Five years ago, when my face was disfigured by acid, Lucas held up a photo of his missing true love to convince me to have surgery. “I’ll make you more beautiful than before,” he promised. But when I accidentally stumbled upon an identical face in the VIP ward, I finally understood that I was just a replacement. Later, I discovered he was secretly using our daughter’s blood to keep their illegitimate son alive! I went mad trying to take my daughter away, but a cold scalpel was pressed against my throat. His breath hot on my ear, he whispered, “You’re just her substitute. It’s time to give the face back.” The next moment, I unexpectedly died on his operating table. When I opened my eyes again, I had returned to the day I discovered his secret. The cold sensation of the scalpel gliding across my face still lingered. I jolted awake, instinctively touching my face. I was standing in the hallway of the VIP ward, holding a thermos of hot bone broth. The familiar number 606 was on the door of this ward. Through the frosted glass, I saw my husband, Lucas, the director of this private hospital. He was cradling someone who looked exactly like me. It was Vanessa, his true love who had been missing for six years. That’s when I realized I had been reborn. In my previous life, I had accidentally passed by this room and discovered the truth that I was just a replacement for Lucas’s true love. Trembling all over, I hadn’t confronted him for the sake of our daughter. But when I saw with my own eyes that he was using our daughter’s blood to keep their illegitimate son alive, I completely lost it. I burst into the ward, determined to take our daughter away. But a cold scalpel was pressed against my throat. Lucas’s breath was hot on my ear as he whispered, “You’re just her substitute. It’s time to give the face back.” The next moment, I was injected with anesthesia and laid on the cold operating table. He only wanted one person in the world to have this face. But I unexpectedly died on the operating table. He announced it as a medical accident and quickly covered it up. Given another chance at life, I found myself back at the moment I discovered this secret. I stared intently at the intertwined figures inside, my fingernails digging into my palms, filled with hatred. Suddenly, my phone began vibrating incessantly in my pocket. I pulled it out to see “Ms. Lee” displayed on the screen. I answered the call. “Hello?” “Oh, Candy’s mom? I’ve already dropped Candy off with Dr. Lin for her checkup. I’ll come pick her up when it’s done, okay?” My grip on the phone tightened. This was bad! In my previous life, today was when my daughter’s regular “checkups” began! I rushed downstairs, frantically asking the nurses about Dr. Lin’s whereabouts. The hospital staff, knowing I was the director’s wife, quickly informed me that Dr. Lin had gone to the blood draw lab on the third floor. I set down the thermos of broth and sprinted towards the third floor. My palms were sweating as I ran, my heart pounding, terrified of being a second too late. I saw my daughter’s silhouette in the distance and shouted, “Candy!” She turned, her face lighting up when she saw me, calling out in her sweet voice, “Mommy!” I dashed over and violently knocked away the needle that was about to pierce my daughter’s arm. Dr. Lin was startled by my action, frozen in place. “Mrs. Carter, what are you doing?” I didn’t answer her, carefully examining the bruises from needle marks on the inside of my daughter’s arm. Why were there needle marks when I had just stopped it? Could it be that Lucas had already been drawing Candy’s blood… “Dr. Lin, you’ve been drawing my daughter’s blood without parental consent? Don’t you know that’s illegal!” I shouted at her angrily. Dr. Lin awkwardly scratched her head. “Well… the director told us to do it…” The fury in my heart was instantly doused with a bucket of cold water. Lucas, how could you be so cruel! Suddenly, my daughter looked up at me innocently and said, “Mommy, Candy’s okay. Daddy said he’d buy me something yummy. Candy’s not afraid of pain!” My heart ached as I gently touched the bruises on her little hand, glaring at Dr. Lin. “Bring me Candy’s previous medical records.” She hesitated, saying, “Well… you’re not hospital staff, so it’s not appropriate to disclose…” “I can’t even see my own daughter’s records? Do I need to ask Lucas myself?” Finally, she produced all of Candy’s medical records since birth. I examined them carefully, only to find that Lucas had covered his tracks perfectly. Since she was 4 years old, there were regular 200cc blood donations, all signed off by Lucas. On the surface, it was for rare blood type research, but in reality, it was being transfused to the illegitimate son in VIP room 606! The paper crumpled in my grip as Dr. Lin watched me nervously. I threw the medical records in her face, warning her through gritted teeth, “I’m taking my daughter with me. If there’s a problem, tell him to come find me!”

I had someone take my daughter back to my parents’ house. Then I changed into a nurse’s uniform, put on a mask, and once again approached VIP room 606. Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door. I called out in a low voice, “Director.” He was busy playing with the little boy in the bed and didn’t respond. Vanessa looked at the father and son pair with a gentle expression. It seemed no one had noticed me, assuming I was just a nurse doing rounds. I approached the bedside where there was a paternity test showing Tommy was Lucas’s biological child. Tommy, the child who was being kept alive with my daughter’s blood. I tried my best to control my emotions. As I neared the transfusion machine, Lucas noticed something was off. He frowned at me. “You came in to…” My heart leapt into my throat. Before he could finish speaking, his phone suddenly rang. It sounded like Dr. Lin’s call, and he had to hurry out of the room. I finally relaxed, picking up the transfusion record to examine it. The recipient was Tommy, but the donor was unspecified. I then accessed the computer to search the records, discovering that my daughter’s transfusion records had been encrypted as “Medical Waste.” My brow furrowed as I looked, and I took out my phone to take a picture. “…Nurse, what are you doing?” Damn, I had forgotten about Vanessa. I calmly took the photo and turned around, saying, “Oh, just routine record-keeping.” That’s when I got a clear look at her face. She had a small mole at the corner of her eye, making her whole face appear more alluring. No wonder Lucas couldn’t forget her, even wanting to remake me into her copy. But one person can never truly become another. She smiled and said, “Doesn’t the director’s wife look a lot like me?” “Yes… a bit similar.” “Do you ever get us confused? But my face is the real one, I think she had surgery to look like me.” She was treating me like a lowly nurse, indirectly stating that she was the original. I couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. “What’s your relationship with the director?” I asked. Seeing that I didn’t immediately compliment her and changed the subject, she showed slight impatience. “That’s none of your business, is it?” I feigned embarrassment. “Well, breaking up someone’s family doesn’t seem right…” “You!” Her face reddened. “Oh well, never mind, sister. I’ve got work to do.” I quickly left the room, a smile playing on my lips. Take that, you arrogant woman! Soon after, I received a call from Lucas. “Wasn’t it agreed that Candy’s checkups would start today? What are you making a fuss about now!” I let out a cold laugh. “Is it really just a checkup?” “Lucas, you’ve been taking our daughter’s blood for a year! And you lied to me saying it was for research!” He paused for a moment, showing no panic at being exposed, instead accusing me. “You’re being unreasonable! If it’s not research, then what is it? She’s my daughter too!” “You think it doesn’t pain me? I always thought you understood me, I’m very disappointed in you…” My heart turned cold. Even now, he was still lying. “I’m sorry, but I can’t understand this.” “I’m sending Candy back to my parents. Don’t think about taking her blood again. We’re getting a divorce!” There was a long silence on the other end. I hung up the phone. Then I sent the photos I had taken to someone. With a message attached: [Your clearance should allow you to view this encrypted record, right?] I quickly received a reply. I opened it to check. [Should be possible, I’ll take a look tomorrow.]

If I remembered correctly, Lucas was working late again today. I called a locksmith to open his long-locked study. After sending the locksmith away, I turned the doorknob of the study, ready to face the truth I might discover. But after turning the study upside down, I found nothing. Frustrated, I sat down, accidentally touching the family photo on the desk. There was a clicking sound. A bookcase behind me swung open. His study had a secret room! I approached the secret room to find it plastered with photos of Vanessa. There was also a family photo on the table. I picked it up and looked at it. It was a family photo of him with Vanessa and Tommy. I stared coldly at the three smiling faces in the photo and put it back in its original place. In a drawer, I found my plastic surgery plan from five years ago. Inside was an old photo of me, before I was disfigured, with a big X drawn across it. I almost dropped the file. Why did he have a photo of me from before? It all felt like an enormous trap set just for me… Panicking, I took out my phone and photographed this evidence. Just then, I heard the sound of the door opening. I hurriedly left the secret room, turning the family photo on the desk back to its original position. As soon as I left the study, I came face to face with Lucas. He looked at the open study behind me and quickly stepped in, glancing around. He turned back to me with a frown. “What were you doing in my study?” I calmly walked to the sofa and sat down. “What? I can’t go in? Is there something you don’t want me to see?” He closed the study door. “…No, just don’t go into my study when there’s nothing wrong.” I nodded, “After the divorce, I won’t be coming in anymore.” “You really want a divorce?” he asked. “Yes, and I’m taking custody of our daughter.” His expression changed. “That’s not possible.” I stood up angrily, pointing at his nose. “What? You still want to use our daughter for research? She’s just a child! Lucas, do you have any conscience!” He maintained a cold expression, not backing down. “I can divorce you, but our daughter must stay with me.” I laughed at his shamelessness. “Fine, we’ll see if you can take her from me.” After parting ways with Lucas on bad terms, I returned home. I asked my parents to look after Candy carefully. Then I went out and hired a private investigator to help me find the assistant who had helped Lucas perform my plastic surgery five years ago. She had disappeared without a trace after the surgery was completed, but I finally managed to track her down. At first, she was reluctant to meet me no matter what. “Whatever Lucas is paying you, I’ll double it.” With that, she agreed to meet.

I placed a voice recorder in my bag before heading to the agreed-upon café. “When do I get the money?” she asked immediately. “Isn’t it a bit too early to ask for money before we’ve even talked? Tell me, how much do you know about the inside story of my plastic surgery five years ago.” “…I only know that your disfigurement wasn’t an accident.” I calmly sipped my coffee. “I guessed as much. Who did it?” “I overheard a conversation between Dr. Carter and a woman, something about paying to get a job done. Dr. Carter gave her a box, and later, your surgery was scheduled ahead of all others.” I pressed my lips together, not saying a word. She urgently prompted, “Where’s the money!” I took out my phone and let her enter her account number, then transferred the money to her. After confirming the money had arrived, she looked at me with pity in her eyes. “You’re a pitiful woman too. I never thought Dr. Carter would do such a thing. Afterwards, he paid to keep me quiet. My family urgently needed money at the time, so I had no choice.” She hurriedly left after saying this. I sat there, my mind racing. The person who threw the acid five years ago had already been arrested. After discovering the secret room, I had my suspicions, but hearing it confirmed still made my heart skip a beat. I took out the voice recorder from my bag and pressed stop. My phone screen lit up with a message from Lucas. [The new hospital is opening this week. You must attend tomorrow’s banquet, or I’ll have someone bring Candy back.] If it hadn’t been for my family providing funds to Lucas, his hospital would have gone bankrupt long ago. Now he still needed my status to network with the upper class. I stared at the message for a long time before replying [Okay]. I dressed up for the banquet. I linked arms with Lucas, pretending to be a loving couple smiling at others. He was coaxed into giving a speech on stage, and I picked up a glass of wine, watching him impassively. Once upon a time, he had stood on stage like this, speaking eloquently. When he looked at me then, his eyes were full of love. But now I realized he had only been looking through me at someone else. I tilted my head back and drained my glass. Looking back at him, I noticed his gaze fixed on a spot in the crowd. Following his line of sight, I saw a woman wearing a mask standing among the people. The mole at the corner of her eye told me it was Vanessa. She had come too, and was even holding a little boy’s hand. She had actually brought the illegitimate son. I turned and walked towards the backstage, sending the photos on my phone to someone. Immediately, a photo appeared on the big screen on stage. It was the paternity test of Tommy and Lucas. People in the audience began to discuss after seeing the screen. “Who’s Tommy? I thought the director’s daughter was named Candy?” “I don’t know, does the director have another child?” “Is it a second child?” Lucas sensed something was wrong and turned to look at the big screen, his face instantly darkening. By this time, I had already approached the boy. I gave him a contemptuous smile, then shouted loudly, “Tommy!” All eyes in the room turned towards us.

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Every time my debt-ridden husband stayed overnight at his female assistant’s place, he would order a million-dollar coffee from my coffee shop. After three years of marriage, my bank account balance had reached 96 million. Until my husband bought my coffee for the 97th time, I received a screenshot of the order from his female assistant. “I want Miss Johnson to deliver it personally, and bring some condoms along.” I didn’t throw a fit. Instead, I personally delivered the coffee to the female assistant and thoughtfully included a couple’s pack of condoms. Seeing how understanding I was, my husband rewarded me by letting me accompany him to a high-end business dinner. But at the dinner, the female assistant caught the eye of a business partner. She smashed a bottle and held it to her neck, swearing she’d rather die than comply: “Jack, please don’t give me to someone else!” My usually serious husband suddenly panicked. With red eyes, he begged me to go entertain the business partner. “I promise it’s just drinks. I won’t let you suffer any grievances. After tonight, I’ll spend time with you properly.” Everyone in the private room was waiting for me to make a scene, but contrary to expectations, I agreed to go in her place. What the man didn’t know was that this was the 97th time he had hurt me. And I no longer wanted a future with him. I was just waiting to repay the ten billion debt I owed him. Then we would be even once and for all.

“Well, well! Coffee girl, your husband asked you to entertain, and you’re really going to do it!?” “And you say it’s not for the money. No normal person could accept their husband treating them like this!” After I agreed to entertain, those fair-weather friends who once begged to cooperate with the Thompson family circled around me, criticizing and mocking incessantly. “What else can she do? Isn’t her life just collateral? Did she really think getting married meant she could ride over Olivia?” “She’s just a leech sucking Jack’s blood. Being able to entertain for Olivia is worth the money Jack spent on her!” Amidst all this acidity and sarcasm, I watched as Jack held Olivia in his arms, his expression gentle as he constantly comforted her. Only occasionally would his gaze sweep over to me, taking everything in. He knew Olivia’s suicide attempt was just an act for attention, but he still indulged and comforted her gently: “If you don’t want to go, then don’t. I’ll always find a way to cover for you. But don’t be so impulsive in the future, it breaks my heart…” From beginning to end, all he cared about was Olivia’s well-being. He completely forgot that I was his wife. He also forgot that he went from having nothing to his current net worth of billions, all because of the resources I begged my father for on my knees back then. A moment later, Olivia calmed down from her panic under Jack’s comfort. I asked her which private room to go to, intending to fulfill the agreement, but Olivia hesitated and stammered. After Jack’s repeated promises, she finally grabbed my hand with tearful eyes, pretending to be reluctant: “Mr. Chen likes painting and wants me to be his nude model. I was wondering if you could take my place, sister-in-law, but I’m afraid you wouldn’t be willing…” Instantly, all eyes focused on me. But I only looked at Jack. I had already agreed to entertain, my dignity trampled under their feet. Was he really going to make me be some nude model for others to mock and play with their burning gazes? Seeing Olivia so carefully begging me, Jack’s eyes were full of distress. He looked at me intently: “Anna, Olivia isn’t feeling well. You’ve already agreed to entertain, it’s just being a model. You’ll agree, right?” My heart sank. I almost forgot that Jack always listened to Olivia. After all, she was Jack’s first love. If it weren’t for the Parker family’s obstruction, they would have been married long ago. Now that they were reunited, how could I, an empty shell occupying another’s nest, dare to hope for even a shred of pity from him? I struggled to control my trembling body and took a deep breath before asking him: “Can that count as one perfect score?” Perfect score? The people around laughed at my inexplicable words, but Jack frowned silently. He knew what I was talking about. He didn’t want to agree, but seeing Olivia about to kneel before me, he quickly made a decision: “It counts.” I smiled bitterly: “Alright, I agree.” Three years ago, when I was still a rich heiress, I was experiencing life by delivering coffee when I accidentally encountered Jack and fell in love with him. But when my family went bankrupt overnight and my parents died, I was crushed by a ten billion debt. It was Jack who came down from the heavens, proposing with a ten billion dowry to help me clear my debt. On our wedding night, after making love, I asked him how I could repay this kindness. He looked at me with tender eyes: “Then be my wife.” I was confused: “I’m already your wife now.” His kisses fell densely as he casually said: “Then… do 99 things that can earn my perfect score, or after I hurt you 99 times, this debt of gratitude will be written off.” For three years of marriage, he always treated me like a precious treasure, carefully and gently. Until two months ago, when Olivia returned from abroad, everything changed. Now it’s the 97th time. Just two more times, and I’ll have repaid my debt. Entering the business partner’s private room, it was filled with a hazy, ambiguous atmosphere. Men and women were intimately entangled, and the gazes directed at me were tinged with excitement. Jack suddenly hesitated and asked Olivia: “Is it really just modeling?” “What… what else could it be?” She hesitated for a moment. Jack wanted to say something more, but Olivia pulled him out of the room. Before leaving, he glanced at me, his eyes dark and unreadable. “Wait.” But before he could step out, the greasy man called out to the two of them, his voice tinged with displeasure. “Mr. Thompson! I asked for Miss Parker. You casually throwing someone else at me like this – have I offended you in some way?” The greasy man’s gaze swept over me and Jack, finally landing on Olivia, staring at her until she shivered. Olivia glanced at the shocked Jack, her expression righteous. “I heard Mr. Chen needed a nude model for painting. Miss Johnson has a nice figure, she’ll surely help you create a masterpiece.” “Mr. Chen, don’t you want to try?” As she finished speaking, she gave me a push. Suddenly, I was exposed to the greasy man’s leering gaze. That appraising look was slimy and sticky, making me shudder all over. It was only then that I realized the nude modeling Olivia spoke of actually meant letting me sleep with someone else. I felt like my throat was constricted, unable to breathe. I could only quickly look to Jack for help. Jack used to be very good to me, only changing after Olivia appeared, but at least I was still his wife now. Surely he wouldn’t just stand by and do nothing? But unexpectedly, Jack only showed a hint of anger before handing me a glass of wine: “Aren’t you going to toast Mr. Chen?” I struggled to control the violent heaving of my chest, but my feet were nailed to the spot. In a daze, Olivia turned and gave me an eerie smile. The next moment, my body moved uncontrollably towards the greasy man, spilling wine all over him. I fell onto the shattered glass shards, instantly cutting several bloody gashes on my arm. My face was also cut, oozing blood. The pain spread instantly, and I curled up on the ground, unable to hold back a cry of pain. Olivia screamed in shock: “Sister-in-law, if you didn’t want to toast, you could have just said so. You didn’t need to pretend to fall on purpose to anger Mr. Chen.” As soon as she finished speaking, the greasy man flew into a rage. But just as he was about to explode, he was intimidated by Jack’s icy face. He could only grit his teeth, wipe the wine off himself, and leave in a huff. Inside the private room, Jack’s face was as black as the bottom of a pot, while I breathed a sigh of relief, wanting to quickly escape. I hadn’t taken more than a few stumbling steps when he grabbed my arm. Jack completely ignored my injuries, his mind full of Olivia’s provocative words. He berated me angrily: “Anna Johnson, I’ve warned you to put aside your petty thoughts. Look at what you’ve done!” “When I tell you to entertain, can’t you just smile? Have these years of poverty made you forget the etiquette of a wealthy heiress? Have you also forgotten the rules of high society? Don’t you know that just toasting would have ended this?” I unconsciously clenched my fists and looked at Jack. Gritting my teeth, I said: “But I’m your wife, and this so-called Mr. Chen is just a small supplier relying on your goodwill.” My meaning was clear. If he had just been unwilling, or even pointed out my identity, That Mr. Chen wouldn’t have dared to do this. The reason he was unwilling to point it out was just to cater to Olivia’s little vanity. Jack’s eyes suddenly became evasive under my gaze. But before he could speak, Olivia started berating me first. “Anna Johnson! How dare you speak to Jack like that! Have you forgotten that Jack bought you? Without him, you couldn’t even survive! If he wasn’t supporting you, who knows where you’d be selling your body now!” “What’s this? Just a small matter and you dare to get angry at Jack!” Olivia’s words stabbed at my heart one by one. My eyes instantly reddened. Jack raised an eyebrow, unusually angry at Olivia. “Enough! This won’t happen again! Go wait for me in the car.” After Olivia left, his expression changed to one of apology as he explained to me. “That’s just how she is. All that talk about buying and supporting, don’t take it to heart.” Jack glanced at my injured face and frowned. “Your face is hurt. Go to the hospital yourself first. I’ll come back to keep you company after I finish my work tonight.” He didn’t let me speak, just turned and left. But he was right, I didn’t need to keep taking it to heart anymore. Just two more times, and I’ll have repaid my debt. In the future, I won’t need him to support me either.

After going to the hospital, I got home around midnight. He didn’t come back in the evening as he said he would, and I didn’t inquire as I usually did. The next day, his assistant brought me his compensation – two black cards. This was Jack’s default compensation after hurting me each time. He specifically emphasized that one card was an apology for making me entertain, and the other was compensation for forcing me to be a nude model. Expressionlessly, I labeled the two black cards with the numbers 96 and 97 and carelessly stuffed them into a drawer. Looking at the drawer full of black cards, I knew that I would soon be free. After packing up some personal belongings, I headed downstairs towards the stables. Jack had given me many things, but I didn’t want any of them. The only thing I wanted to take was the horse named Snowflake. It was a birthday gift from my parents when I turned 18, and after the bankruptcy, it was all I had left. But Jack hated animals, yet he still built a stable just for Snowflake, for my sake. Seeing me come to feed the horse, a servant smiled and said, “Madam, the master is already feeding the horse.” I was stunned. He was always so attentive to small things, making me think he had truly fallen in love with me. I went over expressionlessly, intending to get the last two perfect scores. But when I arrived at the stable and saw the situation clearly, my heart instantly chilled! Olivia was riding on Snowflake’s back, viciously whipping the horse’s head. Snowflake whinnied in pain repeatedly. And Jack stood by with interest, just watching. He clearly knew that Snowflake was my most beloved horse! Yet he still watched Olivia beat it. I rushed over, screaming frantically: “Stop! It’s my horse! Don’t hit it!” Seeing me run over in panic, Olivia landed two more vicious lashes before stopping: “Sister-in-law, so Snowflake belongs to you? Jack said he had a particularly unruly horse here, so he brought me to play with it.” “I really like this horse. Sister-in-law, could you sell it to me?” Jack also came forward, frowning as he looked at me: “What are you yelling for? Don’t you know Olivia’s mental state isn’t good? There are other more expensive horses in the stable. Just give Snowflake to Olivia and pick any of the others you want, isn’t that fine?” I looked at him in dismay: “Have you forgotten? This is the heirloom my parents left me.” Jack was stunned for a moment. Just when I thought he would tell Olivia to get down, He said: “Just this once. I’ll buy you a better one later, okay?” Olivia immediately threw down the whip, stroking Snowflake’s head with eyes full of reluctance and tears: “Jack, if sister-in-law is unwilling, then forget it. It’s me who’s trying to take what others love and making myself disliked. I’m so despicable, I don’t deserve such a good horse. Don’t force sister-in-law.” This made Jack even more distressed. He emphasized again that I should give Snowflake to Olivia. I looked at him in shock. Olivia clearly knew how important Snowflake was to me and was deliberately trying to upset me. But Jack just indulged her. I didn’t want to speak. I just went forward to lead Snowflake away. But Jack caught up and grabbed me. “It’s just an animal. If Olivia wants it, give it to her. You’re living off me, can’t I make decisions about your horse?” Even though I was willing to die rather than sign, he forcibly pressed my handprint onto the sales agreement. Olivia said haughtily: “Sister-in-law, your horse is mine now.” At that moment, Snowflake seemed to sense something and kept whinnying at me. The next second, Olivia viciously stabbed the whip into Snowflake’s eye. My heart sank sharply: “Snowflake!” Snowflake reared in pain and started galloping wildly. Olivia swayed chaotically on its back, screaming in terror: “Jack, save me!” Jack was scared out of his wits. He found a hunting rifle in the storage room and aimed at the horse’s head, ready to shoot. I frantically blocked the gun barrel, begging him: “Don’t shoot! I can calm Snowflake down, I can—” “Get out of the way!” Before I could finish, Jack had already roughly pushed me aside, aimed again, and pulled the trigger. With a bang, the bullet pierced through Snowflake’s skull. The horse fell to the ground. Snowflake was lifeless, and my heart felt like it had been stabbed through. I hugged the horse’s body and cried until I was numb. In my daze, I heard Jack and Olivia’s conversation: “Jack, sister-in-law…” “An animal died, so it died. As long as you’re okay, that’s what matters.” “It’s fine, I’ll count this as one perfect score for her. After all…” “There are still dozens more to go.” No, there weren’t. There was only one left. After cremating Snowflake, I returned home and took out my diary. Snowflake was the last memento my parents left me, but because of my powerlessness, it died. Perhaps Mom and Dad were telling me from heaven that everything should end, that nothing should bind me anymore. With tears in my eyes, I wrote the number 98 at the end of the dense list of numbers. But then a shadow fell across my desk. I quickly turned around and saw Jack’s tightly furrowed brows. He looked at my diary with a dark face, an uneasy feeling rising in his heart: “What does this 98 mean?”

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I gave up my identity as the heiress of a tech giant to spend ten years with Jack Simmons, struggling through the early days of our startup. Finally, we developed the world’s most advanced AI capable of predicting everything. But on our wedding day, Jack, now the world’s top AI engineer, fled the ceremony because NORA predicted I would betray him. The AI claimed only Rachel, his junior from college, was his lucky star who could help him achieve great success. As guests mocked and ridiculed me, Rachel sent intimate photos of her and Jack. “Jack said he never loved you. He only agreed to marry you because you were so clingy,” Rachel texted. I immediately blocked them both, broke up with Jack, and kicked him out of the company. Later, when he discovered my true identity as the world’s richest heiress, his eyes turned red with regret… He knelt before me, begging me not to leave him. “Lily Greene, so your husband ran away from the wedding to cuddle with another woman?” On the hillside dotted with luxury vacation villas, the guests who had received the news focused their attention on me like ultraviolet rays. My gaze, however, was fixed on a spot at the foot of the hill that no one else seemed to notice. There stood my groom, Jack Simmons, intimately embracing another woman. Just fifteen minutes ago, he had been standing beside me, holding my hand, ready to complete the ceremony. As the ring was about to be placed on my finger, a phone rang. Jack looked down at his phone amid the puzzled gazes of the guests. The next second, he ran down the hill. “Lily, Rachel says NORA has predicted the outcome of our marriage. NORA says…” “You will eventually betray me.” “And my destiny is Rachel. With her, I’ll become the world’s richest man.” Leaving me with these words, he turned and left, abandoning me to face all the ridicule alone. Within minutes, everyone received the news of Jack’s whereabouts. He had abandoned me, his new bride, and was now drinking with another woman in the hills. Jack held Rachel tightly in his arms, and in the heat of the moment, kissed her. In an instant, all the memories of the past and the sudden loss exploded in my mind, shattering and raging. Then, my gaze instantly dimmed, like a star fading after burning out. My expression was caught by the guests, who gasped and couldn’t help but show their disdain. “Isn’t that today’s groom? Why is he kissing another woman?” “It seems that even the rich and powerful Miss Greene, who carefully chose a genius developer, can’t escape being cheated on.” There was silence as someone hesitated, noticing my blank stare. “Should we go call him back?” “Forget it. He’d rather cuddle in front of the bride than come back to finish the ceremony. He clearly doesn’t love her.” “Let’s go. What’s there to see in a clown’s wedding?” The cool mountain breeze stirred by the departing crowd sucked away all the warmth from my body. My body was chilled, and so was my heart. I don’t know how long I sat in the empty wedding venue before I finally got up and walked to my car at the bottom of the hill. Just as I closed the car door and was about to start the engine, I heard footsteps. Jack had caught up, casually opened the passenger door, and sat down. Our eyes met, and he took my hand, putting on a coy act. “I’m sorry, Lily. I just went to verify the data with Rachel.” Verify the data? Did that require kissing an intern? And had he forgotten that before he was hailed as the world’s top AI engineer… At fourteen, I had graced the cover of Time magazine for my AI research. It was my fascination with his passion for AI that had attracted me and led me to start this company specifically for him. My heart was utterly exhausted, and I was too tired to expose his lies. Seeing my expression, Jack finally reacted: “You saw everything just now?” “Yes.” “Alright, why that expression? It’s not like Rachel just called me for a drink. No need to look like that. I’ll make it up to you with another wedding later.” Another wedding? “If the results are already out, why do you still want to have a wedding with me?” With no emotion in my voice, I slowly withdrew my hand from Jack’s. In the past, I would have argued hysterically, reminding him that I had developed the first half of NORA. I knew better than anyone whether NORA would make such a prediction. But now, I was tired. I didn’t want to argue anymore. I just wanted to end this relationship with Jack. “What do you mean you don’t need it? What are you upset about now? I’ll definitely do what I promised you!” Jack angrily retorted: “Yes, the prediction says you’ll definitely cheat on me.” “But who am I? The world’s top AI engineer. Do you think I’d believe that so easily? Besides…” Jack looked at me, a smile playing on his lips, his tone certain: “You can’t live without me, can you? So I had to come back.” A bitter taste spread on my tongue. I forced a smile: “Well, I should really thank you then.” He glanced at me, hesitated, then continued. “However, you need to apologize to Rachel for questioning the data and her earlier.” At that moment, anger surged in my heart. No wonder he, who always believed unquestioningly in AI data, said he wouldn’t easily believe it. I said coldly, “Jack Simmons, after doing such a dirty thing right in front of me, why should I apologize?” “And…!” I got up, opened the car door, and threw the keys at him. Then I said to him, word by word: “You know how I’ve treated you all these years. Don’t you understand at all why this baseless prediction came about?” Jack’s face flashed with discomfort, quickly replaced by anger. “Lily Greene! Can you stop making things up?!” “I’ve told you so many times that Rachel is just my junior. Are you so dirty-minded that you see everyone else as dirty?!” “NORA can’t be wrong! It’s never been wrong! If you don’t apologize, forget about this wedding! I won’t give you another chance!” “We’ll see if you regret it when I become the world’s richest man!” I coldly watched his angry outburst, feeling a weariness I had never experienced before. It seemed he had truly forgotten that when we got together, I had given him the newborn AI NORA and told him that AI shouldn’t be blindly trusted, as there was a risk of human intervention. And his talk about becoming the world’s richest man? Saying I shouldn’t regret it? Jack Simmons, my Greene family has long been the world’s richest. What you fantasize about was within my reach from birth. Laughing weakly, I threw my ring down the cliff. After meeting Jack’s shocked gaze, I turned and got into another car. As I started the engine, I heard him throwing a tantrum behind me. “Lily Greene, don’t you dare come back crying and begging me to marry you!” “I knew my NORA couldn’t be wrong. A woman like you is just fickle and bound to betray me!!” I stepped on the gas and drove away. Never again, Jack Simmons. I’ve done enough foolish things. This time, I’m truly exhausted.

Driving down the hill, I went to another villa of mine to change clothes. The next day, as soon as I entered the company, I met my assistant. “Draft a resignation letter for Jack Simmons…” Before I could finish, a figure walked towards me as if she had been waiting. It was Rachel Thompson, who had been intimate with Jack yesterday. As she approached, she spoke smugly, “Good morning, Lily. I’m so sorry, Jack kept me up all night, that’s why I’m late.” Even though I had let go, I still felt sick to my stomach. Jack and I met during our studies abroad, with vastly different family backgrounds. This man used to be focused solely on his work, never socializing. Initially, I was attracted by his intense focus when coding. Later, to protect Jack’s pride, I concealed my identity as the Greene heiress. I chose to squeeze into a 600-square-foot apartment with Jack instead of living in the sprawling mansion my mother bought for me. For ten years, I spent my youth accompanying him as he developed NORA, the AI whose first half I had written. He was good to me too. The usually cold and taciturn Jack would confidently promise to give me a perfect wedding in front of others. But everything changed after his junior, Rachel Thompson, appeared. He wouldn’t allow me near their development team, and our wedding was postponed again and again. After my persistent nagging, he finally agreed to hold the wedding. Just when I thought I had finally reached a happy ending… He made me the laughingstock of everyone because of some vague, untested AI prediction. Following his hurt came Rachel’s shameless provocation. Thinking of this, I looked up with a slight smile. “Rachel Thompson, your development team is just one project in my company. If you…” She didn’t hear the rest. I had never threatened her so coldly before. Caught off guard, she stammered a couple of retorts before leaving. After she left, my assistant fumed, “Rachel Thompson acts so recklessly now, relying on being Jack’s junior.” “Ms. Greene, were you just about to process Rachel’s resignation?” I shook my head, “No, process Jack’s resignation.” My voice wasn’t loud, but everyone present turned to look at me. My assistant reflexively blurted out, “What?” I lowered my head and chuckled. So all these years, it was common knowledge that I loved Jack so pathetically. That’s why he was so confident in running away on our wedding day. After all, who didn’t know that I was Jack Simmons’ devoted puppy? Willing to give up my identity as a billionaire’s daughter to personally accompany him in starting a business, even secretly investing billions in resources without letting him know. Iron-fisted and ruthless in the company, yet completely indulgent towards him. No matter how busy, I would still do his laundry and cook for him every day. But faced with this love, he once coldly snorted in front of everyone: “It’s her honor to be good to me, the world’s top AI engineer.” Back then, I was still complacent, feeling content just to be by his side. But now I realize how pathetic I’ve been for the past ten years. Thinking of this, I coldly continued to my assistant, “Sever all ties between Jack Simmons and our company.” “Investigate the cause of NORA’s malfunction. From now on, Jack Simmons has no connection to our company.” “He’s fired.” After dealing with Jack’s resignation, I went to the “home” Jack and I shared.

As a company shareholder, besides firing Jack, I also needed to settle the matter of leaving him with nothing. So I had to find Jack to sign the papers. But looking around, I didn’t see Jack anywhere. I could only go back to the bedroom and start packing my things. But before I had packed much, I heard the front door open. Then a series of indescribable sounds arose, followed by… My whole body trembled. I got up and walked to the bedroom door. The two were kissing passionately on the sofa. Jack had his back to me, completely unaware, while Rachel clung to his embrace, her eyes meeting mine. Her breathless moans grew louder, her cries both seductive and pitiful. “Jack, honey, is this okay? Lily is still your fiancée. Won’t she be angry if we do this in your home?” Jack seemed to hear a joke, his wandering hands growing bolder. “Fiancée? So what? She’s just a puppy! Does she dare to get angry?” “Besides, after being with the same face for ten years, I’m so tired of it!” “Angry? No way! I just need to crook my finger, and she’ll come running back, yapping!” I clenched my fists tightly, my stomach churning violently with nausea. Ten years of memories, from our first meeting to getting together, all our little moments together. At this moment, with his few words, they instantly shattered into millions of sharp blades. The mirror of beautiful memories was smashed, turning into piercing dust that stabbed every cell in my body. The pain was unbearable. In the end, it all turned into a dead numbness. I had imagined I would be heartbroken when we broke up, but I never thought that in Jack’s eyes, I was just this kind of existence. Forget it. The Jack Simmons I fell in love with ten years ago, that coding genius, is long dead. I made a sound, clearing my throat. Jack, who had his back to me, finally noticed. His whole body trembled. After hearing the noise, he whirled around. Seeing it was me, his face flashed with panic and terror before settling into barely concealed smugness. “Now you know to come back and apologize?” Seeing no reaction from me, he pushed Rachel out of his arms and looked around. His gaze finally landed on the suitcase, “Yesterday you drove off and talked about breaking up. Weren’t you acting tough? What happened to that spirit?” “Let me tell you, if you want my forgiveness, it’s not just about apologizing to Rachel anymore.” “You also need to promise that you’re ignorant and will never interfere with our development team’s affairs again. All the company’s funds need to be transferred to the development team!” He stuck out his neck, inadvertently revealing the red marks on it. I suppressed the nausea in my heart, too lazy to argue. “I won’t do it, and I have nothing more to say to you.” I threw on a coat and slapped the voluntary stock transfer agreement on the table onto his body. “Remember to read and sign it. Trust me, you have no other choice.” Jack didn’t look at it. I don’t know what he misunderstood, but his voice behind me grew more arrogant. “Weren’t you so brave, throwing away the ring? Now you know to come back and grovel?” “It won’t be so easy for me to forgive you now. Who told you to offend Rachel? How about this, pack a red envelope with 20 or 30 million dollars.” I was amused by his righteous attitude. If it were before, I would have definitely complied. Forget about a mere 20 or 30 million, I would have given him my life. But now, I didn’t stop walking. Pulling my suitcase, I opened the door and left. I thought I had expressed myself clearly enough. After all, besides leaving with my suitcase, there was also that stock transfer agreement on the table. But unexpectedly, he still misunderstood. Not looking at the stock transfer agreement, he thought I was still obedient to him like before. He believed taking away my suitcase was just to give him and Rachel some space. So the messages he sent became even more arrogant. [What, now you believe in AI’s predictions? Realizing I’ll become the richest man in the world, so you’re starting to suck up to me?] [Lily Greene, I know you have some money, but compared to my future, what does it amount to? Now that you’ve come to your senses, shouldn’t you think about how to properly apologize to me?!] I didn’t divorce Jack, I just sent him a dismissal notice. My assistant also told me that my father, who was abroad, would be coming to Shanghai in the next few days to discuss the company’s return to the Greene Group. By then, I would take NORA and preside over the Greene Group, finally revealing myself to the public as the world’s richest woman. But I still didn’t expect that two days later, Jack would barge into my CEO office, bringing Rachel along. Seeing the front desk security trying to stop them, Jack angrily shouted: “You dogs dare to stop us? Lily Greene is my lapdog, do you want to be fired?”

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After my wife was assaulted, she became emotionally unstable and lost her appetite. Even when I put aside work to focus entirely on her, she would only tell me to get lost. Until one drunken night, my wife sent another woman to my bed. “This way, neither of us can blame the other,” she said. I could only swallow my hurt feelings. Little did I know, beneath this incident lay another layer of truth I was unaware of… The hangover headache made me reach for my phone on the nightstand to check the time. Then a hand helped me grab the phone. Someone was standing by the bed, staring at me ominously with bloodshot eyes, like a predator spotting prey and waiting to strike. “Honey, you’re awake?” It was my wife. I rubbed my head. “Lily, what’s wrong with your eyes? Didn’t you sleep?” Lily didn’t answer. Instead, she picked up the phone and made a call. “Hello, I’d like to report a rape.” Lily’s words shocked me. Just a month ago, Lily herself had been assaulted. Although the perpetrator had been arrested, that night’s events had become a thorn in Lily’s heart. In the weeks since coming home, Lily had seen countless therapists. But any mention of keywords related to that night would instantly send her into a frenzy, smashing things and cursing. She’d accuse us of rubbing salt in her wounds, of not letting her move on. Eventually, Lily’s mental state became erratic and jumpy. If she saw me standing close to any other woman, she would immediately rush over and slap me hard. “I knew you were disgusted by me. I knew it. I’ve been watching you for a long time. You want to divorce me and be with her, don’t you?” “I’m telling you, if I hadn’t gone to bring you an umbrella, I never would have met him. None of this would have happened.” She was right. I bore some responsibility for what happened. That day, I had worked overtime at the office until 10 PM. When I went downstairs, I realized it was raining. I tried to get a ride, but the Uber queue was over 50 people long. I tried to buy an umbrella, but several stores said they were sold out and only had plastic bags left. I declined the bags. So I asked Lily to come pick me up. But before she arrived, I got a call from the police saying my wife had been dragged into an alley and assaulted. She was extremely distraught. In my rush, I ended up going to the police station with a black garbage bag over my head. So in this state, when Lily suddenly and uncharacteristically uttered the word “rape,” I naturally couldn’t understand. “Lily, what are you talking about?” Lily ignored me and continued, “Shisen Road, Linxue Garden, Building 2, Unit 304. The rapist…” Lily glanced at me. “Marcus Wilson.”

She said my name. My heart skipped a beat. I couldn’t understand why she was falsely accusing me. Until I heard faint breathing behind me. I turned around and realized there was another woman sleeping in the same bed. She was curled up by the edge, which is why I hadn’t noticed her before. At that moment, I finally understood what Lily meant by “rape.” “I didn’t do anything. I don’t even know her,” I said frantically, grabbing Lily’s arm to prove my innocence. Lily just gave me a look, then turned and locked the door, leaving me alone with the woman. I wanted to wake her up and ask what was going on, but she was completely naked. I didn’t dare look. I deliberately made some noise to wake her up. Thankfully it worked, and the woman finally stirred. But the confusion in her eyes matched my own. The unfamiliar environment and my presence made her shriek. “Who are you? Why am I here?” She grabbed a pillow and started hitting me with it, angrily demanding to know what I had done to her. I could only tell her to calm down and try to remember what happened last night. But this was the woman’s first time in this kind of situation. How could she possibly stay calm? After cursing me and my ancestors, she asked where I had hidden her clothes. I looked around and saw her clothes scattered everywhere. Just as I picked them up to toss to her, the door opened again. “We received a report of a crime in progress. Please come with us,” said the police officers who entered.

Sitting at the police station again, I felt like I was on pins and needles. Fortunately, all the evidence showed that nothing had actually happened between me and the strange woman. We were both innocent. As for why she ended up in my bed, it seems she really had just drunkenly wandered into the wrong place. After getting lectured by the police, on the way home I asked Lily why she had said those misleading things. Rape accusations could ruin my reputation for life. Plus, my company was in the middle of a restructuring. I had a good chance at a director position. If anyone at work found out about this, even if it was all made up, it would still become the subject of gossip. Lily glanced at me. There was a hint of some indescribable emotion in her eyes. Her next words shocked me even more. “Because I did it.” “That woman – I carried her to the bed.” My eyes widened in disbelief. I turned to look at Lily, about to ask why. Just then, our taxi rear-ended the car in front of us. The driver got out, cursing loudly as he went to argue with the other driver. I glanced outside. The car we hit was an Audi. Apparently the other driver had changed lanes abruptly, causing the collision. But that wasn’t important. What mattered was my wife, and why she would try to frame me as a rapist. “Why?” I asked. Deep down, I had an inkling. But I needed to hear it from her own mouth, to extinguish that last flicker of hope in my heart. “This way we’re even,” she said. “Neither of us owes the other anything.” What a thing to say – that we’re even now. “Did you think about the consequences of doing this?” I asked. Lily seemed completely unconcerned as she turned to watch the argument outside. “Of course I know the consequences.” “But if you love me, you shouldn’t blame me.” I stared at her. The dim light cast shadows across her face. The red taillights reflected in her eyes, making her words seem even more vicious. On the way home, I didn’t say another word to her. I knew she blamed me for causing her to lose her dignity, for the public humiliation that left her unable to show her face. But if I’m being honest, I had never once looked down on her since the incident. I never showed even a hint of impatience. In fact, worried she might overthink things, I kept my distance from all other women. I turned down any work events I could avoid, just to stay home with her. We even moved far away from where it happened. I promised her parents I would never divorce her. What happened was an accident. More than anger, I felt heartbroken for her. Lily was the woman I had pursued for years, the apple of my eye. Even if her temper had become erratic, I felt it was understandable. But last night, that one work event I couldn’t skip was crucial for my promotion. I had to go. Yet it was this one time that Lily decided to set such a trap.

When we got home, Lily started changing the bedsheets unprompted. Her phone kept buzzing, probably someone calling. I wasn’t in the mood to listen. I went to the bathroom to have a smoke and clear my head. I chain-smoked half a pack, but still couldn’t calm down. I kept thinking about how over the line Lily’s actions were. I considered her in everything I did, but she clearly didn’t think of me at all. This was a critical time for my promotion. I was the sole breadwinner. We’d been married two years, and both sets of parents were eager for grandkids. If I could land the director position, we could significantly improve our lifestyle and reduce a lot of stress. Then we could start thinking about having a baby. But now, it had all gone up in smoke. I regretted asking Lily to bring me an umbrella that night. But I was also angry that she would use such dirty tactics to drag me down with her. I loved Lily, but after this, I wasn’t sure I loved her quite so much anymore. I shook out the cigarette pack and found it empty. I had to leave the bathroom, only to find Lily standing ominously by the door, staring at me. “My parents are coming over tomorrow,” she said. I felt annoyed. This kind of thing didn’t need to involve the parents. Besides, it wasn’t my fault to begin with. But Lily just repeated: “If it weren’t for you, how would I have gotten assaulted? You owe me for all of this.” Her words left me feeling ice cold. Of course, if doing this made her feel better, I wouldn’t hold it against her. But I never imagined she was actually trying to destroy me! Both sets of parents berated me harshly. I couldn’t explain myself. When neighbors asked about the police visit, Lily casually said, “Oh that? It’s because he committed rape.” Let me put it this way – when the incident first happened, Lily appeared as the victim and naturally garnered sympathy. But in her retelling, I was the perpetrator, so of course people condemned me. Everyone advised Lily to divorce me, calling me scum who didn’t deserve to live or even be in the same neighborhood as them. Even my company put me on leave, with no return date in sight. I became a target for everyone’s anger. Meanwhile, Lily transformed into the good woman, saying I had just made a mistake, that she loved me and chose to forgive me. Our reputations were completely reversed. Even when I said it was all a misunderstanding and the police could prove it, people said there’s no smoke without fire. I had no way to defend myself. I asked Lily to explain, but she said this was nothing compared to what she went through. If I couldn’t handle even this much, was I even a man? I laughed bitterly. How were these situations the same at all? Our circumstances were completely different. I had never aired her trauma in public. I protected her, shielding her from harmful rumors. But her? She seemed afraid people wouldn’t hurt me enough. She kept stabbing me in the heart with sharp swords. I thought, surely this is enough? Surely we’ve reached the limit? I went to talk to Lily, telling her she had to publicly apologize to me. Otherwise, I would sue her for defamation. “You wouldn’t dare!” Lily glared at me coldly. Her expression was so detached, as if I were a stranger to her. “You planned this whole thing yourself. I’ve put up with you for a long time. If you’re not willing to apologize…” I paused. “Then let’s get divorced.”

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The Year I Died, He Was Marrying Someone Else I had been William’s mistress for four years. On the day I died, he was marrying someone else. “You didn’t come on my big day. What, you don’t want to see me marry another woman?” “Or do you think I’ll give in if you throw a tantrum?” “Olivia, I’ll say this one last time. If you don’t show up today, don’t ever think about coming back.” Later, he knelt before my grave and personally carved my epitaph. “My wife, Olivia. Born when the last pear blossom fell, died the year I loved her most.” That was the first time he admitted he loved me. But what did it matter? I was already dead. “Aren’t you happy now that I’m dead and you can marry her?” I floated beside William at the wedding venue. He couldn’t hear me, of course. He just frowned, having his assistant Sarah repeatedly dial my number. Two calls went unanswered. The third time, the phone was turned off. Ten minutes later, he lost his patience. He took out his phone and sent me a few text messages, full of mockery and threats: “You didn’t come on my big day. What, you don’t want to see me marry another woman?” “Or do you think I’ll give in if you throw a tantrum?” “Olivia, I’ll say this one last time. If you don’t show up today, don’t ever think about coming back.” When talking to me, he always had this air of absolute authority, as if he held the power of life and death. Unfortunately, no matter how angry he was now, he couldn’t take it out on me anymore. Because a few hours ago, I had died. “Mr. Song, the wedding is about to start. You should go change,” Sarah reminded him, holding a tablet, her posture upright and respectful. Hearing this, William’s hand paused on the screen, his sharp brows furrowing. After a few seconds, he tossed the phone to Sarah: “Keep calling until she picks up.”

For some reason, I couldn’t leave William’s side. Or rather, in my spirit form, I couldn’t move more than three steps away from him. I was forced to follow him onto the stage. The wedding venue was decorated with an ocean theme, with a huge blue whale suspended in the air, as beautiful as in a dream. Except the bride wasn’t me, it was Emma. A year ago, William had asked me to bring lunch to his company, specifically requesting salt-baked shrimp. I had spent from morning till noon preparing it, even cutting my hand while deveining the shrimp. But as soon as I entered the office, Sarah stopped me. She had just started working at the company then and wasn’t experienced in handling such situations. “Mr. Song is in a meeting. Please wait outside, Miss Yang.” It was a rather clumsy lie. Before she finished speaking, suspicious sounds leaked from the door crack. Sarah’s face turned red instantly, her eyes flickering, seemingly thinking of how to make me feel better. I smiled faintly and patted her shoulder to comfort her: “It’s okay, I’ll wait outside.” After it ended, William walked out with a petite girl in his arms. That was the first time I saw Emma. Fair skin, big eyes, her high ponytail a bit messy, but it didn’t diminish her youthful beauty. Although neither Emma nor I was the only flower in William’s garden, considering his past preferences, he had never gone for such an innocent college girl before. So when William told me he was going to marry Emma, I was a bit surprised. But I quickly composed myself and packed all my things that very night. Well, “packing” only involved one suitcase. Before I left, he sat on the balcony, his long fingers entwined with misty smoke, smiling somewhat mockingly. “Can’t take it anymore?” He approached me step by step, the heavy tobacco smell assaulting my senses, making me feel nauseous. “I’m sorry, Mr. Song, but I don’t sleep with married men.” If there had been a mirror, I’m sure my smile would have looked awful. William’s smile froze on his face as he lowered his head and gripped my chin. “Should I praise you for your professional ethics?” In his eyes, I was just a woman he had bought with money. Not sleeping with married men sounded like a laughable excuse. “Or are you still hoping to marry me?” I lowered my head. I had thought about it. But it was just… a thought. And even this, I didn’t dare to admit. Seeing my long silence, William patted my face with a hint of mockery, his cool tone piercing my heart. “Olivia, ask yourself, are you worthy?”

William wasn’t always like this. We were childhood sweethearts for ten years. When other girls complained that he wouldn’t teach them but only taught me, he would seriously say I wasn’t just anyone. He would also punch the face of the boy who mocked me when I stained my pants during my period. But now, I can’t remember what that William who protected me at every turn looked like anymore. For me, he only had endless hatred. “Olivia, why didn’t you die with your mother?” This was what he said to me most often later. In our senior year, there was a sudden power outage at school. William and I went home early, only to witness an unspeakable scene between my mother and his father. The gossip about a single widow seducing a married man quickly spread among the neighbors. William’s parents had a big fight. But on their way to the civil affairs bureau to get a divorce, a large truck suddenly overturned. They didn’t even make it to the ambulance, passing away on the spot. On the day of the funeral, I waited outside William’s house all night with red eyes. When he walked out of the dim dawn light, looking haggard, the first thing he said to me was: “Olivia, I don’t have parents anymore. Are you happy?” He hugged me, his long fingers leaving red marks on my arms. Tears occasionally fell on my shoulder. I endured the pain, stammering my lips, apologizing to him over and over again. But in the end, William just shook his head and left with a tear-filled “I hate you.” He disappeared completely from my life, and my mother also suffered a stroke and became paralyzed due to the shock. But what I didn’t expect was that seven years later, when I was worried about medical expenses, William would appear again, casually helping me pay the rest of the hospital bills. “Olivia, she needs to live to see how you suffer.” Perhaps from that moment on, our ending was destined to be a tragedy.

However, William’s methods of torturing me weren’t very sophisticated, nothing more than nitpicking. He would only drink coffee after it had been brewed eight times, and would throw a fit if the bath water was one degree too low. Once I showed any dissatisfaction, I couldn’t sleep at night. I already had sensitive skin, and even slight pressure would leave bruises. William never showed mercy because of this, often indulging as much as he pleased. Once when I was sick, I went to the hospital for IV drips for two days. On my way back, I happened to meet a senior from school. He walked me to my doorstep and chatted with me casually for a bit. It just so happened that William had returned from a business trip and saw this scene. “I still have a fever. Can you let me rest for a while?” I didn’t know why he suddenly got angry, I just hoped that he would spare me this once, considering our years of friendship. “You can still chat and laugh with others, so you probably don’t need rest.” “Besides, 39 degrees (Celsius), I haven’t tried it before. Want to give it a try?” Beast. I cursed at him, deliberately provoking him, but tears fell silently. William turned my face back to him, his thumb gently wiping the blood from my bitten lip. “Don’t act like you’ve suffered some great injustice. At worst, you can go splurge with my card tomorrow to vent.” “After all, exchanging your body for benefits is something your family has always been good at.” I glared at William. Hitting my sore spot made him unusually happy, the smile on his face carrying a hint of ferocious pleasure. “Otherwise, why do you think my dad took care of your family for no reason?” My strength suddenly drained away. Because on this point, I had no way to refute. The occasional candies, the cash gifts during holidays. They had already become things that made me feel guilty whenever I thought about them, without me even knowing. After it ended, I had a fever for three more days, taking care of myself alone in the guest room. William, separated by just a wall, only threw over a box of fever reducers on the first day. He said: “Olivia, don’t die in my house. It’s unlucky.”

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After losing my memory, I mistakenly thought my sworn enemy was my husband. I even moved into his house. On the day I regained my memory, I was tugging at his sleeve, asking for a kiss. As memories flooded back, I froze, about to run away. But he, usually cold and aloof, frowned and leaned down to kiss me, saying resignedly: “There, now will you stay put at home?” Before regaining my memory, I thought Liam Winters was the best husband in the world. I loved him to death. I’d cry if I couldn’t see him for even a second. At the breakfast table one morning, I was clinging tightly to Liam’s sleeve, refusing to let go. Tears welled up in my eyes. “Are you going to abandon me again?” “Aria, let go.” The man I was clutching looked at me coldly, tugging his arm. The buttons on his suit jacket made a dangerous creaking sound. I stubbornly hugged his arm, my tone plaintive: “You didn’t say that before, honey. You said you’d love me forever. I’ll die without you…” This kind of conversation happened every morning. On average, I’d throw a fit every two or three days. Only Liam could calm me down. Liam closed his eyes briefly, giving up the struggle. “I’m just going to a meeting. I’ll be back tonight.” “How late is ‘tonight’? I’m scared to sleep alone.” Seeing he didn’t respond, I started crying with my head down. A flash of exasperation crossed Liam’s face. Suppressing his temper, he asked quietly: “What do you want this time?” I turned my face, pointing at my cheek. “You haven’t kissed me goodbye yet.” My coquettish figure was reflected in the mirror. Liam’s tall frame sat beside me. We really were… a match made in heaven— Before I could finish that thought, my mind suddenly went blank. That handsome face gradually overlapped with the one in my memories. As my memories came flooding back, I froze in place. My loving gaze slowly turned to horror. Wait. What am I doing? I’m Aria Rose, CEO of Rose Corporation. Liam Winters and I have been locked in a cutthroat business war. And now I’ve lost my mind and called him my husband?! I tensed up, about to mock him. But then the usually cold Liam frowned and leaned down to kiss me on the cheek. That cool kiss was like an electric current. It instantly coursed through my whole body. Liam’s tone was resigned: “There, now will you stay put at home?”

Liam left. I stood there stunned, taking a full twenty minutes to recover. Did he just… kiss me? To describe my relationship with Liam Winters, we’d stab each other given half a chance. The last time we met, I cheerfully cursed him to “die young”. Liam gave me a cold glance and replied flatly: “If so, I’m afraid I’ll have to take Miss Rose down with me.” Who would have thought that in just two weeks, I’d experience a car accident, lose my memory, and fall in love with Liam at first sight. I even pestered him until he let me move into his private residence. What a mess… The mansion was eerily quiet. I sat in a chair, thinking calmly for a long time. I was certain of one thing: I absolutely could not admit that I had regained my memory. Liam would mock me for the rest of my life. I frantically searched the room for my suitcase, finally discovering my work phone in a hidden pocket. When my assistant answered my call, she nearly burst into tears: “Miss Rose, where have you been these past two weeks? Liam Winters has almost stolen all your business.” I gritted my teeth in anger. No wonder he’d been so unusually gentle with me these past two weeks. So he was secretly laughing at me while aggressively swallowing up my business? “The Yuzhou contract is being signed today, right?” My assistant was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan: “Yes, Yuzhou is planning to sign with Liam since you’ve been missing for over two weeks.” My heart sank. I immediately got dressed and headed out: “I’ll go stop Liam. Tell Hughes that if he can’t secure this deal, he’s fired!”

That day, I took the flight after Liam’s and landed in Yuzhou. William Hughes, the company’s VP, had been handling this project. My unfamiliar face was perfect for making a splash. The evening banquet hall was filled with the clinking of glasses. I examined my pale gold mermaid gown in the lobby’s glass reflection, satisfied. I had bought this using Liam’s card while I had amnesia. Including jewelry, I had spent nearly 10 million in total. Even this flight ticket was charged to his card. Liam must know I’m here. I stood at the entrance, scanning the crowd, but didn’t see Liam. Just as I was about to leave, I suddenly bumped into a solid body behind me. Liam’s familiar cold, elegant woody scent instantly enveloped me. His icy voice dripped with sarcasm in my ear. “Done pretending, Miss Rose?” I froze for a second, then spun around and threw myself into his arms. “Honey, I missed you so much!” The movement was too big, exposing a large expanse of my back. It attracted quite a few stares. “Who’s that?” “Looks like Mrs. Winters.” Liam stiffened, then covered me with his jacket and led me by the waist into a prep room. The cold table edge dug into my backside, making the dishes clatter. Liam’s eyes were dark. “Aria, what are you trying to do?” He only called me by my full name when I had amnesia. Looks like I fooled him again. I played with his tie, my eyes wandering. “Nothing, I just missed you…” “Tell me the truth.” The smile fell from my face as I instantly teared up. “They said… you have a mistress in Yuzhou… I came to see…” There wasn’t a hint of warmth in Liam’s eyes. “That’s not true.” “You’re lying!” I kicked him petulantly. “I just saw you talking to a woman. You don’t love me anymore…” “…” Liam frowned. “That was a business partner.” Of course I knew it was a business partner. The VP of Yuzhou Minghua Group. I turned my head away. “I don’t believe you! Unless you take me with you tonight.” Liam was at a loss dealing with me. “Fine.” That night, I hung on Liam’s arm like a happy butterfly. I chatted animatedly with the Minghua Group representatives. Liam’s business discussions were interrupted by me several times. In the end, he sat in a corner, his dark eyes silently watching me. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking. As soon as the banquet ended, Liam took me back to our room. The door slammed shut. Darkness fell. Liam’s rough fingertips pressed against my neck, gently caressing: “Aria, I never realized you were such a social butterfly.” His voice was steady, made even more seductive by the darkness. I had a few drinks tonight and was feeling a bit tipsy. I clung to him and whined: “I just didn’t want you talking to other women…” I secretly shook off the goosebumps. Damn, how embarrassing… Was I really like this when I lost my memory? Liam chuckled for no reason. “No commitment, yet so possessive.” He set me down on the bed as his phone suddenly rang. The flashing light was a bit blinding in the dark night. He answered the call. His assistant’s words floated out of the speaker. “Mr. Winters, Miss Rose’s people snatched the Yuzhou contract.” “Who did you say?” “Her subordinate, William Hughes.” The room fell dead silent. The clock in the corner ticked in time with my heartbeat, striking my nerves. I nonchalantly hooked my foot around him while holding my breath, waiting for Liam’s reaction. The rustling of his suit pants was audible. He hung up the phone, a cold smile playing on his thin lips: “Aria, you knew I was signing the contract today, didn’t you?” I nestled in his arms, breathing in his deep, mellow scent, staying silent. He gripped my chin, lifting it to examine me for a moment before suddenly smiling: “Memory back?” My heart skipped a beat. If I admitted it now, I’d be dead meat tonight. I gave him a blank look and mumbled: “Honey, it’s hot…” He saw my face flushed from alcohol. Those deep eyes fixed on my face, unmoving. Liam hid the calculation in his eyes, his tone gentle. “Aria, you think I’m that easy to fool?” “I like you… how could I be fooling—” Liam’s smile faded as he leaned down to bite my lip. The kiss held a trace of unresolvable anger. He bit until the taste of blood spread between our lips. Only when I frowned in pain did Liam release me, coldly laughing as he stroked my messy hair: “Go on, what other nonsense haven’t you said yet? Hubby’s listening.” I caught my breath, my gaze sincere: “I love you—ah!” Accompanied by a sharp ripping sound, my dress was torn in half at the waist. Liam’s eyes were completely tinged with cruelty. “You really won’t learn until you see the coffin.” He forcefully pinned me in the corner, his fingers intertwining with mine. Chuckling softly: “I hope you can say that again the day you regain your memory.” “Otherwise, I don’t mind killing you with my own hands.” …

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I never expected to end up tangled in the sheets with Jack Carlisle, my family’s longtime friend and my unofficial guardian. The morning after our passionate night together, I did what I do best: I put on my ice queen face and pretended nothing had ever happened between us. But Jack? Oh, he’s not taking it well at all. He’s going absolutely crazy, trying to make me acknowledge what we shared. I heard that he never dates, never gives women a chance at a real relationship. And he certainly never touches the same woman twice. Yet somehow, we’ve been maintaining this secret affair for six whole months. Then one day, Mrs. Carlisle excitedly showed me a photo. “Jack picked his fiancée himself. Isn’t she beautiful?” I looked at the stunningly gorgeous woman in the picture and smiled, offering my congratulations. “She’s very pretty. They make a great couple. Congratulations to Jack.” Late that night, Jack suddenly appeared in my room. “Getting cocky, aren’t you, Aria? Calling me ‘daddy’ in bed and ‘Mr. Carlisle’ outside. Are you playing games with me?”

As I made my way downstairs, my body aching, I saw Jack sitting at the dining table. His tie was undone, his collar open, revealing the bite mark on his collarbone. I nearly stumbled, quickly grabbing the railing to steady myself. Jack glanced up at me, his tone as calm and indifferent as ever: “Be careful coming down.” “Mm, I will,” I replied. He said nothing more, lowering his gaze to continue eating. I watched his long fingers grip the knife and fork, cutting into the food on his plate. His knuckles were prominent, his hands clean and strong. My cheeks began to burn as I remembered how those hands, so skilled with surgical instruments, had explored uncharted territories of my body just last night. Again and again, they had brought me to the heights of pleasure.

I bypassed the dining room and headed for the kitchen. Grabbing an egg and a carton of milk, I prepared to leave. “Aria,” Jack suddenly called out to me. I instinctively stopped and turned around. He had already stood up, taking the jacket handed to him by the housekeeper. “I’ll give you a ride. We’re going the same way,” he said. “No need, I can take the subway…” I began to protest. Jack didn’t respond, just looked down at me from his imposing height. My gaze accidentally fell on the bite mark on his collarbone, and I quickly looked away, as if burned.

“No subway today,” Jack said, glancing at his watch. “Let’s go.” Afraid of annoying him, I didn’t insist further. Jack, being a surgeon, was always a neat freak. I didn’t dare eat anything in his car, so I stuffed the egg and milk into my backpack. As I got into the car earlier, I must have aggravated the tender area between my legs. Sitting in the car seat made me feel uncomfortably stiff. Jack seemed to notice. He closed his tablet and lowered the partition in the car. “We’ll stop by a pharmacy. You should apply some ointment,” he said. I kept my head down, my face burning hot. “Okay.” “If it still hurts after applying the medicine, come to the hospital. I’ll take care of it.” “Alright.” “I drank a bit too much last night. I lost control and hurt you.” “It’s okay, Mr. Carlisle,” I said softly. “I was drunk too. It wasn’t entirely your fault.” I understood Jack’s meaning clearly. In his view, last night was just drunken sex. But the truth was, I hadn’t been drunk at all. I had deliberately used alcohol as an excuse to let myself cross the line. “Don’t overthink it. Focus on your studies for now.” “Mm.” The car moved smoothly forward. I sat properly, occasionally brushing against his pants with my bare legs when the car bumped. He didn’t move away, but I discreetly shifted further from him.

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I lost my memory. Alexander asked if I remembered who my boyfriend was. I pointed to his playful-smiling brother behind him. Alexander breathed a sigh of relief, as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. But later, on my wedding night with his brother, he frantically pounded on the door. “You can’t get married! Lily, please come out!” After the doctor told me I had lost part of my memory, Alexander visited me every day. The day before I was discharged, he suddenly asked, “Lily, do you remember who your boyfriend is?” I looked at the man sitting in the corner with a playful smile. Ethan, Alexander’s brother. Since I was hospitalized, he had come every day. He was quiet, and crucially, he was exactly my type. My best friend said that before I lost my memory, Ethan had been pursuing me. So, I pointed at him and said, “He’s my boyfriend.” I don’t know if it was my imagination, but after I said this, Alexander seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He showed his first smile in days: “Yes, Ethan is your boyfriend.” Ethan chuckled and stood up. Broad shoulders, narrow waist, tall figure, combined with his outstanding looks, he was like walking testosterone. I stared at him as he approached me. “I’ll come pick you up tomorrow when you’re discharged, girlfriend.” The upward lilt in his voice was full of endless tenderness. I suddenly blushed, my heart racing as I watched him leave. “Lily…” I turned back to face Alexander’s displeased expression, and my smile faded. “Why are you still here?” Alexander’s eyes darkened slightly, “I’m getting engaged in a few days, so… I can’t come pick you up when you’re discharged tomorrow.” I waved my hand, “Thanks, but my boyfriend will be here, so it’s fine.”

Ethan showed up at the hospital room right on time the next day. He took my luggage and naturally reached for my hand. After completing the discharge procedures, he took me home – to his home. He told me my room was the guest room. When I saw him enter the master bedroom, I couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t we sleeping in the same room?” Ethan was visibly stunned, then he said in a pitiful tone, “You don’t let me sleep in the same room with you.” The doctor said I had forgotten many things, and I couldn’t remember why I wouldn’t let him sleep in the same room. But to openly say I wanted to sleep in the same room with him, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. So I coughed lightly, “Let’s keep this arrangement for now, and… we’ll discuss it again when I recover.” He agreed readily, but his handsome smile made my hair stand on end. Ethan went into his room and didn’t come out again. Even at mealtime, there was no sign of him. I had no choice but to go to the kitchen to cook. Halfway through cooking, a strong presence enveloped me from behind. “What are you making?” I instinctively stepped back, and his solid male physique pressed against my back. The scorching heat transmitted through the thin fabric of our clothes. It was so hot that I dropped the spatula in my hand. I quickly bent down to pick it up, but my leg brushed against his, fitting perfectly. Before I could react, a pair of strong arms lifted me up and set me aside. I turned my head, only catching a glimpse of Ethan’s flustered figure retreating. Although I had forgotten many things, common sense remained. Realizing what I had just done, my entire face and neck turned red. After finishing cooking, I went to call him. When he came out, he didn’t mention the kitchen incident. Instead, he said, “My brother is getting engaged tomorrow. As my girlfriend, you should come with me.” I nodded. Then a thought struck me, “Doesn’t that mean I’m indirectly meeting your family?” Ethan resumed his casual demeanor, “You’ve already met them before. Just be yourself.” With Ethan’s reassurance, I felt at ease.

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He suddenly became passionate about fitness and started paying attention to his appearance. His clothes always carried a faint scent of lily of the valley. He was acting suspiciously flirtatious. So, I followed him. I overheard him insulting me while joking with his friends: “Olivia is no longer the campus beauty you guys knew. Now her figure is all saggy, no different from a middle-aged woman. I feel unlucky every time I see her bland face.” “If it weren’t for having to split half of our assets in a divorce, I would have married my little sweetheart long ago.” Later, I found a prenatal screening test for Down syndrome in his briefcase. It turned out that his mistress was already over four months pregnant. The information about the pregnant woman on the test caught my attention. When I saw that familiar name, I froze on the spot. What do you do when you’re middle-aged and discover that your husband, with whom you’ve built a life together from nothing, is cheating? This question seems difficult to answer. You have children together and have accumulated considerable assets through years of hard work. You’ve shaped a rash and naive young man into today’s gentle and elegant figure. But now, he belongs to someone else. Should you quickly divide some assets and get a divorce? It doesn’t seem quite fair. Should you drag them along, exhausting the last of your marital affection? But doing so would disgust them and yourself. So, what’s the best answer? My answer is, I can’t get divorced! But… I can become a widow!

Discovering Jack’s affair was actually a very accidental small incident. That day, before letting our housekeeper take Jack’s tailored suit for dry cleaning, I habitually checked the pockets. Then I pulled out a Chanel Coco Mademoiselle lip balm from the right pocket. The lip balm showed obvious signs of use. It couldn’t be something he had just bought for me. And it definitely wasn’t his own. Because this lip balm leaves a shimmering effect on the lips, something only girls would use. The faint lily of the valley scent from the clothes rushed into my nostrils. I stood there stunned for a long time without moving. Perhaps it was a woman’s unreasonable sixth sense. Just this lip balm and this whiff of fragrance made me certain that Jack was having an affair. He wasn’t a person without boundaries. He wouldn’t put a girl’s personal items in his own pocket. So, the lip balm might have been deliberately placed in his pocket by someone else to test me, or Jack might have kept it for that person and forgotten to return it. Either way, the result was obvious. I expressionlessly put the lip balm back in the pocket and returned his suit to its original place. I went to the bathroom and washed my face, trying to clear my dizzy mind. But it didn’t help much.

After sitting numbly for two hours. I called Ryan Thompson, Jack’s senior secretary. I originally wanted to subtly inquire about Jack’s whereabouts these days. When the call connected, I heard Ryan softly shush someone, and then the noise in the background gradually quieted down. A moment later, he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice: “Mrs. Wilson, are you looking for Mr. Wilson? What a coincidence, he just left to meet a client and isn’t in the office right now.” Meeting a client without taking along his capable and skilled senior secretary? The lie was rather clumsy. “No, I’m looking for you,” I directly denied. Ryan paused for a moment, then replied with a smile: “Mrs. Wilson, what can I do for you? Just say the word.” My fingers lightly tapped on the sofa armrest, my voice as cold as ice: “Ryan, do you remember how you climbed to your current position?” There were a few seconds of silence on the other end. When he spoke again, his voice carried a hint of guilt: “You sponsored my education, then brought me into the company and personally mentored me.” “Then why did I leave the company and can now only stay at home doing nothing?” I immediately asked again. “It’s… it’s because I dozed off while driving and caused an accident, resulting in… resulting in your left scapula being fractured. Since then, your left arm has had limited mobility…” Ryan stuttered in his response. Even without seeing him, I could imagine his uncomfortable and fidgety appearance at that moment. I took a deep breath, suppressing the anger about to erupt from my chest. “Now, I’m looking for Jack. Is he there?” “…Yes!” “Where are you now?” “The Jiuzhou Club.” “Room number.” “61008.” I hung up the phone.

As Ryan said, my left arm had limited mobility due to the accident injury, causing excruciating pain every time I raised or moved it outward. I couldn’t even hold the steering wheel with both hands while driving. I had been persistently doing rehabilitation for the past two years, but with little effect. I took a taxi to the Jiuzhou Club. Ryan was already waiting at the entrance on the first floor. When he saw me, he smoothly took the bag from my hand and led me towards the elevator. In the elevator, he wrung his hands nervously, awkwardly apologizing to me: “Mrs. Wil… I mean, Olivia, I’m sorry.” “It’s just that Mr. Wilson is only meeting friends today. I was afraid you’d worry, so I said he went to see a client.” Today he’s meeting friends. What about before? My expression remained cold, and I didn’t look at him again. How could I expect sincerity from an outsider when my husband of twenty-three years would cheat? Ryan escorted me to the private room door, then excused himself to go to the bathroom and left. I wanted to push the door open, to see which woman Jack was holding in his arms. Voices teasing Jack came from inside. I withdrew my hand and stood quietly at the half-open door of the private room. Someone spoke up to joke: “Old Jack is really behaving himself. We’re all surrounded by women, but he’s just sitting there drinking juice.” Someone quickly responded. “Of course, Jack married the campus beauty we all envied back then. She’s a perfect helper. I heard their son even got into Fudan University under Olivia’s guidance. Tsk tsk, having a virtuous wife really does bring prosperity for generations.” “You’re all wrong!” This voice belonged to Marcus Evans, Jack’s old friend. Half mockingly and half enviously, he said: “He’s keeping himself pure for his little girlfriend. She’s strict with him, set twenty house rules, including not drinking or messing around behind her back. Otherwise, she’ll punish him by not letting him into her bed. Last week he secretly drank and upset his little girlfriend. It took hundreds of thousands worth of jewelry to appease her.” “Really?” Several people snickered in surprise. Jack relaxed back against the sofa, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. Marcus continued sarcastically: “The girl is only 26, just 7 years older than his son. He can actually bring himself to do it. Don’t you think he’s a beast?” No one responded to his words. Jack crossed his left leg over his right, looking even more at ease. “Haven’t you heard that men are forever young at heart? I’m just seeking some excitement. “You don’t know, Olivia is no longer the campus beauty you guys knew. Now her figure is all saggy, no different from a middle-aged woman. She’s always sickly. I feel unlucky every time I see her bland face. “Besides, even if she were a celestial beauty, I’ve been sleeping with her for over 20 years. I’m tired of it. “If it weren’t for having to split half of our assets in a divorce, I would have married your little sister-in-law long ago.”

It was like having a bucket of ice water dumped over my head. Chilled from head to toe. A chill running through my bones. If I hadn’t heard it with my own ears, it would be hard to believe these words came from the mouth of my humble and gentle husband. Some of what he said wasn’t wrong. You can never imagine how heartless a man can be once he’s changed his mind. He becomes a complete stranger to you. I didn’t disturb them and turned to leave. At the elevator, Ryan was pacing back and forth. Seeing me approach, he quickly came over, smiling: “Mrs. Wilson, I was right, wasn’t I? Mr. Wilson was just catching up with old friends. Those girls in the room have nothing to do with him. He even specifically asked me to order juice for him, afraid of getting drunk and worrying you.” I looked at the man before me, now full of shrewdness. The caution and sincerity in his eyes from years ago had long since disappeared. His face was full of ingratiating smiles: “Mrs. Wilson, let me take you home. Mr. Wilson is with his old classmates anyway, there’s nothing for me to do. Don’t worry, I won’t tell Mr. Wilson you were here.” I didn’t object to his kindness. Ryan was driving the business car used to pick up Jack. As I sat in the back seat, two sets of overlapping handprints, one large and one small, on the car window caught my eye. My heart suddenly sank. I stared fixedly at those chaotic large and small handprints, which seemed to be telling me what kind of dirty story had taken place here. After getting out of the car, I waved goodbye to Ryan. “Thank you for driving me back. “Oh, by the way, the back window is dirty. Remember to clean the glass next time after you’re done.” Ryan froze for a moment.

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I had been in love with Tara for five years, spoiling her like a princess. The day I returned from a business trip abroad, I wanted to surprise her by secretly attending a private dinner party to see her. But I saw her passionately kissing another man. To my shock, it was Henry, my college roommate. The dazzling diamond brooch on his suit jacket pierced my eyes. Because it was identical to the one Tara had given me. Five years of companionship had become nothing but a joke. It turned out I was the one destroying someone else’s marriage all along. Heartbroken and disillusioned, I quickly wrote an application to become a war correspondent in the Middle East. After I left, Tara turned Shanghai upside down looking for me like a madwoman. I snuck into the exclusive Hong Kong dinner party in disguise, using an invitation I had prepared in advance. This was a private event with no media allowed. I unlocked my phone, the wallpaper showing a photo of Tara and me from our last meeting. I smiled bitterly, realizing it had already been a month since I’d seen her. Just ten minutes ago, Tara had texted asking when I’d be back. “The assignment here isn’t finished yet, it’ll be another two days,” I had replied. Tara sent a sticker saying “Miss you hubby”. I couldn’t help smiling as I imagined her surprised face when she saw me. The crowd suddenly stirred. I turned around, scanning the room. Several VIPs walked by, and I froze when I saw the woman behind them. Tara was intimately holding the arm of an equally distinguished-looking man. It was Henry, my college roommate. His appearance hadn’t changed much. The diamond brooch on his suit jacket was dazzlingly bright, piercing my eyes. I looked down, quietly removing the identical diamond brooch pinned to my own jacket. As soon as they appeared, people came up to greet them, warmly calling her “Mrs. Wright”. Mrs. Wright… No wonder Tara always said there was no rush to get married. She had already become someone else’s wife long ago. “Mrs. Wright, how long have you been married? Any plans for children?” someone asked. Tara smiled and replied, “Henry and I have been married for three years. He thinks I’m still young, so we’re not in a hurry.” I felt my blood run cold. As they walked towards me, I hid in a corner. The two of them made a striking couple, perfectly matched, turning heads wherever they went. Even her hand remained tucked in his arm the whole time. How many passionate nights had she used that same hand to gently caress my body, whispering sweet nothings in my ear? “Jack, why are you so good to me? You’re truly the best gift heaven could give me.” “This business trip will be a bit longer. Take good care of yourself in Shanghai and wait for me to come back.” What frequent business trips? You clearly had a real home here in Hong Kong all along.

As the music began, Henry led Tara onto the dance floor. I masochistically watched their intimate display. When the song ended, amid enthusiastic applause, Henry leaned down and planted a deep kiss on Tara’s lips. After the party, I found myself following them to the parking lot like a man possessed. Tara had changed out of her evening gown and was about to get into a different car. “Where are you going? Back to Shanghai again?” Henry demanded. Tara ignored him dismissively. “None of your business.” “Your home is in Hong Kong. Why do you keep going to Shanghai?” Henry blocked her path, his tone sharp. “You still haven’t completely broken things off with Jack, have you? Tara! I’m your husband, I want you to stay and come home with me!” “You can’t leave! Come home with me!” Tara kept dodging back and forth. “Get out of my way!” Henry was forcefully shoved aside by Tara, left standing there stunned. “Henry, I’ve told you before, I won’t give up Jack. You’re the one who insisted on marrying me by any means necessary. Now you have to deal with the consequences!” Tara got in her car and slammed the door. On the road, she kept messaging me over and over. “Jack, what are you doing?” “Are you asleep?” “Why aren’t you replying?” “…” My phone kept lighting up in the dark room, painfully bright. I tossed it across the room. The fiery alcohol burned my throat, making me cough uncontrollably. This home was filled with sweet memories from our five years together. Now it just made me feel sick. I had thought I was the love of her life. Only now did I realize I was the most pitiful one in this relationship. Deceived in body and soul, forever living in a romance that could never see the light of day. I met Tara right after graduating college. She was gentle, caring and romantic, making my then-roommate Henry envious. Some people had warned me that a girl from Tara’s background wouldn’t be interested in someone like me, telling me to be wary of Henry. Henry came from money and had no shortage of female attention. I didn’t think much of it. Besides, Tara loved me so much. How could she possibly look at another man? Now I realized how foolish I had been. I looked at the company’s transfer notice and applied for the war correspondent position no one else wanted.

My overseas assignment had been successfully completed, but the editor-in-chief suddenly approached me angrily. My colleagues exchanged worried glances. “Jack, you actually want to be a war correspondent? You did an excellent job on this assignment. Once the article is published you’re due for a promotion and raise. You’re my most talented reporter with a bright future ahead. I really don’t understand why you’re doing this.” “Give me one good reason.” I smiled bitterly. “Because I don’t want to stay in Shanghai anymore.” After a night of drinking and smoking, my voice was terribly hoarse. The editor frowned hearing it. “Why have you done this to yourself?” “Boss, please just do me this one favor.” I looked up at him, my eyes bloodshot. I took some time off. As soon as I left the office, I saw a familiar Maserati parked nearby. Tara strode over, her brow furrowed with irritation. “Jack, what happened? Why haven’t you been answering my calls?” “Do you know I’ve been looking for you all night?” I spread my hands. “I only brought my work phone. The one at home got broken by accident.” My voice was nasal and hoarse. Tara noticed immediately. “You’re sick and didn’t tell me? Haven’t you been taking care of yourself these past few days at home?” Seeing her concerned expression, I felt even more bitter inside. In the past, I definitely would have played up being pitiful, just to see how much she cared. But now, remembering the scene of her passionately kissing Henry, I just felt nauseated. Tara drove me home, took my temperature, and sure enough I had a high fever. After taking medicine, I lay in bed. Tara slipped under the covers, her soft, supple body pressed tightly against me. But I didn’t have any other thoughts. “Jack, are you mad at me? Why won’t you talk to me?” “Are you upset I was gone too long this time?” Tara made to kiss me, but I dodged. “I’m still sick.” Her gaze fell on the nightstand. “Why did you take off that diamond brooch? Wasn’t it your favorite?” Yes, I used to love that brooch because Tara gave it to me. It was supposed to be one-of-a-kind. Now I knew even this handmade brooch had an identical twin, worn by her real husband. How laughable. “I put it away.” My attitude was cold. Tara lost interest and got up to leave. Tara received several strange calls that she angrily hung up on. When I asked who it was, she just said they were spam calls. I gave a soft “oh” and didn’t press further, because I knew it was her lawful husband Henry calling.

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