I was lounging at home after winning a ten-million-dollar lottery when I accidentally overheard a conversation between my mother, Tracy Powell, and my brother, Eric Powell. “Don’t worry, Eric, all this money will be yours. She’s just a useless girl who’ll end up in someone else’s family sooner or later. Our Powell family lineage depends on you.” That night, Tracy snuck into my room and stole the ten-million-dollar lottery ticket. I pretended not to notice. I bought Tracy diamond jewelry and even paid the down payment on Eric’s wedding house. By the time my bank account was completely drained and I was buried in massive debt, Tracy pulled out a document terminating our mother-daughter relationship. “Your brother is our family’s treasure. You’re just a money pit, and I can’t count on you for my retirement. For old times’ sake, I’ll give you two dollars for bus fare. Pack your things and get out of my house now!” I took the bag she had already packed for me and smiled calmly. “Fine.” “Amanda, since you’ve won ten million dollars in the lottery, you should take some time to rest at home. By the way, you’ve kept the ticket safe, right?” Tracy sat by my bed with a concerned look, holding a plate of freshly cut fruit. I flashed a confident smile, deliberately patting my bed. “Don’t worry, I’ve kept it safe. I’ll go cash it in once things quiet down a bit.” Tracy nodded, unable to contain her smile. “Good, good. I always knew you’d amount to something. Your brother and I will be counting on you from now on.” Her kind, gentle expression was completely different from when she had pointed at me and called me a money pit. She left my bedroom with a smile, not forgetting to remind me to keep the ticket safe. She also took the fruit she had just cut with her. As Tracy closed the door, the smile vanished from my face, leaving only coldness. Soon, I could hear hushed discussions from the next room. I knew they were plotting how to get their hands on the easy ten million dollars and then kick me to the curb. I’d always known Tracy hated me. She preferred Eric because his birth was proof that she had continued the Powell family line, giving her a reason to hold her head high. When I was little, I wasn’t allowed to eat at the table, but Eric could climb onto it during meals, and Tracy would praise him for being so clever. The good food was for Eric, leftovers for me. New clothes and shoes were for Eric, while I got hand-me-downs from relatives that had to be altered. While Eric played in the snow wearing thick clothes, I would shiver despite wearing all my clothes layered together. Eric could join any extracurricular activities he wanted, but I couldn’t even attend tutoring sessions. When I got into a prestigious university, she refused to pay my tuition or living expenses. But when academically challenged Eric wanted to go to college, Tracy emptied her savings to get him into a community college. She paid tens of thousands for his tuition and thousands each month for his living expenses. Whenever Eric ran out of money, he’d come to me, still in college myself. If I refused, Tracy would show up at my school the next day, calling me unfilial and spreading rumors that I was being kept by men. I’d had enough of supporting these two bloodsucking parasites all these years. So when I discovered I’d won ten million dollars, I knew the opportunity I’d been waiting for had finally arrived. Listening to the occasional mentions of “lottery,” “ten million dollars,” and “mattress” from the next room, I just smiled faintly. My fingers traced the edge of the lottery ticket, and my heart was completely at peace. This ticket had already served its purpose. If Tracy wanted it so badly, she could have it.

Early the next morning, as I came out of my room, Eric was humming a tune and twirling his car keys as he returned from outside. “Did you get a new car?” My sudden question startled Eric. “Why are you standing there like a ghost? Trying to scare me on purpose?” Ignoring the disgust in his voice, I continued asking. “When did you buy a car? Why didn’t you tell me? I might have been able to chip in some money.” He clicked his tongue, his tone filled with disdain. “This car costs seven hundred thousand dollars! Your pathetic salary couldn’t even pay for one interior piece!” With that, he went straight to his room. Seven hundred thousand dollars? I remembered the demolition compensation for the hill behind our old house was about five hundred thousand dollars. I had asked about that compensation money before, and Tracy had always guardedly said she put it all in fixed deposits. She repeatedly warned me that all that money belonged to Eric and told me not to set my sights on it. Six months ago, Tracy had taken one hundred and twenty thousand dollars from me, claiming she needed surgery for an illness. That one hundred and twenty thousand was what I had barely managed to save over the years by living frugally. I lived in the worst apartment, cooked my own meals with discounted groceries, never ate at restaurants, and even worked part-time jobs after my regular shifts. When I heard she needed surgery, I transferred the money to her without hesitation. I even got an advance on my monthly salary from my boss and borrowed from friends to send her a total of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. I was planning to take time off to go back and care for her, but Tracy frantically stopped me when she found out. She said Eric would take care of her, and I should just focus on my job. At the time, I was touched, thinking Tracy had finally recognized my goodness and started to care about me. It turns out she was afraid I’d come back and discover she had used the money to buy Eric a car. Although I already knew what kind of person Tracy was, I still felt a chill in my heart. While I was so worried about her health that I couldn’t sleep at night, she was helping Eric shop for a new car. In this family, I’ve always been the odd one out. Ever since I won ten million dollars in the lottery, Tracy and her son have acted as if they had a legitimate excuse to ask me for money to buy things more and more frequently. Before, they would at least make up some excuses, but now they brazenly demand money. “The air conditioner at home isn’t working, Amanda, why don’t you buy a new one?” “Amanda, my friend has this beautiful diamond bracelet. Didn’t you win ten million in the lottery? Buy one for me.” “Your brother is getting married. As his sister, shouldn’t you show your support? Eric has already picked out a car, so just pay the down payment for him. When you cash in your lottery ticket, you can pay off the rest.” “Your brother’s wife is about to join the family. Mom, can you cover the wedding gift money for me first?” “I’ve found a house I like. Sis, can you help with the down payment? Better to spend the money on me than on others. When I get the house, you can stay there whenever you want!” From small appliances and jewelry to cars and houses. Time after time, I accepted their unreasonable demands. One by one, my bank cards were emptied, and when money wasn’t enough, I used credit cards. As long as they asked, I would definitely agree. I knew they wanted to completely drain me before I cashed in the lottery ticket, but I didn’t refuse any of their requests. I gradually cultivated their appetite, elevating their spending habits to another level. Watching them treat me like an ATM that only spits out money, mocking me as a fool behind my back, laughing heartily. I also laughed heartily. I sincerely hope they can still laugh this happily after they learn the truth.

Eric completely gave up working. The money he earned after a month of hard work wasn’t even enough for one of his meals now. Every day, he would casually ask me for money. I never complained and would give him tens of thousands of dollars each time. Since quitting his job, Eric spent all his time hanging out with his poker buddies, staying out all night, and occasionally disappearing for days. As for his upcoming wedding, Eric simply delegated everything to me. And I was determined to prepare this wedding properly for him. Tracy, meanwhile, helped me prepare for Eric’s wedding every day, spending money without any hesitation. She not only chose a five-star hotel for the wedding venue but also booked an entire floor of rooms to accommodate relatives. Several times, Tracy tried to probe me subtly. “Amanda, this hotel is so expensive. I wonder if your brother can afford it?” Ignoring the blatant testing in her expression, I replied calmly: “Mom, even though my savings are gone and my credit cards are maxed out, once I cash in my lottery ticket in a few days, there won’t be any problem. Besides, Eric is our only son. If I don’t spend money on him, who else would I spend it on?” Without hesitation, I maxed out another credit card to book the luxury wedding package at the five-star hotel. Seeing how readily I paid, Tracy was overjoyed and excitedly grabbed my hands. “Good, good! I knew you were the most sensible one! Eric is so lucky to have you as his sister!” Lucky? Of course he’s lucky, especially since I’ve prepared a special gift for him. The wedding day arrived quickly. When I reached the venue, I was stopped by the hotel security. “Ma’am, you cannot enter without an invitation.” I frowned, my voice sharp: “What do you mean I can’t enter? I’m the groom’s sister! I paid for this entire hotel booking!” My shrill voice quickly drew attention, and soon some relatives recognized me. They vouched for me to security, explaining I was indeed the groom’s sister, but the staff member looked troubled. “Ma’am, I’m just following protocol. Please don’t make this difficult for me—I’m just doing my job.” Familiar relatives pointed and whispered about me, with some even spreading rumors that I must have done something terrible to my family for them to exclude me from the wedding. Amid the commotion, Tracy and Eric appeared in their designer outfits. Seeing Tracy, I immediately rushed over to complain: “Mom, this security guard won’t let me in. I’m the groom’s sister! I spent so much money, and they won’t even let me enter!” Tracy glanced at me and said dismissively: “I told them not to let you in. And from now on, don’t call me ‘Mom’ anymore. We’re severing our mother-daughter relationship!” My angry expression froze as I stared at Tracy in disbelief. The relatives present erupted in shock. “What’s going on with Tracy? Amanda has always been so filial. Why suddenly cut ties?” “She must have done something shameful for her own mother to disown her!” As confused questions filled the hotel lobby, Tracy shouted: “Amanda, you’ve racked up hundreds of thousands in credit card debt and you’ve been sleeping around! Now that you see your brother won the lottery, you want to come crawling back and have us clean up your mess! I’m telling you, it’s not happening!” She threw down a document terminating our parent-child relationship. “Your brother is the backbone of our family. You’re just a financial burden, and we can’t count on you for our retirement. For the sake of our past relationship, here’s two dollars for your bus fare. Now get lost!” Two coins mockingly hit me as I picked up the document from the ground. I looked directly at Eric: “Eric, what about you? Do you want to cut ties with me too?” Eric looked at me smugly, his face full of disdain. “Amanda, we’ve been siblings for so many years, so let me say a few final words to you. You really messed up, owing so much money and sleeping around. Tell you what—since we’re siblings, I’ll help you a little. Get yourself a hotel room for the night.” With that, he pulled out two hundred dollars and tossed it over my head. Some relatives who knew how Tracy had treated me spoke up in my defense. Facing the relatives’ indignation, Tracy and Eric remained completely unfazed. I picked up the termination agreement, suppressing my trembling body. “Fine.” I quickly signed my name. Tracy and Eric hadn’t expected me to sign so easily. They checked the document several times before revealing their smug, victorious expressions. Seeing a group of people approaching from a distance, I also broke into a wide smile. “Today is my brother’s wedding, and I’ve prepared a special gift for him.”

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My husband Lucas Winston wanted to give me a honeymoon trip that was five years overdue. I was full of anticipation and thoroughly prepared. But just before boarding the plane, I discovered his childhood sweetheart, Kelly Parish, had joined our group. Lucas casually explained, “Kelly’s never been abroad, so I’m taking her along.” I was somewhat bothered, but he thought I was making a big deal out of nothing. He sneered, “Is it because you don’t have parents that you’re so jealous of people with intact families? I just see Kelly as a sister. You’re an orphan, you’ll never understand.” For the sake of this rare honeymoon, I chose to let it go. But later when we encountered an avalanche and my legs were trapped in deep snow, I watched as Lucas immediately grabbed Kelly’s hand and ran away. They fled without looking back. After three grueling hours, I was finally rescued from the vast snow. “Ma’am, your husband and sister are waiting for you up ahead!” the young rescue worker excitedly pointed forward, reporting the good news. My body was stiff from the cold as I looked up blankly. There was a couple standing ahead. Lucas and Kelly. They were wearing identical clean black and white down jackets, standing intimately together. “You’re so lucky! Two other people are still missing from this avalanche!” the young woman congratulated me dramatically on my escape. But she didn’t know that when I was buried in snow, my husband had taken Kelly’s hand and run away without looking back, neither of them remembering I was behind them. I lowered my head and shuffled forward slowly. Lucas strode over, embraced me, and looked deeply concerned. “Honey, are you okay? Are you in pain? If you’re not feeling well, we can find a doctor.” Behind him, Kelly’s face was pale as tears streamed down her cheeks, as if she were the one who had been buried in snow for three hours. “Helen, you’ve suffered so much. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t suggested skiing here, you wouldn’t have been in danger. I’ve let you down.” Before I could speak, Lucas released me and put his arm out to shield Kelly behind him, his tone hardening. “Helen, you can’t blame Kelly for this. You agreed to go skiing too.” Yes, I agreed. I was forced to agree. After arriving in Switzerland, I felt unwell, but Lucas never noticed anything wrong with me. Just because Kelly said she wanted to ski, he excitedly handed me the camera and asked me to take photos. When I said I wasn’t feeling well, he accused me of ruining the mood. He doted on Kelly, always saying he treated her like a sister. But this was supposed to be my honeymoon trip, five years overdue! He said I needed exercise after sitting too long, so our first stop in Germany involved a 10-mile hike. He said November was the perfect time to see snow, so our second stop was Switzerland to ride the glacier train. Finally, he said we should have one adventure in our lifetime, so for the third stop, he chose camping at Whirinaki Forest Park. But in the end, I could only stand by like an outsider, constantly yielding and retreating, unable to even voice my objections! In this moment, my anger and frustration turned to ashes. I knew there was no point in asking anything more. I spoke flatly, “Thank God I’m okay.” Then I continued walking back to the hotel. Buried in snow, I had been one step away from death, and now all I wanted was to sleep. As I passed Lucas, he suddenly grabbed my hand and shoved me forward forcefully. Having been frozen in the snow for so long, I could barely stand. The push sent me tumbling to the ground, and I couldn’t get up for a while. Lucas froze for a moment, then sneered, “Helen, what are you playing at? I barely pushed you! Who are you putting on this act for?” I looked at him and said, one word at a time, “Lucas, I was buried in snow for three hours. I’m exhausted.” Lucas hesitated briefly before letting go, but still accused me: “Even so, you shouldn’t act like this. You don’t know how terrified Kelly was during those three hours you were missing. Why are you giving her the cold shoulder? She was running around getting help, and you can’t even say thank you? Is this how you treat people?” Lucas’s voice grew louder as he spoke, as if I had committed some terrible crime. Kelly tugged at Lucas’s sleeve and said softly, “It wasn’t like that. After Lucas pulled me out, I saw that Helen hadn’t followed us…” At this point, Kelly covered her mouth, face pale, then stubbornly stood in front of Lucas, righteously declaring: “Helen, please don’t misunderstand. The situation was urgent, and Lucas thought I was you when he grabbed my hand. Don’t blame him—if you must blame someone, blame me!” Lucas put his arm around Kelly and looked at me with utter disappointment: “Helen, don’t push it!” I hadn’t said a word, yet these two were already making excuses one after another, treating me like an enemy they needed to defend against. Less than a week into our honeymoon trip, I suddenly saw everything clearly. Lucas always said Kelly was like his sister. But what kind of brother washes his sister’s feet? What kind of brother peels shrimp for his sister? What kind of brother washes his sister’s underwear? These special treatments Lucas gave Kelly were things I, his wife of five years, had never received. I struggled to my feet and brushed the snow off my clothes. “What should I thank her for? Should I thank her for forcing her way into my honeymoon? For constantly clinging to my husband? Or for forcing me to go skiing against my wishes just to be her photographer? Thank you so much, Kelly, you’re really something.” After saying this, I politely asked Lucas, “May I go back to the hotel now?” Lucas looked at me, gritting his teeth, “Do you have to be so mean when you talk? You’re on your own!” He took Kelly’s hand and walked away. Standing in the cold wind, my mind grew clearer as my eyes stung with tears.

That evening, I took my medicine and lay in bed, feeling drowsy. Lucas came into the room carrying a bowl of gumbo. “Kelly said you haven’t eaten, so she specially borrowed the hotel kitchen to make you this warming gumbo! She even hurt her hand while making it. Try some. And please stop being angry after you have it.” The rich seafood aroma instantly filled every corner of the room. I nearly gagged. Lucas, seemingly blind to my disgust, kept pushing the gumbo toward my mouth. As the increasingly pungent smell reached me, I raised my hand to push it away. The broth from the bowl splashed onto the blanket. Lucas frowned, his tone immediately darkening. “What’s with the attitude now? We’ve already apologized and explained about the avalanche. What more do you want!? Helen, enough is enough. You’re taking this too far!” Lucas’s voice was full of impatience, as if I was being unreasonable. I looked at the soiled blanket, sighed, and slowly said, “Lucas, I don’t like gumbo.” Without a second thought, Lucas replied matter-of-factly, “Not liking it doesn’t mean you can’t eat it. This gumbo is good for your health. Taking a few bites won’t kill you. Besides, Kelly made it herself. It’s the thought that counts.” Watching him speak so self-righteously, memories flooded my mind. Kelly loved cooking, but her culinary skills were terrible. On the third day of our honeymoon in Switzerland. I wanted to go to a proper restaurant for a decent meal, but Kelly refused to join. I had to beg Lucas to accompany me. Halfway there, Kelly called, saying she was scared being alone at the hotel. Without hesitation, Lucas insisted on going back to her. He gave me two choices: either return with him or go to the restaurant five kilometers away by myself. How ridiculous. This was supposed to be my honeymoon. Yet I couldn’t even choose what food I wanted to eat. I looked at the steaming bowl of gumbo, took it, and dumped it straight into the trash. I asked the man standing before me seriously. “The gumbo is gone. Are you satisfied now?” Lucas stood motionless, his face expressionless. Ignoring him, I reached for my phone to call for a blanket change. Suddenly, Lucas moved. He snatched the bowl and smashed it violently against the wall, sending fragments flying everywhere! “Helen, how did I never notice how high-maintenance you are?” Lucas left, and my room fell silent once again. ***** The next afternoon, the hotel manager knocked on my door to inform me that I needed to extend payment for my room. I frowned and told him this matter was being handled by my companions. The manager’s smile remained unchanged. “If you’re referring to Mr. Winston and Ms. Parish, they left the hotel at noon, apparently flying to their next destination. Unfortunately, they didn’t extend the payment for your room.” My room was cleared out. I was placed in the first-floor lounge area with my luggage. After more than an hour, I finally got through to Lucas on the phone. His smug voice came through the line. “Helen, remember, this is a lesson for you! What was supposed to be a nice trip has been ruined by you making mountains out of molehills! Kelly was right—spending time with negative people like you shortens your life!” My throat felt like it was filled with sand; I couldn’t speak for a long time. “Lucas, have you lost your mind? Do you realize what you’re doing!?” “Of course I do, Helen. You need to learn your lesson. If you want me to come get you, you’ll have to record a video apologizing to Kelly and post it on Instagram. Otherwise, this isn’t over!” He hung up on me. I sat on the sofa for a long time, watching the heavy snow falling outside. I met Lucas in our senior year of college. He was a year younger than me. I never liked dating younger men. But back then, Lucas was like the sun. He brought warmth to me as I struggled in the cold, damp places of life. When I was harassed by a creepy coworker during my internship, Lucas went out of his way to escort me home every night. Later, when I rented an apartment and got scammed by the landlord, He brought his law school friends to educate the landlord about tenant rights. That’s how he gradually unlocked my heart, layer by layer. But why did someone who once shone like the sun change so quickly? I couldn’t understand it, nor did I want to think about it anymore. I wiped away my tears and forced myself to calm down. My passport and bank cards were missing from my suitcase. Lucas had probably taken them. I started contacting friends back home. Finally, three days later, I successfully boarded a flight back to my country. After landing, I hugged my best friend, Wendy Blake, who came to pick me up. “I want a divorce.”

Without me around to get in the way, Kelly began shamelessly getting close to Lucas. She updated her Instagram religiously three times a day. In her videos, she and Lucas looked like a genuine couple. Someone who couldn’t stand it anymore commented: “What a homewrecker!” Looking closely at this person’s username, I discovered it was Lucas’s friend, Samuel Cooper. I’d met him a few times at previous gatherings. I never thought Samuel and Lucas were different types of people, but surprisingly, he was standing up for me. I directly replied to his comment with a thumbs up. Shortly after, the video was deleted. Three minutes later, I received an international call from Lucas. “Helen, what the hell is wrong with you? Kelly is just a young girl who hasn’t even graduated yet, and you’re slandering her like this? Are you even human? Do you want to be exiled forever? I’ve told you countless times, Kelly and I grew up together like siblings. We’re not blood-related but might as well be. Stop polluting our relationship with your dirty thoughts! But I guess an orphan like you wouldn’t understand the value of family bonds.” The man who had shared my bed not long ago was now attacking me with cruel words for someone else. My heart, which I thought would remain undisturbed, felt a sharp stab of pain. “Hah, siblings who lick each other’s fingers? Siblings who spend nights together in the same room and tent? Siblings where the brother would abandon his wife during an avalanche to save his ‘sister’? Your family bond is truly touching!” Lucas lost it after hearing my words and started cursing wildly. I hung up immediately. While Lucas wasn’t home, I took the opportunity to move my things. Before getting married, I worked hard and bought a small 480-square-foot house. Now that I was facing divorce, at least I had somewhere to live. The Winston family had traditional values and considerable wealth. Shortly after marrying Lucas, he persuaded me to quit my job and become a housewife. Back then, I was so love-struck that I agreed without hesitation. As a result, for five years I lived on an allowance, treated like a second-class servant at everyone’s beck and call. After learning Lucas had returned to the country, I sent the printed divorce papers to his email. But my message sank like a stone. I decided to call Lucas directly, but no one answered. Soon after, Lucas’s assistant Alvin Morison called back. “Mrs. Winston, Mr. Winston says if you want to see him, you must first apologize to Ms. Parish.” “Did he look at the divorce papers?” “Mr. Winston says if you want a divorce, talk to him directly. He thinks this tactic is too cliché and he’s not falling for it.” I laughed out loud, “Is that exactly what Lucas told you? Where is he now? What’s the address?” “Yes, Mr. Winston is celebrating Ms. Parish’s birthday. If you want the address, you must apologize to Ms. Parish on Instagram first…” “Apologize my ass!” I hung up, but looking at my contact list, I clicked on Samuel’s profile picture. He had stood up for me before, so he must be a decent person, right? As soon as I sent my message, Samuel replied almost instantly. Reading his response, I grabbed the divorce papers and headed straight there. When I arrived at the restaurant, I noticed a figure leaning against the wall. I asked uncertainly, “Samuel?” He instinctively looked up, putting away his lighter. I asked curiously, “Why are you outside?” Samuel was well-built but had a gentle voice and fair complexion. “I just came to see if I could help you out,” he said. I smiled gratefully, grabbed the door handle, and pushed it open slightly. Immediately, laughter erupted from inside. “That’s genius, Lucas! Leaving Helen stranded in Switzerland—I bet she was crying her eyes out!” “Lucas, when are you bringing Helen back?” Gripping the handle, I heard Lucas’s leisurely voice. “What’s the rush? When she realizes her mistake, I’ll let her come back. Hey, you won’t believe this—she sent me electronic divorce papers the other day, asking me to look at them. Hilarious! If she’s really willing to divorce me, I’ll take her last name!” “Tsk, she’s just desperate. Give it a few days and she’ll be more obedient. She’s gotten too wild, still thinking she’s the campus beauty she once was.” I exhaled deeply and pushed the door open forcefully. “Lucas, no need to bring me back. I’m already here.” I strode up to Lucas and slapped him hard twice across the face, then threw the divorce papers at him. “The divorce papers are right here. Whoever doesn’t sign them has no guts! And by the way, I don’t want you taking my last name—it would make me sick!”

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  On the night of my 30th birthday, I waited until the early hours of the morning, but my husband, Theodore Hawk never showed up. Instead, I came across an Instagram post from his childhood sweetheart, Emily Gallagher. [What romantic is not the starry night, it’s having you by my side.] In the picture, she was wearing a delicate, sky-blue camisole that revealed just enough to charm and seduce. A man stood close behind her, his hand firmly gripping her waist. The scene was set in the seaside villa that Theodore had gifted her, their figures intimately entwined under the soft glow of the night. Someone had commented beneath the post: [I can’t stand you two being this lovey-dovey all the time! Just get married already!] Emily had responded with a shy-face emoji. I had just liked the post when Theodore, who I had failed to reach all night, blew up my phone with calls. “Are you out of your mind, Camilla? Emi and I grew up together! If we wanted to be together, we would’ve done so long ago! Why are you being so petty?” Looking at how Theodore gently held her in his arms, comforting her, I realized something. Letting go of someone you’ve loved for seven years… can take only a moment. … When Theodore returned, I was sitting at the dining table, eating breakfast. Ever since his childhood sweetheart had come back, we hadn’t seen much of each other. As our eyes met, I could sense a faint trace of annoyance in his gaze. He glanced at my single serving and sat across from me. “Where’s my breakfast?” I didn’t look at him. I continued eating from my bowl. “I didn’t make you any.” Theodore let out a cold laugh, then pulled out a necklace and tossed it at me. “All this because I didn’t spend your birthday with you? Is this really necessary? You’re so petty. Anyway, that’s your gift.” I glanced at the cheap-looking necklace on the table. Immediately, I thought of the sapphire necklace with diamond accents that adorned Emily’s neck on her social media post. The one Theodore threw at me wasn’t worth even a fraction of hers. I chuckled, finding myself agreeing with something she’d posted recently. She had said: [The perfect match is a gift from the heavens] The caption was beneath a photo of her nestling in Theodore’s arms. They were gazing at each other with shy affection. I knew it all too well. Theodore and I came from vastly different backgrounds. He was the son of Jupiter City’s wealthiest family, while my parents were just ordinary university professors. But still, he had been the one who pursued me… When I remained silent, Theodore sneered at me. “What’s this? Are you so moved by just one necklace?” I set down my spoon and looked up at him. As he watched, I stood up and then tossed the necklace straight into the trash. “Thanks, but I have plenty of cheap necklaces like this one. You don’t have to bother next time.” His eyes flashed in anger. “Are you crazy? Whether I give you gifts or not, you’re still not happy. What more do you want from me? You know how busy I’ve been at work!” I raised my eyes, meeting his with a cold stare. “So spending time with Emily counts as being busy? Having dinner with her is what you call work?” Theodore scoffed, his face full of disdain as he looked at me. “Do you think you’re better than Emi? What part of you even comes close to her? My patience is wearing thin. You better take it out of the trash now! I ignored him and turned to leave. “Didn’t you hear me? I said pick it up!” he shouted angrily. Suddenly, Theodore grabbed the vase from the table and hurled it at me. I tried to dodge the vase, but as it filled my vision, I felt it strike my forehead. The vase shattered on impact, and immediately, I felt warm blood trickling down my face. It wasn’t until then that a glimmer of sanity returned to Theodore’s eyes. He rushed to grab a napkin from the table and held it to my forehead. “I…lost my temper. Are you alright?”

  My face turned pale. I pressed one hand tightly against the wound on my forehead, while the other gently moved toward my abdomen. Theodore hadn’t noticed. Instead, he turned around and reached for the car keys to take me to the hospital. But just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, and in an instant, seemed to abandon his plan. Without a second thought, he picked up the call. Whatever was said on the other end of the line made his expression suddenly serious, yet his voice was soft, unusually tender. “Don’t worry. I’ll be right there.” He hung up, grabbed his keys, and rushed to the door. As he reached the entrance, I called out to him. “Theodore!” He didn’t stop moving, but when he looked at me, his eyes were filled with disgust. “Something’s happened to Emi. Can’t you, just for once, stop being so needy and understand what’s going on?” I stood up, one hand holding my forehead, the other clutching my abdomen. The intense pain made it hard to breathe, but I pushed through the agony and forced myself to speak. “I know. I won’t stop you from going to her,” I said, my voice weak. “But can you please call an ambulance for me first? I don’t think I can hold on much longer.” Theodore’s expression darkened as he glared at me. “You’ll say anything to keep me from seeing Emi, won’t you?” he sneered. “It’s just a little blood on your head. What’s the emergency?” With that, he left and slammed the door behind him. The pain was overwhelming, almost unbearable. I forced myself to stay conscious as I slowly made my way toward the dining table. What usually took a few steps now felt like an impossible journey. By the time I reached it, blood had already pooled beneath me, forming a trail across the floor. I bit my lip hard, trying to keep myself from blacking out. Grabbing my phone, I barely managed to give the dispatcher my address before everything went dark. When I opened my eyes again, it was already night. The first thing I saw was a doctor standing over me, concern in his eyes. Noticing I had regained consciousness, he asked me a few routine questions and then spoke gently. “Miss Sands, the blood test results show that you are six weeks pregnant,” the doctor said gently. “However, your forehead injury is quite serious, which complicates the situation for your baby. You need to take precautions to protect your pregnancy.” I sat on the bed, momentarily at a loss as I stared at the doctor. “You mean I’m… pregnant?” “Yes. You need to rest well,” he replied before turning to leave. Suddenly, I found myself alone in the vast hospital room. It took me a long time to process the news of my pregnancy. I tried calling Theodore but the call would not connect. Just then I received a notification for a new post on my Instagram account. It was Emily. [You are my childhood sweetheart, my forever support.] In the accompanying photo, she stood behind Theodore, fear evident on her face as she looked at a cockroach in front of him. Theodore held her protectively in his arms. They looked so sweet together, and many of her followers commented on the photo. [Couple goals!] [Are they squashing a cockroach or showing off their love? My heart can’t take it…] I let out a hysterical laugh. I wasn’t going to bother trying to reach Theodore, so I called the best divorce lawyer in the city. “Hello, I’d like to inquire about getting a divorce…” By the time I hung up, it was already late at night. Gazing up at the starry sky, I was surprised to feel a sense of relief wash over me. A week went by before my condition stabilized. During that time, Theodore hadn’t called me once. I didn’t think much of it but on the day of my discharge, I saw his name on my caller ID. As soon as the call connected, I heard the edge in his voice. “Do you even care about this family?” he asked. I remained silent for a long moment before finally responding. “I’m in the hospital.” It was his turn to be silent. No doubt he had forgotten about the time he had struck my forehead with a vase. Just as I was about to hang up, Theodore spoke again. “I’m coming to see you. Wait for me at the hospital.” I frowned, ready to refuse, but before I could voice my objection, he had already hung up. Looking out at the pouring rain, I had no choice but to sit in the hospital lobby and wait. An hour passed, then two, and still, he did not show up.

  As soon as I opened my Instagram, I noticed a post from Emily. [Thank goodness I have you to comfort me.] The accompanying photo showed her in her kitchen, where Theodore was preparing porridge. Seeing the flood of envious comments below, I silently wiped away the tears that gathered at the corners of my eyes. Once, when I was bedridden with a high fever, I begged him for just a cup of hot water, but he refused. Now, he was happily cooking for Emily. I suddenly realized I couldn’t wait any longer. I looked at the e-ride app on my phone, which showed the car I had been trying to hail for ages still hadn’t arrived. Determined, I braved the pouring rain and walked toward the bus stop. Although it was only a few dozen meters away, each step felt like miles. Large raindrops hammered down on me, and with every step, a sharp pain surged through my abdomen. I pressed a hand against my belly, my face pale, a bandage still wrapped around my head. Many people on the bus noticed my condition and quickly offered me their seats, asking if I needed a doctor. I shook my head and declined their offers. By the time I returned home, it was already past eight in the evening. As I stepped through the door, I found Theodore sitting in the living room. He was livid. “Why didn’t you let me know you were coming back? Do you have any idea how long I searched for you at the hospital?” I grabbed a towel and wiped my face. “I called you. You didn’t answer,” I said calmly. “And half an hour ago, Emily posted that it’s so nice to have you by her side.” A flicker of embarrassment crossed Theodore’s face. He had not expected me to call him out. He was momentarily at a loss for words. “What are you on about? Emi is on her period. What’s wrong with me keeping her company? Why are you being so petty about it?” I let out a derisive laugh. In the past, I might have had a huge argument with him but this time, I simply grabbed a fresh set of clothes and headed into the bathroom. “I won’t do it again,” I muttered to myself. As the hot water cascaded over me, it washed away the chill that had settled in my bones. Looking down, I noticed blood trickling down my legs… The night before, I hadn’t slept well, as the pain in my abdomen kept pulling me in and out of sleep. When I finally woke up the next morning, I felt dazed. Stepping out of my room, I caught sight of Theodore returning home. Perhaps realizing that he had overstepped in recent days, he was unexpectedly gentle. “You’re awake. I brought you breakfast.” I nodded without saying a word and went straight into the bathroom to wash up. When I finally emerged, Theodore was waiting for me. “Sit down and have breakfast. I’m free today, so I can take you to see that movie you’ve always wanted to watch.” The film had received countless rave reviews since its release, and I had asked Theodore to go with me many times before, only to be turned down each time. It wasn’t until I saw Emily’s post with her movie ticket that I realized he was genuinely busy and not that he didn’t want to accompany me. “I don’t want to go,” I replied. His face instantly darkened with anger at my refusal. He grabbed my wrist and shouted, “How many times do I have to tell you, Camilla? Emi and I are just friends! “She was unwell yesterday, so I went to keep her company. Why are you being this way? Insisting that I have something going on with her?” I calmly withdrew my hand and looked at him. “I know you two are just childhood friends.” I tried to explain, but he regarded me with skepticism as if searching for something in my gaze. Disappointment washed over him, for I remained composed, steadfastly meeting his eyes. My face showed no emotion, but for some reason, seeing that I wasn’t angry only seemed to fuel Theodore’s irritation. He turned and stormed into the bedroom, quickly changed his clothes, and slammed the door behind him. I didn’t pay him any mind and simply followed him out the door. I had an appointment with my lawyer to discuss the details of the divorce, and I couldn’t afford to be late. By the time I finished talking with my lawyer, it was already afternoon. Just as I was about to grab the divorce agreement to show Theodore, his call came in. “Get ready. I’ll pick you up at home later.” I furrowed my brow. Before I could even voice my refusal, he hung up. Reluctantly, I set the divorce agreement aside and called a cab to head home. After arriving home and grabbing a cup of hot water, I noticed Theodore’s car pulled up outside the building. I frowned but had no choice but to go downstairs. When he saw my bare face and the casual clothes I wore, a flicker of surprise crossed his expression then immediately soured. “What are you wearing?” he snapped. “You couldn’t even bother to put on some makeup or change into a decent outfit?” Just as his words hung in the air, the front passenger door swung open. Emily stepped out in an exquisite evening gown, wearing the very diamond necklace she had showcased in her post. With a meaningful look at me, she strolled over to Theodore and wrapped her arm around his. “I’m sorry, Theo. It’s all my fault for forgetting to tell Camilla” Theodore’s expression softened instantly as he gazed at Emily. He casually draped an arm over her shoulder. “It’s alright. You’ve been so busy, it’s understandable that you forgot.” I felt a wave of disgust wash over me as I watched the two of them bask in their affection. Just as I turned away from them, Theodore called out to me again. “Get in the car.” As I approached the vehicle, I glanced at the passenger seat and noticed a sticker prominently displayed there. It read: [The Goddess Emi’s Exclusive Seat].

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My husband, Louie Owen, has been acting strange lately. He freezes when we hug, kisses like a robot, and even zones out during sex. I was wondering if he wanted a divorce, when I accidentally discovered his forum post. [I woke up ten years in the future, and the girl I had a crush on is now my wife! What should I do?] I was shocked.

I was involved in a car accident where I suffered a head injury. The doctor warned me that I might experience memory loss. Half-jokingly, I asked my boyfriend Kevin Sinclair, who was standing by my hospital bed: “Who are you?” He hesitated for a moment, then replied: “We’re just casual friends.”

When the world seems to be coming to an end, can we still fight for a future? We have crossed paths in the darkness, though we have different destinations to go. What we have in common is just the courage and faith toward our separate destinations. Sharing what we have and what we know, can we survive these despairing days together?

My family’s dog was getting married, and my mother informed me to come home for its wedding. Perhaps if it weren’t for the dog’s wedding, my mother would have likely forgotten I was her daughter. After returning home, I saw that my brother and sister had prepared gifts for the dog, while I hadn’t prepared anything, so I gave it $200. My mother’s face instantly turned cold. “Just $200? Do you think we’re beggars? I shouldn’t have even let you come back!” My father said I was always so poor, while my brother and sister glared at me with utter contempt. This scene was exactly like my previous life, except in that life, I was emotionally fragile and committed suicide by taking pills. But in this life, I wouldn’t make such a foolish decision. Seeing their coldness, I said, “If that’s the case, I’ll leave now.” As I stood up to leave, my mother’s eyes suddenly reddened. She softened her tone, pretending to be kind, and said, “Fine, I’ll keep quiet. It’s just that you haven’t come home for several Christmases, and now you only give $200. Do you even care about your father and me at all?” I asked, “Walter and Elise’s gifts are also worth only $200, why don’t you criticize them?” My mother became anxious. “You’re different from them. They’ve always been at home, while you only come back occasionally!” My brother Walter Cobb snorted coldly, “For so many Christmases, you’ve never cared about Mom and Dad. Even the family dog treats them better than you do!” My sister Elise Cobb said, “Rachel, they are our parents. You should be nicer to them. Mom and Dad don’t expect you to give a lot of money, but since you finally came back, you should at least give them a gift. It doesn’t need to be too expensive—but a diamond necklace at the very least, don’t you think?” My mother smiled appreciatively at Elise. “Elise always cares about me the most.” In my previous life, on the day of the dog’s wedding, I spent all my savings buying a $20,000 gift for the dog, a five-carat diamond bracelet for my mother, and a $10,000 watch for my father. I naively thought that if I actively approached them, they would finally love me, but the harsh truth proved that I was simply unwanted and unloved—nothing I did would ever matter. The diamond bracelet I gave my mother appeared on Elise’s wrist the very next day, and the watch I gave my father was proudly worn by Walter. Despite being their child just like the others, I was the only one they refused to love. The Christmas when I was three, my mother said they couldn’t take care of three children, so they abandoned me with my grandmother in the countryside. At first, they would visit me and my grandmother during holidays, but later they stopped coming even for Christmas, only making hollow calls that lasted less than a minute. Later, my grandmother passed away, and I didn’t even have money for school. I desperately contacted them, hoping they could support me through college, but they claimed the family was financially struggling and hoped I would understand. I hadn’t seen my parents since then; it was as if they had completely erased the existence of their own daughter from their lives. If it weren’t for the dog’s wedding this time, I’m certain they still wouldn’t have contacted me. Bringing my thoughts back to the present, I coldly told them, “I’m leaving now.” My maternal grandmother quickly took my arm and said, “Rachel, your parents just care about you. You haven’t been home for a long time. For the sake of my famous homemade spaghetti, please stay with your parents, even if it’s just for one night.” That Christmas when I was ten, my grandmother was very ill. I took her to the hospital, spending $3,000 on medical expenses over three days.

I called my parents to ask for money, but they accused me of trying to scam them. Later, my paternal grandmother (奶奶) called my parents, but they still claimed they had no money and told her to ask their other son instead. Eventually, I had no choice but to go to my maternal grandmother’s (外婆) house, not far from my paternal grandmother’s. After much pleading, my maternal grandmother, who was struggling financially herself, scraped together $3,000 for me. I’ve always been grateful to her. So, for her sake, I agreed to stay tonight. My mother brought over the white dog. It was medium-sized, wearing a wedding dress with a bride’s tag pinned to its chest. She happily introduced me, “Rachel, this is our family’s new member. Her name is Snowy, and she’s going to be Coal’s wife.” My mother has always loved dogs, while I don’t. My grandmother once told me that my dislike for dogs was precisely why my mother sent me to the countryside. But my parents claimed they couldn’t take care of three children, so they had to send me to my grandmother’s. In reality, my parents had been raising dogs since I was born. They’d rather spend their energy taking care of dogs than raise me as well. I forced a smile. Elise suddenly came over and pulled me upstairs. “Rachel, let me show you Coal and Snowy’s wedding suite. Mom decorated it so beautifully and cozy.” She led me to a bedroom with masculine energy and plenty of light on the second floor. The room was large and airy, with expensive-looking carpets covering the floor. Elise pointed at the white and pink rugs and explained, “Mom custom-ordered these online. They’re so expensive—$15,000 for both pieces. And that little sofa cost $8,000.” I smiled faintly, my gaze falling on the photos on the wall. An entire wall with masculine energy was covered with growth pictures of the black dog. It wasn’t human, yet it lived better than most people. Elise noticed my gaze and deliberately walked over to enthusiastically introduce each photo. “This is Coal when he was just born. Mom bought him from a pet store. We invited many relatives for a party that day, but you were far away in the countryside, and our parents didn’t want you to tire yourself out, so they didn’t ask you to come back. “This row shows all of Coal’s birthday photos. He’s quite the glutton and loves premium cream. Mom spends most of her salary on him. “These are photos from each of Coal’s veterinary check-ups. Mom takes him for a physical every three months.” Although I was already keenly aware that my parents didn’t love me, seeing how devotedly they raised a dog while I, their own daughter, had never celebrated a birthday, never had a medical check-up, and never worn clothes they bought me, shattered my heart into pieces. However, I couldn’t express this, and there was no one to hear about my unfair childhood experiences. As always, I silently swallowed my grievances, pretending nothing had happened. Elise looked me up and down with a smile, feigning friendliness while being utterly cruel. “Rachel, aren’t you working now? Buy some nice clothes instead of always wearing these cheap things. Dad’s a department manager now, and Walter’s started his own business. You should consider their dignity.” Elise wore designer clothes, while I was dressed in ordinary sportswear. The gap in our fortunes wasn’t about clothes—it was that I wasn’t loved by our parents, while she was adored. She stood in front of me, brimming with superiority, but she didn’t know I didn’t envy her at all. Walter came down to call us for dinner. Everyone else was using the family’s regular dinnerware, while I was given disposable utensils.

My mother smiled and said, “Rachel, you rarely come home, so I overlooked it. Next time, I’ll prepare proper cutlery for you.” This was the third time I’d heard this excuse—once when I was 8 at Christmas, again when I was 16 after my grandmother died at Christmas, and now at 22. The first two times, I felt hurt and dejected. This time, I just smiled and said, “It’s fine. Disposable cutlery works well.” At least it was clean and sanitary, unlike their dishes that had been used to feed the dog. I hated dogs, and I hated them too. After dinner, I made an excuse to leave. Walter mocked me, “You’re just a waitress. How busy could you possibly be?” In their eyes, I was nothing but a waitress with no prospects. I remained silent, allowing them to flaunt their arrogance before I even touched my spaghetti. A few weeks later, Walter and Elise came to the restaurant where I worked and saw me at the front desk. Elise remarked condescendingly, “Rachel, I can’t believe you’ve been promoted from waitress to cashier! With only a middle school education, are you sure you can handle it?” Walter sneered, “She’s not that stupid. Anyone can work a cash register. Rachel, recommend some signature dishes for us.” Just then, a kitchen staff member rushed over to me and said, “Ms. Cobb, the chef says we’re running low on beef. He wants the manager to handle it, so I came to ask you.” I responded, “I’ll place an order with our supplier immediately.” Elise and Walter stared at me in shock, unable to believe I was the manager. Elise said, “Rachel, when did you get promoted? Why didn’t you tell us? I feel like you don’t consider us family anymore.” Walter scoffed, “No wonder she was so arrogant at that family gathering, talking back to Mom like that. She’s just the manager of a small restaurant, yet she’s so full of herself!” I calmly replied, “If you want to eat, please take a seat inside. I have work to do.” Walter snorted again, “See? So arrogant.” I simply said, “Yes, indeed.” Walter’s face turned red with anger, and he left with Elise without even eating. My mother texted me: [Rachel, how could you disrespect Walter and Elise? They went to see you with good intentions. How could you be so cruel? Apologize to Walter and Elise.] I ignored the message. During the following Christmas, none of them contacted me, and I didn’t reach out to them either. Then one day, my mother and Elise suddenly showed up at the restaurant looking for me, but by then I had already resigned. She finally found me, grabbed my hands, her eyes reddening. “Rachel, I’ve been looking for you for so long. Why haven’t you contacted me? Don’t you know how worried I’ve been?” Her words were full of concern for me. If I hadn’t been so disappointed in her already, I might have wavered at this moment. Elise’s attitude toward me had also improved significantly. “Rachel, why don’t you move back home and share a room with me? Mom and Dad are worried about you living alone.” I politely declined. “No need. I’m used to living alone.” After chatting for a while, my mother finally revealed her true purpose. “Rachel, you need to help your sister with something.” I became wary. “What can I do for her?” My mother squeezed my hand. “Weren’t you a manager at a restaurant? The owner is a promising young entrepreneur who celebrates Christmas. Your sister has taken a liking to him and wants his phone number.” “She’s your only sister. You can’t refuse. If Elise marries a wealthy man, you’ll feel proud too.” I laughed inwardly. Me, setting her up with a boyfriend?

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My husband and my twin sister had an affair behind my back just because I was disfigured while rescuing children trapped in a fire. I didn’t fight with her for him. Instead, I left home with my housekeeper’s two burned children. Under my guidance, one of them became a renowned actress commanding million-dollar fees per film, while the other rose to become a doctor at the pinnacle of international medicine. On Christmas Eve, my biological daughter Keira Tyler tracked me down at my rural wheat farm. Looking at my weathered face, she sneered with contempt, “If I didn’t need my birth mother at my engagement party, I wouldn’t have bothered coming for you! “After you left, Simon was raised by Aunt Lina and married a wealthy woman. He’s about to inherit a million-dollar estate, and I’m about to marry a county governor. “We’ve both achieved the lives we wanted. You abandoned us at Christmas for that housekeeper’s children—don’t you regret it now? “You left Dad and Aunt Lina, and now you’re living like a beggar.” [Several years later] Keira watched me working in the field and mocked, “I’m not here for a reunion. I just came to share two pieces of good news. “After you left, Simon was raised by Aunt Lina and married a wealthy woman. He’s about to inherit a million-dollar estate, and I’m about to marry a county governor. “We’ve both achieved the lives we wanted. You abandoned us at Christmas for that housekeeper’s children—don’t you regret it now?” County governor was indeed an impressive position. For someone as simple-minded as Keira, she was lucky to marry such a man. But I didn’t bother looking up at her performance and continued my fieldwork instead. This wheat cultivation was crucial—if successful, it would represent a major advancement for the nation’s food industry. With that in mind, I quickened my pace. Irritated at being ignored, Keira frowned and stepped forward, throwing my wheat seedlings to the ground. “Are you even listening to me? I have something important to tell you! “Has the fire fried your brain? What have you done these twenty years besides farming? “If you keep ignoring me, I’ll burn all your wheat seedlings and we’ll see if you can escape this time!” With my precious seedlings destroyed, I finally looked up at her flushed face. “Go ahead, what do you want from me now? Is that home-wrecker Lina stirring up trouble again?” Twenty years ago, a sudden fire completely destroyed my home. I pushed my paralyzed mother-in-law out the door, only to be told by my twin sister Lina Patton that my two children were still in their bedroom. Seeing the house engulfed in flames, I rushed into the inferno without hesitation. To save them, I, a top national model, was left disfigured. When my husband discovered my appearance couldn’t be restored, he promptly divorced me and married Lina. The “Aunt Lina” whom Keira admired was nothing but a homewrecker who seduced my husband. But Keira couldn’t tolerate my criticism. She righteously accused me, “Weren’t you the one who took Aunt Lina’s place? This was clearly your fault. “Love doesn’t follow a first-come-first-served rule. Aunt Lina just arrived a little late. “Aunt Lina is kind-hearted and doesn’t hold a grudge against you. Grandma wants to see you, so she asked me to find you. Don’t overstep your bounds!” Looking at my aggressive daughter, I couldn’t help but laugh. She was my biological daughter, but after my disfigurement, she and my son Simon Tyler were ashamed of my ugly appearance and refused to call me mother anymore. When I received a notice for a parent-teacher meeting, I endured the pain and wore a mask. But when I rushed to the classroom, I saw my two children hugging Lina affectionately, calling her “Mom.” Seeing me frozen in place, Keira immediately covered her nose and said to Lina with disgust, “Mom, she smells terrible. Make her leave.” At that moment, my heart shattered completely. All I could do was awkwardly try to comfort them, showing the bracelet on my wrist to remind them who I was. “Keira, Simon. I’m your mother. I just came from the hospital. This is the bracelet you made for me…” Even their teacher couldn’t recognize me after my disfigurement. Simon’s words hurt me even more: “She’s not my mother. My mother died in the fire long ago.” “Yes, their mother perished in the fire,” Lina said with a challenging smile. “This is our housekeeper who lost her children in the recent fire and went crazy. Now she tries to claim any children she sees.” Noticing everyone’s contemptuous looks, tears immediately welled up in my eyes. When I was completely isolated, my mother-in-law suddenly appeared, slapped Lina, and took me away. All these years, only my former mother-in-law treated me like family. She invited me back more than once. Regardless of everything, she truly treated me better than my own parents, and I should go see her. With this in mind, I looked at the smug Keira and said, “I’ll go back, but only to see your grandmother. “After I see her, I’ll return here, and then we’ll cut all ties. Don’t ever say you’re my daughter again!”

At the lavish engagement party, the elegantly dressed Lina sat in the position meant for Keira’s mother. She wore an eye-catching red dress, her well-maintained skin smooth and delicate—she had clearly been living well these past years. Seeing me in shabby clothes with dirt on my knees, Lina walked toward me and said, “Brynn, why didn’t you tell me you were coming to Keira’s engagement party? You should have informed me so I could personally pick you up. “If I had known you were coming, I wouldn’t have sat here. You’re Keira’s birth mother after all. “Come, sit down. The engagement ceremony is about to begin, and everyone’s been waiting for you.” Lina enthusiastically took my hand, pulling me toward the seat reserved for Keira’s mother. Everyone present stared at this scene, some looking maliciously at me, the uninvited guest. Since the fire twenty years ago, I hadn’t returned home, becoming known to all as the “ungrateful daughter.” I divorced my husband to adopt my lifesaver, housekeeper Kate Bowers’ son and daughter, even though people accused me of being cold-blooded and not loving my biological children. My mother, whom I hadn’t seen in many years, snorted coldly and threw her coffee. “You’re just like this spilled coffee, no longer connected to the Patton family. “She wants to sit in Keira’s mother’s place? Has she ever fulfilled her responsibilities as a mother to Keira and Simon?” “Lina, you’re too kind. Not only did you kindheartedly raise the children, but now you’re willing to let her come back and enjoy these benefits without deserving them.” My mother was as domineering as ever, forcefully silencing my father who wanted to speak up for me. She had always favored Lina since childhood and never treated me well. Yet it was I, the one she claimed never fulfilled maternal duties, who risked my life rushing into the fire to save the children. Lina and I are twins, but our experiences couldn’t be more different. Lina was vivacious and charming, very likable. In comparison, I seemed dull, only quietly doing things. Even our parents’ love gradually shifted toward Lina, not to mention our mutual friends and teachers. Life is hard for a child without love. Even the servants were negligent toward me, showing no respect. Only the housekeeper Kate treated me sincerely. When I was trembling with hunger, she would carefully pull out food for me to eat. Fortunately, I got into a good university and was lucky enough to be discovered by a talent scout, becoming an international model. But just when my marriage was happy and my career flourishing, that fire suddenly happened. When I rushed into the inferno, Kate was shielding the four children with her body. With the flames engulfing everything around, with her last breath, she pushed the children to me but died in the fire. She protected the children with her life, so I couldn’t abandon her children. In the end, at the cost of my disfigurement, I successfully rescued all the children. But while I was hospitalized for burns, my husband divorced me and drove me out of the house. And the biological children I had protected with my very life dealt me a fatal blow, turning to recognize Lina—who had done nothing during that fire—as their mother. I had no choice but to take Kate’s two children, Emely Bowers and Mark Bowers, and struggle to survive. Though our days were poor, I could feel true happiness. Under my nurturing, Emely became a famous actress with the highest pay in the entertainment industry, and Mark became a renowned doctor at the pinnacle of international medicine. “Calling you ‘mom’ is just out of respect. From beginning to end, the only mother in my heart has been Aunt Lina,” Keira frowned, her tone unfriendly. “Inviting you here was merely out of respect. You’re not worthy to be my mother. You need to know your place.” Lina was instantly moved to tears, and even the onlookers praised Keira for being so sensible. Her fiancé tightly gripped Keira’s hand, repeatedly asking me to leave. However, the next moment, the hall doors were knocked open, and a perfect wedding dress was displayed before everyone gathered there. The gown was crafted from handmade lace encrusted with diamonds, with a display card bearing the signature of a world-class designer beside it. Staff dressed in elegant uniforms stepped forward, bowed, and asked, “Which one is Ms. Keira Tyler? This is a wedding gift sent by your family.”

Keira was beaming with happiness as she told her fiancé, “Simon is busy, but this must be the wedding dress he sent me. He knows I’ve always dreamed of having a world-class designer personally create a wedding dress just for me!” But the truth was Simon wasn’t busy—he was accompanying a wealthy older woman. Emely had just texted me with this information: “Mom, I sent them an engagement gift, please don’t reveal anything. I’ve already messaged Mark, and we’ll be there soon to help you!” “Simon is certainly generous,” someone remarked. “I remember that just inviting this designer costs at least $5 million, and a hand-sewn wedding dress worth $10 million isn’t something just anyone can afford to give.” Keira’s fiancé looked proud as he said to Lina, “Lina, you’ve raised two wonderful children. I’m lucky to have such an amazing fiancée in Keira. And Simon has already achieved so much success at such a young age during the Christmas season—his future is undoubtedly bright!” He was clearly trying to flatter Lina, despite knowing Simon’s shameful secret. At that moment, he was basking in everyone’s admiration and praise, smiling with satisfaction. Lina shot me a malicious glance, deliberately trying to embarrass me. “Brynn, haven’t you prepared anything for Keira? Don’t tell me you came empty-handed?” “I know your financial situation is poor, but Keira is your biological daughter. You should at least give her something.” “Why don’t I give Keira a bracelet in your name as an engagement gift? Would that be alright?” With just a few quick sentences, she had painted me as a stingy person. The guests began criticizing me one after another. “Is this the ungrateful daughter from the Patton family? She never raised her children for a single day. How dare she have the nerve to show up at her own daughter’s engagement party?” “Exactly! She didn’t even bother to dress up and brought absolutely nothing. Is she deliberately trying to ruin this engagement celebration?” “I bet there’s more to that Christmas fire than meets the eye. She’s probably the arsonist herself, trying to burn her children alive for the insurance money!” The increasingly vicious comments filled my ears. Lina pretended to defend me on the surface, but her eyes couldn’t hide her smug satisfaction. Caught in an impossible situation, I could only endure these baseless accusations. Just as they were aggressively trying to throw me out, Simon arrived with a small package, saying, “Keira, sorry I’m late. Here’s the wedding dress I just ordered for you—it’s worth $80,000.” When unfolded, the crumpled fabric revealed wrinkles all over the surface that only emphasized its cheapness. Worse still, the dress was clearly a knockoff of the designer’s work. Everyone could easily tell which was the fake. Keira looked embarrassed and cleared her throat. “Simon, didn’t you already send me an authentic wedding dress? Why did you buy another one…” Simon had obviously noticed the more exquisite authentic dress nearby and his face turned bright red with embarrassment. “How could that be possible? I could never afford an authentic designer dress. I heard this dress costs $10 million and there’s only one in the country—I’ve never even seen it.” Keira gave me an arrogant glance. “Then who sent it? Who could be so generous? Certainly not our poor excuse for a birth mother.” “I sent it,” said Emely as she walked in wearing a high-end custom gown. “I’m your biggest fan! Did you send this gift to my sister because of me? Thank you so much!” Simon quickly said with a hint of shyness. “I never expected you’d come to my sister’s engagement party for my sake. I’m truly touched.” Emely smiled coldly. “I’ve already forwarded what you just said to your sugar mommy. I have no interest in men who’ve been used and discarded by others.” Then, holding my arm and deliberately speaking loudly, she said, “If it weren’t for my mother’s sake, I wouldn’t set foot in a place like this! I heard you were not only insulting me earlier, but my mother too?” Keira froze in place, stammering nervously, “Simon, isn’t she that award-winning actress? What’s this about a Sugar Mommy? How are you involved with her? “Didn’t you say you had a position at a major company, and your fiancée was wealthy, about to inherit millions in family assets? “This is my engagement party, Simon! You’ve created such a mess. My fiancé’s family will look down on me!” Lina also appeared flustered, quickly grabbing Simon’s hand for support. “Simon, don’t be afraid, I’m right here. Don’t listen to her intimidation. “Just tell the truth. Don’t you have a wealthy girlfriend who’s going to give you all her assets? Weren’t you about to get engaged?” Simon’s face instantly turned pale. He lowered his head and mumbled, “Mom, please don’t say that. Actually, it was all a lie…” Because he had always maintained his facade so well, everyone had nothing but praise for Simon. Lina had always believed his successful career was what attracted wealthy women. But now the truth was exposed—he had climbed the social ladder by using women. Without question, this revelation embarrassed everyone who had taken pride in Simon. Even more ironically, Emely informed me that Simon wasn’t kept by just one woman; despite having a girlfriend, he continued to manipulate multiple women. All eyes were fixed on the silent Simon, waiting for his explanation. “Simon, I heard you have another wealthy girlfriend. Does she know about all this?” Emely asked, waving her phone. “If you don’t give me a reasonable explanation, I’ll have no choice but to expose your kept-man status throughout our social circle.” Simon pushed his glasses up nervously, his voice trembling, “I signed a prenuptial agreement with her. All assets would remain separate from me, so for my own future, I sought out other women. “Emely, please, if I affect their marriages because of this, my fate will be terrible.” Though his voice was low, the relatives standing nearby heard every word clearly. Simon was being kept by other women and had likely interfered in multiple marriages. My former mother-in-law, Jane Tyler, nearly collapsed onto the sofa, while his father, Aidan Tyler, stood up and shouted furiously, “Our family would never have a male escort! You’re not worthy of being a Tyler!” My ex-husband’s parents were kind and upright people who never approved of Lina, the home-wrecker. They only tolerated her marriage to my ex-husband for Keira and Simon’s sake. Lina, ignoring any rebuke toward Simon, hurriedly tried to appease Aidan but was pushed to the ground. Keira’s fiancé scoffed coldly before turning and walking away. A major reason he wanted to marry Keira was his belief that Simon held influence in the business world, which would benefit his political career. He never imagined Simon was merely a kept man for wealthy women. With Simon’s reputation destroyed and Keira’s engagement party in shambles, the desperate Lina, lying on the floor, suddenly smiled at me and swallowed a pill. I realized her intention but couldn’t stop her in time. Seconds later, she began foaming at the mouth and convulsing violently. Simon and Keira rushed forward as Lina shakily pointed at me. “She poisoned me! That fresh coffee must have been tampered with!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “MyFiction” app 🔍 search for “397792”, and watch the full series ✨! #MyFiction #B×G

Seven years ago, our mating day had been blessed by a full moon, clear skies, and two hearts filled with love. That was all we had back then. Two wolves who’d found each other when nothing else seemed possible.Staring at my mate now, I can’t stop myself from wondering…where did that love go? “I had my heart set on a moonstone necklace.” My words sound nonchalant. Even uncaring. Inside, though, my heart twists and turns with an ache that I’ve been trying to pretend I don’t feel for so long that that pain has become a part of me. Roger frowns, irritation flashing red in his amber eyes. His wolf’s been near the surface for weeks, now. On edge, ready to snap. We used to run together when my mate got tense, but now even our wolves barely seem to recognize each other. He’s been coming home late from the office for weeks. Months. I know he’s been running. Just not with me. “Felicity, when did you become so focused on material gifts?” my mate asks. Since they’ve become the only way I can prove that you think of me, I want to say, but I don’t. My wolf paces and whines, trying to reach the surface, but I hold her back. Later, when I’m alone, I’ll give her the freedom she craves. I’ll release myself and run alone. But right now, I have to keep myself under control. If I let my wolf free…I’m not sure what she’ll do. “Mom, you shouldn’t worry so much about money,” pipes up our son, Orion. He crosses his small arms and frowns, a near-perfect image of his father. “Miss Lillian at Daddy’s work, she doesn’t worry about money at all! And she’s much prettier than you!” I wait a few seconds for Roger to correct the pup with a scolding, but of course, he doesn’t. I’m the one who spent months of my life sick to the point of being bedridden, then days of agony during the difficult birth. I’m the one who nursed the pup. Bathed and dressed him. Soothed his bad dreams. I’m his mother…but clearly, Roger’s been letting the boy’s head be filled with other things. “Then I suppose we should let Miss Lillian be your mother?” My throat squeezes the words. I’m still pretending not to care that the two people in the world I have loved the most have both decided they don’t care about me as much as I do about them. Or even at all. A tense silence builds in the room as Roger glares at me. Orion stares from his father to me and back again. He knows there’s something going on, but he’s too young to understand what. I try not to blame the pup for the things his father has done, but when I hear how little I’m loved… Well, I’m broken. That’s all. My mate has broken me, and there aren’t even enough pieces of me left to put back together. “Felicity, don’t say such terrible things to our son,” Roger snaps. Orion, on the other hand, beams with a grin that is too painful for me to see. I have to turn away from his joy. He dances back and forth, clapping his small hands. “Oh, yes, Daddy! Let Miss Lillian come to be my new mommy! She won’t make me eat broccoli! She’ll give me ice cream whenever I want!” The words sting like the slice of razor-sharp claws across my skin. I have to turn away. Of course, the pup wants a mother who will let him do whatever he wants. Orion’s too young to understand that a mother’s job is not to be a friend, but to take care of him and raise him to be a decent adult. It’s the fact that my mate doesn’t defend me that has finally pushed me to the brink. Slowly, I turn and walk away from both of them. In the bedroom I still share with my mate, I begin packing a small suitcase. Roger comes in behind me and puts his arms around me. His familiar scent—pine needles, fresh forest air—envelopes me. The scent of him used to flood me with love and desire, but now it only churns my stomach. Beneath my mate’s scent I detect a different one…female. Gardenias. Grass. Lillian Miller. “How could you walk away from our pup like that, Felicity?” When I don’t answer, Roger, nuzzles the back of my neck. “I’ll take you to the jewelry store tomorrow. You can pick out whatever you want.” I resist the urge to let him take me in his arms and kiss me. Instead, I pull away and move back to the closet to pull out a few of my dresses. Without looking at him, I say, “Let’s break our bond.” “Over a damned necklace?” Roger’s voice booms. “We are not true mates. We’ve always known it. Our bond…” I can’t finish. I can’t bear to remind him that we joined together because we were all each other had back then. Not having the true mate bond had not mattered…it still shouldn’t matter. But it does. “What about Orion? I won’t let you take him from me. Now that I’m the Alpha—” Oh, yes. The Alpha. When we had made our mating bond, Roger had been nothing. Nobody. “I won’t take him from you,” I say as my heart breaks. My voice stays calm, though. Our eyes lock. Silence stretches between us. Roger grabs my wrist, grinding the bones together, but I show no pain. My voice is hard. “I don’t want either one of you. You and him, I’m done.” My lie is like poison on my tongue, and I’m sure it’s going to kill me the same way.

“Roger Dent, I hereby renounce our mating bond. I release you from the blessings the Moon Goddess has bestowed.” My words ring out, clear as bells ringing.“Is this what you really want?” my mate demands. No. No longer my mate. He might as well be a stranger I’d never met, rather than one I’d once known. I don’t say anything, letting him decide for himself. Roger snarls as his wolf leaps into his gaze with a flash of red. He’s not upset about losing me, I think. He’s furious that I could be the one to decide I want to break the bond. That’s all. The pack will gossip about it—but in the end, none of them will care, either. Their Alpha has a new Luna ready to step into my place. Who knows? Maybe she’s even his true mate. Why else would the Moon Goddess have allowed him to betray me with her? “Felicity Dent,” Roger snarls. “I hereby renounce our mating bond. I release you from the blessings the Moon Goddess has bestowed.” I thought my heart had ached before, but now the slice of our bond being broken nearly sends me to my knees. Roger staggers back, too, and I don’t want to take joy in seeing him writhe with pain. But I do. I want him to hurt about this. The pain fades quickly, reminding me once again that we might have loved each other once, but we’d never been the kind of true mates the Moon Goddess intends for each other. The kind whose bond can never be broken. “Mommy? Daddy? Are you fighting?” We both turn to see our son watching us from the doorway. Instantly, I’m swept back to the first time I saw his tiny, wrinkled face. The first time I held him in my arms. I’d believed in that moment that I would do anything, fight anyone, even die myself, to protect my son. “No,” his father says sharply, a hint of his wolf’s powers in the growl of his tone. “Your mother has decided to leave us, Orion. She’s packing her things.” I brace myself for tears, for my child to run into my arms and beg me to stay. Surely, a mother’s love can’t be turned aside so easily? But to my despair, Orion seems to have been so thoroughly turned away from me that he jumps up and down with glee, clapping his small hands. Carefully, I pull the small notebook from my dresser and crouch to hand it to him. He takes it curiously. He’s only six. He can barely read. “When I’m gone, you’ll need to know all of this,” I whisper roughly. Orion flips a page to see the lists of his allergies and medications, of his vaccinations and the tests all young wolves must undergo to ensure the safety and strength of our pack. As the Alpha’s son, Orion’s bloodline must be carefully recorded, because one day it’s entirely possible that he’ll be mated with a she-wolf from a neighboring pack to strengthen the bonds between families. Roger hadn’t had such records. He’d become the Alpha through sheer determination and hard work, rising through the ranks to serve the last Alpha, who’d died without an heir. I won’t deny that Roger deserved the honor of leading our pack. He worked for it. But it did change him. Changed us. “I don’t want this.” Orion, in a fit of temper, slams the notebook to the ground and stamps his foot. He crosses his arms over his chest. “My new mommy won’t make me do things like read stinky old books!” Only a short time ago, hearing this would’ve shattered my already broken heart. Now I’m only numbed. In fact, an odd sense of relief washes over me… I’m not abandoning my pup. I’m releasing him, and his father, to live a better life with a Luna and a mother they both want, instead of me. Carefully, I return the notebook to its place. I pick up my suitcase. It’s lighter than I expected; I’d decided against taking many of the pretty dresses and other personal items I’d had to buy for myself because my mate couldn’t be bothered to surprise me with gifts. “Felicity!” Roger’s warning tone turns me back in the doorway. Slowly, I face him. It’s too much to hope that he’ll call me back into his arms. His sneer tells me I was a fool even to think of it for one second. “If you walk out that door,” he threatens, “don’t think you can ever come back. You will be abandoning your role as Luna of the Summit Pack. And you will be banned from the pack forever. Shunned.” “I know.” Beg me, I think. Beg me to come back…no, Roger, my mate, my love…just ask me. All you have to do is ask, and I’ll do it. Orion, my son, my heart…just ask, and I’ll suffer anything for you. I’ll stay. Neither stop me. My mate, nor my son. Both say nothing as I leave them both behind. And then, just before I’m out of range, my wolf’s fine-tuned hearing picks up one final sentence from my son. “Daddy, is Lillian really going to be my new mommy?” “Yes, Orion. She’ll be a better mommy than the one who just left.” As I hear the sounds of my son’s joy, I drop the case. I shift, giving my wolf the freedom she’s been craving, not caring about the things I leave behind. I run.

Ten years ago, Roger and I had both come to the city to work for the Summit Pack. Roger had been part of Alpha Gerald’s administrative team, while I’d been assigned a less glamorous job in the pack’s accounting department. Both of us had come from loyal Summit Pack families, but ones without high pack status. Both of us had been hoping, of course, for more.The first time I saw him, I’d felt a flutter in my chest. My wolf had howled in recognition. No bursts of light, no starry skies exploding between us, so no, not true mates. But we’d both liked each other enough to see each other whenever we could. Without a higher pack status, it was really more than we could hope for to find good bonded mates. I’d felt lucky to meet a man I found attractive, funny, smart. One whose wolf appealed to mine as well. The first time we went into the forest and stripped down to shift and run under the full moon, I’d thought, “Yes, I could love him.” And I had. I’d thought he loved me, too, when he asked me to be his. When we’d said the bonding words that were meant to tie us together for the rest of our lives. When we had pledged our loyalty to each other, to the pack, and to the Moon Goddess. Alpha Gerald had given us a bonding gift of our own quarters. They were in the basement of the pack house. Dank. Cramped. Befitting our rank, yes, but also, our own space. We’d spent many hours there together, making love. Talking about the future. Our meals and our surroundings were poor, but I’d felt rich with the blessings of a mate who cared about me. Roger had always promised me that this wasn’t forever. “I’ll give you the best life one day, Felicity. I swear by the Moon. I’m going to work hard, and the Alpha will see I’m worth promoting. And he had been. I’d been proud of him when he moved up the ranks of the Alpha’s team until he became the Beta of the pack. A year after that, we’d welcomed Orion into our lives. The year after that, Lillian had come to the city. She and Roger had both grown up in the same small village. At first, I’d been happy that he’d had someone from “home.” A family friend, he’d said. I’d only found out later that he and Lillian had been bond promised to each other, and that the only reason he hadn’t become her mate was because he’d decided to leave the rural life to see if he could make something of himself in the city. At first, I’d brushed it off. Roger and I had been mates for years at that point. We shared a child. I’d supported him as he worked hard to impress the Alpha. If that meant spending time with Lillian, it was only because she’d been assigned to the same administrative team. Because they had a lot to catch up on with the news of their families at home. Because they’d been friends when they were young. I didn’t want to believe that the passion Roger had left behind when he didn’t go through with their bonding could ever return. He loved me, didn’t he? Now I wonder if he ever loved me at all, or if I’d simply been a convenience. Once Lillian showed up, it certainly seemed as though my mate had started getting irritated over the smallest things. I’d played it off as the tension of stepping into the Alpha role, one which he hadn’t been trained from birth to take. Then one day, I could no longer ignore what the Moon Goddess had been trying to show me—Lillian was more than a friend to my mate. Orion had gone with Roger to the office for the day. I’d thought it would be good for the pup to see his father’s prominent position in the pack, and good for Roger to spend time with his son. But when they came home later that night, the little boy who’d once run so joyfully into my arms resisted my hug. With his little arms crossed and a scowl, he said, “I want candy!” “No, sweetheart. Not until you’ve had a healthy dinner first.” I’d always prided myself on being the kind of mother who made sure her family was taken care of in all aspects. “I hate you!” Orion screamed. “You’re a bad mommy! Bad, bad! You took Daddy away from Lillian and she lets me have candy and you don’t let me have candy and I hate you! Daddy hates you too! He loves Lillian!” At that moment, it was as though I’d been shoved off a cliff into the icy depths of a river with a current so strong it swept me away. I couldn’t fight it. All I could do was stagger upright and look to my mate for reassurance that what our pup was saying couldn’t be true. Roger had laughed off the child’s insults and promised me over and over that what Orion had said was only his imagination. But I knew I wasn’t imagining the scent of another she-wolf on my mate’s skin. And I wasn’t imagining the way his wolf flashed in his eyes when he spoke about her. I was not imagining that I was already losing him…if I’d ever truly had him at all.   Banned from the pack. Shunned. I’d left behind everything I owned when I ran that night, but I’d been able to find myself a small rental apartment on the far edges of town, just barely outside the official pack territory. Technically, I’m forbidden to work or live in the city, but I’ve managed to find a job doing the books for a small restaurant that serves the travelers passing through the packlands. It’s a rough and motley crew, and nobody asks questions. Roger could find me here easily enough if he bothers to look, but…I don’t think he will. I’ve given him everything he wanted. Lillian. Our son. The three of them are now officially beloved, the first family. She is his true mate Luna, or so the official story goes. They’ve erased me entirely. A year has passed since the day I left my mate, and not a day has gone by that the scar from his mating bite has not itched or burned in a reminder of how I’d broken our bond. I’ve stopped praying to the Moon Goddess for relief. Whatever she plans for me, I can’t bring myself to care about any longer. She has betrayed me more than my mate did. I thought my life would remain this way forever—balancing the books in the back of the tiny restaurant. Packing up leftovers to take home to my tiny apartment. Falling asleep, sometimes with tears on my pillow—many times with eyes dry because I don’t even have the strength to cry any longer. But today as I reach the steps to my building, a small, heartbroken sobbing turns me toward the gutter. Something twists inside me at the sound—it’s a child. Instantly, I’m a young mother again, cradling my newborn pup. Bringing him to my breast to nurse. Laughing with exhaustion, weeping with joy. I had loved my son with everything I had. “I beg you, Moon Goddess! Stop torturing me!” The crying doesn’t stop. There’s a little girl in the gutter. Her dress is torn and filthy, her hair matted and tangled. She’s shaking and weeping, curled into a ball. “Hey, hey, little one.” I crouch beside her, hesitantly reaching to touch her shoulder. “What’s going on? What’s your name?” “M…M…Mia…” “Where are your parents, Mia?” She turns her tear-streaked face to mine. “My mommy is gone. And Daddy’s new wife took me here and left me…” I look around, but there’s no adults nearby. The street is too dangerous for a pup this small. Quickly, I gather her into my arms and take her into my apartment, where I settle her at the kitchen table with a glass of milk and some cookies I brought home with me. “I’ll be right back,” I promise her. I ask all the neighbors if they know who she belongs to. One by one, they shake their heads. In this part of town, people keep to themselves. Even if they know something about you, they probably won’t share it. But when I beg for any information about who has abandoned this girl pup, only one person relents and tells me that her stepmother was seen beating her and then kicking her out of the car, into the gutter, and driving away. “Her father is one of those rough sorts,” my neighbor, Alison Redfur, tells me, looking quickly around to make sure nobody’s overhearing us. “Honestly, the pup is better off in the gutter than with either of those two.” Back in my apartment, I see that Mia has finished all the food and drink I left for her. She has fallen asleep, her tiny cheek pressed to my table. For one moment, I allow myself to stroke her dirty hair. I can’t keep her. She doesn’t belong to me. And I don’t really want to give my heart to another child, do I? I don’t want to trust anyone, ever again, by loving them… She needs you. The words ring like golden bells. My wolf paces, whining, then bows in my head at the sound of the voice. The Moon Goddess has spoken, or maybe I’m just finally losing my mind altogether. I can’t deny that Mia needs me, though. She can’t be more than seven years old. The same age as my son. One taken from me. One given in his place. Mia stirs sleepily and looks up at me with scared, sad eyes. I smile gently at her. It takes her a few seconds, but finally, she smiles in return. “Would you like to stay here with me?” Her entire face lights up. She leaps into my arms. “Yes! Please, yes!” Laughing, we both spin around my apartment’s tiny kitchen. It feels like it’s been a lifetime since I laughed at anything. When we finally settle down, I look at her and shake my head. “Let’s get you a bath and some clean clothes.” “And more cookies?” Mia asks hopefully. “No more cookies until you’ve had a proper dinner,” I warn and brace myself for a tantrum and hateful words. Mia nods, instead, her grin wide. “Okay!” My heart twists again, this time with something I recognize. It’s…hope.   Weeks pass. Then, months. Nobody comes looking for the pup, and we fall into a routine together. Watching Mia fold a stack of towels I brought back from the laundry, I have to wonder what she’s been through in her young life. My son is the same age and would have struggled to simply pour a glass of water on his own. I’m to blame for that, I know, because I babied him. Whoever raised Mia until now did not treat her like a child, but more like a servant. “Mia, you don’t have to do all that,” I tell her gently. “Mom, I want to help you!” My heart pangs at the sound of that word, but I don’t want to tell her not to call me by that name. “I have some work to do at the table. Then I’ll make us some dinner.” I’m so focused on the piles of accounting books in front of me that I don’t notice her at first until she taps my shoulder. Mia puts a mug of hot tea with lemon, just the way I like it, in front of me. I sit up, my back aching and eyes sore to realize I’ve been working for hours. “Drink this, Mom,” she says softly. Once, a few weeks before I left my mate, I’d been stuck on the couch with a bad cold. My throat had felt like it was filled with broken glass, and I’d barely been able to keep my eyes open. I had asked Orion, who was playing video games, to get me a glass of cool water. He had replied, “Get it yourself.” I had tried to call my mate to come home to take care of me, and Lillian had answered his phone. “Mom? Don’t cry.” Mia puts her arms around me, and I realize with some embarrassment that tears are streaking silently down my cheeks. “Are you sad?” I shake my head and tell her a small lie. Forcing a smile, I reply, “Sweetheart, I’m crying because I’m so happy I found you that day. I’m so proud of you and glad you’re here.” Mia’s eyes well with tears, and I pull her onto my lap to rock her as she cries against me. I want to hurt the people who treated this precious little girl so terribly. I’m determined to make her life the best it can be. A pounding at the door startles us both. Warily, I set Mia on her own feet and put a finger to my lips to remind her to stay quiet. Cautiously, I go to the door and peek through the peephole. When I see it’s Alison Redfur, I open the door. “The Alpha and his family are coming!” “What?” Blinking rapidly, I clear my eyes of the tears I’d been shedding only moments ago. She’s excited. “The word is spreading! He’s taking a tour of the city, so they’ll be visiting our street!” “When?” My heart pounds in shock. “Tomorrow,” she says with a wide grin and bright eyes. She clasps her hands together. “Oh, I’ve never seen the Alpha in person! I’ve heard the Luna is even more beautiful in real life than in her portraits! Nothing like that sour-faced old bitch he had as his first mate.” My lips press together at her insult. She has no idea that she’s talking about me, of course, and I’m not going to tell her. I’ve been careful not to ever give away that I was once mated to Roger Coldwater. When she leaves, I fix Mia’s dinner and put her to bed. Only when I’m sure she’s fast asleep do I pull out the box from under my bed. It’s full of clippings I’ve saved about my former mate and his new family. I hate myself for keeping it all, but I’ve never been able to stop myself. As I sort through the photos of them looking happy, my fingers curl into fists, crumpling the clippings into unrecognizable wads. I’ve made a life here on the edge of town. With this child who’s taken up the empty place in my heart. But if the Alpha and his Luna and “their” pup are in fact going to tour this street, I should take Mia and run. I can’t risk us being discovered. Not only because I’m banned—although technically I’m allowed to live here, I have no doubts that Roger might be vindictive enough to bend the rules if he wants to. But because I don’t want to risk being found out and shunned. I could survive that, but Mia? I can’t do that to her. Quickly, I pull together all the spare funds I can find. There isn’t much. My job at the restaurant pays the bare minimum, and although I keep my expenses down as much as I can, I’m only scraping by. I love having Mia in my life, but feeding and clothing a child is expensive. In the living room, I search for anything I can sell. Again, there isn’t much, but I could make some cash by selling my furniture…but who would buy it in time? As I look out the window to the street below, I spot a squadron of the Alpha’s elite forces marching their way along the pavement. It’s too late. They’re already here.   Last night, the advance security squad came along our street to make sure it was safe for the Alpha and his family to walk along. I didn’t have time to get Mia out of there, and now it’s too late. We’ll have to wait. My plan is to hide inside our apartment until they’re gone, but even that is denied when a squad soldier pounds on the door. “Get out there and greet the Alpha!” he demands. “We want everyone out there to show how much you love him!” “Mom?” Mia sounds scared, so I gather her close. I’m worried the squad member will recognize me, but I shouldn’t be. The Luna he knew with the manicured nails, fancy hairstyles and clothes, no longer exists… At least, I’m not her anymore. I wear plain, cheap clothes, and my hands are rough. My hair is still long and lush, but stress has threaded the darkness with strands of silver. Even my wolf is more subdued than she used to be. The only way to get through this will be if I go along with what they want. So, I take Mia and we join the rest of our building along the sidewalk to watch the Alpha, Luna, and their little prince walking along. She tosses flowers and candy into the crowd. Roger holds Orion’s hand. Orion waves proudly, loving the way everyone cheers for him. I do my best to stay out of the way, but the crowd is so excited to see the Alpha that I find myself and Mia being shuffled forward to the edge of the sidewalk. I wish I had thought to put on a cap to shield my face, but it’s too late, now. Mia holds my hand, but then she lets go to clap and cheer along with the crowd. I don’t have the heart to tell her not to…after all, she has no idea that the man she’s been taught to revere and adore was once my mate. “Mom?” Her small hand creeps back into mine, and she turns her face up to look into my eyes. Hers are concerned. “Are you okay? You look sad. Don’t you want to see the Alpha and the Luna and Prince Orion?” “Of course I do, honey.” I force a smile and clap and cheer along with the crowd. As the first family draws closer, I can’t stop the panic rising inside me. Fear, but also fury and grief. My hands curl into fists. I wish this didn’t hurt me. I wish I didn’t look at my former mate’s face and feel the fresh heartbreak all over again, but as Roger pauses to take his Luna’s hand and kiss it in front of all the crowd, I want to scream and sob and hit them both. I want to hurt them as badly as they hurt me, but I can’t…because they don’t care about me. He makes a show of slow dancing with her in the center of the street while the crowd goes wild. Lillian blushes like she’s shy. Oh, none of these people screaming their happiness at the sight of her have any idea of how cruel she truly is. Mate stealer…child stealer! Roger lifts Orion up to show him off to the crowd, and again, everyone around me and Mia goes wild. They’re cheering, stomping their feet, whistling. Roger has always been a very popular Alpha, which is even more incredible since he was not Alpha Gerald’s blood son but had to win the hearts of the people. I’d been so proud to see how beloved he became, so quickly, but now all I feel is a thin and futile fury that chokes me until I think I’m going to pass out. I can’t press back against all the people surging forward. There are barriers set up to stop anyone from approaching the first family and plenty of squad members to keep the crowd in check. Yet when someone pushes hard from behind, I stumble forward and knock the barrier out of the way. Mia screams in fear as I fall forward, but she’s too small to hold me back. Stumbling, I fall past the barrier and onto my hands and knees. Pain flares, but so does humiliation. Why is that I always seem to be sent to my knees by my former mate and his new love? As I struggle to get to my feet, two squad guards grab me by the arms. I can’t help but laugh at how they hold me—they think I’m trying to get to the Alpha. They can’t be further from the truth. If anything, I wish they’d pull me away faster, before Roger or Lillian or Orion can spot me, but once again, it’s too late. Orion spots me and points, saying something to his father that I can’t hear over the roar of the crowd. Mia breaks free and runs to me. She grabs my hand to help me up, not caring about the big, scary guards in her way. “Mom! Mom!” she cries. “Are you all right?” Orion runs toward us, his face twisted with anger. “Who said you could hold my mom’s hand?” Before anyone can react, he shoves Mia to the ground as hard as he can.

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My girlfriend ran away pregnant, and when she returned, she was carrying a baby girl, claiming it was mine. I didn’t doubt her for a second. I welcomed my daughter into the family and planned for her to inherit my business empire. My girlfriend naturally became my wife. I raised my daughter, but when we were competing for a piece of land, my wife publicly claimed that I had stolen my competitor’s daughter. Suddenly, the entire internet was calling me a Christmas villain who had prevented a father and daughter from reuniting for eighteen years. My wife said she wanted to take our daughter to my competitor, claiming he was her real father. I smiled and let them go, even preparing a gift to wish them a happy family reunion. But when they saw the gift, their faces turned deathly pale, filled with disbelief. … “Jayson Sheridan, Noelle Sheridan is truly your daughter. Look at the paternity test if you don’t believe me!” My girlfriend Meredith Lennox said frantically, holding a baby girl in her arms while desperately searching through her bag with her free hand. I took the baby from her arms and stopped her frantic searching. “Meredith, I believe you.” Meredith froze for a moment, apparently surprised that I accepted the child so easily. A flash of joy quickly crossed her eyes, which I pretended not to notice. Then, I took her hand with a loving expression. “Meredith, you’ve been through so much. You’ve been gone for over a year, yet you still gave birth to my child.” I paused briefly before continuing. “I’ll arrange for our daughter to be formally recognized by my family, and I’ll marry you as soon as possible.” Meredith was both surprised and delighted, nodding eagerly. I transferred a large sum of money to her for purchasing everything the baby needed. Considering how difficult it would be for her to care for the child alone, I also contacted a housekeeping agency to arrange for several experienced live-in nannies. On the day of our wedding, many industry leaders attended. While clinking glasses with me, they whispered their concerns. “Mr. Sheridan, we haven’t seen any woman by your side for months. Where did this child come from?” “Have you done a paternity test? Don’t let yourself be deceived!” “Indeed, those of us in the business world can’t afford to be naive.” “…” They all questioned the identity of my suddenly-appearing child. I smiled and brushed off their comments. My gaze traveled across the hall, landing on my daughter who was being fed. The corner of my mouth curved upward slightly, revealing a mysterious smile. Just a child—I could certainly afford to raise her. However, those who thought they could use me as a fall guy would have a difficult time ahead. “Jayson, what are you all talking about?” Meredith approached us. She affectionately took my arm, holding a glass of red wine in her other hand. I mentioned casually, “Oh, nothing important. Just some business associates kindly suggesting that this child might not be mine.” After speaking, I swirled the wine in my glass, observing the expressions on her face with interest. A flash of panic crossed Meredith’s eyes, but she quickly countered, “How could that be? Jayson, I would never betray you!” “Besides, I had a paternity test done for the baby. I still have the document!” Her grip on my arm tightened noticeably. Her hand trembled, spilling the crimson wine onto her wedding dress, making it look like blood. I laughed inwardly. Still keeping the paternity test document? Wasn’t that just to be prepared for anyone’s suspicions? Meredith’s acting skills were terrible. How did she think she could fool me? Fortunately for her, I was willing to play along. Otherwise, who could she possibly have deceived?

I gently patted the back of her hand, reassuring her: “It’s okay, don’t worry. How could I not believe you?” “Your wedding dress is stained though. It’s bad luck on our wedding day. You should go change into something else.” Perhaps seeing how calm I was, Meredith relaxed. She leaned into my embrace and said sweetly: “Jayson, you still trust me just like before.” “I trust you too. I know you’ll give us—mother and daughter—a good life. The three of us will be very happy together.” Seeing how much we trusted each other, my friends exchanged glances but said nothing more. I knew what they were thinking, but I just smiled without responding. Did I trust her? No, I only trusted myself and my foolproof plan. I urged Meredith to go change her clothes. Standing in the monitoring room, I clearly saw her making a phone call in the corner of our wedding suite. Her gleeful voice came through the screen, each word reaching my ears: “Darling, don’t worry. Jayson doesn’t suspect a thing.” “I didn’t even need to show him the fake paternity test I had prepared. He just believed me.” “He’s such a fool, believing everything I say.” “Perhaps he really does like me. What a shame…” Meredith’s smug, mocking voice echoed around me. Hah! She probably didn’t realize that those who try to fool others often end up being fooled themselves. I calmly finished my glass of red wine in one gulp, then left the monitoring room. The next day, my parents, who had been traveling abroad, rushed back home. “Jayson, have you lost your mind? Some random woman shows up with a child, and you just accept them?” “You should at least verify if the child is yours! Don’t let people call you a sucker behind your back!” My mother, dressed like a wealthy middle-aged woman, didn’t even bother changing her mud-splattered clothes before starting to lecture me. My father looked equally displeased. “Jayson, if you want children, get married properly first.” “Women from outside aren’t reliable. Anyone who has a child before marriage clearly isn’t decent!” Meredith stood awkwardly beside me. My parents made no effort to hide their comments from her. I poured each of my parents a glass of water, ignoring their anger. “Dad, Mom, if you’d told me earlier you were coming back from abroad, I would have picked you up at the airport!” “Your timing is unfortunate—you missed my wedding to Meredith.” My parents grew even angrier and a huge argument broke out. With no other option, I had Meredith produce the paternity test. My parents examined it thoroughly while Meredith looked tense, as if afraid they might spot a flaw. After reviewing it, my mother tossed the document onto the coffee table. “Where’s the child? I want to take her for a DNA test myself!” “My son may be easily fooled, but I’m not senile yet!” Clearly, my mother didn’t trust anything Meredith presented—she wanted to verify for herself. The nanny quickly brought the baby, but just as my mother reached for her, Meredith snatched the child away. She looked at me with tears in her eyes. “Husband, since your parents don’t trust me, I’ll just leave with our daughter!” As she spoke, I saw her pinch the baby’s thigh hard. The little girl immediately burst into tears. Meredith comforted the child while crying herself: “Baby, it’s all Mommy’s fault. I couldn’t keep your father. From now on, even if I have to sell everything I own, I’ll raise you myself!” After watching Meredith’s performance, I took my daughter back from her arms. “Dad, Mom, you don’t need to test anything. I believe her—this is my daughter!” My parents shook their heads at me, probably thinking I’d gone mad.

Soon, it was time for my daughter’s hundredth-day celebration. I made the event particularly grand, with guests who were either wealthy tycoons or influential figures. Even major media outlets attended. They were all especially curious about my love story with Meredith. After all, I had never publicly acknowledged any girlfriend before, yet had quietly gotten married. When they learned that Meredith had left while pregnant and then returned, they were all utterly astonished. “Good heavens! This kind of storyline only exists in novels—I never imagined it could happen in real life!” “Mrs. Sheridan is incredibly fortunate to have someone like Mr. Sheridan who accepts her so unconditionally.” “I absolutely adore this kind of love story—she left for half a year, and when she returned, you were still waiting in the same place. Mr. Sheridan, you’re truly the epitome of devotion!” “…” Meredith basked in their envious gazes, unconsciously straightening her back even more. Now, thanks to our daughter, she had status. No matter what people said privately about her getting pregnant before marriage, our daughter was officially acknowledged by me as the Sheridan family heiress. I also publicly announced that I would eventually pass my company to my daughter. When naming my daughter, I thought long and hard. Noelle—this name represented my feelings about her arrival. Meredith was very satisfied with this name and always called her “Noelle.” She probably thought I chose this name because the child’s appearance brought warmth into my life. After the hundredth-day celebration, I became increasingly attentive to Noelle’s affairs. My work kept me extremely busy, often leaving little time to spend with her, so I would bring her various exquisite little gifts whenever I returned home. When I had free time, I would play with her—building blocks, riding twist cars, assembling Ultraman toys. Anyone witnessing these moments would believe I deeply loved my daughter, not even minding that her interests were childish. My parents, however, never accepted Noelle. Even when Noelle approached them, they instinctively avoided her. They would just look at me and sigh. “Ah, who knows who all this hard work is ultimately for!” Hearing this, I would just smile. Of course, it was all for myself. After Noelle started school, I never missed a single parent-teacher conference. No matter how busy work became, I always put Noelle’s matters first. Noelle’s teachers often said she was fortunate to have such a good father. Whenever they said this, Noelle would take my hand and proudly declare: “Of course! My dad and I are the best in the world!” And Meredith would stand behind us, her face beaming with satisfaction. Noelle grew more beautiful with each passing day. After she came of age, countless men pursued her. This was largely due to her status as the Sheridan family heiress. Meredith always thought she had deceived me well, keeping me from discovering her scheme until now. But what she didn’t know was that I had expert guidance behind the scenes. I had a bitter rival in the business world, Julian Lockwood. We were simultaneously competing for a piece of land, but the seller couldn’t decide which of us to sell it to. Privately, Julian approached me. “Jayson, if you don’t want to lose too badly, I advise you to give up.” The corner of my mouth curved upward into a smile. “Oh? Where does your confidence come from, thinking I’ll definitely lose?” Julian said nothing, just smiled meaningfully. He believed he would certainly win, but he had no idea I was also planning a grand scheme! Finally, he patted my chest with the back of his hand and raised his eyebrows slightly. “Since you refuse the easy way, we’ll see what happens!” I told him that whether it was the easy way or the hard way, I wouldn’t accept anything from him. Julian and I parted on bad terms. A few days later, the internet was buzzing with rumors that I had stolen Julian’s daughter. According to Julian, he had been diagnosed with azoospermia a few years ago and now, approaching middle age, still had no children, facing the prospect of his lineage ending. Just then, my wife came forward claiming that Noelle was actually her daughter with Julian. And despite knowing this, I had still brought Noelle into my home. Because of my deep personal grudge against Julian, I deliberately kept father and daughter apart for eighteen years. The public’s impression of me as a good father instantly vanished. I was viciously condemned online as a manipulative villain. Julian even brought reporters to my home to demand his child back. “Jayson, have you absolutely no shame?! Noelle is MY daughter—return her to me this instant!” “If Meredith hadn’t revealed the truth, God knows how long I would have been deceived by your treachery!” “You deliberately made my daughter take your surname—you’re nothing but a conniving snake!” “…” Julian hurled one vicious accusation after another. He never mentioned how well I had raised Noelle, only calling me devious and underhanded at every turn. My parents nearly collapsed from anger; my mother, in a fit of rage, slapped Meredith hard across the face. “I knew you were nothing but trouble—you really did come to deceive my son!” Meredith covered her stinging cheek, glanced awkwardly at me, then said with feigned innocence: “It was all your son who made me do this, forcing Noelle to accept an impostor as her father!” “I couldn’t bear the deception anymore, so I spoke up. At least I have a conscience, unlike him!” My mother nearly fainted from fury at these words. As I quickly supported her, I said with a cold smile: “Fine, you can take Noelle away.” “Actually, I’ve prepared a gift for your family!” I gave the housekeeper a look, and she immediately retrieved a gift box from my study. When the box opened, their eyes widened, their faces filled with disbelief.

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