I was heartlessly abandoned by my parents the day they discovered I was intersex. My childhood friend, Lucas, threatened to kill himself to convince his family to adopt me, promising to love me for a lifetime. As our wedding day approached, I accidentally stumbled upon him in an intimate moment with his first love: “You’ve taken such good care of yourself. So soft and delicate, with a faint floral scent. Not like my fiancée’s – hers is oddly shaped and utterly repulsive. “Thank goodness I have you, or I’d die of loneliness.” In an instant, my heart felt like it was being stabbed by a thousand knives, my body pierced by countless needles, the pain unbearable. People truly are fickle. I struggled to hold back the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes as I turned to leave. What I didn’t know was that Chloe had seen me at the door, nor did I realize she had silently crept up behind me. “Ava… had enough of eavesdropping?” I heard a voice say. Just as I was about to turn around, she gave me a hard shove, and before I could react, I tumbled down the stairs. Chloe stood at the top of the stairs, coldly watching me, silently mouthing the words “Go die.” She then turned and went back into the room. “Lucas, I’m done in the bathroom. Shall we continue?” “What was that noise just now?” “It was nothing, just something falling. Don’t waste time, I can’t wait any longer.” I curled up on the floor, in excruciating pain, but instinctively still wanting to call out to him for help: “Lucas, it hurts so much, help me…” But the rhythmic sounds of passion told me he was too occupied. I involuntarily clenched my thighs together, a wave of self-loathing washing over me. He had always said I was special, that having me was a blessing he must have earned from several past lives. When I was at my lowest point, fighting for survival, it was Lucas who had threatened suicide to convince his family to adopt me. From that moment on, I had silently vowed that Lucas was my destiny. But now he was in the throes of passion with another woman. Slowly, the blood from my head stained a large area of the floor. My vision began to blur. I desperately looked towards Lucas’s direction, praying he would appear… Suddenly, Lucas rushed out of the room, but he was carrying a woman in his arms, frantically shouting: “Chloe, hang on a bit longer, I’m taking you to the hospital. “I’m sorry, Chloe, I shouldn’t have been so rough. Just hang in there.” He carried Chloe past me, and in his haste, he even stepped on my fingers. I inhaled sharply from the pain. He didn’t notice at all, his eyes focused solely on Chloe in his arms. I could no longer hold on and slowly closed my eyes. When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I saw was Lucas’s anxious gaze. Seeing me awake, he let out a sigh of relief. “Ava, are you alright? Why didn’t you call me when you fell? Do you know how worried I was about you?” I tried to raise my hand to touch my head but couldn’t lift it. “What’s wrong with my hand?” He quickly pressed my hand down. “Don’t move, your hand is fractured from the fall. It’s a comminuted fracture.” From the fall? I remember it was you who stepped on it. “Ava, I want to discuss something with you.” He took my other hand, his gaze full of sincerity. “On the way to bring you here, I saw Chloe. She’s very ill and needs a heart transplant. Could you…” His words hit me like a sledgehammer, crushing my heart. Lying to me was one thing, but now he wanted me to donate a heart to someone who had attempted to murder me. “Ava, don’t be afraid. Our company has just developed a new artificial heart. The technology is very advanced, it’s just like having a normal heart once it’s implanted.” The more he spoke, the more excited he became, his eyes filled with urgency. “Ava, Chloe doesn’t have much time left. I’ve already done the heart compatibility tests for you two, and you’re a match. The surgery can be done in three days. “Ava, you’re beautiful and kind-hearted, you’ll help her, right? “You should be the one who understands her the most, right? Because you also have an incurable condition…” They’ve already done the compatibility tests and scheduled the surgery. So is he here to inform me or to ask for my opinion? I let out a cold laugh and turned my head away. Seeing my silence, his face lit up with joy. “Ava, since you’re not saying anything, I’ll take that as a yes. “Rest well and take care of yourself these next few days. I have some work to do at the company, so I’ll go now.” My heart sank to the bottom. I struggled to reach for my phone on the side and sent a message to the Special Experimental Lab in Hong Kong: [Ryan, save a spot for me in this experiment. I’m not getting married anymore.] Three days is enough for me to rest. After three days, I’m leaving this place.

After he left, he never came to see me again. Looking at the empty hospital room, I felt a pang in my heart. The nurse told me I had to get up and walk around today. Walking would be good, it might help clear my mind. I leaned against the wall, slowly inching forward with my head down, not knowing why my legs felt like they weighed a ton. Suddenly, another pair of feet appeared in front of me. Those shoes… they belonged to Chloe. Just as I looked up, she grabbed my throat, her face contorted with rage: “Ava, you’ve stolen Lucas from me for so many years. It’s time you paid the price!” I desperately tried to pry her hands off, attempting to make her let go. But she only tightened her grip. My face turned red from the lack of air. “Lucas showed me your photo. You freak, how dare you stand by his side. “You got lucky last time, but this time I’ll make it look like a medical accident.” Lucas had actually taken secret photos of me and showed them to others. I managed to squeeze out a few words from my throat, “But you’re still… by his side…” At this moment, she was like a madwoman, deaf to anything I said, her eyes filled with hatred. Suddenly, a familiar voice came: “Chloe, where are you?” Looking to the side, I saw Lucas anxiously searching for her. Chloe immediately let go of me, straightened her clothes, and quickly returned to her room, acting as if nothing had happened. It turned out Chloe had been staying in the room next to mine all along. Lucas hadn’t gone to work at the company; he had been taking care of her. I collapsed on the floor, gasping for air. At this moment, Chloe deliberately raised her voice. “Lucas, do you really want her to give me her heart?” “Of course. When I saw her disgusting side, my heart was already dead. But at least she still has some use. “I’m sorry I can’t give you an official status yet.” I let out a bitter laugh and struggled to get up from the floor, feeling dizzy. Suddenly, the wall beside me cracked with a loud noise, and pieces of the ceiling began to fall. People were thrown into a panic, with someone shouting: “Run! The hospital is collapsing!” I snapped to attention and started running, but after just a few steps, I felt an intense pain in my head, as if my brain was rattling inside. I clutched my head, my eyes red and unfocused as I stood rooted to the spot. If I don’t run, I’ll die. Mustering up my courage, I was about to move forward when I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder. The force of the impact threw me off balance, and I fell to the ground uncontrollably. The dust in front of me was getting thicker. I waved my hand in front of my face to clear my vision and saw who had bumped into me. It was Lucas, carrying Chloe on his back as he ran desperately towards the exit. The patients around me who could run had already fled, and those who couldn’t were being helped by their family members. Behind me, there was no one. The only person who used to be behind me was now carrying another woman away. I could no longer hold back and burst into loud sobs.

The dust in the air grew thicker, and pieces of rubble kept hitting my body. But what was this compared to the pain in my heart? It wasn’t even a fraction. It seemed like I was the only one left around, all alone. What was the point of staying alive in this world? Perhaps this disaster was my destined fate. I slowly closed my eyes, waiting for death to come. My ears were filled with the sound of the building tearing apart, each sound like the ticking of a countdown clock to the end of my life. Suddenly, a pair of strong hands lifted me up securely. Could it be Lucas? I opened my eyes excitedly, but when I saw who it was, I swallowed my words. “Ryan? Why are you here?” He frowned, his eyes fixed determinedly ahead. “Are you an idiot? Don’t you know to run?” I wanted to explain, but I didn’t know where to start. Ryan carried me out of the hospital just as the building collapsed behind us. He carefully set me down. As the smoke cleared, I saw people in various uniforms – doctors, nurses, patients, firefighters. Among the crowd, that familiar voice rang out again. “Firefighters, please go in and save people! There are still people inside! My fiancée is still in there.” Lucas’s face was red, the veins on his forehead bulging, as he anxiously gestured to the firefighters. The firefighters wore troubled expressions. The building had collapsed severely; anyone still inside would have been crushed. Seeing the firefighters not moving, Lucas roared, “How can you be like this! There are people inside and you won’t save them? I’m going to file a complaint!” After saying this, he suddenly turned and ran towards the rubble, digging at the stones with his bare hands. As he dug, he muttered under his breath: “Ava, you can’t die, you can’t die. “Chloe still needs your heart.” My heart suddenly skipped a beat. So, he wasn’t upset because of me, but because if I died, there would be no one to give Chloe a heart. I took a deep breath and slowly spoke up: “Lucas, I’m here.” As soon as I spoke, everyone turned to look at me. A flash of relief crossed Lucas’s face. He dropped the stones and ran towards me. He pulled me into a tight embrace, hot tears sliding down my neck. “Ava, do you know how worried I was about you? As soon as I heard about the accident at the hospital, I rushed over here. I’m so glad you’re okay. “Where did you go? How did you get out?” I unconsciously glanced at Ryan but didn’t answer. Someone watching nearby commented, “It’s obvious the man next to her saved her. They probably came out so late because they were together.” Lucas immediately raised his head and glared fiercely at Ryan. “Who are you?” I quickly stepped in front of Ryan. “He’s my friend. We met by chance, and he saved me.” Lucas let out a cold laugh, the hostility in his eyes not diminishing at all. “Don’t joke around. Who would want to be friends with you?” Indeed, everyone thought I was a freak. Chloe slowly walked over, a smile playing on her lips, her voice full of malice: “Ava, you and Lucas are about to get married. It’s not good to cheat now, is it?” Lucas instantly flew into a rage. He stepped forward and grabbed Ryan’s collar, shouting: “Well, well! You and Ava are bold enough to cheat right in front of me?” How could he accuse others of what he himself was guilty of? It was laughable. “Lucas, I advise you to stop right there,” I warned, knocking his hand away. “Fine, you’re even protecting him now? Ava, don’t take advantage of my love for you and do whatever you want.” Love for me? What a joke. Loved me so much he brought another woman home, loved me so much he didn’t save me when the building was collapsing. I was about to retort when a stern voice came from behind. “Who’s in charge of this hospital? We’ve found that the building materials used were substandard. Please come with us for investigation.” The next second, his hand pointed at me. “It’s her. She’s the director.” My pupils constricted, and I looked at him in disbelief. Back then, he said he wanted to build a hospital just for me, so I became the nominal director. But all along, it was his people who had been managing these things.

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In our three years of marriage, my wife hypnotized me three times. The first time, when her childhood friend and I were competing for a board position at the company, my wife personally broke both my hands, turning me into a cripple. The second time, when her childhood friend needed liquid capital, she sold my luxury cars and mansion, and took out massive loans in my name. The third time, when her childhood friend was severely injured in a car accident, she forcibly harvested our son’s eyes and liver for transplantation. Each time, I furiously demanded a divorce, wanting to cut all ties with her. But she would cling to me, crying, saying she’d go insane without me. She even forcibly hypnotized me to forget everything, just to keep me by her side as if nothing had happened. It wasn’t until the day of our son’s funeral that I accidentally discovered the whole truth. “Ms. Chloe, this is the fourth hypnosis session. One more could cause irreversible damage to your husband’s brain. He might become mentally unstable. Are you sure you want to proceed?” the doctor asked. “He must forget what happened today! If not, he’ll definitely leave me. I can’t allow him to pose any threat to Marcus!” Chloe insisted. The doctor sighed, “Why do you need to trample on your husband’s sincere love to this extent?” “I have no choice. Who told him to possess exactly what Marcus needs? For Marcus’s happiness, I’m willing to be the villain,” Chloe replied coldly. Hearing this conversation, I felt as if my blood had frozen. My fists clenched involuntarily, but I kept my eyes tightly shut, pretending to be asleep. I had only been looking for my absent wife at our son’s funeral when I accidentally stumbled upon her hosting a lavish birthday party for her childhood friend at a five-star hotel. Before I could confront her, someone knocked me unconscious. When I came to, I overheard this conversation between the doctor and my wife. The doctor continued heatedly, “But your husband’s hand injury was severe. You made the hospital deliberately misalign his tendons. He endures excruciating pain every day.” “You lied to him, saying he had a gambling addiction and owed debts. You told him there wasn’t enough money for pain medication, yet you emptied his bank account to throw this extravagant birthday party for Marcus! Do you really hate him that much?” Chloe shook her head, “How could I possibly hate him?” “It’s all for Marcus. His greatest dream is to be the company’s leader, so I’ll be the woman who silently supports him from behind.” “As for Jack, if he must blame someone, blame him for shining too brightly and blocking others’ paths. I had to turn him into a helpless cripple to feel at ease…” The doctor wanted to say more, but Chloe coldly cut him off. “Enough. Watch your mouth. If you let slip even half a word to Jack, I won’t let you off easy!” “Hurry up and erase his memory. Make him think he caused some trouble today. That way, he’ll stay by my side out of guilt, never leaving me.” Chloe’s hand gently caressed my face. But I could no longer feel any of the love I once thought was there. Five years ago, when Chloe’s family company went bankrupt, I gave her a billion dollars to help her rebuild. When Marcus was kicked out of his family for being an illegitimate child, I was the one who kindly took him in at the company, gradually promoting him to a high position. At the time, Marcus knelt before me, saying he would repay this life-saving kindness someday. Chloe also confessed her love to me, saying she had liked me for a long time. But I never imagined that later, Chloe would steal my assets for Marcus, then trick me into believing I had gambled away all my money. She even put on a complete act, moving with me to a tiny apartment in the poorest part of town, living a life of extreme poverty to save every penny. Later, when Marcus was in a car accident, she cut open our son and harvested his organs to save Marcus’s life. While our son was dying in agony, Chloe was busy wiping Marcus’s body and feeding him. I had angrily argued with her countless times. Each time, Chloe would kneel and beg my forgiveness, pleading with me not to leave, saying she would go crazy without me. If I insisted on leaving, she would use hypnosis to make me forget everything. I had already forgotten three times, and this was nearly the fourth. When I opened my eyes after the hypnosis ended, I saw Chloe looking at me with reddened eyes. Seeing me awake, she hugged me and burst into tears. “Jack, thank goodness you’re awake,” she sobbed. “You were so devastated by our son’s death that you got into a fight at the hospital. When I saw your head bleeding, I thought I would go mad. If you left me too, I really couldn’t go on living!” The concern in her eyes seemed so genuine, but I no longer felt any trace of being moved. Chloe didn’t notice anything amiss. She turned and took out a takeout container from a cheap plastic bag, holding it preciously before me. “Jack, you must be hungry. Look what I brought you! I snuck this out while working as a cleaner at the hotel. It’s high-grade steak and Wagyu beef.” Ever since our family went bankrupt, Chloe would always cry about how all the money she earned from work went to pay off debts. Feeling sorry for her, I would eat very little each day, enduring dizziness and hunger pangs. But today I had clearly seen at Marcus’s birthday party how abalone and sea cucumber were served endlessly. This steak was merely scraps. Marcus had even deliberately stepped on the container and spat in it, telling the waiter to add raw blood to make it disgusting and inedible, saying it was food for dogs. In the past, the so-called gourmet food Chloe brought back always tasted terrible, but I would force myself to eat it all, not wanting to waste her kindness. Now I felt nauseated. I discreetly pushed her hand away, not acknowledging her gesture. But Chloe wasn’t angry. Instead, she looked surprised and delighted as she grasped my hand, examining it closely. “Your hand can move now?” she exclaimed.

“That’s wonderful, you’re finally starting to recover!” “You used to always say your hands were useless, that you didn’t want to be my burden and wanted a divorce. Let’s see if you still dare say such discouraging things now!” She excitedly found a hot water bottle to warm my hands, then gently massaged them. She looked as happy as a wife seeing her husband recover. But I could no longer trust her. I forced a smile and pushed Chloe away from me. “Don’t you have to go to your part-time job? Hurry along, don’t be late for work.” She paused at my unusual reaction, but after carefully checking that I seemed normal, she just kissed me on the cheek and hurried out the door. “Wait for me at home!” Shortly after she left, I went out too. I had been holding my son’s ashes before being knocked unconscious. Now they were gone, presumably left at the hotel. I needed to find them. But I had only walked a few steps when I suddenly felt dizzy. When I opened my eyes again, it was pain that woke me. Someone had viciously struck my wrist with a club. Agonizing pain spread throughout my body. In the darkness, I couldn’t make out the attacker’s face. I only heard him speaking into a phone in a thick accent. “Ms. Chloe, I’ve crippled that man’s hand. This time I guarantee he’ll never be able to lift it again.” “We were very discreet. We didn’t let him see our faces.” A cold female voice came through the phone, devoid of emotion. “Last time you guaranteed the same thing, yet he was able to lift his arm again after just three years. Are you certain it’s completely ruined this time? I want to ensure he has no chance of recovery ever again!” After getting confirmation, Chloe finally sounded satisfied. “Very good. I’ll double your payment!” “I’ve drugged his water with enough sedatives to last all day. Just leave him there barely breathing. I’ll go deal with him after I finish up things with Marcus.” My heart was pounding with shock. I was already crippled, yet Chloe still wasn’t satisfied. She was willing to go to such lengths to destroy me for Marcus! But for all her calculations, she never anticipated that I had only taken one sip of that water. After the man hung up, he turned to give my hand another blow. I seized the opportunity to strangle him unconscious with the iron chains on the ground, then staggered out. Once outside the room, I realized this was the underground warehouse of Lin Corporation. Just as I was about to leave, I saw two people talking in the garden. Chloe was leaning against Marcus, her head buried in his chest, seemingly full of endless affection. She sighed, “Marcus, your embrace is so warm. I wish I could stay in your arms forever. If only this moment would never end.” “I’m in so much agony. Countless times I’ve wanted to divorce Jack, but I’m afraid that once we divorce, he’ll be out of my control and pose a threat to you.” “For the sake of him once saving you, I can only grit my teeth and care for that cripple.” Marcus didn’t push her away, but instead wrapped his arm around her waist. He sighed, “You’ve suffered so much for me, Chloe. I’ll always remember everything you’ve done.” “But I set my life’s goal long ago to focus on my career. If I can’t achieve great success, I’m afraid I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.” “I’m about to negotiate a deal with a major corporation. I heard their CEO has a grudge against Jack. What if I hand Jack over to him? Wouldn’t that help seal the deal? I just don’t know if you’d be willing…” Chloe replied without hesitation, “Of course I’m willing. Just tell me when you need him. Back when my family went bankrupt, it was you who gave me a billion dollars to help. Otherwise, Lin Corporation wouldn’t be where it is today.” She paused, then added, “Just… no matter what they do to him, make sure to leave him alive in the end.” “You can’t bear to let him die?” Marcus asked. “No, it’s because his blood type and bone marrow match yours. In case anything happens to you, he can donate blood or organs.” I laughed coldly. So Chloe believed that billion-dollar investment came from Marcus. No wonder she was so obedient to him, treating him like her savior. I wondered how she would react if she knew the truth. I took out my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t called in years. “Dad, I’m done being stubborn. I admit I was wrong.” “I’ll agree to your demand to divorce Chloe. Please send someone to pick me up and bring me home.” After hanging up, I prepared to leave. But just as I exited the company, I ran into Marcus. He stood with his arms crossed, looking at me with a mocking expression. “Did you enjoy eavesdropping? The once high and mighty Jack, how have you fallen to such a pathetic state? Covered in blood, thin as a rail. Didn’t eat the gourmet meal I specially prepared for you?” My clothes were stained with blood from the attack, and I looked utterly disheveled. My wrist throbbed with pain at the slightest movement. I could only be grateful I had stopped that man from striking a second time, or my hand might truly have been beyond saving. I didn’t want to engage with this ungrateful bastard. I just gave him a cold look and prepared to leave. But Marcus pulled out a small urn, dangling it before me. “Looking for this?” he asked.

The urn was tiny, barely the size of his palm. He mused, “Who would have thought a six-year-old child would be reduced to just a small handful of ashes? Just days ago, he was standing before me alive, calling me uncle. Too bad Chloe soon cut him open.” “Chloe said his only value in life was to be my blood bank and spare organ donor. Now that he’s dead, you’re next. Looks like you father and son have a hereditary occupation.” He burst out laughing, tears of mirth in his eyes. Rage ignited in my heart. I lunged at him, trying to snatch the urn. “Give it back! That’s my son!” But my strength was no match for his. He easily dodged me. “I can’t just give it to you for free. After all, Chloe wanted to throw it away, but I kept it for you. You should be thanking me!” As he finished speaking, several bodyguards suddenly appeared and kicked the back of my knees, dragging me to the company lobby. It was bustling with people, including many former colleagues and acquaintances. They all stopped to stare at my wretched state. “Isn’t that Jack who disappeared? I thought he had retired after making his fortune. How does he look like he’s on death’s door? He’s practically a cripple!” “I heard he gambled away all his assets and got his hands broken by loan sharks. He even caused his own son’s death. What a burden on poor Chloe!” “He’s probably here to beg Marcus for money, playing on their past relationship. Those two are so unlucky to be saddled with him.” Contemptuous and scornful gazes fell on me, their disdain nearly drowning me. Marcus smirked, “You want your son’s ashes? Then crawl between my legs to get them! I’ll give you five seconds. Time’s up after that!” He started counting down, “Five, four, three…” As I gritted my teeth, agonizing over the decision, he paused midway and laughed. Then he suddenly opened the urn and dumped all the ashes into a nearby flower pot. The white fragments and powder scattered, then were ground deep into the soil by his raised foot. In an instant, they vanished without a trace. Now there was no way to retrieve them. I could no longer contain my fury. I raised my hand and punched him hard in the face. “Marcus, he died for you! How can you be so heartless? Aren’t you afraid of karmic retribution?” Marcus sneered and said in a low voice, “Are you trying to tickle me? A cripple is still just a cripple.” “No wonder your wife says you’re useless, completely unable to satisfy her. Yesterday we went at it until the bed nearly collapsed. She kept praising me, saying how amazing I was. She screamed in pleasure so loudly the whole office outside could hear clearly!” He grinned maliciously, “You know what? Back when you were kidnapped and tortured, we watched the whole livestream from outside. She felt guilty midway and wanted to send someone to save you. But after I pressed her down on the couch, she was too caught up in ecstasy to care anymore. In fact, the more we heard your agonized screams, the more aroused and thrilled she became.” My whole body shook with rage. Memories of being tortured to the brink of death flooded my mind, making me sick with anger. But Marcus suddenly grabbed my hand and used it to punch himself hard in the face. “See, that’s how you throw a punch!” he taunted. Just then, we heard Chloe’s piercing scream. She quickly shielded Marcus behind her, then slapped me across the face to avenge him. Her face was colder than I had ever seen as she said, “Jack, stay away from Marcus. If a worthless cripple like you hurts him, he’d wake up dissatisfied even in his dreams!” “If you dare touch him, I’ll pay you back tenfold!” I laughed mockingly, “Didn’t you cause me to become a cripple in the first place?” A flicker of panic crossed her eyes. She frowned, “What are you talking about? Stop being ridiculous!” But Marcus held her back. “Chloe, Jack did me a favor in the past. Let’s consider this punch as repayment for that kindness. We should be magnanimous and not quibble with petty people!” He took Chloe’s hand and left. Their backs as they walked away together stung my eyes. But I didn’t chase after them to beg. Instead, I went home to pack my bags. The doorbell suddenly rang. A courier had delivered a package. When I opened it, a bloody, mangled finger fell out. From the birthmark, I immediately recognized it as my son’s. The note inside read, “Chloe accidentally chopped this off while harvesting his liver. A keepsake for you.” Just then, my phone rang. Chloe’s voice came through, “Jack, I was a bit hasty earlier. Don’t take it to heart. Marcus told me he picked out a gift to apologize to you. Do you like it?” Suppressing the hatred in my heart, I said in a trembling voice, “I love it. Tell him I’ll return the favor.” I hung up and left behind divorce papers, then departed from the place I had called home for years. Chloe, thinking I had finally learned my lesson, hung up with satisfaction. She was accompanying Marcus at the company, waiting for their business partner. But as the appointed time passed, there was still no sign of them. Just as Chloe was feeling uneasy and about to make a call, a panicked employee rushed in. “M-Ms. Chloe,” he stammered, “Someone saw our business partner leave by helicopter with Jack! And Jack asked me to tell you something before he left.” “He said he now knows everything you’ve done to him. His biggest regret was giving you that billion dollars five years ago to help you rebuild. If he could do it over, he’d rather have fed that money to dogs!”

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The day my sister committed suicide, my husband locked me, three months pregnant, in a large sterilization chamber. “You filthy-minded woman, purify your dirty, ugly soul in here!” Jack shouted. “You killed Rose! Not making you die with her is already the greatest mercy!” “You’re morally corrupt and unfaithful. This will disinfect you and treat those shameful gynecological infections of yours!” Rose was his first love, his ideal. I was just leftover rice gone bad. Rose’s depression was fake. My claustrophobia was real. I struggled desperately in the sterilization chamber, finally dying from ozone poisoning. Ironically, it turned out my sister’s suicide was also fake. She came back to life with a radiant smile. My husband embraced Rose passionately, leaving my corpse to rot in the cramped sterilization chamber. A week later, he opened the chamber door with Rose by his side. “Lily, have you repented yet?” Only in death can one truly find liberation. My soul floated out of the sterilization chamber, drifting to Jack’s side. He was crying. In the eyes of the world, Jack was a cold and dignified man, always composed and never losing his poise. He was also a germaphobe, never allowing even a speck of dust on himself. But now he was crying uncontrollably, snot running down his face, sobbing over Rose’s photo on his phone. “Rose, I miss you so much!” “Why did you do something so foolish? What am I supposed to do without you? The world has lost all its color without you… wah wah wah…” He was inconsolable, just like the passionate male lead in a romance movie. I laughed mockingly. Romance movie? More like an illicit affair movie! Rose was my sister, and I was Jack’s lawful wife. So Rose was Jack’s sister-in-law. What right did he have to cry? The one who should be crying is me! I floated in the air, tears streaming down my face, my hand caressing my now-flat belly. Not just crying for my own death, but for the loss of my innocent child. “Baby, Mommy is so sorry.” “Mommy was blind, marrying such a heartless scumbag. Because of that, you didn’t even get a chance to see this world before tragically departing.” “If there’s a next life, please be born into a family where the parents truly love each other, okay?” “Even if it’s poor, at least it will be warm.” “Wah wah…” My soul trembled with grief. The door opened, and the housekeeper walked in. “Sir, the madam has been locked in the sterilization chamber for three days and nights. Please let her out! I’m really worried something might happen to her. Madam is very timid, she even has claustrophobia and is afraid to ride in elevators alone—” The housekeeper’s words enraged Jack. “Shut up!” “Three days without food or water won’t kill her!” “It’s not a gas chamber! Ozone isn’t toxic, it can even disinfect and reduce inflammation! It’s perfect for purifying Lily’s dirty, ugly soul!” “What’s claustrophobia compared to this? My Rose has already committed suicide because of depression! Lily is just afraid of the dark, what’s there to fuss about? Let her stay in there and atone for her sins!” “She killed her own sister. I’m already being merciful by not drowning this vicious woman in a pig cage!” Jack was so agitated that snot ran into his mouth without him noticing. I felt disgusted watching. It seems people only truly understand everything after death. I regretted why I ever fell in love with such a heartless beast like Jack. Even though I was already dead, just thinking about the torture and abuse I suffered before dying still left my soul restless. Three days ago, I had begged Jack not to lock me in the sterilization chamber. “My sister committed suicide. Her death had nothing to do with me!”

But my pleas were met with Jack’s distorted face as he roared: “You still dare to quibble? You knew very well that Rose had depression and couldn’t handle stress!” “But you didn’t open the door for her, didn’t wake me up to comfort her lonely and fragile heart, letting her drown herself in despair!” “Bah! You’re just a malicious woman! Jealousy made you lose your humanity! You could even do this to your own sister!” “You may not have broken the law, but you’re morally bankrupt!” “I must get justice for Rose! Repent, you executioner!” He forcefully shoved me into the sterilization chamber. The chamber wasn’t large. To close the door, Jack actually broke my right wrist. I screamed in agony while he laughed maniacally. He slammed the door shut, isolating me in the cramped darkness. I have claustrophobia. I screamed hysterically inside, suffering both mental and physical torture. Jack was unmoved and stormed off. Before leaving, he turned on the chamber’s sterilization program. Ozone continuously poured in. At low concentrations, ozone smells like fresh grass. It wasn’t too unpleasant. I could still bear it. Although I was afraid of the dark and my wrist hurt terribly, for the sake of the baby in my belly, I trembled but encouraged myself to be brave. Women may be weak, but mothers are strong. With the company of the child in my womb, I didn’t feel as frightened. But Jack forgot to turn off the sterilization program, and ozone kept pouring in! The concentration got higher and higher, turning into a fishy smell. I was good at chemistry. I knew that low concentrations of ozone weren’t toxic. But at high concentrations, inhaling too much could damage the respiratory system, circulatory system, and nervous system. It could be fatal! In the blue smoke, I felt chest tightness, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, and a splitting headache. “Let me out!” “Help!” “Jack, I’m carrying your child! We’re both going to die!” I screamed desperately, but no one answered my calls. I was terrified of dying! I was even more afraid something would happen to the baby in my belly! I cried and pounded on the door. It wouldn’t budge. My right hand was broken, so I tried to claw at it with my left hand. I tore off my nails, rubbed my flesh raw, exposing white bone, but it was all in vain. In the end, I died, tragically saying goodbye to this cruel world along with the unborn child in my womb. Jack’s mercy never came. Jack, how could you be so cruel!

The housekeeper trembled in fear, but I had always treated her well. So she still gathered her courage and continued to plead: “But madam is pregnant, pregnant women can’t handle this kind of stress—” The housekeeper mentioning my pregnancy was like lighting a fuse for Jack. “Shut up!” “I don’t want to hear the word ‘pregnant’! Get out!” “Say one more word and you’re fired!” “One week! Keep that bitch Lily locked up for at least a week before letting her out!” I really couldn’t understand. Isn’t it said that even tigers don’t eat their cubs? Aren’t men supposed to believe “the child is mine, but the wife belongs to someone else”? Why was Jack so heartless towards the child in my womb? You may not love me, but how could you be so cruel to your own flesh and blood? You’re truly an animal! The housekeeper left, and Jack couldn’t hear my curses as he continued to mourn Rose. I watched him coldly. Because I hated him so much, because my tears had all dried up while I was still alive. So I smiled a sad smile. Jack, you can no longer control my life. I’m waiting for the day you regret this bitterly!

Rose and I were sisters born to the same parents. But she bullied me since childhood, stealing all the spotlight. She was the red flower, I could only be the green leaves. Whenever I made her unhappy, she would torment me in revenge. In elementary school, just because my grades were one point higher than hers, she locked me in the basement and played creepy music from horror movies outside. That’s how I developed claustrophobia. The Qiao family and the Ye family had an arranged marriage. Jack was handsome and dashing, so Rose claimed him without hesitation. She seized every opportunity to date Jack, warning me not to interfere. Although I also liked Jack, I didn’t want to compete with Rose. Three years ago, when Rose was about to get engaged to Jack, the Ye family business ran into big trouble and was on the verge of bankruptcy. Rose was used to a life of luxury and didn’t want to marry into hardship, so she pretended to have depression and checked herself into a mental hospital. Jack’s career and love life both took a hit, leaving him very depressed and drowning his sorrows in alcohol every day. I couldn’t bear to see him like that, so I voluntarily offered to marry Jack. I fell out with my parents over this. Because they were also snobs who wanted to break off the engagement. But I was very insistent. Before our grandfather passed away, he left a will. Our parents held 60% of the Qiao family shares, while Rose and I each had 20%. I brought my 20% shares as a dowry to the Ye family. My parents cursed me for being an ungrateful white-eyed wolf. But I felt that I should give everything to my husband without reservation. I didn’t want to see Jack depressed. I hoped he could make a comeback. Jack was very capable. After liquidating these shares as capital, he worked hard and pulled the Ye family back from the brink of bankruptcy step by step. They became even more prominent than before. Ironically, my own family’s company went bankrupt due to bad investments. My parents also passed away in an accident. Although I was very sad, I thought I still had my husband to rely on. My husband and sister were the two closest people to me in the world. But these two people also hurt me the deepest! Because my sister regretted her decision. She shamelessly became the other woman, seducing my husband in various ways. She even had the audacity to say that love is first come, first served. Although I had the marriage certificate, she was the inviolable first love. She said I married Jack by taking advantage of the situation, stealing her man. She wanted to take back the man and happiness that belonged to her. To protect my marriage, I very solemnly told Jack not to be deceived by my sister’s sweet talk, that she was a white lotus. She had previously faked depression to avoid marrying him. But Jack was furious and accused me of slandering his goddess, his first love. He said Rose would never deceive him, that she developed depression because she was worried about his bankruptcy. She suffered for his sake. He felt guilty towards Rose, so he wanted to take extra care of her. Jack and Rose became more and more unscrupulous, using treating depression as an excuse to go bar-hopping, clubbing, dancing, swimming, traveling, mountain climbing, skiing… I was disheartened, realizing that Jack didn’t believe me simply because he didn’t love me. He had always loved Rose. He chose to marry me back then only because of that 20% of shares. Disappointed, I thought about divorce. I wanted to keep some dignity for myself. I didn’t want to be a beggar for love. But just three months ago, I found out I was pregnant. Jack was very shocked, but also very happy. He apologized to me for neglecting me, saying he would be a good father and keep his distance from Rose. I knew his return to the family wasn’t because of love, but because he cared about the child in my belly. But I still swallowed the bitterness and reconciled with him. Not because I couldn’t bear to part with him, but because I didn’t want the child to grow up in a single-parent family. For the sake of the child, a mother can sacrifice anything. Including stupid love. Jack did indeed turn over a new leaf, treating me very gently and attentively, even preparing a nursery full of toys. He kept his distance from Rose, blocking all her contact information. Until a week ago, he suddenly got drunk, cursing incomprehensibly, and passed out on the bed. In the middle of the night, Rose came, banging on the door violently, crying that her depression had flared up. She needed Jack’s comfort. Of course I couldn’t let Rose in. I kept her out and didn’t wake up my drunk husband either. That night Rose drowned herself in the sea, leaving her shoes and a suicide note on the shore. The note was full of love for Jack and resentment towards me. The next day when Jack woke up, he went crazy. He cursed me for having evil thoughts, for driving Rose to her death. Ignoring my cries, he locked me in the sterilization chamber.

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It was New Year’s Eve, and my in-laws insisted we spend it at their place, claiming it would bring good luck for the coming year. Unable to get train tickets, we decided to drive back. That’s when Jack’s ex-girlfriend, Chloe, invited herself along. She brazenly took my seat in the front, saying, “Emma, I get carsick easily. I can only sit in the front.” Jack looked at me with disdain. “It’s just a seat. Why are you being so petty?” His parents chimed in, “You’re older, what’s the harm in letting Chloe have the front seat?” Unable to argue, I squeezed into the back with my in-laws. At a toll station, Chloe spotted a stray dog and had a sudden burst of compassion. “That poor dog! Let’s take it with us.” I immediately objected, “Our car is already full. We’d be over capacity if we took the dog. We wouldn’t be allowed on the road.” Chloe gave Jack a pitiful look. Without hesitation, he turned to me, “Emma, why don’t you give up your seat for the stray dog? You can take a cab home.” … At the toll station, Chloe, who had insisted on squeezing in with us for the trip home, spotted a stray dog and wanted to bring it along. Faced with my objection, Chloe didn’t care at all. She just looked at Jack with puppy eyes: “Jack, please, can we take this dog? If we leave it here, it’ll freeze to death.” “It’s so young, it hasn’t even seen the world yet. It shouldn’t die here like this.” She wrapped her scarf around the stray dog as she spoke. Jack took my shawl from the car and draped it over Chloe’s shoulders, comforting her as if I wasn’t there: “Don’t worry, I won’t abandon it.” “You’re already so frail, you need to take care of yourself too. Don’t catch a cold.” Then he turned to me with displeasure: “Emma, how can you be so heartless?” “It may just be a stray dog to you, but it’s a living being.” “How can you be so cold and indifferent?” I looked at the two of them, annoyed by their excessive display of compassion. I had never said we shouldn’t help the dog, yet they painted me as some sort of villain. And one of them was my husband, who had shared a bed with me for years. Despite my anger, I patiently explained: “If you really want to save this dog, we can leave some food for it.” “Or we could talk to the convenience store staff here, leave some money, and ask them to look after the dog.” “Our car is already full. If we take it with us, we’ll be over capacity and will definitely be stopped by the police.” I thought my explanation was clear enough. But as soon as I finished speaking, Chloe became upset: “Emma, I know you’re loaded, but how can you just leave the stray dog with the store staff here? How do you know they’ll take proper care of it?” “What if they take the money and don’t do anything? What will happen to Blackie then?” In less than five minutes, Chloe had already come up with a name for the stray dog. “How can you expect a little dog to survive this harsh winter?” “Do rich people like you think a dog’s life is worthless? Is it not a life at all?” “How can you bear to leave it here all alone? Can’t you see it’s already shivering from the cold?” Listening to Chloe’s moral blackmail, I couldn’t help but laugh. “I think you have a point.” Then I changed my tone: “Why don’t you give up your seat for little Blackie?”

Hearing my words, Chloe, who had been so righteous a moment ago, was stunned. “You can’t expect Jack’s parents to get out of the car to make room for your Blackie, can you?” “After all, they’re elderly.” “Since you’re so concerned about this little dog, why don’t I take it, and you stay here?” Now Chloe panicked, looking nervously at Jack. He frowned, looking at me with displeasure. “Emma, you’re going too far.” “How can you leave Chloe, a young woman, in a place like this? What if something happens to her? How would I explain that to her parents?” I used to think Jack was just insensitive and didn’t care about people. Now I realized he wasn’t incapable of caring; he just didn’t care about me. When it came to Chloe, he was attentive to every detail, afraid of causing the slightest discomfort to his ex-girlfriend. I crossed my arms and looked at Jack expectantly. “So what do you want to do?” Without a second thought, he picked up the little dog and put it in the car, then turned to me coldly: “Emma, just make a small sacrifice and give up your seat for this little dog.” “You can take a cab. That way, you won’t have to squeeze in the back with my parents, and you’ll be more comfortable.” At that moment, exclamations came from inside the car: “Oh my, where did this stray dog come from? It’s already cramped enough back here, there’s no room!” Jack patiently reassured them: “Don’t worry, Mom and Dad. Emma won’t be riding with us, so it won’t be crowded.” With one sentence, he had stripped away my rightful place, and none of my so-called family objected. “You want me to give up my seat for a stray dog?” I pointed at myself, looking at Jack in disbelief. He looked at me as if it were the most natural thing in the world: “Mom and Dad are old. Do you want to leave them at this toll station? Don’t you have any sense of duty as a daughter-in-law?” “As for Chloe, she’s already in poor health. How can you bear to leave a sick person at a toll station?” “If anything happens to her, how are you any different from a murderer?” “I’m doing this for your own good. Can’t you stop being such a princess?” He even started complaining about me: “If you knew how to drive, would we be in this mess?” “I’m already exhausted from driving long distances. Emma, can’t you be a little more understanding?” I looked at Jack in shock. It’s true that I don’t know how to drive. Because since I was young, my family had always provided me with a chauffeur. Later, when I met Jack, he had said: “From now on, I’ll be your driver. You just need to sit comfortably in the passenger seat.” Now, not only had he given my passenger seat to Chloe, But my inability to drive had become his excuse to blame me. My heart felt as if it had been doused with ice water, instantly turning cold. He worried about his parents being old, worried about his ex-girlfriend’s poor health. Even a strange dog could catch Jack’s attention. But for me, he had not an ounce of sympathy. He had even forgotten that I, too, was a defenseless woman. Yet he was perfectly content to leave me alone at this toll station in the middle of nowhere. I looked at Jack coldly. “So what am I supposed to do?” Jack turned to me without a hint of hesitation: “You’re a grown woman. Don’t you know how to get home?” “Even if you’re a pampered rich girl, surely you know how to call a cab!” As he spoke, he helped Chloe into the front passenger seat and thoughtfully closed the door for her. “It’s cold outside. You just sit tight in the car.” Chloe looked at me triumphantly: “Emma, I knew you were kind-hearted deep down.” “Saving a dog’s life is a great virtue. I’m sure Blackie will be grateful to you.”

Her words of gratitude were laced with smug satisfaction. They sat comfortably in the warm car while I stood alone in the cold wind outside. The contrast couldn’t have been starker. “Jack, do you even remember who your wife is?” I snapped. My words successfully darkened Jack’s face. “Even if you are my wife, that doesn’t give you the right to be unreasonable!” “It’s not like I’m asking you to walk home. What’s the big deal about taking a cab? Why are you making such a fuss?” “Emma, when will you learn to be more considerate?” With that, he slammed the car door shut and started the engine. “Instead of arguing with me, why don’t you hurry up and get a cab?” “Don’t make everyone late for New Year’s Eve dinner!” At the mention of dinner, Jack’s parents chimed in: “Emma, remember to buy some fresh vegetables on your way back.” “The eggs at home might be expired too, don’t forget to buy some.” “Oh, and Jack’s father hasn’t been feeling well lately. He can’t eat anything too greasy. Try to keep the New Year’s Eve dinner light, okay?” They seemed to have forgotten that I had been kicked out of the car and still had no idea how to get back. Yet they shamelessly continued to treat me like a maid, bossing me around. Even Chloe joined in, watching the drama unfold: “Can Emma cook everything?” Jack nodded without hesitation. She excitedly leaned out the car window, looking at me challengingly: “Then I’d like some braised meatballs!” With that, she closed the window. Jack didn’t even give me another glance as he stepped on the gas and drove away. The car hadn’t gone far when Jack’s phone call came through. But it wasn’t because he had a change of heart or was worried about my safety. Instead, he was giving me orders. “How come you haven’t gotten a cab yet? What are you even doing?” “Also, Chloe isn’t feeling well, so I can’t drive too fast. Since you’ll be taking a cab, tell the driver to hurry. Get back first and prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner we just ordered. We’re all tired from the long drive, so hurry up and do your job!” I used to be a pampered rich girl who never had to lift a finger. It was only after I got together with Jack that I learned how to cook. We always had a housekeeper at home. But they said they couldn’t get used to the housekeeper’s cooking and insisted that I, the daughter-in-law, should cook myself. I had complained before, but Jack always shut me down: “My parents have worked hard all their lives. They just want to enjoy being taken care of by their daughter-in-law. Can’t you just indulge them a little?” With that one sentence about filial piety, he successfully trapped me in a cage of serving them for three years. Naturally, the New Year’s Eve dinner also fell on my shoulders every year. I didn’t even have the chance to ask Jack to help out. Because his mother would say, “It’s bad luck for men to enter the kitchen.” And she would drag Jack out immediately. In the eyes of Jack’s parents, and even Jack himself, I wasn’t a wife or a daughter-in-law. I was just a servant catering to their every need. Listening to his arrangements, whatever remnants of affection I had for Jack were destroyed by his own hands. At that moment, I suddenly woke up. If there’s no love left, why keep this garbage of a man around for the New Year? Wouldn’t that just bring bad luck for the coming year? I immediately sent a message to my lawyer, asking him to prepare the divorce papers. I looked indifferently in the direction they had left and smiled. Then I dialed 911: “I want to report a crime. My husband deliberately abandoned me on the highway.”

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Jasmine became an overnight sensation after playing a bullied schoolgirl in a movie.
Fans called her the “White Rose” of the entertainment industry.
She jumped into icy water in winter just to film a scene perfectly. Meanwhile, I would only complain and wrap myself tightly in a coat when the crew asked me to wear a spaghetti strap dress.
After she subtly pointed out my wickedness countless times,
Angry fans sent me to the All-People’s Court for judgment.
They requested that I be judged for four crimes: [Violence], [Heartlessness], [Laziness], and [Promiscuity].
But I just smiled lightly at the camera and grabbed Jasmine’s long hair:
”You’re all so stupid, being played like fools by a born villain.” 1
 This is a world where public judgment prevails.
As long as 100,000 netizens jointly petition, they can send someone to the court.
I’m a notorious scandal-ridden actress in the industry, not very famous but always in trouble.
Not following the crew’s arrangements, being exposed for bullying the weak, willingly getting involved in others’ relationships – all kinds of negative news surrounded me.
Naturally, I became the perfect foil for my sister Jasmine.
Jasmine isn’t my biological sister; we just grew up in the same orphanage.
But even so, when you compare a pure and flawless white flower to a vicious man-eating flower,
Not to mention how Jasmine would often encourage me to turn over a new leaf on social media.
Deliberately pointing out my viciousness.
Of course, the fans became furious. 100,000 people joined hands to list my four crimes.
Successfully sending me to the All-People’s Court.
The impartial Karmic Judge would determine whether my four crimes were established and decide if I would go to jail.
I sat expressionlessly in the defendant’s seat.
The live stream’s comments instantly flooded the screen. [Skylar is actually really pretty…]
[Sweet face but cruel heart, that’s her!]
[She’s just a bitch, always bullying our Jasmine back at the orphanage.]
[I hope the trial ends quickly, and Skylar gets locked up for ten years!] Suddenly, Jasmine pulled a child with lowered eyes to stand in front of me: “Sister, I hope you won’t be sentenced! The kids from the orphanage and I all hope you can do well.” Seeing her trying hard to suppress her upturned mouth, I chuckled softly.
I reached out to gently stroke her silky black hair, then suddenly yanked it hard.
I was satisfied to see her pained expression: “You think I’m as stupid as them? To believe the words of a born villain like you!” Jasmine winced, letting out a weak cry of surprise: “Sister, you’re mistaken about me…” I sneered and pushed her away. [How dare she call Jasmine a villain when she’s done so many bad things herself!]
[Judge, can you teach her a lesson!] Jasmine’s poor acting made me laugh, but oddly enough, there was a group of supporters willing to be fooled by her.
I looked at her pretending to sob quietly with an indifferent expression.
No wonder she could hurt so many people and still escape, she’s been acting since she was a child. Jasmine, do you know how long I’ve been waiting for this day? 2
 A video started playing on the big screen.
The former director of the orphanage sat in a wheelchair with tears in her eyes: “Skylar, I don’t blame you for ruining my legs. Just admit your mistakes…” The comments went silent for a moment, then started scrolling frantically. [Is Skylar sick? The director was so kind, and she ruined her legs?]
[Oh my god, so that’s why the orphanage changed directors! She hurt the previous one!] Some angry audience members started cursing at me, and some even threw their shoes at me in their rage. “You ungrateful wretch, growing up in an orphanage and then hurting your own director!”
”You bitch, being so cold to your own director and sister! Who knows what else you’ve done behind people’s backs!”
”How can someone be so black-hearted? Look at her unrepentant face, it makes me so angry!” The Karmic Judge cleared his throat and had the staff put the judgment device on me.
The judgment device would extract memory fragments from my mind as evidence for this trial. “The trial begins! First crime: Violence!” The director also accused me of being violent towards the other children who grew up with me in the orphanage, bullying them more than once.
She even produced medical diagnoses from that time. I sneered coldly. Did they think providing evidence meant it was the truth? The big screen started playing extracted fragments of my memories for the Karmic Judge to make a judgment under the supervision of all the spectators. A little girl with two small pigtails and a soft, chubby white face full of anxiety: “Jasmine, did they bully you again?” This was me at seven years old. The comments were also stunned for a moment: [Was Skylar so cute when she was little?]
[Were she and Jasmine so close when they were young?] Jasmine threw herself into my arms with a sob: “Skylar, how could they do this to me?” Looking at her torn princess dress, I said sympathetically: “They’re too much! I’ll go settle accounts with them. Don’t be sad!” The scene changed, and the chubby-faced little girl angrily rushed in front of several children taller than her. “Harrison, why do you always bully Jasmine!” Her milky voice rang out. The boy in front looked me up and down: “Little fool, did Jasmine call you over to stand up for her again?” I was stunned: “What do you mean?” Harrison tapped my head: “You really are silly. She came over here herself to show off her new dress to us.” “Jasmine was just too happy…” I fidgeted with my fingers awkwardly. Harrison sighed: “Little Five wanted to buy study materials, but the director said there was no money, then turned around and bought her a new dress… Don’t be too kind-hearted, you’re being used as a pawn.” I didn’t notice Jasmine quietly following behind me.
But the big screen clearly showed the strange look in her eyes, unsuitable for a five-year-old child.
It seemed to be jealousy, or perhaps anger. [Jasmine’s eyes look so scary…]
[To be honest, five-year-olds don’t understand anything. How could Skylar bully others?]
[Agreed with the above, she’s just a little bean herself, how could she bully other children? And they seem to treat Skylar quite well.] Jasmine sat in the audience, looking at the comments with a gloomy expression. Late at night, Jasmine dragged me to the orphanage’s garage.
Two small figures huddled together in the dark. I looked at the pin she handed me with difficulty: “Jasmine, we shouldn’t do this! What if something goes wrong!” Jasmine smiled sweetly as she pushed the pin into my hand: “It’s fine, we’re just scaring them a little! They don’t ride bikes much anyway.” I pulled my hand back: “I don’t want to! Jasmine, I’m going back first. You shouldn’t do this either!” Jasmine watched my retreating back with an expressionless face, picking up the pin from the ground. 3
 The next day, the director suddenly announced a bicycle race.
The winner would get a new set of study materials. I worriedly watched Harrison and the others eagerly preparing.
Glancing at Jasmine’s smug face, I quietly approached Harrison. Tugging at his sleeve, I muttered: “Don’t ride bikes, it’s very dangerous.” The boy scratched his head carelessly: “I’m very good at riding bikes, I’ll show you in a bit.” I opened my mouth to say more, but Jasmine pulled me away. “Jasmine, you didn’t…” Before I could finish, Jasmine covered my mouth. She looked around: “Skylar, I didn’t do anything, don’t talk nonsense!” I felt relieved hearing that, but an accident happened right before our eyes. As they were riding, a rope suddenly appeared on the track ahead.
Harrison’s bicycle went out of control and fell heavily to the ground. Some of the other kids’ bikes had flat tires, while others had broken brakes. I watched with wide eyes as they tumbled into a heap.
Glancing at Jasmine’s pleased expression on her childish face, I hurriedly ran over to help them up. The director quickly called for a car to take them to the hospital.
I watched the director’s seemingly anxious expression, always feeling something was off. The video ended there… The comments seemed to freeze, only starting to scroll after a while. [These children getting hurt wasn’t Skylar’s doing!]
[Skylar was so cute when she was little, I think she’s quite nice…]
[Maybe she turned bad when she grew up!] I listened to the doubts from the audience seats with an indifferent expression. The Karmic Judge gestured for the evidence team staff to present the evidence. In the video, a handsome young man pushed up the glasses on his nose: “Hello everyone, I’m Little Five, the orphanage child who was allegedly bullied by Skylar… I feel it’s necessary to clarify that our group who grew up together all liked Skylar very much. The so-called medical diagnoses online were from when we got hurt in that bicycle race! I hope everyone won’t just follow the crowd and hurt a truly good person.” The comments couldn’t believe what they were hearing. [What the hell, is this a helper Skylar hired?]
[I think Jasmine is the one with issues… Didn’t you see her staying in the bike shed that night?]
[Above, this is a famous AI designer in the industry now.]
[Skylar may not have bullied anyone, but she did other bad things!] The Karmic Judge’s gaze was cold as he made his judgment: “Skylar’s first crime: Violence, verdict not guilty!” As the judge’s words fell, Jasmine’s hand secretly tightened, causing the orphanage child she was holding to whimper softly in pain. I noticed the commotion on her side, my gaze growing cold, as if it could form icicles. Jasmine, you and your backer won’t be smug for long! 4
 “Judging the second crime: Heartlessness!” The Karmic Judge tapped the gavel in front of him.
The trial began again. I was accused of maliciously setting fire to the orphanage, causing the director’s legs to be amputated. The extracted memories this time started from a few days before the fire occurred at the orphanage. Me as a high school student, already grown into a graceful young lady. The beautiful Jasmine clung to my wrist: “Skylar, I heard there will be many famous entrepreneurs coming to the orphanage’s donation banquet tomorrow night!” I smiled faintly and pulled my arm away: “Is that so?” Unlike when I was little, I wasn’t so easily fooled anymore.
By this time, I had vaguely started to notice Jasmine’s insincerity and began to distance myself from her. The director walked gently into the courtyard: “Skylar, Jasmine, dress up nicely tomorrow and perform well, don’t be nervous.” Watching her softly stroke Jasmine’s hair, a dark glint flashed in my eyes. Some people in the comments noticed my expression. [What kind of look is that on Skylar’s face? Is she jealous of our Jasmine?]
[She must be jealous that the director likes our Jasmine!] Soon it was the day of the banquet. I, who had been living at school, returned to the orphanage to help out. While getting vases from the storage room,
I heard the director on the phone: “Mr. Shen, I know your taste. Don’t worry, I’ll arrange everything.” Standing in the corner, enveloped by the shadows, I felt something was very wrong. Lily, noticing my tightly furrowed brow, asked with concern: “Big sis Skylar, what are you thinking about?” I patted her head.
But she flinched, and my expression changed: “Is someone bullying you?” Lily was a few years younger than me and had only been at the orphanage for a short time. She was good at reading people’s expressions. When I occasionally returned to the orphanage on breaks, I would often help her with her studies. Seeing her tightly gripping her sleeves and her evasive gaze, I felt suspicious.
I suddenly grabbed her hand and pushed up her sleeve: “What… happened to this!” My voice trembled as I saw Lily’s thin arm covered in bruises and swelling. Lily carefully looked around, and seeing no one else, she threw herself into my arms and burst into tears. Listening to her sobbing confession in my ear, my eyes turned blood-red, as if about to drip blood. [Can anyone in the comments hear what this little girl is whispering in Skylar’s ear?]
[Can’t hear, in this situation she probably subconsciously hid this part of the conversation…]
[She’s not planning to do something bad, is she?]
[Skylar’s expression is so scary.] I followed Lily into her room. On the other bed in the double room lay a girl with a deathly pale face. My face was as cold as water. Lily met my eyes and nodded firmly. In the footage, I seemed to want to rush out.
But suddenly thinking of something, I stopped in my tracks. I turned back to pour a glass of water for the girl and brought it to her parched lips. The audience whispered among themselves: “This Skylar seems quite kind-hearted!” [You can’t judge a book by its cover, who knows what she’s plotting in her mind.]
[Don’t forget she’s an arsonist and a troublemaker!] At the banquet, the director enthusiastically invited the orphanage children and donors to take photos together.
Seeing how timid the children were, the anger in my heart burned uncontrollably. The orphanage quieted down.
The director, with a smile on her face, led the donors through the dormitories. I hid behind them, watching their disgusting, jovial manner with a frosty expression.
Quietly turning the lighter in my hand. [Look! She started the fire at the orphanage!]
[Skylar has such a vicious heart! She wanted to burn the donors and the orphanage people to death!]
[Could she be what they call an antisocial personality?] Jasmine’s mouth curved upward, smiling gently as she looked at me.
With malice in her eyes, she mouthed to me: Skylar, arsonist, you’re finished!

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My wife accused our son of trying to harm someone, just because he poured a glass of cold water for her male bodyguard who was coughing. “Don’t you know cold water makes a cough worse? You’re so young and already learning to hurt people. What will you be like when you grow up?” She grounded Leo for 24 hours, saying she wanted to teach him a lesson. I begged her, telling her Leo had a high fever and urgently needed treatment. I even offered to take the punishment instead. But Victoria scoffed, “You’ve spoiled him rotten. Now he’s faking sickness to avoid responsibility? He needs to be locked up for a few more days to learn some manners.” She was afraid I’d make trouble, so she locked me in another room. I crashed through the door, desperate, but Leo didn’t make it. He died on the spot from the fever. Three days later, as I was packing Leo’s things, Victoria returned from her trip with Julian, the male bodyguard. She was beaming, plucking a single rose from the 999 Julian had given her and handing it to me. “Stop acting. He was just grounded for a few days, what’s the big deal? Worst case, I’ll take you two on a trip in a couple of days to cheer him up.” But she didn’t know. Our child was dead. And I couldn’t live with her anymore.

If it had been before, her giving me a flower would have thrilled me to no end. But now, clutching Leo’s tiny clothes, my heart was in pieces, numb from the pain. Her raised arm started to ache, and she angrily threw the rose at my face. “I only brought Julian with me for protection. There’s nothing going on between us. Who are you putting on this face for?” A thorn from the stem left a small scratch on my face, a trickle of blood oozing out. A flicker of distress crossed Victoria’s eyes, and she reined in her temper. “Whatever. I can’t be bothered arguing with you. I’m just letting you know something: I’m going away on a business trip for a year. You manage Leo and don’t make trouble, I…” As she spoke, she suddenly retched. Julian rushed over to pat Victoria’s back, then seemingly “accidentally” dropped a pregnancy test from his pocket. I picked it up. It read “Four weeks pregnant.” No wonder. Before, her trips with Julian would last for months. This time, she just left and came right back. So, she was pregnant. “A year-long business trip.” Clearly, she wanted to disappear and secretly have this child. My poor Leo. To please Victoria, he saw Julian, Victoria’s favorite, coughing, and, just like his teacher taught him, he poured him a glass of water. But because it was cold water, Victoria decided he was learning bad habits, trying to harm Julian. Even with him burning up with fever, she ignored my desperate pleas and locked him in his room. I fought to break free from the bodyguards, crashing through the door to save him. My tiny boy was hot as a furnace, and his last flicker of consciousness made him shake his head. “No, Daddy. Mommy said three days. Time’s not up. Mommy will hate Leo if she knows.” They say men don’t cry easily, but that day, I couldn’t stop. Tears streamed down my face. “No more. We don’t want this mommy anymore, Leo. I’m taking you to the hospital…” Sadly, it was too late. He couldn’t be saved. Before his last breath, he clutched my sleeve, choked out, “Why didn’t Mommy come see Leo? Was Leo a bad boy?” Meeting his hopeful eyes, my throat went dry. I couldn’t utter a single word. Now, looking at this pregnancy test, I felt nothing but bitter irony. If Leo knew that the mommy he adored had given all her attention to another child, how heartbroken would he be? I couldn’t control my rage any longer. I slammed the pregnancy test down in front of Victoria. “Victoria, is this what you meant by ‘nothing’ going on? Have you ever considered our child’s feelings?” A flash of surprise crossed Julian’s face. He hadn’t expected me, who usually endured all grievances in silence, to finally fight back. He immediately lowered his head and explained to Victoria: “I’m sorry, I was just so happy about being a dad that I kept the pregnancy test in my pocket. I didn’t mean to drop it, and I certainly didn’t mean for Alex to see it. Victoria, please punish me.” Victoria raised an eyebrow, reassuring Julian, “It wasn’t intentional. Don’t overthink it.” Then, she glared at me. “You have the nerve to bring up our child? Aren’t *you* the one who caused all of this?” “Alex, everything happening today is your deserved karma.” My eyes darkened. Years ago, Victoria wanted to use IVF to have a child for Noah, her first love who was supposedly battling cancer. But it turned out Noah was faking his illness and then ran off with all the donation money. Her grandma, Eleanor, fearing Victoria would lose her mind, begged me to tamper with the IVF. I flat-out refused. Even though Victoria and I had signed a marriage certificate, we had a contract: we were only a contractual couple, not to interfere with each other’s private lives. But Grandma Eleanor knelt before me, showing me records of all the money she’d given me, from elementary school through my PhD, pleading for my help. “My son and daughter-in-law are gone. Victoria is my only granddaughter. If anything happens to her, I won’t live either.” Without her, I wouldn’t be where I was today. I couldn’t refuse. I had to do it. Victoria gave birth to my child, believing him to be Noah’s last descendant, and lovingly cared for him. During that time, she saw how good I was to the child and her attitude towards me greatly improved. She even suggested canceling our contract and truly spending our lives together. Then Julian appeared. She became utterly infatuated with Julian’s face and demeanor, which were ninety percent similar to Noah’s. She started staying out all night. She thought I didn’t know. At first, she met him secretly, then she arranged for him to be her bodyguard. But life remained relatively stable, so I just turned a blind eye. When Victoria learned the truth, she felt guilty towards me and decided to send Julian away. But Julian suddenly pulled out a DNA test, accusing me: “Alex used your trust to tamper with the IVF, making the person you loved most infertile. And you, Victoria, you’ve been foolishly enduring and sacrificing for him. You’re a complete joke.” Victoria flew into a rage on the spot. From then on, her attitude towards me and Leo completely reversed. It was constant abuse, harshness, and punishment. I could bear the suffering, but I never imagined that our child would lose his life because of it. Now, facing Victoria’s accusations, I couldn’t help but want to reveal the truth. “Victoria, about what happened back then…”

Just as I was about to speak, my phone suddenly vibrated. Grandma Eleanor’s name flashed on the screen. I looked up and saw the security camera in the living room blinking red. A bitter smile touched my lips. Grandma Eleanor had been monitoring me. She wouldn’t allow me to reveal the truth. “Alex, if you’ve got the child’s clothes ready, come over. He’s waiting.” Grandma Eleanor’s voice was kind, yet a chill ran down my spine. I nodded and hung up. Victoria watched me suddenly pack my things without a word. She raised an eyebrow. “What about what happened back then? You’re not trying to say you had your reasons, are you?” A flicker of anxiety crossed Julian’s eyes, and he quickly interjected, “Victoria, no man can accept his wife having another man’s child. You should consider his pride as a man.” Victoria exploded. She grabbed a cup from the table and hurled it at me. “A good-for-nothing freeloading off my family still dares to talk about pride?” I didn’t say a word. As her cup shattered, I walked out of that suffocating house and headed to the old family estate. The moment I arrived, Grandma Eleanor pressed a bank card into my hand. “Alex, you and the child have suffered. Please take this money.” I knelt before her. “I don’t want money. I just ask for one thing.” Grandma Eleanor quickly helped me up. “If you want to leave, I’ll agree.” “You’ve endured so many years of hardship. The kindness I showed you back then has long been paid in full. You don’t owe me anything.” My eyes reddened as I looked at Leo’s body. “Besides that, I want to take Leo with me. I want to change his last name and bury him in my family’s cemetery back home.” Grandma Eleanor hesitated. After all, I had married into their family, and Leo not only bore Victoria’s family name but was also listed in their family tree. Knowing she wouldn’t easily agree, I handed her the crumpled pregnancy test. “Victoria is pregnant. She’ll have other children. But Leo only has me.” Grandma Eleanor remembered what Victoria had done to Leo, and she couldn’t bear it. Finally, she nodded. After handling Leo’s funeral, I clutched his urn and returned to get my documents. *Click!* The lights flickered on. Victoria was sitting in the living room, waiting for me. Julian stood beside her, a smug look on his face. The atmosphere was eerily silent until Victoria broke it, angrily. “Look at the good your son did.” I raised an eyebrow, confused. Leo was dead. What could he possibly have done? Julian slowly patted Victoria’s back. “Calm down, don’t stress the baby.” “Leo put peanuts, which you’re allergic to, in your nutritional meal. He was just jealous of his unborn brother and wanted to harm him. It’s our fault for not discussing having another baby with Leo. He’s young and doesn’t know any better. You shouldn’t take it to heart.” Victoria was furious. “It seems the last punishment was too light. He hasn’t learned his lesson.” He was only a three-year-old child. How would he know how to do that? Besides, he was already dead… “Leo didn’t do it.” He was such a good boy. Even until his death, he regretted pouring cold water and making Victoria angry. Yet Victoria believed someone else’s slander and wanted to punish him. Ultimately, Victoria had transferred her hatred for me onto our child. I’m so sorry, Leo. Mommy hated you because of me. You didn’t do anything wrong. I hugged the urn tightly, fighting back tears. Julian sighed. “If he didn’t do it, then did you?” Victoria grew even angrier, grabbing a tissue box from the table and throwing it at me. “It’s because you always cover for him that he became so unruly at such a young age! Today, he needs a lesson to learn some manners!” “Hand Leo over now, or don’t make me punish you instead.” He was so small. How could he possibly take the blame for such a big thing? I couldn’t take it anymore. Holding up the urn, I yelled, “Victoria, Leo was locked in his room by you and died from a high fever!” “His ashes are right here. How could he possibly harm you?”

Victoria shot to her feet. “What did you say?” She rose too quickly and nearly stumbled. Julian quickly steadied her, looking disappointed. “Victoria, he’s lied to you before. How can you still believe him?” “This afternoon, I distinctly saw the child wandering around the kitchen with a bag of peanuts, and then Grandma Eleanor picked him up.” Victoria immediately sighed in relief. She pulled out her phone and video-called Grandma Eleanor. “Grandma, is Leo with you?” Leo was dead. She would soon realize how terrible her actions had been. On the other end of the line, Grandma Eleanor smiled. “He’s with me.” “Leo, do you want to talk to Mommy?” I rushed forward. Through the camera, I saw Leo squatting among a pile of toys, shaking his head, and burying himself in his play. Grandma Eleanor scowled and reprimanded Victoria. “It’s all your fault for being so harsh on Leo. Now he doesn’t even want to talk to you.” My face turned ashen. I’d almost forgotten. Victoria’s grandma had the most prestigious high-tech team in the world. Back when AI wasn’t even popular, she had used it to make me appear with Noah’s face in a video call for Victoria to say her final goodbyes. Now, she was using someone else’s child to impersonate Leo, just to put Victoria at ease. In this family, my son and I were nothing but tools that no one cared about. It’s okay, Leo. Even if everyone in the world doesn’t love you, Daddy will always love you. I caressed the urn, speechless. Victoria’s face darkened. She hung up the phone and angrily said, “Alex, you dared to lie to me!” “Fine. Your son is with Grandma Eleanor, so I can’t punish him. Then I’ll punish you.” “Julian, smash that broken thing in his hands.” I struggled desperately, but I couldn’t fight off the several bodyguards who restrained me. Seeing Julian raise the urn high, I fell to my knees, pleading: “Victoria, I beg you, give Leo back to me!” “I’ll do anything you want, please!” Victoria’s heart also twisted. Just at the crucial moment, she suddenly called out, stopping Julian. She waved her hand. “Forget it. It’s just a broken box. Smashing it is pointless. Give it back to him.” Julian disappointedly threw the urn back to me. I lunged forward, catching the box securely. Relieved to have it back, I hugged Leo’s ashes tightly to my chest. Julian sighed. “Victoria, you’re too kind.” “Don’t worry, I’ll keep a closer eye on things from now on. After all, protecting you and the baby is my job.” Victoria placed a hand on her abdomen and suddenly called out to me as I was about to leave. “Wait. I said I wouldn’t punish Leo, not that I wouldn’t punish you.” “Since you love taking the blame for your son so much, then you can experience what an allergic reaction feels like.” “Order him ten thousand lobsters. He’s not allowed to leave until he’s peeled every single one.” She knew I was severely allergic to lobster. Just touching it would make me break out in hives. Even when our relationship was at its worst, she never allowed a single lobster on the table. Now, she must be completely furious. I tightly clutched the urn. Looking at the huge basin of lobsters in front of me, my eyes stung. As soon as I grabbed one to start peeling, my fingers began to redden from the allergy. Victoria turned her face away, then stood up with her back to me. “I’m tired. I’m going to rest. Don’t think about slacking off. I’ll have someone watch you.” Julian helped her to her room. Seeing the line of burly bodyguards, I didn’t resist. I numbly continued peeling lobsters. As time passed, my entire body was covered in red welts, and my breathing became increasingly difficult. In a haze, a pair of polished leather shoes appeared before me. Julian grabbed my chin, his voice cold. “Just peeling lobsters is too light a punishment. You’re allergic, right? Then eat them.” He forced lobster meat into my mouth. With a single movement, I easily pushed him away. With his weak physique, he wasn’t even as strong as me. The only reason he was a bodyguard was because Victoria missed Noah so much, she kept him by her side. Seeing my resistance, Julian grew angry. “If you struggle again, I swear I’ll smash your son’s urn.” I glared at him. He knew. He’d been intentional earlier! Julian saw me compromise and maliciously shoved a handful of lobster meat into my mouth. For Leo, I didn’t dare to resist. Just at the crucial moment, Grandma Eleanor appeared behind me, tapping her cane. She angrily told Julian, “No one gets to bully my family’s son-in-law. Get out.” Julian looked like he wanted to say more but was ultimately kicked out. Grandma Eleanor dismissed everyone else. Ignoring the grease on my hands, she helped me up. “Alex, stop peeling. You’re having a severe allergic reaction. I’ll take you to the hospital first, then help you leave.” I nodded, wiped the grease off my body, and then picked up the urn. A flicker of shame crossed Grandma Eleanor’s eyes. She explained, “Victoria is pregnant, and her emotions can’t fluctuate too much. I thought I’d tell her about Leo’s death once she was more stable.” “You and the child have suffered again. Alex, you must take this money.” She pushed two more cards toward me. I shook my head. “No, thank you. You’ve given enough. I just want to leave peacefully with my child.” Grandma Eleanor pressed the cards into my hand, hinting, “Take them. Back then, Victoria’s first love ran off with her money and abandoned her. I was the one who forced you to switch the IVF sample, making Victoria conceive your child.” “But I never imagined that my decision, as an old woman, would kill poor Leo.” “I regret it deeply. I shouldn’t have forced you.” “The money here isn’t much. It’s my apology. I hope you’ll accept it.” “And please, don’t blame this old woman. Victoria is my son’s only daughter, she’s my life.” She seemed to be pleading, but in reality, she was threatening me. If I didn’t take this hush money, I wouldn’t be leaving with Leo today. “Then, thank you, Grandma Eleanor.” I helplessly reached for the cards. *Crash!* A glass shattered. Victoria, dressed in her pajamas, stood frozen in the doorway. We turned to the sound, seeing Victoria’s face drained of color. “Victoria, why are you up?” Grandma Eleanor’s face was even paler than Victoria’s. She wanted to slap herself silly right now.

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My CEO girlfriend of five years doubted my loyalty. She demanded I collect ten thousand blessings from strangers before she’d marry me. But when Marcus, the man she truly obsessed over – the one she’d broken up with three times – asked her to marry him on a dare, she couldn’t wait to make their relationship official, splashing it across every major screen in the city. My mom, who’d just come to the city to meet my fiancée, was so enraged she suffered a heart attack and ended up in the hospital. I rushed to the announcement site, falling to my knees, begging Vivian to return my savings for Mom’s medical bills. But she frowned, saying that once my money was in her hands, it was hers. She had no obligation to pay for my family’s expenses, telling me to figure it out myself. Then, right in front of me, she used my money to order Marcus a luxury car. Because I couldn’t pay on time, Mom missed her window for treatment and died tragically in the hospital morgue. I buried her with tears in my eyes, accepted an offer from a major overseas company, and submitted my resignation. Vivian, though, just thought I was throwing a tantrum. She casually said, “Where else would a guy your age go without me? Don’t play your little games with me. I’ll take your mom out for a few days later, just doing my duty as your future daughter-in-law.” But when she saw me at the airport, why did her eyes turn red, and why did she fall to her knees, begging for my forgiveness?

After my visa was approved, I went home to pack. The moment I opened my closet, Vivian popped out, startling me. “Alex! I’m the hunter, and I’ve caught my prey!” She was beaming, her cheeks flushed, laughing heartily. I knew she’d used a “business trip” as an excuse these past two days, but she was really just traveling with Marcus to avoid me. In the past, I would have greeted her with a warm smile, asking about her trip. Now, I just pulled her aside and started rummaging for my clothes. Vivian stood there, looking a bit lost. After a long moment, she poked my arm. “Alex, what’s wrong? Are you still mad about me not lending you money that day? I was trying to complete Marcus’s dare. We’re friends, and he was about to lose in fifteen minutes. I didn’t have time to transfer money. Didn’t I soften up later and have the finance department give you an advance?” I gave a bitter laugh, suppressing the sting in my nose, and kept stuffing clothes into my suitcase. That day, Mom had just arrived from out of town when she saw her future daughter-in-law on a giant screen, holding another man’s hand and making their relationship official. She collapsed on the spot. I rushed to the scene, falling to my knees in front of Vivian, pleading with her to give me back my savings for Mom’s medical bills. It would have taken less than three seconds to pull out her bank card from her bag. But she just coldly kicked me aside, telling me to figure it out myself. Then, she used every last cent from my card to buy Marcus a luxury car. Later, when I went to the finance department for an advance, the finance officer rolled her eyes at me. “Alex, who do you think you are, dreaming about someone like her? Mr. Marcus and CEO Vivian are the golden couple.” She deliberately dragged out the process. I ran around the company, completing eighteen different procedures, which took three hours, just to get a $200 advance. The finance officer said it was Vivian’s order, and they couldn’t do anything about it. By the time I rushed to the hospital, Mom had already passed away. Vivian saw I wasn’t speaking, snatched the clothes from my hands, and threw them onto the bed. “That’s what I dislike about you small-town guys. You’re so petty. You hand over a few hundred thousand, and then you try every trick to get it back. Honestly, I bought Marcus that sports car just to cut off your idea of getting into my pockets!” My heart felt like it was squeezed hard. I took a deep breath. I thought if I just poured my heart out and gave her all my earnings, Vivian would eventually let go of her suspicions. But I never imagined she still thought I was after her money. Marcus and she had broken up and gotten back together three times. Each time, it was her winning him back with luxury cars and lavish homes. So why was it suddenly me who was being petty? I finished packing, picked up my suitcase, and curled my lips into a sarcastic smile. “It won’t happen again. Keep your money for Marcus to spend.” Vivian’s eyes widened. She grabbed me. *CRASH!* A storage box was knocked over, sending countless paper slips covered with blessings fluttering to the ground like snow. These were all the blessing messages I had pleaded with anyone and everyone I met on the street to write for me. She had said she’d had enough heartbreak. Unless I collected ten thousand blessings from strangers to prove my sincerity, she wouldn’t marry me. The ten thousandth blessing was from a passenger sitting next to my mom on the train ride into the city. When Mom handed it to me, she wished Vivian and me a long and happy life together. But Vivian still announced her relationship with Marcus just because of one sentence from him. All my boundaries, all my efforts, were a joke. Vivian picked up a slip of paper. Her beautiful brows relaxed, and she sighed. “Alright, Alex, stop sulking. I’ll give you another three hundred. Take your mom to get some nice clothes and good food. Later, I’ll take her on a trip. I’ll do my duty as a daughter-in-law.” In the past, I would have taken the out and praised her as a good wife. But now, the bitterness in my heart wouldn’t let up. I just couldn’t swallow it. I covered her transfer screen with my hand and said coldly, “No need. You’re not her daughter-in-law. We’re over.” My words were swallowed by the sound of a key in the lock. “Vivian, I’m here to pick you up! Didn’t we say we’d treat everyone to dinner to celebrate?” Marcus walked in, looking surprised. “Assistant Alex, why are you at Vivian’s place?” Vivian coughed, putting distance between us. “Alex’s mom needed money, he just asked if he could get an advance on his salary.” We’d been in a secret relationship for five years. She always kept me at arm’s length, and I couldn’t even post about her on Ins. I thought it was because she didn’t want an office romance. Turns out, keeping it from everyone was just about keeping it from *him*. Marcus looked righteous and reprimanded me sharply. “Assistant Alex, don’t go too far. I didn’t even say anything about you causing a scene at the announcement, but you have hands and feet. You can’t just take advantage of Vivian’s kindness and demand money from her!” Vivian frowned, about to speak. I curled my lips. “You’re right, that’s exactly what I think. So I’m leaving now.” With that, I picked up my suitcase and walked past Vivian, heading downstairs. She took a step as if to follow, glanced at Marcus, then calmly said, “Be careful on your way.” As I walked out of the building, Vivian sent me a SnapChat message: “Alex, don’t worry. This is the last time I’ll help Marcus out. I’ll make time in a couple of days to take your aunt out, and we can discuss our wedding plans and get married soon.” I scoffed. I just opened my chat with William, the HR from the overseas company. “William, my visa is done. Flight’s tomorrow afternoon. See you there.”

I hailed a cab to the company to pick up my files, but the HR officer looked impatient. “CEO Vivian has been holding up your resignation application. Come back next Monday to ask again.” I called Vivian, but it just rang busy. It was always like this when she was with Marcus. I should have waited for her to approve my resignation before rushing off earlier. Frustrated, I frowned and left the company. Behind me, a burst of laughter erupted. “When Mr. Marcus and CEO Vivian made their relationship official, he was there singing and dancing, even kneeling and begging Vivian for money! So embarrassing!” “Didn’t you see how awful his face looked when he couldn’t get through to CEO Vivian just now? If I were her, I’d block a leech like that too!” I was used to these mocking words by now. My phone pinged with a notification – a taunting message from Marcus. The photo showed the blessing slips stuffed into a reeking, greasy trash can. “Vivian threw away all ten thousand blessings just because I said so. I heard you spent a year collecting them, so much effort, how sad.” “So what if you dated for five years? The moment I came back, you were kicked to the curb. She’s eating with me right now, peeling shrimp for me, her hands covered in sauce. You’ve never seen that, have you? If you’re curious, come to the restaurant’s private room, I’ll let you see all you want.” My hand tightened around my phone. Since he’d returned, I’d seen too many messages like this. Vivian, who was a clean freak and so proud, would wash his clothes, cook for him, and even wash his feet and make his bed. Before, I used to dread Marcus’s messages, yet I’d self-torture myself by watching Vivian’s special treatment of him. I even tried to tell myself it was all Photoshopped, telling him not to stir up trouble, thinking if I didn’t see the truth, I could keep lying to myself. This time, I went. Not out of jealousy, but to get Vivian to sign my resignation and sever all ties with her. Half an hour later, I arrived at the restaurant, only to hear Vivian arguing with someone in the stairwell. I instinctively hid around the corner. “Vivian, are you out of your mind?! Marcus dumped you three times, each time worse than the last! He even tricked you to a cliff and almost broke your leg! And you’re making it official with him?! Alex has been with you for five years, and you never gave him a title. Don’t forget he risked his life to save you before!” It was Sasha, Vivian’s best friend. I touched the uneven scar on my forehead. A year ago, Vivian and I were in a car accident during a business trip. To protect her, I was impaled by the windshield. I had a dozen steel plates implanted in my body, and a scar above my left eyebrow disfigured me, making my formerly gentle eyes look fierce. Colleagues secretly called me ‘Scarface,’ kept their distance, and even spread rumors that I was beaten by loan sharks. Vivian, however, never clarified anything to avoid suspicion. The next second, Vivian’s reply struck me like a lightning bolt. “It’s because he had the car accident. He has a scar over his eye. He doesn’t look like Marcus anymore.” Sasha was furious. “So you were still treating him as a substitute! No wonder when he proposed, you made him do an impossible task. Ten thousand blessings? Even if he asked thirty people a day, it would take a year! If you didn’t want to marry him, you didn’t have to string him along! What kind of spell did a scumbag like Marcus put on you?!” “Enough!” Vivian snapped, her voice sharp. “Don’t you dare slander Marcus like that! He said he’s turned over a new leaf. I’m just trying to make up for past regrets. Give me two more days, and I’ll break it off with him.” Sasha was speechless. “Aren’t you afraid Alex will truly give up?” Vivian seemed relaxed, in control. “Alex’s job came from me, he lives in my apartment. He has nothing without me. I’ll take responsibility for him. We’ve been out too long, Marcus will get impatient. Let’s head back.” Watching their retreating figures, I stood there for a long time, then sank to the floor, holding myself. When Mom got sick, I brought her to the city for treatment. When I was desperate because we had no money, Vivian was the one who approached me, inviting me to work at her company. She was gentle and compassionate, like a goddess, and I fell for her. Now, looking back, I was wearing a mask then, only my eyes visible. And her eyes were filled with the joy of finding something she’d lost. Whenever she mentioned her ex, Vivian would gnash her teeth, full of love and hate. Then she’d bury her head against my chest, sighing how lucky she was to have me. After Marcus returned to the country, she deliberately ‘ran into’ him several times, clashing with him, but their ‘arguments’ were just her way of flirting and showing how much she missed him. No wonder Vivian suddenly became distant after the car accident. I was foolishly thinking it was because Marcus was back, and she was just conflicted. Turns out, the original was back, and I, the substitute, was useless, which was why she made me collect ten thousand blessings to politely reject me. After a while, I took a deep breath and pushed open the private room door. Inside, everyone was already tipsy, clapping and cheering. “Their dramatic reunion, their intense, complicated love – I’m totally hooked! Vivian, you have to kiss Marcus!” Vivian openly kissed Marcus on the lips. Her long lashes trembled, and her ears turned crimson, betraying her racing heart. She didn’t know how long it had been until the cheering died down. She opened her eyes in confusion. She saw me, standing behind Marcus, my face emotionless. She shot up, her face pale. “Alex, I can explain everything! It’s not what you think!” Her attempt to cover it up just made her look incredibly guilty. “Vivian, we’re done.”

The next second, I pulled out my resignation application. “Also, please sign this so I can leave the company.” Vivian was flustered. Everyone in the room looked on with mixed expressions, some hesitating, wanting to advise me. But then, *whoosh!* Marcus swept the drinks and fruit bowls off the table, looking utterly humiliated. “You two are a couple?!” “Vivian, I told you, the love I want is one where only I exist in your eyes. If you had a boyfriend, you should have just said so. There was no need to take revenge on me like this!” He stormed out. Vivian snapped back to reality and, losing all composure, slapped me. “How dare you make a scene in front of Marcus? Why did you expose our relationship? He’s sensitive and can’t handle shocks, don’t you know that?” My head was snapped sideways from the blow, my eyes cold. The fierce fire in her eyes suddenly died, replaced by a flicker of distress. The hand that hit me trembled violently. She turned her head away and said sharply, “You just want to force me into marriage, but your plan failed. I’d like to see how you’re going to cause trouble for Marcus without the job I gave you!” She snatched my resignation application and signed it. The next second, she shouted “Marcus!” and ran off, chasing him. I rubbed the crumpled paper, and with a sense of relief, I left amidst the stunned gazes of the crowd. Now, there was only one thing left to do. After Mom passed, I decided to take her ashes abroad, so I had only arranged a simple memorial. Tomorrow, I needed to pick up Mom’s ashes and belongings from the hospital. The next morning, I timed my arrival at the hospital perfectly, intending to leave straight for the airport afterward. As I passed a department, I overheard a doctor calling out Vivian’s name. “You young people are crazy in love! Your eyes are inflamed, ulcerated, and bleeding. You could go blind permanently! You can’t keep doing this!” I unconsciously slowed my steps. Then I heard Marcus’s whining voice. “Vivian, I was just being dramatic yesterday when I said I’d only forgive you if you had eyes only for me! Why did you actually tattoo my name all over your eyeballs?!” Vivian’s voice was full of deep affection. “For you, it’s nothing.” I turned my head and saw Vivian’s eyes. Her eyelids were swollen, blood vessels burst, and they were hazy with blood. I could faintly see her eyeballs were dark, densely covered with Marcus’s name. Yet, before, when I had just bought a pair of matching couple’s rings, she had cursed me out, saying I was deliberately claiming ownership and trying to tie her down, restricting her freedom. Turns out, in the face of love, everyone is equally desperate. I continued toward the morgue. Marcus had already spotted me and deliberately picked a fight. “Alex, Vivian said you’re just a persistent admirer who won’t give up. What do you want now?” Vivian, surprisingly, wasn’t angry at all. She quickly put on her sunglasses, adjusted her hair, and her lips curved upward. “Alex, I know you came here looking for me on purpose. As long as you swear not to do anything out of line again, I can still let you come back to the company. I heard your mom is in our city recently. I could be generous and take her on a trip.” My eyes were full of sarcasm. What “out of line” things? Should I continue to be her secret lover, smilingly bless her and Marcus, and then, after she’s had her fun and decided to settle down, gratefully marry her? To this day, she still didn’t know that Mom had already died, her last wish being for me to find someone who loved me. The nurse, however, couldn’t wait. She rushed out to find me, handing me Mom’s ashes and belongings. “Alex, I have other families to attend to. Just sign here, and you can take your mother’s ashes.”

Vivian’s triumphant expression froze. “What ashes?” The medical staff looked at her, surprised. “Alex’s mother passed away two days ago because she couldn’t afford the medical fees.” Vivian was speechless. It took her a moment to find her voice. “How is that possible? Alex, you didn’t use the money I gave you for your mom?!” I bent down to sign the ash collection form. Marcus frowned, then suddenly spoke. “Vivian, I suddenly feel a little discomfort in my heart. Could you please ask the doctor to check me? Alex and I are both men, maybe I can comfort him properly.” Vivian hesitated, then finally called out to me. “Alex, you stay here. Don’t move. Once I call the doctor, we can talk properly!” As soon as she left, Marcus’s eyes filled with malice, and he deliberately knocked over my mother’s ashes. He whispered mockingly, “Alex, you’re truly a persistent ghost. I deliberately told finance not to give you the funds. Your mom died because you didn’t know your place. And Vivian even said she’s giving your vacant position to me. If you’re smart, you’ll get lost!” My pupils contracted. So Marcus was behind my mom’s death! Furious, I didn’t hesitate to slap him. But he immediately collapsed, curled up in the corner, looking pained and begging, “Alex, don’t kill me! I’m so sad your mother died too!” Passersby, not knowing the full story, all assumed I was just venting my anger. They had all seen Vivian and Marcus’s official announcement video and were now righteously indignant. “His own mom died, and he’s bullying another patient to vent?! Where’s security? Get this guy out of the hospital!” “Don’t you know that’s CEO Vivian’s husband? The Sterling family has immense wealth, you just messed with the wrong person! It’s not too late to beg for forgiveness now!” My face was numb. I knelt down to pick up the shattered ceramic urn holding my mother’s ashes. The sharp edges of the fragments cut my fingers, leaving streaks of blood, but I didn’t seem to feel the pain. As everyone condemned me, Vivian finally arrived with the doctor. They vied to speak, as if taking credit. “CEO Vivian, your husband is being bullied! Aren’t you going to stand up for him?” Marcus, looking triumphant, weakly cried out, “Vivian, I’m fine. I was just kindly helping Alex with his mother’s ashes, and I accidentally broke them. He didn’t mean to push me or slap me. I’m okay, I don’t think anything’s broken.” Vivian took three swift steps towards me. I didn’t even lift my head, gathering my mother’s ashes. I figured she’d just say a few words to me. But to my surprise, the next second, she knelt directly in front of me, carefully cradling my hands and asking, “Does it hurt?” She held my bloody hands, her eyes filled with heartache. Everyone present stared at each other, stunned. Marcus was dumbfounded, even forgetting to feign illness, his eyes wide.

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After receiving the last message from my husband, Liam, before his supposed plane crash, I felt utterly hopeless. I leaped from the hospital rooftop, but death wouldn’t have me. The moment consciousness returned, a tear of despair traced a path down my cheek. *Why wouldn’t it let me die?* Then, I heard hushed whispers from the hallway outside my hospital room. “Didn’t Liam say he’d pass this ‘widow’ of his around for us to have some fun after he faked his death? I don’t want anything to do with a paralytic! What do we do now?” “Exactly! Aria got twenty-something fractures and still didn’t die from the fall. When they brought her in, she was twisted like a pretzel! How many scars is she going to have? I can’t get it up for a broken mess like that!” “Just wait it out! At least until she can pose in bed, right? Otherwise, what’s the difference between her and an inflatable doll?” “Didn’t the doctor say? Her spinal cord is damaged, she might be in a wheelchair for life. Liam, man, you tricked her so badly, don’t you feel even a little bit bad?” Liam’s voice was flat, devoid of emotion. “It’s Aria’s honor to make Chloe happy.” “To keep me tied down forever, he lied, saying my eye cornea was donated by his mom. Did he really think I didn’t know it was Chloe’s mom who donated it? He loves playing games so much, let him taste what it’s like to be truly deceived!” The moment I heard Liam’s voice, I thought I was in heaven. Now, I was in hell. … “Liam really knows how to train a woman!” “Seriously, all these years, she’s donated bone marrow for you, taken the fall for you, and done it all willingly! You gotta teach us how to find a wife that obedient!” Liam scoffed. “It’s easy, really. Find someone whose parents died young, who battles depression. Give them a few crumbs of kindness, and they’ll put you before their own life.” “Liam, if you mess with her like this, aren’t you afraid she’ll actually commit suicide from depression?” Chloe’s voice was dismissive. “Please, it’s clearly an act! Besides, if she’s so quick to kill herself, then she might as well. She’s just wasting space anyway!” A man’s gentle voice chimed in, “Chloe’s right. Even if I found some entertainment from someone who constantly has mental breakdowns, I’d only last a little while before rushing back to my little sunshine, Chloe, to recharge.” “If she’s going to die, it better not be because of me. That’s just bad luck!” My eyes widened in disbelief, my mind a blank slate. My dad passed away when I was very young. After my mom died, I lost my last remaining family. I spiraled into a severe depression, even attempting to end my life. It was Liam who pulled me back from the brink. He gave me hope, encouraged me to study, showed me the world, and guided me out of the darkness. I gave him my entire being, treating him as the new light in my life. But he saw me as nothing more than a toy for him and his true love, Chloe. Even my mom’s eye cornea, for some reason, was now credited to someone else. I desperately wanted to wipe away these damn tears from my face, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t even lift my arm. I didn’t even notice when Liam walked in. His voice was light. “Aria, why are you crying? I’m perfectly fine.” He followed my gaze to the corner of my eye, seeing the large wet patch on my pillow. His voice instantly tensed. “What’s wrong? Are you in pain somewhere?” Seeing that I said nothing, only staring, tears streaming uncontrollably, he panicked. He turned and roared at his friends, “Doctor! Go get a doctor, now!” “Aria, hang in there! The doctor will be here any second! You can’t let anything happen to you!” The doctor arrived and said I was fine, but Liam didn’t believe it. He forced the doctor to perform a full body scan. “The patient has severe fractures all over her body. We don’t recommend frequent movement because—” He cut him off, his voice firm. “Her body is most important. Do it now.” The doctor quickly added, “She just had casts and metal plates put in. No matter how careful we are, moving her will inevitably hurt her.” Liam’s brow furrowed, and he roared, “I said do it! Are you deaf?! If anything happens to my wife, can you take responsibility?!” With that, he scooped me up into a princess carry, and the doctors couldn’t stop him. My body groaned with sickening cracks, and I instantly burst into tears from the pain, unable to utter a single word. I could only shake my head frantically. His voice was gentle yet firm. “You’re uncomfortable, aren’t you? I’ll make sure they cure you!” Liam carried me through various departments, and everyone we passed gave me envious looks. One young girl even squealed, “She’s so lucky! Her husband must love her so much!” I was tossed and turned for a full check-up, only to find nothing wrong. But the newly placed metal plates had all been dislocated by his frantic movements. The doctors had no choice but to reopen my wounds and re-fix them. Liam finally relaxed, gently stroking my hair. “Good, I’m glad you’re okay.” “I know you must want to go home. I’ve arranged for the best medical team to care for you there.” “But I need to go to a therapy session. The plane crash was a huge trauma. Aria, you go home first. I’ll come take care of you after my treatment.” I was too numb from the pain to react. I let them transfer me to a wheelchair and hand me over to his assistant. But the moment we left the room, the assistant passed me off to someone else. I strained to turn my head, only catching sight of a strange man. A shiver of fear ran down my spine. 2 “What are you doing?!” “Ms. Chloe has a gift for you.” I was wheeled to the back door of a hospital room, and through the crack in the door, I could see the bed. Inside the room, two familiar figures were tangled together, locked in a passionate kiss. “I thought you were going to see your therapist? How did you end up here?” “Little minx, you’re the one who seduced me. You look so hot in that nurse’s uniform.” “Liam, your wife is still sick, you know.” Liam grumbled, “Don’t even get me started. She’s got fractures, and I have to wait on her. She tries to kill herself every other day, she’s a total psycho. Chloe, seeing how pathetic I am, you’ll have to spend more time with me.” Chloe giggled sweetly. “Okay, then let Nurse Chloe check what kind of illness you have?” “Lovesickness. It’s a good session of loving you that’ll cure it…” Their intimate whispers relentlessly pierced my ears. I struggled to lift my only uninjured limb, my left hand, and clamped it over my mouth, desperate to stifle my cries. I wanted to escape. The wheelchair brake was right in front of me. I frantically willed my right hand to move, but I couldn’t even lift it a millimeter. I thrashed wildly in despair, tumbling out of the wheelchair onto the floor. “What was that sound?!” Chloe casually glanced at me through the crack in the door, then cupped Liam’s face, preventing him from turning. “Someone’s outside, don’t worry about it.” I lay splayed on the floor like a ragdoll, gasping for breath, tears streaming. I don’t know how much time passed before the sounds from inside finally stopped. Chloe walked out, her face flushed, and looked down at me, sneering. “Sister, what a mess you’ve made of yourself.” She helped me back into the wheelchair and pushed me out. “Envious? Have you ever seen Liam so passionate? Do you know what positions he likes?” “Did you really think he loved you just because he married you? He was just obligated to repay a debt.” I screamed, indignant. “I don’t believe it! You have no idea what Liam and I went through together! You won’t trick me!” Chloe suddenly burst into uncontrollable laughter, pulled out her phone, and tossed it onto my lap. “Oh, you’re still proud, huh?” “You, you’re just a toy for our amusement.” The screen displayed a social media account’s record log. The username leaped out at me: **My Dog-Training Diary.** The earliest post was three years ago. “Tricking my love-struck girlfriend into believing I was accused of plagiarism. What will she do?” “Update: It was hilarious watching her kneel in the office and take the fall for me, hahaha, so stupid!” “She dropped out, and I got into a prestigious university with my research award!” Then, a year ago, our wedding. “What’s it like to ditch your fiancée on your wedding day?” “A little boring, I smoothed things over with a few words the next day.” “But, the first night with my true love was the best wedding gift.” Then, last month. “Tricking my devoted wife into believing my mom had leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. Guess if she’ll donate?” “LOL, she was pregnant and took induction shots to donate cord blood for my mom. She miscarried with massive bleeding and still begged the doctors to draw more of her bone marrow!” Every single entry, over a hundred posts, he had documented in clear, precise detail. My fingertips whitened from pressing so hard, tears raining down like broken pearls onto the screen. Unbeknownst to me, Chloe had pushed me to the hospital rooftop. She bent down, helpfully scrolling to the latest post. “Tricking my devoted wife into believing I crashed. What will she do?” The latest reply was an hour ago: “So funny, she actually jumped off a building to kill herself! Good thing she didn’t die, otherwise, this account wouldn’t have any more content!” I had been so heartbroken for him that I wanted to die, still grieving even the moment I woke up, and I was just a fool. Chloe savored my expression, her voice mocking. “Aria, big sister, have you ever felt like your life has been particularly dramatic and exciting these past few years?” “Those were all my ideas!” Her smile slowly faded, replaced by a vicious snarl. “But why didn’t you die?! You should have just died cleanly!” “Now you’re still alive, looking like this ghost, and hogging Liam! Who are you trying to disgust?!” With that, she slowly pushed me closer to the edge of the rooftop. Seeing the height of several stories, I panicked and begged for mercy. “I was wrong! I’ll never appear before him again, please don’t kill me! Please!” A sinister voice echoed behind me. “Too late.” She raised her hand, shoved me hard, and then jumped herself. Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed hold of us both. 3 It was Liam! His eyes were filled only with me, his anxious voice trembling. “Didn’t I tell you to go home? Why did you come back up here to try and die again? I told you I’d cure you, don’t do anything reckless!” My voice trembled. “It wasn’t me, it was Chlo—” Chloe suddenly burst into loud sobs. “Sister Aria, I don’t know why she invited me to the rooftop, but when I saw her, she was already at the edge. She forced me to jump, saying why should I be able to run around happily, and if I didn’t jump, she’d throw herself down again! I had no choice but to jump, but I didn’t expect her to lose her balance and fall too!” Liam’s gaze instantly turned cold. “Aria, when did you become so malicious?!” “No! I didn’t…” Chloe continued to wail, “Liam, you can’t hold both of us by yourself! Sister Aria is already like this, if she falls again, she’ll die!” “Let go of me, save Sister Aria!” Liam looked at me, then at Chloe. After only a few seconds of hesitation, I felt the hand holding me slowly loosen. “Aria, you already have fractures. Another fall won’t make things much worse. But Chloe isn’t injured yet, and I simply can’t bear for both of you to be stuck in bed.” “Besides, this time it’s your own doing, consider it a lesson learned. I won’t hold it against you after this.” He pursed his lips and sighed. “Aria, protect your head, okay?” “Close your eyes if you’re scared, the pain will pass quickly. I’ll come right down to get you.” With that, he released my hand. I kept my eyes wide open. Liam’s expression showed sadness, anger, worry—I couldn’t read it. Perhaps, in all these years, I had never truly understood him. The hospital was only four stories high. I was momentarily caught by a crooked tree in mid-air, and when I hit the ground, I didn’t even lose consciousness. But it hurt so much, like my entire body had been shattered into countless pieces, scattered across the ground. This time, Liam hadn’t lied to me. Before the concrete beneath me had even warmed, he arrived, holding Chloe in his arms. About fifteen meters away, Chloe struggled out of Liam’s embrace with a look of worry, then jogged towards me. She knelt on the ground and helped me up, crying loudly, but not a single tear fell from her face. Instead, she smiled mockingly. “Aria, what do you have to fight me with?” “Whether I’m right or wrong, Liam will always be on my side!” My body was flooded with adrenaline, and I instantly felt no pain. Gathering all my strength, I raised my left hand and slapped Chloe hard. “Aria! What are you doing?!” The warmth on Liam’s face froze, and he roared, rushing over to scoop Chloe up and shield her behind him. My head suddenly lost its support and hit the ground. Everything went black, and the sounds around me grew fainter. “I thought this would be enough to make you reflect, but I didn’t expect you to be so stubborn. I’ve been too soft on you!” He coldly dialed a number, telling the doctor not to bother coming. “I was worried you fell badly, but looking at how you just hit someone, you’re full of energy! You can just lie here yourself!” With that, he took Chloe’s hand and turned to leave. Chloe wasn’t satisfied. “Liam, are we just going to leave like this?” “Sister Aria clearly hasn’t realized her mistake. If we don’t punish her, what if she threatens me again next time?” Liam frowned slightly. “She’s unconscious. Isn’t leaving her for a day and a night enough?” Chloe deliberately showed him the side of her face that I had slapped red, looking wronged. “She framed me. Shouldn’t I decide how to teach her a lesson? Let me give her one more dare. Tell her that you have enemies looking for revenge, and the only way they’ll let you go is if she pleases a dozen men. Can we do that?” 4 Chloe’s voice grew softer and softer. “What man would want a woman who’s broken like this? I just want to scare her, teach her a lesson…” Liam looked at me, lying unconscious, and didn’t speak for a moment. After a long pause, he said in a low voice, “Don’t you think that’s a bit much?” Chloe burst into tears, covering her face, and ran off. “Fine, I’m just too petty! She’s your wife, I’m nothing to you! Anyway, you saved me, so whatever! Next time, just let me die!” The hesitation in Liam’s eyes vanished, and he immediately pulled her into a comforting embrace, his voice tender. “Don’t talk nonsense. I can’t even stand to see you get a small scratch. If you died, how would I live?” “Okay, I’ll do whatever you say.” My consciousness faded, tears welling in my eyes. When I woke up again, everything around me was dim, and I was lying on a bed. Liam was helping to secure the plaster splints on my body. He meticulously checked each connection for looseness, his movements gentle, as if afraid of hurting me. Seeing that I was awake, he lowered his gaze and gently stroked the corner of my eye. “Aria, I’m being targeted by my enemies. They want my life, unless you… go appease them…” “Will you help me? I won’t mind.” “From now on, you’ll be my lifesaver. I’ll love you forever.” He let go of my hand without waiting for my reply. Before leaving, he gave detailed instructions to the people outside the door. “I’ve already spoken with her, she’ll cooperate. Don’t hurt her, and don’t turn on the lights so she won’t remember.” With that, over a dozen men entered one after another, their eyes fixated on me with a greasy gaze. I spoke to the man standing closest to me. “Can I borrow your phone for a moment?” He sneered. “Calling for backup? Your husband already gave you to us to play with. Who else can save you?” My eyes were vacant, and I spoke as if my oil had run out and my lamp was dim. “Not to make a call. I just want to glance at a certain social media account.” “Just one look, please.” I got the phone as I wished and searched for the “Dog Training Log” account. I so hoped that everything I heard before I passed out was false, but the truth always stabbed me violently. “Tricking my wife, who just woke up from a suicide attempt, into believing enemies are after me and she needs to repay their debt with her body. Will she agree?” A new user commented below: “What happened to your wife? Why did she try to commit suicide?” “Oh, she has depression. Just typical behavior for her.” “Then why are you still messing with her like that?” “She’s going to die sooner or later anyway, so what’s wrong with getting some entertainment before she does? If you don’t like it, leave. Nobody’s forcing you to watch!” My left hand fell weakly onto the bed, my breathing becoming rapid. It felt like a wire had snapped in my brain. The severe depression I had suppressed for years finally erupted completely at that moment. Extreme somatic symptoms caused my whole body to tremble uncontrollably, like I was having a seizure. My vision blurred. I reached out and grabbed onto something, anything. “Kill me! I want to die so bad! Let me die! Just let me die!!” The men around me jumped in fright. “What the hell is wrong with her?! Didn’t he say she was just a paralytic with broken bones? Is she sick or something?! I don’t want to be involved in a death!” A man from the back pushed his way to the front, grumbling, “You guys are picky when there’s fun to be had. I love playing with psychos!” “She wants to die, doesn’t she? Guys, let’s play her to death, hahaha!” A cold sensation spread across my chest, and I closed my eyes in resignation. Suddenly, the room door was kicked open with a loud bang. A voice rang out: “How is it that you’re always either being tricked, or on your way to being tricked?” 5 With one punch, he knocked a man down. The remaining standing men fled in terror. He strode over, took off his jacket, and covered me with it.

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The night before my wedding, I was busy decorating our new home when I discovered something unexpected on our bed. As I was arranging the bedroom, I noticed an unidentified stain on the sheets. Someone else had been in our new marital home! My mind went blank. I immediately video called my fiancé. Surprisingly, he answered right away. “The new bed is really soft. I’ve tested it out for you,” said a sultry voice. It was Jack’s assistant, Rachel, who answered the call. The woman smiled seductively and smugly. Well then, I guess I don’t want this man anymore. “Where’s Jack? Tell him to answer the phone,” I demanded, momentarily stunned but quickly regaining my composure. Rachel peered at my surroundings through the screen. She smirked, “Oh, Miss Lily is in the new house.” “The new bed is really soft. I’ve tested it out for you,” she purred. I felt like the ground had disappeared beneath my feet, my mind going blank. I glared at the woman on the screen, momentarily speechless. Rachel’s eyes swept over the bed behind me, her tone triumphant: “The groom is quite impressive too. I’ve tested him out for you as well.” Now I could see her surroundings clearly – she was in a hotel room. I forced myself to stay calm, suppressing my rage. I asked again, “Where is Jack?” Rachel glanced off-screen theatrically, then feigned reluctance: “Mr. Wilson is working late, of course. He’s very busy.” Then I heard that familiar voice. “Rachel, come scrub my back.” At that moment, I felt paralyzed, my mouth opening and closing without a sound. “You just want to trick me into the shower with you, you naughty boy,” Rachel cooed. As she spoke, she shot me a smug look, then abruptly ended the call. I collapsed to the floor, overwhelmed by anger and heartbreak. After who knows how long, I let out a bitter laugh and tossed the sheets into the trash. Tomorrow was supposed to be my wedding day with Jack. While I was busy preparing our home, he was busy taking a romantic bath with his assistant. I knew Rachel wanted to ruin my wedding. She had succeeded. I sent Jack a message: “Jack, let’s break up. The wedding is off.” I don’t want a tainted new home, and I certainly don’t want a tainted man. I looked at the decorative figurines on the table – a bride and groom in traditional red kissing. I threw them in the trash too. I smashed our framed wedding photos hanging on the wall. I destroyed the wedding decorations I had painstakingly put up. I sent messages to friends and family canceling the wedding, then turned off my phone and went home. Once things quieted down, I forced myself not to dwell on the years I’d spent with that scumbag. I drank myself into a stupor, seeking oblivion in alcohol. The next morning, I was jolted awake by aggressive pounding on my door. Jack and his groomsmen stood there in their suits, looking picture perfect. The roses in Jack’s hand were crushed and scattered. Seeing my clearly hungover state, he flew into a rage. “Lily! Are you out of your mind?!” He looked so ugly with his face contorted in anger. I actually found it a bit amusing. My laughter seemed to infuriate Jack further. He violently threw down what remained of the bouquet and roared, “Do you know today is our wedding day?!”

I rubbed my eyes, irritated at having my hangover disturbed. I snapped back, “Didn’t I tell you the wedding’s off?! We’re done, don’t you understand?!” Jack’s eyes were bloodshot, as if he was barely containing his fury. He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment before gritting out, “Get dressed and come with me right now. I’ll pretend this never happened. I can forgive you this one time.” How on earth did he get the impression I was some lovesick fool who couldn’t leave him? Just because I took our relationship seriously doesn’t mean I can’t walk away! I glanced at the groomsmen behind him, who all looked like they were enjoying the show. “Jack! You’re the one who messed up. Do you want to discuss your relationship with Rachel right here?” “Get lost! We’re over, got it?!” Jack was stunned for a moment before his expression changed dramatically. Gone was his earlier arrogance. He averted his gaze and changed his tone. “You’ve misunderstood. It’s my fault for not explaining things clearly beforehand.” “You can hit me or yell at me later if you want. Today is our wedding day, the most important day of our lives. All our family and friends are waiting. Please don’t make a scene, just come with me, okay?” He shook his head and smiled bitterly, his eyes sincere, as if I was the one being unreasonable. This man could change his tune so quickly, able to bow and scrape when needed. Seeing the groomsmen looking at me disapprovingly, his closest friend even tried to persuade me. “Sis, today really isn’t the time to throw a tantrum. You can do whatever you want after the wedding.” Very well, if Jack wanted to force my hand, I’d play along. But whatever happened next would be on him. I nodded, “Fine, wait a minute.” I quickly washed up and threw on a dress before heading out. Jack asked where I was going to do my makeup and change into my wedding dress, but I refused. His face darkened, but he couldn’t do anything about it. At the hotel, only his family’s guests were there. My family and friends, though unsure what had happened, knew I had canceled the wedding. Seeing me arrive dressed like this, the crowd’s expressions became meaningful. Several aunties immediately started criticizing me. “How can you throw a tantrum on such an important day? You’re so willful, only Jack would put up with this. Anyone else would have left you by now.” “Exactly, with all these guests waiting, why didn’t you just call it off earlier if you didn’t want to get married!” “Alright, alright, Lily’s here now, isn’t she?” Mrs. Wilson took my arm and led me to their table, motioning for me to sit. Her face betrayed no displeasure. She even asked, “Oh sweetie, we were so worried when we couldn’t reach you. Did Jack upset you? Tell us, we’ll set him straight.” Mr. Wilson chimed in kindly, “That’s right, we’re on your side.” Jack’s parents had always been good to me. Marrying into their family wouldn’t have meant dealing with in-law problems. Mrs. Wilson was an especially considerate and tolerant woman, and Mr. Wilson was a gentle and generous man. But Jack had cheated, and I could never forgive that. I remained silent for a moment. Mrs. Wilson thought I was still sulking. She said earnestly, “Lily, listen to me. Go get your hair and makeup done and change into your dress. I promise I’ll make Jack apologize to you later.” “Yes, don’t ruin the big day,” Mr. Wilson agreed. I let out a long sigh. At that moment, I wanted to explain things calmly to Jack’s parents and resolve this peacefully. But someone’s arrival interrupted me. Rachel floated in wearing a flowing red dress, looking coquettish and pretty. She smiled slightly, her gaze challenging as she looked at me. Her elaborate makeup contrasted sharply with my bare face. The click of her heels drew everyone’s attention as she approached. “I’m not late, am I? Congratulations on your wedding, Miss Lily.”

I smiled back. How lovely, that red dress made her look like the star of the wedding. Rachel sat down next to me in the seat that should have been Jack’s. As she bent to sit, a glint at her neck caught my eye. I thought my heart had already turned to ice, but it managed to drop a few more degrees. It was a diamond ring, identical to my wedding ring. I had personally designed it – there was only one in the world. Now it hung around the neck of Jack’s mistress. If our wedding had gone ahead as planned, I don’t know what kind of ring he would have given me. But whether he found a quick replacement or took it off his assistant’s neck, it was all utterly disgusting. I couldn’t help but feel angry again. I dug my nails into my palms to keep from losing my composure. Just then, Jack walked in with the officiant. “Isn’t the bride wearing a wedding dress? A red dress is fine too, very pretty,” the officiant remarked. Clearly, he thought Rachel in her red dress and full makeup was the sulking bride. He nodded approvingly. Rachel glanced at me, then quickly waved her hands as if embarrassed: “Oh no, I’m not the bride today. Miss Lily, please don’t be upset.” Jack strode over, his face dark as he questioned me: “Why haven’t you gone to get ready? Don’t you care about our wedding at all?!” He reached out to grab me. Mrs. Wilson quickly intervened, scolding Jack: “Jack, watch your tone! There’s no need to be so harsh.” Rachel jumped in at the perfect moment: “That’s right, Miss Lily is just being a bit willful. Mr. Wilson, you should sweet talk her. Don’t let it ruin the wedding.” Jack indeed became angrier. In front of all the guests, he seemed thoroughly annoyed. He pointed at me: “Lily, there’s a limit to how unreasonable you can be. Go change right now!” Rachel stood up and patted Jack’s arm soothingly, saying, “Don’t be angry. I’ll keep Miss Lily company while she changes, and we can apologize to the guests together.” “Why don’t you just go ahead and marry him yourself, since you’re so eager to keep him company,” I retorted coldly. I was done pretending everything was fine. Clearly, there was no way to resolve this calmly today. I made a snap decision and announced loudly: “I’m sorry everyone had to witness this spectacle. Please enjoy the food and drinks, but Jack and I are officially breaking up as of today. Consider yourselves witnesses.” “How much longer are you going to keep this up?!” Jack glared at me furiously. Rachel feigned distress, even stamping her foot. Her heels made a sharp sound against the floor as she said, “Miss Lily, please don’t misunderstand. I just meant I’d help greet the guests for you. I didn’t mean anything else.” What a seasoned manipulator. I crossed my arms and coldly watched her performance. “You’re not just greeting guests for me. Didn’t you consummate the marriage for me too?” I sneered. Rachel seemed pleased by my reaction. A flash of triumph crossed her eyes before she quickly affected a deeply wronged expression. “Miss Lily, you really misunderstand me.” The little vixen was quite the actress, but I had no interest in playing her games. “Lily, have you gone mad?!” Jack cried out in alarm.

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I was my father’s illegitimate daughter, my sole purpose in life for two decades was to be a walking bone marrow bank for my half-sister. To make me willingly donate my bone marrow for the last time, my father promised me a fiancé. “Pick one. After the surgery, he’ll take you away, and you’ll never want for anything again.” I chose Julian Hayes, who had always been the kindest to me. He was my sister’s attending physician. But the second before I was wheeled into the operating room, he drained my life-saving blood. I was abandoned in the morgue, that bag of blood transfused into another woman’s body. “Sierra, don’t be afraid. I used that illegitimate girl’s blood to save your life. You are my whole world.” Every minute, my body temperature dropped by one degree. 240 minutes later, my blood congealed, and my soul froze. When I opened my eyes again, I was back to the day I chose my fiancé. In front of my father, the nine gilded résumés still lay there. This time, I bypassed Julian and picked the man from his stack of business documents – the rumored ruthless and heartless arch-rival. But my father scoffed, “Him? He’s practically on his deathbed.”

The man in the photo was Hunter Thorne, with sharp eyes and a fierce gaze. He was the capital’s newest business magnate, and also the Sterling family’s sworn enemy in business. My father was stunned. “Aurora, what are you playing at? You’ve always liked Dr. Hayes, haven’t you?” I squeezed my hands tightly, the pain keeping me grounded. Julian Hayes, a highly respected and compassionate attending physician, who had always been so caring and gentle towards me. In my past life, that very gentleness was what dragged me to hell. “Him.” My father frowned, his eyes filled with disdain. “Aurora, don’t act like a child. Who is Hunter Thorne? Some unknown nobody who appeared out of nowhere, does he really think he’s good enough to marry into the Sterling family?” He picked up the eight résumés, pulled Julian’s out, and pushed it towards me. “Dr. Hayes comes from a good family, he’s been devoted to your sister, and he’s always been patient with you. He’s the best choice.” Oh yes, so good that he personally drained my blood to save his beloved. I met my father’s impatient gaze. “I choose Hunter Thorne.” My father’s face darkened completely. He slammed the résumés onto the table. “Are you deliberately trying to defy me? Fine, I’ll tell you, forget about it! Hunter Thorne can’t beat me. His company is on the verge of bankruptcy, and he’s practically dying, stuck in some isolated hospice, just waiting to die!” My father’s assistant knocked on the door and entered at just the right moment, whispering a few words in his ear. After listening, my father revealed a cruel sneer. “Did you hear that? He checked into a private hospice last month, suffering from an incurable disease. Even the doctors gave up on him. You want to pick a dying man? Do you want to be a widow right away?” “I’m not choosing anyone.” I abruptly stood up, my heart seizing in my chest. As I walked out of the study, a hand suddenly grabbed my wrist. I turned around. It was Julian Hayes. He was wearing a white lab coat, his eyes behind the gold-rimmed glasses as gentle as ever. “Aurora, your sister said she wants to see you.” Behind him stood my ‘good sister,’ Chloe Sterling. She was dressed in a pristine white hospital gown, her face pale, her body so frail it seemed a gust of wind could blow her over. She looked at me timidly, her eyes reddening. “Sister, don’t be mad at Dad…”

Chloe’s tears flowed freely, and she leaned weakly against Julian. “It’s all my fault. If it weren’t for my weak body, you wouldn’t have to suffer so much.” Julian tenderly supported her, his gaze at me tinged with reproach. “Aurora, your sister isn’t well. Can’t you just be more understanding with her?” In the past, I would have softened and apologized immediately. I shook off his hand, my gaze coldly sweeping over both of them. “Something you need?” Chloe bit her lip, walking towards me. “Sister, that heirloom jade pendant Mom left you, I heard it has a soothing, healing effect. Could I borrow it for a few days? You know my illness, I’m always anxious. If I wear it, maybe I can get some good sleep.” That blood-red jade pendant, smooth and warm to the touch, with a subtle crimson glow within – it was my mother’s only keepsake. “No.” I refused coldly. Chloe’s face drained of all color. “Sister, are you still blaming me? Blaming me for taking your blood, your bone marrow…” She choked on her sobs. “But I didn’t want to either… Julian, I… I feel so dizzy…” Her body went limp, and she swayed into Julian’s arms. Julian immediately held her, anxiously checking her condition, then looked up and glared at me. “Aurora! Do you have to provoke your sister like this?! She’s about to undergo surgery! Can’t you be more sensible?” I scoffed. “Sensible? Does that mean I have to give her my life to be ‘sensible’?” I turned and walked away, not bothering to watch their act any longer. Back in my room, I immediately started searching. Dressing table, jewelry box, wardrobe… Nowhere. That blood-red jade pendant was gone. I rushed out of the room and grabbed a maid. “Where’s the jade pendant from my room?” The maid stammered, “Miss Aurora… Miss Chloe said… said you agreed, and she took it to wear for a few days…” All the blood in my body instantly rushed to my head. My ‘good sister,’ indeed. She didn’t even bother to pretend anymore, she just took it. I kicked open Chloe’s bedroom door. She was sitting on the sofa, showing off my blood-red jade pendant to Sierra Maxwell, who had come to visit her. “Sierra, look, this is what my mom left me, isn’t it beautiful? My sister treasures it the most, but the moment I asked, she still obediently gave it to me.”

Sierra touched the jade pendant with an envious expression. “It’s truly beautiful, Chloe. You’re so lucky to have such a loving family.” Chloe was pleased by her words, the smile on her face growing even more smug. “Of course. After all, the entire Sterling family depends on my life.” The moment she finished speaking, she saw me standing at the doorway. The smile on her face instantly froze. Sierra was also startled, quickly standing up and looking at me uneasily. “Give me back my things.” I held out my hand. Chloe snapped back to reality, immediately putting on a tearful expression, clutching the jade pendant tightly to her chest. “Sister, I just… I just wanted to borrow it, to get some of Mom’s good fortune, to bless my surgery…” She cried, looking towards Julian, who had rushed over. “Julian, please, tell my sister, I didn’t mean to take her things…” Julian immediately stood in front of Chloe, frowning at me. “Aurora, it’s just a jade pendant, isn’t it? Do you have to make such a fuss? She’s about to have surgery, can’t you just let her be at peace?” “I’ll say it again,” I stared intensely at the hypocritical face behind him. “Give me back my property.” “You!” Julian was enraged by my attitude. “How can you be so unreasonable!” He reached out to grab my wrist, but I dodged him. In the struggle, Chloe shrieked, “Ah!” and fell backward. The jade pendant she was clutching to her chest flew out of her hand, then hit the marble floor with a loud “CRACK.” It shattered into several pieces. Chloe looked at the fragments on the floor and let out a piercing wail. Julian spun around, saw the broken jade pendant, and violently shoved me away. “Aurora! Are you happy now?!” I stumbled back a few steps, my lower back hitting the doorframe hard. Just then, my father, Robert Sterling, rushed over, drawn by the noise, and saw the mess on the floor. He saw Chloe, who was crying herself almost to unconsciousness, and the broken jade pendant on the floor. Without a word, he raised his hand and gave me a resounding slap across the face. “You unruly brat! Apologize to your sister!” My face burned with pain, my ears ringing. I looked at the three faces before me and suddenly smiled. “Alright.” I bent down, picked up the largest piece of the shattered jade, then walked to Chloe. “I’m sorry.” As I spoke, I suddenly raised my hand.

No one reacted fast enough. Chloe instinctively closed her eyes. But I simply smashed that piece of jade onto the coffee table in front of her. A jarring crash. “I don’t want this anymore.” I looked at her pale face. “Along with the life I owe you, once the surgery is done, we’ll be completely even. From now on, we owe each other nothing.” With that, I turned and left. Back in my room, I locked the door and slid down to the floor, leaning against the doorframe. My phone rang. “Miss Aurora, we’ve found something. Mr. Thorne is indeed publicly claiming to be gravely ill, but he’s not in any public hospice. Our people traced his whereabouts to a private estate on the outskirts of the city that’s not open to the public.” “He’s not sick,” I immediately concluded. “He was poisoned.” Only that could explain why he suddenly became “gravely ill.” Three days later, I used the excuse of visiting a secluded spiritual retreat to shake off the Sterling family’s watch, driving alone to that estate. The mountain road was winding, the night deeply dark. Just as I was nearing my destination, my car suddenly stalled. Several blinding headlights flared from behind, and a few SUVs surrounded my car. A car door opened, and a group of men in black stepped out. Leading them was, strikingly, Julian Hayes. “Aurora, it’s so late. Where are you going?” He pulled open my car door, holding a syringe in his hand. “Your sister’s condition has suddenly worsened, and she urgently needs a blood transfusion. Come back with me and obediently donate your blood.” I gripped the steering wheel tightly. “I’m not going.” “That’s not up to you.” He sneered, giving a signal to the men behind him. Just as they were about to rush forward, a deep male voice suddenly echoed from the darkness. “She said she’s not going.”

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