My wealthy wife would ‘gift’ me an investment property every time she spent the night at her male assistant’s place. Two years into our marriage, I held titles to 96 properties scattered across the city. Each one a stark reminder of the 96 times she’d wounded me. When the 97th property deed landed in my hands, her male assistant immediately sent me a taunting video. “So what if Celeste gives you money? I have her heart, her very being. What good is being an international supermodel if you still can’t even get your own wife into bed?” I didn’t stoop to his level. Instead, I thoughtfully mailed him a new, high-fashion outfit straight from the latest runway. When my wife found out about my generous gift, she rewarded me by inviting me to an exclusive high-society party with her. During a party game, her male assistant lost three times in a row and was dared to lick the cream off Cassie Vane’s thigh. He shattered a wine bottle, pressing the jagged edge to his throat, vowing not to comply. “Celeste, I refuse to let anyone humiliate me!” My usually aloof wife instantly panicked. She pleaded with me to take the punishment for him. “It’s just licking some cream. I promise that after this, I’ll go home and spend some quality time with you.” Everyone waited for me to make a fool of myself, but I quietly accepted without a fuss. She didn’t know this was the 97th time she’d hurt me. And I no longer wanted to be her plaything. I was simply waiting to repay her kindness for saving me. Once that was done, we’d have nothing left between us.

“Oh, the international supermodel actually agreed to lick it? What a woman Celeste is, she really knows how to handle her men!” “What if he doesn’t lick it, then? Are we really going to let Leo do it? That’s Celeste’s precious Leo, the one she’s always pined for!” The mocking chatter around me was incessant, and I felt nothing but humiliation amidst it all. Yet, amidst this sickening display of condescension, Celeste Kingston half-knelt in front of Leo Thorne, carefully applying a bandage to his neck. Then she turned, her eyes cold as she gestured at me. “Asher Hayes, don’t play games. Leo is waiting for you to finish so we can continue the game.” Leo, Leo… She only cared about Leo, never once asking if I was willing. She completely forgot I was her husband. Seeing me frozen, someone abruptly shoved me. “Why are you just standing there? Go on, lick it! You’re not backing out, are you?” I stumbled, regaining my balance, and looked at Celeste again. Her gaze was already fixed entirely on Leo once more. “Ninety-six times. This is the ninety-sixth time.” I silently counted, stiffly walking towards Cassandra Vane, the notorious socialite who had cream on her leg. But just as I stooped down, her hand suddenly clamped onto my chin. She looked at Leo. “Mr. Thorne, this isn’t right. You lost three rounds to me. Just one lick won’t do.” “How about the ‘Egg Challenge’? If you can convince him to do it, the punishment is null and void.” The ‘Egg Challenge’? What in the world was that?! An unknown dread immediately surged through me. I quickly looked to Celeste. But the next second, Leo was already looking at Celeste with pleading eyes, clinging to her arm, whimpering playfully. “Celeste, it’s just a dare. Can you get Asher to agree just this once…?” Seeing Leo’s fragile body trembling, Celeste was filled with nothing but tenderness. Her eyes blazed as she looked at me. “Asher, you’re willing to lick cream, so you won’t mind taking another dare for Leo, right?” “Yay! Thank you, Celeste!” Leo jumped up, beaming with triumph. Watching Celeste gently ruffle Leo’s hair, her expression doting and indulgent, I started to laugh. My dignity had been trampled. I was nothing but a toy, to be tormented and played with. Celeste, how could you be so heartless as to make me perform some twisted act, to be humiliated for him again? Oh, right, I almost forgot. Leo was her unattainable moon. She’d pursued him for years with no success. Then, their families had torn them apart, and Leo had left the country overnight. Now that she finally had what she desired, how could I possibly compete? Suppressing the bitterness in my heart, I spoke stiffly. “So, does that count as a forgiveness voucher?” A forgiveness voucher? Everyone laughed at my strange question, but Celeste suddenly looked at me. She knew what I was talking about. After a moment, she nodded. “It counts!” I gave a bitter laugh. “Alright, I agree.” Eight years ago, I had just entered the modeling world when I was noticed by a powerful, ruthless circle of women, who essentially confined me on an island. There, alongside other young men, I became their… ‘entertainment.’ I was lucky. Celeste Kingston was the first woman I met there, and she fell for me instantly. For my sake, she systematically took over their businesses, ensured they ended up behind bars, and rescued me from that life. Only later did I learn that my features bore an uncanny resemblance to Leo’s. But on the night I was rescued, I asked her how I could repay her kindness. Her eyes were sincere. “Marry me.” I gave her a playful squeeze. “I’m serious.” Her breath hitched as she clung to me, her words a tangled whisper: “Then… give me ninety-nine forgiveness vouchers.” “Forgiveness vouchers?” I was curious, clinging to her, not understanding. At that moment, she smiled. “Silly boy. If—and I mean *if*—if one day, I hurt you ninety-nine times, I’ll use these vouchers to make you forgive me ninety-nine times. Once the vouchers are used up, this debt of gratitude will be paid off.” For the next five years, she poured massive resources into my career, turning me into an international supermodel. She cherished me like precious treasure. Until two months ago, when Leo returned. Everything changed. This was the 97th time. Just two more. My debt would be repaid. Seeing Celeste agree, Cassie Vane pulled me into her private VIP room, a dimly lit chamber draped in silk. Boiled eggs were scattered across a low table, and on the floor, two or three men lay in disheveled heaps, a cloying scent of decay and degradation hanging in the air. A shiver of dread crawled up my spine. My blood ran cold. So the “eggs” Leo talked about meant… stuffing them into a private place… Celeste, who had followed us in, suddenly stiffened, her pupils constricting. She turned to Leo. “Wasn’t it about eating eggs?! What is this?” But Leo ignored her. He simply pushed me forward. “Cassie, Mr. Hayes used to be a dancer, his flexibility is sure to… impress you.” “Don’t you want to try it yourself? Challenge the limits?” As Leo’s words fell, I, already terrified, trembled violently and immediately looked to Celeste for help. At the very least, I was still her husband. She had loved me once. Though she’d put me through a lot for Leo, she wouldn’t really hand me over to a pervert, would she? But to my shock, the next second, Celeste walked to the table, poured a glass of wine, and pressed it into my hand. “Why don’t you offer Cassie a toast? Get this party started, Asher.” Get the party started? Was she serious? She… she actually agreed? In a daze, I saw Leo give me a strange, knowing smile. “Asher! Didn’t you hear Celeste?” As I watched Leo approach, unsure what to do, he suddenly kicked me in the knee. My body instantly lost balance, and the wine in my hand splashed across Cassie Vane’s face. Then I fell onto the shattered glass, my arm instantly gushing with several cuts. My eyes met the twisted, pale face of one of the men on the floor. Leo’s sharp accusation rang in my ears: “Asher, if you don’t want to toast, just say so! There’s no need to pretend to be crazy to provoke Cassie. Is that how Celeste’s husband acts? You’re just trying to embarrass Celeste!” Cassie’s expression froze for a moment, then she reacted, her eyes widening as she looked at me. “You… you’re the rumored husband of Celeste Kingston?” I was speechless, slumped on the floor, my body and heart aching almost to the point of suffocation. Cassie reached out to grab my arm, but Celeste immediately caught her wrist. Celeste’s gaze swept over my blood-soaked face. Her eyes suddenly turned dark and chilling as she looked at Cassie, gritting her teeth. “Get out!” Cassie was intimidated. She could only swallow her anger and slink away, muttering under her breath as she left. “Celeste Kingston! You’re crazy! If I’d known you were this lunatic’s husband, I wouldn’t have touched him!” As Cassie disappeared, I tried to get up, but a large hand clamped onto my arm again. “Asher, you’re happy you didn’t have to take the punishment, aren’t you? Did those two years on the island teach you nothing about obedience?” “All you had to do was offer a toast, and this whole thing would’ve been over. Why did you have to play crazy? You knew perfectly well that by asking you to toast, I wanted to end this! Are you blind?” As I stared at an enraged Celeste, my bloodshot eyes were my only answer. This time, I finally didn’t hold back. I retorted: “Celeste Kingston! I’m your husband! If you had just stated my identity, this whole thing could have been resolved just as easily!” My words were clear. It was *her*. It was her vanity, her desire to protect Leo at that moment, that made her keep my identity secret. My accusation hit a nerve. Celeste looked momentarily flustered. Seeing this, Leo tried to interject on her behalf. But Celeste, unusually, frowned and cut him off. “Enough! Shut up, go wait for me in the car.” Once his footsteps faded, she sighed. “I’m sorry, but I still need to explain. I genuinely didn’t know what the ‘Egg Challenge’ meant. If I had, I never would have agreed in the first place.” “As for Leo, I hope you can understand. After all, he just returned to the country and saw that I was married…” Celeste’s words trailed off, but I could still guess the rest. She wanted to say that Leo was upset about her marriage and deliberately made things difficult for me, so I should forgive him. Our eyes met. Celeste seemed to grasp the mockery in my gaze, and she sighed again. “Alright, I see you’re hurt. I’ll have the driver take you to the hospital. Leo’s not doing well, I need to check on him. We can discuss this more when I get back.” Without waiting for my reply, she added, “Even though you didn’t complete the task, I’ll allow you to count it as a forgiveness voucher.” With that, she turned and left. Watching her walk away, I touched my still bleeding forehead and laughed out loud. But I didn’t care anymore. Two more times. Once the debt of gratitude was paid, I would leave. From then on, I wouldn’t suffer her indignities anymore.

The driver took me home. It was late, and Celeste hadn’t returned. I didn’t ask. The next day, her assistant delivered her gifts: two commercial property deeds. She had specifically emphasized that one was compensation for forcing me to lick the cream, and the other was an apology for making me do the ‘Egg Challenge.’ I expressionlessly labeled the deeds 96 and 97, then casually tossed them into the safe. Next to me, Mrs. Davis, the servant, gave a knowing, doting smile. “Madam Kingston certainly spoils you, Mr. Hayes. These gifts are becoming more and more frequent.” I smiled without a word. She didn’t know these were just Celeste’s compensations each time she hurt me. Looking at the overflowing safe, I knew I would be leaving soon. But before I left, I only wanted to take one thing: a camera containing something I had to destroy. Celeste had a strong exploratory curiosity when it came to intimacy. In moments of passion, she would impulsively use the camera to record us. Before, those videos were just a part of our marital fun. But now, I didn’t want them to remain. If they were ever exposed, my life would be ruined. I searched every corner of the room, but I couldn’t find the camera. Just as I was about to search again, Mr. Harrison, my agent, called, his voice booming with rage. “Asher Hayes, have you lost your mind? Look online, private photos of you are everywhere! How dare you secretly accompany other wealthy women behind Celeste’s back? If you want to die, don’t drag the whole company down with you!” In an instant, my mind exploded. I only heard my agent’s last line. “You’d better give me an explanation for the online videos immediately! And Celeste’s fury… otherwise, we’ll haunt you even from the grave!” The call ended. I quickly opened my phone. The top trend was a series of my private videos. And the bold, explosive headline: **[International Supermodel Asher Hayes Sleeps His Way To The Top]**. Celeste was pixilated, but my face was clearly visible in the center, flushed with desire. Millions of netizens were online, spewing hateful comments, calling me a slut for sleeping with multiple wealthy women for resources, a man who could be used by anyone. My legs gave out, and I collapsed to the floor. But in the last moment of exhaustion, Celeste, who had suddenly appeared, firmly caught me in her arms. “Don’t look at those. It’s okay. I’ll handle it. Trust me!” Her comforting words had barely faded when she turned, her face cold, and roared at everyone in the room. “Who did this! Tell me! Who did this!” Seeing her raw, unbridled fury, my eyes instantly stung with tears. At the same time, Leo’s casual voice drifted into the room. “Celeste, you mean the videos? I uploaded them!” The hand wrapped around my waist tightened abruptly. Celeste and I simultaneously looked at Leo. “Don’t look at me like that! I just happened to see them and thought Asher’s body was too amazing to be seen only by you, Celeste. What a waste! So I took it upon myself to share them!” “After all, beautiful things are meant to be shared for everyone to enjoy, right?” Immediately, blood rushed to my head. I stood up to slap Leo, but Celeste firmly caught my hand. “Asher! That’s enough!” I was grief-stricken and furious. I shouted, “But he…” To my surprise, before I could finish, Celeste glanced at a triumphant Leo, then turned back to me, frowning. “I’ll have the trending topics taken down. This matter ends here. Don’t cause trouble for Leo, okay? You know, he’s just…” “No! Celeste, why should I let it go?! He’s ruined my reputation! Why should I let it go?!” “I’m going to sue him for defamation! He has to pay for this!” My bloodshot eyes met Celeste’s, refusing to back down even an inch. “Asher! You!” Celeste took a sharp breath, about to continue persuading me. But Leo tugged at Celeste’s sleeve, feigning sobs, his eyes red. “Celeste! Don’t say anymore. I know I was wrong. Just let Asher sue me. It’s my fault for being jealous, jealous that Asher married you. It’s all my fault! If only I had tried harder back then!” As he spoke, Leo’s eyes turned red, and he actually started to sob. “Asher, I truly know I was wrong. I’ll get on my knees and apologize to you. Please, don’t make things difficult for Celeste.” “Whatever makes you happy. I’ll go confess right now and clear your name! What’s the worst that can happen? I’ll be ruined too. But please, don’t let this ruin your relationship with Celeste.” Seeing Leo about to kneel to me, Celeste’s eyes turned icy again, and she said to me in a low voice: “Asher! Leo already knows he made a mistake. It’s best to be merciful when you can.” “Anyway, your reputation is already gone. Why don’t you just retire from the industry and live a life of leisure as a wealthy young man at home? Wouldn’t that be better?” I was shocked by her blindness, disbelieving that Celeste would still indulge him to this extent. I was about to say more, but the next second, I received a stinging slap across my face. My cheek burned. Her knuckles were red, her breathing ragged, and a never-before-seen violence surged in her eyes. She threw a disclaimer at me. “Be a good boy and sign this. Once the storm passes, I’ll help you make a comeback.” “But if you dare to call the police again, don’t even think about stepping out of this door!” “I won’t sign!” I gritted my teeth, staring fiercely at her. But no matter how I struggled, how I refused to sign, Celeste forcibly pressed my handprint onto the disclaimer. The moment I collapsed to the floor, exhausted. An unprecedented sense of powerlessness and piercing pain swept over my entire body, like a thousand needles pricking my heart. They left, their casual conversation like venomous insects burrowing into my ears: “Celeste, is Asher okay…?” “He’s fine. As long as he wants to make a comeback, he’ll listen to me. At worst…” “I’ll give him a forgiveness voucher. There are still dozens left anyway. He’ll be obedient.” No, there weren’t. Only one last one remained. Celeste Kingston, I won’t be your puppet anymore. I lay stunned on the floor for a long time before returning to my room and retrieving my journal. Though everyone said the modeling industry wasn’t much cleaner than entertainment, I truly loved my career. Standing on that runway, enveloped by the spotlight, that surge of confidence was where I found my worth. But now, it was utterly destroyed. Perhaps even fate was telling me it was time to leave, to let go. Tears streaming, I wrote about the day’s events in my journal, ending with “98.” Each time she hurt me, I would record it in my journal, reminding myself not to soften. But then, Celeste’s voice suddenly came from behind me. “What does 98 mean?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296698”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

To repay Aunt Clara for her kindness in raising me, I stepped in for my cousin. I married Mira Sterling, the eldest daughter of the prominent Sterling family, who suffered from autism. For seven years, she was nothing but cold to me. I swallowed my pride, even tried to climb into her bed. But all I got in return was endless ridicule and scorn. Later, I successfully organized a painting exhibition for her. Yet, in front of me, she took another man’s hand. I knew then. My mission was complete. It was time to leave. To outsiders, my marriage into the Sterling family was an act of destiny, a stroke of good fortune. As one of the most renowned old-money families in the city, the Sterlings typically arranged strategic business marriages. And I? I was just a discarded orphan, living under someone else’s roof. I was only six when my parents died. More than sadness, I felt a gripping fear for the future. My uncles, caught in a bitter fight over the family inheritance, couldn’t stand the sight of me. They claimed I was cursed, a jinx, and none of them wanted the responsibility. So, they decided to send me to an orphanage. I didn’t want to go. I’d heard stories of a monster there that ate kids who didn’t sleep. Desperate, I found my father’s old phone and tried calling Aunt Clara. It was my first time reaching out to any of my father’s relatives. He’d been a scion of a wealthy family himself, but he’d cut ties with them all to marry my mother. Aunt Clara listened to my plea, then hung up without a word. I tried to console myself. My father had hurt her deeply; it was only natural she wouldn’t want to deal with me. But for some reason, the tears just wouldn’t stop flowing, no matter how much I wiped. The next morning, I woke up early, packed my backpack, and prepared to run away. I’d rather go hungry and sleep under a bridge than be eaten by some monster. But the moment I slipped out of my room, I bumped into a woman. I recognized her instantly—it was Aunt Clara. She looked so much like my father. Aunt Clara gently touched my head and asked if I’d had breakfast. I shook my head. She picked me up, carried me to her car, and drove me back to her home. My grandparents had passed away long ago. Aunt Clara frowned, looking at my thin, gaunt frame. “I have Liam and Lily to look after; I don’t have time for him. You brought this trouble home, you deal with it yourself,” my uncle snapped. “Don’t worry, he’s a good kid. Just give him food, and he’ll manage everything else on his own,” Aunt Clara replied, though a little hesitantly. To prove Aunt Clara right, I started teaching myself to eat, dress, go to school, and sleep independently. Beyond that, I proactively helped look after my younger cousin, Lily. My cousin Liam, who was only two months older than me, was a proud young master. Growing up, he never called me his younger brother. Instead, he treated me like a servant, barking orders. But I never got angry. Everyone has their fate. He certainly had reasons to be proud. For me, just growing up safely and healthily felt like a miracle. After high school, Aunt Clara wanted to send Liam and me to study in the UK. But Mira Sterling’s appearance completely derailed all our plans.

She came with Mrs. Sterling to propose marriage to Liam. My grandfather, when he was alive, had indeed arranged a childhood engagement with Mr. Sterling. It was a casual remark made over drinks, a jest, and I never imagined Mrs. Sterling would take it seriously. The atmosphere in the living room grew awkward. Mira, who had been silently staring at the floor, suddenly stood up and walked towards the backyard. Aunt Clara quickly told me to follow her, instructing me to look after her carefully. At first, I didn’t know she had autism. I just found it odd how rude this Miss Sterling was. It was late spring, early summer, and the roses in the garden were blooming in vibrant, delicate hues. Mira, as if by magic, pulled a canvas and easel from her backpack and began to paint with intense focus. I didn’t dare disturb her, so I stood silently behind her, just watching. It’s no exaggeration to say Mira was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. She had stunning bone structure, flawless, porcelain skin. Her eyes, deep enough to make your heart skip a beat, exuded an aristocratic aura. Just as I was silently marveling at how some people just hit the genetic lottery, something dramatic happened. Mira seemed intensely dissatisfied with her painting. With a frustrated growl, she crumpled the canvas into a ball. I wanted to offer some comfort, but she suddenly reached out and squeezed the sharp thorns on a rose stem. Blood instantly welled up and trickled down her hand, but she didn’t seem to feel any pain. Instead, she tilted her head, looking thoughtful, as if observing something profound. “Let go! Please, let go!” I was frantic, like a cat on a hot tin roof. Miss Sterling was a distinguished guest of the Sterling family. If she got hurt under my watch, who knew how much trouble it would cause Aunt Clara. I yelled loudly, but she didn’t react at all. Left with no choice, I reached out to grab her arm. The moment my hand touched her sleeve, she suddenly flew into a rage, shoving me hard to the ground. I was terrified. Her expression was absolutely horrifying. I even thought she would hit me. But she didn’t. She just turned back and continued painting. Mrs. Sterling, hearing the commotion, rushed over. She was clearly used to such incidents and quickly led her daughter away. After they left, Liam burst into tears. “I don’t want to marry her! I want to go to the UK! If you dare force me, I’ll end it right here!” Aunt Clara’s heart ached, but beneath it was a profound sense of helplessness. The bulk of our family’s business relied on the Sterlings. Offending Mrs. Sterling would have unimaginable consequences. Aunt Clara tried to comfort her son while secretly glancing at me. “The family doesn’t have just one son, why are you always looking at Liam?!” my uncle questioned. Liam nodded furiously. “Exactly! Let Owen marry her! Mom and Dad have raised him for so many years; it can’t be for nothing.” “What nonsense are you talking about? Miss Sterling has autism! How could I possibly push Owen into such a difficult situation?!” Aunt Clara retorted, her voice strained. “So you’d rather your own son jump into that difficult situation…”

Aunt Clara and my uncle argued all night. I hid in my room, listening in silence, my decision already made. The next day, I told Aunt Clara that I was willing to take Liam’s place and marry into the Sterling family. “Liam is right. You and Uncle have been so good to me. Now it’s my turn to repay you.” Aunt Clara’s eyes welled up. She took my hand, wanting to say something, but ultimately, no words came out. Because Mira had special needs, the wedding was very simple. I thought her willingness to marry meant she was ready to share her life with me. But I was wrong. On our wedding night, the moment I stepped into the bridal room, her face hardened. “Get out!” “This is my room,” I protested. “You are not allowed to sleep here.” I tried to reason with her, to explain the meaning of marriage. But she wouldn’t listen. Instead, she tore down all the red wedding decorations plastered around the room. I was filled with helplessness and had no choice but to turn around and leave in shame. My mother-in-law, seeing the scene, sighed deeply and called me into her study. She told me that Mira wasn’t inherently bad, just reclusive and unwilling to interact with people. Since I had married her, I had to take on the responsibility of caring for my wife. She believed that if I was devoted enough, I could definitely help Mira open up her heart and accept me. I decided to try. Caring for someone with autism was both mentally and physically exhausting. Every day, I personally cooked her three meals, reminded her to take her medication on time, and accompanied her to her follow-up appointments. To understand her more thoroughly, I bought every book I could find on autism, immersing myself in them until the early hours of the morning. My efforts gradually yielded results. Mira slowly adapted to my presence, no longer resisting me as she had at first. I was allowed to ride in the same car as her, or sit at the same table for meals. Knowing I liked fruit, she would meticulously arrange a beautiful fruit platter for me with her own hands. I had low immunity and often caught colds or fevers, so she would bring me ginger tea and force me to drink it. Time passed quickly, and the seasons flowed by. We both grew accustomed to this routine. The only dissatisfied person was my mother-in-law. Every few days, she would call me for a talk, her sole purpose being to pressure me to have a baby. Forced into a corner, I had to be direct. Mira was completely unaware of intimate matters, and she wouldn’t even let me sleep in the same bed as her. My mother-in-law, exasperated, sent Mira to the hospital for a check-up. The doctor said there was nothing wrong with her physically; she just couldn’t overcome her psychological barriers and accept such intimacy. “It all comes back to you,” my mother-in-law fumed. “Can’t you find a way to make her fall in love with you?!” I was lost and bewildered. What was love? I didn’t even know myself, let alone Mira.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296697”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

Five months pregnant, my husband, David Miller, secured approval for family relocation on base, yet he had no intention of bringing me. “Audrey, Leah’s husband died saving my life. I owe them everything.” “Just wait a little longer. In six months, I promise I’ll come for you and Mom.” I waited year after year. At first, my husband would still send letters, but then, complete radio silence. The local scoundrel, seeing my family’s vulnerability, came to force me into becoming his woman. To protect me, my mother-in-law, Martha, was beaten to death with a wooden club. My daughter was thrown into a well and drowned. David finally came back, only to curse me, calling me a loose woman who had caused our whole family’s demise. He forced me to sign divorce papers, then turned around and held a city-wide sensational wedding with his ‘benefactor’s’ widow. While they feasted in their sprawling mansion, I was left to starve to death. When I opened my eyes again, I was back—the day before that scoundrel showed up. This time, I vow to lead Martha and Daisy to the life that should have been ours!

“Audrey, why don’t you go hide somewhere?” “When Butch comes tomorrow, he’ll see it’s just me and Daisy. He won’t touch us.” Mom, her back stooped, looked at me with a worried expression, pleading. I shook my head, hearing her words. “No, Mom.” In my last life, I listened to Mom and hid in the mountains. Who knew that monster, Butch, would fly into a rage when he didn’t find me? He beat Mom to death with a wooden club. Neighbors said Mom was bleeding all over, and before she closed her eyes, she was still thinking of me: “If I’m gone, how hard will it be for Audrey to take care of the child alone?” And Daisy, for biting Butch, was directly thrown into the well. Her heart-wrenching screams abruptly ceased. Daisy was gone, her body swollen from the water. This time, I would never allow such a tragedy to happen again. I looked at my daughter, gaunt and pale from malnutrition, then at Mom, barely fifty but looking eighty. A decision solidified in my heart! “Mom, we’re going to the base to find David!” “Otherwise, even if Butch doesn’t come for us, we’ll starve to death anyway!” “Alright… alright.” Mom roughly wiped away her tears with her threadbare sleeve. “Since you’ve decided, Mom supports you.” “Are we going to find Dad?” A spark of excitement lit up Daisy’s eyes. “Yes!” I nodded firmly. No sooner said than done. I packed the last three potatoes we had in my pocket and set off with Mom and Daisy. We walked and rested, asking for directions until we finally found Major Miller’s unit, the 211th. Staring at the solemn, imposing gates of the military base, a sarcastic smile touched my lips. So, the 211th Unit’s base was this close. Barely a ten-mile distance, yet David hadn’t come home in three years, not even a single letter. Did he know that, in those three years, our home had run out of everything? Mom and I lived by digging wild vegetables and begging every day. My poor daughter, so young, suffered countless stares and insults alongside us. The entire village bullied us. Butch tried every trick to take advantage of me. And my husband… was ‘serving his country with utmost loyalty’ barely a stone’s throw from home! How… ironic! I held my frail daughter in one arm and supported my limping mother-in-law with the other, walking towards the guard post. “Officer, who can I help you with?” “David Miller.” “Major Miller?” The guard’s eyes flickered with surprise. “Strange, isn’t the Major an orphan?” The guard mumbled softly, then as if something clicked, a look of realization flashed in his eyes. “Ah, I get it! You must be relatives of the Major’s wife!” I froze. The Major’s wife? Then who was I? Just as I was about to ask, a familiar voice suddenly called out from behind me. “Audrey!” I turned to see David Miller. Compared to when he left, he seemed stronger and more handsome. “What are you doing here?” David’s face was filled with shock as he quickly walked towards us. “Major Miller, they’re relatives of your wife.” The guard eagerly explained. Hearing this, David’s face turned grim. He pulled us aside. “This is outrageous! Showing up without a word, acting on your own! What gave you the nerve?!” David looked utterly displeased. Mom was stunned, her face etched with confusion. “Son, who is he talking about? Whose wife?” David’s face stiffened. Daisy, oblivious to the tension, excitedly hugged David’s leg: “Are you my dad?” “Shut up!” David barked, glaring fiercely at Daisy. Just then, the guard not far away suddenly called out, “Mrs. Miller, you have visitors!” David quickly pushed Daisy away. He pushed too hard, and Daisy fell heavily to the ground.

Thud! Daisy’s head hit the ground, and instantly, blood welled up. “It hurts so much! Mom!” Daisy wailed. Watching her forehead swell rapidly, my heart ached. I quickly knelt down, gathered Daisy into my arms, and gently comforted her: “It’s okay, Daisy, Mom will make it feel better.” “David! How could you?! Why would you hit a child so hard?!” Mom’s eyes flashed with resentment. For the past three years, Daisy had been her precious little girl. She’d rather starve than let Daisy go without, always giving her the last potato. Now seeing her granddaughter injured, a flicker of anger ignited towards her son, who hadn’t returned home in so long. “David, who *are* these people?” The woman sashayed over to us, her eyes openly contemptuous. I looked up at her. She wore a designer dress, the form-fitting waistline accentuating her perfect figure. Her makeup was exquisite, her hair fashionably curled, and a faint sweet scent wafted from her. As for the white heels she wore, I’d seen them in town—they cost a fortune, easily twenty dollars. Then I looked at myself: a faded, patched, and worn old dress, my canvas shoes torn at the front, my big toe peeking through. My sun-baked face was covered in burn marks. No wonder… David hadn’t wanted to come home in three years. With a beauty like her by his side, he probably long forgot about his long-suffering wife. “Leah, what are you doing here?” David looked a bit awkward. “I was just heading to the daycare to pick up Leo.” Then, she pointedly glanced at me: “Aren’t you going to introduce us, David?” “This is… my mother, my daughter, and… my wife.” David’s voice grew softer with each word, the last two barely a whisper. Hearing this, Leah’s face stiffened, a flicker of displeasure flashing in her eyes. “Audrey, this is Captain Miller’s widow, whom I’m looking after.” David looked at me. But I didn’t respond. I’d known who she was all along. In my last life, after David forced me to divorce, he turned around and threw a city-wide sensational wedding with Leah Stewart. Leah, adorned in an expensive Western-style wedding gown, dripping in gold rings, earrings, and necklaces, shone like a movie star. Meanwhile, I was barely clothed, collapsing on the street after three days without food. How could I forget her? “Mrs. Miller, why didn’t you notify us you were coming?” Leah spoke politely, as if she were the lady of the house, exchanging pleasantries. A sarcastic smile touched my lips. “Do I need to notify someone to visit my husband?” “And please, don’t call me ‘Mrs. Miller’. What if those guards over there misunderstand?” Hearing this, Leah’s face turned grim. Seeing her expression, David quickly explained: “Audrey, you know military regulations are pretty strict. Only official family members can live on base.” “That’s why I asked Leah to pretend to be my wife. But we’re completely innocent, you have to believe me.” “That’s right, Mrs. Miller. It’s thanks to David’s help all these years. I truly don’t know how to thank your family enough.” Watching their sickening charade, my stomach churned. I was utterly disgusted. I really didn’t want to say another word to Leah. I looked at David, my voice cold: “Daisy’s head is bleeding. Take us to the base clinic to get it bandaged now.” “But…” David looked hesitant. “What’s wrong? You can’t even do this small thing?” I was getting angry. Leah, seeing my frustration, smiled sweetly and pulled David behind her: “Mrs. Miller, let me explain this to you.” **截断点**

“Mrs. Miller, the medical clinic on base has a limited supply of medicine. David’s quota for this month has already been used for my son, Leo.” “So it’s not that he doesn’t want to take you, it’s that there’s no point.” Leah pretended to be helping David, but her eyes were filled with triumph. My anger flared. “Daisy is your own daughter!” I roared at David. “Keep your voice down!” “Come home with me first! We’ll talk there!” With that, David scooped up Daisy and strode forward. Seeing this, I had no choice but to help Mom follow. “Wow! Dad, is this where I’m going to live? It’s so big and beautiful!” As soon as we entered the house, Daisy excitedly exclaimed. I looked around. There was even a black and white television in the living room. Even though I already knew David was living a comfortable life, I was still stunned. Even the wealthiest families in our village didn’t have a TV. After all, it was a luxury money couldn’t always buy. I couldn’t resist reaching out to touch it, but David quickly snapped: “Don’t touch it! If you break it, Leo won’t be able to watch cartoons tonight.” Hearing his words, my heart ached. Leo? He’s so ‘dedicated’ to raising someone else’s son. But what about his own biological daughter? Daisy is three, and she’s barely had a proper meal. Is he even human? I looked at David coldly: “Didn’t we agree that you’d send your military pay and allowance home every month? Why didn’t you do that?” “Audrey, you need to be more understanding.” David frowned. “It’s tough for me on base. I have to take care of Leah and her child, and I also have to spend money to grease the wheels with my superiors. I don’t have any extra.” “Besides… you three don’t really have any expenses in the village anyway!” “You shouldn’t be so demanding!” Hearing this, Mom’s eyes flashed with disbelief: “David, are you even speaking like a human being?” “Do you have any idea how hard Audrey worked? She was out in the fields, working back-breaking hours, even right after giving birth to Daisy, and you call her demanding?” “If we hadn’t come to find you today, the three of us would have starved to death!” Mom’s old tears streamed down her face as she spoke. Just then, Leah returned with her son, Leo. “Who are you? Why are you touching my toy!” Seeing the toy car in Daisy’s hand, Leo yelled unhappily. Daisy flinched, her voice trembling slightly: “Dad let me play with it.” “You little brat, who’s your dad?!” With that, Leo lunged forward, trying to snatch the toy car from Daisy’s hands. I looked at Leah with cold eyes: “Is this how you teach your child?” “Mrs. Miller, kids say the darndest things, don’t take it to heart.” Leah smiled sweetly. Just then, Leo suddenly bit Daisy. Daisy cried out in pain and instinctively pushed Leo. Leo tumbled backward and sat on the floor, wailing aggrievedly. “Dad, Mom, she bullied me!” Leo looked at Leah and David. Their hearts immediately ached. “Daisy! Who told you to hit people?!” David roared. Leah, hugging Leo, looked utterly wronged: “David, since your family is here, Leo and I will just leave. Why would you let your daughter bully Leo like this?” “I… I didn’t.” David stammered, trying to explain. Leah said nothing, just silently let the tears fall. Seeing this, David actually turned his anger towards Daisy. “You brat! Who told you to hit people!” With that, David raised his hand and harshly slapped Daisy across the face. *Smack!* Daisy flew backward, her head hitting the television cabinet with a sickening thud. “Daisy!” I cried out in alarm! “David Miller! You monster! How could you hit your own daughter like that!” I shrieked, rushing towards Daisy.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296696”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

It was almost eleven PM when Jaxson Hayes announced he wanted homemade soup. Despite a raging fever, I dragged my exhausted body, carrying the hearty corn and rib soup that had simmered for three hours, to the entrance of the bar. The moment I stepped inside, a bucket of water splashed all over me, chilling me to the bone. “Hahaha, I told you Simp Aubrey would show up! What’s a fever? She even came rushing over like a loyal puppy when she was in the hospital with a broken leg, just because Jaxson called.” “Simp Aubrey, heard you’re running a fever. We’re just helping you cool down, so you really ought to thank us.” Jaxson took the thermos from my hands, then, right in front of me, poured the soup into the trash bin. “Aubrey Miller, what you make is so bad even a dog wouldn’t touch it. You seriously expected *me* to eat it?” Listening to their collective mockery, it finally hit me: this was just another one of his cruel little charades, all to amuse his delicate childhood sweetheart. Seeing my silence, Jaxson tossed our engagement ring into the cheering crowd: “Aubrey Miller, I won’t be showing up to our wedding in three days. Either find some random guy to marry, or get ready for the ultimate public humiliation with your power-hungry dad.” But later, when I truly walked down the aisle, arm-in-arm with my new groom, Jaxson Hayes was on his knees, sobbing, begging me to come back. 0

I knocked on the VIP room door, holding the hearty corn and rib soup that had simmered for three hours. Maybe the music was too loud, or maybe they were intentionally trying to humiliate me, but I had to knock for five minutes before they finally let me in. The moment I stepped inside, a bucket of water splashed all over me, chilling me to the bone. “Hahaha, I told you Simp Aubrey would show up! What’s a fever? She even came rushing over like a loyal puppy when she was in the hospital with a broken leg, just because Jaxson called.” “Simp Aubrey, heard you’re running a fever. We’re just helping you cool down, so you really ought to thank us.” “Simp Aubrey is really something, huh? Always good for a fresh laugh.” Wave after wave of mockery hammered at my ears, making me clench my hand around the insulated container. Water dripped from my dress, and drops from my hair clung to my lashes like unshed tears. I bit back the chattering of my teeth, swallowing the bitter lump in my throat, and said softly, “Jaxson Hayes, your soup.” “Ohh~ Jaxson Hayes, *your* soup~” Listening to their passive-aggressive jabs, Willow Jenkins, Jaxson’s childhood sweetheart, who was practically glowing in the center of their adoration, chose that moment to flash a mocking smile. Jaxson finally stood up from the VIP booth and slowly walked towards me. He casually brushed the damp hair from my cheek, his tone almost too light. “Really, Aubrey, that was too much trouble for you. You’re not mad, are you?” “Look, guys, you went too far with that joke. Aubrey’s sick, and she still dragged herself here to make soup for everyone. We should be thanking her, not this.” I thought he was genuinely realizing he’d gone too far and was about to say it was nothing, when Jaxson, right in front of me, poured every last drop of the soup into the overflowing trash bin. His voice was gentle, but his words felt like a knife twisting in my gut. “But Aubrey, didn’t I tell you? What you make is so bad even a dog wouldn’t touch it. How could *I* possibly eat it?” I silently met Jaxson’s gaze. My fever-addled brain spun, making me stumble two steps back. Jaxson instinctively flinched away, leaving me unsupported. My head slammed hard against the doorframe, a dull thud echoing in the sudden silence. Jaxson’s expression was laced with mockery. “Stop acting all delicate with me, Aubrey. You gave a speech steady as a rock even with a broken leg, and you’d rush to my side after a car crash with just one call. Now you’re just running a fever, so why the sudden damsel-in-distress act?” “If you think this little stunt will grab my attention, you’ve got another thing coming. I’m not feeling any sympathy.” “So, Aubrey, if you know what’s good for you, tell your dad to call off our engagement himself. You’ve been clinging to me, begging me daily. You might not have any shame, but *I* do. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it is to have you following me around all the time?” It felt like a giant hand was squeezing my heart, draining the color from my face. I knew Jaxson resented me because of our arranged engagement. But this was the first time I’d truly realized that the person who stood before me as a child, promising to protect me forever, had vanished into the unforgiving currents of time. I braced myself against the wall, barely managing to stand steady. Before I could even speak, amidst their jeers, Jaxson tossed the ring I had lovingly made for him into the screaming crowd: “Aubrey Miller, I won’t be showing up to our wedding in three days. Either find some random guy to marry, or get ready for the ultimate public humiliation with your power-hungry dad.” I watched his smug grin, and a genuine, almost relieved, laugh bubbled out of me. “Good.” *** 0

“What?” “I said, ‘Good.’ I’ll find a new groom.” Everyone immediately burst into laughter. “Aubrey Miller, everyone knows you’ve been so obsessed with Jaxson, you haven’t even had a male mosquito buzz near you! And you think *now* you’ll find a new groom? What, do you think this will make Jaxson regret it?” “I think she’s been reading too many romance novels, her brain’s fried. Seriously, you think if you just marry some random guy, Jaxson will suddenly regret it and chase you down like in those ‘chase-the-wife-to-the-crematorium’ plots? Is that it? You actually believe there are that many ‘gonna-regret-it-and-grovel’ storylines in real life?” “Seriously! You think this will threaten Jaxson? Aubrey, don’t flatter yourself.” Jaxson paused for a second, then, hearing everyone’s comments, he too started laughing. “Aubrey Miller, you actually *said* that fake nonsense? Fine, go find a groom. I’d like to see who in high society would dare marry you. Or are you planning to hire some actor to put on a show so your family doesn’t look too bad? No way, no way, the supposedly most brilliant socialite of the city, Aubrey Miller, can’t even find a man willing to marry her?” Amidst their rising tide of mockery, Willow Jenkins lightly coughed twice and walked to Jaxson’s side. “Jaxson, how can you talk to a girl like that? Aubrey is still a girl, after all. Aubrey, I’m so sorry, Jaxson just isn’t very good with words. Please don’t hold it against him. Your families’ engagement was decided by your parents, so no matter how upset you are, you can’t joke about something like this.” “Aubrey, honestly, what happened today… it’s partly my fault too. I didn’t know you had a fever. I thought you just didn’t want to see me, and Jaxson and the others were just trying to defend me. I’m so sorry. Can you please not blame them?” I watched Willow’s eyes well up before I’d even said a word, and I just found her hypocrisy utterly laughable. She was the one who orchestrated this entire scene, yet now she was pretending to apologize to me. Before Willow Jenkins came back, I was still Jaxson’s fiancée, someone he needed to cherish and protect. He used to brave three hours in a freezing winter storm to buy me that artisanal pastry I’d casually mentioned wanting. He used to drive five hours, exhausted, just to be by my side and meticulously care for me when he knew I was sick. He used to unwaveringly stand in front of me, declaring to everyone that hurting me meant hurting him. It was his consistent kindness, day after day, that made me accept his proposal. Yes, our marriage wasn’t some arranged alliance, as the rumors claimed. Jaxson actually had to work hard to earn my parents’ approval before he even *dared* to propose. But ever since Willow Jenkins returned, everything changed. Honestly, at first, I even wanted to get along with Willow. I even rushed around, getting her appointments with the best doctors when I heard she was sickly. But all my good intentions were shattered by one of Willow’s dramatic outbursts: “Just because I’m not strong, does that mean I don’t deserve to hang out with you all?” After that, Jaxson and I somehow reached a point of mutual disgust. I can’t even count how many times we argued over Willow this past year, or how many times I watched Jaxson’s retreating back, filled with absolute resolve. At first, I even thought Jaxson had suddenly gotten amnesia, like some cheap plot twist in a bad romance novel, which was why his attitude towards me had plummeted. So, I had indulged his every whim during this time, just to keep our shaky relationship afloat. But then, yesterday, I overheard Jaxson complaining to his friends: “Aubrey Miller’s fine, I guess, but constantly doting on her? It’s exhausting. And we’re engaged, but she still won’t let me touch her, like I was from the 18th century. What if she’s a dead fish in bed once we’re married?” “Besides, I’ve been spoiling her for so long, it’s about time I broke her a little, taught her who wears the pants in this relationship. Wouldn’t want her walking all over me once we’re married.” I don’t remember how I left the Hayes’ mansion that day. All I remember is regaining consciousness to find myself getting an IV drip. Coming to the bar with the insulated container was purely out of habit, pure instinct. But that bucket of water just now splashed my dazed brain awake. Jaxson can already openly use my humiliation as entertainment for Willow Jenkins. What about the future? Maybe when you hurt enough, the pain just goes numb. My hand drifted to my slowly beating heart. The water dripping from my dress, like my love for Jaxson, slowly pooled on the floor, then vanished completely. 0

Unlike his passive-aggressive jabs at me, Jaxson’s gaze towards Willow Jenkins was laced with genuine concern. He draped his jacket over Willow’s shoulders. “Why are you apologizing to her? She brought this on herself, didn’t she? If she wasn’t so utterly intolerant, how could your health, which was already improving, have deteriorated so badly?” “But since Willow’s pleading for you, I’ll begrudgingly forgive your rudeness towards her. Just kneel down and apologize to Willow right now, and maybe I’ll even consider showing up at the wedding…” “I won’t kneel.” I calmly ran a hand through my wet hair, trying to look less like a drowned rat. “Jaxson Hayes, I won’t kneel, and I won’t marry you. Don’t show up at my wedding in three days. I don’t want to cause any trouble for myself or my husband. Since neither of us intends to honor the engagement, I hope we can both inform our families.” “From now on, the Millers and the Hayes are officially done. We go our separate ways.” Jaxson frowned, his arm, wrapped around Willow Jenkins, suddenly tightened. “Aubrey Miller, what do you mean? I’m telling you, my patience has limits. You better not test me. This is your last chance. Are you sure you want to talk to me with such attitude?” I pulled my gaze from his hand, scoffing softly. “Jaxson Hayes, though nothing but poison has come out of your mouth this past year, you did say one thing right.” “As the city’s most sought-after woman, I’ve never lacked for suitors.” So, Jaxson, do you understand? I was never indispensable to you. I took one last look at the varying expressions on the faces in the private room, then turned and walked towards the bar exit. “Aubrey Miller, if you leave, we’re really over!” My steps never faltered as I left the bar, leaving Jaxson’s infuriated barks behind me. Back home, the adrenaline that had kept me upright finally crashed. My body, which hadn’t fully recovered, had been doused with cold water and then walked for so long in the night. I burned with fever for two days straight before I barely felt human again. When I finally woke up, I saw my dad, a hesitant, almost uncomfortable look on his face. I propped myself up, took a sip from the water a housemaid handed me. “Dad, is there something you want to say?” My dad silently watched me, then, fingering the pack of cigarettes for a moment. “Your engagement with that Hayes boy…” I finally remembered what I had forgotten. My gaze fixed on him, unwavering. “Dad, I don’t want to marry Jaxson Hayes.” My dad looked at me in astonishment. His favorite cigarette pack slipped from his grasp, clattering to the floor. “Aubrey, are you serious?” I nodded, then handed him the marriage certificate from my bedside table. “Dad, I’m not throwing a tantrum. I’ve truly moved on from Jaxson. Sorry, I was afraid you wouldn’t agree, so I acted first and asked for forgiveness later.” My dad looked at the man’s name on the marriage certificate, falling silent for a moment. “Aubrey, you still say you’re not throwing a tantrum. If you wanted to Photoshop something to piss off that Hayes boy, you should have found someone believable! It’s not that I’m looking down on you, but the chances of Darian Thorne from Thorne Industries marrying you are lower than the Earth exploding tomorrow.” I watched him in silence. Okay, if I wasn’t the one involved, I probably wouldn’t believe it either. After all, who would have thought that Darian Thorne, a titan in the business world, secretly loved reading alpha billionaire romance novels? And even more surprisingly, he loved the ones written by an obscure writer like me. But before I could explain, a mocking voice interrupted me. “Darian Thorne? Aubrey Miller, you’re not saying your new groom is Darian Thorne, the CEO of Thorne Industries, are you?” 0Jaxson Hayes held the marriage certificate, scrutinizing it for a moment, then carelessly tossed it aside. “Aubrey Miller, if you’re going to lie, at least come up with something more convincing. You seriously expect me to believe this level of nonsense? Who is Darian Thorne? He’s someone you could ever hope to ‘climb up’ to?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296695”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

Married for six years. It was a union between our families, but also a love story that began in childhood. Watching him now, holding a girl who looked somewhat like me, but was so much younger, so much more innocent. Tears streamed down my face. Childhood sweethearts, it seems, aren’t always meant to last a lifetime. The divorce papers were the last gift I left for him. Outside the car window, rain lashed against the body of the car. Through the glass, I watched the two of them by the dorm entrance. Julian, in a black trench coat, held a young, beautiful girl in his arms, who was playfully snuggling into him. He raised his hand and gently stroked her head, a gesture full of comfort. The streetlights beside the dorm cast their glow into the rain, making the scene look like something out of a romantic drama. Seeing this, I had no desire to wait for their lingering goodbyes. I spun the steering wheel and drove straight off. On the way back, a drop of rain landed on my arm. I blinked, realizing it was a tear. I wiped my face haphazardly, feeling utterly numb. Back in college, when we were dating, Julian often walked me to my dorm like this. Once, during a heavy rain, I casually mentioned I craved those street noodles near the campus gate. Half an hour later, Julian appeared downstairs from my dorm. His coat was a little damp, but those noodles were still piping hot. My tears fell uncontrollably onto my hands, burning just like those noodles did back then.

As soon as I got home, I quickly got ready for bed and burrowed under the covers. Julian tiptoed into the room, a bouquet of flowers in his arms, which he gently placed on the table. He walked to the bedside, resting an arm on my shoulder, his voice full of apology, tinged with a hint of playful cajolery. “Honey, I’m so sorry. I had some business to discuss today and couldn’t make it for dinner with you.” I looked at him, saying nothing. His routine was exactly the same as before, only then it was for work engagements; now, it was for his young girlfriend. He then opened a gift box, revealing a necklace from a brand I often wore. It was indeed a style I liked. “Honey, do you like it? Let me put it on for you.” I stared into his eyes. “No need. I really like the one you gave me before. I’m not that greedy.” Julian paused, then grinned. “Honey, that’s not greedy at all! The old one’s beautiful, but with a new one, it’s nice to switch them up. My wife is so gorgeous, everything looks good on you.” As he spoke, he reached out, cupped the back of my head, and leaned in to kiss me. I fought down the surge of nausea and turned my head, avoiding his lips. I managed to compose myself, unwilling to waste another word on him. “Just wash up and go to bed. I’m a bit tired from today. I want to sleep.” Julian, just like always, affectionately stroked my head. “Alright, honey. Get your rest. Beautiful people need their beauty sleep, you know.”

When I woke up the next day, it was almost noon. I barely slept last night, only drifting off in the dead of night. I opened SnapChat, found Madison’s chat, and scrolled, stopping at our conversation from two days ago. “Girl, is this Julian? My brother’s doing his grad studies at this university, and I dropped him off today. Thought I’d check out some hot guys, and guess what? I saw your husband!” “Why is your husband downstairs from the girls’ dorm? Does he have a sister studying here?” Ten minutes later. “Did I see that right? Your husband is hugging that girl? Is that a sister? That’s clearly a *girlfriend*!” I tapped on the first picture. It was identical to what I saw yesterday: the two of them, flirting outside the dorm, just like a newly infatuated couple. “I think I stumbled upon a huge secret.” Below the photo was a video. In the video, Julian opened the car door for the girl, shielded her head, then got into the car himself, and sped away. My thoughts drifted, back to the past. A girl’s playful voice echoed. “Julian! Is that you? Where’s Mr. Lim?” Julian rested one hand on the sports car window, slowly turning his head, his tone lazy. “Our houses are close. You can just ride with me, it’s on the way. No need to trouble Mr. Lim.” He walked up to me, took my small backpack, opened the passenger door, and made a “please” gesture. “Get in, my princess?” I gave a small huff, as if granting a favor, and stepped into the car in my cute leather shoes. “You don’t have to flatter me like this. Don’t worry, I’ll still give you the courtesy of riding with you.” Julian fastened my seatbelt, then grinned, his eyes blinking at me. “So, does this mean we’re good? You’re so generous; don’t be mad at me anymore.” Mad? Why was I mad? I couldn’t remember. We were about the same age; little squabbles were common, but from childhood on, Julian always made it up to me. I didn’t understand why Julian would fall for someone else. I reached for something, wanting to tidy up, but I didn’t know what to organize. It felt like there was nothing I absolutely had to take with me. I just felt like a jumbled program, emotions running wild. I needed to grip something, anything, to keep myself from unraveling. Then, a photo album appeared in my hands. Inside were photos of Julian and me. I flipped through them, page by page, each picture seemingly telling me that Julian loved me. Tucked deepest inside was a high school yearbook photo of us. I was in my school uniform, white shirt, blue blazer skirt, hair in a high ponytail, leaning my head against the person beside me, smiling and giving a peace sign to the camera. Beside me was Julian, his hair closely cropped, holding two bunny ears above my head, his smile exceptionally bright. I looked into the eyes of my 18-year-old self in the photo, tears blurring the image. I couldn’t control my tears, and I couldn’t control the 28-year-old Julian falling in love with someone else. I took a deep breath, deciding to go find him. Julian, the 18-year-old you, please save me one more time.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296694”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

After the game, my boyfriend held the championship trophy and publicly declared his love. The girl? My rival roommate. Seeing my face turn ashen, Liam Harrison didn’t even bat an eye. “It was just a bet. What’s the big deal?” “Worst case, you can just have someone declare their love for you, too. We’ll call it even?” He was so sure I’d never do something like that, and no one around dared to cross him by showing me any interest. But then, his sworn enemy walked towards me. He held his individual achievement trophy out to me, a slight smirk playing on his lips. “Daisy Miller, I’ve always liked you.” “Would you be willing to finally look at me, and be my girlfriend?” I finally took the trophy, nodding emphatically. That night, Liam Harrison went absolutely insane trying to find me. The whistle blew. The host excitedly announced, “Congratulations to the Engineering team for defeating the Athletics team 4-3 and winning this year’s championship!” During the awards ceremony, the stands erupted in cheers. I unclenched my clasped hands. Our university had sent two powerhouse teams to the state championships, and they swept both the championship and runner-up titles. For us, the state tournament practically felt like an internal practice match, a given. Normally, the Athletics team was way ahead. This time, the Engineering team finally held their heads high, and their captain, Liam Harrison, was openly weeping tears of joy. Then, he walked towards the stands, holding the trophy high. Sitting in the front row, my heart began to pound rapidly. “Daisy,” “I’ll propose to you when I lift the trophy.” Liam’s promise, made over dinner with both our families during the holidays, still echoed in my ears. I’d asked him why he thought of that, and he’d answered candidly. “My desire to win this trophy is as strong as my desire to marry you. It means everything.” Indeed, the Athletics team captain, Cole Sterling, had been his sworn enemy since childhood. They were equally matched in family background and looks, but while Liam was more well-known in social circles, when it came to actual skill and campus popularity, Cole was superior. At that moment, a rush of warmth surged through me, and tiny beads of sweat formed on my palms. Nervousness, anticipation, and excitement intertwined, making my heart feel like it would burst from my chest. Clutching my skirt, I even felt a little grateful. I looked pretty today. Every time Liam had a game, I’d dress up carefully to watch, wishing from the stands for him to win. I didn’t dare stare too openly, so I just sat quietly in the stands, waiting. His tall figure knelt down, poised for what I’d hoped would be a proposal. I awkwardly lowered my head, waiting for one of the most important moments of my life to arrive. But his voice came from beside me instead: “Chloe, I like you. Will you be my girlfriend?” It wasn’t me… It was Chloe Davis. My roommate, the one I never got along with. How could it be her? My heart instantly ripped open. A sudden blow landed squarely on my head. My mind was filled with static, and my vision blurred. I felt like I’d been slapped in public. All my anticipation shattered, my body trembled uncontrollably, and my spirits plummeted into an icy abyss. My broken heart bled, making it impossible to maintain even basic composure. “Say yes…” Cheers and catcalls erupted around us, non-stop. Chloe feigned surprise as she took the trophy, glancing at me. But I caught the quick, undeniable glint of triumph in her eyes. Liam slowly stood up, clicking his tongue. “Alright, that’s enough. Doesn’t a girl need some face? Stop all this shouting.” You cared about her reputation. What about mine? My heart pulsed, bleeding in rhythmic throbs, and I couldn’t stop shivering. “Daisy?” Finally noticing me standing beside him, Liam frowned in displeasure. “Are you crying?” “It was just a bet. What’s the big deal?” Chloe, on one side, pretended to turn and look at me. “Oh, Daisy, I’m so sorry. Please don’t be mad. I was going to tell you tonight… but it was hard to bring up, since it was just their team’s bet. Liam will explain it to you later, okay? Please don’t let this affect your relationship with him.” I searched her face for a hint of guilt. There was none. My lips twitched, my voice trembling. “Really?” Liam shrugged carelessly. “Anyway, I told you it was just a bet.” I suddenly remembered Chloe’s deliberate effort to dress up today, and how, for the first time, she’d been nice to me, coming to the game together. That was it. It was a bet designed to humiliate me, and everyone was waiting to watch the show. What was there to explain? Liam’s indifferent attitude made everyone around him look down on me, too. One of his teammates couldn’t help but say, “It really was just a bet, Daisy. Don’t be a sore loser.” Others quickly chimed in. “Come on, Daisy, don’t ruin the fun for everyone.” “We finally won for once. It’s just a joke, let’s have some fun.” It was as if my not agreeing with them now would make me a huge party pooper. But did I deserve to endure their cruel games? Chloe hurriedly handed the trophy to me. Its golden, shiny surface reflected my humiliated face. She pretended to comfort me, “Daisy, don’t be mad. You can hold the trophy.” Then she gave Liam a coy look, softly complaining, “How could you be like this…?” Their interaction was clearly familiar and close. Liam knew perfectly well that Chloe and I didn’t get along. Yet he was secretly interacting with her behind my back. This time, it truly disgusted me. I threw the trophy away, my voice choked, but my chin held high. “Liam Harrison, we’re over.” **截断点** Chapter

My self-respect had been trampled enough. Liam and I had no future. “Daisy, stop being so dramatic. Just apologize to me, and I can pretend I didn’t hear any of that.” “You heard me clearly. I said, we’re breaking up.” Liam, rarely offering an olive branch, saw that I wasn’t taking it, and his face darkened. Then he let out a ridiculous laugh, a thin layer of anger mixed with confusion. “It was just a bet I lost. How far do you need to take this?” “Worst case, you can just have someone declare their love for you, too. We’ll call it even?” He was certain that I only ever liked him and wouldn’t be able to do something like that. The people around were pretty much all of Captain Liam’s teammates, his hangers-on, or his fair-weather friends. And absolutely no one would dare to meddle in his personal affairs. For a moment, the atmosphere grew tense. “Go on, tell me. Who do you want to declare their love for you?” Liam snapped his fingers, his gaze, sharp as a knife, sweeping across the men present. The meaning was unspoken. Everyone’s eyes on me immediately took on a playful, taunting look. Chloe then spoke up, seemingly innocent. “Liam, don’t be like that. Daisy’s used to being a pampered princess. How could she possibly handle a joke like this?” A joke had its limits, and they had completely overstepped them. And now they were twisting the narrative, making it sound like I couldn’t take a joke? She was really good at chiming in. I didn’t want to say anything more to them; I just felt sick staying there another second. However, just as I was about to stand up, a deep male voice spoke from a nearby section. “Daisy, I’ll declare my love for you.” I looked up, seeing the man walking towards me clearly. Cole… The two teams’ resting areas were separated. The commotion on our side couldn’t be fully heard by the other team. So I had completely forgotten that the Athletics team members hadn’t left yet. Everyone else was also startled by his sudden move. After all, the rumor was that this guy was a complete sports fanatic; nothing else ever caught his eye. More importantly, he had always been Liam Harrison’s sworn enemy. Why would he… While my mind raced, Cole had already held his Best Scorer individual trophy out to me, a smirk playing on his lips. “We’ve known each other for years, and everyone knows I’m a sports fanatic, but they don’t know that the one I’ve always been most obsessed with is you.” “Would you be willing to finally look at me, and be with me?” Liam’s face changed slightly, but he still sounded casual, a sneer in his voice. “Cole, you’re a sore loser, so you’re using a woman to get back at me?” But Cole didn’t look at him, his gaze still fixed on me. Seeing this, Chloe subtly hinted, “Daisy, you can’t possibly not know that Cole and Liam have always been at odds, right…?” I scoffed, my voice dripping with anger. “Liam knew *you* and I didn’t get along, but he still declared his love for you, didn’t he?” As if seeking revenge, I took the trophy and nodded emphatically. “Daisy, put his trophy down.” Liam immediately tried to grab me, but Cole blocked him. “Be a little more gracious, Liam. It’s just a declaration of love.” “Captain Liam, don’t be a sore loser.” Liam was enraged. He wrapped an arm around Chloe, scoffing. “You think I can’t handle it?” “Fine then. Whoever declared their love for someone, that person goes home with them tonight.” Cole raised an eyebrow. “As you wish.” Without hesitation, Cole smoothly took my free hand and led me directly towards the Athletics team’s area. He asserted his dominance. “Alright, guys! Our captain just got a girlfriend tonight! Let’s celebrate! Anywhere you want to go for the party, I’m treating!” “Go, Captain!” “Welcome, Captain Cole’s lady!” The Athletics team erupted in cheers, everyone packing their things and heading out. They left the Engineering team with their jaws dropped. “Is that really Cole? I heard he never even looked at women.” Chapter

The first time I sat in Cole’s car, it still felt like a dream. It wasn’t until he leaned over to help me fasten my seatbelt that I snapped back to reality. My face felt slightly awkward. “Just now… I didn’t expect you to bail me out.” “Thank you, Captain Cole.” Because I had grown up with Liam, I had secretly helped him badmouth Cole plenty of times. I never imagined Cole would actually protect me, saving me from utter humiliation in front of everyone. Cole started the car, eyes on the road, and simply murmured, “Mm.” He sounded a little unhappy. Did I say something wrong? I quickly added, “No need to trouble you, Captain Cole. You still have a celebration to go to. You can just drop me off at the curb up ahead.” “I’ll take a cab home myself.” Cole suddenly stomped on the brake, looking at me. “What? You’re not coming to the celebration with me?” I froze, then suddenly remembered the scene earlier. I didn’t expect Captain Cole to take the joke seriously… He was Liam Harrison’s sworn enemy, after all. Now, I didn’t want any involvement with either of them. It was better to keep my distance. I said sincerely, “Thank you so much for what you did tonight, Captain Cole.” I couldn’t help but recall the rumors about him. People said he was a sports fanatic who wasn’t interested in women. He’d never had a woman around him, and his greatest hobby was playing football with his team. Many even said there was a 100% chance he was gay. “Besides ‘thank you,’ don’t you have anything else to say?” “Huh…?” I racked my brain, wondering what I might have said that was inappropriate. After thinking it over, it hit me. There must be a guy Cole liked on the Athletics team. He was being a good friend, helping me out, and I couldn’t let his crush misunderstand… So, feeling quite righteous, I patted my chest and declared, “Don’t worry, Captain Cole. What happened between us was a complete misunderstanding. I’ll definitely explain it to the teammate you like.” A confused Cole said, “The teammate I like?” “Oh, is the person you like not on your team?” *Crack!* I thought I heard Cole’s knuckles crackle. “You think I like men?” Cole practically gritted through his teeth. Maybe I was too blunt, making him uncomfortable in front of someone he didn’t know well. But there was nothing wrong with liking someone. I chuckled awkwardly, trying to explain. “Captain Cole, love knows no gender. Don’t be embarrassed.” “I totally understand…” My voice trailed off as I watched Cole’s face grow darker and darker. Finally, I timidly mumbled, “Really, I don’t discriminate against gay people…” Then I shut my mouth. Cole focused on driving, no longer bothering to speak to me. What a weird atmosphere. For a while, all I could do was pull out my phone and constantly refresh Ins. People always pretend to be busy when they’re awkward… Suddenly, my scrolling finger stopped. Two minutes ago, Chloe Davis had just posted something on Ins. “I accept Captain Liam’s declaration of love.” Below it were two selfies: her holding the trophy, and her and Liam intimately cheek-to-cheek. My roommate Mia Rodriguez commented: *Oh, so Captain Liam actually likes you, huh? Ugh, Daisy went to all his games every day. She must be furious now.* Chloe replied: *Don’t say that, Daisy will be unhappy.* My hand, clutching the phone, trembled slightly from how hard I was gripping it. My vision went black. What a load of crap, that bet was just a cover-up. These two had probably already been secretly involved. That’s why Liam declared his love for her, even knowing she and I didn’t get along. Just then, my phone suddenly rang, snapping me back to reality. “Hello, Daisy, are you and Captain Cole really still together?” It was the teammate who had called me a sore loser earlier. “We’re playing truth or dare at the celebration, and they forced me to call and ask.” “Daisy, come on, tell us. Is Captain Cole’s boyfriend mad at you?” “Hahaha…” A burst of laughter came from the other end of the phone, likely a group gathered to hear my humiliation. Before I could even speak, Liam Harrison’s voice cut in. “Ask her if Cole just abandoned her halfway there.” “Tell her to apologize and beg a little, and I don’t mind picking her up.” Liam’s voice was mocking and crude. My blood rushed to my head. “None of your business! And even if he ‘can’t perform,’ he’s still way more impressive than you are!” There was a brief silence on the other end, then Liam’s furious roar: “What did you say? Daisy! Are you and Cole…?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296693”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

I found a pair of battered-up lingerie stockings in my girlfriend’s bag. My gaze locked on the irregular yellowish stains on them, and I froze. I stayed silent, doing nothing but secretly pouring some fiery hot chili oil into the lube. From that day on, I became a regular at the hospital. Not for me, though. It was for the genes of a Black man. The day she gave birth, she clutched the newborn Black baby, her expression manic, as if struck by lightning. “No, wait, who put this in my belly?!” Chloe and I had been together for almost two years, but things had never gotten truly intimate. She swore she was old-fashioned, that she was saving herself for our wedding night. I chuckled and nodded, trusting her completely. Until yesterday night, when I found a pair of heavily used lace stockings in her pocket. The yellowish stains on the stockings were crystal clear. I didn’t even need to lean in to smell it. That sickening, acrid odor… any man would know exactly what had happened. My vision blurred. It felt like a physical blow. We weren’t young anymore, and both our families were pushing us to get married. So, a couple of days ago, I suggested we go for pre-marital health screenings. But Chloe seemed hesitant. “Liam, I think that’s a bit too soon…” I just thought she was shy and didn’t suspect a thing. “Chloe, it’s not too soon. We’re getting married soon anyway. Besides, with the screenings, we can get extra vacation days for our honeymoon! You’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii and Europe, right? We can get it all done at once.” Memories flooded my mind, and my blood ran cold. The sound of rushing water from the bathroom was fading. Chloe was almost done with her shower. I quickly put the stockings back where I found them. But my mind was already racing, unable to stop. When did she betray me? Two months ago, Chloe, who never wore stockings, suddenly, inexplicably, bought two pairs. She complained to me, saying the faculty really valued her and would often send her to academic conferences. She was too junior, so she’d just be there as a formality, standing all day. She said she read online that wearing stockings could effectively protect her calves, and told me not to overthink it. I didn’t sense anything was wrong; I just felt bad for her. But now, who could tell me what kind of standing position could turn a pair of stockings into *this*? I was dazed, feeling like I’d fallen into an ice abyss. Just then, Chloe emerged from the bathroom. I walked towards her, my hand barely touching her waist before she slapped it away. “Liam, please respect me! I told you I’m traditional. Can you just respect that?!” *Slam!* The bedroom door was violently shut. I gritted my teeth, rage churning inside me. I don’t respect you? Touching my own girlfriend is disrespectful, huh? Then what the hell is *this* ‘battle-damaged’ stocking from your academic conference?! I clamped down on my fury, refusing to explode right then and there. That night, I stayed awake on the balcony, not sleeping a wink. I’d heard grad students could be pretty wild. Had she hooked up with some younger guy? I suppressed my anger and secretly followed her for several days, but found nothing suspicious. The next day, I staked out her university entrance early. At six in the evening, she appeared near the gate. She was alone, but she kept looking around, a clear sign she was waiting for someone. I pulled my hat lower and moved to a higher vantage point. Almost simultaneously, a smile suddenly bloomed on Chloe’s face. She raised her arm, waving in a certain direction. I clenched my fists, staring intently. At the edge of my vision, a figure appeared. I didn’t rush out blindly to beat him senseless, as I’d imagined I would. Instead, I stood frozen, bewildered. It was indeed a man. And I knew him. He was Chloe’s mentor, Dr. Marcus Thorne, in his late fifties. Chloe had told me before that he’d pulled a lot of strings to help her attend those academic conferences. The two exchanged polite greetings and walked out of the university gate. Everything seemed perfectly normal. I felt a mix of bewilderment and relief. Maybe it was just my remaining fondness for her, acting up because I hadn’t caught her red-handed. But the next moment, I felt like I’d plunged into an ice abyss again. As Chloe got into the car, the man, in a gentlemanly gesture, used his left hand to shield the car door, while his right hand slipped into Chloe’s chest. Chloe shyly pulled back, but quickly pushed her chest out again, provocatively flashing her cleavage.

I couldn’t believe my eyes. Chloe… and her mentor? A man old enough to be her grandfather! I don’t know how I made it home that day. Her tablet was on the console table in the hallway. She must have rushed off and forgotten it. I took a deep breath and opened their chat logs. “But my stockings were brand new, barely worn for half a day.” “You little vixen, you’re just too captivating. I can’t resist. I bought you other styles. Come get them tomorrow, and put them on right then and there.” “You need to be more careful. What if my boyfriend finds out?” “You’re too tempting. I just can’t hold back.” “Hmph, so between me and your wife, who has a better body, who’s prettier?” “That old hag can’t even compare to you. You’re a siren, the kind that makes me lose all control.” “Oh, stop it~ But we can’t always be in your office. What if someone hears us?” “We get so few chances to be alone. The office is the only place we can be open. And you’re too timid, you don’t even dare to make a sound. It’s much more exciting outside.” “Next academic conference, Daddy will make you feel like you’re flying.” “So embarrassing, don’t say that…” My face was ashen, my neck flushed with anger. The chat logs weren’t just filled with obscene words; there were countless indecent photos and videos. I couldn’t believe Chloe, who always presented herself as conservative and traditional, was truly this person. They had even talked about me. “Why are you still with that boyfriend of yours? What do you see in him? He knows nothing about passion.” “He doesn’t know passion, but he’s really generous with money. Besides, I’m so pretty, it feels good to have him dote on me.” “Dote on you? Can he dote on you like I can? Hmph, I’m jealous.” “Oh, you’re jealous? I haven’t even said I’m jealous yet! If you divorce your wife, I’ll break up with him immediately, and then I’ll give you two healthy baby boys. How about that?” “Baby, enough about that. Kiss me, mua~” That single “Baby” made me want to gag. I would have never in a million years thought that my girlfriend of almost two years, after such a long-term relationship, was this kind of person! In their eyes, I was just a cuckold, a walking ATM, and a personal servant? I thought back to these past two years. As her rightful boyfriend, I had to wait for her mood to even kiss her. Let alone any further intimacy. I even thought I’d found a good girl. That’s why I always respected her so much. But now, reality had slapped me hard across the face. This supposedly virtuous lady was, in fact, a backstabbing slut! I was worse than a simp! My lips trembled with rage. Dr. Marcus Thorne. This old creep was truly something. He’d published articles in numerous top-tier journals, a renowned figure in his field. In his late fifties, yet he showed no signs of aging; his posture was upright, he was refined and elegant, with an air of scholarly sophistication. His wife came from a prominent family, his two daughters attended top universities, and his own academic reputation was well-known in his circle. He probably thought his life was perfect. My face contorted into a grotesque grimace. Damn it! Cuckold me and make him a cripple? And I’d have to pay for that? That’s too easy on him. I’m going to destroy his reputation! I’m going to ruin him forever! I saved all the evidence, then put the tablet back in its original spot. Just as I finished, Chloe came back. Chloe usually came home after nine, but today she was back early, before eight. As soon as she opened the door, she asked if I’d seen her tablet. I pretended to be oblivious, and we “found” it together near the console table. Chloe grabbed the tablet and subtly let out a sigh of relief. “You scared me! I thought I’d lost my tablet.” Then, she took the tablet and went straight to her bedroom. I watched it all unfold with a calm gaze. She’d only left at six to have dinner with the old creep, and now she was rushing back so urgently. Wasn’t it just to delete evidence? When Chloe emerged from her bedroom, the slight heaviness on her face was gone. Right in front of me, she cheerfully answered a call. “Dr. Thorne, I’m back. Everything went smoothly.” “Thank you for worrying. Understood.” “I know. I’ll come to your office first thing tomorrow morning when I get to school.” Chloe covered the mouthpiece, naturally whispering a complaint: “These grad students are just slaves. Mentors aren’t teachers, they’re bosses. They make me do personal favors all day, I’m exhausted.” Personal favors? I scoffed internally. Yes, those were definitely personal favors. She lazily stretched out her legs and said softly, “Honey, I was standing all day at that academic conference yesterday, my legs are so weak. Could you give me a rub?” My lower lip bore the imprint of my teeth. Why were they weak? How dare she spout such trash? Did she really think I was a complete fool?! I excused myself, claiming I needed to use the restroom, and blew her off. Three days ago, I would have eagerly rushed over to rub her legs. But now, I saw it clearly. These two were deliberately seeking cheap thrills. You want thrills, huh? I’ll give you a thrill you won’t forget!

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296692”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

In my past life, I was the one he chose, becoming the most humiliated bride at the wedding. Everyone thought I’d struck gold, that my luck was beyond belief. Only I knew it was a complete and utter nightmare. The night before the wedding, his ‘white moonlight’ had drunk herself to death, overwhelmed by grief. The next day, his eyes blazing red, he accused me of “killing her” and personally dragged me to hell. In the bridal suite, he whipped my back, lash after lash, screaming another woman’s name. “You stole her place, now you’ll feel her pain.” He publicly tore my dress, then locked me in a dog cage for three days and three nights, all because I wore the wedding gown she loved before she died. He even turned her ashes into perfume, forcing me to wear it daily, claiming it was so she could watch me atone. Finally, I died on the jagged rocks by the ocean, still wearing that blood-stained wedding dress. He said I owed her a funeral. This time, I swapped the selection number in advance. But then, he came at me, eyes red, gripping me like a madman: “Chloe, this time, I only want you.”

Late at night, in the Sterling family’s Heirloom Selection Chamber. I walked in, mop in hand, pretending to clean. In reality, my fingers were already clutching a tiny, folded number card. Number 47, Chloe Sterling. I squeezed it tight, tucking it under the mop head. With a swift, practiced movement, I pulled out another card and slipped it into the numbered slot. That card read – Vivian Thorne. The day of the selection ceremony, the Sterling family’s main mansion glittered with gold. Nine hundred and ninety-nine women arrived, dressed to the nines. Each one was like a peacock in full display, desperate to show off every ounce of their refined elegance to Alexander Sterling. “I heard the hot pick this year is Chloe Sterling?” “That cold face of hers? Does she even *deserve* to be a Sterling wife?” “Are you blind? Doesn’t she look *exactly* like… *her*?” I stood in the furthest corner, lowering my head, slowly tearing the number card from my collar into tiny pieces. When the host called out the number, the entire hall fell silent. “Number 47, Vivian Thorne.” The next second, applause erupted. Alexander Sterling stormed down the stage, his eyes bloodshot, looking utterly insane. He yanked Vivian into his arms, holding her so tightly it looked like he wanted to embed her into his very bones. “Vivian.” His voice trembled. “This time… it’s finally you.” The entire hall gasped. Alexander lowered his head to look at Vivian, his gaze tender to the point of madness, a smile uncontrollably spreading across his lips. “You’re back. You finally came back.” Vivian leaned against him gently, her cheek pressed to his chest, as if confirming his heartbeat. But her eyes, subtly, swept across the crowd and settled squarely on me. I gave a small, knowing smile, as if seeing through her, and through this entire charade. Alexander Sterling finally looked up at me. He had surely anticipated my breakdown, my tears, my angry questions. He’d probably even prepared a speech, ready to comfort me, to offer a sliver of false pity. Too bad. I didn’t give him the chance. In my previous life, when “Number 47, Chloe Sterling” was called, my eyes had welled up with tears of激动. I stood beneath the crystal chandeliers, my face flushed, my voice trembling as I called his name. But Alexander Sterling, seated below the stage, looked terrifyingly cold. He stared at the shadow at his feet, as if my selection was a personal insult to him. I raised my hand, calmly applauding them. *Clap. Clap. Clap.* The sharp sound echoed, and the entire hall fell silent again. His expression froze. His throat moved, but no words came out. I smiled and nodded, my eyes devoid of emotion. “Lord Sterling, you’re truly fortunate.” “I wish you both a happy ever after.” His brow furrowed fiercely, his eyes so dark they seemed to bleed. “Chloe Sterling, what do you mean?” “I mean nothing.” I smiled, turning to walk away. “You two are perfectly matched.”

The moment I left the ballroom, my step-mom dragged me into a side room and slapped me across the face. “Chloe Sterling, who are you trying to fool, playing all high and mighty?!” “This opportunity, I spent months begging Uncle Arthur for!” “And what do you do? You just hand it over to someone else?! Do you want me dead?!” I sneered. “The Sterling family gives me ten million a year, and I give you seven million for your retirement. And you spent it all on plastic surgery!” “What did Uncle Arthur even see in that worn-out face of yours?!” Her face darkened. She gnashed her teeth and hissed, “If you don’t marry Alexander, the Sterling family will cut you off! What about your sister?!” I straightened my collar. “Didn’t you insist on shoving me into the Sterling family? Fine. Let’s try a different direction.” “Have Uncle Arthur arrange the next selection for me. Throw my name into the hat for Julian Sterling.” Her face changed. “Are you insane?! You’d dare mess with *that* man?” “A Sterling is a Sterling. He throws around just as much cash as Alexander does.” I didn’t bother to explain further. She looked stunned. Julian Sterling, a distant cousin of the Sterling family, nicknamed “The Wild Card.” Rumors said he was quite the player, dabbling in both circles, with whispers of past affairs with rising stars and influential figures across the city’s elite. But I knew better. The year my sister was sick, he’d visited her in the hospital once, bringing her a soft bunny toy – a small, quiet act of kindness that stood out. He wasn’t inherently bad. I stopped at my room door, pausing for a few seconds. The lock had been changed, and a new plaque was affixed to the door— [Ms. Vivian Thorne’s Private Quarters] This room was designed by Alexander Sterling himself, just for me. He’d said, “With you sleeping here, I feel at peace.” Now, he was peaceful enough to give it to someone else. Just as I turned to leave, a maid hurried after me, whispering, “Miss Chloe, Lord Sterling wishes you to move to the West Wing. He says it’s quieter there.” The West Wing was an old guesthouse, damp and isolated, without even hot water. I murmured “Mm-hm,” saying nothing else. I picked up my bag and quietly went to pack my things. At dinner, the moment I entered the dining hall, I saw Vivian. Vivian was seated to Alexander’s left, her entire being nestled against his side. She said, “My appetite hasn’t been good lately. I can only eat porridge.” He immediately rose, personally serving her a bowl, his voice gentle: “The kitchen changed the rice. It’s the texture you used to like.” I stared down at the plate in front of me, my stomach clenching. I hesitated, then quietly signaled to a maid nearby. “Could I have a bowl of porridge too?” My stomach had always been sensitive. It started when he was in a car accident years ago, and I stayed up for half a month, nursing him sleeplessly. He knew that. Before the maid could move, a cold voice spoke from nearby: “Miss Chloe, that porridge is exclusively for Miss Thorne.” My spoon paused in mid-air. A second later, I heard his icy voice: “If you want to drink it, drink it. Then get out of here. Don’t be an eyesore.” I looked up at him. His eyes lingered on me for half a second. Something flickered in their depths. But it quickly turned cold again. I smiled, put down my spoon, and wiped my fingers. “On second thought, I’ll pass.” I stood up and walked towards the drinks bar, casually picking up a glass of red wine. Just as I raised it to my lips, Vivian walked over, smiling. Her voice was soft. “Oh, sister, drinking alone? How pathetic.” I couldn’t be bothered with her. I replied coolly, “Whether I drink or not, how is that any of your business?” She suddenly swayed, directly bumping into me. The red wine instantly splashed all over me, and the glass shattered into pieces on the floor. I took a step back, my dress soaked. But she dramatically stumbled to the ground, her arms and wrists reddening in splotches, a dense rash breaking out. “Ah, it’s so itchy… Did I have an alcohol allergy again…?” Before I could even react, Alexander Sterling had rushed over, immediately scooping her into his arms. Then, he glared at me, his voice a low, furious growl: “Are you insane? You know she has an alcohol allergy, and you still threw wine on her?” I opened my mouth, but before I could explain, he already issued an order: “Someone, hold her down!” “Make her kneel on these glass shards for half an hour, then have her clean the floor!”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296691”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

To save my husband, I sacrificed the leg I, a dancer, was most proud of, and the child in my womb. Liam worried I hadn’t fully recovered, so he never slept with me again. That was until I was on a FaceTime call with my best friend abroad and caught sight of him, intimate and affectionate, with the dance academy’s former belle. The girl asked, curious: “She’s lost a leg. Would you still sleep with her?” “Is she as soft as me?” He said, “The thought of her missing leg just kills my desire.” “You’re the softest. I only want to be with you.” My heart hammered with a desperate, sorrowful rhythm in my chest. A sharp sting radiated from my eyes, and tears, utterly defiant, streamed down my face, landing on my hand as I scrolled through the video again and again. “You’re the softest. I only want to be with you.” Listening to Liam’s distinctive, honeyed voice, I watched the recorded video over and over. On a Parisian street, Liam and a beautiful girl walked hand-in-hand under the dappled shade, looking every inch a couple deeply in love. Suddenly, Liam’s phone chimed. It was a text from a contact labeled ‘Transient,’ asking if he was there. I glanced at Liam. He was on the balcony, his back to me, smoking. He knew I hated the smell of smoke. So, he always went to the balcony to smoke. Picking up his phone, I opened the chat. The history was meticulously wiped clean. Only one message remained: “Liam, I miss you.” Just those five words, and my heart clenched painfully. I guessed Liam had, most likely, truly cheated. The hand holding the phone suddenly felt weak and numb. I wiped away the tears that had once again fallen onto the screen. I tapped into the girl’s Ins profile and saw it was indeed the woman from the video. Young and beautiful, with long, fair legs, she looked captivating as she danced gracefully. Seeing her face, I finally remembered. She was Brittany Taylor, a few years younger than me from my old dance academy. After losing my right leg three years ago, I occasionally followed my alma mater’s news when I had nothing to do. Brittany had been named the school belle, praised for her exquisite dance moves, and had represented the school in numerous competitions, winning many awards. I checked her Ins post from two days ago. It was a Chanel bag, captioned: “My Prince Charming just *gets* me. So happy!” I didn’t scrutinize it, just took a quick photo with my own phone. Brittany’s Ins feed had a lot of posts. I scrolled through them quickly, finally stopping on one that left my heart aching for a long time. She said, “I only want $11.99 for the transfer, not a cent more.” Below it was a screenshot of her chat with Liam. Labeled: My Knight In the screenshot, she asked Liam, “Can you transfer me $11.99?” Liam transferred $10,000. She declined it, sending it back. “I only want $11.99, not a cent more.” Liam didn’t say anything, just directly transferred $11.99. Brittany sent a cute emoji and said, “$11.99, because ‘1199’ sounds like ‘forever and ever’ in some online circles. It means I want us to be together for a long, long time, endlessly.” Perhaps my heart was numb from the pain, because at that moment, my face was blank. I simply added Brittany as a friend, then took Liam’s phone and checked his Amazon purchases. I found that over the past two years, he had bought dozens of women’s items. From clothes and shoes to luxury cosmetics and handbags, even women’s lingerie – everything was there. The default shipping address was my old dance academy, and the recipient was, naturally, Brittany. They say it takes a lifetime to find your true partner, to share a bed and a soul. But while I lay in his arms, he was wide awake, his eyes fixed on someone else. The sound of the shower stopped. Wiping away my tears, I took photos of every single order. Even as I exited, I remembered to mark her messages as unread. Then I started packing my luggage. As the bathroom door opened, I looked up. My eyes met Liam’s. SECOND CHAPTER “What’s wrong?” Liam asked, wiping his hair, a puzzled look on his face. Then he saw my half-packed suitcase, and his eyes widened. Snapping out of his shock, Liam quickly came to my side, a strange look on his face. “Scarlett, what are you doing?” “Going home.” He knelt down, taking my hand. “Is it because we haven’t gone to see your mom in a while? Are you upset about that?” “I’m sorry, babe. It’s my fault. I’ve been so busy lately, I completely overlooked it.” “I’ll call the office right away, sort out my schedule for the next few days, and then we can go see your mom together. How about that?” From dating to marriage, Liam had always been meticulously attentive to me, and incredibly devoted to my mom. My friends used to say I’d never find another man as good as him. So, hearing him say “your mom”—that familiar, warm term—my heart softened, and my hands instinctively paused from packing. But then I remembered him saying he was “too busy,” and the image of him strolling through Paris with Brittany flashed in my mind. Until today, I truly believed Liam was devoted only to me. Now, it seemed, it was just wishful thinking on my part. He reached for his phone, preparing to make the call. I didn’t expose his lie. I placed my hand over his. “No need. Your work is more important.” The air hung silent for two seconds. Liam suddenly seemed to remember something. He gently stroked my head, smiling. “I almost forgot something really important.” He stood up and pulled a pair of high heels from his suitcase. I paused, surprised. I’d loved those heels for ages, always wanted to buy them, but could never find a way to get my hands on them. Liam helped me sit on the edge of the bed, then knelt before me, placing my foot on his lap, and personally helped me put them on. My other leg was a prosthetic, and he patiently helped me put that shoe on too, without a trace of annoyance. “Do you like them?” He smiled, a satisfied expression on his face. “When I went abroad, the first thing I did was figure out how to buy these heels. Thankfully, persistence paid off; I finally got them.” I didn’t answer. Instead, I stared at him intently and asked, “Liam, do you remember how we lost our baby?” He froze instantly. His gaze slowly dropped, his eyes gradually turning red. When he looked up again, Liam gently embraced me, his voice thick with tears. “Scarlett, I’m so sorry. It was all my fault.” Three years ago, a truck barreled straight towards Liam. In that critical, heart-stopping moment, I, pregnant and terrified, instinctively lunged forward, shoving him out of harm’s way. When I regained consciousness, I gripped his hand, my first words being, “Liam, promise me, you’ll save our baby…” Liam looked at the stark, horrifying red staining the ground beneath my leg. He clutched his pants tightly, his eyes red-rimmed, bowing his head and sobbing uncontrollably. Just like that, my right leg, and the child Liam and I were going to have, were gone. Escaping from the painful memories, I broke free from Liam’s embrace, speaking in a pleading tone. “Liam, can we try for another baby? Please?” Liam gently wiped away the tears welling in my eyes. “Your body hasn’t fully recovered yet. Let’s wait a little longer.” Though I had guessed this might be his answer, hearing him say it aloud still sent a fresh pang of pain through my chest. Lying on my side, my back to Liam, I was too heartbroken to close my eyes. My phone vibrated, and in the next second, Liam cut the call. But quickly, it vibrated again. Liam gently called out, “Scarlett, are you asleep?” THIRD CHAPTER I kept my eyes closed, not making a sound. Only then did he tiptoe out of bed, open the door, and leave. I opened my eyes, grabbed my phone, and checked the house’s security footage. Outside the front door, the rain was coming down in sheets. A girl stood in the downpour, drenched to the bone. Her delicate frame shivered violently, stimulated by the cold rain, looking utterly pathetic. It was Brittany Taylor? The front door opened. Brittany excitedly stepped forward, calling out joyfully, “Mr. Dawson!” On the monitor, Liam looked utterly shocked. He glanced behind him, his brow furrowed with a mix of anxiety and furious anger. “Who gave you permission to come to my house? Didn’t I tell you not to come here?” “Get out! Don’t let my wife see you. Go now!” His ruthless dismissal, like a bucket of ice water dumped over Brittany’s head, landed squarely on her face. But Brittany seemed completely unfazed. She lunged into Liam’s arms, desperate. “I… I missed you. I’d go crazy if I spent another moment without you.” Liam forcefully pushed her away. “What are you doing?” He said, instinctively glancing back towards the upstairs, his eyes wide with panic. Seeing that I hadn’t appeared, Liam again tried to drive Brittany away. “My wife could wake up any minute. Get out of here, or don’t blame me for getting rough!” Brittany clung to Liam again, then kissed him again. I clenched my teeth, my fingers digging into the comforter. My heart screamed. Liam! Push her away. Push her away. You have a wife! Liam grabbed Brittany’s arm, as if he wanted to push her away. But Brittany wrapped her arms around Liam’s neck, her legs clamping around his waist. She hung onto him, her movements incredibly skilled. Finally, Liam’s expression softened, losing its resistance. He closed his eyes, melting into her embrace, no longer refusing her. He even cradled Brittany’s face, passionately returning the kiss, actively taking control. He reached out and closed the door, then began to pull at her clothes, lifting her in his arms as they tumbled onto the sofa, entwining themselves shamelessly, like two pieces of sticky candy. My phone slipped from my grasp, falling onto the bed. I clapped my hands over my mouth, sobbing uncontrollably in the room. *Boom!* A low rumble of thunder echoed outside the window. Watching Liam take Brittany again and again, my heart felt like it was being repeatedly stabbed, again and again. A tidal wave of pain washed over me, engulfing my entire being. All his past care and tenderness towards me now transformed into blades of betrayal that meticulously shredded my heart into a thousand pieces, leaving me wishing I were dead. I don’t know how much time passed. Suddenly, Liam’s voice came from the phone, cold and distant. “You should go. Remember, don’t let this happen again. Don’t ever come to my house. Otherwise, everything I’ve given you, I can take it all back.” I picked up my phone and saw Liam getting dressed. Brittany was kneeling on the sofa, hugging Liam from behind, her face resting on his shoulder, her expression tender and affectionate. “I want to stay with you a little longer, can’t I?” Liam pulled her hands away, then turned and slapped her across the face. Brittany fell back onto the sofa, clutching her face, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Liam. He pointed at Brittany, his voice sharp with anger. “I’m warning you, don’t you dare scheme any dirty tricks. Scarlett and I are childhood sweethearts; we’ve shared thick and thin for five years. She’s the woman I love most.” “Three years ago, she even lost her right leg and our child to save me. She’s still my wife, Liam Dawson’s only wife for life. No one will ever replace her!” “Not even you!” Seeing Brittany’s face filled with disbelief, I couldn’t help but let a bitter, mocking smile play on my lips. I looked at our wedding photo on the wall. The more I looked, the more ridiculous it seemed. Liam claimed I was his wife, the woman he loved most, yet he was entangled with Brittany right here in our home. What was I to him? What did our past mean to him? And what was this pathetic attempt to feign remorse after getting what he wanted? I exited the security footage, no longer wanting to watch them. Memories of our past flashed in my mind, keeping me awake all night. Around 4 AM, I finally drifted into a hazy sleep. In my dream, fireworks exploded one after another across the sky, showering it with glittering light. Liam walked towards me, holding a large bouquet of red roses, then knelt on one knee, gazing at me with deep affection. “Scarlett, thank you for being by my side all these years.” “Without your companionship and encouragement, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I swear, not just in this life, but in the next, and the one after that, I will love you endlessly, until death do us part.” “Will you marry me?” I covered my mouth, tears streaming down my face from emotion. Just as I was about to nod. A patch of black suddenly welled up from Liam’s chest. Ink-like liquid spread wildly, quickly staining his entire body black. The sincerity on Liam’s face remained unchanged, but the vibrant red roses in his hand visibly turned black, rapidly shriveling. The petals withered and fell to the ground, emitting a putrid, sickening smell. Liam was no longer the radiant boy he once was. His love for me had festered, turned rotten. From this moment on, I didn’t need it anymore. FOURTH CHAPTER Waking up, I found Liam sitting by my bedside, his face soft and gentle. “Sleepyhead, time to get up. I made you your favorite millet porridge.” He took my hand without a word, leading me downstairs. Helping me into a dining chair, Liam thoughtfully served me a small bowl. He gently blew on a spoonful, then brought it to my lips. I turned my head away. Liam didn’t get angry. He put the spoon down and asked considerately, “Scarlett, you’ve seemed a little down since last night. Can you tell me what happened?” He mused, “Is it because I said we should hold off on having a baby for now? Is that why you’re sad?” Before I could speak. He took my hand in his. “Your body is like this because of me. If I rushed to have a baby before your body was fully recovered, what kind of man would I be?” “Babe, you know I love kids the most. Once you’re fully recovered, and the doctors say it’s okay, we’ll try right away, alright?” Liam hugged me. He gently stroked the back of my head. “I’ll go get the car now. We’ll head to the hospital for your leg check-up in a bit. Wait here for me.” He got up to get the car. I also stood up, noticing that the cloud security footage had been deleted. Then I turned and poured the bowl of porridge into the trash. Liam took me to the hospital for my check-up. While he went to pay the bill, I sat alone on a bench. Suddenly, I saw Brittany Taylor walk past, heading straight for the OB-GYN department. A surge of curiosity washed over me, and I quickly followed. She was arm-in-arm with her friend, chatting about Liam. Her friend looked worried. “I heard Mr. Dawson really loves his wife. Now that you’re pregnant with his baby, are you okay?” Brittany chuckled mockingly. “Mr. Dawson has no love for Scarlett Hayes at all. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he want to touch her? Why wouldn’t he want her to have his child?” “I’m different. Mr. Dawson not only loves me, he comes to see me all the time. If he knew I was carrying his flesh and blood, he’d be thrilled.” Hearing that, I froze on the spot. I couldn’t believe Liam and Brittany already had a child?! Her friend seemed puzzled. “If Mr. Dawson and Scarlett Hayes don’t love each other anymore, why don’t they just get a divorce?” Brittany’s eyes flared with anger, yet also helplessness. “Because Mr. Dawson is still clinging to old memories, burdened by guilt. But those things will fade with time.” “Once the old flame dies and his patience wears thin, do you really think Mr. Dawson will stay with her? Mr. Dawson is so handsome, a multi-millionaire, and the esteemed CEO of a massive corporation. Why would he spend his life with a disabled woman?” She suddenly stopped, smiling as she turned to her friend. “Do you know how many times Liam and I have been together behind Scarlett Hayes’s back? Even on their own bed, Liam and I…” “Ew, you’re so… gross.” Her friend blushed, looking a little disgusted. But Brittany laughed happily. “You don’t understand. Liam loves that. Scarlett Hayes is just a stuffy, disabled old woman who knows nothing. How could she possibly win Liam’s heart?” “So, Liam will definitely abandon her and marry me!” Turning my back on Brittany, I walked away, a self-deprecating smile on my face. Brittany was still lost in her fantasy. How ridiculous. It seemed Liam’s slap hadn’t woken her up yet. I used to believe Liam was a responsible, good man, and I poured my whole heart into him. But what I got in return was ruthless betrayal. Thankfully, my dream was over now. I wouldn’t cling to him for another second. Because, we were done. FIFTH CHAPTER Returning home alone, I started packing my suitcase. The housekeeper, Brenda, saw me dragging my luggage and came over to help, smiling warmly. “Madam, are you going on a trip?”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296690”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic

The day I was announced as the heir to the family empire, someone stormed the stage, brandishing fabricated leaked documents. They claimed I’d embezzled project funds and colluded with competitors. My father, right there on the spot, tore up the succession agreement and disowned me. On the grand hall’s screens, photos of Blair Sutton, the new heir, cycled endlessly. I stumbled out of the skyscraper, my vision blurring, when a black sedan suddenly lost control and slammed into me. The searing pain brought me to my knees as I collapsed into a pool of my own blood. While I lay unconscious, I overheard a conversation between Liam and his assistant. “Mr. Kincaid, Mrs. Monroe has been completely removed. Why go for the absolute kill?” “She’s too brilliant. Only by rendering her crippled can we ensure she’d never be a threat again.” “Blair saved me from a fire five years ago. She wants the inheritance, so naturally, I have to clear the path for her.” I stared at the burn scar beneath my collarbone, a mark left three years ago when I rushed into that burning building to save *her*. Later, clutching the Medal of Valor from the Fire Department, I burst into the Monroe Holdings press conference. My husband was there, adjusting Blair Sutton’s skirt, tending to his supposed “savior.” I ripped open my dress, exposing the jagged scar. My voice was hoarse, but every word cut through the air, clear as a bell. “Liam Kincaid, you said you’d spend your life with your savior once she recovered—” “But your savior is right here. And you? You’re the one who set the fire.”

Ms. Davies glanced at me, her voice laced with helplessness. “Mr. Kincaid, you already had someone hit Mrs. Monroe. The impact was enough to cripple her legs. Why did you then instruct the driver to repeatedly run over her? Now, her legs are just a mangled mess, requiring immediate amputation.” Liam Kincaid’s eyes were glacial, his tone chillingly indifferent. “I did it to ensure there were no loose ends. What if those guys hadn’t crippled her enough? Skylar Monroe has always been exceptionally capable; it’s not impossible for her to find top doctors across the country to fix those legs.” “If her legs are amputated, she’ll be a cripple forever. She’s headstrong and fiercely proud. Living a lifetime in the agony of her severed legs, she won’t even think about competing with Blair for the inheritance.” Ms. Davies’s pupils constricted, her gaze falling on my bandaged, amputated legs. “But what if Mrs. Monroe finds out? You were at the accident scene yourself. Who knows if she saw you. Even the ambulance was called by a bystander. What if she finds out and blames you for the rest of her life?” Liam took a step closer to me, his slender, well-defined fingers gently caressing the wound on my forehead. “Then we simply won’t let her remember what happened that night. Don’t some shady clinics have nerve inhibitors that can mess with a person’s memory?” “Use it on her. If she forgets, all the better. If not, increase the dosage. It would be best if she can’t even remember who she is.” Ms. Davies clearly felt a pang of conscience, her voice trembling. “Those drugs do exist, but this specific one hasn’t passed clinical trials. It could lead to permanent cognitive impairment, and in severe cases, even incontinence, rendering her completely helpless…” Liam’s impatience was palpable as he listened to his assistant. His eyes suddenly turned bloodshot. “So what? Sacrificing her means securing Blair’s future. It’s all worth it.” “From the moment Blair saved me from the fire five years ago, I haven’t been able to love anyone else. If it weren’t for an arranged marriage for our families’ benefit, why would I have married Skylar Monroe?” “If Blair hadn’t risked her life to save me back then, I might have died in that fire. Now, finally, I have the chance to repay her.” I clenched my wrists so tightly that my palms bled, yet I felt no pain. The man who had been my husband for five years felt like a complete stranger. Five years ago, I risked my life to save Liam Kincaid. The burn scar beneath my collarbone was still there. In five years of marriage, I had never once brought it up. I thought he knew I was the one who saved him. After all, when our families arranged the marriage, he agreed without a second thought. I never explicitly mentioned it, fearing I might trigger painful memories for him. I never imagined that, from start to finish, he had always believed Blair Sutton was his savior. Ms. Davies handed Liam a watch, her fingers trembling. “Mrs. Monroe was clutching this tightly during the accident. Her secretary said it was supposed to be your birthday gift.” Liam stared at the blood-stained watch, gazing blankly for a few seconds. I had specifically spent a fortune at an auction in Italy to buy it. Just because he’d mentioned he liked it, I spared no expense to get it for her, all to make him happy. In the instant of the accident, my mind was consumed only by him. He stroked the chain around his neck with one finger, while his other hand caressed my face. “As long as she’s obedient, not competing or fighting, I can spend my whole life with her. She’ll still be my Mrs. Kincaid, and I’ll still be her Mr. Kincaid.” “Oh, and Blair just took over as heir. We need to celebrate properly. Help me send her that family heirloom jade bracelet.” Ms. Davies’s eyes widened, her voice rising in intensity. “But that’s a Kincaid family heirloom! It should, by rights, go to your wife. After all, she’s your wife, how can you give it to…” Liam immediately cut her off. “Stop with the nonsense. Just go! Blair deserves something this exquisite.” His words sliced me to the bone. Five years, Liam Kincaid, did you have no love for me at all?

After Ms. Davies left, Liam stayed by my bedside. One moment, he was gently wiping my body, the next he was whispering stories of our past into my ear. Every gesture was so tender. If I hadn’t just overheard the cruel truth, I would have believed he loved me so deeply. A short while later, a male doctor, Dr. Alex Reed, whom I recognized as Liam’s close friend, walked in with two reports. Liam glanced at him coolly. “Well? Are the results in?” Dr. Reed handed one of the reports to Liam. He opened it, and his eyes instantly brightened. Even his voice suddenly became cheerful. “I knew it would work! They’re half-sisters, so their kidneys must be a match.” “Prepare for the surgery. The sooner, the better.” Dr. Reed’s face darkened, and he tremblingly grabbed Liam’s hand. “Liam, do you really have to do this? Look at Skylar, she’s already like this. And you still want to take her kidney? Besides, Blair’s kidney isn’t even that problematic. Last time you brought her in for a check-up, it was just a mild infection. A few medications would have fixed it.” Liam pried his hand away, his gaze fixed on my pale face. “You don’t understand. Blair has expended so much energy preparing for the heir position lately. She hasn’t eaten or slept well.” “I saw online that stressing your body like this can cause kidney problems. I can’t gamble with Blair’s health. Only this way can I ensure absolute certainty.” “No matter what, take advantage of this car accident to remove her kidney. When she wakes up, we’ll tell her the crash damaged her kidney and it had to be removed. She won’t suspect a thing.” Dr. Reed tried to reason with him, grabbing his hand again. “But Skylar’s current condition makes her completely unsuitable for this surgery. This car accident caused a blood clotting disorder. Forcibly removing one of her kidneys could lead to shock, even endangering her life.” Liam, however, turned his gaze squarely on Dr. Reed. “Alex, aren’t you the most professional doctor in your hospital? I’m sure you can handle this minor surgery.” Dr. Reed bit his lip, remaining silent, only a series of sighs escaping him. And my tears streamed down my face like a broken string of pearls. My legs had already been amputated, and now, unbelievably, my husband was going to take one of my kidneys for my half-sister. I wanted so badly to rise from the bed and fiercely demand to know why he was doing this to me. But my limbs felt as if they were encased in concrete, rooted to the spot. Dr. Reed handed Liam the other report. “Liam, your physical exam results from last week are also in. Your sperm count and quality are fine. You can try to have children now.” Liam froze, staring at those words on the report for a long time. But the only words I heard from him were a cold, dismissive sentence. “Help me schedule an appointment. I want a contraceptive injection.” Dr. Reed was visibly surprised, his voice laced with confusion. “Liam, you’ve been married for five years, and your family is pressuring you. Don’t you want children yet? Skylar is already like this; without children, she’ll truly lose all hope for living. And you’ve given her so many birth control pills already, her body is damaged. Now you’re getting a contraceptive injection yourself? Do you want to end your family’s legacy?” Liam’s cold hand again gripped mine. With the proximity, his voice pierced me even more. “I never intended to have children when I married her. You know I’ve always loved Blair. If there absolutely has to be a child, that child can only be born from Blair.” He suddenly leaned down and placed a kiss on my forehead, his voice laced with a tremor. “As for Skylar, I’ll compensate her in hundreds of ways.” All the moments of our past flashed through my mind like a movie. For five years of marriage, I had desperately wanted a child, a symbol of our love, but it never came true. I thought there was something wrong with me, so I sought doctors everywhere, drinking countless bitter herbal remedies. Liam had once consoled me, “No rush, we’ll have children eventually.” The truth was, he never wanted children at all.

Dr. Reed had barely left when a nurse walked into the room with a syringe. She inserted the needle into my skin. The little strength I had managed to regain drained away. Liam’s voice beside me was clear, soothing me. “Skylar, it’s okay. It’ll be over soon.” “I’ll wait for you outside. You just have to hold on.” Then, I felt as if I was being pushed into an operating room. Several people in white coats were working with cold surgical instruments. The sensation of my kidney being surgically removed from my body was agonizingly clear, yet I was powerless to stop it. Only bitter tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I don’t know how long I was in the operating room. When I woke again, Liam’s strikingly handsome face was there, right in front of me. Before, seeing his face would fill me with immense joy, but now, only an icy chill remained. Seeing me awake, he seemed to brighten, pulling me into a tight embrace. “Skylar, you’re finally awake! You don’t know how worried I’ve been about you.” “The heir status is gone, who cares. I just want you to be well forever.” Watching the red rimming his eyes, my heart ached. Liam, I could have been well, but now I’m like this, isn’t it all thanks to you? I instinctively looked down at my legs—amputated completely below the knee. The 20-centimeter-long incision on my abdomen still throbbed. I didn’t need to guess; this surgery was for the removal of my kidney. Liam, did you truly not care about me at all? How could you be so cruel? Seeing my indifferent expression, he tentatively asked, “Skylar, do you remember what happened?” I shook my head, saying nothing, but everything that happened that day was already seared into my bones. Hearing my response, he softened his voice, feigning comfort. “Skylar, that day, you were heartbroken after losing your heir status, so you drank too much and got into a severe car accident… your legs were amputated, and one of your kidneys ruptured, which is why it was removed.” “Don’t worry, no matter what you become, I’ll stay by your side. I don’t care about the inheritance or anything else. I only want you.” He dared to say this, probably because he thought the memory-altering drugs had worked, which is why he twisted the facts so brazenly. Listening to his lies, my heart felt squeezed by a giant hand, and even breathing became painful. He didn’t suspect my lack of enthusiasm at all. He just thought it was because I had just been through a car accident and hadn’t fully recovered. He bustled around my hospital bed, a picture of a perfect husband.

A short while later, someone delivered a wheelchair. He quickly put down the fruit he was cutting for me and diligently pushed the wheelchair in front of me. “Blair, try this. I had it custom-made for you. I’m sure it’ll make things much easier for you from now on.” His peach blossom eyes gazed at me, filled with innocence and expectation. Thinking of a lifetime spent in a wheelchair, I hated the woman before me. But I loved her so much that I couldn’t even bring myself to say a harsh word to her. I wanted to open my mouth and demand, *Liam Kincaid, why are you so cruel to me?* I even found myself trying to rationalize it, telling myself he still loved me. That what I’d heard was just an illusion. But the words caught in my throat, eventually reduced to a single word: “Okay.” Perhaps, I really needed to adapt. He pushed me outside to sunbathe, just like our old promises—that when we grew old, we’d push each other to stroll into the sunset. The early autumn breeze carried a chill, making me cough involuntarily. He immediately stopped, crouching down to ask, “What’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable somewhere? Do you need me to call the doctor?” He quickly stood up, but I grabbed his hand. “No need. It’s just a seasonal cough, an old problem.” He stroked my head, then playfully kissed my forehead. “Skylar, you don’t have to pretend to be strong in front of me. I know everything that’s happened recently has hit you hard.” “You haven’t shed a single tear since it all began. If you want to cry, just cry. Keeping too much sadness inside will break you.” His words showed no hint of pretense; every syllable was concern. In five years together, I had never doubted him. But how could two people who supposedly loved each other so much end up with him becoming the devil who dragged me into the abyss? I tried my best to suppress the pain inside, simply stating, “I want to go home.” He paused, then began to reason with me. “Skylar, you’ve just had surgery. I’m really worried about your health if you go back now.” “How about we wait until you’re a little better before we go home?” Of course, I had to go back. The Monroe Holdings new product launch was in two days. I wanted to give them a big present. I forced a smile, the corners of my mouth tasting bitter. “Don’t worry. Didn’t you say you’d always be with me? You’re my best medicine; with you here, nothing will happen.” “Besides, I really can’t stand the smell of disinfectant in the hospital.” After my repeated insistence, Liam finally relented. Having reached an agreement, he pushed me back towards the ward. Suddenly, his phone rang in his pocket. Blair Sutton’s voice drifted from the receiver. He deliberately stepped away from me to take the call. A moment later, he rushed back to my side. “Skylar, I’m sorry, I have an urgent matter and need to leave. Can you get used to this wheelchair and make your way back to the ward by yourself, please?” He released his grip without hesitation, leaving me alone in the empty hallway. In that moment he turned away, my heart felt like it was bleeding. I suddenly remembered all the times over the years he’d suddenly taken a call and left. Now, it all clicked. Every single time he’d abruptly left, he had been going to see Blair Sutton.

After Liam left, I awkwardly maneuvered the wheelchair, hailed a cab, and went home. I carefully surveyed the house we had shared for five years. Traces of our love were everywhere, but now they seemed incredibly ironic. I went to the study, intending to retrieve the Medal of Valor I’d received for saving him. Instead, in a nearby drawer, I discovered a diary. I opened the cover, and it was filled with his cramped handwriting. “October 2020: Someone rushed into the fire to save me. She was a beacon of light in my life. She gave me my life. In the future, I will marry her.” “July 2016: I finally found my savior. She looks just as I remember, just as gentle and beautiful. I need to find the right opportunity to tell her how I feel.” “October 2016: I can only keep that love hidden in my heart. Because of the arranged marriage for our families’ benefit, I had no choice but to marry her older sister, but the person I truly love is still her.” The diary was filled with Blair Sutton’s photos, and every word expressed his profound love for her. I clutched the book, tears falling onto the pages. Liam Kincaid, I was the one who saved you that day. If you knew the truth, would you feel guilty or regretful? Just then, a message popped up on my phone. It was from Liam. “Skylar, I won’t be home for dinner tonight. Get some good rest.” “Oh, and tomorrow is the Monroe Holdings new product launch. I’d like you to attend. Someone will pick you up tomorrow.”

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296689”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic