“My father’s car accident was not an accident – the organ donation agreement he signed stated that the beneficiary was his illegitimate son whom he never called ‘son’.” When I woke up on the operating table of Moonhealer, with catheters all over my body, I finally understood the truth of this “father’s love” But now, I am back with the blessing of Moon Goddess. Kaelen looked at my scars with his blue eyes that could freeze his prey, but his fingertips were unspeakably gentle: “Does it hurt?” I smiled and put the dagger against his Adam’s apple: “Not even one ten-thousandth of his betrayal.” My hackles rose as the truth sank in – my sire hadn’t just betrayed our pack, he’d sabotaged our hunting vehicle. The brakes had failed during the full moon run. My dam and I had barely survived the crash. While we lay bleeding in the Moonhealer’s den, my sire had signed the life-debt waiver – agreeing to harvest our organs for his bastard whelp with the failing kidneys. His moon-blessed son by that she-wolf he’d been rutting with behind my dam’s back. Then the Moon Goddess granted me a second chance. I woke with the scent of pine and blood in my nostrils – the day before the accident. My claws dug into my palms as I watched my sire’s false smile, saw my dam’s exhausted muzzle graying too soon from years of submission. ‘This time,’ I vowed to the moon, ‘that traitor and his whore will pay in blood.’ I’d always known my sire despised me for being born female. He was obsessed with continuing the Blackfang bloodline, as if we were some royal pack instead of just territory holders. After my birth, my dam had quickened with three more pups – each time he’d forced her to reject the litter when the seers predicted females. The last forced rejection left her barren. My sire would sneer, “Useless bitch can’t even whelp proper heirs.” I’d begged my dam to flee with me to the Rogue Lands, but she clung to the fantasy that his wolf still recognized her as mate. The abuse lessened when I reached my first shift age. Not out of remorse – that was when his mistress birthed his precious golden-furred son. A traitorous Alpha, a broken Luna, and a conniving she-wolf waiting to steal our den. Even with this moon-blessed second chance, the injustice made my fangs ache. “Hunt safely. Howl when you reach the gathering,” my sire called after us, his voice dripping with false concern. What kind of Alpha sacrifices his true mate and firstborn for a sickly bastard whelp? Even lowland coyotes protect their pups better. As we left pack territory, I kept growling warnings: “Slow pace, dam. Scent the wind carefully.” Before reaching the Thunderpath, I demanded we stop at the Greasepaw mechanic’s outpost. She bared her teeth in irritation. “Your sire just had the vehicle blessed by pack mechanics! What could be wrong?” I flattened my ears. “My pelt won’t lie still. The moon whispers warnings. Please, just let them check the brake talismans.” Before she could refuse, I turned to the grizzled delta mechanic and dropped to a submissive crouch. “Honored one, please examine the stopping-magic. I offer two moonstones for your time.” The old wolf’s nostrils flared as he caught the scent of tampered enchantments. His growl shook the ground when he found the blood-tainted brake runes. “This was no accident. Someone wanted you dead on the Thunderpath.” My dam’s golden eyes finally cleared of denial as the truth sank in – her mate had tried to murder us for his bastard son. A low, grieving howl built in her throat as the mechanic showed her the evidence. The sound made my own wolf rise in answering fury. Tonight, we would howl a different tune. Tonight, the traitors would learn why even a female Blackfang was not to be crossed.

“Why did you choose to run the Volkten territory with me?” I asked as the Greasepaw mechanic worked on our vehicle, my claws tapping against the moonstone counter. In my last life, this question had haunted me. My dam rarely left pack lands, let alone traveled to distant territories without my sire. There had to be meaning in this journey. At my question, my dam’s ears flattened against her skull. Her golden eyes darkened with unspoken pain, her scent turning bitter with regret. The hesitation in her body language made my wolf stir with curiosity. Wait… My tail stiffened. Could my sire not be my true blood? Is my real father waiting in Volkten? Is that why she’s taking me there now that I’ve had my first shift? Years of listening to Lonewolf Ballads around the fire had clearly addled my brain – I was already picturing some dramatic Alpha reunion under the blood moon. My dam’s nostrils flared as she caught the change in my scent. She cuffed me lightly behind the ears, her growl laced with amusement. “Stop that. My wolf has only ever known one mate.” “The truth is,” she continued, her voice dropping to a mournful howl, “your grandsire is fading. The moon sickness has taken hold. Your uncle reached out through the howl network – he wants to see us one last time.” “When I bonded with your sire, my whole pack opposed the mating. I was so furious I severed the blood ties… and never looked back.” Her whiskers trembled with regret. Just as I opened my muzzle to ask about my grandsire’s pack, the delta mechanic approached, his grease-stained fur standing on end. “This vehicle shouldn’t be on the Thunderpath,” he rumbled, wiping his paws on a rag. “The brake talismans are nearly faded to nothing. At high speeds, the stopping magic would fail completely.” “The engine runes are cracked too,” he continued, showing us the damaged markings. “And worst of all – the fuel bladder is leaking moonfire essence. One spark and…” He made an explosive motion with his claws. My dam’s hackles rose. “Impossible! My mate just had the pack shamans bless this vehicle three suns ago!” The old mechanic gave a world-weary snort. “I call the scents as I find them, Luna. Take it to the Alpha’s mechanics if you doubt me – but don’t say I didn’t warn you when this den-on-wheels bursts into flames mid-run.” I placed a restraining paw on my dam’s shoulder before she could argue. “Fix everything,” I told the mechanic. “We’ll pay in moonstones or fresh kill.” Turning to my dam, I let my ears droop in submission. “Remember the death pact sire made us sign last moon cycle? I thought it was strange then… but now the scent trail is clear.” Before I could finish, my dam’s pupils dilated to black pools. Without a word, she stalked outside, her claws already extending as she punched in my sire’s number on her howl-phone. The low, dangerous growl building in her chest promised that someone’s blood would paint the moon tonight.

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Ava’s world shatters when she overhears the Alpha she’s loved for five years admit his crippled act was a cruel ruse to punish her. For 98 rain-drenched days, Ethan faked agony with wolfsbane, letting her believe he needed her—all to avenge a childhood illness that “cost” him his Luna. “99 times, then it ends,” he cold-bloodedly tells his Beta, unaware she’s eavesdropping. Her heart breaks further as she plays along, forced to watch him flirt with Lila, a fake healer brought in to replace her. When Lila parades from Ethan’s room in silk pajamas, marking her neck with “medical” bites, Ava’s blind loyalty snaps. The man who once soothed her nightmares now gaslights her, calling her “filthy-minded” for doubting his lies. As she uncovers his ability to walk—every midnight “massage” a mockery—Ava plots escape. But Ethan’s final act of betrayal looms: the 99th rainstorm, a trap disguised as need. Will she break free from the man who weaponized her love, or drown in the wreckage of his five-year lie? Chapter 1 When I delivered Alpha Ethan’s painkillers in the heavy rain, I heard him talking to his friend. “Ethan, you are too good at pretending. You have been bound to a wheelchair for five years since the ‘accident’. Ava is also a fool. She has served you for five years and didn’t even notice that there was nothing wrong with your legs.” His friend, Beta Declan, chuckled, “I can’t even remember how many times you asked her to deliver medicine in the rain.” I only heard Alpha Ethan speak coldly, “98 times, what do you care about her?” Another voice was silent for a while, “I didn’t, but after all, you raised her as a child, are you really willing to do that?” Ethan replied, “If she hadn’t pretended to be sick on the day Sophia left, I wouldn’t have failed to win back my Luna. This is her punishment. The game will end after 99 times.” Outside the door, I tightly grasped the painkillers in my hand, feeling so heartbroken that I couldn’t breathe. I thought Alpha Ethan didn’t care about other wolves’ eyes and kept me by his side because he felt the mate bond. I didn’t expect it was just to retaliate for my illness that day and delayed his pursuit of Sophia, the former Luna. Okay, he sheltered me in his pack for five years and I would pay him back for five years. After that, we would not see each other again. I waited in the hotel lobby until I calmed down before I walked to the box again. After the knock on the door, there was a commotion inside. Everyone’s smiles faded. “Ava, why did you come just now? Alpha Ethan is sweating from the pain. If you don’t want to serve Alpha Ethan, just say so. If you hadn’t been so shameless as to rush to take care of him yourself, his legs might have healed long ago.” The voice was the same as before, it was Beta Declan, Ethan’s closest subordinate. I ignored his strange voice and walked in front of Alpha Ethan. His expression was ugly, as if he had endured great pain and beads of sweat were clearly visible on his forehead. But I clearly smelled a strong smell of wolfsbane on it. This was the drama he had performed for me 98 times before and the funny thing was that I didn’t notice it at all in the past five years. “What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and get the medicine.” Seeing that I was not like usual, Beta Declan grabbed my wrist and threw me to the side. I fell heavily to the ground and the wound that was knocked down by someone because I was in a hurry broke again. But no matter how deep the pain in my knee was, it was not even one-tenth of the pain in my heart. Ethan, you were really a good actor. In order to punish me, you even pretended to be disabled in a wheelchair for five years. “Declan, stop it!” Alpha Ethan’s voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked up and saw him maneuvering the wheelchair in front of me, trying hard to help me up. “Ava, I’m sorry, Declan didn’t mean it, he was just too worried about me.” I refused his help and tried to force a smile on my face. “I know, I took too long. You must be in pain.” Hearing what I said, the tension in Alpha Ethan’s eyes immediately relaxed. I knew that my performance just now made him suspicious. The Hawthorne Pack was extremely powerful. As a human fostered in the pack for five years, I knew better than anyone how absolute Alpha Ethan’s authority was. If I didn’t listen and play this scene with him, the consequences would never be better than now. I gave the medicine to Beta Declan, told him to take good care of Alpha Ethan and left on my own. Just because Alpha Ethan said he didn’t want me to see him taking medicine—he said it would make me sad, and if I was sad, he would be unhappy. In fact, not only would I be sad, but every time I turned around, I would pray for his legs to heal. Even if it costed me my life. Chapter 2 Before I walked far, I could vaguely hear loud laughter coming from inside. “Ethan, you saw it, we successfully fooled her again. Next time I will be more prepared. Just a little scratch is not enough to make her realize her mistake. And you have to pay for all the wolfsbane today. I have prepared a mysterious gift for you.” Alpha Ethan was silent for a moment. “Ask the waiter to put it on my tab.” I walked back to the pack villa in my soaking wet clothes, their laughter replaying in my mind. My hope for the mate bond with Alpha Ethan disappeared with every step I took. Until I saw a woman dressed exquisitely at the gate. I suddenly realized that this was the gift Beta Declan prepared for him. “Miss, please make way, you are blocking me,” she said. I hurriedly stood aside and waited for her to go in. “Isn’t this the best hotel? How come someone dressed like this appears? It’s really disappointing.” That woman said to me as she looked at me upside down. I thought it was really Sophia, the former Luna, who came back, but as soon as she opened her mouth, I knew it wasn’t. Sophia was raised in a noble pack and it would never be possible for her to say such a thing in public. It turned out she was Lila Blackwood, the Beta Female Declan had found as a substitute. On the way back to the Hawthorne Pack villa, I contacted my aunt who was away for the first time. Five years ago, in order to take care of the “disabled” Alpha Ethan, I did not agree to go abroad with her. This time, she agreed to help me get a new identity without asking anything—human identities were easier to forge outside pack territories. Before that, I just needed to maintain the status quo and serve Alpha Ethan as usual. Unfortunately, Alpha Ethan did not show up for the next three days. His assistant told me that there was an emergency in the pack—only he could handle it. “Ava, I’m already here. I’m safe and sound, you should have a good rest and don’t run around.” Alpha Ethan called me as usual after arriving at the place. This was our agreement, to tell each other that we were safe at any time. The year I first arrived at the Hawthorne Pack, I made an appointment with several human classmates to travel. On the way, we were threatened by a rogue werewolf and locked in a small dark room. He mobilized the pack warriors to find us who were hungry and scared. He asked me to call him when I went out. He had kept this habit for so many years. But this time, I clearly heard a charming female voice from the other side. “Alpha Ethan, come and see, do you like this sample? I’ll wear it for you to see.” “Don’t make trouble.” I said shortly as I hung up the phone bitterly. The appearance of this woman made Alpha Ethan’s lies clumsy. Since he couldn’t move his legs, he never went on pack business trips. Besides, with the current strength of the Hawthorne Pack, there would be no problem that only he could handle, unless the pack was under siege. While he was away, I stepped up my plan to leave. The weather forecast said that it would rain in five days—and that would be the day I left the Hawthorne Pack. Alpha Ethan was back, and he brought Lila Blackwood back to the pack villa. “Where have you been? The housekeeper said you always go out recently.” I greeted him. Alpha Ethan looked at me who had just entered the door with an unhappy face. I took out the herbal medicine bag in my hand and shook it. “I just found a human pharmacist with good skills. Just when you are back, I will make it for you to soak your feet in the evening,” I explained. His eyes looked at the medicine bag for a moment. “Yeah,” he replied casually. My tense heart relaxed immediately and I handed the medicine bag to the housekeeper and walked over to push him naturally. Unexpectedly, I was pushed away by the woman behind him—Lila Blackwood. “Ava, this is Lila, the private Healer that Declan hired for me. She will arrange my daily care in the future, just listen to her instructions.”

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After three years as Alpha Darian’s wish-slave, Lyra’s nightmare peaks when he snarls, “Abort the pup—Seraphina’s the only Luna my legacy needs.” Betrayed as a “filthy surrogate,” she’s forced to endure a brutal abortion ritual while he offers her to Kael, her childhood protector: “Take her. She’s just defective Omega trash.” But Lyra claws for freedom: the Blood Moon Pact demands 100 wishes to break free—she’s granted 97. When Seraphina smirks, “Retrieve Darian’s ring from Moon Lake,” Lyra’s resolve hardens: “Three wishes left. Then I’m gone.” Darian sneers, “Prove you’re useful,” blind to her countdown. Kael pleads, “Moonveil awaits—you don’t have to go back,” but Lyra’s trapped in a deadly game: 98 wishes down, two to go. One wrong move, and Darian’s obsession will destroy her. Chapter 1 “For three twilight cycles, I walked beside Alpha Darian Voss, devoting myself to him each twilight as the Blood Moon Pact bound us.” Not until the scent of new life clung to my fur did he concede to the Bonding Rite, oath of eternal devotion echoing in the hollow of my ear. Before the moon could rise again, the pact shattered. Dawn found him dragging me to the Pack Healer’s den, hackles raised as he snarled for the pup extraction ritual. “Erase it,” he commanded, silver pupils cold as the northern tundra. “No Omega-tainted blood will bear my legacy—only Beta Seraphina Moore deserves that honor.” I swallowed the growl rising in my throat, pleading for the life stirring within. The truth emerged like a broken bone: his first love had returned, her scent overriding all else. That was when the insults began—“filthy surrogate,” “a burden he couldn’t shake,” each word a claw to my heart. But he forgot one truth: I was never here for love. The Blood Moon Pact demanded 100 wishes to break free, and I’d already granted 97. Three more, and I could return to Moonveil Pack, where my real life awaited. – “Even if you whelp that half-breed, it’ll be an outcast, unwanted by pack or moon,” the same Alpha who’d vowed starlight and devotion just nights before now bared his fangs in the Healer’s den. “You’ll do as I say, won’t you, Beta?” I studied him, marveling at the madness in his gaze—the same gaze that had once softened at my scent. My mind flickered to the moment I’d told him of the pup, his tail wagging, promises of a shared den spilling from his lips. Shoving the ache aside, I met his stare. “Does this count as Wish 97?” Many of his wishes had been the same—orders to nuzzle his neck, to whisper I belonged to him. I’d once hinted that after 100 wishes, I’d leave, but stayed for the warmth of his fur. Now, my words were a curse. “Spare me the pact nonsense,” he snapped. “You were always Seraphina’s shadow, nothing more.” “Then Wish 97 it is,” I said, voice steady as the moon’s orbit. “I’ll do as you command.” Darian froze, unaccustomed to such easy compliance from the Beta who’d once challenged his every order. On the cold stone slab of the Healer’s altar, I felt the silver-tipped needle pierce my paw, the toxin burning through my veins. The agony of losing the pup was nothing to the betrayal—he stood outside, scent mingling with Kael’s, the Beta who’d always watched over me. “Ensure Seraphina never catches wind of this,” Darian murmured. “She’s the only Luna this pack will ever know.” At six moons pregnant, I could still sense the tiny heartbeat fading. *Why bind yourself to me if your heart belongs to another?* Kael’s voice cut through the den’s silence, sharp as a blade. “And Lyra? You’d destroy a life she’s carried half a year for a she-wolf who left you?” “Seraphina was stolen from me,” Darian hissed. “Lyra’s presence is repayment for those lost years. Now do as I say—erase the evidence.” All knew Kael carried a torch for me, his loyalty to Shadowriver Pack a thin veil for his true allegiance: Moonveil, my birth pack. Darian’s laugh was a low, dangerous rumble. “Keep her if you want. She’s nothing but a defective Beta, reeking of Omega weakness.” Chapter 2 Learning I was a mere substitute tore at my soul deeper than any claw. Every tender moment, every shared howl at the moon—lies, all of it. I was a placeholder, a vessel for his unfulfilled love. As I lay in the Healer’s den, blood staining the straw bedding, he stood outside, offering me as a prize to Kael. “She’s yours, if you’ll have her. Bet she’d follow you anywhere, desperate for a real Alpha.” Once, a single growl from Darian would’ve sent Kael retreating. Now, I was chattel, to be bartered and discarded. Gazing at the tiny, still form beside me, I clenched my jaw. *Three wishes left. Focus on the pact.* The Blood Moon Pact was clear: 100 wishes to break free. Darian had saved me as a cub, and I’d repaid him faithfully, even as my Omega bloodline—hidden, but never forgotten—threatened to surface. After the ritual, Kael placed a warm herb pouch on my brow, his touch gentle, scent calming. “Drink this,” he said, but my eyes were on Darian, already striding toward the den’s entrance. “Done playing your little game, Lyra?” Darian called over his shoulder. “No need to pretend devotion now. Seraphina’s return makes your charade obsolete.” I ignored the herbal brew, rising on shaky legs. “Wish 96 was your demand I attend the den’s gathering. Fulfilled. Now I go.” Darian sneered, but Seraphina’s scent preceded her, sweet and cloying, as she stepped into the den. There she was—the reason for every scar, every broken vow. Her fur was sleek, ears tipped with silver, a perfect mirror of the Beta he’d always wanted. His posture softened at the sight of her, a betrayal more painful than the ritual. “Seraphina, my love—” “Save it,” I said, voice low. “I’ve come to fulfill the wish, nothing more.” Seraphina smirked, eyeing my bloodied paws. “Rough night, Beta? I heard you had an… accident.” Her gaze dropped to my midriff, mock sympathy dripping from her words. “Such a shame. Darian did say you were clumsy with pups.” I turned to leave, but her next words froze me. “Oh, and Lyra—Darian’s family heirloom went missing in the Moon Lake. A little trinket, but dear to him. I’m sure you’d want to retrieve it, being the dutiful pact-bound Beta you are.” Her tone made it clear: this was a test, a display of her newfound power. Darian stepped forward, blocking my path, scent a chaotic mix of guilt and urgency. “Seraphina’s right. The Moonstone Ring—” “Is this Wish 98, then?” I interrupted, too weary for games. He hesitated, then nodded, the Alpha in him refusing to admit weakness even now. “Yes. Retrieve the ring, Lyra. Prove you’re still useful.” I met his gaze one last time, memorizing the silver of his eyes—the same eyes that had once made me believe in forever. Now, they were just another reminder of the lie I’d lived. “Very well, Alpha,” I said, bowing my head in mock deference. “As you wish.” The cold of Moon Lake bit through my fur as I waded in, stones cutting my paws. Below the surface, the ring glimmered, but something else lingered—a faint, familiar scent, like ozone and moonlight, the scent of home. *Almost free.* When I surfaced, ring in hand, Darian’s expression was not one of gratitude, but revulsion. “Stop playing the martyr,” he snapped. “You’re no hero—just a Beta fulfilling her duty.” Seraphina took the ring, smirking as she slipped it onto her paw. “Such dedication, Lyra. Almost makes me jealous.” I said nothing, turning to leave. The pain in my paws was nothing to the clarity blooming in my chest: three wishes left, and then—no more Darian, no more Shadowriver Pack, no more pretending to be something I wasn’t. Kael met me at the den’s edge, offering a steadying paw. “You don’t have to go back in there,” he said, voice low, earnest. “Moonveil Pack awaits you, Lyra. Your real family.” I smiled faintly, though my heart ached. “Not yet, Kael. Three wishes remain. Then… then I can finally breathe.” He nodded, understanding in his gaze—the gaze of a fellow Moonveil wolf, my childhood protector, now offering a lifeline I wasn’t yet ready to grasp. Behind us, Darian and Seraphina’s laughter rang out, a harsh melody of betrayal and delusion. But their voices faded as I focused on the pact’s countdown: 98 wishes fulfilled, two more to go. The moon rose overhead, casting long shadows on the path ahead. For the first time in three years, hope stirred—faint, but unbroken. Soon, the past would be nothing but a scar, and I’d return to the pack where I belonged, where I was more than a substitute: I was Lyra Blackwood, Beta of Moonveil, and no Alpha’s wish would chain me forever. Chapter 3 Darian’s snarl followed me as I emerged from the lake, water dripping from my sodden fur, the Moonstone Ring clutched in my trembling paw. The cold had seeped into my bones, but the burn of his disdain was hotter—*disgust*, not concern, flaring in his silver eyes. “Stop wallowing, Beta,” he snapped, tail lashing. “You’re not a tragic heroine—just a tool fulfilling its purpose.” Seraphina purred as she took the ring, her wolfbone earrings clinking like shattered ice. “Such dedication, Lyra. I almost feel sorry for you.” Her words dripped with false sympathy, but her scent—sharp, triumphant—betrayed her. I dropped the ring into her paw, ignoring the sting of gravel in my wounded pads. “Wish 98 is fulfilled, Alpha.” My voice was steady, but inside, something cracked. *Two wishes left.* Darian’s lip curled, as if my compliance offended him. Once, he’d praised my resilience; now, it was a flaw, a reminder that I wasn’t the fragile Beta he wanted Seraphina to be. The next three sunrises blurred into a haze of pain and silence. I holed up in the Healer’s den, Kael bringing me herbal poultices for my paws, his presence a quiet reassurance. But even his soothing scent couldn’t mask the rumors swirling through Shadowriver Pack: *Seraphina’s past, a forbidden Blood Moon Ritual video, her scent lingering on a Northern Alpha’s fur.* Then came the notification—a grainy clip circulating on PackNet, a she-wolf with Seraphina’s sleek silver fur and telltale earring performing a ritual meant for mated pairs. The comments burned: *“Is that Shadowriver’s future Luna?” “Beta Lyra looks just like her—coincidence?”* Darian burst into the den, scent a storm of panic and fury. “You’ll take the blame,” he ordered, paw slamming into the stone wall. “Claim it’s you in the video. Now.” I stared at him, the man who’d once vowed to protect me from harm. “Is this Wish 99, Alpha?” His jaw clenched. “Yes. Do it, and I’ll make the scandal disappear. Seraphina’s joining the Northern Council—she can’t have this stain.” Kael stepped forward, hackles raised. “You can’t ask this of her, Darian. The scent match is too precise—” “Silence, Beta,” Darian snarled, though Kael was no ordinary Beta. His Moonveil star-marked paw pads glowed faintly, a silent warning, but Darian was blind to anything but his obsession. I stood, steadying myself on Kael’s shoulder. “Very well. But after this, only one wish remains.” The Scent Forgery Ceremony was a violation worse than the pup extraction. In the Pack Hall, under the watch of elders, I let Darian inject Seraphina’s gland secretions into my neck, the toxin burning as my scent shifted to mimic hers. My silver crescent mark throbbed—it rejected the falsehood. Before the assembled pack, I lied: “I am the wolf in the video. I… I betrayed the pack’s trust.” The words tasted like ash, but Seraphina’s smirk across the hall was a blade to my gut. The crowd erupted in growls—*“Traitor!” “Unclean Beta!”*—but Darian’s nod was all that mattered. He’d saved Seraphina, as always.

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Luna Seraphina Hale thought 66 proposals from Alpha Derek Voss meant forever—until his childhood rogue companion, Violet, became his first choice, every time. “Use a card,” he’d dismiss, handing over embossed tokens like they erased his neglect. By the 64th card, fresh from ectopic surgery, he ordered her to apologize for Violet’s public tantrum—while tenderly fixing Violet’s hair. His “gift” that night? Blood-stained sheets, not her favorite pastries: “She can’t touch cold water.” His texts to Violet betrayed indifference: “Lily handles chores.” When he blew off their night with a bored “use a card,” Seraphina shattered their engagement mug—and their bond. “No more cards,” she messaged, attaching divorce papers. This Luna wasn’t begging for scraps. Let him drown in Violet’s lies; she’d stamp the final cards on a future he no longer shared. Chapter 1 Alpha Derek Voss had planned 66 romantic trips to propose to me, Luna Seraphina Hale. On the 67th attempt, beneath the shimmering lights of a rooftop banquet, I finally yielded to the sincerity in his gaze and whispered “yes.” Our wedding day dawned with a vow I thought unshakable—but by nightfall, I placed 66 “forgiveness cards” in his hands, each embossed with the faint scent of moonflowers, a scent only wolves could detect. “Each card is a thread in our bond,” I told him. “Use them wisely.” For six years, the scent of Rogue Violet Crow—Derek’s childhood companion—lingered in our den, each time he chose her over me. With every argument, he’d press a card into my palm, the embossing fading as our connection frayed. By the 64th card, my demeanor shifted. I no longer snarled at their too-close touches or flinched when he canceled pack gatherings for her. When he turned to leave for her den yet again, I simply asked: “If you go, may I mark a card?” His reply was careless: “Do as you wish—plenty remain. ” He failed to notice the tremble in my hand, or that only two cards stayed in the box. The night of the pack alliance banquet fell on the seventh moon after my ectopic pregnancy surgery. Rogue Violet, her eyes glinting with challenge, smashed a honey-caked pastry into Beta Gideon Rhett’s chest—the visiting Alpha of a neighboring pack. Derek’s first growl was for her: “Are you harmed?” Before I could recover from the scent of cinnamon and anger on the air, he turned to me, voice sharp: “Seraphina, apologize.” I stared at him, the pain from my still-healing midriff a dull throb. Gideon’s fur bristled, his Beta status demanding respect, but Violet clung to Derek’s arm, tears pooling in her lashes as if *she* were the injured one. “The one at fault hides behind others,” Gideon rumbled, pawing at his soiled tunic. Derek’s grip on Violet tightened, his Alpha command leaving no room for debate: “Apologize. Now.” He forgot—or chose to ignore—that moonflower tea, not alcohol, should be on my lips, the surgery leaving my body vulnerable to wolfsbane in spirits. Violet’s smirk cut through the air—she knew the power she held, the way Derek’s protective instincts flared for her, the way he’d throw me to the pack’s judgment. “One forgiveness card,” he murmured, low enough for only my wolf hearing. It was a hollow offering, a relic of the man who’d once hunted stars for me. I bowed to Gideon, the scent of humiliation bitter on my tongue, and as I did, Derek’s paw brushed Violet’s hair, a tender gesture he’d not spared me in moons. “Next time, watch yourself—what if you’d struck stone?” Her giggle was a blade: “You’ve always been my shield, Derek.” *Before*—a time when his shields were mine. The wound in my belly ached in rhythm with my wolf’s whimper. *Two cards left*, I reminded myself. *Two chances for him to see me*. After the banquet, Derek dismissed me with a cold glance: “Return home. Violet sprained her paw—I’ll take her to the Healer.” His eyes, once warm for me, now glowed with concern for her. In days past, I might have pleaded, shown him my bandages, demanded he choose. Now, I simply dipped my head, the scent of his indifference heavier than the storm brewing outside. “Be cautious,” he said, softer now, as if soothing a pup. I didn’t tell him caution had died with the 64th card. Chapter 2 No sooner had his words fallen than Violet threaded her arm through his, her frame delicate against his broad chest—*my* Alpha’s chest. Derek’s suit jacket, still carrying my scent, draped over her shoulders as he lifted her into the passenger seat, a care I hadn’t felt in seasons. “Stay still,” he rumbled, before finally glancing my way: “We grew up as pack siblings, Seraphina. You know there’s no bond between us.” I forced a smile, the word “siblings” a lie even his wolf should smell. “You used a card,” I said. “All is… forgiven.” His hesitation was brief, Violet’s whimper drawing him back. The engine roared, and they were gone, leaving me alone under the ironwood tree, its leaves whispering secrets of better days. At our den, I found the forgiveness cards strewn on the oak table—once locked in his Alpha vault, now carelessly abandoned. The 64th card received my mark, and beneath it, the divorce papers—parchment scented with wolfsbane to ward off his tracking—lay waiting. I called Elder Malcolm Thorne, my former mentor, his wisdom a steadying force. “Divorce?” he asked, his voice a low growl of surprise. “You two were the Moon’s favorite tale.” *What happened?* His question lingered as I traced the edge of the last two cards. It had begun with stolen glances at Violet’s den, with nights he smelled of her jasmine soap, with the day I found their paw prints tangled on a forbidden trail. “The bond is broken,” I said. “He forgets I am Luna—not a scribe to tally his mistakes.” Elder Malcolm sighed, a sound like wind through ancient pines. “I’ll send a Pack Law specialist. You deserve better than a mate who treats forgiveness as a game.” Before I could reply, Derek entered, a pastry bag in hand—*my* favorite bakery’s scent, but tainted by jasmine. “Who called?” he asked, eyes narrowing. “Elder Malcolm—research,” I lied. He dropped the bag, his scent turning sharp. “Research at this hour?” I opened the bag, expecting the cinnamon rolls of our courtship, but instead found a blood-stained dress and crumpled sheets—Violet’s. “Her moon cycle—she can’t handle cold water,” he said, voice firm. “You understand, as a Luna.” I stared at him, the irony bitter: I, too, was forbidden cold water, yet he’d never fetched *my* herbs, never asked the Healer about my recovery. “Use a card if you’re annoyed,” he added, already sinking into the couch, oblivious to the way my nails bit into my palms. *One card left*, I thought, watching him scroll through his phone, no doubt messaging Violet. *One chance for him to see*.

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While staying by Alpha Riven’s side for eight years, I also had to raise the little wolf pup born to him and my deceased sister. Enduring constant humiliation and bullying from his mistress and their pup, I finally left the pack that brought me nothing but disgrace and lies. I returned to inherit the Crowhurst Pack—but there was a condition. I had to bond with Alpha Caelum, a man who had lost his mother in a tragic accident, was mentally unstable, and born without a wolf spirit. Ironically, he was also Alpha Riven’s half-brother. I thought Alpha Caelum was a cripple… until one day, he stood up. Ravenna’s POV I took a deep breath before answering the phone, “I’m ready to fulfill your condition and take my rightful place as the heiress,” I said, before hanging up abruptly. The weight of my decision hit me, but I knew it was the only way forward. Staring at the room that had been my sanctuary for eight long years, I felt a bittersweet smile tug at my lips. Years of devotion, patience, and love had led me here—empty-handed. My heart pulsed with the same bitter ache that had echoed through me for so long, the same ache that the wolves called the weight of a bond never realized. A piercing voice broke the silence, sharp and angry. “How dare you wear my mother’s dress!” Corvin’s words were like a slap in the face, and I turned to face him, fighting the urge to bare my teeth at him. His eyes were full of fury, but I had long since stopped caring. “You’re not going to respond?” He snarled again, his voice dripping with venom. I took a slow breath, controlling the beast inside me, the part of me that wanted to shift and rip him apart. “Go to your celebration, Corvin. Your pack is waiting for you.” My words were soft, laced with the weariness of someone who had fought too many battles with those who never saw her as a true part of their pack. “No!” He roared, fury dancing in his eyes as he grabbed the pitcher from the table, and with a swift motion, splashed the hot contents all over me. The burn hit me like a punch to the chest. “This is what you deserve!” He spat. “You can never replace my mother! You killed her with your jealousy and now you wear her dress like it’s your right!” His words were poison, each one a reminder of everything I’d lost and could never have again. I screamed, the heat of the coffee searing my skin, but I knew better than to fight back. The sting on my body was nothing compared to the sting in my heart. A maid rushed in, gasping at the sight of my scalded skin and coffee-stained clothes. “I’m so sorry, Miss Ravenna. Corvin ran off again. Let me take him away,” she quickly said, her voice trembling. As they scurried off, I stood there, feeling the rage of my wolf slowly subside, replaced by the cold numbness of defeat. That dress…it had never been Elspeth’s. It had been mine—given to me by my mother before her passing. But Elspeth had taken it, just like she had taken everything else from me. I sighed heavily as I stepped into the shower. The familiar sting of the hot water was nothing compared to the ache inside, the ache of losing everything I had ever wanted. Eight years ago, I was supposed to marry Alpha Riven Grimsbane, the Alpha who was once my childhood sweetheart, the one I thought I’d build a life with. But it all shattered when he chose Elspeth over me. She was the one who carried his bloodline forward, and their son, Corvin, became the focus of all their attention. But Elspeth died during childbirth, and I was blamed for it, accused of killing her out of jealousy. The truth, however, was far darker. As the only sister of the deceased, I had been forced to stay in their home and care for Corvin. I had been instructed by my stepmother to treat him as my own son. But the role I was given felt like a cage—no love, no respect, just the cruel reminder that my place was never as anything more than a mere servant. For eight years, I poured everything into Corvin, raised him, loved him, but nothing ever changed. Alpha Riven never loved me. He was a wolf who had chosen his pack over me, his mate over his promise. I had been a fool to believe otherwise. But the truth was clear now. I had no place in this house except as a discarded concubine. Every action from Alpha Riven, every word from Corvin, reminded me of my insignificant position in their lives. As I stepped out of the shower, the sound of Alpha Riven’s voice pulled me back into reality. “The celebration is starting. Where are you, Ravenna?” He called out, his voice full of authority, like the Alpha he was meant to be. I took a deep breath, steadying myself before exiting the bathroom. He entered just as I had finished drying off. His eyes immediately fell on the coffee stains, and I saw the disappointment flicker across his face. “I heard what Corvin did. Don’t take it to heart,” Alpha Riven said, his voice soft but laced with a warning. “He’s still just a boy, and he does care about you.” I scoffed. “That child knows nothing of love. Not when it comes to me.” My words were sharp, a bitter truth I had come to accept long ago. His face tightened. “Don’t say that, Ravenna. He’s a good boy.” I turned away, ignoring the way his presence made my skin crawl, and grabbed the soothing balm from the nightstand. I applied it to my scalded skin, the ointment cooling the burn. It would heal by morning, just like my heart had learned to heal over the years. “Let me help you, Ravenna.” Alpha Riven’s voice broke through the silence, and before I could stop him, he took the balm from my hands and began to rub it into the inflamed skin. A few years ago, I would have melted at his touch, but now, it just made my skin crawl. “You don’t get it, do you?” I muttered under my breath, but he didn’t hear me. His breath was warm against my neck as he whispered, “You have to be patient with him.” I jerked away, feeling the familiar pull of the wolf that wanted to fight back, to push him away. “I need to tell you something,” I said, my voice hard. Alpha Riven frowned. “Can’t it wait? The birthday celebrations are starting.” “No, it can’t,” I said, my voice steady, the decision clear in my heart. “Today marks the eighth year. I’m leaving. I’m done.” Alpha Riven stared at me, confusion and disbelief written on his face. But I had made my choice. There was no going back now.

Ravenna’s Pov “What nonsense are you spewing now?” Alpha Riven’s voice rumbled like thunder, shaking the very air between us. The tension in the room was palpable, but I stood my ground, unflinching under his piercing gaze. “It’s been eight years, Alpha Riven,” I declared, my voice steady, yet edged with finality. “I’m leaving.” Alpha Riven’s features twisted in a snarl, his wolfish anger rising to the surface. His aura pressed down on me, almost suffocating. “Why are you making a fuss now? Corvin’s just a cub. Don’t take his childish antics to heart. Today is his birthday. Come along, don’t be difficult. I’ll deal with him later.” Before I could respond, his hand clamped around mine, tugging me toward the door. I yanked my hand away, my eyes cold as I faced him. “You promised me, Alpha Riven. When Corvin turned eight, I was free to go. Why am I making a fuss?” As I spoke, a voice sliced through the thick air, sharp and biting. “Ravenna, how dare you cause such a scene? You always manage to steal the spotlight, even on a day meant for my grandson!” I didn’t need to turn around to recognize Sara’s voice. She was the one who had struck the deal with Alpha Riven, promising me freedom once Corvin turned eight. So why was she now making such a racket? “I’m not stealing anything, Sara,” I shot back, my words laced with ice. “You were the one who said I could leave after eight years.” Her lips twisted into a venomous sneer. “On Corvin’s birthday, Ravenna? You couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” Alpha Riven intervened, his voice too smooth, too calculated. “It’s fine, Sara. Ravenna didn’t mean to disrupt things.” I could see through him now. Years ago, I would’ve believed it, but now I knew his words were just an empty attempt to keep me by his side, trapped in this unending cycle. “Come, let’s go join the party,” Alpha Riven said, a hint of impatience creeping into his voice. I didn’t protest, letting him lead me into the crowded celebration. Corvin and his friends were already in the middle of their chaos, but as soon as Corvin saw me, his face hardened, turning to stone. “Look, Corvin,” one of his friends called, “Your mother is here.” Corvin’s lip curled in disgust. “She’s not my mother.” The sting of his words didn’t pierce my heart like they used to. Now, I stood unmoving, only watching as Alpha Riven sighed deeply, pulling Corvin into line. “We don’t speak like that, Corvin. Ravenna is your mother now. She’s taken care of you like her own.” Corvin’s face contorted with rage. “She’s not my mother! She killed my mother!” His voice cracked with fury as he pointed at me, accusing me before the entire room. Whispers rippled through the hall, the guests’ eyes darting to me like I was some kind of pariah. “She’s the boy’s aunt.” “Why does he act like that toward her?” “Obviously, she’s done something wrong. He doesn’t like her…” Alpha Riven’s booming voice cut through the murmur of voices. “Apologize to Ravenna, Corvin!” I raised my hand, stopping him in his tracks. “Let him be, Alpha Riven. It doesn’t matter anymore.” Without a word, I turned and walked out of the room, my steps composed but my mind swirling. In the past, Corvin’s words would have crushed me. But now, I was numb to his hatred, numb to the way Alpha Riven’s love always belonged to someone else. “Why would you cause a scene on his birthday, Ravenna?” Sara’s shrill voice echoed behind me, and I turned to face her, my expression neutral. “What do you want, Sara?” I said, my voice dripping with exhaustion. “I’ve fulfilled my duty for eight years. I’m done.” Her eyes narrowed with disdain as she took a step closer. “You should treat Corvin like your son. Endure his fits, care for him as if he’s your flesh and blood. If my daughter were alive, she’d have handled him better.” I gave a nonchalant shrug, the bitterness of the situation settling in. “Pity, your daughter is dead.” Without warning, Sara’s hand shot out, aiming for my cheek. But I caught her wrist effortlessly, my grip like iron. “Don’t try it, Sara. I’m not in the mood for this. Eight years ago, you forced me to come here and care for them. The contract is over. Corvin is eight. I have every right to leave.” She jerked her hand away, glaring at me as she rubbed her wrist. “Do whatever you want, Ravenna,” she hissed, “No one will ever love you. Not even your father.” She turned on her heel and stormed off. A hollow smile twisted on my lips as I watched her leave. It had been eight years since I’d last seen my father. Ever since his beloved daughter had died, he’d sent me away and never looked back. “I’m sorry, Ravenna. I brought you a gift.” A quiet voice broke my thoughts, and I turned to see Corvin standing there, holding a small, neatly wrapped box. His innocent smile was almost too much to bear. “You shouldn’t have,” I said, my voice flat, though I could see the hint of irony behind my words. Corvin giggled, a light, almost playful sound. “I wanted to. Please, open it.” With a shrug, I unwrapped the box. The moment I opened it, an overpowering stench hit me. Inside was the lifeless body of my cat, an arrow lodged through its heart. “That will be you, if you don’t leave me and my father alone,” Corvin said, his voice dripping with sick amusement, his eyes gleaming with a chilling intent. Chapter 3 Ravenna’s Pov I was mortified staring at my only pet that I had been allowed to bring to the pack mansion nestled deep in Bloodpine Forest, the ancestral land of the Moonclaw Pack. The same way I have taken care of Corvin. The air was sharp with winter frost, my Beta senses pricking at every sound, but all I could hear was my own heartbeat—and Corvin’s angry growl. “Don’t mess with me and don’t get my father upset with me!” Corvin snapped, his wolf aura flickering in his eyes, golden like his father’s. I watched as he stomped off while I stared at the arrow in my cat’s body. A silver-tipped arrow. Wolf-forged, cruel, precise. Fate is indeed mocking me because I was the one who taught Corvin how to shoot arrows. I taught Corvin everything he knows and now he’s using it against me. I cradled the box as I stared at Lin Lin, my best friend, and a single tear slipped from my eyes. “Why are you out in the cold, Ravenna? Don’t get sick on me!” Alpha Riven Grimsbane’s deep voice carried through the thick wooden door, laced with command and concern. He immediately stood behind me as he draped me with his jacket, his scent—pine and steel—enveloping me in a wave of unwelcome familiarity, which I shrugged off. “What’s wrong?” he queried. His face twisted in slight disgust when he saw the dead cat in the box. “Your son came to apologize,” I stated. Alpha Riven’s frown deepened, “He’s your son too.” I scoffed, “He hates me, Alpha Riven! He killed my cat.” “Come now, let’s go inside. I’ll have a talk with him in the morning, and you can bury the cat tomorrow. I’m sure he was just messing around and it was a silly prank,” Alpha Riven said. I shrugged away from him as I carried the cat and headed into the garden. The moon above was nearly full—another cruel reminder that I wasn’t his Luna, only his obligation. I wasn’t going to let my cat stay out all night for some animal to poke at him. Alpha Riven followed me, complaining about how I was being stubborn, but he stayed with me while I buried Lin Lin. When I was done, I went inside. The party was over, and the guests had all gone home. The pack house was silent now, except for the distant howls echoing through the valley. It was already late and windy. I sneezed just as Alpha Riven held me. We got to my room, and he sat me down on his lap. His touch no longer warmed me—it burned like an unwanted bond. I cringed inwardly. “What do you want?” I snapped. Alpha Riven sighed, “What’s wrong, Ravenna? I’ll get you a new cat.” “I want to leave, Alpha Riven. Tomorrow,” I stated. Alpha Riven tensed. A flicker of Alpha command slipped into his gaze, but I held mine, refusing to submit. “Corvin is a child. I don’t trust anyone to take care of him except you. Besides, where do you want to go? It’s not like you have anyone else.” I shrugged, “I’ll worry about that. I have no place here. You have refused to marry me after eight years.” Alpha Riven sighed, “I already told you, Ravenna, I can’t take another mate now.” “I’m not asking you to. In fact, I don’t want to marry you. I just want to leave.” “Okay, why don’t you have a child for me? That way I can secure your future and that of your child. If you have a child for me, no one would dare say a bad word against you. And then Corvin will have a little sibling.” I smiled sadly. I had reduced myself to nothing and discarded my pride and yet eight years still he wants me to have an illegitimate child for him. All this just to protect Corvin and keep me in the same house as him. “I’ve instructed the maid everything she needs to know about Corvin. He’s homeschooled, so you can get the best tutors for him or send him to school. He doesn’t need me again,” I stated. Alpha Riven kissed me, his lips cold despite the heat of his wolf. “Sleep on it and tell me how you feel in the morning.” That night I didn’t sleep a wink. I packed my luggage and I kept seeing the face of Lin Lin. In my dreams, Lin Lin ran under moonlight… until the arrow struck again. Morning came sooner than expected, and after a quick shower, I dragged my suitcases outside. It was finally happening. I was leaving. But of course, I wasn’t going to leave in peace. A slow clap echoed through the courtyard, followed by a familiar, mocking voice. “Well, well, well,” Kiera’s shadowed voice cut through the early dawn fog. She leaned against the stone pillar of the eastern gate, her Beta aura bristling beneath her flawless skin. “Have you finally come to your senses?” I sighed. Kiera, my Alpha Riven’s mistress, always knew when to strike with her venomous charm. Corvin adored her. She never let me forget it. I ignored her and kept walking, but she stepped into my path, tilting her head in amusement. “Eight years, Ravenna,” she continued, crossing her arms. “Eight years of playing house, of waiting for an Alpha who never claimed you. And now, after all that time, you’re finally leaving.” She chuckled. “Took you long enough to realize that Alpha Riven and Corvin will never love you. You’ve been nothing but a worthless concubine.” I met her gaze, my expression unreadable. “Enjoy it, then,” I said simply. “Do whatever you want. None of this concerns me anymore.” Her smirk widened. “Oh, I will. Don’t worry,” she whispered. “Soon, I’ll move in and take your place.” Before I could respond, the front doors swung open. Alpha Riven stepped out, followed closely by Corvin. And in an instant, Elspeth’s entire demeanor changed. She gasped dramatically and dropped to her knees, clutching the hem of my coat as if her life depended on it. “Ravenna, please!” she sobbed, her voice thick with desperation. “Please don’t go! Corvin needs you! You’ve been taking care of him all these years—how could you just leave him like this?” I stared down at her blankly. “Corvin loves you, he really does,” she continued, her voice cracking. “He’s just a child! Please, don’t leave him. I’m so sorry for everything, just please, Ravenna—”

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I was born a wellspring of good fortune; simply being married to me, sharing intimacy, could amplify one’s luck. My husband, Julian, however, was a magnet for bad luck, a hex. Only I could nullify its devastating effects. For a lifetime, we spent countless nights baring our souls, our bodies intertwined. His fortune skyrocketed, his assets multiplied, building an immense business empire and making him the wealthiest man in the world. Yet, after enjoying a lifetime of luxury, the day he was diagnosed with a terminal illness, he had me brutally beaten, my limbs shattered, and left me at the foot of a desolate tombstone. I was stunned, utterly horrified, but he just sneered, a cruel twist on his face: “All these years, I never loved you. The only one I ever loved was Seraphina!” Time had faded my memory; I couldn’t even recall who Seraphina was. All I could do was beg for mercy, but Julian mercilessly plunged a knife into my heart. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the very day Julian became the nation’s wealthiest man. A furious voice cut through the air: “Seraphina! Can you please just stay away from me? I don’t like you at all!” Watching the melodramatic scene unfold between the man and woman before me, I simply smiled: “Since your feelings are so strong, then by all means, stay.” This time, I was eager to see if, without my luck aura, Julian still had the resources to live happily ever after with Seraphina. 0

The moment my words left my lips, both of them, tangled together just moments before, froze. They clearly didn’t expect me to butt in like that, to utter such a thing. A moment later, Julian turned to me, his eyes flickering with a hint of doubt. I knew he didn’t believe I was being sincere. Reliving this life, having endured the betrayal of the last one… I’d already come to terms with the fact that Julian held no true love for me. No, he just wanted my body, playing a calculated part. As I pondered this, Julian resumed his act. “We’re not even in the same league, Seraphina. You’re just an intern doctor. Do you even realize the gap between us?” An intern doctor? At that, a long-buried memory surfaced in my mind. In my previous life, Julian had met an intern doctor at the hospital while he was admitted for an illness. Their relationship had clearly developed at lightning speed behind my back. By the time I found out, I’d already sensed something was off. But back then, I was far too naive. I intended to investigate, but Julian preemptively distanced himself entirely from that relationship. At the time, I didn’t think much of it. I assumed it was just the intern doctor being overly persistent, so I naturally lowered my guard. But recalling it now, it was probably a carefully orchestrated charade by Julian himself. He might have already discovered I was investigating, so he reacted in advance. Thinking of this, all I felt was self-mockery. I couldn’t believe I’d been so foolish. Kept in the dark for so long, without the slightest inkling. Now, knowing the whole story, it was like a sudden epiphany, everything clicking into place. Fine, Julian. This time, I’ll grant your wish. Since you like Seraphina, I’ll step aside. A divorce is nothing; I have all the time in the world. I made my decision. My tragic death in the last life had left me utterly clear-headed now. I wasn’t about to jump into the same pit of fire twice. “Just leave. You’re not welcome here.” When I snapped back to reality, I heard Julian’s voice, his tone ice-cold. And I, without hesitation, cut in. “Julian, why are you being so heartless towards a girl? Is there anything wrong with her staying here?” “Anya, I don’t want her to affect our relationship.” “Oh? Is our relationship so fragile that one girl’s appearance can shatter it into pieces? Hah, well, in that case, she definitely doesn’t need to leave.” At this moment, I’d already anticipated the subsequent events. In my last life, I hadn’t stopped Julian. In fact, I continued to target Seraphina, which ultimately led to Seraphina’s death in a car accident. I suspected that this very incident was the cause of my eventual tragedy. Because of this, I had no intention of repeating my past mistakes. I even wanted to fulfill the desires of that toxic couple. But as my words fell, Julian’s expression subtly shifted, looking extremely serious. “Anya, she certainly can’t affect our relationship or our feelings. I just worry you’ll overthink things. You know I’m a man of integrity.” “Overthink? She’s not that important. You don’t need to drive anyone away for my sake. I don’t want people to think I’m petty and jealous.” With that final remark, I had no intention of meddling in their relationship any further. Yet, even so, Julian still swore to me, full of conviction. “Alright then, Anya. But I swear, Seraphina and I are completely innocent!” Watching Julian’s seemingly sincere expression, all I felt was sick to my stomach. 0

The charade ended soon after. I returned home alone to rest. By the time Julian and Seraphina came back, it was already deep into the night. I stood by the window, watching them downstairs. After a brief farewell, Seraphina left first. Julian, standing there seeing her off, looked utterly reluctant to part. The emotion in his eyes was like a torrent. It wasn’t until Julian saw me later that he reined it in. As if everything had just been my imagination. But now, I saw right through Julian. I was no longer the naive woman he could deceive and manipulate. “Anya, if you don’t like her, you really don’t have to keep her here for my sake.” Julian put on a show of considering my feelings. But I felt not a shred of gratitude. Hah, his words? Could they be trusted? I shook my head, then simply ignored him and returned to my room. But the next moment, Julian rushed in from behind me. Before I could react, he had me pinned to the bed. His eyes were filled with raw desire. But I’d already seen through Julian. And I knew that, from beginning to end, he only saw me as a tool to make money. Because of this, I almost instinctively pushed him away. “It’s not convenient these past few days.” I just made a quick excuse to brush him off. Julian’s face showed a hint of displeasure, but in the blink of an eye, he put on a happy expression. “Hmm, then another day. Oh, by the way, Anya, I’ve just become the wealthiest man in the nation, and it’s all thanks to your help. How about we throw a celebration party? I’ll let everyone know about all your hard work behind the scenes all these years?” Julian changed the subject. But I had no interest whatsoever in a so-called celebration party. I just mumbled a couple of vague replies. “We’ll see.” The night passed without a word. The next morning, a call from the hospital broke the silence. “Hello, Ms. Anya Reed. We’ve found a kidney donor for your Grandma.” At that, I rushed to the hospital in a frantic hurry. When I arrived, Grandma Helen was sitting by her hospital bed, as lively and cheerful as ever. “Sweetheart, why are you so sweaty? You’re so grown up, yet you’re still so clumsy and scatterbrained?” Grandma Helen’s tone carried a hint of scolding, but her eyes were full of concern. “I’m just so happy, Grandma! Do you know your illness can be cured? They found a matching kidney for you!” “I know, I know. Look how excited you are.” “Of course! Grandma, you’ve been in the hospital for so long, I’ve missed you so much! Oh, and for the surgery, you have to be ready…” “I know, I know. You nag more than an old woman! It’s just a small operation, don’t worry so much.” Grandma Helen stroked my hair, her face full of doting affection. Seeing her looking so relaxed, my worries gradually faded. In my last life, Grandma Helen’s surgery was incredibly successful. I remembered she had passed away peacefully in her sleep many years later. Because of this, I slowly let go of the anxiety in my heart. Meanwhile, Julian, who had accompanied me, also chimed in with some empty assurances. “Anya, Grandma’s always been tough as nails. Don’t worry, this surgery will go perfectly.” As Julian’s words fell, I suddenly felt a surge of unease for some reason. I turned to look at him. He still maintained a gentle and humble demeanor. But the more he did, the more panicked I became. Ultimately, I didn’t overthink it, and the surgery began soon after. I stood outside the operating room, waiting for several hours. Until the doctor opened the door and walked over to me, his face grim. “During the surgery, an unexpected rejection reaction occurred. The patient…” “Please prepare for the worst.” 0

For a moment, it felt like the world had lost all sound. Grandma Helen was dead? No way. In my previous life, her surgery was perfectly successful! Why? Why was this happening? “I’m sorry, we did our best.” “This isn’t about doing your best! Why is my grandma dead? You guaranteed me earlier that this surgical technique was very mature!” My mind replayed what he’d said about a rejection reaction. Why would this happen? My brain practically shut down. I felt like the very ground beneath me had vanished. At the same time, Grandma Helen’s hospital bed was wheeled out of the operating room. Her face was pale, and she looked utterly peaceful in her sleep. Seeing this, my tears wouldn’t stop flowing. But unexpectedly, a fleeting glance caught my eye: a doctor standing at the back of the crowd. She wore a mask, and her eyes darted away, but I instantly sensed something. Without a moment’s hesitation, I rushed forward, and the next second, I tore off her mask. “Seraphina, it’s you? Where’s the lead surgeon?!” I’d found the source of all this wrongness. And my furious questioning brought the entire crowd to a stunned silence. I finally understood the reason for Grandma Helen’s death. It was because I had indulged Seraphina, and it ultimately led to Grandma Helen’s demise! My original intention was just to expose their affair, but in the end, I lost the person who loved me most. It was all because of Seraphina! In an instant, my grief was consumed by rage. “Is this your hospital’s professional conduct? An intern doctor as the lead surgeon for an organ transplant?! You’re killing for profit!” My expression grew increasingly agitated. Just as everyone else was at a loss for what to do, Julian suddenly stepped in front of me. “Seraphina, what’s going on here? With your skill, an accident like this shouldn’t have happened!” Julian and Seraphina exchanged glances. Snapping back to reality, Seraphina quickly replied. “The rejection reaction was too strong this time, and the patient’s physical condition wasn’t good, which led to this tragedy. I’m very sorry.” Hearing this, Julian turned back to me, taking my hand and continuing. “Anya, I know Seraphina’s skills. No one wanted a tragedy like this to happen. I understand your grief right now, but rejection reactions are an inherent risk in transplant surgeries. Grandma Helen was old, and you know her physical condition. This time, even if we had an experienced surgeon, it might not have been successful. Don’t let this upset you too much and harm your own health.” Julian appeared to be seeking justice for me, but every word he spoke was an attempt to cover for Seraphina. And his lengthy defense gained the approval of most of the doctors and nurses present. Seeing this, I found it utterly laughable. With my previous life’s experience, how could I not guess the true situation? But to my dismay, the female nurses around me all stepped forward to defend Seraphina. “Mr. Hayes is right. This was purely an accident. Doctor Seraphina did her best at the first sign of rejection. She took every possible emergency measure. So, please, Ms. Reed, accept our condolences.” As more and more people started voicing their support for Seraphina, Julian eventually took me back home. But as soon as we arrived, Julian received a phone call. After glancing at it, he explained to me that it was work-related. He left the room, even stepping into the hallway before answering. He looked so careful and cautious, little did he know, I was listening in. “Julian, I’m scared something will go wrong.” Seraphina’s voice came from the other end of the line. “Don’t worry, I promise you, Anya won’t give you any trouble. It was just an accident; everyone thinks so. No one will suspect you.” “Every lead surgeon starts as an intern. You just got some early practice. You don’t need to blame yourself too much.” Hearing Julian’s reply, I froze instantly. In a daze, it felt like a vital thread, connecting us, suddenly snapped. That was the luck aura bound between us. I hadn’t expected that besides divorce, a broken heart could also sever the luck. At that moment, I regretted my decision to let Seraphina go even more. If only I had known, Grandma Helen might not have died… My heart turned to ash as I returned to my room. Soon after, Julian opened the door. His face was somber, and he immediately started comforting me. “Anya, don’t be too sad about Grandma Helen. It was purely a medical accident; the main reason wasn’t the doctors’ fault. Grandma Helen was old; it was to be expected.” He was defending Seraphina. I sneered inwardly but felt no surprise. Perhaps because of my silence, Julian changed the subject after a moment. “Anya, are you still coming to the celebration party?” Celebration party? I abruptly lifted my head, gritting my teeth. “Yes, of course, I’m coming.” Not only was I going, but I was going to see him fall from his pedestal. 0

Grandma Helen’s funeral arrangements were completed two days later. And today was also the celebration party Julian had prepared. I thought Julian would take me, but then I received a message from him on my phone. “Sorry, Anya, I have some company matters to handle today. Please take a cab there by yourself.” I’d seen excuses like this far too many times this week. Julian hadn’t even attended Grandma Helen’s funeral. He always claimed it was work issues. But in reality, he was just off seeing that wretched Seraphina. But I didn’t care. Julian and I had long since lost any affection for each other. All that was left was hatred. In the end, I didn’t bother to dress up. I checked the time and headed to the party venue. Soon after I entered, everyone around me turned their gazes my way. “Is that Mr. Hayes’s wife? She’s dressed so shabbily.” “I know, right? Her clothes are stained, and she smells faintly of smoke. I don’t know how Mr. Hayes ever fell for her. She doesn’t even deserve such a brilliant young man.” I heard every whisper around me. However, I felt no emotional stirring whatsoever. Not even being compared to someone else bothered me. I didn’t deserve Julian? Sorry, they had it all wrong. Suddenly, the crowd stirred. “Wow, is that the doctor who saved Mr. Hayes? She looks so elegant! Looking at them, they’re truly a match made in heaven! As for that so-called wife, she’s just a piece of trash!” Following everyone’s gaze, I saw Julian and Seraphina slowly approaching from a distance. And everyone in the room had their eyes fixed on Seraphina. They kept talking, comparing me to Seraphina. Julian didn’t stop them. In fact, his expression grew even more delighted with the compliments. It wasn’t until a moment later that Julian finally noticed my presence. Immediately, his smile vanished, and he walked towards me with a sorrowful, troubled look. “Anya, I’ve been so busy with work lately, I haven’t been able to pay attention to you. Please don’t be angry.” Hah, busy with work? You couldn’t bother with me, but you could bother with that cheap woman, Seraphina. Listening to Julian’s flimsy excuses, I didn’t even want to argue. He must have realized something, then quickly added. “As for Seraphina, I just ran into her on the way. She said she wanted to attend my celebration party, and of course, I couldn’t refuse. After all, you know she saved my life. But don’t worry, there’s only one leading lady tonight, and that’s you.” I glanced at Seraphina, who was standing not far away. She was wearing a luxurious gown, her entire demeanor refined and elegant, as if she were the center of attention. Anyone who didn’t know might have thought she was tonight’s main attraction. Thinking of this, I found Julian’s words even more laughable. The gown Seraphina was wearing, purely in terms of its purchase price, was astronomical. With her intern doctor’s salary, she definitely couldn’t afford such an expensive dress. So, it could only have come from Julian. Hah. He kept saying I was the lead, but behind my back, he was supporting another woman. Julian, do you honestly think I’m a complete idiot? He didn’t know what I was thinking. After his explanation, he began to mingle. Soon after, the banquet began. Julian, as the host, stood at the front of the stage, giving a speech. He spoke emotionally about his entrepreneurial journey and my silent contributions behind him all these years. If I hadn’t already seen through him, I might have even been moved. As the speech continued, Julian extended an invitation to me. He still looked at me with tender affection, his eyes filled with love. “Anya, thank you for all your silent contributions these past years. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. In the future, I will continue to work hard to grow this company, making it bigger and stronger, reaching global heights! And you, will you continue to walk this path with me?” Julian’s impassioned speech deeply resonated with the audience. However, as his last sentence fell, many onlookers expressed their displeasure. “Hah, does a woman like that even deserve Julian? What is she? She’s not even fit to carry his shoes!” “Exactly! Compared to Ms. Seraphina, she’s like heaven and earth! I have no idea how Julian ever liked her!” The crowd’s constant praising of Seraphina while putting me down made Seraphina, sitting in the middle of the room as if surrounded by stars, very pleased. A hint of smugness entered her gaze as she looked at me. But I didn’t care. I even thought, since everyone believes I don’t deserve Julian, Why don’t I just grant their wish? “I don’t.” My ice-cold reply stunned Julian for a moment. “What? She actually refused? Does this woman think she can do whatever she wants just because she has Mr. Hayes’s affection? Or is she out of her mind? Such a great opportunity, and she refuses? Doesn’t she look in the mirror and know her place?” “I think she’s just playing hard to get. This woman is so cunning! I knew Julian couldn’t possibly like her; looks like this b*tch really knows how to play games!” The people below looked incredulous. Clearly, they had never expected me to reject Julian’s proposal. But even so, the crowd continued to hurl insults at me. After a moment, Julian snapped back to reality. Just as he thought I was joking and wanted to inquire further, His assistant suddenly burst into the hall. “Boss, it’s bad! Our company’s stock has crashed!” 0Julian froze. A moment later, he came back to his senses and gasped, demanding to know. “Crashed! How is that possible! It was just fine a moment ago!”

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I kept telling myself that snakes were cold-blooded creatures, so it was only natural my adopted shifter wouldn’t want to get close to me. It wasn’t until later that I realized he was in love with my sister. Because my sister was tall, with long limbs, the dream partner for all snake-shifters. And I? I was a freak who just wouldn’t grow. I simply wasn’t worthy of that magnificent snake. Damian was a sickly little snake I’d adopted. It wasn’t uncommon for humans and shifters to pair and bond. My family had been bonded with snake shifters for generations. From a young age, each of us would either be gifted a snake beast-man by our parents or find one on our own. But I was out of favor, so I quietly went and found my own little snake. When I found Damian in a dilapidated sewer drain, he was tiny and frail. His body, having just shed its skin, was incredibly weak, and he was barely clinging to life. I saved him, and I raised him for twelve years. Raising a snake took immense energy, resources, and money. Raising a *sick* snake was adding insult to injury. And being an unfavored, penniless person? That was like adding insult to injury and then some. Thankfully, Damian grew up healthy. His bronzed, muscular lines curved smoothly down, outlining his taut waist, yet his snake form kept him from looking bulky, instead giving him a certain delicate grace. Many in my family said I’d struck gold, finding such a handsome snake-shifter. I’d just smile, never saying a word. Only I truly understood the bitter reality of our bond. Damian rarely initiated physical contact with me. Even when I had to train for my snake-bonding rituals, he rarely cooperated. He’d always be cold-faced, impatiently wrapping himself around my arm, his scales grating painfully against my skin. I constantly reassured myself that snakes were cold-blooded, and that was why he didn’t want to be affectionate with me. Until that day I saw him, his face flushed, carefully wrapping himself around my sister Chloe’s calf, softly asking her, “Does it hurt?” Chloe looked helpless, gently pushing his head away. “Damian, I know you like me, but you’re my sister’s companion. This isn’t right for us.” His face instantly hardened, and he scoffed. “I don’t care. I only like you. Who would ever like that short little freak?” Chloe tried to protest further, but Damian moved closer, wrapping around her waist, his scales smoothed against her, playfully tickling her. Damian was *flirting*. Scene after scene from the past twelve years flashed through my mind. Damian rarely smiled, but during family dinners, sitting across from me, his face always held a faint smile. Looking back now, he was never looking at me. He was looking at my sister, Chloe, beside me. The signs had been there all along, but I had just been too blind to see them. I had thought that my adopting this sickly little snake was a mutual rescue, a fate that brought us together. But I never imagined it was precisely *because* I was a freak that he disliked me. It felt like my heart was being squeezed. That tiny flicker of hope I’d harbored for years, which used to tickle my heart, suddenly sharpened into a blade, piercing right through me.

On my way home, I passed a clothing store and couldn’t help but stop. Chloe had one of the dresses displayed in the window. The sales assistant looked hesitant but, seeing my persistence, handed me a set of clothes. The girl in the changing room was small, barely reaching half the height of the full-length mirror. My chest was flat, my limbs slender and weak – the body of someone too frail to properly bond with a snake-shifter. That outfit, which looked absolutely stunning on Chloe, made me look like a precocious little girl secretly wearing her mother’s high heels. Images of Chloe with her shifter automatically flashed through my mind. Tall, with long limbs, Chloe looked incredibly beautiful when she bonded with a snake-shifter. Damian wrapped around her, they looked perfectly matched. No wonder Damian didn’t like me. From the day I was born, even my own parents didn’t want me. I hadn’t developed properly in the womb, born with a frail constitution. I grew slower and stayed shorter than everyone else. Even as an adult, I still looked like an eleven or twelve-year-old child. Others would mock me: “A freak of nature in a family of revered snake-tamers! She’ll probably snap her arm just trying to handle one.” Those cruel words pricked at my heart like thorns that couldn’t be removed, and they brought shame to my parents’ faces too. They learned their lesson and were extra attentive when Chloe was conceived. And that extra care gave them every snake-shifter’s dream match – she grew fast and tall. With Chloe, they cared for me even less. It was as if they were a complete family of three, and I was just a poorly-nurtured burden. I stared at my small hands, angrily digging my nails into my palm, then curled my fingers into fists, silently sobbing.

I arrived home, my eyes swollen raw, like bruised fruit. Damian was sitting on the sofa, his expression impatient and chillingly cold. “What took you so long? Do you know I’m starving?” I sniffled, my emotions, just barely controlled, surged up again. “I’ll order you some takeout later, I’m a little tired.” He scoffed, “Ha, you want me to eat takeout?” Not wanting to argue, I sighed. My foot, already stepping towards the bathroom, changed direction, heading to the kitchen instead. I usually cooked for Damian. He never lifted a finger in the kitchen. Even with a fridge full of ingredients, he was too pampered to dirty his precious hands. Once before, I’d come home late, and Damian had thrown a terrible fit because he was hungry. I thought he was specially waiting for me to eat, and, filled with guilt and a tiny bit of joy, I cooked him a huge meal. But as I pulled out a chair, about to sit down, he threw cold water on my hopes. “You reek of cooking oil. Go take a shower.” Snapping back to reality, I placed the prepared meal in front of him, but Damian didn’t touch it. “Why do you smell like another shifter?” I raised my arm and sniffed. It was probably from the clothing store earlier. I suddenly remembered when I was little and had no money, I had to hike up the mountain to hunt wild rabbits and pheasants to feed him. He’d grumble, chewing on the tough, stringy meat. He’d complain about the mud on my face and the scent of other shifters on me, always keeping his distance. “I’ll go shower now.” I set the cutlery on the table and walked towards the bathroom, but Damian swept the cooked meal onto the floor with a single arm. “Audrey Miller, aren’t you going to explain yourself?” A shard of ceramic from the shattered bowl cut my calf, and the pain instantly sharpened my mind. Some people are just so strange. They don’t love you, but they still want to possess you. They give you the illusion of being cherished, of being cared for, when all they truly want is to extract more love from *you*. Damian was exactly like that. For the first time, I looked at him with a cold face. “Explain what? “It’s fine for you to smell like other people, but I can’t?” A flicker of surprise crossed his face. But it was quickly replaced by anger. “You’re doubting me? “Don’t forget who presumptuously saved you?” I didn’t answer, stepping past him to get the first-aid kit. I brushed past his arm, and he immediately flinched back, the sharp edges of his scales scraping me. His voice was colder than his expression. “Don’t touch me.” Right. He barely let me touch him even during bonding training. Outside of training? That was a pipe dream. I gave a self-deprecating laugh. I used to think he was just a cold-blooded creature, too hard to warm, too wild to tame. Turns out, he just didn’t like *me*. Twelve years of sincere companionship from a freak meant nothing compared to his instant infatuation with a ‘normal’ person.

I took a dissolution of adoption agreement from my bag. “I’m sorry. Sorry for presumptuously saving you, for intruding into over ten years of your life without permission, and for making you unhappy. “So, let’s part ways amicably. “May you finally achieve everything you wish for, and live a life filled with joy and ease.” Damian ground his molars together, a sound of pure rage, his face dark as he asked, “What do you mean?” I said calmly, “It means we’re breaking up.” I then pulled out a property transfer deed and a bank card for him. “I sold the house. We’ll split the money evenly, and with this bank card, you’ll have enough to buy a small studio apartment for yourself.” His face grew even darker. “You’re abandoning me? “Didn’t you say you loved me?” Did I love Damian? I had wondered about that myself. I had never truly received love, so I wasn’t entirely sure what love felt like. I just thought that love meant being good to someone. I looked up at the small house filled with our memories. I had moved out with Damian after I came of age. At first, he was reluctant. Back then, I had to both study and work to support him, so I was always out early and back late, with little time to spend with him. He’d be all alone in that cramped rental apartment, his snake tail sticking out from the folding bed with nowhere to go. I thought that was why he was reluctant. So I worked seven or eight jobs, saving up to buy a house for him. Even then, he still didn’t want to touch me, locking his bedroom door even though we each had our own room. But I still wanted to melt his icy demeanor. He was my responsibility, the one I had saved and raised. I couldn’t just abandon him. Yet, I had seen how others in my family interacted with their shifters. My childhood friend, Hailey, had a snow leopard beast-man. That snow leopard had been very arrogant when first adopted, but Hailey’s gentle persistence eventually melted his icy heart. He’d affectionately rub against Hailey’s neck, and gently lick the back of her hand. Like a mouse in the gutter, I watched, craving a beauty that wasn’t mine. I searched for shifter vlogs online, learning their preferred ways of care. I spoiled him rotten, never letting him do any chores, giving him whatever he wanted. I never thought that what was my sweet gesture was his bitter poison. I also thought that one day I could truly enter Damian’s heart, but his heart had long been occupied by someone else. Perhaps I had loved Damian once, but those feelings had slowly eroded over the years. Until I saw him wrapped around Chloe – that was when the melting snow mountain of my hope finally crumbled into dust. “I don’t love you anymore.”

*Bang!* The door slammed shut with a heavy thud. Damian stormed out in a rage. I didn’t need to guess; I knew he was hiding in some nearby corner, waiting for me to rush out and coax him back. But not this time. I pulled my suitcase and walked out of that small house. On the way, I tripped over a pebble, and the heel of my high shoe instantly snapped off. I sat numbly on the ground, a memory flashing through my mind: Chloe twisting her ankle once. Damian, who was walking behind us, immediately supported her, his face full of tenderness. “Chloe, are you okay?” Chloe, blushing, stood steadily, then pulled my hand and laughed. “Oh, Audrey, you’re so lucky! You have such a thoughtful shifter!” Thoughtful? I had never felt it. If Chloe had found you that day, you would have been happier, wouldn’t you? I felt inferior for being a freak, and I envied the love Chloe received. But Mom and Dad were her parents and mine. If I couldn’t get their love, I accepted it. But Damian was *my* shifter. Only mine. I couldn’t accept the fact that he didn’t love me, that he even loved someone else, and still foolishly continue to be good to him. I couldn’t just get over it in a short time, so I decided to leave this painful place. Separate ways, to the ends of the earth. I needed to start a new life, to live for myself. My new job was as a junior clerk at an electronics company. My salary wasn’t high, so I rented a small studio apartment near the office. Though small, it was cozy in winter and cool in summer—perfect for a cold-blooded creature to hibernate. I instinctively started to say, “Damian, you won’t have to worry about hibernation now.” But the words caught in my throat, and I swallowed them, a lump of pain. I couldn’t help but remember Damian’s retreating back that day. No matter how much he pretended to care then, he was probably overjoyed now, wagging his tail as he ran off to find Chloe. I opened the window, and the cool evening breeze brushed against my face. I let the wind flow into my heart, letting the chill settle over my scars. I remembered something I’d read in a book: True sorrow isn’t about dramatic highs or lows, but a quiet, steady current, like a flowing river. I never understood it then. But now it was clear. Just like for decades, Damian would light a cigarette on the balcony after every family dinner. A subtle sadness always lingered in his eyes. I thought he was upset because I’d been called a freak again, that he was furious for me. But, just like I thought he was reluctant to move out with me, I was just projecting. He was only sad for himself. Sad that he couldn’t see Chloe. Sad that he couldn’t be with her.

To numb myself and completely let go of that relationship, I threw myself wholeheartedly into work. I eagerly took on new tasks and helped seniors with theirs. Unexpectedly, I won over many of my senior colleagues. They admired me, giving me a thumbs-up and showering me with praise: “Small but mighty!” The first time I heard it, I paused, surprised. But I had to admit, I felt a little thrill. After tasting that sweetness once, I buried myself deeper into my work, hoping to use my abilities to hide my flaw of being a freak. They praised me for my ambition. Some of the bolder seniors even leaned in and asked, “Audrey, do you have a shifter, dear?” I just stared blankly, nodding instinctively, then suddenly snapped out of it and shook my head vigorously. Brenda furrowed her brow and asked, “Do you or don’t you?” I answered honestly, “I did, but we dissolved our bond.” Brenda looked a little awkward. Another senior subtly gave her a look, and her “Why?” was swallowed whole. She grabbed a handful of pistachios for me, trying to comfort me. I fumbled, and they scattered across the floor. My eyes fell on a pair of gleaming bear paws. I looked up in confusion, meeting a pair of light brown eyes. Above those eyes, a pair of fluffy ears twitched unconsciously. Before I could even process how a shifter had suddenly appeared in the company, I heard one of the seniors quietly whisper, “Boss.” The bear softly grunted in response. I quickly pulled the nearest senior colleague and whispered, “Why didn’t I know our boss was a bear? “Will he fire me for slacking off and eating snacks?” The thought that this job, where for once no one seemed to hate me for being a freak, might be gone, made my heart ache. The entire room fell silent. It was the bear boss who broke the silence first. He bent down, picked up the scattered pistachios, and steadily placed them on my desk. “I won’t fire you.” Then he extended his bear paw. “I was in hibernation when you started. Let’s reintroduce ourselves. My name is Arthur.” After shaking his paw, my cubicle was surrounded by a crowd of curious faces. One senior, her face full of curiosity, asked, “Audrey, what did the boss’s hand feel like?”

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The smartest thing I ever did at 22 was make the bold move of getting into Julian Davies’s bed. From then on, I became his most unremarkable yet longest-staying mistress. In our fifth year together, he handed me a card, his expression indifferent. “Chloe, we’re done. Don’t be clingy.” I took the card, a smile playing on my lips. “Understood, Mr. Davies.” Two years later, I married someone else, and his hair had turned stark white. The company chat group was buzzing with talk of Julian Davies’s wedding, while I was busy picking out candy for the celebration. It was supposed to be a task for him and the esteemed Seraphina Hayes, but with both of them so swamped, these trivial matters fell to me. “Is CEO Davies really tying the knot with Ms. Hayes from the A Group? They’re a perfect power couple!” “Congratulations! CEO Davies must be nearly thirty now, it’s about time he settled down. I heard Seraphina was his first love.” “First love? She’s the one that got away, his pure love. I heard they were childhood sweethearts.” I glanced at the bustling chat, said nothing, then opened my laptop and started printing my resignation letter. Julian was half a perfectionist. Before his grand wedding with Seraphina, he’d clean up all the messy women around him. And I was the last loose end he needed to snip. I’d been with Julian since I was 22, sticking around until 27. Now, I was not only his personal indulgence but also his competent assistant. A good assistant and compliant mistress knows how to anticipate her boss’s needs. So, before Julian even had to ask, I had my resignation letter printed and placed it on his desk. Right next to it was the list of recommended wedding candy brands. Julian walked into his office precisely at 9:30 AM every day. He saw me standing by the CEO’s office door and called out, “Chloe, come in for a moment.” I nodded obediently, my face serene, and followed him inside. “Mr. Davies, this is my resignation. And these are the wedding candies and recommended brands you asked me to select yesterday.” Julian’s sharp eyes narrowed slightly as he scanned the resignation letter. Without a hint of hesitation, he pulled out a pen and swiftly signed his name. “Chloe, these two apartments will be under your name. This card has five million. And the car I bought a while ago, that’s yours too. Are these terms acceptable?” I sat across from Julian, looking up at his serious, focused face. My eyes curved into a smile. “Perfectly acceptable, Mr. Davies.” A flicker of surprise crossed his face, but he quickly returned to normal. “Chloe, I hope you remember I don’t like clingy women.” I reached out to take the card he offered, my smile still flawless. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Mr. Davies. If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going now.” “Hm.” Julian said no more, immediately looking down at the documents in his hands. I stood there quietly for a moment, wanting to use these last few seconds to etch his image into my mind. Julian was a generous patron. His compensation packages when ending relationships were always lavish, and mine was the most substantial. So, I had no reason to be dissatisfied with this ending. Leaving the company and settling into a taxi heading back to my downtown apartment, I felt all the strength drain out of me. I leaned back against the seat, silently gazing out the window. Julian had many mistresses, but I was the most obedient and sensible one, the one he trusted most. Even his friends couldn’t help but marvel, asking where he’d found such a dutiful, considerate mistress who never took advantage of his affections. Back then, Julian’s eyes would always hold a hint of tenderness. When our fingers interlaced, he’d gently knead the soft flesh on the back of my hand. “Maybe it’s fate.” But he probably never imagined that his most obedient mistress had already fallen for him, and that love had lasted five years.

My story with Julian began with a setup. After graduation, I worked diligently, hoping to make a living in the big city through my own efforts. But life wasn’t a fairy tale where dreams came true. When I was 22, my boss, to shift blame onto me, accused me of leaking company secrets, causing significant losses, and facing ten years in prison plus a hefty fine. I’d just been at Davies Corp. with my team leader, discussing a collaboration, when I heard the news. I don’t know how I ended up stumbling into Julian’s lounge, curled up in a corner, crying and begging any god to help me. In the lounge, Julian’s face clearly showed his annoyance at being woken. He stared at me blankly. Perhaps seeing my ugly-crying, Julian tossed a pack of tissues my way. “Wipe your face. Stop begging gods, beg me. I’m far more useful than any deity.” Julian’s face was fierce, a clearly menacing expression, yet I felt strangely at ease. He was like a hero swooping in to save me. I swallowed my tears and obediently walked over to him, pleading, “Sir, can you really help me? I was truly framed. I didn’t leak any company secrets.” Julian stroked my head, his voice surprisingly soft. “This little thing? Of course, I can help you. But I’m a businessman, so what can you offer me?” Thinking back to that day, I always felt Julian had peculiar tastes. I was crying so ugly, and he still thought of making me his mistress. His taste must be truly extraordinary. Later, I asked Julian why he wanted me to be his mistress. He said, “You were crying like a messy kettle, quite amusing. Besides, weren’t you the one who asked for my help first?” Once I realized it wasn’t my face that had caught Julian’s interest, I began to diligently learn how to be a good mistress. I put away all my petty schemes, listened to my patron, avoided causing him trouble, never took advantage of his affections, and worked hard to improve myself so I could contribute to his success. Countless times during boring flower arranging classes, I’d reflect on what good any of this was. Was I going to perform flower arranging while in bed with Julian? In fact, my choices were correct. The more I learned, the more presentable I became. I helped Julian close one tough contract after another and accompanied him to high-stakes meetings with powerful figures, never once embarrassing him. Julian was very satisfied. He spent more and more time with me, showered me with more and more affection, even dragging me along to his gatherings with friends. But I never played games. I just diligently did whatever Julian asked. I witnessed Julian’s cold indifference firsthand at an exclusive club. A popular actress, soaked in liquor, lay sprawled on the carpet, frantically reaching for Julian’s pant leg, only to be kicked away by a bodyguard. Julian stood holding a glass of hard liquor, staring emotionlessly at the woman on the floor. “My girlfriend? Do you really think you’re worthy?” The actress, who had claimed to be Julian’s girlfriend, frantically kowtowed, her body trembling. “Mr. Davies, I was wrong! Mr. Davies, it was a moment of madness, I spoke out of turn! I know I’m not worthy of being your girlfriend, I misspoke. Mr. Davies, please be magnanimous, don’t hold it against me!” Julian said nothing, letting his bodyguards hold the actress down and watch her struggle. His peripheral vision caught me, and he waved me over. He gently rubbed my face, which the actress had slapped, sighing softly. “Why are you so bad at protecting yourself? You let someone slap you? You’re my competent assistant. How could you let someone bully you without saying a word?”

Julian’s eyes were filled with pity and sympathy, his words of affection like tiny needles, tugging at my heartstrings. My heart stirred. The sting of the actress’s slap was replaced by Julian’s tenderness. I instinctively brushed my hand against his palm. “Because I trust you, Mr. Davies. I knew you wouldn’t let me be wronged.” Julian raised an eyebrow, playfully squeezing my neck, then lowered his head to kiss me near my lips. “You trust your Mr. Davies that much?” “Mm-hmm.” I reached up and wrapped my arms around his neck, looking at him with devotion. “Mr. Davies is the only one who will protect me. I’ve always trusted you.” Julian was completely taken by my sincerity, by the way I trusted him implicitly. That night, he was rough with me, a flurry of intense kisses raining down on my forehead, neck, and back. Finally, he paused over my heart. I heard him murmur, “Chloe, you’re a true gem. I really can’t bear to let you go.” Unfortunately, the lighting was dim, and his captivating eyes were too distracting. I didn’t pay much attention to that remark. It was much later that I learned Julian had intended to hand me over to a business partner that day, but my trust in him had made him reluctant. And he hadn’t stood up for me because of *me* then; it was because the actress had used his girlfriend’s identity to act arrogant toward Davies Corp. employees. Soon after, the actress was embroiled in a sex scandal that utterly destroyed her reputation. “Chloe, I’m serious, you’ve got Julian Davies wrapped around your finger. Do you think there’s a chance you’ll become Mrs. Davies?” When I heard Liam laughingly bringing up these old stories, I just smiled and raised my glass, playing along with his probing. “No chance, Mr. Liam. You’re overthinking it.” Back at my downtown apartment, I walked barefoot on the cold floor, curled up on the sofa, watching the news channel extensively report on Julian Davies’s wedding to Seraphina Hayes. “Recently, Julian Davies, CEO of Davies Corp., announced his marriage to Seraphina Hayes, daughter of the Hayes Group. It’s understood the two have been childhood sweethearts…” I carefully watched every news segment about his impending marriage, seeing how perfectly matched he and Seraphina looked standing together. Seraphina was beautiful, raised in a privileged home, carrying herself with grace, confidence, and undisguised pride. I couldn’t understand why anyone would think Julian sought mistresses as replacements for Seraphina. Clearly… Seraphina was nothing like any of the women he had kept. I first met Seraphina at a party. That day, I didn’t know who Julian was going to meet, but I could see the anticipation in his eyes. He specifically hired a designer to pick out his outfit and even personally chose a gift, finally holding an amber-colored brooch and asking me to wrap it. At the party, I finally understood Julian’s unusual behavior was all for a young woman named Seraphina. Seraphina sat in the center of the ballroom, her fingers dancing across black and white keys, producing one beautiful melody after another. All the lights in the hall were focused on her; she was like a luminous fairy, captivating everyone’s attention, including Julian’s. After finishing her piece, Seraphina stood up and walked toward us. “Julian! I knew you’d come! Long time no see. And who is this?” “My secretary.” Julian gently took Seraphina’s hand, deftly changing the subject. “Want to play a duet together?” Seraphina smiled and nodded, her girlish shyness evident. That day, Julian and Seraphina performed perfectly together, earning a standing ovation and countless compliments. Amidst praises of “golden couple” and “perfect match,” I learned the identity of that young lady. Julian’s childhood sweetheart, the one he held dearest, his future wife.

The banquet was bustling, full of clinking glasses and lively chatter. I sat in the dessert area, watching Julian, with a faint smile, chat with the playful Seraphina and other guests. After watching for a while, I suddenly felt suffocated. I grabbed a glass of juice and went to the outdoor gazebo for some fresh air. Outside, the moonlight poured down like liquid silver, and a faint floral scent hung in the air. I leaned against a pillar, gazing up at the moon. The way Julian looked at Seraphina was ardent, a look none of his mistresses had ever received. It was almost time to leave. I turned my head to look at the wall. Through the wall, I saw Julian’s smiling face—a blessing I had never received. Suddenly, a man emerged from the shadows and stood before me. “Beautiful lady, all alone?” The man leaned in, his warm breath almost brushing my face. “May I buy you a drink?” I frowned, subtly stepping back two paces. “No, thank you. I don’t really drink.” “That’s odd,” the man scratched his head. “Aren’t you the one who’s always so good at drinking on behalf of Julian Davies? How can you not drink now? Are you refusing to give me face?” Hearing that he knew my background, I didn’t dare refuse outright. I simply raised my glass, my smile flawless. “It’s a special occasion, sir. I hope you understand. Perhaps another time?” “Alright,” the man stepped out of the shadows, revealing a face five parts similar to Seraphina’s. “You’re interesting, Chloe. Let’s arrange something for next time.” He pulled out his phone to open a QR code, casually bringing up another matter. “But I wonder, your boss wouldn’t be mad if I asked you out, would he? A man and a woman, alone together, it might not look good.” “He wouldn’t.” I obediently scanned his SnapChat code and explained softly, “Mr. Davies is just my boss. He doesn’t interfere with my private time.” Seeing the relaxed expression on his face, I knew my answer had satisfied them. I saw Seraphina in the distance, holding a drink and raising an eyebrow at me, her face exuding the air of a victor. Julian was draped his coat over Seraphina, adjusting her collar, without sparing me a glance. After the banquet, sitting in the car on the way back, Julian calmly said, “Well done.” “Mm.” I looked down at the back of my hand, silently calculating how much longer I could stay with Julian. “I’ll be careful to maintain my boundaries with you, Mr. Davies.” That night, he didn’t give me a farewell kiss, nor did he walk me up. He simply told me to start contacting wedding planners. Watching Julian’s car drive away, my knees buckled, and I crumpled to the ground. I stared blankly at the asphalt, not crying, not sad, just feeling all emotions stripped from my body, leaving only an empty shell. It took me a week to sell off all the jewelry, apartments, and the car Julian had given me. During that same week, the news of Davies Corp. and Hayes Group’s impending union spread like wildfire.

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My cousin saw a marriage video online and wanted to marry an enclave leader, dreaming of living like royalty. The two handsome men in the video seemed so sincere. [“We’re simply looking for a wife to spend our lives with. We promise to treat you well, cherish you, and grow old together.”] Something felt off to me. I begged my cousin not to go. Six months later, my cousin saw a viral live stream. There, in plain sight, were the same enclave leaders from the marriage video. A woman nestled happily in their arms, gushing about her blissful and incredibly wealthy life post-marriage. Turns out, the enclave leaders were worth hundreds of millions. That very day, my cousin burst into my apartment and grabbed me, squeezing my neck tight. “You b*tch! Why did you stop me from marrying into a wealthy family?!” When I opened my eyes again, I saw my cousin, Tiffany, blushing as she asked me, “Maya, should I go meet them?” I opened my eyes again, and the phantom sensation of being choked still lingered on my neck. Cold sweat instantly drenched my back. I looked around. It was my familiar rental apartment, the lingering scent of instant noodles still in the air. Had I… come back to life? “Maya, what are you spacing out for? Come on, help me look!” My cousin, Tiffany Miller’s voice, jolted me back to reality. I stiffly turned my head. She was holding up her phone, and on the screen played a video I knew all too well. In the video, two men stood side by side. One was mature and composed, the other bright and charming. Both wore clothes that hinted at an exotic, far-off land. “Miss Tiffany Miller, hello. I’m Kael,” the older brother, Kael Thorne, said, his voice deep and magnetic, his eyes sincere. His younger brother, Zane Thorne, then spoke, his smile dazzling. “And I’m Zane.” “We are sincerely looking for a wife to spend our lives with.” “From the first moment we saw you, we knew, Tiffany, you are the one destined for us.” “We sincerely invite you to meet us, to give us a chance to get to know you, won’t you?” In my previous life, my first reaction to that marriage video was utter absurdity. What era were we in? Claiming ‘destiny’ after seeing someone only on a video? This was either a catfishing scam or worse, a human trafficking trap. Pure bait. I painstakingly tried to explain the risks to Tiffany, from online fraud to human trafficking, from fake personas to international crime. Finally, after talking until I was hoarse, I managed to convince her. Though her face showed reluctance, Tiffany reluctantly closed the video, promising she wouldn’t contact those two men again. I thought that was the end of it. Until six months later, a live stream by a blogger named “Seraphina Blackwood” went viral overnight. In the live video, a woman dripping with jewels was nestled happily in Kael and Zane’s arms. Inside a palatial mansion, the dining table was laden with exotic gourmet dishes most people had only dreamed of. She casually picked up a limited-edition Hermes bag and flaunted it. “So many people ask me how I suddenly started living this life. The secret? I married well, darling!” “When my husbands first asked me to meet them, I actually thought it was a scam. Who knew they were secretly billionaires?” “You’re asking what I do now? Every day, I just shop, get beauty treatments, and have SPA days.” “My only complaint is that the brothers are just so… passionate. I can barely keep up!” “Why can I marry two men? Oh, my husbands come from a unique enclave. Their community practices polyandry – one wife, multiple husbands. And there are still so many handsome bachelors without wives!” “You want me to ask for you? Sure! If you’re interested, sweethearts, remember to DM me after the stream!” Tiffany completely lost it after seeing that live stream. She believed I had deliberately blocked her from marrying into wealth and becoming one of the elite. So, that night, she barged into my apartment, rushed to my bed, and choked me to death. “Maya Reid, you b*tch! If it weren’t for you, I’d be living like a goddess right now! Why did you stop me?!” The suffocating pain and her twisted, enraged face were the last things I remembered before dying in my past life. Seeing me still lost in thought, Tiffany nudged me again. “Maya, they seem so sincere, and they’re so handsome. Tell me, should I go meet them?” Watching her face flush with imaginary bliss, a chill ran down my spine. My good intentions in my previous life had led to my brutal death. This time, Tiffany Miller, I won’t stand in your way. So, when she asked, I simply replied, “Cousin, this is a huge decision for your life. You need to think it through and decide for yourself.”

Hearing my answer, Tiffany visibly froze. She had probably prepared a whole speech to argue with me, never expecting me not to stop her. She eyed me suspiciously, thinking I hadn’t finished, but I just turned to scroll on my phone, ignoring her. Seeing I wouldn’t say more, Tiffany put away her phone, a smile returning to her face. “You’re right, of course. After all, not everyone gets this kind of incredible luck.” “Just wait for my good news, sis.” I didn’t say another word. I had no desire to relive the painful experience of my past life. Tiffany Miller, this time, you walk your own path. Your hell, you descend into it yourself. Without my interference, Tiffany moved with astonishing speed. That very afternoon, she took time off work and booked a flight for the next morning to the border city where the men were located. The next evening, Tiffany video-called me. The moment I answered, the luxurious scene on the screen dazzled me. Tiffany was sitting in a lavishly decorated private room, a dazzling crystal chandelier hanging above her. She wore heavy makeup, designer clothes, and a huge emerald pendant gleamed at her neck. “Maya! You won’t believe how amazing they are!” Tiffany’s voice was buzzing with excitement. “They are totally my soulmates! After just a few words, they understood me completely!” “And they’re even more handsome in person than in the video, and so incredibly gentle and sweet!” Then she aimed the camera at the dishes on the table; each one was an exquisite work of art. “Do you know how much this meal cost us?” She didn’t give me a chance to answer, holding up both hands. “A hundred thousand! A full hundred thousand! Have you ever had a hundred-thousand-dollar meal?” “And this afternoon, Kael asked if I’d be willing to marry both of them.” “Kael and Zane said that according to their enclave’s tradition, I can marry both brothers! They practice polyandry!” “See? What did I tell you? I, Tiffany Miller, am destined for wealth! Two high-quality men have fallen for me head over heels!” Just then, Kael and Zane appeared in the frame, offering polite but distant smiles. “Hello, you must be Maya, Tiffany’s cousin? Tiffany talks about you often, says you’re her best sister.” Kael spoke, his tone gentle, but his eyes were sizing me up. “That’s right, we brothers are both very fond of Tiffany,” Zane’s smile was still bright. Tiffany snatched the camera back, her face so red it looked like it would drip blood. She happily announced, “Just now, I said yes to their proposal!” She eagerly lifted her wrist, showing off chunky gold jewelry. “See? These are all gifts they gave me just now. They said that as long as I marry in, the entire enclave’s treasury will be mine.” Then she glanced at my loungewear, her eyes full of undisguised pity. “Maya, look at you, working yourself to death with overtime every day, and your monthly salary isn’t even enough for one of my bracelets. Sister’s telling you, a woman, it’s not about working hard, it’s about marrying well.” “Don’t worry. Once I’m a rich lady, I definitely won’t forget you. I’ll introduce you to some of their enclave’s eligible bachelors with deep pockets, so you can have a good life too.” I listened silently to her bragging, just pulling at the corners of my mouth in response. “Well, congratulations, cousin.”

My calmness completely threw Tiffany off. She pouted, bragged a few more times, and then reluctantly hung up. Over the next few days, my Ins feed was flooded with Tiffany’s posts. One day, a selfie in a five-star hotel’s presidential suite. The next, a shopping spree with Kael and Zane at a luxury boutique. The day after, a top-tier club with tables piled high with Romanee-Conti, and her holding a glass, her eyes glazed. In the photos, she was always flanked by the two men, her designer outfits changing daily, never repeating. The comments section exploded. Friends showered Tiffany with extravagant praise. “OMG! Tiffany, did you land a sugar daddy? That’s insane!” “Those two hot guys adore you! What kind of fairy-tale love is this? I’m so jealous!” “Tiffany, you’re literally living the dream! Take me with you!” Tiffany humblebragged in her replies: “Hehe, not really, I just found the love of my life, that’s all.” She never mentioned marrying two men, simply basking in the adoration of the crowd. I thought that after she married into wealth, she wouldn’t bother her poor, struggling cousin anymore. Until one day, walking home from work in my neighborhood, I suddenly felt a shiver down my spine. Like a pair of eyes were staring at me from the shadows. The gaze was cold, sticky, making my hairs stand on end. I spun around, but there was no one there, only the rustling of leaves in the evening breeze. Was it just my imagination? Muttering to myself, I quickened my pace, jogging back to my building. Just then, my phone rang. “Tiffany Miller” flashed across the screen. I hesitated, then answered the video call. “Maya!” On the video, Tiffany’s face seemed thinner, and the dark circles under her eyes couldn’t be hidden even by a filter. But her tone was still frantic. “I’m marrying Kael and Zane next week!” “We’re best friends, how can you not be there for such a big event?” “Hurry up and come be my bridesmaid, soak up some of my good luck!” She smiled, looking perfectly sincere. “I’ve already had Kael book your flight, all expenses paid. It’ll be a real eye-opener for you, consider it my gift.” I looked at her slightly distorted face on the screen and sneered inwardly. Bridesmaid? More like luring me there to sell me off or harvest my organs. “No, cousin,” I refused. “I’m really swamped with work lately, I can’t take time off.” To my surprise, the moment I finished speaking, Tiffany’s face instantly darkened. “Maya Reid, what do you mean?” Her voice suddenly sharpened. “I’m giving you a chance to make it big, don’t be ungrateful!” “Are you jealous of me? Can’t stand to see me doing better than you?” Her voice grew louder, but I couldn’t be bothered to argue. “Think whatever you want.” As I spoke, I reached into my bag for my keys, ready to unlock the door. But I searched and searched, and found nothing. My wallet? It had my ID, bank cards, and a few hundred dollars in cash. Had it fallen out on the subway on the way home… “I can’t talk anymore, I think I lost my wallet.” I said into the phone, preparing to hang up. “What’s the big deal about a stupid wallet?!” Tiffany was still ranting on the other end. I ignored her and hung up directly. The feeling of being watched grew stronger. I didn’t dare linger downstairs and quickly hailed a cab to the police station.

Telling Tiffany I lost my wallet and was going to the police station wasn’t entirely an excuse. My documents were important. Stepping into the police station, that persistent, chilling sensation finally receded slightly. The officer on duty, Detective Miller, was patient. He took my statement and said he would keep an eye out for my wallet. But for a wallet lost on the street, the chances of recovery were slim to none. “Don’t worry too much, young lady. But it’s best if you report your bank cards stolen first. We can help you with a new ID,” Detective Miller said. But my real purpose went beyond that. I told the police everything about Tiffany’s situation, from that ridiculously suspicious marriage video to the so-called enclave leaders and polyandry. As I spoke, I handed Detective Miller screenshots of Tiffany’s Ins posts. At first, Detective Miller thought it was just another common catfishing scam. But as he listened, his expression grew increasingly serious. By the time I finished, he immediately connected it to several recent disappearances of young women. “The pattern is too similar. They all use online romance or high-paying jobs as bait, and the victims disappear completely within days of arriving at a border city. We suspect there’s a well-organized cross-border crime syndicate at play,” he said. Hearing that, my heart sank. In my previous life, I was merely a victim. This time, only now did I truly glimpse how deep this rabbit hole went. “Ms. Reid, the information you’ve provided is incredibly important. Your cousin is in danger right now; she might even be an accomplice to these people.” “We need your cooperation. This is a chance to take them all down.” “Take this micro-tracker. If they forcibly take you away and imprison you, find a way to leave the tracker behind. We’ll use its location to launch a rescue operation.” Detective Miller looked at me, his expression grave. “This process will be extremely dangerous. Are you willing?” “I am,” I replied without a moment’s hesitation. This wasn’t for Tiffany. It was for myself, who had died so tragically in my past life, and for all the innocent girls like Tiffany who had been lured into hell. By the time I left the police station, it was completely dark. Walking home, that chilling gaze reappeared. My heart pounded, and my palms were slick with cold sweat. As I approached a street corner, I hardened my resolve. I suddenly sprinted a few steps, then ducked and hid in the nearby bushes. I held my breath, staring intently at the corner. Rapid footsteps grew louder, approaching from afar. Closer and closer! It was him! My heart was practically leaping out of my throat. Just as the person was about to appear, a little boy on a scooter shot out from around the corner, shouting, “Avengers assemble!” The rapid footsteps came to an abrupt halt. I paused, confused. Had I… been too nervous? I waited a little longer in the corner, but no one else passed by, and the chilling sensation on my back vanished. I let out a breath of relief, chuckled self-deprecatingly, and hurried home. Maybe I was just overthinking things. However, the very next morning, reality slapped me hard in the face. I was about to leave for work. The moment I pulled the door open a crack, several unfamiliar faces blocked my way. They were all burly, their eyes hostile, reeking of stale cigarettes, alcohol, and menace. My heart jumped, and I instinctively tried to close the door. “Bang!” A foot firmly wedged in the doorframe. Before I could even scream, a knife pressed against my waist. I was paralyzed with fear by the sudden turn of events, forced back into my apartment. “What do you want?” I heard my voice tremble. The leader of the men grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth. “What do we want?” “Of course, we’re taking you to Miss Tiffany’s wedding.” His words instantly sent a chill through me. It was Tiffany! She had actually hired people to kidnap me! My mind went blank. Before I could react, a towel reeking of acrid chemicals was clapped over my mouth and nose. In the last second before darkness claimed me, I thought I saw a glint of reflected light behind the man. When I woke again, I found my eyes blindfolded. My mouth was tightly sealed with tape, allowing only muffled sounds to escape. My hands and feet were bound with rough rope, and any slight movement caused my wrists to burn with pain.

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After the bankruptcy, I was drugged and practically thrown into my childhood friend Liam’s bed. From that day on, he brought someone new home every night, then tossed a divorce agreement at me. “Ellie, beg me, and I won’t go through with it.” He’d look down on me, watching me grovel in the dirt again and again, just to get him to change his mind. He even openly ordered me to massage his new assistant, Chloe’s, feet right there in his office. Until the day Sterling Corp needed just ten million dollars to completely turn things around, Chloe blocked all my desperate calls for help. I waited a grueling twenty-four hours, until Sterling Corp utterly collapsed, and my parents, driven to despair, jumped from a building. Liam, however, walked in with Chloe, practically throwing the signed divorce papers at me again. “Ellie, weren’t you just looking for me to get money to save your family? Beg me. As long as I don’t divorce you, no one would dare touch Sterling Corp.” This time, I signed my name with a quiet, devastating calm: “Mr. Hayes, it’s not necessary. Sterling Corp doesn’t need your help anymore.”

The moment I signed the divorce papers, the smug triumph on Liam’s face instantly froze. He snatched the signed agreement, his eyes bloodshot, his fingers tightening around my throat, nearly insane. “Ellie! What new game are you playing now?!” “Don’t forget, you *begged* your way into my bed! You’d stop at nothing to marry me!” “What? Now you’re putting on a show of purity? Debasing yourself like that was all for money, wasn’t it?!” Each word was uglier than the last. For three years, he’d repeatedly brought up these things, constantly humiliating me. As if he was afraid I’d forget that it was I, Eleanor Sterling, who was shameless enough to slink into Liam’s bed. I would always cry and deny it. For three years, every day, I’d explain myself to him, believing that one day, he’d finally see my true feelings. But now, my heart was utterly dead. Whether he believed me or not no longer mattered. Watching him rage, his voice hoarse, I only felt an overwhelming weariness. That crushing weight, so deep it felt like it was in my very bones, made me think death wouldn’t be so bad. “Ellie! Say something! How dare you look at me like that! You’re the one who wronged me!” Liam’s furious shouting finally died down. After he had calmed slightly, I slowly raised my head. “Are you done talking?” “If you’re done, can I leave?” For the first time in three years, I felt this calm. Liam, however, panicked. He scoffed, trying to hide the fleeting alarm in his eyes. “Leave? Where do you plan on going?” “You want to leave? Fine. Every single thing on you, isn’t it all *my* money? You want to leave? Fine. Go back the way you came – with nothing!” He stood there, looking down at me, and through him, I somehow saw the Liam of my youth. Back then, he was so afraid I’d leave him, he’d pull me close every day, just begging me to say I loved him. But all of that had long since vanished with the wind. Now, standing before him, I only felt the utter humiliation of being stripped bare and shoved into his bed. Looking at his eyes, practically screaming “beg me,” I forced a smile. “Alright.” I took off the watch from my wrist. He’d threatened me this way countless times. Each time, I would cry and plead with him, begging him not to humiliate me like this, for the sake of our past. Back then, I still had hope for him and for our future. But now. Living was more torturous than dying. These humiliations were just icing on the cake of my suffering. It hurt, but it didn’t matter. I took off the last jacket he’d given me, then removed the wedding ring he’d bought. I stared at him, then let go of my fingers. The wedding ring clattered to the floor, a sharp, clear sound. Something I once cherished above all else now felt no different from a cold stone. I didn’t look back at his trembling form. Barefoot, I walked step by step toward the door. “Ellie! Are you insane?! Stop right there!” Liam’s furious roar echoed behind me. But the bruises marring my thin body – a canvas of black and blue – became the ultimate mockery of him. I walked faster and faster, heading toward the sunlight, leaving him completely behind. Watching my retreating figure, Liam, whether from rage or grief, trembled violently and collapsed onto the floor, gasping for air. “Mr. Hayes, Ms. Sterling is just being so ungrateful. She’s throwing such a tantrum just because you didn’t answer her call. Does she have someone else?” Chloe’s words were laced with insinuation. Liam suddenly pushed her away, his eyes blazing red. “Get out!” “Mr. Jenkins, take her clothes to her. How dare she leave? How dare she walk out on me!” “Ellie, you were the one who wronged me first!”

The biting spring chill made my body tremble as I walked barefoot on the asphalt road. I had walked this road countless times. The most degrading time was when disaster struck Sterling Corp. My family elders drugged me and shoved me into Liam’s bed like a piece of merchandise, all to buy Sterling Corp a lifeline. Now, Sterling Corp was completely gone. I no longer had to humble myself, and surprisingly, I felt a sense of liberation. “Ms. Sterling!” Mr. Jenkins’ voice called from behind, his footsteps hurried. Before I could turn around, a coat was draped over my shoulders. “Ms. Sterling, Mr. Hayes asked me to bring you this coat.” “Mr. Hayes still cares for you. You two love each other, why do you have to…” “Mr. Jenkins, please thank him for me.” I interrupted him. Mr. Jenkins sighed and said no more, turning to leave. I looked at the familiar coat on me, sinking into memories. Liam bought this coat for me. Back then, I was still the adored princess of the Sterling family. When he gave me the coat, his eyes were full of love. He promised to protect me for a lifetime. From childhood, he had always shielded me, never allowing me to suffer the slightest injustice. The first time I was bullied, he brought his friends and beat the person up. When my family found out, he faced severe family punishment. Even lying in bed, he couldn’t stay still, making funny faces to cheer me up. At that time, I cried with heartache, and he frantically wiped my tears. “Ellie, don’t cry. With me here, no one is allowed to make you cry!” In high school, I was cornered by some bullies from school. He rushed in alone, like a beacon of light, and was beaten black and blue. Even when my family arrived, he couldn’t stand straight, but still foolishly asked if I was scared. I laughed through my tears, exasperated by him. Back then, he never got close to any other girl except me. Every time, he’d proudly brag to his friends, saying, “My little jealous one keeps me on a short leash.” Liam and I were childhood sweethearts, innocent and inseparable. Everyone envied us, saying we were a match made in heaven. We were just waiting for the day our families had set, when we could walk hand-in-hand into marriage, becoming the most important people in each other’s lives. But fate had other plans. Sterling Corp faced a major financial crisis due to a flawed decision. They were afraid the Hayes family would back out of the engagement, so they drugged me and shoved me into Liam’s bed. And the glass of wine Liam drank, the one laced with drugs, I had handed to him myself. I explained to him countless times that I truly didn’t know there was medicine in the wine. But every time he looked at me, it was with the same look he’d had the moment he woke up in that bed. Full of disgust and contempt, looking down on me as if I were an object. He was convinced that I had used manipulative tricks, offering myself to him, to force his hand and save my family. From that moment, I was utterly condemned in his eyes, nailed to a pillar of shame. I no longer had any right to defend myself. Yet, he still honored the engagement. He gave me a grand wedding, making everyone envious. He still saved Sterling Corp. I thought he still had feelings for me. But on our wedding night, he brought a woman home. After that, he brought a different woman home every single day. Everyone in the city knew the rumors: Liam’s place had enough women to open a whole club. He found endless ways to humiliate me, seemingly only happy when he saw my pain. I endured it day by day, thinking that once he’d vented enough, he’d finally sit down and listen to me. That we would have a day when we reconciled. I never imagined that this endurance would last for three years. And what I finally got was… Sterling Corp’s complete collapse, and my parents’ desperate suicide.

Penniless, I had no choice but to walk barefoot from the Hayes family mansion on the hillside down to the city below. By the time I reached the park, my feet were bleeding and raw. Thankfully, the pen I’d used to sign the papers was still in my hand. I asked someone for a few sheets of paper and sat on the park steps, quietly sketching the scenery before me. This moment of tranquility seemed to transport me back to before I married Liam. I laid out the finished drawings, one by one, on the ground. Each one was small and intricate. Until a little girl knelt in front of me. “Miss, your feet are bleeding. Doesn’t it hurt?” I looked down, my gaze fixed on my feet. After walking such a long distance, the soles of my feet were already a bloody mess. But I felt nothing. It turned out the pain in my heart truly overshadowed any physical agony. Not wanting to scare the little girl, I tucked my feet away and smiled. “No, it doesn’t hurt.” The little girl tilted her head, then pulled out a crumpled ten-dollar bill from her pocket. “Miss, I only have this much. Can I buy one of your paintings? They’re so beautiful, they remind me of someone I used to know.” Hearing her speak like such a grown-up, I couldn’t help but smile. How old was she to have “someone she used to know”? “It’s enough that you like them. Take all of these. Thank you for your ten dollars.” I never thought. One day, the only ten dollars I had would come from a child. But I truly needed that money. Holding the bill, I walked into a small internet cafe, exchanging the ten dollars for an hour of online time. I opened the computer and logged into the social media account that had been my torment for three years. “A true woman is submissive and puts her husband first.” “Wives should be meek, compliant, and never voice a single complaint.” “A woman’s honor lies in her purity; she must guard it fiercely.” These sickening, pinned posts were all things Liam had forced me to publish. When we first got married, I still had hope for him. Every time he brought a woman home, I would argue with him. Later, the first time he punished me by making me kneel in the garden, making his mistress watch me as he read from some ancient treatises on female conduct he’d bought, I resisted fiercely. The consequence was that he forced me to post these things online. He told me I was merchandise he’d bought, and I should act like it. He said he wanted everyone to see what a ‘virtuous and benevolent’ wife I, Eleanor Sterling, truly was. After that, whenever I made him angry, he’d force me to publish these statements online. It became our twisted routine. And my account became a battleground for countless online users to condemn me. They called me a “brainwashed traditionalist,” a “feudal relic,” a “disgrace to modern women.” I couldn’t refute them, nor was I allowed to. Silence became my best escape from everything. Liam gradually grew dissatisfied with just that. He made me personally ‘attend’ to the women he brought home. The ones who even slept in his bed? I was forced to ‘prepare’ them myself. He’d sneer, “Someone as shameless as you knows best how to please a man.” Each time, he’d stand by, watching my humiliated, pained expression with a look of amusement and mockery. Later, I gradually grew numb. I no longer resisted, no longer argued. He found it boring, too, and stopped scrutinizing me. Instead, he changed his method, making me beg him, beg him not to divorce me. I compromised again and again for my family, but now, I had nothing left, and I no longer needed to beg him. Looking at the emptied page, I let out a long breath. As the last post was finally deleted. I felt as if the shackles on my body had shattered. I collapsed onto the table, utterly drained, my entire being emptied from the inside out. In that moment, I didn’t even know if I was alive or dead. Until someone gently tapped my back. “Ellie?”

I spun around abruptly, seeing a kind face with a hint of surprise. It was my university mentor, Professor Hayes. When the news of my marriage to Liam got out, he strongly opposed it, calling me countless times, and even didn’t attend my wedding. But I had my reasons, and I could never bring myself to tell him. Now, he was the only elder I had left. Looking at him, my eyes instantly welled up, my voice trembling involuntarily. “Professor Hayes, it’s me.” Just three short words, and my tears became uncontrollable. All the suppressed grievances I had kept buried erupted. “Don’t cry. The little girl who just bought your drawing was my daughter.” “Your professor is asking, do you still want to pursue further studies?” His gaze, just like it was back then, was full of expectation. I nodded, tears still in my eyes. If it weren’t for what happened with Sterling Corp, I would have gone abroad with Professor Hayes and held my first art exhibition. Professor Hayes and I went to complete the formalities, then headed to the airport to wait for our flight. Inside the Hayes family mansion. Liam paced restlessly in the living room. “You still haven’t found Ellie?” The butler shook his head. “Find her! If you can’t find her, then keep looking!” His voice was sharp and cold. His eyes, usually calm and emotionless, were now filled with panic. “Mr. Hayes, Ms. Sterling might just be out having fun. She has no friends, no family, what do you have to worry about?” Chloe, wearing my nightgown, leaned into Liam’s arms, twisting her body, trying every trick to kiss his lips, but he pushed her away sharply. “Get out!” Liam’s voice was icy, his gaze fixed on Chloe as if she were a dead woman. “Who gave you permission to wear her clothes? Take it off! None of you have the right to touch her things.” Chloe ran off, her eyes red. He sat on the couch, stubbornly waiting. Every tick of the second hand only amplified his frustration. He gritted his teeth, calling my number again and again. After countless times, the automated voice prompted him to leave a message, he let out a frustrated growl. “Ellie, you’ve gotten brave, haven’t you? Running away from home now?” “I’m giving you one hour. Get back here right now! Otherwise, I’m really divorcing you!” Another hour passed. He left me another message. “Ellie, if you don’t come back, even if you cry and beg me, I’m still divorcing you!” By the third message, his voice was starting to sound frantic. “Are you deliberately trying to see if I care about you? Just come back! Is it money you want? As long as you come back, I’ll give you whatever you need.” “Ellie, you’re the one who wronged me, why are you throwing a tantrum?!” “Just come back, say you love me, and I’ll let it go.” “Why don’t you care about all those other women but you can’t tolerate Chloe? I already sent her away, so come back quickly, don’t be so ungrateful!” He waited for a day and a night, calling me countless times, but he never received any news from me.

🌟 Continue the story here 👉🏻 📲 Download the “NovelMaster” app 🔍 search for “296809”, and watch the full series ✨! #NovelMaster #浪漫Romance #现实主义Realistic