It was the third day of the cold war between us. As soon as I, Harper, walked through the door, Mr. Davis, our butler, approached me with a huge bouquet of roses. Mr. Davis’s smile was utterly fawning. “Mr. Leo knows he messed up, ma’am. He specially picked out these red roses for you this morning—your favorite.” “If he didn’t have a meeting today, he would have delivered them himself. Please don’t be too angry, ma’am. You’re the one Mr. Leo cares about most.” Mr. Davis exhausted every good word he knew, trying to make excuses for Leo. But after a long day, I just found his chatter irritating. Red roses were my favorite flowers, true. My hand lifted, but I didn’t take them. Instead, I rubbed my tired forehead, bypassing Mr. Davis and heading upstairs. Every time we argued, Leo would send me countless gifts. In the past, I’d treasured them like precious jewels. But after I found *that* letter, these gifts became a cruel joke. It was almost season change, and I decided to update my wardrobe. While tidying up, I found a yellowed envelope tucked away at the very bottom of my closet. Pink trim, an old-fashioned design – I knew instantly it wasn’t mine. I opened it and barely had time to read for half a minute when Leo, fresh out of the bathroom, rushed over and snatched it from my hands. He carefully inspected the envelope, making sure it was completely unharmed, then folded it neatly. As if realizing something, his gaze shifted to me, standing there stunned. Leo showed no hint of shame at being caught. His eyes held a slight reproach. “Why were you going through my things? Even in a marriage, people need their own space, don’t they? You’re getting more and more unreasonable.” Just accidentally seeing something of his, and I was judged so harshly. It was as if his wedding vow, “Everything I have is transparent to you,” had never existed. I pressed my lips together, meeting his gaze directly. “Aren’t you going to explain?” The name on that love letter was Chloe Peterson, my high school deskmate. The date at the bottom was from our sophomore year. Leo and I only got together at a graduation party after high school; he confessed his feelings, and I accepted without hesitation. What I’d forgotten was that day was the day after Chloe left for overseas. In high school, I was a quiet girl. Chloe, on the other hand, was outgoing and could chat with anyone. Since we were deskmates, she often talked to me. To be fair, I liked her quite a bit back then; we had a good relationship, occasionally ate together, and talked about girl stuff. At that moment, Leo didn’t seem to think he was in the wrong at all. “Explain what? You’re the one who needs to explain why you were rummaging through my things.” The atmosphere was tense, unyielding, until his phone rang. He visibly relaxed as he answered. “Fine, I forgive you. Just don’t touch my things again.” He threw that line out, then casually pulled on some clothes and walked out the door. As for the love letter, he seemed to have completely forgotten it, never mentioning it again. It wasn’t that I hadn’t tried to argue or confront him, but his dismissive, almost pitying look cut right through me. He’d said, “We’re married now. What else do you want?” His words squeezed my heart until I couldn’t breathe. Even with the window open and air circulating, I felt like I was suffocating. In that moment, for the first time, I began to truly examine all the years I’d spent with him. Later that night, I had already fallen asleep. In my dream, a dog kept clinging to me. I groggily opened my eyes, met with a pungent, alcoholic smell. Leo was drunk, kissing me messily, his eyes wet and glistening, like a golden retriever who had finally found its owner. After all, we had been married for years. I pushed him aside and sat up, intending to get him some water to sober him up. I sat up and put on my shoes. Suddenly, a warmth pressed against me from behind. Leo held me tight, burying his head against my shoulder. His voice was full of a pathetic whine, “Don’t leave.” I tilted my head, my gaze tinged with sarcasm. “Am I really the one you want to stay?” The moment the words left my lips, I felt him stiffen behind me. The pressure on my shoulder eased. I turned to look, and Leo was already lying flat on the bed. He stared blankly at the ceiling, his eyes dark and utterly vacant. My heart ached with a tight, sour feeling, but a cold, mocking laugh escaped my lips as I continued. “Is it because my parents passed away that you pitied me and married me?” He was the one who proposed, six months after my parents died in a car accident. I was completely devastated then, and he had helped manage my company. Before he started helping with my company, Leo had lost a fortune in his own startup. He’d gone around begging for money, and friends and family had shunned him like the plague. He’d finally begged me to let him work at the company to repay his debts, but his meager salary wasn’t enough for the enormous sum. He’d only managed to solve his financial issues by dipping into company funds. I simply hadn’t exposed him, seeing how tirelessly he worked for the company. After we got married, he slowly took over more of the company’s affairs, allowing me to pursue work I enjoyed. He’d promised me that my shares in the company would remain the highest, and he had kept that promise. But the reality now was Leo asking me, “So, what do you want now?” I glanced at Leo, the tearing pain in my chest stealing my breath. Disappointment heavy in my heart, I stood up. My hand was caught. His palm was warm, but his fingertips were cold, a confusing mix of temperatures. Leo repeated his question, this time with a hint of compromise, forbearance… and a flicker of disgust. “What exactly do you want now?” **Chapter 2** After that night, Leo often avoided being alone with me. But I didn’t fall into the same slump I had after my parents passed. I pulled myself together and went back to work at the company. The board members were surprised by my return. Some whispered that I was just back to play around, others speculated that my marriage was in trouble. I started taking on more and more responsibilities, and slowly, Leo stopped avoiding me. He began to interact with me like before, acting according to my wishes. I knew there was an invisible veil between us, obscuring our true selves. What broke the stalemate, or rather, made it worse, was a high school reunion. Our old homeroom teacher suddenly organized a reunion, personally calling to invite us. Our once charming and talented class monitor had turned into a pot-bellied desk jockey, and the quiet wallflower had become a confident, eloquent beauty. Everyone had changed so much. Our arrival drew everyone’s attention, along with some whispers. “Is that Harper? She’s so gorgeous now.” “They actually look quite good together now.” Indeed, in high school, Leo and I were in the same class for three years but had almost no interaction. It was my deskmate, Chloe, who had a good relationship with him. Everyone used to think Chloe and Leo would end up together. In high school, Leo was popular – smart, good-looking. I, on the other hand, was an unpolished nerd back then. No one thought we’d ever be a couple. It was Leo who confessed first. Sam, our class monitor, was still as enthusiastic as ever. He approached us to chat. “You two are seriously busy! Our old teacher said it took forever to get you here.” I smiled, my gaze sweeping over everyone. I wasn’t fazed by their stares. “But we’re here now, aren’t we? Let’s find a seat.” Once we sat down, everyone started catching up, drinking. Many classmates who I hadn’t interacted with much in high school came over to chat. Jake, our old sports committee member, came over half-drunk and slung an arm around Leo’s shoulder. “You lucky dog! You married the class’s heiress, and now she’s become this beautiful.” “Hahahaha! The poorest guy in our class and the richest girl got together. You really made it, man!” His voice wasn’t quiet. After he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent. Leo’s smile froze, his face darkening. Leo hated it most when people said he relied on me. He always believed his achievements were due to his own hard work, and that I merely provided a foundation. My smile was plastered on my face, but it didn’t reach my eyes. I said calmly, “Jake, you’re drunk.” I wasn’t speaking up for Leo; I was speaking up for my own dignity. Jake burped. “No, I’m not! If I’d known you were so rich, I would’ve made my move first…” Before he could finish, Sam quickly walked over, clamped a hand over his mouth, and dragged him away. “You’re wasted! It’s been years, can’t you keep your mouth shut?!” Our old teacher, sensing the awkward atmosphere, quickly started ushering people to eat. The mood hadn’t quite lightened when the door opened, and a familiar figure appeared. Willow-like brows, almond-shaped eyes, cherry lips, and a graceful nose – Chloe. She possessed a newfound maturity and charm compared to her high school days. Chloe walked in, greeting everyone warmly, then chose the seat closest to me. A few people whispered as they stared at Chloe. Our old teacher cleared his throat. “Stop staring. Chloe’s back in the country for good this time. You’ll have plenty of time to catch up.” Across from me, Chloe and Leo exchanged loaded glances, as if they wanted everyone to know they had something special. I, the legitimate wife, felt like the villain breaking up a loving couple. By the end of the reunion, everyone was completely wasted. I stepped outside, wanting some fresh air, and happened to run into Chloe. A sickly sweet, teasing voice drifted from around the corner. “I’m back. So, when are you divorcing her?” The door was ajar, so I couldn’t see the other person, but my heart instantly plummeted. The moment that voice spoke, my heart shattered. The owner of the voice sounded a bit annoyed, but he was trying to be gentle with the person in front of him. “You just got back. What’s the rush? Settle in first.” “Don’t lie to me! I came back for you.” **Chapter 3** I crossed my arms, a faint smile playing on my lips, though my eyes were cold and sharp. “Why are you talking out here? Is it something others can’t hear?” They exchanged a glance, unsure if I’d overheard their conversation. Compared to Leo’s panic, Chloe quickly regained her composure. She walked up to me, pulling me into a fake intimate embrace. “Oh, we were just talking about you, Harper. I was asking Leo what you like so I could get you a gift.” I pulled Chloe’s hand away, forcing a polite, artificial smile. “Still calling him Leo? You two are still so close, aren’t you?” Their faces stiffened. I continued, “Don’t bother yourself. Leo and I have everything we need now.” I had occasionally heard about Chloe’s life overseas. It hadn’t been easy for her. Determined to make them both suffer a sleepless night, I met Leo’s gaze, giving him no quarter. “Leo, after all, you and Chloe were quite the match in high school – a real power couple. It’s probably best you don’t get too close now. I might get jealous, you know.” I said I’d get jealous, but my cold demeanor sent shivers down Leo’s spine. The drive home was silent. Leo’s phone kept buzzing. The incessant ringing started to annoy me. I asked, “Aren’t you going to reply? What if Chloe has something important to tell you?” The moment I spoke her name, Leo slammed on the brakes. He glanced at me, then immediately turned off his phone. “I told you, there’s nothing going on between us! I just explained it, didn’t I?” His defense was weak, pathetic. I bit my lower lip, my mind already starting to plan for divorce. After that, our relationship completely froze. We didn’t even argue anymore. Even though he was the one who confessed, I knew very well that in this relationship, I was the one who was truly on the bottom. Every cold war ended with me initiating the reconciliation. Leo would just fob me off with gifts, as if presents could fix everything. But he forgot, it was I who, using my connections and family ties, had elevated him to a height he could never have reached on his own. Perhaps Leo had truly loved me once, but that love letter was a stark reminder that I was never his first priority. I felt so little love. I didn’t want to trap myself in fantasies anymore. But at night, falling into memories left me gasping for air. My body felt off, but I chose to ignore it, going to the company as usual the next day. For several days, Leo didn’t come home. I knew, but I didn’t care, pouring my energy into the company’s new project. Finally, I allowed myself a night off. As I sat down for dinner at home, Mr. Davis asked, “It’s getting cold lately. Mr. Leo hasn’t been home for days. I wonder if he has enough clothes at the office. Would you like me to send some over, ma’am?” This cold war had dragged on for too long, and everyone else in the house seemed anxious. Perhaps Mr. Davis simply couldn’t stand the current atmosphere and was kindly hinting. I had too many things on my mind lately, and my emotions felt a little out of control. My cool voice turned sharp and piercing, directed mercilessly at anyone who didn’t align with my wishes. “If you’re so worried, go find him yourself. I probably know where he is. Do you need me to tell you?” Mr. Davis had been hired during my high school years because my parents were busy with company affairs. In the past, he always prioritized my feelings. But after Leo and I got married, Mr. Davis slowly began to put Leo first. I stared at the dishes in front of me; most of them were Leo’s favorites. It wasn’t just Mr. Davis; the cook was the same. Clothes and daily meals were always chosen with Leo in mind first. The house decor was arranged exactly to his liking. My entire life was slowly being devoured, consumed. I took a deep breath, my eyes sharp as I swept my gaze across Mr. Davis. “Find the design plans I made for the house before. Arrange everything according to those.” Mr. Davis hesitated, wanting to speak, then forced a strained smile. “Ma’am, that’s a huge undertaking. And we should discuss it with Mr. Leo first…” I stared at her, expressionless. Mr. Davis fell silent, then immediately instructed someone to find the plans. At the company, I immersed myself in organizing the project proposal, not noticing anyone entering my office. Just as I finally allowed myself a moment to breathe, I looked up and saw Leo, whom I hadn’t seen in days. I ignored his presence, standing up to ask my secretary why she let someone in without my permission. Leo stepped forward and grabbed my arm. After days apart, his first words were an accusation: “Why are you redecorating the house? Are you planning to divorce me? All because of that love letter?” He sighed, shaking his head, accusing me. “You’re becoming so petty now. You weren’t like this before.” The moment he said that, my heart clenched. I let out a breath and looked at him, scrutinizing. “And you? Haven’t *you* changed?” “Besides, it’s *my* house. I don’t need you telling me what to do.” Leo hated it when I brought up money. Every time I did, he acted like he was a kept man, feeling inferior to me. I knew this, which was why I often avoided such topics and only praised Leo publicly. But with too much praise, not only did outsiders believe I owed everything to Leo, even Leo himself couldn’t distinguish reality. My words stung him. He unconsciously tightened his grip on my arm. Pain shot through my wrist. I ignored his cold gaze, biting my lip, and pulled his hand off. “Don’t think I don’t know what you’ve been up to these past few days.” Leo was speechless for a moment, then quickly found his voice. “I’ve been working myself to death for this company, and you don’t see any of that? Now, because I made one mistake, you’re treating me like this?” “Is it that in your heart, you only care about this company, and I’m just your obedient dog?” My brows furrowed. I didn’t understand why he was acting so wronged. I simply said, “If that’s what you want to think, there’s nothing I can do.” Then, remembering something, I gave a bitter laugh. “Have you finished helping Chloe with whatever she needed? Or are you just here to throw a tantrum at me? You should know I’m not a forgiving person.” Leo’s body stiffened. He denied it weakly. “I didn’t.” His rebuttal had no conviction. My phone vibrated in my hand. I glanced down, giving him a perfunctory reply. “Oh, right. It’s just friendly, harmonious help between classmates.” **Chapter 4** Leo was annoyed by my attitude. “Are you really going to treat me like this for an outsider? She’s her, and you’re you. We’re married.” I was so exasperated by his twisted logic that I wanted to leave, but Leo held me back. He remembered his true purpose for coming to see me: he wanted me to stop meddling in company affairs. I was the largest shareholder, and my return had significantly impacted Leo. The old men on the board, who already disliked Leo, were now opportunists, and Leo was slowly losing his influence in the company. My bad mood had made me sarcastic, which now made it difficult for him to communicate with me. Our conversations had rarely been this strained after we married. In the past, I would usually soothe myself, making him forget that before we got married, I had a very strong personality. Seeing my lack of trust, Leo seemed to grasp at a lifeline. “I can explain to you, that love letter…” But I didn’t have time to pursue it now. I turned and waved him off. “I’m busy right now. We can talk later.” Leo felt an indescribable bitterness, like swallowing a bitter pill. It wasn’t that I was deliberately ignoring him; he’d just come at a bad time. The head of Vance Enterprises, whom I’d been trying to reach for ages, had finally responded. I arrived at the agreed location according to the address they provided. When I saw the person waiting, I froze. The balloon of anxiety in my chest, about to burst, seemed to slowly deflate. Meeting the eyes of the person before me, I actually smiled. It was like a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders. I let out a sigh of relief. It wasn’t a forced smile or a cold, mocking one; it was the first genuine, relaxed smile I’d managed in days. Julian Vance watched my transformation from tension to relaxation and gave a helpless smile, extending his hand. “Long time no see, Ms. Harper.” His address momentarily disoriented me. It had been so long since anyone called me “Ms. Harper.” The title “Mrs. Leo” had almost made me forget my own name. Snapping back to reality, I stood up and took his hand. “Long time no see, Julian.” Julian was my middle school classmate. Our families lived close, and our parents knew each other, so we used to walk to and from school together. We went to different high schools, but our relationship remained as good as ever. However, Julian went overseas for college, and later, after I got married, we gradually lost touch. I hadn’t expected the person I was meeting to be Julian. We exchanged a few brief pleasantries before getting down to business. Julian had just returned to the country and was taking over this project. The collaboration partner was still under discussion. Though we were old acquaintances, Julian had no intention of giving me special treatment. I knew it wouldn’t be easy to secure this deal, but the hope wasn’t entirely gone. There were still a few missing points in the contract. Julian told me to revise it and discuss it at their company next time. Afterward, we both stood up to leave. Free from the corporate scheming, our conversation returned to the easygoing banter of old friends. Julian had been dropped off by a driver, but he just received a call saying the driver had an emergency. I didn’t hesitate to offer him a ride home. We chatted and laughed as we walked to my car, only to find Leo standing there. Leo’s eyes lit up when he saw me, but then his gaze narrowed sharply as he noticed Julian beside me. He quickly walked over to me, placing himself between us, his eyes filled with hostility. Leo didn’t want to talk to Julian; he seemed to flee as if Julian were carrying a plague. He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward my car. I glanced back at Julian, my mind still on the contract, knowing I couldn’t offend him. I pulled my hand away from Leo. Leo’s eyes grew cold as he stared at his rejected hand. I stopped, turning to him. “What are you doing?” Leo’s gaze was full of scrutiny, sweeping between Julian and me. He gave a cold laugh. “What am *I* doing? What are *you two* doing? You’re a married woman. What are you doing alone with another man?” I knew I was innocent. I’d been working myself ragged for the company, only to be doubted by him. My emotions had been unstable these past few days, and his words made me explode instantly. “Alone with another man? Ha! I didn’t realize Mr. Leo’s standards were so high. When Mr. Leo was with Ms. Chloe, did you ever consider that you were a married man?” Our words turned into spears, piercing each other. Our voices were grand and forceful, but they concealed shattered hearts. The parking lot lights were dim. We could see each other, yet a mist lay between us, preventing us from drawing any closer. **Chapter 5** The tension hung heavy in the air. Julian took two long strides forward. “Mr. Leo seems to have a lot of animosity toward me. Do you think there’s an issue with the partnership?” Leo’s open mouth closed, confusion clouding his brows. “Partnership?” At his bewildered question, I snorted. “Leo, you’re truly a diligent husband, aren’t you? You really haven’t bothered with the company at all these past few days, have you?” Julian “kindly” explained the reason for our meeting. Watching Leo’s face shift from flushed with anger to pale with shock, Julian’s eyes flashed with a hint of mockery and disdain. I wasn’t in the mood to care what he thought anymore. I just got straight into my car. Julian understood and followed suit, leaving Leo standing alone. After that, Leo returned home, but I was busy with company affairs, ignoring all his attempts to win me over, no matter what methods he tried. Everyone has a breaking point. I dragged my exhausted body home, met by a cloud of cigarette smoke—a smell I absolutely detested. Leo occasionally smoked, but he always avoided me when he did, and he’d air himself out before coming near me. The living room was dim, with small points of light glowing near the couch. I turned on the lights, still intending to ignore him as before. A weary, defeated voice came from behind me, sounding both resigned and demanding. “Let’s talk.” It was a conversation I couldn’t avoid. I checked my watch. “I’ll give you ten minutes. I need to sleep. I have an early start tomorrow.” Leo froze for a moment at my words, then let out a noncommittal laugh. “Now, talking to you requires a time limit? When did we become like this?” “Ever since your love letter,” I stated. Leo was silent for a while. “Yes, that letter was for Chloe, but I haven’t had feelings for her in ages. Why won’t you believe me?” No feelings? If he had no feelings, why did that conversation happen at the reunion? Was I imagining it? I internally sighed. Leo’s ability to lie through his teeth was getting impressive. I turned to meet his gaze, like an invisible power struggle, neither of us yielding until we were both bruised and broken. “So, is an explanation really that hard? Wasn’t it *you* who kept running away from it?! Do you dare ask yourself if you’ve truly been faithful?” “When I wanted to explain, what were *you* doing? Weren’t you busy chatting with Julian?” “That was business. I’m not as idle as you are.” “Business? Does business require meeting and talking every single day? Fine, you’re innocent. What about *him*?!” “You worry about yourself first! Everything I do is for the company. Oh, right, it’s *my* company, not yours. You obviously don’t care about its growth!” “The year after we married, when you went overseas—was that for him?” I didn’t understand what that year had to do with anything. It was a year I never wanted to revisit. I couldn’t recall when that night ended, only the countless hurtful words exchanged between us. My body was still standing there, but my heart had long since crumbled, and our love had rotted away. After Leo’s outburst, I spent the entire night plagued by nightmares. I woke up from a restless sleep and checked my phone messages. Among the work-related texts, there was one that stood out awkwardly. Unknown message: This is Chloe. Let’s meet and clear things up. I swiped away the message and replied to the work-related ones. It was business as usual: reviewing documents, attending meetings, communicating. It wasn’t until dusk approached that I pulled out my lipstick from my bag and added some color to my lips. I arrived at Chloe’s chosen location to find her already there. **Chapter 6** Chloe rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she looked at me. “I thought you wouldn’t come.” I ordered a black coffee. Chloe seemed a little surprised. “You drink black coffee now? I remember you used to hate anything bitter.” Because of our close relationship as high school deskmates, Chloe was the first person to know about my family’s wealth. But times had changed. Years had eroded our friendship. No one lived in the past. I lowered my gaze. “I assume you’re not here for a reunion, are you?” Chloe stirred her coffee. “I really didn’t want things to be like this between us. Honestly, I genuinely liked you.” I laughed, not a mocking laugh, but a genuine one that came from the heart. The chosen location had a perfect view. A glance showed the sunset outside, the lingering rays of the setting sun falling on Chloe and me, as if praising our beauty. “Regarding Leo and me, I’m sorry, but I truly can’t be without him right now.” My voice was laced with mockery. “Your feelings must be so deep then. Why did you two break up before?” Chloe was rarely stumped. After regaining her composure, she leaned forward, more aggressive now. “I know about the love letter. The one he wrote to me.” “Honestly, you should know by now why Leo chose you back then. It was because I went overseas, and you could be his best stepping stone at the time.” She mercilessly shattered my illusions, every word a stab to my heart. I saw clearly, yet I had allowed myself to be deluded, to believe that at least the love we shared all these years was real. But hearing the truth from Chloe, my former good friend and the woman Leo once loved, still made me uncontrollably sad. Gathering my last shred of courage, I met her gaze, stating calmly, “So what? At least we were happy for all those years, and we truly loved each other.” Chloe wasn’t fazed. Instead, she looked like a victor who had already claimed her prize. She pulled out her phone and pushed it toward me. “Tell me when you two ever loved each other after you’ve seen this.” I picked up the phone and started scrolling. My pupils contracted. The air grew thin. Chloe’s smile warped before my eyes, turning demonic. I don’t remember how I walked out of that coffee shop. All I recall is every memory I had with Leo being drenched in black paint. My mind was consumed by that chat log. Chloe and Leo’s conversation had started in the second year of my relationship with him. It began with simple greetings, then gradually progressed to casual chats, sharing, then ambiguous flirtations, and exchanging gifts. Every word they typed on that screen felt like a slap across my face. They had even met multiple times over the years. Whenever Leo said he was going abroad for business, he was actually meeting Chloe. During the year I was getting treatment, they met as usual. The love overflowing from that screen stung my eyes. It was so ridiculous, so utterly laughable, that I couldn’t even cry. The sky had turned completely dark. There was no dramatic rain, like in a movie, to accompany my sorrow. The city continued on as usual. I was even somewhat grateful I’d found that love letter. I’d managed to reclaim my heart from Leo before I saw these chat logs. But why did it still hurt so much? Was love truly this hard to let go of? I walked to my car, then squatted down, burying my head in my knees, unable to speak. I was afraid of being discovered, so I didn’t even dare to cry out loud. I don’t know how long passed, until my legs went numb. Someone softly called out to me beside me. I looked up, my vision blurry from crying for so long. A man was kneeling in front of me, his voice gentle, as if afraid to startle me. “Why are you crying here? Did something happen?” I suddenly stood up, but my legs were aching and numb from squatting. I stumbled forward and Julian caught me in his arms. Julian was about to say something playful, to break the somber mood, but the person buried in his shoulder began to sob louder. Julian sighed and silently patted my back. He comforted me just like he did in elementary school when I cried after getting a bad test score. “It’s okay, it’s okay. Everything will be alright.” The person in his arms mumbled, her voice muffled and nasal, “It won’t be alright. It’s already too late.” I knew I shouldn’t be so intimate with Julian in public, especially after just telling him yesterday not to overstep. But I desperately needed a anchor right now. Julian, having just finished a business meeting, had passed by and noticed my familiar car parked. He got out and saw me crouching on the ground. When I buried myself in his arms, a flicker of joy ignited in his chest, but seeing me cry, he felt a rare surge of anger. He had liked me for a long time, but it seemed everyone was set against his affection. Leo’s appearance, the estrangement of our families, and then *that incident* – he felt he had no face to see me. Studying abroad, he witnessed more of the world. His desire for power grew daily, and his past affection for me morphed into a twisted form of love. Julian was no longer afraid; he confronted his own desires. Julian tirelessly comforted me, over and over. Then, he noticed Leo’s icy glare from not too far away. A faint curve appeared at the corner of Julian’s lips, and he lowered his head to kiss my forehead. I was startled by his action, instantly regaining my composure and pulling away. Julian reined in his emotions. “My apologies. I overstepped.” Since I was the one who practically threw myself into his arms, I found myself speechless. I simply muttered, “I have to go,” and got into my car. **Chapter 7** The next time I saw Leo was through photos someone sent me. An anonymous text message, with intimate photos attached. Leo was asleep, holding the woman in his arms tightly. She was pretty and delicate. The photos burned my eyes and my heart. Suddenly, I couldn’t breathe. I bent over, dry-heaving. When I finally snapped back to reality, I was already in my car, my mind racing to find someone to talk to… but what would I even say? In the split second I was lost in thought, a powerful impact came from the right. Before the car window shattered, I remember thinking how foolish I was. I woke up in a hospital, my head throbbing, feeling disoriented. A dull ache in my abdomen spread throughout my entire body. A nurse called the doctor, who stood beside my bed, just about to speak when two people burst into the room. Leo looked at me, his eyes filled with anguish. Chloe stood outside the door, silent. The doctor, who had seen countless absurd situations, internally scoffed but maintained her professional demeanor. Her eyes, behind her glasses, glinted coldly. “Fortunately, the car accident didn’t cause any severe injuries. However, Ms. Harper, you are very weak after your miscarriage and need to rest and recover properly.” The moment she said this, everyone in the room froze, including Julian, who had just arrived. I touched my aching abdomen, deflating. “I… was pregnant?” I whispered. Recalling my unexplained mood swings before, everything suddenly made sense. Light streamed through the window and illuminated the bed, yet it seemed to stop beside me, casting me in shadow. A light breeze carried a hint of chill; the cold autumn in North America was coming. I sat on the hospital bed, my eyes vacant. The abdominal pain spread throughout my body. I hugged my stomach, curling into a ball, my eyes frighteningly red, tears streaming down my face unconsciously. Leo approached the bed, his hand trembling as he pulled me into his arms. After so many days, this was a rare moment of tenderness, yet I felt no warmth at all. The doctor said a few comforting pleasantries, then rushed off to the next room. Leo’s eyes were bloodshot, his voice hoarse. “…We can still have children.” In that moment, his words were sincere, a promise from the depths of his heart. I couldn’t remember the last time Leo had been so gentle and comforting. Chloe walked forward and sat on the edge of the bed, consoling me. “The important thing is to recover your health.” Catching Chloe’s gaze and the faint, intimate red mark on her neck, I snapped out of my daze. I remembered losing my mind after seeing that photo. I forcefully struggled out of Leo’s embrace, backing away from both of them. I had always felt Leo’s perfunctory attitude, but the feelings that had accumulated over time were rooted deep in my flesh and blood. The love letter was just the fuse. Before that, I had been enduring, and my feelings for Leo were cooling. Yet, whenever I remembered the young Leo, I couldn’t bear to let go. In this relationship, which I now wondered if it was one-sided, I had truly loved well. But now, knowing I had lost our child, I couldn’t distinguish if this feeling was still love, or just a heavy sunk cost from the past. At this moment, I truly, genuinely hated Leo. I tried hard not to appear too pathetic, but my body trembled uncontrollably. I clutched my chest, hatred bursting from my eyes. When Leo met my gaze, he was stunned by the hatred and disgust in my eyes. It felt as if a sudden arrow had pierced his heart, bleeding profusely. Before today, he thought he only felt a sense of marital responsibility towards me. But when he heard about my car accident, he was terrified. In that moment, he realized the world would be gray without me. Seeing that I was okay, his senses returned, like his heart started beating again. Chloe, standing nearby, felt a complex mix of emotions. She had witnessed Leo almost losing his mind over someone else, speeding recklessly to the hospital after hearing the news, nearly causing a second accident that day. The man who, in high school, had eyes only for her, was now anxious and worried for another woman. For reasons she couldn’t quite grasp, she had followed him. She seized the opportunity to speak, successfully infuriating me, who had just lost a child, creating a rift between Leo and me. But she felt no joy. Now, I hated Leo as Chloe had wished. Every word I uttered was a sharp knife aimed at him. “You two get out, you pathetic couple! Get out! Why are you pretending, Leo? You must be thrilled, aren’t you? The baby’s gone, your white moonlight is back. What a joyous occasion!” “I shouldn’t have gone to find you! Why? Why do I always lose everything?! Why, why, why… I hate you! I hate all of you, everyone…!” My face, pale as paper from the miscarriage, was flushed crimson from extreme emotion. My hair was disheveled, and tears stained my beautiful face, making me look frail and chaotic, with a broken kind of beauty. I grabbed the water glass beside me and threw it at Leo. He didn’t dodge. The blood dripping from his forehead brought me back to my senses. My body couldn’t handle any more outburst. I deflated, returning to my usual composure. After a long silence, I slowly spoke: “Now that the baby is gone, and I’m thoroughly fed up with you, let’s get a divorce.” **Chapter 8** Leo’s pupils contracted. He had been prepared for me to yell at him, but hearing “divorce” still made him blurt out, “No! I don’t agree.”

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My brother Michael was in a terrible car accident on his way to meet me for drinks. His body was never found. When my wife Sophia heard the news, she slapped me hard across the face. Gripping my neck, she screamed in anguish, “I married you, but you still couldn’t leave him alone! Why? Why couldn’t it have been you who died instead!” Years later, I was working late one night when a serial killer started stalking me. As I held my breath, desperately trying not to be discovered, Sophia’s sudden phone call shattered the silence. She immediately launched into a tirade: “It’s so late, why aren’t you home yet? Are you dead somewhere? Or are you planning to get someone else killed?” I had no chance to respond before the killer’s knife plunged into my body. Later, I was dismembered, my bones dissolved in acid and scattered across the wilderness. When Sophia was called in to examine the remains, she didn’t even recognize me. It wasn’t until Michael returned with his new girlfriend, eight years his junior, that Sophia finally realized those scattered remains were mine. She collapsed to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably. But it was all too late. 0

Sophia, a forensic pathologist, was urgently called back to the police station late one night. “Sophia, this murder case is extremely brutal,” said the gruff man speaking. I recognized him as Chief Zhang from the police department. “The victim was killed and their remains scattered across the city. We’ve only found partial remains so far. We need you to try to identify the victim from the bones.” Sophia nodded solemnly and opened the body bag. As soon as it was unzipped, a strong smell of decay filled the examination room. Inside were fragments of human bones. My bones. Seeing this, Chief Zhang frowned and cursed, “That bastard! Not only did he kill him, he dissolved the flesh too!” He clenched his jaw, clearly struggling to contain his anger. Sophia calmly nodded and began sorting through the bag. She didn’t recognize me. I suppose I can’t blame her – I was barely more than a pile of bones at that point. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder how she would react if she knew those were my bones. Would she cry? Or laugh? Probably the latter. After all, she hated me to my very core. All because of my dead brother Michael, who had once been the love of her life. Chief Zhang patted her shoulder. “I’ll leave you to it then, Sophia.” Soon, my bones were laid out on the examination table. Looking at my shattered remains, Sophia’s eyes reddened. “This bastard! Not only are the bones in pieces, even the flesh was dissolved!” After three years, this was the first time she had shed tears over me. As time passed, a skeletal framework gradually took shape. Chief Zhang pushed his glasses up his nose and said gravely, “I’m over 50 years old, but this is the first time I’ve seen such a cruel method of murder.” Sophia placed the final bone, her voice filled with righteous anger: “Indeed! This method is absolutely vicious! We must bring the killer to justice and give the victim justice!” As she spoke, she unconsciously clenched her fists. Sophia took a deep breath to calm herself before continuing: “Not only that, I’ve discovered something else.” “The victim’s flesh was dissolved while they were still alive, until they lost consciousness. Only then did the killer slowly dismember the bones.” “Based on the wear on the bones, I can determine that…the victim was still alive when the killer began dismembering them.” “I’ve also estimated the bone age – the victim was likely around 28 years old.” “Most of the victim’s bones are here now, only the left hand is still missing.” Chief Zhang inhaled sharply. Despite his years of experience, he couldn’t help but widen his eyes in shock. Gritting his teeth, he shouted, “That fucking animal! I’ll skin him alive when we catch him!” Then he noticed something about the skull. There was a small indentation. It was an old injury I had sustained years ago. He made a small sound of surprise. “Sophia, doesn’t this skull look familiar? Like Jack’s?” To my surprise, Sophia scoffed at his words. “Ha, if only it really was him. That would be great.” Chief Zhang pressed his lips together, seemingly at a loss for words. Sophia continued her tirade: “That beast deserves to die for killing his own brother!” Hearing those words, my heart felt like it was being stabbed by thousands of knives. Even the acid that had dissolved my flesh couldn’t compare to a fraction of this pain. I had hoped that, given our years of marriage, she might speak a little more kindly of me. But no. Instead, she wished for my death every single day. “Sophia, you were married after all…” Chief Zhang started to speak, trying to defend me. Sophia’s eyes widened as she shouted angrily: “Married? What good is being married?” “If he hadn’t insisted on going drinking with his brother, how could Michael have died in that car accident?” “If it weren’t for him, how could our happy family have lost someone!” 0

Seeing Sophia so adamant, Chief Zhang didn’t argue further. I knew Michael’s death had always been Sophia’s deepest wound. Because Michael had been the love of her life. Michael knew he didn’t love her, so he rejected her advances. That’s how I got the chance to pursue her. But after Michael died, everything changed. Sophia cursed me as a murderer, the one who killed Michael. She demanded I give my life in exchange for his! She slapped me over and over, until my mouth was bleeding and teeth were falling out, but it still wasn’t enough to satisfy her rage. “Tell me! Why wasn’t it you who died instead of Michael?!” Sophia gripped my throat tightly, like a vicious monster. “You won’t speak? If you don’t, I’ll kill you myself!” Yes, I wondered the same thing. Why was it Michael who died, and not me? If it had been me, I wouldn’t have had to endure all this suffering! Chief Zhang sighed heavily. “Sophia, don’t be like this. Michael is gone, Jack needs to stay safe and well.” Sophia clenched her fists, saying coldly, “If he were gone too, that would be justice served!” Chief Zhang shook his head and turned to leave. The woman I once loved more than anything now wished for my death. To say it didn’t hurt would be a lie. Just then, Sophia’s assistant walked in. He was holding a scrap of paper, stained with blood and mud. On it, barely legible, were the words: “Peach Blossom Gardens Purchase Contract” So I had been clutching that contract tightly when I died. I remembered – it was for the house I had bought to please her. A 3000 square foot beachfront condo. $300,000 down payment, $8000 monthly mortgage payments for 30 years. I had used up all my savings, just to see her smile. But she had only nodded and said dismissively, “This is what you owe me!” Sophia merely glanced at it and said flatly, “Mm, put it in an evidence bag.” Didn’t she recognize that Peach Blossom Gardens was the home I had bought for her? When we first got married, I was broke. Sophia’s biggest dream was to live in a beachfront home of our own. So I worked day and night at the company, putting in overtime, all to make her dream come true. “Thank you, honey. We’ll have our own home someday!” she would say tenderly whenever I worked late. But after Michael died, everything changed. The woman who once loved me became the one who hated me most. I watched helplessly as that contract was sealed away in an evidence bag, my heart aching. Oh Sophia, you missed your best chance to recognize me. After finishing up in the lab, she leaned back in her chair to rest. She frowned as she checked her phone, finding no messages from me. It irritated her. After all, before this, I would send her dozens of caring messages every day. Even though her only response was usually a curt “Mm.” She gripped her phone, scrolling up through our chat history. Finally stopping at my last desperate plea for help. “Sophia, save me!” Sophia’s face twisted in disgust as she spat on the ground. “Jack is such a liar! First he gets his brother killed, and now he dares to send this kind of message to trick me!” She scowled as she blocked and deleted my contact. But Sophia, don’t you know that once you delete me, you can never add me back? 0

A commotion outside caught everyone’s attention. “I need to file a report! I need to file a report!” Hearing the voice, Sophia got up and went out. I looked closer – it was my coworker Emily! Pretty and kind-hearted, always helpful to everyone. She looked very distraught, hands on her hips as she caught her breath. “What’s going on?” Chief Zhang handed her a glass of water. “Officer, my coworker Jack has gone missing!” Emily exclaimed. “He’s usually at the office by 6 AM, but today he wasn’t there even at 10. He’s not answering calls or messages either!” “He’s such a diligent worker, he would never skip work without a reason. Something must have happened!” She rambled on anxiously. Seeing how worried she was made my nose tingle with emotion. She was the first person to be so concerned about my disappearance. Thank you, Emily. To my surprise, Sophia became enraged hearing Emily’s words. “Who are you to Jack? How do you know him so well?!” Emily was taken aback. “Jack is just my coworker…” Sophia glared at her, breathing heavily as she shouted, “Coworker? More like his mistress, I bet!” “Whether he shows up to work or not is none of your business! He’s MY husband, what right do you have to interfere?” Emily’s face turned red from the verbal assault. “You…you’ve misunderstood!” Sophia waved her hand dismissively, telling Emily to leave. “Let me tell you, Jack isn’t missing. He’s just hiding to upset me. If you file another false report, I won’t be so nice!” Emily was forced out. As the door closed, I saw her eyes glistening with tears. I wanted to run after her, but there seemed to be an invisible wall in front of me. I tried to follow, but was bounced back. I tried again, only to be repelled once more. Emily wasn’t my mistress at all – she was the kindest, most considerate girl in the office! She would bring me stomach medicine when I had digestive issues. She would teach me unreservedly when I got stuck on a project. To me, she would always be that warmhearted girl! I followed Sophia as she hailed a cab after work. The destination was a cemetery on the outskirts of town. Sophia was holding a large bouquet of chrysanthemums. “Michael, I’ve come to see you,” she said to a gravestone. It was Michael’s cenotaph. After Michael’s fatal accident years ago, his body was never found. Sophia had broken down, gathering scraps of his clothing from the scene and insisting on burying them in the cemetery. From that day on, my good days were over. Every month on this day, Sophia would drag me here to repent. “Now, go repent to Michael!” she would command coldly. If I showed the slightest reluctance, she would take her scalpel and cut a gash in my arm. So I had to wear long sleeves year-round to hide the scars. I remember one time, there was a fierce windstorm. As bad luck would have it, my stomach condition flared up too. Sharp pains stabbed through my abdomen as large beads of cold sweat formed on my forehead. But she was relentless, still forcing me to the cemetery. The rain had washed debris and thorny branches down the hillside. Seeing the state of things, I hesitated. “Sophia, can I not kneel today?” I asked timidly, fighting through the pain. Sophia angrily knocked the umbrella from my hand, yelling: “This is nothing! You want to run away already? Don’t forget, you owe Michael your life, you murderer!” I stood there helplessly, letting the heavy raindrops pelt my face. “Sophia, I’m not feeling well today…just this once, please?” I begged, dropping to my knees. 0

But she just silently took out a scalpel from her bag. “Do you think you have any right to negotiate? Don’t make me get nasty.” Before I could react, she kicked the back of my knees hard. “Thud!” I collapsed to the ground. Instantly, rocks and thorns dug into my knees. It was an excruciating, searing pain. My stomach churned violently, the agony almost unbearable. I tried to slowly stand up, fighting through the pain. Sophia coldly pressed the scalpel against the crook of my arm. “You know the consequences of trying to bargain, don’t you?” An icy chill ran deep into my bones. Without blinking, Sophia slashed my arm over and over. New wounds overlapped old scars, a horrifying sight. Gritting her teeth, she drove the scalpel deep into my flesh. “Click…click…” I could even feel the blade scraping against bone. “Ahh!” I bit down hard, trying to stifle my cries. One cut. Two cuts. Carving into living flesh and bone – it was nothing short of torture. Finally, I passed out in the cemetery. But Sophia just left. She didn’t look back. Blood loss and hypothermia caused me to go into shock on the ground. As I lost consciousness, all I saw was her retreating back. And her cold warning: “Since you want to play dead for sympathy, just stay here then! Better if you actually die!” Resolute and merciless. It reminded me of when we first got together. Sophia had been gentle and sweet, often cuddling up to me. Back then, I thought I must be the luckiest man in the world. But I was wrong. The woman I had cherished now wanted me dead! I wanted her love too. I wanted the sweet, normal marriage other couples had. But I didn’t deserve it. I was just the sinner who got his brother killed. I would never deserve love in this lifetime. Just when I thought I was going to die, the old cemetery caretaker found me. Seeing my condition, his eyes filled with sympathy. “Oh dear, what happened to you, young man?” “Does it hurt?” At the hospital, he grasped my hand. “Son, should I call the police for you?” I shook my head. “Thank you for your kindness, sir. But this is my own sin to bear.” In the end, I dragged my battered body out of the hospital. Because I knew I still had to work overtime, still had to buy Sophia her dream beachfront home. As soon as I walked in the door at home, Sophia kicked me hard. Blood rushed to her head as she waved a phone in my face. “You bastard, are you trying to humiliate me?!” She clenched her jaw, looking ready to eat me alive. “Now you’ve even gone to the police? I’m telling you, it’s useless no matter how many reports you file. Everyone at the station is on my side.” “As long as I don’t kill you myself, no one can touch me!” Another kick landed, making me feel like my internal organs had been scrambled. I curled up on the floor, unable to move. Sophia, I don’t want to humiliate you. I just want you to love me… One kick wasn’t enough to satisfy her rage. So she started aiming for my head instead. “You killed Michael, and now you’re trying to ruin me too?” “I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!” That’s how the dent in my skull was formed. Even as she kicked me until my head was cracked and bleeding, I never blamed her one bit. Sometimes I would even fantasize that once she got her anger out, things would get better. But I died. I died the day I signed that home purchase contract. The happy little family that was supposed to be ours would never exist now. “Mom, Dad, today is the anniversary of your passing.” Hearing Sophia’s voice snapped me back to the present. She had already walked around to the other side of the cemetery, standing before two gravestones. Only then did I remember – today was also my parents’ death anniversary. She laid down the paper money and chrysanthemums. “A few years ago, Jack killed Michael – his own brother!” “He’s a monster! He destroyed our whole family!” She clenched her fists, face contorted with anger. But now I’m dead too. Shouldn’t that count as a life for a life? “Long time no see, sister-in-law.” Michael’s familiar voice came from behind. Sophia turned around in disbelief. “Is that…is that really you, Michael?” Michael nodded. Next to him stood a young woman with a delicate face. The paper money scattered from Sophia’s hands as she stepped forward, wanting to confirm it was really him. “It really is Michael! You’re back!” Michael uncomfortably took a step back. “Yes, I’m back.” “I came to pay respects to Mom and Dad on their death anniversary.” By now Sophia had lost all composure, moving to embrace him. Large tears rolled down her face as she broke down sobbing. “You’re back…I thought you were dead…oh god…” The young woman finally stepped forward to intervene. “It’s been a while, sister-in-law! I’m Michael’s wife, Rose.” Hearing this, Sophia froze in place. “You’re…Michael’s wife?” She couldn’t understand why Michael had returned with a wife. The atmosphere instantly became tense. Michael finally sensed the awkwardness and changed the subject: “Where’s Jack? Why isn’t he here for Mom and Dad’s death anniversary?” 04 At the mention of me, Sophia’s expression changed back to one of utter disgust. “Him? Who knows where he’s off fooling around now!” Michael nodded, not asking any further. But I’m not off fooling around – I’m right here beside you! Sophia shifted the topic back to Michael. “But weren’t you in a car accident years ago?” Michael sheepishly scratched his head. “That was actually just a ruse for me to disappear.” “Back then, I owed money to some loan sharks and was being hunted down by enemies. I had no choice but to fake my death.” Hearing this, I felt my blood run cold. A sense of helpless anguish welled up in my chest. All those years of kneeling and repenting in the dirt. The searing pain of the scalpel cutting to the bone. The endless self-loathing and guilt. All of it had been for nothing. A cruel joke. Sophia was stunned. Perhaps she was realizing she had wronged me all this time? But it was far too late now. I was already dead! In an instant, her demeanor changed to one of warmth and care. “I’m just glad you’re back safe. It’s wonderful to have the family reunited.” This gentle, caring side of her was something I hadn’t experienced in years. Michael nodded. Suddenly, as if remembering something, Sophia grabbed Michael’s hand excitedly. “You must be missing home-cooked food after being gone so long. Let me make you both a welcome home dinner!” “Sounds great!” Home-cooked food? I had long forgotten what home tasted like. The three of them returned home together. Not one of them remembered my existence. It was as if I had never existed at all. Soon the table was laden with dishes. It was all seafood. All Michael’s favorite foods. Sophia had remembered his tastes perfectly. But she had forgotten that I was deathly allergic to seafood. Three place settings were laid out. “Hey, where’s Jack? Why isn’t he back yet?” Michael asked her. Only then did Sophia finally remember me. She took out her phone, intending to call me. But she had long since deleted all my contact information. “Michael, why don’t you try calling? I just got a new phone and haven’t saved his number yet.” Michael’s expression was hesitant, but he complied. He called several times, but there was no answer. “That’s strange…” Michael frowned. Rose suddenly spoke up: “You don’t think something might have happened to your brother, do you?” Hearing this, Sophia exploded like an angry shrew: “That kind of man? It’s normal for him to disappear for days at a time!” That kind of man? What kind of man am I? The kind who worked tirelessly to support our family? Or the kind who silently endured her abuse? Now that Michael was safely back, she still refused to let me go! Looking at this woman before me, I felt like I no longer knew her at all. Michael’s brows furrowed as he suddenly demanded: “Are you saying Jack has been missing for 3-4 days already?!” Sophia was startled by his outburst. “Y-yes…what’s wrong?” Michael glared at her fiercely before grabbing his keys and rushing out the door. But his retreating figure looked panicked. A few hours later, Michael returned empty-handed. In just those few hours, he seemed to have aged years. “Jack…Jack is missing!” “How can that be?!” Rose jumped up from the couch. She steadied Michael, saying seriously: “We need to file a police report! We have to find Jack!” But Sophia just got up to pour Michael a glass of water. “Oh, it’s fine!” “Jack hates coming home. He’s either at the office or probably at that Emily girl’s place.” She spoke of Emily with utter contempt. Michael and Rose insisted on calling the police, leaving Sophia ignored on the sidelines. Only then did I realize that blood ties run deeper than romantic love. “Jack is just playing games. Why waste police resources?” Sophia said awkwardly. Even though Michael had returned safe and sound, Sophia still hated me. I didn’t understand why anymore. Was it just habit? Or had she never truly loved me at all? Just as Michael was hanging up from calling the police, Sophia’s phone rang. “Ms. Liang, we’ve found the victim’s left hand.” “The hand hasn’t fully decomposed yet. We’ve been able to mostly confirm the victim’s identity based on the remains…” It was her young assistant calling. Sophia absently fiddled with her hand as she replied, “Mm, go on.” “Ms. Liang, you should prepare yourself.” The call was on speakerphone, so Michael and Rose looked over. Sophia also seemed to sense the gravity of the situation. She raised her head, her expression somber. “It’s alright, just tell me.” 0

The person on the other end gathered their courage. “The victim’s true identity…is your husband, Jack.” In an instant, Sophia looked like she had been struck by lightning. “Wait…how is that possible?” Michael collapsed to his knees, covering his face as he broke down: “Jack…is dead?” Sophia, as if refusing to believe it, continued questioning. “How can that be? Are you joking? How could it possibly be Jack?” The voice on the phone sighed. “There’s no mistake.” “He had May 10th tattooed on his left hand. Everyone knows that’s your birthday.” Hearing this, the phone slipped from Sophia’s hand and clattered to the floor. That tattoo – I had gotten it on her 24th birthday. It covered my entire hand, quite eye-catching. Sophia had been teased about it plenty of times. “I don’t believe it! Couldn’t this be some kind of mistake?” She still refused to accept it. But what good would disbelief do now? I was already dead! The person on the phone quietly offered condolences before hurriedly hanging up. Sophia suddenly stood up, intending to rush out. She had barely taken a few steps before stumbling and falling. “How could it be Jack? There must be some mistake!” She muttered to herself. Soon, they all arrived at the police station. And there were my remains, laid out on the examination table. My entire body had been reduced to bleached bones, with only the left hand retaining some flesh. The faded tattoo was barely discernible. Michael collapsed by the table, wailing: “This…this really is Jack!” I watched as Sophia shook her head in disbelief, stumbling backwards. “No…this can’t be!”

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On my twentieth birthday, the girlfriend I’d been with for three years pushed me from a high-rise building. “Finally rid of you, you pathetic loser,” she spat, her voice chillingly cold. In that last moment, I watched as my so-called best friend wrapped an arm around her, both of them smirking down at me. I had loved her for three years, and she tried to murder me. A crushing wave of despair washed over me, and I closed my eyes in resignation. Then, I was reborn. I reclaimed the family keepsake that proved my identity, taking back what was rightfully mine as the heir to a wealthy fortune. Now, she was on her knees, pleading, “Asher, please, save me. Please?” In my past life, my girlfriend tricked me into meeting at a guesthouse, claiming it was for my birthday. After she and Liam Thorne drugged my drinks until I passed out, I woke up tied to the top floor of a high-rise. My eyes fluttered open, slowly clearing. Liam stood there, his arm around Chloe Miller, both of them staring down at me with utter contempt. “Awake, are we?” she said, her voice dripping with venom. “Good. Any last words? If I’m feeling generous, I might even grant one.” They both chuckled, leaning into each other. Chloe’s sharp, hyena-like laughter sent shivers down my spine. I’d never seen her like this before. The wind on the rooftop was fierce, whipping against my face, filling me with dread. I turned my head, gazing down at the dizzying heights and the tiny, ant-like figures below. My heart hammered with terror. One step, and I would plummet from this building, splattering into a bloody mess on the pavement below. The image of that gruesome scene made me tremble. I glared back at them. They were still grinning, as if my life meant nothing. My fear morphed into a burning rage. I roared at her. “Chloe Miller!” “I was so good to you! Why would you betray me? How could you be so cruel?!” They wanted me dead, and I didn’t even know why. My legs began to give out, my mind shattering with despair. One was the girlfriend I’d loved for three years, the other, my childhood best friend. “Why?!” Her eyes turned vicious as she stepped closer. “Because you’re a worthless garbage! Poor, and utterly worthless. Why would I ever be with you?” “Do you know, Asher, every time my friends asked about my boyfriend, I couldn’t even bring myself to talk about you.” “You were an embarrassment!” I stared up at her, disbelief etched across my face. Behind her, Liam Thorne smirked, slowly walking toward me. A large hand pressed down on my head, pushing me closer to the edge. My eyes burned red with defiance as I glared back at him. “Since you’re so pathetic, I’ll tell you a little secret, Asher.” “No, wait, it should be Asher Thorne, right? The Thorne family’s—second young master.” I gasped, my tense body went slack. I almost tumbled off the building. As I steadied myself, I finally saw what he held in his hand. It was the carved bead I’d worn around my neck for years! The one he’d been asking me for! Could it be?! A wave of shock slammed into me. I met his smiling eyes. He’d used this bead to claim my identity, to become the young master in my place! “Liam Thorne! You treacherous bastard!” I roared at him, my voice raw and hoarse. “Hahahaha! Looks like you figured it out! Let me tell you, Asher, you deserved every bit of it!” “You have to die. Only then can I truly rest easy.” He stepped closer, and Chloe, still smiling, joined him. Knowing the truth, tears of bitter rage streamed down my face. I stopped struggling, my heart filled with hatred for them, and even more, for my own stupidity! “Thud—” They both shoved me. I plunged into the air, clutching my fists, closing my eyes, my heart burning with vengeful hate… “Asher?!” My eyes snapped open. A hand waved suddenly in front of my face. The raw agony of that last moment made my body tremble, and I instinctively grabbed the nearby table for support. My chest heaved, and I gasped for air, desperate to fill my lungs. When I calmed down, I looked around, slowly realizing that I hadn’t died. The vivid terror and burning fury still seared through me. My body still trembled, and I wrapped my arms around myself. “What’s wrong, Asher? You look so pale.” I snapped back to reality. Liam Thorne and Chloe Miller, those two dreadful figures, were standing right in front of me. Chloe reached out a hand, a worried look on her face, to wipe the beads of sweat from my forehead. But recalling her monstrous grin on the rooftop sent a cold shiver down my spine. I dodged her hand, taking a step back. “So, Asher, can I have that bead?” Liam asked, his handsome face creased with a slight frown. I lowered my gaze, picking up the smooth, brown bead hanging around my neck. My initial ‘A’ was carved into it. My mind raced. I was back. Back to the day he’d asked for this very bead. I remembered then. His birthday was approaching, and he’d outright asked for it. He claimed he’d been having bad luck lately and wanted something to bring him good fortune, and my bead had caught his eye. My heart lurched. I clutched it tighter. Seeing my nervous expression, he actually tried to grab it. He tugged at the cord around my neck, refusing to let go. I tightened my grip on the bead, glaring at him, seething. “No!” I roared. My drastic reaction made both of them look up in surprise. Liam flinched, staring at me with stunned disbelief. It was then I realized how loud I’d been. It was probably the first time I’d ever raised my voice like that. “Asher, it’s just a bead, right? Just give it to Liam,” Chloe said. “He’s been so unlucky lately. He’s been sick three times this month and still isn’t feeling well.” Three times in one month? I scoffed inwardly. So, they were already hooking up back then? She remembered the exact number of times he’d been sick. “No…” My anger from earlier had faded, and I weakly pushed back. Seeing my softened demeanor, Liam’s tense posture visibly relaxed, as if he’d let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. He’d been wary of me. “I’m sorry, Liam, but I’ve worn this since I was a kid. I can’t imagine being without it.” “I’ll get you a different gift.” Silence hung in the air. I wondered if he knew the significance of this family keepsake yet. It wasn’t until I turned to leave that I caught his reflection in a mirror behind me—his face twisting into a malicious sneer, his eyes dark with menace. Only then did I realize. He knew. And he was doing this on purpose.

Outside, Chloe looped her arm through mine, just like she always did, chatting and laughing. But she’d just sided with Liam. They were clearly hooking up. I pulled my arm away with disgust. She flinched, then pretended it didn’t bother her. Suddenly, she giggled, pulling out her phone and letting out a gasp of envy. “Asher! Look at this bag! It’s gorgeous!” She shoved her phone screen in my face. It was a designer bag worth thousands. Seeing my silence, she pouted cutely, mumbling, “Ugh, it’s way too expensive. I guess I can only dream.” “Even though everyone else in class has one, there’s nothing I can do.” Her eyes welled up, threatening to spill over. I scoffed inwardly. In my past life, I’d been completely taken in by that innocent, pitiful act of hers. She always made me feel like I owed her something, mentioning how other people had new bags and new makeup. Every time I saw her look so miserable, my heart would soften, and I’d want to do everything in my power to make her happy. So, despite being financially strapped, I would work multiple part-time jobs, eating only ramen and cheap sandwiches for days, just to scrape together enough money for her gifts. I still remembered that rainy winter day. I was out with an umbrella, handing out flyers, soaking wet and utterly miserable. My hands and feet were numb with cold, but I forced myself to visit every shop, humbly begging them to take a look at the flyers. I’d only made fifty bucks that afternoon, but the bag she wanted cost fifteen hundred. Later, walking home from work, I passed a fried chicken place. My legs felt heavy, glued to the spot, as I stared longingly at the golden fried chicken, practically drooling. But I thought of her gift and her happy smile, and I held back, even though I hadn’t eaten meat in six months. After a month, I finally saved enough to buy the bag and gave it to her as her birthday gift. She giggled with delight when she received it, spinning around, saying she was the happiest girl in the world. At the time, I thought all my hardship was worth it. Because for someone who grew up in an orphanage like me, she was my only family, the only girl in my heart. Now, looking back, I just feel utterly stupid. A true lover wouldn’t let you go hungry for days, wouldn’t ignore your struggles, wouldn’t be clueless about your whereabouts. She had only ever been using me. Silence stretched between us. Seeing my indifferent expression, she looked a little lost, on the verge of tears. I frowned, letting out a weary sigh. “Chloe, I’m out of cash.” “I can’t even afford a meal tomorrow.” Her body stiffened. She forced a twitch of a smile, but no words came out. It wasn’t until her phone rang that she quickly said, “Asher, I think my roommate is looking for me. I gotta go.” She wiped her eyes, then turned and scurried away. Watching her fleeing back, I let out a soft, mocking laugh. I’d skip meals for what she wanted, but she wouldn’t even spare me enough for one meal. I truly was a pathetic clown. I clenched my fists, the hatred in my heart deepening. Looking at the smooth bead around my neck, I decided it was time to get things back on track. I was going to claim my true identity.

I arrived at the Thorne family’s grand mansion and pressed the doorbell. I’d been here once before, in my past life, for Liam’s party. Back then, he’d invited me to celebrate him finding his family. “Hello, who are you looking for?” A kind-faced housekeeper opened the door. When she saw the bead around my neck, her eyes widened in astonishment. She quickly turned and shouted, “Madam! He’s here! He’s here!” The door remained open, and I stepped inside. I stopped just at the entrance to the living room. After the housekeeper exchanged a few words with Madam Thorne, Eleanor suddenly looked up, her eyes wide as saucers. She was practically supported by the housekeeper as she slowly walked toward me. She stared intensely at the bead around my neck, then swept her gaze over my face. “You’re home. You’re finally home!” she cried, a bright smile breaking across her face. I noticed the streaks of silver in her hair. At that party, I’d heard that Madam Thorne had been searching for her child for over a decade, losing sleep every night because of him. Even after so much time, she’d never given up. The tender love in her eyes when she looked at Liam then had made me envious. I wished I had a mother too. My eyes welled up, blurring my vision. My heart ached. My mother must have suffered so much. “Mom—” A deep, resonant voice spoke from behind Eleanor. I looked toward him. It was my brother, Julian. His lips parted slightly, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He froze for a second, then rushed forward and wrapped me in a tight hug. “My little brother.” A scene of profound brotherly affection. He patted my head and chuckled. “Come, sit down. Talk to Mom.” He murmured softly, and Mom pulled me down beside her. She told me that when she was busy starting her business years ago, she’d left me with Julian. But he hadn’t watched me carefully enough, and I’d been snatched. She’d searched endlessly, running to countless cities, visiting numerous orphanages, but I was nowhere to be found. I listened in silence, noticing the discomfort on Julian’s darkened face. Slowly, he spoke, a hint of self-reproach in his voice. “Little brother, I’m sorry. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have endured so much hardship…” I gave him a comforting smile. “Bang—” The living room door burst open. Liam Thorne rushed in, looking flustered and covered in a fine sheen of sweat. He gasped, panting, “He’s an impostor!” Eleanor, who was holding my hand, flinched. She looked between us, her eyes wide with disbelief. Just then, Chloe Miller emerged from behind Liam. She cowered forward, looking at me with a strange mix of fear and pleading. Her next words sent a fresh wave of ice through me. “Asher, please, just give Liam back his bead, okay?” Her words hit me like a physical blow. My mind went blank, and a deafening buzz filled my ears. I realized they were conspiring to frame me. Liam was still trying to snatch my identity.

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For a decade, I drained every last dime I had, sacrificing everything to care for my wife who went insane after a car accident. When her fits hit, she’d throw anything she could get her hands on at me, leaving me bruised and bloody. Then, when she cleared up, she’d cling to me, sobbing uncontrollably. My friends all told me to divorce her, but I always remembered: she pushed me out of the way of that car. That’s how she hit her head and ended up like this. Until the day she accidentally hit me so hard, I was critically injured. My soul floated up to the ceiling. From there, I watched her carefully adjusting the collar of her childhood friend. “What are you crying for? He’s dead. Shouldn’t we be celebrating?” “But I feel for you, Victoria. You faked insanity for ten years just to drain all his money.” She leaned in, her lips finding his, her voice chilling. “Ten years of holding back. Finally, I don’t have to touch that loser anymore.” Turns out, that car accident was a setup, a perfectly orchestrated charade. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my wife was diagnosed with psychosis.

“Mrs. Wallace’s brain sustained a traumatic impact. While there’s no immediate danger to her life, her mental state might become unstable… alternating between lucidity and delusion.” The doctor handed me the diagnosis, sighing deeply. That’s when it hit me: I was reborn. “You should take her home for now, Mr. Wallace. A familiar environment can aid her recovery.” I barely heard the doctor’s advice. My eyes were fixed on Victoria, lying on the bed. Her eyelids fluttered slightly. She was faking sleep, clearly. In my previous life, I’d believed the doctor. I took her home. By day, I worked myself to the bone to earn money. By night, I endured her abuse and violent outbursts. Meanwhile, her childhood friend, Brandon Miller, used the excuse of “knowing a top psychiatrist” to take her out for “treatment” during the day. In reality, he drove my car, maxed out my credit cards, and squandered my money, living it up and getting intimate behind my back. This time around, you think I’m taking you home? Dream on! I walked to the bedside, leaned over, and subtly moved my hand to her inner thigh. Then, I twisted with all my might! “AHHHH!” A piercing scream ripped through the quiet hospital room. Victoria shot up from the bed, pointing at me and yelling, “Julian Wallace! Are you f*cking insane?!” I wasn’t insane. But this time, I was going to make you truly mad! I yelled towards the door, “Help! Doctor! Nurse! My wife is having a breakdown! She’s out of control!” Nurses and doctors rushed in immediately. What they saw was Victoria, face contorted in a terrifying snarl, lunging off the bed to attack me. I was backed against the wall, my face a perfect mask of horror and helplessness, my eyes welling up with tears. “Quick! Restraints!” Dr. Evans barked, making an instant decision. Victoria must have forgotten her “insane” persona because she struggled furiously, roaring at the nurses: “Get lost! I’m not crazy! He’s the crazy one!” I wiped my eyes, gently holding her bound hand. “Don’t worry, darling. Even if you’re crazy, I’ll never divorce you.” My voice was choked up, loud enough for everyone in the room to hear clearly. Victoria’s face instantly shifted from red to green. She glared at me, her eyes overflowing with pure venom. The other patients and their families in the room looked at me with sympathy and admiration. “That young man is such a good husband. His wife is like this, and he’s still standing by her.” “Yeah, talk about rotten luck, getting stuck with something like this.” Meeting their gazes, I spoke to the doctor in a sorrowful tone. “Doctor, for her safety, and for mine, please contact the best psychiatric hospital immediately. I need to transfer her.” “What?!” Victoria’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. “Julian Wallace! You wouldn’t dare!” She thrashed her body wildly, the restraints digging into her skin, turning it red. “I’m not sick! I’m not crazy! You cruel husband!” I ignored her roars, simply giving Dr. Evans a look of pity and helplessness. “Doctor, you see? She’s already speaking nonsense, experiencing paranoid delusions. I’m clearly her husband, but she doesn’t even recognize me anymore.” “Please, hurry and get this arranged. I absolutely must get my wife into the best psychiatric hospital and get her cured!” Dr. Evans sighed, stepping back, and sympathetically reassured me, “Don’t worry, Mr. Wallace. The psychiatric hospital staff will be here shortly.” At those words, I saw Victoria’s face fill with terror! Every single one of her desperate arguments only served as ironclad proof of her severe condition. “Julian Wallace, you bastard, how dare you pull this on me? I’ll kill you!” She was furious, trying to lunge at me, but she collapsed under the doctor’s sedative. Watching her gradually quiet down, wanting to kill me but utterly powerless, I curled my lips. “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll make sure they cure you.”

The transfer to the psychiatric hospital went smoothly. I chose Blackwood Mental Health Facility for Victoria – the most secure center in the city. And I specifically upgraded her to the VIP package: 24-hour surveillance, double-layered security doors, and tranquilizer shots twice a day. As I finished signing, ready to leave, Brandon Miller rushed over. He grabbed my arm, his face a mix of anxiety and disbelief. “Julian, I heard about the accident,” “But I never thought it would be this serious! How could you send Victoria to a place like this?” I gently pulled my arm free, subtly stepping back to create distance between us. “I had no choice. The doctor said she has strong violent tendencies. It’s too dangerous to keep her at home.” I sighed, then my tone shifted, and I looked at him curiously. “But how did you find out I was here? I don’t think I had time to notify anyone.” Brandon’s face stiffened slightly, then he explained, “I… I was worried about Victoria, so I called all her old friends. That’s how I found out.” What a perfect excuse. “Oh, I see.” I nodded, a grateful smile on my face. “That was very thoughtful of you. Speaking of which, I was just about to look for an expert to consult. Didn’t you say you had a friend who’s a psychiatrist?” Brandon’s eyes lit up. He quickly said, “Yes, yes! I have a friend who’s an authority in the field! Julian, don’t worry, I’ll make sure he uses the best possible treatment plan for Victoria!” “That’s fantastic!” I feigned delight, and right there, in front of Dr. Evans, the facility’s lead physician, I peppered him with questions: “Mr. Miller, you’re truly so kind. Could you tell me which hospital your expert friend works at?” “And could I perhaps see his medical license and professional qualifications? After all, with Victoria’s condition, I wouldn’t dare trust just any quack without proper credentials.” Brandon’s face instantly turned beet red, and he stammered for a long time, unable to get a single word out. I didn’t give him a chance to breathe. I immediately turned, apologizing to Dr. Evans. “Dr. Evans, I’m so sorry. My friend here is just a little too enthusiastic.” “From now on, Victoria’s condition is entirely in your capable hands.” “Also, to avoid any unnecessary trouble, from now on, besides myself, anyone claiming to be her friend, relative, or an expert coming to visit, please make sure to verify their identity with me first.” “We wouldn’t want any medical mishaps, would we? We’d all be in deep trouble.” Dr. Evans nodded gravely. “Mr. Wallace, rest assured, we have strict visitation policies. There will be no mistakes.” Brandon stood aside, his face pale, looking like he’d been choked. His plan to collude from the inside was thoroughly blocked by me from the very first step. Back home, I dug out all of Victoria’s bank cards and dialed the bank’s customer service. “Hello, I’d like to report all bank cards under my name and my wife Victoria Wallace’s name as lost. Yes, all of them. Immediately. Right now.” “Reason? Oh, my wife is mentally unstable. I suspect she’s given her cards and PINs to outsiders. For the security of our funds, please freeze all accounts immediately.” In my last life, they spent money like water, living lavishly with the funds from these very cards. This time, I’d like to see how well you two can live it up without my money. Sure enough, within three days, that despicable pair was driven to desperate measures. The miniature listening device I’d planted in Brandon’s car relayed their furious conversation. I leisurely steeped my tea, listening in. “…That b*tch! Julian Wallace, that scumbag!” Brandon’s voice was sharp and shrill. “He shut down all the cards! I tried to withdraw cash, and it said the account was frozen!” From the other end of the line, Victoria’s voice came through, seething with suppressed rage, tinged with a hint of undetectable panic. “Brandon, we can’t wait any longer!” “If we wait any longer, those nurses and doctors will truly drive me insane here! They give me shots every day!” “What do we do then? We have no money now, and we can’t even see you! All those shady friends are starting to avoid me!” Brandon’s voice began to crack with tears. “I understand, Victoria. Just wait. I’ll find a way to get you out first. We’ll settle the score with that bastard Julian later!”

Brandon somehow got his hands on a set of orderly clothes and bribed a new cleaning staff member, planning to coordinate an inside job to sneak Victoria out. I decided to play along. That night, I deliberately called Dr. Evans, telling him I’d had a nightmare that something happened to Victoria, and I felt uneasy, asking him to patrol more often. Dr. Evans reassured me that everything was fine but still promised to keep a closer eye out. At midnight, Brandon, disguised as an orderly, pushed a cart piled high with dirty bedsheets and quietly slipped into Victoria’s room. Victoria had already changed into her clothes and was hiding at the very bottom of the cart. Everything went smoothly. They successfully bypassed the first checkpoint and reached the back gate of the facility. Outside the back gate, the bribed cleaning staff member was waiting. However, just as Victoria was climbing out of the cart— “What are you doing?!” A sharp shout, accompanied by several powerful flashlight beams, exposed them. It was Dr. Evans with the security team, who happened to be passing by on rounds. Victoria and Brandon were caught red-handed. This escape attempt had severe consequences. Victoria was deemed an “extremely dangerous individual” and transferred to the deepest part of the facility’s intensive care unit. There, the windows were only palm-sized, and the door was a quadruple-locked iron door. Her daily activity range was limited to that ten-square-meter room. She was completely imprisoned. But what I didn’t expect was that she could still call Brandon. “Brandon, we have no other way.” Through the listening device, Victoria’s voice was cold and desperate. “Only if Julian dies can I get out, can we get the money, and can all of this end.” “I’ll find an opportunity to tell the doctor my condition has improved and request to see him.” “We’ll arrange to meet at Crimson Lake outside of town. It’s secluded and deserted at night.” “Then, I’ll push him into the water, hold him down, and say he committed suicide by jumping into the lake because he couldn’t take it anymore. And I… because of my ‘condition,’ couldn’t save him.” “Okay, let’s do it!” Brandon’s voice held a desperate, make-or-break ruthlessness. “Victoria, this is our last chance.” Listening to the conversation through my headphones, the smile on my lips deepened. When all of a person’s escape routes are blocked, the evil of human nature is unleashed without reservation. The time I’d been waiting for had arrived! A few days later, I received a call from Dr. Evans. He said Victoria’s condition had stabilized significantly lately; she no longer argued and could even engage in simple conversations. Victoria herself had strongly requested to see me, suggesting we meet by Crimson Lake, where we used to have dates. “Mr. Wallace, after our assessment, we believe this could be a good sign, perhaps helpful for her recovery.” “We’ll have two orderlies accompany her to ensure safety.” “Then… alright.” I reluctantly agreed. “For her to get better, I’m willing to try one more time.” Friday, at dusk. I parked my car in a small grove of trees some distance away, turned off the engine, and waited quietly. A few minutes later, a white facility transport van slowly pulled up. The doors opened, and Victoria, along with two orderlies, stepped out. Victoria told the orderlies, “Sirs, could you please wait for me in the car for a moment? I want to speak with my husband alone. It won’t be more than ten minutes.” The orderlies exchanged glances and nodded. After all, this had been pre-arranged. Victoria took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and walked step by step toward the man by the lake, who was wearing a beige trench coat. That trench coat was my favorite and most frequently worn piece of clothing. Splash! Water splattered everywhere. The man didn’t even have time to react before he was swallowed by the icy lake water. He choked on several mouthfuls, struggling desperately in the water, flailing and shouting, “Victoria! It’s me!” However, Victoria couldn’t hear what he was yelling, or rather, she simply didn’t care. She jumped into the water without hesitation, pressing his head down with all her might, pushing him under again and again. “Die! Die! Julian Wallace, you bastard! You ruined everything for me!” She roared maniacally, having completely lost her mind. The man’s struggles grew weaker and weaker. Finally, the last string of bubbles disappeared from the surface of the water. Victoria gasped for air, a satisfied, twisted smile spreading across her face. She had succeeded! She had killed Julian Wallace. Freedom and wealth were beckoning to her. Just then, a voice, tinged with a hint of curiosity, drifted from the darkness behind her. “Darling, what are you doing?” Victoria’s body stiffened abruptly, the smile on her face freezing instantly. Slowly, inch by excruciating inch, she turned her head.

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My wife was mentally impaired. I stood by her side for six years, never leaving her, caring for her devotedly. Then, suddenly, she wasn’t impaired anymore. It turned out her first love was back, and she wanted me to step aside for him. “You’ve had it good, haven’t you? Living off my family for so long, you’ve milked us dry. Now it’s time for you to go!” “Be smart and walk away, and I won’t hold it against you. But if you cause any trouble, I have a thousand ways to make your life miserable!” Her eyes were clear, and she smiled as she threatened me. I didn’t argue. I readily agreed to her demands, even wishing them a lifetime of happiness. Genevieve froze, but I smiled. She had no idea I’d been waiting for this day for a long, long time! “Sign this divorce agreement immediately!” Perhaps because she had only just recovered, and her position wasn’t entirely secure yet, Genevieve had specifically added a clause at the end of the agreement: “Officially effective one year from now.” “Don’t get the wrong idea. This isn’t for me.” Her eyes flickered. “You’ve always relied on the Sinclair family’s support. I’m giving you a year to prepare yourself. After that, don’t ever bother me again.” I couldn’t help but find her words ridiculous. Her true intention couldn’t have been clearer: she didn’t want to be branded as ungrateful. After all, I had cared for her for six long years while she had the mind of a child. If she abandoned me the moment she recovered, it would definitely damage her reputation. In short, it wouldn’t help her ascend to power and become the head of the Sinclair empire. That’s why she insisted on us maintaining our marriage for another year. I had to admire her incredible nerve and audacity. My parents, however, urged me not to argue with Genevieve. They told me to use this year to win her heart back. “Wealthy people often have affairs, Spencer,” they said. “As long as they don’t bring anyone home, just pretend you don’t see anything they do outside.” “Spencer, why are you making this so difficult? As long as you stay by Genevieve’s side, once she’s done playing around, she’ll come back to you eventually,” they tried to convince me. I just sneered and shook my head. “Mom, Dad, the gap between us is too wide. Her heart was never truly mine. Would you two want to live this kind of life?” “Mom, Dad, you’ve really disappointed me.” If Genevieve had ever cared for me, this divorce agreement would never have appeared before me. Back then, when Genevieve was fighting for control of the family corporation, she was unfortunately ambushed. A car accident left her mentally impaired, her IQ regressed to that of a five-year-old. After that, from among the many eligible heirs, she chose me, an ordinary man from a humble background, to be her husband-in-name-only. Though it was merely a contract, I still devoted myself to caring for her for six years. But now it seemed, perhaps, it was all part of her elaborate plan. The competition for the Sinclair Group’s heir was fierce, but in the end, it was she, the seemingly ignorant “fool,” who played the long game and became the biggest winner. Now that she’d achieved her goal, she naturally had no need to continue this charade with me, an outsider from a lesser family. The night before she took control of Sinclair Inc., she changed into a designer gown, looking regal and distant. Every movement she made seemed to announce that everything was under her control. She coldly called my name: “Spencer Thorne.” It was that one call that made me realize I could no longer see the innocent girl who used to shyly grab my shirt and sweetly call me “brother.” Perhaps Genevieve was afraid I’d cling to her. Even though she was the one who stipulated I could only leave after a year, she kept warning me not to covet what wasn’t mine. And so, I, her titular husband, was forced to watch Genevieve parade her “first love” in front of me every single day. When Asher Hayes moved into Genevieve’s mansion, every corner of the house was adorned with festive decorations, as if they were about to have a wedding. Genevieve, true to the corporate powerhouse she was, generously paid for all sorts of expensive custom suits and luxury sports cars for Asher. It made me recall my own wedding to Genevieve. Because she was mentally impaired back then and understood nothing, our wedding was rushed and incredibly simple. She used to cry and tell me she would become really strong so no one could bully her big brother. But now, she was the one bullying me. And now, Genevieve, worried Asher would be bullied by outsiders, showered him with endless affection in public. Anyone unaware would assume he was Genevieve’s legitimate husband. But it didn’t really make a difference. My status as “husband” was just an empty title anyway. To put it harshly, I was just her unpaid caretaker for six years.

Ever since Genevieve secured her position as the head of the Sinclair Group, her actions became increasingly brazen. She and Asher were joined at the hip, and I, her husband-in-name-only, had become completely invisible in her world. While playing a game with my friend Kyle, he was still fuming on the voice chat, advocating for me. His clenched-jaw tone amused me. “Hey, what’s gotten into you? You’re more worked up than I am, and I’m the one living it. Chill, it’s not a big deal.” Kyle scoffed. “If I’m not angry, who will be? We’ve been friends since childhood, and I know your personality inside and out. If I don’t stick up for you, who will?” “You’re always so unfazed, so calm and collected. Even if someone rode all over you, you probably wouldn’t fight back!” he scolded, frustrated with me for not fighting back. “Anyone with half a brain knows how good you’ve been to Genevieve these past few years. Remember when she was pushed to the ground and called ‘brain damaged’? You were the one who stood up and protected her. Every hardship you’ve faced all these years, wasn’t it because of her?” “Now she dares to shamelessly bring another man home! She’s so ungrateful, all your kindness was wasted on her!” Kyle ranted indignantly about Genevieve’s faults, getting more and more heated. I knew my friends were all furious about my situation, but truthfully, I didn’t care much about Genevieve’s attitude. At most, I’d occasionally sigh to myself, “How things have changed.” So, I changed the subject, pulling Kyle into a conversation about other things. “Forget about that for now. I’m looking for a job recently. Do you have any good connections?” “Speaking of which, our company is hiring. I remember you studied administrative management. You could come and apply sometime soon.” “Honestly, our boss is a total stunner. Who knows, maybe you’ll even have a beautiful encounter with her.” As soon as he mentioned his boss, Kyle’s spirits lifted, and he enthusiastically gushed about her captivating beauty and unparalleled grace. He even dragged Genevieve into the comparison, praising his boss for being so pure, loyal, and thoughtful. If I didn’t know Kyle so well, I’d suspect he’d been bribed by his boss to set me up. I chuckled. “Haha, well, I’ll take your word for it then.” I didn’t take Kyle’s words too seriously. I just thought that my marriage contract with Genevieve had only a year left. As long as nothing unexpected happened, my future life would return to normal. But life is unpredictable. Just when I didn’t want to stir up trouble, trouble found me. As I was about to leave, I happened to walk in on Genevieve and Asher canoodling in the living room. They were so intimately entwined that I, an outsider, felt incredibly awkward in that situation. I was about to turn and leave when I heard Asher suddenly speak. “Oh, isn’t that Spencer? Where are you off to?” “Why are you suddenly interrupting Genevieve and me being all lovey-dovey? That’s pretty rude of you.”

This was the first time I’d directly interacted with Asher. He was undeniably handsome, barely in his early twenties, with those sly, captivating eyes that could charm anyone. If I were a woman, I probably couldn’t resist the urge to pull him into my arms. But my attention was drawn to the prominent hickeys on his collarbone. It wasn’t hard to guess what he and Genevieve had been up to last night. Actually, I didn’t even need to look. We all lived under the same roof, and I heard the noises from my room every night, loud and clear. At Asher’s call, Genevieve seemed to only just notice me. She turned her head, a clear look of displeasure on her face. It seemed I really had interrupted their good time. Knowing my place, I didn’t go closer, just apologized from afar. “I was just going out to grab a bite. My apologies for disturbing you two. I’ll leave right now.” However, my discretion wasn’t accepted by Asher. I watched as he gently rubbed his cheek against Genevieve’s hand, looking down pitifully. “Does Spencer dislike me? Why does he leave as soon as he sees me? Did I upset him somehow?” Hearing this, Genevieve immediately soothed him with a kiss. “How could anyone in this world dislike my Asher?” Then she glared at me fiercely. “Now, get over here and apologize to Asher!” I obediently walked over, head bowed, trying to make my presence as minimal as possible, determined to be a silent background fixture. “Gen, is it because I’m too ugly that Spencer keeps looking down and won’t look at me?” Asher seemed to want to make the atmosphere even more awkward, putting on another pitiful act. He wrapped his arms around Genevieve’s neck, ready to give an award-winning performance of despair. “Nonsense! My Asher is clearly the most adorable boy in the world. Anyone who can’t see how captivating you are must be blind!” As she said this, Genevieve’s gaze was fixed on me, making sure I knew the implied “blind person” was me. That look wasn’t new to me. Years ago, when I first married Genevieve, the Sinclair family’s eldest daughter, Isabelle, tried to assert her dominance by constantly provoking Genevieve in front of everyone. After I subtly retaliated with a few sharp words, Isabelle became furious and raised her hand to slap me. Back then, Genevieve was the one who stood in front of me, glaring fiercely at Isabelle, shouting, “No one is allowed to bully Gen’s Spencer!” The way Genevieve looked at Isabelle back then was exactly how she was looking at me now: cold, disgusted, and with a clear warning. I just never imagined that the little girl who once said she’d protect me would now use the same method to protect someone else.

I stood there, saying nothing, doing nothing, yet I was blamed for ‘hating Asher.’ Genevieve’s biased protection made Asher’s face light up with joy. He shot Genevieve a playful, adoring glance. “Gen, I knew you were the best to me.” “Yes, yes, Asher Hayes and Ms. Sinclair are truly a perfect match. Anyone who sees you two would say you’re meant to be.” To escape this uncomfortable situation quickly, I played along with Asher’s words. But perhaps it was my imagination, because after I said that, Genevieve’s gaze on me seemed to sharpen even more. Maybe she connected my words to the humiliation of being a ‘fool’ who had to be subservient to others back then? My mind drifted for a moment, but I remembered not to draw unwanted attention at a time like this. In contrast to Genevieve’s reaction, Asher was very pleased with my response. “Spencer, you really know what to say.” “Aren’t you going out to eat? Go on, don’t starve yourself.” Seeing that he was finally willing to let me go, I quickly smiled and said, “Then I won’t disturb you two. I’m leaving now.” Throughout the entire exchange, Genevieve didn’t say another word, her eyes solely focused on Asher in her arms. But this outcome was exactly what I expected. I just wanted this year to pass quickly so I could finally escape them for good. I didn’t notice, however, that as I left, Genevieve’s eyes, watching my retreating back, grew a touch darker and more unreadable. There was an indescribable something in her gaze, but she concealed it well. Even Asher only thought she was mad at me for interrupting their intimate moment and didn’t pay attention to Genevieve’s brief lapse. When I returned, Asher was no longer at the house. I scanned the living room and didn’t see Genevieve either, immediately understanding. “Looks like they won’t be back tonight.” However, just as I was about to go upstairs to my room, I suddenly heard a low, cold voice from behind the sofa. “I didn’t realize my not coming home would make you so happy.” I turned around and saw Genevieve, her face cold, leaning on the sofa and staring at me, her gaze ominous and dangerous. Who in their right mind sits in the dark, dressed in all black, on a sofa late at night?! I grumbled to myself, but on the surface, I feigned surprise and walked over to Genevieve. “Ms. Sinclair, if you’re home, why aren’t the lights on?” Genevieve suddenly gripped my shoulder. “Spencer Thorne, have you forgotten we’re still married?” Her expression was unpleasant. I guessed she was in a bad mood because I’d walked in on her and Asher earlier. But I had no experience dealing with Genevieve in this state, and I didn’t want to stir up more drama, so I forced myself to answer, “Of course I remember.” “But Ms. Sinclair, please rest assured, today was just an accident. Next time, I’ll be more careful and won’t disturb you and Mr. Hayes.”

The expression on Genevieve’s face seemed to grow even more displeased. She let out a strange, mocking laugh, then slid her hand to my waist. Even through my thin shirt, I could feel the heat of her palm. “Spencer Thorne, I remember you once said you’d never betray me or leave me, didn’t you?” “Yes.” I lowered my head, meeting Genevieve’s aggressive gaze. “But we’ve already signed the divorce agreement, so those words don’t count anymore.” “What? Is this whole charade you’ve been putting on just to remind me about the divorce papers? Or worse, have you actually fallen for me? If—” “No! Ms. Sinclair, I think you’ve misunderstood. Our marriage was a planned arrangement from the very beginning. How could a collaborator possibly fall for their business partner?” Genevieve’s eyes were fixed on mine, deep and unreadable. The emotions within them were truly hard to decipher. And she still held the ‘life-and-death power’ over my family, which was the key leverage that forced me to agree to this year of pretense. “Good, very good.” Genevieve suddenly released her grip on me and scoffed. “Spencer Thorne, you’d better remember your words.” “I trust you’re a smart man. If that’s the case, then for the rest of this year, you’d better fulfill your duties as a husband.” I’d always thought that even if there was no affection between us, considering how dedicatedly I’d cared for her for five years, things wouldn’t end too badly. But Genevieve’s sudden fury now seemed utterly baseless. My first thought was that Asher had badmouthed me to her earlier, but that didn’t make sense. Asher was targeting me only because I’d held the title of Genevieve’s husband for five years, and he couldn’t gauge my place in her heart. After that little test, he got the answer he wanted, so he shouldn’t be bothering me anymore. “I understand.” I followed Genevieve into the master bedroom. By the time I finished showering and came out, Genevieve was already asleep in bed. Only a small nightlight remained lit in the entire room. This was a lingering after-effect from Genevieve’s car accident. In the years she had the mind of a child, even with me by her side, she would always remind me to leave a light on before she slept. I watched her sleeping face for a while before slowly getting into the other side of the bed. I thought I’d lie awake until dawn, but in the quiet atmosphere, it wasn’t long before a heavy wave of sleepiness washed over me.

I had a dream. In it, I was holding a girl’s hand, frolicking freely by the beach. I knew those were memories from before I was forced to marry Genevieve. And that girl had completely vanished from my world the day I married Genevieve. For all these years, despite trying everything I could, I still couldn’t find any trace of her. Just as my dream was about to turn sweeter, I suddenly felt a chill run down my spine. I woke up abruptly to see Genevieve, who knows when she woke up, sitting up in bed, staring intently at me. I was startled. Before I could fully register what was happening, I heard her cold voice. “Who allowed you to sleep next to me?” “I let you in to serve me. You can’t even do that right, you’re useless!” “Get out!” The no-longer-scheming Genevieve was always so temperamental. I couldn’t figure out what she was thinking, but not having to share a room with her was a good thing. I quickly scrambled out of bed, but my brain was still a bit foggy from sleep. Without thinking, I almost stumbled into the nightstand. Luckily, I only swayed and steadied myself before leaving without looking back. Because of this, I didn’t notice Genevieve’s hand, which had reached out halfway before being abruptly pulled back. The next day, Genevieve went to the company early. Although she had swiftly eliminated all dissenting voices in the corporation on the day she took power, Isabelle wasn’t one to sit still. Not to mention the old shareholders who sided with Isabelle were still causing trouble behind the scenes. Thankfully, Genevieve had now allied herself with the Hayes family, otherwise, her path to stabilizing her position in the Sinclair Group might not have been so smooth. As for me, because I hadn’t slept well the night before, Kyle immediately noticed the obvious dark circles under my eyes when we met up. “I swear, Spencer, did you go out robbing banks last night?” Kyle asked. “Just a bit of insomnia,” I gave a flimsy excuse. “I haven’t been working for so long, so I was up late trying to organize my resume.” “Don’t push yourself too hard. I believe with your abilities, you’ll definitely thrive at our company,” Kyle said lightheartedly, patting my shoulder. I naturally believed in my own abilities. I just suddenly thought that with Genevieve staying home all night yesterday, even if nothing truly happened between us, in Asher’s eyes, it was a clear signal of provocation. I was worried he would come looking for trouble.

Sure enough, just as Kyle and I finished our interview and walked out, one of Asher’s bodyguards found me. “Mr. Thorne, my young master invites you to a private club. Please come with us.” The bodyguard was tall, a good half-head taller than me, and when he looked down slightly, the corners of his eyes turned up a little. A hint of contemptuous smile played on his lips, making him look rather unpleasant. Kyle immediately bristled, letting out a sarcastic laugh. “Oh, listen to that! Some dogs, after spending too much time with their master, learn a few human tricks and think they’re people now?” “Anyone who doesn’t know better would think you’re hot stuff, but trash should know its place. This isn’t a recycling center, you know.” Kyle’s words were barbed, and his rapid-fire delivery left the bodyguard’s face ashen. “Mr. Thorne, my young master’s invitation is sincere. I hope you won’t be foolish. Control your friend, or else, if you provoke someone you shouldn’t, there will be trouble.” I sneered. “A stray dog with no manners, barking at people in the street—Kyle isn’t out of line for cursing back. You’re so angry, did you just admit that description fits you?” After the bodyguard left, his face livid, Kyle immediately raised an eyebrow at me and grinned. “I can’t believe you didn’t stop me.” “I thought you’d tolerate it again this time. If you ask me, next time we see that scumbag couple, you should curse them back. That’s the real satisfaction!” His words made me grin. “You’re right, you’re right. When it comes to arguing, who could ever beat you, even when we were kids?” Truth be told, my attitude towards Genevieve or Asher had always been one of indifference. Because I didn’t care, I didn’t want to waste my breath. Asher just wanted to flaunt Genevieve’s affection in front of me and mock me. Such words go in one ear and out the other. If I obsessed over every little thing, wouldn’t I be living too exhausting a life? “I know you’re sticking up for me, but we really don’t need to get angry over people like that. Asher just wants me to be jealous of him, doesn’t he? I’ll purposely not give him that satisfaction. Isn’t that the best revenge?” Having my best friend stand up for me naturally made me happy, but I didn’t want him to get dragged into trouble because of it. After all, Asher clearly seemed like an arrogant type. If he felt insulted by me, he’d naturally look for an opportunity to retaliate.

“Spencer, quickly, try this tea. See if it suits your taste?” In the private club, Asher, with a smile on his face, instructed the tea artist to pour me a hot cup of tea. “Anything Mr. Hayes serves certainly wouldn’t be subpar. It’s just a shame a coarse person like me doesn’t appreciate such luxuries,” I replied with a smile. I’d heard Asher liked tea. This very club was apparently bought for him by Genevieve. She’d even spent a fortune to collect various fine teas from all over the world and deliver them to Asher. Genevieve’s favoritism towards Asher was well-known. Asher didn’t get angry at my words. Instead, he just curved his lips and looked straight at me. “I heard Spencer is looking for a job recently?” “Are you short on cash? Why didn’t you tell Gen? She’d definitely be upset if she found out.” “If Spencer feels uncomfortable asking, you can tell me. Though I don’t have many talents, I’m certainly not lacking in money. As long as Spencer asks, I, as your younger brother, wouldn’t mistreat you.” I instinctively pursed my lips, then looked at the black card pushed across the table, feeling a bit amused. I honestly didn’t expect Asher to try the classic “throw money at me” move from a TV drama. “Thank you for your concern, Mr. Hayes, but I don’t like getting something for nothing.” “My marriage to Ms. Sinclair was just a contract from the start. I’ve already taken what I was supposed to. Anything extra isn’t necessary.” It seemed Genevieve hadn’t told Asher about our arrangement, which was why he felt threatened by my presence. Thinking this, I simply took off the jade ring that Grandmother Eleanor had given me when I married Genevieve and pushed it back across the table with the black card. My action didn’t just surprise Asher; even the bodyguards behind him looked astonished. Perhaps Asher never expected me to so readily hand over what he wanted, but he still accepted the items with a smile. “Spencer, what are you saying? I’ve always respected you as a brother. Of course, I, as your younger brother, should help out if my older brother is in need.” I suppose Asher had never met a ‘love rival’ as sensible as me in his life. Before he could even make a move, I had already calmly exited the stage. At this point, Asher wouldn’t have anything to be dissatisfied with, though he might, to some extent, look down on me, thinking I was too weak. If I could truly leave him with that impression, that would be absolutely perfect. Asher personally poured me another cup of tea. “Spencer, that necklace on your neck looks nice too. How about you sell it to your little brother?” Hearing this, I instinctively raised a hand to guard the necklace. “This is just cheap stuff from a street vendor. If Mr. Hayes likes it, Ms. Sinclair will surely get you something better and more expensive.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “297150”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic #狼人Werewolf

Marcus doesn’t love me or our daughter. Yet he’s fallen madly in love with Lily’s dance teacher. He spent a fortune buying a luxurious mansion to keep her as his mistress. His love for her is no secret. The dance teacher came to see me, revealing the red marks on her body. “I’m so sorry, I never meant to be the other woman,” she said tearfully. “But he won’t let me go. Please help me leave the country.” In a moment of weakness, I agreed to help her escape. Marcus went berserk. He strapped a bomb to our daughter. “Tell me where Melody is or I’ll blow her up right in front of you.” I broke down sobbing and quickly told him Melody’s location. After he left, a timer appeared on the bomb strapped to Lily. Beep…beep…beep… I rushed over without thinking. The blast threw me backwards. My daughter’s body exploded into a bloody mist, painting the world red. “No!” I screamed. When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day I discovered Marcus was keeping a mistress. My phone buzzed with another text from an unknown number. This time it was several photos. In the pictures, Marcus gazed at the woman before him with tender affection. No matter what she was doing – eating, looking at her phone, or just staring into space – his eyes were always fixed on her adoringly. That woman was the apple of my husband’s eye, the one who taught him the meaning of love. This mysterious number would occasionally share little moments of Marcus and Melody’s romance with me. It was through these glimpses that I saw the human side of Marcus. The unknown number continued messaging: [Do you know how much your husband cares for that woman? If she so much as frowns, he’s beside himself with concern.] [They’re holding their wedding at Evergreen Manor tonight. You’re not planning to crash it, are you?] [Why don’t you just get divorced? Do you think you still have a chance?] I gripped my phone tightly. I had tried tracing this number before, but could never uncover who was behind it. But I had my suspicions. The grief and terror of losing my daughter still haunted me. Shaking, I texted back: [It’s you, isn’t it?] There was no reply. I won’t be going to Marcus’s wedding this time. I went in my past life. Back then, I was shocked to learn my husband was holding a wedding with that woman. Though Marcus and I had been legally married for years, we never had a proper ceremony. I lost all reason and rushed to Evergreen Manor. At the wedding, I caused a huge scene. Marcus looked at me like I was a stranger and publicly handed me divorce papers. “Just sign them. I want to give Melody a real family,” he said coldly. Melody was sobbing uncontrollably. “No, if you divorce your wife because of me, I’ll be a homewrecker!” Seeing her cry made Marcus even more protective of her, fueling his hatred towards me. That wedding was the final nail in the coffin of my marriage to Marcus. After that, every time Melody tried to run away, Marcus assumed I was behind it. Each escape attempt resulted in Marcus torturing me – locking me in the basement, abandoning me in a snowy field overnight, or dumping me in the middle of nowhere. When I begged for a divorce, Marcus just sneered: “Divorce? I gave you the chance before and you didn’t take it. It’s too late now!” That disastrous wedding was the start of all the tragedies. I can’t make the same mistake again. I went back to Lily’s bedroom. Seeing her sleeping peacefully finally calmed my racing heart. In the darkness, a tear slid down my cheek. It wasn’t always like this. Marcus used to have a gentle side towards me and Lily. In the first few years of our marriage, he treated me well. His love was clumsy but passionate. He would bring me flowers every day when he came home from work. He would hold me and say, “Honey, I don’t know how to love, but I’ll try my best to be good to you.” Back then, he was like a lost puppy – pitiful and helpless. I knew that Marcus’s grandfather, in order to groom the family heir, had subjected Marcus to emotional desensitization training from a young age. Like killing the dog Marcus had raised and forcing him to eat it. Or sending away the butler who had been so kind to him. Most horrifically, even driving Marcus’s own mother to self-immolation… Marcus was expected to be devoid of love or personal attachments, a puppet with no emotions of his own. But how could a person truly achieve that? I tucked the blanket around Lily. As my fingers brushed her soft cheek, I suddenly remembered when she was first born. Marcus had been so tense as he carefully cradled her in his arms. He held her like she was made of the most delicate crystal. After a long moment, he finally managed to say: “Such a tiny human.” In the warm glow of the hospital lights, his eyes held a tenderness he didn’t even realize was there. I thought we were finally on the right track. But then he went back to the family estate once, and everything changed. He reverted to his old cold self. No, he became even more callous and unfeeling.

He treated me and Lily like we didn’t exist. I wondered if something had happened at the estate, if he was being pressured somehow. But when I voiced my concerns, he just looked at me like I was an idiot. “You don’t actually think Grandfather is threatening me, do you? Have you been watching too many soap operas?” “Olivia, I just realized that developing feelings for you was disgusting.” Disgusting! That’s how he described our relationship. Up to that point, we might have still maintained a facade of normalcy. But then Melody appeared and things spiraled beyond the point of no return. He fell madly in love with her, defying family pressure for her sake, nearly giving his grandfather a heart attack. When I confronted him, he offered no explanation. He didn’t love me. He didn’t even respect me. My phone buzzed insistently in my palm. It was that unknown number again: [Coward.] I whispered under my breath, “If being a coward means my daughter and I survive, then so be it.” Marcus loves Melody. Let him love her then. I won’t interfere this time. After leaving Lily’s room, I called my lawyer. “Hello, I need help handling the division of marital assets…” This time, I’ll agree to the divorce. I’ll take Lily and leave this place far behind. But it seems fate enjoys playing cruel jokes on me. An hour later, Marcus came home after being away for ages. He kicked the door open with a thunderous bang. Before I could even ask what was wrong, he knocked me to the ground with a vicious kick. I fell backwards into the fish tank. The glass shattered everywhere. Shards of glass embedded in my back, blood immediately pooling beneath me. Marcus stared at the blood, a dark glint in his eyes. Rage burned in his gaze as he ground his shoe into my hand. “Olivia, where have you hidden Melody?” he snarled, yanking my head up by the hair. Melody had run away again? The pain was blinding. I hastily tried to explain: “I don’t know, I didn’t do anything. She must have left on her own.” “You dare lie to me?” Marcus slammed me against the wall. I heard my bones crack. He advanced on me step by step: “She’s such a good girl! She promised she’d wait for me. You must have done something to scare her into running away!” “I told you, it wasn’t me!” My voice shook from the pain. Why wouldn’t this monster just leave me alone? I hadn’t done anything this time around. Even in my past life, all I did was help Melody leave at her own request. How did that result in such a gruesome end for me and my daughter? Marcus sat on the couch, his expression unreadable as he stared at me. After a long silence, he suddenly spoke: “Don’t you care what happens to Lily?” My whole body went rigid with fear. The horrific image of my daughter’s death was still vivid in my mind. This inhuman beast was threatening our child again. Something snapped inside me. Ignoring my injuries, I crawled towards him. I kowtowed over and over, begging: “Please, I’m begging you, don’t hurt our daughter. Don’t hurt her…” “Believe me, I never did anything to Melody. I’ll sign the divorce papers right now if you want.” Seeing my panic, Marcus fell silent. Suddenly, he stood up and roughly dragged me down to the basement. The stench of mold and decay assaulted my senses. As icy chains locked around my wrists and ankles, I finally saw the machine in the corner. It was the electroshock device Marcus used for torture. “Tell me where Melody is,” he said, turning a dial on the machine. The hum of electricity filled the basement. “It wasn’t me!” I cried. The current felt like it was exploding through every inch of my skin. I had experienced this torture in my past life too. That time, I had nearly died.

Wires wrapped around my ankles and wrists. Each time I struggled, the shocks intensified. “Does it hurt? Not knowing where Melody is hurts me even more,” Marcus whispered in my ear. Suddenly, the creak of a metal door echoed from deep in the basement. Then came the sound of a child crying. “Mommy!” My blood ran cold instantly. As Marcus released his grip, I screamed desperately: “Marcus, don’t hurt her!” Marcus glanced back at me. That look in his eyes – it was like he was regarding a corpse. A minute later, Marcus returned carrying Lily in his arms. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, but she still clung to her father trustingly. “Daddy, why is Mommy tied up like that?” she asked in a small voice. Marcus gently wiped the tears from her face and replied casually: “It’s just for fun. Do you want to try it too, sweetheart?” I shook my head frantically, horrified. “Please, Marcus, I’m begging you. I’ll die to prove I never hurt Melody. Just please don’t harm our daughter.” I was beyond desperate. If my death could buy Lily’s safety, I wouldn’t hesitate for a second. As I prepared to bite my tongue, Marcus suddenly gripped my throat. “You want to die? Your life isn’t worth much. You’d better stay alive until I find Melody.” Just then, Marcus’s phone rang. He set Lily down. She immediately ran to my side, crying softly. She tried to undo the chains but didn’t know how. On the phone, one of Marcus’s subordinates was reporting to him. “Mr. Holt, we’ve found your wife.” Of course. Melody was the one they called “wife.” I was just “that woman.” Marcus found Melody at the airport. She had been trying to leave the country when his men spotted her. I was dragged along, still chained, to the airport. From a few meters away, I watched Marcus embrace Melody tightly, breathing heavily. “Why do you keep running away? Are you trying to break my heart?” he choked out. “Melody, you’re taking advantage of how much I care for you.” Marcus’s voice cracked with emotion, trembling as he spoke. Melody shrank into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. “But what can I do? I’m the other woman. I’ve come between you and your wife. I’m a sinner.” “I deserve to die. I deserve to die! I’ve ruined Lily’s family. I was her most trusted teacher, and now she’ll hate me…” As she spoke, she grabbed the Swiss Army knife from Marcus’s belt and tried to plunge it into her own throat. In a split second, Marcus grabbed the blade. Blood dripped from the knife onto Melody’s pure white dress. Like a red rose blooming, shockingly vivid. Melody immediately let go of the knife, staring at the man’s deeply cut hand in distress. “Why…why are you so good to me? I’ve fallen in love with you. What am I supposed to do now?” Melody wept as she pounded Marcus’s chest, crying so hard she could barely breathe. Marcus tossed the knife aside and hugged her fiercely, as if trying to fuse her into his very bones. I watched numbly, my heart too numb to feel anything anymore. Marcus patiently comforted her. After a while, Melody’s sobs subsided. She turned to look at me, tears falling again. “I’m so sorry, Lily’s mom. I never meant for this to happen…” “Don’t apologize to her,” Marcus interrupted, stroking Melody’s hair tenderly. “It’s not your fault. I’m the one who forced you into this. I pressured you. My Melody is the kindest girl in the world.” “Melody, you’re more important to me than anyone.” Hearing this, Melody cried even harder. The two gazed at each other with such passion, the scene looked tragically beautiful. Marcus reverently kissed Melody’s forehead. “Be good now. Don’t run off again. Stay by my side.” Melody nodded weakly. But she hadn’t eaten properly, and the stress caused her blood sugar to crash. She suddenly fainted in his arms. Panicked, Marcus lifted her up, hands shaking. He rushed off with her in his arms. As he passed by me, he shot me a vicious glare. That look – as if I were his mortal enemy.

Melody came to find me a week later. She looked healthier, having gained some weight. Wearing a little white dress, she looked like an ethereal fairy from afar. She found me at the mansion. At the time, I was planning to bring up divorce with Marcus again. Melody kept her head down, unable to meet my eyes. “Lily’s mom, I’m so sorry. I’m scared too. I don’t know what to do.” “Maybe…you could help me. I want to leave the country.” Here we go again. This time it came earlier. In my past life, she didn’t pull this move until six months later. “I won’t get involved in your affairs,” I told her firmly. Melody looked up in shock. She had assumed I would happily accept this request as a way to get rid of her. She blurted out, “Why not? Don’t you want to drive me away so you can win Marcus back?” Realizing what she’d said, she quickly looked apologetic. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean…” I waved her off. “You should go. If you don’t get back soon, Marcus will go crazy looking for you.” … Marcus came home that night. Just because he knew Melody had come to see me. He interrogated me the moment he walked in. “What did you say to her?” I shook my head. “I didn’t say anything. She asked me to help her leave the country. I refused.” Hearing this, Marcus looked at me in surprise. It was like he was seeing me for the first time. “You’re acting strange,” he said suspiciously. “You’re imagining things.” Marcus didn’t press further. After getting a call from Melody, he hurried to leave. As he was walking out, I handed him a document. He impatiently asked, “What’s this?” “It’s a permission slip for Lily’s overseas study program. We both need to sign it as her parents.” In a rush to go see Melody, he barely glanced at it before scrawling his signature. He had no idea that hidden beneath the permission slip was a divorce agreement. After the door slammed shut, I let out a long breath. I gathered our luggage and took Lily to the airport. But before we could leave the house, several luxury cars pulled up out front. My heart sank. Marcus got out of one of the cars and strode over. He kicked over the suitcase. Lily started crying in fright. He didn’t even look at our daughter, just glared at me venomously. “Where do you think you’re going? Trying to run after what you’ve done?” Cold sweat broke out on my skin as I hugged Lily, my hands shaking. I tried to keep my voice steady: “What happened? Explain it to me clearly.” “You dare play dumb.” Marcus snarled, grabbing my throat. His face was twisted with rage. Lily cried and tried to pry his hand off me, but it was no use. Marcus’s voice was ice cold: “Melody broke out in a rash right after she left you.” I was stunned. So once again, he suspected I had drugged Melody somehow. I tried to explain, but Marcus pulled out a gun and shot my right hand. The loud bang made Lily wail in terror. The pain nearly made me black out. Just before I lost consciousness, I heard Marcus’s frigid voice: “You’re lucky Melody wasn’t seriously hurt. Otherwise a bullet would have been the least of your worries.” I woke up three days later. The bullet had been removed, and my arm was heavily bandaged. Lily’s small form was curled up asleep next to me. My phone buzzed just then. It was that unknown number. [Marcus is on vacation with Melody right now. Leave while you can.] I had suspected the person behind these messages might be Melody herself. But now I knew it wasn’t her – it was someone I hadn’t seen in a long time. I checked myself out of the hospital against medical advice. The doctor had no choice but to call Marcus. On the other end of the line, Marcus was clearly in a foul mood. “What, is she dead?” he snapped. The doctor broke into a sweat. “Well, no…” “If she’s not dead then don’t bother me.” Marcus cut him off. In the background, Melody’s gentle voice could be heard. “Darling, is that about your wife? Did something happen to her?” “She’s fine. Don’t worry about her…” After the call ended, the doctor awkwardly looked at me and approved my discharge. I took Lily and left without looking back. As the plane took off, the view outside the window was breathtaking…

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The school was eerily quiet after classes, with only the faint sound of cicadas in the background. I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the lingering trauma of my family’s destruction in my previous life. From the corner of my eye, I saw Tyler Brooks handing a bottle of water to Rachel Evans. Rachel had been my childhood friend since we were kids. The water was laced with a potent aphrodisiac – strong enough to make anyone lose control. In my previous life, I had exposed this on the spot. But Rachel didn’t believe me. Instead, she thought I was jealous of Tyler’s popularity and was stirring up trouble. This time, I watched coldly from the sidelines. Rachel took the bottle, glancing at me. “What’s with that look? Are you going to police my drinking water too?” “It’s none of my business,” I said, averting my gaze. Tyler, seeing this, started to stir the pot with a smirk: “Jack Carter, aren’t you being a bit too controlling of Rachel? Is she your girlfriend or something?” A few classmates who were about to leave turned to look at me with strange expressions. Rachel’s face tensed up, her eyes filled with disdain as she looked at me: “Who’s his girlfriend? He’s just a bookworm who only knows how to study. I wouldn’t be interested in him!” A surge of hatred nearly burst from my chest. I suddenly looked up: “As if I’d be interested in you, Rachel Evans?” Rachel was stunned, speechless, with tears about to fall. Tyler seized the opportunity to mock me further. “Still playing hard to get? Everyone knows you have a crush on Rachel.” “I just talk to Rachel a bit, and you get all moody. Tsk tsk, what a clown.” These words ignited Rachel’s anger. She always felt that being associated with someone like me, who was always buried in books, was embarrassing. She glared at me fiercely, then defiantly drank the entire bottle of water in one go. I tightened my grip on the pen in my hand, a dark light flashing in my eyes, and a smile involuntarily curling at the corners of my mouth. In my previous life, with my interference, she had only taken a sip. But even just that sip was enough to make her lose control, only knowing how to beg for intimacy. Now, she had drunk the entire bottle… A sense of anticipation crept into my heart, and I found myself looking at Tyler with a hint of admiration in my eyes. It takes a villain to deal with another villain, after all. I noticed a flash of triumphant glee in Tyler’s eyes. He put his arm around Rachel’s shoulders: “Rachel, are you feeling unwell? Let me walk you home?” Rachel shyly agreed. About ten minutes later, Mike Anderson, the class monitor, burst into the classroom with a flushed face. By then, only I was left in the classroom. He was clearly anxious, mumbling something about “bathroom, bathroom…” But he just couldn’t get to the point. I feigned ignorance and asked: “Did something happen in the bathroom? It’s not Rachel, is it?” Mike grabbed my arm, his hand shaking with excitement. “Yes, it’s Rachel, and… and Tyler.” “Those two?” I looked innocent and confused, as if I truly knew nothing. There was a time when I considered Mike my best friend. He had been my deskmate for all three years of high school, and we always had a lot to talk about. But after the incident in my previous life, he was the first to step on me to climb up. He publicly claimed that I had impure thoughts, and when my advances towards Rachel were rejected, I drugged her in an attempt to force the issue. After I went to give my statement to the police, he even started a livestream, taking advantage of the hot topic. During the stream, he seriously made up a lot of non-existent stories: “When I heard this news, I was heartbroken. I’ve been his deskmate for three years, and I knew he had always had a crush on Rachel, but I never thought he would…” “Jack has a strong voyeuristic tendency. He often secretly follows female classmates at night.” “I’ve tried to advise him, but he wouldn’t listen. He wouldn’t even spare a young widow who had just lost her husband…” That livestream caused a huge uproar. I was nailed to the pillar of shame. The school also used this as an excuse to expel me. Years later, at a class reunion, Mike had already climbed to a high position. In his drunken state, he boasted proudly: “It’s a good thing you got into trouble, otherwise how would the spot for early admission to Harvard have fallen to me?” Recalling this, my gaze towards Mike suddenly turned a few degrees colder. In my previous life, I had gone to stop them. But the truth was that Mike had me go to intervene while he ran to call for help. In reality, he was hiding in the dark, secretly recording, quietly calling the police, watching me fall into an impossible situation… Seeing that I wasn’t in a hurry, Mike became anxious. “Rachel is in trouble… Tyler dragged her into the bathroom! Rachel kept struggling… she must have been forced.” “Not necessarily, right? Aren’t Rachel and Tyler mutually interested in each other? Maybe it’s just a couple’s game.” I said with a half-smile. Everyone knew that Rachel and Tyler were very close, just a thin layer of window paper away from making it official. Hearing this, Mike grabbed my wrist urgently: “No way, we’re just high school students, how can we do such things? Come on, let’s go check it out, we must stop them!” The calculation in Mike’s eyes was barely concealed. He couldn’t wait for me to rush over there right now. So that I would fall into an inescapable situation, allowing him to naturally snatch away the early admission spot. I nodded and followed Mike downstairs. On the way, I opened my phone and silently sent out a message I had prepared earlier. The recipients were several internet celebrities who happened to be livestreaming nearby. This time, I wanted to make a big scene out of this incident. Tyler was the principal’s only son, after all. I still couldn’t forget the look of disgust on the principal’s face when he expelled me in my previous life. I’m quite the helpful person, you see. I wanted to let the principal see his son’s “graceful demeanor” with his own eyes. As we got closer to the bathroom, the lewd sounds coming from inside became clearer. It was utterly filthy. “Rachel, do you like it?” Tyler’s voice, filled with heavy breathing, came through. “I like it.” Rachel’s voice sounded like she had little rationality left, answering purely based on desire. Mike’s eyes rolled, and he lowered his voice to say to me: “Jack, it sounds like Rachel isn’t fully conscious. You go in first to stop them, I’ll go find help.” I smiled inwardly. These words were exactly the same as in my previous life. I pretended to be troubled. “I don’t know… This is the girls’ bathroom. If I barge in and it turns out to be a misunderstanding…” “Are you kidding me!” Mike glared at me, his eyeballs almost popping out. He grabbed my shoulders and shook me hard, with a look of exasperation. “Can you stop being such a coward! If we wait any longer it’ll be too late. Do you want to watch Rachel get violated right before your eyes?” The bathroom door wasn’t fully closed. Through the gap, I could clearly see what was happening inside. Rachel’s clothes were torn and disheveled, most of them pushed up to her waist. She was clinging to Tyler like a boneless pile of mud. Tyler’s eyes were full of lust as he pressed her against the wall. Tyler was still putting on an act: “Are you sure you want to give it to me? Rachel, won’t you regret this?” “Give it to me, give it to me…” Rachel begged like the most wanton prostitute in the world. Tyler feigned reluctance, but his eyes were full of triumphant laughter. … I hesitantly agreed: “Alright then, you go quickly call a teacher, I’ll try to control the situation.” Just as I was about to push open the bathroom door, I turned back to remind him: “Make sure you hurry!” Mike nodded and ran off. After he left, I lowered my hand that was about to push the door. I knew Mike hadn’t run far. Sure enough, five minutes later, Mike’s sneaky figure appeared. He had circled back. I hid in the shadows and watched as he took out his phone and quietly slipped it into the door crack… The people inside were getting more and more unrestrained, completely oblivious to heaven and earth. After doing this, Mike left satisfied. Soon after, Mike led a large group of people rushing to the teaching building. The commotion inside hadn’t diminished at all. Mike covered his mouth, looking helpless and scared as he stopped the principal: “Principal, I… I really… I don’t know why they’re like this? But as the class monitor, I couldn’t just ignore it.” The principal was fuming, his nostrils flaring. He didn’t know the male lead inside was his own son; Mike had deliberately not made that clear. I knew that in Mike’s view, it would be best if both Tyler and I went down together, as we were both his potential competitors. On a normal day, if the principal encountered this kind of situation, he would have already sent security to drag the people out. But coincidentally, today the leaders from the Education Bureau were here for an inspection and hadn’t left yet. A group of leaders followed to “catch the adulterers in bed.” This scene couldn’t be more spectacular. The principal was so angry his chest was heaving violently. His promotion plans were likely going down the drain. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, wishing he could drag out the shameless couple inside and tear them to pieces. Just as he was about to step forward, Mike stopped him again with a troubled expression: “Don’t go, inside… inside is… that person he…” “I don’t care who it is, this matter isn’t over today!” the principal roared. Mike seemed to give up, with a look of disappointment. “It’s Jack Carter. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn’t listen.” The principal, of course, knew who I was. I always ranked first in every exam and was the most promising candidate for Harvard among the teachers. Hearing this, the principal’s eyes bulged instantly, spittle flying as he spoke. “This beast…” The words were on the tip of his tongue, but he quickly swallowed them back. The Education Bureau leaders were still beside him, so he couldn’t speak too harshly. The commotion inside was still ongoing, getting more and more intense. Mike covered his face and fake cried, looking pained: “Jack, how could you do such a thing! I understand you have a sex addiction, but you can’t…” With these words, the expressions of those around became even more unsightly. The leaders looked at each other, sighing deeply. At this moment, I walked out from behind the crowd, looking bewildered: “Me? What about me?” “Jack Carter, why are you here!” Mike jumped like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his whole body tensing up. The principal looked at me thoughtfully. “It’s not you? Then who’s inside?” “I don’t know, I didn’t see,” I shrugged, looking innocent. Of course, I wouldn’t expose anything at this point. It was also at this time that the internet celebrities who had received my message sneaked in through the school fence. “Oh my, I thought it was fake, but I didn’t expect such a juicy scandal to really be happening at a school.” “You’re teachers, right? Won’t you let our livestream audience have a look?” “Come on, tell us teachers, how did the students make such a big commotion? Is there an aphrodisiac in the school’s tap water?” I chuckled to myself. There really was an aphrodisiac, wasn’t there? The principal’s face turned black as the bottom of a pot, turning away in anger. Mike stared at me intently. The next second, he rushed over and grabbed my arm, lowering his voice to question me. “Why didn’t you go in?” “Ah? I didn’t dare. It was too inappropriate in there. I’m a good student, you know.” Hearing this, Mike raised his fist, about to strike. But at that moment, the livestreamers’ cameras turned towards us. Mike had to forcefully retract his hand, his eyes full of venom. The streamers happily waved their equipment around, filming everywhere. The livestream comments were flying. [Bros, this is too exciting.] [Just from the sound, you can tell how shameless those dogs inside are.] [Streamer, hurry up and go in to film! We bros have our pants ready to drop.] The streamer seemed tempted but ultimately said reluctantly, “That wouldn’t be right. If I go in, my stream would be shut down immediately.” The Education Bureau leaders looked embarrassed at this scene. One of them cleared his throat and instructed the principal. “Davis, we can’t just keep standing here like this. Go in and take a look.” The principal nodded grimly, his face ashen, rolling up his sleeves to charge in. Just as he took a step, I rushed forward to stop him. “Principal, don’t go in. The students inside… their identities are special. If this blows up, it won’t be good for anyone.” My words were full of hidden meaning. The livestreamers caught on immediately. “Oh ho, could it be the child of some school leader? That’s some real power there.” Those leaders became even angrier, with one or two already storming off. The principal, provoked by me like this, couldn’t back down. He angrily pushed me aside, “Get out of the way. No matter who’s inside, I’m going to deal with this.” Mike seized the opportunity to chime in. “Jack, stop interfering. Don’t tell me you knew about this all along?” He was trying to drag me down with them. I didn’t rush to defend myself. “Class monitor, I just feel it’s a pity. We’re all classmates. If this gets out, their lives will be ruined…” The comments in the livestream started to change direction. [This student seems so kind-hearted.] [Hey, don’t stop him. Classmates like that don’t need anyone covering for them.] [Don’t you guys think that class monitor seems a bit off? Like he’s trying to stir things up?] The Education Bureau leaders exchanged glances, all sighing. In front of the cameras, forcibly barging in was indeed inappropriate. What if the people inside really thought about doing something stupid because the incident blew up? No one could bear that responsibility. Our group just stood there awkwardly, not too far from the bathroom. The sounds from inside still hadn’t stopped, intermittently coming through. The streamers tried to get closer to film but were stopped. This “catching in the act” scene lasted for nearly two hours. Until finally, the bathroom door creaked open. The first to walk out was a burly man dressed like a construction worker. Seeing so many people, the worker was stunned for a moment. Then he spat and said, “What are you looking at? Haven’t you seen someone use the bathroom before?” The principal and other leaders, seeing it was someone from outside the school, relaxed a bit. As long as it wasn’t students, the situation could still be salvaged. But the next second, someone exclaimed in shock: “Holy crap, there’s a huge bed inside!” Everyone rushed over. The scene in the camera lens left everyone dumbfounded. Tyler and Rachel were naked, entangled with each other, with suspicious liquids all over their bodies. Next to them stood several men who were putting on work clothes. I recognized a few of them as workers from the school’s construction site. “This woman looks innocent, but damn, she’s wild.” “That chick really knows how to please. She satisfied all of us.” The workers calmly put on their clothes and nonchalantly passed through the crowd, leaving with long strides. Rachel, however, seemed to have lost her mind, still mumbling: “More, I want more…” The drug’s effect was really much stronger than in my previous life. The streamers squeezed their heads in, clicking their tongues: “Now that’s some real action, a group activity.” Tyler was startled by the commotion. He hurriedly pushed Rachel away, covering his face while putting on his clothes. The principal’s face could no longer be described as just “ferocious.” His whole body was shaking as he pointed at the people on the ground, gasping for air, “You two beasts, you’re absolutely disgraceful!” The principal didn’t even consider that it might be his own son. Tyler was terrified, desperately trying to put on his clothes. Rachel was still in a daze, moving closer to Tyler, panting. “Tyler…” Tyler, as if disgusted by her, kicked Rachel away. The eyes that were usually full of doting were now filled with revulsion. I stood among the crowd, timely showing an expression of shock and heartache. The principal started cursing at them, his words becoming increasingly crude. Tyler curled up in a corner, tightly covering his face with his clothes. Rachel was still not in her right mind. Mike stood to the side, observing me with a complex expression. He couldn’t understand how things had turned out like this. The Education Bureau leaders’ faces were red, sighing and muttering a few words to the principal before leaving. As soon as they left, the principal completely lost control. He rushed forward and started kicking Rachel and Tyler violently. “You shameless dogs, I’ll beat you to death!” Tyler screamed and dodged. Afraid of being recognized, he didn’t even dare to make a sound. Rachel, still under the influence of the drug, lay on the ground moaning in pain.

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When I was bullied and pushed off the school rooftop, Julian, the fox-beastman I had adopted, was kneeling before my tormentor, Valerie Blackwood, devoutly kissing her hand: “Valerie, please, let me come back to you, okay?” But back then, it was *me* who’d risked half my life, fighting tooth and nail, to rescue a half-dead Julian from Valerie’s cruel beast-fighting arena. That was the moment I finally understood: Julian had always been deeply in love with Valerie. He hated my so-called rescue, hated me for taking him away from her side. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day we first met. Julian was curled in a corner, bruised, battered, and barely clinging to life. I smiled, clapped my hands, and pointed at the snarling little wolf that had injured him so badly. “What a fierce little pup. I want him.” Memories from just a few minutes ago were still replaying in my mind. Valerie, with a pack of beast-men, cornered me on the rooftop, beating me until my head bled. Just as I gritted my teeth, pulling out the small knife hidden at my lower back to stab her, Julian appeared. But not to save me. He shifted into his beast form, leaping swiftly, snatching the knife from my hand. He tackled me, throwing me off balance. My foot slipped, and I tumbled backward. In that instant, I watched him carefully help a startled Valerie to her feet. He knelt on the ground, bowing his head to devoutly kiss her hand. “Valerie, you are my only true master. “I’ve grown strong enough now, strong enough to protect you. “Please, let me return to your side, okay?” Turns out, the fox I’d nurtured for five years had never once acknowledged me as his owner. Every day I cared for him, he was just biding his time, waiting for a chance to bite through my throat and return to Valerie’s side. Hatred burned away my reason. I closed my eyes as I fell. The sudden, dizzying sense of freefall swallowed me whole.

When I opened my eyes again, the sky was bright, and the arena roared with thunderous applause and shouts. I froze for a moment, then my gaze landed on the blood-soaked fox in the fighting ring. That was Julian’s beast form. He was losing ground rapidly under the relentless, vicious attacks of the wolf-beast opposite him, whimpering lowly in the corner, too terrified to move. It hit me then— I had been reborn, back to the year I first met Julian. Valerie Blackwood was naturally spoiled and cruel, finding pleasure in tormenting beast-men. This arena was her personal playground, but for the beast-men, it was hell on earth. Only the victors earned the right to live. But even then, their fate was merely to be bought by spectators and kept as playthings. In my previous life, Julian’s helpless, pathetic form in the corner had moved me. I had offered to buy him. But Valerie refused to let him go. She’d said: “The law of the jungle is the truth of this world. If he loses, he deserves to die. Ms. Sterling, don’t spoil the rules of my arena.” But I was stubbornly set on Julian. I risked life and limb, fighting my way out of the arena with him. Once free, I scoured the lands for rare herbs and potent elixirs to heal and strengthen Julian. Everything I owned, I shared with him, never once discriminating against him for being a beast-man. What a joke. All that heartfelt effort? Just me deluding myself. From the very beginning, Julian’s heart belonged to Valerie, even though she never gave him a second thought. He was pathologically, madly obsessed with her, willing to abandon a life of luxury just to grovel at her feet. Living this life again, I finally realized— Some creatures are just born rotten to the core.

The wolf-beast on the platform slowly closed in on Julian. The applause was deafening, almost tearing the roof off the arena. Everyone was eagerly anticipating the moment Julian’s throat would be ripped out, his last breath choked. Especially Valerie. Her eyes practically glowed with anticipation. But how could I let Julian die so easily? This time, I wanted Julian to get what he truly wished for: to stay with Valerie, to be tormented to death by his darling mistress. The next second, I smiled and clapped, pointing to the small wolf on the platform. “What a fierce little pup. I want him. “Ms. Blackwood, you wouldn’t mind parting with him, would you?” Valerie was clearly annoyed she didn’t get to see Julian die on the platform. But she still forced a smile at me. “Of course. Ms. Sterling, please, help yourself.” The wolf-beast was led off the stage, cleaned, and then brought back to me. Julian, however, was immediately forced into his next fight. When another wolf-beast was brought onto the platform, Julian visibly started to break down. I leisurely sipped my drink, savoring Julian’s panicked expression. This wolf-beast was clearly not as strong as the last, and Julian managed to hold his own, fighting back and forth. His old wounds tore open again, bleeding profusely. He whimpered and cried, but it only made the audience even more excited. To maximize their attacking power, beast-men usually shift into their animal forms during fights. But just as the wolf-beast clamped its jaws around his neck, Julian suddenly shifted into his human form. A handsome, fair face emerged. Julian, eyes hazy with tears, looked desperate and broken, reaching out to Valerie. “Valerie, save me.”

People turned to look at Valerie. Her face was grim. She raised her hand and slammed her teacup to the ground. “How are my staff teaching these beast-men?! “This low-level creature dares to call me by my name?” Seeing Valerie angered, some onlookers got other ideas. “If Ms. Blackwood doesn’t want him, why not sell this fox to me?” “No wonder they call him a fox; he’s got that charming, manipulative look. I like it too.” A few fleshy-faced older men exchanged knowing glances. But Valerie’s face was cold as she enunciated each word: “The law of the jungle. The loser dies. Don’t any of you dare break the rules.” Julian, pinned to the ground on the platform, his neck bleeding, was moments from death. The next second, he somehow produced a small dagger and stabbed the wolf-beast on top of him. The wolf-beast struggled weakly a few times, then went still. Julian had turned the tables at the last moment. This was a scene I’d never witnessed in my previous life. The arena fell silent. Everyone stared, stunned, at the platform. No beast-man had ever managed to evade a search and bring a weapon into the ring. But precisely because of that, there were no explicit rules against it. Julian scrambled to his feet, ignoring the blood on his face, and grinned brilliantly at Valerie. “Valerie, I won. I…” Valerie coldly cut him off: “Who was it just now who wanted this fox? “Let the bidding begin.” Julian’s face went utterly white.

Julian did indeed have a beautiful face. The auction price climbed higher and higher. I boredomly set down my drink. The wolf-beast I’d bought earlier, his wounds bandaged, was brought to my side. Only then did I notice that his human form was just as striking as Julian’s. His deep-set features held a primal intensity, and a few shallow scars still marked his face. His glowing emerald eyes had been fixed on me for a while, yet his grey wolf ears were softly drooped. Both docile and wild. For some reason, I felt like I’d seen those untamed eyes before. I took a sip of tea and asked, “What’s your name?” “Caleb.” “Have… have we met before?” His vertical pupils brightened. Caleb was about to speak when suddenly, gasps rippled through the entire arena. Julian, who knows where he found the strength, had broken free from the guards. Under the collective gaze of the crowd, he lunged towards Valerie. Before Valerie could react, he dropped to his knees without hesitation. He took her hand, kissing it with a trembling, controlled tenderness, his voice full of sorrow. “Valerie, I promise I’ll become the strongest beast-man. “I’m willing to be the sharpest blade in your hand. Please, keep me, okay?” *Slap!* A crisp, resounding slap echoed through the entire arena. Julian’s proudly beautiful face was whipped to the side, rapidly swelling red. Valerie disgustedly wiped the back of her hand, as if she’d touched something foul. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Such pathetic groveling is truly disgusting.”

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A new accord had been struck between Humans and Beastkin. To ensure the harmonious development of both races, every adult female was required to visit the Supervisory Agency and randomly draw a lot to foster a Beastkin partner. After two years, if no bond had been formed, the Beastkin would be allowed to re-integrate into society. In my last life, my best friend was assigned to a Bear-kin who was addicted to abuse, and he ended up beating her to death. As for me, I was assigned to a chillingly possessive and manipulative Serpent-kin, a true master of psychological abuse. He imprisoned me until I lost my mind, and I finally jumped from a tall building. Reborn, I stared at the number card clutched in my hand. Willow and I exchanged a look. We swapped. No hesitation. This time, it was our turn to strike back. 0 When I leaped from the building, I heard a furious, unwilling roar from above: “How dare you! You worthless piece of trash! Only I love you in this world! How dare you die!” I closed my eyes, exhausted, but the pain I expected never came. When I opened them again, I froze. I was back two years ago, at the Supervisory Agency, just as I was about to take that damn Serpent-kin, Seraph, home. It was the beginning of all my tragedies. While I was still reeling, a familiar figure caught my eye. It was Willow, my best friend, who had been beaten to death by Brock. We looked at each other, and the shock in each other’s eyes was undeniable. In a few short seconds of eye contact, we confirmed it: We had both been reborn. In our previous lives, she took home the seemingly honest and harmless Bear-kin, Brock. Who would have thought he was addicted to abuse? In just two short years, he brutalized Willow until she was unrecognizable. In the end, they didn’t even find a full body. And I, I didn’t even get to see her one last time. Seraph had me imprisoned, forbidding me from leaving the house. I fought back frantically, but it was useless. Later, I never imagined he’d drug me while I slept. When I woke up, he had already severed the tendons in my hands and feet. My innate, formidable strength, a power that surprisingly surpassed even that of most Beastkin males, completely vanished from my body. He also cut off all my contact with the outside world, brainwashing me, telling me that the only one who truly loved me in this world was him. I had almost resigned myself to my fate, even considering living out the rest of my humiliated life. But when the news of Willow’s death reached me, I finally despaired completely. With a dining knife, I slowly, agonizingly, severed my own palm, tearing free from the iron restraints that had bound me for years. Amid Seraph’s furious screams, I leaped from the building. I never thought we’d get a second chance. So this time, when the staff asked us to draw our number cards, I quickly walked over to Willow. In her stunned gaze, I swapped cards with her. Then I walked directly towards Brock. Willow’s eyes instantly reddened, and she wanted to say something but ultimately said nothing. Her gaze hardened as she rubbed her eyes, then lifted her head high and walked towards Seraph. I looked at the Beastkin before me, smiling foolishly. Who would have thought such a cruel side lay hidden beneath that harmless facade? Willow and I exchanged a glance, then signed the contracts. From today on, I was Brock’s foster parent. Unless both of us determined we hadn’t formed a bond after two years, we couldn’t separate for any reason. In the last life, this rule had bound Willow and me for two agonizing years. This time, it was their turn to experience that hell – caught between a rock and a hard place, unable to live or die. I brought Brock home. A few peaceful days passed. He was attentive to me in every way, yet secretly gathered all sorts of information about me. When he learned that my parents had passed away years ago and I only had a few friends, he finally revealed his vicious claws. I returned home from work that evening. The moment I stepped through the door, I was hit with a terrible stench of smoke and alcohol. Looking around, Brock was sprawled on my brand-new leather sofa, puffing away, with numerous empty bottles scattered beside him. Seeing me, he flashed a provocative smirk. Then, he pressed his cigarette out on the sofa. My veins instantly throbbed. I walked towards him. “Did you forget the rules? No smoking or drinking inside. If you want to drink, do it outside.” He scoffed, raising his hand to slap me. “I gave you a few good days, and you really think you’re the boss now, huh? What the hell are these stupid rules! *I’m* the rule!” But in the next second, I clamped down on his large hand. In his slightly sobered eyes, I squeezed hard. *Crunch.* A sickening bone-grinding sound came from his palm. Then, a crisp *snap*, followed by his scream. He swore a mouthful of curses, panting, and lunged at me. But I kicked him over. He couldn’t handle my strength. I was born with colossal power. Though not a Beastkin, my strength surpassed even most males. Brock immediately spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing weakly to the floor. I watched him with a hint of mockery. Suddenly, I remembered the first time he got violent with Willow in our past life. One slap had knocked Willow unconscious. One kick had broken four of her ribs. She’d been in the hospital for over ten hours of emergency surgery, barely clinging to life. I wanted to teach him a lesson back then, but he just knelt before Willow, slapping himself and crying. In the end, Willow softened, letting him off the hook. But I never imagined that small mercy would lead to me losing my only friend. My foot moved back and forth, grinding on his injured spot. His sounds went from enraged curses to faint pleas. Only when he was barely clinging to life did I lift my foot. Unhurriedly, I blew on my slightly reddened palm. “Stop whimpering. I let you live, didn’t I? If you keep running your mouth, I’ll end you.” I raised an eyebrow at him. “After all, you’re *my* foster Beastkin now. Whatever I do to you is exempt from punishment.” He instantly trembled, his eyes clearing considerably. I sneered. In our past life, this idiot repeatedly escaped punishment by claiming he was drunk, didn’t know his own strength, or that it was just an accident. So, I was always confused. Did being drunk really give him free rein to attack anyone? Why didn’t he go bother the burly Elephant-kin or Lion-kin on the street when he was drunk? Why did he only dare to lay hands on weak, ordinary humans like Willow? Now I knew. He was just a pathetic fraud who hadn’t been properly disciplined. Just like now, he’d been drinking, but why didn’t he dare fight me? Why was he just whimpering on the floor, not daring to utter a single word? I scoffed, kicking his backside hard again. “Get up. I’m going shopping. You’d better have the house spotless by the time I get back, or else…” I gave him a fleeting, icy glance, which made him shiver. The entire Beastkin hunched into a trembling ball. I grabbed my bag and left, heading straight for Willow’s place. Leaving her alone with that sinister brute made me uneasy. Our homes weren’t far apart, and I soon arrived at her door. But before I could even go inside, I heard arguing from within:

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My cat started talking after she was spayed. “I’m going to kill you!” I thought I’d misheard. Until she lunged at me and said it again. “I’m going to kill you!” My hair stood on end. I immediately called for Liam, my boyfriend. Liam said I was just imagining things because I was so worried about her. He told me to stop overthinking and locked her in her carrier. But late that night, she spoke again: *I’m going to kill you!* I jolted upright, opening my eyes to find her perched on my chest, glaring at me with pure malice. I shot up in bed, and she swiped at my neck. Liam snatched her up, threatening to throw her down the stairs. I quickly stopped him; I mean, I’d had her for two years! Besides, it was just post-op stress, we couldn’t blame her entirely. Only then did Liam put her back in the carrier. He then tied the carrier securely, front and back, with rope before finally relaxing.

But I couldn’t sleep anymore. I ended up scrolling through TikTok to lull myself to sleep. I stumbled upon a paranormal streamer named Rook, who was talking about why pets suddenly start acting weird. I quickly messaged him about my cat talking. The viewers in the chat exploded, saying it was impossible. Some even accused me of trying to get clout in the middle of the night, since my account was full of just cute cat videos. But Rook’s brow furrowed. He asked if I’d recorded anything. I quickly sent him the footage from my home security camera. Rook’s face went white after just one glance. He immediately ended his live stream and sent me a private message. “She’s not saying she wants to kill you, she’s telling you to run!”

My scalp tingled with dread. But I distinctly heard “I’m going to kill you,” didn’t I? Rook said cat-speak isn’t about phonetic similarities; it has its own distinct meaning. “But why would she tell me to run?” “Because someone in your family wants to kill you!” I wanted to curse. It’s just Liam and I living here. He loves me more than anything; how could he possibly want to kill me? I was already stressed enough; encountering some internet charlatan in the dead of night was just infuriating. I quickly shot back: “Your whole family wants to kill you, how about you go die instead?” Then I locked my phone and got ready to sleep. But Rook sent another message. “Is your cat named Grumble?”

My heart slammed. Two years ago, I found a tiny black kitten in the park near our apartment complex. I only meant to feed her and leave, but she followed me all the way to my door. I was completely won over and adopted her. The kitten would let out little “grr-ows” when she was hungry. Liam said, “Doesn’t she sound like she’s saying ‘Grumble’?” So, we named her Grumble. But how could this streamer, whom I’d never met, know such an unusual name? I thought for a moment, then shot back: “Is that against the law?” Rook then asked: “Did you move because of Grumble?” I jolted again. About six months after Grumble came to live with us, she started standing by the front door in the middle of the night, letting out those eerie “grr-ows.” I initially thought she was in heat and bought her lots of toys. But not long after, a female streamer across the hall suddenly died of cancer. I’d heard before that cats can see things we can’t. Had Grumble seen something? Liam tried to calm me, telling me not to overthink things. “Who still believes in old superstitions these days?” he scoffed. But not long after that, a young professional who had just moved in also suddenly dropped dead from a heart attack. I started to get scared, convinced this building felt… cursed. Liam also thought something was off. So, we decided to move. When we looked at new places, we’d bring Grumble. If she let out even one of those “grr-ows,” no matter how cheap the rent, we’d pass on the place. It took us over a month of searching before we finally settled on our current place. But how did he know all of this too? I directly questioned him: “Who are you, really?” Rook told me not to rush, saying he had just one last question. “Did your boyfriend make you get your cat spayed?” Grumble had been in heat, and her nocturnal serenades were driving us crazy. Liam was under a lot of stress from work. He’d nagged me for ages until I finally agreed. Rook sighed, then said, **”You need to run! I’m certain now; your boyfriend is trying to kill you!”**

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