The Chief of Staff’s daughter had fallen from the fourth floor, and I was ready, waiting to head into surgery. The ambulance screeched into the hospital, and the patient was rushed to the operating table. But in that critical moment, my husband, Dr. Marcus Thorne, the Chief Physician, suddenly called a halt. He did it just to wait for his first love, Dr. Serena Wells, the acclaimed doctor who supposedly studied abroad, to be the lead surgeon. It was the same exact scenario in my previous life. But that celebrated overseas specialist had no real surgical skills – all theory, no practical experience. She almost missed the golden hour for the surgery. It was only my insistence on the original treatment plan that turned the situation around. Humiliated, Serena jumped from the hospital’s rooftop, ending up a quadriplegic. And my husband? He had me exiled to a struggling clinic in a neglected neighborhood, even arranging for thugs to assault me there. I tried to hide and call for help, but his reply was chilling. “Vivian Vance, it was just one surgery. Did you really have to steal Lili’s thunder?” “Then you, too, deserve to experience torment.” My location was exposed through the phone call, and I was ultimately brutalized to death. When I opened my eyes again, the gurney was already being wheeled in front of me. This time, I didn’t rush. Hands in my pockets, I waited. Let his overseas specialist show off her supposedly masterful surgical skills and save that patient.

“Why is this overseas specialist taking so long? We’re racing against death here!” “The patient’s body temperature is already rising, and her limbs are swelling.” “If she starts convulsing, we might not be able to save her.” The surgical team huddled behind me, frantic with worry. But no matter how anxious or how much they urged, all they got was Marcus’s harsh reprimand. “What’s the rush? Do you really think any of you can save this patient?” “Lili graduated with a PhD from the best hospital abroad. As long as she’s on the table, there won’t be any problems.” Marcus’s shouting left the team bewildered and unsure what to do. But he always had full control over major surgeries, and no one dared to question him. Chloe, my university roommate from Neurosurgery, who was standing behind me, couldn’t help but speak up. “If we wait any longer, we might not save her at all. Let’s get her into the OR and intubate her; at least that’ll buy us some time.” Doctors from every department across the hospital had rushed over for this consultation, hoping to finalize the best surgical plan immediately. But Chloe’s words didn’t sway Marcus; they only irritated him further. “This surgery falls entirely under my discretion. You Neurosurgery folks just wait for my orders.” Chloe bristled. “How dare you speak to me like that? All medical staff are colleagues here!” “Besides, I’m giving you professional advice!” But Marcus’s face turned cold. He glared at the Chief of Neurosurgery. “Replace her. Send her back to Neurosurgery. We don’t need her here!” Chloe spun around in a rage, stomping away, but not before shooting Marcus a furious glare. Then, Marcus’s gaze fell on me. “Vivian, what do you think?” Chloe was my college roommate. He’d just chastised her and sent her away, yet only after she left did he ask me. The implication was clear. I looked at him, a faint smile touching my lips. “You’re the Chief of the department and the one in charge of this surgery. I’ll naturally follow your lead.” Marcus hadn’t expected me to be so compliant today. He gave a satisfied chuckle, then looked at the consulting doctors behind him. “See? This is the obedience a doctor should possess.” I stood calmly behind him, watching it all unfold. In my previous life, I chose to fight him to the bitter end, and what did I get? He had me killed in a deprived area, all for Serena Wells. This time, I certainly wouldn’t be that foolish.

In the midst of everyone’s eager anticipation, Serena Wells finally arrived. She wore perfectly applied makeup and sauntered along, completely unhurried. The Chief of Staff’s daughter’s body temperature was steadily climbing. Serena approached, glancing around. “Did you get X-rays? Without them, how can I determine the fracture points?” The nurse promptly handed her the imaging scans. Serena’s words were stuck in her throat. But she still didn’t admit she couldn’t do the surgery. “Just images aren’t enough. I also need to know the blood loss volume and if it’s suitable for an incision.” Nurse Miller finally lost her patience. She looked at Serena, her eyes filled with undisguised contempt. “Dr. Wells!” Nurse Miller emphasized the “Doctor” with biting sarcasm. She continued, “Can you actually perform this surgery?” “This isn’t the time to assess blood loss! We need to get her into the operating room immediately. Every minute she’s out here increases the danger.” Serena bristled. She glared at Nurse Miller, her voice cold. “Am I the lead surgeon or are you?” “You’re just a head nurse; how dare you speak to me like that!” Nurse Miller had worked in the hospital for over twenty years, accumulating knowledge and experience no less than any doctor. Serena, acting like she owned the place, then turned to Marcus, with a hint of playful reproach. “Marcus, since everyone here looks down on me so much, I might as well leave.” Marcus quickly stopped Serena, then glanced at me. He whispered something in Serena’s ear. Whatever they exchanged, Serena finally conceded. “Fine, let’s go into the operating room.” Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief, swiftly wheeling the patient into the operating room. But then, another long wait ensued. The surgical team looked at me, hoping I would take charge. I looked at the girl’s weakening heartbeat on the monitor, feeling helpless. “Dr. Vance, at least get her breathing so her lungs don’t suffer any more damage.” I hesitated for a moment, just about to nod. Serena, now dressed in surgical scrubs, walked in. All eyes turned to her, their gazes filled with an unspoken resentment. If a life was lost because of this incompetent quack, they would surely tear Serena apart. But Serena remained oblivious. She arrogantly strutted forward, glanced at the girl’s body, and spoke indifferently. “It’s not as serious as I thought. You called me here for this? I hadn’t even finished my face mask.” Nurse Miller gritted her teeth in rage, but she bit back her retort. Marcus then walked in. Serena scoffed, then went to Marcus’s side. “Marcus, with you here, this surgery is bound to be a success.” Marcus gently caressed her cheek. “Of course, darling. You’re the best doctor in the world.” Their intimate familiarity made the other surgeons in the room exchange glances, their eyes inevitably settling on me. My mask hid my face, but the turmoil in my eyes was still visible. It wasn’t for their private affections, but for the life on that operating table. I finally couldn’t help but speak. “Can we start now?” Serena shot me a disdainful glance, then scoffed. “What, you want to take over?” “Now you’re bossing me around? I’m the lead surgeon!” “If you’re so capable, why don’t you go get a PhD abroad yourself?” I didn’t reply, but the heart monitor suddenly screamed. Nurse Miller shouted in panic. “No! The patient is in ventricular fibrillation!”

The atmosphere in the operating room instantly turned desperate. “Quick! Prepare the defibrillator!” “Asynchronous cardioversion, 200 joules!” “One! Two! Three! Clear!” The nurses moved frantically, everyone working in tandem to extend a life. Serena, however, was terrified by the chaos. She ran into Marcus’s arms, whimpering and crying. “Waaah, Marcus, this is too scary.” “I don’t want to be here anymore, I want to leave.” The surgical team had no time for her overly dramatic performance, and neither did I. Marcus, however, protected Serena like a precious treasure. “It’s alright, darling. Just wait for them to revive her, then you can continue.” Finally, after more than two minutes of CPR, the girl’s heart resumed beating. But there was no more time to waste. Nurse Miller could barely control her internal panic. “Dr. Wells, can you or can’t you operate on this patient?” “If not, then get out of here, now!” Serena shot her a venomous glare, then turned to me. “This surgery isn’t worthy of my touch.” “You.” She raised a hand, pointing at me, “You do it.” I frowned slightly. A jolt of alarm went through me. I had been keeping a low profile, waiting until the very last moment when I absolutely had to intervene. But not only had Marcus pointed me out earlier, now Serena seemed to have a GPS tracker on me too. She had her sights on me. I pressed my lips together. In my moment of hesitation, Marcus also spoke. “Vivian Vance, since Lili wants you to do it, then you do it.” Marcus’s face was impassive; I couldn’t discern their intentions. But the other people in the operating room, hearing Serena name me to perform the surgery, felt a glimmer of hope. Nurse Miller quickly ushered me to the operating table. “Dr. Vance, we truly can’t let them mess around anymore.” “This is a human life! They’re just wasting precious time!” I subtly reassured Nurse Miller with my eyes, then began to prepare for surgery. Incision, intubation – seamlessly and efficiently. Nurse Miller stood by, handing me the surgical instruments. I didn’t need to speak; a mere gesture would bring me the perfect tool. Although I had performed this surgery once in my previous life, I still dared not be careless this time. The child was severely injured. She had fallen from the fifth floor, suffering skull damage and comminuted fractures in both arms and legs. I could only proceed slowly, step by step. My forehead was already beaded with sweat. I waited for the neurosurgeon to complete the skull repair, then I would take over for the arms and legs. Skull complete, the neurosurgeon passed the baton to me. I nodded, ready to pick up an instrument to open the arm, when Serena, who had been silent, spoke again. “Marcus, I want to learn from Vivian how to perform surgery.” I looked at Serena, confused. Her face held a smirk of pure provocation. Marcus didn’t hesitate. “Of course, darling. Lili can go wherever she wants, see whatever she wants.” “Vivian, you don’t mind, do you?” I couldn’t refuse, nor could I. Serena came to my side, squeezing Nurse Miller away. “Vivian, let me be your assistant.”

I knew the person beside me wasn’t truly interested in watching my surgery, despite what she said. But I looked at the monitor; the patient’s vitals were gradually worsening. There was absolutely no time to waste. I forced myself to focus all my attention on the surgery. “Forceps.” I spoke coldly, reaching my hand to the right for the instrument. But I waited and waited, and the tool never came. Serena’s shrill voice cut through the air. “Oh, Vivian, there are so many forceps here. Do you want the toothed forceps or the non-toothed ones?” “Non-toothed.” Only after getting a definitive answer did she pick up the forceps and place them in my hand. And that was just the beginning. Anything else I requested after that wasn’t immediately provided. Finally, on the fifth time, she asked me. “Sister, do you want the laser scalpel or the ultrasonic scalpel?” I shot her a cold glance. The triumphant look on her face made me want to plunge my scalpel into her heart. How could anyone have such a blatant disregard for human life? “Can you do this, or not? If not, just stand aside and watch.” I spoke calmly, “Nurse Miller, please, you take over.” I didn’t have time for her childish antics. Since this surgery had fallen to me, I was determined to complete it and save this child’s life. Serena scoffed dismissively. She stomped over to the other side and wouldn’t stop chattering while watching my operation. “Vivian, I wonder, if all the doctors in this country were as professional as you, would our national medicine have long been leading the world?” “Vivian, why don’t you teach me? I’ve only studied these things; I haven’t actually practiced them.” I frowned, not looking at her. “If you haven’t practiced, watch videos and train.” She was put in her place, biting her lip before scoffing disdainfully. “If you won’t teach, you won’t teach. Why so arrogant?” “You’ve just been in the hospital longer, that’s all. You’re not even half as capable as Marcus.” “He’s the Chief Physician now, and you’re just some broken surgeon.” I completely ignored her, which only made Serena even more defiant. She raised her hand and gave me a shove. “Hey, I’m talking to you! Why aren’t you answering?” The shove itself wasn’t the problem; the problem was that she pushed me just as I was about to excise the necrotic tissue. My hand was jostled by her force, and the scalpel accidentally nicked an artery. Blood immediately began to spray, throwing everyone in the room into a panic. “Quick, stop the bleeding!” “No! The patient’s blood pressure is down to 60! We need to stop the bleeding immediately!” Such an unexpected turn of events even shocked Serena. She froze, not daring to move. And Marcus finally spoke up. “It’s fine, as long as we stop the bleeding.” Serena seemed to gain some comfort. She continued her insolent and unreasonable chatter in my ear. “Oh, Vivian, what a colossal mess you’ve made!” “If the Chief of Staff finds out you further injured his daughter, do you think you’ll get punished?” I finally wasn’t indifferent anymore. My eyes glared at her. “What do you mean?” Just then, more bad news came from the anesthesiology team. “Dr. Vance, the patient’s blood oxygen is dropping rapidly! We need to suture the wound immediately!” Serena bent close to me, whispering in my ear. The warning beeps of the instruments and her words sounded like a whisper from hell. “I don’t think this kid will make it.” “But it’s okay. Even if the surgery fails, you’ll be the one taking the fall.

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After I died, I became a ghost, constantly hovering around my ex-boyfriend, Caleb. I thought he couldn’t see me, so I shamelessly slept beside him, even swiped his underwear, and chirped away while he was in the shower. Until that day, when his utterly exasperated voice came from the bathroom: “Elara, are you done messing around? Give me back my briefs.” I died, a hundred days after breaking up with Caleb. A freak car accident. Quick and definitive. When I opened my eyes again, I was floating in mid-air, watching my cold body being covered with a white sheet and loaded onto an ambulance. Then, an unseen force tugged at me, pulling me through countless walls, before finally depositing me in a familiar apartment. It was Caleb’s place. And just like that, I became a ghost. I floated in front of Caleb. He was sitting on the couch, a bottle of whiskey in hand, drinking mouthful after mouthful. The coffee table was littered with empty liquor bottles and takeout containers. The whole apartment reeked. He was a shadow of his former self, cheekbones sharp, eyes sunken, a scruffy beard dusting his jaw. Those eyes, which once always held a spark when they looked at me, were now utterly vacant. My non-existent heart felt like it was being squeezed tight, an excruciating pain. We’d been together for three years, from college sweethearts to navigating the real world. Everyone just assumed we’d end up getting married. Six months ago, he suddenly became distant, always busy. We argued, gave each other the silent treatment, until finally, he called it quits. He just said, “Elara, I’m exhausted.” Back then, I just thought he didn’t love me anymore. But seeing him in this state now… I wasn’t so sure anymore. “Caleb,” I floated to his ear, unable to stop myself from chattering, “Look at you, what a mess. You can’t even bother to shave, or sweep the floor. The garbage is practically burying you alive!” He didn’t react at all, just lifted the whiskey bottle and took another long swig. Fine. He really couldn’t see or hear me. My heart sank, yet a strange sense of relief washed over me. At least, I could still be by his side like this.

Deep into the night, Caleb drank himself into a stupor and passed out on the couch. His brow was furrowed, and he was muttering something I couldn’t quite make out. I leaned my ear closer. “Elara… don’t go…” My non-existent heart ached. Ghosts don’t shed tears, not literally. But his words made my very essence feel like it was unraveling. Well, well, Caleb. So you haven’t forgotten me after all. My courage grew, and I floated to his side, curling up next to him just like I used to. I couldn’t touch him, but I could smell his familiar scent, just as it always was. I stared at his sleeping face, extending my translucent hand to trace the line of his eyebrow, his eyelid. As if possessed by a sudden urge, I leaned down and brushed my lips against his. They were cold, utterly devoid of a living person’s warmth. We never got a proper goodbye when I was alive. Consider this my last, silent farewell. He seemed to sense something. His eyelashes fluttered, and he slowly opened his eyes. Our gazes met. My ghostly form instantly froze. He… he saw me? His eyes were hazy, still clouded by alcohol. He looked in my direction and reached out a hand, as if trying to grasp something. “Elara…” My heart leaped into my throat. But the next second, his hand dropped, his head lolled, and he sank back into a deep sleep. A crushing wave of disappointment washed over me. It was just drunken ramblings. I sighed, settling down beside him. “Caleb, you know what? I regret it. If I’d known this would happen, on the day we broke up, I wouldn’t have been so stubborn. I would have held you, begged you not to leave.” “But it’s too late for anything now.” “You have to live well, for both of us. Find a good girl, get married, have adorable kids. Then, slowly, forget about me.” As I spoke, my ghostly form seemed to grow fainter. *Forget about me.* Those three words stung more than the thought of simply fading away.

The next day, Caleb was woken by his phone ringing. He rubbed his aching head, still battling a hangover, and answered, his voice hoarse, “Hello, Mom.” His mother said something on the other end, and he impatiently cut her off, “I know, I know, I’ll clean up.” After hanging up, he looked around, his brow furrowed so deeply, you could have squeezed a coin between them. He started resignedly cleaning the apartment. I floated beside him, giving directions. “Yep, that stinky sock? It’s trash time.” “Are you planning to collect these takeout boxes forever?” “Seriously? You missed a spot. Over here, there’s still a footprint.” I kept yammering on, not even realizing that Caleb’s actions were mirroring my words perfectly. If I said east, he wouldn’t go west. It wasn’t until he finished cleaning the place and collapsed on the couch that I realized. Something was off. This was too much of a coincidence. Were we really still so in sync? My heart fluttered with a strange joy. With the apartment clean, Caleb seemed to be in a slightly better mood. He turned and headed for the bathroom, apparently to shower. My eyes lit up, and I immediately followed. Heh, he never let me watch before, but now I was a ghost. How was he going to stop me? Suddenly, *wham*, the bathroom door slammed shut right in front of me. I slammed right into it, feeling my ghostly essence ripple from the impact. “What the heck? Is there a protective charm on the door?” I rubbed my non-existent nose, not giving up, and tried again. Still couldn’t get in. I could only lean against the door, listening to the sound of the shower and letting my imagination run wild. “Caleb, showering alone is so boring. Want me to scrub your back?” “Hey, say something. Are you shy?” No sound from inside, but the shower seemed to pause for a moment. I didn’t think much of it and continued to tease him, “Oh, is your back still okay? You used to complain about the pain all the time. No one to massage it for you now, huh?” Inside, the shower suddenly stopped.

A moment later, the door opened. Caleb emerged, wrapped in a towel, his hair still dripping, his face flushed with an unusual redness. He didn’t even glance in my direction, heading straight for the kitchen and yanking open the fridge. It was empty. He sighed, settling for a packet of instant noodles. Seeing him like that, my heart twisted. I was feeling weaker too, my ghostly form almost transparent. Even ghosts need to “eat,” and for us, that means absorbing the essence of offerings, like burning incense. But I’d only just died. My parents were distraught, and they wouldn’t have thought about making offerings yet. “Starving…” I mumbled, leaning on the table. “Someone burn me some food. I want fried chicken, the original recipe. Two servings.” Caleb’s hand, stirring his noodles, stopped. He froze, turning his head in my direction. His gaze was odd—was it tentative? Or… fear? I froze too. What was his deal now? But he said nothing, turning back to his noodles. After finishing his meal, he changed clothes, grabbed his car keys, and headed out. I quickly floated after him. I was getting weaker, feeling like I was about to dissipate if I didn’t get some sustenance. I had to stick with him. What if he went to see my parents? I could potentially ‘mooch’ some spiritual energy.

Caleb didn’t go to my parents. He drove aimlessly through the streets. The radio was playing *our* song, that old ballad we used to adore. “If I never knew you, never saw you…” The lyrics twisted a knife in my non-existent gut. I floated in the passenger seat, looking at his profile, my heart heavy. The car drove past a boutique hotel, the one where we’d spent our first night together. Instinctively, I blurted out, “Oh, this place is still around?” As soon as the words left me, I saw Caleb’s ears turn red. Wait, *what*? No way. Could he actually hear me? Must be a delusion, absolutely. I shook my head, trying to clear away the crazy thought. As I was lost in thought, the car stopped. I looked up, stunned. “Funeral Home & Cremation Services.” Dude, what are you doing here? Caleb walked into the store, his face expressionless, and spent a long time browsing the extensive selection of funeral supplies. Finally, he bought a pot of marigolds. Back home, he said nothing, just carefully placed the pot of marigolds on the living room coffee table. The beautiful flowers carried a fresh, clean scent. The scent hit me like an oasis in a desert, and I instinctively lunged towards it. I opened my mouth and greedily inhaled the fragrance of the marigolds. A warmth instantly flooded my entire being, solidifying my ethereal form. It was heavenly. A true feast for the spectral! I let out a satisfied, non-existent burp and looked at Caleb on the couch. He was holding his phone, staring at a picture. The girl in the photo, smiling brightly, was me. He took that picture when we went to the beach last year. He used to say I was the most beautiful view he’d ever seen. So, you still kept my photos. My heart ached, a painful swell of emotion. He looked at the picture, his fingers gently tracing my face, his eyes slowly reddening. “Elara…” He whispered my name, as if talking to the picture. “I miss you so much.” I floated over, wanting to hug him, but my hand, of course, passed right through him. Right. There was life and death separating us now.

The next day, I was woken by the ring of a phone. Caleb answered, his tone impatient. “Mom, I told you I’m not going!” “What do you mean I *have* to go? I’m thirty, I make my own decisions!” “Fine, fine, I’ll go, okay? Just send me the address.” He hung up, tossing his phone onto the couch in frustration. A date? My heart dropped. Of course. He was thirty; it was time for him to settle down. My mom used to constantly nag him, saying he’d end up a lonely old bachelor if he didn’t settle down soon. I even joked that when he got old, I’d push his wheelchair in the park, and we’d watch the retirees playing board games. But now, I wouldn’t even have the chance to grow old with him. Even though my heart was aching fiercely, seeing Caleb reluctantly rummage through his closet for clothes, I couldn’t help but float over to offer advice. Ugh, that one’s so drab. This one’s good, blue. It really suits your complexion. He actually picked up the blue shirt and held it against himself in the mirror. Then, he shaved, and styled his hair. Looking at the handsome man reflected in the mirror, my heart twisted. He was going to meet another girl looking like that. The thought made me want to cry. I followed him all the way to a coffee shop. The girl was already there. Long hair, white dress, two delicate dimples when she smiled. She was exactly the type I used to envy when I was alive—gentle and elegant. They sat together, looking truly compatible. I felt like a pathetic voyeur, hiding in the corner, watching them chat. The girl was quite talkative; Caleb said little, occasionally offering a perfunctory response. My heart slowly sank. Maybe he’d quickly fall for this girl. Then, they’d get married, have children. My name, Elara, would soon be a forgotten chapter in his life.

The date ended quickly. Less than half an hour, start to finish. Caleb saw the girl into her car, then returned to his own with an expressionless face. I couldn’t read him. Was he pleased, or not? The car didn’t head home but drove out to the suburbs. Finally, it stopped in front of a quiet, unassuming spiritual retreat. I followed him out of the car, but as I tried to step through the entrance, an invisible force bounced me back. A golden aura enveloped the entire retreat, like an invisible wall to me. I couldn’t get in. I could only watch as Caleb walked inside. I floated frantically outside the door. Why was he here? To seek guidance for his love life? At the thought of that possibility, my essence began to flicker, and the air around me noticeably chilled. I don’t know how long it was before Caleb finally came out. His face was even darker than before, radiating a heavy gloom, as if he’d just been in a brawl. He was clutching a small, yellowed paper charm. I didn’t dare get too close, just followed him from a distance. Back home, he taped the charm to his bedroom door. Then, without a word, he walked into his study and closed the door. My heart was racing, filled with dread. Was that charm meant to banish me? Did he go to that spiritual retreat to find Elder Finn and get rid of me? Did he really… hate me that much? Couldn’t even tolerate my ghost? A massive wave of panic and hurt washed over me. I curled up in the corner of the living room couch, feeling a chilling cold for the first time. It turned out that even after death, a heart could still ache.

I sat in the living room all night. The next day, Caleb finally emerged from his study. He had heavy bags under his eyes. When he saw me, his gaze flickered away, a complicated mix of emotions in his eyes. He said nothing, just lit another stick of incense. I hesitated, but couldn’t resist the lure of “food,” so I floated over and inhaled a couple of breaths. My strength returned somewhat, and the ache in my heart lessened. Can’t be sad on an empty stomach, right? I floated to his side, wanting to see what he was up to. “Caleb, what’s wrong with you? What’s that charm for? Are you trying to get rid of me?” He ignored me. A moment later, he got up and went into the bathroom. The sound of water began. My curiosity was reignited. Heh, that charm on the bedroom door keeps me out, but the bathroom should be fair game, right? I brazenly floated into the bathroom, ready for a private viewing of my ex in the shower. Instead, I was met with a tightly drawn shower curtain. I was fuming. Guarding against me like I was a thief! I floated around the shower curtain and suddenly glimpsed his discarded pajamas and… underwear. A pair of black boxer briefs. A mischievous idea popped into my head. I let out a little ‘hehe,’ floated over, and scooped up his pajamas and—yes—his underwear, clutching them to my chest. “That’s what you get for not letting me see! I’ve got your clothes, let’s see you come out naked now!” I hummed triumphantly, holding his garments, and floated to the door. Just as I was about to go out and show off my spoils, a man’s voice, laced with gritted-teeth irritation, suddenly came from behind the shower curtain. That voice, I knew it all too well. He said— “Elara, are you done messing around?” “Give me back my briefs.”

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My fiancé dumped me after a mix-up with our health check-up results. We’d gone for a routine comprehensive health check-up before the wedding, and somehow, our phone numbers got swapped. So, his cancer diagnosis was sent to me, and my clean bill of health was sent to him. I hadn’t even had a chance to tell him the truth. When he showed up at my door with his entire family to break off the engagement. They demanded I return the wedding budget and compensate them for emotional distress. My usually kind prospective mother-in-law looked at me with utter contempt. “You jinx! If we hadn’t gone for that check-up, our family would have been doomed!” I returned the wedding budget and all the gifts Liam had given me during our relationship. Silently, I deleted the cancer diagnosis report from my phone. I was on the phone with my boyfriend, Liam, discussing our wedding plans. He sounded a bit hesitant. “Honestly, I don’t think we need such an expensive reception. We have a long life ahead, and plenty of other expenses will pop up. This is all for you, you know. Wouldn’t it be better to save that money and buy you a designer bag? Don’t you agree?” I felt a pang of annoyance. Ever since we got engaged, Liam had become incredibly stingy, and he always used the excuse that it was “for me,” putting me in a position where I felt obligated to agree, as if refusing would make me the villain. I was about to say something when I suddenly received a text message. I opened it to find a notification from the health center. 【Mr./Ms. Davis, your results from our health center are in. Your examination indicates mid-stage stomach cancer. We recommend you seek further medical review and treatment as soon as possible. We wish you a speedy recovery. For any questions, please call our center.】 How could I have cancer? I was too stunned to speak. Liam called out “Hello?” a few times from the other end of the line. Thinking I was upset, he continued, “Okay, we can go with your plan then, but your parents will have to cover the costs. My mom…” I cut him off. “Check your messages. I… I just sent you a screenshot.” I hung up abruptly and quickly called my parents to explain what happened. My parents dropped everything and rushed me to the health center to get the official results. Once there, after a quick check, we realized it was all a huge misunderstanding. Our phone numbers were just one digit off, and he’d accidentally entered my number during registration. Coupled with a clerical error in the system, the reports had been mixed up. So, it wasn’t me with cancer. It was Liam! My heart, which had just settled, tightened again. I reached for my phone to tell Liam, but then I noticed he hadn’t replied to the message I sent him earlier.

My parents drove my distraught self back to my apartment near the office. But my mind was a mess. Liam hadn’t replied. He must be researching treatment options and trying to figure out how to raise money for my supposed illness. He’d always been like that, always responsive to everything. I remembered one time I got my period in the middle of the night and had terrible cramps. I casually complained to him, and he showed up at my building with freshly brewed ginger tea. After that, I was careful about what I said, afraid he’d go overboard. Sigh! Why was I so impatient? I told him before even confirming the situation. Now, how was I going to delicately tell him that *he* was the one with cancer, not me? Before I could think it through, my dad patted my shoulder. “It’s okay, Clara. Stomach cancer isn’t untreatable. The doctor just said it can be managed, especially with that new treatment they mentioned, some kind of targeted therapy. Didn’t they say it’s very effective?” My mom nodded in agreement. “Yes, exactly. I always told you to keep your wealth under wraps, to see if he was truly after you or just your money, but now this involves a human life, it’s incredibly serious. We should just tell him the truth. We can cover the costs and make sure Liam gets the best treatment.” As she spoke, my dad picked up his phone, leveraging his network to find the best stomach cancer specialists. After a few calls, the experts reassured us, saying the situation wasn’t too severe, not to worry too much, and that the prognosis was good. Right, so many people get cancer these days. It’s not an insurmountable obstacle. And Liam was always so optimistic and cheerful; he’d definitely beat it. My mind was a jumble of thoughts. I imagined that when I told Liam, he’d hug me, overjoyed, perhaps even tear up, saying how lucky it was that it was him and not me. I nodded. “Okay. I’ll go see him tomorrow. We’ll take him directly to a top specialist to discuss treatment options. I’ll just figure out exactly what to say tonight.”

Early the next morning, my parents and I were still asleep when a knock sounded at the door. My dad opened it, only to find Liam and Brenda, along with a group of people I didn’t recognize but who, judging by their appearance, were Liam’s relatives. Everyone looked grim, especially Liam and Brenda. They had worried expressions and dark circles under their eyes, clearly having been up all night. I knew it. He hadn’t replied to my messages because he was busy trying to raise money from his relatives. Tears and laughter mingled as I rushed forward, wanting to embrace Liam. But before I could touch him, Brenda pushed me away with a dark look on her face and started ranting like a machine gun. “You cancer hag! Stay away from my son! Don’t infect him with your disease!” “I thought she was such a good girl. She looks decent on the outside, but she’s rotten to the core!” “You jinx! If we hadn’t gone for that check-up, our family would have been doomed!” “It’s not just about you dying, you almost dragged my son into a second marriage, did you know that?” These words hit me like thunderclaps, making my ears ring. But Brenda wasn’t done yet. “I’m here today with my son to call off this engagement! If you dare to refuse, I’ll take this to court and let the whole world know you’re clinging to my son even when you’re on your deathbed!” My parents and I froze, especially me. The smile on my face instantly stiffened. Brenda had always been so gentle and kind to me before. I used to think I was incredibly lucky to have found such a wonderful boyfriend and such a good prospective mother-in-law. I even told my best friend, “Liam’s mom is so open-minded; she’ll definitely approve of our marriage.”

My parents’ faces were livid with anger. My mom held my dad back, afraid he’d lose his temper and physically lash out. My mom, in her usual good-natured way, said, “Let’s talk this through calmly. Even if you want to break off the engagement…” Brenda cut my parents off. “Who wants to talk calmly with you? Don’t even think about clinging to my family!” I ignored Brenda and turned to look at Liam. After all, he was the one I was supposed to spend my life with. Brenda was undoubtedly upset after hearing about my supposed illness, but Liam just kept his head down, refusing to look at me. I still wanted to give Liam a chance. After so many years together, so many wonderful memories—as long as he was willing to stand by me, I wouldn’t care what Brenda said. At worst, I just wouldn’t associate with her in the future. So, I spoke in a hoarse voice, “Stomach cancer can be treated, and Liam and I, after all…” Brenda heard me and, with a knowing look, cut me off. “I knew you’d try to cling to my son! I don’t know if cancer can be cured, but I do know that cancer can be hereditary. Even if you’re cured, it’ll still be in your genes.” “My son is the only male in our family to carry on the name. If he marries you and has an unhealthy grandchild, what will I do?” “Before, I was just putting on a show for you, because you were an only child from a prosperous background. I thought marrying you would help my son in the future, and your parents could provide financial and practical support!” “But who would’ve thought, after all that careful selection, we’d end up with a cancer hag!” “I was dissatisfied with you long ago! A girl who’s constantly drinking milk tea, eating takeout, always wanting to eat out! Well, serves you right now, even heaven is punishing you for your lifestyle, giving you cancer!”

Liam stood there as if he wasn’t even present, still staring at his shoes. I found it utterly ridiculous. All my fantasies from yesterday now seemed like the most pathetic jokes. I ignored Brenda’s incessant rambling and just stared at Liam. “Is that what you think too? Are you here to break off the engagement?” Liam knew he couldn’t hide any longer. He looked up at me, his eyes devoid of any former affection, and said coldly, “Yes!” I stumbled, and my parents quickly steadied me from behind. “Liam, have you forgotten what you promised me?” Liam scoffed. “Clara and I are only engaged, not married. I have no legal responsibilities or obligations to her. Besides, I’m not looking for someone to take care of; I want a supportive partner, a warm harbor to care for *me* and *my mother*, to make my life and work free from worrying nuisances!” “I’m a normal man; of course, I’d put myself first. Can you honestly say that if *I* were the one with cancer today, you wouldn’t break off the engagement?” But the truth was, we wouldn’t have. After all, I had just been thinking about how to tell you, how to get you treatment, how to care for you. I never once considered abandoning you. My heart shattered into a million pieces, yet I also felt incredibly fortunate to see his true colors now. I smiled and nodded. “Fine, then the engagement is off. We’ll go our separate ways from now on.” Liam probably hadn’t expected me to agree so readily. He looked a bit awkward, then habitually tried to morally blackmail me. “And you talk about loving me? If you truly loved me, you wouldn’t drag me down. I just bought a house; how could I possibly have spare money to pay for your cancer treatment?”

As soon as he said that, Liam quickly fell silent, but I’d already heard it. I couldn’t help but look up. “I only told you about my ‘cancer’ yesterday. How could you have bought a house today?” It wasn’t like me to be so curious. Liam and I had planned to buy a house together after the wedding. I had always discouraged him from buying a house beforehand, intending to surprise him by having him move into the spacious apartment I’d already bought. Liam looked embarrassed. Perhaps out of habit from our years of dating, he still explained after I asked. “The house was bought a few months ago, not yesterday.” But Brenda felt no awkwardness at all. Shielding Liam, she said with a hint of pride, “What are you afraid of? Our buying a house is our business. Why should we have to tell you?” “Besides, do you think we’re stupid? Buying a house after marriage makes it joint marital property. The moment you suggested that, I immediately saw through your intentions. We paid the down payment right away and put the house in *my* name.” Ah, yes. Property acquired before marriage. Then they’d have expected me to cover the renovation costs, and if things went south, I’d end up with nothing in the property division. What a deeply calculating mind. I smiled bitterly and nodded. Now, I wasn’t sad at all. After all, not only was I healthy and cancer-free, but I’d also avoided marrying into such a conniving family. My parents couldn’t take it anymore. My dad stormed over and flung the front door open. “Then you can leave. Don’t make a scene in my house.” Brenda sneered. “Your house? This is the landlord’s place! You’d better return it quickly. Don’t go dying in someone else’s rental; that would be incredibly bad luck!” The assembled relatives burst into laughter, as if Brenda had just told the funniest joke.

I wasn’t angry, and I couldn’t be bothered to explain that this was, in fact, my own apartment. After all, these people were strangers to me now. Why should I get angry at a bunch of strangers? Still, I didn’t understand why they were still here. Brenda stood for a moment, seeing that my parents and I weren’t “playing along,” and decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She spoke directly, “That wedding budget we gave you for the engagement last time? You *must* return it to me. Don’t think about using my family’s money to treat your illness.” So, it was about that $26,000 wedding budget. My dad didn’t waste time. He pulled out his phone and transferred $26,000 directly to Liam. “Now, get out!” “Not enough! There’s also the money for the banquet! We didn’t get married, and ultimately, it’s your daughter’s fault for being sick. You can’t let us lose money; you wasted our family’s funds!” My dad scoffed, pulled out his phone, and transferred another $7,000. “Is that enough? The venue you picked would’ve cost at most $4,100. Here’s $7,000; now get out.” Brenda stared at her phone for a long time, counting the money several times. Once she confirmed it was all there, she still wouldn’t leave. She nudged Liam, who then snapped out of his daze and spoke, “The rings, bracelets, bags, clothes, and shoes I gave you during our relationship – you have to return those too!” Brenda and the relatives behind her nodded in agreement. “Exactly, those are all good things! You’re going to die anyway, what good are they to you?” “Yeah, we can give them to his next girlfriend!” Brenda also nodded. “To be honest, yesterday, when I found out you were gravely ill, I immediately contacted the matchmaker to recommend some girls for my son. We’re just waiting to arrange meetings. It wouldn’t do to go empty-handed on the first date, so those items would make perfect gifts.” “I honestly don’t care about those things.” At my signal, Brenda and Liam started taking things from a box, item by item, confirming whether they were indeed gifts from Liam. It took a long time. In the end, they even packed away a small collectible figurine. Once I saw they had finished packing, I couldn’t take it anymore. I grabbed a broom and literally swept them out the door.

After they left, my dad said angrily, “Clara, don’t tell anyone about Liam’s cancer. Don’t bother with him. He made his own bed; he’ll have to lie in it.” I hummed in agreement, stubbornly deleting the health report from my phone. But secretly, I planned to wait a few days, let things cool down, and then tell him, or at least inform the health center to contact him. I figured that was the extent of my goodwill. A few days later, before I had a chance to reveal Liam’s cancer diagnosis, he and his mother showed up again. This time, they didn’t bring a crowd of relatives for intimidation. Instead, they brought a bespectacled, scholarly-looking man. I didn’t open the door. I frowned at the video doorbell. “What do you want now?” The man with glasses stepped in front of the camera and cleared his throat. “Hello, Ms. Davis. My name is Sterling. I’m the attorney Mr. Hayes has retained. We’re here today to request repayment for the expenses incurred during your relationship. We have a detailed list. Please open the door so we can discuss this civilly. If you refuse, we’ll have no choice but to take legal action.” Liam nodded too. “Clara, you’re going to die anyway. I invested that money in my future wife. Since you won’t be my wife, I need it back.” Brenda laughed. “Yes! Instead of giving that money to you for your illness, it’d be better for my son to use it for his mortgage! I’m telling you, if you don’t return it, I’ll sue you, and you’ll die in prison!” Lunatics! They were truly lunatics. Fine! Let’s tally it all up. Just don’t come crying to me afterward. I didn’t open the door. Instead, I spoke into the intercom. “Then you’ll have to wait. I’m also getting my lawyer. You can come in once my lawyer arrives.” Brenda scoffed. “You should save what little money you have for your cancer treatment, not for a lawyer!” But I said no more after that. The three of them had no choice but to wait in the hallway for half an hour, sweating profusely from the heat. It wasn’t until I called my parents’ company’s legal team, and six senior attorneys arrived in full force, that I finally allowed Liam and his companions inside.

nce inside, Liam’s group was sweltering, especially Mr. Sterling, the lawyer in the suit jacket, who looked on the verge of heatstroke. But he still dutifully handed me a stack of papers. Brenda and Liam, meanwhile, stared at my formidable legal team, whispering, “Where did she get all these lawyers? They’re probably just homeless people she hired to pretend!” I quickly scanned the papers. They listed petty expenses. Takeout he ordered for me, movies he treated me to, drinks he bought, and even that ginger tea I’d remembered—it was all meticulously recorded. The ginger tea alone was listed at $2, with a $7 delivery fee for the middle of the night. All in all, beyond the roughly $8,000 in actual expenses, there was $21,000 for emotional distress and another $21,000 for wasted youth, totaling over $50,000. I nodded. “I’m willing to pay this $50,000, but only if you return everything I gave you!” Liam and Brenda exchanged glances, then quickly nodded. Liam then spoke, dismissively, “The things you gave me were just fakes, worthless. $14,000 should be enough, right?” I shook my head. Probably not enough, actually. But I didn’t need to say anything. My legal team stepped forward with their evidence. “Ms. Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Davis anticipated this situation, so they had us prepare everything in advance. Please confirm if it’s all here.” I gave a perfunctory “Hmm.” “It’s fine, whatever.” My legal team handed the evidence to Liam. His face grew darker and darker. “How is this possible? You’re lying! Everything you gave me was fake; how could it be so expensive?” Liam looked utterly shocked, but quickly regained his composure. “You must have cancer and are deliberately trying to deceive me, trying to use my money for your treatment.” Liam’s face registered disbelief, but he quickly returned to his normal expression. “You must have cancer and are deliberately trying to swindle me, just wanting my money to pay for your treatment.” So, that was the root of it. I smiled. “Actually, there’s something else I’ve been hiding from you. You’ve always thought I was the one with cancer, but that’s not true.” I recovered a photo from my phone’s trash bin, a picture I’d taken of Liam’s cancer diagnosis report. “Actually, you’re the one with cancer, not me.” Liam and Brenda snatched my phone, their expressions instantly changing. “How is that possible?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299248”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller #重生Reborn #玄幻Fantasy

It was the thirtieth day of our cold war. Serena, my wife, suggested a trip together to mend our relationship. But the moment we landed, she snapped my ID card in half, smashed my phone, and abandoned me on a deserted island to die. Someone asked if she’d gone too far. She just caressed her belly, a look of disdain on her face. “It’s his own fault for being so petty. I just wanted to use IVF to give Derek a child before he died, and he threw a fit, demanding a divorce.” “The baby’s due in eight months. The island has fresh water and food; he won’t starve. It’s just a little taste of hardship for him.” Eight months later, Serena, cradling her newborn son, felt utterly content. For the first time, she asked her assistant, Mark: “It’s been so long. Hasn’t he caused a fuss about wanting to come back?” She had no idea I died on the very first day I landed on that island. The next thing I knew, my soul was in Serena’s delivery room. Serena, her face pale, gently held the baby, her eyes brimming with maternal love. Her childhood friend, Derek, wiped the sweat from Serena’s forehead, his gratitude overflowing. “Serena, thank you. We have a son now.” I felt a little dazed. So, I’d been dead for this long already. She and Derek’s child had even been born. Serena was just wheeled out when a crowd of people swarmed around, celebrating the baby’s arrival, cheering and showering her with gifts and congratulations. “Serena, this baby is absolutely adorable! He’s the spitting image of you and Derek. He’ll be a heartthrob when he grows up!” These were the same people who used to call me ‘brother-in-law’ with deference, who’d vehemently claimed Serena’s IVF was wrong and accused Derek of faking his illness. Oh, right. They only sucked up to me before because I was Serena’s husband. Serena’s lips curved into a smile, but her gaze kept darting towards the end of the hallway. She picked up her phone and checked it. Then, she frowned, asking Mark, “Didn’t I tell you to buy him a new phone? Why hasn’t he contacted me these past few months? And he hasn’t even complained about wanting to come back?” Mark lied without batting an eye. “Mr. Julian keeps cursing you and Mr. Derek, saying he doesn’t want any contact with you.” The furrow between Serena’s brows deepened. “So stubborn. His temper is truly pig-headed.” “Tell him I’ve had the baby; the mission is accomplished. If he sincerely calls to apologize and agrees to be the baby’s godfather, I’ll bring him back.” I gave a self-deprecating laugh. She still had no idea I was long dead. Nine months ago, Serena aborted *our* baby to make room for her and Derek’s IVF child. She claimed Derek was dying soon and wanted to leave him a child. My spirits crushed, my will broken, I asked for a divorce. Serena gave me the cold shoulder for a month. The first time she initiated contact, she suggested we go on a trip to mend our relationship, promising to abort the IVF baby when we returned. I believed her, only to be left on a deserted island to die. Coming back to myself, Derek said pitifully, “Serena, if Julian comes back, he won’t hit me again, will he? He can hurt me, but please, don’t let him hurt our baby!” He lowered his head, adjusting the angle to specially reveal the tiny scar on his forehead. That scar was from when Derek had deliberately slammed his head against the wall to get that cut when he tried to provoke me, after I’d found out about Serena’s IVF. Because of that, Serena hated me, convinced I’d even bully a terminally ill patient. Serena was devastated, her voice sharp with anger. “If he dares lay a hand on you or our son, I’ll make sure he never comes back!” The others burst into laughter. “Serena, you’re still as protective of Derek as ever. Now that the baby’s born, I remember you and Derek had a childhood pact. You two should be together!” “That’s right, Serena! A child needs a complete mother’s and father’s love most of all! Julian’s so petty and extreme; I’m truly afraid he might harm the baby!” Serena didn’t respond to that. She just clenched her fingers, then looked up at Mark. “Did you send the message? What did he reply?” The next second, Serena’s phone, which was lying beside her, rang. Her eyes lit up. She thought it was me, a triumphant smirk playing on her lips. “Julian, you finally…” The voice on the other end froze her. “Excuse me, are you Julian’s wife? We were wondering if you have time to come to St. Jude’s Chapel to pick up a longevity lock.” Serena countered, “What longevity lock?” The person sighed. “A year ago, Mr. Julian came to our chapel, bowing on his knees with every step, wishing for his seriously ill wife to recover. Later, he returned, saying his wife was well and even pregnant. Our abbot said he had a profound connection with the divine and specially wanted to give him a longevity lock to wish his child peace and safety. But we haven’t been able to reach him for months.” Back then, when Serena was diagnosed with late-stage heart failure, I tried everything to treat her, even begging the heavens for mercy, praying on my knees until my forehead was raw and bleeding. Later, I returned to the chapel, full of joy, believing we had overcome our difficulties and welcomed a new dawn. But in the end, I lost everything. I had nothing. I clutched my chest, a sharp pain radiating from my artificial heart, and let out a bitter laugh. Turns out, even a synthetic heart can ache. The others were stunned by the news. “I can’t believe Julian was so devoted. When you had heart failure, we all thought he’d run away, afraid of the responsibility. It seems we misunderstood Julian…” Suddenly, Serena also clutched her heart, her teeth, white as seashells, biting her red lip. After regaining her composure, she scoffed. “No need. A longevity lock? Just throw it away.” She hung up. She lowered her gaze, gritting her teeth. “This is the difference between Julian and Derek.” “Julian only performs superficial gestures, but Derek directly saved my life! If it weren’t for Derek giving me his heart, I’d be dead already!” “Derek won’t live much longer because of it, but Julian? He only knows jealousy, even causing a fuss about divorce over such a minor thing!” My mouth tasted bitter. I was the one who donated my heart to Serena. The doctor told me that even if I paid a high price for an artificial heart transplant and took medication daily, with current technology, I’d only live another year or two. I didn’t regret it; instead, I was grateful for the time. But when I woke from my coma, I found Serena tearfully thanking Derek for his sacrifice. I tried to explain, time and again, but she just dismissed it as a pathetic attempt to mimic Derek’s sacrifice. It wasn’t until Serena became pregnant that our relationship softened. All because when Derek came to visit Serena, he clutched his chest, his face etched with sorrow, and said, “It’s a shame. I don’t have long left. I probably won’t be able to have my own children, or even see yours, Serena.” Serena immediately and unequivocally decided to give Derek a child. That led to the subsequent tragedy. Listening to Serena’s accusations, the others exchanged glances, and the air immediately thickened with tension. To ease the atmosphere, they all laughed and switched on the TV. “Serena, you just gave birth, don’t get too angry. Just relax a bit.” Coincidentally, a news report came on: “A skeleton of a male was discovered on a deserted island in the Pacific during a drone patrol. This marks a new milestone in drone technology…” Serena suddenly looked up, her pupils contracting. “Which island?”

Someone meekly said, “Serena, I heard the island you sent Julian to is somewhere around that coordinate…” Serena’s brows furrowed, nearly tying themselves in knots. Derek’s eyes flashed. He gently patted Serena’s back. “There are many similar islands, aren’t there? But that skeleton looks remarkably complete, almost like a medical model.” Serena snapped back to reality and scoffed. “Ha, Julian used to fake heart conditions to deceive people. Now he’s even using a skeleton model to scare me? He’s truly enjoying himself too much!” She turned and instructed Mark, “From now on, you are not allowed to agree to Julian’s unreasonable requests! I told you to just give him basic survival supplies, and you still played along with his nonsense!” Mark was drenched in cold sweat, nodding in affirmation. I knew why he was feeling guilty. After tossing me onto the deserted island, Serena had flown off in the helicopter without a second thought. My body and mind were exhausted, and my artificial heart couldn’t bear the strain. I had just pulled out my medication, intending to take it. But that assistant deliberately kicked my life-saving medication, sending it tumbling into the ocean. He’d even sneered, “Ms. Serena is right; you really are a drama queen, still acting like you have a heart condition!” “You, you’ll spend the rest of your life on this deserted island. Ms. Serena and Mr. Derek are having a baby; why would she ever come back for you!” After saying that, he led everyone away from the deserted island with a look of disgust. In the end, I painfully clawed at the ground, my fingernails bloody and torn, my heart stopped, and I died miserably in a foreign land. My body was weathered by wind and sun, torn by scavengers. Even now, the sensation of my heart being squeezed seems vivid before my eyes. Serena’s mood suddenly worsened for some reason. Her expression turned cold, and she rolled over, pulling the covers over herself, beginning to dismiss her visitors. “You can all leave now; I’m tired.” Everyone exchanged confused glances and left the hospital room one by one. Only Derek remained, cooing at the baby and gently holding Serena’s hand, which lay outside the covers with an IV drip. Because it was a natural birth, Serena was able to get out of bed and be discharged in just two days. Derek followed Serena home step by step, cradling the baby and making a pitiful promise. “Serena, I know you’ve hired a postpartum nurse, but I am the baby’s biological father. I have a responsibility to take care of you and our son.” Afraid she wouldn’t agree, he quickly added, “I’m very understanding; I won’t touch anything in the house, and Julian will never find out I’ve been here!” Serena’s fingers, clutching her purse strap, turned white from the force. She seemed conflicted. Derek then clutched his chest, tears welling in his eyes as he weakly said, “Serena, I don’t have long to live. Opportunities to be with you and our son are few. Can you give me this chance?” After a long silence, Serena finally nodded slowly. I watched Derek’s face twist into a sly, triumphant smirk. I lowered my head and gave a bitter laugh. Serena and I used to have a pact: no matter what, we would never bring outsiders into our home. But now, she was letting Derek walk right in. It seemed he was always the exception. As soon as the door opened, the little dog at home rushed forward to welcome Serena. Upon sensing a stranger, he immediately barked a warning, standing protectively in front of Serena. The baby, startled by the barking, began to cry loudly. Serena frowned. “Buddy, settle down!” Derek, however, smiled gently, though his eyes held no warmth. “It’s alright, Serena, I like dogs too.” With that, he crouched down and ruffled Buddy’s head. Buddy was usually gentle; his barking was just his way of deterring strangers, so he didn’t bite Derek’s hand. Serena couldn’t help but sigh. “Derek, you’re still as kind as ever.” Only I saw clearly that Derek’s palm was clutching a handful of Buddy’s yellow-white fur. How much pain Buddy must have been in! Hearing Buddy whimper in pain, Serena’s face changed, and she instantly grew angry. “This dog is just like its owner—an ungrateful, disloyal creature that can’t be tamed!” She pulled Derek away, cradling the baby. Buddy was still whimpering, squatting by the door, biting the bouncy ball I used to play with him, seemingly waiting for me. My nose stung. Buddy was just a little stray, but Serena and I had rescued him together when we were dating. He’d just been abandoned after birth, and Serena and I had taken turns staying up all night, feeding him milk, nursing him until he was grown. He was like our own child. He still didn’t know that his daddy was never coming back. Upstairs, Serena handed the baby to the postpartum nurse and then called for Mr. Henderson, instructing him carefully. “Mr. Henderson, Derek can’t have anything spicy, and no onions, ginger, or garlic. Please tell the kitchen to be mindful. Also, he only sleeps on silk sheets; otherwise, he gets rashes…” Serena rattled on, remembering Derek’s preferences as if they’d been married for ten years. I used to be jealous of her and Derek’s childhood connection, but now it seemed I had thought too little of it. Derek, however, pretended not to know these things. He used the excuse of needing the restroom to sneak into Serena and my bedroom. Buddy, seeing the stranger enter his parents’ room, tilted his head and followed Derek upstairs. Derek sneered at our wedding photo on the table, picking up a marker and drawing all over my face. He jumped when he felt Buddy nipping at his pant leg. The next second, he lashed out with a violent kick. Buddy, a small ten-pound dog, was sent flying against the wall by the heavy kick, then fell to the floor. His limbs twitched a few times, blood spreading from the corner of his mouth, and he whined softly. I was furious. I lunged towards Buddy, but my soul only passed through his body. Derek’s pale, gaunt face twisted into a crazed expression. He scoffed. “Loyal dog, are we? Then I’ll send you to your owner in heaven!” I froze. Derek actually knew I was dead. Could Mark be working for him? Recalling Mark’s disgust for me and his attempts to slander me, I clenched my fists. Just then, Serena, hearing the commotion, walked into the room. She immediately saw Buddy still faintly twitching by the wall.

Derek instantly feigned tears. “I’m so sorry, Serena! The dog bit me, and my heart suddenly ached. I accidentally kicked him. It’s all my carelessness! The dog won’t be hurt, will he?” Serena pressed her lips together, forcing herself to look away from Buddy. “As long as you’re alright. How are you feeling right now? Where did he bite you?” “Pets carry so many germs; it’s not good for the baby. I’ve wanted to have him sent away for a long time. You’ve actually done me a great favor.” With that, she ordered Mr. Henderson to take the dog to the vet, a look of disgust on her face. Derek, however, wasn’t satisfied, his lips twisting into a pout. But he quickly composed himself and tugged on Serena’s sleeve. “As long as the dog’s okay. If Julian found out, he’d probably tear me to shreds. I couldn’t even pay him back if I died!” Anyone who didn’t know better would think I’d somehow bullied him in the past. But Serena’s eyes filled with concern, and she gently cooed, “If he dares do that, I’ll make sure he knows what it means to wish for death.” Derek paused, then tentatively asked, “Serena, my parents want to see our little one a few more times. Will you come with me to visit them tomorrow?” Serena nodded. “Of course. The child will eventually be raised by your parents anyway.” Derek’s chest heaved. He reached out to grab Serena’s hand, whining, “Serena, why are you becoming so distant with me? We—” But Serena pulled away, her tone somewhat cold. “The guest room is ready. You should get some sleep. The baby’s been restless these past few days, and you haven’t been sleeping well either.” But it was Serena who lay awake all night. She kept pulling out her phone, opening our SnapChat chat. When she saw my last message was from eight months ago—my reply of “Okay” to her invitation for a trip abroad—she grew restless. I worried for Buddy’s health, but my soul couldn’t stray too far from Serena, so I could only stare at Buddy’s dog food and toys. The next moment, Serena suddenly walked over to me. My heart skipped a beat. I saw her crouch down and open Buddy’s favorite can of dog food. Then she opened my SnapChat chat. “Julian, I’ve handled everything. Come back. Buddy misses you very much.” Serena had rarely softened like this. This time, I didn’t instantly reply. I could never reply to her messages again. Just then, Mr. Henderson opened the door and returned. Serena saw his empty hands and asked, “Where’s the dog?” Mr. Henderson hesitated. “Six ribs were broken, piercing his heart. He didn’t make it to the hospital… Miss, should we have him cremated?” My heart clenched in agony. When we named our puppy, Serena had said so sweetly, “Of course, we’ll call him Buddy! We’re his parents in his little world, the closest people he has. We’ll protect him and keep him safe always!” Buddy, Buddy… yet he couldn’t even live a safe life. Serena froze, her fingertips trembling. After a long moment, she finally found her voice. “Yes.” “Mr. Henderson, please find me another dog that looks exactly like him. In a few days, when Julian comes home and doesn’t see Buddy, he’ll definitely cause a scene again.” My heart spasmed. She had money; she could find a similar dog. But our feelings? They were irreplaceable. The next day, Serena seemed miles away on the way to Derek’s place, barely patting the crying baby’s back as a mere formality. She pursed her lips, messaging Mr. Henderson, urging him, “Haven’t you found one yet? Hurry up.” When she looked up again, Serena was stunned by the decor of Derek’s house.

I looked at the scene before me and found it absurd. The surroundings were decorated with streamers. A red carpet was laid on the floor. A Bluetooth speaker blared a proposal song. And most striking of all, a banner directly facing the front door read: “Serena, please marry me!” The house was packed with Serena’s and Derek’s friends and family, all looking at the two of them with eager eyes. Serena tightened her grip on the baby, who struggled and cried out loud. Derek’s father chuckled. “Serena, you and Derek had a childhood pact, a promise of marriage. Someone from Julian’s ordinary background simply isn’t a match for you. Now that you’ve had the baby, isn’t it time you married Derek?” Derek immediately dropped to one knee, pulling out a sparkling diamond ring. “Serena,” he declared, his voice full of feigned emotion, “I know I don’t have long to live, but I want to give our child a complete father’s love. I want him to know he was born from love, not some nameless, illegitimate child! Please marry me. I want to protect you and our son until my dying breath!” Seeing this, the crowd, as if on cue, began to loudly chant, “Say yes! Marry him!” My heart felt bitter. So, it had come to this. But Serena’s face darkened. She smacked the diamond ring out of Derek’s hand. “Derek, are you crazy?” Then, without another word, she shoved the baby into Derek’s parents’ arms and stormed out. The atmosphere instantly turned awkward. Derek’s face flushed alternately green and pale. He rushed after her. He grabbed Serena’s arm, his eyes bloodshot. “Why can’t you marry me? Serena, refusing you back then was just my pride. Weren’t you with Julian just to spite me? What’s gotten into you now?!” Serena yanked her arm away, her gaze more resolute than ever. “Julian would be furious! If another man even showed up near me, he’d get so jealous, so petty and stubborn.” “I had an IVF baby with you, and he’s already furious about that. If he found out I accepted your proposal, he’d never forgive me!” Hearing that, I felt a pang of surprise. Derek gritted his teeth, taking a deep breath. The next moment, he clutched his chest, struggling to speak. “But, Serena, what if this is my dying wish? I don’t have much time left. Please, just agree to marry me, just a wedding. After I’m gone, you can still be with Julian. I won’t hold you back for long!” Serena’s eyes flickered with internal struggle. She instinctively reached out, wanting to comfort Derek. Just as her hand was about to touch his chest, she seemed to snap out of a dream. “I’m sorry, Derek. Even if it’s your dying wish, I can’t.” “I know you’re my benefactor, but giving you a child has already repaid you. I hope you won’t overstep.” With that, she turned and walked away. On the way home, she stared intently at the message she had sent last night, which had fallen silent as a stone. Serena irritably questioned Mark, who was following behind her. “Are you sure Julian’s phone can connect to the internet? Why is he still not replying to my messages?” Mark continued to lie. “Ah, well, the people patrolling the deserted island told me Mr. Julian is doing just fine; he’s just deliberately ignoring you.” Serena was furious. “Useless! Go book me a plane ticket, now!” Mark seemed flustered, trying desperately to stop her. “But you’re still recovering from childbirth… Shouldn’t you at least tell Mr. Derek about this?” Serena gave him a scrutinizing look, her voice icy. “What does it have to do with him? Who exactly is your boss?” Soon, Serena boarded the plane. When she finally arrived at the island, fueled by rage, my bare bones still lay exposed on the beach, my clothes long since tattered and ripped by the sea winds. Serena walked towards the makeshift wooden cabin. *Snap*. She stepped on it without a second thought, and I heard a sickening *snap* as my tibia bone broke beneath her heel. Her gaze was suddenly caught by something glinting. Disbelieving, she slowly turned her head. There, on the skeleton’s ring finger, was a gleaming silver men’s wedding band.

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Julian got a girl pregnant one drunken night. By the time I found out, she was already six months along. He told me to keep the baby, and that everything between us would go back to how it was. I shook my head, stubbornly asking him: “Me or the baby, who do you choose?” That day, he remained silent for a long time, unable to give me an answer. But after I disappeared, he regretted it. Married to Julian for five years, I never imagined we’d end this way. At the hospital entrance, Julian was tenderly supporting a young, beautiful girl down the steps. I stood not far away, my eyes meeting Julian’s, which were filled with a tenderness I hadn’t seen in a long time. He flinched, his gaze quickly darting away from mine. The heavily pregnant girl beside him also looked my way, her eyes instantly welling up with tears. After safely getting her into the car and whispering a few careful words, Julian finally walked towards me. His steps were calm and composed, completely lacking the panic I expected after being caught. He first touched my hand, which was cold as ice, holding it tightly in his palm. “Why are you at the hospital? Are you not feeling well?” He spoke with concern, reaching out to touch my forehead. I pulled away. “Who is she?” Julian didn’t answer my question. Instead, he pulled me into a comforting hug. “Someone unimportant. I’ll explain everything when we get home, okay?” His gentle words, at that moment, finally brought tears to my eyes. I stubbornly lifted my head, desperate for an answer. If he just said it, I would believe him. Julian sighed softly, then slowly wiped the tears from my eyes. “The baby is mine.” My tears froze on my face. I felt like I’d forgotten how to breathe. I bit my lip until it bled, then struggled free from his embrace, stepping back, one pace at a time. It was then that a hint of anger finally crossed Julian’s face. He pulled me close again, looking at me with pained eyes. “Nora, you can blame me, but don’t hurt yourself.” I couldn’t understand why he was acting so loving after doing something like this. As we stood in silent confrontation, The girl from the car got out. “Get back in!” Julian’s voice was cold, devoid of any warmth. The girl looked timidly at him but didn’t leave, a newfound determination in her eyes. “Miss Shen, Julian and I aren’t what you think. This baby was an accident.” She finished with a bitter smile. “If I could, I’d want him gone more than anyone.” My vision blurred with tears, so I couldn’t clearly see Julian’s expression. But knowing him as I did, I could sense that his initial coldness had already softened. “Enough! Stop talking!” Jealousy and resentment surged through me. I screamed, my voice breaking. The girl flinched, swaying, almost falling, but Julian quickly caught her in his arms. I stared at the scene, a thought flashing through my mind. I lunged towards them. Just as I was about to touch the girl’s swollen belly, a powerful force shoved me away. I landed on the ground, lifting my scraped palm, and managed a bitter laugh. Julian looked at his outstretched hand in disbelief, frozen. That day, Julian left the six-month pregnant girl and took me home. But I knew there was no future for us.

Back home, Julian tried to explain. I sat on the bed, motionless, for a long time. He, meanwhile, stood on my room’s balcony, smoking cigarette after cigarette all night. I knew he was trying to make me feel sorry for him, torturing himself. He always knew my weaknesses. As dawn broke, Julian turned and came inside, walking over to me. “Hungry? What do you want to eat? I’ll make it.” I stopped him with a hoarse voice. “Julian, we need to talk.” Julian’s steps faltered. He didn’t turn around for a long time. I knew he understood my personality. I cared about this kind of thing. A lot. Even if he was drunk that night, even if his encounter with that girl was unintentional, I couldn’t forgive him. So, Julian kept it a secret. But no one expected that the stranger he’d met just once would get pregnant. Due to a unique medical condition, she couldn’t terminate the pregnancy. Which led to this situation. Julian eventually left. He was afraid to face what I was about to say. I knew he loved me. If he didn’t, we wouldn’t have been together for so many years. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have spoiled me into someone who easily got emotional and cried at the drop of a hat. For the next week, Julian didn’t come home. But he still meticulously asked Maria, our housekeeper, every day how I was doing. Maria tried to persuade me: “Madam, you and Mr. Sterling are the most loving couple I’ve ever seen. Just talk things out. “Mr. Sterling, he’s lost so much weight recently.” Maria had been with us for years, and she had never seen Julian and me have a single argument. Even Julian’s mother, who had been displeased with me in the early years, gradually accepted me as her daughter-in-law because Julian and I were so happy together. My phone rang. It was Julian calling. “Nora, Julian’s completely wasted. Could you come pick him up?” “Don’t bother with him!” After hanging up, my inner frustration only grew. Julian’s retreating figure, seemingly hunched, kept replaying in my mind. I still couldn’t bring myself to leave him there alone. After a struggle, I grabbed my car keys. And walked out purposefully.

The VIP room door was ajar. I stood outside, not going in. Julian was indeed drunk, sprawled out on the sofa, completely without dignity. In front of him stood the heavily pregnant girl. One of Julian’s friends looked embarrassed. “Selena, Nora wouldn’t come, and Julian wouldn’t leave, so I had to call you.” The girl smiled faintly and helped Julian lift one arm. He abruptly pushed her away. A few gasps pulled Julian out of his drunken stupor. He looked at the woman in front of him, a smile more painful than a grimace on his face. “Selena, it’s all because of you. Nora doesn’t want me anymore…” Julian kept repeating the same phrase, then started looking for more alcohol. Everyone tried to stop him, but he grabbed a bottle and started guzzling it down like he had a death wish. Suddenly, Selena snatched the bottle from his hand and smashed it on the floor. The room fell silent instantly. Even Julian, who had been throwing a drunken tantrum, stared blankly at her. “Julian, you’re scaring our baby with all this shouting. “Get up. I’m tired. Take me home.” Julian, who practically ruled the city, had never been ordered around like this by anyone except me. Everyone assumed he was furious and held their breath. But in that oppressive silence, Julian said nothing. He slowly got up, picked up his jacket, and quietly followed Selena out. They left together. I hid in the corner, watching the man and woman in front. Suddenly, I laughed. But that laugh was laced with a bitter taste. I followed their taxi to an upscale apartment building. I watched Julian get out of the car and go upstairs with the girl. A light flickered on in one of the higher floors. I sat in my car all night, and Julian never came out. At seven in the morning, he walked back in, carrying breakfast. I watched that incredibly familiar figure. And quietly drove away.

I called Julian back, but I didn’t mention divorce. I looked at the man, who had lost a lot of weight, and quickly averted my gaze. “I didn’t pick you up last night. Where did you stay?” Julian’s fingers trembled slightly. After a moment, he said: “I stayed at the office.” I couldn’t quite describe the feeling in my heart—not much bitterness, But mostly disappointment. When did Julian start lying to me? The man who once promised to be honest with me forever had changed. I didn’t expose him because, to me, it no longer mattered. “She, how many months along is she?” Julian’s voice paused for a few seconds, as if he couldn’t bear to hurt me. “Almost seven months.” After saying that, he knelt before me, burying his head deeply in my lap. His tears soaked my dress. “Nora, I’m sorry. Please don’t leave me.” In my memory, Julian had never cried before. Now, his sobs were violent. Watching him cry, my heart ached too. But I knew, at this moment, I couldn’t soften. “Arrange for me to meet that girl.” We met at Selena’s apartment. Julian waited for me outside the door. Selena gently stroked her belly, her eyes filled with anticipation for the baby. “That night, the lights were off, and I was really terrified. “But the next day, when I saw Julian lying beside me, I actually felt a moment of relief.” Selena chuckled as she spoke. She looked up at me, still maintaining that gentle, lovely demeanor. “Miss Shen, Julian’s and my baby is almost due. Why don’t you just let us be?” With Julian not present, the girl in front of me seemed to transform. Honestly, I wasn’t too surprised. Because the night I went to find Julian, Selena had glanced towards the door. I knew she had seen me that day. She slowly stood up and pushed open a closed bedroom door. Inside was a cozy nursery. “Everything in here was personally chosen by Julian, and he decorated the room himself. “He’s not without hope for this child.” I desperately wanted to maintain my last shred of composure in front of Selena, who was flaunting Julian’s fatherly love to me. But she still provoked me. So, Julian *did* have expectations for this child. He wasn’t indifferent at all. All the strength seemed to drain from my body. I leaned a hand on the dining table, knocking over a water glass. It hit the floor with a crisp *clink*, a sound that echoed in my heart, shattering it into cracks. Julian heard the noise. When he looked, he saw me swaying, and Selena on the floor crying out in pain. That day, I will never forget, Julian’s first choice was no longer me. Selena shot me a triumphant smile, believing she had won. As he brushed past me, Julian hesitated for only a second. Then he went past me, picked Selena up, and rushed her to the hospital.

Julian didn’t look at me as he left. I stood there for a long time, slowly accepting the fact that he had abandoned me. I followed them to the hospital. By the time I arrived, Mrs. and Mr. Sterling were also there. It turned out they had known all along, only keeping it a secret from me. Seeing me, Mrs. Sterling slapped me across the face. “If anything happens to my grandson, I swear I’ll make you pay!” Julian immediately shielded me, pulling me behind him. Seeing this, Mrs. Sterling became even angrier. “Julian, it’s fine if you protect her usually, but now she’s trying to harm your son!” Julian laughed, his voice tinged with suppressed defiance. “So what? If he’s gone, he’s gone.” If they hadn’t kept this child behind his back, why would Nora be so heartbroken and upset? No one knew that when he saw Selena fall, His first reaction was actually relief. He regretted this unexpected arrival. The doctor came out of the room, saying the baby was saved. Mr. and Mrs. Sterling hurried in, showering Selena with concern. Selena, however, kept looking towards Julian, who stood by the door, her expression fragile and pitiful. She dared to scheme against me, so why should I let her have her way? I showed him my swollen left cheek, letting him feel a pang of sympathy, and told Julian: “I don’t want to stay here anymore.” Julian left with me. As I walked out, I looked at Selena, lying in the hospital bed, and returned her smile with one of my own. At least for now, Julian still sided with me. Even if I no longer wanted that favoritism. In the days Julian thought I had accepted the baby, I had already begun preparing to leave. I packed my belongings and prepared the divorce papers. Just waiting for the day I’d leave. That’s right, I would leave on the day Selena gave birth. She wanted me to complete their family of three, didn’t she? Then I would fulfill her wish.

Recently, I’d been having a vague discomfort in my lower abdomen. I went to the hospital that day for a check-up, but I didn’t expect to run into them. I rescheduled my appointment and had the check-up. The moment I got the results, I laughed through my tears. Julian and I had tried for a baby for five years without success. Now, this baby seemed to have come at the most inconvenient time. I walked through the hospital, clutching the pregnancy test results, lost in a daze, unsure how to treat this little life inside me. I knew I should terminate it, but I couldn’t bear to. This decision was harder than letting go of Julian. Then I looked up and saw Julian and Selena emerging from her prenatal check-up. These past few days, neither of us had mentioned Selena’s situation again. He thought my silence meant I had tacitly accepted her presence. “Julian, our baby is so healthy. I’m so happy.” Julian’s voice betrayed no emotion, but his slightly raised eyebrows revealed his good mood. “Hmm, you’re taking good care of him.” They chatted about the baby, neither noticing I had stopped in front of them. The moment Julian saw me, he immediately let go of Selena’s hand, creating a distance between them. After a silent pause, I spoke first. “What a coincidence. Well, I’ll leave you to it. I’m going now.” Julian frantically grabbed me, unwilling to let me go. “Nora, let me explain.” I calmly pulled my hand away from him, without a hint of anger. “I’m not mad. This baby is your responsibility. I understand.” At my words, Selena’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Miss Shen, do you really agree to keep this baby?” Since our last confrontation, I didn’t feel like giving her any pleasantries. “Miss Selena’s baby is due in a few days. Does my disagreement even matter anymore?” The woman immediately panicked, her voice catching with a sob. “I… I was forced.” Saying all this now was meaningless. Without letting Julian follow, I turned and went back to the doctor. Someone had just made the decision for me. On the day Selena went into labor, Julian was called away at four in the morning. Before he left, he leaned close and whispered in my ear:

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On my birthday, I received a confirmation text for a couples’ suite reservation, sent to my phone. I waited in my car all night, and finally, I saw my wife and a man walking out of the hotel together. I knew the man. He was Cassandra’s male secretary, Julian. I didn’t like my wife having a male secretary, so I’d asked her to fire him. Now, it seemed, she had only changed his job title, not his position in her bed. Chapter 1: The Test The moment Cassandra stepped through the door, I was sitting on the couch smoking, the floor littered with cigarette butts. Cassandra despised the smell of smoke. I’d even quit for her, once upon a time, but now, I didn’t care if she hated it or not. Yesterday was my birthday, a day meant for family togetherness. I’d prepared a table full of food early, waiting for my wife to come home. In this sprawling city, Cassandra was my only family. Every year, I spent the holidays with her; she was never absent. But yesterday, I waited and waited, and my wife never showed. All I got was that damned confirmation text for a hotel room reservation. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. My wife was cheating, and it was with the male secretary I’d asked her to replace. Cassandra’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. “Leo, what’s gotten into you? Are you crazy? I told you I hate the smell of smoke! You were gone for just one day, and you’ve turned the house into a pigsty. It stinks!” As she spoke, Cassandra pulled open the windows and curtains, waving her hands in disgust. Before, whatever she said was law, and I never dared to disobey. Even if others called me henpecked, I’d just smile and say I didn’t mind. But now, I realized. No love meant no love. My obedience meant nothing. Cassandra pinched her nose. “Throw those cigarettes away. And don’t you dare smoke again.” I didn’t obey like before. I slowly raised my eyes to her, blowing out a smoke ring. “Yesterday was my birthday. I waited for you all night. Where were you?” Chapter 2: The Argument Hearing the accusation in my voice, Cassandra’s tone turned sharp. “Where could I have been? Overtime at the office, of course! You don’t earn a dime in this house, don’t I support us?” As soon as she said it, Cassandra seemed to realize her tone was too harsh. She walked to the dining table and lifted the lid of a takeout container. “Forget it. It’s a holiday, I don’t want to fight. I bought you a big platter of shrimp and crab legs. Go wash your hands and eat.” Any lingering warmth in my heart shattered. I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Did you really buy them for me?” At the hotel entrance, I’d distinctly seen Cassandra handing a takeout bag to Julian, but he didn’t take it. Was this just their leftovers from the hotel? Cassandra’s movements paused. She flung the plastic gloves onto the table. “What do you mean? Is it wrong for me to buy you food? You’re a grown man, just say what you mean. I don’t have time for your games.” I said nothing. After a long moment, I stubbed out my cigarette and slowly said, “I’m allergic to seafood.” Cassandra’s body stiffened, an awkward expression flashing across her face. But she quickly recovered. “Regardless, my intentions were good. You don’t need to make a scene with me. It’s just one birthday, right? We have plenty of other holidays.” In an instant, a memory flashed in my mind: Cassandra, leaning into my shoulder, her eyes shining as she whispered, “Every single birthday, from this day forward, I want to spend it with you.” I pushed myself up from the sofa, dumping all the untouched food from yesterday. As I cleaned, I said, “Cassandra, it’s not just about missing my birthday.” “You cheated on me.” Chapter 3: The Other Man My words were clear and firm, making Cassandra’s face flush from her neck up. I ignored her reaction. “The hotel room confirmation was sent directly to my phone.” “And your lover is your secretary, isn’t he? Quite dedicated, hasn’t changed in years.” The moment the words left my lips, a flicker of panic crossed Cassandra’s face. But she immediately bristled, yelling at me, “I was working hard on a business deal, drinking myself senseless! Julian was the one who took me back to the hotel. You can’t even thank him, and you suspect us? We’ve been married five years, can’t you give me some trust?” I pressed my lips together, thinking to myself that I’d trusted her too much, which was why they’d gone undetected for so long. Cassandra, however, thought her words had worked. “Stop being so paranoid. Dealing with work is hard enough as it is.” I said calmly, “Taking you back to the hotel… and booking a couples’ suite?” Cassandra’s eyes reddened. She pointed at me, accusing, “That was the only room left at the hotel! What was I supposed to do? Sleep on the street? No wonder you were always ostracized before! Who could stand a personality like yours?” I smiled in silence. When people are guilty, they react just like Cassandra. Cassandra continued, “I think I need to seriously reconsider this relationship. I’m moving out for a while.” With that, she turned and left without looking back. Whenever we argued, she would give me the silent treatment, sometimes for a week, sometimes for a month. But the cold war always ended with me giving in first. Cassandra probably thought this time would be no different. But this time, it was. I sent a text to my friend, Mark: “Mark, I need your advice on something… about getting a divorce.” Chapter 4: Divorce Agreement Cassandra and I both came from small towns. We both got into college in the big city. We started a business together, raised investments together. Late at night, I drank myself to the point of stomach bleeding trying to close a deal, and Cassandra swore then that she would always be good to me. Only now did I realize that “forever” has an expiration date. Back then, we were so poor that we sweated through the summer, unwilling to even turn on a fan. After we got married, Cassandra said someone needed to be home, not both of us out working. Because of that, I gave up my career and became a stay-at-home husband. But the ending rarely lives up to the beginning. Sometimes, it’s a complete disaster. When Mark heard I wanted a divorce, he said to me earnestly, “I knew being a stay-at-home husband wouldn’t end well. You didn’t get any benefits, and you lost your career.” As he spoke, he offered to introduce me to a job. “A buddy of mine has an opening for a management position at his company. Want to give it a shot?” I thought about it and agreed, adding the contact info he sent me. After learning more, I tidied myself up and went for an interview at his company. The manager nodded in satisfaction at my resume, and when he found out I’d previously started a business, he hired me on the spot. He told me to start tomorrow. I quickly agreed. Exhausted, I returned home, and a call came through. It was Chloe, Cassandra’s best friend. When I answered, she laughed and said, “Leo, it’s my birthday today! Why is Cassandra the only one here? You can’t disrespect me like that! I’ve sent you the address; we’re just missing one more person.” Before I could refuse, she hung up. I checked the address; it was near home. Plus, it was her birthday, and she’d invited me directly, so I didn’t want to be a spoilsport. I quickly splashed some water on my face and headed out. When I arrived, the lively atmosphere instantly froze. I scanned the room and saw Julian sitting brazenly next to Cassandra. It seemed Cassandra had brought him to her friends’ gatherings more than once. And I, like an idiot, had believed Cassandra had actually fired him. When Cassandra saw me, her smile vanished. She questioned me coldly, “What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you we needed some time to cool off?” Chapter 5: Provocation I looked at Cassandra’s reaction and realized she’d misunderstood. She thought I’d come to win her back. I’d always swallowed my pride and appeased her, anxiously asking her friends what she liked, just to make her happy. But now, thinking back, one-sided devotion was just being a simp, not love. Cassandra’s friend, Chloe, looked awkward and quickly tried to lighten the mood. “I invited Leo! The more, the merrier, right?” Then she waved at me, motioning for me to sit next to her. I walked over with long strides. After I sat down, Julian turned his head to greet me. “Hello. We’ve met before. I’ve heard a lot about you from Cassie these past few years.” His voice was full of provocation, perhaps thinking I’d get angry, but I didn’t. I raised my glass cordially and nodded. When I didn’t take the bait, Julian eagerly started doting on Cassandra, filling her plate. I ignored it all, quietly eating my own food. Cassandra repeatedly cast guilty glances my way, but I remained silent. Until I stood up and said, “Excuse me, I’m going out for a smoke.” Hearing that, Cassandra shot up from her seat. “Didn’t I tell you not to smoke?” Julian, sitting next to Cassandra, chimed in, “It’s okay, Cassie. Don’t be mad. You haven’t even eaten the shrimp I peeled for you yet.” I turned and looked at Cassandra coldly. “Do you think your words are gospel?” Cassandra froze in place, and ultimately said nothing more. When I returned after my smoke, Cassandra and Julian were being egged on to drink with linked arms. Seeing me return, everyone’s faces froze. Chloe stepped in to mediate. “Alright, everyone, stop it. Leo’s going to get mad.” But Cassandra said in a low voice, “Ignore him. Let’s continue.” Julian looked at me, feigning innocence, and said, “Brother-in-law, Cassie and I are just playing a game. You don’t mind, do you?” Everyone expected me to explode, but I simply crossed my legs and sat down, watching them. “No, I don’t mind. Go ahead.” Cassandra’s face darkened, as if she hadn’t expected me to say that. But Cassandra still, under my gaze, intimately linked arms with Julian and drank. When the dinner was almost over, I bid them farewell. “Everyone, enjoy your meal. I’m leaving now.” Seeing that, Cassandra’s anger flared. She rushed forward and splashed the remaining wine from her glass onto my face. “Weren’t you here to make up? What’s with the attitude? If you’re so tough, why even bother coming?” Everyone gasped. Only Julian looked at me mockingly. “Brother-in-law, Cassie’s mad. You should just give in. Dude, when you’re trying to win her back, you gotta swallow your pride.” I wiped the wine from my face, picked up a bottle of wine, and filled two glasses. I smiled at Julian. “This first toast is for you, Julian. A big thank you for keeping Cassandra warm in bed all these years, being her little boy-toy.” Cassandra’s face instantly went white. “Leo, what the hell are you talking about? Didn’t I explain everything to you?” Chapter 6: Drunk She stepped forward to block me, while Julian’s smile froze. Chloe, seeing the situation, quickly said, “Everyone’s drunk. Drunk words don’t count.” But I shoved her aside, picked up the second glass, and looked at Cassandra. “This second glass, I toast to you, my dear ‘wife.’ You’ve worked so hard, so tired out there, and then you come home and have to put on an act with me. Honestly, your acting skills are impressive.” After saying that, I violently splashed the two glasses of wine, one at Cassandra and one at Julian. The room erupted into chaos. Cassandra’s face and Julian’s hair were soaked. Ignoring Cassandra’s stunned expression, I strode out of the restaurant. As soon as I was out the door, Cassandra chased after me. She grabbed me. “Julian and I were just playing a game! Did you have to humiliate me in front of everyone? What is wrong with you?” Cassandra probably thought I was jealous because of that linked-arm drink, but I genuinely no longer cared. “You’re overthinking it. Even if you and Julian slept together right in front of me, I wouldn’t bat an eye. I’d even offer you protection.” After I said that, Cassandra’s hand struck my face, leaving a clear red mark. “If that’s your attitude, then why did you even come?” Cassandra’s chest heaved with anger, but I just said coldly, “My being here has nothing to do with you. Don’t flatter yourself.” Cassandra, however, thought I was just being stubborn. She looked at me and said, “Okay, let’s pretend today never happened. We’ll both take a step back. I’ll come home with you tonight, alright?” I was about to speak when Julian walked up, putting an arm around Cassandra’s shoulder. “Cassie, I feel so dizzy. Can you take me back to the hotel?” Cassandra glanced nervously at my reaction, then quickly pushed Julian away, explaining to me, “Don’t misunderstand, Julian’s just drunk, he can’t stand steady.” I scoffed. I know a fake drunk when I see one. It was all an act. I casually folded my arms, a mocking smile in my eyes. “Alright, you don’t need to come home tonight. Go take him back to the hotel.” Cassandra hadn’t expected my attitude. She wanted to say something else, but Julian cut her off. I, without hesitation, turned and walked away. The next morning, I arrived at the company for work and quickly familiarized myself with my new position. My colleagues here were friendly, the environment was great, and most importantly, the salary they offered me was very generous. While at work, I received a call from Cassandra. It was the first call she’d made to me since our cold war began. “Where are you?” “Busy.” “What could you possibly be busy with all day besides laundry and cooking?” Watching her relentless questioning, I said calmly, “I went to work.” Cassandra immediately flared up. “Who told you to go to work? Did I agree? I come home, and I can’t even get a hot meal. What’s the point of this marriage?” Listening to her unreasonable words, I scoffed. “I’m not your maid. I’m not obligated to do your laundry or cook for you. Whether or not I work is my right; you have no right to take that away from me.” Cassandra’s voice trembled with rage after hearing my words. She spoke fiercely, threatening, “Leo, if you choose to work, then we’re getting a divorce!” I stayed silent. Cassandra, thinking her threat had worked, said, “If you don’t want a divorce, then come home right now!” My knuckles whitened as I gripped my phone, but I answered with a sense of release, “Okay.” Chapter 7: The Explanation Before, I would have groveled, begged her to stay, because I cared about our relationship. I loved her, so I was willing to compromise. Similarly, my prompt agreement to divorce today wasn’t for any other reason; it was simply because I no longer loved her.

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My ex-boyfriend, Julian Blackwood, sweet-talked me into taking nude photos. He promised they were just for him to cherish. I was a little worried, but also secretly thrilled I’d finally ‘won over’ Julian. Until one day, Chloe, a scholarship student, and I were competing for first place. Julian said, ” let her win.” “You don’t want those photos plastered all over the internet, do you?” I froze, nodding numbly. Seven days later, Chloe won first place as planned. Julian deleted all the photos. A huge weight lifted from my chest, and I boarded a plane out of the country. All those years, I’d consider them just wasted. Julian’s words were casual, almost dismissive. “You agree, and all the photos are deleted.” It was the peak of summer, unbearably hot. Yet, a wave of icy dread washed over me, like a punch to the gut. I opened my mouth, my voice trembling. “But you promised me…” Julian cut me off. “Yes, I promised only I would see them.” His gaze was unwavering, his tone low and deliberate. “I won’t break my word.” “Just let Chloe win first place.” I argued stubbornly, my words fragmented. “The singing competition… it’s supposed to be about talent.” “I… won’t give it up.” Julian seemed to have expected my resistance. He pulled my chair closer, encircling me in his arms. Then, he took out his phone. He took my hand and pressed it to unlock his private album. Explicit images flashed across the screen. Julian chuckled softly. “Whisper, your body is truly perfect.” His lips brushed my ear. “This one’s my favorite. You’re all flushed, mouth slightly open, looking at the camera.” “Like a plaything used up and tossed aside…” My fingertips trembled, a sob catching in my throat. “Don’t look.” Julian paused, switching off the screen. His thumb was warm as he wiped a tear from the corner of my eye. “Good girl, don’t be scared. Do you agree?” My fingers unconsciously tightened, my mind a blank. “Okay.” Julian’s eyes curved into a satisfied smile as he stood up. He smoothed my disheveled hair, speaking softly as if nothing had happened. “There’s a class gathering tonight. I won’t be coming home with you.” “I’ll have the driver take you.”

The air conditioning in the vocal classroom was blasting. I pulled my jacket tighter, curling up in the chair. So cold, so incredibly cold. I covered my mouth, stifling my sobs. Julian was the person I trusted most. When I was seven, my parents brought me from our small, rundown house in the countryside to a glittering mansion in the city. But I couldn’t fit in. I was scrawny, small, and always felt out of place. I was constantly bullied. I’d just hide and cry. I thought if I didn’t fight back, they’d leave me alone. Until that day, a group of boys tried to pull down my pants. I cried out, grabbing a dead tree branch. “Don’t… don’t come closer!” They didn’t stop, only grew bolder. That’s when Julian appeared. He brandished a brick, chasing them all away. Then, he offered me his hand. “Whisper, I’ll take you home.” But my legs were like jelly; I couldn’t stand. Julian frowned, a sour look on his face. But he still crouched down. “Get on.” I hesitated for a moment, then climbed onto his back. He carried me, walking with a steady, determined pace. After that, I always shyly followed Julian. For eleven years. Until Freshman Orientation Week ended in college. I gathered all my courage and confessed my feelings. Perhaps Julian’s heart softened. He looked at me with a smile, a regal nod of his head. So, when Julian suggested taking photos. I fought back my fear, asking softly, “Will… will others see them?” Julian held up the camera, gently reassuring me. “No, I’ll keep them treasured.” I hesitated for a moment, then slipped off my nightgown. Posing again and again. But now, that once-cherished intimacy had turned into a blade, stabbing me. I had trusted Julian so much. I finally couldn’t hold it in anymore, bursting into loud sobs. I don’t know how long passed, until no more tears would fall. Julian sent a SnapChat message. He was as thoughtful as ever, reminding me carefully, “You cried today, your throat will be sore.” “Remember to drink honey water when you get back.” I clutched my phone, stumbling home in a daze. On the way, I almost crashed into a big truck. My whole body felt numb, and I tremblingly entered my room’s password. The living room was pitch black. I didn’t turn on the lights, just sat on the sofa, hugging my knees. The clock ticked, hour after hour. The SnapChat notification sound rang out. I mechanically opened it. My best friend, Skylar, her voice serious, “Whisper, tell me the truth.” “Did Julian… take nude photos of you?”

Shame and a suffocating dread washed over me all at once. I frantically turned off the screen. I had promised… The screen lit up again. It was a video from Skylar. My hands trembling, I tapped to play it. In a dimly lit private lounge. Julian was holding a cigarette, his voice lazy. “Don’t worry, first place in the singing competition will definitely be yours.” Chloe, the scholarship student, sat beside him. They were incredibly close. Chloe forced a strained smile. “Don’t joke, Whisper is so pretty and her family is rich, I can’t possibly beat her.” Julian stared at her, lost in thought for a long moment. As if completely captivated. After a while, he spoke faintly. “She wouldn’t dare.” Chloe grabbed his hand, blinking. “Why not?” Julian fell silent. Chloe wasn’t in a hurry. She just reached out to touch a glass of wine on the table. The ambient lights flickered suggestively. Julian sighed, catching her hand. “You’re on your period, good girl, no drinking.” Chloe blinked, gazing steadily at him. Julian crumbled instantly. He squeezed Chloe’s cheek, a helpless smile on his face. “I have nude photos of her.” “Is that enough, my little queen?” The video ended. My heart felt like a gaping hole. Filled with sulfur by Julian’s own hands. Burning with excruciating pain. Skylar’s voice message continued. “Whisper, did you and Julian have a fight?” “How could he…” “And who’s that girl next to him?” “Did he… did he really take nude photos of you?” My throat felt like it was sealed with cement. I wanted to tell Skylar not to worry. But when I opened my mouth, no sound came out. I typed instead. “No, he was just joking.” “Are you still working? Go home early.” My head throbbed, and I collapsed onto the sofa. Chloe… Chloe… I closed my eyes, letting the tears fall freely. During Freshman Orientation Week, Chloe was the freshman representative. She wore a neat ponytail, speaking at the podium. Her voice was strong and clear, her demeanor poised and confident. At that time, I was suffering from heatstroke. Weakly leaning against Julian’s chest. He fanned me, chuckling. “Look at her, full of energy.” “You’re like a sick kitten.” “How will you ever survive without me?” My head was spinning, and I glanced at Chloe. “Julian, I want a popsicle.” Julian poked my forehead, a smirk on his face. “No, you’ll get a stomach ache.” I murmured, burying my head in his neck. Pushing Chloe from my mind. But it turned out Chloe was also a music student. She was cheerful and outgoing, full of passion. As if she had endless energy. And she got along with everyone in the class. Julian would come to pick me up after class, teasing, “I wish you had that much vitality.” At first, I didn’t think much of it. But later, Julian started mentioning her more and more often. The honey water he specifically brought for me. He’d also conveniently give a portion to her. I got angry, questioning him, “Why are you so good to her?” Julian crossed his long legs, rubbing his temples. “Whisper, it’s tough for a scholarship student to pursue music.” “She’s having a hard time, she just pretends to be happy.” “It’s just honey water, what’s the big deal?” But gradually, it wasn’t just honey water. Desserts, snacks, afternoon tea… Julian and I argued more and more. He always said Chloe was pitiful. And that I should be considerate towards her. Until today. Julian, for her sake, threw caution to the wind. My humiliation, my privacy. All became his bargaining chips to win Chloe’s favor. I stared at a solitary star outside the window. I didn’t understand what I had done wrong. Why Julian didn’t want me anymore… I bit my wrist, my mouth filling with a salty, metallic taste. Until the coppery tang of blood emerged. I wearily released my bite. It hurt, so much. I didn’t want to experience this anymore. Julian was right. I was timid and weak. Whenever something happened, I always wanted to retreat into my shell. But I didn’t want to be sad anymore. I opened my phone and booked a flight out of the country for seven days later.

I lay in bed. My temples throbbed relentlessly. But I couldn’t sleep. I took out my phone, searching repeatedly. “What to do if your boyfriend takes nude photos?” “Will my boyfriend send out my photos?” “Intimate photos leaked by boyfriend.” … I read about similar experiences. My heart ached, making it hard to breathe. I pulled the blanket tighter, my fingers stiff as I clicked, “How to save yourself if intimate photos are spread?” The guides were all well-written. Tell family, friends, seek help… Light and airy. It looked so simple. I mentally rehearsed it again and again. But none of it would work for Julian. He wasn’t afraid of anything. And he could handle anything. Tears soaked my pillow. Until I couldn’t hold on any longer and passed out. My sleep was restless. In a hazy dream, I heard the click of a camera.

I jolted awake, clutching my blanket. The room was dim. Only the red light of a camera flashed. Julian was hidden in the shadows. A smile played on his lips, his eyes flushed with a hint of intoxication. “So beautiful.” I jumped out of bed, reaching out to hide. But Julian easily pulled me into his arms. The scent of perfume mixed with smoke rushed into my nostrils. I coughed uncontrollably. Julian tightened his hold, his voice deep. “Don’t move.” “I missed you so much.” My nerves were stretched taut, like a string being plucked repeatedly. I grabbed his sleeve, my voice hoarse. “Delete… them.” Julian pressed me onto his lap. “What’s wrong with your throat?” “Didn’t you drink honey water last night?” “The driver said he couldn’t pick you up, are you still angry?” My stomach churned, a wave of nausea rising. I silently dug my nails into my palms. Struggling to get off his lap. Julian sighed, seemingly helpless. “I saw your phone.” My muddled thoughts briefly cleared. My whole body trembled. My flight ticket… Julian gently patted my back. “Did your friend tell on me?” “Yes, I took Chloe to the class gathering last night.” “It was her birthday, and she had no one to celebrate with. It was just a convenience.” “Whisper, don’t overthink it.” I lost all strength, my voice barely a whisper. “Julian, please delete the photos you just took, okay?” “I don’t like it. I don’t want to take them.” Julian froze. His voice grew cold, laced with anger. “Still making a fuss?” “I knew I shouldn’t have told you.” “How many times have I told you? I just feel sorry for Chloe.” “Niamh Carter, I won’t tolerate you every time.” Julian’s lips moved. Accusations tumbled out, one after another. Like heavy blows raining down on me. Leaving no room for escape. I pushed him away, rushing to the bathroom. My throat burned. I bent over in agony. But I hadn’t eaten all day. Only bitter bile came up. Behind me, hurried footsteps sounded. Julian scooped me up in his arms. His lips were tightly pressed, his expression anxious. “Didn’t you eat properly again?” “I’ll take you to the hospital.” I clutched his collar, sobbing. “No, don’t. Please.” “Julian, please delete the photos, okay?” He looked down, staring at my swollen eyes. A flicker of struggle crossed his face. But the next moment. Julian’s phone, left on the table, rang. He glanced at it, and instantly snapped back to reality. He placed me on the bed, handing me a camera. “I’ll call the family doctor over.” “You rest well.” “You can delete whatever you want from *this* camera.” “As for the nude photos…” Julian paused, tucking the blanket around me. “I’ll delete them for you after the competition ends in seven days.” He stood up, answering the call. His voice was incredibly gentle. “What’s wrong?” “Stay put, I’m coming to you.” The bedroom door was slammed shut. Faintly. I heard Chloe’s cries. The camera felt heavy. A dead weight in my hand. On the screen were photos of me sleeping just now.

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My brother-in-law violated me, and my whole family forced me to keep silent. He grew bolder, and when I fought back, he beat me to death. Jade stuffed me into a bag, Mom cleaned up the blood. Dad saw my hand twitch. He grabbed an ashtray and slammed it down on my head with brutal force. When I opened my eyes again, I was at Jade’s wedding, posing for family photos. “Little lady on the left, smile a bit more, don’t be so stiff.” The last bit of air was sucked from my lungs. My mouth fell open, and I screamed silently, lying in the damp earth. Around me, there was endless darkness. In the final moment before losing consciousness, a flash of light appeared. I didn’t blink, just stared straight ahead. The silent world suddenly burst into noise. The smell of rich food and alcohol, polite laughter, crying children, and Jade’s disgusted voice. “Daisy, haven’t you ever had your picture taken? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.” She sneered, muttering under her breath, “Honestly, one bad apple spoils the whole bunch.” I looked at Jade, Preston, Dad, Mom. They were all dressed in festive clothes, and on the big screen, pictures of Jade and Preston’s loving moments played. “I’m sorry, Jade. Should we take another one?” I lowered my head, a slight smile playing on my lips. Yes, I was the vengeful spirit back to haunt them. “Forget it. You’ve always been trouble since you were little.” “Jade, how can you talk about your sister like that? I think she looks just fine! Especially my Jade, you look like a total siren.” “Oh, you think I look like a siren? Wait till tonight, I’ll show you.” “I wish it was our wedding night right now,” Preston said, his gaze fixed on me. Jade blushed and hurried off to greet guests. I felt awkward and started to leave, but he grabbed my arm. “Aren’t you going to thank me?” I forced a smile, timidly saying, “Thank you, Preston.” He patted my head, sighing dramatically, “Still just a kid, huh? What did you hear just now?” “Wh-what? I didn’t hear anything.” Preston smiled, a closed-mouth smile, his thin eye corners stretching outwards, his lips curving upwards in an almost unnaturally deliberate arc. He was thirty-eight, twelve years older than my sister. In my last life, I was completely fooled by that face. I was so happy for Jade that she married this man. Preston was the golden ticket, and we were just clinging to his coattails. Thanks to his generosity, our family’s life had dramatically improved. Preston was our family’s benefactor. I still thought that, right up until the second he started pouring drinks for me. First, he used the excuse that their house was close to my school, suggesting I move in with them. Jade, to maintain her gentle and filial image, even let Mom and Dad move in too. He asked which university I wanted to attend. I said a prestigious one. He looked displeased. “Then we won’t see each other often! Daisy’s growing up, meeting more people. What if she starts disliking her brother-in-law?” I didn’t quite understand back then. Right before my college entrance exams, he brought milk into my room, locking the door behind him. I was forced to drink, then pinned down and violated on the bed. The world spun. Everything receded, then stopped. The first thing I did when I woke up was crawl out to tell Mom and Dad that Preston had assaulted me. They looked surprised for a moment, then shifted uncomfortably. “Why do you smell so strongly of alcohol?” “You little brat, getting into trouble and drinking! And talking nonsense!” Preston knelt before Jade, crying, claiming I had seduced him, and he just couldn’t resist. I screamed that it wasn’t true, lunging at him, wanting to take him down with me. I was slapped. Jade, Dad, and Mom looked at me with alarm. They firmly declared that I had seduced Preston. Because they hadn’t heard any struggles. After that incident, Preston grew even more brazen. Every night, he’d barge into my room like a demon. During the exams, I picked up the paper, but I couldn’t make out a single word. My mind was filled with those filthy images. I submitted a blank test. Walking out of the exam hall, I felt my life was ruined. The boy I liked, Liam, confessed to me, but I didn’t have the courage to look him in the eye. I felt abandoned by the whole world. Preston smirked triumphantly, “Perfect. You’ll be my little bird in a gilded cage.” I slapped him, then used all my strength to bite off his ear. He beat me half to death. Blood gushed from my head as I lay on the floor, my eyes wide and staring. When I died, Jade breathed a sigh of relief. As she put me into a transparent bag, there was a smile in her eyes. Mom wiped away the blood, grumbling about how much there was, only showing annoyance. It had been a long time since she’d done any housework. Dad dug a huge hole in the garden and threw me in. My vision was swimming in red, and my hand feebly twitched. Dad, I was still alive! He saw it. He must have seen it. He pulled the bag closed with a blank expression, kicked me into the hole, and quickly began to bury me. The family I once believed in were all devils who had killed me. Reborn into this life, I swear you’ll pay back double.

Preston slipped me an envelope of money. “Girls need to doll themselves up, buy pretty clothes.” I glanced at my faded, washed-out clothes. He’d already tucked the envelope into my pocket. His hand lingered on my shoulder, slid down my back to my waist, then naturally pulled away. It was his habitual touch. I looked up. He was staring at me, his gaze crude and open. Before I could dwell on it, Mom pulled me away to join the bride for dinner. She held Jade’s hand and mine, praising Jade and belittling me. “Your sister is the one supporting this family. You need to be filial to her in the future.” Jade was beautiful and charming, a real smooth talker, always knowing how to please Mom and Dad. After she started dating a rich guy, she wore gold and silver, constantly buying things for Mom and Dad, making them love her even more. Jade paid for my tuition. Everything about me, she meticulously noted down. “Daisy, you’ll have to pay me back when you grow up, okay?” Everything we ate and used came from Jade’s money. Where did Jade’s money come from? I tore off a chicken leg and bit into it hungrily. Dad, completely drunk, slurred, “Look how successful your sister is! You can’t do worse than her, hear me?” He rapped me on the head. “I hate it when people hit my head.” I stared straight at him, momentarily forgetting to breathe. “Still talking back.” He hit me harder. It was time to go back to school. I’d specifically taken the day off to come for the wedding. Mom stopped me outside. I shrewdly handed her the envelope of money. “You’re not allowed to take money from your brother-in-law in the future, understand? It makes our family look bad.” I nodded. The envelope had a thousand in it, but I’d already taken eight hundred. “Where are you going?” “To school. The exams are coming up soon.” Mom just mumbled “Oh.” The family used to care deeply about my studies, but now they took a hands-off approach. Their focus had shifted to Jade. Or, to be precise, to Preston. There were 73 days left until the exams. I touched the thick stack of test papers, my heart burning. Ms. Albright, our homeroom teacher, with her neat short hair, lectured passionately from the podium. Liam, my crush, was hunched over, taking notes, his bangs almost covering his eyes. I really wanted to brush them back. He looked up, and I quickly averted my gaze, my face burning involuntarily. My heart beat strongly, a feeling like I’d escaped death. But I knew the real danger hadn’t arrived yet.

A few scruffy guys with bleached hair often stood by the school gate, smoking and checking out the passing girls. As I walked past, one of them whistled. I stopped and glared at them. They actually looked away. “Damn it, what are you staring at? Never seen handsome guys before?” I crunched on a candy, my mouth as sweet as honey. “Hey, guys, could you do me a favor?” In a few days, a heavy evening rain would fall, and Preston would “accidentally” drive by and offer me a ride home. Using that opportunity to make me stay at their house. I wouldn’t disrupt the timeline. The unknown butterfly effect was too scary. My goal was to take control. That day arrived quickly. I stood at the school gate, remembering how I’d waited five minutes in the last life. The rain grew heavier, and I, worried about missing the last bus, had flown out, clutching my backpack. My clothes were quickly soaked. Preston poked his head out of his car window. “Daisy, your brother-in-law is here to pick you up. Hurry, get in.” I pretended to be grateful and started to run towards him, but one of the thugs grabbed me. He ripped my clothes, slapped my face. “Help! Mmph…” The thug stared, dumbfounded. “Sis, you’re a savage.” “Say some curse words, will you? And give a sinister laugh,” I whispered, coaching him. Preston approached with a stick. Seeing only one thug, he relaxed a bit. “Get lost, before I call the cops.” I coughed a few times, and the other thugs emerged from the shadows. I leaned close to the thug, whispering, “Beat that man senseless.” A kick landed in my stomach. I collapsed onto the ground, my eyes fixed on Preston. “Preston, save me!” He stood at the intersection, hesitant to move. I broke free from the thugs, lunged at Preston, pinning him tightly. Then I signaled the thugs with my eyes. The beating lasted about ten minutes. The two guys on lookout at the alley entrance barked like dogs – someone was coming. The thugs fled, and I clutched my ripped clothes. “Preston, please don’t tell the family the truth. Just say I fell. I don’t want them to worry. “All I want right now is to study hard.” Preston looked outwardly unharmed, but I’d specifically told them to aim for the fleshy parts. I got into the car. Preston suddenly glanced at me. “Daisy, how did you get mixed up with them?” I shook my head, crying into my clothes the whole way. But halfway there, my legs started trembling uncontrollably. This wasn’t the route home. “Preston, where are we going?” “Central Road is jammed. I took a detour.” “Oh. …Preston, thank you for tonight.” Preston gave me another look and pulled over. Outside, it was pitch black, only the car’s headlights cut through the darkness. It was a deserted village. “Daisy.” “Hmm.” I closed my eyes, feigning a yawn. The silence was deathly. In the dim light, I knew Preston’s eyes were glued to me. I dared not look at him. My teeth bit hard into my lip. The windows were tightly closed, the air thick with a sickening smell. Preston lit a cigarette, took a few drags, then suddenly leaned closer to me. His pale face was expressionless. “Did you… did you also get reborn?” “Preston, what are you talking about?” I frowned. “Reborn?” “Did you get reborn, Preston? Then why didn’t you remind me to bring an umbrella today?” I pouted, feigning annoyance. Preston’s eyes shifted, the flesh on his face relaxing. “Just kidding.” He pulled a bottle of soda from somewhere. “Thirsty?” I took a sip. He watched me, pondering something. I couldn’t let him suspect me, so I took another big gulp. The car suddenly lurched. I seized the opportunity and spat out the drink. The car window was hammered loudly. “Hey, buddy, you picked a real spot to park your car.” It was a taxi driver. Preston got out, wanting to let it go, but the driver wouldn’t. “What if you go back on your word later and try to extort me?” I looked back. There was someone in the taxi. I got out, wanting to get a closer look, but no one was there. The driver sat by the side, smoking, giving us a meaningful look. “Some people, hmph. “Little girl, stay away from guys like him.” Preston pointed at him. “What do you mean?” “You’re so scared of calling the cops. Got other crimes on your conscience, do you?” “Spreading rumors is illegal!” I ran over and handed the driver a bottle of water. Preston’s car had two compartments. I took a bottle from the left one. Just as the driver was about to drink, Preston snatched it back. The water was indeed tainted. If it hadn’t been for that car accident… I shot the driver a grateful look. I said apologetically, “Preston, I still have homework to do, and I have early morning class tomorrow.” Preston, back to his “good brother-in-law” facade, called a taxi. The April air already held a hint of warmth, but as it brushed against me, I hugged myself, shivering. I replayed Preston’s actions and glances in my mind. I was certain. Preston had also been reborn. But rebirth was always predicated on death. How had Preston died? I stayed in the room on the far right of the second floor, right next to Jade and Preston’s bedroom. The walls were an elegant white, and in the center hung a happy family portrait.

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“Darling, look! A symbol of our love!” My wife, Stella, blushing prettily, lifted her wrist at the alumni gathering, revealing the expensive couple’s watch. Everyone looked at me with envy, saying I’d married the perfect woman. But they didn’t know. Just the night before, on our wedding night, I’d seen a faded butterfly tattoo on the inner side of her pale thigh. And a string of blurred numbers. Those numbers were the employee ID for a notorious bar: “The Golden Cage.” “Liam, you must’ve won the lottery in a past life to snag a bombshell like Stella Reed!” My childhood best friend, Chris, slurred, his arm slung around my neck, reeking of alcohol. “The queen of our college, man! So many guys chased her, and you’re the one who got lucky!” I laughed, pushing him away, and raised my glass. My gaze, however, drifted uncontrollably towards Stella, who was chatting and laughing with some female classmates not far away. She was wearing a pale yellow dress, her long hair cascading over her shoulders. When she smiled, her eyes crinkled into sweet crescents, making her look gentle and pure, like a blooming lily. Every man in the room had their eyes glued to her. And this beautiful woman was now my wife. A tremendous sense of satisfaction and happiness swelled within me. I downed the wine in one gulp. The spicy liquid slid down my throat, but my heart felt sweeter than honey. After the gathering, I helped a tipsy Stella back to our freshly decorated new home. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes hazy. Leaning against me, she mumbled drunkenly, “Husband, I love you so much… Marrying you is the happiest thing that’s ever happened to me.” My heart instantly melted. Gently placing her on the bed, I kissed her forehead and softly said, “Me too.” Just as I was about to get up to pour her a glass of water, her long dress hitched up as she shifted, revealing a stretch of snowy white thigh. And, on its inner side, that stark, greenish mark. My movements froze. It was a butterfly, its wings already somewhat blurred, its color severely faded, clearly an old tattoo from many years ago. Below the butterfly, there was an even smaller, almost illegible string of numbers. I leaned closer, squinting in the dim bedside lamp light to make it out carefully. “…7013?” The number exploded in my mind like a clap of thunder. My blood rushed to my head instantly, then turned to ice the next second. The Golden Cage. Number 7013. The code name I thought I’d never remember again, like a lurking demon that had slumbered for years, clawed its way out of the depths of my memory, a wicked grin on its face. Five years ago, while still in college, I’d worked as a part-time waiter at “The Golden Cage” to save up for my sick mother’s surgery. It was a hell on earth, a place of lavish decadence and rampant vice. I’d witnessed countless sordid transactions with my own eyes and remembered the numb smiles on those girls’ faces. Every girl “working” there had an internal number, making it easy for clients to “order” them. They were like products on a shelf, openly priced. And I had a particularly strong impression of “7013.” Because she had the most clients. She was rumored to be the top girl there, code-named “Butterfly.” This was because she excelled at a provocative “butterfly dance” and knew best how to please men. Whenever those bloated, wealthy clients spoke of her, they’d exchange knowing, lewd smiles, saying she was “innocent yet utterly seductive,” the most irresistible poison for any man. I was just a poor student back then, barely daring to even glance in her direction. I’d only glimpsed her back once when the manager sent me to a VIP room to deliver drinks. She wore a revealing dancer’s outfit, her slender waist swaying under the hazy lights, like a butterfly on the verge of shattering. At the time, I only felt pity and sadness, quickly dropping off the drinks and leaving. I just couldn’t reconcile that image of a woman of the night with the pure, gentle wife sleeping peacefully beside me. No, absolutely not! Stella Reed was a junior from my college. We met at a campus job fair. She was pure, kind, and came from a well-to-do family—both her parents were university professors, so she’d been pampered like a princess her whole life. We dated for two years, and she was always very conservative; our most intimate gesture was just kissing. She said she wanted to save her best self for our wedding night. How could such a virtuous girl… how could she be that escort, number 7013? It had to be a coincidence! Yes, just a damn coincidence! I repeated it to myself over and over, trying to quell the rising tide of panic and disgust that threatened to consume me. I stumbled back two steps, my body icy cold, my hands and feet trembling uncontrollably. I stared intently at Stella on the bed, the woman I deeply loved. Her sleeping face was serene and beautiful, a sweet smile still gracing her lips, as if she were dreaming pleasant dreams. But that glaring butterfly on her inner thigh was like a giant mockery, instantly shattering all my happiness. My stomach churned violently. I rushed to the bathroom, throwing up everything until there was nothing left but bitter bile. I clung to the wall, trying to stand. The man in the mirror was pale, eyes bloodshot, looking utterly wretched, like a beaten dog. I turned on the faucet, splashing cold water on my face repeatedly, trying to calm myself down. No, I couldn’t jump to conclusions just yet. Maybe… maybe there was some misunderstanding. I needed proof, proof that could completely convince myself. My gaze fell on Stella’s handbag, placed on her dresser. A crazy thought, completely out of my control, surfaced.

My rational mind screamed at me, telling me this was despicable, a complete violation of trust. But my body, as if possessed by a demon, moved on its own. My hand trembled violently, almost unable to hold the delicate ladies’ handbag. I unzipped it. Inside were a wallet, lipstick, keys… and a very old-looking cell phone. It wasn’t her current, latest iPhone model, but an old Android phone, at least five or six years old, with several cracks on the screen. My heart constricted sharply. Why would she carry such an old phone with her? My trembling fingers pressed the power button. The screen lit up; there was no password. The photo album was empty, nothing at all. Refusing to give up, I clicked on file management. In a folder named “Recycle Bin,” I saw several deleted photos. My fingertip hovered above the screen, hesitating to tap. I was afraid. Afraid of seeing the truth that would utterly destroy me. But in the end, I restored them. The photos loaded one by one. The images were a bit blurry, the lighting dim, the background appearing to be a luxuriously decorated karaoke room. In the first photo, a scantily clad girl was holding a wine glass, smiling at the camera. Her smile was alluring and sultry, completely unlike the Stella Reed I knew. But that face, the face I’d loved for two years, kissed countless times—I couldn’t possibly mistake it! My breath caught in my throat. The second photo: she was hugging a pot-bellied middle-aged man, his hand on her thigh, and she was laughing flirtatiously. The third: she was kneeling on the floor, pouring wine for a man, the low-cut neckline of her dance outfit revealing her cleavage. The fourth… I couldn’t look anymore. The phone slipped from my hand with a *clatter*, crashing to the floor, its screen instantly shattering. All strength drained from me, I collapsed onto the cold floor, my mind a blank. Those photos were like poisoned daggers, each one a fresh stab, slowly flaying my heart. So, my pure, flawless wife—the beautiful woman I’d held so dear, treated like a princess—had such a sordid past. So, all the sweet nothings she’d whispered to me, all the innocence and shyness she’d displayed in front of me, were nothing but an act. She was a master manipulator, an experienced actress! What was I? A clueless fool, a pathetic stepping stone she used to escape her past? No wonder, no wonder she’d always avoided intimacy during our two years of dating. It wasn’t because she was conservative; it was because she’d been around the block, terrified I’d discover the secrets of her body! No wonder she never talked about her college days. Every time I asked, she’d vaguely change the subject. No wonder her parents, despite being professors, had been so eager about our marriage, barely making any demands, only accepting a token wedding contribution. They must have known their daughter’s secret all along, desperate to marry her off to some unsuspecting good guy! All the suspicious points, at this moment, strung together into a clear thread, pointing to a truth that tore me apart. I paced the room like a caged beast, the fury and humiliation in my chest threatening to consume me whole. I wanted to rush over, drag her out of bed, and fiercely demand why she’d done this to me! But when I saw her sleeping face, my steps faltered. That face was still so beautiful, so innocent. I even began to wonder if all this was just a nightmare. No, that butterfly tattoo, those indecent photos, all reminded me, with brutal clarity, that this was not a dream. I painfully covered my face, tears streaming uncontrollably through my fingers. I don’t know how long I sat on the floor, until the sky outside the window turned a fish-belly white. Stella woke up. Rubbing her sleepy eyes, she saw me sitting on the floor and was startled. “Darling, what’s wrong? Why are you sitting on the floor?” She walked over anxiously, trying to help me up. I violently shook off her hand, with such force that she stumbled back two steps, hitting the edge of the bed. She froze, her face filled with bewilderment and confusion: “Liam, you… you hurt me.” I raised my bloodshot eyes, staring intensely at her, my voice hoarse as if from hell: “Stella Reed, how much longer are you going to keep up this damn charade?” She was terrified by my appearance, her face instantly turning ashen: “You… what are you talking about? I don’t understand.” “Don’t understand?” I sneered, picking up the shattered phone from the floor and throwing it violently at her. “Then do you understand *these*?” Stella’s gaze fell on the phone screen. When she saw the photos, the color drained from her face completely. Her body began to tremble uncontrollably, her lips quivering, unable to utter a single word. That look of panic undoubtedly confirmed everything. My heart hit rock bottom. “Why?” I clenched my fists, my fingernails digging deep into my palms, my voice a desperate roar, “Why did you lie to me? What did you take me for? A fool to clean up your mess?” Stella’s whole body jolted. Tears streamed down her face like broken pearls. She lunged forward, trying to grab my leg, but I kicked her away. “Don’t touch me! You make me sick!” My words were like a knife, plunging deep into her heart. She fell to the floor, covering her face, letting out suppressed, painful sobs. “I’m sorry… Liam, I’m so sorry…” she cried, gasping for breath, “I didn’t mean to lie to you… I just… I just loved you too much, I was afraid you’d leave me if you knew…” “Loved me?” I laughed bitterly as if I’d heard the biggest joke. “Is *that* how you loved me? With lies and deceit? Stella Reed, do you know how disgusted I am by you right now?” “No… it’s not like that…” She desperately shook her head, crawling towards me, crying, “Listen to me, please, it’s not what you think… back then, my family had problems, my dad gambled and owed a lot of money, I had no choice but to…” “Enough!” I roughly cut her off. “I don’t want to hear your sob story! All I know is that my wife is a whore who’s been with anyone!” With that, I slammed the door shut, leaving her desperate cries far behind.

I ran through the streets like a madman. The cold morning wind filled my lungs, but it did nothing to cool the burning pain and fury in my heart. I stopped in front of a diner and ordered two bottles of the strongest whiskey. I chugged it down, chasing it with cold pastries. The fiery liquid burned my esophagus and stomach, but I felt no pain. Because the pain in my heart was a thousand times worse. Passersby shot me strange looks, but I didn’t care. I was a joke now, a colossal joke. I thought I’d married the purest angel in the world, but it turned out she was a devil who’d wallowed in the mud. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through photos of Stella and me. In the pictures, she smiled so sweetly, so innocently, nestled beside me like a docile kitten. But now, that face looked full of hypocrisy and filth. I deleted the photos one by one. With each deletion, my heart was flayed anew. When I reached the last one, I stopped. It was our wedding photo. I wore a suit, handsome and upright; she wore a wedding dress, beautiful and moving. We smiled at the camera, radiating happiness. I stared at the photo for a long time, but ultimately couldn’t bring myself to delete it. I tossed the phone aside, picked up the whiskey bottle, and took another long swig. I don’t know how long I drank until my stomach churned, and I swayed as I pushed myself up from the table. I couldn’t just let this go. I couldn’t let her and her entire family play me for a fool. I needed answers. I would go to her parents and expose their family’s deception! I hailed a cab and gave the address of Stella’s parents’ house. It was an upscale faculty residential area, quiet and secluded. I’d been there a few times. Each time, my mother-in-law and father-in-law had been incredibly warm, calling me “dear Liam” as if I were their own son. Now, thinking back, how much guilt and calculation must have been hidden behind that excessive warmth! I rang the doorbell. My mother-in-law opened the door. She froze when she saw me, then smiled warmly: “Oh, Liam, what a surprise! Why are you here so early? Where’s Stella? Isn’t she with you?” I pushed her aside emotionlessly and walked straight in. My father-in-law was sitting on the living room sofa, reading the newspaper. He also greeted me with a smile: “Liam, come in, have a seat.” I scanned the elegantly decorated living room. My father-in-law’s calligraphy hung on the wall, with five large characters that read “Harmony brings prosperity.” I found it incredibly ironic. “I’m not here for a visit,” I said coldly, my voice devoid of emotion. “I’m here to ask you, do you feel a great sense of achievement from playing me for a fool?” The smiles on my in-laws’ faces froze. They exchanged glances, and my mother-in-law tentatively asked, “Liam, you… what do you mean? Did you argue with Stella? Husbands and wives make up, whatever it is, let’s talk it through…” “Talk it through?” I sneered. “Did your precious daughter think about ‘talking it through’ when she was the top call girl at ‘The Golden Cage’? Did you think about this day when you packaged a whore as a sophisticated lady and married her off to me?” The moment “The Golden Cage” left my lips, my in-laws’ faces turned instantly ashen. My father-in-law’s newspaper fell to the floor. His lips trembled, and he pointed at me, unable to utter a single word for a long time. My mother-in-law, with a *thud*, collapsed directly onto the floor. “How… how do you know…” My mother-in-law’s voice was shaking uncontrollably. “How do I know?” I advanced on them step by step, the hatred in my eyes almost tangible. “I also know her code name was ‘Butterfly,’ and her number was 7013! I also know that for money, she would kneel on the floor and lick a man’s shoes! Are you satisfied now?” Every word I spoke was like a heavy hammer, striking their hearts. My mother-in-law covered her face and burst into heartbroken sobs. My father-in-law, trembling all over, suddenly stood up and raised his hand, intending to slap me. I grabbed his wrist, with such force that he let out a muffled groan of pain. “What? You want to hit me? What right do you have to hit me?” I stared intensely at him, enunciating each word. “Was it you, her own father, who personally pushed your daughter into that fire pit?” Stella had said she went there because her family had problems, her father owed gambling debts… My father-in-law’s face turned from white to green, then from green to red, before he finally dropped his arm in defeat. He seemed to age ten years in an instant, collapsing back onto the sofa, clutching his head, letting out a pained groan. “It’s my fault… all my fault… I was blinded by greed, I ruined Stella, and I ruined you too…” He cried tears of regret, his voice filled with remorse, “I’m not human, I deserve to die…” Watching his anguished face, I felt no satisfaction, only a cold emptiness. So, Stella hadn’t lied. She really did go down that path to pay off her father’s debts. But what did that change? The facts were the facts. She had deceived me, and her body had been defiled by countless men. The thought of her once pleasing other men, the thought of her using the mouth that had kissed me to pleasure others, made me sick to my stomach. “What’s the point of saying all this now?” I released his hand, stepped back two paces, and looked at them indifferently. “I came here today to tell you that this marriage is over. You can take your daughter back. Liam Miller cannot ‘enjoy’ her.” With that, I turned and walked out, without a single backward glance. Behind me, I heard my mother-in-law’s heart-wrenching cries and my father-in-law’s desperate pleas. “Liam! Don’t go! Listen to us! Stella had her reasons!” “We’re sorry! Hit us, curse us, do whatever you want! Please, don’t divorce Stella, she can’t live without you!” I ignored them, quickening my pace out of that suffocating place. The sun shone on me, but I felt no warmth at all. My marriage, my life, had, on this day, completely become a joke. Returning to the empty new home, the sight of all the red wedding decorations was unbearable. I rushed over, tearing down the red paper “囍” characters from the walls, ripping them to shreds. Stella wasn’t home. Good. I didn’t want to see her hypocritical face right now. I sat on the sofa all day, neither eating nor drinking, like a soulless statue. Until evening, when the doorbell rang. I thought Stella had returned, and a wave of irritation surged through me. I got up to open the door, ready to kick her out. But standing outside was someone I hadn’t expected. It was Chris. My childhood best friend, and my best man at the wedding. He saw me, froze for a moment, then frowned: “Liam, what happened to you? Why do you look like this? Where’s Stella? She called me, crying her eyes out, saying you don’t want her anymore. What the hell happened?” I looked at him and suddenly laughed. A laugh uglier than any cry. “Chris,” I grabbed his shoulders, staring intently into his eyes, “Tell me, did you know about Stella Reed all along?”

Chris’s eyes visibly darted away. That subtle movement instantly ignited all the suspicions in my heart. “You look me in the eye, you bastard!” I roared, unconsciously tightening my grip. “You’re my best friend! Tell me, were you in on this, too, trying to fool me?” Chris winced from my grip, struggling a bit, a pained and conflicted expression on his face. “Liam, calm down first! Just listen to me…” “Listen to what? That she was forced? That she had her reasons?” I cut him off hysterically. “I don’t want to hear that BS! I just want to know if *you*, my best friend, knew from the start what kind of woman she was!” Chris fell silent. His silence was more devastating than any words. My heart, in an instant, turned completely cold. I violently released him, stumbling back two steps, looking at him in disbelief. “You… you really knew?” Chris sighed, his face filled with guilt: “Liam, I’m sorry. I… I only found out a little while ago.” “How long ago?” I pressed, my voice trembling. “Just… just before you two decided to get married,” Chris said with difficulty. “I accidentally overheard her on a FaceTime call with a friend and found out some… some things about her past.” “Then why didn’t you tell me?” My voice was squeezed out through gritted teeth. “How could I tell you?” Chris looked bitter. “You two were so in love then, about to get married. If I told you, would you have believed me? You’d just think I was jealous, trying to sow discord! Besides… I saw that Stella truly loved you, and she was trying to leave her past behind. I thought, everyone makes mistakes, let the past be the past…” “The past?” I gave a bitter laugh. “Chris, that’s not a scratched finger that a band-aid can heal! That’s a festering wound in my very bones! How can I just pretend nothing happened?” I pointed to my chest, yelling at him: “Do you know what I’ve been through these past two days? I feel like a goddamn idiot! The whole world knew the truth, and I was the only one kept in the dark! I gave all my love, all my trust, to a liar, a whore! You’re my brother, and you just stood by and watched me walk into a trap!” “Liam!” Chris also got agitated. “I admit I was wrong about this! But you can’t talk about Stella like that! She was desperate back then! Do you know how much money her dad owed? Three million! Loan sharks! Those people were coming to their house every day, smashing things, threatening to sell her mom into a black market mine! What could a twenty-year-old girl do?” “So she became a prostitute?” I retorted, eyes red. “There are so many ways to make money in the world, why did she choose the cheapest one?” “Because it was fast money!” Chris yelled back. “Every day she didn’t pay, the interest piled up by thousands! She didn’t have time to earn money slowly! You worked at ‘The Golden Cage’ yourself, you know what kind of place it is! Do you think she *wanted* to? The first time she was forced to take a client, she almost took her own life! Her dad was on his knees, begging her to save the family! What else could she do?” Chris’s words were like a bucket of ice water, dousing me, instantly calming me down a lot. Yes, I had been in that place. I had seen the desperation and numbness of those girls. I had also seen how ruthless loan sharks could be. But… “Then why didn’t she tell me?” I clutched my head in agony. “If she had told me earlier, we could have figured something out together, I could have helped her pay off the debt! Why treat me like an idiot and lie to me?” “She was scared,” Chris’s voice lowered. “She was afraid that if you knew, you’d look down on her, that you’d think she was dirty. Liam, honestly, if she had confessed everything at the beginning of your relationship, would you still have been with her? Would you still have married her?” I froze. I didn’t know. I really didn’t know. My rational mind told me I should. Because I loved *her*, not her past. But emotionally, I couldn’t imagine if, knowing my beloved girlfriend had such an unspeakable past, I could still embrace and kiss her without any reservations, as before. “See, even you’re hesitating,” Chris sighed. “So you can’t blame her. She’s just a pathetic woman who wanted to grasp happiness. She lied to you, that’s wrong. But her love for you was real.” “Love me?” I chuckled self-mockingly. “Perhaps. But this love is too heavy, too dirty. I can’t bear it.” I pulled out the divorce papers I had already prepared from the drawer and slammed them on the table. “Chris, help me give these to her. The house and car are hers; I’m leaving with nothing. I only have one demand: from now on, we’re strangers for life.” Chris looked at the divorce papers, his expression changing repeatedly. “Liam, are you really going to be this absolute? Give her another chance, give yourself another chance, okay?” “No more chances,” I shook my head, my eyes completely dead. “From the moment I knew the truth, all that was left between us was disgust.” Chris tried to persuade me further, but I simply pushed him out the door. With a *bang*, I closed the door, shutting out all sounds related to her. I leaned against the door, slowly sliding to the floor. Tears, once again, streamed down my face against my will. Goodbye, Stella Reed. Goodbye, the love I once thought would last a lifetime. Over the next few days, I moved back into my pre-marriage bachelor apartment and began living like a zombie. I took extended leave, locking myself in my room all day, numbing myself with alcohol and nicotine. Stella called me countless times, sent countless messages. I didn’t answer a single call, didn’t read a single message. I just wanted to completely erase this woman from my world as quickly as possible. A week later, Chris came again. He brought news I hadn’t expected. “Stella Reed is in the hospital,” he stood at the door, his face grim. “Gastric bleeding, plus a relapse of depression. She’s still in critical condition.” “Depression?” I froze, momentarily unable to react. “Yes, she’s had it before. It was… she got it during *that* period,” Chris’s eyes held a hint of compassion. “Later, she met you and slowly got better. This sudden divorce hit her too hard, so it relapsed.”

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On our wedding anniversary, my wife told me her company was holding a corporate outing, including a two-day, one-night hot spring spa retreat. After she left, I decided to surprise her by redecorating the house. While cleaning, I swept out a box of emergency contraceptive pills from under our bed. My heart lurched. We had been trying to conceive; why would she be taking these? My wife’s call came in. Her voice was languid, tinged with a slight pant. “Honey, the hot springs are so relaxing, I almost fell asleep.” I looked at my phone, displaying a severe thunderstorm alert – all outdoor hot spring resorts were closed. What kind of “corporate outing” required emergency contraception? “Hey, honey.” On the other end of the line, Chloe’s voice was laced with the languor of just waking up, and a hint of a breathy sigh. “The hot springs are so relaxing, I almost fell asleep.” I clutched my phone, standing in the middle of the living room. The bright new overhead lights illuminated every corner of the home we’d shared for three years, leaving no shadow. “Really? Get some good rest then.” My voice was steady, betraying no hint of the turmoil within. “I just miss you a little.” Chloe chuckled softly on her end. “I’ll bring you back a souvenir when I return.” “Okay.” I hung up. On my phone screen, the severe thunderstorm alert issued by the weather station was still glaring crimson. “Due to strong convective weather, all outdoor hot spring resorts and mountain tourism projects in the city are temporarily suspended.” I tossed my phone onto the sofa, my gaze falling back to the coffee table. Underneath the table was what I had just swept out from under the bed. A box of emergency contraceptive pills. Only one pill remained. The manufacturing date on the box was three months ago. We’d been married for three years, and we started trying for a baby a year ago. She had gotten rid of everything in the house that could potentially affect conception. More than once, I’d seen her cry with disappointment when her period arrived. She said she longed for a child of ours. So, what was this box of pills doing here? I picked up the pill box, turning it over and over in my hands. The unsettling thought grew clearer and clearer in my mind. What kind of “corporate outing” required going to “hot springs” in a thunderstorm? What kind of “corporate outing” required taking emergency contraception? My gaze began to sweep across the living room. This home, which I had personally decorated, intending to surprise her, now felt utterly unfamiliar. I stormed into the bedroom and yanked open her nightstand drawer. On the bottom shelf, tucked away, was an old tablet she rarely used. I pressed the power button. The screen lit up, paused on a hotel booking page. The Grandview Hotel & Suites. In our city. Check-in time: today. Check-out time: tomorrow noon. Reservation name: Marcus Thorne. I recognized that name. It was Chloe’s new boss. She’d been mentioning him a lot lately, saying he was young and promising, and had been very supportive of her career. I clicked on the order details. Executive King Room. The special request note read: “Honeymoon setup, with plenty of roses.” My stomach did a violent flip. I rushed to the bathroom, clutching the toilet, dry heaving. Nothing came up, only searing acid burning my esophagus. A surprise? I was certainly preparing a hell of a surprise. I splashed cold water on my face, looking at the man with bloodshot eyes staring back at me in the mirror. I couldn’t just let this go. I had to see. See it with my own eyes. I changed my clothes, grabbed my car keys, and walked out of that suffocating house.

The Grandview Hotel & Suites was opulent, almost blindingly luxurious. I parked my car across the street and looked up at the imposing skyscraper. Chloe and that man, Marcus Thorne, were somewhere behind one of those windows in this building right now. What were they doing? Were they “almost falling asleep” as she’d claimed on the phone, or…? I couldn’t bear to think further. I walked into the hotel lobby and headed straight for the front desk. “Hello, sir, how may I help you?” The front desk agent’s smile was professional yet distant. “I’m looking for someone. My wife, Chloe Davis. Which room is she in?” “I apologize, sir, but to protect guest privacy, we cannot disclose room information.” I had expected this. I pulled out my phone and displayed a photo of Chloe and me on our wedding day. “She’s my wife. It’s our wedding anniversary today, and I’m here to give her a surprise.” I tried my best to make my expression look sincere and loving. “See, I even brought her a gift.” I held up a paper bag, which contained a bouquet of flowers I had just bought from the flower shop downstairs. A flicker of sympathy crossed the agent’s face, but she still shook her head. “I’m truly sorry, sir, but rules are rules.” I didn’t press the issue. I walked over to the lobby lounge area and sat down, my eyes fixed on the elevators. I didn’t know which floor, which room they were in. I sat there like an idiot, waiting. Time ticked by, second by second. People came and went in the lobby, each with a different expression on their face. Joyful, tired, numb. Only I sat there, a complete outsider. My phone vibrated. It was a SnapChat message from Chloe. An image: a pair of feet soaking in hot spring water, with rose petals floating on the surface. The caption read: “Honey, it’s really so relaxing. Too bad you’re not here.” My hand started to tremble. That picture was expertly Photoshopped. The steam from the hot spring, the delicate rose petals, even her toes looked so relaxed. If I hadn’t known the truth, I would have been touched by her “sharing.” Just then, the elevator chimed “ding.” Two figures emerged. The man was tall and handsome, in a perfectly tailored suit. The woman was petite and lovely, wearing a beautiful dress I had never seen before. It was Chloe. She was clinging to the man’s arm, a radiant smile on her face that I had never seen directed at me. It wasn’t the gentle, domestic smile she usually reserved for me. It was a dazzling smile, full of admiration and flirty charm, the kind of smile only a woman deeply in love could have. They walked past me, heading towards the hotel’s revolving doors. Chloe’s head was affectionately resting on the man’s shoulder. “Marcus, you’re so good to me.” Her voice was so sickeningly sweet, it could melt sugar. I sat on the sofa, unmoving. So, this was her “corporate outing.” So, this was why she lied. I slowly stood up and followed them.

They didn’t leave the hotel; instead, they walked into the hotel’s ground-floor fine dining restaurant. Soft music played in the restaurant, the lighting was dim, and the atmosphere was perfect. A waiter led them to a window-side table. I found a corner table and sat down, hidden behind a large potted plant, from where I could see them perfectly. Marcus gallantly pulled out a chair for Chloe. Chloe sat down, looking up at him, her eyes sparkling like stars. “Marcus, you’re so good to me, I don’t know how I can ever repay you.” Marcus smiled, reaching out to stroke her hair. “Silly girl, just keep doing good work, that’s the best way to repay me.” “Your proposal this time was excellent. I’ve already put in a word upstairs; you’re a shoo-in for department head next quarter.” Chloe’s eyes lit up. “Really? Thank you, Marcus!” “No need to be so formal with me.” Marcus’s gaze was full of adoration. They ordered their meal and began to eat. Throughout the meal, Marcus kept dotingly placing food on Chloe’s plate, and Chloe ate like a pampered kitten, content and docile. Watching this scene, I felt like I was watching a romance movie. And I, was a mere audience member, not even a supporting character. I ordered the strongest whiskey and downed it in one gulp. The fiery liquid burned my throat, but couldn’t extinguish the fire in my heart. I took out my phone, aimed it at them, and pressed record. I wanted to record everything. I wanted her to see what kind of face she showed when she was with another man. Halfway through dinner, Marcus’s phone rang. He glanced at the caller ID, frowned slightly, but answered it anyway. “Hello, honey.” The moment he spoke, Chloe’s face changed. “I’m out entertaining clients, having dinner.” “Yes, I might be home a bit late tonight.” “Okay, okay, I know, you go to bed early.” He hung up, a slightly awkward expression on his face. Chloe looked down, poking her steak with her fork, saying nothing. “What’s wrong?” Marcus asked her. Chloe looked up, her eyes red-rimmed. “Marcus, what exactly are we doing?” Marcus sighed, reaching out to hold her hand. “Chloe, just give me a little more time. There’s no more love between her and me, I’m in the process of getting a divorce.” “Once I sort things out at home, I’ll give you a proper title.” Chloe’s tears fell. “But I…” “No buts.” Marcus interrupted her. “I know you’re upset, but for our future, please bear with it a little longer, okay?” Chloe looked at him, then nodded. Marcus smiled with satisfaction, leaned in, and kissed her forehead. I stopped recording. Enough. This was already enough. I put down my glass, stood up, and prepared to leave this sickening place. Just as I turned, a commotion erupted at the restaurant entrance. A woman dressed in expensive clothes, accompanied by two bodyguards, stormed in, radiating fury. “Marcus Thorne!” The woman’s sharp voice pierced the restaurant’s tranquility.

The blood drained from Marcus’s face. He shot up, looking at the woman at the entrance, his eyes wide with panic. “How did you get here?” Chloe was also stunned, sitting there frozen, at a complete loss. The woman, her heels clicking on the floor, took a few quick steps to their table. She didn’t even glance at Marcus; her sharp eyes were fixed solely on Chloe. “So you’re the homewrecker who’s been seducing my husband?” The woman’s voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a chilling edge. All eyes in the restaurant turned to them. Chloe’s face was ashen, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word. “Honey, let me explain, it’s not what you think, this is my colleague, we…” Marcus frantically tried to explain. “Slap!” The woman’s hand swung, delivering a harsh slap across Marcus’s face. The crisp sound silenced the entire restaurant. “You shut up!” The woman pointed a finger at Marcus’s nose, yelling, “I knew something was off with you. I had someone follow you for half a month! And you still dare to tell me she’s a colleague?” She finished, then turned to Chloe, her eyes overflowing with scorn and rage. “You look decent enough, so why are you so utterly pathetic, needing to steal someone else’s husband?” Chloe trembled from head to toe, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls. “I didn’t… it’s not…” Her defense was painfully weak. “Still trying to deny it!” The woman grabbed a glass of red wine from the table and poured it directly over Chloe’s head. The crimson liquid ran down her hair and cheeks, soaking her beautiful dress, leaving her utterly disgraced. “Ah!” Chloe shrieked. “Marcus! Your wife is crazy!” She cried out to Marcus for help. Marcus stood beside her, his face ashen, but he dared not say a word. “I’m crazy?” The woman scoffed. “Today, I’ll show you just how crazy I can be!” With that, she gestured to the bodyguards behind her. The two bodyguards stepped forward and grabbed Chloe by the arms. “What are you doing! Let go of me!” Chloe struggled desperately. The surrounding diners began to whisper, some pulling out their phones to take pictures. I sat in the corner, coldly observing the farce. Was this Chloe’s idea of a “better life”? Was this the high branch she was willing to betray me for, to climb? How utterly laughable. The woman’s gaze swept across the restaurant, finally landing on me. Perhaps she thought that among everyone present, I was the most engrossed, the most calm. She walked towards me. Her high heels clicked on the floor, each step echoing like a blow to my heart. “Well, sir, enjoying the show?” She stood before me, looking down at me. I didn’t answer. Her gaze passed over me, landing on the large decorative mirror hanging on the wall behind me. In the mirror, the absurd scene was clearly reflected. And it also reflected Chloe’s tear-streaked face, filled with terror. Following the woman’s gaze, Chloe also saw me in the mirror. Our eyes met. Her pupils constricted sharply. The color drained from her face in an instant. It was a fear and despair even deeper than when she was caught in the act just moments before. She finally saw me. “Alex…” Chloe’s voice was an unsteady tremor. Marcus’s wife followed Chloe’s gaze, looked back at me, then at Chloe again, a cruel smile forming on her lips.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “299241”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #惊悚Thriller