean stared down at me with contempt and fury. “Tara, you brought this on yourself. Using your witch powers so carelessly. One day your magic will be the death of you.” He turned and left, Megan on his arm. But Megan came back. She crouched beside me, her face close to mine. “Did you enjoy the rogues I sent you, Tara?” I managed a cold laugh despite the pain. Stared at her with all the hatred I could muster. Her acting had been pathetic from start to finish. But Dean was too blinded by love to see it. Megan grabbed a fistful of my hair and spat in my face. “Can’t you see it yet? Dean loves me now. If you had any sense, you’d agree to break off the engagement yourself. Save yourself some suffering.” She stood and looked down at me with satisfaction. “What good is being a witch? You’re still lying here like a dying dog.” I wanted to tell her the truth. That if the engagement ended, Dean would die too. But darkness swallowed me before I could speak.

When I opened my eyes again, it was already the next day. Werewolf warriors dragged me into the great hall. My body still ached from yesterday’s beating. What I saw made my blood run cold. Dean had brought in a male wizard. The man stood in the center of the hall, performing some kind of twisted ritual. His movements were all wrong. Dark candles flickered around him in a strange pattern. Dean spotted me. Satisfaction flickered across his face. “Tara, did you really think your little witch tricks could threaten me?” His voice carried through the hall. “This is the master wizard I hired. You’ll pray with him now. Help him drive the demon out of Megan. Then I’ll believe you didn’t curse her.” I studied the wizard’s movements more carefully. The hand gestures. The positioning of the candles. The words he muttered under his breath. Horror crashed through me. This wasn’t an exorcism. This was a prayer to Satan himself. The warriors hauled me toward the male wizard. Their grip was iron on my arms. I gathered every scrap of strength left in my broken body. Then I shoved them away with everything I had. I lunged at Dean. My palm connected with his face in a sharp crack that echoed through the hall. “Dean, you can cancel our engagement if you want. But you cannot force me to pray to Satan!” “Dean!” Megan’s shriek cut through the stunned silence. She rushed forward, tears already streaming down her face. Her hands fluttered over his reddening cheek. Then she whirled on me. Her palm struck my face hard enough to snap my head to the side. “Tara, if you don’t want to bless me, just say so. Why did you hit Dean?” Her voice shook with false hurt. “You’re just guilty. Afraid everyone will find out you cursed me.” She collapsed against Dean’s chest, sobbing dramatically. The male wizard stopped his ritual. His eyes narrowed to slits as he studied me. Something cold and ancient lurked in that gaze. “Your heart is not sincere,” he said, his voice like oil sliding over stone. “The blessing would be useless. It might even make Miss Megan’s condition worse.” Silence fell over the hall. Then the wizard’s lips curved into a smile that made my skin crawl. “I have a medicine,” he told Dean. “One pill, and the person who takes it can only speak truth. Perhaps Miss Tara should swallow my medicine.” The wizard produced a pill from his robes. It was black as tar, and something about it made the air around it shimmer darkly. Dean stared at the pill. For a moment, something flickered in his eyes. Hesitation. Maybe even concern. “This medicine won’t threaten her life, will it?” “Not at all,” the wizard assured him smoothly. “As long as she hasn’t lied, it won’t harm her life in the slightest.” Dean’s gaze moved between the pill and the wizard. His brow furrowed. Megan chose that moment to speak up. “Dean, I’m so scared Tara wants to hurt me.” Her voice broke on a sob. “Even though I’m carrying your child, I don’t know if I’ll survive long enough to give birth.” She buried her face in Dean’s chest. Her shoulders shook with exaggerated crying. Dean’s expression hardened. The concern vanished from his eyes, replaced by cold determination. My heart clenched with sudden fear. “Dean, they’re lying to you—” Before I could finish, Dean moved. His hand shot out and grabbed me. His fingers clamped around my jaw, forcing my mouth open. He shoved the black pill down my throat. “Tara, don’t worry. I have the best medical experts here. I won’t let you come to any real harm.” The pill hit my tongue. A wave of rancid sweetness flooded my mouth, so foul I gagged. The pill slid down my throat before I could spit it out. Pain exploded in my chest. I doubled over, coughing violently. Blood sprayed from my lips, spattering the marble floor. The hall began to spin. My vision blurred at the edges. Darkness crept in from all sides. Then I heard it. A voice cutting through the fog in my mind. “Tara!” I managed to lift my head. A familiar face swam into view through my failing vision. “Travis!” My legs gave out. I fell forward into strong arms that caught me easily. “Tara,” Travis’s voice rumbled through his chest. “I’m sorry I’m late. I’m sorry you had to suffer.” The darkness pulled me under.

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The night Autumn and I got engaged. She was dragged into the restroom and raped. I heard everything from the men’s room. Autumn’s cries were utterly desperate. Her pleas for help were ear-splitting. After I left the restroom. I even saw the man who raped her, a satisfied smirk on his face, pull up his pants and walk away. After that night. Autumn had a mental breakdown, always talking nonsense. Half a month later. The doctors said there was no effective treatment. And I asked Autumn’s family to call off the engagement. In the hospital room. Liam, Autumn’s brother, clenched his fist and punched me in the face. His eyes burned with pure fury, a murderous glint flashing as he grabbed my collar. “You animal, are you even human?” “My sister is like this because she was raped.” “Instead of finding the man who did this to get justice for her.” “You’re backing out, wanting to call off the engagement and abandon her.” “Are you even a man?” … Liam’s shouts were loud. His spit landed on my face. But I didn’t argue back. It was as if I was silently agreeing. “My daughter has always been sweet and sensible since she was a child.” “She chose you out of thousands.” “How could you let her suffer such a wrong?” Eleanor, Autumn’s mother, cried uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face as she glared at me. Especially when she turned around and saw her daughter lying on the bed, staring blankly. Her inner rage had nowhere to go. She walked up and slapped me hard, twice. “Alex, if you’re a man.” “Then find the bastard who raped my Autumn!” Watching Eleanor’s tear-streaked face. I gently shook my head. “I want to call off the engagement.” Liam, standing nearby, suddenly lunged, grabbing my throat. “You piece of trash!” “You want to abandon my sister?” Eleanor pointed a trembling finger at me. “Autumn used to say she was so lucky.” “She found the man who loved her most, besides her family.” “Is this how you love her?” I glanced at Autumn on the hospital bed. Then, my voice flat, I said, “Eleanor, I’m heartbroken about what happened to Autumn, but since it’s already happened, we have to accept reality.” “What reality are you talking about?” “You think my sister is ‘dirty’?” “So you’re calling off the engagement?” “Is that it?” Liam roared at me, his voice like thunder. The look in his eyes right then. He wanted to tear me apart and swallow me whole! Eleanor glared at me intensely. When I nodded. She couldn’t hold back anymore and lunged at me, clawing and screaming. I instinctively tried to dodge. But Liam had my throat. I couldn’t move. Immediately after. Eleanor scratched at my face like a madwoman. I felt a stinging, burning pain all over my face. But compared to the pain on my face. My heart hurt more! Eleanor finally stopped when she saw my face covered in blood. A nurse came in and saw me. She nervously asked if I wanted to call the police. Liam snorted, asking, “You animal, are you going to call the police?” I looked at the nurse and gently shook my head. “You’re bleeding a lot…” “None of your damn business!” Liam scared the nurse away. Just then. The hospital room door opened again. Richard, Autumn’s father, walked in, his face grim. “Dad, this bastard wants to call off the engagement with Autumn!” “He thinks she’s dirty; he wants to abandon her!” Liam immediately tattled to his father. Richard grabbed a chair and, without a word, slammed it into my back. I fell to the ground, trembling uncontrollably. “Ah!” Autumn on the bed suddenly let out a terrified scream. “Sweetie, don’t be scared.” Eleanor immediately rushed over and hugged her daughter tightly. “Mom, he… how is he here?”

Autumn pointed at me. Her eyes filled with panic and fear. Eleanor thought her daughter was angry that I wanted to call off the engagement. “Sweetie, your father is teaching this scum a lesson!” Richard grabbed the chair again, ready to hit me. I was in too much pain to straighten up. Completely unable to resist. “No…” Autumn cried out loudly to stop him. But the chair was already coming down. *Bang!* The thick chair shattered with a thud. And I coughed up blood from the impact. “Dad, don’t hit my husband!” Autumn cried out, her eyes red. “This scumbag isn’t your husband!” Richard said coldly. Then. He walked up to me, knelt down, grabbed my collar, and stared at me with a gaze like a bottomless pit. “Do you know why I’m hitting you?” I didn’t speak. The intense pain made me tremble constantly. “It’s not because you want to break off the engagement with my daughter.” “And it’s certainly not because you want to abandon her.” “It’s because… you’re not human!” He paused. Richard then shared his findings. Apparently, on the night of the engagement. When Autumn was raped. I was actually in the men’s room. A hotel cleaner saw me. In other words. I most likely saw the man who raped Autumn. “Is… is that true?” “He saw him?” Eleanor couldn’t help but rush to her husband. “That’s right.” “He definitely saw him.” Richard said with certainty. “Why did you tell the police you didn’t see the culprit?” Eleanor yanked my hair. Her expression was unusually fierce. “It must have been someone he knew.” “But that person is someone he can’t afford to cross.” “So he didn’t dare tell the police.” “Afraid of retaliation!” Richard said chillingly. “Is that it?!” Eleanor demanded, her voice full of rage. I was in too much pain to speak. But facing their questions. I still forced myself to answer, despite the intense pain. “I… I didn’t see the culprit!” “You’re lying!” Richard stared at me with icy eyes. “The hotel cleaner said so.” “She saw you coming out of the restroom then.” “And another man leaving in a different direction.” “You one hundred percent saw the culprit!” “Why are you afraid to say it?” As Richard finished speaking. Liam suddenly walked over, grabbed my collar, and forcibly pulled me to my feet. Then, without asking a single question. He repeatedly punched me in the face. I was almost unconscious. Only then did he roar at me. “You bastard, just tell us!” “Who was that man?!” Seeing my silence. Liam grew even angrier. “You won’t say, huh?” “I’ll kill you!” The next second. Liam’s face twisted into a snarl as he clamped his hands tightly around my neck. This time, it wasn’t a threat. He genuinely wanted to kill me! I could feel his hands squeezing with all his might!

In mere seconds. The lack of air almost made me pass out. “I want to fly!” At that critical moment. Autumn’s words caught the family’s attention. When they looked over. It nearly scared the life out of them. Autumn had somehow gotten out of bed. She was leaning out the window. Her upper body already dangling outside. “Sweetie!” “Autumn!” They cried out, their faces pale with terror, rushing over to pull Autumn back in. And I got a brief moment to breathe. Seizing the opportunity while their attention was elsewhere. I immediately endured the pain and left the hospital room. That afternoon, my parents came to the hospital to see me. When they learned I supposedly saw the culprit. They all looked at me in disbelief. “Why didn’t you tell the police who the culprit was?” “Why did you let Autumn suffer like this?” “Are you even a man?” Seeing the disappointment in my parents’ eyes. I turned my head and remained silent. “Having a son like you.” “It’s a disgrace to our family name, Michael!” My dad angrily got up and left. My mom stayed. But her attitude towards me was noticeably different afterward. I didn’t explain anything about it. The next day. Liam came to see me first thing in the morning. He didn’t hit or curse at me like yesterday. He had clearly changed his strategy. “Alex, you didn’t call the police, did you?” When I shook my head. He let out a long sigh of relief. “Yesterday, our family was a little emotional.” “But you have to understand, the person hurt is our beloved family member.” “We can’t bear for her to suffer any harm, do you understand?” I nodded: “I understand.” “Good then.” Liam sat by my hospital bed. He lit a cigarette. “You don’t mind, do you?” “It’s fine.” Liam took a few deep drags. “Last night, my sister’s mind cleared up a little.” “She said she called you then.” “You picked up, but you didn’t say anything.” “Is that true?” I hummed in affirmation. “Yes, that’s true.” “Then why didn’t you tell the police?” “I forgot.” Liam frowned. “Did you hear her calling for help on the phone?” “I did.” “Then why didn’t you go save her?” “I was drunk at the time and thought she was joking with me.” “You bastard!” Liam’s veins pulsed on his face. He glared at me fiercely: “If you had only believed my sister then, maybe she wouldn’t have been raped. You’re the one who ruined her!” “I’m sorry for what I did to her.” “Since even you know you wronged her, I advise you not to mention calling off the engagement again.” “Also, once you’ve recovered from your injuries, personally go apologize to my parents.” “I’ll think about it.” “Do you even need to think about this?!” Liam was already itching to lay his hands on me again. But then my phone rang. I answered and asked, “Can you recover call recordings?”

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I was the extra kid in my family, the one who didn’t quite fit. My sister, Victoria, was a beauty queen, and my brother, Daniel, was the valedictorian of his high school, the smartest kid in the whole state. Me? I was just… ordinary. The only award I ever won was a participation ribbon in kindergarten. On my eighteenth birthday, I wished to my parents that this New Year’s, I could see the ocean, down south where it’s warm. When winter break came, Mom and Dad proudly showed off the plane tickets they’d already booked. Upon arrival, Daniel and Victoria cheered at the sight of the snow in the North. We stayed at a guesthouse for several days. On New Year’s Day, I woke up early and knocked on my parents’ door, only to find it empty. I checked my phone and saw a picture of them having their New Year’s Eve dinner, a happy family feast. That’s when I realized they had gone home last night. I stood in front of the empty room, a little lost. My first thought was, *What did I do wrong?* Before I could find an answer, footsteps echoed on the stairs behind me. It was Mr. Peterson, the guesthouse owner, coming up. I instinctively apologized, “I’m so sorry, I overslept. I didn’t realize my parents left last night.” Mr. Peterson’s face instantly hardened. I immediately lowered my head, bracing myself for a harsh dressing-down. But the scolding I expected never came. Instead, a large hand gently patted my head, stroking twice, not too hard, not too soft. “How could parents be so careless? Leaving their child behind when they go on vacation? Come on, tell me your parents’ number. I’ll call them and tell them to come back and pick you up!” Feeling the warmth on my head, for some reason, a lie just slipped out: “Don’t call them! This is a challenge my parents left me, to see if I can survive on my own now that I’m an adult.” But I rarely lied, and I nervously looked up, meeting his concerned gaze. “Can you let me stay? I can cook, and I’ll help with chores!” Mr. Peterson frowned, still insistent. “No, we have to contact your parents.” I pulled my ID card from behind my phone case and knelt directly in front of him. “If my parents were worried about me, they’d send me money to get back home. I’m an adult, I can take responsibility for my actions. Please, just don’t send me away!” This wasn’t the first time my parents had left me behind. And I knew that if I contacted them, they would either come back for me or book me a return ticket. But every time I reappeared, safe and sound, their brief flicker of guilt would vanish. Even once, when I told them I almost got lost and taken by strangers, they just told me to stick closer next time I went out. Many times, I wondered if they hated me. Later, I learned it wasn’t hate, just a lack of love. It was barely a fraction of what Victoria and Daniel received. After all, I was just an extra kid, with no special qualities, no reason to keep around. What right did I have to be compared to them? Maria, the guesthouse owner’s wife, was a young woman from the South. When she heard my story, and then that I was the third child in my family, she looked at me with a complex expression and sighed softly. “Working here doesn’t pay much. It’s just sixty bucks a day, but it includes room and board. Are you okay with that?” I stared at her, astonished, then nodded with all my strength. Just being taken in was a luxury, and to get paid? I never expected that. I already had it all planned out. Once I saved up enough money, maybe next holiday, I could go see the ocean down south for real!

“Alright, come on, let’s get to work! First, let’s put up the New Year’s banners!” Mr. Peterson’s voice pulled me back to reality. I looked up at him, incredulous. “I’m allowed to put up the banners?” He frowned, as if he wanted to roll his eyes, but held back. “What’s ‘allowed’ got to do with it? Just get it done quickly so we can eat.” I took the new banners. The red paper smelled of fresh ink, but holding them, it felt unreal. At home, setting up for the holidays – putting up decorations, hanging lanterns – it all had rules. My brother, being the boy, was always the one allowed to do it. My sister, with her good grades and pretty face, was deemed worthy of that honor. I carefully put up the banners. As soon as I finished, a hand pulled me inside. The dining table was laden with steaming dumplings, and a group of people were huddled together, yet they’d left a space for me. I froze. During holidays growing up, I was always stuck in the kitchen helping out with a group of relatives, waiting for everyone else to finish eating before it was our turn. Most times, I wasn’t even allowed to sit at the main table. “Eat, what are you staring at?” Maria put a dumpling in my bowl. Their warmth enveloped me, and as I ate the dumplings, I slowly joined in their conversation. Outside, the kids were setting off sparklers, crackling brightly. Maria pulled out two boxes of small sparklers from a cabinet and handed them to me. “Go play.” I was a little surprised. “I don’t need to work?” “It’s New Year’s, we don’t clean today. We’ll do it tomorrow morning. Go have fun today,” Maria said, smiling as she nudged me. Seeing their insistence, I stepped outside. Watching the kids, much younger than me, freely running around in the night, I couldn’t help but smile. Truth be told, I didn’t like New Year’s. I was never the “golden child” everyone talked about, and in those bustling gatherings, even quietly breathing in a corner felt wrong. But I found that celebrating the holidays away from home for the first time actually felt… freer. Just then, my phone vibrated in my pocket. I quickly checked it. It was a message from the family SnapChat group. My family had posted a group photo. I held my phone for a long time, waiting for Mom and Dad to ask where I was. I let out a long breath, unsure if it was disappointment or a strange sense of relief. I tapped on the photo. Everyone was gathered around Grandma and Grandpa, with Daniel and Victoria standing on either side, smiling brightly. Without me, the picture seemed even more harmonious. Suddenly, I felt a warmth on my back. A thick coat was draped over my shoulders. I turned around. It was Maria. She looked from my phone screen to my face. “Sweetie, are you thinking about home?”

Before I could answer, Maria began to ramble. “My family is from the South too, and I was also the third child.” “Unlike you, I had two older sisters and a younger brother. At home, the holidays were the worst.” “We didn’t have much money, so new clothes always went to my sisters and my brother first. My sisters’ hand-me-downs would eventually come to me. My brother? Well, he was a boy, so he always got new things.” She paused, as if remembering something, then laughed. “Good thing I married far away. I didn’t have to go back home and endure that kind of treatment anymore.” … Listening to Maria’s story, my eyes welled up without me realizing it. But I knew that you shouldn’t cry on New Year’s, or you’d cry all year. I could only look up at the sky, where there was nothing, but my eyes still felt dry and strained. “I guess it’s not that I don’t want to go home.” “It’s just that… I feel a bit like an extra at home. Maybe it’s better not to go back and just cause more trouble.” The following days at the guesthouse were simple and fulfilling, filled with busy work. It wasn’t until the sixth day of the New Year that I received my first message on my phone. I nervously pulled it out, and when I saw it wasn’t from Mom or Dad, but from Jessica, a cousin I wasn’t particularly close to, I couldn’t describe the feeling. Still, I tapped on the chat. “You didn’t have a fight with your parents, did you? I didn’t see you when we went to visit today. I didn’t dare say anything, afraid of causing an argument.” Even through the screen, I could imagine her eager expression, waiting for some drama. “Honestly, you too, there’s no need to constantly compare yourself to your brother and sister. They’re good-looking, smart, and obedient. What do you have to compete with them?” I stared at the words, about to type out the truth. *I was left behind by Mom and Dad in the North.* *I never wanted to compete with Daniel or Victoria.* But before I hit send, I deleted every single word. What would it prove? They might even get upset that my absence ruined their holiday mood if they found out. Better to pretend I didn’t know, and just finish my winter job. Earn some money. Next time they forgot my allowance, I wouldn’t have to go hungry. But I never expected that on the eighth day of the New Year, I would see Aunt Carol and Jessica visiting the guesthouse. They were surprised to see me, wearing an apron and wiping tables, but they still greeted me warmly. “What are you doing here?” “Working here for the winter break,” I said honestly. Aunt Carol looked incredulous. “Your family comes from a pretty well-off background, why do you need to work a winter job?” She added, “I’ll call your parents later and ask them about it.” I didn’t know how to respond, so I didn’t. Aunt Carol and Jessica stayed for three days, and I was on edge for all three. Even as I cleaned their vacated room, I still hadn’t received any messages from Mom or Dad. I gave a self-mocking laugh. Of course. I was old enough now; I should know the difference between empty promises and genuine care. Back then, if Aunt Carol ran into Victoria on the street, she’d immediately call my parents. “Your daughter is so pretty, why let her go out alone? You should spend more time with her, what if she gets taken?” For my matters, it was always “later” or “next time.” When I was little, I used to hope. Later, I thought I had gotten used to it. But at this moment, I realized I still hoped.

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