It was three years after my death when my wife, Seraphina Hayes, demanded my kidney for her childhood sweetheart, Julian Thorne, again. She arrived at my old place, donation papers clutched in her hand, only to find strangers living there. Desperate, she tracked down my landlord, Mr. Henderson, to find out where I’d gone. But he just told her: “Liam? He’s long gone! Heard he died from a full-body infection after a kidney surgery. Couldn’t afford the meds, so he just… faded away.” Seraphina scoffed, refusing to believe him. She accused Mr. Henderson of being in cahoots with me, trying to trick her. Her brow furrowed, and she sneered coldly: “It was just a kidney donation, wasn’t it? How could someone *die* from that?!” “Tell him this: if I don’t see him at the hospital tomorrow, he can forget about getting another penny of child support for that kid!” With that, she stormed off, radiating fury. Mr. Henderson watched her retreating figure, then sighed, a weary sadness in his voice: “But that child… he died from his illness a long time ago too. His ashes are still at the funeral home, unclaimed.” 0

I floated above, watching Seraphina Hayes stomp into my old apartment complex, her heels clacking a furious rhythm. Three years. She still wore perfect makeup, but the usual coldness in her eyes sharpened into something truly cruel. “Hey, where’s Liam Miller? I just went to his place, and the tenants told me he moved out!” Seraphina’s blood boiled just thinking about the rude new tenants. She grabbed Mr. Henderson, who was just leaving, her voice sharp and accusatory, lashing out like a whip: “Where’s Liam living now? Don’t you dare tell me you don’t know!” Mr. Henderson, a man in his sixties, flinched at her belligerence. He frowned. “Liam Miller? He…” “Spit it out! I need to see him, now!” “Your urgency won’t help! Liam’s long dead, dear. Heard he died from a full-body infection after a kidney surgery. Couldn’t afford the meds, so he just… faded away.” “Wh… what, dead?!” Seraphina’s face froze for a beat. She clearly hadn’t processed his words. But after a flicker of hesitation, her sneering disdain returned. “Hah! You’re in cahoots with him, aren’t you? Trying to fool me? Listen to this!” She pulled out her phone, quickly tapping open a voice message. Julian Thorne’s sickly sweet voice drifted from the speaker: “Seraphina, I’ve checked with the surgeon. The operation was a success. Liam was transferred to a regular recovery room. But he’s been upset with me since the last surgery, so I guess he’s using all sorts of excuses to avoid donating another kidney this time…” Seraphina let out a harsh laugh, shoving her phone screen in Mr. Henderson’s face. “Hear that? The doctor said he’s fine! What’s the point of making up such pathetic lies?!” Mr. Henderson’s face clouded. “Why would I lie? Liam is truly…” “Shut up!” Seraphina snapped, her voice shrill. “Liam Miller is a selfish, despicable man! He wouldn’t help Julian, and now he’s got people in on his act? Julian needs his kidney. What right does he have to hide?!” Her attitude enraged Mr. Henderson. His voice turned cold. “How can you be so unreasonable, young lady? The man’s gone, and you’re still here, throwing a tantrum!” But Seraphina was focused solely on Julian. She didn’t listen, just kept raging. “You tell him this: if I don’t see him at the hospital tomorrow, he can forget about getting another penny of child support for that kid!” She spun around and left, her heels clacking like angry drumbeats against the pavement, as if venting all her fury on the ground. Mr. Henderson watched her go, shaking his head. He sighed softly. “But that child… he died from his illness a long time ago too. His ashes are still at the funeral home, unclaimed.” I floated in the hallway, listening to his words, my ghostly heart clutched by an unseen hand. Leo, my son… he never got to see his mother one last time, not even when he died… Seraphina exited the complex, pulling out her phone to call Julian. Her voice instantly softened. “Julian, don’t worry. I’ll make sure that bastard Liam gives you his kidney! If he tries to hide, I’ll make sure he never sees that kid again!” On the other end, Julian coughed weakly, feigning concern. “Seraphina, don’t be too hard on him… after all, he was your husband.” Seraphina scoffed. “Husband? Him? He’s not even fit to be called that! If you hadn’t gone abroad back then, why would I have ever married a good-for-nothing like him?!” I floated behind her, listening to those words. My very soul trembled. So, in her heart, I wasn’t even worthy of being called a “husband.” “Daddy…” Lost in thought, I suddenly heard a tender voice. Looking down, I saw Leo floating beside me. His tiny hand gently tugged at my shirt. He looked up, his big eyes filled with confusion. “Why does Mommy call me a bastard? Does she not like me?” My heart lurched. I instinctively shook my head. “No, sweetheart. How could Mommy not like you?” “Then why did Mommy never come to the family sports day at kindergarten?” Leo pouted, his voice dropping. “All the other kids had their mommies with them…” My throat tightened, words caught painfully inside. In an instant, memories flooded back, a crushing tide— Seraphina and I, we once truly loved each other. We met at an industry conference. It felt like fate, love at first sight for both of us. Our courtship, our marriage—everything felt so natural. I still remember her hands trembling, clutching the pregnancy test, the first time she found out. She was shy and excited as she threw herself into my arms: “Liam, we’re going to be parents!” Back then, I thought I’d found the love of my life. But just four months into her pregnancy, Julian came back from overseas. When she got his call, the milk cup in her hand shook so much she dropped it. I’d heard his name from her before, sometimes. But I thought, it was just the past. Since she chose to marry me, she would know her boundaries, take care of our family. I never imagined that from then on, she would grow colder towards me, constantly making excuses to go out. It escalated to early mornings, late nights, even not coming home at all. What truly broke my heart was when she secretly booked an abortion appointment, wanting to get rid of the baby. I even considered divorce. But every time I saw her, I’d remember the days when we were so deeply in love. I longed for her to come back to me, even begging her on my knees. Only then did she reluctantly agree to keep the child. But after that, she always carried the faint scent of a strange man’s cologne. It wasn’t until she was seven months pregnant that Seraphina got into a car accident. The baby was born prematurely, so tiny and fragile in the incubator, like a frail, abandoned kitten. But during her hospital stay, she only allowed Julian to be with her. That bastard took advantage, lying to her that the baby hadn’t made it. And she believed him! She even sighed in relief! I’ll never forget what she said then: “This is for the best… Julian doesn’t like kids. We can start fresh…” In that moment, my heart turned to ice. I secretly took Leo home, deciding never to tell her the truth— I was terrified she would do something to harm our child for the sake of her so-called “love.” But fate is cruel. When Leo was eighteen months old, Seraphina accidentally ran into us, father and son, at the mall. She froze, her face instantly draining of color. Without a word, she rushed forward and slapped me across the face. “Liam Miller, whose child is this? Are you cheating on me?!” I desperately tried to explain it was our son, but she refused to believe me. Julian, standing nearby, fanned the flames: “Seraphina, that kid’s eyes don’t look anything like yours. How could he be yours?” From then on, she started calling Leo “the bastard.” No matter how I explained, even showing her the birth certificate, she was convinced it was proof of my infidelity. “Daddy?” Leo’s voice pulled me back to reality. He tilted his head, looking at me. “Why are you crying?” Only then did I realize my ghostly essence was trembling. So… ghosts can feel heartbreak too. I crouched down, trying to hug him, but my arms passed right through his translucent body. “Leo, Mommy doesn’t dislike you. She just… forgot.” “Then let’s go tell Mommy, okay?” Leo’s eyes sparkled. “Tell her I’m her baby! She’ll definitely remember!” I looked at his innocent, hopeful gaze, my chest aching so much I couldn’t speak. Just then, Seraphina’s phone rang. Julian’s weak voice came through the receiver: “Seraphina, the doctor says I can’t wait… the surgery has to be by tomorrow at the latest…” Seraphina gripped her phone, her eyes hardening. “Don’t worry. I’ll tear this city apart to find Liam Miller, even if I have to turn it upside down!” I floated above, watching this mother and son— One filled with innocent hope, the other consumed by bitter hatred. Suddenly, an invisible force pulled me, following Seraphina’s car. It seemed my soul was still bound to this cruel woman, unable to break free. *** I followed Seraphina to the hospital, my transparent body passing through walls, floating outside Julian’s hospital room. Julian lay in bed, his face ghostly pale, like a sheet. Seeing Seraphina enter, he weakly reached out.

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I was born with color blindness. A fortune teller once said I had a dark aura that needed to be balanced by someone with strong positive energy. My dad, worried about my future, found seven guys who were said to have exceptionally bright auras. But among them all, my eyes were drawn to Marcus Sinclair— Because in my black and white world, he was the only one in color. I chose him. But on our wedding night, he switched the boxes containing my medication. I usually relied on color to distinguish my pills, and as a result, I accidentally swallowed an overdose of sleeping pills, collapsing in convulsions. Over the phone, he laughed coldly: “Lily Foster, Natalie is in the hospital because of you. It’s time you taste the bitterness of despair.” As the clock ticked away, I counted down my final moments. When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day I was supposed to choose a husband. This time, I dug my nails into my palm, refusing to look at Marcus Sinclair who stood in the most prominent position. As my gaze swept across the corner, I suddenly remembered that in my previous life, after I died, only that quiet man had come to collect my body. I raised my hand and pointed directly at him: “I choose him.”

“Lily, do you think changing men will make me care?” Marcus sneered, turning away nonchalantly. “I’ve told you before, I’ll never marry you. If you really like someone else… go ahead and marry them.” Jason Shen, standing nearby, frowned at Marcus’s words and quietly lowered his eyes. Natalie immediately came over and tugged at my arm. “Lily, Marcus is leaving. Why aren’t you chasing after him?” She blinked, feigning concern. “If he gets really angry, you’ll have to beg him to forgive you in a few days.” I shook off her hand and laughed coldly. “Why should I chase after him?” How ridiculous. They had lived in my family’s house since childhood, relying on us for food, clothing, and shelter. Now they expect me, the actual owner, to beg them? In my previous life, I was brainwashed by them, believing that ‘the only color in my world must be my destiny.’ This time, I won’t make the same mistake! “Dad, I want to marry Jason.” My father frowned deeply. “Lily, marriage isn’t a game. This concerns your lifelong happiness!” “Did you have a fight with Marcus?” he probed. “Didn’t you used to like him the most?” Like? That so-called love nearly cost me my life. How could I dare to like him again? I forced a smile. “Dad, people change.” My dad exchanged a glance with the fortune teller, who immediately spread out his tools and began to make a show of divination. After a while, he shook his head dramatically. “Mr. Foster, I’ve carefully calculated. This Mr. Shen has a very unusual aura. He’s not compatible with Miss Lily at all!” “In my opinion, Mr. Sinclair still has the strongest positive energy. Even if they don’t get married, as long as he stays close to Miss Lily, it will keep her safe.” Hearing this, my dad’s face showed hesitation. I directly exposed their trick: “If you say we don’t need to get married, then why not just give him a job to stay in the house? Wouldn’t that work the same?” “Well…” The fortune teller was suddenly at a loss for words, mumbling incoherently. My dad pondered for a moment before finally relenting: “Lily, tomorrow is the anniversary of your mother’s passing. I’ll be away for three days to pay my respects. Take these three days to think it over. Whatever decision you make, I’ll support you.” I nodded gratefully, watching as my dad left. My mom died from complications during my birth. Since then, my dad has poured all the love he had for my mom into me. He took me to see countless specialists, but none could cure my color blindness. Later, when he heard that Marcus could let me see colors, my dad was overjoyed and gave him countless privileges. Who could have imagined that this kindness would eventually become the death warrant for me? In my previous life, when my dad saw my final fate, he must have been heartbroken too. “Lily, quick, think about what gift to send to make up with Marcus!” “How about a yacht?” “A mansion might be more practical.” The group chatted animatedly, completely disregarding my opinions. I folded my arms and coldly watched them. “Who said I was going to apologize?”

Everyone burst into laughter. “Lily, stop being stubborn. If Marcus really ignores you, you’ll end up crying again.” Ignoring my protests, they forcibly pushed me into a car, insisting on taking me to the mansion where Marcus lived. These people were so eager because in my previous life, every time I went to apologize to Marcus, they would tag along and reap considerable benefits. When Marcus saw me, he showed no surprise, just arrogantly turned his face away. The freshly picked flower in his hand was alluringly beautiful, like a bottle of enticing poison, tempting me to come closer. “Give me back the keys to the mansion.” “…What did you say?” I calmly repeated myself, shocking everyone present. “Lily, have you gone mad?!” “Marcus, don’t take it to heart. Lily didn’t mean it. Lily, apologize quickly!” Everyone panicked as if Marcus was the true owner of the Foster family. Marcus slowly walked up to me: “Lily, I’ll give you one last chance.” “No need.” “Fine, I’ll give them back to you.” He took out the keys but let them slip from his fingers just as I was about to catch them. The keys fell into the drain with a ‘clink’. “You!” I knelt on the ground, desperately reaching for the keys. Although the water flow wasn’t strong, the keys always seemed just out of reach. Mocking laughter erupted around me: “Come on, Miss Foster, try harder. If the keys wash away, you won’t be able to apologize.” “Hah, I thought she had really changed, but look at her now, scrambling for Marcus’s keys like a dog.” The keys quickly blended into the dark drain. As I fumbled around, my nostrils filled with the stench of decaying leaves. Finally, I felt the keys. But Natalie immediately pulled Marcus back. “Marcus, be careful, don’t get dirty.” Suppressing my anger, I used the keys to open the mansion’s front door, only to be shocked speechless by the sight before me— “Who told you to touch anything here?!” This was the ancestral home my grandmother had left me. Every piece of furniture was her life’s work. But now, all those old items that carried memories were gone. Marcus carelessly adjusted his cuffs. “Last year, you gave me this house as a birthday gift. Don’t you remember?” “I gave you the right to use it!” I gripped the doorknob tightly. “This is a heritage site. Unauthorized alterations are illegal.” He sneered, “You want to take back something you’ve given away? Miss Foster, you never cease to amaze me.” Natalie, standing to the side, suddenly chuckled softly. “Marcus, Miss Foster probably doesn’t know that all the old furniture has been sent to storage.” She added, feigning thoughtfulness, “We’ve just put them away temporarily~” “We?” I coldly looked at her. “Since when did Miss Sullivan become the mistress of this place?” Natalie’s eyes immediately welled up with tears as she shrank behind Marcus. “I was just… trying to explain…” Marcus immediately shielded her and raised his hand, slapping me hard across the face. “Apologize to Natalie!” Everyone present was stunned. No one expected Marcus to actually hit me. “Never!” Marcus laughed in extreme anger. “Fine! Since Miss Foster values her pride so much, I’ll grant your wish!” Marcus roughly pushed me into the unfinished walk-in closet and locked the door with a click. A blinding whiteness greeted my eyes. The walls, ceiling, and floor were all a stark white. When I was eight, I was once kidnapped. The kidnappers locked me in a room just like this for three days and three nights. Marcus knew this incident better than anyone, yet now he deliberately used my greatest fear to punish me. “Open the door! Marcus!” I pounded desperately on the door, cold sweat already beading on my forehead, but the door didn’t budge. Laughter filtered through from outside: “The young miss sure has a temper.” “Only you can put up with her, Marcus.” “Let her cool off in there for a while. It’ll do her good.” Marcus’s voice penetrated the door, each word cutting deep: “She’s nothing but a lapdog. If it weren’t for Mr. Foster’s sake, who would bother entertaining her?” Even though I knew this man had never loved me, hearing such an evaluation firsthand still felt like my heart was being ripped open. I had offered my sincere feelings for so many years. Even the most ordinary friend would show some respect and affection. But Marcus insisted on trampling my dignity and grinding it into the mud. My breathing began to shake uncontrollably. The air in the confined space felt terrifyingly thin. The heavy smell of paint mixed with the acrid scent of disinfectant churned in my lungs. I opened my mouth wide, desperately gasping for air, but it was as futile as a fish out of water. Drip, drip. Whether it was real water or an auditory hallucination brought on by impending breakdown, the walls before me began to twist and writhe, like countless pale hands reaching out to grab me. Just before I lost consciousness completely, I was roughly dragged out of the room by my arm. “Stop pretending! Natalie is about to go to the press conference. You’re the brand manager, don’t think you can slack off!” I struggled to lift my head and saw several men in suits surrounding Natalie like stars around the moon. The dress she wore made my pupils constrict— “How dare you let her wear my gown?!” That was the wedding dress my grandmother had specially customized for me. Every stitch carried her blessings. “It’s just a dress,” one of the men scoffed dismissively. “Take it off!” I struggled to rush over. Suddenly, Natalie burst into tears. “I’m sorry… It’s all my fault… I’ll take it off right away…” She forcefully tore open the collar. The men immediately surrounded her, hastily covering her with their jackets. My precious wedding gown was carelessly trampled underfoot. The exquisite embroidery was ruined beyond recognition, and the inlaid jewels scattered across the floor. Natalie looked at me with tear-filled eyes. “Are you satisfied now, Miss Foster?” Marcus grabbed a fistful of my hair, his voice ice-cold. “Apologize!” Security guards rushed in at the commotion. “What’s going o—” Before they could finish, Marcus slowly turned, his gaze piercingly cold. “You want to interfere?” The guards’ eyes darted between Marcus and me. Finally, one pressed his radio. “Report, all normal in the villa area.” Then they quickly left. Marcus released my hair and leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Lily, you’d better behave. Otherwise… I can’t guarantee what might happen next.” I clenched my fists tightly, my nails digging into my palms. “Marcus, do you really think you’re above the law?” He straightened up with a light chuckle. “I wouldn’t say above the law, but dealing with you… is well within my means.” The press conference staff came to hurry them along. Only then did Marcus temporarily let me go, leading Natalie towards the venue. Marcus quickly got Natalie a new gown and was coaxing her in a low voice. I looked down at my simple white T-shirt and suddenly felt the irony acutely. How could I have been so blind in my previous life? Just as I was about to take my seat, Marcus suddenly pushed me aside. “Natalie, you sit here.” I suppressed my anger. “If she sits here, where am I supposed to sit?” “What?” He raised an eyebrow mockingly. “Don’t tell me you still think this is your reserved seat?” With that, he kicked over a low stool. “Sit if you want, or get lost if you don’t.” He couldn’t resist adding a final jab. “If it weren’t for your dad’s influence, do you think you’d even qualify to be at an event like this?”

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Seven years into my marriage, I was diagnosed with cancer. After another coughing fit, I collapsed at home, blood staining my lips. That very evening, Liam walked in, holding the woman he’d lost and just found again, his first love, Serena. He kicked open my hospital room door with a violent crash. He shoved a kidney donation consent form directly into my hand. “Serena’s condition can’t wait. You’re young, you’ll recover quickly. I’m begging you.” “Don’t worry, I’ll cover all the surgery costs, and I’ll take care of you afterward.” I didn’t cry out in pain. My hand fumbled, shakily signing my name on the paper. The nurses outside looked at me with disdain. “No wonder she holds her position as Mrs. [Liam’s Last Name]. She’d even give her life for him. Who else could compare?” Liam gently held Serena in his arms, tossing a line at me without even looking back: “After you’re discharged, I’ll take you to Switzerland to see the snow-capped mountains. Isn’t that what you always wanted?” He had no idea my body couldn’t handle the surgery anymore. I was destined not to make it to that day.

On our seventh wedding anniversary, I received my late-stage lung cancer diagnosis. “Ms. [Aria’s Last Name], based on the test results, you’re seven weeks pregnant.” The doctor’s voice seemed to drift from a far-off place. “However, given your current condition, you must begin chemotherapy immediately.” I clutched the diagnosis in my hand, unable to stop myself from asking, “What if… what if I want to keep this baby?” The doctor pushed up his glasses, his tone heavy. “The cancer cells have already spread. If you don’t get immediate treatment, your survival period might not exceed six months.” “And chemotherapy drugs could cause fetal deformities or even death.” I whispered, “So, if the baby lives, I have to die?” “Ms. [Aria’s Last Name], I advise you to terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible.” The doctor’s voice was tinged with professional sympathy. “You’re still young. Once your condition stabilizes…” I didn’t hear the rest of what he said. Seven years. Liam and I had longed for this child for seven whole years. Every negative pregnancy test felt like it was mocking my foolish hopes. Now it was finally here, but it had to be my killer. As I walked out of the hospital, I touched my abdomen, making a decision. I was going to tell Liam the good news. Maybe this child could save our increasingly cold marriage. Maybe, just maybe, he’d hold me tight like he did seven years ago, saying, “Aria, don’t be scared, I’m here.” The villa was empty. Liam wasn’t back again. I had grown used to it. Ever since Serena returned three months ago, he rarely stayed overnight at home. I changed into his favorite white dress and began preparing our anniversary dinner. Candlelight, red wine, his favorite steak. I wrote “Happy 7th Anniversary” on the cake, then sat at the dining table, waiting for him. My phone screen lit up. It was a video from an unknown number. The moment I opened it, my blood froze. Fireworks bloomed in the night sky, forming the letters “AL forever.” That was our special fireworks display, the one he designed for me when Liam and I got married. AL, for Aria and Liam, our initials. But now, standing under the fireworks was Serena, Liam leaning in to kiss her forehead. The video ended on Serena’s smug, triumphant smile. “Aria, did you really think what you stole could ever truly be yours?” “Take a good look, see who he truly loves.” My phone slipped from my hand and clattered to the floor. A metallic taste rose in my throat. I stumbled, grabbing the dining table, and a mouthful of fresh blood splattered onto the pristine white cake. In the last second before darkness claimed me, I seemed to hear Liam, seven years ago, whispering in my ear. “Aria, in this life, I’ll only set off fireworks for you.”

The ceiling swayed in my vision, the antiseptic stinging my nostrils. I blinked, the metallic taste of blood still lingering in my throat. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. My hand unconsciously went to my abdomen. It was still flat, yet it already held the life I’d yearned for seven years. The ward door suddenly kicked open, slamming against the wall with a thunderous bang. I jumped, my IV tube swaying violently. Liam strode in, his suit as crisp as if he’d just left a board meeting. In his arms, Serena, like a lazy cat, was wearing that Chanel dress I’d seen in a magazine last week. “Finally awake.” Liam’s voice was edged with impatience. “I’ve waited three hours for you.” My fingernails dug into my palms. Three hours? I’d been unconscious for a whole day and night. Serena peeked out from his arm, her lips slightly pouted. “Liam, it smells awful in here. I’m getting dizzy.” Liam immediately clutched her tighter, pulling out a delicate small bottle from his pocket and placing it at her nose. “Peppermint essential oil. Just sniff it.” I watched silently, like a surreal play unfolding before me. The man who once took an entire day off because of my period cramps was now carefully attending to someone else. Liam turned to me, suddenly pulling a document from his briefcase. “Aria, Serena has kidney failure and needs a transplant.” “The matching results show you’re the most suitable donor.” The document was shoved into my hand. I looked down at the words ‘Living Kidney Donation Consent Form’ and suddenly wanted to laugh. “She’s young and afraid of pain.” Liam’s voice softened. It was the first time today he’d used that tone with me. “You’ve always been strong, and you recover quickly.” A tear splattered onto the signature line, blurring a small patch. I looked up at Liam. His brows were slightly furrowed, but his gaze was fixed on Serena. His fingers gently ran through her long hair. “Pen.” I reached out, my voice so hoarse it didn’t sound like my own. Liam visibly froze, as if he hadn’t expected me to agree so readily. He hastily pulled out his fountain pen and handed it to me. Our wedding anniversary was still engraved on it. I shakily signed my name, each stroke like I was personally burying my own love. After signing, I quickly tucked the cancer diagnosis under my pillow. Liam visibly relaxed, a long-lost tenderness appearing on his face. “Thank you. I’ll cover all the surgery costs, and afterward… I’ll take care of you.” What generous charity. I turned my face away, looking out the window. The sun was still so bright, shining on the small wildflowers on the windowsill. “After you’re discharged, I’ll take you to Switzerland to see the snow-capped mountains.” He continued, his tone lighter now. “Didn’t you always want to go?” My heart clenched violently. It was something we promised during our honeymoon. To go to Switzerland together on our seventh anniversary. He remembered after all. But now the promise sounded so bitterly ironic. “Liam…” Serena suddenly cut him off in a delicate voice, “It’s so stuffy in here, I feel sick…” Liam’s face instantly changed. He scooped her up in his arms. “We’re going back right now.” He turned to leave, then paused. “The surgery is scheduled for next Wednesday. Get some good rest these next few days.” The ward door closed again, his footsteps fading away. “Tsk tsk, how impressive.” The nurses’ whispers drifted from the doorway. “No wonder she can be Mrs. [Liam’s Last Name]. She’d even give her life for him.” I pulled the blanket up over my face, finally letting the tears flow freely.

The next day, I found the doctor again. “Ms. [Aria’s Last Name], are you sure you want to sign this ‘Consent to Forgo Treatment’ form?” The doctor’s pen hovered above the paper, his eyes behind his glasses showing confusion. I slowly nodded. “Given your current physical condition, a kidney transplant is almost equivalent to suicide.” The doctor lowered his voice. “Not to mention keeping the fetus.” “I understand.” I reached out for the fountain pen, saying indifferently, “But the surgery must be done.” “At least wait until the fetus is twelve weeks…” “He can’t wait anymore.” I cut off the doctor, signing my name on the consent form. The ink bled, like a black tear. At the end of the hallway, a long line of women waited at the obstetrics and gynecology clinic, each pregnant woman touching her swollen belly, her face radiating a happiness I dared not dream of. I clutched the examination report, the words ‘Termination of Pregnancy’ stinging my eyes. The operating table was colder than I imagined. As the instruments clinked, I bit down hard on my lip, staring at the ceiling. A sharp pain spread from my lower abdomen to my entire body. My nails dug into my palms, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. Tears streamed down my temples into my hairline. I thought of the hope and disappointment with every pregnancy test over the past seven years, and the euphoria of last week when I learned I was pregnant. This child, unwanted by its father, perhaps it was better if it never came into this world. The nurse wiped the blood from between my legs. “You can leave after half an hour of rest.” I nodded mechanically, my hand instinctively touching my flat abdomen. There had once been a heartbeat. Now, only a desolate silence remained. It was dusk when I returned to the villa. I pushed open the door, and a sweet, cloying scent of ginger tea hit me. In the living room, Liam was half-kneeling in front of the sofa, one hand holding a bowl, the other gently stroking Serena’s hair. “Just one more sip, hmm?” His voice was achingly gentle, completely unfamiliar. “Drink it, and your stomach won’t hurt anymore.” Serena was wrapped in *my* wool blanket, her face pale, yet the moment she saw me, a triumphant smile appeared. She deliberately let out a soft moan, burrowing deeper into Liam’s arms. “Liam, it hurts so much…” Only then did Liam notice me standing at the doorway. His gaze lingered on my pale face for a second, then he frowned. “Where have you been? You didn’t answer your phone.” I opened my mouth, but no words came out. Was I supposed to say I’d just gone and killed our baby? “Go make Serena a bowl of brown sugar water.” He commanded, then turned to gently coax the woman in his arms, “Aria makes the best brown sugar water, try some.” Aria. He hadn’t called me that in a long time. In the kitchen, I mechanically sliced ginger, the knife blade grazing my fingertips several times. Pains in my abdomen came in waves, cold sweat beaded on my back. When the water boiled, I felt a dizzy spell, grabbing the counter to keep from falling. “Not done yet?” Liam’s voice came from behind me. “Serena’s waiting uncomfortably.”

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On our wedding night, my succubus craving cycle hit. I lay on the bed, my face flushed with a shy blush, waiting for my husband, Julian Vance, to comfort me. But then, his first love, Seraphina Thorne, suddenly got dosed with an aphrodisiac. He kicked open the bedroom door, yanking me off the bed. “Sera can’t wait. You’re a succubus, your body’s tough, you can hold out a little longer.” He paused, a dismissive wave of his hand. “Don’t overthink it. If I don’t help her, she’d be in absolute agony. Don’t worry, you’re still my only wife.” I didn’t cry or make a fuss. I calmly got dressed and walked out. His cronies, peeking from the hallway, whistled. “The boss’s woman really knows her place! What did I tell you? Even if she’s asleep, she has to make way!” “Mrs. Vance truly lives up to her name. With that incredible self-control, she’s certainly got the main Mrs. Vance position locked down!” Julian was already impatiently kissing Seraphina’s lips. He caught me in his peripheral vision, his eyes full of annoyance. “Good girl. Didn’t you always want a bespoke diamond ring? I’ll have the butler take you shopping tomorrow.” I shook my head. That very night, I knocked on the door of Damian Blackwood, the city’s most powerful billionaire. “Looking for a new master? I assure you, I can be quite… dominant. Guaranteed to be an experience.” … I stood at his doorstep, a blush still staining my cheeks. Damian Blackwood froze, the files in his hand scattering to the floor. His expression was unreadable as he took one step after another towards me. “Cassandra Hayes, you better not be messing with me.” My fingertip brushed his tie, tracing downwards, my gaze seductive and intensely predatory. “Care to find out?” Damian abruptly grabbed my hand as it slid lower, his breathing heavy. “Cassie, are you only here because you’re angry with Julian Vance?” I shook my head, my other arm wrapping around his neck. “I don’t want him anymore.” At those words, Damian instantly wrapped his arms around my waist, his kisses falling wildly, one after another… After a night of pleasure, I left a note that simply said “Wait for me,” and returned to the Vance estate. The moment I stepped inside, I saw Julian Vance’s four cronies neatly sprawled outside the master bedroom door. From inside, Seraphina’s sugary cries drifted out, along with Julian’s barely suppressed grunts. My heart sank, my fingertips trembling. The cronies saw me and swaggered over, laughing. “Well, well, Mrs. Vance, you actually came back.” “Why don’t you come listen? Julian’s a real beast in bed. He’s making Sera cry like that, it’s getting me all worked up~” The sounds from the room picked up right on cue, growing wilder, each collision a heavy hammer striking my heart. I couldn’t stop trembling. My hand instinctively reached into my bag for my medication, but I accidentally dropped it. I bent down to pick it up, but one of the cronies kicked it, grinding it under his heel. “Whoa, Mrs. Vance, what’s this? Some kiddie pacifier? Julian not enough for you, Mrs. Vance? You gotta get your kicks yourself?” “If you can’t handle it, just ask us! We might be able to help you out~” I glared at him, my teeth gritted, my fingers clutching the corner of the crushed medicine box. Suddenly, the bedroom door opened. Julian Vance emerged wrapped in a bathrobe, Seraphina Thorne hiding behind him, draped in nothing but a few scraps of fabric. “What are you doing?! Get out!” Julian roared, and his cronies instantly scattered. My muscles ached terribly. All I could do was pick up the crushed medicine from the floor and shove it into my mouth. Julian finally looked at me, a flicker of disdain in his eyes. “You? Mrs. Vance? You look nothing like her.” I scoffed internally. What kind of Mrs. Vance was I anymore? Since his company went public, he’d kept thirty mistresses outside, yet not one of them had dared to cause trouble in front of me. That was until Seraphina appeared. Julian dismissed everyone for her, even bringing her into our home. Last night, he knew a succubus in her craving cycle wouldn’t “explode” without a man, yet he still abandoned me to comfort Seraphina. Now, Seraphina, covered in love bites, picked up a delicate, antique crystal figurine and disdainfully dropped it to the floor. “Oh, Cassie, so sorry! My hand slipped.” She gave me a simpering smile. “We were just looking for a toy, and this thing was pretty useful. Do you have more, sweetie?” I gasped, practically lunging forward, but I could only watch helplessly as the crystal figurine shattered before me. It was a cherished heirloom, passed down from my mother, always kept locked in my safe. But now, it wasn’t just broken; it was stained with some sickening, unknown fluid. Julian glanced at it, his eyes completely devoid of emotion. “If you like it, I’ll have one custom-made for you. That trash is only good for a quick fix anyway.” I glared at the two of them, my heart utterly cold. Not even my medication for volatile moods could suppress the furious rage swelling inside me. Seraphina flashed a triumphant smile at me, then climbed onto Julian’s neck, leaving a playful row of bite marks on his ear. “Julian, darling, it’s all their fault for interrupting! Didn’t you say you still had to punish me? I haven’t been good at all~” Julian’s face flushed instantly. He stole a glance at me, but his hand unconsciously tightened around Seraphina’s waist. “Sera’s medication hasn’t worn off yet, Cassie. You should go.” Before he even finished speaking, he was already impatiently scooping Seraphina into his arms and heading back into the room. The door slammed shut with a heavy thud, followed immediately by the creaking of bedsprings and rhythmic thumps. My fingertips dug into the floor, scraping until they were bloody, before my mind cleared a fraction. I rushed to the storage room, fumbled for my rage stabilizers, and crammed a handful into my mouth. The moment the pills went down, it was like someone had pulled my plug. I collapsed to the floor, listening as the sounds from the next room grew louder, wilder… **2.** I drifted in and out of a daze, waking only when morning light filled the room. Seraphina emerged from the bathroom, draped in a bathrobe, her face still flushed from the night. She swayed her hips as she approached me, a smirk in her eyes. “Oh, Cassie, so sorry about taking your bed.” She giggled. “Couldn’t help it. Julian’s just too wild. If we’d stayed on the couch, I’m not sure I’d be able to get up today~” As she spoke, her hand loosened, and the bathrobe slid open, revealing sheer silk lingerie and a body covered in love bites. “Julian never treated you like this, did he, sweetie?” Suddenly, the front door clicked open. Four cronies stepped inside, instantly freezing at the steamy scene before them. “We didn’t see anything!” They immediately clapped their hands over their eyes, though they couldn’t resist peeking through their fingers. “Ahhh!” Seraphina shrieked, squatting down to grab her bathrobe and wrap herself. “Sera!” Julian Vance burst down the stairs and pulled her protectively into his arms. “Get out, all of you! If anyone dares to look again, I’ll gouge out your eyeballs!” Seraphina immediately started to whimper pitifully, tears streaming down her face. “Cassie, why would you pull off my clothes and humiliate me? Julian was just helping me with my treatment, I never wanted to steal your place! Why are you doing this to me? My reputation means everything to a woman!” I was dumbfounded. I was at least five steps away from her. How could she possibly pin this on me? And talk about a “reputation” after fooling around with a married man? Julian, however, turned to me, his face cold. “Cassandra Hayes, apologize to Sera.” “Julian Vance, use your idiotic brain for once! How could I possibly pull off her clothes from this distance?” But he wouldn’t listen. He strode forward and slapped me across the face. “Apologize, or you’re not going to the company today!” My face burned, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. I’d spent three months on this project, making dozens of trips back and forth. He knew that. Now, just as the contract was about to be signed, he wanted to keep me home, all for Seraphina? I clenched my fists. “Julian Vance, if you don’t want Mr. Kingston’s business, then go ahead and call him right now!” With that, I didn’t spare that disgusting pair another glance and turned to leave. At the company, my assistant looked hesitant. “Ms. Hayes… Mr. Kingston called. He said Mr. Vance cancelled the meeting.” “What?” My mind exploded. I’d nearly run myself ragged, pouring everything into this deal, and he just threw it away like that? I slumped onto the sofa, feeling dizzy. My assistant hesitated. “Should I try to contact him again…?” I shook my head, sighing softly. “I’m just the VP. If the CEO doesn’t want to make this deal, I can talk until I’m blue in the face, it won’t matter.” After a long silence, I looked up, my eyes red. “Contact my industry contacts. I’m selling my 25% shares.” Just as the words left my lips, the lounge door opened. Julian Vance entered, his arm around Seraphina’s waist. “Cassie, you’re finally being obedient for once. How about this: transfer your shares to Sera. You go home, manage the house, take care of me and her, and I might consider forgiving your past mistakes.”

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The homeless man I’d accidentally helped turned out to be the CEO’s long-lost son. After he returned to his family and took over the business, he wanted to appoint me as the General Manager of a new company under their conglomerate. When the appointment letter arrived, my father took my sister to a plastic surgery clinic and had her face molded into mine, intending for her to take my place. Tiffany, my sister, was mediocre at best and always hung out with a rough crowd. “Your sister has a low education, and her reputation is in tatters,” my father said. “If she doesn’t seize this chance to turn her life around, she’ll never marry well.” “You’re educated and capable. Even without this position, you can still make a name for yourself based on your own merit.” I said nothing. My father called in my fiancé, Brandon Pierce. Brandon’s smile was gentle. “Perhaps a different path would be more suitable. You should just listen to your uncle, Seraphina.” “You’re too stubborn, you don’t know how to adapt. If you really became General Manager, you’d regret it.” I nodded and agreed, “Sounds good.”

My agreement was so quick that my father’s carefully prepared words got stuck in his throat, almost choking him. His face lit up with delight as he immediately told the nanny to pull off my designer bracelet and replace it with a wrinkled old hoodie. I stood still, letting them do as they pleased. “Don’t blame your dad for being heartless.” My father let out a long breath. “Your sister got into trouble with that gang of troublemakers a while back. She broke the leg of the son of the CEO’s rival.” “After your surgery, you’ll go to the police station and turn yourself in. It’ll save the police from coming here to find you.” My heart felt like it was being impaled by an ice pick. I clenched my fists, biting back tears, my voice hoarse: “Dad, am I really your biological daughter?” My father flinched. “What foolishness are you talking about, child?” “Of course you’re my daughter, but your sister grew up without a mother’s guidance. She’s a bit wild, and she’s already pitiful enough.” Brandon walked over too, reaching out to guide me to the basement for the plastic surgeon to start. “It’s hard to get bail from the police station, but I’ll visit you often.” “Once your sister establishes herself with the CEO, she’ll find a way to get you out and be her assistant.” “Even with a criminal record, I’ll still marry you. Your sister will take care of you, and things will get better.” A shot of anesthetic went in, and my vision blurred. When I woke up, the mirror showed a face wrapped in bandages. Brandon shouted to someone outside, “This is the one who assaulted him. Send her to the police station immediately!” He leaned in and whispered, “Act convincingly. Don’t let anyone see through it.” Two bodyguards came to drag me out. I took a deep breath and yelled: “I’ll walk myself!” My father and Brandon exchanged a knowing look, a hint of complicity on their faces. They let go of me. My father, with feigned concern, touched my still swollen and painful face. “Good girl, I’ve wronged you.” Brandon pulled a small bag from his pocket. Inside were a few small bills, some antiseptic wipes, a trashy magazine… All essentials for the detention center. He pressed the bag into my hand. “I specifically went and asked around near the detention center for these. They’re all for you.” I fought back tears, walking towards the door without a word. “My sweet girl!” A frantic voice called from behind me. Grandma Grace ran over, breathless, and grabbed my arm. “My sweet girl, I heard the CEO wants you to be the General Manager of the new company?” “That’s wonderful! Our family will finally be able to hold our heads high!” She took off her gold bracelet and put it on my wrist. “You’ve suffered so much these past years. Good times are finally coming.” I couldn’t hold back anymore. Tears streamed down, splashing onto Grandma’s hand. Grandma panicked, quickly letting go of me. “What’s wrong?” My father’s eyes darted away. Brandon kept checking his watch, glancing frequently towards the door. He urged, “Don’t waste time. If we don’t go now, the police will get suspicious.” Grandma looked bewildered. “What police?” My father remained silent, only waving his hand for the bodyguards to take me out.

Grandma’s confusion deepened, and she held onto me tightly, refusing to let go. “You wouldn’t dare! My granddaughter is the CEO’s chosen General Manager!” Just then, the butler rushed in. “The police are here.” Grandma gasped. “What do the police want?” Brandon grew impatient. He forcibly pried Grandma’s fingers from my arm. “She’s the one who caused trouble now.” “The real Seraphina and her sister switched faces. Ugh, it’s complicated. Just get her out of here!” Grandma shrieked, clutching me tight, refusing to release me. She looked at my father, then at my bandaged face, and understood everything. She screamed hysterically: “Arthur Hayes, you heartless monster! Not only do you not care for your daughter, but you want your own flesh and blood to go to jail! I’d rather kill myself right here than let you commit such a heinous act!” Then, she grabbed me again, sobbing uncontrollably: “My good granddaughter, Grandma is useless. I let you suffer so much, but this opportunity you finally got, why should you give it to that walking disaster?” “Did you forget what you promised Grandma?” I was crying so hard I could barely breathe. Yet, I hardened my heart and pulled my hand away, forcing a smile. “Grandma, there are things in this world more important than positions of power or a clean record.” “I’ve made my decision. I won’t regret it.” With that, I cruelly pushed Grandma away and strode out. Grandma tried to follow, but the house staff held her back. She suddenly shrieked, “Granddaughter, if you dare to step out of this house, I will die right here in front of you!” Seeing her in such agony, my heart twisted in agony. I suppressed the bitter pain in my heart, walking forward without looking back. “If you die, you’ll no longer be Grandma Hayes.” Grandma cried even harder. “I used to endure everything, afraid your grandfather would get angry, all for your safe upbringing. But now you’re going to jail for someone else, what more do I have to fear!” I nodded. “Now that I’m going to jail, you don’t have to put up with it anymore. Move to the old house.” “Cut ties with the Hayes family.” Grandma collapsed onto the floor in despair. “My sweet girl, what foolishness have you gotten into?” My father rushed over, threw a statement of disownment at Grandma, and hastily told the bodyguards to push me out. I bit my lip, forcing myself not to look back, Grandma’s cries still echoing in my ears. I kept reassuring myself that at least Grandma had cut ties with the Hayes family. She wouldn’t have to suffer any more grievances. Brandon Pierce, afraid I might try something, drove his car behind the police escort heading to the detention center. He slipped the guard a thick envelope, buying himself a few minutes to speak with me alone. I sat in the chair, looking at him coldly. “What else do you have to say?” Brandon checked his phone. “She should be here soon.” I asked, bewildered, “Who’s coming?” Just as I spoke, a person wearing a hat and a mask rushed in. It was Tiffany. Her eyes were red. As soon as she entered, she grabbed my hand. “Seraphina, you’re willing to take the fall for me. I’ll never be able to repay this kindness in my life. I promise to make it up to you.” Brandon “caringly” helped her up. “Ugh, you just had your stitches removed. Why did you rush over?” My already numb heart was pierced with sharp pain again. “It’s all your fault, you hit him so hard.” Tiffany leaned weakly into Brandon’s arms, looking frail. Brandon stroked her back, his eyes still holding a hint of lingering intimacy, but he turned to me and explained: “Don’t get the wrong idea. She has to pretend to be you now, which means she needs to be close to me. But you’re the one I truly care about.” I forced a faint smile. “You two are certainly close.”

I pushed myself up from the table, opened the door, and called for the guards to “escort” the two of them out. As soon as they left, I was dragged by a corrections officer into solitary confinement. They said they wanted to show me what happened to disobedient inmates. My ears filled with cries, and the figures of those being punished blurred, overlapping with Grandma Grace’s image. My mother died in childbirth after having Tiffany. I was raised by Grandma Grace from a young age. In the Hayes family, Grandma was always treated coldly by my grandfather. I remembered what Grandma Grace used to tell me when she secretly wiped away tears. She said not to be like her, enduring everything in silence. No one could be a lifelong pillar of support in this world; to stand firm, you ultimately had to rely on yourself. So I worked incredibly hard, studying finance, earning certifications, practicing negotiations, sharpening my skills. I wanted to carve out my own path, so Grandma could live with her head held high. But in the end, all of it turned into a mirage. I was pushed into a detention center to take the fall for someone else. My father’s favoritism, Brandon Pierce’s schemes—they sliced at my heart like blunt knives. I wanted to cry my eyes out. But I knew crying wouldn’t solve anything. “Grandma, wait for me,” I whispered. The next day, I obediently changed into a prisoner’s uniform and joined the other inmates in the detention center’s labor. The TV happened to be showing Brandon Pierce and Tiffany’s engagement party. My cellmates craned their necks, whispering: “Did you hear? The CEO of Pierce Corporation’s son is marrying the CEO’s newly recognized adopted daughter, the one who’s supposed to be General Manager?” “Yeah, apparently the CEO was lost and alone, and she kindly took him in, even giving him medical and travel expenses, which helped him reclaim his identity.” “What good fortune…”

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My husband was supposedly turned to ashes in a fire the night before our wedding. I read his final letter, written in blood, and dutifully cared for his parents for thirty years. But when I went to cancel his official documents, the clerk informed me he had long since remarried and had a child. I refused to believe it and went to find him myself. He claimed I was mentally ill and had me committed, where I suffered greatly. I turned the tables and called the police. “Officer, someone here has committed bigamy!” 0 “Ma’am, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. Mr. Grant isn’t dead. In fact, he has a son,” the clerk said. I stood there in shock. George Grant had supposedly been reduced to ashes in a fire twenty years ago. He left a final letter written in blood, and in my dreams he told me I must take care of his parents. I shouldered that burden, caring for them for thirty years. Now they’re telling me George Grant isn’t dead? What have these past thirty years been for? Fighting back tears, I secretly took some photos of George’s current address. I returned home in a daze and called Mr. and Mrs. Grant. In the background noise, I could faintly hear children playing. “Mom, Dad, George is still alive, isn’t he? I heard his voice.” Mrs. Grant smacked her forehead and protested loudly. “How could that be? I think you’re just exhausted lately. Get some rest. It’s perfect timing since we’re traveling, so you can relax too.” With that, she hurriedly hung up. I laughed bitterly and collapsed on the floor, completely drained. It wasn’t the first time I’d heard George’s voice. At first I thought I was hallucinating, that my mind was playing tricks on me. So I didn’t think much of it. But now all the clues were telling me one thing: George Grant wasn’t dead. Looking around at everything I’d worked for to build this home, I broke down sobbing. George and I had fallen in love at first sight. He pursued me passionately. But misfortune always finds those who suffer most. The night before our wedding, while he was cleaning our new home, a faulty appliance caught fire, leading to his untimely death. My eyes were nearly blinded from crying. In the end, I had no choice but to accept this reality. Everyone told me to move on, to find a new husband. Even Mr. and Mrs. Grant said I should remarry and find happiness. But looking at that blood-written letter, I gritted my teeth and treated his parents as my own. For thirty years, I never wavered. My blood pressure spiked as I trembled all over. Didn’t George love me most? If he was alive, why didn’t he come find me? Was there some unspeakable reason? I grabbed my ID and rushed to the neighboring city. I had to find him and get answers. In a lavish mansion, George was living happily with his wife and son. Even Mr. and Mrs. Grant were there. Their happiness stung my eyes. Looking down at my worn-out shoes from the market stall, the wrinkles and scars on my face showed how much I’d sacrificed for this family. I pushed open the door and stared straight at George, calling out to him. “George, you’re alive. Why didn’t you come find me…” Everyone in the mansion panicked. Mrs. Grant quickly came over and slapped me. “What nonsense are you spouting! This is George’s twin brother, Gary. You’ve got the wrong person!” Mrs. Grant had always been kind, but this was the first time she’d ever struck me. “We were planning to tell you after some time, but George’s death was too big a shock for you… We kept it from you for your own good…” I forced a bitter smile. Even if George had been reduced to ashes, I would recognize him. How dare they claim this was his twin brother? 0

Moreover, they only ever had one son. Since when did they have twins? “Sarah, Mom’s here. There must be some misunderstanding. Don’t be upset,” said the woman facing me. She wore elaborate makeup, expensive perfume, and had a perfect manicure. She approached me with ill intent and slapped me without hesitation. “Who are you? How dare you try to scam us, claiming this is your husband? What backwoods hick are you?” Seeing her strike me, the child couldn’t hold back anymore. He came up and kicked me. “Who are you? Get out! You’re not welcome here! Don’t try to steal my dad!” The child kicked hard, drawing blood on my leg. I stood there motionless, my heart pierced as if by needles, aching all over. “George, won’t you say something? I know it’s you.” “If you have some difficulty you can’t speak of, just tell me, okay?” “I’ve worked so hard to care for your parents for thirty years. Are all of you conspiring to deceive me?” He opened his mouth to speak but was stopped by his father. “Sarah, I think you’re just too tired lately. How about this – you’ve cared for us for almost thirty years. After we die, that’ll be the end of it. You don’t need to care for us anymore. Go home now.” I stared at George with hollow eyes. “Won’t you say anything? Are you just going to abandon me like this? You did it thirty years ago, and now you’re doing it again thirty years later? Doesn’t your conscience hurt?” George spoke coldly, “I’m sorry, sister-in-law. You’ve got the wrong person…” Some sister-in-law. Some apology. Thirty years of my youth, and all I get is “sister-in-law” and “sorry”? I clung desperately to George’s legs, wailing. “George Grant, you heartless bastard! How could you abandon me like this? Now you’ve even married and had a child. Are you even human?” He pried my fingers off one by one in disgust, spraying alcohol all over. “Sister-in-law, don’t push your luck. I’m not George Grant! You’ve got the wrong person.” George had changed… everything had changed. My heart-wrenching cries drew the attention of other neighbors. They gathered outside, pointing and whispering. “How tragic, betraying her for thirty years… and then marrying someone else and having a kid.” “Yeah, and calling her ‘sister-in-law’ and claiming to be the twin brother. What a liar… absolute scum!” “Look at that woman all dolled up. She’s clearly no good. Probably slept her way to the top.” Sophia and George’s faces turned ashen as they clenched their fists. The next moment, he called the mental hospital impatiently. “Hello doctor, there’s a mentally ill person here. Please come take her away for treatment!” I shook my head like a rattle drum. “No… no!” “George, do you know how hard it was for me to find you?” I had put on the cleanest outfit from my closet, fixed my hair, and rushed over as fast as I could. Now he was accusing me of being mentally ill. I stood up and looked at George with tear-filled eyes. “You were the first person I ever loved, and the last. I did everything I could to care for your parents. But you conspired with them to deceive me. Doesn’t your conscience hurt at all?” 0

The doctors from the mental hospital got out of the ambulance and dragged me in. I was older now, and these doctors were strong young men. No matter how much I struggled, it was useless. “George, say something! Do you think locking me up will let you do whatever you want? Do you think it will change the fact that you’re George Grant?” I ranted and raved like a madwoman, cursing heaven and earth. But he watched coldly, as if nothing was happening. That’s how I was taken to the mental hospital. I heard their chilling voices in my ear. “Mr. Grant said to torture her to within an inch of her life. She’s old anyway, she won’t die.” “He also said she’s destroying his family, so we shouldn’t go easy on her.” As they spoke, they slowly took off their clothes. Only then did I realize: They weren’t from the mental hospital at all, but thugs hired by George. I curled up in the corner, hugging my knees and trembling. “Please, let me go. I’m just a weak woman. I came to find my husband. There must be some misunderstanding!” “Ahhhh!” A steel pipe struck my leg as smoke filled the air. “Begging won’t help. We’re just doing the job we were paid for!” Sweat poured down my forehead in big drops as I gritted my teeth through the pain. Did George really hate me this much? No matter how I begged, they showed no mercy. They only stopped when I passed out on the ground. Faintly, I heard them calling George. “Mr. Grant… we’ve beaten her pretty badly. About the money…” George laughed coldly on the other end. “Good job. My life is happy and perfect. She insisted on butting in, so she has only herself to blame!” Blood and tears mixed together, falling bitterly into my mouth. Oh heavens, I loved someone with all my heart and soul. Was that also wrong? I kept an empty home, caring dutifully for his parents. Is this really how it all ends? I gasped for air like a dying fish. The next moment, George called. “Sarah Newman, this is what happens when you insist on opposing me. If there’s a next time, don’t expect to keep your life!” “Everything between us is in the past. I’m happy now. Stop bothering me!” As he finished speaking, a coquettish female voice came through the phone. “George, your bath is ready. Come wash up.” After George hung up, A commotion arose outside the vehicle. A group of people with cameras started taking photos of me in my wretched state. Rotten eggs, kitchen waste, and all sorts of trash were thrown at my face. “Sisters, keep throwing! This woman ruined Sophia’s happiness!” “How dare an old hag like you try to compete! Shameless!” “They’re married with a son! Get lost already!” Foul-smelling juices clung to my body. I weakly protested in a small voice: “George and I were married first… It’s not my fault…” “I just gave him my whole heart…” I blacked out and woke up in the hospital. Opening my phone, I saw a flood of messages from Mrs. Grant. “Stop harassing us. Here’s $10,000 to end all ties between us!” “My son is married with his own family now. You can leave.”

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At Deer City International Airport, as the last flight of the day landed smoothly, Mia Collins rubbed her sore right shoulder and walked out of the air traffic control tower. Mia gazed thoughtfully at the heavy snow falling outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. Just moments ago, she had received a job offer from British Airways. In one month, she could go to England and become a pilot again. At that moment, her best friend Sophia Wilson called. “It’s not good, Mia. I heard that Jake Sanders’ old flame, Zoe Parker – you know, the one who competed with you for that special training spot in Australia – she’s back in the country. Word is the flight department is throwing her a welcome party,” said Sophia. As Mia’s colleague in the control tower and her best friend, Sophia was the only person in all of Deer City Aviation who knew that Jake and Mia were married. On the other end of the line, Sophia carefully asked, “Mia, Jake will definitely be there. Are you going?” Mia paused. Indeed, the entire Sanders Aviation belonged to Jake Sanders. Looking at the gradually darkening sky outside the window, Mia realized she hadn’t seen Jake for over a month. Their only interaction recently was when Jake was in the air and Mia was in the control tower. “I’ll go. You go first, I’ll be there a bit later,” Mia replied. When Mia arrived at the bar, it was already past 9 PM. She didn’t go in, but could vaguely see the scene inside through the glass door. Mia gently pushed the door open, creating just a small gap, but she could already hear people inside egging others on. “Mr. Sanders actually chose the dare today. Doesn’t he have to do the intertwined drink with our beautiful Zoe?” In the flirtatious atmosphere, Jake calmly picked up his glass and drank with the girl beside him. Zoe was facing the door and clearly saw Mia. A smug smile instantly spread across her stunning face, as if to say, “See? This is your husband.” Everyone clamored for the two to finish their drinks. Unexpectedly, Jake said nothing, took Zoe’s glass, and drained it in one gulp. “Oh my, Mr. Sanders is being so protective. No wonder his old flame is back in the country. That’s some serious impact. Don’t tell me we’ll be drinking wedding wine in a few days?” The guys joked shamelessly. Ironically, Jake didn’t deny it with even half a word. Mia stood there, her hand that was about to push the door stopped, and her thoughts suddenly went back to that year. Back then, Mia had just gotten pregnant and went to the bar late at night to pick up a drunk Jake. But at the private room door, she overheard words that kept her awake all night. “Jake, if you had to choose between Mia and Zoe, who would you pick?” Jake’s good friend asked this question, and Mia instantly tensed up. “Zoe.” That night, she wandered alone on the streets until dawn. Jake didn’t call even once. When dawn broke, Mia walked back to the villa and saw Jake passed out from drinking. From then on, their relationship suddenly cooled to freezing point. Mia had originally lost the courage to enter, but remembering Evelyn’s words, she still pushed the door open. The noisy private room suddenly fell silent. “Jake Sanders, I need to talk to you.” Mia didn’t even glance at Zoe, her gaze fixed firmly on Jake. Other colleagues started whispering. Jake stood up and pulled Mia outside.

The car hadn’t driven far when Jake became impatient. “What is it? What did you want to talk to me about?” Seeing Mia not speaking, Jake got a bit angry. “You said you had something to discuss with me, now you’re not talking? Mia, cat got your tongue?” Mia glanced at the driver and was about to speak when Jake’s phone rang. “Bro, Zoe seems to have gotten drunk. Can you come back and check on her?” Jake had the call on speakerphone, and Mia could hear every word clearly. Jake spoke coldly, “Since you have nothing to say, then don’t say it. Get out of the car. I’m going back to the bar.” Mia was stunned. The driver, Mr. Johnson, tried to smooth things over: “I can drive Mr. Sanders back to the bar first, then take Mrs. Sanders home.” Mia looked at the cold Jake and said, “No need. I’d like to walk for a bit.” After Mia got out of the car, she watched Jake’s car drive away, feeling particularly calm. This wasn’t the first time Jake had abandoned Mia. Two years ago, Jake accompanied Mia, who was three months pregnant, for a prenatal checkup. Halfway there, he got a call that Zoe had been in a car accident abroad. Jake panicked and slammed on the brakes, causing the car behind to rear-end them. Mia felt a faint pain in her belly but didn’t say anything. Mia never expected him to call his assistant to the scene with just one phone call, leaving behind a curt “Little Sun will be here soon,” before rushing straight to the airport. The belly pain that was originally just a dull ache turned into threatened miscarriage due to Jake’s actions. By the time Mia was sent to the hospital, the baby was already gone. “The marriage contract is for three years. If you don’t conceive a child for the Sanders family within three years, you will initiate the divorce. And you cannot disclose to others that you and Jake are married.” When Mia woke up, her mother-in-law Evelyn Sanders’ words were vivid in her mind. Mia’s father had once been a civilian airline captain, but died in a plane crash. That flight was originally supposed to be flown by Jake’s father, Richard Sanders. They had switched shifts, and Richard Sanders narrowly escaped disaster because of this. After that accident, Richard Sanders returned home to inherit the family business. Mia’s mother, who already had depression, couldn’t bear the blow and committed suicide. The Sanders family felt they owed the Collins family, so they adopted Mia. When the Sanders family first adopted Mia, her classmates at school often ostracized and mocked her. As long as Mia got first place, she would be accused of cheating. Every time, it was Jake who actively stood up to defend Mia. “Mia is part of the Sanders family, my own family. If you can’t stand it, get lost!” Jake would say. Jake’s mother Evelyn didn’t like Mia and felt that Mia’s father was simply unlucky. The Sanders family had no responsibility to raise Mia. But unable to argue against her husband and precious son, she could only accept it. Until Zoe’s appearance completely shattered Jake and Mia’s relationship.

Zoe confessed to Jake not long after enrolling in school. Jake didn’t agree, and Zoe thought it was because Mia was interfering. So she ganged up with several classmates to bully Mia. At first, Jake always protected Mia. Until the first semester of senior year, Zoe firmly insisted that Mia had drugged her water bottle and stolen her spot in the math competition. That time, Jake didn’t stand on Mia’s side. In their senior year of college, Mia refused the Sanders family’s connections and wanted to become a pilot on her own merits. There was only one spot for female pilots to go for special training in Australia. Mia and Zoe fought tooth and nail for it. But during a break, Zoe fell down the stairs and fractured her right hand. Zoe insisted that Mia had pushed her. It was a blind spot for the security cameras. Even though Mia firmly maintained that she hadn’t touched Zoe, no one believed her. Jake didn’t believe her either. Later, before Richard Sanders passed away, he arranged the marriage between Jake and Mia. Jake wasn’t happy about it, which made Mia feel he didn’t want to marry her. Jake’s mother was even more unwilling, which led to her later making a private marriage contract with Mia. …… Watching Jake’s car gradually disappear into the distance, the memories also slowly faded from Mia’s mind. Now Mia and Jake were more like strangers than strangers. “Hello, what’s the matter so late?” Mia called her mother-in-law Evelyn Sanders. “Mom, I’ll take care of the divorce as soon as possible.” There was silence on the other end for a few seconds before Mia heard Evelyn reply with a faint “Okay.” A month ago, Evelyn had already called Mia, urging her to initiate divorce proceedings with Jake. “When you first married Jake, we agreed that if you didn’t conceive an heir for the Sanders family within three years, you would initiate divorce after the three-year contract marriage ended. Mia, the Sanders family has raised you for over a decade, what exactly are you delaying for?” Evelyn’s words had always been like knives stabbing into Mia’s chest. But Mia could never bring herself to speak up, until Zoe’s return to the country. Mia slowly began, “Mom…” The moment she called out “Mom”, Mia choked up. She suddenly felt very tired. She crouched down and took a deep breath. “Mom… I remember all the kindness the Sanders family has shown me over the years. I will… try my best to repay it…” After saying this, Mia hung up the phone and buried her entire head in the crook of her arm. It started snowing again. Mia crouched on the ground for a long time, letting the snowflakes soak her body until she was shivering from the cold before standing up to call a cab. Of course, it was difficult to get a cab in the snow. Mia waited half an hour but no driver was willing to accept the ride. She slowly walked back to the villa alone. It was already 11 PM when she got home. Mia turned on her computer and typed out a divorce agreement word by word. The past decade or so flashed before her eyes – from losing both parents to moving into the Sanders home; from being carefully protected by Jake to Zoe appearing in their lives; from marrying Jake to the two of them becoming completely estranged. Mia was exhausted. Mia, what are you still hoping for? You should have woken up long ago. All of this should have ended long ago.

After drafting the divorce agreement, Mia fell into a groggy sleep. In the middle of the night, Jake stumbled drunkenly into the master bedroom and turned on the light. Mia groggily got up. “What’s wrong?” “What did you come to the bar to find me for today?” Jake was drunk. “Let’s talk when you’re sober.” Mia pressed the switch by the bed, plunging the room back into darkness. Click. Jake turned the light on again. Then there was a loud crash. Mia poked her head out from under the covers again. The crystal ball that had been on the TV stand in the master bedroom had been smashed by Jake. “Weren’t you just jealous that Zoe is back, so you came to the bar to see what exactly I was doing with her?” Jake’s alcohol-laden breath spewed these words, the air filled with the smell of liquor. Mia walked over to the pile of glass shards, crouched down, and began picking up the pieces one by one. “This crystal ball was the first gift you gave me when I got into the top high school at 15. Don’t you remember?” Mia’s voice was shaking. Over the years, as the rift between them grew, Jake rarely gave her anything. Only this crystal ball, Mia had always cherished. “It’s just a crystal ball. I’ll buy you another one later if you want.” Jake’s anger subsided a bit when he saw Mia was about to cry. “It’s just Zoe Parker, yet she can make you smash the gift you gave me. She really is special to you.” Mia laughed coldly. Hearing this, Jake’s temper flared up again. “Mia, aren’t you just jealous that Zoe is a pilot now while you’re only an air traffic controller? It’s not like you’ve only been jealous of her for a day or two. Otherwise you wouldn’t have pushed her down the stairs.” After saying this, Jake left the master bedroom. Mia’s shoulders shook. So in Jake’s eyes, this was the kind of person she was. Mia held back her tears and put the crystal ball shards in a drawer, unable to sleep all night. The next morning, Mia came to the living room and saw Jake eating breakfast while on the phone. She took out the divorce agreement, flipped to the last page, and brought it to Jake. Jake didn’t look at any of the content, just signed his name at the signature line. Even after hanging up the phone, he didn’t think to read the agreement carefully. “It will take effect in one month.” Mia said, taking the agreement and walking towards the second floor master bedroom. Jake looked at his phone while muttering, “Why is the stray animal agreement expiring so early this year? Isn’t it usually at the end of the year?” Jake had no idea that in just one month, Mia would have nothing to do with him anymore.

Mia got ready and prepared to go to work. Arriving at the control tower, Sophia saw Mia didn’t look right but didn’t dare ask what happened last night. She just reminded Mia there would be many flights today, so it might be busy. Mia changed into her work uniform and officially started her shift. The weather conditions were very good today, and all the flights were taking off and landing smoothly. Unexpectedly, near noon, Mia noticed something was off with Southern Airlines Flight 8744 that was landing. Following her instinct, she grabbed binoculars and walked to the window. Their work area was on the 19th floor of the tower. Mia could vaguely see that the right rear tire of Southern 8744 looked strange. Mia quickly returned to her workstation and picked up the headset. “Southern 8744, Deer City Tower. Your right rear tire appears to have a suspected blowout. Please verify immediately.” The captain of Southern 8744 immediately replied, “We have a blown tire on the right side, Southern 8744.” “Roger that. Maintain heading 026, altitude 1500. Please state your intentions.” The situation was urgent. While maintaining contact with Southern 8744, Mia immediately notified ground control and ground crew. “Runway 18R temporarily closed for use. Southern 8744 has a blown tire. Ground crew please prepare emergency vehicles.” While the tower was in a frenzy, another plane requested landing clearance. Mia checked the schedule and saw it was Sanders Aviation Flight 9523, piloted by Zoe Parker. If she remembered correctly, this was Zoe’s first flight after returning to the country. And Sanders Aviation was the Sanders family’s airline company. It seemed Zoe immediately became captain after returning, thanks to Jake Sanders’ help. Sure enough, Zoe’s voice soon came through the headphones. “Deer City Approach, Sanders 9523, altitude 3800, request clearance to land on Runway 18R.” Without hesitation, Mia denied Zoe’s request. “Sanders 9523, Runway 18R is currently closed. Deer City Tower.” Mia said this and continued focusing her attention on the aircraft with the blown tire, Southern 8744. “Southern 8744, what’s your current situation?” Mia was a bit worried when Southern 8744 didn’t respond. She checked the schedule and saw that today’s captain on Southern 8744 was a newly promoted captain. “Southern 8744, Deer City Tower, please respond if you copy.” Mia didn’t receive a reply from Southern 8744, but heard Zoe’s impatient urging instead. “Deer City Approach, Sanders 9523, then request clearance to land on Runway 16L.” It wasn’t that Mia was deliberately making things difficult for Zoe. Runway 16L happened to be closed for maintenance as well. Mia could only answer truthfully, “Runway 16L is not available either, Sanders 9523.” But Zoe was clearly dissatisfied with this answer. This was her first flight back, and landing was already not going smoothly. Her patience was exhausted. “Deer City Tower, please advise. Give me a runway to land on, Sanders 9523.” Zoe’s tone sounded very unpleasant. At this moment, Southern 8744 finally responded to Mia. The captain of Southern 8744 said they had finished dumping fuel and were ready to descend, then land. Mia let out a long breath of relief. She reported Southern 8744’s status to ground control in real time and began arranging a runway for Sanders 9523. “Sanders 9523, please report current altitude. Deer City Tower.” This time it was Zoe who didn’t respond to Mia. After much back and forth and waiting, Zoe’s Sanders 9523 finally landed safely on the runway at Deer City International Airport. Mia thought the morning’s work was over, but unexpectedly heard Zoe angrily say, “Which air traffic controller is on duty at Deer City Tower today? I want to file a complaint.” Mia was stunned for a moment, then unhesitatingly stated her own name. She heard Zoe snort coldly through the headphones. “Huh, Mia Collins, it’s really you. No wonder.” Mia naturally couldn’t stand this sarcasm. “If you have any objections to the tower’s instructions, you can file a complaint against me.”

Sure enough, Mia was called to Mr. Chen’s office. “Mia, do you know there was a pregnant woman on Sanders 9523? Now because of the delayed landing, she went into premature labor and is hemorrhaging heavily. The family wants to file a complaint against our airport.” Mia had a clear conscience. She hadn’t deliberately delayed just because the captain of Sanders 9523 was Zoe. “Southern 8744 had a blown right rear tire. The situation was urgent. If not handled promptly, all the passengers on that flight would have been in danger. I was also monitoring the takeoffs and landings of other flights simultaneously and didn’t neglect anything.” Mia calmly explained, her emotions stable. Mr. Chen rubbed his forehead. “Now Zoe has received a complaint and is insisting you didn’t arrange a landing runway promptly. She’s clearly trying to shift the blame to you.” Mia handed the coffee on the desk to Mr. Chen. “The leaders can review the surveillance footage of the situation at any time. I have a clear conscience and am not afraid of her shifting blame.” With that, Mia returned to her station to work. During her break, Mia went to the cafeteria to buy coffee. Unexpectedly, while in line, the person in front suddenly stepped back, causing Mia’s coffee to spill on her blouse. “Ah…” The girl who got splashed turned around, meeting Mia’s apologetic gaze. It was actually Zoe? Mia instantly came to her senses. “I’m so sorry, I bumped into you. Let me help you clean up.” Mia was about to take out some wet wipes to help Zoe clean up when Zoe suddenly knocked Mia’s coffee to the ground. “You again, Mia Collins. Are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me today?” It was clearly Zoe who had stepped back into Mia, but the way she said it made it seem like Mia had bumped into her. “I didn’t do it on purpose. Besides, you were standing still, why did you suddenly step back?” Mia didn’t back down and quickly retorted. “Don’t think I don’t know. When I was landing earlier, you deliberately didn’t assign me a runway, almost getting me grounded. Mia Collins, what exactly are you trying to do?” Zoe looked furious. “I made no mistakes in the tower control procedures this morning. As for you getting complained about, that’s your problem. I’ll compensate you for a new uniform later.” Mia said, turning to leave. Unexpectedly, Zoe grabbed her and poured her own coffee on Mia. Taking advantage of Mia’s shock, she slapped Mia across the face. Colleagues nearby who couldn’t stand by any longer rushed over to pull Zoe away. “Captain Parker, let’s talk this out. How can you hit someone?” Mia held her face and looked up. The person speaking was the co-pilot of Sanders 9523, who used to be Jake’s apprentice. But Zoe wouldn’t let it go. “You were there during landing today. She deliberately retaliated against me for complaining about her earlier. Now I’m the one getting complained about by passengers. Slapping her is getting off easy.” Zoe was known for her loud voice. More and more colleagues gathered around. Mia had never suffered such humiliation in her life. She was about to hit back when her raised hand was grabbed by another hand.

“What are you doing? Still want to fight?” Mia looked closely and saw that the person stopping her from retaliating was her husband, Jake Sanders. Although they had entered the divorce cooling-off period according to procedure, they were still legally married. Mia felt extremely wronged. Her own husband watched her get slapped in public, yet once again took Zoe’s side. Seeing Jake arrive, Zoe immediately hid behind him with teary eyes, looking like a damsel in distress. At this moment, Mia just felt disgusted. “I’ve heard about the landing incident this morning. Mia, can’t you separate personal and professional matters? Don’t take out your personal grudges at work.” Jake looked coldly at Mia. Every word he said was to vent anger for Zoe. Of all the airport staff, only Sophia, who wasn’t present, knew Mia was Jake’s wife. This scene looked more like Mia had stolen Zoe’s man. Colleagues around started gossiping. “I heard Mr. Sanders threw Zoe a welcome party last night. They were very intimate. People are saying they’re together now.” “Yeah, I heard Mr. Sanders hasn’t dated for years because he was waiting for his soulmate Zoe to return. Now they can soar through the skies together. Ah, they really are a perfect match. I ship it!” All these gossip voices rushed into Mia’s ears. She couldn’t bear to listen anymore. The slap Zoe gave her earlier made her dizzy, and her ear seemed to start ringing. She didn’t bother with Jake and Zoe behind her anymore, nor did she refute the rumors. She just wanted to leave the airport as quickly as possible. She went home and packed a few things, planning to stay at the mountain villa for a while. It would be a good chance to prepare her English and courses for training in England. Finally having the opportunity to be reborn as a pilot, Mia didn’t want to waste any more time or energy on these irrelevant people and things. The next day after work, Mia drove straight to the mountain villa. But when she opened the front door, she saw the person she least wanted to see. “Zoe Parker? What are you doing here?” Mia was stunned.

Zoe sprawled casually on the sofa. “Why can’t I be here?” “This villa is in my name. Who gave you permission to stay here?” Mia demanded. This was Jake’s wedding gift to Mia. Back then, Jake still had Mia in his heart. As newlyweds, they couldn’t go abroad due to the pandemic, so the couple chose to honeymoon at the villa. They got snowed in during a blizzard and ended up staying at the villa for two whole months. Not long after leaving the villa, Mia got pregnant. Later, their relationship cooled to freezing point, and Mia never stayed there again. “I’ll give you half an hour to pack your things and get out of my villa. Otherwise I’ll report you for trespassing.” But Zoe didn’t budge at all. “You want me to move out just like that? Mia Collins, I’ve been living here for over a month already, long before you knew I was back in the country.” Zoe pulled open her collar, revealing dense hickeys on her chest. She then led Mia to the master bedroom upstairs and took out a box of condoms from the nightstand. “On my body, in every corner of this villa, there are traces of Jake and I making love. If you want to see, I can show you slowly. Mia Collins, do you think these can be erased just because you say so?” Mia looked at Zoe’s smug face and felt nauseous. “Why are you so comfortable being the other woman?” She resisted the urge to hit Zoe and turned to leave the villa. “Mia, it’s so late, and the snow is so heavy outside. I don’t mind if you stay in the guest room for the night.” Zoe sat smiling on the sofa, completely taking on the air of the lady of the house. “My villa is already dirty. I don’t want dirty things anymore. If you insist on staying here, just wait to talk to my lawyer.” Mia said, leaving with her luggage. The snow outside was getting heavier. Mia had only driven about 3 kilometers when her car broke down. She could only call a tow truck company. But with the heavy snow blocking the mountain roads, the tow truck couldn’t make it up either. With the car stalled, there was no more heat. Mia felt so cold. She curled up in the driver’s seat, her whole body shaking. After who knows how long, Mia dozily fell asleep. In her dream, Mia went back to 9th grade. The school organized a camping trip. Mia and her classmates went to catch fireflies at night and got lost. In the end, when the school couldn’t contact the parents, Jake directly sent the family helicopter to pick her up from the mountains. ……. When Mia woke up again, she found herself lying in a hospital bed. “How did I end up here?” Mia woke up to see busy nurses around her. A nurse replied, “You passed out in your car. The tow truck company brought you to the hospital.” Mia held her dizzy head. The nurse said with concern, “You’re a bit anemic and have low blood sugar. It’s best to stay for observation.” At this moment, another nurse said, “Hey, did you hear about that girl who slit her wrists in the next room? Last night in the heavy snow, her boyfriend sent the family helicopter directly to pick her up.” Helicopter? Mia was stunned for a moment hearing those three words. “That’s the Sanders family of Deer City. The entire Sanders Aviation belongs to them. What’s one helicopter to them?”

Mia got out of bed and went to the next room. She heard Jake’s reproachful voice coming from inside. “Zoe, can you not be so impulsive next time? I just said the heavy snow blocked the roads so I couldn’t come see you today. How could you do something to hurt yourself like this?” Mia hadn’t heard Jake speak so gently in a very long time. “If Mia hadn’t come to the villa and called me a homewrecker, I wouldn’t have wanted to see you so badly. I’m sorry, Jake.” Zoe pressed her whole body against Jake. “She’s really getting more and more out of line.” Jake gently hugged Zoe, comforting her softly. Mia couldn’t listen anymore. She quickly checked out of the hospital and stayed at Sophia’s place for a few days. Five days later, Mia returned home. As soon as she reached the front door, she saw the housekeeper Mrs. Johnson’s strange look. Mia had an ominous feeling. Sure enough, as soon as she entered, she saw Zoe eating in the dining room, her face full of satisfaction and enjoyment. Needless to say, this must have been approved by Jake. “Mia’s back? Oh right, I just got out of the hospital. The doctor said I need to rest and recover. Jake couldn’t bear to let me stay in a hotel alone, so he brought me back here.” Jake saw Mia’s look of contempt and came over guiltily to take her luggage, explaining, “Where have you been these past few days? Why didn’t you tell me you weren’t coming home? Zoe hasn’t found a suitable place yet, so she’s just staying with us for a few days.” Mia coldly moved Jake’s hand away. “The master bedroom is definitely dirty now. I’ll go to the guest room.” Mia moved all her things to the guest room, planning to stay there from now on. She started the process of selling the mountain villa. Remembering Evelyn saying “The Sanders family has treated you well all these years”, she felt she could never repay what she owed the Sanders family. The visa for England went through exceptionally smoothly. These days, Zoe lived in Jake and Mia’s home, living each day like the lady of the Sanders house. Mia left early and returned late every day, ignoring Zoe and Jake’s existence whenever she came and went. The mountain villa sold successfully. Along with some handbags and jewelry she had, Mia prepared a card with 60 million dollars. A week before leaving, Mia found a piece of paper under the sink in the first floor bathroom. Curious, she picked it up and opened it. It turned out to be an ultrasound report for a pregnant woman, with Zoe Parker’s name clearly written as the patient. The moment she saw those three words, Mia felt like something snapped in her brain. Jake Sanders, you really are efficient. In such a short time since Zoe returned to the country, she was already pregnant with his child. At this moment, Zoe’s voice came from the living room. “Mrs. Johnson, what are we having for dinner tonight?” Mia put the ultrasound report in her pocket and walked calmly to the living room. Zoe suddenly turned around, clearly startled. She clutched her chest and screamed, “My god, where did you come from? You scared me to death.” Zoe glared at Mia and tossed her purse aside, sitting down on the sofa. She twirled the ring on her finger while watching Mia take out the ultrasound report. “What’s this about? Whose child is it?” Mia questioned. Zoe snorted coldly. “Mia Collins, what do you think?”

Mia put the ultrasound report on the coffee table. “Since you’re pregnant, don’t do stupid things like slitting your wrists again… Take good care of the Sanders heir.” Zoe said arrogantly, “You saw how worried Jake was about me. I just wanted to test him a little, and he immediately sent a helicopter to pick me up. He even scolded me for being impulsive, saying I almost miscarried.” Mia smiled helplessly. “That’s great. Anyway, this whole farce is about to end soon.” “Mia Collins, Jake Sanders married you for three years. Those three years were stolen from me by you. You’re just a thief. You stole my competition spot in high school, my outstanding graduate title in college, and then the Australia training spot. Jake is mine. I’m just taking back what’s rightfully mine now.” Zoe spoke righteously. If Mia didn’t know her so well, she might have believed her. Hearing all this, Mia didn’t argue or refute. She just gave Zoe a look of disdain before leaving. That disdainful look made Zoe extremely uncomfortable. Mia Collins actually just walked away like that, without saying a single word in her defense. Deer City International Airport Control Tower. While handing over work to Sophia, Mia told her about recent events. Sophia was so angry her eyebrows went all crooked, and she cursed for a full ten minutes. “Mia, why didn’t you slap that bitch a few times? You just left like that? That’s letting her off too easy! And what about how she framed you before? Aren’t you going to tell Jake about that?” Sophia was truly furious that Mia, the rightful Mrs. Sanders, was being displaced by a homewrecker. Mia looked out the window and shook her head. Sophia sighed helplessly. “Those two really deserve each other!” But Mia just smiled. She gazed at the vast whiteness outside. She truly didn’t care anymore. Now Mia only wanted to start a new life, one that truly belonged to her. As the year end approached, Sanders Aviation held its annual party as scheduled. This time, Sanders Aviation unprecedentedly invited other airport departments. Their air traffic control center was among those invited. Mia originally didn’t plan to go. There were only two days left before she went abroad, and she didn’t even have time to pack. But Sophia disagreed. “After that big scene in the cafeteria, if you don’t go, people will really think you’re the mistress who ruined the scumbag and bitch’s relationship. You must go!” At the party, Mia stood alone with some fruit and a drink, about to head to the balcony to eat, when she overheard people whispering nearby. “Isn’t that Mia Collins from the control tower? Today is Sanders Aviation’s event, yet she has the nerve to show up? Talk about thick-skinned.” Mia glanced sideways. The one gossiping was an intern from the ground crew department. “Exactly. They say she’s the mistress. I heard she even went to the Sanders’ mountain villa that day, but got stranded there in the heavy snow. What a joke.” Another girl sneered. Sophia had somehow appeared by Mia’s side, her face already red with anger. “This is outrageous. I wasn’t there last time, but I won’t let them bully you like this again!” Mia tried to hold Sophia back, but it was too late. Sophia smashed her glass on the ground, instantly drawing everyone’s attention. Sophia walked up to the two gossiping girls and said, “You’d rather be gossipmongers than decent people, huh?” The two girls were stunned by Sophia’s aggressive stance, momentarily frozen in place. Mia stepped forward to pull Sophia back. “Let it go. It’s better to avoid trouble.” Sophia shook off Mia’s arm and started berating the girls directly. “You don’t know anything about the situation, yet you’re spreading rumors here? Be careful, or I’ll sue you for defamation!” Although Sophia was just a small-time air traffic controller, her father was the second-in-command at Deer City International Airport. She wasn’t afraid of causing trouble at all. One of the gossiping girls rolled her eyes. “A mistress is a mistress. Go ahead and sue. I’d like to see who the real mistress is!” As soon as she finished speaking, Sophia grabbed an untouched glass of orange juice from nearby and threw it directly in the girl’s face. Seeing the situation escalating, Mia hurriedly tried to pull Sophia away again. “Sophia, stop it. This is the annual party, it’s not appropriate! Listen to me!” Mia was about to drag Sophia away when she saw Zoe striding towards them.

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The night before my wedding, my fiancé took me to meet his friends. He was attentive throughout the dinner, and his friends praised him, “Your bride is so pure and innocent, Liam. You’ve hit the jackpot.” Liam smiled smugly, “Of course my wife is the best. Not like those flashy gold-diggers out there.” But when I went to the restroom, I overheard him bragging in a low voice: “Innocent? What’s the use of that? She’s like a dead fish in bed. If she wasn’t Rosalie’s twin sister, I wouldn’t even bother touching her.” The next day at the wedding, my sister showed up with a baby bump. Liam, true to his words, asked me to step aside. I laughed coldly as I tore off my veil and walked to Alexander Grant, who was sitting in a wheelchair in the audience. “They all say you like me. Now that I’m single, do you dare to marry me?” “Haha, Stella Winters has gone crazy!” “Choosing a cripple? Talk about desperate!” “What a disgrace! She’s dragging the Winters family name through the mud!” The guests’ mocking laughter pierced my ears. Each word felt like a needle stabbing into my heart. My father’s face turned purple with rage, and my mother rushed to the stage, grabbing my arm tightly. “Have you lost your mind?! Ruining yourself out of spite?!” Below the stage, Liam Carter held Rosalie close, a smirk playing on his lips. “Well, well, I underestimated her. She’s got guts after all.” Rosalie let out a scornful laugh, her voice sickly sweet, “Guts? More like she’s lost her marbles. Stella dear, are you sure you want to spend the rest of your life with a cripple?” She deliberately caressed her swollen belly, her eyes challenging and triumphant. My heart felt like it was being torn apart. I thought tearing off the wedding dress would set me free, but all it brought was more humiliation. Alexander stood up and limped towards me. Compared to the polished and handsome Liam Carter, he was a world apart. I suddenly regretted my impulsive decision. Why did I choose a disabled man? Was I really going to spend the rest of my life with him? Alexander stopped in front of me and pulled out a ring from his pocket. The stone was made of crushed diamonds, dull and lifeless, not even a full carat. The diamond ring Liam had given Rosalie was a dazzling three carats. In comparison, this ring looked pathetically cheap. The mocking laughter from the audience grew louder. “Haha, even the ring is so shabby!” “Stella Winters, are you really content with this?” Tears nearly fell from my eyes. When had I ever suffered such humiliation in my life? But when Alexander held my hand, I froze. His hand was warm and steady. “I do,” he said firmly. Unlike Liam’s flowery words or the guests’ cold mockery, these two simple words made my heart skip a beat. “Are you sure? I might bring you trouble.” “I’m not afraid,” he replied without hesitation. The audience erupted into even louder laughter. “Two losers make a perfect pair!” “A cripple and a crazy woman, what a match!” Liam spoke up loudly, “Stella, don’t be stubborn. Come back. The baby in Rosalie’s belly needs a father, and you need a whole man.” A whole man? I sneered inwardly. What kind of whole man was Liam Carter? Betrayal, deception, playing with sisters’ feelings – was that his idea of being whole? I looked at Alexander. His leg might be crippled, but his character wasn’t. “Alright, I will,” I said, extending my hand to let him put on that dull ring. The ring was small, fitting perfectly as if it was made just for me. The audience below fell into shocked silence.

Liam’s face instantly transformed from contempt to fury. He strode over and grabbed my wrist, his grip so tight it felt like he might crush my bones. “Stella Winters, you’d rather choose a cripple to spite me than beg for my forgiveness?” Before I could react, my father rushed over. I thought he was going to stop Liam and protect me. Instead, he raised his hand and slapped me hard across the face. The crisp sound echoed through the entire wedding venue. My cheek instantly swelled up, burning with pain. Blood seeped from the corner of my mouth. The mocking laughter in the hall suddenly stopped, followed by even more piercing whispers. “You ungrateful child! You’ve completely disgraced our family! Get back there right now!” my father shouted, his eyes filled with anger and disgust, without a trace of concern. I covered my face, tears nearly spilling out. Not from the pain, but from the coldness in my heart. This man was my father. Rosalie then pretended to mediate, stepping forward. “Dad, Stella is just being impulsive. Please don’t be too angry…” As she spoke, she “accidentally” stomped on my foot with her high heel. The sharp pain made me lose my balance instantly. She then pretended to lose her balance and rammed her shoulder into me hard. I stumbled and fell to the ground. The pristine white wedding dress was instantly stained with blood from my split lip. The guests below started pointing and whispering. “The Winters’ family education, tsk tsk…” “The elder daughter is crazy, but at least the younger one knows better.” “Good thing Mr. Carter chose the right one.” Rosalie stroked her belly smugly, her eyes full of challenge. Alexander tried to help me up but was blocked by Liam’s friends. “Who do you think you are? You’re not worthy of touching her!” Liam sneered. I lay on the floor, watching Alexander’s anxious but helpless face. A despair greater than physical pain welled up in my heart. Was this the man I had chosen? He couldn’t even protect me. Liam looked down at me, his face full of triumph. “Stella, do you see now? This is your choice. How can a cripple who can barely stand protect you?” He squatted down and reached out to pull me up. “Come on, come back. I can forgive and forget all this, pretend it never happened.” This man, who just last night had called me a dead fish in front of his friends, was now putting on an act of deep affection. Disgusting. I used all my strength to slap his hand away. “Get lost!” Liam’s face instantly darkened. “You ungrateful bitch.” He stood up and kicked the wedding dress beside me. “Since you’re so cheap, go ahead and be with your cripple. But don’t come crying back later!” Seeing this, my father stepped forward again. “You ungrateful child, apologize right now!” My mother also rushed over, crying and wailing. “Stella, have you gone mad? Are you ruining your life just to spite us?” The guests below pointed and whispered, enjoying the spectacle. “Stella Winters has really lost it.” “Choosing a cripple out of spite, she must be desperate.” “What sin did the Winters family commit to have such a daughter?” Rosalie timely came forward, cradling her belly. “Stella, please calm down. We may have had misunderstandings, but Liam truly loves you. Look at Mr. Grant, he can’t even protect you. Is he really suitable for you to spend your life with?” Her words cut deep into my heart. I lay on the ground, feeling the malice from all directions. My parents’ disappointment. My ex-boyfriend’s mockery. My sister’s provocation. The guests’ ridicule. And… the helplessness of the man I had chosen. Had I really made the wrong choice? At this moment, Alexander finally broke free from those people’s restraint. He limped towards me, each step difficult. He knelt down and gently helped me up. “I’m sorry you had to suffer this,” he said softly. Then he turned to face Liam. “You’re right, I can’t protect her.” My heart instantly sank to the bottom. Was he going to abandon me too? But in the next second, he added: “But at least, I won’t hurt her.” He looked at everyone below the stage. “You mock her for going crazy, for choosing me out of spite. But have you ever thought about what would make a woman make such a choice on her wedding day?” The hall fell silent. “It’s betrayal. It’s deception. It’s hurt from those closest to her.” “My leg may be crippled, but my heart isn’t. I may not be able to give her the best material life, but I can give her the truest feelings.” Liam’s face turned ashen with rage. “Stop with this sentimental nonsense! You cripple, what right do you have-” “What right do I have?” Alexander interrupted him, “I have the right to love her. What about you?” “Stop with this mushy talk. Guys, get him out of here.” With that, Liam and his friends pushed Alexander out of the wedding venue.

My mother finally moved. Not to help me up, but to yank me off the ground. Before I could react, Rosalie had already grabbed my other arm. “Mom, what are you doing!” I struggled, but their combined strength was greater than mine. “Shut up! You’ve embarrassed us enough!” my mother hissed. They dragged me towards the back of the stage. The guests watched this scene unfold, some pulling out their phones to record. “Let go of me! Have you all gone mad?” I shouted. I tried to break free, but Rosalie took the chance to pinch my waist hard. The sharp pain made me lose all strength to resist. They dragged me to a storage room backstage filled with junk. The door slammed shut, followed by the sound of a key turning in the lock. I rushed to the door, pounding on it frantically. “Open the door! You can’t lock me in here! Open up!” Outside, Liam’s amplified voice came through the speakers, echoing throughout the venue. “Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize for that little scene earlier. It was quite embarrassing.” “Right now, my abandoned ex-fiancée is reflecting on her actions in a little dark room backstage. How long do you think it will take her to come to her senses?” Laughter erupted from the audience. “Mr. Carter is so witty!” “This is better than watching a movie!” “That woman deserves it!” I had become the public laughingstock of this wedding. My phone vibrated. I took it out and saw a message from my mother. “Stella, stop making a scene. Your sister’s happiness is the most important thing. Kneel down and apologize to Liam, and we can put this all behind us.” I stared at the words on the screen. My sister’s happiness is the most important thing. What about me? Doesn’t my happiness matter? Doesn’t my dignity matter? Am I destined to be humiliated, locked up, and treated like a joke? The music outside grew louder. Liam and Rosalie started dancing. The guests’ applause and cheers grew more enthusiastic. And I, like a piece of trash, was locked in this dark corner. My phone vibrated again. This time it was from Rosalie. “Sis, I know you’re angry right now. But think about it, Liam is so outstanding, he deserves better. Don’t be so stubborn, okay?” I slid down against the door, curling up into a ball. The physical pain, the betrayal from my family, the humiliation from my lover, and the departure of the man who said he would protect me – all of it pushed me into a bottomless abyss. I didn’t even have the strength to cry anymore. Let them laugh. Let them gloat. I had nothing left anyway. Liam’s voice came from outside: “Everyone, now it’s time for the most exciting part. Let’s go see if our ex-fiancée has come to her senses!” Footsteps approached. The sound of a key turning in the lock. The door opened, and blinding light poured in. Liam stood in the doorway, followed by a group of guests, all holding up their phones to record. “Stella, have you thought it through? Ready to apologize?” I lifted my head, about to speak. Suddenly, the main doors of the wedding hall burst open. A group of people stormed in, with Alexander standing at the front, followed by dozens of intimidating bodyguards in black suits. The entire hall fell silent. Everyone was stunned, including Liam. Alexander took off his suit jacket and strode towards me. His leg was still lame. He draped the jacket over my shoulders, then lifted me up in his arms without a word. “What are you doing! Let her go!” Liam finally reacted. Alexander didn’t even glance at him. At that moment, I felt alive again. “Alexander Grant, you think bringing a few men makes you invincible? You’re still just a cripple!” Liam shouted, his face red with anger and embarrassment. Just then, a middle-aged man in a suit stepped forward. He held a document which he threw directly in Liam’s face. “Mr. Carter, from this moment on, 35% of Carter Group’s shares belong to Mr. Grant. You have been removed from the board of directors.”

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In the dead of night, my husband held me close and suddenly remarked with emotion: “You look so beautiful with your hair down like this.” His eyes were full of affection, but I felt as if I’d plunged into an icy abyss. Because I always sleep with my hair down every night. A week later, I went for a prenatal checkup and ran into a woman. Her high ponytail and the necklace she wore caught my eye. It was identical to the one Zachary had given me on our anniversary. “Honey?” Zachary suddenly filled my field of vision. “It’s our turn, shall we go in?” I shifted my gaze to his face. His expression was normal, as if he hadn’t noticed that woman at all. Nor had he realized that the necklace around her neck was the same as the one he’d given me not long ago. I nodded and turned around. He stepped ahead to open the door for me. Unexpectedly, as soon as I sat down, his phone rang. “It’s a work call, might be important. I’ll step out to take it.” Zachary had recently joined the board of directors at the company’s branch office, but today was Monday, and there was an unmissable executive meeting at headquarters that he had to attend. However, to accompany me for the checkup, he had still managed to take time off. All these years, he had always put my needs first. When I saw freshly made mooncakes online from thousands of miles away and craved them, he flew across the country to buy them for me that very day. When I had insomnia and couldn’t sleep, he changed his flight while on a business trip to rush back and keep me company. In all our time together, he had never made me shed a single tear. We were known among our friends as the model couple, but I knew that this was all thanks to his tolerance and compromise. He cared about me too much and was too good to me, consistently for seven years. So much so that even now, I could clearly catch the fleeting nervousness on his face as he looked down at his phone. “We’re past the danger period now, everything looks good.” I walked out of the examination room clutching the results. The woman was no longer outside. Zachary came over to meet me. “Finished so quickly?” I instinctively took a step back. Zachary never wore cologne; he knew I didn’t like the smell. But now, there was suddenly a faint sweet scent on him.

Zachary seemed to notice my reaction. He stopped where he was without coming closer, and asked about my test results. “Is everything okay? That’s great.” “Pregnancy is so tough, once the baby is born, I’ll take some time off and we’ll go on a trip together.” “Your appetite hasn’t been great lately, I’ll make you something fresh for dinner tonight.” On the way home, he chattered away. I responded to each comment. The car stopped at a red light. Zachary gripped the steering wheel, his fingers unconsciously fidgeting. “Honey, I might need to go on a business trip soon.” I turned my head to look at him. His hand suddenly tightened on the wheel, and he forced a smile. “To Africa. Once I’m done with work, I’ll look for some local folk art pieces for you.” As an antique restoration expert, those things naturally appealed to me. Zachary knew this – he had always been intimately familiar with my likes, dislikes and habits. So, it was actually quite strange that he had given me such a flashy necklace for Valentine’s Day. And it turned out to be identical to someone else’s. “When are you leaving?” “In two days, probably.” My phone buzzed. I looked up amid the sound of car horns. The light had suddenly turned green. The summer heat was intense. A fly crashed into the windshield, its abdominal patterns swirling and tangled. My stomach churned for no apparent reason. “Honey, are you alright? Do you want to go to the hospital?” The car pulled over to the side of the road. Zachary shielded me from the sun with his body while gently patting my back. He stared at me with concern, his face full of genuine worry. “I’ll tell the project lead to send someone else. I’ll stay home with you.” I looked up and smiled. “Go ahead, work is more important.” He pressed his lips together without saying more, and pulled out a pack of tissues from his pocket to hand to me. The texture was soft, with a sweet scent. “We ran out of the usual ones. I bought these at the convenience store when I stepped out to take the call. Didn’t realize they were scented.”

I asked Zachary to drop me off at my studio. I was feeling better, and it was time to continue working on the white porcelain bowl I had taken on recently. No one was allowed in my workspace, so Zachary waited outside. “I’ll come pick you up after work then.” The cicadas buzzed incessantly in the summer heat. I stood by the window watching his car drive away, my fingers sliding across my phone screen to dial Henry Zhang’s number. He was my mother’s former student who had joined the company with my father’s help, and later became Zachary’s assistant. Personnel changes were strictly regulated in government-invested companies, and there hadn’t been any new hires around Zachary recently. “There’s a new project bidding in Africa, and management arranged for him to lead the team.” After hanging up, I opened the summary of medical records sent by my friend at the hospital. That woman from today was completely ordinary, with no connection to Zachary whatsoever. In fact, she didn’t even seem to be Zachary’s type. I looked down at my belly. I’d heard that due to hormonal changes, pregnant women tend to become sensitive and suspicious. Was I overthinking things? To be fair, Zachary had been beyond reproach towards me. Last year, I took on a job that required a rare restoration material. He cancelled his work to accompany me on a trek through the mountains to find it. On the way, there was a landslide with mud and rocks pouring down. His first reaction was to hold me in his arms, using his body as a shield to protect me. Zachary was an only child from an average family who had lost his father early on. His mother really hoped he could have a child to carry on the family line. After we got married, when he brought it up to me, I casually replied, “Have you seen how difficult childbirth is?” He actually went and researched all kinds of information, learning about the risks of childbirth, and even specially experienced simulated labor pain. After that, he never mentioned children again. I don’t know how he persuaded his mother, but when I accompanied him home, no one brought up the subject to me either. Until that accident. That day, when he woke up in the hospital, I stroked the scars on his back and suddenly made up my mind to have a child with him. Zachary was silent for a long time, then held me tightly in his arms. He hugged me very close, but I couldn’t see the expression on his face.

After finishing gluing the entire bowl back together, I received a message from Zachary. He had to work overtime unexpectedly. The sun was setting outside, and the aging process couldn’t be completed in a short time either. My mother had once taught me that care and love in a marriage should be reciprocal, not just one person giving unilaterally. I ordered some of Zachary’s favorite dishes from our usual private kitchen restaurant and called a car to head to his office. On the way, I habitually opened my social media app. The homepage recommended a set of photos. I never follow celebrity gossip and didn’t recognize the actress in the photos. But the jewelry brand she was wearing looked familiar. It turned out that the necklace Zachary gave me was from a line she endorsed. As if possessed, I started searching for information about her. Former model, stage name Mia, started playing minor roles four years ago. Her resources suddenly improved last year, leading to her rise in popularity. The clouds merged with the setting sun, melting into gold. I opened the car window, letting in the cool evening breeze. It was on an evening like this last year when Zachary joined the board of directors and gained real power. My father opened a treasured bottle of wine to celebrate for him.

I called Neo. He was the client who commissioned the white porcelain bowl, and also the editor-in-chief of a well-known fashion magazine. Mia’s status wasn’t high enough to deal with him directly, but a top actress from her agency had recently been featured in his magazine. “She should have just finished filming a new drama recently. I heard she’s planning to vacation in Kenya in a few days.” “Why are you suddenly interested in celebrity gossip? Oh – she’s going to the same place as your husband.” The car stopped in front of Zachary’s company. I looked up. The office of the vice chairman was on the third floor in the center, now completely dark. Zachary, who claimed to be working overtime, was nowhere to be seen. “Where was she filming before?” Neo mentioned an obscure city name. I happened to have heard of it. Not long ago, Zachary went on a business trip there and brought me back an underglaze painted porcelain vase.

I found Mia’s latest gossip news. During a livestream to promote her drama, netizens noticed ambiguous red marks on her neck. CP fans went wild, while someone who seemed to be a solo fan of the male lead argued in the comments. [Have you all forgotten? Last year she was photographed going home with a man late at night.] My phone screen suddenly went black, reflecting my face in the dark glass. Like a cockroach lurking in a dark corner. Zachary’s call came in. “Honey, you’re not at the studio anymore?” The work tasks were urgent and heavy, but he couldn’t bear to keep me waiting, so he rushed over to pick me up as soon as he got off work. At that time, I was already on my way here, just missing him. The food delivered from the restaurant was still warm. Zachary made two more appetizers for me and a pot of borscht. “Honey, I’ve been thinking, you need someone by your side right now. I won’t go to Africa after all.” I lowered my head to drink the soup, but it felt like something was suddenly stuck in my throat. Half an hour ago, I had just asked Neo to arrange an interview with Mia. For this, she cancelled her travel plans to Kenya.

After dinner, while Zachary went to cut some fruit, I turned on the TV. Soon after, he came out carrying a fruit platter, looking somewhat guilty. “Honey, Director Liu just called—” A sweet female voice came from the TV. Almost at the same moment, Zachary turned his head. Mia’s face appeared on the screen. “What’s wrong?” He seemed mesmerized, not moving for a long time until I spoke up. “I know this actress.” He sat down next to me, casually slipping his phone into his pocket. “She was my junior in middle school. I didn’t expect her to become an actress later. Last year when she saw news about me, she even reached out asking for help.” “What kind of help?” “Networking. She didn’t have any background and was struggling in the industry.” He handed me a piece of peach. “Don’t worry, I didn’t agree. I know that Dad put in a lot of effort to get me to this position. I won’t let him down.” “I didn’t tell you because I was too busy at the time, and we only chatted briefly. I didn’t think much of it at all. I’m sorry, honey.” His tone was natural and open as he explained his relationship with Mia. In contrast, I was the one hiding and probing, like a petty person who couldn’t be brought into the light. “Lena.” He suddenly called my name. “I finally managed to marry you. Everything I have today is hard-earned. I cherish it very much.” He hugged me, his heart pressed close to my cheek. I smelled the familiar clean scent again, which was reassuring. That night, while Zachary was in the shower, I sat on the bed scrolling through my phone. A few years ago, I had registered an account on a social media platform where I occasionally posted about my daily life as an antique restorer, as well as some of my paintings. I had gradually accumulated tens of thousands of followers, and every time I opened the app, there were quite a few private messages. About an hour ago, one of my longtime followers had sent me a message. [Lena, I’m so upset. I’m sick, but my boyfriend stood me up to go be with another woman.] I suddenly turned my head to look at Zachary’s phone charging on the nightstand.

In the kitchen, Zachary took a phone call. When he came out with the fruit, he had actually wanted to tell me he needed to go back to work. In the end, I didn’t ask what made him choose to stay home instead. Similarly, I didn’t touch his phone either. Zachary knew better than anyone that I couldn’t tolerate even a speck of sand in my eye. If he had really done something he couldn’t let me know about, he wouldn’t leave any traces in plain sight. I don’t like to drag things out – it’s either all or nothing for me. “Honey, I want to go to Zen Cloud Temple on Saturday.” Zachary didn’t have to work on weekends, so he happily agreed. I got up early, leaving before sunrise. As the car passed through the highway toll booth, I received a message from Neo. He had already taken Zachary’s car keys and was on his way to Mia’s house. On the day we arranged the interview, Neo had suggested going to her home first to shoot some behind-the-scenes material, as I had requested. He was an expert in this field and easily convinced Mia. The ancient temple stood amidst layered mountains. I climbed the steps one by one. As the clouds parted and the mist cleared, Buddhist scriptures chanted, and the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s statue looked solemn yet compassionate. The fortune slip fell to the ground. — Young love of wine and flowers, unlike the old feelings. “Do you want to draw another one?” Zachary bent down to help me up. I turned around. Dark clouds obscured the sun above, as if a heavy rain was coming. A few minutes ago, Neo had driven Zachary’s car out of Mia’s neighborhood. Whether going in or out, he wasn’t stopped once while driving Zachary’s car.

I contacted the fan who had commented on Mia’s Weibo post before. The original post containing photos of Mia and the mysterious man going home late at night could no longer be found. But based on the information she provided, I tracked down the gossip account that had posted it. They refused to disclose any information, saying they couldn’t afford to offend the person involved. What kind of person would have such great influence? Before I could figure it out, I saw my own name trending on social media.

I do antique restoration work and have indeed made a small name for myself in the industry. I’ve also dabbled a bit in the antiques and painting circles, but I’m really not connected to entertainment gossip at all. Several trending topics on Weibo in a row were clearly targeting me specifically. The gossip accounts not only released my information and social media accounts, but also directly attacked my family. My family had made their fortune through antique research generations ago, but my father’s generation had switched to real estate and no longer dealt with those items. The poster persisted, saying my family’s assets were questionable, and even the fairness of my mother’s position as a university professor was debatable. There was no real evidence, but their ability to set the tone and stir up emotions was strong. In the blink of an eye, my account was flooded. Amidst a sea of insults, there were even some unconventional voices accusing my family of using money and power to coerce aspiring youth, disregarding law and morality. I had a good idea who they were referring to, and found the whole thing rather absurd. After carefully screenshotting and saving the content, poster information, and comments, I prepared to call my parents to give them a heads up. When I returned to the main page, the posts that had been at the top suddenly dropped to the bottom. I wasn’t sure if Zachary would protect me, but I was certain he couldn’t do something like this. I sounded out my parents, then contacted a few well-connected friends, but they were all clueless. In the end, it was my childhood friend Sophia who provided me with a clue. “Are you still in touch with Gabriel Hughes?” Those three words were like pulling a trigger, setting off an underground explosion as memories came flooding back. Ah, Gabriel Hughes. If it was him, he certainly had that kind of power.

Zachary had a work dinner tonight. Worried that my pregnancy nausea would make me dislike the food our housekeeper Mrs. Wang cooked, he specially got off work early to come home and prepare dinner for me. “I asked Henry to come along to help me fend off some of the drinks.” Henry’s car was parked outside waiting. While Zachary was busy in the kitchen, I invited Henry to come in and sit for a while. “Who would have thought? The boss is so stern and decisive at work, but at home he puts on an apron. It’s only for you, sister-in-law.” “This tea has such a unique flavor. Is it another one you brought back from your travels, sister-in-law?” I smiled without answering, and poured him another cup. Every time Zachary went on a business trip, he would bring me gifts. Sometimes luxury items, other times local specialties. The time before last, he brought me back a tea set and some locally produced tea leaves. It was also that time when he first went out of contact late at night. I was so angry I immediately scheduled an abortion for the next day, and even considered divorce. Zachary rushed back overnight and brought Henry as a witness. He said that during those few hours they were unreachable, they had been forced to drink a lot and both passed out, not realizing their phones had died. “So—” I took a sip of tea, sweet with a hint of bitterness and endless aftertaste. “You’ve never had this tea before.” After Zachary and Henry left, I set out as well. I drove Zachary’s car straight to Mia’s neighborhood. As Neo had said, the parking gate lifted automatically, and the security guard at the entrance smiled and welcomed me home. I parked the car under a tree. My phone vibrated with a message from Zachary. [Honey, I’ve arrived.] He also sent a photo of the dinner party and the location. I didn’t open it, because a minute later, he got out of a car and headed straight for Mia’s villa. I watched as he lightly pressed his fingertip to the door lock. The fingerprint was recognized successfully, and he pulled the door open to enter. Dark clouds gradually gathered, and the air felt humid and oppressive. By the time I caught my breath, I was already standing at Mia’s front door. The smart lock looked incredibly familiar – it was the exact same model we used at home. I instinctively entered our home password – the date Zachary and I got together. The door opened.

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For three years of marriage, Olivia and I maintained a polite distance, appearing to be the perfect couple in high society’s eyes. But on our wedding anniversary, as Olivia lay beneath me, the name she called out was that of her first love. In that moment, I realized our contract marriage had reached its end. But I wasn’t ready to let go. I used every connection I had to try and ruin Ethan, but not only did I fail to harm him, I ended up alienating everyone around me. Because of this, Olivia had someone lock me in a dark basement for three days. She knew I suffered from severe claustrophobia. Three days later, when I was finally released from the basement, a divorce agreement was thrown in my face. Olivia looked down at me, nearly driven mad, with contempt in her eyes. “Jack, apologize to Ethan, then sign this!” 0 I lay on the ground, gasping for air, my body drenched as if I’d been doused with water. I’d developed severe claustrophobia after an incident in my childhood. Even now, I needed at least one light on when I slept at night. Olivia knew this. Our mansion even had several backup solar generators in case of power outages. Yet she had locked me in a basement for three days because of Ethan. The first day, I screamed until I lost my voice. The second day, I clawed at the walls until my fingers bled. The third day… I couldn’t bear to remember. Those three days were hell on earth. Olivia frowned, kicking me lightly with her foot. “Jack, stop playing dead. Get up and sign the divorce papers, then go apologize to Ethan!” I struggled to my feet, using all my strength to shout at her. “Olivia, have you lost your mind?! You know I have claustrophobia!” “Three days! I almost died in that basement!” My voice was hoarse and painful, filled with fear and disbelief. Olivia looked at me with disdain, letting out a cold laugh. “Hmph, stop pretending. Ethan told me that someone with real claustrophobia couldn’t last even a second in that environment.” “Besides, you’re not dead, are you?” “Looks like Ethan was right. You’ve been lying to me all these years. But I’m giving you some assets in the divorce out of consideration for our past.” Her eyes narrowed with disgust. “Otherwise, you’d be leaving with nothing!” “So hurry up and sign it, then go apologize to Ethan. My patience is wearing thin.” With that, Olivia turned and left, not sparing me another glance. I knelt on the ground, watching her retreating figure, my eyes filled with disappointment and sorrow. I picked up the divorce agreement from the floor, my emotions in turmoil. Did I love Olivia? The answer was yes, at least before she locked me in that basement. Thinking of this, I hesitated no longer, resolving to sign the divorce papers. Sitting in a chair, I turned on my phone. An overwhelming sadness washed over me. Missing for three days, and not a single person had tried to contact me. How ironic… I shook my head with a bitter smile. Just as I was about to put the phone down, it rang. “Hello? Is this Mr. Lin?” “Yes, it’s me.” The voice on the other end noticeably relaxed, then continued. “Mr. Lin, we’ve finally reached you. Do you remember the physical examination you had at our hospital last week?” “Yes, are the results in?” “They are, but… the situation is complicated. We may need you to come in so we can discuss it in person.” My heart tightened. I asked, “Can you… give me a brief overview of the situation?” There was a moment of silence on the other end, then the voice spoke in a low tone. “Mr. Lin, you… don’t have much time left.” 0

Late-stage stomach cancer. The doctor said I had at most six months left. If I went abroad for treatment, there was a one in a thousand chance of recovery. As I walked out of the hospital, I looked up at the sun, staring until my eyes watered from the pain. This warm sunlight would soon no longer be mine to enjoy. As I stood there, my phone rang. I rubbed my eyes and answered. Olivia’s angry voice came through. “Jack! Where the hell have you been?!” “Didn’t I tell you to come apologize to Ethan right away?” “Get your ass back here now!” Listening to this barrage of words, my heart clenched in pain. “Something came up.” The voice on the other end suddenly fell silent, then her breathing became rapid. A few seconds later, Olivia spoke through gritted teeth. “Fine, fine, fine! You dare to talk back to me now!” “Jack, I don’t care what you’re dealing with.” “Even if you were dying!” “You need to come back right now! This instant! And get on your knees to apologize to Ethan!” [But I really am dying] I didn’t say these words out loud. I didn’t want her to know. Since I had decided to leave, there was no need for any further entanglement with her. I responded affirmatively to the phone, then hung up. On the other end, Olivia stood frozen, listening to the dial tone. She slowly turned to look at the man sitting on the couch, speaking in a disbelieving tone. “He… he dared to hang up on me?!” Crack! Olivia, her face contorted, smashed the phone on the ground, shrieking. “Jack actually dared to hang up on me!!” “How dare he!!” “I’ll kill him! Kill him!!!” Olivia stomped on the shattered phone repeatedly until it was crushed to pieces. Seeing that she had finished venting, Ethan walked over and took her into his arms, gently patting her back. “Olivia, it’s not worth getting angry over someone like him.” “Even if he died, no one would care.” Olivia pouted, snuggling against Ethan. “But I can’t stand seeing him bully you.” Ethan lightly caressed her face, chuckling softly. “It’s alright. I don’t take someone like him seriously.” “How about this – if he apologizes this time, I’ll let bygones be bygones. What do you think?” Olivia breathed in Ethan’s scent greedily, her face flushed. “Ethan, you’re so kind. That’s what I love about you. While that loser isn’t back yet, why don’t we…” 0

I returned to the mansion. As expected, Ethan was there. Olivia was nestled in Ethan’s arms, her face still flushed. Seeing me return, Olivia immediately stood up and walked towards me. Slap! The sound of a slap rang out as Olivia coldly looked at me and said, “Jack, so you finally decided to come back?” “Now get on your knees and apologize to Ethan!” “Let me tell you, Ethan is being generous. After you apologize, he’s willing to let the past go, considering you’ve been by my side for a few years.” “So hurry up! Ethan and I have plans later. Don’t waste our time!” Olivia’s voice was full of disgust, as if what she was saying was some kind of favor to me. I ignored her. From the moment this woman locked me in that basement, any love I had for her began to fade away. I looked at Ethan sitting on the couch and said to him, “Looks like you’re feeling pretty confident now?” “Why wouldn’t I be?” Ethan took a sip of his red wine and said mockingly, “Your so-called friends were only interested in the benefits you could bring them. I can offer more.” “Olivia never loved you. She only saw you as my replacement. But now I’m back.” With each sentence, Ethan took a step towards me. He came close, patted my face, and said, “As for family, you’re just an orphan whose parents are dead.” “I won’t make things difficult for you. Just kneel down, apologize to me, sign the divorce papers, and you can get lost.” Having said this, he sat back down on the couch, swirling his wine glass, looking at me with a victorious smile. I took a deep breath, suppressing my anger. The doctor had warned me not to get upset before I could go abroad for treatment, or it might worsen my condition. If that happened, I might… “Ethan, I’ll sign the divorce papers, but I won’t apologize!” As soon as I finished speaking, a shrill voice came from behind me. “Jack! Who do you think you are to refuse to apologize?!” Olivia looked crazed, a sight that filled me with sadness. She had never been like this for me. She came up to me and slapped me again. I didn’t say anything. When she tried to slap me a third time, I caught her hand. Olivia’s eyes widened in shock. She glared at me and said, “You! You dare to stop me!!!” I looked at her coldly and said, “Why wouldn’t I dare to stop you?” “After that last slap, any feelings between us are completely over.” “From now on, we have no connection whatsoever.” “I hope you won’t bother me again in the future.” “There’s still a week left in the divorce cooling-off period. I’ll sign the agreement after seven days.” With that, I turned and left the mansion. Olivia stood there, stunned by my words. When she came to her senses, her face twisted in anger. She turned to Ethan and said through gritted teeth, “Ethan, I want him to pay!” Ethan narrowed his eyes, staring at the direction I had left. “Don’t worry, Olivia. He will.” 0

Over the next two days, I moved all my belongings out of the mansion and into the house my parents had left me. Olivia and Ethan didn’t cause me any more trouble after that day, but someone I never expected came to see me. “Jack, long time no see.” I looked at the woman standing outside my door, a hint of nostalgia in my eyes. “How did you find me?” Luna, Olivia’s half-sister. Our fathers had been close friends, and Luna and I had known each other since childhood. Five years ago, she went abroad, and I hadn’t seen her since. Luna chuckled and said, “I’ve heard everything. Looks like the five years I’ve been gone haven’t been kind to you.” “How did you…!” I looked at her in surprise, then shook my head resignedly. Of course, my issues with Olivia had become known to everyone around us. With Luna’s connections, it wouldn’t be hard for her to find out. “Weren’t you abroad? Why did you suddenly come back?” Hearing my question, Luna rolled her eyes at me and said, “If I hadn’t come back, you might really be dead by now.” She looked at me reproachfully. “Do you know how many forms I had to fill out to bring you the special medication? It was such a hassle.” I stared at her in shock and asked, “How did you know about my illness?!” She pushed past me into the house and said, “The doctor who diagnosed you is my senior from medical school. He contacted me earlier saying there was a late-stage stomach cancer patient here and asked if I could take over the case. I looked into it and found out it was you.” “I heard you and my sister still have a week left in your divorce cooling-off period. So, I rushed back from abroad to avoid delaying your treatment.” Luna sat on the couch, spreading her hands and looking at me. Hearing what she said, I wanted to thank her, but when I opened my mouth, no sound came out. Seeing me like this, she came over to me, gently caressing my face, her voice soft. “Don’t thank me. If it weren’t for you reaching out to help me when the Yus were in trouble back then, the Yu family would be long gone by now.” “From that moment on, I swore in my heart that I would always stand by your side. It’s a pity you ended up choosing Olivia in the end.” “I…” She cut me off and continued, “But now my chance has come. So, for my sake, please live on.” Even if I had a thousand things to say, in the end, they all condensed into one sentence. “I promise you.” I looked into Luna’s eyes and said firmly. Then I remembered something and told her, “By the way, I left something back at the mansion. I need to go get it. Wait for me here.” … When I returned to the mansion, Olivia and Ethan weren’t there. I didn’t think much of it and went straight to my room. But the moment I opened the door, I lost consciousness. When I opened my eyes again, darkness surrounded me. That familiar feeling of fear instantly washed over me like a tidal wave. My heart started racing, and cold sweat soaked through my clothes in an instant. I immediately felt around, hoping to find the door, but after groping for a while, I realized that I was surrounded by walls on all sides! The fear grew stronger and stronger, and I could feel my strength slowly leaving my body. I started pounding on the walls like a madman. I’d rather die from cancer than in this pitch-black space. Blood ran down my face, my fists were raw to the bone from hitting the walls, and due to the extreme stress, the blood vessels in my eyes burst, causing me to cry tears of blood. But still, no one came. I screamed and shouted until my voice became hoarse, until… I could no longer make a sound. At that moment, I understood. It was Olivia and Ethan. They wanted me dead, but they couldn’t kill me themselves. But who would care about a terminally ill cancer patient who accidentally fell into an abandoned well? Yes, I was at the bottom of an abandoned well, with a stone slab pressed on top. I curled up at the bottom of the well, like a dying maggot, slowly being consumed by fear. One day, two days, three days… My consciousness was slowly fading. In my delirium, I thought I heard Luna’s voice. “I’m sorry, Luna. I broke my promise…”

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